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VOL 14 ISSUE 32 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● AUG 07 - 13 , 2020 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 AMERICA Carolyn Maloney makes it to UNITED AGAINST November Elections COVID-19 BIDISHA ROY

KEEP SAFE NEW YORK (TIP): In a tough ● Follow CDC guidelines contest, multiple times Congresswoman ● Observe Social Distancing Carolyn Maloney finally defeated the ● Wash Hands Frequently challenger Suraj Patel who appeared all KEEP AMERICA SAFE set to upset Maloney's apple cartin the Primaries for the 12th Congressional district.New York State Board of Elections certified its results for the 2020 primary, including the NY-12 race, which was won by incumbent Invites articles and advertisements for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney with India's Independence Day special edition to a decisive winning margin after all valid be published on August 14. absentee ballots were counted. Last date for submission of articles: Aug 10 On Election Day, NYU professor Suraj Last date for booking space Patel was within 2 percentage points of for advertisement: Aug 10 the 14-term incumbent. Patel challenged Email articles to Maloney in 2018 and lost 59% to 40%. [email protected] This year turned out much closer. After Email advertisements to every absentee ballot was counted, In a tough contest, multiple times Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney finally defeated the [email protected] challenger Suraj Patel who appeared all set to upset Maloney's apple cart in the Primaries for contd on Page 2 the 12th Congressional district. For any question, please call 646-247-9458 STAY SAFE AND BLESSED CBI files FIR in Sushant Rajput Will end the freeze on green cards, oppose

COVID-19 suicide case, names Rhea suspension of H-1B visas: Worldwide Update Chakraborty, 5 others as accused proposed Democratic Page 11 NEW DELHI (TIP): The Central Party Platform Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday, August 6, said it has re- Another bid to raise K- registered the Bihar Police FIR in the Bollywood actor Sushant Singh issue at UN; Pak, China Rajput's death case to initiate its probe. The case has been registered after get no support receiving all the details from Bihar NEW YORK Police, an official said. (TIP): India A senior agency official said, "CBI crossed swords Sushant Singh Rajput and Rhea Chakraborty were has today registered a case related to the For Representation only with China and believed to be in a relationship death of Sushant Singh Rajput on the Pakistan over the request of Bihar Government and WASHINGTON (TIP): The changes in Jammu further notification from Government of India and taken over the investigation of Democratic party will end the freeze & Kashmir and the the case, earlier registered at police station Rajiv Nagar, Patna vide FIR no.241/2020 on green cards and take steps to end laying of the dated 25-7-2020." He went on to add that the case was registered against six accused, its backlog, if voted to power in the foundation stone of including Rajput's controversial friend Rhea Chakraborty, Indrajit Chakraborty, November presidential elections, the India's Permanent Ram Temple in Sandhya Chakraborty, Showik Chakraborty, Samuel Miranda and Shruti Modi. party's proposed 2020 platform said. Representative to the UN Ambassador TS Ayodhya, asking contd on Page 2 READ FULL STORY ON PAGE 12 Tirumurti said that both countries to many members of the desist from Security Council interfering in its underlined that J&K Gurdwara Oak Creek Shootout Remembered: Biden, was a bilateral internal affairs. matter between India At the meeting of and Pakistan and also Security Council US lawmakers Pay Tribute stressed on the which was closed, WASHINGTON (TIP): Democratic supremacist targeted a Sikh temple in importance of the informal, not presidential nominee Joe Biden and Oak Creek, WI - ultimately taking seven Simla Agreement. recorded, and several lawmakers on Thursday, August lives in an unspeakable act of terror," without any outcome, almost all 6, joined the Sikh community to Biden, the former vice president, said in countries underlined that J&K was remember the victims of the 2012 tragic a statement. "To truly honor those we bilateral issue & did not deserve time Oak Creek gurdwara shootout, urging lost, it's up to all of us to stand up to and attention of Council, according to the people to reduce gun violence and bigotry in our lives, give hate no safe India's Permanent Representative to the give hate no safe harbor. harbor, and reduce gun violence," UN Ambassador TS Tirumurti. On August 5, 2012, a white supremacist contd on Page 2 Ministry of External Affairs opened fire inside the Oak Creek spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said gurdwara in Wisconsin, killing six The six Sikh devotees killed in the shootout he was not surprised at Pakistan people. A Sikh priest, who received on August 5, 2012 included one woman- Paramjit Kaur, 41; and five men -Satwant Foreign Office terming the construction injuries in the shootout that left him Singh Kaleka, 65, the founder of the of Ram Temple as indicative of growing paralyzed, passed away in March this gurdwara; Prakash Singh, 39; Sita Singh, 41; contd on Page 2 year. "Eight years ago, a white Ranjit Singh, 49; and Suveg Singh Khattra, 84. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 2 TURN PAGE FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020

CONTD FROM PAGE 1 PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja Carolyn Maloney... Republican primary election for the of their Sikh faith. "Eight years ago, VICE PRESIDENT: same seat. In the crowded race to today a white supremacist walked into Chitagam Saluja Maloney maintained her lead and replace retiring Rep. José E. Serrano a Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, WI, pulled ahead slightly, cementing her in the Bronx, Torres pulled ahead of fatally shooting 6 people. We just CHIEF EDITOR: victory. However, Patel filed a lawsuit his 11 opponents. Meanwhile, Jones, a honored El Paso and next week is the Prof Indrajit S. Saluja in order to get more ballots counted, former attorney with the Westchester anniversary of Charlottesville. How CONSULTING EDITOR : and a judge ruled in his favor. The County Law Department, won the much longer will the rising threat of Deepak Dwidedi, Chairman, state Board of Elections intends to Democratic primary in the 17th white supremacy go virtually Bhaskar Group, Delhi appeal the decision, although it's Congressional District, where Rep. unaddressed?" Indian-origin Senator ASSISTANT EDITOR: unlikely to change the results either Nita Lowey is retiring. Kamala Harris said in a tweet. Bidisha Roy way. The city Board of Elections did Meanwhile, on Long Island, Nancy Congresswoman Judy Chu said, "eight SPL. REPORTER UNO: count those extra ballots before Goroff emerged as the winner in a years after the horrific murder of six H.S. Panaser certifying the results. tight race for the chance to take on Sikh Americans in Oak Creek, GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: "I'm thrilled the voters of NY-12 have Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin in Wisconsin, we continue to remember decided to return me to Congress for November. the lives that were needlessly lost due Om Parkash Malik another term, with a decisive winning In other places, including the 8th, to white supremacy and gun violence". DIRECTOR margin that clearly reflects the will of 18th, 20th, 21st, 23rd and 26th districts, "Today, as our nation continues to ADMINISTRATION: the voters. This has been a historic no primary was held. grapple with systemic racism and Gauri Beri election, with historic turnout and inequality, it is more important than CONTRIBUTING participation - and a historic wait time CBI files FIR in... ever that we recommit ourselves to PHOTOGRAPHERS: for results. We've learned many Late yesterday evening the Centre rejecting hate and intolerance in all Baldev Singh / BJ Videos lessons for November, and must take a agreed to handover the case to the CBI forms. Whether it is a gurdwara in Gunjesh Desai / Masala Junction number of actions to protect the safety and Department of Personnel & Oak Creek, a church in Charleston, a Jay Mandal, of our vote in the general election" Training (DoPT), the nodal ministry synagogue in Pittsburgh, or a Walmart Mohammad Jaffer, said the Congresswoman. for the investigative agency had issued in El Paso, an attack on any racial or SnapsIndia She continued, "These include: a notification in this regard. religious community is an attack on us Mohammad Shahzad, increased funding for the post office, The case has been handed over to all. These acts of domestic terrorism Zia Khan, an end to measures taken by the the CBI after a reference in this regard do not reflect our values as a nation, Nisha Rani President that might impact timely from the Bihar Government was and we must denounce violence and Vaaho Photographers, delivery of applications or ballots, and received by the Centre. hatred wherever they arise," she said. Vijay Shah - Photo Journalist. conducting oversight to ensure that Rajput, aged 34, was found hanging Congresswoman Grace Meng said that CORRESPONDENTS : voters have faith in the results of their from the ceiling of his apartment in this reminds of the everlasting impact SACRAMENTO: elections. In addition to my work on suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June of that day,as Sikh priest Baba Punjab Parminder S. Aujla this at the Federal level, I will support 14 and since then Mumbai Police has Singh who passed away in March, NEW YORK : my state colleagues in their efforts for been probing the case keeping in mind rightly ruled a homicide due to his Chitagam election reform to solve the challenges various angles. paralyzing injuries from the Oak we have seen here in New York." Bihar Police also swung into action Creek shooting. (Source: PTI) FRESNO: Maloney also applauded a Federal following a complaint filed by Rajput's Tarlochan Singh court decision that called for the 77-year-old father Krishna Kishore DALLAS: counting of those ballots that were Singh, a resident of Patna. Another bid to raise... Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit Dhillon received by the Board of Elections on Patna Police had registered an FIR majoritarianism in India, "though OVERSEAS June 24th and 25th without a under various sections of the IPC such comments come from a nation CORRESPONDENTS postmark. "While these ballots do not related to alleged criminal conspiracy, that practices cross-border terrorism LONDON change the result of the election, it is cheating and abetment to suicide and denies its own minorities their Nirpal Singh Shergill important that every valid vote in our among others on his complaint rights". Nevertheless, the remarks primary be counted. I look forward to against Rajput's friend Rhea were deeply regrettable, he added. SPL CORRESPONDENT working with our party to ensure Chakraborty. The MEA said it expected the DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: resounding victory in November." The CBI has decided to get the probe Chinese side to work sincerely Ashishpal Singh New York City Council Member done by a Special Investigation Team towards complete disengagement and CHANDIGARH: Ritchie Torres officially became the (SIT) under Superintendent of Police de-escalation. Answering questions, Manjit Sidhu Democratic nominee in the crowded Nupur Prasad and will be supervised the spokesperson laid emphasis on the LUDHIANA: open race for the 15th Congressional by DIG Gagandeep Gambhir and Joint agreement between the two Special A.S. Arora, District in the Bronx. Meanwhile, Director Manoj Shashidhar, both Representatives, Ajit Doval and Wang R.P.Sharma other results - like Rep. Eliot Engel's senior IPS officers from Gujarat cadre, Yi, on the border issue DALLAS BUREAU CHIEF & VP loss to Jamaal Bowman in the 16th the sources said. For the second day in a row, India Congressional District in the Bronx Meanwhile, the Maharashtra repulsed China's attempt to initiate a Lovllien Kaurr and Westchester County - were Government has raised objection to discussion on Jammu and Kashmir at 972-330-3139 cemented with the final vote tally after the move as Bihar does not have the UN Security Council. "This was [email protected] all the absentee ballots were counted. jurisdiction to start probe in a not the first time and as on previous The Indian Panorama Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Yvette different state. occasions, this attempt too met with P.O. Box No. 190067, South Clarke, who both faced spirited Mumbai Police had registered an little support from the international Richmond Hill, NY 11419, challenges this cycle, also maintained accidental death report and an community. We firmly reject China's Tel: 646-247-9458 their victories after they came out investigation is underway in the case. interference in our internal affairs Email: ahead after the June 23 primary vote. (Source: Tribune, India) and urge it to draw proper conclusions [email protected] Three Black newcomers - Mondaire from such infructuous attempts,'' the Jones, Bowman and Torres - spokesperson said. Sources suggested DISCLAIMER maintained their leads in the final Gurdwara Oak Creek... India's stepped-up engagement with THE INDIAN PANORAMA ASSUMES results in the Bronx and Westchester Biden said as several US lawmakers Russia and its ties with the US, the UK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE and Rockland counties. joined the Sikh community in and France ensured there was barely CLAIMS MADE IN ADVERTISEMENTS. New York will also be getting some remembering the victims on the 8th any support for China on the issue. WE ONLY SELL SPACE. VIEWS new members of Congress. Rep. Chris anniversary of the attack. India's Permanent Representative to PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER Jacobs has already been sworn into The six victims killed included one the UN Ambassador TS Tirumurti ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND Congress after the results of his woman: Paramjit Kaur, 41; and five said many other members of the DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE special election for the 27th men: Satwant Singh Kaleka, 65, the Security Council underlined that J&K VIEWS OF THE NEWSPAPER. ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED. Congressional District in Western founder of the gurdwara; Prakash was a bilateral matter between India REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN New York were certified, replacing the Singh, 39; Sita Singh, 41; Ranjit Singh, and Pakistan and also stressed on the PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IN disgraced former Rep. Chris Collins. 49; and Suveg Singh Khattra, 84. All of importance of the Simla Agreement. WRITING FROM THE INDIAN Jacobs also emerged victorious in his the male victims wore turbans as part (Source: TNS) PANORAMA IS PROHIBITED. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 NY/NJ/CT 3 New York seeks to dissolve NRA over financial mismanagement NEW YORK (TIP): The lawsuit alleges abuse and brazen illegality," adding that confiscating guns. He has said he would NRA leaders paid for family trips to the "no one is above the law." seek to ban assault weapons and high- Bahamas, private jets and expensive The lawsuit names the NRA and four capacity ammunition magazines, let meals that contributed to a $64 million leaders including Wayne LaPierre, the people who own assault weapons sell New York State Attorney General Letitia reduction in the NRA's balance sheet in executive vice-president who has been them back voluntarily, and expand announced, August 6, that the state is suing three years. atop the leadership for nearly three background checks. the National Rifle Association , James said New York state's attorney general sued decades. 'POWER GRAB' : The NRA branded that the state is seeking to put the powerful gun advocacy organization out of business to dissolve the National Rifle Association The confrontation pits Ms. James, a the lawsuit a "baseless, premeditated over allegations that high-ranking executives on Thursday, alleging senior leaders of Democrat, against the largest and most attack" and a "power grab" tied to the diverted millions of dollars for lavish personal the non-profit group diverted millions of powerful gun organization in the United campaign. trips, no-show contracts for associates and dollars for personal use and to buy the States, one closely aligned with President "We not only will not shrink from this other questionable expenditures. silence and loyalty of former employees. Donald Trump's Republican Party. fight we will confront it and prevail," Photo / Courtesy AP The lawsuit filed in a Manhattan court The actions are certain to further NRA President Carolyn Meadows said in Briefing reporters, Ms. James denied by Attorney General Letitia James polarize a country where the NRA is a statement. the New York suit was motivated by the alleges NRA leaders paid for family trips revered by conservatives as a champion Apparently expecting Ms. James' suit, NRA's support for Mr. Trump. Her to the Bahamas, private jets and of the U.S. Constitution and its Second the NRA fought back with the suit of its written statement said the NRA's power expensive meals that contributed to a $64 Amendment right to keep and bear arms own in the Northern District of New had gone unchecked for decades, "which million reduction in the NRA's balance while at the same time it is vilified by York, saying Ms. James had been is why, today, we seek to dissolve the sheet in three years, turning a surplus liberals as an enabler of rampant gun targeting the NRA politically ever since NRA." into a deficit. violence. she ran for attorney general in 2018, Gun control groups such as Everytown The NRA responded by suing Ms. Mr. Trump sought to make it an issue vowing to take on the NRA which she for Gun Safety and Moms Demand James in federal court, saying she had for his re-election on November 3 against called a "criminal enterprise." Action, both funded by billionaire and violated the NRA's right to free speech Democratic challenger Joe Biden. The NRA is subject to New York law former New York City Mayor Michael and seeking to block her investigation. "Just like Radical Left New York is because it is registered there as a non- Bloomberg, praised the suit. Ms. James alleged in a statement that trying to destroy the NRA, if Biden profit. Its physical headquarters are in "We have been warning regulators and NRA leaders "used millions upon becomes President your GREAT Fairfax, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. the public about this corruption for millions from NRA reserves for personal SECOND AMENDMENT doesn't have a Ms. James' suit coincided with another years," Everytown said on Twitter. use," failing to comply with the NRA's chance," Mr. Trump said on Twitter. one filed against the NRA and its Moms Demand Action sarcastically own internal policies in addition to state "Your guns will be taken away, foundation by the attorney general for offered that "our thoughts and prayers and federal law. immediately and without notice. No Washington, D.C., in the district's are with Wayne LaPierre and his cronies She told reporters the NRA "has police, no guns!" Superior Court, alleging the misuse of at the NRA," mocking the common operated as a breeding ground for greed, Mr. Biden has not called for charitable funds and wasteful spending. refrain used following mass shootings. New Jersey Governor Bollywood joins Battery's Diversity Fest on India's reduces indoor gathering Independence Day limit to 25 people New Jersey Governor By Mabel Pais PROGRAM Phil Murphy NEW YORK (TIP): Battery Dance for FRI o AUG 14 Black Voices in announced a its 39th year's celebration is going Dance curtailment in the number of indoor virtual with a world of dance in nine SAT o AUG 15 India Independence gathering from 100 to mixed programs August 14-22, 2020, Day 25 persons - File photo available online nightly 7pm-8pm via SUN o AUG 16 Middle East YouTube. The curatorial team has MON o AUG 17 Europe & TRENTON, NJ (TIP): New Jersey chosen 52 filmed performances including Japan Governor Phil Murphy announced a 28 premieres from 19 countries. Themed TUE o AUG 18 Women's Right to reduction of indoor gathering capacity Vote Centennial evenings include World and U.S. film limit in response to the increase of WED o AUG 19 Africa premieres from India, the Middle East, COVID-19 cases in New Jersey. Indoor THUR o AUG 20 North America Africa, Europe, Japan and North gatherings are now limited to 25 FRI o AUG 21 Battery Dance America. & Friends percent of a room's capacity, but The centennial of the ratification of SAT o AUG 22 Tribute to NYC regardless of the room's capacity, the the 19th Amendment, recognizing maximum limit shall be 25 persons, women's right to vote, is celebrated in a WORKSHOP SERIES (Live down from 100 persons. For purposes program by women choreographers. Through Zoom!) of determining this limit, any private Black Voices in Dance, Tribute to New Register at residence or residential unit shall be York City,Battery Dance & Friends and a https://batterydance.org/battery-dance- treated as a single room. festival/free-classes/ special program celebrating India's However, the change will not be Javed Sanadi, Bollywood choreographer August 14: 10 11am - Will Ervin | Independence Day round out the Butch Queen applicable to the following events: Photo / Javed Sanadi - FacebookTeam. Festival. The company's brilliant roster Contemporary | USA weddings, funerals, memorial August 15: 10 11am - Javed Sanadi | of dancers and filmmakers hail from the recognized names in the Indian Dance Bollywood | India services, religious services or U.S., Belgium, Canada, Curaçao, France, Scene, best known for choreographing A- August 16: 10 11am - Hoedy Saad | celebrations, and political activities. Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Japan, list celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Voguing | Lebanon These events may continue under the Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, Shahrukh Khan, Govinda among others. August 17: 10 11am - Emma Evelein | previous rules that limited these Choreography for Film | Palestinian Territories, Romania, South Javed will teach a community class on Netherlands events to 25 percent of a room's Africa, Switzerland, Uganda, United Bollywood as part of Battery's annual August 18: 10 11am - Kathryn Posin | capacity, but with a limit of 100 Kingdom and Zimbabwe. India Independence Day celebration. Contemporary Ballet | persons. USA All performances are free online on "In order to protect public health, we HIGHLIGHT: SATURDAY | AUG 15 August 19: 10 11am - Oscar Buthelezi JAVED SANADI | BOLLYWOOD YouTube and will begin @ 7PM EDT | South African are retightening the restriction on Javed Sanadi is an Indian REGISTRATION IS FREE FOR THE Contemporary Fusion | indoor gatherings due to uptick of SA FULL FESTIVAL OR FOR INDIVIDUAL choreographer who shot to fame after August 20: 10 11am - Allen Kaeja | COVID-19 cases in New Jersey," said choreographing and performing on DAYS. Improvisation | Toronto Governor Murphy. BY REGISTERING YOU RECEIVE THE popular Indian Dance reality shows like August 22: 10 11am - Dolly Sfeir | (Read full story at LINK TO PERFORMANCES, Contemporary | USA Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and Dance India www.theindianpanorama.news) REMINDERS & BONUS CONTENT! Check out the trailer - Dance. Today, he is one of the most https://youtu.be/jaN9Ae2WpTc THE INDIAN PANORAMA 4 INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020

