September 2023 - Page 3 of 40 - Lokmarg

Reducing Age Of Consent To 16 Will Adversely Affect Child Marriage, Trafficking: Law Commission

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

The Law Commission of India has submitted its report on the reduction of the age of consent from 18 to 16 and stated that reducing the age of consent will have a direct and negative bearing on the fight against child marriage and child trafficking.

The report further stated that in order to ensure that children get the best environment to grow and flourish, it is necessary to increase awareness regarding child sexual abuse and the varied forms it can take.

Further, as a part of their school curriculum, children can be made aware of their bodies and the various physiological and psychological changes they experience as a part of growing up. Information about sex and the ill effects of engaging in it at a young age can better equip children to make healthier and safer choices in life, stated the commission.

Comprehensive and age-appropriate sex education should be made a mandatory part of the school curriculum and government programs like Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram should be utilised to inform and empower the adolescent population of India, the report said.

Law Commission in its report to the Ministry of Law and Justice further suggests that adolescents in the age bracket of 16 to 18 years still remain children who ought to enjoy higher protection of the law and the age of consent cannot be disturbed either by reducing it or introducing a limited exception.

It further states that even though close-in-age exemptions have been largely considered inadequate to deal with the present situation, the Commission considers that the age difference between the victim-child and the accused in such romantic cases ought to be a relevant factor that is to be carefully considered by the court.

However, in light of the existing ground realities, if the age difference between the victim child and the accused is less than three years, the Commission is of the considered view that the introduction of judicial discretion in the matter of sentencing can help alleviate the plight of those truly aggrieved.

A child can be prosecuted as an adult in cases of heinous offences under the JJ Act. Offences defined under Sections 3 and 7 of the POCSO Act are heinous in nature and there is always the danger of the child being tried as an adult even though the sexual act had been consensual. Thus, changes are also required to be brought within the JJ Act in order to ensure that in such cases of romantic relationships, the child is not tried as an adult and gets the benefit of a trial in accordance with the JJ Act, suggested Law Commission of India. (ANI)

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Asian Games: Indian Men’s Badminton Team Assures Historic Medal After 37 Years

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

The Indian men’s badminton team scripted history by securing a medal at the Asian Games after 37 years as they destroyed Nepal 3-0 in the quarterfinals in Hangzhou on Friday.

On the back of a stunning performance from their shuttlers, the Indian team without breaking a sweat cruised into the semifinals of the 19th Asian Games. Lakshya Sen began it off, Kidambi Shrikanth followed and Mithun Manjunath completed it off, all in straight games without any trouble.

In the first match of the tie, Lakshya Sen defeated Prince Dahal 21-5, 21-8 to give India a 1-0 lead. Later in the second match of the tie, former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth in a straight set defeated Sunil Joshi 21-4, 21-13.

The Nepal shuttler was not any match to the Indian in terms of skillset. Joshi was only able to score all four points in the first game and handed an easy win to Kidambi.

The second set of the match saw a little bit of a fightback from Joshi but it was not enough to stop Kidambi raced away to a comfortable win in the match.

In the third game of the tie, Mithun Manjunath overpowered Bishnu Katuwal 21-2, 21-7 to seal a place in the semifinals for his team.

Dominant Manjunath left no stone unturned in assuring India a place in the semis.

They will face the winner between Indonesia and Korea in the semifinal for a spot in the final.

Meanwhile, Indian women’s badminton team was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the team competition in Hangzhou.

India registered a disappointing 3-0 loss to Thailand in their QF match. (ANI)

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IAF To Buy 156 More Prachand Choppers For Deployment Along China, Pak Border

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

In what could be termed as one of the biggest pushes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ in the defence sector, the Indian Air Force is going to place orders for 156 more Prachand Light Combat Helicopters, with HAL, which would be deployed at both the China and Pakistan front by the IAF and the Indian Army.

The two services have already inducted 15 of these choppers in their fleet in the last 15 months after holding trials in the most extreme weather conditions and terrain in the world.

“The Indian Air Force as the lead service has moved a proposal to the government for buying 156 more Prachand choppers as a joint acquisition case which is likely to get approved soon,” senior defence officials told ANI.

Recently, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari had announced from foreign soil about the force’s intent to buy around 100 more Light Combat Aircraft Mark 1A to push indigenisation.

