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Vol. 19 Issue 16 Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 $1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com Clash between India and China Decoding China’s Planned Aggression

(Story on Page 12-13, 36-37)

r Don't Cave In. China Has To Be Defeated In Its Own Game Page No. 8 Also r After Galwan, what next for India-China ties? Page No. 11 Read r China’s Reason For Clash With India Despite Saying Otherwise Page No. 12 r Are You Immune from Covid-19 ? Page No. 34

Home Business Auto NLIGHT INSURANCE Insurance (A Division of Nlight Financial LLC) (See Full Page Advt. on Page 20) Call : 917-612-3158 Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 COMMUNITY 2 Being a police officer can be a dangerous job Working as an undercover officer in the units that deal with gangs, guns or drug dealers takes the “can be” out of the equation. It’s just dangerous. (News Agencies) As other way but Mike Stoney systems that my detectives with the POST Act is it also our undercover officers. The City Council can fix Chief of Detectives of the my partner walked ahead to use in investigations Every requires the NYPD to give Granted since the days I the Post Act with one NYPD I have the honor, but distract them from me. The day. That’s why we support a description of any and all was undercover and simple sentence. Give the also the great responsibility group challenged Mike and 99% of what the Post Act devices that are “used or buying drugs with a tape Police Commissioner the for deploying the undercover one of them, unprovoked, requires. When it comes to designed for, collecting, recorder and a authority to report all the officers who, on a daily basis, pulled a gun and opened fire. security cameras we recover retaining, processing, or transmitter, the technology we use, how we walk into some of law Stoney, was struck by gunfire video from to solve crimes or sharing audio, video, electronics have gotten use it and what the rules are enforcement’s most and seriously hurt but even the license plate readers we location, thermal, smaller and easier to which is what the law was dangerous scenarios. We try wounded, he fired back. I use to retrace the direction biometric, or similar conceal. But undercover intended for but also give the as best we can to protect moved in and returned fire as of a getaway car, or facial information, that is officers face increased commissioner the ability to them with covert well. I believe to this day, recognition software that operated by or at the dangers. The drug deals exclude descriptions of the communications and back- Stoney saved my life and I has been instrumental in direction of the moved away from the technology used by our up teams but we know may have saved his. I spent identifying robbers, hate- department.” The Post Act open-air drug markets on undercover officers in the field undercover work is also much of that night at the crime perpetrators and says the department must street corners and into the whose jobs are already very unpredictable. I know that as hospital until I knew Mike was sexual predators, the place on its public website buildings, hallways and dangerous. Why would we a commander but I also going to be OK. The five men NYPD believes people a list of this equipment with apartments where an ever legislate a way to make know it as an undercover. On involved including the shooter have a right to know about a description of it and how undercover is at greater their work more dangerous? September 21st, 1995 I was were arrested later that night. these systems, how they it is used. There is no risk of being searched Rodney Harrison is working as narcotics Last December when I was work and how privacy is carve out for the covert more thoroughly than the the Chief of Detectives of undercover. I was working promoted to Chief of protected. The problem electronics used to protect street. the NYPD with another officer. It was Detectives, I looked out to my one of those perfect Fall right, and several rows back nights. Warm, in the low 70s amid hundreds of people, Zone 126 Appoints Anju J. Ruchandani as New Executive Director but with a nice breeze. The there was Detective Mike weather was the only thing Stoney, retired by then, but By our staff reporter pockets of poverty, has right that night. After still watching my back as I (Queens, New York) NY – promoted Anju J. attempting a buy from five assumed this new Zone 126 (a sponsored Rupchandani to the role of suspected dealers on the responsibility. You never project of the Fund for the Executive Director. Anju street I couldn’t score. forget someone like that. It’s City of New York), a non- has played a vital role at Something was off. After a bond that undercover profit Cradle-to-Career Col- Zone 126 since its incep- attempting another buy from officers share. We try to take lective Impact organiza- tion in 2011 and has been a couple of other dealers care of them and they take tion driving school and involved in all aspects of nearby, same. The vibe was care of each other. community transformation the organization’s evolu- off. Walking back to the car This week, the City for children and families tion. She will assume this that night I was being Council is set to vote on a living in Astoria and Long role beginning on June 15, shadowed by my partner, bill called the POST Act. Island City’s concentrated 2020. detective Mike Stoney. I was They are expected to pass going over it my head. We it. It is a law, that in its current were in the middle of Bedford- form, will put NYPD Stuyvesant in 1995 where I undercover officers in more had bought drugs undercover danger. It is also easy to fix many times but the tension that law if the City Council seemed higher. There was will add one sentence to the just something in air. The bill. The Post Act requires the dealers seemed warier of NYPD to disclose all its strangers this night. As I “surveillance technology”. turned the corner, the five Most of what is described as dealers I had first approached “surveillance technology” in saw me walking towards the the proposed bill are not for car. I played it off, went the “surveillance” but are actually Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 ADVERTISMENT 3 Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 4 7 fresh charge sheets filed in Delhi riots case A total of 39 persons had been arrested and charge sheeted in the seven cases, six of which were related to rioting and murders at Shiv Vihar near Karawal Nagar while the seventh rioting and murder incident took place at Khajoori Chowk. the seventh rioting and murder began in the morning and persons have been charged for incident took place at Khajoori continued throughout the day, the similar offences in the murder Chowk. All the seven deaths officer said, requesting cases of Bhan, Tiwari and were reported on February 25, the anonymityThree men, Dinesh, the officer cited above officers said.The trial of all cases identified by their first names said.In the Khajoori Chowk related to north-east Delhi riots Anwar, Aftab and Salman, rioting incident in which a man, will be held in a special court were killed in the clash during identified by his first name Babbu, regarding which the Delhi high the morning hours. Between 5 was killed, the police have court had passed an order on and 10 pm, three men from the charged 16 people, for rioting, Monday. On February 25, a other community were also murder, promoting enmity (News Agencies) The Delhi on Tuesday, the other two were police officer associated with killed in the rioting. They were between different groups, and Police in the last two days have submitted on Monday and the cases said, a clash broke identified as Veer Bhan, Alok criminal conspiracy, the police filed seven charge sheets in Sunday, senior police officers out between two communities Tiwari, and Dinesh. are learnt to have said in the seven different cases related to privy to the cases said.A total of at Shiv Vihar and violent mobs A total of 11 people have charge sheet.As many as 100 the north-east Delhi communal 39 persons had been arrested from both the sides indulged been charged for rioting, murder, charge sheets have been filed in riots that claimed 53 lives and left and charge sheeted in the seven in rioting, stone pelting, firing criminal conspiracy and other as many cases by the Delhi over 400 others injured in cases, six of which were related of bullets, arson and looting offences in connection with the Police, which registered more February. While five charge to rioting and murders