YEARS

# 1 Indian American Weekly : Since 2006

VOL 15 ISSUE 09 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● FEB 26 -MAR 04, 2021 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 ● [email protected] www.theindianpanorama.news

MARTYRS DAY AND HOLI SPECIAL EDITIONS Biden revokes Trump ban on

will bring out special editions to many green card applicants mark Martyrs Day and Holi. The Martyrs Day special will be published on March 19. WASHINGTON (TIP): US President The Holi special edition is Joe Biden on Wednesday, Feb 24, scheduled for March 26. revoked a proclamation from his Articles for the 2 editions may predecessor that blocked many green please be submitted by March 10 and March 15, 2021 respectively card applicants from entering the [email protected] United States. Advertisement space may please Former President Donald Trump be booked for the 2 editions by issued the ban last year, saying it was March 12 and March 18, 2021 needed to protect U.S. workers amid respectively with high unemployment due to the [email protected] coronavirus pandemic. Biden rejected that reasoning in a proclamation on Wednesday rescinding the visa ban. The Democratic president NASA releases said it had prevented families from reuniting in the United States and harmed U.S. businesses. contd on page 2 US President Joe Biden said that the ban prevented families from reuniting in the United States panoramic view and harmed U.S. businesses. - File photo of Mars rover UK judge orders Nirav Modi to be extradited to landing site NIRPAL SINGH SHERGILL legal battle against extradition on all LONDON (TIP): A UK court on grounds as District Judge Samuel Thursday, Feb 25, ruled that fugitive Goozee also concluded that there are no diamantaire Nirav Modi can be human rights concerns that his medical extradited to India to face charges of needs would not be addressed as per fraud and money laundering amounting several Indian government assurances. to an estimated USD 2 billion. The 49-year-old appeared via video link The picture shows the rim of Jezero Crater In a comprehensive extradition win for at Westminster Magistrates' Court from as seen in the first 360-degree panorama the Indian authorities, the judge has Wandsworth Prison in south-west taken by the Mastcam-Z instrument ruled that Nirav Modi not only has a case London, dressed in a formal suit and aboard NASA's Perseverance Mars rover. Nirav Modi is wanted in India on charges of - Photo / Courtesy NASA/JPL- to answer in the Indian courts but that fraud and money laundering in the estimated sporting a thick beard, and showed no Caltech/MSSS/ASU there is no evidence to suggest he would $2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam emotion as excerpts of the judgment not receive a fair trial in India. case, - PTI File Photo were read out in court. "I am satisfied Read story on page 26 Nirav Modi, wanted in India on in the estimated $2-billion Punjab that there is evidence upon which Nirav charges of fraud and money laundering National Bank (PNB) scam case, lost his contd on page 2 RSS chief advocates ‘Akhand Bharat’ Says "Akhand Bharat possible through Hindu Dharma, but not by force" HYDERABAD (TIP): Advocating the need for 'Akhand Bharat' (undivided India), RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday, February 25, said countries such as which broke away from India are now in distress. contd on page 2

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said," What seemed to be impossible had happened, so it cannot be ruled >> out that 'Akhand Bharat' which may seem to be impossible, will not happen". - PTI File Photo THE INDIAN PANORAMA TURN PAGE FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 02

contd from page 1 his personal interpretation of the evidence, in order to find a Biden revokes Trump ban on many green prima facie case has been established," the judge noted, PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: referring to the extradition case of former Kingfisher Airlines boss Vijay Mallya as precedent. Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja card applicants He accepted that while Nirav's mental health had VICE PRESIDENT: Biden, a Democrat, has pledged to reverse many of Trump's deteriorated due to the lengthy incarceration in a London Chitagam Saluja hardline immigration policies. Immigrant advocates had prison, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, his risk of CHIEF EDITOR: pressed in recent weeks for him to lift the visa ban, which was suicide does not meet the high threshold to satisfy him that his Prof Indrajit S. Saluja set to expire on March 31. mental state is such that it would be "unjust or oppressive" to CONSULTING EDITOR : Biden left in place another ban on most foreign temporary extradite him. Deepak Dwidedi, Chairman, workers. Under the UK Extradition Act 2003, the judge will now send Bhaskar Group, Delhi In October, a federal judge in California blocked Trump's ban his findings to the Secretary of State for Home Affairs, Priti ASSISTANT EDITOR: on those foreign guest workers as it affected hundreds of Patel. It is the UK Cabinet minister who is authorized to order Bidisha Roy thousands of U.S. businesses that fought the policy in court. an extradition under the India-UK Extradition Treaty and has SPL. REPORTER UNO: Curtis Morrison, a California-based immigration attorney, two months within which to make that decision. H.S. Panaser who represents people subject to the ban said Biden will now The Home Secretary's order rarely goes against the court's GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: have to tackle a growing backlog of applications that have been conclusions, as she has to consider only some very narrow bars Om Parkash Malik held up for months as the pandemic shut down most visa to extradition which are unlikely to apply in this case, DIRECTOR processing by the State Department. The process could including the possible imposition of a death penalty. ADMINISTRATION: potentially take years, he said. Whatever the ministerial decision, the losing side - Nirav Gauri Beri "It's a backlog that Trump created," Morrison said. "He broke Modi - has up to 14 days within which to approach the High the immigration system." (Agencies) Court and seek leave to appeal after the Home Secretary has CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: made her decision known. RSS chief advocates ‘Akhand Bharat’ Nirav's legal team did not immediately confirm if he intends Baldev Singh / BJ Videos Gunjesh Desai / Masala Junction Speaking at a book launch here, Bhagwat said 'Akhand to appeal against Thursday's ruling. Any appeal, if granted, Jay Mandal, Bharat' is possible through "Hindu Dharma", but not by force. will be heard at the Administrative Division of the High Court Mohammad Jaffer, "There is a need to make glorious Akhand Bharat for the in London. SnapsIndia welfare of the universe. That's why there is a need to awaken Nirav Modi, meanwhile, remains on remand at Wandsworth Mohammad Shahzad, patriotism for the country," Bhagwat said. Prison until the Home Secretary's decision to sign off on the Zia Khan, More than the present India, the separated parts of erstwhile extradition order. Nisha Rani India, which shed their relevance with the country, have The flashy diamond merchant was arrested on an extradition Vaaho Photographers, necessity for the reunification to come out of their "miseries", warrant on March 19, 2019 and has appeared via video link from Vijay Shah - Photo Journalist. he further said. Wandsworth Prison for a series of court hearings in the CORRESPONDENTS : Stressing that the concept of 'Akhand Bharat' is possible, extradition case. His multiple attempts at seeking bail have SACRAMENTO: Bhagwat said some people had expressed serious doubts before been repeatedly turned down, both at the Magistrates' and High Parminder S. Aujla the partition of the country in 1947 whether Pakistan would be Court level, as he was deemed a flight risk. NEW YORK : formed, but it happened. Nirav is the subject of two sets of criminal proceedings, with Chitagam India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, when asked the CBI case relating to a large-scale fraud upon PNB through FRESNO: before partition of the country in 1947, had said the possibility the fraudulent obtaining of letters of undertaking (LoUs) or Tarlochan Singh of formation of Pakistan was "dream of fools" though it loan agreements, and the ED case relating to the laundering of DALLAS: happened. the proceeds of that fraud. He also faces two additional charges Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit Dhillon According to Bhagwat, Lord Wavell (during British rule) also of "causing the disappearance of evidence" and intimidating said in British Parliament that God has made India one and so witnesses or "criminal intimidation to cause death", which OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS who would divide it. were added on to the CBI case. LONDON "But ultimately it () happened. In the judgment clearing the path to extradition, the judge Nirpal Singh Shergill What seemed to be impossible had happened, so it cannot be accepted the arguments put forth by the Crown Prosecution SPL CORRESPONDENT ruled out that 'Akhand Bharat' which may seem to be Service (CPS) - arguing in court on behalf of the Indian DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: impossible, will not happen," he said. government - that Nirav in collusion with bank officials Chandan Singh Alleging that there is unhappiness in the separated regions of oversaw a "Ponzi-like scheme" structure where LoUs were used CHANDIGARH: 'Akhand Bharat' which now do not call themselves as 'Bharat', to repay earlier ones. Manjit Sidhu the RSS chief said the remedy to come out their miseries is "I do not accept the submissions that NDM was involved in LUDHIANA: reunification with India. legitimate business and using the LoUs in a permissible A.S. Arora, "They (separated countries) did all they could but did not find fashion…I find there is no evidence of genuine import R.P.Sharma any remedy. And remedy is reunification (with Bharat) only transactions and the applications for the LoUs was being done JAIPUR : and all their problems will get resolved," he said. dishonestly," the ruling notes. Dr. Yashpaul Goyal He, however, said the reunification should be done through "Considering the entirety of the evidence, the dummy "humanity's dharma" which according to him is called "Hindu directors' evidence in their statements supports the Ponzi-like DALLAS BUREAU CHIEF & VP dharma". scheme and the operation of the fraud set out in the statements Lovllien Kaurr "Gandhar became Afghanistan. Is there peace and tranquility from the PNB officials," it adds. 972-330-3139 in Afghanistan since then? Pakistan was formed. From that The judge highlighted how he had received 16 volumes of [email protected] date till now, is there peace and tranquility?" he asked. evidence from the government of India (GOI), as many as 16 The Indian Panorama He said India has the endurance to overcome several bundles of expert reports and defense evidence and a total of 32 P.O. Box No. 190067, South challenges and the world looks towards it to overcome lever-arch folders of documents, all of which he has considered Richmond Hill, NY 11419, difficulties. in his ruling. He was, however, extremely critical of the "poorly Tel: 646-247-9458 With "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (world is one family) belief, presented" documentation by the Indian authorities and Email: India can again offer happiness and peace to the world, he stressed: "I hope the GOI take these observations on board in [email protected] added. (With inputs from PTI) relation to future requests." The judge also noted that given the high public and media DISCLAIMER UK judge orders Nirav Modi to be extradited interest in the case, he did not believe there was any reason for him to doubt the Indian government's assurances. THE INDIAN PANORAMA ASSUMES to India "I am also required to consider NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CLAIMS MADE IN ADVERTISEMENTS. Deepak Modi could be convicted in relation [to] the the length and strength of WE ONLY SELL SPACE. VIEWS conspiracy to defraud the PNB. A prima facie case is relations between India and this PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER established," the judge noted. country…There is no reliable ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND He similarly concludes a prima facie case to have been evidence of the GOI breaching DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE established on all counts of charges brought by the Central their solemn diplomatic VIEWS OF THE NEWSPAPER. ALL Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate assurance," the judge concluded. RIGHTS ARE RESERVED. (ED) - money laundering, intimidation of witnesses and REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IN disappearance of evidence. (Read full story at WRITING FROM THE INDIAN "I am not required to exclude all Mr Modi's various www.theindianpanorama.news) Nirav Modi in his younger days alternative theoretical possibilities and narratives; nor exclude PANORAMA IS PROHIBITED. - Photo / Courtesy PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA NY/NJ/CT FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 03 New coronavirus variant Governor Cuomo bemoans lack identified in New York: Researchers of supply of COVID Vaccine Shares similarities with a more transmissible, intractable variant I.S. SALUJA Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker. NEW YORK (TIP): "As of today,more He also announced that twelve discovered in South Africa than 2.5 million New Yorkers have community-based pop-up vaccination received a first vaccine dose-about 12.8 sites will come online this week. The percent of the state's population", sites will be set up at community Governor Cuomo said at his press centers, public housing complexes and briefing Feb 25. cultural centers and will vaccinate more "This is a promising step in our than 3,700 New Yorkers. Since January vaccination efforts. We're doing 15, more than 100 community-based pop- everything we can to further build our "One of our biggest obstacles to getting up sites administered over 46,000 first vaccination distribution network and to every single New Yorker vaccinated remains doses to eligible New Yorkers. These a lack of supply": Governor Cuomo. File photo ensure the vaccine is being sites are a key component to New York's NEW YORK (TIP): A new administered equitably, but one of our hospitalizations had dropped to 5,703. Of effort to fair and equitable vaccine coronavirus variant that shares some biggest obstacles to getting every single the 278,942 tests reported yesterday, distribution and we will continue to similarities with a more New Yorker vaccinated remains a lack of 8,746, or 3.34 percent, were positive. work with our local partners to help the transmissible and intractable supply. The number of doses we receive There were 1,124 patients in ICU communities hit hardest by the variant discovered in South Africa is from the federal government has been yesterday, down 30 from the previous pandemic. on the rise in New York City, increasing each week and in turn, we've day. Of them, 774 are intubated. Sadly, Governor Cuomo spoke of the researchers said on Wednesday, been able to expand eligibility to even we lost 89 New Yorkers to the virus. shortage of vaccinators and encouraged February 24, reports . more New Yorkers. Now with the news Governor Cuomo added that that as of "eligible New Yorkers to train to become The new variant, known as B.1.526, of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the 11am, Feb 25, 91 percent of first doses vaccinators. was first identified in samples prospect of even greater vaccine supply allocated to the state have been "If you are a licensed practical nurse, collected in New York in November, is on the horizon. As vaccine administered. This represents 2,562,274 a dentist, an EMT, a medical nursing and by mid-February represented appointments remain scarce at the first doses administered of the 2,812,900 student with at least a year of clinical about 12% of cases, researchers at moment, I urge New Yorkers to be first dose allocations received from the experience, and more-then you may be Columbia University Vagelos College patient and continue to exercise caution federal government. So far, 3,985,558 eligible to take training to become a of Physicians and Surgeons, said on about the virus", the governor said. total doses have been administered out vaccinator and help New York Wednesday. Giving an update on COVID cases, the of the 4,530,640 total doses received. See administer COVID vaccines over the The variant was also described in governor said that COVID data by region and county on the State's coming months", governor said. research published online this week by the California Institute of Technology. Neither study has been reviewed by outside experts. Right of self-defense applies The Columbia researchers said an analysis of publicly available databases did not show a high prevalence of coronavirus variants also to attacks by non-state recently identified in South Africa and Brazil in case samples from New York City and surrounding areas. actors, India tells UN meeting "Instead, we found high numbers of this home-grown lineage," Dr Anne- UNITED NATIONS (TIP): Exercising self-defense is a Catrin Uhlemann, assistant nation's primary right when a situation demands professor in the division of "immediate and proportionate action" and applies also to infectious diseases at Columbia attacks by non-state actors, India told a UN meeting, University's College of Physicians highlighting several proxy cross-border and state- and Surgeons, said in a statement. supported terrorist attacks like the 26/11 The Columbia study found that assault the country was subjected to from its neighbor. B.1.526 shares some worrying India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN characteristics with B.1.351, the Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu said at an Arria Formula variant first identified in South meeting organized by Mexico that a 1974 UN General Africa, and P.1., which was first Assembly declaration requires that a member state identified in Brazil. should not allow territory under its control to be used for Several studies have suggested that terrorism against another state. those new variants are more The Arria Formula meetings are informal meetings on resistant to some existing vaccines 'Upholding the collective security system of the UN than earlier versions of the Charter: the use of force in international law, non-state coronavirus. actors and legitimate self-defense'. India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador K The researchers said the main The Security Council also mandates all states to Nagaraj Naidu was addressing an Arria Formula meeting organized by concern is a change in one area of refrain from providing any form of support, active or Mexico - File photo the virus' spike protein, called E484K, passive, to entities or persons involved in terrorist acts, that is present in all three variants. Naidu said on Wednesday. witnessed the launch of the phenomenon of lone-wolves The E484K mutation is believed to "Despite this, some states are resorting to proxy war by or more recently, the cowardly attacks in Pathankot and weaken the body's immune response supporting non-state actors such as terrorist groups to Pulwama, the world has been witness to the fact that to the virus. evade international censure. Such support to non-state India has repeatedly been targeted by such non-state Studies have shown that recently actors has ranged from providing and equipping the actors with the active complicity of another host state," launched coronavirus vaccines are terrorist groups with training, financing, intelligence Naidu said. still likely to neutralize the virus and and weapons to logistics and recruitment facilitation," Naidu told the meeting that exercising self-defense is a protect against severe illness, even he said. primary right of states to be exercised when the for infections with new variants. India for decades has been subject to such proxy cross- situation is imminent and "demands necessary, Vaccine makers are also working to border and relentless state-supported terrorist attacks immediate, and proportionate action" and that develop booster shots to combat from our neighborhood, he said. customary international law has long recognized the mutated versions of the virus. "Whether it is was the 1993 Mumbai bombings, or the principles governing the use of force in self-defense. (Source: Reuters) random and indiscriminate firings of 26/11 which (Source: PTI) THE INDIAN PANORAMA INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 04 Indian Americans on TIME 100 Next list of emerging leaders

NEW YORK (TIP): From 'phenom' Maitreyi hesitant Dorsey to ban Trump permanently. Ramakrishnan to innovator Rohan Pavuluri, five Indian "Gadde, 46, is one of 's most powerful executives," Americans figure in Time magazine's second annual Time said noting, "Her boss, Dorsey, has delegated to her TIME100 Next list of people "poised to make history." Twitter's content-moderation decisions. She was the Time describes the list as "an expansion of our flagship architect of the 2019 decision to ban all political TIME100 franchise that highlights 100 emerging leaders advertising and is responsible for the warning labels that who are shaping the future. Twitter applied to Covid-19 and election-interference "Everyone on this list is poised to make history," says misinformation in 2020. Dan Macsai, editorial director of the TIME100. "And in "While Twitter is still home to much misinformation fact, many already have." and harassment, Gadde's influence is slowly turning the Lone Indian American among the 'Phenoms' is Maitreyi company into one that sees free speech not as sacrosanct - Ramakrishnan, who plays the lead role in 'Never Have I but as just one human right among many that need to be Ever,' profiled by Mindy Kaling, co-creator of the TV series Lone Indian American among the 'Phenoms' is Maitreyi weighed against one another," Time said. Figuring among about the life of a first generation Indian American Ramakrishnan, who plays the lead role in 'Never Have I Ever,' the advocates is Dr. Shikha Gupta, executive director of teenager. "When you're a minority woman with your own profiled by Mindy Kaling, co-creator of the TV series about the Get Us PPE organization. show, you gotta represent. It's a tough job to be in that life of a first generation Indian American teenager. "The early days of the Covid-19 pandemic were some of spotlight, where you are scrutinized for your every action, "But as usage soared, Instacart faced new criticism the darkest in America's history," writes Andy Kim, a but it's exhilarating too," writes Kaling. about the way it treated its workers, including Democratic Congressman from New Jersey."A leadership "People come up to you at the airport or online and say labyrinthine sick-pay policies, frequent rule changes for vacuum from the White House contributed to health care those three magic words: 'I feel seen.' It's a huge shoppers and demanding performance metrics." And after professionals across the country lacking the personal responsibility - and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is exactly the pouring more than $20?million into a controversial ballot protective equipment they needed to stay safe and save kind of talented young woman who is up to the task," she initiative in California, Instacart-alongside other firms lives." writes. "While she might come off as a carefree teen in her such as Uber and Lyft-decisively won that bid last fall to "Gupta wasn't on the White House Task Force," Kim hilarious TikToks and Instagram videos, Maitreyi - who avoid classifying their workers as employees under state noted. "She wasn't a governor or a member of Congress. plays the lead role in "Never Have I Ever" - is a gifted comic law. Mehta says, "This is going to be a conversation that She held no title other than doctor and citizen." But when actress." we're going to have as a society over the next decade or so," she and her colleagues saw a need - and a hashtag - they "She studies her craft and takes it seriously. Moreover, about the gig economy: "The ecosystem that we want to met the moment and took action. she's an artist who cares deeply about the material she's build is one that recognizes that flexibility is going to be an "Powered by a dedicated coalition of medical performing, and what it's saying. She has an activist's important part of people's work." In the meantime, professionals and other team members, the Get Us PPE heart and wants to use her platform to help others." Instacart - which raised more than $500?million in venture- organization - where Gupta is the executive director - has "What's most extraordinary about Maitreyi is that when capital funding last year - continues to expand, his profile helped distribute more than 6.5 million pieces of PPE to you're with her, you think you're simply talking to a cool, noted. "The smartphone is the supermarket of the future," frontline workers," Kim writes. "Their fight, like this smart teenager, but later, when you see her work onscreen, Mehta says. "We are going to help co-create that." Twitter pandemic, is not done. But across the country, millions of you realize you were actually interacting with a great CEO Jack Dorsey was on a private island in the Pacific people working to save lives can do so with confidence artist at the beginning of her journey," Kaling writes. when he found out President Trump had been suspended because of Gupta and her colleagues' small acts and In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Instacart from his platform. Conveying the news, on Jan.?6, was incredible impact," Kim added. faced a tidal wave of orders, as people with means opted en Indian American Vijaya Gadde, Twitter's top lawyer and Among the innovators is Rohan Pavuluri, founder of masse to pay the service's workers to buy groceries for head of policy. Upsolve, a nonprofit that offers a free online tool to help them, his profile notes. Mehta calls that period a "wartime In a phone call, first reported by , users fill out bankruptcy forms on their own. To date, moment" noting, "We just didn't have enough shoppers." Gadde told Dorsey that the decision had been taken to Upsolve has helped US users relieve more than $300 Instacart went on a hiring binge in March 2020, bringing reduce the risk of further violence after the attack on the million in debt, notes his profile. "We've found a way to use on 300,000 gig workers in a matter of weeks; the next Capitol earlier that day, Time noted. Within two days, technology to address a civil rights injustice at scale," says month, it announced it would hire a quarter-million more. Gadde and a team of other employees had persuaded a Pavuluri, who founded Upsolve in 2018 when he was 25. UK Based Indians transform primary school in Jalandhar into heaven JALANDHAR /NEW YORK(TIP): School head Munish Mohan said, "Five While the school's level was raised, the Five years ago, rainwater used to enter years ago, the scenario was quite idea to decorate walls was of staff classes at Government Primary School, different. Students couldn't attend classes members. The school head came forward Bhandal Himat. As a result, snakes, too, during monsoon. NRIs completely with monetary help to decorate walls and had a field day in the school and students transformed the school. The new make it a student-friendly school. had no other option than skipping classes. structure was raised and vitrified tiles UK-based NRI Surjit Singh, his brother Seeing the plight of students, a couple of were used for flooring. From 30 kids, we Sarabjit Singh, and Belgium-based Non-Resident Indians came forward and now have 75 students enrolled in the Sukhwinder Kaur have always been at turned the institute into a heaven. With school. Even students from private forefront when it comes to donation. The assistance pouring in from abroad, scales schools prefer this institute. NRIs pooled Bhandal Buta Welfare Society also pitches tilted in such a manner that students quit in around Rs 40 lakh to give students a in with money from time to time for The Government Primary School Bhandal private schools to get enrolled at one of decent place to study." upkeep of infrastructure. Himat in Nurmahal has undergone transformation, thanks to efforts of some UK the most sought-after institute in the area. He said, "Family of Surjit and Sarabjit A host of other NRIs, including Sohan based NRIs - Photo / Courtesy Tribune Alphabets, numeric and solar system Singh took the initiative and raised the Singh, Kulbir Singh, Surjit Singh Sidhu, dot beautifully painted walls and ceilings ground-level of the school by donating Surinder Singh, Gurdev Chand, Lal Singh been sending money for renovation of the of the school. Portraits of Guru Gobind around Rs 30 lakh. Sukhwinder Kaur from Lally,Jarvinder Singh, Simrandeep Singh school. It makes us very happy to see that Singh, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Belgium donated Rs 4 lakh. She always and Harinder Singh, among others, also it is one of the most sought-after institute Rabindranath Tagore and Maharana encourages us to work hard. We are also contributed to ensure that students do not in the area now." Pratap, among others, help in igniting zeal thankful to the Himat Bhandal Welfare face hardships. The NRIs contributed for He said, "My brother studied till Class among students. Society, which donates generously." renovation of gurdwara in the village. VIII at the village school. Despite settling Even on the boundary wall - catchy Himat Bhandal and Himat Buta are two Sarabjit Singh said, "The village school abroad, he is deeply aware of the issues motifs and quotes of freedom fighters villages and NRIs have also contributed to was in a poor state. It bothered my UK- beings faced by villagers. He also donates welcome students. give fillip to Primary School, Himat Buta. based brother Surjit Singh. Thus, he had for the needy." THE INDIAN PANORAMA INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 05 Indian American scientist Swati Mohan led flight control of Perseverance Rover to Mars WASHINGTON (TIP): As India to the US when she was only a year control staffing for GN&C, as well as the Perseverance, the NASA rover, landed on old, said the Guidance, Navigation, and policies/procedures the GN&C uses in the the Martian surface Friday, millions of Controls Operations (GN&C) are the "eyes mission control room," Mohan noted. miles away in the US space agency's and ears" of the spacecraft. Raised in the Northern Virginia- control room, a woman's voice rang out: Commenting on her team's role in the Washington DC metro area, she completed "Touchdown confirmed!" current mission, Mohan said their job her bachelor's degree from Cornell The announcement was from Indian during the cruise phase heading towards University in Mechanical & Aerospace American scientist Swati Mohan who Mars was to figure out how the spacecraft Engineering, and her M.S. and Ph. D from leads the guidance, navigation, and control is oriented, and make sure it is pointed Massachusetts Institute of Technology operations of NASA's Mars 2020 mission. correctly in space- "solar arrays to sun, (MIT) in Aeronautics/Astronautics. It's Indian American Swati Mohan led the In her role as flight controller, Mohan antenna to Earth, and maneuver the not clear how old she is. guidance, navigation, and control operations played a pivotal role in the landing of the spacecraft to get it where we want to go", Over the course of her career with of NASA's Mars 2020 mission historic craft. she is quoted as saying in her bio page on NASA, Mohan has worked on the Cassini places in the universe.' The vastness of Mohan was the first to confirm that the the NASA website. mission to Saturn and GRAIL, a pair of space holds so much knowledge that we rover had successfully touched down on There were "seven minutes of terror" formation flown spacecraft to the Moon, have only begun to learn," she had told the Martian surface after surviving a leading to the entry, descent, and landing and has been a mainstay with the Mars NASA. particularly tricky plunge through the on Mars, she said. GN&C determines the 2020 mission since its beginning in 2013. Mohan said her passion for space atmosphere of the Red Planet. position of the spacecraft and commands Mohan said she got interested in space increased further when she took her first "Touchdown confirmed! Perseverance the maneuvers to help it land safely. after watching the popular TV show "Star physics class at the age of 16. safely on the surface of Mars, ready to "As the team's operations lead, I am the Trek" when she was nine. "I was lucky enough to have a great begin seeking signs of past life," Mohan primary point of communication between "Seeing the beautiful depictions of the teacher, and everything was so announced, prompting her colleagues at the GN&C subsystem and the rest of the new regions of the universe that they were understandable and easy.That was when I NASA to fist-bump and break into project. "I am responsible for the training exploring. I remember thinking 'I want to really considered engineering, as a way to celebrations. Mohan, who emigrated from of the GN&C team, scheduling the mission do that. I want to find new and beautiful pursue space," she added.