The combined total of the two projects in terms of worth is over Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

Of the 156 choppers, 66 would be inducted by the Indian Air Force while the rest 90 would be acquired by the Indian Army.

Meeting the Indian Air Force requirement of being a completely Indian Designed, developed and manufactured weapon system, the Prachand has been extensively test-flown by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

The attack helicopter has been built as per the requirements of the Indian armed forces to operate both in desert terrains and high-altitude sectors.

Prachand is the world’s only attack helicopter that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 ft), which makes it ideal to operate in the high-altitude areas of the Siachen glacier and Eastern Ladakh.

It is also capable of firing a range of air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles and can destroy air defence operations of the enemy.

It is also going to be equipped with newer Dhruvastra air-to-ground missiles which can destroy hardened shelters of the enemy in high altitude as well as other terrain.

The IAF is also buying a significant number of these choppers to keep the machines ready for export requirements and sale to friendly foreign countries.

The number of these choppers in the services is expected to go beyond 300 to meet full military requirements and is also expected to find buyers in the export markets soon. (ANI)

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All 4 Nipah Patients Including 9-Yr-Old Boy Have Recovered: Kerala HM

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday said that all four patients including a nine-year-old who were undergoing treatment for Nipah have recovered and have tested negative for the virus infection.

A total of six cases of Nipah virus infection were reported in Kerala’s Kozhikode district of which two persons died.

The Health Minister today said that all four patients have tested double negative and left hospital.

“Informing the good news that four people, including a nine-year-old boy who were undergoing treatment for Nipah, have recovered from the infection and have tested double negative (two samples tested in intervals tested negative),” the Health Minister said in a post in Malayalam on Facebook.

The nine-year-old boy is the son of Muhammad Ali (47), the index case, who died due to the deadly virus on August 30. The second victim died on September 11.

As per the government data, no new Nipah cases were reported until Sunday and the five samples that were sent for lab tests have tested negative.

The Kozhikode District Administration has relaxed restrictions in containment zones in the district as no new cases were reported.

Earlier in a press briefing, Minister Veena George said that the state government has decided to strengthen the healthcare system.

“We have started to strengthen the ‘One Health’ activities in the district. We have started training people for the same. ‘One health’ means all the departments will come together. We have also taken the decision to establish an institution where all the departments will be well-coordinated. So, community surveillance will be there throughout the year”, she said.

The health minister said that ICMR and WHO had conducted studies and found that Kerala and eight other states in India have the probability of Nipah occurrence.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the state will conduct a seroprevalence study on the Nipah virus being repeatedly found in Kozhikode district. (ANI)

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ISKCON Unit Threatens Defamation Case Against Maneka Gandhi

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

Taking strong exception to Bharatiya Janata Party leader Maneka Gandhi’s alleged remarks that the “ISKCON sells cows from its Gaushalas (cowsheds) to butchers”, the Kolkata unit of the temple body on Friday said that they are going to file a Rs 100 crore defamation case against the Sultanpur MP and that notice has already been issued to her regarding the same.

“The comments of Maneka Gandhi were very unfortunate. Our devotees across the world are very hurt. We are taking legal action of defamation of Rs 100 crores against her. We have sent her a notice today,” Vice-President of ISKCON Kolkata, Radharamn Das told ANI.

This came after a viral video of Gandhi surfaced recently, in which the founder of People for Animals could be heard alleging that the ISKCON is the “biggest cheat in the country which sells cows from its gaushalas to butchers”.

Responding to it, Das said, “How can an MP, once a Union Minister, say a lie against such a big society without any evidence? She is saying (in the purported video) that she visited our Anantpur Gaushala but our bhakts (ISKCON members) there do not remember the visit.” (ANI)

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Arunachal CM Criticises China For Denying Visas To Athletes

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khanduhas taken on China for denial of regular Visas the Arunchal atheletes for the Asian Games. Khandu said that athletes and officials from the state not getting visas for China is not a new thing for them.

The three players from Arunachal Pradesh – Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu were supposed to participate in individual matches at the Guali Cultural and Sports Centre in Xiaoshan district in the ongoing Asian Games. However, they were denied entry and couldn’t compete in their respective events.