at Shiv and damaging of private and separate murder cases of Anwar, than 750 cases pertaining to the sheets were filed in a Delhi court Vihar near Karawal Nagar while public property. The violence Aftab and Salman. Twelve north-east Delhi riots. Maharashtra records sudden spike in Ancient temple submerged in Covid-19 fatalities. Top official explains why river Mahanadi, resurfaces Bhushan Gagrani, principal secretary blamed lack of information in in Odisha’s Nayagarh private hospitals and poor record-keeping in government facilities. (News Agencies) An ancient temple in deaths after reconciliation.The addition Odisha’s Nayagarh, that was submerged in led to a spike in Maharashtra’s case- Mahanadi river has resurfaced. The temple fatality rate – defined as the ratio of is believed to be around 450 to 500 years deaths to the total number of cases – old had submerged during a flood in 1933. and now stands at 4.9, against the The archaeological survey team of the Indian national rate of 3.4. National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage Sudden spike (INTACH) recently claimed that they Mumbai alone added 862 fatalities to discovered an ancient submerged temple in its death toll on Tuesday with officials the Mahanadi upstream from Cuttack. “The citing discrepancies in records filed from temple had submerged a long time back but various counting centres, according to around 11 years ago, the temple started a Bloomberg report. All of these cases emerging again. Now the temple is visible a correctly recorded Covid-19 as the little bit above the water level. A research cause of death but weren’t integrated team is also working on it,” said a villager. into the master database, it said. The temple was successfully Why the mismatch? located after repeated attempts by Anil (News Agencies) Over 2,000 Covid- up by 437 of which 93 occurred over Bhushan Gagrani, principal Kumar Dhir and his Project Assistant 19 fatalities were added to the national the past 24 hours while the rest were secretary, the Chief Minister’s Deepak Kumar Nayak of Indian National death toll, taking the final figure to added after a review of pending Office, blamed lack of information Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). 11,903. This comes after Maharashtra fatalities. Maharashtra added 1,409 in private hospitals and poor record- The top of the submerged temple was and Delhi, two of the worst-hit states more fatalities to its Covid-19 death toll keeping in government discovered mid-river near Baideswar in the in the country, added unreported of which 1,328 deaths were added to facilities.“The figures of the deaths Padmavati village near Nayagarh. The 55 to fatalities to their respective death tolls the tally after the reconciliation have risen suddenly owing to the 60 feet submerged temple dates back to the after review. exercise. Together, Delhi and reconciliation of the figures. It is late 15th or early 16th century, considering The national capital’s death toll went Maharashtra added a total of 1,672 true that there was negligence to a the construction style of the Mastaka and certain extent at some level and it material used for the construction. Commuters urge government to provide led to the mismatch in the figures,” According to INTACH Chief Anil he said.He admitted that the data was Kumar Dhir, the 55 to 60 feet long temple relief as fuel prices continue to rise not being fed as per the Indian Council which belongs to Lord Gopinath, a form of of Medical Research (ICMR) Lord Vishnu dates back to the late 15th or (News Agencies) The rates of fuel on us. The government should not guidelines, leading to the mismatch. early 16th century. “This temple has a very have been increased again in the increase prices like this, they “Some private hospitals did not provide old history. This temple is around 450 to 500 national capital on Wednesday should try to stop this hike as and us the information in time while in years old. Lord’s idol from this temple was causing more troubles for the when they can,” a commuter told some government hospitals, the taken to another temple. We are working commuters. With the hike in fuel ANI here. Another customer, records about the deaths were not kept on a project--documenting the Mahanadi prices, the petrol prices stand at Naresh, at the same pump said properly. In some cases, the death valley so we were in search of this temple. Rs 77.28/litre (increase by Rs that the hike in prices, especially certificates had the mention of Covid Around a week ago we were informed that infection as the cause of the fatality, the upper surface of the temple is visible,” 0.55), and the diesel prices stand during the phase when the city is but in hospital records, the entry was said Dhir. at Rs 75.79/litre (increase by Rs trying to recover from the effects missing. When we realised the “It is in a good state of preservation. 0.69) in Delhi, according to a of Covid-19 induced lockdown is lapses we, last week, asked all the The temple should be re-established the price notification of state oil making it worse for the people and municipal corporations and district temple as we have technology with us. This marketing companies. “Even a urged them to take immediate collectors to reconcile the data on is not the first submerged temple that has one rupee increase has an effect steps in this direction. an urgent basis,” he added. been recovered by us,” he added. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 5

20 Indian soldiers dead in clash with China Casualties on Chinese side as well, says Army; Beijing adds twist, says Galwan valley theirs (News Agencies) Fragile peace along Monday night, lasted several hours---in three Liberation Army (PLA) of China, which was clash ensued. The PLA sent in the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between phases---and ended on early hours of in talks with Indian Army for both sides to reinforcements another clash ensued. India and China was shattered last night. Tuesday. Most of the deaths have occurred withdraw from the forty---day long stand-off, The disengagement plan decided on As many as 20 Indian Army soldiers, as soldiers fell-off cliffs during a physical fight had build a fresh post and set up arctic tents June 6 at the meeting of Corps Commander- including, an officer, have been killed in in the narrow Galwan valley into the river at at vantage position on the south bank of the level was to ask both sides to withdraw from action while battling the Chinese at Galwan an altitude of 15,000 feet. Some died due to Galwan river. The post gave a clear view to Galwan valley. However, on Tuesday PLA’s valley in Ladakh. hypothermia and other due to injuries. Chinese of the vital 255 kms Darbuk Shayok Western Theatre Command spokesperson However, the count of those injured or Stones, Steel poles, bamboo poles with Daulat Baig Oldie (DSDBO), India’s only link Colonel Zhang Shuili made a fresh claim on missing in action is still not known. nails embed on them, were used by the to Depsang, Murgo ad Karokaram pass. Tuesday saying “China always owns Till 10 pm on Tuesday the Indian Army Chinese, to attack the Indian troops. The This was unacceptable to India. The post sovereignty over the Galwan Valley region, had confirmed three dead, Col Subhash Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) of China, was some 5 km from the DSDBO road, the and the Indian border defence troops are Babu, the Commanding officer of the 16th have also suffered fatal casualties. There is Galwan river flows in an east-to-west inconsistent with their words and seriously battalion of the Bihar regiment, Havildar K no number to their casualties. Indian Army direction and joins the river Shyok. violated the agreements both countries have Palani and Sepoy Ojha.Authoritative categorically said “no bullets were fired in Troops of the 16th battalion of the Bihar reached”. Until now the Indian side had sources told the Tribune the count is 20 clash”. The casualty would have been Regiment noticed this fresh military post maintained that there was no dispute at dead. manifold had bullets been firedDetailing the near patrol point 14 and asked the Chinese Galwan and the LAC, which is not More than 900 troops on each side were incident, sources said it occurred as an to vacate. The number of Indian Troops was demarcated on ground, matched the involved in a physical clash, which started altitude of almost 15,000 feet. The Peoples’ greater than the Chinese on the spot, a Chinese claim line (CCL) proposed in 1956. 