Indian Anjali Bharadwaj among 12 Indian American Climate Indian American Kiran Ahuja to people named by Biden administration Expert Bidisha Bhattacharyya head office of personnel management for anti-corruption award Appointed to Key Post in US under Biden Administration WASHINGTON (TIP): Anjali Bharadwaj, an Indian Agriculture Department WASHINGTON (TIP): Kiran social activist working on WASHINGTON Ahuja, an Indian American civil issues of transparency and (TIP): The Biden rights lawyer and an advocate for accountability, is one of the 12 administration has Asians, has been nominated by "courageous" individuals appointed an Indian President Joe Biden to head the named by the Biden American climate and Office of Personnel Management administration for the newly energy expert, who (OPM). As a member of Biden's instituted International Anti- spent three years transition team, Ahuja was in charge Corruption Champions Award. deploying solar of ensuring a smooth move by the According to the State energy solutions in agency overseeing the federal President Joe Biden has Department, Bhardwaj, 48, has Bidisha Bhattacharyya on rural India, to a key government's civil service to the new named Indian American served as an active member of Monday, Feb 22, was position in the administration. Ahuja, who was Kiran Ahuja to head the Anjali Bhardwaj, 48, has the Right to Information appointed as Senior Policy agriculture born to immigrants from India and Office of Personnel served as an active Movement in India for over two Advisor in the Farm department. grew up in Georgia, would join at Management (OPM). member of the Right to Service Agency (FSA). Information Movement decades. Bidisha least 30 other Indian Americans in India for over two "The Biden administration Bhattacharyya on Monday, Feb 22, was nominated by Biden to senior positions in his administration. decades. recognizes that we will be appointed as Senior Policy Advisor in the Farm She had served in former President Barack Obama's successful in combating these issues only by working Service Agency (FSA). administration as OPM chief of staff. in concert with committed partners, including She was earlier posted as Director of Climate OPM also coordinates the recruitment of government courageous individuals who champion anti-corruption and Energy Policy at the Centre for American employees and manages their health insurance and efforts and countries working to fulfil their Progress. retirement benefits programs. Now the CEO of Philanthropy commitments to international anti-corruption Prior to joining American Progress, Ms Northwest, a network of charitable organizations across six standards," US Secretary of State Tony Blinken said on Bhattacharyya was vice president of Emerging states, Ahuja will have to be confirmed by the Senate in her Tuesday, Feb 23. Markets at the impact-investment firm Village new position. Announcing her nomination Tuesday,the White "For that reason, I am announcing a new Capital, where she led a global team across House said Ahuja grew up in Savannah, Georgia, "as a young International Anti-Corruption Champions Award, India, Mexico, and East Africa to invest in high- Indian immigrant in the wake of the civil rights era." She recognizing individuals who have worked tirelessly, impact startups innovating to solve problems shares an educational background with Indian American Vice often in the face of adversity, to defend transparency, across clean energy deployment and financial President Kamala Harris having attended a historically Black combat corruption, and ensure accountability in their inclusion. institution like her. Harris went to Howard University for her own countries," he said. She previously spent three years deploying bachelor's degree and Ahuja to Spelman College in Atlanta. Bharadwaj is the founder of the Satark Nagrik solar energy solutions in rural India with the With a law degree from the University of Georgia, Ahuja Sangathan (SNS), a citizens' group with a mandate to technology startup Simpa Networks, where she "began her career as a civil rights lawyer at the US promote transparency and accountability in led the end-to-end rollout of a new off-grid solar Department of Justice, litigating school desegregation cases, government and encourage active participation of product line. and filing the department's first student racial harassment citizens. She is also a convener of the National Ms Bhattacharyya spent four years on case," according to the White House. Initially in the Obama Campaign for Peoples' Right to Information, which Capitol Hill as Senior Energy and Agriculture administration she had been the executive director of the successfully advocated for the creation of an anti- Policy Adviser to Senator Al Franken of White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific corruption ombudsman and the Whistle Blowers' Minnesota and as Energy and Agriculture Islanders, "leading efforts to increase access to federal Protection Act, offering protection to those who expose Legislative Assistant for Congressman Betty services, resources and programs for underserved Asian corruption and abuse of power. McCollum of Minnesota. Americans and Pacific Islanders." Bharadwaj in a tweet said the honor is a "recognition She holds a master's degree in public policy She also served as the founding executive director of the of the collective effort of people and groups across the from Harvard University.She holds a bachelor's National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, an advocacy country who hold power to account". degree in economics from St Olaf College. organization spearheading policy and education initiatives. THE INDIAN PANORAMA INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 06 Indian American politician Nikki Haley feels isolated after criticizing Trump WASHINGTON (TIP): Indian American politician to connect with Republican voters under Trump. Nikki Haley, a potential 2024 White House contender, "Haley has never understood the president and seems finds herself isolated from the populist wing of the to not understand where the base of the party is," the Republican Party commanded by former President source was quoted as saying. Donald Trump after criticizing her former boss. Other would-be hopefuls, by contrast, have largely Haley, the only Indian American to get cabinet rank hewed to Trump's brand of right-wing populism, or at as US ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, least avoided directly criticizing the former president, would be absent from the speaking lineup at the annual believing that his loyal base of supporters will be Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on crucial to winning back the White House, the Hill Thursday, Feb 25, the Hill reported. noted. Haley has spoken at CPAC multiple times in the In a scathing interview with Politico she had sharply past, including last year as Trump entered his criticized Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot reelection campaign. and wrote off his future influence in Republican Nikki Haley, a potential 2024 White House contender, finds Haley's approach has also prompted criticism from politics. herself isolated from the populist wing of the Republican some of Trump's critics, who have accused her of "The fallout from Haley's remarks underscores the Party commanded by former President Donald Trump after trying to play both conservative renegade and Trump risks associated with her strategy of criticizing criticizing her former boss. acolyte, the Hill said. Trump's actions and establishing a separate political "You can't play both sides anymore Governor," Rep. identity while at the same time trying to appeal to his according to Politico. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), one of 10 House Republicans base of supporters," the Hill said. But later that month, in an interview with Fox News's who voted last month to impeach Trump, tweeted. "Pick "It's a very fine line to walk for a long way between Laura Ingraham, Haley said that Trump did not Country First or Trump First." now and the Republican convention in 2024," Alex deserve to be impeached for his role in the insurrection. The Hill cited unnamed strategists as saying that it's Conant, a Republican consultant and former adviser to More recently, she accused the media in an op-ed difficult, if not impossible, to predict where the Sen. Marco Rubio was quoted as saying. published by The Wall Street Journal of trying to sow Republican party and its voters will be in three years Since a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, division among Republicans. when the 2024 primaries begin. Haley has wavered between sharply criticizing the The Hill cited a Republican source as saying that But with Trump poised to return to the political stage former president and taking a more moderate tone Haley has been positioning herself for a presidential forging a path forward without him will likely prove toward him, the Hill suggested. campaign since she left the Trump administration in difficult for any prospective Republican candidate. At a Republican retreat the day after the riot, she said 2018. But she lacks a clear lane in the coming "There's nothing about running for president that's Trump's actions "will be judged harshly by history," Republican primary and is struggling to figure out how easy," Conant said. "Trump makes it even harder." Indian American Neera Tanden’s Indian American physicians confirmation vote gets delayed volunteer to help authorities in US White House says 'fighting' for her nomination administer COVID-19 vaccines WASHINGTON (TIP): The White NEW YORK (TIP): Indian American House has said it is "fighting" for the physicians in the New Jersey area are nomination of Indian-American Neera mobilizing efforts and coming out in Tanden to lead the Office of huge numbers to volunteer and help Management and Budget as two crucial state and local authorities administer Senate committees abruptly postponed critical COVID-19 vaccine shots to meetings on her confirmation. thousands of residents. Speculation was rife on Wednesday, Dr Mukesh Roy, director, Public Feb 24, that the White House is Health, Preparedness, Planning and struggling to get the required votes for Education at Ocean County Health Indian American physicians in the New the confirmation of Tanden, amidst Department; and Dr Avinash Gupta, Jersey area are mobilizing efforts and coming out in huge numbers to volunteer and help strong opposition from the Republicans cardiologist and president of the The Senate Homeland Security and state and local authorities administer critical and a few Democratic senators over her Governmental Affairs Committee and the Monmouth and Ocean County chapter of COVID-19 vaccine shots to thousands of past Twitter outbursts against several Senate Budget Committee abruptly Association of American Physicians of residents. lawmakers, including those from her postponed votes on Tanden's confirmation, Indian Origin (MOCAAPI), are leading own party. scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 24. an initiative to help authorities in New "We need all our health care providers The Senate Homeland Security and Tanden, Psaki said, had rolled up her Jersey's Ocean County to administer the to be a part of this effort. Access to the Governmental Affairs Committee and sleeves. "She's very engaged and doing COVID-19 vaccine doses to the vaccine needs to be everywhere," Little the Senate Budget Committee abruptly outreach to senators, to members on the vulnerable population in the area. said in the statement. postponed votes on Tanden's Hill - answering any questions they Ocean County Commissioner Gerry Responding to this call, Roy and Gupta confirmation, scheduled for Wednesday, have and offering to do that. And we're Little said: "All hands-on deck were led the efforts which saw a large number Feb 24. doing the same," she said. required to administer the vaccine doses of Indian-origin physicians "We're fighting for the nomination, "There's one nominee to lead the and the "government cannot accomplish volunteering their time and effort to and she (Tanden) and our team remain budget department; her name is Neera this alone. It has to be complete help administer the vaccines to in close contact with senators and key Tanden, and that's who we're cooperation with all facets of the health residents on the weekend. constituency groups. She is an expert continuing to fight for," Psaki said when care system." A report in the Asbury Park Press whose qualifications are critical during asked if the White House is seeking for Almost 2,00,000 seniors lived in Ocean quoted Roy as saying that organizations this time of an unprecedented crisis," options. County,the largest population of seniors such as the Association of American White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Tanden reportedly deleted more than in the state, Little had said in a Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) were told reporters at her daily news 1,000 tweets before her confirmation statement posted on the website of the helping the county to ensure that a large conference. process started. She had apologized to Ocean County Health Department. population was vaccinated. "They're If confirmed by the Senate, 50-year- senators during her confirmation It said Ocean County had appealed to giving their time here to do that. That's old Tanden would become the first hearings earlier this month. Governor Phil Murphy's staff to require been extraordinary. person of color to head the federal President Joe Biden did not respond hospitals to expand the vaccine (Read full story at agency that prepares the annual budget to questions on Tanden during a media distribution in order to serve the public www.theindianpanorama.news) of the US government. interaction on Wednesday. that could now get it. THE INDIAN PANORAMA NY/NJ/CT FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 07 Manhattan District Attorney gets Trump's tax returns and financial data NEW YORK(TIP): The Manhattan attorney's office, including some from an Democrats. District Attorney's Office has taken outside forensics accounting firm, FTI Trump's lawyers had sought to block possession of former president Donald Consulting, have been at the ready for the records' release to Vance by asking Trump's tax returns and a wealth of months to dissect the records and scour the Supreme Court to issue an order other financial data deemed central to for any evidence of criminal activity at pausing proceedings while his legal team prosecutors' ongoing criminal case, the Trump Organization or by its mounted an appeal challenging the officials confirmed Thursday, Feb 25, executive employees. That group subpoena's legality. Such an appeal has says a Washington Post report. includes Trump, three of his adult not been filed. His attorneys initially The transfer, involving millions of children - Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump argued that Trump was immune to a pages of records, occurred Monday, Feb and Ivanka Trump - and Allen state-level investigation while he was in 22, after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Weisselberg, the company's longtime office, but the Supreme Court rejected the former president's last-ditch bid to chief financial officer. that claim in July. shield his information from the district Vance's investigators are evaluating Trump faces unprecedented legal Manhattan DA Cyrus R. Vance Jr. is evaluating whether the values of property attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr. (D). whether the values of property assets in jeopardy for a former president. assets in the Trump Organization portfolio In a statement, a spokesman for the Trump Organization portfolio were Vance's investigation is one of two were manipulated to gain tax advantages or Vance's office, Danny Frost, confirmed manipulated to gain tax advantages or known criminal probes involving him. favorable loans and insurance rates under that Trump's longtime accounting firm, favorable loans and insurance rates The other was opened this month in false pretenses Mazars, had complied with the subpoena under false pretenses. The records are Atlanta, where the Fulton County after 18 months of delay while the former voluminous, dating back eight years, and district attorney is investigating by two women who have accused him of president's lawyers waged an exhaustive the district attorney's examination could Trump's controversial conversations sexual assault. His niece Mary L. Trump legal battle. The transfer occurred take months. with Georgia state officials amid his is suing him and his siblings over an within hours of the Supreme Court's Manhattan prosecutor hires forensic failed bid to overturn the election results inheritance dispute. one-line order, Frost said. accounting experts as Trump criminal there. He's also being sued by the former A spokesman for Trump's accounting probe escalates The New York state attorney general is tenants of apartments his family once firm said Thursday that, "As we have Trump has rigorously and at times conducting a separate investigation into owned, and by people who say they saw maintained throughout this process, angrily denied any wrongdoing, labeling the Trump Organization's business and little to no profit after joining a Mazars will comply with all its legal and the district attorney's investigation a real estate activities. multilevel marketing organization professional obligations." "fishing expedition" and part of a The former president also faces touted by Trump and his children. A team of analysts in the district broader political ploy orchestrated by defamation lawsuits brought separately (Source: Washington Post) Meisha Porter to succeed New Yorkers mourn the death of Richard Carranza who is resigning as Chancellor of Punjabi Singer Sardool Sikandar N.Y.C. School System

I.S. SALUJA at which artists and mediapersons paid NEW YORK NEW YORK (TIP): The sad demise of rich tributes to the popular Punjabi (TIP): Richard popular Punjabi singer Sardool Sikandar singer. Carranza, who on February 24 in India has shocked and Speaking on the occasion. Bajwa oversees the saddened millions of his fans across the recalled his long association with the nation's largest world. One of the first to reach out to The singer and described him as a very lovable schools system, Indian Panorama with his tribute to the person who, with his rich and mellifluous will step down Sardool Sikandar legendary singer was Tirlok Malik, a New voice became the heartthrob of Punjabis after about three York based film maker.Paying rich tribute of all ages across the world. January 19 in a very serious condition years as to Sardool, Malik disclosed that Sardool The gathering also mourned those who with complaints of low oxygen levels, it chancellor. He had not only sung a beautiful Lohri song died of COVID-19, and the farmers in the added. will resign in in his celebrated film "KHUSHIAN" but Farmers Movement in India who died He is known for his songs, 'Ek charkha March. had also performed in the Lohri fighting for their just rights. gali de wich dha laya' and 'Sanu ishq The abrupt celebration scene. He recalled that Sardool Sikander passed away at Fortis brandi char gayi'. As word spread, move comes Sardool was full of energy and dressed up hospital at Mohali on Wednesday, celebrities and fans expressed after in colorful costume for the scene filmed in February 24. He was 60. condolences on social media. disagreements Meisha Porter takes over next month as the evening. Watch the scene here. "Sikander, who was diabetic, was Sikander had made his first between Mayor Chancellor of NYC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V recently treated for COVID-19. He had appearances on radio and television in the Bill de Blasio School System undergone renal transplant in 2016 and early 1980s with his album, 'Roadways di and Mr. qujLbJMB30 Percutaneous transluminal coronary Laari'. He also acted in Punjabi films like Carranza over school desegregation Balwinder Singh Bajwa, an angioplasty (PTCA) in 2003," the hospital 'Jagga Daku'. policy reached a breaking point in entertainment industry promoter, said in statement. His father, late Sagar Mastana, was a recent weeks. organized a condolence meeting on Feb 25 He was admitted to Fortis Mohali on noted tabla player. Sikander was married Mr. Carranza, 54, is leaving one of to Amar Noorie, also an accomplished the most influential education jobs singer and actress. in America about three years after Born at Kheri Naudh Singh in he was appointed, and just 10 Fatehgarh Sahib, Sikander belonged to months before the end of Mr. de the Patiala gharana of music and had 27 Blasio's second and final term. albums to his credit. His album 'Husna de He will be replaced by Meisha Malko' released in 1991 sold more than 5 Porter, a longtime city educator and million copies worldwide. current Bronx superintendent who Sikander leaves behind wife and sons will become the first Black woman Sarang and Alaap. to lead the sprawling system, which We, at The Indian Panorama, pray for has over 1 million students and 1,800 eternal peace to the departed soul, and schools. Ms. Porter, 47, will take Balwinder Singh Bajwa organized a condolence meeting Feb 25 to pay tribute to Sardool strength enough to the bereaved family to over as chancellor on March 15. Sikandar. A group of attendees. bear the irreparable loss. THE INDIAN PANORAMA EDITORIAL FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 08 AS I SEE IT ● China deliberately concealed the China’s lies, damned extent of the outbreak of the lies and statistics Covid-19 outbreak during the early days BY PRABHU DAYAL ● China also kept

braham Lincoln had famously mum about its said: "You can fool some of the casualties after the Apeople all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you clash with Indian cannot fool all of the people all of the time." The Chinese leadership does not Army in Galwan seem to realize this and continues to use false figures and statistics to bolster its Valley case. Thus, it weaves one web of lies after another, totally oblivious of its own ● Now, after eight eroding credibility. For example, CNN reported in months have December that documents from Wuhan accessed by it reveal how China elapsed since the deliberately concealed the extent of the outbreak of the Covid-19 outbreak clashes, China has during the early days by playing down grudgingly the actual figures. The 'Wuhan Files', as first hit but even today, China is falling Simply put, Xi Jinping and his they have come to be called show China's far short of the mark when it comes to henchmen are again lying through their acknowledged complete lack of transparency about its providing the information necessary to teeth, perhaps oblivious to the act that poor handling of the coronavirus the international community, making others can see through their lies and casualties outbreak in the early days. The health sure that experts have access to China. deception. Why are they acknowledging authorities in the province of Hubei, All of that - that lack of transparency, only four casualties when it is widely disclosed by the Chinese authorities only where the virus was first detected listed that lack of being forthcoming, is a believed that the figure was much highlight their unflinching belief in a total of 5,918 cases on February 10 last profound problem and it's one that higher? Is it because they want to their own ability to pull the wool over the year---more than double the number that continues." continue propagating their theory of eyes of not just their own people but was made public. False statistics were Not surprisingly, such jiggery-pokery China's superiority over India? everyone else's too. used by the Chinese authorities to hide also remains a hallmark of the Chinese Now, after eight months have elapsed After acknowledging the above their incompetence. leadership's approach to its casualties in since the clashes, China has grudgingly casualties, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Experts and persons in positions of the savage June 15 Galwan Valley acknowledged casualties and named four spokesman went on to say: " "India is an authority have continued to accuse clashes. Shortly after the clashes, India of its soldiers who were killed--a far important neighbor of China and Beijing of lying and being opaque about had confirmed the loss of 20 soldiers. smaller number than what is widely restoring a healthy, stable relationship is information pertaining to the virus. US Moreover, these slain soldiers were believed. Asked why this was being done the aspiration and also in the interest of Secretary of State Antony Blinken honored for their bravery with their eight months after the clash, the the two peoples. I hope the Indian side recently said that Beijing has to step up names installed in memorials. In sharp spokesman of the Chinese Foreign will work with us towards achieving this and make sure it is being transparent contrast, China kept mum about its Ministry Hua Chunying said that "The shared goal." Given China's track record, about the deadly virus. In an interview casualties, although not just Indian but report has been revealed to give the truth will anyone believe that there is even an with MSNBC, Blinken said that the international sources too reported that to the public because the truth is long- iota of sincerity in these remarks? Will Chinese government's failure' in sharing the figure of such casualties was higher awaited and is necessary for the people anyone be taken in by China's lies, and providing pertinent information than that for India. For example, the to know the true story." However, in view damned lies or it's falsified statistics? regarding the deadly virus is something Russian news agency TASS reported of the fact that international sources (The author is a former diplomat) "we must address". He added: "There is recently that China suffered 45 have reported much, much higher (Courtesy OPOYI) no doubt that, especially when COVID-19 casualties during the clash. casualty figures, the figures now