Indian Origin Texas Scientist and Mother of Indian American Doctor Appointed Two Killed while Jogging DALLAS (TIP) New York City Health Commissioner An Indian origin scientist and NEW YORK (TIP):NYC Mayor de initiative to bring food and medication to mother of two was Blasio on Aug 4 announced the stranded seniors in high rises across found dead near a appointment of Dr. Dave A. Chokshi as hard-hit areas of the city. As Special creek in Plano, Commissioner of the City's Department Advisor to New York City Health Texas, on Aug 1 of Health and Mental Hygiene. Dr. Commissioner Tom Farley, Dr. Chokshi morning after going Chokshi has served at the highest level of contributed to the City's response to out for her regular local, state, and federal health agencies, opioid addiction, obesity, and disease Sarmistha Sen jogging. including NYC Health + Hospitals, where prevention in 2011. studied in UT On August 1, 2020, he was in senior leadership roles over the He lives in Jackson Heights, Queens- Dallas and Plano Police Officers past six years. As Chief Population just a few blocks from Elmhurst Hospital- University of were dispatched to a Health Officer, Dr. Chokshi's team with his wife, an educator in New York Birmingham, Welfare Concern of transformed healthcare delivery for over Alabama and City public schools, and 14-month-old worked on cancer a female found lying one million New Yorkers. Most recently, daughter. research for most on the ground near he served as a key leader in the City's "For the last 15 years, I have seen Dr. of her career. the creek at the COVID-19 response. Chokshi touch the lives of patients and intersection of Legacy Drive and "Dr. Chokshi has spent his career communities in profound ways as a Marchman Way. Upon arrival, Officers fighting for those too often left behind," Dr. Dave A. Chokshi has served at the highest physician and public health leader," said located a deceased female in the creek said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Never has that level of local, state, and federal health Dr. Vivek Murthy, Former Surgeon area. The female has been identified as been more true than during the COVID-19 agencies, including NYC Health + Hospitals, General of the United States "He is of a Sarmistha Sen, a 43-year old Plano pandemic, where he has helped lead our where he was in senior leadership roles over rare breed of leaders who combine the past six years resident. This investigation is being City's public health system under brilliance and strong judgement with classified as a Homicide. A person of unprecedented challenges. I know he's earning an MSc in global public health humility and compassion. These qualities interest related to this Homicide ready to lead the charge forward in our from the University of Oxford. and his unfailing moral compass will investigation is currently in custody at fight for a fairer and healthier city for Dr. Chokshi served as a White House serve New York City well as it faces the the Plano City Jail charged with all." Fellow in the Obama Administration and COVID19 pandemic and longstanding Burglary. "I couldn't be prouder of our City's was the principal health advisor to the public health challenges. In Dr. Chokshi, Sarmistha was born on January 2nd, response in the face of a once-in-a- Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In 2016, New York has found a leader worthy of its 1977 in Sindri, India. Sarmistha grew lifetime public health crisis," said President Obama appointed him to the trust and support." up in Sindri and later moved to Department of Health and Mental Advisory Group on Prevention, Health "I've known Dave for a decade, first in Bangalore, India for higher studies Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Promotion, and Integrative and Public Washington when we both served our and work. Sarmistha got married to Chokshi. "I'm honored to serve the people Health. nation's veterans, and now serving New Arindam Roy and moved to Plano TX of New York City with the extraordinary Dr. Chokshi will continue his clinical Yorkers through the COVID-19 crisis," in 2004. She studied in UT Dallas and team at the Department of Health and practice at Bellevue Hospital, where he said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human University of Birmingham, Alabama Mental Hygiene. Together, we will emerge has taken care of patients as a primary Services Raul Perea- Henze. "In every and worked on cancer research for from this pandemic as a stronger, fairer, care physician since 2014. He trained at situation, he has been a leader who brings most of her career. and healthier city." the University of Pennsylvania Medical people together and believes in scientific Sarmistha was an avid runner. She Dr. Chokshi comes to the Department of School and Brigham & Women's driven solutions. I'm happy and proud to was an early riser and she liked to jog Health and Mental Hygiene with a wealth Hospital/Harvard Medical School. welcome him to be part of the health team around the Chisolm trail every of experience in public health, clinical During his training, Dr. Chokshi did that will keep New York safe for years to morning. Along with her husband medicine, and health policy. Raised in clinical work in Guatemala, Peru, come." Arindam, Sarmistha has two little Baton Rouge as the son of immigrants, he Botswana, Ghana, and India. "Dr. Chokshi is the right choice for kids, Neil is 12 and Ryan is 6 years old. served at the Louisiana Department of Dr. Chokshi served on the FEMA Health Commissioner," said California They recently also got a puppy named Health before and after Hurricane delegation to New York City after Surgeon General Nadine Burke Harris. Milly. Milly is only 3 months old. Katrina, with a focus on reshaping the Hurricane Sandy in 2012, coordinating "During this extraordinary time, he has Sarmistha lived a free and fearless State's healthcare system in the wake of with the Department of Health and the wisdom, experience and the heart to life inspiring many with her infectious the storm. He was also a Rhodes Scholar, Mental Hygiene on a door knocking lead." energy and carefree smile. Sarmistha was an avid runner, gardener and a Indian American Pleads great cook. She practiced healthy Indian American to Help Lead $25 mindful living and she could cook Guilty to Bankruptcy Fraud extremely healthy food that tasted PARMINDER AUJLA amazingly good. She was a trained Million Quantum Computing Center singer of Indian classical music and SACRAMENTO,CA(TIP): Kulvir loved to teach and perform music. She SAN JOSE (TIP): The National Science Foundation (NSF) has Singh Cheema, 59, of Ripon, pleaded was passionate about cancer care and awarded UC Berkeley $25 million over five years to help lead the guilty July 30 to filing a false was a lifelong supporter of cancer establishment of a multi-university institute focused on bankruptcy declaration, U.S. Attorney research. advancing quantum science and engineering. EECS Prof. Umesh McGregor W. Scott announced. Vazirani, who is co-director of the Berkeley Quantum According to court documents, when Indian National Sentenced Computation Center (BQIC) and leads the quantum computing Cheema, the owner of a trucking for International Fraud effort at the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing (SITC), company, filed for bankruptcy in April will serve as co-director of the new institute. 2011, he provided false information Scheme Other participants from EECS will include Prof. Ming Wu, Prof. about his employment, income, ALEXANDRIA, VA. (TIP): An Shafi Goldwasser, Prof. John Kubiatowicz, and Associate Prof. residence, and other facts. He also Indian national was sentenced August EECS Prof. Umesh Boubacar Kanté. The center will be one of three Quantum Leap concealed certain assets such as trucks Vazirani, who is 4 to over a year in prison for his role in co-director of the Challenge Institutes (QLCI) designed as part of the federal and bank accounts that he controlled defrauding hundreds of people of at Berkeley Quantum government's effort to accelerate the development of quantum and that were held in other names. In least $150,000. "Anikkhan Yusufkhan Computation computers, train a future workforce to build and use them, and addition, in January 2010, in Pathan participated in an Center (BQIC) and position them to be as ubiquitous as smart phones. The new contemplation of filing for bankruptcy, leads the quantum international fraud scheme that institute for Present and Future Quantum Computation will Cheema fraudulently transferred computing effort victimized 200 hard-working at the Simons connect Berkeley,UCLA, UCSB, USC, Caltech, UT Austin, MIT, and ownership of his residence in Ripon Americans," said G. Zachary Institute for the UW, to combine the talents of top experimental and theoretical from himself to another person. Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Theory of scientists in the fields of computer science, chemistry, physics, Cheema's untruthful statements on his Eastern District of Virginia. Computing (SITC), materials science, engineering and mathematics, to solve bankruptcy petition were designed to will serve as co- (Read full story at director of the new problems and devise strategies around this currently give the false impression that he was www.theindianpanorama.news) institute rudimentary technology. bankrupt with no assets. (Read full (Read full story at www.theindianpanorama.news) story at www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 INDIANS ABROAD 5

Indian Origin Indian American Researchers Win Researcher Krupa Haranahalli Awarded $1 Million DARPA Award by American Chemical Pandey and Garg's research looks at how to prove that a Society verification was done correctly by the computer without sharing sensitive details, such as the actual data. To do this, they will use a technique called Zero-Knowledge Proofs from cryptography,which proves that a mathematical statement is true but reveals nothing except the validity of the statement. Samir Das, Chair of the Computer Science Department, said: "Professor Pandey's research in this award will advance the security of future computer systems more efficiently and significantly contribute to the nation's cyberdefense. Professor Pandey is a key member of our highly visible cybersecurity group." Sanjam Garg is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley. His research interests are in cryptography Stony Brook University Professor Omkant Pandey of the Department of and security,and more broadly in theoretical computer science. He Computer Science, along with Sanjam Garg of the University of obtained his PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles in California, Berkeley, have been awarded a $1 million grant from the 2013 and his undergraduate degree from the Indian Institute of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Technology, Delhi in 2008. He is the recipient of various honors NEW YORK (TIP): Stony Brook University Professor Omkant such as the 2020 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship and the 2013 Haranahalli received her PhD in Pandey of the Department of Computer Science, along with ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award. Sanjam's research has been Chemistry from Stony Brook and is now a postdoctoral fellow in the Institute of Sanjam Garg of the University of California, Berkeley, have been recognized with best paper awards at EUROCRYPT 2013, CRYPTO Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and awarded a $1 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research 2017, and EUROCRYPT 2018. Department of Chemistry Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop safe and secure verification The research, titled "EPCC: Efficient Proofs for Cryptographic methods for sensitive processes. Code" focuses on how efficiently zero-knowledge proofs can be NEW YORK (TIP): Krupa Verification is a critical part of our everyday lives. Governments constructed for different kinds of procedures. Current Haranahalli, a postdoctoral researcher and businesses put various regulations and verification processes technology for these proofs requires the full details of the from Stony Brook University's in place to detect and prevent fraud (for example, when we go to a verification procedure to be known to all parties. Some Department of Chemistry and bank, the bank must verify who we are before providing access to procedures involve cryptographic algorithms such as encryption, Institute of Chemical Biology and our money). In many cases, the verification is carried out by which makes the proofs very inefficient. The researchers will Drug Discovery, received the 2020 computer programs over highly sensitive data associated with develop more efficient proofs by reducing the need for sharing full Scarborough Postdoctoral Award by these applications. code of the cryptographic parts of the verification procedures. the Medicinal Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society. Haranahalli received her PhD in Indian American Indian American Vikram Indian Origin Texas Man Chemistry from Stony Brook and is Professor Kameshwar Iyer Named 2020 now a postdoctoral fellow in the Sentenced for Wire Fraud Institute of Chemical Biology and Poolla Named 2020 Marconi Society Young CONCORD (TIP): Shiva Chandan Drug Discovery and Department of IFAC Fellow Scholar Reddy Thudi, 26, of Irving, Texas was Chemistry, working with sentenced on July 29 to 12 months and a Distinguished Professor Iwao Ojima Kameshwar Poolla is Vikram Iyer has won a day in federal prison for wire fraud, and Professor Maurizio Del Poeta. She Marconi Society Paul the Cadence Design United States Attorney Scott W. Murray recently won the 2019 Young Academic Systems Baran Young Scholar announced. Inventor's Award from the National Distinguished Award, which honors Professor, in "the world's most According to court documents and Academy of Inventor's SBU Chapter. Department of innovative young statements made in court, Thudi Haranahalli is also an excellent Electrical Engineering engineers in attended college in New Hampshire science communicator and won the Information and & Computer Sciences, from 2015 to 2017. During that time, he award for best talk at the SBU Postdoc and Department of Communications Mechanical Technology established relationships with and Spotlight in 2017. Engineering at defrauded several individuals who were "This award reflects Krupa's University of CLEVELAND, OH (TIP) : The foreign citizens living in the United excellence as a junior scientist," said California, Berkeley Marconi Society on Aug 4 recognized States. In essence, Thudi falsely told his Dr. Kathleen Flint Ehm, Assistant Vikram Iyer, a PhD candidate in victims he was seeking investors to Dean in the Graduate School and BERKELEY (TIP): Prof Kameshwar electrical and computer engineering at share in the profits of business ventures Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Poolla, the Cadence Design Systems the University of Washington as a 2020 that involved his producing and Affairs. "Not only is her work Distinguished Professor, in Department Marconi Society Paul Baran Young distributing films in the United States. innovative and cutting edge, but she of Electrical Engineering & Computer Scholar for his innovative work to In reality, Thudi was not a movie excels in her ability to share the Sciences, and Department of develop bio-inspired and bio-integrative producer or distributor and, instead, he impact of that work with the world. Mechanical Engineering at University wireless sensor systems. The Marconi used his victim's money for his own She is poised to be a leader in her of California, Berkeley, has been named Society Young Scholar Award recognizes personal benefit. To keep the scheme field." 2020 Fellows of the International the world's most innovative young going, Thudi engaged in a classic Ponzi In addition to receiving $3,500 as Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) researchers who are creating tomorrow's scheme by using money paid by later part of the award, Dr. Haranahalli was for 'Contributions to system information and communications victims to pay supposed "returns" on the asked to present her research in identification and robust control with technology in service of a digitally "investment" made by earlier victims. person at the Fall 2020 National applications to manufacturing and inclusive world. Iyer's contributions When interviewed by the Federal Meeting of the American Chemical energy.' The IFAC Fellow Award is given enable traditionally stationary Internet Bureau of Investigation, Thudi Society, but the meeting was cancelled to persons who have made outstanding of Things (IoT) devices to move, putting admitted he stole substantial amounts due to COVID-19. Instead, her talk will and extraordinary contributions in the a new and scalable category of data of money from the victims by selling be part of the virtual meeting. field of interest of IFAC, in the role as collectors into the world to help us illusory ownership interests in several The Scarborough Postdoctoral an Engineer/Scientist, Technical understand our environment at scale and films to them. Additionally,he admitted Award is named in memory of Robert Leader, or Educator. The first Fellows with a fine degree of detail. Iyer began that he used the victims' money for his M. Scarborough, an accomplished were elected at the IFAC World Congress by developing ultra-low power wireless personal benefit and to make lulling medicinal chemist and inventor of in Prague in July 2005. Kameshwar communication and localization payments to keep the scheme going. In drugs such as Natrecor and Integrilin Poolla received his B.Tech. degree from techniques for IoT devices and then total, Thudi stole more than $160,000 and is sponsored by Portola the Indian Institute of Technology, became interested in applying these to from his victims. Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Bombay in 1980. tiny, bio-inspired robots the size of an (Read full story at cardiovascular company founded by (Read full story at insect. (Read full story at www.theindianpanorama.news) Dr. Scarborough. www.theindianpanorama.news) www.theindianpanorama.news) (Source: Stony Brook University) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 6 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 7

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By Radhika Ramaseshan Temple done, polls ahead The Sangh's utmost priority was to Milked dry, it remains to be seen if the issue can stay electorally relevant unshackle the temple movement Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas, a trust which the from the clutches of the Brahmin VHP constituted after the Babri mosque's clergy and broad-base its appeal by demolition to oversee the temple construction. Once the SC paved the way, reaching out to the backward the Centre initially seemed reluctant to castes and Dalits so that the BJP engage the VHP and the affiliated clergy. would outgrow its urban, Bania base These stakeholders rose to such positions in the heartland and win over the of dominance in the late '80s and '90s that constituents that were historically they resented the BJP's political expropriation of the temple 'movement', wedded to the Congress and the and the ruling Congress's proclivity to Socialists. play games by creating a parallel front of snapshot of the dais bearing the Ayodhya's seers to counter the VHP. But luminaries who partook of the they desisted from protesting aloud Arituals marking the start of the because those days, the diktat of the RSS Ram temple construction in Ayodhya ran strong over its constituents. VHP encapsulated the mandir's journey and leaders like Ashok Singhal, Giriraj PM Narendra Modi at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on August 5. The temple will possibly be one the vicissitudes it traversed across India. Kishore and Omkar Bhave were dedicated element in BJP 2.0's overall Hindutva 'nationalism' playbook for which the Opposition has no Barring Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, none pracharaks and would never have dreamt answers yet. of the Ramjanmabhoomi era 'superstars' of defying its writ. They worked in Commission's recommendations. The pro- its collaborators, nobody seemed in a were present. The mahant was the only tandem with the RSS's uncelebrated Dalit BSP also registered its presence great hurry to see a bhavya structure living relic of an eon that started Moreshwar Nilkanth Pingle (known as around that time. Avaidyanath was supplant the 'makeshift' one. inconspicuously in 1985 with the Morapant) who conceptualized the Ram elected to the Lok Sabha from Gorakhpur What happens here on? UP votes in 2022. consecration of the bricks that will go in temple, drew up a blueprint and amplified a number of times and Adityanath The Opposition is mum. Unlike in the raising the temple. Since then, the saga its 'historical' and political effortlessly slipped into his shoes. 1990s when the Sangh's displays of was signposted by events that contested underpinnings. When the BJP stepped in, The Sangh's utmost priority was to strength at Ayodhya provoked the premises on which post-Independence its leaders had little to do except unshackle the temple movement from the corresponding responses from a vibrant India was envisioned and founded, altered disseminate Pingle's theories and clutches of the Brahmin clergy and broad- Opposition, no leader is inclined to say a the political and social fundamentals and messages to the country in road shows. base its appeal by reaching out to the word for fear of antagonizing the Hindus upended the notion of Hinduism as an However, there's one exception in the backward castes and Dalits so that the for whom Modi symbolizes the potent mix inclusive and receptive faith. cast of characters to hold forth from BJP would outgrow its urban, Bania base of Hindutva and 'nationalism'. At least in The mahant aside, the others on the Ayodhya on Wednesday. That is in the heartland and win over the the heartland. Social media juxtaposed stage were tangentially engaged with the Adityanath. The CM's spiritual forbear, constituents that were historically images of Modi and Ram, a first because temple chapter or did not figure in it. PM Mahant Avaidyanath, founded the Sri wedded to the Congress and the Socialists. at the crest of Advani's popularity, the Modi was among the convenors of LK Ramjanmabhoomi Mukti Yagya Samiti in Ayodhya seemed the right epicenter for idea of fusing his persona with that of the Advani's 'Ram rath yatra' in 1990, when it 1983 before the RSS-VHP embarked on a the project because the custodians of its 'Maryada Purshottam' did not occur even was launched from Somnath, but he did programme to 'liberate Ram's birthplace'. myriad temples were from various castes, as a flight of fancy. not accompany him outside Gujarat. Avaidyanath was originally a Hindu except the Dalits. The RSS fulfilled its Since Adityanath faces his first test two Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras (Balasaheb) Mahasabha member but importantly, he objective electorally since 1989 in the years hence, the onus of 'branding' the was then the RSS sarsanghchalak while was the custodian of the Gorakhnath heartland but every now and then, other temple and recycling the political message Anandiben Patel, the UP Governor, and Math, a premier religious institution of formidable social coalitions that pushed falls on him before Modi takes over the Yogi Adityanath, the CM, were unheard of. east UP. Adityanath took over the the communal programme on the back task in 2024. The 'mandir wahin Modi visited Ayodhya again when he monastery after his guru passed away and burner triumphed. In the ebb and flow, the banayenge' slogan saw the BJP through in steered Murli Manohar Joshi's motorized learnt his politics from him. temple receded in the background. a couple of elections. But when the party chariot on the 'Ekta yatra' in 1991-92. He Avaidyanath was deeply political, a Doubtless, the BJP got the fillip it needed went to the people in the 1993 UP elections stopped briefly at Ayodhya as a guest at feisty orator and the perfect candidate to in 1989 and 1991 in the name of Ram but with the claim 'jo kaha so kiya', an Mahant Das's Maniram ki Chavni temple foster the Sangh's temple agenda in UP, once the mosque was felled, the issue was allusion to the Babri demolition, it didn't complex. He did not campaign in Ayodhya which he did. His speeches often spurred subject to the law of diminishing returns. resonate. In the end, the temple will in 2014 and 2019, choosing to stop over at communal conflicts but that suited the Vajpayee's charisma saw the BJP through possibly be one element in BJP 2.0's Goshaiganj, that is 25 km from the pilgrim RSS-BJP at that point, particularly a couple of elections before Modi took overall Hindutva 'nationalism' playbook town and part of the Ambedkar Nagar because UP was rife with caste over. The temple was there and not there: for which the Opposition has no answers Lok Sabha constituency. confrontations following the it featured as a ritual in its election so far. Mahant Das heads the implementation of the Mandal manifestoes and except for the VHP and (The author is a senior journalist) J&K, a year after abrogation of Article 370 GUEST COMMENT Free political prisoners, allow voices of dissent ugust 5 marked a year since read the fine print, the apprehensions reducing the political mainstream into reach. That amounts to two lockdowns, Jammu and Kashmir was are far from muted. Ladakh felt it had an object of ridicule. Four-time including the one induced by Covid-19, Astripped of its special status and gained freedom from the stranglehold of legislator MY Tarigami's argument is without a basic necessity. Carrying out reorganized into two UTs. In one stroke, distant and uninterested pertinent: 'The continued detention of such an exercise anywhere else in India an assertive BJP claimed, a solution had administrators. The slow pace of change political prisoners, particularly is unimaginable. The legal challenge to been found to the Kashmir imbroglio is testing its enthusiasm. legislators, shows that if democratic the abrogation of Article 370 is still on, and the stumbling block to the The non-BJP parties did show a rights are not even available to the restoration of statehood is a popular integration of the Valley removed. The semblance of resistance, but quickly voices that speak on behalf of the demand. Allow voices of dissent. Dispel jubilation in the rank and file came as realized the power of silence in the Indian union, how would ordinary the notion, as a former CM feels, that all no surprise. What did was the changed climate of burning patriotism people even think of enjoying them?' the Centre wanted to do on August 5, overwhelming sense of endorsement in and nationalism. Omar Abdullah has The only fallout of disallowing political 2019, was to 'punish and humiliate' the the rest of the country. How Kashmir been scathing in his attack, saying he discourse is anger, sullenness and people. and the Kashmiris felt mattered little. felt betrayed more by the Opposition. further alienation, not integration. (Tribune, India) And, apparently, still does not. Jammu What deserves serious attention is his Since the clampdown in the Valley last was ecstatic, initially at least. Having charge against the Modi government of year, high-speed Internet remains out of THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 PERSPECTIVE 9 Overcoming Challenges, Building Partnerships: The Promise of a New India OUR EFFORTS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR IN TACKLING COVID-19 HAVE BEEN PART OF A CLEAR VISION OF PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT AND BETTER GOVERNANCE-ALIGNING IT WITH THE SOCIAL EQUALITIES AND PERSONAL FREEDOMS THAT ARE THE RIGHT OF ALL INDIANS, AND ENSURING THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROGRESS OF EVERY RESIDENT. NO LONGER DOES JAMMU AND KASHMIR REMAIN SEQUESTERED FROM THE MANY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, DEMOCRATIC PRIVILEGES AND EMPOWERING LEGISLATIONS-INCLUDING GENDER AND CHILD-FRIENDLY LAWS-THAT HAD PROGRESSIVELY BEEN ROLLED OUT, OVER DECADES, IN THE REST OF INDIA. By Taranjit Singh Sandhu scheme, Ayushman Bharat, covers 500 million citizens, and with the aid of over "The green shoots of an economic one million health workers-mostly women- rejuvenation must be nurtured spread across the country,it has followed a with the support of friends and rigorous program of containment and partners. The strength of India's contact tracing. India's federal polity has empowered state governments to take the strategic partnership with the lead in these strategies, providing the United States will be central to the flexibility for a phased opening up of the times ahead. Through the country, whether in Kerala or pandemic, we have worked Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh or Assam. At together to maintain the integrity its core, India's countrywide COVID-19 response has seen a whole-of-society of our product supplies, under approach, followed the science, and stress from shortages or invoked both common sense and the dependency on single country common good. sources. As a responsible Even as we have sought to protect the health of our citizens, we have endeavored pharmaceutical manufacturer and to ensure that it did not come at the cost of stakeholder, we have kept open their economic well-being. The medical supply chains and made government has moved quickly to ensure sure that essential medicines food security,with $20 billion worth of food grains provided to 800 million individuals President Trump joined Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Howdy, Modi" rally at the NRG from India reached the U.S. and Stadium in Houston. -Photo / Courtesy NY Times and $7 billion transferred to families. In other partner countries." Jammu and Kashmir, one year after full our markets in key sectors, from defense both countries, leveraging our ugust is a special month for India. integration with the rest of India, a special production to agriculture, mining to complementarities for mutual benefit. On August 15th, we celebrate relief package of $50 million was infrastructure, accelerating foreign Those are not stand-alone events: from AIndependence Day, this year announced for those adversely affected. investment and igniting the biotechnology to artificial intelligence, marking 73 years since our freedom from Another 293,000 households have received entrepreneurial spirit of our people. They defense to renewable energy, fighting colonial rule. As we are confronted with a drinking water connections. And 17 will also go hand-in-hand with an against terrorism to cooperation in the pandemic of unprecedented scale, our dedicated hospitals with 85,000 beds are immediate stimulus of $270 billion, close Indo-Pacific, there is no area of human celebrations this year will suitably respect operational, with a testing rate of 44,744 to 10 percent of India's GDP,with a specific endeavor that has not benefited from our the necessary health protocols-social per million. focus on heavily impacted small and binational cooperation. High-skilled distancing and limited gatherings-both in Our efforts in Jammu and Kashmir in medium enterprises. professionals and students from India India and abroad. Much like July 4th in the tackling COVID-19 have been part of a The green shoots of an economic bring in important skill sets and bridge United States, August 15th for us is a clear vision of promoting development rejuvenation must be nurtured with the technological gaps, enabling U.S. moment of celebration, reflection and and better governance-aligning it with the support of friends and partners. The companies to be globally competitive while introspection. social equalities and personal freedoms strength of India's strategic partnership generating more jobs. This innovative lot The last few months have been a that are the right of all Indians, and with the United States will be central to the will play an even more significant role in challenging period for India, with our 1.3 ensuring the economic and social progress times ahead. Through the pandemic, we post-COVID economic recovery in the U.S. billion people, bustling cities and far-flung of every resident. No longer does Jammu have worked together to maintain the But even beyond businesses and joint villages. Yet so far, in combating the and Kashmir remain sequestered from the integrity of our product supplies, under ventures, India and the U.S. are bound pandemic, we have held the line. And we many constitutional rights, democratic stress from shortages or dependency on together at the people's level-our have used the crisis as an opportunity for privileges and empowering legislations- single country sources. As a responsible partnership founded on the fundamental change. The absolute number of COVID-19 including gender and child-friendly laws- pharmaceutical manufacturer and belief in the power of our democracies and cases in India is over 1.8 million, but the that had progressively been rolled out, stakeholder, we have kept open medical our shared values. Through the visionary recovery rate is also significant: over 65 over decades, in the rest of India. supply chains and made sure that essential foresight of the political leaderships in percent. The case fatality rate (CFR) has Just as we have sought to ensure that no medicines from India reached the U.S. and both our countries, we have built a truly dropped to 2.13 percent, well below the part of the country is neglected, we have other partner countries. extraordinary cooperation. And both our global CFR. Even as we continue to save put in place policies for long-term As the world moves towards a vaccine, governments are committed to build on lives and deal with economic economic transformation: strategies for a India's research labs and vaccine these excellent foundations and advance consequences, we are encouraged by the world that awaits us at the end of this manufacturing facilities are part of the this partnership that not only benefits our fact that two out of every three Indians pandemic. The COVID-19 experience has global efforts-at least three of them are two peoples, but also contributes to the infected with the novel coronavirus have served as motivation to redouble our direct products of India-U.S. collaboration. global economic recovery and responds to already recovered, and many more are efforts to use innovation, digital And when the vaccine will be ready for the challenges of our times. well on their way back to health. technologies and manufacturing potential distribution, Indian companies with As India approaches the 75th year of our There could be many reasons for this- to contribute to mutually fruitful expertise and capabilities in democracy, we remember the genius of biological, immunological and social. partnerships. manufacturing and vaccine delivery will our founding fathers-many of whom were Even so, it is obvious that the early and Under Prime Minister Modi's step up to the plate and play an important inspired by the ideals of the American decisive steps in the initial stages of the leadership, we have unveiled a set of role in public health outreach across the Constitution. That moment was not an pandemic, along with the persuasive transformative reforms targeting the five world, including in Africa and Latin end, but rather the beginning, of a appeals and urgings of Prime Minister pillars of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self- America. relentless process of nation-building, of Narendra Modi, led our citizens to reliant India): economy, infrastructure, The India-U.S. collaboration in health is the expansion of individual liberty and of embrace discipline of lockdowns, social technology-driven systems, a vibrant only one example of the range and depth of India's economic, social and political distancing, self-isolating and following demography and demand. These reforms the partnership. Already, we are empowerment. In renewing that relevant medical and health protocols. We will unleash the country's full economic witnessing renewed interest in India from commitment, India's natural partnership have continuously raised the bar on potential, enable India to play an U.S. digital and innovation giants-in the with the United States will be a source of testing, and today more than half a million important role in global economic revival last three months, more than $40 billion strength. tests are being carried out each day in and make India a trusted participant in has been pledged as investments that will (The author is ambassador of India to the United India. The world's largest health insurance global supply chains. They will open up spur economic growth and create jobs in States) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 10 SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020