4 Punjabi soldiers Patiala village mourns after Naib Subedar martyred in face-off Mandeep Singh killed on LAC in Ladakh with China (News Agencies) Mortal remains as scores of people bade a tearful (News Agencies) Four young Punjabi soldiers of Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh adieu to the soldier at his native Seel were martyred in a violent face-off between Indian killed in a clash with the Chinese village in the district. Slogans like and Chinese forces at the Galwan Valley in eastern army in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley 'shaheed amar rahe' and 'Bharat Mata Ladakh on Tuesday. As per the details of soldiers were consigned to flames with full ki jai' rent the air as the body of 39- killed during “physical clashes” with People's military honours in Punjab’s Patiala year-old Mandeep Singh, wrapped in Liberation Army (PLA) in Galwan Valley released on Thursday. Mandeep's mother, his the Tricolour, reached his native by the Northern Command, 41-year-old Naib wife, daughter and son saluted him place. Villagers, especially the Subedar Satnam Singh from Gurdaspur, 22-year- youth, were seen holding the old Sepoy Gurbinder Singh from Sunam, 23-year- Sepoy Ganesh Hansda, 22, killed in Tricolour and showered petals on the old Sepoy Gurtej Singh from Budhhada (Mansa), Ladakh face-off was on his 1st posting military vehicle in which the mortal and 39-year-old Naid Subedar/AIG Mandeep Singh remains of the soldier were brought. from Rajpura (Patiala) succumbed to the injuries (News Agencies) A 22-year-old was was deployed at Leh in his first The soldier’s family members were they received during the clash. one among the 20 soldiers killed in posting after completing 9-month inconsolable when the body arrived. Extending his heartfelt condolences to the the line of duty in Galwan Valley in training at Danapur on July 27 last Mandeep's minor son lit the funeral families of the four Punjab martyrs of the Galwan the border clash between troops of year,” said Dinesh Hansda, the pyre. Punjab minister Sadhu Singh Valley clash, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder the Indian and Chinese army in sepoy’s brother. Ganesh, says his Dharamsot and Akali MLA Harinderpal Singh on Wednesday announced ex-gratia eastern Ladakh on Monday brother, was to be transferred but it Singh Chandumajra were present to compensation, along with a Government job to a evening.A pall of gloom descended was delayed due to the coronavirus pay tributes to Mandeep along with next of kin of the deceased. The Chief Minister on the nondescript house of Hansda crisis. officials of the Army, police and civil expressed grief and shock at the violent clash in family in Kosaphaliya village under “He [Ganesh] was to be administration. Mandeep was one of Galwan Valley of Ladakh, which had wiped out the Chingra panchayat in Jharkhand on transferred to Hyderabad but could the 20 soldiers killed in the clash lives of these four brave men, whose sacrifice for Wednesday morning as the news not due to the outbreak of Covid-19 with the Chinese army on Monday. the nation would not be forgotten. of sepoy Ganesh Hansda’s death pandemic,” Dinesh Hansda, He had joined duty about two “The loss suffered by the families was trickled in. The young sepoy was Ganesh’s elder brother said this weeks ago after a month-long immeasurable and could not be compensated with on his first posting at Leh. Despite morning, adding that the sepoy had leave. Earlier, the mortal remains material things, but the compensation and the jobs the setback, the family, given a last visited them in February. The of Mandeep arrived at the would help alleviate some of their sufferings,” said chance again, says they will fight entire Kosapthaliya village near Chandigarh airport and from where Capt Amarinder, paying his tributes to the four men for the country. Basda chowk under Baheragora the body was brought to his native who lost their lives in the violent clash near the Line “I am ready to join the army police station (PS), about 93 km place in Patiala by road. Mandeep of Actual Control (LAC) with China. and fight for my country if given a from Jamshedpur, was in a state of joined the Army in 1997. He is The Chief Minister said that the Cabinet Ministers chance. My brother sacrificed his shock as Dinesh said they were survived by his mother Shakuntala, would represent the State Government at the life to protect the nation and we are informed by a Colonel of Indian Army wife Gurdeep Kaur, 15-year-old martyrs’ funerals, which will be held with full Army all proud of him. He had joined Bihar about the tragedy at around 10.30 daughter Mehakpreet Kaur and 10- honours in their native villages. Regiment in September 2018 and pm Tuesday night. year-old son Jobanpreet Singh. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 6 Don’t shoot the messengers’ Supreme Court tells Delhi govt over action against doctors, healthcare workers The Delhi government has been asked to file a better affidavit by Friday on this aspect on whether they have reinstated those doctors who were dismissed. (News Agencies) The Supreme Court on they have reinstated those doctors who were Wednesday made strong observations against the dismissed, withdrawn first information reports Delhi government for taking action against doctors (FIRs) against doctors and payment of salaries and health workers, who it said acted as to medical workers. The order came in a suo moto messengers in bringing out the real picture in proceeding with regard to disposal of dead bodies government-run hospitals in the Capital. “Don’t and poor facilities in government hospitals in the shoot the messengers. You stop registering FIRs national capital taken up last week. The top court against doctors fighting this war against Covid,” a had invited status reports particularly from Delhi, bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan said. Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal and Tamil The Delhi government has been asked to file a Nadu. The report of other states will also be taken better affidavit by Friday on this aspect on whether up on Friday. Assam Human Rights Panel Issues Notice Against Complaint of 'Pitiable' Condition of Relief Camps blowout and fire at the Baghjan administration with the help of Oil to inquire into the circumstances oil well. The Commission had India Limited to provide essential leading to the death of 30-year received a complaint from one commodities, including old Jayanta Bora in Jorhat district Hurojit Moran about the "pitiable" drinking water, health care on June 15. The Commission condition of the 12 relief camps facilities to people sheltered in took suo motu cognisance of which lacked food and drinking the camps. Persons of nearby newspaper reports of June 16 water facilities. The inquiry report villages had to hurriedly leave alleging custodial death of Bora should be submitted within two their houses following a who was picked up by a joint months from the date of receipt blowout incident at the oil well team of the Army and police from of the notice highlighting the on May 27, culminating in a his house on charges of being steps taken by the Tinsukia devastating inferno on June 9 an ULFA cadre and brought to (News Agencies) The Assam Division Commissioner to inquire district administration, a release in which two firefighters lost Borholia police station. The report Human Rights Commission into the condition of relief camps issued by the AHRC said. The their lives. The AHRC issued must be submitted within 30 (AHRC) on Wednesday issued where about 7,000 people have report should include the steps another notice to the Upper days from the receipt of the a notice to the Upper Assam been put up following the gas taken by the district Assam Division Commissioner notice, the release said. No Space at Home And Denied Extension at Quarantine ‘Bow to the families of great heroes’ Centre, Odisha Man Spends 7 Days in Toilet Amit Shah pays tribute, says India is in their debt (News Agencies) Home minister Amit Shah line of actual control (LAC) in the Galwan (News Agencies) A 28-year-old his house where his family members has paid tribute to Indian soldiers who died Valley. returnee from Tamil Nadu spent seven including his elderly parents stay."I in a violent clash with Chinese soldiers in Shah went on to say that the country will days inside a toilet as his request had pleaded with the local authorities eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley on Monday always be in debt of the soldiers’ supreme for extension of stay for extending my night and said their sacrifice in institutional quarantine