PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY LEGITIMATE E-MEDIA 06 Sept, 2020 Contact us at : [email protected]

“In the end,it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in @thepeopleassam your years. –Abraham Lincoln Guwahati, Assam

‘BAT VIRUS’ “REVIVE! REVIVE! AREY, NOT GDP!” HITS BATMAN FAU-G, THE “OG” AFTER PUBG BAN

ndia’s latest debate has been the Government’s ‘Digital-Strike’, by banning another 118-Chinese Mobile Applications, which include PUBG Mobile, one of the most popular games among the youth in Itoday’s time. Previously, the Government’s first ‘Digital Strike’ led to “havocs” among the TikTokers when the TikTok application was banned. Meanwhile, the GDP of India has seen its biggest fall since 1996. But that’s barely a topic discussed in the ‘burning debates’.

On Wednesday, The Ministry of Information and Technology bans more Chinese apps including popular PUBG Mobile in the country. Days after this ‘Digital Strike’, the next big move that comes in is the announce- ment of “FAU-G”, by Bollywood star Akshay Kumar. The most probable replacement of PUBG Mobile will be FAU-G, an Indian-made game, which is expected to be 99.9% similar to the banned PUBG Mobile. Ranging from the national level to the local, PUBG is now the “burning issue”. Knocked out by the Pandemic, seems like nobody looks to ‘revive’ the GDP. However, that’s the reality so far. Continued On Page: 09

Image source: www.google.com

X obert Pattinson, the lead actor for the Batman, Indian was tested positive for RCOVID-19. Following which, the filming was temporarily paused. Filming began in Glasgow earlier GDP Fall this year but was halted due to the Y Representation pandemic.

Continued On Page: 09 SORRY, THE GDP FELL SO LOW, THAT IT OVERLAPPED Continued On Page: 09

HOW WILL WE ADJUST? ACT OF GOD OR FAILURE TO ACT? GDP FALLS ANYHOW!

By: Biprajit Roy Chaudhury to the top pf the Covid-19 charts globally. What substantiates it also is the graph of positive cases during the lockdown as the lockdown was supposed to constraint and reduce the growth of cases but nothing happens in India as promised especially if the 8 PM slot is used by the PM to spread philosophies and assertions (with assumptions) and not the real statistics wrapped with Image source: www.google.com real-time solutions. From the Editor The systematic denial of its ise in COVID-19 cases ‘adjusting’. Every work needs to responsibility and the setting of a are now ‘normal’, with resume, the economy needs to precedent based on force majeure work unforced to resume. function, or else how long will the – the Centre has explicitly shown RIndia recorded 90,000 new Government hold upon? that all the responsibility that the Image source: www.google.com COVID19 cases in a single day. With the prohibitions removed, it Indians have invested on their This by far, is the highest by is the people’s part to enforce their hen Nirmala Sitharaman towards substance-less appreciation elected government is rather being any country in the world. On own safety and precautions now. invoked the Act of God – the IT cells were put to task on turned into an invisible context the top, all the precautionary The idea of COVID-19 being clause, she explicitly hid all platforms to assert how the that is gradually being eliminated behindW a façade that had “failure” economic shrink was borne out of in the air of assumed and swaying measures of prohibition are lifted, ‘fake’ is now ‘dumb’ to believe which includes night curfews upon. ‘Adjusting' now is the next written over it in bold and capital the so-called stringent lockdown disruptions in the form of assertive & weekend lockdowns in the struggle. How will you ‘adjust’, letters. Moreover, adding an even that was imposed nation-wide. To and false lockdown success stories state. The Pandemic has led to it's your call. more blinding factor to sway the add truth to the repertoire of lies, and sympathy gaining PR stunts. a time when the entire world is public discourse from criticism India is set on the track that leads Continued On Page: 09 International PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA 2 Sunday, 06 September, 2020

LEBANON TO UNDERGO COVID-19 TO INCREASE POVERTY SEVERE FOOD CRISIS RATE FOR WOMEN, ERODING AMIDST HUGE ECONOMIC DECADES OF PROGRESS: UN DISRUPTION

Image source: www.google.com By Pallavi Dey employment of women in the infor- of wealth and power in the hands mal economy is large, typically in jobs of a few which worsened during the Image source: www.google.com he report, “From In- such as daily wage earners, food ser- pandemic. The pre pandemic pov- By Pallavi Dey the Children. But given the current sights to Action: Gender vices, domestic workers and cleaners erty ratio if female in South Asia for circumstances in Lebanon, absolute Equality in the wake of which comes with little or no health- 2021 was expected to be around 10% he 4 August blast in Leb- starvation may become the norm. COVID-19”,T published by UN, said care, unemployment benefits or other which is now recorded to rise up to anon’s Beirut port killed “More than half of the country’s that the gender poverty gap will wors- social protection schemes, thus mak- 13%. The report said that Central and more than 150 people population is at risk of failing to ac- en further still in South Asia hit in ing the employment scenario much Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Afri- andT injured many more. The blast cess their basic food needs by the few specific sectors. The UN Wom- bleaker for females. ca (where 87 per cent of the world’s occurred at a time when Lebanon year’s end,” the UN Economic and en and the UN Development Pro- UN Women Executive Director extreme poor live) will see the largest was struggling against Covid-19 and Social Commission for Western Asia gramme (UNDP) reported that the Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said that, increases in extreme poverty, with an a deep economic downturn which (ESCWA) said on Sunday. The acute COVID-19 pandemic will dispropor- the increases in women’s extreme pov- additional 54 million and 24 million has pushed unemployment and infla- food shortage in Lebanon is worsened tionately affect women and push 47 erty are a stark indictment of deep people, respectively, living below the tion very high. The blast had not only by the erosion of purchasing power of million more women and girls into flaws in the ways we have constructed international poverty line as an out- exacerbated the economic downturn the Lebanese people due to soaring extreme poverty by 2021, altering de- our societies and economies and thus come of the pandemic. but also created a new humanitarian food prices and thus they are “trapped cades of development to lift this de- it requires constructive policies to The concerns regarding the rise crisis in the country. It had destroyed in poverty and struggling for bare ne- mographic above the poverty line. It address the critical aspects of gender in extreme poverty is narrowed down the Beirut sea port which is the coun- cessities”. stated that the poverty rate for women inequality. The projections show that only to the idea of downturn in Gross try’s largest grain storage facility and Lebanon is also on the brink of an will increase to a 9.1 per cent, which while the pandemic will impact global Domestic Product (GDP) of the through which around 85% food im- acute humanitarian crisis due to grow- was expected to reduce by 2.7% in be- poverty generally women will be ad- countries, however aspects of women ports come to Lebanon. ing starvation, mass protests and po- tween 2019 and 2020. versely affected, especially women of unemployment which might affect Lebanon heavily depends upon litical instability. The United Nations The crisis has affected both men reproductive age. By 2021, for every the sex distribution of poverty is kept imports for its food needs but with has projected that Lebanon will need and women in several aspects, how- 100 men aged 25 to 34 living in ex- aside. Thus, in order to reverse the the 80% depreciation of Lebanese more than $47 million to ensure food ever women have been hard in nu- treme poverty (living on USD 1.990 a impact of the pandemic on poverty, it currency and the annihilation of the security in the immediate future. merous specific areas. The projection day or less), there will be 118 women, is essential to invest in policies aimed Beirut sea port, the country will face ESCWA executive secretary Rola pointed that overall women’s employ- a gap that is expected to increase to at reducing gender inequality. Exten- an alarming situation, experts have Dashti suggested that Lebanon’s gov- ment is 19% more at risk than men. 121 women per 100 men by 2030. sive research on the gendered impact warned. “Already we were in a sit- ernment must focus on rebuilding the During the pandemic, women have In South Asia, on an average, near- of the pandemic should be used in uation where in many families the grain silos in the Beirut sea port, set lost their jobs at a faster rate than ly 31.7 percent of the total population formulating comprehensive plans to parents and the children would go ceilings on food prices and encourage men have, as they are more likely to (around 433 million) is living in ab- address occupational segregation and to bed hungry, but it was a manage- direct sales from local producers to be employed in the sectors hardest ject poverty in the various countries economic packages for vulnerable able hunger,” said Jad Sakr, Lebanon consumers. hit by long lockdowns such as retail, of the region. In all the countries of women to ensure social and economic country director for the charity Save restaurants and hotels, it said. The the region there is a concentration protection. COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS WORSENING SNIPPETS HIGHLIGHTS MODERN SLAVERY IN ASIA

1 Suspected helpers of 2015 Charlie Hebdo at- tackers go on trial Verisk Maplecroft found. in Asia’s garment industry and fall- The risks faced by workers in ing sales have put many jobs at risk. Cambodia and Vietnam also rose to Laid-off workers are likely to turn to their highest levels in four years, tak- exploitative jobs or may put their chil- US partially lifts de- 2 ing 32nd and 35th places in the rank- dren to work to cope with the loss of cades-old arms embargo ing of 198 countries which identified earnings, industry experts say. on Cyprus North Korea, Yemen and Syria as the “Even in the same jobs, the condi- three worst nations for slave labour. tions have become more exploitative,” “What makes the situation even said Apoorva Kaiwar, Regional Sec- 3 Nerve agent “Novichok” more alarming is that modern slavery retary for South Asia at IndustriALL found in Russia’s opposi- risks are set to intensify as countries Global Union, a federation that rep- tion leader Alexey Naval- grapple with the economic fallout of resents workers in 140 countries. ny: Germany the pandemic,” said Sofia Nazalya, a “Our affiliates have reported wage human rights analyst at Verisk Ma- cuts in existing jobs as well as removal plecroft. of facilities such as transport and can- 4 Pakistan blocks Tinder, “As more workers are pushed into teen with subsidized food. For those other dating apps over the informal sector, they will be at who have lost jobs, they are unable to ‘immoral’ content greater risk of facing more exploit- find jobs with comparable wages and ative forms of work, some of which benefits.” could amount to forced labour condi- Travel restrictions and measures to 5 Zimbabwean protest tions,” she told the Thomson Reuters reduce the spread of the COVID-19 leader Jacob Ngarivhume Image source: www.google.com Foundation in emailed comments. have made it harder for companies freed on bail in fourth at- By Raktim Ronojoy Neog enforcement, according to a global in- Asian garment workers supply- to carry out audits to ensure ethi- tempt dex published on Friday. ing global fashion brands lost up to cal working practices in their supply he risk of modern slavery For the first time, India and Ban- $5.8bn in wages from March to May, chains, said the slavery index, which in Asian manufacturing gladesh were in the “extreme risk” cat- the Clean Clothes Campaign pres- aims to help businesses identify risk. 6 Khmer Rouge prison hubs has surged and is set egory, joining China and Myanmar in sure group said last month, as the to worsenT with the economic effects of a group of 32 countries with the worst COVID-19 pandemic led to store commander Kaing Guek Eav dies at age of 77 the COVID-19 pandemic, increased risk of slave labour, the Modern Slav- closures and cancelled orders. labour rights violations and poor law ery Index by risk analytics company About 60 million people work International PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA 3 Sunday, 06 September, 2020

COVID-19 pandemic has led Covid-19 Pandemic has Reversed “Decades” of to significant increase in Gender Equality: UN child marriages in Asia.

Image source: www.google.com By Raktim Ronojoy Neog by desperate families plunged into poverty over the pandemic. World- he economic impact of wide, an estimated 12 million girls the virus has deepened are wed every year before the age inequality between of 18, but organizations warn that menT and women and reversed “de- an additional 13 million child mar- cades of limited and fragile progress riages could take place in the next on gender equality and women’s decade. Image source: www.google.com rights,” said UN Secretary-General The pandemic has imperiled By Nadir Raihan the highest and long been practised in Girls Not Brides. “Child marriage Asia specific regions of Pakistan, Viet- is firmly rooted in gender inequali- Antonio Guterres. food security for millions, accord- nother loophole that nam, Indonesia and also India. How- ty and patriarchal structures. What’s “Today, millions of teenage girls ing to the UN Food and Agricul- emerged into surface ever the rate of these marriages have happened is that it’s become com- around the world are out of school, tural Organization (FAO). The due to the coronavirus been on the decline as numerous ini- pounded in the COVID era,” she adds. and there are alarming reports of number of undernourished people pandemicA is the significant increase tiatives worked to spread awareness of According to a report by the an increase in teenage pregnancies will increase by up to 132 million of child marriages. And estimated the ill practise and of it s dangers along United Nations (UN), an estimate in some countries,” he said, also re- this year, while the number of amount of tens of thousands of adoles- with encouraging access to education of 12 million girls are rendered into ferring to “disturbing reports from acutely malnourished children will cence girls across Asia are forced into and women’s health services. But in child marriages every year before the around the world of skyrocketing rise by 6.7 million. child marriages, specially by the pover- recent times, experts are of the view age of 18. Girls Not Brides provided levels of gender-based violence, as “We are facing two pandem- ty stricken desperate families because that these social improvements are with a heeding warning that unless many women are effectively con- ics: COVID-19, which beyond its of the pandemic. Not being able to suf- on the decreasing side as the pandem- proper, efficient and urgent action fined with their abusers, while re- health toll is crushing livelihoods, fice to the basic economic needs of the ic has caused mass job losses, leaving is not implied to tackle the overall sources and support services are and hunger, a scourge the interna- families, campaigners warn that child parents desperate and struggling to socio-economic impact of the virus, redirected.” tional community pledged to erad- marriage instances have drastically in- feed their families. “All of the gains there is huge a possibility that an The UN along with other or- icate by the end of this decade,” Qu creased in numbers, which was on the we’ve made in the past decade are re- additional 13 million child marriag- ganizations have also warned that Dongyu, the FAO’s director-gener- decline before the pandemic started. ally going to suffer,” explains Shipra es will take place in the next decade. tens of thousands of girls across al, said ahead of a virtual meeting Child marriage rates have been in Jha, head of Asia engagement at NGO Asia are being forced into marriage to address hunger.

Enforced Disappearances Iran accused by Amnesty of applying inhuman ‘Rife Across the World’: tortures during 2019 UN Chief protests.

