Month: August 2023

Deepak Babaria Congress in-charge for Delhi Alka Lamba

No Discussion On Polls Or Alliance: Cong In-Charge For Delhi

By LokMarg

Deepak Babaria, Congress in-charge for Delhi, on Wednesday, distanced the party from its leader Alka Lamba’s statement, saying that there was no discussion held on elections or alliance in today’s meeting. Babaria even termed her statement “immature”. 

Speaking to ANI, Babaria said, “I am finding myself for want of words to get some sense of the AAP. Alka Lamba is not an authorized spokesperson for much larger issues. As an in-charge, I have said there has been no discussion on it (Lok Sabha seats).” 

“After the completion of the meeting, I clearly said that there were no discussions regarding elections or alliance in the meeting. I also said that any discussion of the INDIA alliance will only take place in the presence of Mallikarjun Kharge ji,” he said. 

Earlier in the day the Congress party held a meeting of its Delhi unit. 

After the meeting, Congress leader Alka Lamba claimed that the party had asked its cadres and leaders to start making preparations for the seven Lok Sabha seats for the 2024 elections. 

This statement triggered the AAP to threaten a walkout from the INDIA alliance. Party spokesperson Priyanka Kakar said, “If they (Congress) don’t want to form an alliance in Delhi, then it makes no sense to go for the INDIA alliance, it is a waste of time. The party’s top leadership will decide whether or not to attend the next meeting of the INDIA alliance.” 

This forced Congress in charge for Delhi to make a clarification that no talks had been held on the alliance in Delhi. 

He also cautioned the AAP on its media statement, saying, “The AAP should understand… to make such statements.” 

“They should also understand that the entire media wants to support the BJP..want to provoke you.. After provoking you, to make such statements..I think it is the most unfortunate thing,” Babaria said, referring to Priyanka Kakkar’s statement. 

He further mentioned that there was no discussion held in the meeting today.

“To make some imaginary statements…And if someone believes the immature statements of our spokesperson..they should have clarified it with me,” he said, terming it the “mischief of media to favour the BJP”. 

The INDIA alliance is scheduled to meet in Mumbai at the end of this month and a potential face-off between the AAP and the Congress would have hurt the alliance. (ANI)

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primary healthcare India WHO

Investment In Primary Healthcare By Indian Govt Is Right: WHO Chief 

By LokMarg

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday praised India for its investment in primary healthcare, saying that “the investment in primary healthcare in Ayushman Bharat by the government of India is the right investment.”

He said that WHO has been telling countries to invest in the primary healthcare system and India is doing that.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made these remarks after his visit to a Health and Wellness Centre in Adraj Moti Village in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar. He is due to participate in the Traditional Medicine Global Summit set to be organised by WHO and co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar on August 17-18.

Speaking to reporters after his visit to the healthcare centre in Adraj, Ghebreyesus said, “You know, from the start when this was announced by the government some years ago, the Ayushman Bharat Initiative, WHO supported because we believe that primary healthcare, countries should invest in primary health care. That’s what we have been telling countries and India is actually doing that.”

“And for any health system, a strong primary health care is key because most of the services can be provided at primary health care level, more than 80 per cent. And not only that, outbreaks can be prevented at primary health care and can be detected early at primary health care level. So, the investment in primary health care in Ayushman Bharat by the government of India is the right investment. And that’s what we’re asking all countries to really focus,” he added.

WHO Director-General said that many nations, including high-income countries, were surprised by COVID-19 as there was a lack of investment in primary healthcare. He called investment in primary healthcare a “right initiative”, for all the nations. 

“As you know, many countries, including high-income countries, were surprised by COVID. The problem was because of lack of investment in primary healthcare. So, when I say investment in primary healthcare, it’s for all countries, whether it’s high-income, middle income or low-income. So this is the right investment,” he said. 

Speaking about his visit to healthcare centre in Adraj, he said, “I have been talking about Ayushman Bharat and you know commending the initiative but I’m glad that I have visited today, one of which and see firsthand how it functions and including by the way, telemedicine. There was consultation with a doctor 40 km from here.”

“And I’m really happy that not only services provided here, but patients, instead of travelling to far places and spending on transport fees and so on, they can get additional services remotely from here. And that’s what we have witnessed, one person getting the benefit of telemedicine. So, I’m glad to witness first and how the Ayushman Bharat is doing. Of course, there are more than 150,000 across the country and I hope the government will continue to invest in this,” he added. 

Asked about India’s COVID journey, he said, “COVID is behind us and India did its best.” 