Nepal reimposes Covid restrictions following Pakistan’s leader of Oppn Shahbaz spike in cases KATHMANDU (TIP): The Nepal Sharif indicted in corruption case government on Thursday reimposed restrictions in capital Kathmandu and LAHORE (TIP): A Pakistani court on Special Prosecutor Haris Qureshi said other coronavirus-affected districts Thursday indicted Leader of Opposition the suspect (Nawaz Sharif) was not following a spike in the number of in the National Assembly Shahbaz brought to the court in the light of the fresh virus cases. The country’s Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz in a government’s COVID-19 standard COVID-19 tally on Wednesday reached corruption case. operating procedures. 21,390 after 380 new cases were Separately, the Lahore Accountability The judge directed the prosecutor to reported. The virus death toll stands at Court issued bailable arrest warrant treat the case as ‘special’ and ensure the 60. The restrictions will be applicable against former prime minister Nawaz appearance of the suspect at the next throughout Kathmandu Valley and all Sharif, currently in London for hearing. districts with more than 200 active treatment, in a land allotment case The prosecutor also submitted a report coronavirus cases, according to the involving Geo Media Group owner Mir about non-service of the court’s Health Ministry. Kathmandu Valley Shakilur Rehman. summons to Nawaz Sharif at his Lahore has so far reported 787 cases. The accountability court in Lahore address. The report said the suspect was According to the restrictions, hotels, indicted Shahbaz, 68, on the charges of in London. restaurants and beauty-parlours will using taxpayers’ money to construct a were few in number,” the court said. At this, the judge issued bailable be shut down. Public gatherings, drain in Chiniot (250 km from Lahore) in Salman is absconding in London and warrants for the arrest of the former parties and seminars are also banned. (2010-2013) which allegedly benefitted a Hamza is in jail on judicial remand. premier and adjourned the hearing till There is a complete halt on business run by his sons. Hamza is the Punjab Assembly’s August 20. vehicular movement from 9 pm to 5 The National Accountability Bureau Opposition Leader. Sharif had left for London in am. Vehicles will be subject to checks (NAB) alleged that the Pakistan Muslim Sharif told the court that wrong November last year after getting bail in a from 7 pm to 7 am. Further, the odd- League-Nawaz (PML-N) president used charges were framed against him and his money laundering case, and the Al- even rule will be implemented, his position at the time as chief minister son. The 70-year-old PML-N chief said he Azizia case in which he was convicted according to which vehicles with odd of Punjab to approve the drain’s had saved billions of rupees in different for seven years. He left for the UK to treat and even number plates will be construction at a cost of Rs 36 crore, development projects in the province. a heart ailment. allowed to ply on alternate days. The benefitting the Ramzan Sugar Mills The court adjourned the hearing till The former prime minister recently border with India is also closed in this which is owned by his sons Hamza and August 27. submitted his medical reports to the period. Meanwhile, six security Salman. In the other land case, the Lahore High Court stating that because personnel at Communist Party of “The public funds were misused for accountability court issued bailable of coronavirus doctors had advised him Nepal (CPN) Pushpa Kamal Dahal the benefit of a family business. The arrest warrants against three-time not to go outside, therefore he could not Prachanda’s home have tested positive people getting benefits from the drain premier Nawaz Sharif. return. — PTI for coronavirus. However, all family members of Prachanda have tested negative. Pakistan International The Nepal government on March 24 Airlines sacks 63 had first decided to enforce a nationwide lockdown in view of the employees for fake COVID-19 outbreak. The restrictions degrees were lifted on July 21 after a dip in new cases was recorded. — PTI ISLAMABAD (TIP): The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last month Sri Lanka General sacked 63 of its employees, including Election: Early results five pilots, on charges of fake degrees, embezzlement and absence from duty. show Rajapaksa clan All five of the sacked pilots were heading for landslide win 17 killed as boat holding fake licences, said PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan, adding COLOMBO (TIP): Sri Lanka’s capsizes in Bangladesh that all the employees were dismissed in powerful Rajapaksa family-run Sri DHAKA (TIP): A passenger boat accordance to the law. Last month, the Lanka People’s Party (SLPP) appeared carrying about 50 people, including airline had sacked 17 pilots, including 12 to be heading for a landslide win in the madrassa students and teachers, captains after they were found to be country’s parliamentary election, capsized on Wednesday in northern having 'dubious' flying licences. — PTI according to early results announced Bangladesh, killing at least 17 people, Will run for second Pak PM appoints new on Thursday. The SLPP has polled according to a media report. term, says Suu Kyi more votes than its rivals, scoring over The incident happened in Netrokona health minister 60 per cent of the total votes in the five district's Madan upazila. YANGON (TIP): Myanmar leader results declared so far from the South, A total of 48 people, including Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday formally ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan Prime dominated by the Sinhala majority madrassa students and teachers, from declared her intention to seek a second Minister Imran Khan on Monday community. Mymensingh, boarded the boat for a term in an election in November that is appointed his focal person on COVID-19 The nearest rival is the new party cruise. seen as a test of the Southeast Asian as the new health minister, the third in formed by former presidential So far, 17 bodies have been recovered, nation's tentative democratic reforms. less than two years, amidst the ongoing candidate Sajith Premadasa who has 30 people have been rescued alive, while After decades of military rule, Suu fight against the coronavirus that has relegated his mother party, the United one passenger remains missing, an Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for claimed nearly 6,000 lives and infected National Party (UNP), to the fourth official of Madan upazila was quoted as campaigning for democracy, took the over 280,000 people in the country. place. The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi saying by the Dhaka Tribune. reins in 2016 after an electoral landslide, Dr Faisal Sultan has been appointed Peramuna (JVP) too has performed The cause of the accident is not but has been forced to share power with as Special Assistant to Prime Minister better than the UNP, the oldest party immediately known. the generals. Her international (SAPM) with the status of a federal in the country, official results showed. Such accidents are common in reputation slumped over Myanmar's minister. He is the chief executive In the North, dominated by the Tamil Bangladesh. treatment of Rohingya Muslims but she officer of Shaukat Khanum Cancer minority community, the main Tamil Poor safety standards of vessels and remains popular at home, where her Hospital, Khan’s charity hospital. party has bagged the Jaffna polling their reckless driving have been image is undented by accusations of “The prime minister has been pleased division, while the Rajapaksa ally in repeatedly blamed for frequent ferry complicity in atrocities against the to appoint Dr Faisal Sultan as SAPM on the Tamil north, the Eelam People’s accidents in riverine Bangladesh. In minority. National Health Services, Regulation & Democratic Party (EPDP) has beaten most of the cases, the ferries carry On Tuesday,Suu Kyi waved to a crowd Coordination with immediate effect. Dr Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in passengers beyond their capacity. on the outskirts of the former capital Faisal Sultan shall hold status of federal another Jaffna district polling In June, at least 32 people had died Yangon to submit an application to run minister,” according to an official division. PTI after a ferry capsized near Dhaka. PTI as a candidate. — Reuters statement. PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA 11 CORONAVIRUS CRISIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 GLOBAL COVID CASES TOP 19M AS EUROPE TIGHTENS CURBS Pak to lift Covid TRACKING THE VIRUS restrictions from August 10: Minister GLOBAL Pakistan will ease INDIA several restrictions, which were put in place Cases Deaths Cases Deaths five months ago, from 19,260,188 717,704 2,027,074 41,585 Monday as the country registered a dip in the cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), a senior ‘90% OF RECOVERED COVID-19 PATIENTS minister has said. oronavirus cases worldwide passed 19 million Asad Umar, minister Thursday, as European nations imposed new IN WUHAN HAVE DAMAGED LUNGS, SOME for planning, Ctravel restrictions and containment measures announced on with fears growing over a second wave of infections. HAVE TO RELY ON OXYGEN MACHINES’ Thursday restrictions The global figure, compiled by AFP from official on the hospitality and sources at 2300 GMT, was driven by surges in Latin team of doctors in China has recreational sectors America and India -- and a new milestone in Africa as claimed that lungs of 90 per cent would be lifted from the continent hit one million cases. Aof Covid-19 patients who August 10. “Restaurants Global deaths from the pandemic have topped recovered in Wuhan, the city where the and cafes, outdoor and 700,000, and Europe remains the hardest-hit region outbreak of the disease was first indoor, will be allowed worldwide with more than 200,000 fatalities since the reported, are still damaged. to open from Monday, virus first emerged in China late last year. The team is led by Peng Zhiyong, the and standard operating More than half of Africa’s cases are in South Africa, director of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan procedures (SOPs) will which has the fifth highest number of infections in the University.It has been conducting follow- be finalised in the next world, after the US, Brazil, India and Russia. up visits with ‘100 recovered patients’ two to three days,” Nevertheless the African continent remains one of since April. Umar said. the least affected, according to the official figures, The findings of the research have been The recreational with only Oceania registering fewer Covid-19 cases. startling. Peng’s team said that the sector, which includes As governments across the globe struggle to salvage recovered patients could only walk for public and amusement economies ravaged by months of lockdown, many 400 metres in six minutes, unlike their parks, theatres, have been forced to look at new measures to curb healthy peers who could cover a distance cinemas and arcades outbreaks of Covid-19 since they lifted initial of 500 metres in the same time. This is will also be allowed to containment orders. based on the walking test with the open from Monday In Australia, the second-largest city Melbourne patients. along with business and entered the country’s toughest lockdown yet on The first phase of this one-year reports published in Chinese news expo centres and salons. Thursday, closing non-essential businesses and programme finished in July.The average outlets. The 100 patients’ immune Marriage halls can open requiring hundreds of thousands more people to stay age of the patients in the study was 59. systems have not fully recovered, it from September 15 and home. The researchers also said that some further said, adding that the patients hotels can host wedding The pandemic has killed at least 712,315 people recovered patients have to rely on suffered from depression and a sense of ceremonies, he said. worldwide with the United States recording the most oxygen machines even three months stigma. Permission was also deaths with almost 160,000, followed by Brazil with after being discharged from the hospital, The coronavirus disease first started being given for nearly 100,000. Globally, 40 percent of all cases have researchers from another team said. from Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province, organising been recorded in the two countries. This study was conducted by Liang late last year and spread across the globe. tournaments and Germany is the latest to introduce mandatory tests Tengxiao, a doctor from the Dongzhimen Hubei province has reported a total of matches involving non- for travellers returning from designated risk zones, Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese 68,138 confirmed Covid-19 cases till now. contact sports without starting on Saturday, as fears grow over rising case Medicine, on patients above the age of The disease has claimed 4,512 lives in the the presence of an numbers blamed on summer holidays and local 65. province, according to the official data. audience from Monday, outbreaks. The results of their study also showed China, meanwhile, reported 37 new in addition to allowing Germany’s list of “risk zones” currently includes that antibodies against the novel coronavirus cases in the mainland as of indoor gymnasiums most non-EU countries, as well as certain provinces in coronavirus in 10 per cent of the 100 Thursday, the country’s health authority and sports clubs to Belgium and Spain. patients have disappeared, according to said on Friday. open. 3 Covid-19 vaccine candidates set to enter final stage of trial esearchers and pharmaceutical companies world could get past the pandemic by then. around the globe are racing to find a vaccine for The companies which are the front runners in the Rthe coronavirus disease. While some companies race to find a Covid-19 vaccine are Moderna, Pfizer and are still focussing on the initial round of clinical trials Novavax. for their vaccine candidate, others have raced ahead to Here is a look at how these companies are preparing third and final phase of testing. their vaccine candidates and where do they stand: In fact, US President Donald Trump, whose Moderna is developing the mRNA-1273 vaccine to government is pouring in billions for a Covid-19 fight the Sars-CoV-2 virus which causes the respiratory vaccine, said on Thursday it was possible that the disease known as Covid-19. The company announced United States would have a coronavirus vaccine before last week that it has started phase 3 clinical trials in the the November 3 election. United States. The trial is being conducted at nearly 100 However, top US infectious diseases official Anthony research sites in the US. Moderna had conducted the Fauci, a leading voice in the healthcare fraternity, had second phase of clinical trial in May,but the results are given a more conservative outlook. He had said on available only for the first phase. Moderna’s Covid-19 Wednesday that drugmakers will likely have tens of vaccine generated an immune system response, but millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines in the early many volunteers participating in the company’s drug part of next year. Fauci said there could be a billion trial reported side effects like fatigue, chills, headache vaccine doses available by the end of 2021, and that the and muscle pain. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 12 US FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 Will end the freeze on green cards, oppose suspension of H-1B visas: proposed Democratic Party Platform thousands of employees each year from improving and increasing opportunities children still separated from their countries namely India and China. for legal, permanent immigration. Our families, and would restore family The 2020 Democratic Party Platform, family, humanitarian, and diversity reunification programs ended by the which is similar to an election pathways have contributed Trump administration, it stated. manifesto in India, would be adopted by immeasurably to the vibrancy and "We support legislation to treat the the party's delegates during its national productivity of American society and spouses and children of green card convention in Wisconsin. The four-day should continue to be the centerpiece of holders as immediate relatives and end convention from August 17 to 20 would our immigration system," the proposed their unfair separation. We will formally nominate former Vice platform said. eliminate family-based green card President Joe Biden as its candidate for "Democrats oppose President Trump's backlogs and reform the system to speed CONTD FROM PAGE 1 the November 3 presidential elections. illegal chaotic, and reckless changes to up family-based visas," the platform Running into 90 pages, the platform "We support awarding visas for the legal immigration system, including said. was considered by the 2020 Platform permanent, employment-based decisions to slash family-based "And we will work with Congress to Committee at its meeting on July 27 immigration in a way that is responsive immigration as well as H-1B and other eliminate immigration barriers, such as Green Card, known officially as a to labor market needs. We want to visa programs that can help our the three- and 10-year bars, and remove Permanent Resident Card, is a attract and keep talent in this country, economy," it said. the 10-year waiting period for waivers to document issued to immigrants to the which is why Democrats will end the A Biden administration, the platform the permanent bars that keep loved ones US as evidence that the bearer has been Trump administration's freeze on green said would eliminate unfair barriers to apart," it said. It said they would granted the privilege of residing cards for new immigrants and instead naturalization, reduce application immediately terminate the permanently. The proposed platform, pursue a meaningful reform agenda," backlogs and make US immigration "discriminatory travel and immigration among other things, has expressed said the proposed platform. processes faster, more efficient, and less bans that disproportionately" impact opposition to the decision of President "A 21st-century immigration system costly. Muslim, Arab, and African people, and Donald Trump to temporarily suspend that honors American values is an "These reforms will strengthen our invite those whose visas have been issuing of H-1B visas. essential prerequisite not just to communities, our families, our denied under these "xenophobic and un- The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa recovering from the worst economic economy, and our country," it said. American policies to re-apply to come to that allows US companies to employ crisis since the Great Depression, but to According to the platform, the the United States". foreign workers in specialty strengthening its democracy and Democrats believe family unity should "We will support legislation to ensure occupations that require theoretical or guaranteeing America's long-term be a guiding principle for its that no president can enact technical expertise. Technology economic competitiveness," it said. immigration policy. As such it would discriminatory bans ever again," it said. companies depend on it to hire tens of "That's why Democrats believe in prioritize family reunification for (Source: PTI) USCIS Hikes Visa Application Fees to Trump signs executive orders banning 'Help Meet Operational Needs' TikTok, Wechat WASHINGTON (TIP): U.S. President WASHINGTON (TIP): The Donald Trump has signed executive Department of Homeland Security,on orders banning popular Chinese apps July 31, announced a final rule that like TikTok and WeChat, terming them a 'adjusts' fees for certain immigration threat to the national security and to the and naturalization benefit requests to country's economy. ensure U.S. Citizenship and Immigration The ban comes into effect in 45 days, Services recovers its costs of services.As Mr. Trump said in his two separate per the new fee schedule, employers executive orders signed on Thursday. filing visa petitions will have to pay an immigration system, secure the India was the first country to ban average of 20% more from October. This homeland and protect Americans." TikTok and WeChat, citing national final rule is effective from October 2, The rule accounts for increased costs security concerns. India has banned as After signing an executive order banning TikTok and WeChat, U.S. President Donald 2020. Any application, petition, or to adjudicate immigration benefit many as 106 Chinese apps, a move Trump said the mobile applications request postmarked on or after this date requests, detect and deter immigration welcomed by both the Mr. Trump developed and owned by the Chinese firms must include payment of the new, fraud, and thoroughly vet applicants, administration and the US lawmakers. continued to threaten the national security, correct fees established by this final petitioners and beneficiaries. The rule In a communique to the Congress, Mr. foreign policy, and economy of the country. rule. also supports payroll, technology and Trump said the spread in the United File photo / courtesy Reuters Unlike most government agencies, operations to accomplish the USCIS States of mobile applications developed USCIS is fee funded. Fees collected and mission. The rule removes certain fee and owned by the companies in China content that the Chinese Communist deposited into the Immigration exemptions, includes new nominal fees continues to threaten the national Party deems politically sensitive, such Examinations Fee Account fund nearly for asylum applicants, and reduces fee security, foreign policy, and economy of as content concerning protests in Hong 97% of USCIS' budget. waivers to help recover the costs of the country. Kong and China's treatment of Uyghurs As required by federal law, USCIS adjudication. "At this time, the order takes action to and other Muslim minorities. TikTok conducted a comprehensive biennial fee According to the final rule, employers address one mobile application in may also be used for disinformation review and determined that current fees filing visa petitions will now pay $555 fee particular, TikTok," he said. campaigns that benefit the Chinese do not recover the cost of providing (21 percent increase) for H-1B high-skill TikTok, a video-sharing mobile Communist Party, the president said. adjudication and naturalization visas and $850 (75 percent increase) for L application owned by the Chinese "To deal with this threat, the order services. DHS is adjusting USCIS fees by (intra-company transfer) visas, The company ByteDance Ltd, automatically prohibits, beginning 45 days after the a weighted average increase of 20% to Economic Times reported. captures vast swaths of information date of this order, to the extent help recover its operational costs. This final rule also encourages online from its users, Mr. Trump said. permitted under applicable law, any Current fees would leave the agency filing by providing a $10 reduction in the This data collection threatens to allow transaction by any person, or with underfunded by about $1 billion per year. fee for applicants who submit forms the Chinese Communist Party access to respect to any property, subject to the "USCIS is required to examine online that are electronically available Americans' personal and proprietary jurisdiction of the United States, with incoming and outgoing expenditures from USCIS. Online filing is the most information - potentially allowing China ByteDance Ltd. (a.k.a. Zijie Tiaodong), and make adjustments based on that secure, efficient, cost-effective and to track the locations of federal Beijing, China, or its subsidiaries, in analysis," said Joseph Edlow, USCIS convenient way to submit a request with employees and contractors, build which any such company has any deputy director for policy. "These USCIS. dossiers of personal information for interest, as identified by the Secretary of overdue adjustments in fees are USCIS last updated its fee structure in blackmail, and conduct corporate Commerce (Secretary)," Mr. Trump said. necessary to efficiently and fairly December 2016 by a weighted average espionage, he alleged. (Read full story at administer our nation's lawful increase of 21%. TikTok also reportedly censors www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 US 13 U.S. will end reliance on China, other nations for pharmaceuticals and medical supply, says Trump