Image source: www.google.com Image source: www.google.com By Raktim Ronojoy Neog Once largely the product of emption from punishment for the By Nadir Raihan ing arbitrary detention, enforced military dictatorships, enforced crime. disappearance, torture and other The crime of enforced dis- disappearances can nowadays be “Impunity compounds the suf- n a report by Amnesty In- ill-treatment”, the London-based appearance is rife across the perpetrated in complex situations fering and anguish,” underscored ternational, the non-gov- human rights group said. The world”, Secretary-General of internal conflict, especially as a the UN chief maintaining that it is ernmental organization arrested were led through phys- António“ Guterres said in his mes- tool of political repression of oppo- “critical to pursue credible and im- groupI has accused the state of Iran ical tortures for them to confess sage on Sunday, commemorating nents, according to the UN. partial judicial investigations.” of using torture to extract confes- of their involvement in the pro- the International Day of the Vic- Particular concerns involve Under international human sions. Iran is accused of violating tests, membership of opposition tims of Enforced Disappearance. the ongoing harassment of human rights law, families and societies several protocols along with jail- groups or contact with foreign “We see new cases almost daily, in- rights defenders, relatives of vic- have a right to know the truth ing hundreds of people since a governments and media, it added. cluding the disappearance of de- tims, witnesses and legal counsel about what happened. sweeping crackdown against pro- Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty In- fenders of the environment, who dealing with cases of enforced dis- “I call on Member States to ful- tests last year. As a sources of wit- ternational’s Middle East Deputy are often indigenous peoples”. appearance. fill this responsibility”, he upheld. nesses Amnesty International had Director, said the “crimes and vi- “Meanwhile”, he continued, The UN Committee and Work- Hundreds of thousands of peo- gathered dozens of testimonies olations” were accompanied by a “the excruciating pain of old cases is ing Group on Enforced Disappear- ple have vanished during conflicts from the 7,000 people that were wave of “forced televised confes- still acute, as the fate of thousands ances have identified additional or periods of repression in at least estimated were arrested. Apart sions in state propaganda videos”. of disappeared people remains un- worrying trends, Mr. Guterres said, 85 countries around the world, at- from that video recordings, court Several were sentenced ranging known, making the crime a con- “including reprisals against relatives tests the UN. documents and statements by from one month to ten years; chil- tinuous presence in the lives of the of the victims and members of civil “With the support of interna- the authorities were also bought dren as young as 10 were also put loved ones of the lost”. society, often in the name of securi- tional human rights mechanisms, up to surface for evaluation. behind bars. Torture techniques More than a human rights vi- ty and counter-terrorism”. States have a duty to strengthen A huge protest in Iran took included waterboarding, beating, olation against an individual, en- “Enforced disappearance also their efforts to prevent enforced place in November last year, which electric shocks, pepper-spraying forced disappearance has frequent- has gendered consequences par- disappearances, to search for vic- was due to an extensive hike in genitals, sexual violence, mock ly been used as a strategy to spread ticularly affecting women and LG- tims, and to increase assistance to petrol prices. However the mass executions and pulling out finger terror within the whole of society, BTI persons,” he added. victims and their relatives,” the top demonstrations were put down and toe nails, Amnesty report- the United Nations said on Sunday. Also concerning is the use of UN official stated. by the Iranian security forces with ed. The rights group also said Enforced disappearance has enforced disappearance by States And special attention must be mass arrests and a near-total in- it recorded the names of more become a global problem – not re- of counter-terrorist activities as an given to vulnerable populations, ternet blackout. “The accounts than 500 people “subjected to stricted to any specific region of the excuse for breaching their obliga- like children and people with dis- reveal a catalogue of shocking unfair criminal proceedings”. world. tions along with the widespread ex- abilities. human rights violations, includ- International PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA 4 Sunday, 06 September, 2020

Hundreds of African migrants Countries should Protect Journalists amidst COVID-19 locked up under horrific Pandemic: UN Rights Chief

conditions in Saudi Arabia. By Raktim Ronojoy Neog about the spread of COVID-19 and the adequacy of measures to N Rights Chief Mi- prevent it”. chele Bachelet has She added: “When journalists urged all countries to are targeted in the context of pro- do Umore to protect journalists, es- tests and criticism, these attacks are pecially during the COVID-19 cri- intended to silence all of civil so- sis, as their work helps save lives. ciety and this is of deep concern… Speaking at an event in sup- Journalism enriches our under- port of press freedom in Geneva, standing of every kind of political, the UN High Commissioner for economic and social issue; delivers Human Rights noted that around crucial – and, in the context of this 1,000 journalists have been killed pandemic - life-saving information; in the last decade – and that nine and helps keep governance at every in 10 cases “are unresolved”. level, transparent and accountable.” Her comments, on the eve of At a press conference after the the trial of alleged accomplices of event, Swiss President Simonet- extremists who killed 12 people at ta Sommaruga echoed the High the French satirical weekly maga- Commissioner’s concerns over zine, Charlie Hebdo in 2015, were threats to freedom of expression. Image source: www.google.com echoed by political cartoonist Pat- Even in Switzerland, where By Nadir Raihan on the floor in multiple rows in small international standards. For a wealthy rick Chappatte. people have the opportunity to rooms with barred windows. So terri- country like Saudi Arabia, there’s no Amid the ongoing COVID-19 vote multiple times a year, the con- recent discovery made by ble were the conditions inside of the excuse for holding migrants in such pandemic, the work of the media cept should not be taken for grant- the British newspaper Sun- facilities, as if ‘ the breathing skeletons deplorable conditions” commented is paramount, High Commissioner ed, Ms. Sommaruga explained, in day Telegraph has revealed were wishing for their death rather than Adam Coogle, the deputy director of Bachelet continued, as their report- response to a journalist’s question hundredsA of African migrants those live’ – the migrants described. “It’s hell Human Rights Watch in the Middle ing is “an essential tool for officials and earlier comments about the were locked up in Saudi Arabia’s coro- in here. We are treated like animals East. At the beginning of the pan- to quickly learn where measures are shrinking space and threats to the navirus detention facilities under inhu- and beaten every day,” said Abebe, an demic in March, the government of being inadequately applied”, and Press being “not always from dicta- mane and tragic conditions, complete- Ethiopian who has been held at one of Saudi Arabia planned to deport about what concerns are most important tors (but) also from business mod- ly violating human rights protocol. the centres for more than four months. 200,000 Ethiopian migrant workers to to people. els”. The investigation led by the newspaper Other migrants expressed their misery, cope up with the spread of the coronavi- Without naming them, she “The freedom of the Press is not has unveiled two of the centres; one where they were beaten using elec- rus. However only 3,000 of them were said that several countries had seen something that you just have, it’s in Al Shumaisi , located near the holy tric rods, along with the guards com- deported while the rest were gathered “increasing politicization of the something that you have to defend city of Mecca and the other in Jazan, menting racial abuse at them. One from across the nation and have been pandemic and efforts to blame its and continue to defend,” the Swiss a port town near Yemen – where mi- teenager unable to handle the atroc- left to rot in the detention facilities. effects on political opponents, have President maintained. grants were kept in pathetic conditions. ities took his life by hanging himself. led to threats, arrests and smear Providing a detailed picture; doz- “The squalid detention centres in ens of starving sick men were seen lying southern Saudi Arabia fall well short of campaigns against journalists who maintain fact-based information Protests Rage in Portland, L.A. & Washington D.C. over Racial Violence by Police

Image source: www.google.com By Raktim Ronojoy Neog with arrests, tear gas and so-called The victim of the fatal shooting riding his bicycle in violation of ve- noon. “less-lethal munitions”, such as stun in Portland was reportedly a right- hicle code, authorities have said. Deon Kay, who had just turned ortland has seen almost and smoke grenades and plastic wing supporter of US President Family members identified18, was shot at around 4pm yester- 100 consecutive nights bullets. Federal troops faced seri- Donald Trump. Tensions look set the dead man as Dijon Kizzee, day amid nationwide unrest over of demonstrations since ous criticism after reports and vid- to rise in Portland, already a pivotal 29, CBS-Los Angeles reported on police violence. May,P following the death of George eos showed them “kidnapping” un- city in the continuing nationwide Monday. He was pronounced dead Early this morning, a group of Floyd while in Minneapolis police armed protesters and taking them protests. at the scene. around 20 protesters made their custody, which set off nationwide away in unmarked vehicles. Meanwhile, Portland’s police Protesters gathered at the site way from the scene of the original protests. They have also faced criticism chief slammed the mayor and other of the shooting and more than 100 demonstration outside a police The demonstrations have been for attacking legal observers and city officials on Tuesday people marched to a sheriff’s station, precinct in DC to the street where both peaceful and violent. Protest- journalists, prompting lawsuits. Chief Chuck Lovell said gun demanding justice. Some chanted Mayor Bowser lives. ers have vandalized police vehicles The fatal shooting of a pro- violence is skyrocketing in Portland “say his name” and “no justice, no The shooting comes as po- and Portland’s Federal Courthouse. tester in Portland on last Saturday and some 911 calls are going unan- peace”, the Los Angeles Times re- lice killings of black people have There have been reports of looting, has brought increased scrutiny on swered. ported. sparked nationwide protests and too. demonstrations across the country “This is impacting the safety of Sheriff’s Lieutenant Brandon calls for sweeping police reform. Various groups of activists, or- in light of the deadly shootings in our entire city and urgent action is Dean said the deputies from the Washington DC saw violent ganizers and unaffiliated people, Kenosha, Wisconsin. needed. Our elected officials need South Los Angeles station had spot- protests in the weeks following including the Albina Ministers Al- Demonstrators in both cities to do their part to draw a line in the ted a man riding a bicycle in viola- police killing of George Floyd in liance, Rose City Justice and the are calling for criminal justice re- sand and to hold people accounta- tion of vehicle codes and attempted Minnesota back in May, and the Portland Black Panthers, have been form and an end to systemic racism. ble,” he said. “The violent behavior to stop the man. chaos re-erupted last Thursday, protesting. Many of the groups are Kenosha’s demonstrations began must end.” In Washington D.C., Black the final night of the Republican supportive of the BLM (Black Lives in earnest after the shooting of Ja- Meanwhile, in Los Angeles Lives Matter protesters marched on National convention, when six of- Matter) movement that has gained cob Blake, a black man, last week. (L.A.), two Los Angeles sheriff’s Mayor Muriel Bowser’s house and ficers were hospitalized in demon- momentum since Floyd’s alleged Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, is accused of deputies shot and killed a Black surrounded a police precinct after strations across the city. murder. opening fire and killing three BLM man on Wednesday, who scuffled police shot and killed an 18-year- Portland police have responded protesters. with them after he was stopped for old black man Wednesday after- National Sunday, 06 September, 2020 PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA 5 IIT INDORE TO TEACH EDUCATION VS COVID-19 COURSE ON ANCIENT INDIAN SCIENCE

Image source: www.google.com tution has lined up fortnightly By Bhaswati Mahanta Image source: www.google.com programmes to teach metallurgy, By Bhaswati Mahanta may permit up to 50% of teaching said majority of their students are he Indian Institute of astronomy, medicines and plant and non-teaching staff to be called already attending online classes. Technology recently an- sciences in Sanskrit. Students will chools across the country to the schools at a time after Sep- Few of them, however, raised con- nounced the introduc- also be provided classical Indian have been physically shut tember 21. cerns over the safety of the students tionT of a unique course to impart scientific texts in their original since the beginning of This decision taken by the as they can only keep the school mathematical and scientific knowl- forms and they will be able to con- theS Covid-19 lockdown in March Union Ministry got mixed reac- compound sanitized, they cannot edge from ancient texts in Sanskrit, verse about the topics in the an- 2020. Even though online class- tions from the teachers, students promise the safety of the children an official said on August 30, 2020. cient language. es are being conducted and study and the guardians. Many officials amid the pandemic. This new course is titled “Un- “Ancient texts of India, originally materials are directly being shared of government schools said that Even the guardians of the pri- derstanding Classical Scientific composed in Sanskrit, have a rich with the students, many from the this will benefit the students if vate and government school stu- Texts of India in an Immersive heritage of mathematical and sci- rural areas with lesser quality net- the teachers can hold offline ses- dents have expressed mixed opin- Sanskrit Environment” and it was entific knowledge and the present work and no technical resources sions for them to clear doubts. Dr ions regarding the decision. Few started in bid to expose the present generation is unaware of this. We are unable to attend their online Devindra, Principal of Sarvodaya of the parents think that it is a generation to ancient knowledge, started this course to make them classes. Bal Vidyalaya (SBV) in Rouse Ave- good option for their child to go the official from the institute add- aware of this ancient knowledge in The Unlock 4.0 guidelines is- nue, said, “It’ll be more significant to school and clear their doubts ed. Sanskrit itself, said Professor Nee- sued by the Union ministry of for Board students since teachers face-to-face. Others on the con- .The All India Council for Tech- lesh Kumar, officiating director of Home Affairs on Sunday men- have to brief them about the pat- trary refuse to send their children nical Education (AICTE) spon- IIT, Indore. “The course will in- tioned that schools will continue tern of the exams. It is still unsafe to school, risking their lives amid sored quality improvement pro- spire the participants to research, to be kept close till September 30. to allow students of primary and the pandemic. gramme began on August 22 and innovate, study and teach mathe- However, the guidelines also stat- upper primary classes to come to The students too gave different will continue till October 2 with a matics and science in Sanskrit,” he ed, “Students of class 9 to 12 may school.” opinions to the sources. A few stu- total of 62 hours of online classes, said. be permitted to visit their schools, Another Mathematics teacher dents said it will be really helpful he said. He also mentioned that Another IIT official also men- in the areas outside the contain- at a government school in Sub- for their studies if they could go over 750 candidates from all over tioned that the course is divided ment zones only, on a voluntary hash Nagar, Delhi, said, “For sub- back to school even for one day of the world are participating in the into two parts, under which partic- basis, for taking guidance from jects such as mathematics, face- the week, as they need the teach- course. ipants will be taught the nuances of their teachers. to-face teaching is vital in case of er’s personal assistance in difficult An impressive 30% of those par- Sanskrit to build their understand- This will be subject to written many students. I teach class 10 subjects like Mathematics and ticipants are working professionals, ing of the language and in the next consent from their parents/guard- students and many of my stu- Physics. On the other hand, other 50% are undergraduates and mas- part, they will be taught classical ians and will be permitted with dents need extra attention since students said they do not want to ters students, with PhD scholars mathematics in Sanskrit. effect from September 21, 2020, they do not have anyone at home risk themselves by visiting schools and others making up the rest, in- A qualifying examination will for which SoPs will be issued by who can help them in studies. It’s when they can have access to ed- stitute officials said. also be conducted to evaluate the the Ministry of Health and Family a welcome step to call students for ucation from the security of their This one-of-its-kind course in participants involved in the second Welfare.” guidance at schools with proper homes. Sanskrit starts with Bhaskaracha- part of the course and successful The guidelines also mentioned precautions.” rya’s mathematical treatise ‘Lilava- candidates will be awarded a certif- that the state and union territories Authorities of private schools ti’ of almost a thousand years ago, icate, he added. reported the sources. The insti-

SNIPPETS HIGHLIGHTS

1 Senthil Balaji moves HC in cheating case

2 Official, teachers embark on coracle to enrol tribal students SC DISMISSES REVIEW PLEA BY 6 STATES TO POSTPONE 3 Gujarat court directs removal of Nar- endra Modi’s name from civil suit JEE, NEET EXAMS.