GUEST COMMENT

He had sounded a note of caution about Bail for Disha Ravi the misuse of the law 'to quieten the disquiet under the pretense of muzzling Court stands up for individual's right to dissent the miscreants. It's praiseworthy that the judiciary is intervening to prevent limate activist Disha Ravi is out officials as well as their political masters help counter the unwelcome trend of infringement of the individual's right to on bail in the toolkit case, 10 days in a poor light. The Delhi Police were left vilification of protesters and hopefully dissent. The onus now is on the executive Cafter her arrest that had sparked red-faced as the court observed that the deter cops from invoking the law to respect difference of opinion and let outrage in India and abroad. The 22-year- 'scanty and sketchy' evidence available at the drop of a hat. In any case, the poor protesters fearlessly have their say, as old shouldn't have been put in jail in the on record was not sufficient to keep a conviction rate of this colonial-era long as they don't incite violence or first place, going by the dressing-down person with no criminal record in legislation is a good reason for the police disturb public peace. With India's global given by a Delhi court to the police. custody. not to go overboard time and again. ranking on the Democracy Index down Pulling no punches, Additional Sessions Calling citizens 'conscience keepers' of Judge Rana had been equally from 27 (in 2014) to 53 last year, the Judge Dharmendra Rana said, 'The the government in a democratic nation, forthright last week when he granted government direly needs to make offence of sedition cannot be invoked to the court has made it clear that people bail to two persons who were booked on judicious use of the powerful tools at its minister to the wounded vanity of the cannot be put behind bars simply the charge of sedition for allegedly disposal to maintain law and order. governments.' This hard-hitting because they choose to disagree with the posting/sharing fake videos on social (Tribune, India) statement shows law enforcement State's policies. Such observations can media regarding the farmers' protests. THE INDIAN PANORAMA PERSPECTIVE FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 09 Human rights are everyone’s business India must realize that a democracy cannot be reduced to only demanding praise from the rest of the world "The recent arrest of the 22-year-old environmental activist, Disha Ravi, for amplifying the farmer protests internationally, unmasked the government's designs to criminalize those who speak for human BY SEEMA CHISHTI rights. This attitude was also visible in the Home Ministry's directions to social media companies to block accounts of those expressing a point of view contrary to that of the government. A democracy which does not ensure and secure universal rights for all is a democracy only in name."

he ongoing protests by farmers resistance against the demonization of movement - of freedom from oppression against the three hastily Nelson Mandela via the Rivonia trial in for all human beings Tpromulgated agriculture laws have 1963, checked the Apartheid regime from (https://bit.ly/3qLAGiA). drawn international attention, with the awarding him the death sentence. Rights are indivisible denial of democratic rights to them by The principal document signed in the the government's construction of last century, the Universal Declaration of The makers of the Indian Constitution military-grade barriers and shutting Human Rights laid down the terms for did not invoke paranoia about respecting down of the Internet at protest sites the post-war world, it enshrined the Indian tradition, customs or hiding Photo / Courtesy UAB Institute For Human getting strong statements of support rights and the freedoms of all people, perverse practices. Dr. Sarvepalli Rights from numerous international celebrities. living everywhere. It was not something Radhakrishnan famously said while The official response of the Ministry of that was forced down India's throat by its commending the Objectives Resolution, shepherded by invoking these principles. External Affairs was disproportionate to colonial rulers. India was a member of or the basic road map of the That India chose to and continues to host the provocation, but it was not merely the the first Human Rights Commission, Constitution, to the Assembly, that the the Dalai Lama, who attracts visible reaction of a thin-skinned government. which was to draft the 'international bill endeavor was "a fundamental alteration support from high-profile global The argument put forth by the of rights. The Universal Declaration of in the structure of Indian society,… to celebrities, is a testament to New Delhi's government pushed a more fundamental Human Rights was drafted from January abolish every vestige of despotism, every commitment to human rights. That the premise: it warned the concerned global 1947 till December 10, 1948, when it was heirloom of inorganic tradition." public concern from international voices that these matters - democracy and eventually adopted by the General The triad of 'Liberty, Equality and celebrities is tantamount to foreign human rights, left unstated - were India's Assembly. Fraternity' engraved in the Preamble, 'intervention' carries no weight, as this is 'internal affair'. Along with the Charter of the United drew significantly from the slogan which not about the Central Intelligence The recent arrest of the 22-year-old Nations that was signed earlier in San had proved influential following the Agency or Vladimir Putin's Russia environmental activist, Disha Ravi, for Francisco in 1945, Indian freedom French Revolution. It flowed from the meddling in Indian electoral processes. amplifying the farmer protests fighters did their best to influence it and realization, in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's In fact, the has internationally, unmasked the make its brief wider and more effective. words, that given the vice-like grip of the been cavalier about amending the government's designs to criminalize Mahatma Gandhi issued a press "graded inequality" of the caste system, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, those who speak for human rights. This statement in April 1945 which was all three elements, together, were or FCRA, rules permitting itself, a attitude was also visible in the Home directed at participants of the San absolutely essential if Indians were to political party, to whitewash foreign Ministry's directions to social media Francisco conference and he extensively realize their full potential. To quote B.R. funds with retrospective effect, in 2016. companies to block accounts of those quoted from the All India Congress Ambedkar who on the eve of the adoption The issue is a reality problem expressing a point of view contrary to Committee resolution of August 8, 1942: of the Preamble explained how Liberty, that of the government. A democracy "While the AICC must primarily be Equality and Fraternity were connected The Prime Minister and his which does not ensure and secure concerned with the independence and and locked into each other firmly: government have actively courted universal rights for all is a democracy defense of India in this hour of danger, "Without equality, liberty would produce foreign approval. Two dozen foreign only in name. the Committee is of opinion that the the supremacy of the few over the many. envoys were taken on a guided tour of Being respected, not having their future peace, security and ordered Equality without liberty would kill Kashmir last week because getting a dignity violated and having a sense of progress of the world demand a world individual initiative. Without fraternity, favorable opinion from foreigners security is what everyone, anywhere federation of free nations, and on no liberty would produce the supremacy of matters to the government. At the height should get, whether it is Syrians on an other basis can the problems of the the few over the many.Without fraternity, of tensions and the shutdown there, Italian shore, the Rohingya in Myanmar, modern world be solved." A line is liberty and equality could not become a before Indian Members of Parliament Hindus in Pakistan, or stateless refugees particularly evocative - "...Thus the natural course of things. It would require were allowed, a delegation of far-right on a border in Mexico. No government demand for Indian independence is in no a constable to enforce them." European Parliament members was has immunity because it violates human way selfish. Its nationalism spells New Delhi's recent moves bussed around deserted streets. The rights in its jurisdiction. Prime Minister internationalism." Prime Minister has personally appeared Narendra Modi could not have been more At the time of the conference, Vijaya To cite Atmanirbhar as a counter to with celebrities in foreign lands during misplaced as he was, when he spoke of Lakshmi Pandit who went on to become international concerns about freedoms, his numerous trips, seeking their 'Foreign Destructive Ideology' in the first woman President of the UN equality and the right to dissent amounts approval. The craving for approval is Parliament to refer to global concerns for General Assembly, was on a year-long to hiding behind the flimsy excuse of natural for any publicity-seeking rights of protesting farmers. The belief lecture tour of the U.S., and she had a sovereignty to escape the bitter truth of politician, but a democracy cannot be that what India or what any other nation deep impact on African-Americans the slithering slope of democratic rights reduced to only demanding praise from does to its people is an 'internal matter', is battling entrenched racism at the time. India appears to be going down. The case the rest of the world and raising the as misdirected a defense as the one a wife- Pandit powerfully advocated Mahatma the Indian government is making is all bogey of 'internal matters' when beating husband deploys with his Gandhi and Nehru's ideas and the more specious as its own immediate international voices express solidarity neighbors - that it is not their business. emphasized their universality and the concern expressed, officially by its with dissenters and raise serious Nation and the idea of rights indivisible nature of rights that all External Affairs Minister when visiting concerns. human beings must enjoy. Sri Lanka, on the Sri Lankan government Global concerns about democratic India played a signature role in She sent a note to the conference, needing to do more to safeguard Tamil rights in India cannot be dealt with by drawing the world together to oppose the urging them to be bolder than they were lives belies this principle. The starkest arresting messengers, bullying apartheid government of South Africa, to be eventually. Scholars agree that case where India made human rights of 'amplifiers' or shutting down social and it took till 1962 to override the Pandit's alliances with Eleanor citizens of other countries its business media accounts. India does not have an sovereignty shield used by the Roosevelt, Black activists and others was in 2019 when the Citizenship image problem; it has a reality problem. government to continue oppressing the forged at the time, subsequently helped (Amendment) Act, offered a home for Changing the reality and adhering to best Black population. India stayed firm from push for a more comprehensive adoption certain persecuted citizens of three democratic practices inside is the only the 1950s till a resolution was adopted of the Universal Declaration of Human foreign countries. durable solution if the Modi government and a United Nations Special Committee Rights in 1948. The work of Indians like When it comes to universal human wants its image 'fixed'. Against Apartheid was set up by the Hansa Mehta, Minoo Masani and rights and international attention, the (The author is a journalist based inNew Delhi) United Nations. India's work, in Lakshmi Menon conveyed the message as premier example is of the liberation of consistently creating awareness and being the same as that of the freedom Bangladesh which India led and THE INDIAN PANORAMA FEATURE FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 10

“If highlighting farmers’ protest globally is sedition, I am better [off] in jail.” his is one of the most powerful Fiasco of sedition charge sentences spoken by an Indian in Tthis century. Powerful, courageous and honest. Even more heartening is the fact that this comes against Disha Ravi from a 22-year-old young woman. She must have been told by her lawyers what implications the charge of sedition can have for her. Even an indication of being involved in the activities deemed seditious can jeopardise your life, if not forever then at least for a very painful, long time. When with this knowledge, Disha Ravi, the youngster from Karnataka, a fellow of all Indians and a truly world citizen ? for her vocabulary is climatic, not bound by the boundaries of nations ? decides to make this statement, it frees language from the fear that has crippled it in India. It has been corrupted and corroded by falsehood and the cruelty of the powerful. It was therefore refreshing to see a lawyer facing all this with the power of simple truthfulness. Disha Ravi, the 22-year-old activist charged with sedition after being arrested February 13 in connection with a "toolkit" relating to the farmers' protest, walked out of Delhi's Tihar Jail late Tuesday, Feb 23 night, hours after she was granted bail. Earlier, Additional Sessions Court certain motives could be presumed Judge Dharmendra Rana said there simply because Ms Ravi had met Here are ten things that Justice Rana was "scanty and sketchy evidence" someone with bad credentials. The against Ravi and that "I do not find police answered: "Everyone knows Mo said that are a lesson on our laws, liberties, any palpable reason to breach rule of Dhaliwal. Why would you meet with bail for a 22-year-old girl who has such a person." The judge shot back: freedoms, dissent, conspiracies and absolutely no criminal antecedent". "No. I don't know who is Mo Dhaliwal." Judge Rana, who posed several The Judge also took a dim view of sedition searching questions during last week's the police's argument when told the bail hearing, including repeatedly perpetrators of the tractor rally ‘Citizens Cannot Be Put Behind asking for evidence connecting Ms violence had arrested in separate case. Bars for Disagreeing With State Ravi to the tractor rally violence, also "Where (then) is the connection Policies’. Justice Dharmender made several strong observations on between conspiracy and offence? I have Rana observed that every citizen an individual's right to dissent, and still not got the answer," he had said. has the right to dissent and freedom of speech and expression. He also dismissed claims that Ravi's disagree and no citizen can be "Even our founding fathers accorded sharing of the 'toolkit' online, and jailed or charged with sedition for due respect to divergence of opinion by particularly with Swedish climate disagreeing with government recognising the freedom of speech and activist - who tweeted policies. Creating a WhatsApp expression as an inviolable the link to the document - amounted to group or being editor of an fundamental right. The right to dissent conspiracy. innocuous Toolkit is not an is firmly enshrined under Article 19 of "A citizen has the fundamental offence. The Constitution of India," Judge Rana rights to use the best means of ‘Mere Engagement With Persons of said. imparting and receiving Dubious Credentials Not "... sedition cannot be invoked to communication, as long as (it) is Indictable’. A primary argument minister to the wounded vanity of the permissible under the four corners of put forth against Ravi was that she government," he said. the law... to have access to audiences collaborated with a group named In his order Judge Rana shot down abroad," he noted. 'Poetic Justice Foundation' and Disha Ravi Delhi Police arguments that Ms Ravi The police had also argued that the used social media to propagate a and two others - activist Shantanu 'toolkit' sought to defame India by "secessionist Khalistan narrative." Constitution of India gave due Muluk and lawyer Nikita Jacob - had directing users to a website that The Court ruled that there was no respect to the divergence of conspired with pro-Khalistani outfit "speaks about genocide, Kashmir...and direct evidence to link Ravi and opinion by recognising freedom of Poetic Justice Foundation (PJF) to defaming the ". Poetic Justice Foundation. speech and expression as a create and spread the 'toolkit'. However, Judge Rana shot that down ‘Merely Sharing Platform With fundamental right. The police had said that the accused too, noting that its contents made no People Who Oppose a Law Is Not ‘No Geographical Barriers on and PJF co-founder Mo Dhaliwal had call for violence and that he found Secessionist Tendency’ Communication’. The Court also multiple Zoom meetings last month, "absolutely nothing objectionable in Ravi's bail order also mentioned observed that the Right to days before the tractor rally violence, the said page". He acknowledged that that in the absence of evidence, Freedom of Speech also covers and alleged that this indicated a the imputations made were "really the mere sharing of a platform within its ambit, the right to seek conspiracy that included the creation objectionable" but could not said to be with a group of persons opposing a global audience. and spreading of the 'toolkit'. seditious in nature. the farm laws cannot lead to a ‘Difference of Opinion, The judge, however, pointed out on Ravi is accused by Delhi Police of conclusion that she supported the Disagreement, Dissent Are Tools Tuesday (as he had last week) that creating and spreading an online group's alleged secessionist to Infuse Objectivity in State "there is not even an iota of evidence" document linked to the farmers' tendencies. Policies’. Quoting a couplet from connecting those who had acted protest against the centre's agriculture ‘Sedition Cannot Be Invoked to the Rig Veda that embodies our violently on that day to Ravi or to the laws - a document the police says was Minister to Wounded Vanity of the cultural ethos expressing our PJF. meant to revive a Khalistani group and Governments' respect for divergent opinions – "... in the absence of any evidence "spread disaffection against the Indian Justice Rana clarified that anything 'Let noble thoughts come to me (that) the accused shared a common state". that puts the government on the from all directions', Justice Rana purpose to cause violence (on January Ravi, who earlier this month told the defensive can’t be silenced with a said. 26) with the founders of PJF (Poetic court she had only edited two lines of charge of sedition. On this point, ‘Aware and Assertive Citizenry Is a Justice Foundation), it cannot be the document and not created it, has the court cited a phrase from an Sign of a Healthy and Vibrant presumed by resorting to surmises or said she only "wanted to support the old judgment. Democracy’. Justice Rana also conjectures that she also supported farmers" in their campaign to get the ‘Right to Dissent Is Enshrined in emphasised on the need of an secessionist tendencies," he said. controversial laws - which they say Our Constitution’. The Court said aware and assertive citizenry for a Last week Judge Rana asked how endangers their livelihoods - scrapped. that the makers of the healthy and vibrant democracy. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FARMERS’ STIR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 11 US farmer groups deliver solidarity statement to Indian farmers Signatories, however, US government has played in creating the concerned by several conditions that led to these repressive laws. The US has been a key opponent of additional factors not included India's limited use of MSP at the World in this statement Trade Organization, arguing that it represents an unfair subsidy. Yet, the US MINNEAPOLIS (TIP): Eighty-seven government spends tens of billions of farmer organizations and allied dollars on its agriculture, much of it in agroecology, farm and food justice groups programs that directly contribute to low in the United States delivered a solidarity prices and commodity dumping in statement in support of Indian farmers' international markets", the statement historic protests to Samyukta Kisan said. Morcha, a united front of over 40 Indian "Under the Biden administration, the US farmers unions. has a powerful opportunity to shift US In the statement, US groups express trade policy to allow other countries to respect for the unified struggles of the support fair markets for their farmers and farmers and farm workers and urge both shift its own agricultural policy to ensure US and Indian governments to support parity and environmental and racial independent family farmers and localised justice in the US," it added. food systems to protect food sovereignty "We are honored to join the Institute for and the livelihoods of millions. Agriculture and Trade Policy, Rural "India's farmers have mobilized to create Coalition, Grassroots Global Justice, and one of the world's most vibrant protests in 83 additional organizations standing in history against unjust farm laws that will solidarity with the farmers and farm increase agribusiness' stranglehold over workers in India who have been protesting their food system. They have rallied Women farmers sit on a hunger strike at Ghazipur border during the farmers protest against for 85 days to protect their minimum price around a cry for the repeal of three laws - Centres agri-laws in New Delhi, Saturday, February 20, 2021. Source: PTI guarantees. We have been forced to accept passed without farmers' knowledge or low farm prices and we support their consultation - that aim to liberalize Indian Alliance, Institute for Agriculture and peaceful farm law protests (demanding demands for economic parity - fair prices agriculture and food sectors, not only at Trade Policy and the Grassroots Global assured returns on farm produce) and and living wages - to defend their the cost of farmers, but also the food Justice Alliance, as well as diasporic against those supporting the strike (such livelihoods, their food sovereignty and the security of India's poor," the statement Indians who continue to work with as the detention of 21-year-old Disha Ravi, future of their republic," Jim Goodman, said. farmers groups in India. co-founder of Fridays For Future in India) board president of the National Family The signatories are concerned by "Liberalizing markets without taking is making the fault lines of Indian Farm Coalition. several additional factors not included in into account farmers' political voice and democracy visible to the world. India is at a "The Rural Coalition, which has fought this statement, such as the protecting against concentrated buyer turning point: it can decide to honor the for four decades for the civil and human unconstitutional ways in which these laws power makes a mockery of what markets demands of its farmers or continue to rights for all producers and farm workers were passed without following proper should stand for; we denounce the three stand by Indian billionaires who would in this nation, sends our strong support parliamentary rules and the Indian farm bills, the lack of consultation with benefit from these farm laws," says Shiney and deep respect to the heroic family government's use of authoritarian tactics farmers and their organizations, and stand Varghese, senior policy analyst at IATP. farmers and farm workers of India as you to deny farmers' right to dissent in solidarity with the brave stance India's One key demand of the protesting stand united together to protect the democratically. farmers are taking," says Sophia Murphy, farmers is for farmers to receive a Minimum Support Price (MSP) and stop The solidarity statement was co- executive director of the Institute for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all government policies that destroy the sponsored by members of US farm, food Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP). crops to limit the market power of buyers livelihood and future of family farmers, and racial justice organizations, including "A majority of India's farmers are in highly unequal markets. farm workers and rural peoples," says the National Family Farm Coalition, Rural hurting, and the draconian steps that the "The US-based signatories of the John Zippert, chair of Rural Coalition. Coalition, Northwest Atlantic Marine Indian state has taken in response to solidarity statement recognize the role the Source: IANS Delhi court grants bail to 16 accused in violence at Singhu border

