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Vol. 19 Issue 18 Friday 03 july to 09 July20200 $1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com Sweet,Sweet, BitterBitter andand TepidTepid A Look At ’s Relationship With Neighbours

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Also r Millions Switch To "Local TikToks" After India Bans Chinese Apps Page No. 4 r Resisting Chinese encroachment Page No. 8 Read r A reset in policy Page No. 10 r It can no longer be business-as-usual Page No. 44 Home Business Auto NLIGHT INSURANCE Insurance (A Division of Nlight Financial LLC) (See Full Page Advt. on Page 20) Call : 917-612-3158 Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 COMMUNITY 2 Indo American Press Club Holds Virtual Induction Ceremony Dr. Joseph Chalil Inducted As Chairman, Dr. S.S. Lal As President of IPAC (Press Release By AJAY GHOSH) Nair & Thampanoor Mohan. Ajay New York : During a solemn virtual Ghosh, the Founding President of ceremony live telecast on social media IAPC introduced Dr. Chalil as the Co- and viewed by thousands from around founder and Publisher of The Universal the world, Dr. Joseph M. Chalil News Network. Dr. Chalil is an Adjunct assumed charge as the Chairman, Professor and author of several while Dr. SS Lal as the President of scientific and research papers in Indo American Press Club on Sunday, international publications. A veteran of June 28th, 2020. Also, along with the the U.S. Navy Medical Corps, Dr. Chalil two dynamic leaders, several new is board certified in healthcare members of the Board of Directors, management and has been awarded Executive Committee members, and Fellowship by the American College Local Chapter leadership were of Healthcare Executives. Dr. Chalil administered the oath of office. holds several U.S. Patents, and his Several world renowned media research includes Clinical Trial Rotary Club of Hicksville South (RCHS) hosted personnel from around the world Management in Cystic Fibrosis, Food felicitated the new officers and IAPC, Allergy, Multiple Myeloma. In his its 12th Annual Installation and Oath Ceremony the largest Indian American acceptance speech, Dr. Chalil said, Association of Media Personnel begin “Your choice humbles me, and I by the RCHS members a new journey under the stewardship promise to do my duties with the best under the leadership of the of two great leaders well known for of my abilities.” Describing current incoming President, Mrs. their commitment and leadership. phase in human history as Nilima Madan. The Ginsmon Zachariah, the Founding “unprecedented times for the Installation Oath Ceremony Chairman of IAPC administered the journalists and the media,” he pointed usually takes place each oath of office to Dr. Chalil, along with out that “AT LEAST 146 year towards end of fiscal 3 new members to the Board of JOURNALISTS HAVE DIED FROM year, for highlighting and Directors: Mathewkutty Easow, Mini CORONAVIRUS IN 31 COUNTRIES.” recognizing the activities and the community service City of New York and New York Power Authority Seek (Press Release) Long place outdoors at the East projects that were achieved Island: Rotary Club of Lawn, North Lawn & Gazebo during the past year and to Developers to Install Rooftop Solar Arrays at Dozens of New Hicksville South (RCHS) of the Nassau County welcome and install the new York City Schools, Manhattan Wastewater Treatment Plant recently hosted its 12th Museum of Art, located in Executive Board Members Annual Installation and Oath Roslyn, NY. The Installation of RCHS for the year that NEW YORK - NYC Department of greener energy system for all New Ceremony. The event took Ceremony was organized starts on July 1st. Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Yorkers.” The City of New York sought Commissioner Lisette Camilo and the NYPA’s assistance with the installation Indian-Americans to Help New York Power Authority (NYPA) today of approximately 16 megawatts of power announced the planned installation of up generated by solar installations on to 16 megawatts of solar energy on the rooftops of some of its facilities. The city Trump keep the white house rooftops of 46 New York City public schools enlisted NYPA’s support on this initiative Organize a PAC to Campaign for the Reelection and several New York City Department of to help achieve Mayor Bill de Blasio’s goal Environmental Protection (DEP) sites, of installing 100 MW of solar power on of Donald J Trump for the US President including its Wards Island Wastewater public buildings by 2025 and reducing (Press Release) New Jersey: Looking at the Americans of the Indian Subcontinent, to have Resource Recovery Facility. “The climate citywide emissions 80 percent by 2050. achievements of Donald J Trump as President Donald J. Trump reelected as the President crisis is real and it's urgent, that is why The initiative will also help achieve since taking office, the Indian-Americans for of the USA. The Committee is led by Dr. A. the City of New York is taking bold steps Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s statewide Trump realize that President Trump’s first term D. Amar, a Business Professor at Seton Hall to generate solar power on city buildings, goal of having 70 percent of New York’s was indeed focused on reviving the American University, as its President, and the including some public schools,” said electricity come from renewable sources economy, rightly bringing America on the world businessman Mr. Anura Rupasinghe of Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC by 2030. stage, defeating terrorism, regulating Metuchen and Ms. Pravesh Chaturvedi of Department of Citywide Administrative NYPA is asking developers to immigration, and establishing peace through Bloomsbury as its Vice Presidents. Mayor Services. “Solar installations on the roofs submit proposals to design, construct, strength. Furthermore, they also believe that Vic Sordillo of Warren Township, NJ is of schools and other city facilities is a and own solar PV systems at 50 city- he is the best hope for America to continue becoming the PAC Advisor. On June 28, common-sense way to generate green owned sites. NYPA will select the on this course of strength for the next four 2020, the Indian-Americans for Trump was energy and reduce dependence on fossil developers, manage the project, and years. They do not see any candidate, in duly registered as a PAC by the FEC. The fuels.” arrange 20-year power purchase either party, who could come close to him for Indian-Americans for Trump strongly believes “With this significant solar agreements for DCAS and DEP to buy the office of the president of the that under the prevailing domestic and project, all at New York City-owned the electricity output from each of the of America. Dr. A. D. Amar, who was one of international conditions, Donald Trump is the facilities, we will, together, boost the projects at competitive prices. The due the three academics to endorse Trump for best hope for America to bring back domestic renewable resources in the city’s energy date for responding to the request for president early in 2016, much before the prosperity for all Americans and play a leading supply and move the city and our state proposals (RFP) is August 7, 2020. The 2016 primaries, and had served as the role in establishing the global peace. The closer to accomplishing the ambitious solar systems, which have the option of founding President of Indian-Americans for officers of the Indian-Americans for Trump urge clean energy goals we have set for including energy storage, are planned to Trump 2016, conferred with some all Americans, irrespective of their nationality, ourselves,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA be constructed on 46 schools run by the prominent professionals and community race, color or creed, etc., to join in our effort, president and CEO. “Integrating solar NYC Department of Education and activists about helping the reelection of and support Donald J. Trump in his endeavor systems into community facilities account for approximately 11 megawatts President Donald J. Trump. The result has to make America great again by reelecting throughout the five boroughs and turning of new power generation. Several sites been the formation of the committee named him to continue as the President of the USA. underutilized spaces into green managed by DEP, including the Wards Indian-Americans for Trump. It is formed with They encourage all Americans to become opportunities is a smart way to practice Island plant along the East River in upper the only purpose to garner actively the support members of this Committee and contact Dr. sustainability and push forward our long- Manhattan, will account for the additional of all Americans, but particularly the A. D. Amar at [email protected] term commitment to help build a cleaner, five megawatts. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 COMMUNITY 3 Virtual Indian American Night Organized and achievers were honored by Special Citations at the event namely Anika Tolat, Shashi Malik, Jasbir Jay singh, Gayatri Muralirajan, Dr. Janaki Kanumilli and Dr Nutan Anand from Supervisor Joe Saladino's office. Several community leaders and IAF Board Members graced the event - to name a few Mohiinder Taneja, Mukesh Modi, Bina Sabapathy, Shammi Singh, Dr. Prachi Dua, Nilima Madan, Dr. Azad Indian American Forum Founding Member Bobby K. Kalotee and IAF - Entertaining World Class Performers - Violin, Dance, Anand, Dr. Urmilesh Arya, Chairwoman Indu Jaiswal with Host, Moderators and Honorees Songs in the presence of 100+ Community Leaders Jyoti Gupta, Surender Indian American Forum supporters. Organized by started with American and bounded the audience. Rametra, Pinki Jaggi, Deepti recently organized paid a Founding Member Bobby K. National Anthem followed by Graceful dancers Vyas and many more. Special Tribute to Indian Kalotee and Chairwoman Indu 30 second moment of silence choreographed by Ture Colors Leading Bollywood Actor Jawans and Soldiers who lost Jaiswal, the program was and patriotic songs. Dance, Mathy Pillai and Sonu Sood appreciated their lives recently at their hosted by Beena Kothari and Professional experienced Jyotika Patel added colors to Shanti foundation via a Virtual Indian American Night moderated by Flora Parekh violinist and European the programs. special message. Additional in the presence of 100+ and Aashmeeta recording artist, Innesa Several distinguished information can be found at community leaders and Yogiraj.Patriotic tribute Tymochko-Dekajlo, spell community leaders, students www.indianamericanforum.org. “Proud Of The Achievements And Contributions Of The Indian-Origin Physicians” Reddy, President of AAPI powerful and the largest ethnic gratitude for being the warriors thanked Prime Minister Modi Medical Association in the who are committed to save for his leadership of India and United States, “I have closely the lives of so many during making India a word leader. followed your contributions, the pandemic.” The Prime The First Ever Virtual Summer sacrificing your life to save that Minister said that due to Summit by the American of others. Some of have done lockdown, many initiatives Association of Physicians of the ultimate sacrifice of giving taken by the Government Indian Origin (AAPI) is being up youir own lives at the and a people driven fight, held from June 16thth to 28th, service of others. Your will be India is much better placed 2020. During his address on remembered for forever.” than many other nations and Indo-US Relationship During Acknowledging the India’s recovery rate is the Pandemic and the Role of sacrifices of Indian Origin rising. Due to this the severity AAPI, Prime Minister Narendra physicians, Modi said, “I want of the virus is less than Modi told members of the to express my sincere anticipated. (Press Release by Ajay , who was the Ghosh) Chicago : “I am proud Chief Guest at first ever Virtual Dr. Hiral Tipirneni criticizes Congressman Schweikert's support of of the achievements and Global Summit of the American contributions of the Indian- Association of Physicians of origin physicians across the Indian Origin (AAPI) on lawsuit that could strip healthcare from 363,000 Arizonans world in the battle against Saturday, June 27th. In his (Press Release by [email protected]) Schweikert is once again putting a reckless COVID-19,” Prime Minister brief remarks, Dr. Suresh PHOENIX, AZ : In the midst of a pandemic that partisan agenda ahead of Arizona families who is currently spiking in Arizona, Dr. Hiral Tipirneni should not be forced to choose between their Police Officer Charged for called out Congressman David Schweikert for his health and financial security. This pandemic has support of the Trump Administration's lawsuit that shown residents of the 6th district, now more than allegedly using illegal chokehold threatens to deprive 363,000 Arizonans of their ever, they need a Representative who will fight healthcare. Congressman Schweikert has voted for - not against - their families’ health and (Press RELEASE) suspended without pay by the twice in support of this lawsuit. "During a deadly wellbeing in Washington.” Dr. Hiral Tipirneni has New York City Police Officer New York City Police pandemic, when Americans need healthcare dedicated her career to improving health care in David Afanador, 39, was Department hours after a video coverage more than ever, this dangerous lawsuit her community, first as an emergency room arraigned this morning before of the incident went viral online puts 363,000 Arizonans and 23.3 million physician serving the Phoenix area. After losing Queens Criminal Court Judge – allegedly used a chokehold Americans in danger of losing their coverage. As her mother and nephew to cancer, Hiral directed Danielle Hartman. The on a 35-year-old man on the a former ER physician, I've seen firsthand what her passion and problem-solving skills to defendant is charged with boardwalk near the beach in happens when patients lose access to the evaluating and directing funding for cutting-edge attempted aggravated Far Rockaway, Queens. healthcare system, and this puts us all at risk cancer research. She led teams of researchers, strangulation and Judge Hartman released the by harming our efforts to end this pandemic and clinicians, and patient advocates in the fight to strangulation in the second defendant on his own reopen our economy. We must protect people treat and cure breast cancer, prostate cancer, degree for allegedly using a recognizance and set the with pre-existing conditions- including COVID- and childhood leukemia. She’s a proven problem- chokehold on a Queens man return date for August 3, 2020. 19- so they can get the care they critically need, solver who’s committed to the health and long during an arrest Sunday If convicted, Afanador faces up ” said Dr. Hiral Tipirneni. “Congressman term well-being of her communities. morning. The officer – to 7 years in prison. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 4 Police, Women’s Commission clear Scribe of sexual misconduct against the scribe for want of wept and cried for help to punish actress had failed to produce any filed a false complaint to the Adyar evidence.The complainant failed the journalist and went on to claim evidence of the alleged incident, All Women’s Police Station on 30 to produce any proof of her alleged that the harassment continued via the report said. June 2018 alleging sexual torture complaint. The case drew media phone and internet and that the The scribe had earlier demanded in October 2016, two years ago. attention nationally and journalist started sending her CCTV footage of the apartment The case was transferred to Cyber internationally as the scribe is well derogatory messages via complex on the dates the actress Crime only to be closed (MF) for known both in India and in the US. Whatsapp, threatening to defame alleged and also the guest register lack of evidence and credibility. The veteran journalist of 40 years her. The extra actress and a group at the complex gate maintained Sexual torture was not explained standing had also served as a dancer, Gayatri Sainath also roped by the security staff in support of or backed up by evidence. It was diplomatic correspondent at the in her friends in the social media her case but she could not a mere propaganda full of lies, United Nations for over a to bolster her case and damage produce any credible evidence to police said. decade.According to a senior the scribe’s image deliberately. prove her claim to him or to the In her fresh complaint to the police officer in Chennai, the case The Chennai Commissioner of police. Royapettah All Women’s Police is nothing but a Facebook fight Police, who directed the Deputy Swamy gave a complaint to Cyber Station on 15 November 2018 where both parties had traded Commissioner of Police Crime Police in Police Gayatri Sainath had alleged the Our Staff Reporter charges and accusations against (Mylapore) to investigate the case, Commissioner’s Office on 28 June same torture story but did not say The National Commission for each other. The scribe, a leading has stated in his final report sent 2018 against Gayatri Sainath and “what kind of torture” and was Women in New Delhi has closed investigative journalist, was to the Commission in Delhi that three others following continues vague again. She also the sexual harassment case filed probing the alleged murder of the the police conducted a thorough “digital terrorist attack” on him. The complained to the National by an actress against senior actress’s husband. To seek inquiry in the apartment complex police summoned her and her Commission for Women and the Indian-American journalist, Dr. revenge and to stop him from where the actress lived and friends on 29 June 2018. The case was forwarded to Prakash M Swamy on the basis investigating the case, the actress interrogated the neighbors of the police conducted an inquiry and Royapettah Station Police for of a report submitted by the had filed a false sexual complainant. It emerged that the found that she had falsely accused inquiry.They found no truth in the Greater Chennai Police harassment complaint that the apartment complex has a modern the scribe. second complaint also. Department.The Chennai Police scribe had visited her house and security system whereby The cops warned her and friends Meanwhile, Gayatri Sainath has informed the Commission tried to molest her. outsiders can’t access without the not to repeat the mistake and let continued her cyber war against that it had closed the case In her social media posts, she residents’ permission. The them go. As a counterblast, she him in the social media. Millions Switch To "Local TikToks" After India Bans Chinese Apps Chinese apps ban: The Indian industry has long been pressing for action against Chinese apps which dominate the market, with Sharechat and Inmobi calling for the platforms to follow Indian laws and values

New Delhi: Millions of Indians Likee, with authorities accusing company said.India is a key privacy, cyber-security and the United States, and have joined homegrown social them of activities "prejudicial" to market for global internet players national security risks," Berges .The Indian industry has long media platforms since the centre the "sovereignty and integrity of and homegrown app platforms Malu, public policy director for been pressing for action against banned a slew of Chinese apps, India". Sharechat and Roposo said they ShareChat, told AFP."We believe Chinese apps which dominate the including TikTok, amid growing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had seen a huge surge in new this move will help create a level market, with Sharechat and tensions between the two who has a huge social media users since Monday's ban on their playing field (for Indian platforms)," Inmobi calling for the platforms to neighbours, industry officials said profile, threw his weight behind the Chinese rivals. Malu added. Some 10 million new follow Indian laws and values. today. The ban comes as India campaign by closing his account Sharechat said in a subscribers have joined the There are also fears steps up economic pressure on on China's Weibo platform on statement that its video platform Roposo video app, Naveen Tewari, foreign apps could influence China following a violent face-off Wednesday. had clocked 15 million new chief executive of owners InMobi, domestic affairs in areas such as last month in which 20 soldiers His photograph and 115 downloads - sometimes at a rate told AFP, bringing its user base politics."Deep penetration of laid down their lives for India. The posts made over the past five of half-a-million every 30 minutes to 75 million. An estimated 120 Chinese platforms in an open 59 banned apps include video- years were deleted at the request - in the 48 hours following the million Indians were TikTok users democracy like India makes its sharing giant TikTok, Helo and of Indian authorities, the Chinese ban.It now has at least 150 million before the ban. future election processes registered users, it said. Mr Tewari said the app vulnerable to outside interference "We welcome the move ban would give local platforms the and manipulation," said one senior UN Tribunal Upheld India's Conduct In Italian from the government against chance to become the world's Delhi-based digital industry Marine Case: Ministry Of External Affairs platforms that have had serious fourth major tech hub alongside analyst, asking not to be named. New Delhi: An international tribunal Mr Srivastava said the tribunal held The real face of -sponsored terrorism in and Kashmir dealing with the killing of two Indian that the actions of the Italian military fishermen in 2012 by two Italian officers and, consequently, Italy marines has upheld the conduct breached India's freedom of of the Indian authorities over the navigation under UNCLOS Article incident, the Ministry of External 87(1)(a) and 90. Affairs said on Thursday. MEA "The Tribunal observed Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava that India and Italy had concurrent said the tribunal upheld the conduct jurisdiction over the incident and a of the Indian authorities under the valid legal basis to institute criminal provisions of the United Nations proceedings against the marines," Convention on the Law of the Sea Mr Srivastava said at an online (UNCLOS). India had accused the media briefing. "The Tribunal two Italian marines on board the rejected Italy's claim of MV Enrica Lexie, an Italian flagged compensation for the detention of oil tanker, of shooting dead two the marines. However, it found that Indian fishermen off the the immunities enjoyed by the coast on February 15, 2012. marines as State officials operate (By Press section, Consulate General of India in New York) The real face of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism The Arbitral Tribunal was as an exception to the jurisdiction in Jammu and Kashmir was recently revealed as per these photos sent by Consulate General of India constituted under Annex VII of the of the Indian courts and, hence, from New York. These photographs are from today's terror attacks in .These pictures speak UNCLOS on June 26, 2015 on the preclude them to judge the more than thousand words. An elderly gentleman wasgruesomely killed by Pak-sponsored terrorists in request of Italy over the dispute. marines," he added. the presence of his grandchild. Fortunately, the brave Indian security forces saved the child. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 5 China To Take Countermeasures If UK Extends Hong Kong Citizenship Plan Britain's offer came in response to a sweeping new security law that China unveiled for the former British territory this week. million Hong Kongers who either 'Little we can do' there would be little have a British National Overseas Britain had sought closer could do if China refuses to (BNO) passports or are eligible relations with China after ending allow Hong Kongers to relocate to apply for one. The embassy its decades-long membership in to Britain. "Ultimately, if they said these people were Chinese the European Union this year. follow through on something nationals as well. "If the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's like that there would be little side makes unilateral changes to government also irritated the US that we could do to coercively the relevant practice, it will administration in January by force them," Raab told ITV breach its own position and allowing the private Chinese television late Wednesday. pledges as well as international telecoms group Huawei to unroll Raab said London could use law and basic norms governing Britain's speedy new data "diplomatic leverage (and) international relations," it said in network. other ways" to try to soften a statement. But Britain is now China's approach to Hong "We firmly oppose this studying ways it can cut Kong and not follow through on and reserve the right to take Huawei out of its system the full force of the sweeping London, : China Kong was under UK jurisdiction corresponding measures," it said entirely and build up an new security law. Chinese warned Britain on Thursday it until it was handed over to China without elaborating. Beijing has alliance of European and Asian authorities arrested 10 people could retaliate with in 1997 with a guarantee that never publicly raised the providers that reduces China's under the new legislation "corresponding measures" for Beijing would preserve the city's possibility of offering Britons dominance in the field. UK during protests Wednesday London's decision to extend a judicial and legislative autonomy either Chinese citizenship or media said the Foreign Office marking the anniversary of broader path to citizenship for the for 50 years. broader residence rights. summoned the Chinese Hong Kong's return to China. residents of Hong Kong. Britain's The Chinese embassy in The Chinese statement ambassador to London on "But ultimately we need to be offer came in response to a London stressed that "all Chinese concluded by urging London to Wednesday to express its honest that we wouldn't be sweeping new security law that compatriots residing in Hong reassess its decision and "refrain concerns about the law. able to force China to allow China unveiled for the former Kong are Chinese nationals". The from interfering in Hong Kong Foreign Secretary BNOs to come to the UK," British territory this week. Hong British plan covers almost three affairs in any way". Dominic Raab later conceded Raab said. NIA makes 6th arrest in 2019 attack, key JeM aide held 4 killed in Tuticorin while Mohd Iqbal Rather had facilitated the Muhammed Umar Farooq, a key Rather was in judicial custody since cleaning septic tank movement of Jaish-e- September 2018 in another Mohammed (JeM) terrorist case related to the JeM under Four people have died in Tamil Muhammed Umar Farooq, a the agency's scanner. He was Nadu's Tuticorin district while key conspirator in the produced by jail authorities cleaning a septic tank. Initial Pulwama attack case. The before the NIA Special Court reports suggest that they died National Investigation Agency in Jammu on Thursday and (NIA) on Thursday made a has been remanded to the due to asphyxia. crucial arrest in connection agency's custody for seven Four people were killed in 's Tuticorin with the Pulwama attack. As days for the purpose of district while cleaning a septic tank. Initial many as 40 personnel of the interrogation.Initial probe into reports suggest that they died due to asphyxia. Central Reserve Police Force the attack revealed that Mohd The tragedy took place at Chekkarakudi village (CRPF) were martyred in this Iqbal Rather was in constant in Tuticorin district. The deceased are identified IED blast on of touch with the Pakistan- as Raja (17), Bala (20), Dinesh (20) and Pandi last year. Officials have identified the conspirator in the case. Farooq had based JeM leadership through (28). Two of the four people entered the tank suspect as 25-year-old Mohd Iqbal infiltrated Indian territory in Jammu in secure messaging apps. He was first to clean it. When they did not come out Rather, a resident of the Futlipura area April 2018, from the National Highway also part of JeM's "transportation for a long time, the other two also entered the of Charar-e-Shareef in Jammu and near the International border to South module".With this arrest, the NIA tank to find them. All of them died after inhaling Kashmir's district. Mohd Iqbal Kashmir. Along with others, Farooq had has so far arrested 6 accused poisonous fumes and suffered from Rather had facilitated the movement of assembled the IED used in the persons in connection with the asphyxiation. The police and fire rescue team Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist attack.According to the NIA, Mohd Iqbal Pulwama attack. were called and a case has been registered. UP govt to recover Rs 900 crores from teachers using fake degrees to get jobs As many as 2823 teachers employed by government schools in as far back as 2004-05 used fake degrees issued by the Agra University, more popularly known as the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University. Agra University, more popularly known as headlines lately for all the wrong reasons. Basic Education Department has ordered 930 assistant teachers have been Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University is one It has now come to light that as many as that FIRs be filed against these terminated from services while action is of the oldest varsities in India. The 2823 teachers employed by government teachers by July 3, a senior staffer at pending against 450 others. Officials university, however, has been making schools in Uttar Pradesh as far back as the Agra University told India Today. believe that each teacher involved in the 2004-05 used fake Kumar has also directed officials to scandal is liable to pay Rs 60 lakh back degrees issued by the recover the salaries paid to these to the state government. Agra alone Agra University. The teachers, the staffer added. After an accounts for 249 of these teachers, 24 state government has inquiry by the ATS revealed this to be of whom have been fired and FIRs filed decided to recover a massive scandal, block development against them. salaries paid to these officers (BDOs) of all concerned "Several teachers have sent teachers, which blocks were instructed to recover the applications to the Agra University to get amounts to an estimated salaries paid out to these teachers to their degrees verified and every Rs 900 crores. date. However, the latest order by the UP application is being followed up closely. Renuka Kumar, Basic Education Department was issued However, most degrees probed by the SIT, Additional Principal after the BDOs were found feigning were found to be fake," the Dr Bhimrao Secretary in the UP interest in the matter. Inputs suggest that Ambedkar University staffer revealed. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 6 Scindia camp wins big in MP Cabinet expansion, Shivraj inducts ministers with eye on bypolls: 10 points Bundelkhand have been caste representation has also There are four ministers from the underrepresented. gone for a toss in this government. Scheduled Caste community 3. Of the 22 Congress MLAs who 7. The 33-member cabinet has even though SCs comprise 10% joined BJP, a total of 14 have been eight Thakurs, three Brahmins, of the population in the state. inducted as ministers. Of these, one Jain, one Kayastha, one Sikh, 10. A number of prominent faces 10 are cabinet ministers and four one Maratha among the non- that were part of the previous are ministers of state. Nearly half reserved categories. Thakurs are Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet the Shivraj Singh Chouhan overtly represented in the cabinet were dropped in order to cabinet is from a Congress as they are only 4-5% of the accommodate the Scindia group. background. population in but Those who could not make it 4. A total of 11 ministers owe have more than 20 percent in the include Rampal Singh, Rajendra allegiance to former Congress cabinet. Brahmins also comprise Shukla, Surendra Patwa, Sanjay veterean Jyotiraditya Scindia, who 4-5% of the population in the Pathak, Gaurishankar Bisen and toppled the Kamal Nath state but have been represented Paras Jain. government and joined BJP. Three proportionately. However, the 20 Cabinet Ministers inducted The Jyotiraditya Scindia camp of ministers had been sworn in on other ex-Congress MLAs, number of Brahmin ministers is on July 2: Gopal Bhargava, former Congress MLAs won big April 21, taking the toll number of Bisahulal Singh, Aidal Singh much less than the previous Vijay Shah, Jagdish Devda, at the Madhya Pradesh cabinet ministers in the cabinet to 33. Kansana and Hardeep Singh Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinets. Bisahulal Singh, Yashodhara expansion. 11 ministers from his Big takeaways from the Dang who are not from the Scindia 8. The business community or Raje, Bhupendra Singh, Aidal camp were inducted in the govt. expansion: camp have also been inducted. Banias and Jains long been Singh Kansana, Brijendra The much awaited cabinet 1. The Gwalior-Chambal region 5. Jyotiraditya Scindia has been considered supporters of the BJP Pratap Singh, Vishwas Sarang, expansion in Madhya Pradesh has been overtly represented with successful in driving a hard and its earlier avatar (the Jan Imarti Devi, Prabhuram that was due since CM Shivraj 11 ministers inducted from the bargain with the BJP. While in the Sangh), but have only one Chaudhry, Mahendra Singh Singh Chouhan took oath on region. Sixteen of the 24 Madhya Congress he had six loyalists as representative in the form of Sisodia, Pradyuman Singh March 23 finally took place on Pradesh assembly seats where ministers in the Kamal Nath Omprakash Saklecha, the son of Tomar, Prem Singh Patel, Thursday at the Raj Bhawan in by-elections are due are from this cabinet, in Shivraj Singh former CM VK Saklecha. Omprakash Saklecha, Usha Bhopal. region. Chouhan’s cabinet, he has 11. 9. There are only four ministers Thakur, Arvind Bhadoria, Mohan A total of 20 cabinet ministers and 2. All other regions in Madhya 6. In a bid to give more from the tribal community Singh Yadav, Hardeep Singh eight ministers of state took oath Pradesh, namely Mahakoshal, representation to Scindia and to whereas tribals comprise 21% of Dang and Rajvardhan Singh on Thursday. Five cabinet Malwa, Baghelkhand and the Gwalior Chambal region, population in Madhya Pradesh. Dattigaon. INS slams China for Priyanka Gandhi clears Rs 3.46 lakh dues against restricting access to Indian newspapers, media websites Lodhi bungalow hours after govt says ‘vacate’ The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) has slammed China's action of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi reportedly made an online payment and cleared the restricting access to Indian pending dues against her Lodhi Estate bungalow. On Wednesday, the government newspapers and media websites and asked her to vacate her Delhi residence as she is no longer under SPG protection. urged the Indian government to expeditiously take steps to ban Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi perception assessment by MHA on their who are SPG protectees, shall be given access to Chinese media in the has cleared all her dues against her recommendation.Sources say the Cabinet government accommodation on security country. The Indian Newspaper Society government-allotted bungalow in Delhi's Lodhi Committee on Accommodation (CCA) in its ground. Such allotment was to be done (INS) has slammed China's action of Estate, just hours after she was served a meeting held on December 7, 2000, at the market rate i.e. 50 times of normal restricting access to Indian notice by the Ministry of Housing and Urban reviewed the guidelines on the allotment rent. Later, in July 2003, it was decided newspapers and media websites and Affairs to vacate it. Priyanka Gandhi of government accommodation on by CCA to charge special rate of licence urged the Indian government to reportedly made an online payment and security ground and decided that in fee i.e. 20 times of the normal rent from expeditiously take steps to ban cleared the dues. She was issued a notice future no private person, other than those such allottees. access to Chinese media in the that her dues as on June 30, 2020, stood country. Rs 3,46,677 and she had to clear them UN Tribunal Upheld India's Conduct In Italian INS president Shailesh Gupta before vacating the accommodation.The on behalf of its members said the action Centre on Wednesday cancelled the Marine Case: Ministry Of External Affairs of the Chinese government to restrict government accommodation allotted to access to Indian newspapers and Priyanka Gandhi, directing her to vacate the New Delhi: An international tribunal request of Italy over the dispute. Mr media websites is uncalled for.He said house within one month. dealing with the killing of two Indian Srivastava said the tribunal held that the even the access through the VPN India Today TV has learnt that the fishermen in 2012 by two Italian marines actions of the Italian military officers and, (Virtual Private Network) server has Ministry of Home Affairs had informed through has upheld the conduct of the Indian consequently, Italy breached India's been blocked by creating a communication on June 30, 2020, that authorities over the incident, the Ministry freedom of navigation under UNCLOS technologically advanced firewall. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been assigned of External Affairs said on Thursday. Article 87(1)(a) and 90. "The Tribunal "Gupta strongly urges the government Z+ security with CRPF cover on an all-India MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava observed that India and Italy had of India to expeditiously take steps to basis, which does not have any provision for said the tribunal upheld the conduct of concurrent jurisdiction over the incident ban all kinds of access to Chinese allotment or retention of government the Indian authorities under the and a valid legal basis to institute criminal media in India and call off collaborations/ accommodation. After changes in the SPG provisions of the United Nations proceedings against the marines," Mr investments made by Chinese in Indian Act last year, she is not an SPG protectee Convention on the Law of the Sea Srivastava said at an online media media companies with immediate anymore.Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was allotted (UNCLOS). briefing. "The Tribunal rejected Italy's effect," the INS statement said. India Bungalow number 35, Lodhi Estate on India had accused the two Italian claim of compensation for the detention on Monday banned 59 apps with February 21, 1997, on security grounds as marines on board the MV Enrica Lexie, of the marines. However, it found that the Chinese links, including the hugely an SPG protectee.Persons with Z+ security an Italian flagged oil tanker, of shooting immunities enjoyed by the marines as popular TikTok and UC Browser, for cover are not entitled to government dead two Indian fishermen off the Kerala State officials operate as an exception engaging in "activities which are accommodation. However, exceptions can coast on February 15, 2012. The Arbitral to the jurisdiction of the Indian courts prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity be made only by the Cabinet Committee of Tribunal was constituted under Annex VII and, hence, preclude them to judge the of India, defence of India, security of Accommodation (CCA) based on security of the UNCLOS on June 26, 2015 on the marines," he added. state and public order". Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 ADVERTISEMENT 7 Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 OP-ED 8 An Open Letter to Our White Allies at Companies– If Not Now, When? It was more than a week after George Matter is appreciated. But at this Blacks in non-management positions, 5. Does your corporation have an- Floyd's death, and I opened my Facebook inflection point, acknowledgment of 400 and no formal commitment to supplier on-going partnership with Sponsors for page to see a post from an old high school years of injustice is a first step. We diversity. These corporations want Educational Opportunity, Inroads, MIT, mate. At this point there are few friends recognize that from an early age whites recognition without doing the work. NAACP, or Urban League? These are all from my Milwaukee, Wisconsin high have been taught that race and religion Building diverse workplaces require organizations to eradicating racism and school on my Facebook pages after years are topics that are to be avoided. But in awareness, analysis, commitment and providing diverse candidates for the of debates where many insisted that “All that avoidance festers lack of knowledge resources. workplace. Lives Matter.” But on this day, I stopped of inequities. We need white co- But where can you begin? You can 6. Does your corporation have a in my tracks as I read her post about how advocates to boldly engage in start by asking a few questions: formal mentoring program that watching George Floyd's murder sparked uncomfortable conversations and push 1. Does your corporation have encourages Black employees to develop a change of heart. She acknowledged that for policies that will lead to greater Blacks and women on your Board of relationships with a Mentor (help develop Black Lives Matter was not a slogan but equality. For allies at small businesses Directors, C-suite and in senior skills and share advice and resources) a statement about the value of human life. and large corporations, organizations management? Advocate (Know mentees work and speak This awakening has been happening like NYUL have ways that can help you 2. Does your corporation regularly well of the mentee to others) and Sponsor across our country and our world. It may be active allies to drive real change. review the diversity of your workforce and (get involved with supporting organizations start with one individual. But how can Every year NYUL recognizes develop goals and metrics for achieving leading change.) corporations rise to the challenge? corporations that recognize that those goals? 7. Does your corporation have a In the wake of the murders of George diversity matters. NYUL bestows 3. Does your corporation have a leadership team responsible for Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Champions of Diversity Awards to formal supplier diversity program with discussing issues of inclusion that has Taylor and the recent civil unrest, we corporations with exemplary practices goals for Minority & Women Owned access to the C-suite? need white people to speak to other as exhibited by their supplier diversity, Business Procurement? It is time for every company to not only white people, to acknowledge privilege diversity of leadership, philanthropy 4. Does your corporate giving become a Champion of Diversity, but to in all of its forms and become true co- and composition of their workforce. prioritize resources on those communities fight racism in policy and practice. That advocates in the fight to eradicate And every year we have corporations most in need, for instance those zip time is now. racism. Writing a post on Facebook or apply that have no Blacks or women on codes with highest concentration of By Arva Rice| President & CEO releasing a statement that Black Lives their boards, have a concentration of COVID-19 cases and deaths? New York Urban League, Inc. Resisting Chinese encroachment India must not contribute to the digital and economic rise of the same power that harms it On June 29, the minister for constitutes a long-term security economic and technological clear of the digital “tea rooms” contain China. electronics and information threat. Arriving at this interdependence, and emerge owned by the CPC. India’s actions will invite technology and law and justice, conclusion requires no as a technology superpower. Will this Indian decision consequences. China will , tweeted strenuous leap of logic. A level- Relations with India are cause economic harm to respond using other aspects of that “For safety, security, headed assessment of China’s inconsequential to Beijing’s Chinese platforms? In terms of the economic relationship. defence, sovereignty & integrity stated intentions and imagination of the world. India revenues, clearly it will not. In India’s dependence on of India and to protect data & observable actions is enough. has to look out for itself. This terms of value, tremendously so. electronics, pharmaceuticals privacy of people of India the China has manipulated new mindset to review Platforms rely on network and other industrial inputs are government has banned 59 democratic means to transmit engagement with China tech is effects to scale — every well-documented and easy mobile apps.” After the usual its propaganda and advertised a vital first step to protect additional user drives up pickings. China’s response partisan bluster surrounding this its way to ensure suitable itself.China will continue to valuations and the aggregate could manifest itself along the move subsides, India must reportage and headlines. It has gather information on Indians. data that they produce feeds Line of Actual Control or through operationalise and strengthen leveraged WeChat to interfere in More worrisome is the insidious into other commercial and cyber intrusions. China’s ability this momentous decision. India, Canadian politics, and to ability of the Communist Party research and development to impose costs must serve to its people, and its territory that intercept content beyond its of China (CPC) to interfere in or activities and product motivate India. are now increasingly digital, jurisdiction, and adopted influence India’s political and development. Indian eyeballs Bilateral trade is healthy must be protected from China’s western social media platforms social spheres. During the and data should not fuel Chinese when there is a balance. With encroachment and influence. to target dissidents abroad, Doklam stand-off, the security malfeasance directed against China, it is a doubled-barrelled This long-term response has exacerbate racial tensions in establishment discovered that them. shotgun trained between India’s to be shaped by three ideas. the United States (US), interfere the Chinese-owned UC Browser Similarly, India must bar eyes. It is important that we fix First, India must not contribute in Taiwan’s political processes was filtering certain news on China’s telecommunications this now as a three trillion dollar to the success, proliferation and and spread disinformation about Android handsets in India to infrastructure from its 5G economy. Otherwise, all our performance of digital weapons the coronavirus. China has shape perceptions and networks. It is time to say “No future growth will only serve to that will be ranged against it. entrenched the influence of its outcomes — classic information way Huawei”. Countries such strengthen the entity which China’s tech must be tech platforms in key global warfare in the digital age. as , the US, Australia seeks to weaken us.India’s recognised as one. Second, it institutions such as the United Recently, we have seen content and others have already decision has come at a time must wean itself away from an Nations in an attempt to redraw critical of China being taken signalled different degrees of when economic activity is iniquitous trade relationship that the rules of information flows down on one of the banned apps intent to manage the Dragon. already under siege from the makes it dependent on a country and the ethical applications of and moderation of other New Delhi’s decision should Wuhan virus and when major that seeks to harm it. And, third, emerging technologies like incidents and images as well. strengthen this trend and economies are also questioning India needs to step out of the facial recognition systems. This is not unique to Chinese encourage others. Political trust their dependence on China. A shadow that stunts its own These are fundamental to platforms. But far-reaching is increasingly going to shape reconfiguration of value chains is economic growth, diminishes China’s great power ambitions national security legislations, the direction of technology inevitable. Public opinion favours its political clout and limits its — they assist Beijing to expand and subservience to a one man- flows. India must work with its this and the short-term pain will be digital ambitions. its “discourse power”, develop led party that is inimical to India, allies and partners through new acceptable to many. As India The presence of China’s indigenous technologies, create make their continuance initiatives such as the Global restarts its pandemic-stalled hardware and platforms in lock-ins through standards and untenable. Indian democracy, Partnership on Artificial economy, let us create value chains India’s digital ecosystem infrastructure, weaponise its howsoever flawed, must steer Intelligence to compete with and that are not of dubious origin. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 EDITORIAL 9 India’s torture culture The Neoliberal Looting of America The private equity industry, which has led to needs to end now more than 1.3 million job losses in the last Only the people, including the Bar, technologies, like DNA analysis, which decade, reveals the truth about free markets. the media, civil society and student can directly impact law enforcement groups, can rise up against torture practices. “It’s hard to separate what’s good for ensure justice and freedom because practices What some have labelled as India’s the United States and what’s good for only the profit motive could By now, everyone has heard of the “public secret” is tiptoed around in the Bank of America,” said its former chief dispassionately pick winners and losers tragic deaths of P. Jayaraj and J. international arena. The official position executive, Ken Lewis, in 2009. That was based on their contribution to the Benicks, a father-son duo in a small town on state-sponsored or state-endorsed hardly true at the time, but the current economy. in Thoothukudi. Jayaraj, 58, was torture can be seen in a 2017 quote by crisis has revealed that the health of the Neoliberalism leapt from economics arrested by the police following an India’s then Attorney-General. In his finance industry and stock market are departments into American politics in altercation with them on keeping his opening speech in Geneva at the completely disconnected from the actual the 1960s, where it fused with son’s mobile phone shop open in violation country’s universal periodic review at the financial health of the American people. conservative anti-communist ideas and of lockdown rules. After Benicks was United Nations Human Rights Council, As inequality, unemployment and then quickly spread throughout also taken into custody, the two were the Attorney-General invoked Gandhi and mercilessly thrashed to death. Buddha, stating that “India…believe[s] evictions climb, the Dow Jones surges universities, law schools, legislatures Being found guilty of the ‘offence’ of in peace, non-violence and upholding right alongside them — one line and courts. By the 1980s, neoliberalism keeping a shop open during the human dignity. As such, the concept of compounding suffering, the other was triumphant in policy, leading to tax lockdown would have ordinarily granted torture is completely alien to our culture compounding returns for investors. cuts, deregulation and privatization of Jayaraj and Benicks a maximum of only and it has no place in the governance of One reason is that an ideological public functions including schools, three months of imprisonment. The story, the nation.” This would be a textbook coup quietly transformed our society pensions and infrastructure. The sadly, does not end with the police alone. example of hypocrisy, if ever. over the last 50 years, raising the governing logic held that corporations Before the two men died, the police Undoubtedly, the offending officers in fortunes of the financial economy — and could do just about everything better sought their remand, which a judge the Thoothukudi case are being its agents like private equity firms — at than the government could. The result, sitting in a court complex mechanically prosecuted, and some compensation will the expense of the real economy as President Ronald Reagan said, was seems to have granted, without ever also be paid to the victims’ families. But experienced by most Americans. to unleash “the magic of the seeing the two men, or seeming to such piecemeal action is not what is The roots of this intellectual takeover marketplace.” The magic of the market question the rationale for their remand. needed. What we really need is a The series of events, starting with the recognition that torture is endemic and can be traced to a backlash against did in fact turn everything into gold — for cruel lockdown enforcement methods a systemic problem, and the only socialism in Cold War Europe. Austrian wealthy investors. Neoliberalism led to and concluding with the utterly gruesome answer lies in stringent legal framework School economist Friedrich A. Hayek deregulation in every sector, a winner- and entirely avoidable deaths, is a sign that is aligned with and committed to the was perhaps the most influential leader take-all, debt-fueled market and a that we are living with a completely principles of international law under the of that movement, decrying growing cultural acceptance of purely broken system of law enforcement. UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) governments who chased “the mirage profit-driven corporate managers. These Endemic to police culture to which India has been a signatory since of social justice.” Only free markets can conditions were a perfect breeding The Tamil Nadu Police has acquired 1997, and a watertight enforcement allocate resources fairly and reward ground for the private equity industry, then notoriety over the decades for employing mechanism that deters such practices. individuals based on what they deserve, known as “leveraged buyout” firms. Such torturous methods for law enforcement. Supreme Court on torture reasoned Hayek. The ideology — known firms took advantage of the new market During my tenure as Chief Justice of the Even before India signed the UNCAT, as neoliberalism — was especially for high-yield debt (better known as junk Madras High Court, several cases in this our Supreme Court had brought about potent because it disguised itself as a bonds) to buy and break up American regard were brought to the court. But this glorious jurisprudence highlighting the issue is not restricted to Tamil Nadu many problems with the country’s neutral statement of economics rather conglomerates, capturing unprecedented alone. Torture is, in fact, an integral part torture culture. In Raghbir Singh v. State than just another theory. Only unfettered wealth in fewer hands. of police culture all over the country. of Haryana (1980), the Court was markets, the theory argued, could (Contd on page 29) Indeed, it would not be amiss to argue “deeply disturbed by the diabolical that this culture in India today is recurrence of police torture resulting in reminiscent of the brutality of the colonial a terrible scare in the minds of common police forces that we are so keen to citizens that their lives and liberty are forget. under a new peril when the guardians Official data also accept that police of the law gore human rights to death.” torture is a reality, but the quality of such These sentiments were revisited in ISSN No. 1554 06X data is always suspect. The Francis Coralie Mullin v. Editor in Chief & Publisher : pervasiveness of police torture is best of Delhi (1981) and Sheela Barse v. Sharanjit Singh Thind understood in the compelling case found State of (1987), where the Editor (Political Affairs-India) : in reports made by NGOs and observers Court condemned cruelty and torture as Aruna Singh over the years, including by the Asian violative of Article 21. This interpretation Bureau Chief (India) Centre for Human Rights, Amnesty of Article 21 is consistent with the Susmita Ghosh International and People’s Union for principles contained in the UNCAT. The Chief Photographer : Vijay Shah Democratic Rights. UNCAT aims to prevent torture and other Editorial Intern: Roubin Singh Thind The data on torture show that it is acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading Special Correspondent : not only an integral part of India’s policing treatment or punishment around the Gagandeep Singh (India) culture; in some investigations (such as world. Although India signed the UNCAT Web Coordinator : Harpreet Singh terror cases), it is treated as the in 1997, it is yet to ratify it. In 2010, a A Publication of Media Partners Capital, Inc. centrepiece. The fact is that the current weak Prevention of Torture Bill was laws facilitate such torture, such as passed by the Lok Sabha, and the REGD & MAILING OFFICE : through the admissibility of confessions Rajya Sabha later sent it to a Select as evidence under the Terrorist and Committee for review in alignment P.O Box 7005 Hicksville New York 11801 Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act and with the UNCAT. (I, too, appeared Phone: 917 612 3158 the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which before this committee in 2010 after [email protected], [email protected] continues refurbished as the retirement from judicial office). But the www.thesouthasianinsider.com Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Committee’s recommended law, Disclaimer The South Asian Insider is a weekly newspaper published every week by The South Asian Insider. It's available in community & religious centers, ethnic grocery stores and also available by mail, email & online to subscribers. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints Act. Unfortunately, policing has also not submitted in 2012, expressed by the various writers, authors and forum participants in The South Asian Insider do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Editor. All advertisers advertising in The South Asian Insider assume responsibility for accuracy of their advertisements. The South Asian Insider mainstreamed the upgrade to newer (Contd on page 29) and/or people associated with it are not responsible for any claims made by the advertisers and don't endorse any product or services advertised in The South Asian Insider. We strongly urge consulting your lawyer before buying/contracting /hiring through the ads published in the newspaper. We are in the business of selling space and claims made by the advertisers are not authenticated or confirmed by an independent source Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 OPINION 10 A reset in Kashmir policy With the external front fragile, get the internal house in order Earlier this week, the hardline justified the violence and terror that machinery must be used to deal with China border, and the fragile situation Kashmiri secessionist leader, Syed has been wreaked on Kashmir for all such elements and a clear message on the — it is crucial for Ali Shah Geelani, quit the All Party decades; and if he is forced to retreat that there can be no compromise on India to get its house in order. For this, Hurriyat Conference, the umbrella from the political sphere — for India’s territorial integrity and New Delhi must release democratic formation of separatist organisations whatever reason — this is good news. constitutional values must be sent out. leaders still under detention (including in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). His But it is important to recognise that Mr At the same time, this is also a ripe Mehbooba Mufti); begin a process of resignation is being widely seen as a Geelani is not just an individual — but moment to re-examine the Kashmir political engagement with mainstream function of both his old age (he is 91) a thought. He represents a mindset that policy. The constitutional changes of leaders, and, while making it clear that and internal factional differences — he sees India as an “occupation force” and August 5, 2019 — effective nullification Article 370 is history, offer eventual also attacked the Hurriyat leaders there are many other emerging figures, of Article 370, re-organisation of the restoration of statehood to J&K as a based on the other side of the border belonging to the same strand, such as state, and its dilution into a Union mechanism for bringing all pro-India in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Masarat Alam Bhat, who will seek to Territory — and measures such as a forces on board; and pave the way for Kashmir. Many in New Delhi have lead this school of thought. Delhi has crackdown on political activity and elections. To take on external viewed it as a setback for separatist to adopt a two-pronged approach. There detention of leaders has alienated a adversaries, India must cover its politics in the Valley. It is true that can be no dialogue with those who large segment of moderates and pro- domestic bases. And given its strategic Mr Geelani has been a staunch pro- advocate secession and violence. The India people. Given the external location, Kashmir must rank at the top Pakistan and Islamist figure; he has might of the intelligence-security situation — the stand-off at the India- of this domestic reset. How I Battled Coronavirus, Cut Off From The World By Gauri Datta Gupta therapy - a stark reminder of the turn I roll down the car window for the person Covid can take. Daily video calls with in the PPE suit to take my nasal and my daughter are a precious time of day. throat swabs. For months, we've seen It's been a tough few months for her - images in the media of frontline workers Covid sent her into post-board exam in PPE suits, seeing one inches away lockdown, robbing them of downtime from my face feels surreal. The nasal with friends, physical classrooms and swab is piercing and my eyes well up. summer vacations. Now, not just are Test over, the Covid Warrior nods. I can't friends, teachers and classes online, so tell if its a man or a woman but offer my are her quarantined parents. She thanks for the fearless role they play. I understands it's a battle the world is up roll up the car window, little knowing that against and doesn't complain. the Warrior is the last person I'll see in By Day 9 , the fever and body ache 17 days. 'Covid positive', says the report, subside. What follows is an intermittent a verdict more piercing than the stinging shortness of breath. As an asthmatic nasal swab. Having self-isolated since prone to seasonal asthma, I hope it's the first signs of fever four days earlier, I just that. At the back of my mind, I know read and re-read the report, hoping for a the havoc Covid can play with the For an avid news follower, I suddenly find sure I'm not alone, making their different result. Despite the unremitting respiratory system. As any asthmatic it difficult to read the papers or watch presence felt in countless ways. My use of masks, hand sanitizers and would know, not being able to breathe the news. Stories of Covid deaths and husband dutifully leaves my food and an sprays, I've been blindsided by a shrewd easy is distressing. I push away images of patients struggling in hospital endless supply of hot drinks outside my and unsparing opponent. I slowly absorb thoughts of ventilators and oxygen derail my sense of calm, stirring anxiety. room. Since my daughter won't be seeing the weight of the report and steel myself masks and rely on steam inhalation, I make the difficult decision not to follow either parent for weeks, my sister steps for the road ahead. I inform my family breathing exercises, asthama the news for the next few days, sending in to fill her parents' shoes. Not just that, and senior colleagues, sorry for the medication and my inhaler to help me myself deeper into isolation. The wily she runs my house remotely and updates anxiety it will cause them. breathe easy. My sister in the U.S. virus manifests itself differently for the civic authorities and RWA about my "Can I tell a friend?" asks my 15-year- suggests I shut my room window, just different people. I have no cough or cold, Covid status . My sister-in-law who is a old daughter on a video call later that in case it's letting in some allergens. A only fever and body ache for the first few doctor takes charge of my recovery while evening. "Of course," I say, adding that week later, I can breathe easy again. days. My temperature dips in the day, our reassuring NDTV doctor calls several we will go about this in an open and Quarantine over, I step out into the lulling me into believing that I'm on the times a day to ask how I am. Supportive informed manner. Discreetly but disorienting sunshine of a Delhi summer. mend. By the evening, I watch with messages from friends, cousins and anxiously, she scans my face and asks I surprise my daughter who wasn't trepidation as the digits on the colleagues flood my inbox, while parents why my eyes are puffy. I tell her that the expecting me. The anxiety I saw on her thermometer rise - 100, 101, 101.5. The of friends ensure one doesn't feel the loss fever is to blame for my swollen eyes, face over video calls makes way for a nights are long and uncertain - tossing of one's own. Touchingly, former though in reality it was the thought of Kodak moment. There's nothing more I and turning, feeling hot and cold. There's colleagues who I haven't met in years my physical separation from her that can wish for. I may have recovered from a dull ache in my head and my legs hurt. send messages of support. I may be had driven me to tears earlier in the day. Covid but there is no room for celebration. I spend several nights sitting up - hermetically sealed off, but the world I can see her bravely holding up and my I'm deeply grateful for having seen the pressing my head with one hand, my breaches my walls to reach me. heart aches at not being able to hug her light at the end of the tunnel. My heart legs with the other. And then there's the Day 7 is crucial. From here on, it's wait when she needs reassurance and goes out to those who went down fighting Oximeter - a must-have accessory for and watch as I'm told you can either get comfort. We're both hurting, both trying and to families who won't see loved ones Covid cases. Several times a day, I better or take a turn for the worse. I try to put up a brave face. again. I'm filled with gratitude for frontline check my oxygen levels, levels that can to stay calm, banking on books and New cases, deaths, recoveries - for those workers, bravely fighting an invisible dip precipitously for those affected by Netflix, which my daughter has finally of us in a newsroom, these three Covid enemy, staking all that they have for a Coronavirus. Many stressful moments prevailed upon me to download. Yet, it's statistics are what we process daily. As cause larger than themselves. In these are spent in isolation waiting for the an anxious wait, waking up each morning I pick up the newspaper the next day, uncertain times one thing's for sure - God Oximeter to deliver its verdict - mercifully, wondering if this is the day I'll finally the statistics seem personal. I've appears in many avatars, PPE suits is it doesn't let me down. Despite being in flatten the curve. A colleague has been become part of the story - a 'new case'. one of them. isolation, my family and friends make in the Covid ICU and is in need of plasma Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 OPINION 11 My Covid-19 Experience