WASHINGTON (TIP): President Trump and leaders of Mr. Trump said as he laid out his vision to bring millions United States, I will fight several countries have accused China of not being more jobs and thousands more factories back to American for you with every ounce transparent in reporting the deadly disease, leading to shores. of energy and strength huge human casualties and economic crisis across the "Today, to define our path forward, I am making our that I have. I will be your world. China, however, has denied U.S.' accusation of incredible workers six more promises that I will keep over voice. I will defend your covering up the extent of its coronavirus outbreak and the next four years. First and foremost, we will defeat the jobs. I will stand up to accused America of attempting to divert public attention China virus," he said, adding that the strategy shelters foreign trade cheaters and by insinuating that the virus originated from a virology those at highest risk while allowing those at lower risk to violators," Mr. Trump laboratory in Wuhan. get safely back to work and school. said. As seen in this "What China did is a terrible thing. Whether it was Instead of a never-ending blanket lockdown, causing pandemic, the United incompetence or on purpose, it was a terrible thing that severe long-term public health consequences, "we have a States must produce they did not only to the United States, but to the world. A targeted and data-driven approach", he said. essential equipment, President Donald Trump. terrible thing," Mr. Trump told reporters at the White "Today, using the Defense Production Act, we are supplies, and File photo / courtesy AP House on Thursday before flying to Ohio to visit a engaged in the most rapid industrial mobilization since pharmaceuticals for itself, Whirlpool manufacturing plant. World War II. Over the last six months, we have witnessed he said. What China did to the rest of the world and the U.S. is a one manufacturing miracle after another," he said. Mr. "We cannot rely on China and other nations across the disgrace, said the President, asserting that Beijing would Trump said he had signed a new executive order to ensure globe that could one day deny us products in a time of need. have to pay the price for the wound it has inflected on that when it comes to essential medicines, the U.S. buys We can't do it. We can't do it. We have to be smart," he said. America and the world by spreading the deadly American. This executive order will require that the U.S. "And speaking of pharmaceuticals, we instituted four coronavirus. government agencies purchase all the essential medicines moves, rebates, favorite nations, and other things buying Hours later addressing workers at the manufacturing it needs from American sources. from other nations where they have the product, the same plant in Ohio, Mr.Trump alleged that the previous Obama- "My fifth promise to American workers is to bring back exact pills, identical, made in the same factory for a Biden administration was perfectly happy to let China American jobs and factories using every tool at my fraction, just a small fraction of the cost. We buy from other win. "Over the course of the next four years, we will bring disposal - including tariffs, countervailing duties, and new countries as opposed to buying through this ridiculous our pharmaceutical and medical supply chains home and trade deals based on the principle of fairness and quagmire of political scam that we've been going through we will end reliance on China and other foreign nations," reciprocity," he said. "As long as I am President of the for many years," Mr. Trump said. (Source: PTI) Stanford Researchers Exploring Sustainability of Indian Sugar Industry NEW YORK (TIP): A group of StanfordResearchers has increased sevenfold in the past 50 years to become the analyzed the interconnected food, water and energy dominant user of irrigation water. The study found that challenges that arise from the sugar industry in India - in 2010-11, sugarcane occupied only 4 percent of the second-largest producer of sugar worldwide - and Maharashtra's total cropped areas but used 61 percent of how the political economy drives those challenges. the state's irrigation water. Meanwhile, irrigation for Stanford researchers conducted the first other nutritious food crops remained lower than the comprehensive analysis of India's sugar industry and its national averages. impact on water, food and energy resources through the As part of continued efforts to examine the Indian lens of its political economy - that is, how entrenched sugar industry and its impacts, lead author Ju Young Lee, political interests in sugar production threaten food, a PhD student in Earth system science, also developed water and energy security over time. The results show satellite imagery analyses to identify sugarcane from that a national biofuel policy encouraging production of space. ethanol made directly from sugarcane juice may make The researchers worked with stakeholders in India, India's water and energy resources more sustainable. including NGOs, academics and government officials, to Using sugarcane juice instead of molasses would also focus the goals of the project. The research is part of Food free up land and irrigation water for growing nutrient- Water Energy for Urban Sustainable Environments rich foods. The research was published July 24 in (FUSE), an international consortium supported in part Environmental Research Letters. Lead study author Ju Young Lee, center, is pictured with local by the National Science Foundation through the Belmont The researchers focused their analysis on Maharashtra farmers and agricultural experts while visiting a sugarcane Forum to address competition for scarce resources in in western India, one of the country's largest sugarcane- field in Maharashtra in western India in August 2018. stressed urban food-water-energy systems - including the producing states. Sugarcane cultivation in Maharashtra Photo / courtesy Ju Young Lee impacts of climate variability. Source - Stanford University IAICC Offers Free Memberships for Businesses Facing Hardship during Pandemic NEW YORK (TIP): For the benefit of businesses in India. With its strong in New Delhi, India. Ms. Carranza businesses facing hardship during the advocacyefforts and knowledge in US- thanked Mr. Kumar for hisunwavering ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, India trade relations, IAICC is also support, appreciated IAICC's efforts, and theIndian American International working toward other solutionsthat can said she looked forward to the continued Chamber of Commerce (IAICC), help businesses strengthen their collaboration with IAICC in future. headquartered in Washington DC, is capabilities," said National President & Recently, the Chamber also welcomed offering free memberships to Small CEO, KV Kumar in a press release. new members to serve in leadership Businesses, Small Business Mr. Kumar also met with the SBA positions. As such,Dr. Samir Mitragotri, Associations (SBA),Professional Administrator Jovita Carranza at the will take over as the Chair of National Organizations, and individuals that 2020 Academic Advisory Board, Ms.Gurdeep cannot afford to pay the regular Legislative Summit for The Latino Kaur Chawla will serve as Director of membership fees, until January 2022. Coalition, in Washington DC. During the IAICC's National Executive Board, and This effort is mainly aimed at promoting meeting, Mr. Kumar talked about the Dr.Narashimulu Neelagaru, and Mr. and fostering economic development for ongoing pandemic, IAICC's long Kumar Allady as Regional Chairman the benefit of businesses in India and association with SBA, and and Regional President,respectively, for the United States during these alsobriefed.Carranza about how IAICC the SE Chapter based in Atlanta, GA. In unprecedented times. initiated, supported and successfully addition to her role in the Executive IAICC is evaluating the current situation, and "IAICC is evaluating the current mediated the signing of anMoU between Board, Ms. Chawla has also agreed to the associated impact on Indian-American situation, and the associated impact on SBA and the Government of India, in serve as Chair of Government Relations, owned businesses in USA, and likewise Indian-American ownedbusinesses in collaboration with the American Education andTrade Committees of the American owned businesses in India, said USA, and likewise American owned Chamber of Commerce, in January 2007 Chamber. National President & CEO, KV Kumar THE INDIAN PANORAMA 14 INDIA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020

CORONAVIRUS CASES India sees highest one-day spike of over 62,000 Covid-19 cases, tally past 2 million

NEW DELHI (TIP): India reported more than 62,000 cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), for the first time in a single day, and over 880 deaths across the country, India ramped up Covid-19 testing Union health ministry’s data showed on Friday. infrastructure to 1,370 labs now, The country, which had been recording over 50,000 fresh cases says Health Ministry every day since July 30, saw 62,538 Covid-19 cases and 886 fatalities NEW DELHI (TIP): India substantively ramped up between Thursday and Friday its testing infrastructure from one lab in January 2020 morning, pushing its infection tally to 1,370 labs currently,the Union Health Ministry said to 2,027,074 and death toll to 41,585, on Thursday. according to the health ministry’s In view of Covid-19, the Union Ministry of Health dashboard at 8am. and Family Welfare on Thursday informed that the India crossed two million Covid- country has substantively ramped up its testing 19 cases on Thursday, three weeks infrastructure from one lab in January 2020 to 1,370 after it crossed a million cases on labs as of now. July 16. According to an HT “#IndiaFightsCorona India has substantively analysis, nearly 38% of new cases ramped up its testing infrastructure from one lab in since the day India’s tally crossed a Jan 2020 to 1,370 labs today. Expanded diagnostic lab million Covid-19 infections have network and facilitation for easy testing across the come from Andhra Pradesh, country has given a boost and India has done more Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, West than 2 crore tests presently,” said the MoHFW in a Bengal and Bihar. These five states tweet on Thursday. together were responsible for less The Health Ministry also said that the daily new than 19% of cases before July 16 southern peninsula instead of just stands at 2.07%. recoveries are increasing steadily. when India hit the million-mark. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and The gap between the active and “The progressively increasing daily new recoveries Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi. recovered cases has widened to are due to a focused attention on surveillance, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and According to the health 770,721 and according to the health containment and effective clinical management. India Bihar, which accounted for less than ministry’s dashboard on Friday, ministry “focused and coordinated created a network of Covid Dedicated Hospitals to 19% of the first million, have there are 607,384 active cases and containment, widespread testing manage the cases,” it said. reported nearly 42% of new Covid- 1,378,105 patients of the viral combined with supervised isolation It also said, “India has one of the lowest 19 cases since July 16. disease have been cured, taking the and effective treatment have deaths/million compared to many countries.” Data shows the spread of the recovery rate to 67.98%. In the last resulted in increasing recovery “Focused and coordinated implementation of Sars-CoV-2, the virus which causes 24 hours, 49,769 people were sent rates and steadily falling case “TEST, TRACK, TREAT” strategy focusing on early the coronavirus disease, has shifted home from hospitals across the mortality”. “These have ensured identification and effective clinical management has geographies in the last three weeks, country. The ministry data shows declining percentage active cases,” resulted in low and continuously sliding Case Fatality targeting the hinterland and the India’s case fatality rate (CFR) it said on Thursday. Rate (CFR),” the Ministry added in another tweet. Fire in Guj Covid ward, 8 killed KEEP OFF: INDIA’S TERSE COUNTER TO CHINA AHMEDABAD (TIP): EIGHT patients of Covid-19 admitted in ICU were killed in Ahmedabad early on Thursday morning after a private hospital in AFTER ITS KASHMIR BARB Navrangpura area of the city caught fire. There were NEW DELHI (TIP): India on Wednesday tersely 49 patients in the 50-bed Shrey Hospital at the time, asked Beijing to keep out of the internal affairs of other eight of them in the ICU, located on the fourth floor, countries after China contended that India’s which was completely charred. “unilateral” changes to the status of the former state of The 22-year-old hospital, designated a coronavirus Jammu and Kashmir were illegal and invalid. facility on May 16, had no fire clearance, Ahmedabad As the Pakistan government observed Yaum-e- Fire and Emergency Services Chief Fire Officer M F Istehsal or a “day of exploitation” to protest India’s Dastur said. Hospitals have to renew their fire no decision last year to scrap Jammu and Kashmir’s objection certificates (NOC) every year. A hospital special status and split it into two union territories, director, Bharat Mahant, and an unidentified ward Beijing had also called on New Delhi and Islamabad to boy have been detained for interrogation. Chief resolve the dispute over Kashmir through dialogue and Minister Vijay Rupani has ordered an inquiry headed consultations. by Additional Chief Secretaries Sangeeta Singh India’s decision on August 5 last year had triggered a Charter, UN Security Council resolutions and the and Mukesh Puri, and sought a report within three strong response from China, mainly because it believed bilateral agreements between Pakistan and India.” days. A paramedic attached to the hospital who tried the move would affect its territorial claims in Ladakh External affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag dousing the flames was injured. Mahant claimed region. Srivastava responded to Wang’s remarks through a brief there were 35 staff members in the hospital at the Responding to a query from Pakistan’s state-run APP statement: “We have noted the comments of the Chinese time. The eight killed, between the ages of 42 and 82, news agency about the impact of India’s move a year MFA spokesperson on the Indian union territory of included three women, and a father and son. later, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side has no locus The fire, reported around 3.30 am on Thursday, is Wenbin told a regular news briefing that Beijing is standi whatsoever on this matter and is advised not to suspected to have started due to a short-circuit in the closely following the situation in Kashmir. comment on the internal affairs of other nations.” ICU, spreading from there to the third floor. The eight He said: “Any unilateral change to the status quo is Wednesday’s developments also came against the died of suffocation before the firemen could make it illegal and invalid. This issue should be properly backdrop of the months-long India-China border to the fourth floor, that was the topmost. resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultations standoff in Ladakh, which has taken bilateral relations DCP, Zone 1, Ahmedabad City, Ravindra Patel said between the parties concerned.” to a new low. India has accused China of failing to they were waiting for forensic reports to determine if China’s position on the Kashmir issue, Wang said, is deliver on commitments to withdraw its troops from there was any negligence. “Then an FIR will be filed.” “clear and consistent”. He added: “This issue is a friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) Sources said there was no hospital staff in the ward dispute leftover from history between Pakistan and and asked it to sincerely implement measures for when the fire started. India. That is an objective fact as laid out by the UN disengagement and de-escalation. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 INDIA 15 RBI allows one-time recast of retail loans to soften Covid blow

NEW DELHI (TIP): In a major relief to corporate and retail borrowers, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today allowed banks to go for one-time restructuring of loans that are facing Covid-19 stress, while keeping interest rates unchanged because of prospects of high inflation rates and perilous EX-UNION MINISTER MANOJ state of the economy. In a measure that will affect the SINHA IS SURPRISE PICK flow of credit at the grass-roots level, RBI Governor Shaktikanta FOR NEW J&K L-G Das said priority sector lending guidelines in the social sector had NEW DELHI (TIP): THE Centre on Thursday been revised after five years. There named former Union minister Manoj Sinha as the will be incentives for banks to lend new Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, to low credit-flow districts, small picking a politician for the post after G C Murmu and marginal farmers and the resigned. If Murmu’s resignation late on Wednesday, weaker sections. on the anniversary of the scrapping of special status Earlier, the RBI’s Monetary Policy of J&K, came as a surprise, so was Sinha’s Committee (MPC) decided in favour appointment.Known as an efficient minister, both in of unchanged interest rates after the Railways and Telecom portfolios he held in the headline inflation breached the enhancing liquidity support for Higher loans against gold ornaments previous Narendra Modi government, Sinha, 61, was upper limit of six per cent in June Nabard and National Housing Bank seen as sidelined in the BJP recently. After losing the and could rise further due to floods (NHB) by Rs 5,000 crore each; easing „ Banks can give loans up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the three-time MP from in eastern India, ongoing lockdown- financial stress by setting up an 90% of gold jewellery value Uttar Pradesh had failed to secure a Rajya Sabha related disruptions, high taxes on expert committee headed by noted for non-agri purposes nomination. Currently, he was not officially assigned petroleum products, and rise in gold banker KV Kamath to restructure „ At present, banks sanction any post in the party. However, during the Delhi prices on safe haven demand. corporate and personal loans under loans up to 75% of the value Assembly elections earlier this year, he was given The RBI saw agriculture as the stress due to the lockdown and of such items responsibility for a few seats. sole bright spot; its prospects extending the date for restructuring „ Enhanced loan to value ratio Sinha arrived in Srinagar on Thursday afternoon strengthened on the back of good of MSME loans; putting in place will be applicable up to and was received at the airport by Chief Secretary B progress of the southwest monsoon. safeguards for receiving bank March 31, 2021 V R Subrahmanyam and DGP Dilbagh Singh.Late on At the same time there was a clear credit; hiking the limit for advances Thursday,Murmu was named as the new Comptroller appreciation of the dangers ahead: against gold ornaments and The restructuring of loans will be and Auditor General of India. “The outlook is heavily contingent jewellery from 75 per cent to 90 per allowed as per the prudential A B. Tech in Civil Engineering from the Institute of on the heightened risks associated cent till March 31 for higher credit framework issued on June 7, 2019. Technology,BHU, Varanasi, Sinha had a good working with a second wave of infections flow; deepening digital payment relationship with his officials as a minister apart and the discovery of a vaccine.” systems by facilitating retail Only accounts classified as standard, from his standing as a mass leader. This is seen as an The RBI decided on six steps that payments in offline mode; and but not in default for over 30 days as advantage in the tricky post he now heads for, in would fine-tune policy instruments increasing customer safety in on March 1, 2020, will be eligible Srinagar. in several areas. These include cheque payments. New Education Policy focusses on how to think, says PM Modi Punjab hooch tragedy: 2 SITs formed NEW DELHI (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the new National Education to fast-track investigation Policy focusses on 'how to think', while the education system till now in the country emphasised on 'what to think'. 133 DEAD: Not a single person will be spared, says Punjab CM He also said that there were no major changes in the country's education system over the years. As a result, CHANDIGARH (TIP): Punjab Director General of instead of promoting values of curiosity and Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta on Wednesday ordered the imagination, herd mentality was being encouraged. constitution of two Special Investigation Teams to fast- The prime minister made these remarks while track investigations into all the FIRs registered in the delivering the inaugural address at the ‘Conclave on hooch tragedy that claimed 113 lives. Transformational Reforms in Higher Education Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) under National Education Policy' via video link. Ishwar Singh will supervise both the SIT Modi said it is a matter of happiness that after the investigations, according to an official statement issued introduction of the National Education Policy, no here on Wednesday. region or section has said that it has any kind of bias, Punjab Police had registered a total of five FIRs – or is leaning towards one side. three in Tarn Taran and one each in Amritsar and There is a lot of emphasis on teacher training in the Gurdaspur's Batala – in the case. National Education Policy, he pointed out. Gupta said SP-level officers had, for the first time, been nominated as investigating officers for these cases to ensure conviction of the offenders. The investigating officers have been directed by the DGP to ensure thorough and comprehensive outing since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. investigations to unravel the entire backward and Speaking to media, he said, “All those found guilty forward linkages of the case, both inside and outside will be punished. Not a single person will be spared. A the state of Punjab, under the supervision of the SIT. special prosecutor has been appointed and an The investigating officers shall also be responsible investigation into the matter is underway”. for filing final reports in the concerned courts under Notably, with over 80 out of 113 deaths thus far, Tarn their own signatures expeditiously, said the DGP. Taran is the worst-hit among the three districts where Facing intense criticism over last week’s hooch the tragedy started last Wednesday; the other two tragedy in the state, including by MPs from his own districts are Gurdaspur’s Batala and Amritsar. party-Congress, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Also on Thursday, 135 more people were arrested in Amarinder Singh on Friday visited Tarn Taran to meet connection with the case, taking the number of those family members of the victims, in what is his first arrested thus far to over 170. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 16 FEATURE FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 AYODHYA BREAKS GROUND RAM TEMPLE: PM performs prayers, lays first brick of temple at grand ceremony, devotees celebrate occasion nationwide

AYODHYA (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the first brick of the Ram Mandir at a grand “bhoomi pujan” ceremony in Ayodhya on Wednesday, and said that August 5 will stand as a symbol of the commitment of several generations that devoted their lives to the construction of the temple, just as August 15 symbolises the sacrifices of countless Indians for Independence. Modi spoke of Ram as a thread of India’s unity in diversity, referring to the multiplicity of Ramayanas across the country, highlighting Ram’s appeal across the world, and distilling Ram’s messages — of social harmony, non- discrimination, care for the poor, protecting those who seek refuge, and commitment to the motherland. He also said that the more power a nation has, the greater is its capacity for friendship. These were all messages widely read in sync with India’s contemporary governance and security priorities. In the backdrop of the protracted political, social and legal dispute that has marked the issue of the Ram temple, satisfaction and joy at seeing the temple Modi added that the temple should be being constructed. “Today is a new constructed on the foundation of mutual beginning of a new India,” he said. love and brotherhood, and it was only “There is a wave of joy in the country through everyone’s participation (“sabka now...” saath”) and with everyone’s trust (“sabka Modi used a 40kg silver brick, donated vishwas”) that India can achieve by Das, for the ceremony and presented a development for everyone (“sabka kalash (holy pitcher) made of five metals vikas”). He also pointed to the economic for the ceremony. The event happened benefits of the temple for the wider under a canopy decorated in shades of Ayodhya region, where pilgrims from red, yellow and gold. across the world would come to pray. In the audience sat 175 guests, drawn The beginning of the construction from 135 spiritual traditions and eminent comes after a 135-year-old legal dispute citizens from Ayodhya. Of the three culminated when the Supreme Court, last Muslim invitees, only Iqbal Ansari -- the November, awarded the disputed land to son of the oldest litigant in the Ram Hindu parties. It also comes in the wake Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit, of a three-decade-long mobilisation by Hashim Ansari -- attended the event. the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its “Lord Ram belongs to everyone. Ram ideological affiliates, and the demolition temple will also bring overall of the Babri Masjid in 1992 -- an act development to Ayodhya,” said Ansari. declared illegal by the same SC verdict -- In his address, Modi spoke of how it that led to communal violence and deaths was an emotional day for all Indians, in various parts of the country. many of whom could not believe that The event was preceded by days of they could see this moment in their own preparation and festivities in Ayodhya. lifetime. He said that “Ram Lalla” (the Modi landed in the town on Wednesday child deity), living in a tent, will finally morning, visited the Hanuman Garhi find a home in a grand temple, and Ram The Prime Minister unveiled a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the temple. temple, planted a tree, participated in the Jamnabhoomi would finally be free of He also released a commemorative postage stamp on ‘Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir’. rituals associated with bhoomi pujan, the cycle of breaking and rebuilding. and then released a special postal stamp on the occasion. He then addressed a select audience, carefully curated due to pandemic- related restrictions, but his speech was beamed across the country. The event also saw the participation of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat as a special guest — a rare occasion when the PM and the RSS chief shared the stage and spoke on the same platform. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and the head of the Ram Temple trust, Nritya Gopal Das also spoke at the function following the bhoomi pujan ceremony. Adityanath welcomed the guests, highlighted how this day had arrived after waiting for five centuries, and emphasised that it had come through peaceful, constitutional and democratic methods. The wishes of India’s 135 crore [1.35 billion] people and the Sanatan Dharma followers have been fulfilled,” he said. Bhagwat spoke of a sense of THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 FEATURE 17