He said that nations must continue to remain vigilant as many countries are not testing enough. He stated that the WHO is following the EG.5 variant and will do everything on this and any emerging variant. 

“On new variants, not only EG.5, we would expect more variants to emerge. What’s important is to really continue to do our tests. I mean continue to be vigilant because many countries are not testing enough and we wouldn’t know whether the virus is changing or not,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in response to a question regarding EG.5 variant.

“So from the EG.5, what we can say is new variants may emerge and continuing to test will be very important and see how the virus is behaving. But we’re following this particular variant and we will do everything not only on this variant but any emerging variant. But, we countries should continue to be vigilant,” he added. (ANI)

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Pakistan's Faisalabad churches vandalised

Pak: Multiple Churches Vandalised In Faisalabad Over Blasphemy Allegations

By LokMarg

Multiple churches have been vandalised in the Jaranwala district of Pakistan’s Faisalabad on Wednesday over blasphemy allegations, Pakistan-based Dawn reported citing officials. 

Speaking to Dawn, Imran Bhatti, the pastor of the Jaranwala tehsil said that the Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church and Shehroonwala Church located in Isa Nagri region were ransacked. Bhatti further said that the house of a Christian cleaner, who was accused of blasphemy, has also been demolished. 

Punjab police chief Usman Anwar said that the police were holding negotiations with the protesters and the area had been cordoned off. 

Speaking to Dawn, the provincial police chief said, “There are narrow lanes [in the area] in which small two to three marla churches are located and there is one main church … they have vandalised portions of the churches.”

The official further said that efforts were being made to control the situation by situation by engaging with peace committees. The official said that the police in the province had been activated. 

Usman Anwar said, “The assistant commissioner of the area, a member of the Christian community, has also been evacuated after people turned against him,” Dawn reported. 

Meanwhile, Christian leaders said that the police remained silent spectators, the report said. 

President Bishop of the Church of Pakistan Azad Marshall said Christians were being tortured and harassed.

Bishop Azad Marshall, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan. A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been tortured and harassed having been falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran. We cry out for justice and action from law enforcement and those who dispense justice and the safety of all citizens to intervene immediately and assure us that our lives are valuable in our own homeland that has just celebrated independence and freedom.”

Earlier in July, Human Rights Focus Pakistan President Naveed Walter said that the population of minorities in Pakistan has come down to 3 per cent from 23 per cent since its independence in 1947.

“There were multiple reasons behind this. One of the main reasons was when Pakistan was declared an Islamic country. In 1973, when the constitution was established, in Article 2 it was stated that Islam shall be a state religion. In Article 41 (2) it was declared that the President shall always be a Muslim always. Article 91 restated that the Prime Minister shall be a Muslim always. There were multiple amendments in the constitution in the 1980s when the dictator Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq made the amendments in the constitution as per the Sharia law”, said Naveed Walter.

The human rights activist said that the blasphemy law was introduced in the country to target religious minorities. A large number of people have been killed and many languished in jail across Pakistan since its introduction. (ANI)

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Calling a Movie Islamophobic is The Easy Part

‘Branding a Movie Islamophobic or Propaganda is The Easy Part’

By LokMarg

Gaurav Pandey, a social activist from Lucknow, says one may critique the handling of a cinematic work by a certain director, but one cannot shut one’s eyes to the reality. His views:

After the stunning success of The Kashmir Files, a movie based on the plight and forced displacement of Kashmir Pandits, many filmmakers felt there was a need to revisit similar injustices in the country. The movie thus sparked off several movies, like The Kerala Story, Ajmer 92 and 72 Hoorain, which the liberals were quick to brand as Islamophobic. However, I feel these movies hold the mirror to our society. Calling them Islamophobic is the easy part.

Cinema is but reflection of our society. If it fails to fulfil that objective, it becomes meaningless. Can one deny that Kashmiri Pandits were brutally killed and forced to leave their homes? Or scores of girls were blackmailed in Ajmer? Or innocent, impressionable minds are brainwashed to take up arms in the name of jihad? These are harsh realities. You may disagree with or critique the handling of these issues by a certain director, but you cannot shut your eyes to what has happened or is happening around you in the country.

These films do not target a person or a community, they expose the blot on our society and culture. This difference needs to be understood. After all these film did pass muster with the Censor Board, which screens every film before release! If at all these films had misrepresented facts or a faith, or were seen as promoting communal disharmony, the board would have objected to such scenes or the entire film.