4 Army rescues three Chinese citizens in North Sikkim Image source: www.google.com By Ipshita Das tion-ruled states seeking review of should not lose an academic year the top court’s August 17 order to - do not constitute an authoritative 5 Labour Minister Shivaram Hebbar, wife he Supreme Court on conduct NEET and JEE (Mains) and comprehensive judicial scruti- Friday refused to enter- examinations as scheduled. ny of the issue. test positive tain the review petition A bench of Justices Ashok Bhu- Six opposition-ruled states -- filedT by six states, seeking review of shan, B R Gavai and Krishna Mu- West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhat- the court’s August 17 order to con- rari considered the review plea in tisgarh, Maharashtra, Punjab and 6 CPI(M) to bank on candidates’ track re- duct NEET and JEE examinations. chambers. Rajasthan --approached the top The six opposition-ruled states The top court had earlier re- court on August 28 seeking a post- cord in local body polls had asked the court to postpone fused to interfere with the conduct ponement of the examinations in the exams because of the corona- of the medical and engineering en- view of the coronavirus crisis. virus. JEE started on September 1, trance exams, saying that life must JEE, which was scheduled to 7 We share robust defence framework while NEET exam is to be held on go on and students can’t lose a pre- be held from September 1 to 6, is with both U.S. and Russia: Gen. Rawat September 13. cious year due to the pandemic. underway and NEET will be con- The Supreme Court on Friday The fresh plea said that only ducted on September 13. refused to entertain the petition two reasons given by the court filed by ministers of six opposi- - life must go on and students National Sunday, 06 September, 2020 PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA 6 UNIVERSITY FREE TO HOLD EXAMS FOR 1ST, EXAMS VS LIVES 2ND YEAR STUDENTS: SC

Image source: www.google.com By Ipshita Das tern of internal evaluation adopted by the universities and the remain- he Supreme Court on ing 50% marks can be awarded on Thursday said that Uni- the basis of performance in previ- Image source: www.google.com versities were free to ous semester only (if available).” conductT examinations for the se- The petitioner cited this to state, By Ipshita Das ing reported in the country. Imag- of the trains still lie suspended. mester or terminal examinations “The COVID-19 situation is still ine when lakhs of these students So, if transportation lies in such a for promoting the first and sec- not normal. Holding examinations EE is scheduled between 1st would go to different exam centres shoddy state, how the students will ond-year students in undergradu- in these circumstances will amount to 6th September. NEET is and would interact with one an- travel then? ate or postgraduate courses. to a violation of UGC Guidelines.” scheduled on the 13th of other and come in proximity with The similar situation has been September.J With regards to the one another, how fast COVID19 created between the UGC and the The Court was hearing a PIL The bench dismissed the peti- filed by a student Ayush Yesudas tion saying, “This Court cannot be exam, lakhs of students and their would spread further. All of these states. UGC has said that all the who claimed that as per the UGC expected to start monitoring the parents approached the govern- students that are asymptomatic universities in the country should Guidelines of April 27, 2020 stu- examination of each college. Hold- ment and requested it to postpone and are not as dangerously affected conduct their exams before the dents in the 1st and 2nd year of ing the examination does not vio- the exams as it would pose a great by the disease will become asymp- 30th of September. This is, the undergraduate/postgraduate cours- late the UGC Guideline.” risk to the lives of the students tomatic carriers and upon interact- central authority is forcing all the es have to be assessed purely on ba- In view of the COVID-19 sit- and that it would not be safe to ing with their families will infect states to conduct the exams. sis of internal assessment and not uation, Delhi and Maharashtra conduct them this time. But the the rest of the elderly people in I admit that this is not easy de- an examination. This decision was governments issued orders cancel- government did not listen to them. their family and it might become cision for the government and the taken in view of the rising num- ing the examinations for final year Thereafter, they approached the fatal for them. This is the reason Supreme Court to make because ber of COVID-19 cases across the students and directed their assess- Supreme Court which concluded why numerous families might not no one knows when the situation country. ment to be done through internal the hearing in less than 5 minutes even permit their child to sit for would improve or when the vac- The April 27 UGC Guidelines assessment. The Court upheld the and ruled that life must progress their examinations. Some families cine would be invented and for said, “For intermediate semester/ UGC’s order directing the holding normally. The exams should be that are not well to do would think how many more months the situ- year students, the Universities may of examinations for final year stu- held irrespective of the ongoing that the career of their child is very ation of COVID19 would remain conduct examinations, after mak- dents. The decision of Delhi and COVID19 pandemic. While de- important to run their household as grim? But the government and ing a comprehensive assessment of Maharashtra to cancel the exam- livering the judgement through and they would forcefully send the supreme court can at least lis- their level of preparedness, residen- inations was upheld. However, the video conferencing, Justice Arun their child to appear for the ex- ten to what the students have to tial status of the students, status of Court held that they cannot issue Mishra said that life has to go on ams while putting their health at say and understand their problems COVID-19 pandemic spread in direction for promoting students, and since the precious year of the risk. Secondly, COVID19 is not which they did not do this time be- different region / state and other which falls within the jurisdic- students cannot be wasted, hence the sole reason why these exams cause it is very clear that the exams factors. In case the situation does tion of UGC. The Court allowed they would still conduct these ex- should be postponed, situation in can at least be postponed until the not appear to be normal in view states to write to UGC seeking ams. Assam, Bihar and the other north next year and because the admis- of COVID-19, in order to main- further extension of time for hold- First of all, India has become eastern states today are in a poor sions to a lot of colleges are anyway tain “social distancing”, safety and ing examinations in view of the the third worst country in the shape due to floods. Thirdly, how not going to commence before the health of the students, grading of COVID-19 situation prevailing in world with respect to total num- will the candidates in the rest of next year. So, what is the logic be- the students could be composite of their respective areas. ber of COVID19 cases. Every day, country travel to their exam cen- hind getting the exams conducted 50% marks on the basis of the pat- more than 60,000 new cases are be- tres? The regular passenger services for this?

STATE GOVERNMENTS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE JEE/NEET ASPIRANTS

pearing for JEE and NEET will Transport Office (DTO) to ar- be considered as authority to enter range buses, vans and other vehi- suburban stations with compan- cles, he said. Collectors have been ions (parents/guardians) on exam directed to immediately release the days.” contact numbers of nodal officers -Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister to enable candidates to register Shivaji Singh Chouhan announced themselves. They will be allowed free travel arrangements for all stu- to board vehicles on production of dents from Madhya Pradesh who their admit cards, the official add- are set to appear in the JEE/NEET ed. examinations. The students will be -The Government of Orissa also provided free travel arrangements announced that it would provide from the block or district head- free transport and accommodation quarters to the examination centre to candidates appearing for the ex- by the government. ams. ”Transport facilities from dis- Students interested in availing trict headquarters to exam centre is this facility will have to register to be provided free of cost. Can- themselves by calling on 181, or didates requested to contact Nodal through the official portal provided Officers,” said the Information & by the government. Mr. Chouhan Public Relations Department. made the announcement on his of- Chief Secretary A. K. Tripathy Image source: www.google.com ficial twitter handle on Sunday. told the sources that as many as By Bhaswati Mahanta -The Bihar state government ensure that the candidates appear- -The Chattisgarh government 37,000 candidates are likely to ap- on Monday, requested the East ing for the examination do not face will arrange free transport for can- pear in JEE (mains) examination he National Testing Central Railway (ECR) to oper- any problem,” Sanjay Kumar Agar- didates appearing for JEE/NEET in 26 centres spread across seven Agency is scheduled to ate inter-district and local passen- wal, state transport secretary said. examinations to be held, an official different towns including Bhu- conduct the NEET on ger trains in Bihar to facilitate the -The Maharashtra government said on Sunday. Chief Minister Bh- baneswar and Cuttack. “The dis- SeptemberT 13 and JEE examina- movement of candidates appearing has permitted the JEE/NEET can- upesh Baghel has instructed all dis- trict administrations, police and tions between September1 to 6. for JEE/NEET and other entrance didates to travel by special suburban trict collectors to ensure free trans- regional transport officers are di- With the infamous JEE/NEET ex- tests from September 1 to 13. services over Mumbai Suburban port to and fro for candidates from rected to facilitate the movement, aminations taking place in the time “There is a possibility of move- network of Central and Western their areas to examination centres, transportation and lodging of all of corona pandemic, many state ment of candidates from one dis- Railways. the official added. the candidates and their guardians,” governments have announced assis- trict to other for writing these Central Railway’s chief public The CM also directed that dis- he said. tance, a few even mentioned ‘free examinations. So, it is necessary relations officer Shivaji Sutar said, trict nodal officers be appointed to travel benefits’, for the candidates to operate sufficient number of “Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) coordinate with Regional Trans- who are going to appear in the ex- inter-district and local passenger has given approval for their travel. port Office (RTO) and District aminations this year. trains within the state in order to The admit card of candidates ap- State Desk PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY, LEGITIMATE E-MEDIA 7 Sunday, 06 September, 2020

PETROL PUMPS TO REMAIN OPEN FROM MONDAY; STRIKE CALLED OFF

orth-East India Petroleum Dealers called for an indefinite strike and closure of around 80 petrol pumps in the Greater Guwahati area. A meeting was held in the office chamber of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) that Nfeatured Kamrup (M) representatives including Additional Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Sikaria. The meeting was necessitated after calls of an indefinite strike were made on Friday. The association has accused Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) of harassing a city dealer, Ellora Debi, who is a proprietor of RRND Service Station, Beltola, Guwahati. “During these testing times when the government and even the Courts have made relaxation owing to the community spread of the pandemic, we regret informing you that the oil companies have continued to harass dealers on various issues,” said the dealers association in a statement. In its statement, the body alleged that time and again, the BPCL is forcing Debi to sign the dealership agree- ment. “They even threatened to stop the supply of petrol and diesel if she fails to sign the agreement by August 31,” it said, As per the association, Ellora Debi by writing several letters to the Manager (Sales) of BPCL had asked for the extension of time due to the pandemic. However, her pleas fell on deaf ears, claimed the organiza- tion.

Image source: www.google.com

GOVT. AWARDS WEEKEND LOCKDOWNS & NIGHT 10-SCHOOLS IN CURFEWS LIFTED IN ASSAM; ASSAM FOR ‘BEST and unavoidable laboratory / PERFORMANCE’ experimental works. This will be allowed only on the issue of necessary SoP by the Department of Higher Education. 6. Public Transport will be allowed to operate from 7th September 2020, with strict compliance of social distancing and other COVID protocols. Activities which are prohibited are: 1. Schools Colleges, educational and coaching institutes for regular class activities shall remain closed till 30 September, 2020. 2. Cinema Halls, Image source: www.google.com Swimming Pools, Entertainment ssam Chief Secretary, restricted both inside & outside the Parks, Theatres and Kumar Sanjay Krishna Containment Zones. similar places will remain closed. announced that the Night Activities which are allowed are: 3. Lockdown shall remain in force CurfewsA & Weekend Lockdowns in 1. Online and distance learning in all Containment Zones till 30th Assam are now lifted. activities are allowed to continue. 2. September 2020. 4. Containment Previously in Assam’s Unlock 50% of teaching and non-teaching Zones shall be demarcated by Guidelines, Night Curfews were staff are allowed to attend District Magistrates Image source: www.google.com 9th Teachers’ Day was today High School of Darrang, Hin- in force from 9:00pm to 5:00 am. educational institutions at a time with clear delineation of borders celebrated at Srimanta San- di-English High School of Tin- Also, weekend lockdowns were for online teaching tele-counselling of the same and with the sole kardev Kalakshetra, attended sukia, Hilapakari High Madrassa reduced to only sundays, by opening and related works only in areas objective of breaking the chain of 5by Assam Education Minister, Dr. of Barpeta, Somoria Adarsha Vidy- up working saturdays for office outside of Containment Zones. 3. transmission of COVID-19 virus Himanta Biswa Sarma. alaya, Kamrup, and Rangapathar duties, and essentials. As of latest, Students of class 9 to 12 are allowed ensuring that there is no movement On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, Adarsha High School, Charaideo. tweeting about the decision, the to visit their schools on a voluntary of people in or out of such zones 10-Schools of Assam were award- The Minister also emphasised Chief Secretary informs, “Weekend basis and with written consent of except for emergency and medical ed for ‘Best Performance’. The list about the New Education Poli- lockdown and night curfew have parents for guidance from teachers purposes. 5. These Containment of schools mentioned below: cy (NEP2020) introduced by the been lifted , however, please adhere only. 4. Skill and entrepreneurship Zones will be notified by the District Guwahati Refinery High School, Central Government earlier. He to all the COVID-19 protocols to training will be permitted with Authorities on the official website Jorhat Borholla Higher Second- emphasised how it shall bring keep yourself and others around strict and shared with MoHFW. 6. There ary School, Cachar Pranabananda back the traditional Indian sys- you safe.” compliance of COVID-19 protocols will be no restrictions on inter- Vidyamandir, Sivasagar Govern- tems of teaching and do away with A new notification has been and in line with guidelines issued State and intra-State movement ment Higher Secondary Bohu- the western model of teaching that issued notifying about the various by the Ministry of Home Affairs, of persons and goods. No separate mukhi School, Paschim Chamata came with the British colonial rul- activities which are allowed outside Government of India. 5. Higher pass/ permits etc. shall be required High School, Khandajan Model ers. the Containment Zones & the educational institutions are allowed for the same. various activities which remain to operate only for research

COVID-19 TREATMENT & TESTS IN ASSAM TO REMAIN FREE

ssam health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma clarifies that, COVID-19 treatment & tests in Assam will continue to be free. After speculation & discussion, the doubt of a chargeable treatment has now been clarified by the Minister himself. AssamA has been one of the few states who have conducted a 360-degree free COVID-19 treatment so far, and will continue to be so. However, four-reforms are made in terms of the charges. They are: Firstly, if anyone is admitted in any nursing home, and seeks plasma from Medical College, they’ll have to pay only the payment (₹6,500) for the KIT not the Plasma. That is, not charges for the PLASMA KIT will be taken, not for the PLASMA. Secondly, charges only for ‘Paying Cabin’. This is very usual. In private nursing homes, or hospitals one can avail for private or paying cabins. For COVID-19 treatment so far, this facility was not available. However, with the recent developments, paying cabins will now be allowed. Thirdly, Discharged/ Recovered patients won’t be sent back home in Guwahati by the Govt. now. Inter-District movement might be provided. Minister claimed people themselves said the need to drop them home is ‘unnecessary’ as they them- selves can manage once they are discharged. Lastly, if anyone needs the RT-PCR test results within a day, an extra payment will be charged.

Image source: www.google.com 8 State Desk PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA Sunday, 06 September, 2020

ASSAM REPORTS HIGHEST SUICIDE CASES IN NORTHEAST: NCRB 2019

he National Crime were the major causes of suicides 12,457 suicides in Madhya Pradesh Records Bureau( NCRB) which accounted for 32.4 per and 11,288 suicides in Karnataka on Thursday released the cent and 17.1 per cent of total accounting for 13.6 per cent, 9.7 Tannual statistics revealing the suicides respectively during per cent, 9.1 per cent, 9.0 percent states with the highest number of 2019.Along with that other and 8.1 per cent of total suicides suicide cases. Assam has registered directives like drug abuse,love respectively. the highest suicide cases (2370) affairs,failure in examination,A total of 1,39,123 suicides were in Northeast whereas Arunachal unemployment,indebtedness are reported in the country during Pradesh recorded 15.2 per cent some of the reasons claiming lives. 2019 showing an increase of decrease in suicides in 2019 over Majority of suicides were reported 3.4 per cent in comparison to 2018. in Maharashtra (18,916) followed 2018 and the rate of suicides has The NRCB report even published by 13,493 suicides in Tamil Nadu, increased by 0.2 per cent during that family problems’ and ‘illness’ 12,665 suicides in West Bengal, 2019 over 2018.