rom November 9, 1989, when the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Fconducted a shilanyas here, to Wednesday, August 5, when Prime MILESTONES IN THE AYODHYA Minister Narendra Modi laid a 40 kg silver brick to begin the construction of the Ram temple, Ayodhya has witnessed a medley of historical, cultural, religious RAM TEMPLE JOURNEY and political events. If the Shilanyas marked the beginning of inquiry was appointed within two of the fall of the Congress, then India’s weeks of the demolition and was asked to leading political party, the Ram Mandir submit a report within three months. The Bhumi Poojan ceremony signifies the Commission availed 48 extensions and emergence of the new politics brought in finally submitted its 10,000-page report on by the BJP. January 30, 2009 The legal battle is back in April 2002 1858: Puja on premises The matter was back at the courts and An FIR was filed on November 30 by yet another legal battle began. A three- Mohd Salim against a group of Nihang judge Bench of the Allahabad High Court Sikhs who had conducted rituals inside was hearing to determine the ownership the Babri Masjid. Sheetal Dubey, the of the disputed land. The HC ordered the station house officer of Avadh, wrote in Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to his report: “Mr Nihang Singh Faqir excavate the site and determine if it was a Khalsa resident of Panjab, organised temple earlier. Havan and Puja of Guru Gobind Singh In 2003, ASI found evidence of the and erected a symbol of Sri Bhagwan, presence of a temple under the mosque. within the premises of the Masjid.” The This re-energized the VHP, and its chief dispute and riots led to the British Ashok Singhal asked the then-BJP building a seven-foot-high wall to government to make a legislation to hand separate the places of worships for over the site to the Hindus so that the Hindus and Muslims. Babri Masjid demolition construction of the temple could begin. In September 2010, the High Court, 1885: Case for temple which took the ASI’s findings along with Raghubar Das, who identified himself other evidence before it into as mahant at the chabutra in the outer consideration, ruled that the disputed courtyard, filed a suit in the Faizabad land should be divided into three parts — civil court against the Secretary of State a third should go to Ram Lalla Virajman, for India in Council seeking permission represented by the Akhil Bharatiya to build a makeshift temple there. The Hindu Mahasabha; one-third to the Sunni suit was dismissed. Subsequent civil Waqf Board; and the remaining to the appeals too were dismissed by the District Nirmohi Akhara. Judge of Faizabad and the court of the In December, the parties moved Judicial Commissioner. A riot in 1934 led Supreme Court. Neither the VHP-BJP nor to demolition of a portion of the the Muslims was happy with the order. In structure, which the British rebuilt. May 2011, the apex court stayed the High Court order. 1949: Emergence of idols Meanwhile, the VHP continued its Abhiram Das, a Hindu priest, claimed campaign with vigour. But the BJP’s he had a recurring dream of Ram making coming to power and its silence over the an appearance under the main dome of temple as well as the RSS leaderhsip’s the Masjid. In the night of December 22 advice not to escalate pressure over the that year, idols were found at the place he Ram Temple forced them to lie low. had mentioned. While many Hindus Towards the end of 2018, the VHP again believed that it was a miracle, then raised its pitch, with hundreds of Faizabad DM K K Nayar on the morning thousands of Hindu seers and followers of December 23 informed UP Chief with the Shilanyas. September 1990, decided to go for a yatra assembling in Ayodhya. It along with Shiv Minister Govind Ballabh Pant about a Rajiv Gandhi’s government, apparently to educate people about the Ram Sena organised Dharma Sabhas in group of Hindus entering the site and hoping to cash in on Hindu sentiments to Janmabhoomi movement, which had so different parts of the country and pressed placing the idol. An FIR was filed, the tide over the intensifying political far been propagated by the VHP mainly. the government to issue an ordinance for gates to the structure were locked, and the agitation and public anger against his Advani’s Toyota-turned-chariot the construction of the temple. They were city magistrate attached the property. A government, decided to let the VHP procession from Somnath, Gujarat, to later backed by even the RSS leaders. long legal battle ensued. conduct the ceremony. Then-Home Ayodhya via central India stirred Hindu BJP’s senior leaders had to hold several Minister Buta Singh, who met VHP leader sentiments and mobilised the community rounds of discussions with the RSS’ top 1989: VHP’s Shilanyas Ashok Singhal, granted him permission behind him. Advani almost attained the leadership to convince them that the Exactly three decades before, on the to go ahead. image of a saint and a savior. It led to the government had to wait for the Supreme same day the Supreme Court approved Later, as the fervour and communal events in December 1992. Court verdict. the construction of the Ram Temple at tension escalated, the Centre and the state A five-judge Supreme Court bench led the disputed site, on November 9, 1989, the governments tried to get the VHP leaders 1992: Babri Masjid demolition by then Chief Justice of India (CJI) VHP had put the first stone for the Ram to agree on conducting the Shilanyas on December 6 Ranjan Gogoi ruled in favour of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. outside the disputed site. Lalla, and said the entire disputed land At a time when then-Prime Minister But on November 9, a congregation of Frenzied karsevaks, inspired by the spread over 2.7 acres will be handed over Rajiv Gandhi, who had stormed to power VHP leaders, including Sadhus, dug a calls of the BJP and VHP leaders, to a trust formed by the government, with a brute majority in the Lok Sabha, 7x7x7 ft pit to lay the singhdwar (main clambered up the domes of the 16th which will monitor the construction of was on a slippery wicket – due to his entrance) of the sanctum sanctorium, century Babri Masjid and pulled it down, the Ram Temple at the site. The 2019 mishandling of Sri Lanka and the clearly on the disputed land, defying the again breaking the assurances given to judgment laid the foundation for the Kashmir situation as well as the agreement they had made with the the Centre and the state governments. Bhoomi Pujan function on Wednesday. intensifying attack against him by the authorities. The communal violence this sparked Opposition on the Bofors scandal – the across the country left almost 2,000 people February 5, 2020 VHP was charged at the ground over the 1990: L K Advani’s Rath Yatra dead. The Union Cabinet approved the setting cause of Ram Mandir. The most important milestone in the President’s Rule was imposed in several up of the Trust, with the Prime Minister Ever since it had announced a BJP’s political journey. The BJP had states, dismissing the BJP governments making the announcement in the Lok foundation laying ceremony at Ayodhya, campaigned heavily over the Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Sabha. The Trust, named Shri Ram Hindus from across the world started on the disputed site issue ahead of the Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. But it Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra, is to take sending it financial assistance for the 1989 elections, in which it won 89 seats, a embarked the BJP on a wider political decisions independently on the cause. The VHP was all set, but the giant leap from its tally of two in the path that led to its emergence as the most construction of the Ram temple and Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court previous Lok Sabha polls. prominent and widespread political party related issues. It has been handed over the ordered a status quo. Sensing the political opportunity the in the country, replacing the decades-long whole 67.703 acres acquired “to maintain Determined to defy the court order, Ram Temple could create – Lord Ram is dominance of the Congress. the sanctity of Ayodhya and for the VHP collected funds and bricks with the most revered and a uniting figure for construction of the temple, keeping in Shree Ram written on them, organised Hindus, who follow different rituals and Liberhan Commission mind the needs of crores of devotees,” kar sevaks and held prayers to go ahead practices across the country – Advani, in The justice M S Liberhan Commission Modi said. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 18 BOLLYWOOD FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 KAJOL TURNS 46: AJAY DEVGN, RENUKA SHAHANE AND OTHERS WISH THE ACTOR ollywood actor Kajol celebrated her 46th birthday Bon August 5. Wishing the AMITABH BACHCHAN CALLS actor on her birthday, husband Ajay Devgn shared a picture on HOME ‘A PRISON CELL’ Instagram with a caption that read, ollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is “Happy returns of the day,forever & home quarantined after undergoing treatment for always.” Bcoronavirus at Nanavati hospital for three weeks, Kajol’s best friend and filmmaker on Wednesday took to his blog to share how many Ryan Stephen shared adorable thoughts have occupied his mind. “The mind revolves at photos on Instagram and revisited greater speed than it did ever before,” he wrote in his his 28 years long journey with the blog on Wednesday. actor. He wrote a long post that read, Talking about the experience of staying away from his “Kajol has never been difficult. family while being so close to them, Big B shared on his She’s anything but that! If she likes blog, “And in the solitude of your own home.. no contact you she will be all there! She listens, .. a prison cell where the visiting hours, often seen in unlike most stars who just want an films, occurs through glass shields and telephoned audience. She cares. She will go out conversation .. to see and connect in hand actions .. they of her way to be there for you. She is be family,just a few inches away,yet so far..” all heart. Nothing about her is ever Senior Bachchan continued, “and in these hours of put on or fake. If she doesn’t want to just sitting nursing the post discharge medical routines do something she will just say no. Or to be followed .. the mind revolves at greater speed than in her case, before she can, her face it did ever before, towards many of the written words, or says it all! Most people I have opinions that disturb, not you or those you converse realised do not like hearing no. with, but those that have been built up to insure Their egos can’t stand it. 28 years continuity and lasting presence on their gadgets of the ago my heart told me to call her and box .. and the clarity of thought argument response is so I am so happy I listened to it. valid and loud that at times one wishes to bring it up .. Because here we are today, best share .. let the World know the ‘other side’ .. friends for life. I’m sure this is a temperament though delivers a ‘hold back’ policy .. or a connection from some previous ahead. #HappyBirthdayKajol” everything you wish for & more” design to ‘let it all out’ .. and wait for it to be made life.” Renuka Shahane shared a happy Kajol’s sister Tanishaa Mukerji popular so them that seek exposure , after recognising its Filmmaker Syed Zeeshan Quadri picture of herself with Kajol on thanked the actor for “teaching me ‘popularity’ jump on with thoughts that coalesce with tweeted, “Wish you a very happy Twitter. Wishing the actor, she how to love.” “Happy birthday my the issue , even if it is coming days past .. for what ..? just Birthday @itsKajolD. The whole wrote, “Happiest birthday to my gorgeous beautiful soul… my so the exposure that shall be stage managed , give the country loves you and wants to see precious, gorgeous, one in a billion sister! Thank you for teaching me much needed chart of their own standing than for the so much more of you. Wish you the girl @itsKajolD Love you sooo how to love! Love you sooooo standing of the issue. best returns of the day and the year much ? May you be blessed with much!” Tanishaa tweeted. MUGHAL-E-AZAM SCREENPLAY KATRINA KAIF IS READY FOR DATE NIGHT WITH ENTERS OSCARS LIBRARY TO MARK A BOWL OF POPCORN AND BANDISH BANDITS atrina Kaif's plan for Tuesday 60TH ANNIVERSARY night is sorted (going by her Klatest Instagram entry) and can you guess what's on the list? A date night with a bowl full of popcorn and Amazon Prime Video's latest show Bandish Bandits. Katrina Kaif posted an Instagram reel video on her profile on Tuesday and she wrote in her caption: "Ready for my series date with Bandish Bandits. Congrats my dear friends Anand Tiwari and Amritpal Singh Bindra. Catch it on Amazon Prime Video." Besides Bollywood veteran Naseeruddin Shah, Bandish Bandits also stars Shreya Chaudhary, Ritwik Bhowmik, Kunaal Roy Kapur and Meghna Malik ndian cinema classic Mughal-e- available at the Margaret Herrick in pivotal roles. Azam celebrates its 60th Library, a world-renowned Bandish Bandits streaming on OTT Ianniversary this week with reference and research collection of platform Amazon Prime Video, director K Asif ’s son Akbar Asif the Academy devoted to the history opened to largely positive reviews presenting the screenplay of the and development of the motion from critics. In his review for NDTV, film to the Oscars library in picture as an art form and an film critic Saibal Chatterjee gave the Hollywood. industry. show a 3-star rating and he wrote: Akbar Asif, the UK-based son of “The journey of Mughal-e-Azam "Bandish Bandits is a rare treat - a the late director, said he presented started with words from the web series woven around Indian the screenplay to the Academy greatest writing team ever classical music. It unfailingly Awards to mark the big anniversary assembled in Hindi cinema and I conveys the beauty and power of the of his father’s historical epic thought the best way to honour ragas even when they are blended starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip them was to permanently preserve with pop-oriented arrangements." Kumar and Madhubala. their screenplay in the world’s most Coming back to Katrina Kaif, the Three versions of the legendary renowned film library,” said Akbar actress was last seen in Ali Abbas screenplay – in Hindi, Roman text Asif, a businessman based in Zafar's 2019 film Bharat, co-starring and English translation, are now London. Salman Khan and Disha Patani. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 HOLLYWOOD 19 SEAN PENN SAYS HE MARRIED LEILA GEORGE IN A ‘COVID WEDDING’ ON ZOOM ctor Sean Penn has confirmed that he tied the knot with his A girlfriend Leila George in an intimate ceremony during the coronavirus pandemic. There were rumours floating on social media that 59-year-old Penn had secretly married George, 28. The two have been in a relationship for the past four years. JOEY KING JOINS BRAD On Tuesday, the actor broke the news during a virtual appearance on PITT’S BULLET TRAIN talk show Late Night with Seth issing Booth actor Joey King has Meyers. joined the cast of Brad Pitt’s Meyers asked Penn about the Kupcoming movie Bullet Train. rumours and he confirmed them by Sharing her excitement about being a showing his wedding ring. part of the project, she wrote on Instagram, The Oscar winner revealed that he “I’m so excited it’s kind of unbelievable! Is and George got married on 30 July. this real life?” “We did a COVID wedding. By that Based on Isaka Kotar’s Japanese novel I mean it was a county Maria Beetle, the film will be directed by commissioner on Zoom and we were David Leitch. at the house, my two children and Zak Olkewicz has penned the script, her brother, and we did it that way,” reported Variety. Penn said. Leitch and Kelly McCormick are George, who has starred in films attached to produce the project through such as Mortal Engines and The Kid, 87North, along with Antoine Fuqua. is the eldest child of actors Vincent Sony Pictures has been keeping plot D’Onofrio and Greta Scacchi. details and character descriptions under Penn was previously married to wraps and no date has been set yet for actor Robin Wright with whom he shooting. shares two kids — daughter Dylan Joey King is fresh out of the success of Frances, 29, and son Hopper Jack, the second film in her teen romance 26. franchise The Kissing Booth. The film He was also married to pop star released on Netflix on July 24 and the Madonna for four years from 1985 to streaming platform recently announced a 1989. third installment that will come out in 2021. AMY ADAMS AND ADAM MCKAY TO REUNITE SARAH PAULSON PLAYS THE FOR NETFLIX SERIES KINGS OF AMERICA SCARY ‘NURSE-MONSTER’ old, menacing and strangely comical are a few ollywood star Amy Adams is once of the words that would best describe the trailer again teaming up with director Adam Cof Netflix’s upcoming thriller series Ratched. HMcKay for the Netflix series Kings of The show has been adapted from the novel One Flew America. Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and features the talented The duo have previously worked together Sarah Paulson in the titular role, as the unhinged on 2006 comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad nurse Ratched. of Ricky Bobby and more recently Vice, a Created by Evan Romansky and executive-produced satirical biopic on former US Vice President by the brilliant Ryan Murphy, Ratched seems to Dick Cheney. promise a delightful but delirious look at the mental The limited series will chronicle stories of health system where nothing is as simple as how three powerful women whose lives were things first appear. inextricably intertwined with the world’s Sarah Paulson, who has established herself as a largest company: a Walmart heiress, a credible actor over the years, is menacing as the maverick executive, and a longtime Walmart unstable, scary nurse who first does things with the saleswoman and preacher who dared to fight idea to help her patients, but very quickly becomes against the retail giant in the biggest class overpowered by the darker side of her ‘self ’. action lawsuit in US history. Adams, 45, will star as one of the leads and executive produce via her production company Bond Group Entertainment along with Stacy O’Neil, Netflix announced in a press release. McKay will direct the first episode of the series and also executive produce along with Betsy Koch via Hyperobject Industries. Diana Son of 13 Reasons Why fame will serve as showrunner on the show, which has been created and written by Jess Kimball Leslie. Adams, best known for films such as Arrival, American Hustle, Doubt, The Master and The Fighter, will next star in Joe Wright’s The Woman in the Window. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 20 SPIRITUALITY FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020

Online Quiz on audience's knowledge of The Bhagavad Gita BHAGAVAD GITA: Timeless Vote of Thanks Mr. Mohamed Imran, Director of Wisdom For Today's Challenges Centre for Interfaith Understanding (CIFU), Singapore By Mabel Pais Questions: "As the entire planet faces the COVID Contact Jon Radwan, Director of the pandemic, collaborating across faith Institute for Communication and traditions has become more important than ever. The Gita shares deep lessons Religion, at [email protected] on unity, duty, and equanimity that can About Gita Jayanti Committee share spiritual light in challenging times." - Jon Radwan, Director - Seton Singapore Hall University's ICR (NJ) Gita Jayanti Singapore celebrations he Bhagavad Gita and Humanity had its humble beginnings in the late Today," the International Gita 1990s. TSymposium 2020, will take place In 1997, Krishna Our Guide (KOG) and on August 14, 2020 online free and open to the National University of Singapore the public, 8-10 a.m. (US Eastern time, 8- Hindu Society observed the holy day by 10 p.m. (Singapore Time). Seton Hall congregationally reciting the Gita in full. University's Institute for Kurukshetra, the battlefield of the Mahabharata Dr. T.K. Krishnamurthy of the NUS Law Communication and Religion (SHU-ICR), Faculty graced the occasion, which New Jersey and the Gita Jayanti attracted a participation of around 200 Committee, Singapore will co-host. enthusiastic devotees. This virtual forum brings 1998 saw the event being erected on a international scholars and faith leaders grander canvas. All Hindu temples and together to explore practical wisdom various Hindu organisations in shared in the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Singapore contributed to the noble effort Hindu spiritual masterpiece. This event of making Gita Jayanti a major annual will feature both expert presentations event for all, hosted by Singapore and audience questions to help connect Hindus. H.H. Swami Hariharji Maharaj timeless wisdom to contemporary Dr. Jon Radwan Dr. A.D. Amar Dr. J.M. Stebbins at 102, founder of the Geeta Ashram, was challenges. the special guest-of-honor. Seton Hall has a strong history of In 2000, under the leadership of Dr. V.P. interfaith collaboration, and the Nair from the Chinmaya Seva Centre, Bhagavad Gita has been taught as a Core another highlight was added to the event text required of all Freshmen since 2006. - the Geeta Chanting and Essay Writing Members of Seton Hall faculty Competitions. Rolling trophies for both participating in the event include A. D. competitions were sponsored by Dr. Nair. Amar, Ph.D., Professor of Management, The competitions, the only one of their Stillman School of Business; Michael kind, attracted active participation from Stebbins, Ph.D., Toth/Lonergan Visiting Dr. A. Brill Mr. G. Srinivasan Swami Sarvapriyananda the children, youth and parents alike. Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies; Swami Mitrananda from the Chinmaya Jon Radwan, Ph.D., Director - Institute Mission graced the occasion with his for Communication and Religion (ICR); dynamic presence. and Rabbi Alan Brill, Ph.D., The 2002 celebrations saw yet another Cooperman/Ross Endowed Chair for programme being added to the already Jewish-Christian Studies. mammoth scale of the event - the Gita ICR Director Jon Radwan is looking Forum, which hoped to expand the reach forward to the event with great of the timeless message of the Gita and excitement. "Seton Hall's Institute for magnify the event's nationwide scope. To Communication and Religion is kicking learn more, visit Swami Samachittananda Prof. Vineeta Sinha Mr. M. Imran off its fourth year with our biggest event https://www.gitajayanti.org.sg yet, our online International Gita Photos / Courtesy SHU.EDU ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY Symposium." He added, "As the entire Shemaroo, a leading media and content Visiting Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies, Seton Hall University, USA planet faces the COVID pandemic, distribution company in India. One of the country's leading collaborating across faith traditions has MUST REGISTER to attend. Presentations universities, Seton Hall, New Jersey has become more important than ever. The Inter-Religious Inclusivity and The been showing the world what great To learn more about topics presented, Gita shares deep lessons on unity, duty, for speaker bios and to register, visit Bhagavad Gita" by Dr. Jon Radwan, minds can do since 1856. Home to nearly and equanimity that can share spiritual https://www.shu.edu/communication- Director - Institute for Communication 10,000 undergraduate and graduate light in challenging times." religion/international-gita- and Religion, Seton Hall University students and offering more than 90 Guest speakers include Mr. G. symposium.cfm College of Communication and the Arts, rigorous academic programs, Seton Srinivasan, Chairman, Gita Jayanti To learn more, Singapore registrants, USA. Hall's academic excellence has been Committee, Singapore; Swami visit "Bhagavad Gita and Interfaith singled out for distinction by The Sarvapriyananda, Minister and Spiritual https://gitajayanti.org.sg/events/gitasym Theology" Rabbi Alan Brill, Princeton Review, U.S. News & World posium2020.html Leader of Vedanta Society of New York; Cooperman/Ross Endowed Chair for Report and Bloomberg Businessweek. To register, Singapore registrants, visit Swami Samachittananda, President of https://tinyurl.com/yag63lg8 Jewish-Christian Studies, Seton Hall Seton Hall embraces students of all Ramakrishna Mission, Singapore; University, USA. religions and prepares them to be Professor Vineeta Sinha, Head of PROGRAM "The Bhagavad Gita applied to exemplary servant leaders and global Department of Sociology, National Friday, 14 August 2020 mankind today" Swami citizens. In the past decade, Seton Hall University of Singapore; and Mr. 8 - 10 a.m. (USA EDT time), 8 - 10 p.m. Sarvapriyananda, Minister and Spiritual students and alumni have received more Mohamed Imran, Director of Centre for (Singapore Time) Leader of Vedanta Society of New York than 30 Fulbright Scholarships as well as Interfaith Understanding, Singapore. Welcome of Ramakrishna Mission, New York, NY, other prestigious academic honors, This online event will be held 8 - 10 Dr. A.D. Amar, Professor of USA. including Boren Awards, Pickering a.m. (EDT time). It is free and open to the Management, Stillman School of "The Bhagavad Gita and spiritual life" Fellowships, Udall Scholarships and a public. Those interested in Business, Seton Hall University, USA by Swami Samachittananda, President of Rhodes Scholarship. For more understanding the wisdom of The Greetings Ramakrishna Mission, Singapore. information, visit www.shu.edu. Bhagavad Gita and appreciating its Mr. G. Srinivasan, Chairman, Gita "The Bhagavad Gita: Manual for (Mabel Pais writes on Spirituality, Social contemporary relevance are invited. Jayanti Committee, Singapore Modern Living" by Professor Vineeta Issues, Health & Wellness, and The Arts and Non-Hindus are especially welcome. Moderator Sinha, Head of Department of Sociology, Entertainment) National University of Singapore. The event will be simulcast by Dr. Mike Stebbins, Toth/Lonergan THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 FILM FESTIVAL 21 FILM FESTS HONOR WOMEN By Mabel Pais Bentonville (Arkansas) 6th Fest