NEW DELHI (TIP): A sessions court on Thursday, cannot be condoned, however, the guilt or innocence of February 25, granted bail to 16 accused in connection to the accused is a matter of trial and nothing cannot be the incident at?Singhu border in which the SHO of said about it at this stage. Alipur police station Pradeep Paliwal was stabbed In an another case related to Nangloi violence, the during stone-pelting between the protesting farmers judge granted bail to one Daljinder stating that the and some local residents on January 29. At least two accused was just 22-year-old and does not have any people, including a police official, were injured in the criminal record. violence. Additional sessions judge Shivani Anand granted Co-accused in Nodeep Kaur case has bail to the 16 accused, stating injuries suffered by other multiple injuries: Medical report police officials were superficial except those on the body of SHO Alipur. A REPORT by the Government Medical College and The court also said that the prosecution has failed to Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh, submitted to the Punjab show as to why it did not seek the police remand of the and Haryana High Court on Wednesday, has said that a accused despite arresting them. medical examination of Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan The judge also said that name of the accused would president Shiv Kumar (24) showed multiple injuries, have been mentioned in the FIR, if the accused were including at least two fractures on his left hand and overpowered from the spot. At least two people, including a police official, were injured in right foot, “caused by blunt object/ weapon”. The The police contended that though the names of other the violence on January 29. injuries are “more than two weeks old”, says the report. accused persons could not be mentioned initially in the Kumar was arrested on January 16, four days after co- FIR but police officials have properly identified the high and low moods and changes in behaviour. accused Nodeep Kaur was picked up. On February 19, offenders in their statement. Additional sessions judge Samar Vishal granted bail the court had directed the SP,Sonipat Jail, to get Kumar Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Thursday granted bail to to one Gursewak who was arrested for allegedly hitting examined at GMCH, after his father, Rajbir, told the a Class 12 student suffering from Bipolar disorder, the police barricades and police vehicles while driving court that Kumar had been subjected to “police arrested in connection to the violence at Nangloi a tractor, noting the “tender age” of the accused. torture”. Chowk during the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic The police alleged that the accused tried to run over Both the Haryana DGP, Manoj Yadava, and Sonipat Day, saying that he was a young man with clean the police personnel deployed at Nangloi Chowk and SP, Jashandeep Singh Randhawa, did not respond to antecedents and has already been in custody for 29 days. sped towards Peeragarhi. text messages sent by on the Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that brings severe The judge said the acts of the protestors/ rioters allegations of torture. THE INDIAN PANORAMA US FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 12 US report on Khashoggi death expected to single out Saudi crown prince Riyadh admitted that Khashoggi was killed in a "rogue" extradition operation gone wrong Khashoggi, whose Washington Post officials at various levels. investigation," Callamard said after the column had criticized the crown prince's "We have been in touch with Saudi six-month probe. policies. officials at numerous levels in the early A classified version of the report was President Joe Biden, a Democrat who weeks of this administration," said State shared with members of Congress in late succeeded the Republican Donald Trump Department spokesman Ned Price. 2018. five weeks ago, told reporters on The 59-year-old Khashoggi, a Saudi But the Trump administration rejected Wednesday he had read the report and journalist and Washington Post demands by lawmakers and human expected to speak soon by phone with columnist, was lured to the Saudi rights groups to release a declassified Saudi Arabian King Salman, 85, father of consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018 and version, seeking to preserve cooperation the crown prince, the country's 35-year- killed by a team of operatives linked to amid rising tensions with Riyadh's old de facto ruler. the crown prince. They then regional rival, Iran, and promote U.S. Biden is working to restore the relationship The report's release is part of Biden's dismembered his body. His remains have arms sales to the kingdom. with Riyadh to traditional lines after four policy to realign ties with Riyadh after never been found. Biden's new director of national years of cozier ties under Trump years of giving the Arab ally and major Riyadh eventually admitted that intelligence, Avril Haines, committed at Photo / Reuter oil producer a pass on its human rights Khashoggi was killed in a "rogue" her confirmation hearing to complying record and its intervention in Yemen's extradition operation gone wrong, but it with a provision in a 2019 defense bill WASHINGTON (TIP): A declassified civil war. denied any involvement by the crown that required the Office of the Director version of a U.S. intelligence report Biden is working to restore the prince. Five men given the death penalty of National Intelligence to release within expected to be released on Thursday, relationship with Riyadh to traditional for the murder had their sentences 30 days a declassified report on February 25, finds that Saudi Crown lines after four years of cozier ties under commuted to 20 years in jail after being Khashoggi's murder. Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved Trump. White House spokeswoman Jen forgiven by Khashoggi's family. Biden pledged during the 2020 the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Psaki told reporters on Wednesday Biden In 2019, a U.N. human rights presidential campaign to reassess U.S.- Khashoggi, four U.S. officials familiar would only communicate with the Saudi investigator, Agnes Callamard, accused Saudi ties in part over Khashoggi's with the matter said, according to a king and said the declassified Khashoggi Saudi Arabia of a "deliberate, murder. Since taking office, he has ended Reuters report. report was being readied for release premeditated execution" of Khashoggi sales of offensive arms that Riyadh could The officials said the report, for which soon. and called for further investigation. use in Yemen and appointed a special the CIA was the main contributor, While Biden restricts his contacts to "There is sufficient credible evidence envoy to boost diplomatic efforts to end assessed that the crown prince approved the king, others in the Biden regarding the responsibility of the that country's grueling civil war. and likely ordered the murder of administration are talking to Saudi crown prince demanding further (Source: Reuters)

(John) Kerry will be," he said. Out competing China will be key to national The Chinese military has been flexing its muscles in the strategically vital Indo- Pacific region and is also engaged in hotly security in decades ahead: Biden's CIA nominee contested territorial disputes in both the Jinping's China is not without problems "Another priority intimately connected South China Sea and the East China Sea. and frailties of its own," he said. to competition with China is technology," Also, at the hearing, Burns stressed the "The challenge posed by Xi Jinping's he said. importance of "firmness and consistency" China, by an adversarial China, it is hard Responding to a question, Burns said in responding to Russia, CNN reported. for me to see a more significant threat or that the evolution of China under Xi's rule Burns said he learned through his challenge for the United States as far out as over the last six or seven years has been a foreign policy work "in dealing with those I can see into the 21st century than that one. very sharp wake-up call in a lot of ways, threats, responding to them and deterring It is the biggest geopolitical test that we the kind of aggressive, undisguised them, firmness and consistency is hugely face," Burns said. ambition and assertiveness has made very important, and it's also very important to Biden's CIA nominee William Burns The relations between the US and China clear the nature of the adversary and rival work to the maximum extent possible with WASHINGTON (TIP): Out competing are at an all-time low.The two countries are that America faces today. allies and partners." "We have more China will be key to America's national currently engaged in a bitter confrontation "The challenge is how do you build a effects sometimes on Putin's calculus, security in the decades ahead, President over various issues, including trade, the long-term... We have to buckle up for the when he sees responses coming, firm Joe Biden's pick to lead the CIA has told origins of the novel coronavirus pandemic, long haul, I think, in competition with responses coming not just from the United lawmakers, stressing that Beijing is the the communist giant's aggressive military China. This is not like the competition with States, but from our European allies and "biggest geopolitical test" that the US will moves in the disputed South China Sea and the Soviet Union and the Cold War, which others as well. So, it pays off to work hard face. human rights. was primarily in security and ideological at widening that circle of countries who Willian Burns, 64, a former diplomat "There are, however, a growing number terms," he said. are going to push back," he was quoted as who served in Russia and the Middle East, of areas in which Xi's China is a "This is an adversary that is saying by the report. shared the assessment with members of formidable authoritarian adversary, extraordinarily ambitious in technology Burns also said that "it's always a the Senate Select Committee on methodically strengthening its capabilities and capable in economic terms as well. So, mistake to underestimate Putin's Russia," Intelligence during his confirmation to steal intellectual property, repress its it is buckling up for the long term and noting that under Vladimir Putin's hearing on Wednesday, Feb 23, for the post own people, bully its neighbors, expand its developing a very clear-eyed bipartisan leadership it can be at least as disruptive as of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) global reach, and build influence in strategy, which I think is entirely possible a rising power like China. Director. American society," Burns said. right now," Burns said. "So, we have to be quite cold-eyed in our "Out competing China will be key to our For the CIA, that will mean intensified Burns told lawmakers that it's important view of how those threats can emerge," he national security in the decades ahead. focus and urgency, continually for the United States to view cooperation said. That will require a long-term clear eyed strengthening its already impressive cadre with China on climate issues is not a favor If confirmed, Burns won't be a member bipartisan strategy underpinned by of China specialists, expanding its to the United States. It's in the self-interest of Biden's Cabinet, which represents a domestic renewal and solid intelligence," language skills, aligning personnel and of China to do that. change from the Trump administration, Burns said. resource allocation for the long haul, and "So, in other words, it's not something to but a return to the status the job had in the "There will be areas in which it will be in employing a whole of agency approach to be traded. It's in the self-interest of China Obama administration, the report added. our mutual self-interest to work with China the operational and analytical challenges as well to work on these issues. And it's CIA deputy director David Cohen has from climate change to nonproliferation. of this crucial threat, he told the important for us to be clear eyed about that, served in the role of acting director as And I am very mindful that (President) Xi lawmakers. as I'm sure the president and Secretary Burns awaits confirmation. (Source: PTI) THE INDIAN PANORAMA US FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 13 Citizenship Test: President Biden administration reverts to 2008 version of U.S. citizenship test Immigration Services (USCIS) said in a policy, USCIS said the 2020 civics test accessible as possible as directed by press release on Monday. development process, content, testing President Joe Biden's request to review On December 1 last year, USCIS procedures, and implementation the process thoroughly, it said. implemented a revised naturalization schedule "may inadvertently create The decision to naturalize civics test, called the 2020 civics test, as potential barriers to the naturalization demonstrates an investment in and part of a decennial test review and process". commitment to US, USCIS said, adding update process. "This action is consistent with the that it is committed to administering a The civics test is administered to framework of the Executive Order on test that is an instrument of civic applicants who apply for US citizenship Restoring Faith in Our Legal learning and fosters civic integration as WASHINGTON (TIP): Applicants through naturalization and is one of the Immigration Systems, which directs a part of the test preparation process. who filed their application for statutory requirements for naturalizing. comprehensive review of the Applicants who filed their application naturalization on or after December 1, Applicants must demonstrate a naturalization process to eliminate for naturalization on or after December 2020, and before March 1, 2021, will have knowledge and understanding of the barriers and make the process more 1, 2020, and before March 1, 2021, likely the option to take either the 2020 civics fundamentals of the history, principles, accessible to all eligible individuals," it have been studying for the 2020 test; test or the 2008 civics test and form of government of the United said. The federal agency asserted that therefore, USCIS will give these The Biden administration has States. The previous Trump the 2008 civics test was "thoroughly applicants the option to take either the announced to do away with the stringent administration had introduced some developed over a multi-year period with 2020 civics test or the 2008 civics test, it Trump-era citizenship test and revert to changes to the 2020 civics test. It the input of more than 150 organizations, said. "There will be a transition period the easier 2008 version, making the US increased the number of questions from which included English as a second where both tests are being offered. The naturalization process more accessible 100 to 128 and the correct answers in the language experts, educators, and 2020 test will be phased out on April 19, to all eligible individuals. multiple-choice questions had political historians, and was piloted before its 2021, for initial test takers. Applicants The new process comes into effect on and ideological overtones. implementation". filing on or after March 1, 2021, will take March 1, US Citizenship and Announcing the reversal of the Trump USCIS aspires to make the process as the 2008 civics test," USCIS said. to address U.S. will seek to rejoin students of Cornell University UNHRC: Blinken NEW YORK (TIP): The U.S. will seek on Democracy: Virtual event re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on is open to the Cornell Tuesday, February 23, as he "humbly" asked for the support of UN member community with NetID states. This is the latest in a series of moves by the Biden administration to NEW YORK (TIP): Congress leader reverse a pattern of retreat from Rahul Gandhi on March 2 will address multilateralism that was characteristic the students of prestigious Cornell of the Trump administration. Former University and interact with them on the U.S. President Donald Trump had taken subjects of democracy and development, the U.S. out of the Council in 2018 saying U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken the university said on Thursday, it was biased against Israel and had delivering a speech via video message during February 25. members who were human rights the 46th Regular Session of Human Rights During the virtual program, Gandhi, abusers. Council on February 24, 2021 in Geneva. - Photo / Courtesy United Nations 50, will join Professor Kaushik Basu for While acknowledging that American the talk, which will also include topics democracy was "imperfect" and often fight for racial justice should be on top such as life in politics in India and the fell short of its ideals, Mr Blinken, in a of the global human rights agenda. world. "Indian Member of Parliament Photo caption:Rahul Gandhi will address video message to the 47-member Council Mr. Blinken also said there was no students of Cornell University on Democracy Rahul Gandhi will join economics on March 2 - Photo / Courtesy PTI which is currently in session, said the moral equivalence between the actions professor Kaushik Basu on March 2 at U.S. was placing human rights at the of the United States and authoritarian 9:30 am (8 pm IST) for a conversation World Bank. center of its foreign policy and therefore regimes. about democracy, development and life "India and the world are at a turning seeking to rejoin the Council. "The United States does not claim to in politics in India and the world," the point with the pandemic, pollution and "…I'm pleased to announce the United be perfect, but we strive every day to university said in the statement. polarized politics. I am excited about this States will seek election to the human improve, to hold ourselves accountable, Hosted by the South Asia Program of conversation because while as an rights council for the 2022 to 2024 term. to become a more perfect union," he the Mario Einaudi Center for economist, I observe what is happening We humbly ask for the support of all UN said. International Studies, the virtual event from outside, Rahul Gandhi has the member States in our bid to return to a "There's no moral equivalence is open to the Cornell community with insider's advantage," Basu said. seat in this body," Mr Blinken said. between the actions of the United NetID. The discussion, the university said, is Mr. Blinken also alleged that the States, which are subject to robust, "Registration is required. The part of the Einaudi Center's research Council was biased against Israel - a impartial, and transparent conversation will also be live streamed focus on global democratic resilience. position shared by Democrats and accountability mechanisms. And those on Facebook for viewers around the "The Einaudi Center is thrilled to host Republicans. The Secretary also of authoritarian regimes, which violate world," the statement said. this important conversation," said referred to the Council's membership. and abuse human rights with impunity. According to the university, Gandhi Rachel Beatty Riedl, Einaudi's director While he praised the Council for together, we must push back against and Basu will compare notes on the and John S Knight Professor of bringing attention to the coup d'état in blatant attempts to subvert the values Indian economy and the outlook for International Studies and professor in Myanmar, he said those with the "worst upon which the United nations was democracy in India and around the the Department of Government in the human rights record" should not be part founded…," world. College of Arts and Sciences. of the Council. Mr. Blinken said those who use Basu is the Carl Marks Professor of "It highlights critical questions, such "We must work together to improve economic development as a reason to International Studies, professor of as who benefits from growth and how an the work and membership of the undermine human rights will be held economics in the College of Arts and inclusive political community that council," Mr Blinken said. accountable. Sciences, and former senior vice prioritizes social services for all can be The Secretary spoke of challenges to (Read full story at president and chief economist of the forged," Riedl said. (Source; PTI) racial justice in the U.S. and said the www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA INDIA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 14 Armies of India, Pakistan agree to ceasefire along LoC

NEW DELHI (TIP): In a surprise development, Indian and Pakistani militaries announced on Thursday, February 25, that they had begun observing a ceasefire along the Line of Same-sex Control (LoC) in and Kashmir from the midnight of February 24. A joint statement issued by the armies marriage not a of both countries said the move followed a discussion between India’s Director fundamental General of Military Operations (DGMO), Lt Gen Paramjit Singh Sangha, and his Pakistani counterpart, Maj Gen Nauman right: Govt Zakaria, over their established telephone hotline. NEW DELHI (TIP): The Centre on The move comes at a time when the Thursday, February 25, told the Delhi Indian military is largely focused on the HC that there was no fundamental right standoff with China in Ladakh sector of to seek recognition for same-sex the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which marriage. The government stated this emerged in the open in May last year, in an affidavit filed in reply to a petition though there has been no let-up in by same-sex couples seeking counter-terrorism operations in Jammu enforcement of fundamental right of and Kashmir. choice of partner. During their discussion on the hotline, “Despite the decriminalisation of the two sides “reviewed the situation Section 377 of the IPC, the petitioners along the and all other cannot claim a fundamental right for sectors in a free, frank and cordial established convention of weekly “The main idea is to have peace along same-sex marriage being recognised atmosphere”, the joint statement said. contacts between officials of the the LoC so that the local population under the laws of the country," the “Both sides agreed for strict Directorate General of Military doesn’t suffer,” said one of the people affidavit stated. It said the fundamental observance of all agreements, Operations of the two countries had cited above. right under Article 21 could not be understandings and cease firing along continued in recent months despite India and Pakistan had agreed along a expanded to include the fundamental the Line of Control and all other sectors periodic flare-ups along the LoC. The ceasefire on the LoC in November 2003 but right for same sex marriage. with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb DGMOs speak on the hotline when there it has been frequently violated in recent “In India, marriage is not just a 2021,” the statement added. is a specific request from one side, the years. On Wednesday, the Indian Army matter of union of two individuals but The DGMOs also “agreed to address people added. chief, Gen MM Naravane, had said India a solemn institution between a each other’s core issues and concerns Troops from the two sides have traded wants peace and tranquillity along all its biological man and a biological which have propensity to disturb peace fire since relations between the two borders, be it the LAC, LoC or the frontier woman,” the affidavit read. The Centre and lead to violence” in the interest of countries hit a low after the Pulwama with Myanmar. further stated that living together as “achieving mutually beneficial and suicide attack in February 2019 and “With our continuous engagement with partners and having sexual sustainable peace along the borders”. India’s decision to scrap Jammu and Pakistan, we will be able to prevail over relationship with same-sex individuals, The two sides further said that existing Kashmir’s special status in August 2019. them (for border peace)...as unsettled which was decriminalised now, was not mechanisms of hotline contact and The people said that while the Indian borders help no one,” he told a virtual comparable with the Indian family unit border flag meetings will be used to side had agreed on the ceasefire, there seminar. concept of a husband, wife and “resolve any unforeseen situation or was no question of lowering the guard Naravane, however, said terror children. misunderstanding”. when it comes to operations to counter launchpads were active across the LoC, and It submitted that any interference People familiar with developments infiltration along the LoC or terrorism the army will be prepared for a fresh influx with the marriage laws framed would said on condition of anonymity that the within Jammu and Kashmir. of infiltrators in the summer. Source: HT cause complete havoc. Source: IANS

NEW DELHI (TIP): With fuel prices at a record high across the country, Reserve Bank of India governor Fuel taxes: RBI Guv calls for Shaktikanta Das on Thursday, February 25, emphasised the need for coordination between the Centre and state governments to reduce the indirect taxes coordinated Centre-state action on petrol and diesel. "There is a need for coordinated action Focus on indirect taxes between the Centre and states to reduce taxes because there are indirect taxes Das had earlier last week also called levied by both of them," said Das. for reduced indirect taxes on petrol and With fuel prices at a record high across diesel to contain the fuel prices at a the country, Reserve Bank of India reasonable level. governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday "Proactive supply-side measures, emphasised the need for coordination particularly in enabling a calibrated between the Centre and state unwinding of high indirect taxes on governments to reduce the indirect taxes petrol and diesel – in a co-ordinated on petrol and diesel. manner by centre and states – are critical "There is a need for coordinated action to contain further build-up of cost- between the Centre and states to reduce pressures in the economy," he said. taxes because there are indirect taxes Central and state taxes make up 60% of levied by both of them," said Das. the retail selling price of petrol and over "Diesel and petrol prices do have an 54% of diesel. impact on the cost side. They play as a cost-push factor across a range of Taxes cut activities. It's not just that passengers Earlier, five states have decided to cut who use cars and bikes. High fuel prices down taxes on petrol, diesel and other also have an impact on the cost of motor spirits to provide relief to The petrol and diesel prices in the paise and diesel rates jumped up by 35 manufacturing, transportation and other customers. The state are Nagaland, West country remained unchanged for the paise. The hike took the petrol price in aspects," said the RBI governor. Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and second consecutive day on Thursday,Feb Delhi to Rs 90.83 per litre. Diesel rate "I am sure the state and central Rajasthan. 25. climbed to Rs 81.32 a litre. In Mumbai, government will take a positive decision They were last hiked on Tuesday when petrol currently costs Rs 97.34, while in a coordinated manner," he added. Fuel prices the rate of petrol was increased by 25 diesel is retailing at Rs 88.44. THE INDIAN PANORAMA INDIA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 15 questions concepts of nationhood, identity at JLF Dr. Yash Goyal Joining a questionnaire on her book JAIPUR (TIP): "Who is Indian and what with Shobhaa Deon session 'Unfinished' or is 'nationhood' was a big question that took the session , top centerstage during a conversation between star, said, "When I came to Congress politician and author Shashi Hollywood about six years back, I heard an Tharoor and journalist Faye D'Souza at the 'insider' say that films with black and first ever virtual edition of the Jaipur brown people in lead don't do well. I was out Literature Festival here on second day on to change that and look today The White February 25. Tiger is number one film on world's largest Speaking on two broad concepts of streaming platform. We are a fifth of the nationalism, Tharoor replied, "One which world's population and not to have a brown is anchored in an identity defined by place find the significant place in the of birth, ethnicity,language and religion or mainstream entertainment is not done. I 'identity nationalism'. " The second which am glad to be a part of actors from South- is linked to Constitutions and institutions - East Asian Diaspora who are continually 'a civic nationalism', he added. pushing the boundaries." On being asked if He mentioned how civic nationalism was she sees herself doing the Kamala Harris first enshrined in the Indian Constitution feat, she remained non-committal, "I don't after three years of debate and dialogue. think that far in the future." The conversation then traced India's shrinking lexicon. "I recently said to journey post Partition, and how the Gulzar sahib that the usage of beautiful Puppet Show freedom struggle gave birth to a and meaningful words has decreased from Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) organized a nationalism of shared sorrow.The duo also his generation to mine. I have fewer words colorful puppetry display today at the raised several other pertinent questions now to convey my message. During his Central Dome at JKK. Mesmerizing puppet over the course of their hour-long time, he had more words to describe and performances were given by 7th generation conversation, related to delegitimizing convey what he felt because people puppeteer, Shri Bengali Bhatt from the dissent, conformity, and India's cultural understood the meaning of those words." Jijot village of Nagaur district. The identity. Vidya Shah echoed his thoughts and programme is being held from 11 am The session, titled 'The Battle of spoke of the importance of being attentive onwards and will be on till Sunday, 21 Belonging' takes inspiration from Shashi to the message while listening to music. February. There are puppet Tharoor's book of the same name, and She said, "The sheer range of emotions and demonstrations like Jogi Sapera, Magic evaluates the historical and current the possibilities that listening to music can Man, Raja Maharaja, Laila Majnoo, Chari political trends impacting the 'idea of offer are immense. If we allow ourselves to Dancer, and much more. They were India.' The book explores the changing submerge into that experience, the world accompanied by Dholak and singing. The interpretations of nationalism, patriotism, will be a much better place." puppets are also available for sale. The citizenship and belonging as well as the Speaking about folk music, he said that it programme aims to revive arts and artistes nature and future of nationhood. The duo, has the sense of the collective and is the who have struggled during the lockdown in turn discussed these themes and ideas in work of the collective. "No one can lay a period to earn their livelihoods. It is being the context of the past, the present and the singular claim to it. The shine in folk music held with the initiative of showcasing the emergent future during their virtual reflects the collective," Joshi said, inherent capacities of the art of puppetry conversation. explaining how the finesse of folk music is to the audience. a work of generations of artists. Many of On the occasion, Shri Bengali Bhatt said: Inaugural our traditions are alive due to folk music, "We make these puppets by hand. The faces Hailed as the 'greatest literary show on Photo / JLF Media Team he added, explaining how there are songs are painted and the outfits are also Earth' and the 'Kumbh of Literature', the that depict different occasions and values. carefully crafted by us. This craft has been Jaipur Literature Festival 2021, has begun important. Art is beyond communication. Together, the two, who often broke into passed down in my family through the on February 19 with an inauguration These days, we have become too obsessed little renditions of musical compositions to generations. We travel both in the country ceremony in which Rajasthan Minister of with the message. Maybe there is no elaborate on one idea or another, threw and abroad performing shows everywhere. Art & Culture Dr B D Kalla said, "Despite message, and just losing yourself in the light on the cultural diversity as well as the The Covid pandemic brought with itself Corona pandemic, JLF brings together a moment is all you need," said the award- intrinsic unity of this vast heritage and its many struggles for performing artistes. diverse mix of the world's greatest writers, winning lyricist. new offshoots. However, we are hopeful that slowly with thinkers, humanitarians, politicians, He also spoke of the struggles and people venturing out of their homes our business leaders, sports people, and limitations of a songwriter due to a Priyanka Chopra Jonas fortunes will change." entertainers on one stage" "This collaborative approach is one of the key foundation pillars, he asserted. Rajasthan government specially the Art and Culture Department believes in this ethos and is always open to collaborating on such likeminded ideas and take the festival to other parts of the state like Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bharatpur as well", he added. Prasoon Joshi The first session began with an insightful conversation between Prasoon Joshi, poet, songwriter and Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification, and musician and scholar Vidya Shah. The duo explored interrelated genres of Indian music during a session titled Across Genres: Classical, Folk and Popular Music. They discussed the importance of understanding, feeling, and getting lost in the beauty of music and art and delved into how the world would change if people really began to understand the importance of art. "A person who makes art is important, but a seeker of that art is equally Photo / JLF Media Team THE INDIAN PANORAMA MUSIC FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 16