period. can’t be put in words. He added quarantine in However, they did that their bravery reflects India’s Odisha's not keep my commitment towards Jagatsinghpur request. Therefore, safeguarding her land. Shah’s district was turned to ensure the homage followed Prime Minister down and he did not safety of family Narendra Modi’s clear message have enough space members, I was that while New Delhi wants for self-isolation in forced to stay in peace, it was capable of giving a his house, an official the toilet," Patra befitting reply if provoked. “Pain said.Manas Patra said.He spent of losing our brave soldiers while was discharged from seven days from protecting our motherland at the government-run June 9 to 15 in that Galwan Valley can’t be put in words. Nation sacrifice. “I bow to the families, who have temporary medical 6x8 feet newly-built salutes our immortal heroes who sacrificed blessed Indian Army with such great heroes. camp where he stayed for seven toilet which Patra's family members their lives to keep the Indian territory safe. India will always remain indebted for their days, the official said.After the are yet to start using. Their bravery reflects India’s commitment supreme sacrifice. Entire nation and the mandatory seven-days stay at the Block Development Officer of towards her land,” said Shah in a tweet on Modi government stands firmly with their facility, he was told to spend a week Naugaon, Rashmi Rekha Mallick, Wednesday afternoon. Indian Army has families in this hour of grief. Praying for the more in home isolation.Patra then said the matter is being looked reported loss of 20 lives on its side, including speedy recovery of those injured,” Shah sought an extension of his stay in into."We have asked sarpanchs that of a commanding officer of the Bihar added.Earlier, during his meeting with the the institutional quarantine centre (village heads) to allow people to stay Regiment, in clashes with China during the chief ministers of states, the prime minister saying he does not have enough longer at quarantine centres if de-escalation process in Eastern Ladakh on had said that the sacrifice of the jawans will space in his house in Jamugaon inmates give undertakings that they Monday night. The Indian government has not go in vain. “I would like to assure the village for that, but it was not allowed, do not have adequate facility at home blamed China for not honouring a consensus nation that the sacrifice of our jawans will the official said.Finding no other for self- isolation," Mallick reached between the two sides to withdraw not be in vain. For us, the unity and alternative, Patra took shelter in the said.Earlier, returnees were placed and said the clashes were a result of China’s sovereignty of the country is the most Swachh Bharat toilet, built close to under quarantine for 14 days. attempts to change the status quo of the important,” PM Modi said. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 7 12 killed on way back from pilgrim centre in Andhra after truck rams vehicle According to police, the tractor-trolley was carrying a group of 25 people belonging to Gopavaram village of Errupalem block in Telangana’s Khammam district. said. Gopavaram village of Errupalem inspector of police R Dharma While seven of them died on the block in Telangana’s Khammam Raju said. spot, five others succumbed to district. They were returning from On receiving the information, their injuries at the government Vedadri, a famous pilgrim centre, the police rushed to the spot hospital in Jaggayyapet. The after having darshan of Lord and took up the rescue injured were also admitted to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. operations with the help of same hospital and the condition “As they were approaching locals. The injured were moved of three of them is said to be Jaggayyapet, a speeding truck to the hospital. “We are yet to (News Agencies) Twelve people, in which they were travelling at critical. loaded with cement bags ascertain how the accident including four children, were Jaggayyapet in Andhra According to police, the tractor- rammed into the tractor- took place. We have registered killed and 14 others injured when Pradesh’s Krishna district on trolley was carrying a group of trolley, which overturned on the a case and taken up the a truck rammed the tractor-trolley Wednesday afternoon, the police 25 people belonging to road side,” Jaggayyapet sub- investigation,” the SI said. 2 priests in Kerala Akhilesh calls for economic reply to suspended after alleged China, has his hands on popular pulse sleazy audio clips go viral The ‘boycott Chinese goods’ sentiment has emerged from time to time in India when the relations between the two countries take a hit.

(News Agencies) Samajwadi Party Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co Ltd +Tata, (ii) STEC (China), (iii) L&T (India), leader Akhilesh Yadav has called (iv)Afcons (India) and (v) for cancellation of contracts GulermakAgir (Turkey). On 12th awarded to Chinese companies as June 2020 - Financial bids were part of an economic reply to China opened – M/s STEC emerged as in addition to the strategic lowest bidder. The tender is under response for the killing 20 Indian process and yet to be finalised. (News Agencies) The Thalassery Arch soldiers at the line of actual control Pl note that the ADB/World Diocese of Syro-Malabar church in north in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley on Bank/Multi-lateral procurement Kerala on Wednesday suspended two Monday. Akhilesh’s call on guidelines do not allow priests after an alleged audiotape of the Wednesday follows similar discrimination among firms/ two engaged in a sleazy talk surfaced demands by some other groups countries,” a government press on social media and online sites. The including RSS linked Swadeshi release clarified. A news agency diocese has also tendered an apology Jagran Manch (SJM), whose members (STEC)- a Chinese company—from the reported that protestors in Varanasi to believers. The two were supposed to protested outside the Chinese Embassy project to build the underground stretch burned Chinese flag and effigy of “hold a high moral ground but they earlier today. “Govt should not only give of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS (Regional Chinese President Xi Jinping and said failed”, said a statement issued by the strategic but also an economic reply. Rapid Transit System) corridor. that similar protests were also seen in public relations officer of the diocese Contracts awarded to Chinese STEC has emerged as the Patna and Gujarat.The ‘boycott Chinese companies should be suspended with lowest bidder for the project and the goods’ sentiment has surfaced in India signed on June 14. immediate effect; restrain imports from government clarified on Wednesday that from time to time and it witnessed a Both Father Joseph Poothattil China. Samajwadi Party will support the the part of the project was funded by surge recently when innovator and and Father Mathew Mullappallil were government in any such endeavour for the Asian development bank and it was education reformist Sonam Wangchuk debarred and restrained from carrying the country’s sake,” Akhilesh Yadav obligated to not discriminate between posted a video last month asking Indians out priestly duties indefinitely, said the tweeted in Hindi on Wednesday. companies or countries. “Five bidders to shun all Chinese products including diocese. Both are parish priests in north Akhilesh’s suggestion comes close on submitted bids and qualified for financial the popular mobile application TikTok in Kerala. the heels of demand by the SJM to oust bid opening including (i) SKEC (Korea) response to the Ladakh stand-off. Last year a woman believer had complained to the diocese about their alleged sexual advances. Some Employees at 41 ordnance factories to go believers also complained about their behaviour. But the church brushed aside on indefinite strike against corporatisation these charges and defended them. Last (News Agencies) Eighty two thousand Galwan, in which the Indian Army lost 20 Employees’ Federation (AIDEF). In a week, two audio clips surfaced on social civilian employees of India’s 41 ordnance soldiers, leads to a crisis. “The nation statement, the trade unions described the media in which one of the priests was factories will go on indefinite strike after comes first. If there is a crisis we have to decision to corporatise the plants “arbitrary, heard allegedly saying he had an illicit the second week of July in protest against work round the clock and supply illegal and