“Within the context of a pandemic, and Film Festival were directed by women, "FAREWELL" l DIR/WRIT: Chris Chalk l the continued fight for social justice, we USA including 4 Spotlight features: Opening renew our deep commitment to night film, Oge Egbounu's acclaimed "FREELAND" l DIRS/WRIT: Kate underrepresented storytellers around McLean, Mario Furloni l USA the world. This year's virtual structure directorial debut, "(In)visible Portraits", "GOSSAMER FOLDS" l DIR: Lisa presents a unique opportunity that is not which shatters the too-often invisible Donato l WRIT: Bridget Flanery l USA lost on us as we use the power of the otherizing of Black women in America; digital world to share BFF's messaging "I'LL MEET YOU THERE" l DIR/WRIT: Philippa Lowthorpe's "Misbehavior", to far-reaching global audiences, Iram Parveen Bilal l CO-WRIT: Rajeev arguably more than we ever have." - starring Keira Knightley and Jessie Dassani l USA Geena Davis: Actor, Festival Co- Buckley, which tells the bizarre true "LINGUA FRANCA" l DIR/WRIT: Isabel Founder story of protest and controversy at 1970 Sandoval l U.S.A./Philippines BFF's 6th Annual Film Festival Miss World contest; "Parkland Rising", "SENECA" l DIR: Jason Chaet l WRIT: an inspiring look at the students of Armando Riesco l U.S.A./Puerto Rico Co-founder Academy Award®-winning Parkland, Florida, who started an "TAKE OUT GIRL" l DIR/WRIT: Hisonni Johnson l WRIT: Hedy Wong l USA Actor Geena Davis international movement to call attention "THE PLANTERS" l DIR/WRIT: A Hybrid Structure, Showcasing 68 to the need for better gun safety laws, by Pier Kids, poster - Photo /Bentonville FF Films Alexandra Kotcheff, Hannah Leder l two time EMMY award-winning Dedicated to Representation in Media USA filmmaker Cheryl Horner McDonough; EPISODIC Competition Over 80% of BFF's Feature Film "THE SUBJECT" l DIR: Lanie Zipoy l There are 14 episodic shorts. Directed by Women and Elegance Bratton's "Pier Kids", an WRIT: Chisa Hutchinson l USA intimate look at homeless queer and SPOTLIGHT SHORTS 65% BIPOC and 45% LGBTQIA+ DOCUMENTARY Competition trans youth of color in New York City There are 4 spotlight short regional August 10-16 "AHEAD OF THE CURVE" l DIR: Jen reels. that must contend with overwhelming Rainin l USA amounts of homophobia and abuse. Virtual Screenings, Panel Discussions "AMAZING GRACE" l DIR: Lynn About the Bentonville Film and Special Live Events The Festival has a lineup of Spotlight Montgomery l USA Festival he Bentonville Film Foundation Features, films in the Narrative "BLACK BOYS" l DIR: Sonia Lowman l (BFF) announced their spotlight Competition, Documentary Competition, USA Co-founded by Academy Award® Tand competition program of Shorts Competition, and Episodic "COMING CLEAN" l DIR: Ondi Timoner l winner Geena Davis & Inclusion independent feature films, Competition. For more information, visit USA Companies CEO Trevor Drinkwater, the documentaries, shorts, and episodic www.bentonvillefilmfestival.com "THE DONUT KING" l DIR/WRIT: Alice Bentonville Film Festival is a one of a kind titles for the 2020 Bentonville Film SPOTLIGHT FEATURES Gu l CO-WRIT: Carol Martori annual event that champions inclusion in Festival, August 10-16. "HUNGRY TO LEARN" l DIR: Geeta all forms of media. The Bentonville Film "(IN)VISIBLE PORTRAITS" l DIR: Oge Gandbhir l USA Co-founded by Academy Award®- Egbuonu, U.S.A. Festival is held every year in Bentonville, winning actor Geena Davis, BFF is a one- "JULIA SCOTTI: FUNNY THAT WAY" l Arkansas, and includes an impactful "MISBEHAVIOUR" l DIR: Philippa DIR: Susan Sandler l USA of-a-kind event, uniquely dedicated to Lowthorpe l Writer: Rebecca Frayn, UK Inclusion, Research and Content Summit. "MAVERICKS" l DIR: Michael Michele l championing underrepresented voices "PARKLAND RISING" l DIR: Cheryl USA Connecting engaged entertainment in film, entertainment and media. The Horner McDonough l USA industry leaders and major corporate "MY DARLING VIVIAN" l DIR: Matt 6th annual film festival will be presented "PIER KIDS" l DIR/WRITER: Elegance Riddlehoover l USA changemakers with a diverse array of Bratton l U.S.A. as a hybrid structure, pairing digital "THE NEW BAUHAUS" l DIR: Alysa storytellers affords BFF the unique screenings, panels and events alongside NARRATIVE Competition Nahmias l USA opportunity to amplify commercially select on-the-ground premieres and "A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL" l "PERSONHOOD" l DIR: Jo Ardinger l viable content and champion stories that conversations. DIR/WRIT: Aimee Long l USA USA adequately represent the world around us. The program includes 68 films "BREAKING FAST" l DIR/WRIT: Mike "TRANSHOOD" l DIR: Sharon Liese l Because if they can see it, they can be it! representing female, BIPOC (65%) and Mosallam l USA USA For more information and updates, visit LGBTQIA+ (45%) filmmakers. More "DEFINITION PLEASE" l DIR/WRIT: SHORTS Competition www.bentonvillefilmfestival.com. Sujata Day l USA than 80% of films at the 2020 Bentonville There are 26 short films. Women Texas 5th Fest: Leaders, Radicals, Story tellers “Curating. Discovering, introducing, and Additional FEATURE-LENGTH FILMS throughout its lineup. presenting dynamic female filmmakers A WHORE LIKE ME l DIRS: Sharon Yaish, and giving them an enthusiastic platform Opening Night : TAHARA l DIR: Olivia Yael Shachar l Israel l 1h2m to show their work, discuss it, and Peace l USA l 1h22m DOBERMAN l DIR: Azul Lombardia l celebrate their audacity to put those Carrie Lowstein and Hannah Rosen Argentina l 1h12m thoughts, ideas, and visions onscreen for have been inseparable for as long as they us all to share is what is behind the work FAR EAST DEEP SOUTH l DIR: Larissa A scene from "Tahara" - we do - whether we see that film on a big can remember. When their former Lam l USA l 1h16m Photo / CourtesyWildworks PR screen or in our living rooms or our Hebrew school classmate, Samantha FATED HEARTS l DIRS: Elif Akarsu Polat, laptops." - Justina Walford, WTxFF Goldstein, commits suicide, the two girls Cigdem Bozali l Turkey l 1h43m at 5pm until midnight August 16th. Founder-Artistic Director go to her funeral as well as the "Teen Talk- HONEYBEE l DIR: Rama Ra l Canada l Q&As and panels will be announced and Women Texas Film Festival 5th back" session designed to be an 1h30m viewable here: https://wtxff.eventive.org/ edition opportunity for them to understand grief NEVER GOING BACK l DIR: Janette A. . Stay tuned for details at womentxff.org. through their faith. But, after an innocent López l Mexico l 1h6m August 13-16 : Olivia Peace's TAHARA ABOUT WOMEN TEXAS FILM FESTIVAL kissing exercise turns Carrie's world OUTLAW l DIR: Ksenia Ratushnaya l Women Texas Film Festival (WTxFF) Opening Night and WTxFF favorite Lisa Russia l 1h35m Donato's GOSSAMER FOLDS Closing Night inside out, the best friends find promotes established and emerging SEND ME TO THE CLOUDS l DIR: Teng Women Texas Film Festival, the themselves distracted by the teenage Congcong l China l 1h36m female storytellers in film and TV, critically acclaimed Dallas-based Festival complications of lust, social status, and THE REFORMIST: A FEMALE IMAM l celebrating the range and power of in its 5th year, focuses solely on the work wavering faith. DIR: Marie Skovgaard l Denmark l 1h30m women's voices. WTxFF screens qualified of visionary female filmmakers, August Closing Night : GOSSAMER FOLDS l DIR The Shorts Program is categorized as films that have women in at least one key 13-16. Pivoting to an all-virtual Lisa Donato l USA l 1h36m COMEDY SHORTS (85m), HORROR creative role: Writer, Producer, Director, presentation, Olivia Peace's teenage In 1986, ten-year-old Tate is uprooted SHORTS (61m), ISOLATION SHORTS Cinematographer, Editor. For more comedy "TAHARA" opens the film festival and unwillingly moved to the suburbs of (98m), MAGICAL REALISM SHORTS (91 information on Women Texas Film min), TEXAS SHORTS (77m). and Lisa Donato's "GOSSAMER FOLDS" Kansas City. As his parent's marriage Festival, visit www.WomenTxFF.org. is the Closing Night Selection for WTxFF. unravels, Tate finds solace in the unlikely All films can be viewed for free with an (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and These will again feature LGBTQIA+ friendships of his next-door neighbors: a option to donate. Seating is limited. Also, Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, stories, provocative documentaries, and retired college professor and his all films except exclusive screenings can and Spirituality) Texas-based female filmmakers transgender daughter, Gossamer. be viewed at any time starting August 13th THE INDIAN PANORAMA 22 WORLD FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020

Chinese court sentences Canadian to 75th anniversary of Hiroshima bombing death for making drugs HIROSHIMA (TIP): Bells tolled in BEIJING (TIP): A Chinese court Hiroshima on Thursday for the 75th sentenced a Canadian to death on anniversary of the world’s first atomic Thursday for making drugs, the third bombing. Canadian to be sentenced to death for Though thousands usually pack the drugs in China since Canada detained Peace Park in the centre of the Japanese a top executive of Chinese company in city to offer paper cranes as a symbol of 2018. peace, entry was sharply limited. The Canadian, identified as Xu As the Peace Bell sounded, the crowd Weihong, was sentenced after a trial in observed silence at the exact time the the southern city of Guangzhou, the bomb exploded. Reuters Guangzhou Intermediate Court said in a notice on its website. It did not say what drugs he had been convicted of making, nor give any other details about his crime. The court ordered his property to be Japanese PM Shinzo Abe pays homage to the victims of the atomic bombing at confiscated. Reuters was not Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. immediately able to determine if Xu REUTERS has a lawyer. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, asked about the case at a regular briefing, said drug crimes were very serious and everyone was equal before the law. French President Macron urges "China's relevant authorities handled the case independently according to law. I don't think it should have any effect on China-Canada independent probe of blast relations," Wang said. A Chinese national, Wen Guanxiong, BEIRUT (TIP): French President was also charged with making drugs in Emmanuel Macron says an independent, the same case and jailed for life, the transparent investigation into the court said in its notice. massive explosion in Beirut is “owed to The Canadian embassy in China did the victims and their families” by not immediately respond to a request Lebanese authorities. for comment. Relations between China During a visit to the city on Thursday, and Canada deteriorated sharply after Macron walked past gutted silos and Canada detained Meng Wanzhou, the charred carcasses of cargo containers. chief financial officer of telecoms Angry crowds approached him and the equipment giant Huawei Technologies, Beirut governor as they walked through in Vancouver in late 2018, on a warrant a blast-torn street, and through a from the United States. devastated pharmacy. China last year sentenced Canadians After meeting with political leaders Robert Lloyd Schellenberg and Fan later, the French leader mentioned the Wei to death on drug charges in “anger in the street” he had witnessed separate cases. Both men have lodged earlier. appeals. Two other Canadian men -- He said: “There is a political, moral, businessman Michael Spavor and economic and financial crisis that has Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat -- lasted several months, several years. were detained in China days after This implies strong political Meng's arrest, and were charged in responsibility.” June 2020 with espionage. He said he discussed addressing He said: “There is a He said Cyprus will also dispatch China has denied that their arrest is corruption and other needed reforms additional rescuers and paramedics on linked to Meng's case. Reuters with Lebanon’s president and prime political, moral, economic top of the 10 emergency response Bank of England minister. and financial crisis that personnel and eight sniffer dogs sent on “I came here to show the support of has lasted several Wednesday. holds interest rates the French nation for the Lebanese Christodoulides said private people,” Macron said, stressing the word months, several years. companies have responded to an appeal at record low “people”. This implies strong to provide quantities of aluminium and LONDON (TIP): The Bank of Media reports in the nation of Georgia glass that Lebanon needs to rebuild. England left its benchmark interest say the tons of ammonium nitrate that political responsibility.” Denmark is donating 12 million kroner rate at a record low of 0.1 per cent exploded in Beirut originated from the He said he discussed ($1.9 million) to Lebanon, chiefly to be amid caution about how rapidly the Georgian city of Rustavi, home to a large channelled via the Red Cross, and 600 United Kingdom will recover from the chemical production plant. addressing corruption chemical protection suits. COVID-19 pandemic. The bank also left The company that operates the plant and other needed reforms Development Minister Rasmus Prehn its target for buying government and issued a statement on Thursday that said Tuesday’s explosions in Beirut corporate bonds unchanged at 745 neither confirmed nor denied the with Lebanon’s president come “at the worst possible time” for billion pounds (USD 980 billion). The provenance of the 2,750 tons of the and prime minister. Lebanon. “The country’s economy and decision announced on Thursday was chemical stored in a Beirut warehouse health care are already completely on widely expected as economists forecast that is believed to have been touched off Georgia or in the city of Rustavi. their knees,” he said. data released next week will show the by a fire. Cyprus’ foreign minister says a team “And COVID-19 just makes the economy shrank less than expected in The ammonium nitrate — a highly of Cypriot doctors will travel to Lebanon situation worse. At the same time, the the second quarter. In May, when the explosive component of fertilizers — had on Sunday to help treat the wounded country is home to 1.5 million refugees central bank released its last report, been stored there since 2013 despite from Tuesday’s blast in Beirut. who also need support.” policymakers estimated gross repeated warnings. Nikos Christodoulides told private So far this year, Denmark has provided domestic product would shrink 25 per Rustavi Azot said it has been operating Sigma TV that Greece will provide a 32 million kroner ($5.1 million) in cent during the quarter. The average of the plant “only for the past three years” military transport plane to carry humanitarian aid to Lebanon, mainly to economist estimates now puts the and was unable to confirm whether the specialized equipment needed in help refugees in the Middle Eastern decline at less than 19 per cent. AP ammonium nitrate was produced in Lebanon. country. AP THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 WORLD 23

Google pulls 2,500 New disease kills 7, infects China-linked YouTube channels over 60 in China disinformation BEIJING (TIP): A new infectious BEIJING (TIP): Google says it has disease caused by a tick-borne virus has deleted more than 2,500 YouTube killed seven people and infected 60 others channels tied to China as part of its in China, official media here reported on effort to weed out disinformation on Wednesday, warning about the the videosharing platform. possibility of its human-to-human The Alphabet-owned company said transmission. the channels were removed between More than 37 people in East China’s April and June "as part of our ongoing Jiangsu Province contracted with the investigation into coordinated SFTS Virus in the first half of the year. influence operations linked to China." Later, 23 people were found to have been The channels generally posted infected in East China’s Anhui province, "spammy, non-political content," but a state-run Global Times quoted media small subset touched on politics, the reports. company said in a quarterly bulletin A woman from Nanjing, capital of on disinformation operations. Jiangsu, who suffered from the virus Google did not identify the specific showed onset of symptoms such as fever, channels and provided few other coughing. Doctors found a decline of details, except to link the videos to leukocyte, blood platelet inside of her similar activity spotted by Twitter and body. to a disinformation campaign After a month of treatment, she was Virologists believe that the infection may have been passed on to humans by ticks and that the identified in April by social media discharged from the hospital. virus can be transmitted between humans. analytics company Graphika. At least seven people have died in infection may have been passed on to be excluded; patients can pass the virus The Chinese Embassy in the US Anhui and East China’s Zhejiang humans by ticks and that the virus can be to others via blood or mucous. didn't immediately respond to a province due to the virus, the report said. transmitted between humans, it said. Doctors warned that tick bite is the message seeking comment. Beijing has SFTS Virus is not a new virus. China Sheng Jifang, a doctor from the first major transmission route, as long as in the past denied allegations of has isolated pathogen of the virus in affiliated hospital under Zhejiang people remain cautious, there’s no need spreading disinformation. 2011, and it belongs to the Bunyavirus University, said that the possibility of to over panic over such virus contagion, Disinformation seeded by foreign category. Virologists believe that the human-to-human transmission could not it said. PTI actors has emerged as a burning concern for American politicians and technologists alike since the 2016 presidential election, when Russian Meghan Markle wins plea to keep government-linked actors pumped hundreds of thousands of deceptive messages into the social media ecosystem. friends anonymous in UK court Many have spent the past four years trying to avoid a repeat of 2016, with LONDON (TIP): Meghan Markle, the Markle is seeking damages from ANL companies like Google and Facebook Duchess of Sussex, on Wednesday won for alleged misuse of private issuing regular updates on how they're an attempt to keep five of her friends information, copyright infringement combating online propaganda. anonymous in her ongoing High Court and breach of the UK Data Protection The bulletin also mentioned activity legal action in London over breach of Act. tied to other countries, including Iran privacy against ‘The Mail on Sunday' Publishers ANL wholly deny the and Russia. Reuters newspaper owners Associated allegations, including the claim that the Newspaper Limited (ANL). letter was edited in any way that 3 men rescued from Lawyers for Markle, who turned 39 on changed its meaning, and have pledged Pacific island after Tuesday, had argued for the friends who to strongly contest the case. gave an interview to ‘People' magazine to The court has previously heard that writing SOS in sand remain anonymous in reports of the Markle became "the subject of a large WELLINGTON (TIP): Three men proceedings. The legal team for ANL, number of false and damaging articles" have been rescued from a tiny Pacific which denies all allegations, had resisted in the press while she was pregnant with island after writing a giant SOS sign in the application. her son Archie, which caused her the sand that was spotted from above, "I have concluded that for the time "tremendous emotional distress and authorities say. being at least the court should grant the damage to her mental health". The case The men had been missing in the claimant the orders she seeks, the effect will proceed to trial at a later date. Micronesia archipelago for nearly of which will be to confer protection on Harry and Meghan are now based in three days when their distress signal the sources' identities,” said Justice the US with their one-year-old son was spotted Sunday on uninhabited Mark Warby in a ruling at the Royal Archie after they stepped back as Pikelot Island by searchers on Courts of Justice. frontline royals earlier this year. The Australian and U.S. aircraft, the "That is confidential information, the couple recently also began court Australian defense department said protection of which at this stage is proceedings in July in Los Angeles after Monday. The men had apparently set necessary in the interests of the drones were allegedly used to take out from Pulawat atoll in a 7-meter (23- administration of justice. This is an pictures of their baby boy. foot) boat on July 30 and had intended interim decision," he noted. the article to be published in ‘People'. On Tuesday, members of the royal to travel about 43 kilometers (27 miles) The ‘People' article referenced in court The UK court battle revolves around family took to social media to wish to Pulap atoll when they sailed off involved the former actress' friends the reproduction of sections of a Markle for her 39th birthday.A picture of course and ran out of fuel, the speaking out against her alleged "private and confidential" handwritten Markle with Queen Elizabeth II was department said. Searchers in Guam bullying and they have so far only been note Markle sent to her estranged father, posted on the British monarch's official asked for Australian help. The military identified in confidential court 75-year-old Thomas Markle, in August Twitter account with the words: ship, Canberra, which was returning documents, according to ‘The Daily 2018. "Wishing The Duchess of Sussex a very to Australia from exercises in Hawaii, Telegraph'. The focus is on five articles in total – happy birthday!". diverted to the area and joined forces Markle, the wife of Prince Harry, says two in the ‘Mail on Sunday' and three on A similar message also appeared on with U.S. searchers from Guam. The her friends gave the interview without ‘MailOnline' – which were published in the account of Harry's brother Prince men were found about 190 kilometers her knowledge, and denies a claim made February 2019 and reproduced parts of William and wife Kate Middleton, the (118 miles) from where they had set by ANL that she "caused or permitted" the letter. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. PTI out. AP THE INDIAN PANORAMA 24 WOMEN FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020