Image source: www.google.com

NO PANDAL HOPPING CONGRESS MLA KURMI’S ‘KARMA’, THIS YEAR FOR CALLS OUT COVID ‘DRAMA’ DURGA PUJA

Image source: www.google.com Image source: www.google.com ssam Pradesh Congress pacemaker. Not just that, Kurmi he has been seen wearing a mask he Durga puja organizing that 75% of the committees will Committee’s Leader said, Former President, Late often. committees in Assam have celebrate the puja at a minimum & MLA from Assam’s Pranab Mukherjee who passed The Question is: Is the public decided to celebrate this expense to ensure that the devotees Mariani,A Rupjyoti Kurmi amid away just a couple of days back, fool, or are these representatives? Tyear’s puja only with rituals but could get a glimpse of the Goddess the Pandemic, made a statement wasn’t too a COVID-19 patient. The battle against COVID-19 has of the view that there would be no Durga and seek her blessings. The claiming, the entire COVID-19 Kurmi accused, if the former been felt worldwide, including the pandal hopping. The committees committees have also decided not situation in Assam is a ‘drama’, President was COVID-19 positive, U.S brutally. Economy has been opined that there would be no to organize any cultural evenings. and that everything related to the why would the Government say shattering all across the world. much fervor this year due to the Moreover, the puja committees Pandemic is ‘political’. after he passed away? Meanwhile, leaders like MLA COVID-19 pandemic. will also cancel all the cultural Congress MLA Kurmi, while Kurmi’s ‘facebook-like’ argument Rupjyoti Kurmi continue to claim Puja committees in Guwahati nights in Vishwakarma puja. addressing the Media made some also included why schools aren’t that “COVID-19 is fake”. Well, held a meeting with the Kamrup “We have had a discussion with the statements which would make you made COVID-19 centres. But will these narratives happen when one (Metro) district administration district administration and given think whether he truly spoke as a MLA Kurmi understand, places mostly surfs through Facebook- and decided to hold this year’s out recommendations. However, ‘representative’ of the public or was with common toilets aren’t the first based reports, and often rely on puja only spiritually but at the they could not give a clear cut he another ordinary graduate of choice as COVID-19 centres? We courses provided by the Whatsapp same time said that a final call will answer today itself. They will now the ‘Whatsapp University’ doing doubt. It has also been seen that University. be taken by the government in the hold discussions with the State the work of an IT Cell. while the Congress MLA visits the At last, an observation: If Kurmi days to come. On the other hand, Government and consequently He said Tarun Gogoi is not public, neither any norms of social- believes COVID-19 to be just as some puja committees are of the inform us of their decision,” said infected with COVID-19. He distancing are maintained, nor the Conjunctivitis, Chicken Pox, why opinion to hold ‘ghat puja’. a committee member from Pandu. is sick because of his age, also public including himself could be don’t he stop wearing the mask? It was decided in the meeting that everybody knows he has a seen wearing a mask. In exception,

EX-CM PRAFULLA KR. MAHANTA CLOSE TO ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL; 1000-PEOPLE DIED CONDITION CRITICAL POST-COVID19 TREATMENT IN ASSAM: HBS

ssam’s current COVID-19 during the election year. Now I scenario has been worsening, am spending it on COVID-19 as new cases are again taking treatment.” As Assam’s COVID-19 aA rise. Meanwhile, speaking to the situation continues to rise with press today, State Health Minister, numerous new cases reported daily, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, Dr. Sarma said that his savings for in an unrecorded statement, close the election year work are now being to 1,000 deaths are reported post- spent on COVID-19 treatment. COVID19. He said, after recovering/discharged In the last four-years, the Minister patients show numerous problems & the Government have been as well, leading the deaths of several. saving an amount which he said he Asserting his statement, he said, the would have spent on development

Image source: www.google.com post-COVID19 situation will show during the election year, is now ssam’s former Chief condition was serious, and was Chief Minister Sonowal will bear a different & dangerous scenario. being spent on the COVID-19 Minister, Prafulla Kumar treated in the ICU. all the health expenses of Former Speaking to the press, Assam situation in the state. This comes Mahanta was suddenly Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda CM Prafulla Mahanta. Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma after a low collection of GST this hospitalisedA to Down Town Sonowal had a telephonic said: “I’ve been saving money time as well. hospital in Guwahati. His conversation with Mahanta’s wife. over the last few years to spend it Continuation Sunday, 06 Sept,2020 PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY, LEGITIMATE E-MEDIA 9 “REVIVE! REVIVE! AREY, NOT GDP!” FAU-G, the "OG" after PUBG BAN ays after PUBG Ban, terror attack. GDP which it desperately needs. Bollywood star, Akshay Taking it to twitter, Akshay Kumar India’s GDP has seen a massive low Kumar announced the said, "Supporting PM Narendra of -23.9%, which is the highest D‘Made-In-India’ alternative to the Modi’s AtmaNirbhar movement, since 1996. Each sector, other than popular game, “FAU-G”. India’s proud to present an action Agriculture has seen a massive fall this ‘atmanirbhar’ move came game,Fearless And United-Guards in performance. The only positive on Wednesday when Bollywood FAU-G. Besides entertainment, remained the agricultural sector. Actor Akshay Kumar unveiled the players will also learn about the However, this “MASSIVE” issue upcoming mobile game “FAU-G”. sacrifices of our soldiers. 20% of remained unaddressed. On the Being published by Bengaluru- the net revenue generated will be other hand, BJP Party Chief, JP based nCore games which counts donated to Bharat Ke Veer Trust.” Nadda said that the Government Indian gaming industry veteran However, there have been questions took care of the economy and turned Vishal Gondal as an investor, if the ban & the unveil of the new every tragedy into opportunity. FAU-G is short for Fearless and game is actually “planned”. For a layman today, the country’s United-Guards and has pledged to While “FAU-G” catches the primary issue remains the PUBG donate 20 percent of its revenue attention, India’s GDP can be found Ban & Arrest of Rhea Chakraborty. to the government's fund for nowhere as the burning topic. Yet, GDP and COVID-19 remain paramilitary forces called Bharat Ke Seems like “revive” is not what far-sighted. Veer set up after the 2019 Pulwama PUBG needs currently, but the Image source: www.google.com

MYSTERIOUS ‘WANTED’ COUPLE ARRESTED!! MURDER OF YOUNG DOCTOR IN JORHAT

Husband-Wife duo from arrested. the Minor seeks justice. However, Dibrugarh assaulted a The Minor, who hails fromDibrugarh’s “wanted” couple, Dr. 12-year-old minor who Jorhat said, he was beaten several Siddhi Prasad Deuri & Mitali workedA as a Domestic Worker, by times previously as well by his Konwar Deuri have been arrested at pouring boiled water while the child “MAALIK”, referring to the Nagaon on Saturday. The Question ahul Basumatary, a pool of blood. He immediately was sleeping. Dibrugarh’s brutally accused Husband-Wife. He said, remains: WHAT WILL BE THEIR 26-years-old intern- informed the Jorhat Police. The devastating incident. The Husband, his family knew nothing about his PUNISHMENT? doctor of J K Memorial motorcycle has been said to be Dr. Siddhi Prasad Deori, who is a situation, or this incident as his They are said to be a ‘powerful’ RHomeopathic Medical College a “Royal Enfield Thunderbird”, retired Physician from AMCH, ‘owners’ did not let him contact his couple, with good-links politically. of Jorhat, was found dead in with registration number “AS 03 Dibrugarh & the Wife, Dr. Mitali family. He said, when this barbaric As such, how will the young child his rented house in By-lane 4 of Y 8281.”Jorhat Police reportedly Konwar who is the Principal of incident happened, the accused was be served Justice? Exploiting Child, Chandan Nagar in Jorhat. He was informed all police stations, also Moran College were abusing the drunk. Per information, the minor or any such inhuman acts remain a found lying in a pool of blood, on in the nearby districts, to inspect minor for ‘silly’ reasons since the boy is now fine. But his burnt- big concern for the country. With the floor, in his rented house. the missing vehicle. time he worked in their house, skin will take time to heal. India Lockdown pushing thousands on Jorhat Police has begun its Rahul Basumatary was from claimed the child. Following this act has witnessed several such cases of the verge of unemployment, and investigation already. It is found, Udalguri district of Assam, and of brutality, huge protests staged on minors getting exploited, assaulted financial difficulties, reports say based on evidence, that the young had completed his Bachelor of Thursday in Dibrugarh, demanding physically, mentally or sexually several children had to move out of doctor murdered with a knife, Homeopathic Medicine and the arrest of the two-prime accused, over the time. Every month several schools and join work to survive. and his throat had a deep slit. Surgery degree in 2019 from J K two others - Priyankshu Deuri, son children are rescued. On that note, disgusting incidents A vegetable cutting knife was Memorial Homeopathic Medical of the accused Dr. Siddhiprasad The Doctor-Principal couple was like these, threaten the life of young, recovered from the crime spot. College in Jorhat. Rahul’s murder Deuri, and Kunal Senapati - were absconding and “WANTED”, as underprivileged children more. Hira Prasad Nath, the house come up as a mystery. Taking it owner, a retired joint secretary to twitter, one netizen said, “He of Government of Assam, was was actually posted at Jorhat surprised to see the motorcycle Medical College Hospital for missing from the campus on compulsory rotatory internship. Saturday morning. Nath gave a call Such an innocent, amiable boy he to Rahul Basumatary, but did not was. How could a Covid warrior get any response. He then climbed be so mercilessly killed during up the steps to Rahul Basumatary a pandemic, that too amidst flat and found the door open. lockdown? Serious deterioration When Nath entered the room, of law & order and Humanity.” he found the young homeopathic doctor lying on the floor in a

Act of God or Failure to Act? GDP falls anyhow!

he systematic denial of its called Acts of God. Not once did the The time in consequential for all but when responsibility and the setting of a Government resort to that (invoking Force the authorities meant to guard you and precedent based on force majeure – Majeure). Nowhere in the world has anyone protect you from dangers that are posed Tthe Centre has explicitly shown that all the referred to the disease in this manner… from all sectors, it is a clear indication of responsibility that the Indians have invested and certainly not in the realm of taxes,” a how bigotry and falsified, ambitious and on their elected government is rather being former Union Government Secretary and ambiguous promises and packages aren’t turned into an invisible context that is an infrastructure sector regulator said. things that will save the country from a gradually being eliminated in the air of “Can tomorrow the states say that I will return to the 1990s and calling for the need assumed and swaying disruptions in the not pay salaries of all civil servants because of a magicianImage source:and www.google.comhis radical approach to form of assertive and false lockdown success of force majeure? So what do you do? We save the country from being in debt and stories and sympathy gaining PR stunts. cannot tell employees that you go and devastated by the economic haunts that are “Force majeure, in law, is used in the borrow money from the market. This a cause of a adamant and careless woman context of commercial contracts between (GST compensation to states) is a statutory leading a ministry that forms the crux of two parties. The Supreme Court has obligation and you cannot get out of it. policy implementations and developmental numerous recent rulings on it in the context Say for example the airline, if they do not activities aimed at taking India to greater of issues such as electricity tariffs. We have pay their loans, can they invoke the same heights – if that is a goal of the Modi had several natural calamities, drought, clause?,” senior counsel and legal expert government. tsunami, which can all legitimately be Arvind Datar told The Indian Express. Opinion PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA 10 Sunday, 06 September, 2020

A letter from Assam MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS By Upasana Roy ber that it isn’t your fault that your choices and decisions took wrong owadays there are turns, because it was never meant to the World more mental health for you like that. Well crying helps problems than there a lot at this point of your life but have witnessed thousands come and my love but a sharp piercing knife in are Nmath problems. Even if I’ve my suggestion for anyone who’s By Himparna Das depart. Each of them different, their my body is what they returned. I do put it in a funny way mental health going through all these problems earest Homosapi- stories, their struggles, their paths. But not expect, I only am a giver. The re- problems are pretty serious. Each is that you do what you enjoy like ens of the Globe, the day that makes me smile like i have sources, the biodiversity, the pride, all and every year there are numerous I am a biggest fan and will always never before, is when each of them steps is for them. The only hope I breathe amount of suicides due to this. The be of harry potter, I watch those DThe dusk has made it’s preva- out of their comfort zones, and intro- with is that my children know how to most common age prior to these movies then I would watch my fa- lance. The sun with its red hues has duce themselves proudly to the world utilise them selfessly saving for my fu- problems have been teenagers be- vourite sitcom- F.R.I.E.N.D.S to begun the journey to be absorbed by as my child, as a “Proud Assamese”. ture generations who’d call me a home. cause that’s mainly the age where make my belly hurt and then I’ll the loving arms of the mighty Brah- Every moment that passes by, al- I am bright and beautiful, with we do mistakes, where we fall grab some snacks from the kitch- maputra. The sky has grown through ways has a new emotion in hold for me. foggy hills surrounding me, grains apart, we breakdown, we get into en and next thing I know, I’ll feel another day, from the bright blue If now the taste of success relishes me, growing off my womb feeding my some problems that we were never lot better. Since I went through all shade after a fortnight till camou- the succeding moment could bring the progenies. The festivals make me supposed to be in. Realisation and these problems I always tried to flaging with the few left “Hibiscus” bitterness of suffering with it. If one colourful and glowing, the “Gamu- guilt hit on us at this point well I motivate my friends or someone flowers in the garden, it has been a day it is joyous and sunny, the other sa”, the “japi” , the one horned rhi- seem to know this because I am who feels that they are ugly, they witness of million more stories today. day it could be clouds and thunder. I noceros, and the beautiful sun kissed a teen too and I’ve been through are a disgrace. In this way I feel a Under this one large beautiful have seen both the flips of the coin. The tea gardens are my pride. I too have mental problems too. But I some- lot better after I helped someone sky, I too have my story to share, an stories of my daughters reaching the hurdles, but i never preach to give how try to stay strong although I feel better. Because of these teen unique and a beautiful one, filled zenith of success are near to my heart, up. I do not complain, I do not want know it’s never easy. My one and mental problems I’ve started to with it’s own spheres of ecstacy and but to those daughters of mine whose any of the counterfeit helping hands only breakthrough is doing what is miss my childhood more than ever, pyramids of hurdles. I am a mother, I respect i have seen being snatched or sudden shocking humbleness. right for me and mind you but this a time where all these small but un- am the soil that 3.9 crores of people away, a part of me goes away with her. I am strong, I am mighty, I have really helps. Well I was cheated on, healthy problems weren’t there to call it as a home. The way every home From the flesh and bones i have learnt to heal my own wounds and I was even manipulated by some bother me. A time which was only has its own paths of leading life, the seen separating in my womb, to the win the battles that questions my ex- ones under my shelter and love have sleepless hungry nights my children istence. I breathe with all the wounds, crazy boyfriends and friends. First about fun. Whenever there comes it too. I nourish them all with the have faced, the floods and the after- for they make me remember the jour- two or three nights I cried a lot, I a time in your life when you’ll feel same values, of brotherhood and pa- math, the communal mob lynch- ney i have succeeded and the more that wanted to kill myself because even like killing yourself or just giving triotism, of gratitude and respect. ings of the innocent. This mother is yet to come. To my children i have if the predator was someone else, I up on yourself, always remember With hopes in my heart that nobody who speaks today was brutally hurt only a thing to say, your mother As- was the one responsible to fall prey the faces of your parents, who nev- sleeps hungry tonight, and prayers in many times through many scenar- sam is the strongest, she will heal and to them. But then I remembered er raised you for times like this, and my mind that no child of mine faces ios. I keep my sorrows hidden, my protect with unity and make the der- there are people who will always try always expects you to be strong and injustice today, I breathe into a new wounds covered, and continue the serving one win and smile at the end. to bring you down but there will al- definitely loves you more than any- beginning through each of the souls. fight alone, with a belief of bringing ways be someone who will be a ray thing. In the end I’ll say stay strong Not all of my sons are born to be back humanity the way it was earlier. Yours strong and green, of hope in that situation and that and be positive because we have to Lachit Borphukon, nor are all of my If I have seen the brave ones laying Assam. ray of hope has to be you, no one go through a lot of problems in the daughters brave like Kanaklata, as a down their lives to protect me, i also else but you! It’s extremely hard I near future we can’t go weak so ear- mother I know, I understand. For I have seen a few who fed and grew in know that but you have to remem- ly and easily. ‘Indian Economy 2020 : Directed by Robert B. Weide’