By Mukul Kesavan seemed small. you must go into an I tested positive for Covid-19 on The one transaction that seems airconditioned shop, either order June 6 after two and a half careless in retrospect was a visit what you want and step out while months of a fairly rigorous to an optician to order a pair of the shop bills you, or finish your quarantine. The first question that back up glasses that were, by business inside five minutes and people who test positive ask definition, unnecessary. This leave. A friend of mine who has themselves is, how did this happened four days before I diabetes was even more careful happen despite my precautions? began running a fever, and the than I was, not stepping out once This is especially true of middle visit was more a diversion from since the Prime Minister class victims of Covid who have the cloistered monotony of two inaugurated the lockdown, and the online connectivity and months of quarantine than a real not coming within yards of non- financial reserves to shield errand. It was a small, air- household humans. It still wasn't themselves from the outside conditioned shop and I was there enough to keep the virus out. It's world as the virus spreads. for just under fifteen minutes. hard to draw definite lessons morbidities that leave you patch on a lung that might have My household - my wife, our Everyone inside was masked but from anecdotal evidence. vulnerable to the sudden gone undetected at home. cook and I - stayed inside the getting fitted for frames is a close- Statistically, the chances of respiratory crises that severe My decision to isolate at home, house from late March, when the range business. I didn't need a infection via fomites might be low, cases of covid can induce. and my friend's decision to check lockdown began, to late May. All test because they had my but it's still a possibility. All you I had a single symptom: low- into hospital, were taken on the deliveries were transacted in the prescription, but trying on can do is commit yourself to best- grade fever that lasted advice of physicians contacted open air across a table in our spectacle frames, centering the practice routines that keep the unbroken for eleven days. I over the phone or via a video backyard. We vaguely lenses and paying the bill took a odds in your favour. didn't have a cough or consultation. These aren't understood that the virus could while. The second, and more shortness of breath, nor did I decisions that a lay person of linger on objects and infected An article I read later in The Wall pressing question after testing lose my sense of smell or any age should make on the surfaces called fomites, so we Street Journal about covid positive for Covid is whether taste. I don't have hypertension strength of general knowledge let durable goods sit outside till transmission suggested that you should isolate at home or or diabetes. I do have apnoea, a or online erudition. We are so their surfaces became sterile and some infections in China check into a hospital. This is sleeping disorder, but I hadn't irradiated with information tried, to the extent possible, to occurred in restaurants because a particularly urgent question read it mentioned as relevant to about Covid-19 that the scrub packaged perishables with aerosolized virus accumulated for people over sixty (like me) Covid, so I chose to ignore it. I temptation to stay home and soap and water. Fresh produce "...in the air over time and strong because this cohort accounts isolated at home and I was lucky; self-medicate with was soaked in a solution of airflow from an air-conditioning for the vast majority of covid my fever broke and I recovered. hydroxychloroquine or potassium permanganate and unit on the wall may have helped deaths the world over. From The friend with diabetes chose Vitamins C and D or karha is rinsed in the hope that this would recirculate the particles in the my own experience, and that to check into hospital after a strong. It should be vigorously keep the novel corona virus at air." It's possible that the close of friends over sixty who cough developed and his oxygen resisted. It's another matter bay. encounter at the optician's led to tested positive, the answer to levels (as measured by an whether a hospital bed will be As the lockdown was eased, I my infection but it's impossible that question depends on a) oximeter) dropped. It was the available or affordable, should began to occasionally take my to know for certain. If there is a your symptoms and b) right decision because it allowed you choose to check in. But evening walk around the moral to this story, it is that if whether you have co- the doctors to spot and treat a that's a question for another day. neighbourhood with my mask on, veering away from approaching people at abrupt tangents. Given 3 Steps Government Should Take To Save Jobs In Tourism the repeated assurances of epidemiologists that the The Prime Minister's speech on almost four months ago. India The Committee finally met on and Oyo are struggling, imagine possibility of catching the virus June 30 coincided with the was in the early days of the March 18. It was a desultory the plight of the smaller players. outdoors was vanishingly small, inauguration of Unlock 2.0. This COVID-19 pandemic. As a effort. Few took the pandemic As COVID-19 numbers keep provided social distance was is the phase when government country, we had only 30 positive seriously, even though the rising, the risk to livelihoods will maintained, it seems unlikely policy should gradually be cases. Even so, it was apparent number of cases was nearly 200 also continue to rise. The aviation that those walks were the source making the transition from relief to some of us that the danger by then and calls for a lockdown industry is likely to suffer a loss of my infection. to repair - repair of the economy was coming. The government had begun to be heard. The rest of US$ 11.2 billion due to COVID- I visited banks on three separate from the ill-planned lockdown. continued to be in denial, but in is history. 19. This could claim 2.9 million occasions to catch up with Unfortunately, the speech had neighbouring and regional Tourism has been knocked out jobs. transactions that had been little in terms of economic countries, the panic was starting cold by COVID-19. It will be Even before the pandemic, the postponed. In each case, the foresight and planning. It is not and the numbers were mounting. among the last industries to travel and tourism sector was the banks were nearly empty, the that the government is without Six days later, the World Health recover. People will regain full step-child of the government. tellers (and I) wore masks and funds. Raising petrol and diesel Organisation formally declared confidence to travel only when a Budget allocations this year were social distance was strictly prices, and accessing the Rs the novel coronavirus outbreak a vaccine is developed, and the low, despite the promise of observed. All of these visits were 8,000 crore saved following the "pandemic". impact can be imagined. Tourism making India an "incredible" short: just over five minutes. On suspension of the MPLAD Why am I referring to March 5? accounts for nearly 10 per cent destination. The optimists had another occasion, I went to a scheme, has given the On that day, in my capacity as a of India's GDP and employs hoped that tourism would be large shoe shop to buy summer government room to spend. We member of the Parliamentary 12.75 per cent of our workforce recognised as an export industry chappals. Shop assistants had suggested that this money Standing Committee on Travel, (2019-20 figures). A Business of and get tax benefits, but the sprayed my hands with sanitizer, be used to transfer Rs 10,000 Culture and Tourism, I wrote to Travel Trade survey estimates 40 Finance Minister made no such I pointed at the pair I wanted to directly to the accounts of each the chair of the Committee. I per cent of companies in the travel announcement. Infrastructure buy and a quick credit card worker in the unorganized sector, urged the Committee to take suo and tourism sector are at risk of and connectivity gaps were not transaction completed the visit. who comprise nearly 90% of our motu cognizance of the impact closure over the next six months. substantially addressed either. There were very few customers workforce. But this government of COVID-19 on the aviation and A massive 81 per cent of travel There were expectations that the about and as I paid, it was moot has decided to ignore workers tourism industry, and meet as and tourism companies have lost government's COVID-19 who was keener to shrink away and has chosen not to upfront early as it could. 100 per cent of their revenue due stimulus package would provide from the other, the cashier or me. help small businesses, My letter was ignored. The BJP to the COVID-19 pandemic. A some relief to travel and tourism. Again, it's possible that I caught especially in those sectors that is never in a mood to listen to further 15 per cent have lost up Sadly, this Rs 20 lakh crore the virus during these generate enormous employment, constructive suggestions made to 75 per cent. According to the package - more a rebranded loan transactions, but given the both direct and indirect. by an opposition MP. In March, Federation of Associations in scheme than a genuine stimulus scientific advice, the physical One such industry is hospitality the party's attention was on Indian Tourism and Hospitality, - offered very little for travel and precautions taken-sanitizing, and travel. To tell you its plight, another MP - Madhya Pradesh - between 38 and 50 million jobs tourism stakeholders. As I wrote masking, social distance, and to explain how some of this where defections were being are at risk. If even large, earlier, the travel and tourism handwashing afterwards - and could have been anticipated, let organized and a state homegrown, well-funded players industry is critical for jobs and the brevity of the visits, the risk me take you back to March 5, government was being toppled. like MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Goibibo livelihoods. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 VIEWPOINT 12 The return of Amit Shah to the national stage While his return marks the return of politics, as HM, Shah must provide a healing touch to the citizenry By Rajdeep Sardesai reduced to expressing its angst states. A faltering economy is put displace the Janata Dal-Secular- confrontation. This is not a In the nasty and cruel world of on , there seemed little on pause mode but no Congress government in moment for further dividing a social media, even the second space for raising issues of vital industrialists (with one or two , engineer mass hyper-polarised society or most powerful man in the country public interest. Neither Parliament notable exceptions) can raise defections in Goa, topple the seeking to rule by fear and is not spared. When Union home nor scarcely a select or standing their voice. No details are provided Congress government in Madhya intimidation. Whether a leader like minister Amit Shah was committee has met to address to a Right to Information petition Pradesh, and now gradually break Shah can reinvent himself is conspicuous by his absence in urgent matters. Yes, Prime filed seeking information about the the Congress in . uncertain. The rules for good the first two months of the Covid- Minister (PM) Narendra Modi PM Cares Fund. Petrol and diesel With Shah’s return to centre- governance are very different from 19 lockdown, there were even has held half-a-dozen meetings prices are hiked 22 times in two stage, it would seem that the those for winning elections. distressing questions raised over video-conference with chief months with no explanation. A 27- Modi government is preparing to Already, in Delhi, there are about his health, eventually ministers but these cyber- year-old Jamia Millia Islamia shift gears once again and focus suggestions that Shah is forcing the home minister to issue engagements cannot be a student activist is named as a on the political management of a overseeing the Covid-19 fight by a clarification that all was well. In substitute for the cut-and-thrust prime conspirator in the Delhi Covid-19-struck nation. There is, diktat with little consultation with the last month, as the country of public debate. Where other riots but local political leaders for example, an election to be won the state government. Which slowly unlocks, all doubts have coronavirus-affected linked to the ruling party are given in at the year-end and might partly explain why so many been put to rest: Shah is well and democracies, most notably the a clean chit. A police officer Shah’s poll organisation skills will unilateral decisions taken one day truly back. United Kingdom, have ensured arrested for allegedly helping be required to ensure what seems are hastily abandoned the very He has given a slew of well- that open parliamentary debate is terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir a near-inevitable triumph. There is next. The home minister may choreographed interviews on the encouraged, India has chosen to is granted bail because no an even bigger prize that awaits have no love lost for Delhi chief first anniversary of Modi 2.0. He impose a moratorium on its charge-sheet is filed, but bail to in next year, the minister Arvind Kejriwal but this has addressed virtual rallies in politics. human rights activists is furiously conquest of which Shah has is a moment to set aside personal Bihar, and West Bengal. This willful disregard for any form opposed. made a personal mission of sorts. differences and work as a team. He has closely monitored the of democratic dissent and In this ominous scenario of That in the midst of the pandemic So far, in his political career, Rajya Sabha elections, discussion is dangerous. It allows unbridled State power, re-enters and in a cyclone-ravaged state, Shah has been a divisive figure; especially in his home state of a dominant party government to Amit Shah. No other minister in Shah chose to launch a scathing now he needs to become a Gujarat and staved off a crisis in impose its will on the people, Modi 2.0 has invested as much attack on his great rival, Mamata unifying force by providing a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led behind a veil of non-transparency time and equity in keeping the Banerjee, is a sign that the gloves healing touch to a traumatised Manipur. Most significantly, he has and non-accountability. A serious political pot boiling as the home are now off once again. citizenry. Post-script: The only virtually taken over as the Big national security challenge on the minister. From nullifying Article Ironically, the home minister is thing certain about Indian politics Boss of the Covid-19-hit national Sino-Indian border in Ladakh has 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, expected to work closely with is that the future is uncertain. At capital. been wrapped up in secrecy and pushing ahead with the state governments during a the beginning of 2020, Shah and In a sense, the return of Shah disingenuous wordplay. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, national disaster, provide support Kejriwal were engaged in one of marks the unlocking of politics. tragedy of the dislocation of driving the Ram Mandir agenda and guidance to them, and ensure the most acrimonious and For almost three months during millions of migrant workers is forward, Shah has provided the harmonious Centre-state polarised election campaigns the the lockdown, it wasn’t just the blamed on state governments. ideological muscle to the BJP’s relations. Shah’s personality trait country has seen. Now, a virus country’s economy that was in a The failure to prepare for a Hindutva juggernaut. Not to forget is instinctively combative but a has forced them to jointly lockdown; it was also its politics. pandemic by boosting health his sharp and ruthless political pandemic calls for a change in inaugurate Covid-19 care centres With the mostly-timid Opposition infrastructure is again blamed on instincts that have seen the BJP style, for co-operation and not as grim-faced, masked men! The Taste With Vir: I support the TikTok ban But the calls for a boycott of all Chinese goods are ill-thought out. By Vir Sanghvi (the figure for China’s exports to the US equipment are being arbitrarily held up by This is what some economists call the Now that we are all agreed that Tik Tok is ranges between 15 to 21 per cent, Indian customs authorities.The Indian auto PayTM problem. While PayTM is hailed A Bad Thing, where do we go next? Do depending on how you calculate it). industry is also dependent on Chinese as a great Indian achievement (which it we extend the bans/boycotts on services Presumably President Xi had already components and would be damaged by is) it is also true that it is majority-owned and products from the People’s Republic thought of the trade implications when he import bans on Chinese goods. by Chinese interests. In fact it is owned of China (PMC)? And if yes, how do we escalated the conflict with India. So yes, it is tempting to call for a boycott by the same Chinese conglomerate that go about it? The first thing to remember is Another way of controlling China’s exports on Chinese products. But let’s be clear: owns the UC Browser. So why act against that global boycotts can and do work. to India would be a simple import ban we can only boycott the products that are the browser and not PayTM? South Africa would never have agreed to imposed by the government but that, as not essential for Indian industry. If you are to look at companies where dismantle apartheid if the world had not we shall see poses dangers including Otherwise, it’s we who lose out. Chinese investors hold significant stakes, boycotted its products and made retaliation and damage to Indian industry. We can, quite easily, boycott Chinese the list includes nearly every celebrated apartheid-supporting South Africans feel The key question about boycotting consumer goods like TVs and smart start-up of the last decade or so: Big like a global pariahs. Chinese imports is: where does the phones. It won’t necessarily do much Basket, Byjus, Flipkart, MakeMyTrip, Ola, What’s less clear is whether country-to- boycott end? It is okay to boycott Chinese harm to the Chinese economy or make Oyo, Swiggy, Zomato, Snapdeal and country boycotts change the attitudes of smart phones. But do we boycott any any difference to President XI. many others. regimes. Few of us use anything made in product that has Chinese components? But it will make us feel better about There is nothing immoral or underhand Pakistan. And from time to time we have This is almost impossible to do because ourselves. And it will make a symbolic about what these companies are doing. boycotted sporting events with Pakistan. there is no way of knowing where every point. They accepted Chinese investment openly It is not clear whether these boycotts have single component in say, a machine, was Once you get past phones and and transparently, within the rules made made any difference to the attitude of the manufactured. And besides, we use computers, however, things get more by the Indian government. Islamabad regime. Chinese components just as much as the complicated. If you are banning or But the truth is that as they prosper and So, I am not sure that an Indian boycott rest of the world. Already, there are boycotting the products that Chinese their valuations go up, the Chinese make of Chinese goods will change Beijing’s complaints that Chinese components and business manufactures, do you extend the more and more money. And they get rich mindset. At present, around two to three ingredients that are needed for the same principle to companies that Chinese from Indian consumers. per cent of China’s exports come to India manufacture of drugs and medical business owns in India? (Contd on page 30) Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 PERSPECTIVE 13 Why can companies still silence us with mandatory arbitration? More than 55% of the American workforce is now subject to mandatory arbitration. This system of private courts must be abolished US supreme court issued a series been so eager to adopt of arbitration’s of rulings saying that arbitration mandatory arbitration clauses. disenfranchisement of workers: in could be used for other kinds of The arbitration system favors arbitration, all disputes are one- conflicts – including conflicts employers over employees in on-one. There is no such thing as between employees and several crucial ways. Chief a class action arbitration case. employers over things such as among them is confidentiality: the Even if sexual harassment is discrimination. secrecy of arbitration pervasive at a company, with According to the Economic proceedings allows companies to many victims who have standing Policy Institute, more than 55% avoid embarrassment and public to complain, women will have to of the American workforce is now censure. Mandatory arbitration bring complaints to arbitration one subject to mandatory arbitration clauses are often paired with non- at a time. – up from just 2% in 1992. Most disclosure or non-disparagement This changes the economic of those workers don’t know that agreements, which forbid an calculus of bringing a harassment they have forfeited their right to employee from saying anything complaint: it is much less By Moira Donegan they were not entitled to take that sue. Employers slip mandatory that could be construed as efficient, and much more When it was revealed in October claim to court. Instead, they would arbitration clauses into their negative about the company or its expensive, to hire a lawyer for that Andy Rubin received a $90m be forced into an alternative employee contracts – those big leaders. Combined, these every individual employee who exit package after being forced to justice system called arbitration. stacks of confusingly worded provisions allow employers that has been victimized. And just as resign over a credible sexual Arbitration is a system of private hiring documents that employees use arbitration to conceal bad mandatory arbitration clauses are harassment claim, Google courts. They operate using are asked to sign, but usually behavior by management or a often paired with non-disclosure employees around the world different rules than civil courts – don’t read. pervasive culture of harassment, agreements, they are also often walked out in protest. They were there is no judge or jury, for In the wake of the #MeToo and to quietly dispatch those who accompanied by class action disgusted at what appeared to be instance, but an “arbitrator” who movement, mandatory arbitration complain. waivers, meaning the employee a reward for bad behavior, and is chosen by the parties, and paid clauses have posed a problem. The confidentiality provision also can’t join any class action case they wanted more accountability by the employer, to decide the Women who feel newly hampers a complainant’s lawyer, that is brought against the for members of management. But case. It is strictly confidential. emboldened and safe in coming who, because she is bound by company in a court. An individual they were also angry at the Since the 1920s, arbitration has forward with their accounts of confidentiality, also can’t look for arbitration is her only option. strategy that the company used been legally binding: once parties harassment and assault in the other plaintiffs who have had There’s also the matter of to keep harassment claims a agree to settle a dispute in workplace find to their surprise similar experiences of outcomes. In arbitration, secret: forced arbitration.Google arbitration, they give up their right that they have already harassment or discrimination at employees win their cases much employees, like their counterparts to go to court. relinquished their right to a day in the company. “There are [lawyers] less often than in court – and at a ballooning number of The practice has been around for court. Instead, they are forced into out there who know about fairly when they do, they are awarded American companies, were centuries, functioning as a a private system, where their harrowing wrongdoing,” says much less money. There’s no subject to forced arbitration – quicker, cheaper alternative to the claims are resolved with unclear David Noll, a professor at Rutgers right of appeal. And all of this is meaning that if they had a conflict formal justice system, and it was rules for the process, little Law and an expert in arbitration. agreed to in a contract that’s with their employer, such as wage originally developed to settle oversight, and a mandate to keep “And they can’t go out and find presented to employees without theft, race discrimination, or in disputes between businesses. it all a secret. other people that it happened to.” the opportunity for negotiation, this case, sexual harassment, But starting in the mid-1980s, the There is a reason employers have This brings us to a second pillar (Contd on page 30) Why did it take so long for Reddit and Facebook to block racist groups? Powerful tech companies have two areas of vulnerability - employees and advertisers. Now both are in open revolt decided it was time to declare a Facebook, Reddit and other choose to, have a lot of power in different way of dealing with companies had to take much terms of collective message- dangerous, extremist content – at more seriously the question of making. Recent months have least on the surface. Why all this how they influence the world. Of seen growing expressions of action, and why now? course, social media scholars disgust among workers at major The first half of 2020 was a perfect have been calling for this level of tech companies who are storm of factors that made many attention for almost a decade. frustrated at their companies’ of these companies reconsider Since around 2017, many refusal to respond more how they want to represent journalists have, as well. But it assertively to problems with how themselves to the world and how took more than scholarship and their platforms are used. The they want to treat their users. The journalism to make a difference. CEOs and COOs of these flood of misinformation about the Companies as rich, powerful, and companies are now, belatedly, Covid-19 pandemic endangered ubiquitous as Facebook and realizing they have to take these lives. The bold movements for Google only have two real soft concerns seriously. social justice that rose up in the spots. One is labor. Both Google, The other soft spot is advertising. By Siva Vaidhyanathan groups devoted to the “boogaloo” wake of the martyrdom of George which owns YouTube, and Advertisers have even more power This week, in a matter of just 48 movement, which hopes to spark Floyd heightened sensitivity and Facebook face a constant than workers. This week several hours, several social media a race war in the United States. awareness of the dangers of white shortage of highly qualified and major global advertisers, companies made major changes These developments signal a supremacy in the US like nothing experienced workers. Many apparently led by Unilever, to how their platforms are and can significant shift in how these else in recent years. And the re- people who work for these announced that they are be used. Reddit deleted a group, companies see their role and election effort of Donald Trump has companies have other suspending advertising on or “subreddit”, called “The responsibility in the world. Until grown increasingly dangerous, employment options in ways that Facebook until the company has Donald” that was known for extremely recently their leaders with the president and his most American workers will never stronger protocols against the use encouraging targeted harassment repeatedly declared that “free followers frequently deriding enjoy. Technology workers of its platform for hate speech and and hate speech. YouTube speech” was their primary value, public health efforts and command high salaries and have disinformation. banned videos from white and trumped other values like celebrating state and vigilante unusual flexibility in their career Unilever may be one of the few supremacists like David Duke and safety, dignity and democracy. violence against Black people and plans and life choices. They are institutions on earth that Richard Spencer. And Facebook Now, without declaring they had their allies. also in constant communication Facebook needs more than it cracked down on a wide swath of been wrong all along, these In this environment, corporate with each other, meaning that needs Facebook. dangerous content, including companies seem to have all leaders at Google, Twitter, Silicon Valley workers, when they (Contd on page 31) Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 ADVERTISEMENT 14 Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 INDIA-NEWS ANALYSIS 15 The mistaken Chinese calculation Its economy is shrinking; PLA isn’t fully prepared; anti-China sentiment is high; India will be resolute China has been uncomfortable All emerging great powers tend enterprises has impacted the with the emergence of another to be aggressive to maximise private sector that used to Asian power. Apart from their influence in the geopolitical contribute over 65% of the Gross checkmating proposals made by arena. However, in the case of Domestic Product (GDP) and India at the United Nations and China, such behaviour seems more than 90% of new jobs. other global forums, Beijing has premature. While China has Moreover, the relocation of tried to contain New Delhi’s made discernible strides in manufacturing, growing debt, and influence in the region. In a bid augmenting its comprehensive an ageing population that will to throw a cordon sanitaire national power (CNP), there are shrink its workforce, will impinge around India, China has focused still several internal and external on China’s economic stability in on the countries in India’s challenges that continue to give the long-term. In 2012, Xi had have assessed that at this But beneath the surface, there immediate and extended President Xi Jinping sleepless announced the transformation of juncture, PLA is well short of the is growing dissent against the neighbourhood. It has nights. On the domestic front, PLA into a world-class military, capabilities required to challenge CPC owing to the spike in established a strategic these pertain to its economy, the that would facilitate its journey other militaries.National morale unemployment, choked civil partnership with Pakistan and People’s Liberation Army towards the “world’s centre- is a crucial ingredient of CNP. liberties and victimisation of all deepened diplomatic, economic (PLA)’s leadership, national stage” by 2049. Since then, China’s national morale should perceived detractors and minority and military engagements with morale, and the rising anti-China multifaceted reforms have been not be gauged by its captive communities. Xi’s heavy-handed others. The Belt and Road sentiment in the international undertaken to enhance its media’s reportage and the approach in enhancing the CPC’s Initiative (BRI) has been domain. combat power and accountability diplomatic activism unleashed by control is also creating leveraged for this purpose. China China’s shrinking to the CPC. However, Xi, who its new brand of “wolf warriors”. dangerous undercurrents. As per also employs both inducements economy has generated personally monitors the reforms, Both are involved in countering open-source information, he had and coercion. In the Indo-Pacific widespread unemployment. The is unhappy with the professional the western and Indian media, dismissed and imprisoned over region, Africa and some other Chinese Communist Party standards of PLA leadership as besides marketing the Chinese 2.3 million officials between 2013- regions, China has unabashedly (CPC)-driven policy of it lacks practical war-fighting model of governance and 2018, including several senior interfered in internal matters. empowering State-owned experience. Several think-tanks projecting Xi as a global leader. PLA officials and bureaucrats. India in talks with US, Canada, others on establishing air travel bubbles: AAI Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had on June 20 said the government will start thinking on the resumption of scheduled international passenger flights in mid-July, when it expects the domestic air traffic to reach 50-55 per cent of the levels before the coronavirus. passenger flights in mid-July, from 33 per cent to 45 per when it expects the domestic air cent.The MOCA on June 23 had traffic to reach 50-55 per cent of said, “As we contemplate further the levels before the opening up in response to coronavirus.After nearly two demands, we are looking at the months of suspension to combat prospect of establishing the coronavirus outbreak, the individual bilateral bubbles, government resumed scheduled India-US, India-, India- domestic passenger flights on Germany, India-UK. These are May 25. However, it had then all destinations where demand India is in talks with the US and and Canada, India and Europe Hardeep Singh Puri had on June allowed the airlines to operate for travel has not diminished. Canada and the countries in and India and the Gulf countries 20 said the government will start the maximum 33 per cent of their Final decisions pursuant to European and Gulf regions on to start flights in these bubbles,” thinking on the resumption of pre-COVID flights. The MOCA negotiations are expected to be establishing individual bilateral he said at a webinar called scheduled international increased the limits on June 26 taken soon.” bubbles which will allow airlines “Reposing the faith in flying” of each country in the pact to organised by the GMR operate international flights, group.Scheduled international Covid-19: Changing what it means to travel safely said Arvind Singh, Chairman, passenger flights remain Our ability to move has shaped the world, and transit and fuel-guzzling personal transport? Airports Authority of India (AAI), suspended in India since March it will dictate the future of the human race. But It’s heartening to see that India’s on Thursday. 23 due to the coronavirus as the world struggles through an pioneering technology services industry has The Ministry of Civil Aviation pandemic. unprecedented lockdown, it faces a scary, new embraced working from home. However, for (MOCA) had on June 23 said Singh said the MOCA official has question: How will cities safely move billions of many, personal transport or working from home India is considering establishing informed him that the people after a pandemic? Before Covid-19, we is not an option. Mass transit must find “individual bilateral bubbles” with discussion with the countries is took mobility for granted. On an average day, solutions to get back up and running while the US, the UK, Germany and at a “very advanced” level and five million travelled by the Delhi Metro, and over slowing the spread of the coronavirus. The New France. the effort is to restart 10 million by Delhi’s public buses. The Indian York City Transit, responsible for the city’s Singh said, “This morning, I took international flights at the Railways carried over 24 million, and Mumbai’s buses and subway, is testing social distancing a brief from the key point person earliest.“I am sure there would buses over 30 million passengers a day. A markers at stations, as well as “rides by (from the MOCA) who is be a positive outcome of the million passengers travelled through India’s reservation”. The city’s subway authorities negotiating with the countries, talks with the US, Canada and airports every day. Today, those numbers are disinfect each train every night. The Paris, and he said that we are in with the Gulf countries and the down sharply. As India thinks about how to London and Singapore Transit authorities are constant touch. We are working negotiations are going on,” he reopen safely, the question will be how will it making face masks mandatory for riders, on a consensus to restart the noted.The EU has presently move millions, while keeping people safe. Can installing thermal scanners, and limiting the international flights. This is banned the flights from India as you have social distancing during rush hour on number of seats available on trains. In China, going to be through air bubbles.” the number of coronavirus cases a Mumbai local train? In 2020, will we be torn robots are disinfecting trains and stations, and “Talks are mainly going on are rising in the country, Singh between environment-friendly, efficient mass providing hand sanitisers to passengers. between India and the US, India said. Civil Aviation Minister Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 ADVERTISMENT 16 Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 ADVERTISEMENT 17 Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 INDIA-NEWS ANALYSIS 18 It can no longer be business-as-usual India needs to reset its entire relationship with China. There will be pain, but it’s time to stand up The difference between the India. China will decide Chinese century. summer of 2020 and earlier what is its territory and will India’s military action in face-offs between Indian move to exercise actual eastern Ladakh, in turn, and Chinese troops in control over it. The Indian sends China the very clear eastern Ladakh is that, this Army has blocked the message that India does time around, the Chinese Chinese and is deployed to not accept Chinese People’s Liberation Army protect Indian territorial hegemony and will not (PLA) has come in integrity. What PLA has also tolerate its bullying and strength. managed to do is to violate pushing. India shall stand up Several divisions of PLA all the principles, norms, to it. The nation’s brave reinforce and reiterate its strong indication of New causing some pain to have been deployed in the standard procedures which soldiers did exactly this, on military messaging through Delhi’s mindset. ourselves. When we have depth areas, and, have evolved over the past that fateful night of June 15 policy decisions which One consequence of decided that a strong consequently, there are also 25 years to maintain peace in the Galwan Valley. further underline India’s very Chinese actions will be for message needs to be sent larger numbers of troops in and tranquillity in the border Remember, the rest of the clear national consensus India to strengthen its to China, then we must close proximity to each areas. They have displayed world is also watching. If not to accept Chinese big partnerships with also be ready to bear the other in the India–China how little store it sets by China has thrown down the brotherly attitudes and plain democracies such as the pain. border areas. The Indian agreements signed by its gauntlet, India has picked it bullying. It is for this reason United States, Japan, Indian soldiers have done Army has also made a own government. up. that India will have to take France, South Korea and, this on our borders; now it matching build-up in the Strategically, what the Having militarily sent out measures to indicate that if perhaps, Indonesia. India is time for ordinary Indians area and all along the Line Chinese are signalling to the clear intention to take there is no peace on the must also expand its to show that they are willing of Actual Control (LAC). India and the world is that on China and oppose its border, the rest of the relations with Taiwan. Delhi to do so too. The pain is Due to the sheer numbers they are the number one aggressive methods aimed relationship with China will will have to reassess its likely to come in the form of as well as the fact that power in Asia and that they at browbeating other also be negatively impacted. China policy with a cool, higher consumer prices for armour and artillery have will throw their weight nations including India, we A reassessment and calm, rational frame of mind. certain products; it may also been brought up, it is around as they wish, cannot let the rest of the recalibration of India’s China There is no need for knee- come in the form of lower apparent that PLA has whether in the South China India-China relationship policy are required to make jerk reactions. In order to profits for firms; it may also planned and prepared this Sea or on the India-China continue as normal. It India’s messaging crystal weigh the options which can take the form of lower current offensive. It aims at border. cannot be business as clear.The first step in this be on the table, India has revenues for traders. moving the ground positions They also want India to usual. resetting of India’s China to have widespread We shall have to accept of Chinese troops right up understand and accept that Why? If India was to do that policy was the ban on 59 consultations which must some pain, if we are to to what they conceive is China’s comprehensive we would be negating the Chinese apps such as be timebound. The new convey that we are a strong, LAC. national power far outweighs message of our military TikTok, WeChat and UC policy must be united nation which China By doing so, what, in effect, India’s, and that the nation action on the ground, and, Browser. India is only implemented within 2020 has made the mistake of the Chinese are attempting must acknowledge its place in stark contrast, be getting started. Banning itself.Such a reset and riling. India’s strength of to accomplish is to in the pecking order of Asia. conveying to the Chinese Chinese firms on national recalibration of India’s China character will have to be put unilaterally define and India must roll over and play that India can live with what security grounds from policy, particularly in the on full display to indicate to determine LAC without dead. The 21st Century is its army has done. participating in India’s 5G economic realm, cannot be China that it will not be bilateral consultation with not an Asian century but a Therefore, India needs to trials and rollout will be a accomplished without business as usual. On tech, India was naive. It has finally woken up Entrepreneurs now have a chance to build technologies which can serve as alternatives to Chinese dominance The Chinese government banned WeChat, enables bill payment, and business models of another economy in which money is the propaganda about the need for Facebook in 2009. And even Mark ordering taxis and booking hotels country and duplicate them. ultimate weapon and winners take open markets. Zuckerberg — despite having a while chatting with friends. It is Technologies are advancing on all. If tech companies cannot There are some big differences, wife of Chinese origin; learning so far ahead in innovation that exponential curves and becoming copy a technology, they buy the though, between the Chinese and Mandarin; and doing public Facebook is desperately trying to faster and cheaper, making them competitor. American companies that are relations stunts such as jogging copy its features in the payment affordable to every country. And then there is data, the most vying for the Indian markets. The in the smog-filled streets of Beijing system it added to WhatsApp. Technology companies that don’t valuable of all technical resources. Chinese government largely to say how much he loved China Other Chinese companies such innovate risk going out of business Data analysis enables everything controls the actions of its — was not able to have it change as Alibaba, Baidu, and DJI, have because local start-ups are from micro-targeting of companies, feeds them its policy. Zuckerberg even went also raced ahead. Huawei has constantly emerging to challenge advertisements to voter resources and technologies it has to the extent of creating new tools become a global threat with its them. suppression and population stolen from the West. It gives to censor and suppress content 5G technologies and deep Chinese technology control. Mobile applications are them every unfair advantage so — to please the communists. government links. protectionism created a fertile the greatest spying devices ever that it can steal more and subvert But the Chinese were smarter As I have mentioned before in ground for local start-ups by invented, monitoring not only their democracies. Silicon Valley than he was. They saw no these columns, the protectionism eliminating the threat of foreign users’ interests but also their companies want more data so advantages in letting a foreign that economists have long decried predators. The government locations, purchasing habits, that they can sell more products. company dominate their — which favours domestic selected what companies it could connections, political opinions, They may show bad judgment and technology industry. China also supplies of physical goods and best control and gave them the and health. cross ethical lines, but they aren’t blocked Google, Twitter, and services — supposedly limits advantage. That is why the top technology playing geopolitics or Netflix, and tripped up companies competition, creates monopolies, China actually learned some its companies from both East and endangering the sovereignty of such as Uber. Chinese raises costs, and stifles tactics from Silicon Valley, which West, the monopolists and free nations. This is why the Indian technology companies are now competitiveness and productivity. doesn’t believe in free markets predators, see India as the juiciest government’s decision to ban among the most valuable few in But that is not a problem in the either. The Valley’s moguls of all spoils. It has a massive TikTok and other Chinese the world. Facebook’s Chinese technology world. Over the openly tout the need to build market ripe for the picking, and companies makes sense. What competitor, Tencent, eclipsed it in Internet, knowledge and ideas monopolies and gain an unfair data gold mines. India has also was long holding Indian market capitalisation in November spread instantaneously. competitive advantage by been naïve in its data protection entrepreneurs back was the lack 2017, passing the $500-billion Entrepreneurs in one country can dumping capital. They take pride policies and support for domestic of Internet connectivity and mobile mark. Its social media platform, easily learn about the innovations in their position in a global innovation; it bought the old phones. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 INDIA-NEWS ANALYSIS 19 The double-speak of parties on foreign funding Both the BJP and the Congress united to circumvent the law. Their barbs on China carry little meaning Opposition interests to cynicism behind this first presented with submit to audits by the measure was matched only details of the scheme, RBI Comptroller and Auditor by the legislative told the finance ministry that General (CAG), political clumsiness on display; the new funding instrument parties face no third-party because several of the was vulnerable to money scrutiny. Yes, one can foreign donations pre-dated laundering, opacity, and readily find parties’ income 2010, Parliament had to potential abuse. ECI, too, tax returns online. But pass a second retrospective lamented that the new nowhere in this raft of bill in 2018 —this one bonds would open the door documents will you find amending the original 1976 to foreign influence via either the signature of a FCRA law. dodgy money routed credible, independent Having tackled the FCRA through shell companies. auditor or a tight correlation issue, the present These concerns fell on deaf with the reality of party government ushered in a ears. finances. trifecta of legislative But, perhaps, the most But it is in the realm of changes — the introduction damning reality is that no foreign contributions where of anonymous electoral politician in India is losing As India’s border stand-off that they are now bring the parties to heel, the hypocrisy of political bonds, the elimination of the sleep over this sordid state with China continues, the demanding. When it comes referred the matter to the elites is the most apparent. cap on corporate giving, and of affairs. Politicians are latter’s aggressive to transparency, credible Supreme Court, where it In 2014, the Delhi high court the scrapping of a provision counting on political manoeuvres raise difficult auditing, and protections languishes till today. found both the BJP and the that firms detail their tribalism to dominate questions about India’s against foreign influence, According to an Congress guilty of accepting political contributions on common sense, sending diplomatic options, foreign both parties chant in unison: Association for Democratic donations from several their annual profit and loss citizens scurrying to their partnerships, and future Do as I say, not as I do. Reforms (ADR) analysis, foreign corporations. In statements. respective social media defence requirements. But In a landmark 2013 two-thirds of national 2016, these two rivals set Collectively, these corners. They are counting the latest crisis has also set judgment, the Central parties’ declared income in aside their bitter differences alterations have not simply on the populace to imbibe off an unseemly round of Information Commission 2018-2019 emanated from to bail one another out by opened the door to possible the headlines, glossing over finger-pointing between the (CIC) ruled that India’s “unknown sources”. amending the 2010 Foreign foreign funding, they have the fine print. And, most Bharatiya Janata Party political parties operate as Interestingly, the ruling Contribution Regulation Act flung it open and laid down importantly, they are (BJP) and its principal “public entities,” rendering party’s unknown income (FCRA) to retroactively a welcome mat. We counting on voters to national rival, the Congress, them subject to the was 1.5 times greater that redefine what a “foreign now know from Nitin ignore concerns about with both sides accusing provisions of the Right to of the other five national source” was under the law. Sethi’s investigative probity when they show the other of cosying up to Information Act. In parties combined. Rather than face the reporting that the up at the ballot box. And, the communist regime. response, the six national Of course, these figures consequences, the two Reserve Bank of India in the end, who can In response to Opposition parties thumbed their nose represent what parties parties conspired to simply (RBI) and the Election blame them? As evident barbs that the Narendra at the CIC, disregarding the determine acceptable to reclassify previously Commission of India in voting patterns, when it Modi government’s China apex body’s verdict. The disclose. Despite the designated foreign (ECI) both expressed comes to integrity in policy has been tantamount CIC, lacking an heated rhetoric about the companies as “Indian” with grave concerns about Indian politics, politicians to “appeasement”, the BJP enforcement mechanism to need for the government or the stroke of a pen. The electoral bonds. When have the last laugh. unearthed evidence that Beijing had previously funnelled money into the Trump spotted a pattern in China’s Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, a Congress-affiliated brain trust. Caught on the back foot, the Congress took the standoff with India. Here are 21 reasons airwaves to argue that President Donald Trump on or barbarians. leading to disputes. China claims US naval forces in Singaporean several politically- Thursday waded right in the middle China has had territorial disputes fishing rights in waters near the waters. It does not want to connected Chinese firms — of India’s dispute with China, with 21 neighbours including India islands. Indonesia government antagonise China by openly taking from Huawei to Xiaomi — asserting that Beijing’s aggressive over its claims on land and sea. argues that China’s claims are not sides though it does advocate have donated millions of stance in Ladakh fits with the Here is a complete list of its recognised under the 1982 United freedom of navigation and rupees to the Prime larger pattern of Chinese disputes. Nations Convention on the Law of resolution of all disputes in line Minister’s Citizen aggression in other parts of the Brunei the Sea. Indonesia irked China in with the UN Convention of Law of Assistance and Relief in world. President Trump’s office did China claims the southern part of July 2017 when it renamed parts the Seas. Emergency Situations Fund not elaborate on China’s the Spratly Islands chain. Brunei, of the South China Sea as North Laos (PM-CARES). aggression elsewhere but is seen on the other hand, claims part of Natuna Sea to underscore its China claims large areas of Laos The ugly mud-slinging as a clear reference to Beijing’s South China Sea nearest to it as claim. on historical precedent of China’s between the ruling party and efforts to enlarge its position on part of its continental shelf and Malaysia Yuan Dynasty during 1271-1368 its primary Opposition border disputes. US Secretary of Exclusive Economic Zone China’s dispute with Malaysia Thailand centres on three claims: State Mike Pompeo had recently Philippines also revolves around parts of the Thailand opposes China’s that foreign adversaries are called it China’s “rogue attitude” China and Philippines disagree South China Sea, particularly the dredging on the Mekong River meddling in domestic as he announced the movement over parts of the South China Sea Spratly Islands. Its claims cover since 2001 for large ships to carry affairs; that wayward foreign of US supercarriers in the Indo including the Spratly Islands. only islands included in its goods from its landlocked Yunnan “donations” are shrouded in Pacific region to counter China’s Philippines took the dispute to the Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 province to ports in Thailand, Laos a veil of secrecy; and that aggressive posture. International Court of Justice miles as defined by the UN and remaining southeast Asia. independent, third party where they won the case but the Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has also built hydropower audits are needed to clear According to Beijing watchers, Chinese side did not abide by the Malaysia has a military presence dams on the main stream of the the air. China has traditionally suffered order of the ICJ. Tensions have on three such islands that it Mekong River, altering the natural What is left unsaid is that from xenophobia against continued between the two considers to be part of the flood-drought cycle, affecting both the BJP and the foreigners. The Middle Kingdom’s countries despite economic continental shelf. ecosystems as well as economies Congress have worked — fears were exacerbated in the past incentives offered by China. Singapore The Thai Cabinet scrapped a often hand-in-glove — to two centuries as a result of which Indonesia Singapore is not a claimant state Chinese-led dredging project in ensure that they China believes that it is the only China’s nine-dash line overlaps in the South China Sea disputes February 2020 to blast rapids on themselves are absolved of civilizational power in the world and the Natuna Sea/Exclusive but is closely aligned to the United the Mekong river. precisely the kind of scrutiny the rest are either tributary states Economic Zone of Indonesia States and allows the presence of (Contd on page31) Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 ADVERTISEMENT 20 ADVERTISEMENT Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 21 Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 INTERVIEW 22 BiharBihar IsIs InIn AA MessMess AndAnd We’llWe’ll ChangeChange It:It: YashwantYashwant SinhaSinha Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha is back with a Third Front to take on the JD(U)-BJP combine. He says his front will contest all 243 seats as “elections are a means to bring change in a democracy” and it is time to change Bihar. Former BJP leader Third Front for Bihar Many others—friends, has not developed in most Yashwant Sinha refuses to come about? family and people of the sectors, including stay in political oblivion. In recent months, we state—had the same agriculture, health and With assembly elections watched the sad scenes of question and urged me to education. due in Bihar later this year, migrant workers walking take the lead. I decided to Are you going to contest Sinha is back with a Third back to their villages. The try and lead a movement all seats? Who all are Front to take on the JD(U)- largest number was of for change in Bihar, an supporting you? with the Congress and yet, so I wouldn’t know his BJP combine. The former those who belong to Bihar. ‘andolan’. Things are in a Yes. We are going with the the RJD? mind. But yes, I will be Union minister tells As many as 40 lakh mess in the state. slogan ‘Is baar badlo Bihar, I have not had any talking to everyone in the Bhavna Vij-Aurora that his Biharis migrate from the What kind of a mess? banao behtar Bihar’. discussion with them, but coming days. front will contest all 243 state to look for jobs. Even Nitish Kumar has been Several small political yes, they are welcome. Political strategist seats as “elections are a after 73 years of chief minister for the past parties, independents and Anyone who is interested Prashant Kishor had also means to bring change in independence, why is 15 years, and when I intellectuals are part of the in developing Bihar can join talked about supporting a democracy” and it is Bihar in such a mess? This looked at the data, I Third Front. We welcome in. a Third Front in Bihar. time to change Bihar. question came to me time realised Bihar continues to all like-minded people and What about another BJP Are you in touch with Excerpts from the and again. I am a Bihari. I be at the bottom in all parties to join us in rebel and fellow Bihari, him? interview: studied in Patna and was development indices. For transforming the state. Shatrughan Sinha? I have not spoken to him yet. How did the idea of a a Bihar-cadre IAS officer. the past 27 years, Bihar Are you willing to ally I have not spoken to him But I am willing to explore. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 SOUTH ASIA 23 India rejects Pakistan’s allegation on Karachi attack, rubs it in with reminder to Khan’s ‘martyr’ remark India has responded to Pakistan’s attempt to blame New Delhi for a terrorist attack on Karachi stock exchange late last month. India on Thursday Osama Bin Laden as a comments on terrorist was expected to be timed rejected Pakistan’s “martyr”. attacks in Karachi. for release with Pakistan allegation that the June A day after the terror attack Pakistan cannot shift the government’s efforts to 29 terrorist attack on on Karachi stock blame on India for its blame the attack on Karachi stock exchange exchange, had domestic problems,” India, without explicitly was New Delhi’s claimed in Pakistan’s Anurag Srivastava, the saying so in the response to 2008 Mumbai national assembly that the official spokesperson for statement. It was also terror attacks as “absurd” attacks had been “planned the ministry of external noted by UN diplomats and chided Islamabad for by our neighbouring affairs was quoted by news closely associated with attempting to shift the country India”. Soon after, agency ANI as having the process, that the blame for its own China circulated a draft of said. statement could have domestic problems. a press statement for the The delay in passing the also been an attempt by Khan’s description of terrorist as a martyr,” The external affairs UN Security Council to statement at the UN Pakistan to portray itself as Osama bin Laden as a Anurag Srivastava was ministry added that issue, condemning the security council is being a victim of terrorism instead martyr, during an address quoted as saying by ANI. Pakistan needed to reflect Karachi attacks. However, seen as a message of being the leading in the parliament on June Imran Khan’s gratuitous on its government’s interventions by countries disapproving Pakistan’s sponsor of terrorism in the 25. reference to the former attitude towards terrorism friendly to India such as continued support for region. “We would ask Pakistan chief of Al-Qaeda, the in the light of their Prime Germany and the United terrorism in the south On Thursday, the Indian that they may wish to global terrorist Minister Imran Khan’s States led to more than 24- Asia region.The UN government added that reflect on this and on their organization behind 26/ recent comments hours delay in its release statement had been Pakistan needed to revisit own government’s position 11 attacks on the US describing slain al-Qaeda on Wednesday. written by China on its position towards including their PM’s soil, was widely criticized leader and global terrorist “India rejects these absurd Pakistan’s behalf and it terrorists following Imran description of a global even in his own country. PM Modi, President Putin vow to strengthen Indo-Russia ties, discuss Covid-19 crisis Russian President Putin thanked PM Modi for the phone call and reiterated his commitment to further strengthening the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries in all spheres. conversation, the two the Covid-19 pandemic and congratulated Putin on the abiding friendship between leaders agreed to maintain agreed on the importance success of the the people of India and the momentum of bilateral of closer India-Russia ties celebrations marking the Russia. An official contacts and for jointly addressing the 75th anniversary of the statement issued by the consultations, leading to challenges of the post- victory of the Allied Forces Russian side said the two the annual bilateral summit Covid world, a statement in the World War 2, and leaders discussed topical to be held in India later this from the Prime Minister’s also for the successful issues on the Russian- year. The prime minister Office said. Putin thanked completion of the vote on Indian agenda and conveyed his keenness to Modi for the phone call and constitutional confirmed their mutual welcome Putin in India for reiterated his commitment amendments in Russia, commitment to further the bilateral summit. The to further strengthening the the statement said. The strengthening the privileged Prime Minister Narendra resolved to strengthen the leaders took note of the special and privileged prime minister noted the bilateral strategic partnership Modi and Russian Indo-Russia ties for jointly effective measures strategic partnership participation of an Indian and close cooperation both in President Vladimir Putin addressing the challenges undertaken by the two between the two countries contingent in the military the bilateral format and within discussed the coronavirus of the post-Covid world. countries to address the in all spheres. During their parade held in Moscow on international organisations crisis on Thursday and During a telephonic negative consequences of conversation, Modi June 24 as a symbol of the and associations. Pakistani International Banned from flying to Europe for Six Months ‘There are strong indications that a high number of Pakistani pilots’ licences are invalid,’ said the EU’s safety regulator Pakistan’s national carrier has on a first attempted at landing. 36 of the pilots no longer worked offered postponements or operate to the UK pending been banned from flying from The preliminary report for the airline.The letter from refunds. In normal times PIA links Easa’s restoration of their Europe for the rest of 2020. The found the captain and first officer Easa to PIA says: “There are the capital, Islamabad, with approval that it meets European Union Air Safety disregarded standard procedures strong indications that a high Heathrow, Birmingham and international air safety Agency (Easa) has withdrawn and ignored alarms. Earlier this number of Pakistani pilots’ Manchester; with standards.” PIA has suffered two “third country operator” month, PIA was summoned to licences are invalid.” It added: Heathrow and Manchester; and other fatal events in the past six authorisation from Pakistan Easa’s headquarters in Cologne “PIA persists in failing to Karachi with Heathrow. None of years. In 2014, one passenger International Airlines (PIA) for six to discuss safety shortcomings. demonstrate compliance with these flights is currently died when an Airbus A310 from months from 1 July. The ban also Then, on 24 June 2020, the applicable standards.” operating. A spokesperson for Riyadh in was applies to the UK. The decision Pakistan’s aviation minister told In response, the airline the UK Civil Aviation Authority struck by bullets on the follows the crash of a PIA Airbus parliament that 262 out of 860 tweeted: “PIA is in touch with (CAA) said: “PIA flights from approach to Peshawar in A320 on a scheduled flight from pilot licences issued by the Easa to allay their concerns and Birmingham, London Heathrow Pakistan. In December 2016, a Lahore to Karachi on 22 May. country’s civil aviation authorities hopes that the suspension will and Manchester airports are domestic flight from Chitral to Ninety-seven passengers and were fraudulent. More than half be revoked.” The airline can suspended with immediate Islamabad crashed on a hillside crew died after a botched “go- were held by pilots employed at appeal within the next two effect.The CAA is required under with the loss of all 47 passengers around” that damaged the plane PIA, though the airline said that months. Passengers have been law to withdraw PIA’s permit to and crew on board. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 SOUTH ASIA 24 Why is Pakistan spending so much money on defence amid COVID-19? The government seems more interested in keeping the military content than providing support for struggling citizens. The Pakistani year 2020-2021. This from the International military forces, payments government does not seem represents a 12 percent Monetary Fund (IMF), for military pensions, a willing to shift its spending rise in Pakistan’s defence Pakistan refuses to be fully newly set-up national priorities despite the spending compared with transparent about its security division and a few burgeoning COVID-19 the last financial year. The military spending. Major other military expenditures challenges. Pakistan has single-line figure presented acquisitions by the armed are not reflected in the emerged as one of the in the budget does not give forces, spending on the budget. If these were to be countries with the fastest a full picture of the amount public sector development added to it, Pakistan’s rate of coronavirus actually being spent on programme (PSDP), defence spending would be infections in recent weeks, defence either. expenditure on the nuclear even higher - at around according to the World To avoid hard questions programme and para- $11bn. Health Organization (WHO). The country reported its first coronavirus sends China $6.4bn infrastructure wishlist case on February 26 and The Economic Relations and the Jan De Nul Group, overtook India as Bangladesh’s despite a Chinese suggestion that is now among the top 15 Division, which made the request headquartered in Luxembourg, largest trade partner in 2015, and Bangladesh not bring forward new most-affected countries. in a letter to the Chinese has secured a 10-year contract has since become an important projects until those under way had More than 4,000 people government, is hoping to elicit for the dredging work. investor in its infrastructure. been completed. Dhaka says its have lost their lives to the $1.6bn to expand Payra seaport The port will require at least Altogether, China has funded, or proposed schemes replace four disease in Pakistan since and $1.2bn for a 10km-long bridge $1bn in dredging work to create will fund, projects worth $38bn in projects worth $3.2bn that have the beginning of the between the city of Barisal and a navigable channel to the Bay the country, $24bn of which were received funding from other outbreak. Moreover, there the suburb of Bhola, across two of Bengal, involving the shifting agreed during a visit by President sources, such as the Dhaka- is a significant shortage of rivers in the Ganges delta. of 100 million cubic metres of Xi Jinping in 2016. Sylhet motorway, which is being The Payra project, the first material. Other projects on the Last June, Sheikh Hasina, the paid for by the Asian Development personal protective phase of which was completed shopping list include $850m for prime minister of Bangladesh, Bank. In recent years China and equipment (PPE) and in 2016, is eventually expected a project to manage the Teesta signed an agreement to establish India have used investment in ventilators in the country. to cost up to $15bn. river, $800m to improve electricity an Investment Cooperation Bangladeshi infrastructure as a Despite all this, So far, the China Harbour transmission and distribution, a Working Group with China, and way of gaining influence in the Islamabad allocated Engineering Company and China technology park, an upgrade of this held its first meeting in country, and Dhaka has made its $7.85bn for defence and State Engineering and Barisal-Kuakata highway to four Dhaka this year. The request for request during a period of sharply merely $151m for health in Construction Corp have been lanes and the construction of funds was made through this increased tension between its two the budget for the financial awarded contracts worth $600m, sewerage in Dhaka. China channel. The proposal was made benefactors. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 SOUTH ASIA 25 1,500 have died with COVID-19 symptoms in Bangladesh: report At least 1,500 people symptoms in the first two 205 and finally 198. also highlighted some other 27 percent of these protest distribution, 4 percent have died while displaying weeks of the outbreak in The tally of fatalities social and political issues incidents involved demands called for health and symptoms of COVID-19, Bangladesh. But three with coronavirus that came to the fore during for relief items and aid, 41 medical benefits, while 2 the respiratory illness people reportedly to died symptoms peaked at 451 coronavirus epidemic.In percent for unpaid salaries percent of the incidents caused by the novel with the symptoms in Chattogram division, different parts of the and bonuses, while16 were related to the coronavirus, in between Mar 22 and 28, followed by 338 in Dhaka, country, 217 instances of percent called for the proposed budget. Bangladesh, a study has according to the report. 185 in Khulna, 170 in torture and social lowering of house rent or At least 18 people died found. The figure jumped to 63 Barishal, 148 in Rajshahi, stigmatisation linked to the tuition fees during the while 551 were injured in Bangladesh Peace from Mar 29 to Apr 5. Over 83 in Sylhet, 70 in Rangpur, novel coronavirus have lockdown. the 132 clashes that took Observatory or BPO, a the following weeks, the and 55 in Mymensingh taken place, with 172 Another 6 percent of place in connection to the research project under tally was 106, 120, 114, division, according to incidents of protest, the protests were aimed at coronavirus epidemic, the Dhaka University's Centre 93, 50, 67,48,73, 154, 206, BPO. The presentation according to BPO. Around the irregularities in relief report said. for Genocide Studies, revealed the information in the form of a graphical Chinese policy towards tells a cautionary tale presentation titled ‘COVID- China was quick to aid granted China in 2018 a far greater Cross-Servicing Agreement liability as a diplomatic tool. 19 Graphics’. coronavirus-stricken Sri Lanka. stake in its port of Hambantota at (ACSA) with the United States that Nonetheless, China’s Funded by the UNDP, Chinese magnanimity and speed a moment that it was unable to governs the transfer of US logistics willingness to grant Sri Lanka a the BPO gleaned its in responding to the Indian Ocean service its debt to Beijing.Sri supplies as well as support and 10-year $500 million findings from reports island’s request contrasted starkly Lanka has so far dragged its feet refuelling services for US military concessionary loan to deal with published in 25 news with Beijing’s more measured on signing a Status of Forces operations in the Indo-Pacific the economic fallout of the media outlets, including response to Africa’s needs, widely Agreement (SOFA) with the region. pandemic in addition to donations national and regional expected to be the pandemic’s United States that would regulate The discrepancy in China’s of medical supplies offered by newspapers, online portals next hotspot. the rights and privileges of visiting approach towards Sri Lanka as China to countries across the and television channels, Geography was, but, one US military personnel. opposed to Africa could revive globe is likely to raise eyebrows. from Mar 8 to Jun 27. reason why China favoured the The hold-up was prompted by charges that predatory debt The risk is that countries in In the 12th ‘COVID-19 strategic island that straddles one Sri Lanka’s rejection of the terms diplomacy is a feature of China’s Africa, as well as the Middle East Graphics’ on Thursday, the of the Indian Ocean’s busiest of an associated $480 million multi-billion dollar infrastructure, like war-torn Syria and financially BPO found that 198 people shipping routes. Millennium Challenge Compact telecommunications and energy- bankrupt Lebanon that no longer had died with COVID-19 China was rewarding Sri Lanka (MCC) development aid package driven Belt and Road Initiative that can count on assistance from Gulf symptoms across the for stalling military-related talks on the grounds that it impinged on seeks to connect the Eurasian countries struggling with country in the last week. with the United States two years the country’s national security. landmass to the People’s economic woes of their own, may The figure was 206 the after the People’s Republic was At the same time, however, Sri Republic. To be fair, only a handful feel that they have little alternative week before. accused of pursuing predatory Lanka has done nothing to of renegotiations of Chinese debt but to follow in Sri Lanka’s No-one was reported to debt-trap diplomacy. Sri Lanka challenge its Acquisition and would suggest that China is using footsteps. have died with COVID-19 Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 US & THE WORLD 26 Young people are throwing coronavirus parties with a payout when one gets infected, official says Some young people in McKinstry told CNN. She said people in the city are throwing about, she added. "It makes me this week that goes into effect Alabama are throwing Covid-19 she heard about the trend from parties with a payout if they furious," McKinstry said. Monday. "This is not political. parties, a disturbing competition fire officials. catch coronavirus, McKinstry "Furious to the fact that This is a public health issue. where people who have "We thought that was kind of said. The first person confirmed something that is so serious and People are dying and there is no coronavirus attend and the first a rumors at first. We did some by a doctor to have coronavirus deadly is being taken for granted. cure. We have to do whatever we person to get infected receives a research, not only do the doctors' after the exposure wins the Not only is it irresponsible, but can to save as many lives as payout, local officials said. offices confirm it, but the state money made off the ticket sales, you could contract the virus and possible, McKinstry said. CNN The parties are being held in confirmed they also had the she said. Over the past few take it home to your parents or has reached out to the Alabama Tuscaloosa, and infected people same information," she said. weeks, there have been several grandparents."The city is Health Department for comment. are urged to attend so others can During a presentation to the parties in the city and working on getting the word out The state has reported about intentionally contract the virus, City Council this week, Fire Chief surrounding areas, and probably and breaking up such parties. It 39,000 confirmed coronavirus City Council member Sonya Randy Smith also said young more that officials don't know also passed a mask ordinance cases and nearly 1,000 deaths. 