Also, the filmmakers, for the past decade or so, have also been taking the liberty to choose topics that portrays what has been under-represented in popular culture. That is why a wide range of ‘bold’ films are being made and released on silver screen or OTT format. These themes speak of Dalit repression, women empowerment, alternate sexuality… and what not. So why object only to movies that unravel the misdeeds of a few criminals who took shelter behind religion?

ALSO READ: ‘Propaganda Movies Distort Facts Selectively’

Today’s ‘realistic’ films remind one of early Bollywood era, when cinema portrayed harsh realities, not stars who would be singing and dancing in foreign locales. Now, the filmmakers have become more ‘liberal’ in exploring all the avenues more freely.

Take for example Ajmer 92, which revisits a horrific real incident that deeply impacted the city of Ajmer in 1992. It portrays how more than 200 college girls were systematically blackmailed and raped by influential individuals connected to a political party. It tactfully avoids the perpetrators’ ties to the Sufi Dargah. It also embraced the cause of women empowerment, igniting a powerful message in its own unique way.

Similarly 72 Hoorain delves deep into the concept of terrorism with the intent to address the root cause of the problem and exposing the driving force behind it. It also beautifully portrays the `brain washing’ tactics used to lead the youths up the garden path.

Despite the controversies, such films are important in revitalizing Indian cinema and restore its former glory and can be useful in preserving our regional identity. The films which blindly follow a formulaic approach that dilute the distinct regional flavours and the distinctive depth of our society are no longer carry an appeal. No doubt commercial success is the most important aspect of filmmaking, but it should also not overshadow the need for innovative storytelling and thought provoking narratives. These films push the envelope, explore unconventional themes and dare to challenge society norms.

As told to Rajat Rai

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Multi-Tracking Railway

Cabinet Approves Seven Multi-Tracking Railway Projects Of 2339 KM

By LokMarg

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved seven projects of the Ministry of Railways having an estimated cost of around Rs.32,500 crore with 100 per cent funding from the central government.

Briefing reporters after the meeting of the union cabinet,  Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said the proposals of multi-tracking will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing much-required infrastructure development on the busiest sections across the Indian railway.

The projects covering 35 districts in nine states – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal – will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 2339 km and are expected to provide employment of 7.06 crore man-days to the people of the states.

The projects include Gorakhpur Cantt-Valmiki Nagar (doubling of existing line),  Son Nagar-Andal multi-tracking project,  Nergundi-Barang and Khurda Road-Vizianagaram (third line).

The projects also include Mudkhed-Medchal and Mahbubnagar-Dhone, Guntur-Bibinagar and Chopan-Chunar (all doubling of existing line) and Samakhiali-Gandhidham (Quadrupling).

An official release said that these are essential routes for the transportation of varied basket of commodities such as foodgrains, fertilizers, coal, cement, fly-ash, iron and finished steel, clinkers, crude oil, limestone and edible oil.

It said the capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 200 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).

“The Railways being environment-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and for reducing logistics cost of the country. The projects are in line with Prime Minister’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region ‘Atmanirbhar’ by creating a multi-tasking workforce in the region and will enhance their employment and self-employment opportunities,” the release said.

The projects are a result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-mode connectivity which has been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services, the release added. 

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Sourabh Chandrakar

Kolkata: Six More Arrested In Jadavpur Univ Student Death Case

By LokMarg

Six more people were arrested on Wednesday morning in connection with the Jadavpur University student death case, taking the total number of arrests in the case to nine, police said.

Multiple teams of Kolkata Police conducted operations overnight during which four people were arrested, an official said. 

The arrested accused were identified as Md. Arif, a 3rd year student of Civil engineering at Jadavpur University. Md. Asif Azmal- 4th year student of electrical engineering, and Ankan Sardar, a 3rd year student of Civil engineering at Jadavpur University. 

Simultaneously, raids were organised by Kolkata Police at different places in Purbo Medinipur and South 24 Parganas last night to nab three more accused, they said. 

These arrested persons were identified as Asit Sardar, a former student of Jadavpur University, Saptak Kamilya, another ex-student of the university and Suman Naskar, also a former student at the varsity.

All three ex-students fled Kolkata after the incident, the police added.

Moreover, the sleuths said all six arrested persons were produced in court on Wednesday, officials said. 

Meanwhile, the Dean of Students and Registrar of Jadavpur University have been asked to meet the Joint CP Crime at Lalbazar at 3 pm on Wednesday, the officer added. 

A first-year student of Jadavpur University, Swarnodip Kundu, died on August 10 after allegedly falling from the balcony of the university’s hostel on the night of August 9.