By Prasurjya Pratim Kashyap

nus 20.6 per cent , manufacturing lowed by 64.2 per cent in May and sector witnessed a decline of minus the condition relatively improved 39.3% , mining sector also declined in June with a decline of 29.8 per by a minus 23.3 per cent. Agricul- cent. Fiscal Deficit increased from ture industry which happens to be 35.1 per cent in April to 83.2 per the sector India’s population most- cent. Basically, the government as ly depend on, is the only sector to of now does not have adequate not have a negative growth with a amount of funds to allocate. The 3.4 per cent growth. The outbreak government also is in no position of the Coronavirus Covid-19 and to ask the Reserve Bank of India its resultant lockdown has declined to deficit finance since injecting consumer spending to a great deal. money in the economy at this time One of the reasons was because of might also lead to high inflation- the lockdown which disrupted sup- ary pressures. Also printing mon- ply chains leading to less distribu- ey would add up to the existing tion of goods and also the inability national debt. Austerity measures to avail services during the lock- which is basically cutting down down. Moreover, due to the uncer- on expenditures is out of the ques- tain environment, investment was tion. One remaining way is to bor- also hard hit. Increasing consump- row from the external and inter- tion demand which is one of the nal markets. Borrowing from any engines of the GDP and also the foreign government at this time biggest engine of the GDP could might come at an expense of pay- act as a catalyst in the process of ing high interest rates at the same reviving the economy. Private Con- time. While GST was supposed to sumption accounted for 56.4 per help accumulate massive collec- ndia witnessed a sharp de- or production of the three broad negative 1.2 per cent. A negative cent of all GDP. According Mr. Su- tion , on the contrary , the states cline of 23.9 per cent in the sectors of the economy i.e.; agricul- growth of 3.7 per cent was again vodeep Rakshit and Mr. Avijit Puri, are now left begging for funds. first quarter of the FY21 af- ture , manufacturing a nd service witnessed in 1965-66 followed by economist at the Kotak Instituion- During the time of Budget 2020 , ter almostI 41 years. Well as shocking sector; also contracted by 22.8per a negative growth of 0.3 per cent al Securities and Kotak Mahindra the biggest shortfall in taxes were as it may seem about the decline of cent. However, the last time a nega- in 1979-80 and then it was again Bank suggested that broadening already being witnessed. Last year, GDP by 23.9 per cent, interesting- tive growth was witnessed was back witnessed in 1979-80. During the the consumer base by empowering GST collection already dipped to ly the GDP has been decline since in 1979-1980 where the annual fourth quarter (Q4) of the last ac- low and middle income consumers 19 month low at Rs.19,916 crores the last fiscal year, FY19-FY20. In GDP growth rate was a negative counting year not much was affect- could help boost consumption de- . Lastly, all of these facts are noth- the last fiscal year i.e. ; FY19-FY20, 5.2 per cent , while the current ac- ed apart from the manufacturing mand. This essentially means that ing but results of mis-management there was a decline of 5.2 per cent counting year’s growth rate is ex- sector which experienced a negative government has to indulge in direct and mis-allocation of resources in Q1 followed by a decline of 4.4 pected to be somewhere between 1.4 per cent growth and construc- spending in order for the consump- which has been very colloquially per cent in Q2 and consequent- 5 per cent to 6 per cent. Retracing tion which witnessed a negative tion demand to increase i.e. to give termed as, ‘ Act of God’ , using the ly 4.1 per cent and 3.1 per cent in the Indian economy’s performance growth of 2.2 per cent. However, in money to the people. But this is pandemic to vindicate the current Q3 and Q4 respectively. In addi- since the last 70 years, negative the Q1 of the FY21, industries saw where the issue of revenue genera- situation. tion, the GVA (Gross Value Added) growth was first witnessed in 1957- a decline of minus 38.1 per cent, tion arises. Tax revenue faced a de- which essentially reflects the supply 58 where there was mere growth of services sector saw a decline of mi- cline of 71.4 per cent in April, fol- Opinion PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA 11 Sunday, 06 September, 2020 The Invisible Competition

By Bimalendu Deka

t is, 388 B.C.E. Adonis, a tive impacts of social media or may- ing what is it that you are seeing. to know yourself, better than social blacksmith was on his way “Kai, akómi kai prépei na to be, someday you clicked on some There is am “invisible” competition media sites. So that you can make to his forge. On the way, káno, argótera. And, even if I post/video about a similar topic; going on between you and Face- rational decisions, irrespective of he Isaw an old, short, and stocky, have to, I’ll do it later.]”, added and the algorithm “thought” of rec- book. Maybe, in some cases, Face- what they make you watch. You with a snub nose and bulging eyes Adonis. ommending this one to you. book knows you, more than you might say, “I do not have the time man sitting under an oak tree, and Fast forward, 2400 years. This Yes. Social Media is a boon. I know about yourself. That is very to do such things. I am too busy.” preaching people about life. He is 2020 C.E. We all have become won’t deny that fact. No one is a worrisome. Adonis need not worry Here’s my argument. If on an aver- knew that man. His name was like Adonis. If someone tries to stranger in today’s world. But the about such an issue. No one was age, an Indian can spend 4 hours Socrates. Adonis’s friend, Basil was preach us about, knowing our likes way, the in-charged people are run- competing with him to know more using a smartphone daily (that’s also there in the gathering. Adonis and dislikes, our real wants and de- ning these websites and exploiting about him. He was just “a” citizen. roughly 2 months a year), decided to attend the gathering for sires; we scoff off the idea directly or the data, is ethically wrong. Social You may question, “I am no ce- The Invisible Competition 2 a few minutes (just out of curiosity), postpone it. However, Adonis was media sites are a source of enter- lebrity or someone famous. Why then he/she can (for sure) af- and after asking Basil, he came to privileged. We are not. tainment. No one opens Facebook would Facebook be interested in ford to spend 30 minutes intro- know that the meeting was almost “How?”, you may ask. or Instagram to “learn”. They open me?” Well, you are a source of rev- specting their own lives. about to end. Socrates ended the Well, Adonis did not have Face- because they are “bored”. People’s enue for Facebook. Facebook surely I came across this idea when I meeting by saying, book or Instagram or any such plat- opinions and views can be and, are cares about your likes and dislikes. was reading Sapiens, by Yuval Ha- forms. We do. Our likes, dislikes, altered. The quintessential being: YOU ARE A VALUABLE ASSET rari. I was quite intrigued by the “Agapitoí polítes, eínai to ta- wants, desires; everything is there Facebook Cambridge Analytica TO FACEBOOK. concept. And later on when I saw peinó mou aítima na gnorízete ton on the internet. In Adonis’s time, Scam. It exposed how vulnerable Then, what is the solution? Well, an interview of him with Tristan pragmatikó sas eaftó. Dear citi- at max, two people knew about his people’s choices are. you have no option but to “know Harris—ex-Google employee, zens, it is my humble request that likes and dislikes — his mother and In 388 B.C.E., no one was your real self”. You have to be turned Whistleblower—I came to you know your real self.]” his wife. They were people with competing with Adonis’s wife and aware of your likes and dislikes. You know about the deeper meaning morals and emotions — unlike a mother to know more about him. CANNOT (like, Adonis) scoff it of the concept and why is it so rel- Adonis scoffed off the idea. program that is targeting us, right Today, maybe, Facebook knows off. Don’t just get carried away into evant in today’s world. And since from the time we wake to the time more about you than your moth- seeing things, that you do not want then, I always try to question my “Écho mia oraía zoí. Mia statherí we sleep. er. When your mother is fast asleep to see. This is especially important choices. So far, it has helped me oikogéneia. Éna sevastó átomo stin The Invisible Competition 1 at 1201 A.M., Facebook will wish for teenagers, as a teenage mind can enough, to write an article about koinonía. Giatí na xéro ton eaftó Let me ask you. How do you you Happy Birthday — becoming get easily carried away. it and make rational decisions, and mou? I have a fine life. A stable know that the article that you are the first “being” to wish you. Face- But, how to “know your real not get carried away into things family. I’m a respected person in reading is something you want to book’s algorithm can easily predict self”? Just like most of the things, which is of no interest to me. the society. Why should I know read? Maybe because you like to your mental health, just by “watch- it is easier said than done. It is hard, myself?”, said to himself. read such articles about the nega- ing” over your soldier and monitor- but NOT impossible. The point is

Galwan Valley & Pangong Tso Clashes a Wake-Up Call for Military Reforms

By Raktim Ronojoy Neog is used by the Indian Army in huge government announced restrictions tion and reconnaissance capabilities. now, but not much has moved. numbers) in field trials, the army on the import of 101 weapons and In 2019, during the February 27 India has had Signal Intelli- n my previous opinion arti- has expressed reluctance in purchas- military platforms, for which the aerial battle over Jammu & Kash- gence and Electronic Warfare units cle “War Rhetoric doesn’t ing it due to its heavy weight of over embargo on imports are planned to mir, when intruding Pakistani F-16 for a long time. However, these are always Portray a Rosy Pic- 60 tons (which would make it dif- be progressively implemented be- fighters fired their AIM-120 -AM armed with outdated equipment. tureI of our Armed Forces”, pub- ficult to operate the tank in roads tween 2020 and 2024. RAAM BVR missiles at the defend- Indigenization has made no head- lished in the previous edition of this and bridges along the Pakistan bor- But, for India to fully imple- ing Indian Su-30MKI fighters, the way and import is extremely dif- newspaper, I tried to highlight some der, and too heavy and wide to be ment this plan in 4-5 years and latter, fully defensive and desperate ficult due to reluctance of foreign grave issues which affect our armed transported by train or vehicles), become sufficiently self-reliant as a to escape from the incoming AM- governments. forces; like lack of adequate budget, lack of ammunition, lack of spares qualitative weapons-manufacturer, RAAMs, evaded from being shot We have yet to evolve a for- lack of officers in the army, navy, -es etc., and instead wanted to procure and also to increase her weapon’s down but were unable to fire back mal doctrine on Information pecially pilots in the air force. the T-90 tanks. In a 2018 report, it exports, the government needs to at the F-16s because they were out Warfare. Although the Indian Air Moreover, the Galwan Valley was mentioned that technical, reli- root out many, including the afore- of position and their own missiles, Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy Clash in June 2020 and the on- ability and maintenance issues ren- mentioned severe problems faced the Russian-made R-77 missiles, are in a much better position than going Pangong Tso confrontation dered most of the Arjun tank fleet by our domestic defence industry. did not have the range to realistical- the Army, they too are well short should be a wake-up call for or mil- inoperable. Given that the tanks are The Indian Air Force (IAF), al- ly hit the Pakistani fighters; it can- of the desired capability. During itary as well as political leadership highly dependent on foreign equip- ready facing a shortage of aircraft, not hit targets which are more than the dogfight the day after Balakot, to address some of severe issues ment — 60% of the tank is im- continues to face several logistical 80 kilometers away. questions were raised about the plaguing our armed forces, which ported — the failure to get main- and technical issues. In 2018, it While it is hoped that the indig- electronic warfare capability of our are otherwise considered to be one tenance technology means that the was reported by the government enous Astra missile with a range of aircraft in comparison to the F16s. of the most strongest in Asia and in systems have to be sent abroad for that only 55% of the air force’s 110-km will give adequate radius of We have done well to establish the the world; such issues may contin- even minor repairs. Similarly, the fighter fleet was operational, which deterrence against airborne missile Defence Cyber Agency and De- ue to hinder their war preparedness army plans to purchase 72,000 US- was due to technical, maintenance threats, there is a renewed effort to fence Space Agency in 2018, but and may limit them from utilizing made Sig Sauer and over 6.5 lakh issues and lack of spare parts. This negotiate longer-range RVV-SD these are only baby steps and we their true combat potential in times Russian-made AK-203 assault rifles had been further complicated by and RVV-BD (K-77 ME) variants have miles to go. of hostilities. to replace the problematic indige- the arrival of the Rafale jets, as the of the Russian R-77 BVR missile. In sharp contrast, China has a According to data of 2020 from nously-designed INSAS rifle. air force already operates 6 different Against a requirement of 15 head start of three decades and has the Stockholm International Peace However, it is worth noting that types of fighters (Su-30MKI, MiG- AWACS (Airborne Warning and been seized with Information War- Research Institute (SIPRI), India despite all these hindrances, Indian 29, MiG-21, Mirage 2000, SEPE- Control System) and AEW&C fare doctrine since 1993. Therefore, continues to be the second-largest forces are using other numerous CAT Jaguar, LCA Tejas) and the ad- (airborne early warning and con- our government must set up a task arms importer after Saudi Arabia, successful indigenous technologies dition of an extra type will further trol) systems, the IAF is equipped force with active participation of and remained the world’s second produced by the Defence Research complicate the existing problems with only five. The requirement for our Information Technology com- largest arms importer during the & Development Organization as each type has its own unique two more AWACS and eight ad- panies and IITs to catch up with period of 2015-19. (DRDO), including torpedoes like logistical, technical, infrastructure ditional AEW&C is an urgent re- China. This only reflects the dismal Varunastra, Maareech, Advanced and maintenance needs, as well as quirement for the IAF for readiness Keeping in mind the deterio- state of India’s domestic defence Light Torpedo (TAL) Shyena; Elec- requirement of different spare parts. to face sudden escalations. In a war rating bilateral relations between industry, which has been mired in tronic Warfare Technologies, ra- The air force needs to streamline its scenario, there could be many si- India and her two primary adver- corruption, inefficiency, bureau- dars, and missile systems like, Astra, fighter fleet – reducing the num- multaneous missions, necessitating saries – an unstable Pakistan and cratic red-tapism, lack of manpower, BrahMos, and Nag missile. ber of types of aircraft is necessary these numbers. an increasingly belligerent China, complex and overdue development Since 2014, there has also to ease maintenance, logistical and The IAF also needs to upgrade both of which routinely resort to cycles (take for example, the devel- been a substantial increase in In- spare parts issues. Perhaps the most to sophisticated software defined tactics of border clashes and in- opment of the indigenous Arjun dia’s defence exports. According to viable option would be replacing radios (SDRs) in its aircraft because cursions, India’s effective military Main Battle Tank and Tejas fight- the latest official data given in the the ageing platforms like Mig-29, such data links integrated with Air preparedness, backed by advanced er jet, which took several decades) Rajya Sabha in February 2020, In- MiG-21, Mirage 2000, and the Jag- Command and Control System is and sufficient quantity of weap- and have failed to produce some dia’s defence export has jumped by uar with the Dassault Rafale, which secure from interference and jam- onry, manpower, and supported common equipment of acceptable 700% in just two years. The export is the most advanced of all the other ming by the enemy over normal by proper intelligence gathering quality and manufacture adequate authorization went up from $213 types. And for this the air force cer- voice radios. and modern command structure, spare parts for weapons of foreign million in FY 2016–17 to $1.5 tainly needs way more than 36 jets. India also needs to upgrade comes as an imperative to at least origin. For example, the Arjun tank, billion in FY 2018-19 (April to The air force also needs to up- its cyber warfare capabilities. Our act as a deterrent, even if not to although it proved itself better than March period). Under the recent grade its BVR (Beyond-Visual- armed forces have been seized of wage full-scale war. the Russian-made T-90 tank (which “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, the Range), surveillance, communica- the problem for the last two decades Business and Economic Desk PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA 12 Sunday, 06 September, 2020 Zoom CEO Becomes $4 Billion Richer In A Matter Of Hours