'It's very troubling': alarm grows over Covid-19 spike among young Americans Until recently, the Doctors are seeing more and more young patients – and health majority of coronavirus cases that Dr Quinn Snyder, experts are urging young people to take the virus seriously an emergency doctor at the virus. On Friday, Vice- no choice but to completely stop the spread – are the one of Arizona’s largest President Mike Pence said shut down.Factors thought “primary reservoir” for the emergency departments, half of new cases in the US to have contributed to the disease, said Snyder. He saw were older people. But in recent weeks were adults surge in cases among wants to see a stay-at- since mid-May, when the under 35. younger people include home order and urged state’s stay-at-home order Speaking ahead of the graduation parties, mixed young people to stay at was lifted, and particularly Fourth of July holiday public messaging, higher home. “The truth is that if after the Memorial Day weekend, health experts in risk tolerance and bars. we are going to contain this holiday, the demographic requiring oxygen, intubation disease. It’s horrible.” hotspot states – which About half of Arizona’s pandemic, if we are going has shifted.Snyder says he and ventilators. “We even As cases continue to include Arizona, Texas and almost 80,000 cases fall into to prevent our hospitals from has seen an “explosion” in had people in that age group soar at record levels across Florida – warned numbers the 20-44-year-old age overflowing, it’s absolutely cases among 20-44-year- die, unfortunately. So it’s the US, which now has over will continue to rise and that bracket. Nightclubs and bars critical that people in the 20- olds. very troubling and it’s very 2.6m cases, there is if young people do not take – closed this week as part 44-year-old age group take Some of those, he said, difficult to watch young growing alarm about a surge better precautions, of the Republican governor much more precautions are coming in severely ill – people die from this in younger people getting hospitals will reach capacity Doug Ducey’s “pause” of than they currently are and states could be left with reopening in an attempt to taking and stay at home.” Trump’s bond with veterans starts to fracture over Russian bounty plot A series of military figures are lining up to condemn the president over his reported inaction after being briefed on the plot Military veterans helped sweep Donald former defense secretary, in an Trump to power in 2016, turning out in swing extraordinary critique of the president in states like Ohio and Florida as Trump early June. vowed to spend vast sums “Instead he tries to divide on defense. They have us. We are witnessing the largely stuck with him ever consequences of three since, even as Trump has years of this deliberate effort. repeatedly attacked We are witnessing the venerated military leaders. consequences of three But as Trump grapples years without mature with the scandal over his leadership.” The New York reported inaction after being Times reported on Friday briefed on a Russian plot to that the Trump administration pay bounties for the killing had ignored intelligence of US troops, cracks in the about a Russian plot to offer relationship are starting to show, and a bounties to Afghan militants to kill US series of military figures have lined up to troops. Trump has called the report – condemn the president. aspects of which have been confirmed by Even before news of Russian bounties other outlets – a hoax, and insisted he was broke, Trump’s bond with the military not briefed on the Russian plan.The New appeared to have become fractured. Some York Times and CNN have since reported veterans and members of the military were that the information was included in a daily horrified by Trump’s pledge to deploy intelligence briefing in February, although active-duty military forces to anti-racism Trump is known to rarely read those protests and demonstrations. briefings. The report of the plot, and Trump’s “Donald Trump is the first president in response, could prove to be the straw that my lifetime who does not try to unite the broke the camel’s back when it comes to American people – does not even pretend the armed forces. Even Republicans were to try,” said Gen James Mattis, Trump’s shocked by the allegations. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 US & THE WORLD 27 U.S. Democrats push to extend Fearing an election loss, Trump allies push him to be less polarizing $600 weekly coronavirus With four months to go included a supporter strategy?’” Trump’s falling poll keep their majority. unemployment benefit before he faces Democrat Joe shouting, “white power,” a numbers worry some fellow McConnell’s office did not Biden in a Nov. 3 U.S. election, slogan among white Republicans they will lose respond to a request for WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Trump’s opinion poll numbers supremacists, and then control of the U.S. Senate, comment. Asked about the Democrats in the U.S. Senate, have sunk as he struggles to deleting it. “He has to go back having already lost leadership concerns, White House impatient with the pace of Republicans’ manage the coronavirus and become an acceptable of the House of spokesman Judd Deere said consideration of additional aid related pandemic, economic woes president and then take the Representatives in 2018. The the president “has shown time to the coronavirus pandemic, on and protests over racial wood to Biden,” said a source said perhaps as soon and again that he’s not afraid Wednesday proposed long-term injustice. Speaking on Republican ally close to the as August, Senate Majority to take on the big challenges extensions to a temporary condition of anonymity, White House. “People are even Leader Mitch McConnell may facing this country” and that unemployment insurance program. The allies said Trump was often actually saying, ‘Does he want have to advise Republican Trump and his team are $600-per-week payments to laid-off his own worst enemy. They this anymore?’” the ally said of Senate candidates to distance “engaged in an ongoing policy workers, which began at the end of pointed to him retweeting a fellow Republican supporters. themselves from Trump if process for a bold second-term March and are set to expire on July video on Sunday that “‘Is he looking for an exit needed to win election and agenda.” 31, would be extended until jobless rates in individual states fell below 11%. On June 5 the U.S. unemployment rate Biden pulls together hundreds of lawyers as a bulwark against election trickery stood at 13.3%. Under the Democrats’ Biden pulls together Biden, the presumptive criticizing his election the pandemic could create legislation, these federally backed hundreds of lawyers as a Democratic nominee, said opponent, Republican fraud. benefits would fall by $100 for every bulwark against election on a video conference with President Donald Trump, for “They are inserting chaos percentage-point decrease in a state’s trickery donors to his campaign. undermining confidence in and confusion into our voting unemployment rate, until joblessness Democratic presidential “We have over 10,000 the vote. process because it is the falls below 6%. candidate Joe Biden said on people signed up to A senior political adviser only way they can win,” The proposal comes as 33 million Wednesday that his party volunteer. We’re in the and top lawyer for Trump’s Clark said in a statement, people in the United States are either has assembled a group of process of getting into the campaign, Justin Clark, said adding that the president is receiving unemployment benefits or 600 lawyers and thousands states in question to train Biden is lying and stoking committed to “fair and free awaiting approval, Senate Democratic of other people to prepare for them to be in a polling fear while Democrats are elections.”Biden has Leader Chuck Schumer said. possible “chicanery” ahead place,” he said, in a time trying to “fundamentally previously said that his While many workers have been of November’s election. when the coronavirus change” how elections are single greatest concern is returning to their jobs after states “We put together 600 pandemic requires extra conducted, an apparent Trump’s trying to “steal” the loosened self-quarantine steps in lawyers and a group of precautions.Biden’s reference to their support for victory. Election experts have response to the coronavirus pandemic, people throughout the remarks come as the widespread mail-in voting. been on edge about the a significant increase in country who are going into candidate offers dire Republicans have argued process given chaos and hospitalizations in several states has every single state to try to warnings about efforts by that mail-in voting and other legal challenges during since caused some governors to rein figure out whether chicanery Republicans to cheat in the changes being suggested by primary elections held amid in those actions. is likely to take place,” Nov. 3 election while also Democrats in the midst of the viral outbreak. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 US & THE WORLD 28 Coronavirus and sanctions hit ’s support of proxies in Iraq (Reuters) - Iran’s financial and the four top militia groups in Iraq coronavirus crisis and a decline military support for Shi’ite proxy to between $2 million and $3 in oil prices have helped force paramilitary groups in Iraq, a million from $4.5 million to $5 Iran, which faces a large budget linchpin of its regional foreign million, said one of the deficit, to limit its military policy, has been dramatically commanders, who belongs to a spending including on the disrupted by the coronavirus powerful paramilitary group. The Revolutionary Guards. pandemic and U.S. sanctions, reduced funding has impacted Iran’s linking of its paramilitary according to people familiar with operations of the militia groups proxies in a Shi’ite axis of power the matter. and is forcing them to seek across Iraq and through Syria to Interruptions caused by the alternative sources of funding for the Mediterranean, has been virus, including border closings to military operations and weapons crucial to its strategy of prevent the spread of the disease, such as from their own business countering U.S. influence as it have drastically cut Tehran’s cash interests, the commanders said. has come under pressure from supplies to the militia groups in Iraq shares a border with Iran, sanctions. recent months, said three Iraqi a coronavirus epicenter in the U.S. Special Representative paramilitary group commanders Middle East with more than for Iran Brian Hook agreed that and a regional official familiar with 11,000 reported deaths, U.S. sanctions were having an Iran’s activities in Iraq. The funds according to a Reuters tally. impact on Iran’s funding of the region.” He did not discuss an Iran-aligned axis of influence from Iran are typically allocated Disruptions brought on by the paramilitary groups, saying it the degree of the impact. across the Middle East and for military operations related to pandemic come on top of a was “further evidence that our The squeeze on militia steered political allies in Iraq, has the paramilitary groups’ activities squeeze on Tehran’s financing of campaign of maximum financing also follows the killing dealt a blow to the operations of such as fighting Iran’s opponents, the paramilitary groups over the pressure is successfully of Iranian Major General Qassem paramilitary groups and Iran’s including attacks against U.S. past two years caused by U.S. depriving the (Iranian) regime Soleimani, who died in a U.S. broader aims in Iraq, according targets, the three commanders sanctions on Iran, said the three of revenue to fund its terror drone strike in Baghdad in to the three commanders as well said. commanders and the regional proxies and other January. The loss of the senior as the regional official and a Since the coronavirus hit official. The regional official said destabilizing actions across military commander, who created senior Iranian diplomat. earlier this year, Iran has reduced Tehran’s funding of the groups has its monthly payments to each of dropped by millions of dollars. The sanctions combined with the Japan's capital sees biggest rise in coronavirus cases in two months

The Japanese capital, with 14 infection situation in the area with million people, had initially a sense of urgency, and work to sought to hold new daily cases both prevent spreading of at fewer than 20 after the infection and support economic government lifted the state of activity,” he said.Officials have emergency on May 25, only to also said the medical system can see its tally consistently exceed handle existing infections and 50 over the past week.Tokyo’s that increased testing partly daily count last rose above 100 explains the rise in confirmed on May 2. On Wednesday, it cases. Despite more cases in confirmed 67 new cases. Tokyo Tokyo, Japan, with about 19,000 Governor Yuriko Koike said about cases and 976 deaths, has 70% of cases on Thursday were reported a lower overall rate of among people in their 20s and infection than many countries. 30s. “It’s really unpleasant that it More than 10.7 million people is increasing somewhat. I’d like have been reported to be infected to ask all Tokyo residents and by the coronavirus globally and everyone at businesses for their over 515,00?0 have died, cooperation to prevent that,” she according to a Reuters tally. This said. Chief Cabinet Secretary week, Tokyo said it would move Yoshihide Suga told reporters he away from numerical targets in didn’t think there was a need for favour of more reliance on expert a fresh state of emergency. “We’ll advice to rein in the virus and continue to pay attention to the avert more economic damage. US & THE WORLD Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 29 India’s torture culture Lessons for India needs to end now On Italian marines case Never fructified, as the then UPA is likely to take up the torture law. government allowed the Bill to lapse. In Indeed, the manner in which the torture The Italian marines’ case meets with a 2016, Ashwani Kumar, a senior advocate bill has been treated reveals a betrayal disappointing end, as India loses right to trial and former Union Minister of Law, sought of the people of India by successive the enactment of a torture law via a governments. There have been The long quest for justice for the two vessel at piracy. The fishing vessel was Supreme Court petition. By 2017, the opportunities for 23 years to enact a law Kerala fishermen shot dead by Italian within the country’s Contiguous Zone Law Commission had submitted its 273rd on torture, but they have been studiously marines from the Enrica Lexie about and it was quite clear that the offence report and an accompanying draft torture avoided. State consultation also has no 20.5 nautical miles off India’s coast in warranted arrest and prosecution under law. But the Supreme Court dismissed meaning. It is evident that all February 2012 has ended in domestic law. the petition on grounds that the governments enjoy the status quo, where disappointment. An international With the piracy angle ruled out, a government cannot be compelled to make the police are used as a tool for self- arbitration court has ruled that India regular trial was in order. The Union a law by mandamus; treaty ratification preservation. Any disequilibrium is not does not have jurisdiction to try the government should have taken over the was a political decision; and that it was politically desirable. As disheartening as marines, who, it held, were entitled to prosecution and ensured a quick trial. a policy matter. A second petition on the this may seem, all is not lost. There is immunity as they were acting on behalf However, as legal tangles were being issue filed by Mr. Kumar also met the much inspiration around us. Days after of a state. The Permanent Court of sorted out, and India was dealing with same fate as the first one. George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague admitted the diplomatic fallout, the marines This rejection was a sign of the in the U.S., when a policeman held him that both India and Italy had concurrent managed to obtain orders to leave the Supreme Court turning its back on its in an 8-minute-46-second-chokehold, the jurisdiction in the matter but concluded country. The Supreme Court ruled that own glorious jurisprudence, and its efforts #BlackLivesMatter movement emerged, that the marines’ immunity precluded only the Centre, and not Kerala, can to aid law-making in the past, whether in with many Indians joining in too. The India’s jurisdiction. In India’s favour, the prosecute the marines. A bigger legal using the Convention on the Elimination movement, led by the people, started a PCA found that the Italian vessel had issue, which caused more delay, came of all Forms of Discrimination Against national debate in the U.S. on policing, violated the right and freedom of later. The National Investigation Agency Women to reform the law around including radical reforms such as navigation of the Indian fishing vessel invoked the Suppression of Unlawful Acts workplace sexual harassment; or defunding and disarming the police. under UNCLOS, and that the action, against Safety of Maritime Navigation customary international law in Arguably we need a people’s movement which caused loss of lives, property and and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf environmental cases; or the right to at home too that will bring about the harm, merited compensation. It asked Act, 2002. This caused a diplomatic privacy — this long and varied list is necessary legislative changes that the the parties to consult each other on the furore as it provides for the death penalty. revelatory of a proactive Court that sees Law Commission has suggested, and that compensation due to India as a result. The EU threatened to impose trade itself as responsible for nudging encourages institutions to More significantly, the PCA rejected a sanctions. Ultimately, it took time for Parliament into legislative action. Even #EndTortureToday. Only the people can key argument by Italy that India, by these charges to be dropped. The PCA’s with failings, the Commission’s draft Bill rise up against these practices, just as leading the Italian vessel into its territory award, which is final and has been is better than not having one at all. A they are doing in other parts of the world. and arresting the marines, violated its accepted by India, is a huge setback for version based on this draft was And by people, I include important obligation to cooperate with measures the expectation that the two marines circulated to State governments for stakeholders like the Bar, the media, civil to suppress piracy under Article 100 of would face a criminal trial in India. In the end, views, but nothing has come of it, and society and student groups. Each of UNCLOS. This may mean that the Italy succeeded in taking the matter out of nothing is likely to, either. This these have relevant roles to play in arbitration court did not view the incident India’s hands. It should now make good on reluctance is arguably because all bringing about the change we want to see. as one related to piracy at all. The its commitment to have the marines tried governments appear to collectively It is merely a matter of who decides to incident had caused national outrage as under its domestic laws. The takeaway for agree that police brutality is a necessary pick up the mantle first. the public saw these as wanton killings, India should be the lessons, in the legal and evil to maintain law and order. Neither (By Ajit Prakash Shah, inasmuch as the circumstances diplomatic domains, that can be drawn from the Home Ministry nor this government Courtesy The Hindu) indicated no attempt by the fishing the experience. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 CONTD 30 The Taste With Vir: I support the TikTok ban But the calls for a boycott of all Chinese goods are ill-thought out. So why is it okay to take an Ola that Instagram or Twitter have power. The United States is power game. Cheap Chinese advertisers and if Joe Biden gets cab and help enrich some managed in India. possibly the most powerful smart phones, messaging elected in November, it is possible Chinese entity but wrong to buy The security issues with country in the history of apps, conference apps and Facebook may even get broken a Chinese TV? TikTok are well known. Neither civilisation. But you and I are video-sharing apps (like up. No such thing will ever happen It’s a difficult question and I the US army nor the Indian not frightened of American’s TikTok) are now ubiquitous. in China. Many of the largest haven’t heard many convincing military will allow their military might because we In India, they are carefully companies are controlled by answers from boycott-advocates. personnel to use TikTok. don’t need to be. We are aimed at a mid-level segment elements of the state and face no While the arguments in favour of Earlier this year, an Israeli already in thrall to America that hasn’t necessarily grown ethical scrutiny. They are, at the an economic boycott of China cyber security firm found that because of the various up on American popular end of the day, instruments to often raise more questions than a ‘flaw’ allowed its researchers elements of its soft power from culture. So what’s the advance the interests of the PRC. they answer, there are two good to retrieve personal information jeans to pizzas to Hollywood difference? If America can have So yes, it is right to be suspicious reasons for getting rid of some from TikTok user accounts. to rock music. As Rupert a hold on one socio-economic of the Chinese state and its Chinese entities from India. This was one of several Murdoch famously said, demographic than why can’t companies. Hell, it was wrong to The first is security. There are now weaknesses reported by modernization has come to China have the same kind of ever be trusting of their intentions innumerable cases from all over various security researchers. mean Americanisation. (And hold on another? It’s a good --- even before tensions flared up the world of Chinese products TikTok said, after each globalisation is often another question but there is a along the border. (hardware and software) turning complaint, that it had fixed the euphemism for difference. First of all, the US But it is childish to believe that Xi out to have backdoors that allow ‘flaw’. Americanisation.) Over the last has no territorial ambitions in and his cohorts at the top of the Chinese interests to access But it left open the big two decades, the US has used India, no history of conflict with Chinese government will be private information. questions: if it is so easy for technology to leverage its soft us and obviously, no desire to terrified of a boycott of Chinese If you load a Chinese app, it might hackers to get personal power. Apple’s iPhone changed keep us down so that it can be electronic goods. Besides, there well start drawing out your information from the site, what all phones forever. The great the only power in Asia. It’s all is a double-standard implicit in personal data. If you use a about the people who actually social networking and photo- right for India to be friendly with the boycott: why brag that you Chinese chat service, there is a run the site? How super-easy sharing sites like Facebook, China (that’s what foreign won’t use a Chinese phone while possibility that your private chats must it be for them? My view Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp policy is about) but it is crazy continuing to enrich China by might be recorded on a server on Chinese software and and others have remade the to believe that we can ever be giving your money to the “Indian” somewhere in China. If you use a hardware ---- and this is long world in America’s image. That friends. Moreover, for all its companies that Chinese interests Chinese made mobile phone, the before the Galwan valley kind of power means much fault and the problems with its own either mostly or in part? Don’t manufacturers could have conflict --- is that you use them more than the US’s six companies (Facebook, for buy Chinese TVs if you don’t want unlimited access to everything at your own peril. There is also thousand plus nuclear instance, is either immoral or to.(I don’t use Chinese electronic stored on that phone. If you a second reason for Indians to weapons. Over the last downright evil) the United products myself.) But the install a Chinese-made smart be wary of Chinese apps. As decade, especially in Asia States has systemic checks concerns run much deeper than TV, the makers know how to the world has learned over the but also elsewhere in the and balances. At present, swearing off Chinese phones. And turn on the camera and last century, soft power often world, China has tried to Facebook faces a damaging the issues are more complex than microphone remotely without has more influence than hard mimic America in the soft boycott from many of its a Twitter trend may suggest. you even knowing. The risk from Chinese software and hardware is well known Why can companies still silence and globally recognised. The Chinese themselves insist that their people only use their own apps. In China, locals can’t us with mandatory arbitration? access Instagram or WhatsApp. They have to use local equivalents so that the More than 55% of the American workforce is now subject to mandatory state can keep a watch on them. Chinese citizens have arbitration. This system of private courts must be abolished no choice but to use these at the time of hiring, before they know change will require not just such tactical dependent on what state you live in, or apps. what sort of company culture they’re concessions to workers by large what company you work for. They But we do. So you’d have to entering or what their colleagues and companies, but legislation to enforce a shouldn’t be able to be taken away in be nuts to voluntarily use superiors might subject them to. The ban on this unjust practice. New York’s relationships as unequal as that between Chinese apps to supreme court has repeatedly reaffirmed governor, Andrew Cuomo, signed a ban an employer and an employee. And illegal communicate. And each time arbitration’s legitimacy and the legality on forced arbitration for sexual behavior by companies, like the enabling you use a Chinese made smart of these exploitative practices by harassment contracts in July, a major of sexual harassment, should not be able device, you are probably employers who coerce or trick employees legislative victory for the #MeToo movement, to be swept under the rug and hushed up entrusting your privacy to into signing away their legal rights. But and similar laws are on the books in in an asymmetrical, secretive process. President Xi and his minions. there is a growing consensus that Washington and Maryland. Other states are Abuse thrives on secrecy, and sunlight This is true of Tik Tok, one of mandatory arbitration isn’t a fair way to preparing to follow suit. is the best disinfectant. It is long past the subjects of the recent ban resolve employment discrimination There has even been a move toward a national time to make forced arbitration nationally on Apps. In just three years or claims. “The situation now, where every fix. The Restoring Statutory Rights Act, which illegal in sexual harassment claims, if not so (Tik Tok came to India only arbitration agreement is enforceable – it’s would bar forced arbitration in a wide array in all workers’ complaints, and to bring in 2018), the app has around not a sustainable equilibrium,” says Noll. of employee disputes, was introduced in these disputes into the public eye, under 125 million users in India. In Feminists agree, and have made a Congress in 2016. But it’s languished in the full scrutiny and protection of the smaller towns and among renewed push to end forced arbitration committee, ignored by lawmakers unwilling court. Workers’ rights – including, younger people, its use has in sexual harassment cases. Google to prioritize workers’ rights. crucially, the right of women to be free from become so widespread in such ditched the practice after their Constitutional rights, like the freedom to sexual harassment – need not be privatized a short space of time that its employees walked out; Facebook sue over violations of federal anti- and kept in the shadows. They must become rate of growth dwarfs anything followed suit the next day. But real discrimination law, shouldn’t be a public concern. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 CONTD 31 Why did it take so long for Reddit and Facebook to block racist groups? Powerful tech companies have two areas of vulnerability - employees and advertisers. Now both are in open revolt In fact, the consumer products Prince Harry and Meghan Markle build a wall to keep Mexicans for global social justice, and try and generate not only wider conglomerate has a fairly strong were reportedly phoning their out of the US and ban Muslim to understand its limitations. audience participation, but also record on matters of social corporate friends to encourage immigration? Why did it take We still don’t know to what the sense of victimhood and responsibility. Yet it’s been them to stop advertising on the visual evidence of the killing extent these recent moves to indignation that is one of the chief somewhat surprising when Facebook. of George Floyd and all of the de-platform extremism will drivers of fascism. So these companies beyond the usual list Why did it take so fallout within just one country, make a difference over time. moves could backfire or yield only of do-gooders step up to make a long, however, to get major the US, to move advertisers, It’s likely these advertisers will marginal results over time. stand against racism and tech companies to change labor and management to take return to Facebook – still the best Nonetheless we should review the fascism. Advertisers as powerful their tune? Why weren’t the such action? Didn’t all the advertising platform ever created Great Deplatforming of 2020 as a and diverse as Clorox, Ford, HP leaders of Reddit, YouTube and algorithmically stoked violence – after the US election in potentially positive shift in the and Adidas have decided that they Facebook willing to take such in Sri Lanka, India, Kenya, November. There is also a very awareness of powerful people do not want their products and steps in the aftermath of the Myanmar and the Philippines good chance that the extremist about the plight of the powerless logos associated with racism, 2017 genocide of the Rohingya matter? We shouldn’t actors who are pushing for and the rising forces of fascism calls to violence, or other minority in Myanmar? Why celebrate this moment. Let’s violence and racism will just find in the United States. trappings of emerging fascism in didn’t they act in 2016, when mark it, instead, as a potential a way to re-platform themselves If only these companies, and the the United States. The number of Facebook actively supported turning point in the history of under new aliases. Other social democracies they operate in, took boycotting companies has grown the Trump campaign as the Silicon Valley and its media services might help these the global threats more seriously. to more than 300, and even failed businessman pledged to relationship with movements movements promote themselves We still have much work to do. Why did it take so long for Reddit and Facebook to block racist groups? Powerful tech companies have two areas of vulnerability - employees and advertisers. Now both are in open revolt This had already led to fall in into a violent scrap in Ladakh’s South Korea The Chinese claims are based the remaining 43.1 per cent of water levels and fers that it Galwan valley. Another 5,163 South Korea and China have an on historical precedent (Qing the land also belonged to would lead to drought and sq km of Shaksgam valley was overlapping Air Defence Dynasty 1644-1912). Kazakhstan for which a new affect 6 million people in illegally ceded by Pakistan to Identification Zone and a In 1991, Tajikistan inherited deal should be signed. Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, China in 1963. Hence, the total continuing Exclusive from the Soviet Union three Kyrgyzstan Cambodia and Vietnam Indian territory occupied by Economic Zone dispute over disputed border segments China lays claim to the whole Japan China is over 43 ,000 sq km. Leodo (Socotra Rock) in the constituting about 28,000 sq of Kyrgyz territory. In May Japan’s dispute with China East China Sea. China has km which China and the Soviet 2020, Chinese website centers around South China Nepal and China have pending also, on occasions, claimed Union had been unable to tutiao.com published an article Sea, particularly Senkaku border issues over three entire South Korea on resolve. on such a claim and argued Islands, Ryukyu Islands and boundary pillars in Dolakha historical grounds (Yuan In 1999, Tajikistan and China that under the Han Dynasty, the overlapping Air Defence and two in the vicinity of Mt Dynasty 1271-1368) signed a border demarcation the entire Kyrgyz territory was Identification Zone and Everest. There have, however, Mongolia agreement defining the border part of the Chinese mainland Exclusive Economic Zone in been reports that China has China and Mongolia have in two of the three segments. before the Russian empire the East China Sea illegally occupied strategic land settled their boundary dispute Under this deal, Tajikistan captured it. Vietnam at 12 places across Nepal. but China has claimed all of ceded about 200 sw km lands Chia has settled for 32 percent Vietnam, which fought a bloody China has also claimed part of Mongolia on historical to China. In 2002, Tajikistan of its claim over Kyrgyz war with China in 1979 when Nepal dating back to the Sino- precedent (Yuan Dynasty agreed to cede 1,122 sq km or territory. Under the 1999 Beijing tried to teach its former Nepalese war in 1788-1792, 1271-1368). about four percent of the agreement, Kyrgyzstan ally a lesson, has stood its claiming that some parts of territory that Beijing had handed over 1,250 sq km to ground on its territorial claims Nepal are part of Tibet and Bhutanese enclaves in Tibet, claimed. China has, in all, China. over parts of the South China therefore, part of China. namely Cherkip, Gompa, Dho, settled for 3.5 per cent of the Russia Sea, and the Macclesfield Taiwan Dungmar, Gesur, Gezon, Itse claimed territory. Despite signing bilateral Bank, Paracel Islands and the China claims all of Taiwan but Gompa, Khochar, Nyanri, Kazakhstan agreements in 1991 and Spratly Islands. Last month, a particular disputes are Ringung, Sanmar, Tarchen and China has laid claim to a 1994 to delimit the estern Chinese ship rammed a Macclesfield Bank, Paracel Zuthulphuk. Bhutan has lost a territory in Kazakhstan and wester section of the Vietnamese fishing boat Islands Scarborough Shoal, substantial chunk of area stretching from Semirechie to Russia-China border, a few operating in the Paracel part of South China Sea and under dispute including the Lake Balkhash covering 34,000 sectors remain unresolved. Islands that was seen as an the Spratly Islands. The Kula Kangri peak to slow sq km. In May 2020, a Chinese There are 160,000 sq km still effort by Beijing to flex Paracel Islands, also called encroachments by China. website ‘Sohu.com’ published unilaterally claimed by China muscles to enforce a unilateral Xisha Islands in zvietnamese, Beijing claims Kula Kangri and an article claiming that despite signing several fishing ban in parts of the is a group of islands in the mountainous areas to the west Kazakhstan is located on agreements. South China Sea against South China Sea whose of this peak in addition to the territories that historically In October 2004, the 4,300 sq vessels from another nation. sovereignty is disputed. western Haa district of Bhutan. belong to China. border was finally demarcated India North Korea Tajikistan China has settled for 22 per in its entirety, thus resolving a China occupies 38,000 sq km The two countries have a The two sides have a bilateral cent of its claim over 300-year-old territorial dispute. Indian territory in the Aksai continuing dispute over Mount dispute dating back to 1884 Kazakh territory. Despite a In 2005, the Russian Chin region apart from staking Paektu and Yalu and Tuman when a border demarcation border demarcation treaty Parliament ratified the claim on Arunachal Pradesh rivers. China has also claimed agreement between the Qing with China in 1994 and claim agreement in 2008, a part of and Ladakh. It was this Baekhu Mountain and Jiandao. Dynasty and Tsarist Russia by Kazakh state media that the Abagaitu Islet, the entire expansionist policy that led to Beijing has, on occasions, left large segments of the the Kazakhstan government Tarabarov Bolshoi Ussuriysk the ongoing standoff between claimed all of North Korea on frontier in the sparsely- had succeeded in retaining Island and some adjacent river the and the historical grounds (Yuan populated eastern Pamirs 56.9 percent of the disputed islets were handed over to Chinese PLA that escalated Dynasty 1271-1368) without a clear definition. territory, critics had opined that China.dusta Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 CONTD. 