unjustified” and “in violation of relationship with the woman in question the Centre’s decision to corporatise equipment to the army,” Mukesh Singh, assurances” given by former defence and wanted to come out of it. One of weapon and defence equipment general secretary, BPMS, told HT. The ministers. them was also heard detailing his sexual manufacturing units run by the Ordnance date of the strike will be decided in mid- “In spite of the Covid-19 lockdown dalliance with the woman. Later some Factory Board of the ministry of defence. July. The unions decided to go on indefinite more than 99 per cent employees video clips also surfaced. The announcement was made on strike after their members gave their participated in the ballot and voted in favour Soon these clips went viral, forcing Wednesday afternoon by all three national opinion through ballot between June 8 and of the indefinite strike,” said Srikumar. The church authorities to take action against trade unions, including the Bharatiya 17. unions started a movement against them. “Whatever we want to say is there in Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (BPMS) “Ordnance factory workers toiled corporatization in July last year. The the statement. We don’t want to make more affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak day and night whenever India was at war agitation started to build up soon after the Sangh, the ideological parent of the with its neighbours. There was no need to Centre enforced Arms Rules 2016, which comments on this,” said the spokesman of Bharatiya Janata Party. corporatize the factories. We are ready introduced new laws to facilitate production the archdiocese. Police said they are yet The unions, however, said that to stand up to any crisis,” said C Srikumar, of weapons by private players in to get a complaint in this regard. the strike will be deferred if the killings in general secretary, All India Defence collaboration with foreign partners. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 OP-ED 8 Don't Cave In. China Has To Be Defeated In Its Own Game It's only when there is fear of retaliation that neighbours will stop taking us for granted. Till then, we will keep buying casualties and moving tanks on slides on TV shows By Maj Manik M Jolly, SM (Retd) the commitment and bravery of On June 16, in a sad and these Commanding Officers who shocking incident, Indian Army lost always lead from the front, and that 20 soldiers during the de-escalation would be an appropriate homage. process of Chinese soldiers at And if you still think you are right, Galwan valley in Ladakh. The first go and join the Army and prove reports came of three casualties, everyone wrong. including Col Santosh Babu, who The country needs to put up a was Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar united front and we all have to show Regiment and Hav K Palani and Sep our soldiers that not only do we Ojha who belonged to the same does Pakistan think it can keep moving tanks on slides on TV these battles. By giving a boost to care, we support them unit. Our heartfelt condolences to sending terrorists for decades and shows. Better be safe and hated negative and anti-India propaganda, unconditionally. We have a the families and units on the loss of nothing will happen? Why does than vulnerable and still hated! we not only weaken the resolve to government that is known now for brave soldiers who in the highest Nepal think it can change the map As normal citizens, we have to act, but create gaps for the enemy taking tough decisions. I am sure they traditions of Indian Army, laid down on its own? Why does China think safeguard ourselves against to exploit. The best we can do is will not let this go. But let’s not push for their lives defending the country and it can come and go whenever it propaganda. Nothing eats away the believe news from authentic knee jerk reactions and comments us all. wants? It is time to shed the sanity and unity of a nation like sources and ask right questions, from the government and military. The As per reports, the Chinese Nehruvian-Gandhi image of non- psychological ops. And propaganda and wait for answers patiently. country is fighting a major war internally Army was supposed to be packing violence, submission and fake remains its strongest tool. China Also, the armchair Generals with Covid-19 crisis and we cannot and moving. However, during the brotherhoods, and respond has dedicated teams focused only and keyboard warriors should afford to take focus away from that night, at PP 14, Galwan Valley, a appropriately. Have we still not on this. Soon, you will see social know that it takes years of either. Do not buy into loose talk scuffle broke out between the learned our lessons? Why do we media flooded with anti-government training and decades of service and ‘source in Army’ reporting. troops of Indian Army and PLA have one of the largest armed forces posts. As these posts and tweets to become Commanding Officer of We have one of the largest and which led to injuries on both if we cannot even answer to an start to pick up, there will be posts an Infantry Battalion. To criticise best Armies in the world, and given sides. The Commanding Officer open threat? This is not war to create a rift between the Army actions of a CO, to dissect his chance and permission, they have and his escorts were supposedly mongering; this is balancing the and government. Propaganda operation and to undermine his the capability to deliver. So, have attacked by iron rods and stones scales. This is creating appropriate shapes opinions and opinions decisions because you know faith, stay calm and trust your army. and by morning, it was confirmed defence and this is telling everyone, dictate actions. As responsible names of five types of guns and (The author is a decorated that they had succumbed to the ‘Enough’. It's only when there is fear citizens, we should not forward have watched some YouTube veteran, who now works in injuries. Later, additional 17 of retaliation that neighbours will messages that are not videos is not only disrespectful Energy Innovation and Rural casualties were reported by stop taking us for granted. Till then, substantiated. In this information- towards the martyr but also shows Development. Views government sources. The Chinese we will keep buying casualties and sharing age, we all play a role in your ignorance. Rather, focus on expressed are personal.) media reported five PLA soldiers were dead and 11 injured during the clash, which later was said to be Bolton's book makes it clear 43 in number. But then, the report is ‘Made in China’; its authenticity is anyone’s guess. Trump is the amoral charlatan we knew he was India stands at a crucial By Michael H Fuchs pandemic that is killing tens of thing to do”. Trump’s lack of the world’s worst dictators – to juncture. Mind you, not crossroads! John Bolton’s book is a thousands of Americans to interest in human rights in advance his own personal We do not have many options, but one. The bully has to be defeated reminder that, contrary to all of encouraging state violence China, his racist views towards interests. in his own game. Stay aggressive. Trump’s claims to be “tough” against protestors and police Muslims and emulation of But Bolton’s book also China and its Army did this as a on China, in reality Trump brutality against African strongmen like Xi make this reinforces how the people message to put India on backfoot, fawns over China’s president Xi Americans. revelation abhorrent and yet around Trump enable the to maintain the psychological Jinping, his China policies are There are no more completely unsurprising. president’s destructive dominance in the region and to counterproductive, and Trump surprises with Trump, just The book also recounts how behavior. Despite claiming at break away on a comparatively has repeatedly sold out the more death and destruction he Trump specifically asked Xi to the time to have information higher note. China is a master of American people to China to leaves in his wake. But Bolton’s buy American agricultural relevant to the inquiry, Bolton propaganda and this single act will advance his own personal book helps illustrate two facts products – which was part of refused to testify before the light social media on fire. interests. about the Trump the eventual “phase one” trade Trump impeachment process, Remember, not a single bullet was From encouraging Xi to administration: Trump is deal signed in January 2020 – choosing instead to make fired, and China’s Foreign Ministry continue ethnic cleansing exactly who we know