Earlier, the police arrested an individual identified as Deepsekhar Dutta (19), a second-year Economics student at the university and a resident of Bankura district.  

The second arrested accused was identified as Manotosh Ghosh (20), a second-year student of Sociology and a resident of Hooghly.

The third arrested accused, Sourav Chowdhury, also an ex-student of the university, was produced before a city court on August 12 and remanded in police custody till August 22.

Kundu, a first-year student in the Bengali Department, hailed from Nadia district. The teen was taken to the nearby KPC Hospital in Jadavpur on the night of the alleged fall itself, by classmates.  

“The student died on Thursday morning while undergoing treatment,” an officer said earlier. (ANI)

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Elmagunda village in Sukma electricity

C’garh: Village In Naxal-Affected Sukma Gets Electricity For First Time

By LokMarg

In a significant achievement for the local administration in its efforts to take development to the areas affected by Naxalite violence, households in Elmagunda village in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh have got electricity. The feat of electrifying households in this remote Naxal violence-affected village was achieved on the eve of India’s 77th Independence Day.

The task was achieved on August 14 through the efforts of district police which worked in coordination with Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited.

Electricity had not reached Elmagunda till August 14 and people faced difficulties in their lives.

The police official said meetings were held with the villagers to make them aware of the activities of Naxals and persuade them to give thrust to the development of their village.  The villagers were also urged to keep their distance from Naxalites.

Personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) also contributed to the task.

The efforts of district administration, police and other agencies have brought smiles to the faces of villagers who now see a transformation coming about in their lives.

A camp of security forces was established at Elmagunda around six months back and this has given a fillip to development works.

Bastar Range Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P said that security camps in these remote villages were also acting as integrated development centres.

“On the eve of Independence Day, a significant event took place in Elmagunda village of Sukma district. The households of the village, which was freed from the Naxal activity last year, got electricity connections,” he said.  

The senior police official said that security camps in Bastar Range not only perform operational tasks but also facilitate development works like road construction,  electrification and opening of PDS shops, schools, anganwadi and health centres in coordination with the local administration.

He said Elamgudna is one of many examples in the last four years where security camps have played the role of a game changer in the lives of the local population.

Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiran Chavan said security camps have been established to boost the confidence of villagers in restive villages and to eradicate Naxalism.

The official said that electricity in Elamgudna households will give a tremendous boost to development, enable better education of children and help connect the local population with other parts of the state and the country. (ANI)

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Apache Helicopters Boeing

Boeing Begins Production Of Apache For Army

By LokMarg

Defence major Boeing has said it has started the production of Apache Helicopters for the Indian Army at its state-of-art facility in the US (Mesa, Arizona).

The Indian Army’s AH-64E Apache helicopters, renowned for their advanced technology and exceptional performance, are poised to enhance operational readiness and fortify defence capabilities.

The production process builds upon an ongoing collaboration with Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), which plays a pivotal role in the manufacturing of AH-64E fuselages at its cutting-edge facility in Hyderabad, India.

Earlier this year, TBAL delivered the first AH-64 Apache fuselage to the Indian Army.

“We are pleased to reach yet another significant milestone, highlighting Boeing’s unwavering commitment to support India’s defence capabilities,” said Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India.

“The AH-64’s state-of-the-art technology and battle-tested performance will elevate the Indian Army’s operational effectiveness and amplify its defensive capabilities”, read the press release.

The company’s accomplishments encompass the successful delivery of 22 AH-64E Apaches to the Indian Air Force in 2020.

Boeing entered into a contract to produce six additional AH-64Es for the Indian Army, with deliveries anticipated in 2024.

Christina Upah, Vice President of Attack Helicopter Programs and Senior Boeing Mesa Site Executive, emphasized, “The AH-64E continues to be the world’s premier attack helicopter”.

The company’s engagement with over 300 local Indian companies, in conjunction with its joint venture focusing on manufacturing key components, reflects Boeing’s vision for a resilient and interconnected aerospace ecosystem in India.

With annual sourcing exceeding $1 billion from India, Boeing’s role as a catalyst for growth extends beyond the technical realm.

The company employs over 5,000 individuals within India and collaborates with over 13,000 supply chain partners, fostering community engagement and implementing citizenship programs that touch the lives of over 500,000 individuals. (ANI)

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Union Minister Anupriya Patel I.N.D.I.A.

Disheartened, Disappointed: NDA Ally Anupriya Slams Oppn Alliance At Atal event

By LokMarg

Union Minister Anupriya Patel on Wednesday came down hard on the Opposition alliance — I.N.D.I.A — saying that the members of the bloc are ‘disheartened’ as they have come to realise that they are not coming to power next year.