32 To Push Back China's Growing Belt And Road Initiative Will Be India's Main Challenge This isn’t just something Beijing projects, under the aegis of public in their messaging on hold a candle to the Chinese White House official, that can do; because of BRI, it’s a top BIMSTEC and its member Ladakh—including comments infrastructure projects that the Indo-Pacific stretches from strategic priority. Additionally, a states, offer a useful start. In from an influential Congressman account for much of Beijing’s “California to Kilimanjaro”. disconnected region with a recent years, India has concluded and a senior State Department imprint there. There’s been talk Additionally, new US institutions hobbled regional organisation and ene-rgy deals with Bangladesh, official that were deeply critical in Washington in recent years can help hasten collaborations limited trade is not hardwired for Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. of China, as well as a tweet from about developing “a new Silk with India in the western Indo- robust diplomacy and There have also been Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Road” in South Asia and other Pacific. The BUILD Act, signed cooperation. Rather, it discussions on an electricity- offering condolences to India for vague aspirations, but relatively into law by President Trump in complicates efforts by New Delhi sharing arrangement with its fallen soldiers. However, little to show for it on the ground 2018, facilitates America’s ability to build goodwill and confidence Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. tactically speaking, one can’t other than some rare concrete to dep-loy resources for overseas with its neighbours, and deprives Indian efforts to push back count on US assistance to achievements like the US- development projects through the it of forums to push back against against China’s deepening counter China in South Asia. The backed Turkmenistan- formation of a new development the perception of some of its inf-luence in South Asia would Trump administration is focused Afghanistan-Pakistan-India agency known as the US smaller neighbors that it acts like benefit from US support. And from laser-like on the pandemic, the pipeline.Still, with the International Development a bully. To this end, India’s best a strategic standpoint, sputtering US economy, and the Ladakh crisis generating Finance Corporation. bet, at least initially, is to hold off Washington is certainly game. election in November. more talk of how India India-China rivalry is on regional charm offensives and The Trump administration’s Indo- Additionally, US attention to should more openly side with entering a potentially other diplomatic blitzes. There’s Pacific strategy is all about China’s activities in Asia tends to America, it’s the right time destabilising stage that will likely no need to reinvent the wheel. balancing out China’s power. be focused more on East and to push for more US-India become an extended new Instead, it should continue its Washington’s free-falling Southeast Asia—areas that are cooperation in South Asia. normal. India will need to draw on longstanding military relationship with Beijing, coupled home to American treaty allies. Indeed, South Asia now fits domestic, regional, and modernisation efforts, build on with its rapidly growing Furthermore, outside of its into Washington’s international resources alike to existing agreements and plans partnership with New Delhi, give partnership with New Delhi and geographic conception of reassert its clout against an with its neighbours, and embrace it added incentive to offer its military presence in the Indo-Pacific. Recall the emb-oldened nemesis that is newer regional institutions that cooperation. Afghanistan, Washington’s track comment made at this increasingly projecting power in don’t suffer from the problems of It’s no coincidence that record and footprint in South Asia year’s Raisina Dialogue by areas too close for New Delhi’s SAARC. Energy and connectivity US leaders have been unusually are relatively modest. And it can’t Matthew Pottinger, a senior comfort. The Neoliberal Looting of America standard fee structure involves the community.” If a bank hand of the market would collecting around 2 percent of the wanted to merge or grow or discipline risky banks without investor money they manage offer new services, the the need for government annually, and then 20 percent of regulators often denied the oversight. Even a former Fed any profits above an agreed-upon request either because a chairman, Alan Greenspan, the level. This lucrative arrangement community could lose a bank most committed free market also lets them tap into the very branch or because the new fundamentalist of the era, favorable “carried interest” tax product was too risky. During admitted in the understatement loophole, allowing them to pay the neoliberal revolution of the of the century, that “I made a much lower capital gains tax rates 1980s and ’90s, Congress and mistake.” We can start fixing on their earnings, rather than bank regulators loosened the the big flaws propagated over normal income taxes like most rules, allowing a handful of the last half century by taxing people. megabanks to swallow up the largest fortunes, breaking An examination of the recent thousands of small banks. up large banks and imposing history of private equity disproves Today, five banks control market rules that prohibit the The private equity industry management has led to the neoliberal myth that profit nearly half of all bank assets. predatory behaviors of private embodies the neoliberal approximately 1.3 million job incentives produce the best Fees paid by low-income equity firms. Public markets movement’s values, while losses due to retail bankruptcies outcomes for society. The Americans have increased, can take over the places that exposing its inherent logic. and liquidation. Beyond the passage of time has debunked services have been curtailed private markets have failed to Private equity firms use money companies directly controlled by another such myth: that and many low-income adequately serve. Federal or provided by institutional investors private equity, the threat of being deregulating industries would communities have lost their state agencies can provide like pension funds and university the next takeover target has most generate more vibrant only bank. When federally essential services like banking, endowments to take over and likely led other companies to pre- competition and benefit subsidized banks left low- health care, internet access, restructure companies or emptively cut wages and jobs to consumers. Unregulated income communities, vulture-like transportation and housing at industries. Private equity touches avoid being the weakest prey. market competition actually fringe lenders — payday, title, cost through a public option. practically every sector, from Amid the outbreak of street led to market consolidation tax-refund lenders — filled the Historically, road maintenance, housing to health care to retail. protests in June, a satirical instead. Would-be monopolies void. As it turns out, private equity mail delivery, police and other In pursuit of maximum returns, headline in The Onion put it best: squeezed competitors, firms are invested in some of the services are not left to the such firms have squeezed “Protesters Criticized For Looting accrued political power, largest payday lenders in the market, but provided directly by businesses for every last drop of Businesses Without Forming lobbied for even more country. the government. Private profit, cutting jobs, pensions and Private Equity Firm First.” Yet the deregulation and ultimately Faith in market magic was so markets can still compete, but salaries where possible. The debt- private equity takeover is not drove out any rivals, leading entrenched that even the 2008 basic services are guaranteed laden buyouts privatize gains technically looting because it has inexorably to entrenched financial crisis did not fully to everyone. And we can move when they work, and socialize been made perfectly legal, and political power. Instead of a expose the myth: We beyond the myths of losses when they don’t, driving even encouraged, by thriving market of small-firm witnessed the federal neoliberalism that have led us previously healthy firms to policymakers. competition, free market government pick up all the risks here. We can have competitive bankruptcy and leaving many According to industry experts, ideology led to a few big that markets could not manage and prosperous markets, but our others permanently hobbled. The 2019 was one of the most winners dominating the rest. and Congress and the Federal focus should be on ensuring list of private equity’s victims has successful years for private equity Take the banking sector. For Reserve save the banking human dignity, thriving families grown even longer in the past to date, with $919 billion in funds most of American history, sector ostensibly on behalf of and healthy communities. When year, adding J.Crew, Toys ‘R’ Us, raised. The private equity banks were considered a the people. Neoliberal those are in conflict, we should Hertz and more. executives themselves can also public privilege with duties to deregulation was premised on choose flourishing communities In the last decade, private equity garner tremendous riches. Their promote the “best interest of the theory that the invisible over profits. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 CONTD. 33 Silicon Valley Wants US To Follow India In Banning Chinese App TikTok: Expert Last December, the US Army banned the use of TikTok by its soldiers. It called the app a security threat. The US navy has enforced similar restrictions. Silicon Valley, the global IT hub, backdrop of the current stand- does not feel sorry for TikTok,” Robby Starbuck said the US bug caused by an anti-spam does not feel sorry for TikTok, off between Indian and Chinese said Shukla, the Indian- should ban the Chinese video- filter, but the backlash was fast which has been banned in India, troops along the Line of Actual American venture capitalist. sharing application. and furious,” Forbes wrote.Last and in fact wants the US to take control in eastern Advertising dollars refers to “Ban all apps controlled by December, the US Army banned a similar step against the Ladakh.Former president of TiE promotional expenditure against China. They’re a national the use of TikTok by its soldiers. popular Chinese app, according Silicon Valley Venkatesh Shukla the expected revenue to be security risk that we can’t afford It called the app a security to a prominent Indian-American said TikTok is fast becoming one generated. to take,” Starbuck tweeted. threat. The US navy has venture capitalist. of the most influential social “In fact, the sentiment here Business magazine Forbes said enforced similar restrictions. India on Monday banned 59 apps media platforms, joining the likes seems to be that the US should TikTok will be adversely hit by In February, TikTok had with Chinese links, including the of Twitter, Facebook and follow suit and ban it (TikTok) in these new restrictions on its agreed to pay USD 5.7 million hugely popular TikTok and UC Instagram in terms of audience the US as well. After all, largest market. to the US Federal Trade Browser, for engaging in size, demographic engagement Facebook, Twitter and Instagram “There was a storm of publicity Commission to settle "activities which are prejudicial and advertising dollars. are not allowed to operate in last week, when TikTok was allegations that it illegally to sovereignty and integrity of TiE is a non-profit organisation China, so why should TikTok be found by Apple AAPL to be collected personal information India, defence of India, security for entrepreneurial networking. allowed here?” Shukla secretly accessing users’ from children under the age of of state and public order". “Given this competition for asked.Cuban-American music clipboards. TikTok claims that 13, such as names, email The ban came against the advertising dollars, Silicon Valley video director and producer this was an inadvertent technical addresses and their location. SHO who masturbated in front of woman India deploys Special Forces units in and her daughter terminated from service Ladakh amid military standoff with China surgical strikes against Pakistan-based terror camps A day after being arrested, the station house officer (SHO) who allegedly and can be used effectively on the Chinese front if and masturbated in front of a woman and her daughter when they went to the when needed, sources added. police station to lodge a complaint has been terminated from service by the Most recent inputs indicate that Special Forces Uttar Pradesh Police, a senior official said on Thursday. units have already been deployed along forward locations in eastern Ladakh. Troops have been fully apprised about Aday after being arrested, the station Inspector Bhism Pal Singh and he line.A video of the SHO's vulgar roles they may have to assume in case hostilities with house officer (SHO) who allegedly was arrested on Wednesday, Deoria act, recorded by the woman''s China escalate. India has more than 12 Special Forces masturbated in front of a woman and Superintendent of Police Shripati daughter, went viral on Tuesday, regiments who train on different terrains and have her daughter when they went to the Mishra said.Inspector Singh was leading to demand of strong action developed specialisation in desert, mountains and jungle police station to lodge a complaint absconding since Tuesday and a against him.An FIR was registered terrain. The Special Forces units deployed in Jammu has been terminated from service by reward of Rs 25,000 was declared against the police inspector at the and Kashmir regularly practice war games in high- the Uttar Pradesh Police, a senior for his arrest. same police station after the video altitude areas in and around Leh. While raiding them, official said on Thursday."The Police Singh, who was Bhatni surfaced.He has been booked Indian Army Special Forces had destroyed multiple Inspector who indulged in perverted Police Station (Deoria) SHO, was under the charges of voyeurism, launch pads near the Line of Control (LOC) during the behaviour in front of a female caught masturbating in his office outraging the modesty of a woman, 2017 surgical strikes. Troops had targeted and complainant inside a police station on June 22 when the woman and and public servant disobeying law, eliminated a number of terrorists, along with Pakistan in Deoria has been terminated from her daughter visited him with a the Deoria SP had said.Singh Army personnel tasked with training and guiding them service. There will be zero tolerance complaint related to a land indulged in vulgar acts while talking to India through different routes. At present, India and towards anyone violating the dignity dispute, police said.The SHO was about the land dispute. The China are engaged in a military standoff along the LAC of women. No one is above law," a already suspended for alleged woman's daughter made a video in eastern Ladakh. Tensions have been high since June Additional Director General (ADG), dereliction of duty in another case and showed it to other members 15 when a violent face-off between soldiers of the Indian Law and Order, Prashant Kumar related to his posting at Salempur of her family," the complaint filed Army and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops said. An FIR was registered against and was attached to the police against him said. resulted in casualties on both sides in the Galwan Valley. Congress veteran Ahmed Patel questioned for 3rd day in Rs 14,500 crore money laundering case “Today, once again people of our than fighting the pandemic and Ahmed Patel, his son Faisal Ahmed Patel's residence. They laundering probe against the most important Gujarati friends China, this government is keener Patel and son-in-law Irfan have gone to this address at least Gujarat-based pharmaceutical visited me and asked questions. to fight the Opposition. Siddiqui. Sunil Yadav, an 25-30 times. The meetings were firm Sterling Biotech. Ahmed I answered all the questions. Nonetheless, our conscience is employee of the Sandesara fixed by Chetan and Gagan Patel's son Faisal Patel was also However, they are asking clear. We have nothing to hide, group, had alleged in his Dhawan through Mahajan (PA of questioned by the ED earlier in questions very slowly, almost nor are we afraid to criticise and statement that Chetan Ahmed Patel) over the phone," the same case. Ahmed Patel, a with a speed of a narrow gauge. expose the government’s failures Sandesara allegedly used to Sunil allegedly said in his close associate of Sonia Gandhi, Maybe they want to tell their boss and their past corruption,” he handover huge amounts of cash statement. The ED is also probing is a Rajya Sabha member of the that we have interrogated Ahmed said. The statements of the to Ahmed Patel’s son-in-law Irfan allegations that Siddiqui Congress from Gujarat and holds Patel for hours,” he had said on veteran Congress leader is being Siddiqui. Sunil alleged that "occupied" a residential property the post of treasurer in the party. Tuesday. On Saturday, Ahmed recorded under the Prevention of Ahmed Patel's residence was in Delhi's Vasant Vihar that was The alleged Rs 14,500 crore bank Patel alleged that the government Money Laundering Act (PMLA), also used for meetings. "Chetan purchased by the Sandesaras. loan fraud is said to have been is targeting him and other officials said. India Today TV has Sandesara used to refer to The Enforcement Directorate has perpetrated by the Vadodara-based Opposition leaders to divert learned that during the Ahmed Patel's residence (23, already questioned Irfan Siddiqui, pharma firm and its main promoters attention from its failure to investigation, a key witness had Mother Teresa Crescent Road, son-in-law of Ahmed Patel, in -- Nitin Sandesara, Chetan manage an economic, health and disclosed the connection Delhi) as headquarters. Chetan connection with multi-thousand- Sandesara and Deepti Sandesara - national security crisis. “Rather between Chetan Sandesara, and Gagan Dhawan used to visit crore bank fraud and money - all of whom are absconding. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 34 Sweet, Bitter and Tepid: A Look At India’s Relationship With Neighbours Chinese hostilities and the perennial lack of trust with Pakistan are not the only political issues that Asian superpower India is facing. Here’s a quick review

India-China: Rival Asian Powers Citizens exercise in is an internal Water: Unresolved, intermittent talks new friendship between the two Boundary dispute: China has differences affair of India, since many of those about sharing of river water. countries. A niggle was Indian Army’s with India on both the McMahon line in excluded from the NRC are Bengali Madhesis: These are people living in the ‘surgical strike’ deep into Myanmarese the east (its border with Arunachal Muslims living near the Bangladesh Nepali Terai adjoining India with deep territory across Manipur against Pradesh) and the Ladakh-Tibet LAC. A border, Dhaka fears a reverse migration. links with our nation. India’s 2015 militants holed out in the neighbouring claimant and effective occupier of Aksai- Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): The blockade of Nepal was aimed at getting nation in 2015. Chin, China now claims all of Galwan act gives citizenship to minority Hindus, Madhesis their rights in the new Nepali Economy: Bilateral trade stood at US$ Valley, a part of Ladakh. China also Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians constitution. 1.7 Billion in 2018-19, an increase of 7.53 claims the entire Arunachal Pradesh. persecuted in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Economy: India is Nepal’s foremost per cent from 2017-18. India is the fifth Border with China: over 4,000 kms. Bangladesh. Dhaka is furious—it says trade partner and the leading source of largest trading partner of Myanmar. India Rivers: A grave problem brews, with it does not persecute minorities. foreign investments. Total bilateral trade is building the Kaladan transport project, Chinese diversion of Brahmaputra water, Economy: Bilateral trade has grown stood at US$ 8.27 billion in 2018-19. which includes a 109-km road from which flows from Tibet and enters India steadily. Indian exports stood at US$ Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross-border Zorinpui in India to Paletwa in Myanmar. in Arunachal Pradesh. China building 9.21 billion and import at US$ 1.04 billion petroleum pipeline opened in 2019. It is part of the Look east Policy. Under dams on its upper reaches, which will in 2018-19. India announced a second Indian assistance in post-2015 Nepal the Rakhine state development reduce the volume of water downstream. line of credit (US$ 2 billion) in 2015 for earthquake includes about 40,000 programme, India has committed over Northeastern states concerned. infrastructure projects. Third credit line houses, over US$ 1.65 billion in line of US$ 25 million. Belt and Road Initiative: India has refused of US$ 4.5 billion was announced in April credit extended to Nepal. India offers India-Afghanistan: Close Knit to join China’s BRI despite Beijing’s 2017, one of the biggest by India to any about 3,000 scholarships to Nepalese Strategic partners: Since 2001, India has best efforts as a vital road connecting country. Both governments are trying to students every year. been a close ally of the democratically Xinjiang with Pakistan’s Gwadar passes restore pre-1965 rail links and increase India-Bhutan: Druk Bond elected Afghan government and provider through Gilgit-Baltistan in PoK, thus frequency of Calcutta-Dhaka Maitree Strategic partners: India has an of diplomatic/strategic assistance to infringing India’s sovereignty. India is Express and Calcutta-Khulna Bandhan agreement for protecting Bhutan’s Kabul, though it has never sent its also mindful of the debt trap ensnaring Express. Bangladesh imports 1,160 MW external borders. This is a focal point of military to support the Western troops those who borrow from China. of power from India. the Doklam standoff with China in 2017 there. India’s assistance is mainly India-Pakistan: Hostile Neighbours India-Nepal: Old Partners, New as Indian troops tried to stop Chinese humanitarian help in reconstruction. It Kashmir: Pakistan has fought three wars Freeze road construction in territory claimed by has over 140 community development over Kashmir and challenges the basic Territorial dispute: Nepal released a new both Thimphu and Beijing. programmes (US$ 120 million), covering Indian position that Kashmir is an map that shows the areas of Kalapani, Economy: India has committed Rs 4,500 education, health etc. integral part of India. Abrogation of Article Limpiadhura and Lipulekh—hitherto crore for the 12th Five Year Plan of Bhutan Economy: Bilateral trade stood at US$ 370, that scrapped Kashmir’s special regarded by both as part of India—as (2018-23). India assists in developing 1.5 billion. The nations have a dedicated status, is a new sticking point. Nepali territory. Located at the trijunction hydro power. The trade volume stood at air freight corridor, launched in 2017. Terrorism: India charges Pakistan of between India, Nepal and China, it is of Rs 8,560 crore in 2017. Afghanistan also exports to India through using terror groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba significance. While disputing it, India India-Myanmar: Gateway Chabahar port in Iran. and Jaish-e-Mohammed in fomenting wants to resolve the issue through Strategic partners: Change in power from India-Sri Lanka: Ties Under Watch constant trouble in Kashmir. Pakistan- dialogue. military junta to democracy brought a Tamil Minorities: Even after the end of backed terror groups are responsible for its civil war, Sri Lanka is loath to give its attacks on Parliament, 26/11 and the Tamil minorities all that was promised J&K assembly, among others. Pakistan in the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987. accuses India of aiding Baloch New Delhi keeps urging Colombo to insurgents. settle the issue. Water: The 1960 The China factor: Delhi is wary of the gave India use of three eastern rivers and Dragon’s growing influence in Sri Lanka. Pakistan that of the western rivers of the Memories of the time when Chinese Indus river system. But a brooding submarines docked in Colombo during dispute over building of dams is likely Mahinda Rajapaksa’s last term not to flare up in future as the countries fight forgotten. over the quantum of water released. Fishing Disputes: Fishermen of the two India-Bangladesh: Teething countries drift into each other’s waters, Differences arrests are made and boats seized. A Water: The sharing of the Teesta waters recurring problem not easily solved. is an emotional issue in Bangladesh. No Economy: India announced line of credit progress yet despite excellent ties worth US$ 450 million in 2019 for between New Delhi and Dhaka. infrastructure projects. Bilateral trade in NRC: Though the National Registrar of 2018 amounted to US$ 4.93 billion. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 35 Why India Feels Cornered Than Never Before By A Hostile Neighbourhood India’s paternalistic attitude towards neighbouring countries generated resentment and created space for China From the time India was level talks—a kind of scissored into its present shape brinkmanship that could out of a larger piece of brown scarcely have been imagined parchment, the question has earlier. “Nepal has pushed itself lingered: how exactly do we into a corner by publishing the orient ourselves to what maps. Kalapani is in Indian surrounds us? There were no territory, will they fight and take easy answers. On the flanks it from us?’’ asks former were parts that were formerly diplomat Gautam Bambawale. India, severed by amputation; Asked whether Nepal would on the north was an indistinct actually get together with China set of fluid dotted lines cutting and Pakistan for a loose across icy swathes, where alliance against India, Kunda human populations and oxygen Dixit, editor, Nepali Times, levels both dipped to nearly retorts: “Not a chance. If Indian zero. Four major wars in the first media keep talking of Nepal’s quarter-century after freedom generals and politicians tilting marked a legacy of flux: towards China, it may one day diplomacy had to forge its become a self-fulfilling subtle tools in this fire. One prophecy. But ganging up is possible diplomatic answer to unlikely.” Yet, a congruence is that question came from a man visible. The new map was whose natural instincts harked triggered by India inaugurating back to a pre-split state of unity. the Lipulekh road last month, Not a surprise, for Inder Kumar quite like how China resents Gujral (b: 1919) had lived nurturing relations within South submarines that frequent the an astounding 97 per cent of its India building roads, bridges through the Partition, and Asia and beyond—and made it high seas. Take Xi’s ambitious products. Even that left a bad and airstrips in border areas. carried a strong residue of old his own, with a few tweaks. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aftertaste in Dhaka after a The Ladakh faceoff has Lahore inside him—along with He made a statement by across Asia: an astonishing bid Calcutta-based Bengali daily undoubtedly emboldened the diction. inviting all SAARC leaders for to create a modern Silk Road described it as “charity Kathmandu too. India is soft- Through the decades, when he his oath-taking in 2014. That network where all the world’s (khoyraati)”, though the paper peddling the issue, aware that was ordinarily resident in August, he travelled to Nepal asphalt converges on Beijing. apologised on June 23. “Many much of this ultra-nationalism Lutyens’ Delhi, with his capital and punched all the right India is a lone big absentee; are disappointed. This word is is domestic posturing Prime at IIC, even Gujral would not buttons in his speech to every other regional nation with not acceptable to me,” said Minister K.P. Sharma Oli needs have imagined himself as the Nepal’s Constituent the exception of Bhutan has foreign minister A.K. Abdul to do—and indeed goes back one on whom would fall the Assembly—even Kathmandu’s signed up. Every country is in Momen—he stopped short of to the wave of anger triggered chance to deliver the 50th streets weren’t immune to the need of funds for infrastructure, making a formal protest, using by India’s 2015 blockade. That anniversary I-day address from excitement. Then, President Xi and it’s difficult to resist China’s a more diplomatic tack. “India was classic old-style India, Red Fort. The experiment with Jinping came calling in chequebook diplomacy. China is indeed our biggest friend,” he acting on its ‘natural sphere of history was short-lived, but his November and visited now has a military base in said, and affixed a qualifier, influence’—strongly 11-month stint as India’s PM left Ahmedabad, the PM’s home Djibouti on the Horn of Africa— “India-China are both good reminiscent of how a similar behind a semi-formally town—the first of many just like the US and old friends, close blunder by Rajiv Gandhi in 1989 enunciated way of being for the meetings. Contrary to what European powers. The latest neighbours…development had actually exacerbated anti- country: the Gujral Doctrine. pundits may have predicted, flashpoint on India’s periphery— partners”. Islamabad, of course, India sentiments, a fact the Still relevant in the Modi era? Modi even tried to make peace the bloody faceoff in Ladakh— has no need for as many MEA’s institutional memory Yes, of course.It’s an with Pakistan, stopping over in is an extension of this new niceties, nor does the exchange should have alerted it to. When interesting menu of what-if Lahore on his way home from harnessing of territory. A kind stay verbal. The LoC remains Nepal’s new Republican options in history. Gujral’s Afghanistan to greet Nawaz of Chinese lebensraum. No red hot. It has been so ever since Constitution was unveiled in tenure and his soft, Sharif on his birthday on wonder, India’s South Asian Uri/Pulwama—firing is common 2015, New Delhi took the side unassuming persona may Christmas Day in 2015. It neighbours are watching the and casualties routine. But the of the disenchanted seem to belong to another worked well for a while; then the situation with interest—indeed, new ambidexterity developed by Madheshis, a linguistic- epoch—the unilateral Uri terror attack put a stop to a touch of glee is not absent. Bangladesh is matched— demographic continuum from declaration of India’s muscular those attempts. There has been The presence of China hands indeed, surpassed—only by eastern India. Nepal, which nationalism of a year later, no turning back since. By now, all of India’s neighbours Nepal. Last week, Kathmandu transported 80 per cent of its Pokhran-II, would certainly not a year into his second term, the something substantial to issued a new map which essential supplies through have happened had he Neighbourhood First policy itself leverage against what many of showed three contested India, was hit hard. And Oli, PM continued. Nor its seems a historical relic. them perceive as a local bully— areas—the Lipulekh Pass then, vowed never to repeat the consequences: Kargil, and a This May 22, 2020, satellite even if India has hardly exited (which connects Kumaon to strategic mistake of depending decade of heightened conflict. image provided by Maxar the game. The had Tibet), Kalapani and on one country. He turned to But his legacy also endured as Technologies shows a People’s turned its back on New Delhi Limpiyadhura, some 370 sq km China and wrapped up a string the other pole of India’s Liberation Army (PLA) base in under Abdulla Yameen, altogether—as its own. After of deals. Beijing also promised dichotomous foreign policy: in Galwan valley along the Line of welcoming China with open Nepal’s parliament endorsed the a rail line from Tibet to the strenuous peace-making of Actual Control. Chinese and arms, but pulled back when the new markings, India called on it Kathmandu. Soon after the the Vajpayee-Manmohan years, Indian commanders have regime changed. In Colombo to “refrain from unjustified blockade was lifted, Oli was the Lahore bus ride, the cricket agreed to disengage their too, the Rajapaksa brothers are cartographic assertion”. Nepal ousted—he suspected an diplomacy, an attempted forces in the disputed area after back in the saddle—President has harked back to the 1816 Indian hand. His re-election détente in Kashmir. And with his a clash left 20 Indian soldiers Gotabaya and PM Mahinda Treaty of Sugauli signed with the campaign in 2017 focused on ‘Neighbourhood First’ stance, dead. The commanders have struck all the right chords to memories of the blockade, and what Prime Minister Narendra reached the agreement on June for now, but everyone knows the establish its claim to these promised those days of Modi came into office with was 22 at their first meeting since China card can always be slivers of land, located on the suffering would never recur. A his own variation on that the June 15 confrontation. brought out at critical moments. strategic India-China-Nepal thumping majority ensued, and doctrine. He had essentially All the inroads China has been Even Dhaka has discovered a trijunction. The Communist while he has repaired ties with borrowed Gujral’s idea—of making into India’s ‘backyard’ new bipolarity. Last week, China Party government of K.P. New Delhi, China now has a paying greater attention to emanate here—and it’s not just announced massive tariff Sharma Oli is now sitting pretty new omnipresence in India’s smaller neighbours, about the Chinese ships and exemptions to Bangladesh—on and asking for foreign secretary- Kathmandu. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 36 To Push Back China's Growing Belt And Road Initiative Will Be India's Main Challenge China’s recent provocations in its fallen soldiers. Ladakh mark the latest However, tactically speaking, one manifestation of Beijing’s growing can’t count on US assistance to clout in India’s backyard. The counter China in South Asia. The current border crisis, which has Trump administration is focused plunged India-China relations to laser-like on the pandemic, the their lowest point in decades, will sputtering US economy, and the sharpen New Delhi’s desire to election in November. push back against Beijing’s Additionally, US attention to deepening footprint in South China’s activities in Asia tends Asia. Mustering the capacity to to be focused more on East and do so, however, will not be easy. Southeast Asia—areas that are The main accelerant of Beijing’s home to American treaty allies. growing presence in South Asia Furthermore, outside of its is its Belt and Road Initiative partnership with New Delhi and (BRI)—a mammoth transport its military presence in corridor project that uses Afghanistan, Washington’s track infrastructure investments to gain record and footprint in South Asia influence and access to markets enjoys strong ties with Beijing. struggles in its neighbourhood, with its neighbours, and deprives are relatively modest. And it can’t and strategic spaces. In South Not surprisingly, China is it could be a lot worse. Nepal it of forums to push back against hold a candle to the Chinese Asia, BRI is most visible in leveraging its foothold in South remains a key partner (India is the perception of some of its infrastructure projects that Pakistan, where the China- Asia to pressure and test India— its largest aggregate investor, smaller neighbors that it acts account for much of Beijing’s Pakistan Economic Corridor including in areas where New with rob-ust collaborations on like a bully. imprint there. There’s been talk (CPEC) has become the Delhi has traditionally held sway. infrastructure). Despite recent To this end, India’s best bet, at in Washington in recent years project’s most operationalised Witness the Doklam standoff, at tensions with Dhaka over India’s least initially, is to hold off on about developing “a new Silk component. New Delhi opposes the India-China-Bhutan tri- new citizenship law, India- regional charm offensives and Road” in South Asia and other CPEC because it ent-renches junction. Or, more recently, Bangladesh ties are stronger other diplomatic blitzes. There’s vague aspirations, but relatively one bitter rival on the soil of Nepal—where Beijing may well than they were a decade ago. no need to reinvent the wheel. little to show for it on the ground another, but also because it is be leveraging its growing ties with Afghanistan and Bhutan remain Instead, it should continue its other than some rare concrete envisioned to pass through Kathmandu to push it to take a close friends. The relationship longstanding military achievements like the US- territory India claims as its own. hard line in its current border spat with Male has imp-roved modernisation efforts, build on backed Turkmenistan- And yet, BRI’s tentacles extend with India. Ladakh is just the markedly since Ibrahim existing agreements and plans Afghanistan-Pakistan-India far bey-ond Pakistan. Last year, latest—but arguably the Mohamed Solih, a China critic, with its neighbours, and embrace pipeline. a Chinese thinktank released a boldest—attempt by Beijing to was elected president in April newer regional institutions that Still, with the Ladakh crisis rep-ort that identifies three provoke New Delhi in its broader 2019. And Sri Lanka’s new don’t suffer from the problems of generating more talk of how India additional South Asia-focused backyard. The good news for administration, despite past SAARC. Energy and connectivity should more openly side with parts: the Bangladesh-China- India is that China does face affinities with Beijing, has projects, under the aegis of America, it’s the right time to India-Myanmar Economic vulnerabilities. Prior to the signalled its unwillingness to be BIMSTEC and its member push for more US-India Corridor (an admittedly ambitious pandemic, BRI states enmeshed overly dependent on China. states, offer a useful start. In cooperation in South Asia. component, given its inclusion of in Beijing’s ‘debt-trap’ diplomacy In effect, contrary to the claims recent years, India has concluded Indeed, South Asia now fits into a BRI-resistant India), the Trans- faced considerable economic of detractors in Islamabad, India ene-rgy deals with Bangladesh, Washington’s geographic Himalaya Corridor (involving risks from China’s largesse. A is far from isolated in its Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. conception of the Indo-Pacific. investments in Nepal), and a 2018 Center for Global neighbourhood. And yet, slowing There have also been Recall the comment made at this Maritime Silk Road initiative Development study found that five China’s march into India’s discussions on an electricity- year’s Raisina Dialogue by enveloping Bangladesh, SAARC states—Afghanistan, backyard amounts to a tall sharing arrangement with Matthew Pottinger, a senior Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Each Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and order—and not just bec-ause of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. White House official, that the part has made ample progress, Sri Lanka—faced a “quite high” the depth of Beijing’s clout and Indian efforts to push back Indo-Pacific stretches from though India has unsurprisingly risk of debt distress from new resources. against China’s deepening “California to Kilimanjaro”. not participated in BCIM. BRI-related funding. The Consider just how favourable the inf-luence in South Asia would Additionally, new US institutions All but two SAARC countries— catastrophic economic geopolitical dynamics of South benefit from US support. And can help hasten collaborations Afghanistan and Bhutan— consequences of COVID-19 may Asia are for China. It is one of from a strategic standpoint, with India in the western Indo- explicitly figure in China’s BRI make them more uneasy about the world’s most disconnected Washington is certainly game. Pacific. The BUILD Act, signed plans. China hopes to expand taking on loans they will struggle and poorly integrated regions. Its The Trump administration’s Indo- into law by President Trump in CPEC into Afghanistan if that to repay. Additionally, the Ladakh infrastructure is not-oriously poor Pacific strategy is all about 2018, facilitates America’s ability nation ends its long-running war. crisis, with its multiple Chinese and its main regional institution, balancing out China’s power. to dep-loy resources for overseas It has invited Bhutan to join BRI. incursions and brutal violence by SAARC, is ineffective. Thus, Washington’s free-falling development projects through the Factors aside from BRI further PLA forces, reminds South Asian intraregional trade is modest. relationship with Beijing, coupled formation of a new development strengthen China’s prospects in states Beijing’s increasingly Enter China, which can mobilise with its rapidly growing agency known as the US South Asia. The coronavirus aggressive steps. Because of quickly to deploy huge partnership with New Delhi, give International Development pandemic has assailed many this and its poor initial handling infrastructural ass-istance in it added incentive to offer Finance Corporation. South Asian economies, which of COVID-19, Beijing is suffering short order. This isn’t just cooperation. India-China rivalry is entering a affords Beijing opportunities to a major image problem. This something Beijing can do; It’s no coincidence that US potentially destabilising stage step up financial assistance and may make some SAARC states because of BRI, it’s a top leaders have been unusually that will likely become an gain more influence. Its recent wary about deeper cooperation strategic priority. Additionally, a public in their messaging on extended new normal. India will announcement to grant tariff with Beijing, given the disconnected region with a Ladakh—including comments need to draw on domestic, exemptions to 97 per cent of reputational costs. hobbled regional organisation from an influential Congressman regional, and international Bangladesh’s China-bound So there’s an opportunity for New and limited trade is not hardwired and a senior State Department resources alike to reassert its exports is ins-tructive. Political Delhi to push back against China for robust diplomacy and official that were deeply critical clout against an emb-oldened transitions have also been in South Asia. It already has cooperation. Rather, it of China, as well as a tweet from nemesis that is increasingly helpful; the Sri Lankan leadership something to build on. Indeed, for complicates efforts by New Delhi Secretary of State Mike Pompeo projecting power in areas too that took office in November 2019 all the talk of New Delhi’s to build goodwill and confidence offering condolences to India for close for New Delhi’s comfort. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 37 Chinese Tension Haunts Ladakh Even As Valley Remains On The Boil believe that the situation on the LAC will have an impact on valley and counter-insurgency operations

As the jets hover over Leh, capital city of newly created Union territory Ladakh, there is deafening silence on the ground in the cold desert. Amid the roar of fighter jets and unprecedented security build up in Ladakh, the police are not allowing anyone to move in the streets of Leh citing COVID-19 restrictions. There has been a steep rise in coronavirus cases in Ladakh over the past one week, forcing the government to resume the lockdown. However, the border tension following deadly clashes and Pulwama. On June 21, social media as a challenge. some encounters, only to look for the between Indian and Chinese internet connection was “The major threat and pistols are recovered. In graves of their kin. How this soldiers on June 9 looks more snapped and three challenge is from the others, only one gun is emotionally sensitive issue worrisome than the militants—all new recruits— radicalisation and instigation recovered from three or four plays out in future has to be pandemic. were killed in the heart of of people through social slain militants. The absence seen. Analysts in Kashmir “China carries out ’s old city, taking the media. We can call it ‘virtual of civilian protests and believe the killing of militants aggressive acts every year, total number of militants militancy’,” says Inspector civilian killings during the won’t wipe out militancy from but they have crossed all slain this year to 106. Over General of Police Vijay encounters this year also the region, and that the limits this time,” says a 70 of them were killed during Kumar. “In December 2019, marks them as different from present situation only shopkeeper in the main the COVID-19 lockdown. at least 252 militants were previous ones.”According to indicates government forces market of Leh. Many After the June 21 encounter, active in Kashmir, and now the officer, Jaish-e- have an upper hand at the politicians in the city argue the police claimed to have the number has come down Mohammed and the newly moment. that the Chinese will not stop recovered an AK-47 rifle and to 100-200. The police don’t formed The Resistance Front While all eyes on the here if they are not pushed two pistols. go by numbers; it is their job (TRF) now pose the biggest Line of Actual Control (LAC) back. “They have taken our Many here believe to kill militants wherever challenge to government in Ladakh, the Line of cultivated land, our grazing that regardless of how the they get a lead about their forces. “The number of Control (LoC) between India land, and if they are not situation plays out on the presence.” foreign militants killed this and Pakistan in Jammu and stopped, it is not going to LAC, it will have an impact Nearly half (51) of the year is less than before. Kashmir has been end,” warns Rigzin Spalbar, on Kashmir and counter- militants killed this year were When a foreign militant from witnessing intense shelling former chairman of the insurgency operations. from . Jaish escapes during an for the past few weeks. An Ladakh Hill Development When former CM Omar Since the killing of Hizbul’s operation and leaves behind Indian soldier was killed on Council. Ladakh MP Jamyang Abdullah tweeted asking longest-serving operational a US-made M-4 carbine, you the morning of June 22 as the Tsering Namgyal asks, “If we people not to look towards commander, Riyaz Naikoo, on realise where the real armies of India and Pakistan know ‘Azad Jammu Kashmir’ Beijing and cited the plight of May 6 in Beighpora village of challenge comes from. exchanged heavy fire in the as Pakistan-occupied the Uyghurs in China, he Pulwama, the largest Pakistan- Emergence of the TRF is Nowshera sector of Kashmir (PoK), why not to faced such a backlash that backed insurgent organisation in another signal that foreign district in Jammu. A couple call Aksai Chin ‘China- he deactivated his Twitter Kashmir has been taking a hit militants are now going to of days earlier, five civilians occupied Aksai Chin’?” account. “There was rage almost every day. On May 20, take centre stage,” he adds. had been wounded due to In contrast to the against Omar as he didn’t Hizbul divisional commander IGP Kumar, however, shelling at a village in the silence on the roads in gauge the mood in Kashmir,” Junaid Sehraie—son of Tehreek- says he doesn’t see any strategic Haji Peer sector in Ladakh, there has been no says a member of a e-Hurriyat chief Mohammed difference among various north Kashmir’s Uri, around pause in the almost-daily mainstream political party. Ashraf Sehraie—was killed in militant groups as all of them 100 km north of Srinagar. encounters in the Kashmir “With the BJP government Fateh Kadal area of Srinagar work together in Kashmir. Earlier in June, at least six valley, leading to the killings working for demographic along with other two militants. According to official figures, civilians had been injured and of young militants, some of change in J&K by enacting Nineteen houses were burned around 50 locals have joined over a dozen houses whom took up arms barely a law after law, you cannot down during the operation and militancy so far this year— damaged at Nambla village of month ago or even later. browbeat Kashmiris by three civilians, including a child, 145 had joined in 2019 and Uri. “One of the shells fell When the government snaps brining up the Uyghurs. died when a shell left behind at 220 in 2018. Instead of near the Uri police station,” the internet connection in a India’s Kashmir record is so the site exploded later.“It is true handing over the bodies of says a Uri resident. Sources district, people there come terrible and inhumane that that the Hizbul is bearing the brunt militants to their families, say intense shelling is taking to know that encounters are even citing the Uyghur of the ongoing counter-insurgency government forces are taking place in areas along the LoC about to take place. These example is seen as an affront operations,” says a senior police them to Baramulla or where it had not been days, the internet is shut here and Omar realised it officer based in south Kashmir. Sonmarg in north Kashmir for reported earlier. In PoK, down almost every morning within half an hour of his “And it looks like the quiet burials. Relatives of journalists have reported five in the south Kashmir comment.” organisation is facing a militants often visit the deaths in the past week due districts of , Police, however, see shortage of weapons too. In graveyards in Sonmarg and to cross-LoC shelling. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 38

The lasting gift of the Fourth of July On the Fourth of July, Americans come together to celebrate their independence and their revolutionary experiment in democracy. This year, many voices believe that the experiment is failing.

A recent Gallup poll shows that national that “a decent respect to the opinions of that governments need to respect Abraham Lincoln would use the language pride in the United States is at a record mankind” required an explicit statement. fundamental rights and represent the in his Gettysburg Address in 1863 to low. Our country’s increasing division and The first part of the Declaration would consent of the people. And so, remind a shattered country that the the unwillingness by some to participate enshrine two powerful principles that Americans immediately seized upon nation was “conceived in Liberty and in a healthy civilized debate and listen have come to define the fundamental these concepts to reshape the world dedicated to the proposition that all men to dissenting opinions is fostering greater values of the American nation. The first around them. are created equal,” and that the fight in fissures. was a claim that governments must be Despite the limitations of the right to vote the Civil War would help see whether In the face of social unrest, economic responsive to the consent of the for poor men, for women, the continued these assertions could endure. distress, and the ongoing pandemic, it governed, and the second was an existence of slavery and limitations on Women would use the Declaration of is perhaps not surprising that Americans assertion that all men are created equal, the civil rights of African Americans in Independence to demand equal laws and have lost some faith in their institutions with rights that are inalienable and should the moment of our independence, the the right to vote. Unions would use it to and in their national story. Another CBS be protected. powerful rhetoric of equality and consent organize labor against capital. The News poll found that 67% of Americans These two concepts created the had a transformative impact. American people would use it to navigate consider the country is on the “wrong cornerstone of American liberty, and the As early as 1780, language similar to between the charms of fascism and track.” justification for American democracy. that of equality in the declaration was communism when our systems seemed Mindless pride should always be They have powerfully shaped American used to create the first gradual law of to be failing. Abolitionists would use it to questioned, but mindless rejection is values and identity — but it did not have manumission in Pennsylvania, which attack the institution of slavery and also a danger. These trends occur to be that way. would end slavery in a generation. Fredrick Douglass and Martin Luther against a backdrop of low achievement Earlier in 1776, William Henry Drayton, Language similar to the Declaration of King, and many others, would use it to in civics and history understanding, a patriot from South Carolina, wrote a Independence was used to end slavery point out the hypocrisy of white which exacerbates the problem of declaration of independence from Great in a judicial argument in Massachusetts citizenship in the face of continued black governance in this country. Americans Britain that had similar grievances in 1782, as well as other northern states oppression. And we still use these are expected to govern themselves, but against the crown — the same — the first large scale emancipations in principles to measure the freedom of we are neglecting to provide our citizens complaints about the tyranny of the modern history. other nations, whether or not we decide with the foundations to uphold these British — but did not use any of the Poor men throughout the nation would to shape our foreign policy to our values. responsibilities, our shared values as a phrases regarding popular consent or the use the language of equality and popular George Washington, as he became the nation, and how this country has evolved equality of rights for the people. Instead, sovereignty to claim equal access to vote first president of this new nation, with over time. Nations need to have symbols, he used a more conservative argument, during the founding era. Equal rights such grand ideals, declared that it was creeds and stories that allow different which emphasized that the king had language would bring down the monopoly to be “a great experiment in human individuals to imagine a shared sense of abdicated his responsibilities to his on religious truth, long controlled by the happiness.” He also reminded the purpose and interest. Without them, it subjects in the colonies, and therefore state in the Eurocentric world, and founding generation that “it is yet to be is hard to find common ground. People the colonies were allowed to establish guarantee a belief in the freedom of decided, whether the Revolution must who do not understand why they have their own governments. conscience of all people in the US. ultimately be considered as a blessing the beliefs that they have are often unable Without an emphasis on popular Immigrants would use the Declaration to or a curse: a blessing or a curse, not to to have a constructive conversation sovereignty and equal rights, it would claim equal treatment and access to the present age alone, for with our fate about the difficult issues that have been a very different declaration citizenship, and therefore representation. will the destiny of unborn Millions be democracies need to fix collectively. indeed. Without the creed of liberty, the It would be used to justify the idea of the involved.” The founding generation did not The Fourth of July should be a day for document would not have been so legitimacy of an opposition party against make a perfect country. In many ways, Americans to celebrate the common significant, and would not have contained elected majorities, and it would be used they failed to live up to their powerful values that spring from the origin of our the transformational fuel that powers the to protect the rights of individuals in the vision of liberty. Nevertheless, they gave nation. When the American patriots aspirational values of our nation. Constitution, as well as the state us our founding aspirations and separated from Great Britain, they But our Declaration of Independence did constitutions, which came to define institutional inheritance that we still rely famously declared their reasons, noting argue that all men are created equal and American citizenship. upon to solve our problems. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 39 What May Save India's Flailing FutureFuture ofof NewsNews Print Journalism In Digital Age This business model, termed the advertiser-revenue model of news, has been the dominant operational model for newspapers over the last few decades. However, as readers shift from the newspaper to the webpage, the sustainability of this model has begun crumbling. advertising grew at a rate of 8%, professionally trained and legal reform can help structure while digital advertising grew by accountable journalists, the top these market conditions to achieve 38% (The Future: Now Streaming, stories are decided by the the greatest public interest. Vidhi FICCI-KPMG Report, 2016). algorithm’s ranking of the news Centre for Legal Policy’s report on Projections about the near future which receive the most hits. the “The Future of News in India” predict that digital advertising is Consequently, there is a propensity examines avenues of such reform expected to grow at a rate of around to prioritise issues which drive and proposes the way forward to 27% in the coming few years, while engagement on social media, sustain credible print journalism in print advertising is projected to grow which may often come at the cost India. The report develops a at a relatively meagre 3% (Digital of more sombre, public-interest roadmap of legal reform based on Advertising in India 2020, Dentsu reporting. an analysis of the constitutional Aegis Network, 2020). When these It is, of course, attractive values that should be advanced in projections are combined with the to say that the future is inevitable, the development of press laws. slowing growth in the readership of and print will eventually be a victim Examining the need to orient the print news, it presents a bleak of the vicissitudes of time. This environment of digital news to the outlook for the commercial future perspective, however, public good, the report highlights By any reasonable measure, the everything online’. There is a deep of print news. misconstrues the emphasis of the the potentially dominant position of print news industry lies in dire malaise at play in the print news At the same time, news present moment. The question is online advertising platforms and straits. The financial shock of the industry, and its business models organisations have struggled to not so much of holding on to the argues that this issue falls squarely Covid-19 crisis has brought this have found themselves flailing in a benefit from the shift towards digital past and preserving the status of within the remit of the Competition trend to a precarious tipping point. world which is increasingly more advertising. The process of digital incumbents, but of ensuring that Commission of India. Further, the The last few months have seen comfortable with tossing the advertising relies heavily on credible journalism can transition Report argues that comprehensive several reports of media houses newspaper aside. To break down ‘advertising platforms’ – who into the future in a sustainable regulations about the online laying off their journalists, cutting this issue, we must ask a few operate as middlemen between manner. It is in ensuring this distribution of news can ensure that their salaries and benefits and even questions: what are the causes and advertisers and publishers of news. transition that the law has a role to user’s news feeds feature credible shutting down entire editions of their consequences of the current state Over the previous decade, these play. sources of news, and that readers papers. This is not a crisis limited of the print news industry? Why is advertising platforms have grown in Many would be quick to are able to tell apart misinformation to India, as is evidenced by similar it necessary to save this industry? power, with reports indicating that point out that this seems like a and credible news. decisions being made in What would a solution potentially the market is primarily dominated business problem, and perhaps not Significantly, the role of the newsrooms across the world. It is look like? by two players – Google and a ‘legal’ one. They would be ignorant Department of Audio-Visual also not a crisis that has an end in The sands of time: Print news Facebook. The presence of these of the law’s commitment to ensure Promotion (DAVP), a department sight. Spectators of the industry in a digital age platforms as ‘unavoidable trading a vibrant environment for the press. under the Ministry of Information and unanimously express a pessimistic In order to understand how the print partners’ for most news publishers Several constitutional cases in Broadcasting which is responsible outlook about the future of print news industry arrived at its current has diminished their ability to India have recognised that part of for channelling government news, and it is easy to see why. In predicament, it is important to negotiate for better returns from the the Government’s constitutional advertisements to newspapers, a world of mobile applications and understand the dynamics that platforms. While Google has mandate is to ensure sustainable assumes great importance web pages, the physical newspaper undergird their enterprise. Most recently made some concessions journalism. This is not limited considering the fall in commercial looks like a relic of a different age. newspapers cost around Rs. 15- in respect of revenue-sharing with merely to preserving the right of advertising. The DAVP appears to Print news is a predictable 20 to produce, while they are sold news publishers in some countries, newspapers to say ‘what’ they want be suffering from a serious number victim of the technological for prices around Rs. 1.5-4 (The the advertiser-revenue model of to say, but also of ensuring that they of operational inefficiencies and has transformation of our society. The Indian Media Business, Vanita news has not proved that it can ‘can’ say what they want to. The a long history of bureaucratic internet brings down the costs of Kohli-Khandekar, 2013). The succeed for newspapers in the constitutional mandate, on a close control, questionable allocation producing and distributing shortfall is made up by advertising digital age. The rising trend of pay- reading of these judgments, is not practices and ineffective information. The penetration of revenue that a newspaper walls and subscription models is limited to preserving the editorial transparency mechanisms. The smartphones and 4G internet generates. Effectively, advertising perhaps the strongest evidence of freedom of the press, but also to report highlights the need for across the country signals that the revenue cross-subsidises the the failure of the digital advertiser- ensure that the business of the institutional reform of the DAVP to days of the newspaper stand might production costs of a newspaper. revenue model. press is not so unsustainable that equitably channel state support to be over. Instant access to an This business model, termed the The news that’s fit to print: it reduces the volume of circulation the print news industry. These, and unlimited selection of news content advertiser-revenue model of news, Sustaining credible journalism of newspapers, the number of other similar areas of reform as for free may have seemed like a has been the dominant operational There are larger newspapers in the market and outlined in the report, must be a pipe dream twenty years ago, but model for newspapers over the last consequences which follow from competition amongst newspapers. priority for the Government to the promise of the Internet points few decades. However, as readers the failing business model of A harsh business environment for ensure sustainable journalism. to this utopia. Yet, all is not well shift from the newspaper to the traditional print news. Print the press directly undermines a Last year, a draft bill called the online. With traditional revenue webpage, the sustainability of this newsrooms have long been reader’s right to be informed. In this Registration of Press and streams from print advertising model has begun crumbling. hailed as the primary sites for context, the law does not only Periodicals Bill, 2019, was slowing down, news organisations Advertisers tend to follow credible journalism, who employ respond to the market but can also circulated by the Government, have naturally moved to monetise eyeballs. The rise of digital news, the largest number of be used to shape market with the stated objective of their digital editions, with paywalls with its ability to target professional journalists. The conditions to achieve beneficial reforming press regulation in slowly becoming the norm for online demographics of readers in a diminishing influence of the print social ends – which includes the India. Any policy reform versions of newspapers as well. A personalised manner on social news industry also points to the preservation of credible journalism. considered to sustain news for world of pay-walled news, where media platforms, offers a more diminishing influence of This constitutional mandate must the public good must be only those who can afford hefty attractive proposition to most professional editors in deciding be pressed into action in order to consultative and inclusive. Thus, monthly subscriptions are able to advertisers who have shifted the the news ‘diet’ of their readers. ensure that credible journalism can it is imperative that this reform read credible accounts of current focus of their advertising budgets When the primary mode in which survive in the face of an be carried out through open and events seems like a cheap parody towards digital advertising. This is the news reaches its audience overwhelming digital consultative processes, which of the promise of the Internet. a trend that was set in motion a is through their social media transformation. involve journalists, the news The answer to optimising the news few years ago and has only gotten news feeds, the algorithm starts The winds of change: Towards industry and civil society in an effort environment clearly seems more stronger. For example, in the period acting as the editor. Unlike the legal reform to save news from falling victim to complex than just to ‘move from 2014 to 2015, print media front page, which is curated by There are various ways in which the sands of time. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 40 The fashion labels whose clothes are made by prisoners The agile hands of men who organisation is in favour of once made a living as prisoners being able to work pickpockets and robbers have for companies, provided that been given another task in they are not being Peru’s largest prison. By exploited.We believe in cutting, sewing and printing rehabilitation efforts of clothes they are able to earn prisoners, including through money to send to their families prison labour that is on the outside. Buzzing significant, and provided that sewing machines add to the it is based on a freely agreed cacophony of sound at San upon contract by the prisoner,” Pedro de Lurigancho men’s he says. “Too often, prison prison in central Lima, the labour, however, is seen as capital of Peru. Around 30 cheap labour. Labour in prison prisoners are in the workshop, should be an opportunity for making printed t-shirts and the prisoner to contribute to other items of clothing for the development of the Peruvian fashion brand Pieta. community.“Work should The noise makes it impossible allow to improve the conditions for the men to talk to each that get involved need not have feel bad. We are a social same as Pieta since in which prisoners live, other without shouting. But any prior experience of project, and it would not serve 2009.”In addition to especially in contexts of low they are used to the clothing manufacturing, and any purpose if we moved the providing reasonable work and middle-income countries. commotion - the prison is the crimes for which they are production.”Working for Pieta and rehabilitation projects in Finally, work in prison must home to 10,000 inmates, even serving their sentences range also helps prisoners to reduce prisons, with the aim of have a long-term contribution though it was only built for from petty theft to murder. their sentences, as it enables activating inmates, we aim to the prisoner’s life, for 2,000. Carlos Arcel, 51, is Pieta now has three them to afford to sign up to to make our products in the example through training and fashioning sweaters from stores in Lima, but most of the academic courses. Doing this most sustainable way work certificates.”Back in llama wool. With a pile of the clothes - which since the study results in their prison possible,” says Papillon Peru, Mr Jacob says the black fabric next to him, he coronavirus outbreak include time being cut by authorities. chief executive Teemu prisons involved in Pieta are works the sewing machine so face masks - are sold via its “My sentence is five Ruotsalainen. Another “happy to have something to quickly that the fringes flutter. website. It gets most of its years long, but you can get fashion label that makes its do”. The company takes its He can earn up to 400 sol international orders from out faster if you study for at clothes behind bars is name from Michelangelo’s ($113; £92) per week, sending Australia, the US, and other least two years,” says Daniel Danish brand Carcel, which sculpture of Mary holding a the money to his family, which countries in South America. Rojas Palacios, 25. He has produces clothes in two lifeless Jesus after he being includes his daughter The prisons are paid equivalent been working for Pieta for a women’s prisons, one in taken down from the cross. Mr Igen.Working for Thomas has to the Peruvian minimum few months. In addition to Thailand, and the other in Jacob says he chose the made my heart happy,” he wage, but Mr Jacob says that providing for his young Peru.Founder Veronica name, which in English means says. The Thomas in question he did not base production in daughter on the outside, he is D’Souza says she was “pity” or “compassion”, as the is Frenchman Thomas Jacob, the jails to save money. “The using the money to pay to inspired after visiting a sculpture represents the owner and founder of Pieta. textile industry in Peru is quite study textile design. “The women’s jail in Kenya. “The resurrection. A former fabric buyer well developed, and because course costs, and that’s why guards at the prison said “The motivation of the for French fashion house we have a fairly large I have to work a lot,” he adds. that the worst thing for the prisoners is to make money, Chanel, he was inspired to set production, we could reduce Peru is not the only country women is to do nothing. It and learn a profession, and up the Lima-based business our costs significantly if we that lets fashion companies causes depression.” with the money they can back in 2012, following a visit moved outside the prison,” he locate their textile Florian Irminger, chief shorten their prison time,” he to San Pedro prison. Thomas, says. production inside prison. In executive of campaigning says. “When they come out who had been living and “But I don’t want to Finland, a business called group Penal Reform we have hopefully also working in Peru, went with a exploit people and make them Papillon has been doing the International, says his changed their attitude.” friend who was teaching some of the prisoners French. “Some of the interns told me that they knew how to sew, weave and print, but that they didn’t get to use that knowledge,” says Mr Jacob, 33. “I realised that there was potential to do something for these people, so I decided to start a clothing brand that would be designed, produced and distributed from prison.”oday the business has around 50 workers across three Peruvian jails, two male and one female, and makes around 1,000 garments a week. A not-for-profit enterprise, the prisoners earn a commission from the sale of each item they make. Those Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 41 HowHow thethe BlackBlack DeathDeath mademade thethe richrich richerricher WhenWhen aa thirdthird ofof Europe’sEurope’s populationpopulation waswas lost,lost, wealthwealth concentratedconcentrated intointo tinytiny groups.groups. CouldCould Covid-19Covid-19 triggertrigger somethingsomething similar?similar?