he is – to help Trump win votes from money off of his knowledge denied even having any information of this incident. What does that against Uighurs to asking for an amoral charlatan using the certain constituencies in the of Trump’s impeachable mean? We will not do anything that China’s help in his 2020 re- most powerful office in the world 2020 election. We already conduct by waiting to sell a can be construed as an act of war election campaign, Trump’s to help himself at the expense knew that Trump had asked Xi book. Bolton says that Matt and work under plausible deniability actions make it clear why of the American people; and to investigate Joe Biden, and Pottinger - now deputy at the highest levels. Ladies and Chinese officials believe that those around Trump help him so combined with Trump’s national security advisor and gentlemen, China! Trump is good for the Chinese carry out his corrupt ends, solicitation of campaign help someone who reportedly The region is becoming Communist party (CCP). despite what they may tell from Russia and Ukraine this takes a hardline against the increasingly difficult for India. Our The revelations regarding themselves to justify their is yet another reaffirmation that authoritarian CCP - heard diplomacy with neighbours has China are just a handful of the complicity. Trump’s conversations with Trump in 2017 encourage taken a major hit recently. And this many episodes in Bolton’s Trump’s approach to China, world leaders regularly include China’s ethnic cleansing incident has further worsened the book illustrating Trump’s in particular, is illustrative. invitations to interfere in campaign against Uighurs situation. Yes, the authorities will corruption and ineptitude that, Bolton claims that Trump told America’s elections. and yet (despite that and talk, and de-escalation will happen, and the world will move on. But as I in year four of Trump’s term, Xi that he supported the ethnic At the end of the day, every other publicly known have been saying earlier, what do may not be surprising, but cleansing against Uighurs and Bolton’s book tells us more of corrupt and impeachable act we do if they act again like this? should still shock everyone. other ethnic minority groups on what we already know about Trump has committed in Why don’t we have diplomatic, Daily events highlight how at least two occasions, telling Trump: the president is corrupt, office) Pottinger still works economic and military deterrents in dangerous Trump is to America Xi that building concentration incompetent, and partners with for Trump. place to counter such moves? Why and the world, from ignoring a camps was “exactly the right whomever he needs – including (Contd on page 31) Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 EDITORIAL 9 Don't be fooled On China, the error of judgement No other Indian prime minister (PM)?has attracted to each other by the remarkable The US supreme court hasn't travelled to Beijing as often (nine visits, five similarities in their political rise. as PM and four as Gujarat chief minister) or And yet, diplomatic relations, especially invested as much personal equity in those with as fraught a history as India and suddenly become leftwing nurturing ties with the Chinese leadership China, cannot be built on personal chemistry A few decisions that help progressives but we certainly shouldn’t treat Roberts as Narendra Modi. alone. The bloody encounter in eastern do not mean the justices have become and Gorsuch as champions of the rights Which is why if the 1962 war is seen by Ladakh only highlights the limits of this enlightened ‘We can celebrate the of the oppressed. Nehruvians as China’s “Great Betrayal”, “personalised” brand of diplomacy where outcome, but we certainly shouldn’t treat To think about what the decisions Ladakh 2020 may face similar damnation institutional mechanisms are forsaken at the Roberts and Gorsuch as champions of imply about the court itself, it’s helpful to in the future from Modiites. If Jawaharlal cost of promoting a personality cult. The the rights of the oppressed.’ Photograph: understand the justices’ actual reasoning Nehru’s outreach to China was founded on Modi years have seen the PM as a frenetic Michael Reynolds/EPA Everyone knows in each case. In Bostock, Gorsuch’s a romantic illusion of a great ancient globetrotter, reducing the ministry of external that there are liberal US supreme court reasoning was very simple: the 1964 Civil civilisational compact, Modi’s engagement affairs to little more than an appendage to justices and there are conservative Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the has been less ideological and far more the PM’s myth-making machine. supreme court justices, and usually in a basis of sex, and while it does not personalised. Then, whether it was the late Sushma politically charged case you can pretty specifically prohibit discriminating The Modi rendezvous with the Chinese Swaraj who was relegated to the role of a well predict the way the justices will vote against people for being LGBTQ+, in can be explained at three levels. First, it is lighthouse for Indians in distress or now S by where they stand on the left-right practice there is no way to discriminate rooted in a sense of personal gratitude. Jaishankar, whose formidable intellect and spectrum. But not always: the decision against a person for being LGBTQ+ When Modi was ostracised by the West diplomatic experience appear to count for upholding Obamacare’s individual without discriminating against their sex. after the 2002 Gujarat riots, the two countries little, the focus in the last six years has mandate was written by Bush-appointed After all, if I fire a man for being attracted which embraced him were China and Japan. almost been on refurbishing Modi’s self- Chief Justice John Roberts, and the to men, but I would not fire a woman for Which is why, soon after becoming PM in image as a game-changing, charismatic decision legalizing same-sex marriage being attracted to men, what is making 2014, the first major country he travelled to leader for whom style and optics often matter throughout the United States was written the difference in my conduct? The sex of was Japan and the first big power leader he more than substance. by Reagan appointee Anthony Kennedy. the employee. Gorsuch said that it welcomed to India was the Chinese This might explain the dramatic decision In the last week, progressives doesn’t matter whether Congress President Xi Jinping. The photo-op of the in 2015 to crash-land for an unscheduled have notched two more supreme court intended to prohibit discrimination against two leaders on a swing in Ahmedabad was visit to greet the then Pakistani PM Nawaz victories with unexpected votes by the LGBTQ+ people, because the thing they hyped as evidence of their special bonding, Sharif in Lahore. Or rushing to the airport to conservative justices. In Bostock v did prohibit covers acts of anti-LGBTQ+ two supreme leaders promising to end receive the Obamas and bear-hug “my friend Clayton county, the Trump-appointed discrimination. It’s very straightforward decades of Sino-Indian mistrust over dal- Barack”. Or driving the Donald Trump family justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in a majority reasoning. It’s also quite “conservative”, kadhi and dhokla. in a cavalcade through Ahmedabad or opinion that discriminating against in the sense that Gorsuch is applying a Second, there is a sharp business angle clasping hands with the US president at a LGBTQ+ employees violates the 1964 form of judicial interpretation usually that underpins the connection. The PM has rock concert-like event in Houston. The Civil Rights Act. And in Department of associated with conservatives, most never hidden his admiration for China’s blaring headlines and artful event Homeland Security v Regents of the notably Antonin Scalia. Scalia was an State-driven private enterprise. Chinese management might ensure 24x7 news University of California, in a 5-4 decision, advocate of textualism, meaning that the business leaders have been a striking coverage, but they can never be a substitute the court decided that the Trump words of a statute matter far more than presence at Vibrant Gujarat summits and for the exactitude of rigorous diplomacy and administration could not proceed with its what the lawmakers writing it intended Chinese companies have reportedly quiet ground work that is required to foster plan to eliminate Daca, the Deferred for it to do. If applying the law in its most invested thousands of crore in the state. ties beyond personal