MUSIC MAKERS BY MABEL PAIS he Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts Tips For Making a Great Audition Video with WIPA OFFERS (WIPA) offers a series of Audition Workshops Engineer Joe DeVico Tfrom February 21 through April 30, including "Do Monday, April 5 | 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. EST AUDITION You Know Your Scales & Arpeggios?," "Tips for Making New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS) Audition a Great Audition Video," and "New Jersey Youth Preparation Symphony Audition Preparation Excerpt Workshops." Excerpt Workshops: Fridays 4:00 - 5:15 p.m. EST WORKSHOPS - FREE Instrumentalists entering grades 3-12 from anywhere April 16: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, in the world are invited to take advantage of this series Trumpet, Trombone & Tuba: Flute, Bart Feller; Oboe, "This has not been an easy season for our of virtual workshops to hone skills and prepare for Andy Adelson; Clarinet, Andy Lamy; Bassoon, Mark young musicians as they had to pivot to orchestral auditions. The Audition Workshop series is Timmerman; Horn, Michelle Baker; Trumpet, Eric free and open to the public. To register to attend, visit Berlin; Trombone, Vernon Post; Tuba, Derek M. online lessons and rehearsals. These WhartonArts.org. For New Jersey Youth Symphony Fenstermacher 2021-22 season auditions, visit NJYS.org. April 23: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass & instrument-specific audition workshops Wharton Arts Workshops Percussion: Violin, Brennan Sweet; Viola, Garrett Fischbach; Cello, John Spitz; Bass, Ha Young Jung; will provide extra support to help them Do You Know Your Scales & Arpeggios? Percussion, Joe Tompkins hone their basic skills and prepare for Audition Workshops: Mondays 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. EST April 30: Jazz Audition Workshop: Saxophone, Julius February 21: Flute: Kathleen Neste Tolentino and Drums, Matt Slocum upcoming auditions." Helen Cha-Pyo, This workshop meets from 4:00 - 5:15 p.m. EST on About Wharton Arts (WIPA) Sunday, February 21. Artistic Director & Principal Conductor. February 22: Winds & Brass: Oboe, Meredyth The Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts Coleman; Clarinet, David Sapadin; Bassoon, Sasha (WIPA) is New Jersey's largest independent non-profit Energren; Horn, Amy Larkey-Emelianoff; Trumpet, community performing arts education center serving Valdemar Castillo; Trombone, Nicole Abissi; Tuba, over 1,200 students through a range of classes and Derek M. Fenstermacher ensembles including the 15 ensembles of the New March 1: Strings: Violin, James Keene; Viola, Jersey Youth Symphony, which serve 500 students in Elizabeth Nowik; Cello, Tomoko Fujita; Bass, Ha Young grades 3 - 12 by audition. Jung WIPA is located in Berkeley Heights, New Providence March 15: Jazz Musicians: Saxophones, David and Paterson, NJ and reaches students from 10 Schumacher; Trumpet, Nathan Eklund; Trombone, counties. All of Wharton's extraordinary faculty David Gibson; Guitar, Charlie Sigler; Piano, Shamie members and conductors hold degrees in their teaching Royston; Bass, Chris Berger specialty and have been vetted and trained to enable If you have missed a workshop with Wharton Arts, their students to achieve their personal best. Instructor-Student collage - Photo / CourtesyWharton Arts you can catch up with another from NJYS. NJSO PMP COLLABORATE on Feb 9. Broadway actor Jacob Keith productions have gone on to Broadway Arts Center in Newark and regularly Watson and an NJSO string quartet and launched national tours, including performs at State Theatre New Jersey in performed an at-home performance of Disney's "Newsies," "Les Misérables," New Brunswick, Count Basie Center for "Out There" from beloved song of "Honeymoon in Vegas," "A Bronx Tale" the Arts in Red Bank, Richardson Disney's "The Hunchback Of Notre and "Bandstand." Auditorium in Princeton, Mayo Dame" on February 9 at 7 pm. Watch the The theater is also the home of an Performing Arts Center in Morristown video: youtu.be/UsK2oiA_Hsk award-winning center for musical and bergenPAC in Englewood. The performance videos are available theater education and artist training, Partnerships with New Jersey arts on demand on the NJSO's YouTube and with outreach programs that impact organizations, universities and civic social media channels, as well as at thousands of students each year. As one organizations remain a key element of njsymphony.org/papermill of the nation's premier musical theaters, the Orchestra's statewide identity. Future performances in NJSO/Paper Paper Mill fosters a creative In addition to its lauded artistic Belinda Allyn - Photo / Courtesy NJSO Mill Playhouse collaborative series will environment to advance the art form, programming, the NJSO presents a suite be released online through April 2021. educate students, develop future theater of education and community Additional collaborative videos will lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide engagement programs that promote air on March 2 and April 13 at 7 pm. access for all. meaningful, lifelong engagement with The March 2 performance features New Jersey Symphony Orchestra live music. Programs include school- "Tonight" from 'West Side Story' sung by time Concerts for Young People and the Belinda Allyn and Matt Doyle, and the (NJSO) NJSO Youth Orchestras family of April 13 performance features "Being NJSO, named "a vital, artistically student ensembles, led by José Luis Alive" from 'Company' performed by significant musical organization" by 'The Domínguez. NJSO musicians annually Tally Sessions. Wall Street Journal,' embodies that perform original chamber music This four-part collaboration is part of vitality through its statewide presence programs at community events in a NJSO Virtual 20-21, the Orchestra's and critically acclaimed performances, variety of settings statewide through the digital season. For more information, education partnerships and unparalleled NJSO Community Partners program. Tally Sessions - Photo / Courtesy NJSO visit njsymphony.org/virtual access to music and the Orchestra's The Orchestra's online hub for free Paper Mill Playhouse (PMP) superb musicians. NJSO Virtual 20-21 content is JSO and Paper Mill Playhouse Music Director Xian Zhang-a "dynamic njsymphony.org/virtual. kicked off a series of at-home Paper Mill Playhouse (PMP), recipient podium presence" 'The New York Times' Connect with NJSO: collaborative performances in of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony has praised for her "technical abilities, N WEBSITE: NJSYMPHONY.ORG January 2021 with Broadway veteran Award, is a nationally renowned not-for- musicianship and maturity"-continues Rema Webb and an NJSO string quintet profit theater under the direction of her acclaimed leadership of the NJSO. FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM: @NJSYMPHONY performing Rodgers and Hammerstein's Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic The Orchestra presents classical, pops "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Director) and Michael Stotts (Managing and family programs, as well as outdoor YOUTUBE: @NEWJERSEYSYMPHONY 'Carousel.' Watch the video: Director). A beloved NJ arts institution summer concerts and special events. EMAIL: [email protected] youtu.be/_YsUxZlqlD8 since 1938, Paper Mill creates and Embracing its legacy as a statewide (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and 'Out There' was the next collaboration produces groundbreaking new musicals orchestra, the NJSO is the resident Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, and of the two Performing Arts institutions and reimagined classics. Several orchestra of the New Jersey Performing Health & Wellness) THE INDIAN PANORAMA SR FILM FEST FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 17

SRFF AT EIGHT BY MABEL PAIS I Am Not Blond (France) I Married My Mother (Italy) My Mexican Bretzel (Spain) Should the Wind Drop (France-Artsakh) The Buffalo Man (Mexico) The documentary films are: A Walk In Her Shoes (USA) Acts of Resistance: Heavy Metal Music in Latin America (Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala) Back To Sölöz (France, Turkey) ¡Boza! (USA, Morocco) Chef Antonio's Recipes for Revolution (Australia, Italy) SRF2021 Logo - Photo / SRFF2021 My Blood Is Red (United Kingdom) Open Honest Conversations (USA) "If we dream alone, it's only a dream. If we OUT LOUD (USA) dream together, it becomes a reality." - African Samira's Dream (Ndoto Ya Samira) (Ireland, Tanzania) Proverb Shaw Rising (USA) Stalking Chernobyl (Brazil, USA, Russia) "As the founder of the SR Film Festivals, Nora The Boys Who Said NO! (USA) Armani is blessed with an uncommon ability to This year a special category about the pandemic, or curate some of the most important films being films shot on zoom during the pandemic complete the made today." - Louis Proyect collection. Short films are presented under the following themes: he Socially Relevant™ Film Festival New York (SRFF-NY) 2021, #SRFF2021, the Eighth Season Climate Change and Sustainability, Migration- Tgoes online once again due to the current health Immigration, Empowering Women, Indigenous People, restrictions with a slate of 65 films from 33 countries. LGBTQ Stories, Genocide and Survival, Forms of The festival's eighth season brings international and Protest, Youth and Children, Home and Belonging, local films, panels, script readings, and networking Disability in a Positive light, Human and Sex opportunities, March 15-21. The films play all week. Trafficking, Race Prejudice and Discrimination. iMmiigrant Woman Poster - Photo / SRFF2021 SRFF shines a spotlight on international and local Live updates spotlighting the SRFF 2021 lineup, filmmakers who raise awareness of social issues. SRFF The narrative feature films are: meetings with the filmmakers, and networking sessions covers a broad range of socially relevant™ stories can be accessed by subscribing to the Festival's about racism, prejudice and discrimination, climate Angie: Lost Girls (USA) YouTube Channel at change, social injustice, immigration, empowering Antigone (Canada) youtube.com/channel/UCTSz55oZhoPPlhJos82RoSw women and girls, human trafficking, indigenous rights, Dustwun (Mexico) Visit ratedsrfilms.org for details, tickets, and the youth and children, disability, schedule for "Meet the Filmmakers" homelessness, LGBTQ rights and live sessions. more. SRFF 2021 will be held online The Closing Awards Ceremony from March 15 to 21. will be held on Sunday, March 21. Films stream over the week for a About SRFF and its Founder nominal individual ticket price or an All-Access Pass. The All-Access SRFF was founded in 2013 by Pass offers access to all screenings, actress/filmmaker Nora Armani as workshops, and VIP events. Early a response to the proliferation of Bird and Advance Purchased violence and violent forms of tickets and Passes may be storytelling. SRFF's mission is to purchased at a discount by March 1 promote filmmakers who produce at ratedsrfilms.org ALL FILMS socially relevant™ film content. PLAY ALL WEEK. Over 400 films from 35 countries SPOTLIGHT FILMS & PANEL have been screened to date. Spokespersons of SR Socially Under the Festival's partnership Relevant™ Film Festival NY with the UN group NGO CSW on include Amy Goodman of Saturday, March 20, the festival 'Democracy Now', Erin Brockovich, screens a series of short films about Martin Sheen, Pulitzer Prize, and women and entrepreneurship. This Tony award-winner Robert is followed by a panel discussion by Schenkkan, best-selling French distinguished women, at the 65th novelist Marc Levy, Academy Forum in the Exhibit Booth as part Award Nominee and Emmy Award of the NGO CSW Parallel Events. Winner Guy Davidi, American TV Watch the trailer of the play person and author Gretchen "iMigrant Woman" - Carlson. youtu.be/bjr375aeesk To learn more, visit The Festival's panels and ratedsrfilms.org workshops on Friday, March 19, (Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The include Distribution and post- Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, and COVID Trends, The Importance of Health & Wellness.) PR and the Press/Media in film Distribution on Wednesday, March 17, and the script-writing contest finalist scripts readings on Monday, March 15. Q&A sessions, twelve in all, with the filmmakers will be held based on themes of the Festival. SRFF Films Collage - Photo / SRFF 2021 THE INDIAN PANORAMA BOLLYWOOD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 18 , bring baby son home

areena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, who welcomed their Ksecond child, a baby boy on Sunday, arrived at their new house in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon. Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan were photographed with their newborn baby as they made their way home on Tuesday afternoon. They were accompanied by their 4-year-old son Taimur. Saif Ali Khan announced the birth of their child on Sunday. "We have been blessed with a baby boy. Mom and baby are safe and healthy. Thank you to our well-wishers for their Malaika Arora love and support," the actor said in a statement. Kareena Kapoor was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital shares her ‘daily on Sunday morning and she was discharged this afternoon. Fan pages dedicated to the star couple, shenanigans’ shared pictures of them arriving at alaika Arora shared a video featuring what their new residence. she terms as her daily shenanigans. Malaika Kareena Kapoor married actor Saif Mposted a clip on Instagram. In the video she is Ali Khan in the year 2012. The couple seen playing with a puppy.She dressed in a white tank are also parents to a son named top and black gym shorts, and she completes her look Taimur (4). They announced their with white sneakers and a neat bun. second pregnancy in August last year. "My daily shenanigans with our precious little feisty "We are very pleased to announce that #coco... she has my (can`t say the same for Casper who we are expecting an addition to our is sh*t scared of coco)," Malaika wrote alongside the family. Thank you to all our well- clip. wishers for all their love and Khan, co-stars of films like Omkara, pregnancy memoir titled The Malaika is an avid social media user and keeps support," said Kareena Kapoor and Agent Vinod and Kurbaan, fell in Kareena Kapoor Khan Pregnancy sharing about her personal and professional life on the Saif Ali Khan, in a joint statement. love during the shooting of the film Bible, on her son Taimur's 4th digital platforms. Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Tashan. The actress announced her birthday last year.

Kangana Ranaut opens cafe Mira Rajput reveals Shahid Kapoor's and restaurant in Manali ‘most annoying’ habit ctress Kangana Ranaut has Mira Rajput, in a Q & A session Aventured into the with her fans, talked about what food and beverage she finds "annoying" about business by opening a husband Shahid Kapoor the cafe and restaurant in most. Asked by a fan, Mira her hometown Manali. revealed Shahid's "most On Tuesday, Kangana annoying habit" and said he's shared photographs someone who makes typos. "He from the location where makes a zillion typos. I have to her cafe will be set up. really figure out what he's The actress calls this saying. But by now I have kind of her dream venture, understood what he means when revealing that apart he says something else," Mira from cinema she is also said in her Instagram story. passionate about food. When asked what she adores “Sharing my new about Shahid Kapoor the most, venture my dream with Mira said: "And I love him, I love you all, something everything about him." Aww, which will bring us how cute is that? closer, other than movies When asked who wins my other passion food, arguments between the two of taking baby steps into them, Mira said: "Me... who FnB industry, building else?" LOL. Talking about her my first cafe and favourite family member, Mira restaurant in Manali, Rajput said: "This is a very easy thanks to my terrific one for me. I love my sisters, my team dreaming of mom, my kids, my husband, but something spectacular. Thanks,” Kangana tweeted. my favourite family member is The actress had recently hinted about her “new venture” on social my dad. I love you dad." In her media even though she did not divulge details about the same. interactive session with fans, After wrapping up a shoot for the Bhopal schedule of her forthcoming Mira also touched on topics such spy thriller film “Dhaakad”, Kangana tweeted on Sunday, hinting at her as losing pregnancy weight, new venture. being a vegetarian, her to-do list, The actress had written: “Schedule wrap alert.... most wonderful her reading habits, celebrity crushes and more. people, thank you chief Razy and my dear friend Sohail, amazing team I had the time of my life. #Dhaakad is going to be something spectacular. Now running to another mission, new venture coming up.” THE INDIAN PANORAMA HOLLYWOOD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 19 Drew Barrymore was ‘out of control’ as a teenager ollywood star Drew Barrymore was admitted to a psychiatric Hward as a teenager when she went out of control. She recalls the time she spent in a padded room. Drew`s mother, Jaid Barrymore had her admitted to a facility when she was 13 because she had "too many resources" Cameron Diaz says and her behaviour was getting out of control. she 'couldn't imagine' "I used to laugh at those like Malibu 30 day places. Malibu was sort of the opposite of the experience I had. I was in returning to a movie a place for a year and a half called Van Eyes Psychiatric. And you couldn`t mess set again around in there and if you did, you would get thrown either in a padded room or get ctor Cameron Diaz opened up about put in stretcher restraints, and tied up," why she "couldn't imagine" getting Drew told SiriusXM DJ Howard Stern, Aback into Hollywood, and how she according to a femalefirst.co.uk report. has found something that became the most "I was going to clubs and not going to fulfilling part of her life. school and stealing my mom`s car and, The actor, who has been on a hiatus for you know, I was out of control. So, you the past seven years, spoke with know, sometimes it was as humorous as SiriusXM's Bruce Bozzi during the that and sometimes I was just so angry segment Quarantined with Bruce, and that I would go off and then I`d get revealed what's stopping her from getting thrown in the (padded room)," Drew back into Hollywood. added. Answering a question on whether she Drew, who has daughters Olive (eight) has plans to make a comeback, she said, and Frankie (six) with ex-husband Will "I'm never going to say never about Kopelman, can understand her mother`s anything in life. I'm just not that person. decision to get her admitted. So will I ever make a movie again? I'm not "I think after, you know, 30, years of looking to. But will I? I don't know. I have therapy, and a lot of soul searching and no idea." Diaz explained what factored into having kids myself, you know, I think she her decision, "I couldn't imagine, being a created a monster. And she didn`t know I also wouldn`t talk to her for a long The actress got sober in her teens but mom now, where I'm at as a mother with what to do with the monster. She time." after her divorce in 2016, she said she my child at her first year, to have to be on a probably felt like she had nowhere to Drew sought emancipation from her "definitely turned to drinking and movie set that takes 14 hours, 16 hours of turn. I`m sure she lived with a lot of guilt parents when she was 14 and said she felt eating", though she sought help from her my day away from my child. I just for years, about creating the monster but "guilty" for doing so, because she knows loved ones when she realised she was couldn't." then I think she lived in a lot of pain that how hard it must have been. "slowly dying inside."