This article originally appeared on lived through. In Aberdeen, John gained a greater share of the firewood), meant that peasants countries across the world, entire The Conversation, and is of Fordun, a Scottish chronicler, market and influence with had more money to spend in ecologies of small restaurants, republished under a Creative recorded that: governments. This has strong towns. pubs and shops have suddenly Commons licence. This sickness befell people parallels with the current situation This concentration of wealth greatly been closed down. The market for In June 1348, people in England everywhere, but especially the in many countries across the accelerated a pre-existing trend: food, general retail and began reporting mysterious middling and lower classes, rarely world. While small companies rely the emergence of merchant entertainment has gone online, symptoms. They started off as the great. It generated such horror upon government support to entrepreneurs who combined trade and cash has pretty much mild and vague: headaches, that children did not dare to visit prevent them collapsing, many in goods with their production on disappeared. aches, and nausea. This was their dying parents, nor parents others – mainly the much larger a scale only available to those with The percentage of calories that followed by painful black lumps, their children, but fled for fear of ones involved in home delivery – significant sums of capital. For restaurants provided has had to be or buboes, growing in the armpits contagion as if from leprosy or a are profiting handsomely from the example, silk, once imported from rerouted through supermarkets, and groin, which gave the disease serpent.Although the death rate new trading conditions. Asia and Byzantium, was now and much of this supply has now its name: bubonic plague. The last from Covid-19 is far lower than that The mid-14th Century economy is being produced in Europe. been taken up by supermarket stage was a high fever, and then of the Black Death, the economic too removed from the size, speed, Wealthy Italian merchants began chains. They have plenty of large death. fallout has been severe due to the and interconnectedness of the to open silk and cloth workshops. properties and lots of staff, with the Originating in Central Asia, globalised, highly-integrated modern market to give exact These entrepreneurs were HR capacity to recruit more soldiers and caravans had brought nature of modern economies. Add comparisons. But we can certainly uniquely positioned to respond to rapidly, and there are many bubonic plague – Yersina pestis, to this our highly mobile see parallels with the way that the the sudden labour shortage underemployed people who now a bacterium carried on fleas that populations today and Black Death strengthened the caused by the Black Death. Unlike want jobs. They also have lived on rats – to ports on the Black coronavirus, unlike the plague, has power of the state and accelerated independent weavers, who lacked warehouses, trucks and complex Sea. The highly commercialised spread across the globe in a matter the domination of key markets by the capital, and unlike aristocrats, logistics capacity. world of the Mediterranean of months, not years. a handful of mega-corporations. whose wealth was locked up in The other big winner has been the ensured the plague’s swift transfer While the Black Death resulted in Black Death business land, urban entrepreneurs were giants of online retail – such as on merchant ships to Italy, and short term economic damage, the The sudden loss of at least a third able to use their liquid capital to Amazon, who run a “Prime then across Europe. The Black longer-term consequences were of Europe’s population didn’t lead invest in new technologies, Pantry” service in the US, India Death killed between a third and a less obvious. Before the plague to an even redistribution of wealth compensating for the loss of and many European countries. half of the population of Europe erupted, several centuries of for everyone else. Instead, people workers with machines. High street shops have been and the Near East. population growth had produced a responded to the devastation by In southern Germany, which suffering from price and This huge number of deaths was labour surplus, which was abruptly keeping money within the family. became one of Europe’s most convenience competition from the accompanied by general replaced with a labour shortage Wills became highly specific and commercialised areas in the late internet for years, and economic devastation. With a third when many serfs and free wealthy businessmen, in 14th and 15th Centuries, bankruptcies are regular news. of the workforce dead, the crops peasants died. Historians have particular, went to great lengths to companies such as the Welser Now, much “non-essential” retail could not be harvested and argued that this labour shortage ensure that their patrimony was no (which later ran Venezuela as a space is closed, and our desires communities fell apart. One in ten allowed those peasants that longer divided up after death, private colony) combined growing have been re-rerouted through villages in England (and in Tuscany survived the pandemic to demand replacing the previous tendency to flax with owning the looms on Amazon, eBay, Argos, Screwfix and other regions) were lost and better pay or to seek employment leave a third of all their resources which workers span that flax into and others. There has been a clear never re-founded. Houses fell into elsewhere. Despite government to charity. Their descendants linen cloth, which the Welser then spike in online shopping, and retail the ground and were covered by resistance, serfdom and the feudal benefited from a continued sold. The trend of the post-Black analysts are wondering whether grass and earth, leaving only the system itself were ultimately concentration of capital into a Death 14th and 15th Centuries this is a decisive move into the church behind. If you ever see a eroded. smaller and smaller number of was a concentration of resources virtual world, and the further church or chapel all alone in a field, But another less often remarked hands. – capital, skills, and infrastructure dominance of big you are probably looking at the last consequence of the Black Death At the same time, the decline of – into the hands of a small number corporations.Keeping us remains of one of Europe’s lost was the rise of wealthy feudalism and the rise of a wage- of corporations. distracted as we wait at home for villages. entrepreneurs and business- based economy following peasant The age of Amazon our parcels is the streaming The traumatic experience of the government links. Although the demands for better labour Rolling forward to the present, entertainment industry – a market Black Death, which killed perhaps Black Death caused short-term conditions benefited urban elites. there are some clear similarities. sector which is dominated by big 80% of those who caught it, drove losses for Europe’s largest Being paid in cash, rather than in Certain large organisations have corporations including Netflix, many people to write in an attempt companies, in the long term, they kind (in the granting of privileges stepped up to the opportunities Amazon Prime (again), Disney to make sense of what they had concentrated their assets and such as the right to collect provided by Covid-19. In many and others. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 BUSINESS 42 FTC Sends Refunds to People who lost Money to Work-From-Home Scheme The Federal Trade Commission is opportunity was endorsed by Cashflow Center, Global Payday separate settlement with the FTC. The sending full refunds totaling more celebrities such as investor Warren System, Your Income Gateway, FTC is sending $97 each to 2,931 than $284,000 to people who lost Buffett and personal finance expert Home Payday Club, Web Payday people who lost money to the Effen money to a scheme that used Suze Orman. Center, and Home Payday Vault. As Ads scheme. Most recipients will get misleading spam emails to lure The emails linked to websites part of their settlement with the FTC, their refunds via PayPal, but those consumers into buying work-from- displaying fake news stories and false the owners of Effen Ads and W4 LLC who receive checks should deposit or home services.The FTC alleged that celebrity endorsements, according to agreed to pay more than $1.4 million. cash their checks within 90 days, as Effen Ads, LLC and its owners worked the complaint. Consumers who Today’s distribution provides refunds indicated on the check. The FTC with an affiliate marketing network clicked on the links were routed to to those who were deceived as part never requires people to pay money called W4 LLC to promote a work- websites pitching the Effen Ads’ of Effen Ads’ work-from-home or provide account information to cash from-home scheme by sending bulk work-from-home schemes. The scheme. The remaining funds will be a refund check. If recipients have unsolicited email, or spam, to schemes operated under numerous used to provide refunds to people questions about the refunds, they consumers. The emails included brand names such as Secure Home whose personal information was sold should contact the FTC’s refund “from” lines that falsely claimed they Profits, Paydays At Home, Home by Effen Ads to Vision Solution administrator, Rust Consulting, Inc., 1- were coming from news organizations Cashflow Club, Home Cash Code, Marketing, a telemarketing firm that 866-317-7915. Consumers can find a like CNN or Fox News, and “subject” Home Payday Center, Snap Web peddled allegedly bogus business state-by-state breakdown of FTC refunds lines that falsely suggested the Profits, Complete Profit Code, Global opportunities and agreed to a on the FTC’s refund data dashboards. Data Center Company Settles FTC Privacy Shield Case An operator of secure data centers participate in the framework. The and it failed to comply with certain any self-regulatory or standard- has settled Federal Trade Privacy Shield framework allows Privacy Shield requirements while it setting organization. If its Commission allegations that it participants to transfer data from was a participant in the program. certification of participation in the misled consumers about its European Union countries to the The FTC also alleged that, upon Privacy Shield framework lapses in participation in the EU-U.S. Privacy U.S. in compliance with EU law. allowing its certification to lapse, the future, the company also must Shield framework and failed to In a complaint filed in RagingWire failed to take the continue to apply the Privacy Shield adhere to the program’s November 2019, the FTC alleged necessary steps to confirm that it protections to personal information requirements before and after that, between January 2017 and would comply with its continuing it collected while participating in the allowing its certification to lapse. As October 2018, RagingWire claimed obligations relating to data received program, or return or delete the part of the proposed settlement, in its online privacy policy and pursuant to the framework.The information.After counsel for the NTT Global Data Centers, Inc., marketing materials that the proposed settlement also prohibits Commission reached a settlement formerly known as RagingWire Data company participated in the Privacy the company from misrepresenting agreement with the company on April Centers, Inc. (RagingWire), must Shield framework and complied with its participation in the EU-U.S. 16, 2020, the matter was withdrawn hire a third-party assessor to verify the program’s requirements. In fact, Privacy Shield framework, any other from administrative litigation for the that it is adhering to its Privacy the FTC alleged, the company’s privacy or data security program purpose of allowing the Commission to Shield promises if it plans to certification lapsed in January 2018 sponsored by the government, or consider the consent agreement. CBI searches premises of MIAL, YES Bank fraud: Rana Kapoor given GVK in Rs 805 crore scam interim protection from arrest till July 11 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chairman of the GVK Group of Companies, has conducted searches in Mumbai and GV Sanjay Reddy, Managing Director of the Mumbai: The special Central had stated in its FIR. Kapoor’s Bureau of Investigation (CBI) three daughters -- Rakhee Hyderabad in connection with the Rs 805 Mumbai International Airport Limited, court in Mumbai on Thursday Kapoor Tandon, Roshni Kapoor crore scam involving GVK Group and officials of the Airport Authority of India granted protection to Rana and Radha Kapoor -- are also Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) (AAI) and nine other private firms on the Kapoor, YES Bank’s co-founder, 100% shareholders in DoIT allegations of former managing director (MD) Urban Ventures (India) Pvt Ltd. irregularities to the tune and chief executive officer It is on the basis of the CBI case of Rs 805 crore. The (CEO), from arrest by CBI until that the Enforcement CBI’s case is on the July 11 in two cases registered Directorate (ED) began its basis of source-based against him in connection with probe into allegations of money information. It has been the bank’s fraud case. Earlier in laundering by Kapoor and alleged that over Rs 805 March, CBI had registered two subsequently arrested him in crore was siphoned off by cases against Kapoor. early March. In the second the accused, resulting in One first information case, CBI alleged that Kapoor report (FIR) had alleged that the and his wife bought a bungalow a loss to the public bankrupt YES Bank had from Avantha Group promoter exchequer between 2012- invested Rs 3,700 crore in short- Gautam Thapar at a much lower 2018. According to FIR, term debentures of Dewan price than it’s market valuation. Mumbai International Housing Finance Corporation In the past, Thapar had Airport Ltd, GVK Airport (DHFL) between April and June, mortgaged the bungalow for a and other private firms. Holdings Limited, Airport Authority India 2018. In lieu, Kapoor was corporate loan of Rs 600 crore, India Today TV has learnt that the (AAI) and few other foreign firms formed a allegedly paid “kickbacks” to the but he sold it for Rs 380 crore searches that lasted till Wednesday night, Joint Venture Company (JVC) in which GVK tune of Rs 600 crore by DHFL to Bliss Abode Pvt Ltd, when were conducted at the official premises owned 50.5 per cent of the shares, while promoter, Kapil Wadhawan. Kapoor’s wife was a director of linked to GVK Group of Companies, GVK AAI had 26 per cent. DHFL had sanctioned a loan to the company. On March 20, CBI Reddy and MIAL. The federal probe agency As per the agreement signed DoIT Urban Ventures (India) Pvt had obtained production warrant Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary to arrest Kapoor after he was has seized incriminating documents during between AAI and MIAL in 2006, MIAL had of RAB Enterprises in which remanded to judicial custody by the searches pertaining to the case, the responsibility to run the Mumbai airport Kapoor’s wife Bindu is a director the Prevention of the Money sources said.The agency has filed an FIR for which AAI had to share 38.7 per cent of and 100% shareholder, the CBI Laundering Act (PMLA) court. against G Venkata Krishna Reddy, their revenue as annual fees with MIAL. Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 ENTERTAINMENT 43 Brave New World: A series so bad, even the orgies are dull

world where babies are the era, George Orwell’s ethics than science. The elements. The engineered in factories and 1984. Orwell’s message of series’ creators clearly characters are not given assigned grades according the government controlling knew they’d have to update much in the way of to their status. Alphas are thought and distorting Huxley’s world, but seem personalities, though. smart and privileged; facts through language to have been befuddled by At the centre is Bernard Epsilons are dim-witted resonates more potently what to do with the plot and Marx (Harry Lloyd), who worker bees. Everyone is than ever today. Huxley’s its technology, and is ever-so-slightly out of blissfully happy thanks to book does not, partly uninterested in developing key with his role as a happiness pills called because the technology the characters. The show government official. Soma. Huxley’s message, he envisioned as wild and is set in a city called New When he first meets of course, was that improbable is already here London, a place of high- Lenina Crowne (Jessica sameness crushes free will in many ways. The idea of rises and glossy Brown Findlay), he is When even the orgies are New World, based on and imagination, leading to ‘test tube babies’, as they minimalist furniture, with officially scolding her for dull, you know a Aldous Huxley’s then- even greater unhappiness were once called, has a sleeker version of the being monogamous, television series is in futuristic novel, published than before.Classic though morphed into the valuable London Eye in the which is against all the trouble. The boredom in 1932. Like the book, the it is, Brave New World has process of in vitro skyline. The design looks rules. It is absolutely anti- sets in early on and never series is set in a dystopia never had the cultural grip fertilisation. Genetic as appealing and soothing social not to have sex goes away in the splashy disguised as a utopia. of that other anti- engineering is quickly as it is meant to be, one of often, with a variety of new adaptation of Brave Sameness reigns, in a totalitarian warning from becoming more a matter of the show’s few effective partners. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s relationship has come a long way Brad Pitt’s recent visit room together,” ET quotes together at her home. They they can co-parent in a to his ex-wife Angelina a source as now saying, are in a much more amicable really healthy way.”In Jolie’s house has opened “Brad and Angelina have relationship.”Earlier this November last year, Jolie the floodgates for renewed come a very long way and week, Pitt was spotted at had said that she would speculation on their they’re finally in a place Jolie’s house, where he spent have preferred to live relationship. The former where they both want to hours before being abroad and will do so as couple has been famously work together to raise their photographed riding off on his soon as her children are involved in a bitter custody kids. They have no plans to motorbike. “Brad and 18, but “right now, I’m battle over their six recThe source continued, Angelina want their kids to be having to base where their children, but recent reports “They chose to live close to healthy and happy and to father chooses to live.” seem to suggest that their one another so they could have the support of both of Jolie recently spoke to continue to focus on their a bit” when her “relationship equation is not what it used easily go back and forth with their parents,” explained Vogue about her decision healing,” she said. In an with Brad was coming to an to be. While a 2018 report the kids. This week wasn’t the source. “It has taken to split. “I separated for the interview to French end.” She added, “I felt a claimed that the two could the first time Brad and years to heal and they well-being of my family. It magazine Madame Figaro, deep and genuine “barely be in the same Angelina have spent time finally are in a place where was the right decision. I she said “I had lost myself sadness, I was hurt.” A Pic Of Dilip Kumar And Saira Banu From Padmini Kolhapure’s Throwback Khazana

conversation with Dilip in 1974 film Ishk Ishk Ishk, Nahin, Ahista Ahista Kumar and Saira Banu. also dug out this photo among others. She was Padmini Kolhapure often from her treasury. Can you last seen in Marathi fills up her Instagram with spot her?Padmini movie Prawaas, ahead of black and white memories. Kolkapure is best known this which featured in a Just weeks ago, she for her roles in Eighties significant role in the shared a throwback from films such as Insaaf Ka period piece Panipat. the muhurat of 1988 film Tarazu Prem Rog Padmini Kolhapure also Mar Mitenge, which was Vidhaata, Woh Saat Din, featured in the TV show produced by her husband Souten, Pyar Jhukta Ekk Nayi Pehchaan. Pradeep Sharma. The photo starred the films co- stars Jeetendra, Mithun Chakraborty, Kader Khan, Vinod Mehra, Shakti Kapoor along with Actress Padmini features actor Dilip Kumar, favourites Yusuf uncle Padmini.Ahead of that Kolhapure, in her now 97, and his wife Saira (loved chatting with him) Padmini Kolhapure shared Throwback Thursday Banu, 75. Padmini and Saira Baaji.” The this adorable throwback of post, took a trip down Kolhapure, who co-starred Panipat actress also herself and Poonam memory lane and with Dilip Kumar in films described Dilip Kumar and Dhillon to post about returned with a priceless such as Vidhaata and Saira Banu as “legends” having practising social throwback from years Mazdoor in the Eighties, and “forever greats” in her distancing from years ago. The 54-year-old captioned her photo in post. In the photo, Padmini ago.Padmini Kolhapure, actress’ post also these words: “My can be seen engaged in who worked as a child actor Friday 03 July to 09 July2020 44

See Full page Voice of South Asian Community Since March 2002 advt on P : 10 Vol. 19 Issue 18 Friday 03 july to 09 July20200 $1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com Silicon Valley Wants US To Follow India SHO who masturbated in front of woman and her daughter In Banning Chinese App TikTok: Expert terminated from service Last December, the US Army banned the use of TikTok by its soldiers. It called the app a security threat. The US navy has enforced similar restrictions.

A day after being arrested, the station house officer (SHO) who allegedly masturbated in front of a woman and her daughter when they went to the police station to lodge a complaint has been terminated from (Story on service by the Uttar Pradesh Police, Page 33) a senior official said on Thursday. (Contd on page 33) India deploys Special Forces Congress veteran Ahmed Patel questioned for 3rd units in Ladakh amid military day in Rs 14,500 crore money laundering case standoff with China Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel is being questioned Special Forces units have for the third day by a team of ED officials in connection already been deployed along with the Rs 14,500 crore Sterling-Biotech bank fraud case. forward locations in eastern Senior Congress leader Ahmed Sandesara, who are the prime statements given by the witnesses Ladakh and apprised of their Patel is being questioned for the accused in a scam bigger than the and suspects in the case, sources roles, if and when needed. third day by a team of said. India Today TV has Enforcement Directorate (ED) learned that Ahmed Patel was officials in connection with the Rs asked about his alleged 14,500 crore Sterling-Biotech bank relationship with Chetan fraud case. Earlier on Tuesday, Sandesara and Nitin Patel was interrogated for over 10 Sandesara and on the charges hours by a three-member team of that huge amounts of cash was the Enforcement Directorate at his delivered at his Delhi Delhi residence and for 8 hours on residence by them. Ahmed Saturday. Patel denied all the allegations The financial probe agency is and hit out Prime Minister Amid the ongoing dispute with China along recording Ahmed Patel’s statement Punjab National Bank (PNB) case. Narendra Modi and Home Minister over his alleged connections with During questioning, Ahmed Patel Amit Shah. the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India has Chetan Sandesara and Nitin was also confronted with the (Contd on page 33) now deployed its Special Forces units in Ladakh for operational roles, if required. “Para special forces units have been moved from different locations in the country to the Ladakh region where they are already carrying out exercises,” government sources told Aajtak and India Today. Special Forces units played a key role in the 2017 (Contd on page 33)