equations. Action for Childhood Arrivals program that literal form has a negative unintended Third, the Modi brand of muscular Let us not forget that within weeks of protects certain immigrants from consequence, tough luck. Gorsuch felt Hindutva nationalism finds an echo in the Xi the Modi-Sharif bonhomie in Lahore, there deportation. Donald Trump has been that a consistent application of vision of aggressive Chinese nationalism. was a terror attack at an air force station in apoplectic over the decisions, calling textualism required ruling in favor of Two strongmen, dominant over their party Pathankot, followed by a series of suicide them “shotgun blasts to the face” of LGBTQ+ rights. But if Gorsuch’s vote apparatus and exercising a larger-than-life strikes in 2016. conservatives. resulted from his highly literal interpretive presence over their citizenry, are perhaps (Contd on page 31) If your theory of judicial behavior theory, there’s no reason to expect he is a purely political one, these results will be progressive in cases involving might seem mystifying. Why is Gorsuch LGBTQ+ people more generally. The siding with the liberals? Donald Trump’s Human Rights Campaign opposed “shotgun to the face” is one he himself Gorsuch’s confirmation originally citing loaded and fired, by appointing Gorsuch worrying past decisions, and while there to the court. Was Gorsuch a Trojan is evidence that he is not personally horse, a person of secret left-ish homophobic, if the “textualist” reading of ISSN No. 1554 06X sympathies? No, of course not. Because a statute goes against LGBTQ+ people Editor in Chief & Publisher : while the court is extremely political, it’s next time, they are unlikely to find Sharanjit Singh Thind not completely political, and sometimes Gorsuch so friendly to the cause. Editor (Political Affairs-India) : judges do in fact make rulings for In the Daca case, too, there is Aruna Singh Bureau Chief (India) reasons other than where they stand on more going on than simply “John Roberts Susmita Ghosh the left-right spectrum. And that’s being favorably disposed toward Chief Photographer : Vijay Shah important, because it means we immigrants.” Roberts himself wrote in his shouldn’t really think of the court as opinion that the decision had nothing to Editorial Intern: Roubin Singh Thind having made “progressive decisions” at do with the merits or justice of Daca, but Special Correspondent : all. They were rulings that had was purely about a procedural issue: “We Gagandeep Singh (India) progressive outcomes. But the justices’ do not decide whether Daca or its Web Coordinator : Harpreet Singh politics haven’t changed, and we can’t rescission are sound policies… We A Publication of Media Partners Capital, Inc. assume there is any kind of pattern here. address only whether the agency The court is still fundamentally complied with the procedural requirement REGD & MAILING OFFICE : conservative, and these rulings are more that it provide a reasoned explanation for P.O Box 7005 Hicksville New York 11801 the product of luck than any kind of shift its action.” Of course, judges always say in the “hearts and minds” of Neil Gorsuch that what they’re doing isn’t political, even Phone: 917 612 3158 and John Roberts. Do not be surprised if when it is, but there are justices with [email protected], [email protected] next year, they rule in ways that hurt fetishes for procedural regularity, whose www.thesouthasianinsider.com Disclaimer The South Asian Insider is a weekly newspaper published every week by The South Asian Insider. It's available in LGBTQ+ people and immigrants just as loyalty to the process far exceeds their community & religious centers, ethnic grocery stores and also available by mail, email & online to subscribers. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints much as this week’s rulings have helped loyalty to any kind of “justice” or political expressed by the various writers, authors and forum participants in The South Asian Insider do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Editor. All advertisers advertising in The South Asian Insider assume responsibility for accuracy of their advertisements. The South Asian Insider them. We can celebrate the outcome, value. (Contd on page 15) and/or people associated with it are not responsible for any claims made by the advertisers and don't endorse any product or services advertised in The South Asian Insider. We strongly urge consulting your lawyer before buying/contracting /hiring through the ads published in the newspaper. We are in the business of selling space and claims made by the advertisers are not authenticated or confirmed by an independent source Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 OPINION 10 It is time to tap potential of handicrafts and textiles It can be produced in rural areas; it creates jobs; it needs low investment; it can be a Made in India by Hand brand This was unlike in many other of Indian couture and its a fraction of the price to India. countries where priceless glamorisation can be This has destroyed the handloom textiles were relegated to dusty attributed to the handmade market in Varanasi. After the museums. In India, these crafts. In India, the garments pandemic, we have a real creations, and not fashion from from maharajahs and royal problem of livelihood on our the international ramps, became pageants serve as a theme to hands here, as well as one of the aspirational garments for urban Big and Small Indian intellectual property of textiles consumers, especially women.In Weddings. Their imitations which is facing a real threat.The an effort to create interest in have flooded malls, boutiques, government has to think outside Indian crafts internationally, the village haats and bazaars the box, step in and support start- “Vishwakarma” exhibitions were across smaller markets. Each ups. This is a lucrative market. It exhibited through the Festivals of has its own version, creating can be run and marketed by a India in the most-prestigious a theatrical, Indian ethnic professionally-run organisation, museums around the world fashion. With the recessionary with cutting-edge pricing, which capitals. This highlighted the trend that the pandemic is also offers retail spaces on the richest traditions of handcrafts causing, it is time for the internet. The only way to do this India has an estimated 16 million government’s efforts to revive left in the world. This again government to step in, as they is to become a conduit to the craftspeople, living mainly in rural heritage crafts, India has been caught the attention of the did in the 1950s, to save customer to buy directly from the India, who are actively involved able to recreate many of its fashion fraternity abroad. India India’s handicrafts. The drop craftsman which would involve in some of the most complex forgotten textile crafts. This was was once again on the world in the retail of high-end minimal overheads. It can easily textile processes that the world forward-thinking at its best and fashion map. Over the last two merchandise will temper the be achieved.Let us look at the has ever seen. This is not an was not easily achieved. It took decades, the Indian fashion scale of celebrations. Most USP of this sector. Handicrafts insignificant number. These a sustained and progressive, industry has made strides. high-end production will move can be best generated in agrarian craftspeople constitute a highly- revival movement to save India’s And unlike the rest of the from hand-made to set-ups. They do not necessitate skilled workforce, with huge handmade legacy. This was world, it boasts of an mechanised alternatives.The a move from the rural to the urban knowledge of specialised successfully launched with a indigenous team of designers. world today produces textiles scenario, hence avoiding the processes, learnt from master series of the “Viswakarma” These do not necessarily using sophisticated machinery. ghettoisation of its inheritors. It craftsmen, who ran guilds over exhibitions, which displayed the mean only those who show on India’s vast repertoire of designs requires little investment in centuries, of complex designs.It sophisticated creations of this the ramps, but also those may end up being used only as production infrastructure or skill was in the 1960s that I discovered revival in prestigious museums. present in the rural fields. an inspiration, as is the case with development. It will be the only the art of gold embroidery in a The programme generated a great They are weavers, China, which produces copies of Made in India by