CONNOISSEUR’S OPTIMISING YOUR SPACE CHOICE WITH CURTAINS he right curtains and how they hang can make or break By Tript Arora Tthe look of a room. And, unlike other features and furniture, can be used cleverly to alter one’s BAKED VEGETABLES very perception of the size of the space they’re in. Here are our top his recipe is close to tips on using curtains to make the my heart as I evolved most of your space. Tit to get my daughter to eat veggies. She used to How to make a room look be a fussy eater when it bigger or smaller? came to vegetables so I used this method to make her eat Hang them high on the wall, right some greens. And it worked up near the ceiling. This draws the like magic on her. You can eye upwards creating an illusion of make it too to make your height. kids eat vegetables. Not just Stripes can fool the eye so kids but grown-ups also will depending on the size of your room, drool over this one. Firstly the right stripe direction can make take vegetables of your it appear larger or smaller. For choice e.g today I have made small rooms with low ceilings with carrots, corns, french beans and red bell pepper as choose vertical stripes to add these were lying in my fridge . You can also add broccoli, height. Horizontal stripes will mushrooms and peas subject to availability. Boneless visually shorten wide walls and/or chicken can also be added . It tastes super. Saute these high ceilings. vegetables with garlic and add them to white sauce, Avoid heavily colored horizontal with chilli flakes and oregano. Top it with cheese, patterns or large flowered prints, oregano and chilli flakes . It is then baked in oven till the which tend to dominate a room, cheesy layer on top melts. The creamy soft vegetables closing it in. wrapped in melted cheese just disappear in the mouth. Choosing a fabric in a slightly lighter shade of the wall colour will heat. If there is something in the and sensible casual look. By We need also help to open up a room. Dark way under the window (eg. a leaving no more than a centimetre 2 Cups of finely chopped vegetables, 10 cloves of coloured curtains will do the heating device or perhaps it’s a bay of space between curtain and floor garlic finely chopped, 1 Tbsp cooking oil, 1 Tbsp of opposite if you want to make a large window) you will only be able to they’re practical too as floating grated Ginger, 2 Tbsp All purpose flour (Maida), 2 Tbsp space cosier. hang them to the sill or just below. curtains don’t gather dust on the Salted (Yellow) butter, 1Tsp Black pepper powder, 1 Tsp Adjustable or long solid curtain We’d also recommend considering floor. They are also easier to open Chilli flakes, 1 Tsp Oregano, 1 Tsp Pizza Seasoning( rods can also work towards creating shorter curtains in children’s and close so there’s no room they optional), 350 ml Milk, 1/2 Tsp Cinamon powder( that impression of spaciousness. rooms also. Floor length curtains won’t work in (except the optional), ¼ Tsp of Nutmeg powder, 2 Tbsp grated This way you can pull the curtains pose a safety risk as they can be bathroom, laundry and kitchen). Mozzarella cheese, Salt to taste. right to the side exposing the frame reached and pulled down or kids Touching curtains require and therefore the full width of the play in them, wrapping themselves expert measurement as just a Here we go window, making it look larger and up and potential restricting centimetre too short or long and „ Heat a pan and add cooking oil to it. When the oil is letting in more light. breathing. you have a completely different heated add finely chopped garlic to it. Saute it for a look. However, it is a clean and minute. But the garlic should not change colour. How long should Should they touch simple choice perfect for all Now add finely chopped vegetables to it. Saute it for curtains be? the floor? rooms (same exceptions as above). two minutes. Add ginger and salt to it. Vegetables Better on hard surface floors as will release water after the salt is added. Cover the Down to the floor is the best There are several variations on opposed to carpet, which it can pan and let the vegetables cook in its own water. It length. They look good and in what constitutes ‘floor length’. pull against when opening and will take 5 min on low flame to get the vegetables winter, perform better at retaining Floating curtains offer a simple closing. done. Meanwhile stir it two three times to cook them evenly. . Switch off the flame when veggies become soft but not mushy.Keep aside. „ Now let us make white sauce. Heat a pan and add OVERNIGHT HAIR MASK FOR NOURISHMENT butter to it. As soon as it melts add all purpose flour to it. Mix well. Saute till the raw smell of flour goes air masks work the best to add shine, strength, but the colour of flour doesn't change. nourishment and promote hair growth. Certain „ Gradually add milk ( at room temperature). While Hmasks also target specific issues like hair fall, adding milk keep on stirring it with a whisker, so frizz and dryness. Today, we’re here to bring to you a that no lumps are formed. Add milk in batches. hair mask that works for overall nourishment while Soon the mixture will turn into smooth white also dealing with hair and scalp issues. sauce. Keep on stirring otherwise it will stick to the bottom. All you need „ Add black pepper powder and cinnamon powder to „ 2 tablespoons of coconut oil the sauce. Grate a nutmeg with a fine grater and „ 2 tablespoons of yoghurt add ¼ tsp of it to the white sauce. It enhances the „ 3-4 vitamin E capsules depending on your hair taste of the dish. Now is the turn to add previously length sauteed vegetables to the white sauce. Mix well. „ Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until you get a Add oregano and chilli flakes. Keep on stirring to smooth paste. combine the flavours. „ Start applying the same on your scalp and hair „ Cover it with a lid. Let it simmer for 5 minutes. while massaging thoroughly for 15 minutes. Keep on checking it in between. When the mixture „ Wear a shower cap and leave on the mask to work looks homogenous, switch off the flame. Mix well. its magic overnight. „ Take this out in a baking dish. Spread some grated „ Wash off with shampoo and conditioner in the mozzarella cheese on top. Sprinkle chilli flakes and morning to reveal a soft, shiny mane. oregano on it. Bake it in a preheated oven on 180 degrees for 8 min or until cheese melts and form a Benefits layer. Take out from oven and serve hot with Garlic „ Coconut oil works as a great conditioner while also best natural ingredients to cleanse the scalp and bread. promotes scalp health. It also deals with scalp smoothen hair shafts. issues like dandruff. It also contributes to dealing „ Vitamin E oil is one of the best ingredients to You Can reach me at: www.triptasfoodtunnel.com with hair problems like split ends and breakage. nourish hair topically. IThe anti-oxidant deals Email : [email protected]. „ Filled with proteins and lactic acid, it is one of the with scalp issues and promotes hair growth. Instagram: @triptasfoodtunnel THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 HEALTH 25 ANTIBIOTICS MAY UP HEART DISEASE RISK IN PEOPLE WITH DIABETES esearchers have found that bacterial infections may Relevate the risk of coronary heart disease in individuals with type 1 diabetes. For the findings, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, the research team wanted to investigate the association between bacterial infections and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in type 1 STUDY EXPLAINS HOW YOU diabetes. "We were able to study the CAN CUT DOWN THE RISK OF association between antibiotic purchases, endotoxemia and DEMENTIA SIGNIFICANTLY incident coronary heart disease in one of the largest cohorts of recent study has found that there are some individuals with type 1 diabetes," specific things that make a person more said study authors from Folkhalsan Asusceptible to developing dementia, and that if Research Centre (FRC), in Finland. these risk factors are reduced, the chances of "As diabetic nephropathy has a dementia decrease, too. In fact, the study mentions 12 substantial impact on both the risk risk factors which, when reduced, can delay or prevent of CVD as well as the risk of this mental illness in 40 per cent of cases. infections, we further studied this Published in the Lancet medical journal, the study association at different stages of finds three additional risk factors for dementia, along diabetic nephropathy," authors with the nine already listed in a 2017 paper. These added. include excessive consumption of alcohol, a head The findings showed that among injury in mid-life, and exposure to air pollution in 3,781 individuals with type 1 diabetes, derived from the outer layer of gram- from FRC. later life which, together, have been found to be 370 developed coronary heart disease negative bacteria) was also a risk "Interestingly, in our study this associated with six per cent of all dementia cases. over an average follow-up of 13.7 factor for coronary heart disease. association to incident coronary While an estimated three per cent of cases were years. "In broader terms, the present heart disease was seen specifically connected to head injuries, one per cent of cases was Antibiotic purchases, reflecting study demonstrates how infections with antibiotic purchases, making the linked to high alcohol consumption, and two per cent bacterial infections in outpatient associate with the development of late potential pathophysiologic to air pollution. The remaining factors made up 34 per care, were significant risk factors for diabetic complications and perhaps mechanisms behind this finding cent of all dementia cases. coronary heart disease, with a 21 per even more importantly, how intriguing and warranting further The factors that make up the bigger proportion of cent increased risk for each annual infections associate with the studies." dementia cases include less early education, hearing antibiotic purchase, according to the development of coronary heart The researchers noted that more loss in middle age and smoking later in life. researchers. disease, as the latter relationship has studies are needed to further According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), A high blood level of bacterial been disputed during recent years," elucidate the pathophysiologic there are around 50 million people around the world lipopolysaccharides (large molecules said author Johan Rasmus Simonsen mechanisms behind this association. who have dementia, and nearly 10 million new cases come up every year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, which is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older CONVALESCENT PLASMA LOWERS people worldwide. Published by 28 leading dementia academics, the new study lays out a set of policies and lifestyle changes to help prevent the condition. According to COVID-19 DEATH RISK The National, lead author Professor Gill Livingston of University College London has said: “Our report nfusions of antibody-rich blood shows that it is within the power of policymakers and plasma from people who have individuals to prevent and delay a significant Irecovered from the new proportion of dementia, with opportunities to make coronavirus, known as convalescent an impact at each stage of a person’s life. plasma, can lower the risk of death Interventions are likely to have the biggest impact on for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, those who are disproportionately affected by dementia according to a pooled analysis of risk factors, like those in low and middle-income data from eight earlier studies of countries and vulnerable populations, including more than 700 hospitalized patients black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.” around the world. Researchers found that mortality rates were roughly 13 percent in patients who PAGE SPONSORED BY received convalescent plasma versus about 25 percent for those DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND who did not get the treatment. Convalescent plasma was shown DR. SATISH ANAND to be safe in an earlier study of 5,000 Former Chairman, Board of hospitalized adults with severe or doctors followed them afterward. were never infected with the virus Trustees, AAPI National life-threatening COVID-19. In that "Given the safety of plasma nonetheless have T cells that also E-Mail: study, fewer than 1 percent of administration in COVID-19 recognize it. Researchers had [email protected] patients had any serious adverse patients, the results ... provide suspected that in these individuals, effects in the first four hours after encouragement for its continued past exposure to other transfusion. The current study used as a therapy," the researchers coronaviruses, such as those that GITANJLI ANAND could not account for differences in write in a report published ahead of cause the common cold, had Former President, India factors such as how sick patients peer. In patients with COVID-19, the somehow primed their T cells to Association of Long Island were, how much plasma they immune system's T cells learn to recognize and attack this new (IALI) received, how long they were sick recognize and target the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and new E-mail: before the received it, and how long coronavirus. But some people who research appears to confirm that. [email protected] THE INDIAN PANORAMA 26 SCIENCE & TECH FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 FILES BY GOOGLE GETS NEW ENCRYPTED SAFE FOLDER, HERE’S HOW IT WORKS oogle has rolled out a new update for its popular ‘Files Gby Google’ application. The latest update brings a new Safe folder within the app. The folder can MYSTERIOUS TAIL-LIKE be furthered secured by setting up for four-digit PIN, akin to your CLOUD FORMS OVER smartphone passcode. Google says that the folder is VOLCANO ON MARS encrypted and automatically locks in the background when you switch weird-looking, extremely elongated white to another application. When you cloud is back as it has been spotted after re-open the folder, it will ask you the Aalmost two years over an extinct Martian PIN for verification. volcano, Arsia Mons which is located just a bit south Google hopes the new feature will of the Martian equator. The scientists were waiting help women and children from for this rather periodical event with European Space accidentally giving away private Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express orbiter. data to someone else. The scientists have named it the cloud as Arsia Google further revealed that Files Mons Elongated Cloud (AMEC). As per ESA, the tail- by Google is currently used by 150 like cloud made of water ice can be as long as 1,800 million monthly users around the km. It is formed when local winds interact with the world. The application had topography in a certain way and not because of the launched in 2017 with an objective volcano it forms over. to help users with low-end phones “We have been investigating this intriguing which do not have enough storage. phenomenon and were expecting to see such a cloud Since the release, Files by Google petabytes of space on users, an second. form around now,” Jorge Hernandez-Bernal, a PhD has deleted over 1 trillion files, equivalent of 1,400 years of non- Google’s Safe Folder feature is candidate at the University of the Basque Country which would have taken a user stop HD video recording. It also said available to beta for Files by Google in Spain and the lead author of the ongoing study, more than 30,000 years to manually that the application has helped users. The company will gradually said in a statement released by the ESA, which runs delete. The company claims the remove 12GB of space every space expand its availability to more the spacecraft. application has helped save over 400 which is about 5,000 photos per users over the following weeks. “This elongated cloud forms every Martian year during this season around the southern solstice, and repeats for 80 days or even more,” Hernandez-Bernal Scientists said. “However, we don’t know yet if the clouds are Chinese apps Baidu, Weibo always quite this impressive.” develop artificial GOOGLE MAY LAUNCH ITS blocked in India, to be taken skin capable of NEXT ASSISTANT SMART off app stores recreating sense SPEAKER LATER THIS MONTH of touch eibo and Baidu Search, two of oogle’s new Assistant smart speaker was China’s biggest apps that were ingapore researchers teased recently so we know that the launch is Wcalled the alternatives to have developed Gjust around the corner. According to new Twitter and Google Search, have been S"electronic skin" reports, this launch could happen as early as this blocked in India and according to capable of recreating a month itself. reports, will be taken off the Google sense of touch, an Tipster Roland Quandt posted on Twitter that a Play Store and the Apple App Store. innovation they hope will new Google Home will be hitting stores by the end of According to a Times of India report, allow people with August. Internet service providers have also prosthetic limbs to detect This upcoming smart speaker comes with the been told to block these two apps. An objects, as well as feel codename ‘J2’ and should have a price tag of 100 official source told TOI that Weibo and texture, or even euros ($120 or ?8,979 approx). The speaker has also Baidu Search are among 47 new apps temperature and pain. been pegged to be launched in two colours - Chalk that the Indian government banned on The device, dubbed ACES, and Charcoal. July 27 and added that the government or Asynchronous Coded So what exactly could this Google smart speaker is considering a decision to ban more Electronic Skin, is made up be? Reports suggest that most people are expecting it apps. of 100 small sensors and is to be the new Nest Speaker from Google that was in PM Narendra Modi had an account about 1 sq cm (0.16 square the news earlier this year. However, there is nothing on Weibo but he shut it down in the face inch) in size. in Quandt’s tweet that indicates that it is the Nest of escalating tensions between India The researchers at the Speaker. The Nest Speaker, when it was first and China. National University of reported about, came with the codename “prince”, Blocking of these 47 apps follows the Singapore say it can and there was no mention of a “J2” even in the most government’s first decision to ban 59 process information faster recent regulatory leaks. apps including the very popular TikTok than the human nervous and other apps like the UC Browser, system, is able to recognise Helo, Likee, Shareit, WeChat, 20 to 30 different textures CamScanner and Mi Community. and can read Braille letters These 59 apps were banned on June with more than 90 percent 29 and then the government added 47 accuracy. more apps to the ban list, however, this These apps have been banned for "So humans need to slide time around the list was not made engaging in activities that are to feel texture, but in this public. “prejudicial to the sovereignty and case the skin, with just a Most apps in this second list of 47 integrity of India, defence of India, single touch, is able to include clones, or lite versions, of some security of state and public order”. detect textures of different of the apps that were a part of the 59 Reports have it that the government roughness," said research banned like TikTok Lite, Shareit Lite, is also looking into 275 more Chinese team leader Benjamin Tee, CamScanner HD, BioLive Lite, Likee apps that include the likes of PUBG adding that AI algorithms Lite etc. Mobile and ByteDance’s Resso. let the device learn quickly. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 BIZ & FINANCE 27 Reliance Industries second biggest brand globally after Apple

illionaire Mukesh Ambani’s oil-to-telecom conglomerate BReliance Industries has been ranked second biggest brand after Apple on the FutureBrand Index 2020. “This year’s highest entrant at number two, Reliance Industries excels on every attribute,” FutureBrand said, releasing its 2020 VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRLINE Index. One of the most profitable FILES FOR US BANKRUPTCY companies in India, Reliance is, “very well respected” and “seen as PROTECTION behaving ethically” as well as being associated with “growth”, NEW YORK (TIP): Virgin Atlantic, the airline “innovative products” and “great founded by British businessman Richard Branson, customer service”, it said. “In filed Tuesday for protection in US bankruptcy court particular, people have a strong as it tries to survive the virus pandemic that is emotional connection with the hammering the airline industry. organisation.” FutureBrand, which The airline made the Chapter 15 filing in US federal is a global brand transformation bankruptcy court in New York after a proceeding in company, said part of Reliance’s the world has changed by Nvidia, Moutai, Nike, Microsoft, the United Kingdom. success could be attributed to dramatically, priorities have ASML, PayPal and Netflix. A spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic said the Mukesh Ambani’s recasting of the shifted and the globe’s top 100 Reliance ranks 91st on PWC 2020 bankruptcy filing is part of a court process in the firm as a one-stop-shop for Indians. companies are dealing with list, it said. United Kingdom to carry out a restructuring plan that “The chairman built on the challenges unthinkable even 12 “A slew of new entrants to our the airline announced last month. existing petrochemicals business, months ago. Index include ASML Holdings, The process is supported by a majority of the transforming it into a digital “The FutureBrand Index is a PayPal, Danaher, Saudi Aramco, airline's creditors, and the company hopes to emerge behemoth designed to meet every global perception study that and American Tower Corporation. from the process in September, she said. customer need. reorders PwC’s Global Top 100 In total, there are 15 new entrants A Virgin Atlantic lawyer said in a court filing that “Today, this company is engaged Companies by Market Cap on this year, seven of which make it the company needs an order from a US court to make in a number of sectors including perception strength rather than into the top 20, including Reliance terms of the restructuring apply in the US. energy, petrochemicals, textiles, financial strength,” it said. “While Industries slotting in at number The airline is primarily a long-haul operator, natural resources, retail, and the FutureBrand Index 2020 has two,” it said. including flights between the UK and the US It telecommunications. Now that uncovered a number of seismic The FutureBrand Index is not stopped flying in April due to the pandemic and only Google and Facebook are taking shifts in the way companies work based on consumer research. resumed flights in July. It closed a base at London's equity stakes in the firm, we may and how they present themselves to Unlike most other rankings, the Gatwick Airport and cut about 3,500 jobs. see Reliance jostling for the top the outside world, one key theme Index offers a rigorous assessment spot in the next Index,” it said. has stood out: individuality.” The of how prominent companies are US job market recovery FutureBrand said six years on 2020 list is topped by Apple, while doing and are likely to do over the from the first FutureBrand Index, Samsung is ranked third, followed next few years. appears to be slowing, services sector powering ahead Jeff Bezos sells $3.1 India’s Bharti Airtel partners with WASHINGTON (TIP): U.S. private employers hired billion of Amazon shares far fewer workers than expected in July as companies Amazon to grow cloud business exhausted loans to help with wages and new COVID-19 infections flared up across the country,supporting the NEW DELHI (TIP): after wealth jumps view that the nascent economic recovery was Bharti Airtel Ltd and he numbers are eye-popping: 1 faltering. Amazon Web Services million Amazon.com Inc. shares While other data on Wednesday showed activity in (AWS) will join forces to Toffloaded for more than $3.1 the vast services sector gained momentum in July as develop the Indian billion. And yet for the seller, Jeff new orders raced to a record high, hiring declined. telecoms firm’s cloud Bezos, it barely puts a dent in his stake The reports, together with a recent rise in business, allowing it to in the e-commerce giant. applications for unemployment benefits, suggest job offer a wider range of The disposal, disclosed Wednesday in growth pulled back sharply in July. The Labor products to its Securities and Exchange Commission Department will publish July’s employment report on enterprise clients, the filings, adds to a $4.1 billion sale earlier Friday. two companies said on this year. The proceeds are a fraction of “The economy will remain at risk of a renewed Wednesday. the amount that Bezos’s holdings have downturn so long as a vaccine or therapeutic for the Airtel Cloud increased this year as the Covid-19 virus remains out of reach,” said Oren Klachkin, currently provides data pandemic forced people to stay at home lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics in New centre and cloud and created a surge in demand for York. services to companies Amazon’s e-commerce services. The ADP National Employment Report showed and governments via For Bezos, 56, this year has been a private payrolls increased by 167,000 jobs last month different partnerships. reversal from years of relative after jumping by 4.314 million in June. Economists “AWS with the depth and breadth of our platform, and Airtel with its restraint in reducing his stake in polled by Reuters had forecast private payrolls would deep reach and expertise and focus, I think together we can build a set Amazon. He still holds more than 54 increase by 1.5 million in July. of really differentiated cloud products and go serve customers at scale million shares and is worth $189.8 Hiring weakened across the board last month. in India,” Puneet Chandok, President, India and South Asia at Amazon billion, according to the Bloomberg Payrolls for medium-sized businesses with 50 to 499 Internet Services told a virtual news conference. Billionaires Index. His net worth has employees fell 25,000. The sharp step-down in hiring New products could include data analytics, artificial intelligence surged by $74.9 billion this year with was attributed to the expiration of the U.S. and machine learning, and security services among others, the two Amazon stock rising 73%. government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) companies said. and the resurgence in coronavirus cases. The public cloud services market in India is expected to be worth The PPP was part of a historic fiscal package worth $7.1 billion in 2024, up from $3.4 billion this year, according to tech nearly $3 trillion that gave businesses loans that can researcher International Data Corp. be partially forgiven if used for employee pay. New The tie up with Bharti will offer Amazon’s web services business cases of the respiratory illness have exploded, direct access to the Indian firm’s more than 2,500 large enterprise especially in the densely-populated South and West customers and over a million emerging businesses. regions where authorities in hard-hit areas are Airtel customers will get sales and support from both companies. closing businesses again and pausing reopenings. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 28 ASTROLOGY FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020

Shree Ganeshaya Namah

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

The Indian Panorama brings you Weekly and Birthday Horoscope from the World's most trusted Vedic Astrologer Nastur Bejan Daruwalla. Weekly Horoscope August 10 - August 16, 2020 ARIES: Peace and calm now descend on you LEO: It's back to money matters once again. SAGITTARIUS: The vital role that relationships and yours. It had to come. There was nothing left You really need to swing back and forth, coping and good communication play will be very obvious for Ganesha to give you, and He had a mind to be with the cornucopia of plenty that Ganesha sends to you now. Interactions in the family circle with generous. Work, strife, confrontations are all you! And that means hard work, but you're not shy friends, and also with colleagues and superiors may handled with this new mind - set and nothing can of that. Stocks, shares, mutual and marital funds, see a few clashes/stand-offs, though they are upset you. Success comes to you no matter what profits, capital formation - the possibilities are cordial and pleasant for the most part. Also, a you turn to. A truly enviable state of being, and endless. So also, almost the rewards that come desire to enhance your skills/expertise/knowledge, richly deserved. Once again, what more can I add? your way thick and fast. Esteem, respect, social acquire greater learning both as an asset and for TAURUS: "All people matter to you now," as standing and status, above all, your own greatly the sheer joy and satisfaction of it! Kipling said - and highly. Family, children, loved enhanced self - image. But some caution will be CAPRICORN: -Targets and goals are what you ones, spouse / partner, parents, in - laws, necessary, too. will be focussed on, in a very big way,as you go into extended family, neighbours, colleagues - receive VIRGO: Once again, hard work and matching over-drive in the work scenario. Some really hard help, love, support in your new, caring avatar. rewards. So, says Ganesha, you really have no work is foretold - it may be linked to a new or New ventures, projects, proposals, partnerships cause to complain. Exciting possibilities, equally changed job, a promotion, or even a more profitable (fine P's, all of them) take off smoothly and exciting success in your ventures. Once again, line of work. Property and home issues, too, along existing ones are revamped or speeded up, In though, Ganesha advises caution, restraint, care with loans, funds, enhancement of these two, and turn, you yourself feel cherished, loved, cared for, in negotiations. Don't make rash or hasty your other assets, on the financial scene, all come as never before. commitments or investments. Read the fine print, together to keep you busy indeed. I can foresee your GEMINI: Power and glory, not only from your study the hidden clauses. You may be riding the determination and dedication! inner strengths, but in this material world we live crest of a wave, but you have to ensure you don't AQUARIUS:- In your own birth sign, you surge in - from money! And this trend will last through come crashing down. ahead in the 2 D's I've mentioned last week, along the year and spill over into this period as well. LIBRA: Accomplishments, targets, with the 3 D's of demands - that you make on Joint - funds, loans, capital, trusts, family achievements, success by whatever name you yourself, and those that others make on you, so that income, even domestic expenses - you attend to all choose to call it. And lots of possessions, you are more than ever aware of the need to earn and seek to improve and enhance them. Likewise, acquisitions, luxuries, assets that are objects of more, to provide more, to invest more. The material leases, legal matters and issues. If you are to beauty as well as wise investments. The rewards plane is the all-important one now, and you gear up reckon the profits, accruals, benefits, they are come in all shapes, sizes, hues and textures. The to face the challenges head-on, in true your sign emotional as well as financial. Greater details I can only leave to your imagination, and bull-like fashion, says Ganesha. contentment, great spirituality, too. your individual horoscope. All I can say is, you've PISCES: - The kind of flat-out slogging you've CANCER: Contacts, communications, worked hard for them. embarked on since the new moon phase is difficult reaching out by all possible means and media - SCORPIO: Glory, growth, and of course, to sustain indefinitely,so you decide to relax, have a that's the theme now. Opportunities for travel, Ganesha. Nothing could be more awesome in bit of fun. Love and romance, parties, the social too, in this theme, naturally. If you work in the splendour than these great G's. Your cup of circuit, all these and leisure arts, the media, in publicity related fields, you happiness, fulfilment, joy,truly,runneth over, as it pursuits/hobbies/recreation, too, acquire a touch now excel at what you're doing, and gain well - says in the Bible. Truly,the Good Book has it all in of glamour and glitz. To round it all off, Ganesha's deserved plaudits, glory recognition. Ganesha's terms of expression. At least for you, Scorpios, as luck at wins, windfalls, legacies, clever generosity knows no bounds, does it? you stand on the threshold of this period. investments, too, comes your way.