Gal Gadot was ‘on the verge of giving up Sue Perkins: I am obsessed with ghosts acting’ before Wonder Woman casting ctress, presenter and comedian Sue Perkins claims she often has conversations with ghosts. AShe adds that she also embraces them and gives ctor Gal Gadot has shared a picture of herself, them permission to stay on too but only if they are taken around the time when she was nice. "I am obsessed with ghosts. I think, 'Embrace Acontemplating quitting acting. The actor was them, say hello to them, say you can stay but be nice soon cast as Wonder Woman in the DC Extended and have a little chat with them," Sue said in an Universe, which turned her fortunes around. interview with BBC Radio 2, reports On Tuesday,she took to Instagram to share a black- femalefirst.co.uk. and-white picture from a camera test that was In fact, the 51-year-old also loves scaring others by conducted for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. mentioning ghosts while visiting historical places. The picture was taken by director Zack Snyder, and "When we were allowed out, if I was on occasion first appeared in a profile published by Vanity Fair staying at a National Trust cottage or something, I on Monday. would always write in the visitor book, 'Lovely stay, She wrote in her caption, "This photo was taken by wonderful bed linen, we didn't see the much talked- Zack Snyder on the day I did the camera test for about ghost'. I always write that just to creep out Batman vs Superman with Ben. I came to LA for 30 everywhere else. Because I am horrid that way.But as hours while shooting a movie in Tel Aviv. But I long as the vibes are good, I say embrace all, both wanted the role of Wonder Woman so much that it living and dead. It tends to happen nocturnally. In was worth the trip. I’ll forever be grateful to Zack for broad daylight you have very little to fear," she says. casting me and believing that I could bring Diana to life. I had no idea what the future would hold back when this picture was taken - seeing it makes me very nostalgic. It's also proof that everything happens for a reason. I was on the verge of giving up acting... and then this happened." The Israeli actor's most high-profile films before Wonder Woman were the Fast & Furious films, in which she played Giselle. She has played Wonder Along with director Patty Jenkins, she will also Woman in three films, and will soon be seen in appear in a third Wonder Woman movie, and the duo Snyder's four-hour streaming version of Justice will collaborate on a Cleopatra biopic that she said League, due out on March 18. she was 'very excited' about. THE INDIAN PANORAMA SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 20 Exim Bank to fund $130 million Maldives project Pakistan offers Lanka $15-mn

MALDIVES (TIP): India Exim Bank will provide funding of $130 credit line for defence coop million to finance 2,000 Housing units in Maldives. (TIP): Pakistan has The Exim Bank had exchanged a sought to replicate India’s offer for Letter of Intent (LoI) with Fahi security and development cooperation Dhiriulhan Corporation of Maldives with Sri Lanka during its PM Imran for the design and construction of Khan’s two-day visit to Colombo. 2,000 dwelling units in Hulhumale. Pakistan offered Sri Lanka a defence This funding is proposed to be line of credit of $15 million and pitched provided under the Buyer’s credit for the extension of the China-Pakistan program under National Export Economic Corridor (CPEC). Khan made Insurance Account (NEIA) Scheme. the offer after being received by his The project is expected to improve the counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa at the socio-economic well-being of airport and given a red-carpet welcome Maldivian citizens and is in line with accompanied by a 19-gun salute India too the Government’s policy of has been offering defence line of credit ‘Neighbourhood First’. and activating different types of India Exim Bank had earlier connectivity projects with neighbouring supported road network development countries. However, New Delhi’s bid to in Hulhumale, Maldives under the start a container project in Sri Lanka has NEIA scheme. Further, it had also not borne fruit so far despite an in- supported projects in water, power, person visit by External Affairs Minister railway and road sectors in Ghana, S Jaishankar to wrap up its loose ends. Zambia, Cameroon, Mauritania and Though Pakistan has supplied arms to Senegal in Africa, Sri Lanka in Asia Sri Lanka, India has far substantial economic and developmental and CPEC is one of its flagship and Suriname in Latin America under footprints of security and defence involvement. "Pakistan is part of the programmes. And it means the NEIA scheme. The NEIA scheme is cooperation as well as much greater One Belt and Road initiative of China, connectivity," said Imran Khan. — TNS a financing mechanism that provides a safe mode of financing option to Indian project exporters backed by cover from NEIA Trust. Nepal PM won’t step down, Malaysia court halts deportation of 1,200 Myanmar nationals amid will face Parliament: Official outcry Surya Thapa, PM's Press Adviser KUALA LUMPUR (MALAYSIA) Controversial Verdict (TIP): A Malaysian court has allowed The Supreme Court's verdict is a temporary stay of deportation of controversial, however, it should be 1,200 Myanmar nationals scheduled to accepted and implemented. Its be sent back to their strife-torn homeland on Tuesday, after rights effects will be seen in the future as groups petitioned to say deportation the decision has not provided any could endanger their lives. solution to the political problems. The 1,200 detainees were set to leave on Tuesday afternoon in three navy was quoted as saying by The Himalayan ships sent by Myanmar’s military, Times.A large section of the Nepalese which seized power in a February 1 media welcomed the Supreme Court's coup, sparking weeks of protests from verdict that reinstated the dissolved pro-democracy activists. House of Representatives. They hailed Refugee groups say asylum seekers the decision, saying it has upheld from the minority Chin, Kachin and democratic values and safeguarded the non-Rohingya Muslim communities KATHMANDU (TIP): Nepal Prime Prime Minister Oli amid a tussle for Constitution. — PTI fleeing conflict and persecution at Minister KP Sharma Oli will not resign power within the ruling Nepal Oli should resign home are among those being deported. immediately and implement the Communist Party (NCP). Oli's Press An immigration truck carrying Supreme Court's verdict against him by Adviser Surya Thapa said the Prime Vice-president of the CPN Bamdev Myanmar migrants to be deported facing Parliament that is due to convene Minister, who turned 69 this week, Gautam, who has so far maintained a from Malaysia is seen in Lumut, within two weeks, an official intends to implement the verdict of the balance between Oli and his rivals Malaysia, on February 23, 2021. representing the embattled premier said apex court after facing Parliament that is Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal, REUTERS on Wednesday. due to convene within two weeks. has urged the PM to step down. "As the Amnesty International, which along In a landmark ruling, a five-member KP Sharma Oli court verdict has proven that the PM's with Asylum Access had asked the constitutional bench led by Chief Justice step was unconstitutional, he must courts to stop the deportation, said the Cholendra Shumsher on Tuesday "The Supreme Court's verdict is resign immediately,” he said. high court granted a stay until 10 am annulled the Oli government's controversial, however, it should be ‘Against his autocratic style’ Wednesday, when it will hear the "unconstitutional" decision to dissolve accepted and implemented. Its effects groups’ application for judicial review the 275-member lower house of will be seen in the future as the decision Members of the anti-Oli faction said to suspend the deportation. Parliament. The court also ordered the has not provided any solution to the they rejected his autocratic style of “In light of the court ruling, the government to summon the House political problems," Thapa said. He functioning and the latest court order government must respect the court session within the next 13 days. claimed that the apex court's verdict will proved his inability to govern. order and ensure that not one of the Nepal plunged into a political crisis on further fuel instability and pave the way “If Oli does not resign then parliament 1,200 individuals is deported today,” December 20 after President Bidya Devi for power-play. "The Prime Minister will will take a decision on his fate,” Shrestha Katrina Maliamauv, Amnesty Bhandari dissolved the House and face the House of Representatives to said, adding that the tourism-dependent Malaysia director, said in a statement. announced fresh elections on April 30 implement the verdict but will not economy needed a stable government. (Reuters) and May 10 at the recommendation of tender his resignation as of now," Thapa Reuters THE INDIAN PANORAMA COVID-WORLD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 21 New COVID Global Covid cases top variants found in New York, 112.9 mn: Johns Hopkins California WASHINGTON (TIP): The total s the country races to vaccinate number of global Covid-19 cases has as many Americans as possible topped 112.9 million, while the deaths TRACKING THE VIRUS Aagainst COVID-19, both New have surged to more than 2.50 million, York and California are reporting new according to the Johns Hopkins virus variants that might be more University. GLOBAL INDIA contagious than the original strain. In its latest update on Friday morning, In New York, a new variant that the University's Center for Systems Cases Deaths Cases Deaths carries a mutation that may weaken Science and Engineering (CSSE) the effectiveness of COVID-19 revealed that the current global caseload 112,981,257 2,507,271 11,046,914 1,56,705 vaccines has been identified as the and death toll stood at 112,981,257 and B.1.526 variant. It was first discovered 2,507,271 respectively. in November, and now accounts for The US is the worst-hit country with about one in four viral sequences in a the world's highest number of cases and database shared by scientists, deaths at 28,410,902 and 508,114 according to the New York Times. respectively, according to the CSSE. In a paper published today from India comes in second place in terms of Columbia University, the authors cases at 11,046,914. noted a steady increase in the The other countries with more than a detection rate of B.1.526 cases from million confirmed coronavirus cases are late December to mid-February,with a Brazil (10,390,461), the UK (4,166,727), rise of 12.3% in the past 2 weeks. Russia (4,164,802), France (3,746,475), Cases have been detected across Spain (3,180,212), Italy (2,868,435), Turkey New York City, researchers said, and (2,674,766), Germany (2,426,819), threaten to once again make the city a Colombia (2,241,225), Argentina hot spot of viral infection. They say (2,093,645), Mexico (2,069,370), Poland the strain's "unique set of spike (1,673,252), Iran (1,607,081), South Africa mutations may also pose an antigenic (1,509,124), Ukraine (1,373,139), Indonesia challenge for current interventions," (1,314,634), Peru (1,300,799), Czech such as vaccines and monoclonal Republic (1,198,168) and the Netherlands antibody therapies. (1,088,730), the CSSE figures showed. Brazil currently accounts for the second highest number of Covid-19 India reports fatalities at 251,498, followed by Mexico toll above 20,000 are the UK (122,303), Argentina (51,795), South Africa (49,667), 183,692 on the third place and India Italy (96,974), France (85,734), Russia Peru (45,683), Poland (43,094), Indonesia 156,705 on the fourth. (83,481), Germany (69,327), Spain (68,813), (35,518), Turkey (28,358), Ukraine (26,991), 16,738 new Meanwhile, the nations with a death Iran (59,830), Colombia (59,396), Belgium (22,006) and Canada (21,868). Covid cases, highest since Debilitating ‘long-COVID’ may have January 29 severe health, social impacts: WHO he daily rise in coronavirus infections in India was recorded Tabove 15,000 after nearly a month Around one in 10 COVID-19 patients are still taking the country's total tally of unwell 12 weeks after their acute infection, and COVID-19 cases to 1,10,46,914, according many suffer symptoms for far longer to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday, Feb 25. A total of LONDON (TIP): Thousands of COVID-19 patients continue 16,738 infections were reported in a day, to suffer serious, debilitating and lingering symptoms many while the death toll increased to 1,56,705 months after their initial bout of infection, with major social, with 138 daily new fatalities, the data health and economic consequences, European health experts updated at 8 am showed. said on Thursday, February 25. On January 29, 18,855 new infections Publishing a World Health Organization-led guidance report were recorded in a span of 24 hours on the condition, often referred to as "long COVID" or "post- after which the daily rise of cases COVID syndrome", experts said around one in 10 COVID-19 stayed below 15,000. patients are still unwell 12 weeks after their acute infection, The daily deaths were registered and many suffer symptoms for far longer. above 130 after a gap of 26 days. "This is a condition that can be extremely debilitating. The number of people who have Those suffering from it describe a varying combination of recuperated from the disease surged to overlapping symptoms... (including) chest and muscle pain, 1,07,38,501 which translates to a fatigue, shortness of breath ... brain fog (and) many others," national COVID-19 recovery rate of said Martin McKee, a professor at the European Observatory 97.21 per cent and the case fatality rate on Health Systems and Policies who led the report. Healthcare worker prepares a dose of China's Sinovac Biotech vaccine stands at 1.42 per cent. Hans Kluge, the WHO's European regional director, said for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the mass vaccination The active caseload increased to long-COVID could have "severe social, economic, health and program for clergy at the parking lot of Grand Istiqlal Mosque in 1,51,708 which comprises 1.37 per cent occupational consequences". Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 25, 2021. Reuters of the total infections, the data stated. "The burden is real and it is significant," he said. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed He urged health authorities to listen to patients' concerns, symptoms affecting the body and mind. the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh take them seriously, and establish services to help them. Kluge noted that as with any new disease, much remains on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 Growing evidence from around the world points to many unknown about COVID-19. and 50 lakh on September 16.It went thousands of people experiencing long-COVID. The condition "We need to listen and ... understand. The sufferers of post- past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh appears not to be linked to whether a patient had a severe or COVID conditions need to be heard if we are to understand the on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on mild infection. long-term consequences and recovery from COVID-19," he said. October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and An initial report by Britain's National Institute for Health "This is a clear priority for WHO (and) it should be for every surpassed the one-crore mark on Research last year suggested long-COVID may be not one health authority." December 19. condition, but multiple syndromes causing a rollercoaster of Source: Reuters THE INDIAN PANORAMA MISCELLANY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 22 Whatever vaccine is available, take it: Fauci Runaway schoolgirl who joined IS cannot return to Britain, top court says LONDON (TIP): A British-born woman who went to Syria as a Dr Anthony Fauci says if a coronavirus vaccine is schoolgirl to join Islamic State should available, regardless of which one, take it. not be allowed to return to Britain to challenge the government taking WASHINGTON (TIP): The top US away her citizenship because she infectious disease expert told NBC on poses a security risk, the UK’s Thursday, Feb 25, a third vaccine becoming Supreme Court ruled on Friday. available "is nothing but good news" and would Shamima Begum left London in 2015 help control the pandemic, AP reports. when she was 15 and went to Syria via US regulators announced on Wednesday that Turkey with two school friends where Johnson & Johnson's single-dose vaccine she married an IS fighter. offers strong protection against severe COVID- Begum, 21, who is being held in a 19. It's expected to be approved soon by the detention camp in Syria, was stripped FDA. of her British citizenship in 2019 on Fauci warns people not to hold off on getting national security grounds, but the the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while waiting Court of Appeal ruled last year she for the slightly more effective Pfizer or could only have a fair appeal against Moderna shots. that decision if she were allowed back He says it's a race "between the virus and to Britain. getting vaccines into people" and "the longer The country’s top court one waits not getting vaccinated, the better unanimously overturned that chance the virus has to get a variant or a decision, meaning that although she against those who argue she should play an effective part in it without mutation". can still pursue her appeal against the not be left stateless but rather face endangering the public. Fauci says public health officials are always citizenship decision, she cannot do trial in Britain. “That is not a perfect solution, as it concerned about virus variants and stressed that in Britain. After travelling to Syria, she lived in is not known how long it may be following public health measures of wearing “The right to a fair hearing does not Raqqa, the capital of the self-declared before that is possible. But there is no masks and social distancing. trump all other considerations, such caliphate, where she remained for perfect solution to a dilemma of the The predominant coronavirus variant in the as the safety of the public,” said four years until she was discovered in present kind,” he said. United States is from Britain. Fauci says the Robert Reed, the President of the a detention camp. Human rights groups said Britain vaccines distributed in the US "clearly can Supreme Court. She has had three children since had a duty to bring back Begum and take care of that particular strain". (Source: “If a vital public interest makes it leaving Britain, but all the infants those like her, and prosecute them, AP) impossible for a case to be fairly have since died, and she is now in the rather than making it someone else’s heard, then the courts cannot Roj camp, run by Syrian Kurdish problem. “Abandoning them in a legal Judge says NO to Biden's plan on ordinarily hear it.” authorities, where the UN rights black hole – in Guantanamo-like deportation Begum’s case has been the subject of experts said this month conditions conditions – is out of step with British a heated debate in Britain, pitting were “sub-human”. values and the interests of justice and HOUSTON (TIP): those who say she forsook her right to Reed said Begum’s appeal should be security,” said Maya Foa, director of A federal judge citizenship by travelling to join IS stayed until she was in a position to campaign group Reprieve. — Reuters indefinitely banned President Joe Biden's administration from enforcing a 100-day Photo for moratorium on most UK actors settle phone representational purpose only deportations, AP reports. US District Judge Drew Tipton issued a hacking claims with preliminary injunction sought by Texas, which argued the moratorium violated federal law and risked imposing additional costs on the state. tabloid publisher Biden proposed the 100-day pause on deportations during his campaign as part of a LONDON (TIP): British television presenter and writer larger review of immigration enforcement and David Walliams and “Doc Martin” star Martin Clunes were an attempt to reverse the priorities of former among several actors who formally settled damages President Donald Trump. Thursday with a newspaper publisher over phone hacking He has proposed a sweeping immigration claims. bill that will allow the legalization of an Walliams, a judge on “Britain’s Got Talent,” and several estimated 11 million people living in the US others including Clunes sued Mirror Group Newspapers, illegally. publisher of tabloids including the Mirror, for illegally He has also instituted other guidelines on intercepting their voicemails. whom immigration and border agents should Lawyers for Walliams alleged he and his friends were target for enforcement. Tipton, a Trump targeted by the publisher from 2003 to 2010, and that 45 appointee, initially ruled on January 26 that news articles were published as a result of intercepted the moratorium violated federal law on voicemails and other unlawful techniques. administrative procedure and that the US The actor’s lawyer, Roddy Chisholm Batten, told the High agreed to settle the claims with Walliams, Clunes and other failed to show why a deportation pause was Court that Walliams “suffered distress and embarrassment British celebrities. justified. A temporary restraining order the as a result of the misuse of his private information” and The cases were formally settled at a High Court hearing judge issued was set to expire on Tuesday. that many of the articles were “highly intrusive.” on Thursday,and the publisher issued a public apology and (Source: AP) The publisher had previously admitted wrongdoing and unspecified compensation to the actors. — AP THE INDIAN PANORAMA WORLD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 23 Gunmen abduct 317 Military supporters attack schoolgirls in Nigeria KANO, NIGERIA (TIP): Unidentified gunmen seized 317 protesters in Yangon schoolgirls in northwest Nigeria on Friday,the police said, the second such YANGON (TIP): Supporters of kidnapping in little over a week in a Myanmar’s military, some armed with region increasingly targeted by knives and clubs, others firing catapults militants. and throwing stones, attacked School kidnappings, first practised opponents of the February 1 coup on by jihadist groups Boko Haram and Thursday, while Southeast Asian Islamic State West Africa Province, neighbours looked for ways to end the have become endemic around the crisis. increasingly lawless north, to the Myanmar has been in turmoil since anguish of families and frustration of the army seized power and detained Nigeria's government and armed civilian government leader Aung San forces. The police in Zamfara state, Suu Kyi and much of her party where the latest attack took place, said leadership after the military complained they had begun search-and-rescue of fraud in a November election. operations with the army to find the Protests and strikes have taken place "armed bandits" who took the girls at daily for about three weeks, and Government Girls Science Secondary students had planned to come out again School in the town of Jangebe. in the commercial hub Yangon on Zamfara's information Thursday. commissioner, Sulaiman Tanau Anka, But before many coup opponents said the assailants came firing congregated, about 1,000 supporters of sporadically. “They also moved some the military turned up for a rally in the on foot," he said. — Reuters city centre. "Today's events show who the since the coup it had banned the Some threatened news photographers, terrorists are. They're afraid of the Myanmar military from using its France, Germany to bring media workers and witnesses said, and people's action for democracy," activist Facebook and Instagram platforms. in new border restrictions scuffles soon escalated into more serious Thin Zar Shun Lei Yi told Reuters. The spokesman for the ruling military violence in several parts of the city. "We'll continue our peaceful protests council did not respond to a telephone PARIS (TIP): France said on Several people were set upon and beaten against dictatorship." The violence will call seeking comment. Thursday it would bring in new Covid- by groups of men, some armed with compound worries about a country The security forces have shown more 19 restrictions for the area around its knives, others firing catapults and hurling largely paralysed by protests and a civil restraint compared with earlier common border with Germany, as stones, witnesses said. At least two people disobedience campaign of strikes crackdowns against people who pushed President Emmanuel Macron's were stabbed, video footage showed. against the military. for democracy during almost half a government tries to contain a surge of In one incident, several men, one Earlier, police blocked the gates of century of direct military rule. coronavirus variants in the French wielding a large knife, attacked a man Yangon's main university campus, Military chief General Min Aung region of Moselle. outside a city-centre hotel. Emergency stopping hundreds of students inside Hlaing says authorities are using Cross-border workers, who had workers helped the bloodied man after from coming out to demonstrate. minimal force. Nevertheless, three exemptions until now, will need to his attackers moved off but his Facebook said that due to the risks protesters and one policeman have been present negative PCR tests to get condition was not known. evident from the "deadly violence" seen killed in violence. Reuters through if travelling for reasons unrelated to their jobs, France's European affairs and health ministers Hong Kongers snap up UK homes and do said in a joint statement. — Reuters Thousands rally in Armenia what they excel at: being landlords after PM warns of coup bid HONG KONG (TIP): Hong Kong visa to Hong Kong holders of British in Hong Kong two years ago — at the residents are buying more houses and National Overseas (BNO) passports that height of anti-government protests in apartments to lease out for income in gives them a chance to become British Hong Kong — aimed at potential Britain, property agents say, a trend that citizens — a change it made after China’s investors in properties in and around coincides with what many expect to be a national security law for Hong Kong. Manchester. wave of emigration after China passed a A steady rental income would be So far, his “UK Property Owner national security law last year. useful in applying for the citizenship, as Association” class has attracted around Hong Kongers became the fifth-largest the BNO holders need to prove they can 1,500 students. Enrolment spiked in the foreign investors in central London as of provide financial support for themselves second half of last year after Beijing last August and have been driving up for at least six months. imposed the national security law. prices in some popular districts outside London estimates that over 3,00,000 One of Wan’s students, 30-year old Isla the UK capital. Hong Kong residents could emigrate Kwok, who moved to Manchester in late But the new wave of buying also over the next five years, and Bank of January waiting to start a degree, is includes some Hong Kong residents who America expects Hong Kong residents using the rental income she receives YEREVAN (TIP): Armenian Prime are pooling money to invest, a trend moving to Britain could trigger capital from a terraced house bought in 2019 to Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned of property agents expect to continue as outflows of $36 billion in 2021. finance the cost of renting a smaller flat an attempted military coup against more middle-class Hong Kong residents While Hong Kong residents have long and mortgage payments. him on Thursday and called on his consider leaving for Britain and look to been active buyers of homes in Britain, She plans to re-mortgage her first supporters to rally in the capital after establish a source of revenue in advance. real estate agents say more recently property to buy a second one this year the army demanded he and his “It’s become much more of a trend in there has been increasing interest in after getting a residence permit, as government resign. the past six months or so,” Guy older apartments and houses as rental mortgage interest rates will be much The Kremlin, an ally of Armenia, Bradshaw, head of London Residential at assets. lower. “Once you’ve started your first said it was alarmed by events in the Sotheby’s International Realty told Hong Kongers have an affinity for real property, it’s much easier to create more former Soviet republic. Thousands of Reuters. “I’ve certainly been involved in estate investment, with property prices income to ease the financial pressure of his supporters took to streets. a lot more conversations and Zoom calls in the Asian financial hub among the living here,” Kwok said. Wan said most of Pashinyan, who swept to power in a with people in Hong Kong and funds in most expensive in the world. his students bought their properties peaceful revolution in May 2018, has Hong Kong,” Bradshaw added. Alan Wan (38), who owns 13 residential individually but he also had some who rejected calls to step down despite The UK government is offering a new properties in Britain, launched classes pooled money to buy in London. (Reuters) opposition protests. — Reuters THE INDIAN PANORAMA WOMEN FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 24