By: Akash Bhattacharjee

billion in one day in July, and Tesla billion in the fiscal year ending Inc’s Elon Musk saw his net worth in January, which means that its rise by $8 billion in 24 hours last revenue would almost quadruple in month. Bezos and Musk crossed one year. wealth levels of $200 billion and $100 billion respectively last week. The founder of Zoom, whose net worth is mostly made up of more Coming back to Zoom, it has been than 50 million Zoom shares, is one of the clearest beneficiaries of one of the biggest gainers this year. the COVID-19 pandemic, where Yuan, aged 50, was $12.8 billion educational institutions have turned richer as of richer as of Monday. to the application for teaching and learning purposes, and businesses Early Zoom investors Li Ka-shing have turned to the application for and Samuel Chan are also getting work during the pandemic. a wealth boost from the rally. Assuming that both men still hold The software maker reported on their stocks, Li could be adding Monday that its sales has jumped $2 billion in one day and Chen

Image source: www.google.com 355% to $663.5 million in the could be adding more than $650 hief Executive Officercompany increased as much as three months through July 31. This million, if Zoom shares reach $410 of Zoom Video 26% to $410 in late US trading as Despite the pandemic, 2020 has was the second largest surge among at the next close, according to the Communications, Mr. Eric it also reported a jump in quarterly been a year filled with opportunities NASDAQ 100 index members last Bloomberg Billionaires Index. CYuan has become richer by $4.2 revenue and suggested that the for some of the richest people in month, only behind biotech firm billion in a matter of a few hours. explosive growth will continue the world. Amazon.com Inc’s Jeff Moderna Inc. Zoom has said that Shares of his video-conferencing further. Bezos’ net worth increased by $13 its sales will be as much as $2.39

What Does Reliance’s $3.38 Amazon And Verizon Billion Deal with Future Reportedly Looking Group mean? Towards Investing

By:Akash Bhattacharjee In Vodafone Idea

By:Akash Bhattacharjee

Image source: www.google.com eliance Industries’ $3.38 proposition for potential investors ability to win over customers with billion deal to acquire in the market which is expected to financial muscle and its breadth of Future Group’s retail grow to $1.3 trillion by 2025. offerings. Rbusiness pitches the giant as an “With this deal, Reliance’s JioMart, the new e-commerce even more formidable force in the domination in the Indian market venture of Reliance Industries that nation, making its retail arm even increases further and the valuation offers free express delivery from Image source: www.google.com more attractive for retailers than that Reliance Retail will now neighborhood stores, will also mazon.com Inc and US court’s ruling, but have reportedly before. command will be even more,” stand to gain from the acquisition, mobile service provider resumed since. The Reliance group, controlled by Arvind Singhal, chairman of retail thanks to a wider wholesale Verizon Communications Shares of Vodafone Idea hit a the country’s richest man Mukesh consultancy Technopak Advisors, supplier base. JioMart delivers Inc.A are reportedly planning to invest one-year high amid talks of the Ambani, announced one week ago was quoted as saying. groceries, apparel and electronics in more than $4 billion for purchasing fundraising. that it will acquire Future Group’s Reliance has already raised more more than 200 cities, challenging stakes in Indian mobile service Meanwhile, CNBC-TV18 reports retail and wholesale businesses as than $20 billion from global established online retailers such provider Vodafone Idea. Shares of that Vodafone Idea could “take well as its logistics and warehousing investors like Facebook Inc by as Amazon India and Walmart- Vodafone Idea rose as much as 30% stock” of its optic fibre business operations. selling stakes in its Jio Platforms owned Flipkart. on Thursday. This news comes after in a board meeting scheduled on Acquiring Future Group’s 2000 digital business. It aims to attract “Reliance has essentially removed the Supreme Court had ordered all Friday to discuss fundraising plans. retail stores and Big Bazaar grocery more investors in the upcoming one competitor from the market mobile carriers to settle outstanding It is being speculated that Canada’s chain will help Reliance, which quarters. and added Future’s loyal customer government dues within 10 years. Brookfield Asset Management Inc sells everything from clothes to “We’ve received strong interest base to its own portfolio,” Vodafone Idea is a joint venture and private equity group KKR & electronics increase its reach all from strategic and financialHarminder Sahni, founder of between Britain’s Vodafone group Co Inc are contenders for the said over the country. investors in Reliance Retail,” Mr. retail consultancy Wazir Advisors, and Aditya Birla Group-owned business. With Mr. Ambani looking to Ambani told shareholders at the was quoted as saying. “It’s a very Idea Cellular. It reportedly has $6.8 Vodafone Idea is reportedly sell stakes in Reliance Retail, company’s annual general meeting serious challenge not just for billion in outstanding dues to the planning to raise $1.5 billion, and this acquisition makes Reliance’s in July. Flipkart or Amazon, but for the government. Talks regarding sale of is working with advisers as it seeks retail arm an even more attractive Reliance is well known for its likes of DMart, too,” he added. stakes had paused before the apex investors and investments. Business and Economic Desk PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA 13 Sunday, 06 September, 2020 FINANCE MINISTRY CLAIMS INDIA IS WITNESSING A V-SHAPED RECOVERY “The trend in macro-economic volatility and ensuing worsening the expansionary zone in August for indicators elucidated above of balance-sheets of firms, posing the first time since the lockdown. establishes that India is well on its negative macro-implications for Similarly, e-bills touched ₹13.8 lakh path to a V-shaped recovery,” the global labour markets as well,” it crores last month, reaching 97.2% report said. stated. of the figure for August 2019. India’s PMI (at 52.2) moved into The Finance Ministry on Friday said The report suggested a re- the expansionary zone in August for that India is witnessing a V-shaped orientation of India’s policy matrix the first time since the lockdown. economic recovery, pointing in a calibrated manner towards Similarly, e-bills touched ₹13.8 lakh towards a clutch of indicators building resilience for an uncertain crores last month, reaching 97.2% such as manufacturing purchasing future, specifying priority areas for of the figure for August 2019. managers’ index (PMI), auto sales, policy action at the same time. The report suggested a re- railway freight, steel and power “Agriculture has emerged as a orientation of India’s policy matrix consumption, e-way bills, highways resilient silver lining in the current in a calibrated manner towards toll and retail financial transactions. scenario,” it said. It recommended building resilience for an uncertain policy priority in building efficient future, specifying priority areas for Similar to advanced nations, the and sustainable agrarian supply policy action at the same time. monthly economic review of the chains for a persistent increase in “Agriculture has emerged as a ministry said that contraction in farmer incomes. resilient silver lining in the current India’s Gross Domestic Product While the manufacturing sector scenario,” it said. It recommended (GDP) in the April-June quarter has been showing signs of recovery, policy priority in building efficient has been slightly higher but has the report has also advised wide- and sustainable agrarian supply attributed the same to stringent ranging structural reforms in land,

By: Akash Bhattacharjee Image source: www.google.com chains for a persistent increase in lockdown imposed to tackle the legal, labour and capital markets to farmer incomes. COVID-19 pandemic. reverse the slowdown and to boost he Finance Ministry on India’s Gross Domestic Product While the manufacturing sector The report has claimed India’s record risk appetite. Friday said that India is (GDP) in the April-June quarter has been showing signs of recovery, growth contraction of -23.9% as an The report also cautioned of the witnessing a V-shaped has been slightly higher but has the report has also advised wide- inevitable result of the lockdown, financial sector’s disconnect with the Teconomic recovery, pointing attributed the same to stringent ranging structural reforms in land, citing the Oxford COVID-19 real sector due to a global liquidity towards a clutch of indicators lockdown imposed to tackle the legal, labour and capital markets to government response tracker which surplus. “Possible risks of disruptive such as manufacturing purchasing COVID-19 pandemic. reverse the slowdown and to boost ranked India’s lockdown as the most market corrections may manifest managers’ index (PMI), auto sales, The report has claimed India’s record risk appetite. stringent lockdown in the world. in terms of capital flight, currently railway freight, steel and power growth contraction of -23.9% as an The report also cautioned of the “The trend in macro-economic volatility and ensuing worsening consumption, e-way bills, highways inevitable result of the lockdown, financial sector’s disconnect with the indicators elucidated above of balance-sheets of firms, posing toll and retail financial transactions. citing the Oxford COVID-19 real sector due to a global liquidity establishes that India is well on its negative macro-implications for Similar to advanced nations, the government response tracker which surplus. “Possible risks of disruptive path to a V-shaped recovery,” the global labour markets as well,” it monthly economic review of the ranked India’s lockdown as the most market corrections may manifest report said. stated. ministry said that contraction in stringent lockdown in the world. in terms of capital flight, currently India’s PMI (at 52.2) moved into

PETROL, DIESEL HIGH EARNING VISIBLE IN RATES UNCHANGED THE PHARMA SECTOR IN ON FRIDAY THE NEXT 4-5 YEARS ; SAYS By: Prachurjya P. Kashyap SAILESH RAJ BHAN

By: Prachurjya P. Kashyap

Image source: www.google.com eputy CIO Nippon domestic profits has increased, the 50+ is many times higher than in Mutual Fund and Fund local business are profitable and younger population, creating a Manager for Nippon it is akin to a consumer business. wave of rising demand for the next DPharma Fund; Mr. Sailesh Raj Bhan Companies have done cost cutting, 2 decades. On being asked whether in an interview with the Economic reduced R&D cost, manufacturing high margins in the recent quarters Times said that pharma is one of cost and are redesigning and enjoyed by the pharma sector is the sectors where high earning refocusing themselves. That has sustainable or not, he said that is visible and also stated that the led to lot of cost savings that has Over a period of time things will earnings could double over the supported earnings. Companies are normalize and pharma companies next 4 to 5 years. Average returns also exiting unprofitable markets. will retain at least 30-40% of the from pharma funds are 53% over Also currency depreciation has savings. Reported margins in recent the last one year. In this space, the helped these companies. So, all of quarters are all time high margins challenges faced in the Covid-19 these has happened in the ast two as there is no spending no sales pandemic have brought healthcare years and that is visible in earnings promotion, little field promotion to the top of everyone’s mind and now. After this sharp run pharma costs on account of Covid 19. Lastly, with just 1.6% of GDP being spent stocks are more expensive now on the the opportunities for pharma on healthcare in FY20, India is than they were six months back. companies in India, he said that under-invested to take care of the However, Mr. Bhan also pointed Nearly 80 to 90 lakh individuals will rising demand for these services. A out that the underlying trends are enter the 50 plus age bracket each dramatic change in investment in improving. Domestic opportunity year for the next 20 years to reach both public and private sector is the can provide consistent earnings 44.5 crore in 2040. Comparing this need of the hour as this also presents growth, international opportunity with Germany, which is considered multiple opportunities across health is turning around and add to growth a super aged country, only has 3.7 tech solutions, diagnostics, hospital for companies. Earnings in the cr people over the age of 50 years. care and medical insurance. After sector will double over a 4-5 year India’s population of 50+ is nearly 7 3-4 difficult years of 2016-18 period. This kind of visibility is not times higher than that of Germany the pharma sector has been in an possible in many sectors so easily. (50+) today and is over 3 times Image source: www.google.com il marketing companies retailer. Currently, Indian Oil and improving trend. Companies in Earnings-led returns to investors the total population of UK. This kept the rates of petrol two other state-run oil marketing the space have cut costs, US pricing should be possible for investors in is important for the pharma sector and diesel unchanged companies, Bharat Petroleum pressures started to stabilize and the this space. ndia has the 2nd largest as consumption of medicines in Oat existing levels on Friday, a day and Hindustan Petroleum, which sector came out of a low profit phase population pool over the age of 50 age groups over 50+ is many times after the price of diesel was cut for account for the majority of fuel and on an uptrend. The ownership years in the world with over 26.7 cr higher than in younger population, the first time in nearly six months. stations in the country, review the of this sector was limited with people in this bracket. This would creating a wave of rising demand In Delhi, the prices of petrol and petrol and diesel rates in various institutional and retail investors. make the “50 plus population in for the next 2 decades. Not to diesel remained at ₹ 82.08 per litre parts of the country on a daily When companies witnessed good India” rank amongst the top 4 forget India is unfortunately “The and ₹ 73.40 per litre respectively, basis.Oil marketing companies growth in Jan-March quarter, countries (India ranking 2nd) in the Chronic Disease Capital of the according to notifications by state- revise petrol and diesel prices companies preponed stocking as the world by size of population. Nearly World”, a developing country with run Indian Oil Corporation. In from time to time, to align them supply chain could be disrupted. 80 to 90 lakh individuals will enter developed country disease patterns. Mumbai, the price of petrol stood with global crude oil rates and the Covid 19 has further bought this the 50 plus age bracket each year Companies providing solutions to at ₹ 88.73 per litre and diesel at rupee-dollar exchange rate. Any space in the limelight however, for the next 20 years to reach 44.5 these therapies are well poised to ₹ 79.94 per litre, the same levels changes are implemented at fuel it could also be viewed structural crore in 2040. This is important for growth rapidly in years to come. as Thursday, according to Indian stations with effect from 6 am. improvement from the lows. Mr. the pharma sector as consumption Oil, the country’s largest fuel Bhan also stated that the share of of medicines in age groups over 14 Sports & Entertainment Desk PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA Sunday, 06 September, 2020 ARSENAL BEAT PLAYERS PULL THEMSELVES LIVERPOOL ON OUT AHEAD OF IPL 2020

PENALTIES TO for Covid-19. As a result, CSK was forced to postpone the start CLINCH 16TH of its training while all the other teams have already hit the nets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. COMMUNITY SHIELD Reigning champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have confirmed that By Kaustabh Sharma they will be without the services of their talisman Lasith Malinga, who has pulled out of the upcoming edition of the IPL. The slinging pacer missed the inaugural IPL due to an injury.