Birthday Horoscope August 10 - August 16, 2020

August 10:The Sun Ganesha says is the it may not be evident to others. Try not to face them alone. Try not to let minor prelude to an active if not hectic period resent the tendency of others to resist change annoyances stand in the way. concerning your love and social life, children, in favor of defending the status quo. August 15: Even if someone you know is adept self-expression, recreation, and travel. But the August 13:The outlook is clouded for the at pulling your strings, that doesn't mean you stepped-up pace can be agreeable and fun. advancement of work and service matters and have to give up control. Still, consider the August 11:Mercury generates not only talk, but health. You may have to contend with possibility that someone may know what's best also plenty of activity in regard to friends, distractions and will wonder at times where the for you. goals, children, creativity, love, travel, and truth lies. August 16: Lucky encounters or exchanges can recreation. But be careful not to be too "pie in August 14:A partner's optimism and have a positive effect on your life. At any rate, the sky" in your thinking. inventiveness come in handy when conflicts be open to bright new ideas about what to do August 12:Though something feels right to you, (young vs. old?) arise, so don't feel you have to next. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 SPIRITUALITY 29

lso known as Krishna Janmashtami and Gokulashtami, Athis day is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. According to the legends, the eighth son of Devki, Lord Krishna was born on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of the JANMASHTAMI month of Bhadrapada (August- September). THE BIRTH OF LORD KRISHNA In 2020, Janmashtami will be celebrated on 12th August (Wednesday). THIS YEAR, THE FESTIVAL FALLS ON AUGUST 12. WE WISH OUR READERS A HAPPY JANMASHTAMI According to the Hindu texts, Lord Krishna came into this world as the door, depicting the entry of the Lord eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and inside the house. destroyer of the evil on this day. Not only is this festival celebrated in Ancient Hindu literature, including India, it is also celebrated in many other Bhagawad Gita and Bhagwata Purana, countries, specially, the US, where clearly state the story of Lord Krishna’s ISKON promotes and teaches devotion to birth and how his maternal uncle, King Lord Krishna. Kansa, wanted to kill him. And ever since his birth, every 8th day called Importance of Being Krishna Krishnapaksha of the month of For generations, Krishna has been an Bhadrapada is celebrated as Krishna enigma to some, but God to millions, who Janmashtami. go ecstatic even as they hear his name. Also, many people treat this day as an People consider Krishna their leader, occasion to honour the victory of good hero, protector, philosopher, teacher and over evil. friend all rolled into one. Krishna has The festival is important for hindus influenced the Indian thought, life and because Lord Vishnu came in the form of culture in myriad ways. He has Krishna to eradicate evil and restore influenced not only its religion and ‘Dharma’ at a time when the tyrant and philosophy, but also into its mysticism evil ruler of the Vrishni Kingdom Kansa, and literature, painting and sculpture, Devaki’s brother, was making people’s dance and music, and all aspects of lives miserable. He had overthrown his Indian folklore. father to become King. But he was cursed to die at the hands of the “eighth son of Significance his sister”. To try and escape this curse, In one of the paragraphs of the Kansa killed all of Devaki’s babies when Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that they were born. But when Krishna was whenever there is be a predominance of born at midnight, a divine force helped evil and decline of religion, he will Vasudev save Krishna from the evil reincarnate to destroy the evil and let the Kansa. Vasudev carried Krishna across good take over. the River Yamuna, to Gokul, to his The main significance of brother-in-law, Nand Raj’s house, where Janmashtami is to promote goodwill as it Krishna spent his childhood happily. is to knock down evil intentions. Krishna Jayanti also celebrates togetherness. The Celebrations festive occasion brings people together Krishna is one God in Hindu when families and friends join in to Mythology, whose life has been written celebrate it. about from birth to ‘demise’, and since the lord appeared in a human form and intermingled with one and all at They clean the temple before placing an pomp and show in Mathura and different levels, he is worshipped as a idol of the crawling “Divine Child Brindavan. The temples come alive with god-child, a loveable prankster, a Krishna”. The idol is bathed lovingly and ‘jagarans’(Night Vigil) and dance and beautiful lover, a divine guide and the is adorned with new clothes. The whole drama events, specially based on supreme power. temple is decorated with flowers. White Krishna’s childhood pranks and love Thus, Krishna’s birth is celebrated butter and sugar is distributed among affairs(With Radha, his consort). with great excitement, devotion and people as ‘prasad’ since baby Krishna In Maharashtra, specially Mumbai and passion by one and all - by the dynamic loved eating this. Pune, and Dwarka in Gujarat, the youth playing pranks(Breaking the Since Krishna was born at the stroke festival is celebrated on a large social ‘Dahi' handi hanging high above), by of midnight, devotees start singing scale, by the traditional breaking of the women whose maternal instincts are ‘bhajans’ in beautifully decorated and ‘Dahi/Makhan Handi’(pot with freshly roused on this day(they bathe and dress illuminated temples in the evening. The churned butter). With time, the butter up ‘Baby Krishna’ and place him in a cot celebrations go on till midnight. At has been replaced with money that and rock him while singing devotional midnight, conchs’ are blown in the would be won by the team which songs) and by all age groups as they temples to announce the baby’s arrival manages to reach and break the pot. participate in plays and dances based on amidst much fanfare. In the South, devotees make large Krishna’s life, particularly his youth( The devotees who kept the fast, break Kolams (decorative pattern drawn on the Raas-Leela). it now and eat the ‘Prasad’. floor with rice floor) and make small foot Many devotees keep fast on this day. Janmashtami is celebrated with much prints of Baby Krishna outside the main

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“If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it?” “If India’s own children don't cling to their faith, who shall guard it?” “Indians alone can save India, and India and Hinduism are one.” THE INDIAN PANORAMA 30 CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 31 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 32 FEATURE FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020

erhaps the simplest, and the most powerful, slogan of the Indian PNational Movement was “Quit India”, or “Bharat Chhoro” — the call PUSH FOR INDEPENDENCE - and command that Mahatma Gandhi gave to the British rulers of India 78 years ago. For the masses of this country, his exhortation was: “Karo ya maro”, “Do or die”. QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT Their response to the Mahatma’s call scripted a glorious chapter in India’s On 8 August 1942 at the All-India Congress Committee session in Bombay, Now Mumbai, Mohandas Freedom Struggle, unparalleled in its heroism, sacrifice, and commitment in Karamchand Gandhi launched the 'Quit India' movement which finally led to India's Independence in 1947. the face of the most savage and ruthless repression ever unleashed by the British declare that they were part of the Indian colonial state on the Indian people. The nation, and would accept their rulers if Quit India Movement started on August only they agreed to be on the side of the 9, 1942, and set in motion a chain of people of India. events over the following five years, Early on August 9, 1942, the which finally ended with the British government cracked down. The entire leaving India. leadership of the Congress was arrested and taken to unknown destinations. It The build-up to the movement was the trigger for a volcano of public Various factors came together to anger to erupt. The Quit India Movement create the perfect storm in which began spontaneously, without directions Gandhiji gave his call of Quit India. or instructions from the leaders of the In December 1941, Japan had attacked National Movement. Britain’s colonies in Asia, and advanced rapidly through Burma, the Malay Mass upsurge peninsula, the Dutch East Indies In Bombay, Poona, and Ahmedabad, (modern Indonesia), Singapore, and lakhs of people clashed violently with parts of Papua New Guinea, causing police on August 9. On August 10, heavy losses, and taking huge numbers protests erupted in Delhi, and across UP of prisoners of war. With the Japanese and Bihar. There were hartals, virtually on India’s doorstep in the demonstrations and people’s marches in Northeast, and with Hitler’s armies still defiance of prohibitory orders in holding the upper hand in the European Kanpur, Patna, Varanasi, and Allahabad. and African theatres of the War, The government hit back with brute President Franklin D Roosevelt of the force, swinging lathis recklessly, and United States, President Chiang Kai- gagging the press. Shek of China, and leaders of the Labour The protests spread rapidly into the Party in Britain built pressure on Prime district towns and villages across India. Minister Winston Churchill to reach out Through the entire time upto the middle to Indian leaders for help in the war of September, police stations, courts, post effort. offices and other symbols of government So, in March 1942, a mission led by Sir authority were attacked. Railway tracks Stafford Cripps arrived in India to meet were blocked, and groups of villagers with leaders of the Congress and the offered satyagraha at various places. Muslim League. Despite the promise of Students went on strike in schools and “the earliest possible realisation of self- colleges across India, took out marches, government in India”, the offer that and distributed illegal nationalist Cripps placed on the table was of literature. Mill and factory workers in Dominion Status — an autonomous Bombay, Ahmedabad, Poona, community within the British Empire — Ahmednagar, and Jamshedpur stayed rather than full independence. This was away for weeks. not acceptable to Gandhi and Nehru; Some organised protesters took to more importantly, the Congress was more violent methods, blowing up opposed to a provision that allowed for bridges, cutting telegraph wires, and the Partition of India. taking apart railway lines. In Bihar and The failure of the Cripps Mission UP, a full fledged rebellion began, with signalled to the Congress that the British slogans of “Thana jalao”, “Station were not interested in honest phoonk do”, and “Angrez bhaag gaya negotiations with Indians, or to accept hai”. Trains were stopped, taken over, any genuine constitutional progress or and national flags were put on them. the right of Indians to determine their Large crowds of peasants showed up at future. The Congress was in principle the nearest tehsil town and attacked reluctant to hamper the war effort government buildings. against the fascist forces, but by the For about two weeks, the government beginning of the summer of 1942, sentiment. Gandhi was also concerned Viceroy,but he would not strike bargains disappeared in Bihar’s Tirhut division. Gandhi was convinced that a struggle that in the absence of effective for ministries etc. “I am not going to be In Patna, police fired at and killed seven against the British for the rights of intervention, demoralisation and satisfied with anything short of students marching to the secretariat Indians would have to be waged. fatalism might set in, leading the people complete freedom. Maybe he will with the national flag. In the violence to simply collapse in the face of the propose the abolition of salt tax, etc. But and streetfighting that followed, Patna Rising anger and frustration Japanese invasion, when it came. In his I will say, ‘Nothing less than freedom’,” was virtually liberated for two days. High prices and shortage of goods mind, this was a reason to launch a he said to the crowd listening to him in Across North and Central Bihar, during the War had led to frustration struggle, to raise spirits, and mobilise pin-drop silence. policemen fled from eight out of 10 building up among the people. In the the masses. He then told the people what they must police stations. European officers were east, the government had requisitioned do: “Here is a mantra, a short one, that I attacked at several places in Bihar. The resources, including boats, in The launch of the movement give you. Imprint it on your hearts, so towns of Gaya, Bhagalpur, Saran, preparation for the Japanese invasion, At the Working Committee meeting in that in every breath you give expression Purnea, Shahabad and Muzaffarpur in depriving many communities of their Wardha in July 1942, the Congress to it. The mantra is: ‘Do or Die’. We shall Bihar, and Azamgarh, Ballia, and means of livelihood. Reports of selective accepted that the movement must move either free India or die trying; we shall Gorakhpur in UP turned into flaming British evacuations in areas overrun by into an active phase. The following not live to see the perpetuation of our centres of defiance and protest. Official the Japanese — taking out the Whites month, the All-India Congress slavery.” estimates quoted in historical while leaving the local people to the Committee met in Gowalia Tank Maidan He told government servants to openly scholarship on the Quit India bayonets and brutality of the invaders — (August Kranti Maidan) in Bombay to declare allegiance to the Congress, Movement recorded 250 damaged or triggered anger, outrage, and fear that ratify the Working Committee’s decision. soldiers to refuse to fire on their own destroyed railway stations, and attacks the same would be done in the Indian After the meeting on August 8, 1942, people, and Princes to accept the on 500 post offices and 150 police mainland once the war reached home. Gandhi addressed thousands to spell out sovereignty of their own people rather stations in the first week of the protests The Congress was alive to the need for the way forward. He told the people that than that of a foreign power. He asked alone. In Karnataka, there were 1,600 a political response to this public he would take his demands to the the subjects of the Princely States to incidents of telegraph lines being cut. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 TRAVEL 33 WESTERN GHATS: A BIO-DIVERSITY HOTSPOT

osting a huge number of tourists Lakes every year, hill stations like Ooty, The Western Ghats region has many HMahabaleshwar, Lonavala, natural and man made lakes.The famous Khandala, Munnar, Ponmudi, Coonoor lakes are beautiful Vembanad lake, Ooty and Vythiri are all situated in the avalanche lake, Pookode lake, Letchmi Western Ghats. Other places of tourist Elephant and Berijam Lake. The major interest like Kodaikanal, Lovedale, reservoirs includes famous Krishna Raja Mattupetty, Meghamalai and Valparai Sagara, Mettur Dam,Koyna Dam, are also located in this region. Parambikulam Dam and Linganmakki The Western Ghats mountain range is Dam. Arabian Sea also offers beautiful itself a major attraction in India along lakes in Kerala known as backwaters of with its high hills, deep Kerala, one of the major tourist valleys,mountain grasslands, dense and attraction. rain forest. The 1,600 km long majestic Mountains of Western Ghats is one of Waterfalls the eight hottest biological diversity The majestic mountain ranges of hotspots in the world. Western Ghats is Western Ghats form one of the four one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site watersheds and feed the perennial rivers in India and paradise of various species of India. Major rivers of Western Ghats of Flora and Fauna, Most of them are are the Godavari, Krishna, endemic to the region. Thamiraparani and Kaveri others tributaries to these long rivers, flow to the Hill Ranges east and fall into the Bay of Bengal. The Western Ghats contains major hill During the monsoon season these rivers ranges starting from Sahyadhri offers some of the spectacular waterfalls mountain ranges in Maharashtra in India such as the most stunning Jog Nilgiris hill ranges in Tamil Nadu. These Falls by Sharavathi River,Astonishing hill ranges are home to most popular hill Athirappilly Falls by Chalakudy river, stations such as Ooty, Mahabaleshwar, Kunchikal Falls, Sivasamudram Falls, Madikeri and the most famous Munnar. Unchalli Falls and famous Meenmutty Famous hills of Western Ghats are Falls. Sahyandhris, Nilgiris, Palani Hills,Anaimalai Hills and Cardamom Fauna Hills. The Fauna of Western Ghats is very unique and many of them are endemic to Mountain Peaks the mountains of monsoon only. Wildlife The hill ranges of Western Ghats are includes 139 species of mammal, home to some of the highest mountain Reptiles,Amphibians and at least 508 peaks of India. Anamudi or the species of birds. The endemic animals of Elephant Head is the highest peak of Western Ghats are Malabar large-spotted the Western Ghats with an elevation of civet,endangered Lion-tailed macaque 2,695 m (8,842 ft) located in the Indian and the beautiful black panther. Couple of state Kerala. The Anamudi mountain new species are also found here in the last peak is also the highest point in India few year one of the them is pogeyan cat, A outside the great Himalaya-Karakoram wild cat which is larger then a leopard but mountain ranges. Other highest peaks smaller then a Tiger,More information of the Western Ghats are about the pogeyan cat is yet to collect. Meesapulimala,Doddabetta in Nilgiris hills, Kalsubai in Maharashtra and National Parks Mullayanagiri in Karnataka. There are 13 National parks situated in the Western Ghats along with two Forest biosphere reserves, several wildlife Western Ghats offers four type of sanctuaries and many Reserve Forests. tropical and subtropical forest These protected areas are home to ecoregions -North and South Western thousands of animal species including moist deciduous forests,North and South globally threatened and critically Western montane rain forests. The north endangered species. Famous National part of the hill ranges is drier then the parks are deciduous forests of Bandipur southern part of ranges and dominantly National Park, Silent Valley National by teak. South Western Ghats montane Park, Periyar National Park and rain forests offers very rich ecologic Eravikulam National Park. The rainforest region for the wide varity of flora and of majestic mountain is full of natural fauna species. The wild forest of Western beauty and one of the must see place in Ghats are distributed as National India. Parks,Wildlife Sanctuary, Tiger reserve, biosphere reserves and many protected Avifauna areas. The Avifauna of western ghats are endemic to the forest and great hills, birds Grasslands such as beautiful Rufous-breasted The mountain valley of Western Ghats Laughingthrush, Nilgiri covered with shola-grassland, evergreen Flora Flycatcher,Malabar Parakeet and Malabar and semi-evergreen vegetation, and species of flowering plants found here Grey Hornbill are some of the most montane grasslands. Shola grassland are The dense forests and evergreen are Michelia beautiful birds of Western Ghats. The mainly found in the valleys and different valleys of rolling Sholas grassland of niligarica,Eugenia,Toona evergreen forests of Kerala and deciduous from montane grassland. The shola Western Ghats mountain ranges ciliata,Schefflera and Michelia. Kas forest Karnataka provided wild foods and forest and grassland complex are offers rich ecologic area for number of Plateau in Maharashtra is best place natural habitats to these wild birds. The distrubuted in the higher altitude hills of flowering plants. The major species of to know about the numerous species of mountain ranges have many bird Nilgiris, Biligiriranga Hills and Flora in Western Ghats are present in flowering plants also known as the sanctuaries as well and offers one of the Agasthyamalai Hills. the sholas of the Nilgiri Hills. Main valley of flowers of Western Ghats. best place for bird watching in India. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 34 SPORTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020

England vs Pakistan SHAN MASOOD EMULATES SAEED ANWAR’S FEAT TO

END 24-YEAR LONG WAIT F1 CHAMPIONS MERCEDES ngland is considered one of the toughest places to bat for CONFIRM BOTTAS FOR 2021 Ean opener in Test cricket. The SILVERSTONE (TIP): Valtteri Bottas will swinging and seaming red cherry continue to race for Mercedes until at least the end of under helpful conditions makes it next season, the Formula One champions said on difficult for opening batsmen from Thursday ahead of the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix. touring teams to last long. The fact The news was expected, with Mercedes having that England have had a lethal new made clear they intended to retain the 30-year-old ball attack in Test cricket for good Finn for a fifth successive season. two decades now has also Mercedes are also expected to continue with six contributed to this . times world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is out of This becomes even more evident contract at the end of the year. when teams from the sub-continent tour England. Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan openers find it tough to last in front of the vagaries of the red ball. So, when left-handed opening batsman Shan Masood brought up his fourth Test century on the second day of the first Test at Manchester, it brought an end to a 24-year wait for Pakistani cricket. match played in August 1996. His picking up early wickets, Masood Yes, it had been that long for a efforts helping a strong Pakistan struck a 105-run partnership with Pakistani opener to get a century on team register a 9-wicket win. spinner Shadab Khan to help English soil. The great Saeed Since then Pakistan has toured Pakistan get to a score in excess of Anwar, who charmed cricket fans England 5 times but the openers 300. With wickets falling towards and pundits world over with his on those tours had failed to the end of the innings, Masood elegant strokeplay in the 1990s, was register a ton. The young Masood changed gears with ease to bring the last Pakistani opener to reach on Thursday was a paragon of up his maiden Test 150 as well. He Tyson using electric muscle the three-figure mark in England. discipline and class as he batted was finally dismissed for 156 Anwar had scored a majestic 176 through a tough period to take immediately after the tea break. stimulation to treat pain in at the top of the order to help Pakistan out of a difficult The 319-ball knock was studded Pakistan take a big lead in the third situation. with 18 boundaries and two training camp Test at The Oval in London in a With the English bowlers massive sixes. NEW YORK (TIP): Boxing legend Mike Tyson is returning to the ring to fight Roy Jones Jr in an Sevilla and exhibition bout on September 12. The 54-year-old has said that he is using a therapy that simulates his BCCI, Vivo suspend IPL muscles using electric shock to treat the pain that Wolves win to develops during training. reach In a clip that was shared on the video sharing app partnership for 1 year triller that is part of Tyson's series in buildup to the fight, he showed fans a sneak into his training camp NEW DELHI (TIP): The Indian quarterfinals and that involved a special machine operated by his cricket board (BCCI) and IPL title GERMANY (TIP): Sevilla strength trainer Brad Rowe. sponsor Vivo have suspended their beat Roma 2-0 in the round of 16 ""I'm getting ready to get rejuvenated. This is the partnership for this year’s edition of on Thursday to stay in the hunt electrician. I couldn't do this (training) without that, the tournament due to the standoff for a record sixth Europa my joints would be all f***ed, no way," said Tyson as between Indian and Chinese troops in League title, as he got hooked up to the device. eastern Ladakh. Wolverhampton, Bayer "I'd be retired. Listen, before he got on the scene The development follows public Leverkusen and Basel also and it was good, but then there was pain. Those pains outcry in India over IPL’s association qualified for the quarterfinals. came back and I said, 'Wow, this is why I retired, this with Vivo, a Chinese company, after a Full-back Sergio Reguilon is why I stopped boxing.' And then I got this deadly clash between Indian and gave Sevilla the lead with a (machine). I mean, you can't believe this s***, man." Chinese troops in mid-June. surging run through the Roma BCCI sent out a one-line statement defense and a shot past keeper Nadal out of US Open race today, without providing any details, Pau Lopez in the 22nd minute. merely saying: “The BCCI and Vivo Youssef En-Nesyri added the NEW YORK (TIP): Rafa Nadal’s decision to skip Mobile India Pvt Ltd have decided to second just before halftime, the US Open because of health concerns has added suspend their partnership for Indian tapping in a low cross from another twist to the intriguing three-way battle for Premier League in 2020.” Vivo, Lucas Ocampos. the most career men’s Grand Slam titles and, in meanwhile, said that the association Sevilla could easily have many eyes, the title of Greatest Of All Time (GOAT). is being ‘paused’. scored more, with two shots Had the 34-year-old Spaniard managed to retain the IPL-13 is to be held in the UAE from hitting the crossbar and a goal title he won in a five-set thriller against Daniil September 19 to November 10 and overturned for offside on video Medvedev last year, he would have joined Roger BCCI is likely to float a tender for new review. Playing after a packed Federer at the top of the list with 20 titles. Instead, IPL title sponsors. Vivo won the title run of Serie A games, Roma his decision has cleared the path for 33-year-old sponsorship rights for five years from this, BCCI came in for a lot of didn’t muster a single shot on Novak Djokovic to edge to within one of Nadal’s 2018 to 2022 for a reported sum of Rs criticism for not ending the deal with target in the first half and just Grand Slam tally with a fourth title at Flushing 2190 crore, approximately Rs 440 crore Vivo. one in the second.“It was a great Meadows and 18 in total. per annum. It is reported that BCCI and IPL are performance in all senses. We If it might seem unfair to gloss over the chances of Interestingly,only four days ago, the now working out a plan according to will enjoy it tonight, recharge the other 127 men in the US Open main draw, it must IPL’s Governing Council had decided which Vivo might come back for a our batteries and be ready for be remembered that Federer, Nadal and Djokovic that Vivo, and all other sponsors, three-year period from 2021 on revised our next final in a few days’ have shared the last 13 Grand Slam titles between would remain on board. Following terms. time,” Reguilon said. them. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 35 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 36 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020