CONNOISSEUR’S From blackheads to CHOICE pedicure: Count on these DIY beauty hacks By Tript Arora here are a lot of products and Egg curry treatments available to gg curry or Anda Tmanage the various skincare Curry is my favorite conditions and keep the skin Ecomfort food. When I healthy and glowing. But the safest am not in a mood to cook and cost-effective ways are the something elaborate but still natural and DIY remedies which want to tingle my taste buds, require minimal and easily then Egg Curry comes in available products. handy. Easy to cook dish but So if you are looking for some delicious and mouth quick and effective skincare watering. solutions, here is a video by When you forget to buy hairstylist and makeup artist your grocery but still have Ambika Pillai in which she suggests eggs in your refrigerator, this a few easy beauty hacks that you is the perfect meal to cook. It could count on. is simple to cook. Boil some eggs and make a simple gravy For polishing the skin, exfoliating consisting of onion, tomatoes and ginger-garlic paste. You dry skin, or taking out surface could keep the eggs to boil and simultaneously start blackheads, all you need is a tongue making the gravy. Assemble gravy and eggs and eat it cleaner. Before washing your face, with roti, rice or any other bread of your choice. Many just clean it with the help of the readers asked for a tip for perfectly boiled eggs. So here I tongue cleaner and you'll be good to am sharing my way of cooking hard boiled eggs. Take a go! saucepan. Immerse the eggs completely in water. Water should be at room temperature. Keep the pan uncovered DIY pedicure on the gas stove at low flame. Let them boil for 15 minutes. If you want a pedicure and don't After 15 min switch off the gas. Let them sit in hot water have a foot scraper, then reach out „ ½ cut - Tomato Clean toothbrush for another five minutes. After that drain the water and for your razor. Use the razor on dry „ 2 tbsp - Powdered sugar, Plate immerse them in normal water for 2 minutes. Take out foot, on the heels, while applying coarsely ground Sparkling white toothpaste water and roll them on the working shelf. This process some pressure. It is not going to cut Method Method will loosen the shell of the egg and then you can peel them your skin. Then put your feet in hot easily.Just try it and let me know.So without further to do water with a bit of rock salt, rose Pull back all your hair. Start „ Squeeze out some sparkling we will get started with our delicious and simple Egg petals, and treat yourself. When scrubbing your face with half a white toothpaste onto a plate. Curry. your feet are completely soaked, tomato and powdered sugar in „ Put baking powder, a few drops take a pumice stone and gently rub round motions. You can also add of water, and use the We need it in round motions in places where Himalayan rock salt. Scrub on all toothbrush to mix properly 4 Eggs, 2 Medium Sized Onions, 2 Tomatoes, 6 Cloves of you used the razor. If you don't have the problem areas. into a paste. Scrub on the nose, Garlic, 1" Piece of Ginger, 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds, 2 Cloves, 2 a pumice stone, use a light yet chin, and any other problem Whole Green Chillies, 2 Whole Red Chillies, 4 Tbsp abrasive/rough stone. But you must For blackheads areas. If it still doesn't go, next Cooking Oil, 1Tsp Turmeric Powder, 1 Tsp Kashmiri Red use a pumice stone after a razor. What you need time, give the problem area a Chilli Powder, 1 Tsp Kasuri Methi, 1 Tsp Salt or as per nice compression with a towel your taste. Face scrub ½ tsp - Baking powder dipped in hot water. Then Here we go What you need Few drops - Mineral water follow the method. „ Take a pan. Fill it half with water.Put eggs in it. Boil on low flame for 15 minutes. Let it sit in hot water. Drain the water. Peel the eggs and set aside. „ Pierce whole eggs with a fork, making small holes Be cautious when entering over the surface. Piercing 8-10 times would do the job. Take all the oil in a pan and fry the whole, pierced eggs till golden brown. into a relationship „ Peel onions and make a coarse paste of them in a grinder jar. Make a paste of ginger and garlic too. hen we go out to meet a partner for a date, the Take oil in a pan. When oil is heated add cumin eternal question that goes on in our mind is seeds, cloves, whole dried red chillies, green whole Wwhether he is into us or not? Age old wisdom chillies . When they start Spluttering add coarsely believes that one’s behavior is the telltale sign of ground onions. Fry until onions turn pink. someone’s true nature and words are fleeting. Actions „ Now add the Ginger & garlic paste. Saute it well till always speak louder than words. But some amongst us, the raw smell goes away. Puree the tomatoes in a barrel through these neon red flags of behavior when it grinder jar. Now add this puree to the pan. Also add comes to romantic interests and end up romanticising turmeric powder, kashmiri red chilli powder and from the word go. If you come across these signs, we kasuri methi to it. Saute till the masala leaves oil hope you recognise them and save yourself from the near its edges. Add 300 ml of water to the fried eventual misery and heartbreak. masala. Mix well. Cover the pan and let it boil on Kanika Khosla, psychologist, says, “If your boyfriend slow flame for 10 minutes or till the oil comes on the never brings you to meet his family or friends, or even surface. Keep on checking for the oil. worse, hasn’t told them about your relationship and „ Take this gravy out in a dish. Add the whole, fried you’ve been official for a while, this could show that he eggs to the gravy.Serve hot with rice or chapati and is not in it for the long run and doesn’t see the need to enjoy your meal. bring you into his life.” how your day was or how your job is. If a person is Preparation Time : 10 minutes After all you are amazing and you deserve someone interested in you and cares about how you’re doing, he Cooking time : 30 minutes. who gives you all the world. You shouldn’t settle for will take the time to ask about your day,and about your anything less and be courageous in ending the life.” Sahil Chaddha, psychologist feels in today’s era if Tips relationship. Kanika adds, “ It might sound cliche but it’s not made Insta friendly, it’s not serious. He says, “If While making masala for gravy, add salt along with never be an option but a priority for someone. If a someone wants you to become a part of their life, they tomatoes because this way the tomatoes cook fast. person is constantly flaking out on plans, is not putting will bring you to everyday things like a friend’s in effort into planning hangouts or is making excuses birthday or a family dinner. So if you haven’t been seen You Can reach me at: www.triptasfoodtunnel.com not to see you, it means that you’re not a priority” in public yet, that’s a major warning sign and a big no- Email : [email protected]. She adds, “If a partner shows little to no interest in no.” Source: HT Instagram: @triptasfoodtunnel THE INDIAN PANORAMA HEALTH FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 25 Eating more refined grains increase cardiovascular disease, death risk: Study

Asthmatics no higher risk of dying from Covid: Study sthma may not increase the risk of severe illness or death from Covid-19, a new study Asuggests. The review of studies on 587,000 people showed that people with asthma had a 14 per cent lower risk of onsuming a high number of and refined foods," said researcher containing refined grains. getting Covid-19 and were significantly less likely to refined grains – such as Scott Lear from the Simon Fraser Whole grains included whole be hospitalised with the virus. Ccroissants and white bread – University in Canada. grain flours (e.g. buckwheat) and "While we showed that people with asthma do not is associated with a higher risk of For the study, published in The intact or cracked whole grains (e.g. seem to have a higher risk of infection with Covid-19 major cardiovascular disease, British Journal, the team examined steel cut oats). compared to those without asthma and have similar stroke and death, a new study diets from diverse populations, No significant adverse health outcomes, we need further research to better suggests. which involved 137,130 participants effects were found with consuming understand how the virus affects those with asthma," The study found that having more from low, middle and high-income whole grains or white rice, the team said lead author Anthony Sunjaya from the than seven servings of refined countries for 16 years. said. The study suggests eating whole University of New South Wales in Australia. grains per day was associated with Grains were categorised into grain foods like brown rice and For the study, published in the peer-reviewed a 27 per cent greater risk for early three groups – refined grains, whole barley,and having fewer cereal grains Journal of Asthma, the team analysed data from 57 death, 33 per cent greater risk for grains and white rice. Refined and refined wheat products. studies with an overall sample size of 587,280. heart disease and 47 per cent grains included goods made with Reducing one's overall Almost 350,000 people in the pool had been infected greater risk for stroke. refined (e.g. white) flour, including consumption of refined grains and with Covid-19 from Asia, Europe, and North and "This study re-affirms previous white bread, pasta/noodles, having better quality carbohydrates South America and found they had similar work indicating a healthy diet breakfast cereals, crackers, and is essential for optimal health proportions of asthma to the general population. includes limiting overly processed bakery products/desserts outcomes, according to the team. The results showed that just over seven in every 100 people who tested positive for Covid-19 also had asthma, compared to just over eight in 100 in the general population having the condition. Previous findings have shown that people with chronic 3D biopsies to better understand respiratory conditions like asthma were reported to be at greater risk during the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, caused by a virus with a similar structure. brain tumours "Respiratory infections like those caused by coronaviruses can exacerbate asthma symptoms and corticosteroid treatment may increase susceptibility esearchers have obtained a highly accurate to Covid-19 infection and its severity," Sunjaya said. recreation of human glioblastoma's features However, this study using the best evidence Rusing a novel 3D microscopy analysis. available on the risk of infection, severe illness -- The study, published in the journal Acta requiring admission to ICU and/or ventilator use -- Neuropathologica Communications, provides new and death from Covid-19 in people with asthma finds information to help with the diagnose, by finding "no significant difference" of people with asthma therapeutical targets and designing being at higher risk, the team said. immunotherapeutic strategies. This new analysis of 3D images and quantitative data "will help to appreciate from within how the tumour is built in its full dimensionality, and to PAGE SPONSORED BY identify where different cell types are located," explained researcher George Paul Cribaro from the DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND Universitat AutAnoma de Barcelona. "It provides more complete information than the DR. SATISH ANAND usual 2D analyses performed for neuropathological Former Chairman, Board of diagnosis," Cribaro added. Trustees, AAPI National With this new approach, the research team showed E-Mail: the alterations in tumour blood vessels, and that [email protected] these vascular wall abnormalities do not hinder the entrance of lymphocytes T (potential defence against support to the tumour, in which there are different tumoral cells), which is relevant for the design and immunological microenvironments, the team said. GITANJLI ANAND use of immunotherapies targeting malignant cells. The work provides a set of resource images that Former President, India Moreover, the images allow the tumour to be will facilitate the understanding of the complexity of Association of Long Island differentiated into two areas, the tumour tissue this tumour, showing some aspects to be considered (IALI) properly speaking, and the stroma, which gives when designing new therapeutic approaches. E-mail: [email protected] THE INDIAN PANORAMA SCIENCE & TECH FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 26 Telegram NASA releases panorama introduces auto-delete taken by mars rover he US space agency NASA released a spectacular panoramic view on Wednesday, February 23, of the messages feature Tlanding site of the Perseverance rover on Mars. The panorama shows the rim of the Jezero Crater where the elegram, which is fast gaining rover touched down last week and the cliff face of an ancient users in India in the wake of a river delta in the distance. TWhatsApp privacy row, on It was taken by rotating the rover's mast 360 degrees. The Wednesday said it has introduced an mast is equipped with dual, zoomable cameras which can take auto-delete messages feature for high-definition video and images. individual chats, groups and channels. The panorama is composed of 142 individual images stitched Earlier, this feature was only together on Earth, NASA said. available for Secret Chats. "We're nestled right in a sweet spot, where you can see Now users of the instant messaging different features similar in many ways to features found by platform will be able to set a timer of 24 Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity at their landing sites," said hours or 7 days in any chats before Jim Bell of Arizona State University's School of Earth and sending messages. Space Exploration. After the selected timeframe, the Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity were previous missions to messages will disappear for all the Mars. The panorama is composed of 142 individual images stitched together on Earth, NASA said.(NASA/AFP) users in a group or channel, or for the NASA said the rover's cameras will help scientists assess the single recipient in an individual chat. geologic history and atmospheric conditions of Jezero Crater pattern in the nylon fabric to know how the parachute was In group and channels only admins and identify rocks and sediment worthy of a closer oriented during descent. Turning it into a secret message was are able to enable this feature or edit it. examination and collection for eventual return to Earth. “super fun", he said Tuesday. All the messages show a countdown On Monday,the US space agency released the first audio from Only about six people knew about the encoded message to their deletion time, users can track Mars, a faint crackling recording of a gust of wind captured by before Thursday's landing, according to Clark. They waited the time to specific messages by simply the rover's microphone. until the parachute images came back before putting out a tap on Android or press and hold on NASA also released video of the landing of the rover, which teaser during a televised news conference on Monday. iOS. is on a mission to search for signs of past life on the Red Planet. It took just a few hours for space fans to figure it out, Clark Auto-delete only applies to messages said. Next time, he noted, “I'll have to be a little bit more sent after the timer is set, earlier Mars rover’s giant parachute carried secret message creative.” messages will stay in the chat history, “Dare Mighty Things” — a line from President Theodore Telegram said. The huge parachute used by NASA's Perseverance rover to Roosevelt — is a mantra at JPL and adorns many of the centre's To enhance user’s chat experience land on Mars contained a secret message, thanks to a puzzle walls. The trick was “trying to come up with a way of encoding with higher privacy and better security, lover on the spacecraft team. it but not making it too obvious," Clark said. Telegram also launched other new Systems engineer Ian Clark used a binary code to spell out As for the GPS coordinates, the spot is 10 feet (3 metres) from features including expiring invite links, “Dare Mighty Things” in the orange and white strips of the 70- the entrance to JPL's visitor centre. scannable QR codes as joining invites, foot (21-metre) parachute. He also included the GPS coordinates Another added touch not widely known until touchdown: home screen widgets for Android and for the mission's headquarters at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Perseverance bears a plaque depicting all five of NASA's Mars iOS, among others. in Pasadena, California. Clark, a crossword hobbyist, came up rovers in increasing size over the years — similar to the family with the idea two years ago. Engineers wanted an unusual car decals seen on Earth. Spotify testing new and Study finds new method of Australia passes law improved UI for analysing mass data generated to make Google, library from firing neurons Facebook pay for news potify is testing a new UI for its cientists during a recent study have achieved a breakthrough in library that should make it easier being able to predict the behaviour of neurons in large networks ustralia’s laws forcing Google and Facebook to Sfor users to navigate content on Soperating at the mysterious edge of chaos. pay for news are ready to take effect, though the the app. The new Spotify UI displays all New research from the University of Sussex and Kyoto University Alaws' architect said it will take time for the content ranging from music to podcasts which was published in the journal Nature Communications outlines a digital giants to strike media deals. in one feed, and in both list and grid new method capable of analysing the masses of data generated by In return for the changes, Facebook agreed to lift a layouts. thousands of individual neurons.The new framework outperforms ban on Australians accessing and sharing news. Spotify’s new library, as spotted by previous models in predicting and assessing network properties by more Rod Sims, the competition regulator who drafted the Android Police, now shows the different accurately estimating a system's fluctuations with greater sensitivity to code, said he was happy that the amended legislation categories for playlists, artists, albums parameter changes. As new technologies allow the recording of would address the market imbalance between and podcasts on top and in a more thousands of neurons from living animals, there is a pressing demand Australian news publishers and the two gateways to the visible way. The feed also displays for mathematical tools to study the non-equilibrium, complex dynamics internet. songs, playlists, artists, podcasts and of the high-dimensional data sets they generate. In this endeavour, the “All signs are good,” Sims told Australian albums based on how recently they researchers hope to help answer key questions about how animals Broadcasting Corp. were played. The “create a playlist” process information and adapt to environmental changes. “The purpose of the code is to address the market option that sits on top has been moved The researchers also believe their work could be effective in reducing power that clearly Google and Facebook have. Google to the top right corner in the new UI. the massive computational cost and carbon footprint of training large AI and Facebook need media, but they don’t need any Spotify has also added a new search models - making such models much more widely available to smaller particular media company, and that meant media button just next to it. research labs or companies. companies couldn’t do commercial deals,” the There’s also a category for Australian Competition and Consumer Commission downloaded content in the new Spotify chair added. library UI which also appears on top The rest of the laws had passed in Parliament earlier, among the different bubbles for other so they can now be implemented. content. Tapping on it will show all Google has already struck deals with major your downloaded content for offline Australian news businesses in recent weeks including listening. Android Police however notes News Corp. and Seven West Media. that while it does show all your offline Frydenberg said he was pleased to see progress by playlists it also displays all content and Google and more recently Facebook in reaching not just the downloaded songs. It’s still commercial deals with Australian news businesses. an easier way to navigate your But Country Press Australia, which represents 161 downloaded content which you regional newspapers across the country, has raised currently have to by tapping on the concerns that tiny publications outside large cities filter button. The testing seems to be might miss out. limited and there’s no word on when it The new framework outperforms previous models in predicting and assessing Sims said he was not surprised that the platforms will be rolled out to all users. network properties by more accurately estimating a system's fluctuations would strike deals with the large city businesses first. with greater sensitivity to parameter changes. THE INDIAN PANORAMA BUSINESS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 27 Modi pitches Volvo and Geely drop for privatisation of merger, betting they’ll be non-strategic faster apart PSUs hina’s Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. and its Swedish affiliate Volvo ontinuing with the CCars are putting off earlier plans to government’s push for large- merge, wagering they will be more agile Cscale privatisation of public as standalone entities. sector undertakings, Prime Minister The manufacturers will preserve their Narendra Modi today said the step separate corporate structures while was in tune with “the mantra of cooperating more closely on monetise and modernise.” electrification, software and “The government has no business autonomous-driving technology, being in business. When the according to a joint statement. While government monetises, the space is they’ll no longer pursue a combination as filled by the private sector. Private announced a year ago, new listings could sector brings investment and best be on the table. global practices with them,” he said “This is about maintaining top-line while addressing a webinar on momentum,” Volvo Cars Chief Executive privatisation by the Department of Officer Hakan Samuelsson said in an Investment and Public Asset interview. “A merger isn’t always Management. positive. You risk losing momentum Pointing out that the sale of PSUs because there’s too much internal focus.” along with production- linked scheme Geely and Volvo also will move their own after deciding against a merger with automation. In less than a month early for manufacturing shows that the powertrain activities into a separate Geely. It tabled plans for an initial public this year, Geely agreed to pacts with “sky is the limit” for both foreign company, which will enhance focus on offering in 2018 after early feedback from search-engine heavyweight Baidu Inc., investors and Indian entrepreneurs, development of electric vehicles, investors indicated investors would have Apple Inc.’s Taiwanese manufacturing he said PSUs in four strategic sectors Samuelsson said. Daimler AG joining the assigned the company a lower-than- partner Foxconn Technology Group and will be kept at bare minimum while business would be positive, he said. The expected valuation. Tencent Holdings Ltd. the government focuses on German carmaker counts Geely owner Li “It’s important to have the possibility Li has long championed partnerships development projects and welfare of Shufu as its biggest shareholder and in to reach out to equity markets as a and consolidation as ways for people. November announced plans to jointly standalone company,” Samuelsson said. automakers to pool resources for costly develop a gasoline engine that could be No decision has been made on a renewed initiatives including self-driving electrified later. IPO push. vehicles. In the course of building a Geely Auto’s shares jumped as much as Geely Auto’s parent Zhejiang Geely global car making empire over three 3.5% in early trade in Hong Kong on Holding acquired Volvo from Ford Motor decades, he’s become Daimler’s largest Thursday, February 25. Co. for just $1.8 billion in 2010, when the shareholder and amassed stakes in the The moves are the latest examples of US carmaker was recovering from the British brand Lotus as well as auto companies rapidly transforming global financial crisis. Bloomberg Malaysia’s Proton. their businesses as they eschew the Intelligence analysts estimated in Geely and Volvo will share vehicle internal combustion engine in favor of December that Volvo could be valued in platforms, software stacks and advanced batteries. Daimler this month said it’ll the range of $8.1 billion and $11.6 connectivity. Volvo will also use its spin off its trucks unit after more than a billion. distribution and service network for a century of keeping it under the same roof Li, the chairman and founder of Geely global rollout of the Lynk & Co brand as its car operations, while Volkswagen Holding, has been forging ties with a that it jointly owns with Geely. The AG is mulling a possible listing of vast array of companies to stay abreast carmaker based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Porsche. of the two great shifts hitting the plans for fully electric vehicles to make Volvo Cars may seek a listing of its industry: electrification and up half of global sales by 2025.

Netflix plans $500 million Korea More Indians turn entrepreneurs budget this year to crack Asia as job market still bleak etflix Inc. plans to The Los Gatos, spend $500 million California-based company NEW DELHI (TIP): While the job Non original movies has identified South market still looks bleak in India after a and TV shows in South Korea as one of the keys to pandemic-hit 2020, the world’s Korea this year, boosting its success in Asia, a vast professional network LinkedIn said on investment in content region home to more than Wednesday it has seen a 10 per cent that’s been key to the half of the world’s growth in members with the title streaming giant’s success population. Asia is ‘founders’ or ‘co-founder’ on their in one of its fastest- Netflix’s smallest region profiles on the platform. growing markets. at the moment, trailing Entrepreneurship looked up for Indian Since entering the North America, Latin professionals last year. country in 2016, the U.S. company has America and Europe. But Netflix has “This uptick in new entrepreneurs invested $700 million in local content, signed up more than half of the available was particularly strong in the fields of creating about 80 original series and films customers in many of its largest markets. mental healthcare, e-learning and online in South Korea, co-Chief Executive Officer Adding customers in Asia is crucial in the media,” according to the latest LinkedIn roles to welcome the post-pandemic ways and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos years ahead if Netflix has to sustain its ‘Workforce Confidence Index’. of working will be crucial to building said at a virtual event on Thursday. recent growth. Netflix, which just started “Skills are expected to become the new resilience for companies across sectors,” Disclosing the market’s user numbers for to crack Asia over the past couple years, professional ‘currency’ this year as Gupta added. the first time, Netflix said it had 3.8 million has created more than 200 original films workers from different generations rely Based on the survey responses of 1,752 paid subscribers in South Korea at the end and series in Asia, Sarandos said. The on learning new skills to future-proof professionals, findings from January 1- of 2020. “Over the last two years, we’ve seen service added 9.2 million customers in the their careers, at a time when industries 29 revealed that professionals in India the world falling in love with the incredible region last year, bringing its overall total to continue to strengthen their remote are confident about career progress Korean content,” Sarandos said. “Made in more than 25 million. Most of that growth operations,” said Ashutosh Gupta, India despite growing uncertainties about the Korea and watched by the world on has come from four territories: Australia, Country Manager, LinkedIn. job market and financial future in the Netflix.” Japan, India and South Korea. “Reimagining employee skills and current environment. THE INDIAN PANORAMA ASTROLOGY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 28 Shree Ganeshaya Namah

By Vedic Astrologer Nastur Bejan Daruwalla is available for astrological consultations. He can be reached at [email protected] and on phone +91 8141234275 for astrological queries VEDIC ASTROLOGER NASTUR BEJAN DARUWALLA www.bejandaruwalla.com Chirag Bejan Daruwalla with his father late Bejan Daruwalla