Image source: www.google.com Despite being ruled out of the By Kaustabh Sharma 2018 edition, he was roped in as hennai Super Kings’ of COVID and the subsequent a bowling coach by MI. However, Harbhajan Singh will quarantine periods and protocols. the Sri Lankan veteran made a miss the entire IPL “Harbhajan Singh informed remarkable return last year. His 2020C for “personal reasons”. It is us he won’t be available due to tally of 16 wickets, albeit at a high learned he conveyed his decision to personal reasons. Team Chennai economy rate of 9.76, was a critical excuse him from the tournament Super Kings is supportive of his aspect of MI winning a record this year to the management on decision and stands by him and his fourth title. Thursday. The experienced off- family during these testing times,” The IPL is yet to announce spinner was earlier expected to join said Kasi Viswanathan, CEO. a schedule with a fortnight to go the team on September 1. The news came as another for the opener on September 19, The IPL rules may not allow a setback to the Super Kings camp, which is expected to be played player to return to the competition after Suresh Raina too pulled out between the Super Kings and once he has given a letter to the of the Twenty20 League and 13 Mumbai Indians. authorities stating he is pulling out of CSK’s members - including of the tournament and flies back two players Deepak Chahar and home, particularly in the times Ruturaj Gaikwad - tested positive Image source: www.google.com ierre-EmerickAubamey- five goals at the venue. ang scored a superb goal Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said and netted the winning on Friday he was “pretty confident” penaltyP in a shootout as Arsenal the skipper will sign a new contract SADAK 2 BACKLASH, NEPOTISM DEBATE, beat Premier League champions after a long, painful wait for sup- Liverpool in the Community Shield porters. After lifting their second AND WRATH OF THE INDIAN AUDIENCE. at an empty Wembley Stadium. piece of silverware in a month, it Liverpool striker Rhian Brew- would cap off a very pleasing sum- and hostility towards nepotism ster, brought on in stoppage time, mer for Arsenal if Aubameyang products like Alia Bhatt, Sonam hit the crossbar with his penalty - does eventually put pen to paper. Kapoor, and many more. The trailer the only one not converted in the It is the second year in a row launch of Sadak 2 on August 12, shootout. Aubameyang’s curling Liverpool have lost on penalties 2020, faced backlash and the wrath strike gave FA Cup winners Arsenal after Manchester City’s victory in of the Indian public and netizens the lead in the first half before Liver- 2019. There is certainly no need where the video became the 2nd pool substitute Takumi Minamino- to panic but the air of invincibili- most disliked video on YouTube equalised after the break.When he ty Liverpool had throughout most with a huge amount of 12 Million stepped up to take the final penalty, of the 2019-20 league campaign dislikes. It showed how much the with the score 4-4 in the shootout, has worn off in recent months fol- Indian audience started to avoid Image source: www.google.com and hate the Nepotism Stars. Sadak there was no way he was going to lowing a patch of two defeats and a By Amandeep Dutta miss. He has netted 71 goals in 110 draw in seven games at the end of more attention to the “Star 2 then moved on to make negative Arsenal appearances and no Gun- the season. ver since the unfortunate Kids” rather than the “outsiders”. records as it got released, and thus it ners player has scored more than his demise of Sushant Singh But it can be seen now that the became the lowest-rated movie ever Rajput on June 14, 2020, Indian mainstream audience is on IMDB with an average rating the ENepotism Debate exploded willing to change their views and of 1/10. This was another message in the Bollywood industry once support the outsiders as well. It is from the Indian audience about again, with Kangana Ranaut only the Indian audience who can how much resentment and anger taking the lead this time. The make an Actor become a Superstar. they have towards the Nepotism death of Sushant Singh Rajput at As the COVID-19 pandemic Products of the Bollywood “WIN FOR a young age of 34 left many people prevented the multiplexes and industry. The death of Sushant sad and devastated and his family movie halls to be opened for Singh Rajput has beome a major BRAZILIAN in deep pain. This whole incident entertainment purposes, quite a reason for the Inidan audience to brought nightmares to some number of movies were set to be start watching and encouraging people of the Bollywood Industry released on OTT platforms. The outsiders like Manoj Bajpayee, WOMAN’S who were known to be flag bearers last movie of Sushant Singh Rajput Pankaj Tripathi, Rajkumar Rao, of nepotism like Karan Johar, Alia ‘Dil Bechara’ got released on Disney Ayushman Khurana, and others. Bhatt, Sonam Kapoor, and Salman + Hotstar on July 24, 2020, and it The Nepotism Debate will still FOOTBALL.” Khan. This was an eye-opening became one of the most emotional go on, but hopefully the Indian time for the Indian audience as and loved films of this year. The audience now knows better whom By Taku Imchen. they came to know their mistake as Nepotism Debate was still on heat to watch and whom to boycott. well. The Indian audience gave and people started showing hate

SALMAN KHAN’S LATEST DEAL FOR THIS SEASON OF BIGG BOSS IS A WHOPPING RS 450 CRORES!

- By Rituraj M Deka Image source: www.google.com alman Khan’s hosting- crores per episode and this year is the primary reason for the show”s stint on reality show he has increased the price to Rs high TRPs.” Image source: www.google.com Bigg Boss soars the 20 crores. Speaking further about Last year the show was a huge razil have announced as the men,” said the federation’s temperaturesS and despite all the the deal, a source reveals, “While success and was extended for a few they will become one president RogerioCaboclo. catfights and the show being high the three-month stint works out weeks further. This year too if the of the few nations to Now female stars like Martha on drama, people never fail to to Rs 480 crore, the makers and channel decides to extend the show, payB their women’s and men’s foot- will receive the same pay as their watch it. he agreed to seal the deal at Rs the remuneration for the actor ball teams equally.”The CBF has male counterparts like Neymar This year there has been a lot 450 crore. The amount is inclusive shall be discussed again. Now this equalled the prize money and al- andGabriel Jesus. Brazil now joins of talk about his fees for Bigg of his fees for promos and virtual is a great deal for Salman Khan to lowances between men’s and wom- Norway, Australia and New Zea- Boss Season 14 and the actor has press conferences. The producers make amidst the lockdown en’s football, which means the land as countries that pay their struck a deal worth Rs 450 crores. at Endemol are willing to pay the women players will earn the same male and female players equally. Last year he had charged Rs 15.5 remuneration as they know Salman 15 Science And Technology PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA Sunday, 06 September, 2020v

SCIENTISTS IN AMAZEMENT TO FIND SIGNS PUBG’S TIME IS OF RUST ON THE MOON, WITHOUT WIND UP! GAMING APP presence of hematite on the lunar polar egions was very surprising because Earth’s only natural REMOVED FROM satellite does not have the opposite conditions of hematite formation, GOOGLE PLAY unlike the Earth where giant hematite reserves are made. At first sharing Lee’s disbelief AND APP STORE and refusing to believe the find, Fremain and Sun later confirmed By: Namashyaa Bezbaruah the discovery. The second plausible theory put forward by scientists is the ‘benign and mediated’ effect of the Earth’s magnetotail that blocks particles of hydrogen reaching the lunar surface from solar winds Image source: www.google.com during certain orbital conditions By: Namashyaa Bezbaruah of rust on the lunar surface. The of the moon. The absence of n a dangerous discovery, development was revealed in the hydrogen reduces the reduction scientists have found signs data advance review data collected process and helps in the oxidation of rust on the lunar surface, from Chandrayaan 1 orbiter of process on the lunar surface due Iwhich are said to have no air the ISRO. 2008, the same orbiter to corrosion. Another theory or water, which are important found the presence of ice water propounded by scientists relates to components in the formation of and various types of minerals on the role played by high-speed dust rust. ANI reported that scientists the lunar surface. particles that can sometimes release have previously found evidence of Indulged in disbelief at her water particles which leadsto the corrosion on Mars, as well as the discovery, Lee took up the case to formation of rust. presence of iron, water, and air, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory which had completely shocked the JPL scientists Abigail Freeman Image source: www.google.com community of scientists recently and Vivian Sun to confirm their t’s been around some days since Mobile Lite will open when accessed concerning the presence discovery. Lee said that the the ban of 118 Chinese apps from VPN apps. There are plenty was announced, including thr of VPN app options like Nord Imost popular gaming app “PUBG.” VPN. However, when the Indian The popular mobile game has been government authorities banned GENETICAL EDITING TO PRODUCE DISEASE removed from the Apple App Store TikTok and other apps, it enforced FREE BABIES NOT ENTIRELY SAFE YET! late night on September 3, and a blanket ban which means that the Google Play Store early today users couldn’t get access to the app morning (September 4), following even if they tried from a VPN. world’s first gene-edited babies a risk of ad hoc editing efforts By: Namashyaa Bezbaruah the directive by the Indian To recall, the Indian Ministry using Crispr, a powerful new tool that could cause significant harm government. of Information and Technology Techniques to genetically-edit that acts as a kind of molecular to individuals. Moreover, given To note, this means new users won’t banned 118 apps with Chinese human embryos should not be ‘scissors’. Ignoring ethical and that heritable changes would be be able to download the PUBG connections in India. The list used until they are proved to be scientific norms, he createdintroduced that could be passed Mobile, PUBG Mobile Lite, or included apps like Baidu, Ludo reliable and safe, an international the twins Lula and Nana with to subsequent generations, it was hundreds of other banned apps World, Alipay, and others. These commission said in the wake of a alterations to their genomes meant clear that careful consideration from the Google Play Store or the apps are also removed from the scandal over gene-modified babies to give them immunity to HIV would need to be given to the Apple App Store. However, if you Google Play and Apple App Store, in China two years ago. and thus it seemed really harmful specific applications of the editing already have the game downloaded, unavailable to download on devices. from the commission of US in one hand. He was sentenced technology as well. it still opens and that’s a lucky The most popular of the banned National Academy of Medicine, to three years in prison for illegal The commission’s report will feed thing. However, it’s only a matter of apps was PUBG Mobile and PUBG US National Academy of Sciences, medical practice by a Chinese court into work by the World Health time before the ISPs begin blocking Mobile Lite which is creating and Britain’s Royal Society said in December on that year. The Organization, which has set up the server access to PUBG Mobile horrors to lives of many youth. heritable genome editing for case alarmed scientists worldwide, a committee for governance of and PUBG Mobile Lite in India. It seems like it’s a game over for medical purposes was ‘not yet raising questions about bioethics both heritable and non-heritable After all, the app is being pulled PUBG players in India unless the ready’ to be introduced safely and and global oversight of scientific human genome editing research down from the Play Store and the authorities and the company strike effectively in human embryos. research, as well as reigniting fears and clinical uses. The WHO App Store - it’ll only be a while for a deal and update their policies. The body was set up after Chinese about parents creating so-called committee is expected to issue the downloaded game also to stop But that seems unlikely to happen biophysicist He Jiankui triggered an ‘designer babies’. guidance later this year. functioning. as TikTok has also been attempting international scandal by claiming The commission said that the Additionally, it’s uncertain if the the same. in 2018 that he was behind the event made it clear that there was PUBG Mobile or the PUBG

• SNIPPETS 2021 ROLLS ROYCE GHOST REVEALED! HIGHLIGHTS By: Tanuz Kashyap

1 Google asks EU to be Flexible in setting Digital Rule Book

2 ISRO satellite launched. Geo Eye over the Indian Ocean, internet connectivity in J&K, NE

3 MSI Summit E Series, Image source: www.google.com Summit B Series he new Rolls-Royce Ghost a 600m illumination range and to the previously 5,457mm long Rolls-Royce claims it has used Laptops with Intel’s was showcased to the C-shaped daytime-running lights car making it a 5,546mm long car extensive soundproofing measures 11th Gen Tiger Lake world just a few days ago .It also gets a bolder front and rear now, it has enabled the British and well over 100kg of acoustic Tafter sucessfully selling the first bumpers with a larger air intake and manufacturer to push the front damping material all across the CPUs launched generation model for 11 years in a redesigned set of tail-lights. suspension mounting points new Ghost to make it supremely the global market. The new Ghost The second-gen Ghost is based on forward and the engine to be quiet . After making the ghost a boasts about improved comfort the same ‘Aluminium Spaceframe’ positioned behind the front axle vehicle with a supremely silent Facebook’s target and aims to sell in big numbers architecture as it’s elder siblings, line in order to achieve a perfect cabin the acoustic specialists at 4 just like it did when the first model the Phantom and the Cullinan. 50:50 weight distribution. Rolls Royce found the extra silence to wash away launched. This new platform has helped The new Ghost this time around to be ‘disorientating’, and added a misinformation before The new Ghost features rear wheel the Ghost grow from all sides. Its ditches the old 6.6-litre V12 for single-tone ‘whisper’ to comfort it’s US elections along with an all wheel drive 89mm longer in terms of length, the Phantom’s 6.75-litre, twin- customers. system. The Rear wheel steering 30mm in wider in terms of width turbo V12 generating 571hp and The price is set at a whopping functionality gives the Ghost and 21mm taller in terms of height 850Nm of torque, with peak ₹6.95 crores (ex-showroom) as 5 Japan successful in its improved driving dynamics while while retaining the same wheelbase torque available from as low as deliveries are expected to begin in First Test Flight of “Flying going through a corner and easy of 3,295mm. The boot space too 1,600rpm. It takes the new all 2021. Car” maneuverability while getting in has increased and is now 507 litres wheel driven Ghost 4.8 seconds and out of tight spaces. in terms of loading capacity. to clock the 100kmh mark while It gets new laser headlights with Thanks to the increase of 89mm topping off at 250kmh. 14 Art & Culture Desk PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA Sunday, 06 Sept,2020

By: Richa Goswami TRIP HOPPING TO IPSITA’S JAM. IPSITAIPSITA BHARALIBHARALI Trained as a little girl in Classical music, Ipsita has always been connected to all things music and currently she calls herself a crazy listener of Synth-wave. Read on as she talks about her journey while discovering new genres and new pieces of herself. 1. How did your musical journey sail off in the first place? Were you more inclined towards the guitar or towards vocals during the inception of your career? Music started when I knew nothing about it. Since a little kid, I started getting trained in Hindustani Classical, been an active member of the school choir and carried that forward in college and university as I loved to participate in talent shows and competitions. I started playing the guitar in high school, and it never left my side after that.