Speaking about China’s decision to deny Arunachal’s Wushu athletes a chance to participate in the respective events Khandu said, “China denying our athletes and officials visas is not a new thing for us. It is very unfortunate that they keep creating obstacles, this is not good. They claim that Arunachal Pradesh is their part but in history, Arunachal has never been a part of China. Everyone knows this.”

Hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, Onilu and Mepung, who were approved to participate by the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 Organising Committee, were unable to download their accreditation cards, which act as visas to enter China.

The third athlete Nyeman, who managed to download her accreditation, was informed that she would not be allowed to travel beyond Hong Kong. The athletes were to take part in individual events of the martial arts sport.

Labelling this action as discriminatory, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had cancelled his visit to China as a mark of protest while emphasizing that it goes against the Olympic Charter, a stance deemed “unacceptable” by India.

Union Minister asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.

“It is not acceptable to India and I have cancelled my trip to China on these grounds as they have denied the opportunity to the players from Arunachal Pradesh to be a part of the Asian Games. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India,” Thakur told reporters earlier in the month.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also expressed his dissatisfaction over China’s action and labelled the incident “shameful” and called on the Centre to register a strong protest with Chinese officials in Beijing.

“While everyone is rightly celebrating the medals that India is winning daily at the Hangzhou #AsianGames, let’s not forget that China disgracefully refused to allow three Indian athletes entry into their country because they were born in Arunachal Pradesh,” Tharoor had posted on X .

Wushu events have concluded on Thursday with Roshibina Devi Naorem clinching a silver medal in the women’s 60 Kg Wushu at the Asian Games on Friday. (ANI)

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Success Of G20, Chandrayaan-3 Filled India With New Energy

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that democracy is very deep-rooted in the country and that has been the biggest achievement as a nation in the last 75 years.

Addressing the 118th annual session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) at Vigyan Bhawan here, the Union Minister has also congratulated India’s G20 presidency and the success of ISRO’s moon mission-Chandrayaan.

“G20, the success of Chandrayaan-3, Mission Aditya L-1 and the passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill, all these events have filled the country with new energy… The country has completed the journey of 75 years and in the past 75 years, we have made several achievements in every sector… We have proved ourselves at the international forum,” Shah said.

The union minister further said, “In the 100th year of our Independence, we want a country that is ahead in all sectors.”

Shah also congratulated the team of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) for choosing the theme “Rising India: Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai,” for the summit.

Shah said previously the ‘Make in India’ programme was mocked but now the country is a dream destination in the production sector.

“Make in India programme, was mocked earlier, today we are the dream destination in the production sector. In the next 10 years, India will be the best destination for students across the world,” Shah said.

He further said that there is democracy and teamwork (in-country), besides clarity on policy formulation under PM Modi’s leadership.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has been working as a catalyst for the promotion of Indian industry, trade and entrepreneurship for the past 118 years. It is a forward-looking, proactive and dynamic PAN-India apex organization.

As a partner in progress with industry and government, PHDCCI works at the grassroots level with strong national and international linkages for propelling progress, harmony and integrated development of the Indian economy. (ANI)

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Indian Stocks In Green After Touching Four-Week Low

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

Indian stock indices edged marginally higher on Friday morning after touching nearly a four-week low the previous session, tracking Asian peers and relatively firm overnight US market cues.

Benchmark Sensex and Nifty were 0.2 per cent higher each from their Thursday closing. Nifty metal, pharma, PSU bank sectoral indices were the top movers this morning.

“The ‘triple whammy’ of up-trending dollar, US bond yields and Brent crude is showing signs of easing. If this trend continues it will facilitate a recovery in markets. Stability in the US market yesterday also can be a supportive factor,” said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

Lately, the indices slumped sharply after the US central bank, while keeping its interest rate steady in the September meeting, hinted that it may again hike rates going ahead if need be, in its fight against inflation.

Rising global crude oil prices and subsequent strengthening of the US dollar also weighed on the financial markets.

Going ahead, the RBI monetary policy scheduled for October 4-6 will be monitored closely by the investors. RBI typically conducts six bi-monthly meetings in a financial year, where it decides interest rates, money supply, inflation outlook, and various macroeconomic indicators.

RBI in its past three meetings – April, June, and August — held the repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent. The repo rate is the rate of interest at which RBI lends to other banks.

According to SBI Research, the monetary policy committee is expected to yet again pause the key repo rate.