Speaking to ANI after paying floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his fifth death anniversary, the leader of Apna Dal, which is a partner in the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), said, “The Opposition is disheartened and disappointed. They know that they not coming to power in 2024. The people don’t trust them and I don’t see any scope for the Opposition alliance to wrest power in next year’s general elections. So they can say whatever they want as the people continue to repose their trust in PM Modi’s leadership.”

Talking up the prospects of the ruling NDA in the next general elections, she added, “The NDA is well on course to score a hat-trick of wins in 2024.”

The Apna Dal leader was among several NDA partner leaders to pay tributes to Vajpayee on his fifth death anniversary on Wednesday.

Keen to shore and boost the ruling alliance, with an eye on the next Lok Sabha elections, BJP, for the first time, invited fellow partners NDA to Vajpayee’s memorial on his death anniversary.

“I pay my humble respects to Vajpayee-ji on behalf of Apna Dal and the entire NDA family. His poems, literature, and political journey will continue to inspire us,” Patel said.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur paid glowing tributes to Vajpayee, saying, “We get to learn a lot from Atal-ji’s life, and by following in his footsteps. We will continue to take the country forward through good governance and development.”

Also lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his work to ensure the welfare and well-being of the poor, he added, “The BJP-led NDA, under the leadership of PM Modi, has added more partners. We are working with our partners. We will contest the next general elections together and deliver a resounding victory to PM Modi.”

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who also laid floral tributes at ‘Sadaiv Atal’, the former PM’s memorial in the national capital, said, “Atal-ji had a great contribution to the making of the BJP into what it is today. His lifelong motto that we can change the country only by changing the life of the common man is what guides us in our day-to-day activities.”

On the Opposition, he said, “They represent the actual threats that our democracy is facing today. Dynasticism, appeasement, and corruption should leave the country.”

Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) chief and former Bihar chief minister, Jitan Ram Manjhi, too, paid his tributes to Vajpayee, saying, “Atal-ji had the quality to take people from every section of the society along. PM Modi is treading a similar path now.”

“
Modi jaat ki nahi jamaat ki baat karte hai
(PM Modi speaks about people, not caste),” the HAM chief said further.

Atal Bihar Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from 19 March 1998 to 22 May 2004.

He also served as India’s External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979.

He passed away at Delhi’s AIIMS Hospital on August 16 in 2018. (ANI)

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Afghan Girls Voices education

Afghan: Young Girls Voice For Education Through Global Campaign

By LokMarg

The campaign, AfghanGirlsVoices, was launched on Tuesday to elevate the voices of young Afghan girls deprived of their basic right to education, precisely came two years after the de facto Taliban authorities seized control of the country.

The United Nations released a statement on Tuesday which stated that the campaign was developed in collaboration with Education Cannot Wait (ECW), a UN fund dedicated to enabling continuous learning for children during emergencies and prolonged crises, Champion Somaya Faruqi, former captain of the Afghan Girls’ Robotic Team, with compelling artwork by a young Afghan female artist.

“The courage of these girls in Afghanistan gives me the strength to use my own voice as an ECW Global Champion to amplify their voices to the world,” said Faruqi.

“The situation is taking an immense toll on girl’s mental health and rates of suicide for girls has gone up in the last two years. It’s more urgent than ever to act now, and I hope that next year, we celebrate their freedom rather than mark their oppression,” she added.

As per a recent report by UN experts, the condition of women and girls in Afghanistan is the ‘worst globally’.

The systematic curtailment of their human rights, coupled with the profound bias they face under the regime of the de facto Taliban authorities, could potentially qualify as “gender apartheid” and “gender persecution,” the report said.

“The international community must hear this poignant call from the heart from Afghan girls and young women and mobilise in greater numbers and with renewed strength of purpose to condemn the violation of their rights,” said UN Special Envoy for Global Education and Chair of ECW’s High-Level Steering Group, Gordon Brown.

Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Girls and women in the war-torn country have no access to education, employment and public spaces.

Taliban has imposed draconian restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, and movement for women and girls.

Not only this, Taliban leaders have also disregarded international calls for women and girls to be given access to education and employment. Apparently, they have also issued warnings to other nations not to meddle in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs.

The Taliban have barred girls from attending secondary school, restricted women and girls’ freedom of movement, excluded women from most areas of the workforce and banned women from using parks, gyms and public bath houses. (ANI)

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