The Indian Panorama brings you Weekly and Birthday Horoscope from the World's most trusted Vedic Astrologer Nastur Bejan Daruwalla. Weekly Horoscope March 1 - March 7, 2021

relationships will get a lot better this week as Things will turn out in your favor as you have a Aries well. You need to care for your partner as much as lot of luck this week. Venus will bring love and they care for you. Financial abundance is in your the moon will bring fortune in your fate this Your week is filled with opportunities and cash cards this week which will keep you satisfied and week. You will realize how fulfilling and inflow. Positive energies are on a rise as the moon happy throughout this week. Your health is wholesome today was for you as the day goes on. turns in your sign's favor this week. You might not generally expected to be very good this week, Your business will reach new heights and you will make major financial gains but the fame and though you could experience minor health issues, have an insane amount of beginner's luck. Your recognition you receive this week will mean much especially related to joints in the middle of the love life will be full of prospects, which is quite more to you than anything. Express your true week. terrific in a positive way. You will soak in all the feelings in front of your beloved. You will realize love and attention that is being thrown at you this that after doing this, everything fits into place week. You will gain a lot of profit in your business gradually throughout this week. Take extra care Cancer this week. This is the appropriate week for you to of your health this week as you need a lot of Prioritize your beliefs and move forward to find make investments as your luck will favor you into energy to focus on your work as well as manage to deeper self-satisfaction. If you're looking to find a making the correct and logical decisions. spend time with your loved ones. new partner, you must become a whole person first hence let this week be all about self love.A new prospect is very likely to arise in the middle Libra Taurus of the week. Your business is very likely to You will experience a shift in your mood and A great week is awaiting you, you will flourish from that one prospect itself. You have feelings as a feeling of security sets in you will be experience good things right from the beginning worked hard and done everything right for your extremely happy during this week. You will this week. This week brings you good business hence you will bear the fruit of your achieve a personal goal that you have been opportunities and challenges to reach the next handwork that you have been doing incessantly secretly working on since a long time. Although mile in your business. You can enter into new this week. announcing your achievement will have amazing areas in different business ventures as well. This results from your family, the win is so big you will bring gains too. You must put yourself in would not focus on the negative attention and the working to reach those extra miles to ripe will in Leo taunts some of your colleagues show as a sign of terms of monetary benefits. Your bold and Your love life seems to be blossoming. You will jealousy. You will be blooming with new confident nature will impress a lot of peoplethis experience love in abundance this week. You will opportunities and lots of workload. You will enjoy week. Even though business is tough this week. It feel blessed to have your partner as they will be everything and reap benefits of it within this is working out and you're making profit. You need your biggest support system through all thick and week itself. not worry about anything, just keep a check on it thin that you will experience during this week. and things will work out. Your business will grow a lot and you will acquire new clients. Be it a big or a small prospect, you Scorpio will observe that your business has grown the You will come across an opportunity to expand Gemini most during this week. Things are working out for new horizons with your business. You know Career-wise, your journey will give the expected you the way you wanted.:Hyperactive energies exactly what you want in life. Go ahead and make results in this week. You just have to make sure will cause you to rush things. If you give in to the the bold choice, this will keep your passion alive. that you are determined to tread ahead with thoughts that are rushing you, you might Expect a lot of obstacles at the beginning of this discipline throughout the week. You will be very experience anxiety. Hence you must practice week. Know that things will ease down as days go innovative in your work and business which will meditation everyday especially during this week. by. You will find finances in abundance at the end prove to be very lucrative for you. Your Virgo CONTD ON PAGE 29 THE INDIAN PANORAMA ASTROLOGY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 29

Weekly Horoscope March 1 - March 7, 2021

CONTD FROM PAGE 28 lot of thinking. You will learn a lot of new things of this week. Although there would be great Capricorn about your partner's past, which will confuse you earning potential, you must still be cautious about Calm your energies down by meditating a lot about them even more. Do not get overwhelmed your hard-earned money. Budget and financial this week. Think wisely. Taking strategic steps with your thoughts and lose focus over what you planning will help you not face many problems, further will be very beneficial for you and your need to analyze and think about to get a clear but if you decide to take wild risks, you may incur analytical skills will improve once you start picture of your future. some losses as luck is not in your favor this week. worshiping lord Shiva. This mantra gives you You should focus on improving your savings clarity of mind and a lot of confidence. Business instead of spending today. will make you really happy this week. This is the Pisces time for you to improve yourself and work on the You will have a fun-filled and adventurous week. things you've been meaning to do to improve your You're very likely to take a day off in the middle of Sagittarius skillet. Updating your knowledge during this time the week for a trip in the jungle. Exploring in the A lot of success and a great health is on your will help you a lot in the future. Trust the timing wild will bring a lot of peace to you. This is more way this week, if that isn't enough to have you and practice patience. Do not waste this time likely to be a solo trip for you, even if you're smiling and floating through the week, your love worrying about the lack of new opportunities this committed. Work on exploring yourself and life will have you daydreaming throughout the week, enjoy and be grateful for what you have. reflecting on your past today.Your quality of work week. It might feel like you're existing in heaven will significantly improve as you have invested a or vacationing on an island this week.You should lot of time in learning new things this week. You try to accommodate some health care routines like Aquarius have been juggling between studying and business exercise or yoga so that you feel a lot less tired and You will have a beautiful week relaxing and for quite a while now and it will pay off. Your focus fatigued during this week. This week offers you rejuvenating, you're likely to go to a spa or towards your goal as well as your patience is very various ways of amusement. It will be very vacation this week. You have been working hard commendable. Your health will assist you in pleasant for matters regarding love and and it has been paying off. Do not feel guilty about achieving all that you want this week as well. Your relationships. Do not rush, make cautious spending your money this week. You need some health is doing very well which is a blessing you decisions and try to get to know each other very well-deserved appreciation after a long duration of receive this week due to your sign. well. hard work. You are most likely to take a huge further step with your partner this week, after a

Birthday Horoscope March 1 to March 7, 2021

everywhere you go and everyone that you meet have today and where you are in life, it will be MARCH 1 today, will become happy and feel at peace in beneficial for your personal as well as your energy. Today will go far better than your professional life. You will be quite distracted today, which is a past few days. You are feeling mentally at your good thing for your happiness. You are likely to level best today as everyone you love comes meet your work deadlines today with ease, together to celebrate your day. MARCH 6 which will get you a lot of appreciation. You will You will have a great day today. There are need to continue to put in consistent efforts in major positive things that'll happen today.Sweet your health which include having a regular gestures made by your loved one will keep you routine, exercising and not being sleep MARCH 4 happy and satisfied throughout the day and will deprived. Hence you need to stay disciplined Your love life is a very positive aspect of your make you happier. Your health is on its way to which is a tough thing for you. day today. Venus is really on your sign's side improve as well today. Your business will work today hence if you're single, you're most likely out on its own today. You might come through to meet your partner today.A new love interests some minor inconveniences today Things will will arise. Chose wisely and investigate well. work out quite smoothly later in the day,in your MARCH 2 Venus will stay at your side throughout the favor. Your business associates will be very content week and plenty of opportunities will come and happy with your work today.The possibility along. of your business expanding to new horizons is MARCH 7 quite high today. Hence your business will do You will experience positive changes in your just amazing today. The consequences of the loved ones that you have wanted to see. While immense amount of happiness that you're MARCH 5 you strive to achieve your professional goals, feeling today will be seen in your health as well Quite a positive and magical day for you today. you will receive support, empathy and as your personal life. You will spend the day feeling content and understanding. This is the part of your life that grateful. Things where you were stuck at before will be extremely beautiful today. Today will be will suddenly start clearing up. Your mental pleasant in numerous ways for you. You just health is doing well, and you will be in a good have to make sure that you are determined to MARCH 3 mood throughout the day. Try to worship Lord tread ahead with discipline and don't forget to You will spread cheer and happiness Shiva and express your gratitude for all that you continue with your hard work and efforts. THE INDIAN PANORAMA CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 30 THE INDIAN PANORAMA SPIRITUALITY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 31 Sant Ravidas Jayanti

uru Ravidas (1377-1527 C.E.) was a famous saint of the Bhakti The birth anniversary of the famous saint of the Bhakti GMovement. His devotional songs and verses made a lasting impact upon Movement falls on February 27, Saturday the Bhakti Movement. Guru Ravidas is also known as Raidas, Rohidas and Ruhidas. According to historians Guru Ravidas was born during 1377 C.E. at Mandhuadhe in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. There is controversy on the exact birth date of Ravidas. According to some scholars it was year 1399 when Guru Ravidas was born. As per Hindu calendar Guru Ravidas was born on Magha Purnima. Hence his birth anniversary is celebrated on Magha Purnima as per Hindu lunar calendar. His birthplace is now known as Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan and it is a major place of pilgrimage for the followers of Guru Ravidas. Sant Ravidas Jayanti or birthday anniversary is celebrated every year on Magh Purnima at full moon day of Magh month with great enthusiasm and happiness all over India however; people in Varanasi celebrate this occasion like a memorable event and festival. Early Life Guru, Sant Ravidas was born in Harijan caste to Mata Kalsa Devi Ji and Baba Santokh Dass Ji in the 15th century. However, his real birth date is still controversial some estimates it was 1376, 1377 and even 1399 CE. According to the data by some scholars it has been estimated that his lifespan was from 1450-1520 in 15th to 16th century CE. His father was working as a sarpanch at Raja Nagar Mal’s Kingdom and has his own business of shoes making and repairing. His birthday anniversary is celebrated at every Puran Mashi (Magh Purnima) of the Magh month by the people. He was very brave and highly devoted to the God from his early childhood later he struggled with lots of problems created by upper caste people which he faced and let people to realize about facts of life through his writings. He taught people that always love your neighbors without any discrimination. His birth anniversary is still celebrated by his great followers to remember his great teachings as well as renew the establishment of peace and temples for God prayer, inhibited to go to 5th Sikh’s Guru, Arjan Dev. The Sahib are mentioned in the following brotherhood all over the world. During schools for study, restricted to visit followers of Guru Ravidas Ji’s teachings ways: “Raga –Siri(1), Gauri(5), Asa(6), early days of his teachings, his village during daytime, they were are commonly called as Ravidassia and Gujari(1), Sorath(7), Dhanasari(3), popularity was prohibited by the allowed to live in huts instead of proper collection of teachings called Ravidassia Jaitsari(1), Suhi(3), Bilaval(2), Gaund(2), conservative Brahmins living in Kashi house in the village and many more. Panth. The 41 holy writings of him Ramkali(1), Maru(2), Kedara(1), as he was also an untouchable guru. He After seeing such social situations, Guru which is included in the Guru Granth Bhairau(1), Basant(1), and Malhar(3). was complaint by them in front of the ji started giving spiritual messages to king as a deformer of the social order. He everybody in order to permanently PAGE SPONSORED BY was prohibited to talk about God and as tackle with the bad situations of low well as advising or teaching the people caste people. ARISH K. SAHANI following him. He spread a message that “God created man and not man created God” means Serving Since 1972 Involvement in social issues everyone is created by the God and has Please Call or Write for Your Insurance Needs He bravely faced all the equal rights on this earth. Regarding this discriminations and answered people social situation, Sant Guru Ravidas Ji Arish K Sahani (Father) about the real definition of beliefs and has given various teachings to the people castes. He taught people that one is not about the universal brotherhood and Shiv Sahani (Son) known by his caste, religion or believes tolerance. The King and Queen of the for God, he known only for his great Chittoor kingdom became his great Priya Sahani Sood (Daughter) actions (or karma). He also worked disciples after being influenced by his against the system of untouchability in teachings. 7 1 8 - 2 7 1 - 1 9 0 6 the society by the higher caste people for [email protected] lower caste people. Contribution to Sikhism During his time, low caste people were His padas, devotional songs, and other “If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it?” neglected and not allowed to do some writings (around 41 verses) are common works in the society of higher mentioned in the Sikh Scriptures, Guru “If India’s own children don't cling to their faith, who shall guard it?” caste people such as inhibited to go to the Granth Sahib which was compiled by the “Indians alone can save India, and India and Hinduism are one.” THE INDIAN PANORAMA ADVT. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 32 THE INDIAN PANORAMA TRAVEL FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 33 Aurangabad: Base to explore Ajanta and Ellora

urangabad, which was declared by the Government as the ATourism Capital of Maharashtra back in 2010, is a famous tourist hub which greets its visitors with a richly woven tapestry of sights and sounds. The city got its name for being the erstwhile capital of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century AD. The town is used as the base to explore the extremely famous caves of Ajanta and Ellora, Daulatabad Fort which is renowned for its strong defence systems, Mausoleums of Aurangzeb and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara famous for its architecture and Grishneshwar Temple, one of the only 12 Shiva Jyotirlingas in India. From UNESCO World Heritage Sites to bustling markets brimming with delicate silk items and exquisite hand-woven garments, Aurangabad promises all tourists an exciting holiday experience. While the city is rapidly heading towards industrial growth and globalisation, it still retains most of its past glory, heritage, charms and traditions. The most famous tourist attraction of Aurangabad is the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Ajanta Caves is home to 29 different caves, all of which showcase beautiful picnic is a very popular tourist Buddhist artwork belonging to the activity here. period ranging from 200 B.C to 650 A.D. The erstwhile Mughal capital has All paintings and sculptures in the caves retained most of its traditional Tughlaq were constructed painstakingly by cuisine, with Tandoors and Kebabs being Buddhist monks using only simple tools local staples that you will find at almost such as chisels and hammers. These every roadside eatery. paintings and sculptures portray a Known for its arts and crafts, and varied range of stories, starting from the especially its silk, Aurangabad has Jataka Tales to intriguing accounts of plenty of markets from where you can ancient nymphs and princesses. The buy various local handicrafts, exotic Ellora Caves, a little distance away from gems, shawls, and of course, the region’s the Ajanta Caves, houses a total of 34 famous paithani silk sarees. caves and has sculptures and paintings depicting not one, but three different Grishneshwar Temple religions – Hinduism, Buddhism and A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jainism. The sheer diversity of the Grishneshwar Temple located in Ellora sculptures, the architectural expertise, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. and the centuries of hard work Also known as Ghrneshwar or undertaken by artisans are enough to Dhushmeshwar Temple, this Jyotirlinga leave you speechless. in Aurangabad is dedicated to Lord The sole remaining example of Shiva and is considered an important Mughal architecture in this part of the pilgrimage site. Grishneshwar is the country, Bibi ka Maqbara is a smallest of the Jyotirlingas and is heritage Sites. Ajanta caves depict the 'seven wonders of Maharashtra', this mausoleum dedicated to Rabia-ul- considered the last or the 12th Buddhist culture and their stories architectural marvel is believed to have Daurani, wife of Mughal Emperor Jyotirlinga of India. through various sculptures and been built in the 12th century. Also Aurangzeb. Designed by the Persian paintings. It also takes you to the world of known as Devgiri fort, perhaps the most architect Ustad-Ata-Ullah, Bibi ka Bibi ka Maqbara Jatakas. enchanting qualities is its location, from Maqbara has a structure similar to that Having a striking resemblance to Taj The Ajanta caves is a set of 3rock-cutut the zenith of which you can capture a of the Taj Mahal, with the main Mahal, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a Buddhist caves that date back to the mesmerising view of the entire city. You structure bordered by four towering beautiful mausoleum of Rabia- Ul - period between 2nd century BC and 650 need to hike some 750 odd steps up to the minarets on four sides. The entire Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum, the CE. The Ajanta caves are considered one top, but the view down below is a building is a sight to behold, and wife of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. of the most prestigious monuments of wonderful thing to behold. sunrises and sunsets are resplendent, Bibi ka Maqbara was constructed by India as they house many beautiful One of the most inspiring aspects of with the rays of the sun beautifully Aurangzeb in the year 1661 in the paintings and sculptures depicting the the Daulatabad Fort is its design which casting the reflection of the mausoleum memory of his wife. Aurangzeb rich cultural heritage of India. makes it one of the most powerful on the water of the canal in front of the attributed this magnificent edifice in the Ellora caves fortresses of the medieval period. It is building. name of his son Azam Shah who was built on a 200 metres high conical hill, Aurangabad is also home to temples born in the year 1653, so as to Another World Heritage Site that the which provides this grand fortress with a such as the Jyothirlinga Grishneshwar commemorate Rabia - Ul - Daurani, who town boasts of, are the Ellora caves, that strategic position, architectural beauty temple and the Bhadra Maruti Temple, left for her heavenly abode in the year one must not miss while in Aurangabad. and protection from the enemies. both of which have legends and myths of 1657. The sculptures here, represent elements Another unique aspect of the mighty their own. The monument resembles the famous of three religions and do so grandly and Devgiri Fort is its engineering genius, Garden is a place that all Taj Mahal, as the main inspiration for beautifully. which not only provided an impregnable nature lovers will be mesmerized by. A building the design was from here and is defence against enemy forces but also landscaped garden housing a wide often referred to as the Taj of the Deccan. Daulatabad Fort managed irreplaceable resources of variety of sculpted trees and shrubs, the Located 15 km away from the main city water quite well. The contrast of the Siddharth Garden is also home to wild The Ajanta caves of Aurangabad, Daulatabad Fort is an ancient edifice against the lush green creatures such as lions, tigers, leopards, Located around 99 km from the town of ancient fortification that rises fields of Aurangabad paints a wonderful deer, and hyena. Sitting back on the Aurangabad, lie the Ajanta Caves now formidably from the midst of verdant picture that takes you back through the green lawns of the garden and enjoying a included in the list of UNESCO World greenery. Often hailed as one of the pages of the days bygone. THE INDIAN PANORAMA SPORTS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 34 India rout England by 10 wickets inside two days of third Test

AHMEDABAD (TIP): India registered only their second Test victory inside two Patel and Ashwin unplayable as India go days, overhauling a meagre target of 49 Djokovic wins against England in the day-night third 2-1 up in series game to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series here on Thursday, record-extending February 26. The last time India won inside two ninth Australian days in a Test was in 2018, beating Afghanistan in Bengaluru. England''s Open title previous Test loss inside two days came way back in 1921 against Australia. ovak Djokovic’s Australian There was no end to England''s batting Open dominance is intact _ woes against the spin duo of Axar Patel Nnine finals, nine and Ravichandran Ashwin as the side championships. folded for 81 in its second innings. This And he keeps gaining on Roger was the team''s lowest Test total against Federer and Rafael Nadal in the Grand India. Slam standings, now up to 18 overall, Openers Rohit Sharma (25) and two away from the men’s record Shubman Gill (15) then completed the shared by his two rivals. formalities in 7.4 overs, barely half an Djokovic used superb serving and hour into the final session of the day. his usual relentless returning and Earlier, Patel picked five wickets in the baseline excellence to grab 11 of 13 English second essay, adding to his games in one stretch and beat a visibly outstanding haul of six in the first frustrated Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 innings. His became the best bowling on Sunday for a third trophy in a row performance in a pink-ball match. at Melbourne Park. Ashwin, on the other hand, added four The 33-year-old from Serbia more to his first-day spoils of three improved to 18-0 combined in scalps to cross the 400-wicket mark in the at the end of England's first innings of Ashwin's moment was briefly semifinals and finals on the hard longest format. the ongoing third Test and dismissed interrupted as Archer reviewed the courts of the Australian Open. He became the fourth Indian after Anil England batsmen Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope decision only for DRS to return three Looking at the bigger picture, Kumble (619), Kapil Dev (434) and and Jofra Archer in the second innings to reds and complete a well-deserved feat Djokovic has won six of the last 10 Harbhajan Singh (417) to achieve the feat. get to the milestone. Ashwin is only for India's premier off spinner. major tournaments and is assured of England''s scorecard bore a dismal look behind Sri Lanka's Muttiah Ashwin picked three wickets in remaining at No. 1 in the rankings at with all-rounder Ben Stokes 25 and Ollie Muralitharan in the list of fastest players England's first innings where the visitors least through March 8. That will give Pope''s 12 being the best contributions. to 400 wickets in Tests. Muralitharan got were bowled out for 112. him 311 weeks in the top spot, In the afternoon session, India''s first there in just 72 matches. Other Indians to The 34-year-old has been in good form breaking a mark held by Federer. innings folded for 145 with opener Rohit have picked more than 400 wickets are with both bat and ball in this series, The No. 4-ranked Medvedev was Sharma top-scoring with a 66-run knock. Anil Kumble (619), Kapil Dev (434) and having picked up 23 wickets in the series appearing in his second Grand Slam England captain Joe Root returned Harbhajan Singh (417). thus far and scored 176 runs including a final _ he was the runner-up to Nadal career-best figures of 5/8 for his team. Ashwin opened his account in the century in the second innings of the at the 2019 U.S. Open _ but is still left second innings by trapping Stokes lbw second Test. trying collect his first such Ashwin Becomes Fastest and then followed it with bowling Ollie He became the fourth-highest wicket championship. Indian To 400 Test Wickets Pope. taker for India in international cricket Djokovic ended the 25-year-old The 400th wicket was Jofra Archer, on Day 1 of the third Test as he went past Russian’s 20-match winning streak. India off spinner Ravichandran who missed with an expansive sweep Zaheer Khan's tally of 597 wickets. Medvedev also had won his previous Ashwin became the fastest Indian bowler shot as the ball hit him low on the pad. In addition to 400 Test wickets, Ashwin 12 matches against Top 10 opponents. to 400 Test wickets on Thursday.Ashwin, India appealed and the on-field umpire has 150 wickets in ODIs and 52 in T20Is playing his 77th Test, was on 397 wickets gave it out. since his international debut in 2010. Arsenal and Milan reach Tiger Woods survives but his career might not

Europa League LOS ANGELES (TIP): The sheared-off Father Time remains undefeated and that front of the wrecked SUV told part of the his return to top level play wasn’t last 16 story,and the officers on the scene filled in guaranteed. rsenal needed a late comeback the rest. Tiger Woods was lucky to be alive, Combine that with the gruesome to secure their place in the they said, thanks to modern safety injuries from his crash, and now it borders Adraw for the Europa League technology and a big dose of good luck. on impossible. last 16 where they will be joined by Alive and well, no. But alive nonetheless. This isn’t Ben Hogan, coming back from Ajax Amsterdam, Manchester United, The good news — no, make that the best a near fatal car accident in 1949 to win the Milan and Rangers but Napoli and news — is that Woods seems on track to US Open next year. PSV Eindhoven crashed out on survive after being pried on Tuesday from Hogan was nine years younger, hadn’t Thursday, February 25. the SUV he wrecked in Los Angeles. been through multiple back and knee Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's 87th- That’s despite injuries that are so severe surgeries, and didn’t have to try to swing minute header secured Arsenal a 3-2 — including multiple open fractures of his his driver hard enough to hit it 350 yards to win over Benfica for a 4-3 aggregate leg — that he will be convalescing a long, keep up with the other players. victory, but the Premier League side long time. Woods was fragile enough to begin with had been staring at the exit door. The other piece of good news was that and there were already questions about After the first leg, played in Rome there was no immediate sign that Woods whether he could return to play at a high because of COVID-19 restrictions, was impaired at the time of the crash — a game’s biggest stages — is probably over. level. ended 1-1, Arsenal's home leg was significant bit of information, of course, Coming back from his recent back He might share Hogan’s determination played in Athens and all looked because of his past. surgery to play again at the age of 45 was to overcome everything in front of him, comfortable when Aubameyang The bad news is that the career of the always going to be a problem. but in the end there’s only so much he can scored early on. world’s greatest golfer — at least on the Woods himself said previously that do to mend his broken body. THE INDIAN PANORAMA ADVT. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 35 THE INDIAN PANORAMA ADVT. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 YEARS 36