2. What were the different genres that shaped your style? At what point did genres like synth-wave and neo-soul influence your music prominently? I have been a person with a diverse taste in music. I grew up listening to 90’s RNB and pop, gradually shifted to Rock n Roll, Rock, Alt Rock, and now a crazy listener of Synth-wave. I am a huge fan of The Midnight, and when my composition RANGDHALI took shape, I knew I wanted to experiment my Assamese song with these 80’s elements of Synth and Retro Wave. I love discovering new styles of music, and when I started making my songs, I wanted to explore different genres, and tried to bring in that newness in my creation to keep things interesting and fresh for me.

3. You featured in a song, ‘What A Way to Know’ where you collaborated with Lateral, what was the experience like? Lateral is one of the best music producers from India. They have worked with people all around the country, and when they asked me if I would like to do a song of theirs, I chose “What a Way to Know’. For those of you who do not know this, this song has originally been sung by Amitabh Barooa, and those words got stuck inside my head. Instead of creating something new, I asked if they would like to re-create this in my voice and they came up with this amazing Neo Soul version.

4. The Assamese music industry is mostly folk oriented, what were the struggles or the obstacles you have had to overcome with the neo soul and trip hop based music? The struggle of doing something different is always there, everywhere. As I am an Independent Artist, this struggle is very different for me. Even though there is an urge to get accepted, I know my music is not mainstream, and as such the only way is to move forward with new creations. Over this small period of time, I have been lucky to have some listeners who have been very loyal in accepting whatever I have put forward, and the number seems to be growing each day. And that is all I need.

5. Do you base on fusion with the folk scenes or do you stick to the roots of your genre? I am always keen to learn and experiment. And would love to fuse or work with folk, bringing an age-old heritage forward in a way the youth would accept, keeping the ethnicity intact.

6. Concept albums are not widely popular among the general audience; however, it infuses a better picture of the music the artist wants to portray. What do you think are some of ways artists can bring in the concept album culture in Assam? Concept Album has always been a long process. It is a very personalised presentation of the artist’s imagination, creation and art. I believe with so many new artists coming up with their music every day, a Concept Album surely will help them stand apart.

7. Besides music, you are heavily drawn towards graphic illustrations, was it a hobby you picked up or were you always inclined towards all the forms of art? Drawing/Painting started even before I went to school. It has always been a hobby and I find solace in it. Luckily, it all fell in place when I was trying to find a good Album Art for my song, and I ended up creating it myself. And there has been no stopping ever since.

8. What are your future projects? I have been working on a few projects simultaneously, collaborating with various artists. Got lucky to have been associated with a few producers from the US, and we will be releasing those soon too. Also, there is one very special project that I have been working on from the past one year, doing everything on my own, and I can’t wait to disclose its first look.

IPSITAIPSITAIPSITA ONONON STAGESTAGESTAGE

HER COLLAB SINGLE WITH LATERAL HER SINGLE -WHAT A WAY -CONTROL TO KNOW 15 Art & Culture Desk PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA Sunday, 06 Sept,2020 GalleryGalleryGallery

By: Nirupam P. Baishya

By: Dubari Kalita By: Zakia Shamim

By: Abhishek Rai By: Akangkhya Puzari By: Ved Prakash By: Kundan Baruah

By: Kundan Baruah By: Aboyob Bhuyan

Am I Not Enough To Be Besotted “A deep loss” “ A deep loss” With? - India’s North East I’m the land of undulating hills, Losing a loved one is more painful , and make your minds go brills. Although people give empathy ; Embellished with floras and faunas, While the one who suffers , Am I not enough to conceal your traumas? from this grief know it very well . I have an exotic charm, then why can’t you save it by putting forth your When loved ones stay with us , arms? We don’t understand their importance . While the voice box in me keeps screeching, But once they leave us , you are occupied in preaching. We realise how much they mean to us . Seeing you lumbering under the scorching heat, I furnish you with rain, It takes time , even though I’m in my tormenting contempla- To overcome from this sorrow . tion. And to cope up with the situation . Undiscovered on the traveler’s map, yet the charismatic magic can sweep you off “Lovers in a new city, Love, isn’t it this? your feet, Yet ! we regret because , beautiful, simple, uncomplicated where you If for once you meet. We had spent less time together . breathe in the same air a little more with each All the ardent desires I’ve in me colliding, Spoke harsh words as well . other, With trembling voice I ask you Which might hurt . where you find solace in each other’s arms. Why can’t I be uttered in unison? Still they pray for our well being . love knows no education, it is as silly as ishq I’m deluging in the water, my children covered Though they had left us , wala love, with maladroitness. However remains in our heart . and as intense as love jihad, Will you resuscitate us? fall Am I not enough to stride along with you? Or grow Not enough to be besotted with? By: Akangkhya Puzari grow to be better in love and life.” By: Dolfina Zakaria. Photograph By: Manish Tamuly 16 Art & Culture Desk PUBLIC’S EASILY OBTAINABLE AND PARTICIPATORY E-MEDIA Sunday, 06 Sept,2020

LETTER TO ALL “THE AVERAGE NOBODYs”

By: Trishna Thakuria

in the morning, for having no specific or unusual feelings to hide or confess…and a lot dealing with a achievements, we tend to question more fun to have. We have friends bad hair day, ourselves about how much do we and family to spend time with, we gobbling up actually matter? Do our existences have the classrooms and corridors your breakfast, make anything different? Chances of our schools, colleges, or offices dragging are… probably not. to create memories in. We have a yourself to But the thing is, whether it matters whole life to LIVE. It is completely school, tuitions or not, we ended up being here. normal to feel lost. After all, we after school, It’s magical in a way… how our are humans living in a competitive doing your consciousness was put inside this world. But it is also important to homework, vessel that we call ‘a body’, and we realize that life is much more than preparing for were given this unexplainable thing doing just one thing right. Failures the never- called ‘life’. There was a point of or achieving nothing extraordinary ending time till when the vessel was all that does not make us any less worthy exams and mattered to me. Maybe because of living a wonderful life. It is up to then, finallypeople pointed out things, that us about how we sort our priorities collapsing planted the seeds of my insecurities. and decide what our purpose in on your bed, With time, those insecurities grew life is. Do we want to take risks? expecting into big trees, which cannot be Yes…alright, go ahead! No…that nothing but the completely rooted out. From the is alright too. If the situation you same old war of stories I have heard, I can imagine are in is your definition of success, getting through how everyone fight their own happiness and fulfillment, then we the next day. If battles of self-doubt. But it’s alright must live in that moment. And we I try to look to doubt yourself at times. Because do not have to prove that to anyone into the future, if we don’t, how will we highlight else, but only ourselves. Even if we I can somewhat growth? Similarly, if we don’t have cannot reach out on a bigger scale, see that hard times, how will we understand we can still help people. We can nothing much the value of the good ones? be good, kind and inspire, if not omeone really smart once about it doesn’t always feel normal. is really going Everything may not turn out the millions then at least one, because said, “If you find yourself However, there is peace in realizing to change. This might sound a bit way how we dreamed they would. that too has an impact. constantly trying to prove certain things that we normally “depressing”, but it’s the truth that No matter how hard we work, Syour worth to someone, you have don’t even pay attention to. When most of us have to face. there are still possibilities of getting It’s okay if many people do not already forgotten your value”. I look back, I can vividly remember screwed up for unknown reasons. appreciate you, and don’t know I have lived 19 years of my life. For myself daydreaming for most of the Some things in life are unavoidable, It is because every circumstance is you. The beautiful spirit inside that some observers, my life is completely time. After all, as a 12 or 13 year like exams, school, work, paying affected by many factors that we vessel of any colour, shape, size, age, ordinary; for people who are close old and common school-going girl, taxes, falling ill, bad choices, and are unaware of. Therefore, hard gender, race…only needs to love to me, it’s like an emotional journey, when you watch movies like High aging. Hence, we have to live with work doesn’t always pay off, as I’ve itself. And that is enough. watching me grow and learn, to School Musical, or Princess Diaries, it. More or less, everyone faces noticed. Generally, after that when become a better version of myself. it is natural for you to assume that the same struggles. At the end of people ask, “What is your dream?”, So what do you really like? I like I’ve always found it interesting life is going to be perfect. ‘I will some of the most crucial chapters We become lost. But the thing is, daydreaming, listening to music, to wonder about how different get the most glamorous makeover of our life, some of us make it the beauty of life lies in such kind of watching romantic comedies, people perceive life in their own and everything will fall into place big, gain recognition, and become imperfection. It’s not about having staring at the night sky, cuddling my special ways. When I think about on the magical prom night’. As legends. Some live a mediocre life, just one dream. Our life revolves mother, travelling, drawing… and I my perception of life, sometimes you grow up, reality starts striking without achieving much. Some are around many things. There are have many more dreams. I will keep it overwhelms me. Those feelings you hard. Everyday appears to be considered just failures. For most people to meet, places to visit, music dreaming. So should you. Don’t feel cannot be put into words in real nothing but the same old struggle people, like me, who are labeled by to listen, movies to watch, food to guilty to actually live your life. sense. Therefore, thinking too much of forcing yourself out of bed early the society as ‘average’ or ‘failures’, eat, jokes to crack, tears to shed,

I had calmed down, this seemed I didn’t need people. I was always understood were two completely okay to me. I was interested in a lone wolf. But something went different things. Up until a point, I lost my Soul finding out more about myself. I wrong somewhere. I could feel it. it felt nice that someone was there wanted to know why I had become There were memory gaps within to hear it all. But the only truth By: Pratikshit Baruah this way. We enter into the office my timeline. I couldn’t remember is nobody could understand what and step onto the elevator. Another where it changed. When happiness it felt like to be me. Tainted from hard. My memory was a bit fuzzy. colleague, a lady of around my age went away. Maybe it was around the birth, a product of an incessantly I couldn’t remember anything that stepped inside the elevator too. time when I began to trust people? observant mind, people could only had occurred in the last few days. Upon seeing me, she got excited Maybe that was when the sadness comprehend the versions of m they For some reason, this insomnia and initiated a conversation. I knew piled up. warped up in their heads about me. seemed to be very unsettling to me, the look on his face. He wanted He let a deep sigh and opened All the lovers I’ve been with, I never more so than the fact that I was a to step off the elevator as soon as his phone. He opened one of his shared anything personal with any disembodied spirit who had no idea she arrived. But being polite, he archived conversations. I looked of them except one. It had always how he came to be this way in the replied to her as briefly as possible down at it. On it was the name been jokes and games with everyone first place. I saw my body leave his to not sound condescending and of a girl I barely recognized but up until I met her with whom I breakfast half-eaten and continue carefully refrained himself from as moved something in me deeply. I thought I could get real with. But to walk out of my apartment. I to ask her questions. He wanted the felt deep sorrow for some reason. I was a complicated person like decided to follow him. conversation to end as soon as it had He choked and coughed as if he most people. What I thought as He looked so desolate and started. Now seeing this interaction was suffocating. He went straight sharing my soul was starting to abandoned. He walked slowly in a third person’s view I wondered to the sink and started coughing become an array of well-wrought woke up panting. Something without any purpose, barely why I was treating her that way. hard. He was spitting blood now. I complex problems to which she didn’t feel right at all. Within noticing his surroundings. Now She wasn’t bad at all. She was pretty sat beside him in my specter form. had no answers. And how could my dream, I had seen my essence that I saw myself in this way, I and smart enough that she was in I was starting to pity myself now she? I was struggling with them Ibeing snatched by a gigantic hand felt sad. When did lose my sense the same position as me. He wasn’t though I was usually not that kind my whole life. She would always out of my body. Was it the hand of of wonder? I used to be a very giving her half the attention she of person. He looked at the mirror be special to me. But that was God? I looked around my room. joyful person but gradually I never deserved. With a ‘ding’ the elevator with a decided face. He had made when I realized completely. Some Nothing felt unusual at all. Then I realized how I came to be this way. door swept open and he walked out up his mind. burdens were supposed to be our looked at my hands and exclaimed This sad husk of a man with no real hurriedly. The girl noticed this and He walked back to his desk and own to bear. Because other people, loudly. I could see through them. direction in life. To be honest, I was was slightly annoyed with a twinge turned off his machine. He seemed they’d crumble underneath it. And My body had become transparent doing better than most of my peers of sadness. fed up with everything. He started they can’t be blamed because of and it was shining with a pulsating if I was to be judged on what people He walked up to his desk. He sat walking away. I started following this either. They have their own blue light. I looked at the clock. consider ‘success’. But it didn’t feel down with a blank face I never him. The aura around him seemed weight to carry. It is nice to be Generally, at this hour, I’m heading like that to me at all. I was not knew I carried. A face that showed different. He was heading for the heard. But being heard and not for the office. I rushed downstairs happy. I knew that. how disinterested I was of the entire bridge. I could feel it in my soul. understood, that’s a different kind and I saw myself eating breakfast The office I worked at was a few world around me. I sat down beside Memories were starting to crawl of a pain to bear. It is like lamenting alone. The one I saw in front of minutes away from my apartment. him. I looked intently into his eyes. back in as I walked on following him. in a language that only you can me is nothing out of the ordinary. On the way to my office, I saw him His eyes had no life in them. But It all started when I started relying understand. He had the same look of boredom struggle to greet any person on the wasn’t it this way before everything on the world around me. Back He stood over the edge of the and disinterest I usually carry on way. He was trying hard to avoid happened? Had he always been this when I was content with myself. bridge. The river below seemed my face. I stared at him. I’ve never their gaze even though he knew empty and cold? But this life had a way of breaking calm and graceful. I closed my eyes seen myself this way before. It was all of them. What was wrong with Hours passed by. I couldn’t merge you down to your worst selves and and reached out to him. The feeling like watching a movie yet it was a him? I intended to find out as I back into my body. But the ringside creating new lowest points in life. was different now. I was back in lot more immersive experience. I followed him through the street. view of my sad life gave me great I fell in love. For someone who my body. I looked at my tainted tried to walk inside him hoping to Like him, none of the passersby insight that soulless or not, I was a had been misunderstood his entire body and smiled. All the emotions merge back with my body. But as it were able to see me. I seemed to void in myself. I have been pushing life, it felt nice being understood rushed back in. It was nice to feel turns out I simply passed through. exist in a completely different plane people away from me my entire life. for once. Even though I didn’t everything one last time. I’m confused. I tried to think back of existence to them. But now that I was usually content in doing that. realize that being heard and being I took the step. Chief Editor: Aboyob Bhuyan Editor : Biprajit Roy Choudhury Sub Editors: Richa Goswami, Namashyaa Bezbaruah, Tinat Abbas Ahmed, Priyakshi Gogoi Writers: Kailash Singha, Tanuz Kashyap, Prasurjya P. Kashyap, Rituraj M deka, Nadir Raihan, Kaustabh Sarma, Anshuman Gogoi, Raktim Ronojoy Neog, Rituraj M. Deka, Taku Imchen & Pallavi Dey

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