“Domestically, we believe at 6.50%, we are in for a prolonged pause as seasonality of inflation is tapering first…,” SBI Research report, authored by Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Adviser, said recently. (ANI)

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Asian Games: Palak Gets Gold, Esha Wins Silver In Women’s 10M Air Pistol Final

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

The Indian contingent’s unprecedented run in shooting at the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou continues as 17 year old Palak secured a gold medal while 18 year old Esha Singh secured a silver medal in the 10m air pistol women’s individual final on Friday.

With an individual score of 242.1 points, Palak not only won the gold, but also established a new Asian Games record in her category, going past China’s record from 2018.

Esha won the silver with 239.7 points, continuing her incredible run as a shooter in Hangzhou with her fourth medal of these games.

With this, India’s shooting medal tally in Hangzhou has gone up to 17.

Now, India has a total of 30 medals at the ongoing Asian Games, with eight gold, 11 silver and 11 bronze medals.

Earlier, The men’s trio of Swapnil Kusal, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Akhil Sheoran clinched a gold medal at the 50 m rifle men’s 3P event on Friday.

With a score of 1769 points, Team India secured the gold. The silver medal was won by 1763 points and the bronze medal went to South Korea with 1748 points. With their score, India also broke the world record of 1761 points held by the USA since last year.

Earlier, the shooting trio of Esha Singh, Palak and Divya Subbaraju continued the country’s unstoppable run at shooting as they secured a silver medal in the women’s 10 m air rifle pistol team final at the ongoing Asian Games on Friday.

With a total of 1731 points, India managed to get their hands on silver, falling just five short of gold, which was won by China with 1736 points. Chinese Taipei secured the bronze medal with 1723 points.

Earlier on Thursday, Sarabjot Singh, Shiva Narwal, and Arjun Singh Cheema bagged another gold medal for India in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol Team at the Hangzhou Asian Games here on Thursday.

The match-up saw a comeback from Sarabjot Singh to qualify in fifth place for the final of the individual event. Arjun Singh Cheema qualified for the final in 8th place. Shiva Narwal failed to qualify for the individual final finishing 14th but the Indian team’s combined score was enough to edge out China by one point for Gold.

With 1734 points Indian team clinched the gold, China stood second with 1733 points and Vietnam secured the bronze with 1730 points. (ANI)

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Modi Calls For Cleanliness Drive Ahead Of Gandhi Jayanti

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

Calling upon people across the country to take part in a cleanliness drive on October 1 beginning at 10 am, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every effort counts.

“1st October at 10 AM, we come together for a pivotal cleanliness initiative. A Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every effort counts. Join this noble endeavour to usher in a cleaner future,” PM Modi posted on X (Formerly Twitter).

Earlier during his 105th episode of Mann ki Baat, PM Modi said, “A big event on cleanliness is going to be organised on October 1 that is on Sunday at 10 am. You too should take out time and help in this campaign related to cleanliness. You can also join this cleanliness campaign in your street, or neighbourhood or at a park, river, lake or any other public place.”

‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Campaign is a mega cleanliness drive to mark the celebration of Gandhi Jayanti. This initiative is a run-up to the ‘Swachhata Pakhwada- Swachhata Hi Seva’ 2023 campaign. This follows PM Modi’s appeal for one hour of ‘Shramdaan for swachhata’ at 10 am on 1st Oct by all citizens.

Every town, Gram Panchayat, all sectors of the government like civil aviation, railways and public institutions will be facilitating cleanliness events led by the citizens.

A special portal has been set up to help organizations put up different events. This portal will also invite influencers and citizens to join this people’s movement as Swachhata Ambassadors. People can click pictures and upload them on the portal to mark their presence.

The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on October 2, 2014, with an aim to make the country open defecation-free and also universal sanitation coverage.

Earlier in 2021, PM Modi launched Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 to make all Indian cities ‘Garbage Free’ and ‘Water Secure’.

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U) 2.0 was launched on October 1, 2021, for a period of five years with a vision of achieving Garbage Free Status for all cities through 100 per cent source segregation, door-to-door collection and scientific management of all fractions of waste including safe disposal in scientific landfills. It is also aimed at remediation of all legacy dumpsites and converting them into green zones.

Exhorting the people across the country to get involved in the cleanliness campaign, PM Modi said taking the campaign forward will be a giant step towards fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean India. (ANI)

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