Hand brand in rural setting, in small villages in degree of excitement, and the embroiderers and creators of the woven Benares saris, among the world. West Bengal, where the craft affluent middle-class became the embellishments, which no one a host of other textile Ritu Kumar was being practised. It is said biggest patron of these textiles. in the world can create. Most merchandise, and sells these at is a fashion designer that the origin of the craft was Iran, and it came to India during the Sultanate. The embroideries from these villages were once Social media is killing democracy patronised by the Nawabs of Bengal. India is replete with Print is in crisis. TV news has declined. Social media, with its fake news and lies, dominates village workshops like these, Last week, Uddhav Thackeray which cannot survive without trade was facts, not emotions. was forced to deny reports that financing and infrastructure.After Over the last few years, however, Mumbai would be re-imposing a the coronavirus pandemic, the TV has lost interest in news. lockdown on June 15. The reality is that the handloom and This is particularly true of many reports had made such an handcraft sector in India needs regional news channels, though impact that all over the city, a way to survive. There is no most commentators only focus people were stocking up on relevance today in government- on the national Hindi and goods and wondering whether run emporiums.Our philosophy is English channels. TV is a they had made a mistake by completely wrong. A superior commercial medium so it resuming work too soon. handloom product, aesthetically makes sense to cut costs and In Delhi, where reports of a appealing as well as increase revenues. Covering similar June 15 lockdown had ecologically-friendly, cannot be news costs money; so, many also surfaced — though they sold out of compassion but channels have settled for a low- had not been as widely needs the modern technology of cost formula of studio debates. circulated as they were in marketing and retailing, and The only major costs are the Mumbai — the health minister, read on their phones. And even if Facebook too — to set the needs to be projected as the best anchor’s remuneration and the and subsequently the chief they don’t fully believe, it still agenda. In the United States in the world. This is the only way studio expenses. In the old minister, had to issue a similar nags away at them inside their (US), Facebook posts have been to survive in a competitive days, channels paid for denial. Here’s the thing about heads. used to stoke emotions and market.A fact not commonly camerapersons who went and these reports. They had not The WhatsApp news circulate bogus information in the known is that the textile sector shot debates with guests come from a single credible phenomenon is not new. aftermath of the murder of George is the second largest employer outside the studio. But now, with source. Nor had they been WhatsApp has regularly been Floyd by a Minneapolis police in rural India, after agriculture. Zoom and Skype, the cost of attributed to anyone in a position used by political parties and officer. Fortunately, this has led India was the world’s largest getting the guests on air is to either make that decision or partisan groups to circulate to a national outcry against supplier of textiles 200 years ago. virtually zero. to know the truth. They had not photo-shopped pictures and false Facebook in the US and a By 1947, this was converted into In the 1970s, the media been carried in newspapers or news. Riots have broken out as systematic debunking of the lies a nation using copies of its own pundit, Marshall Mcluhan, wrote on TV channels. Instead, they a consequence of WhatsApp by TV channels and newspapers. textiles, in bulk from England’s that while radio was a “hot” had come from Facebook and forwards and people have been In India, alas, we don’t have the industrial areas. This bankrupted medium which could inflame WhatsApp forwards. And on killed on the basis of fake news. checks and balances that they India’s rich craft economies is sentiment (as Adolf Hitler and Facebook and WhatsApp, you But over the last few months, have in the US. There was a time causing destitution in India’s Winston Churchill did when don’t need to quote anyone or there has been an important when TV news was interested in rural markets. their speeches were broadcast provide any sources. People escalation in the ability of social what was happening in India. It It is a miracle that post- on radio), TV was a “cold” just tend to believe what they media — not just WhatsApp but tried to tell the truth. Its stock in Independence, due to the Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 OPINION 11 After Galwan, what next for India-China ties? New Delhi has a range of options. What matters is the objective it sets for itself in the immediate and long-term In a brief statement condoling the important to note that there will be a the humiliation of October 1962 will death of 20 Indian Army personnel, marked difference between the be part of the collective memory of including a colonel in clashes with transparent approach of a robust PLA. China’s People’s Liberation Army democracy such as India and the But the options will go beyond the (PLA) troops along the Line of cloistered approach of an military domain, and it will actually Actual Control (LAC), Prime authoritarian regime such as China. be determined by the objectives that Minister (PM) Narendra Modi Various reasons are being advanced Delhi sets for itself — both for the emphasised that this loss of as to why PLA acted in the barbaric immediate and the long-term. On the precious lives will not go in vain and manner that it did (attacking Indian face of it, getting China to pull its that India’s traditional posture of troops with lethal batons embedded troops back to the status quo strategic geography. India, alas, has the troubled bilateral relationship. restraint should not be mistaken for with nails and spikes – if some position that prevailed in eastern not shown such resolve or acumen This is part of the “Three Warfares” a lack of national resolve apropos reports are true). The reasons for the Ladakh will be the immediate priority about strategic geography or framework that Beijing has invested territorial integrity and sovereignty. eastern Ladakh incursion and and objective but, desirable as it is, learning from military history. in as part of its comprehensive He further added that “differences consolidation by PLA will have to be realising that normative goal will While democracies thrive military modernisation. should not be allowed to become addressed at a later date, perhaps throw up its challenges. on objective dissent and debate, China will remain part of disputes”, but that is where the India- in the manner that the Kargil Review China is currently in a more they must also exude national the economic and technological China relationship is now poised and Committee was convened and advantageous position tactically unity and consensus during eco-system of the 21st century it could go further south given the necessary policy inadequacies will both in the Galwan Valley and other times of crisis. The current and India’s choices cannot be prevailing mood of anger and anguish have to be redressed. areas it has occupied and fortified. challenge with China calls for binary. Whether the post in the country. But the focus at the moment should This places India in a less-than- closing of ranks among the pandemic word morphs into While there are unconfirmed reports not be on the “why”, but on “what favourable position as far as the political parties. It is encouraging sullen bi-polarity or a more flexible about the number of PLA troops next”, for the Wuhan-Mamallapuram current negotiations are concerned. to note that an all-party meeting cluster of democracies remains killed, it merits recall that China bonhomie will now tempered with a China has honed the art of moving will be convened on Friday where moot. This will determine India’s does not release any official dose of reality. forward assertively in territorial PM Modi is expected to brief posture.For PM Modi, the numbers about casualties sustained India will have to carefully think disputes and then ostensibly party leaders about the Galwan Galwan challenge has the in battles and wars, much less in through its options and remain stepping backward in “good faith”, setback and the options that lie potential to transmute to either skirmishes of this nature. For resolute. The loss of a colonel is a but finally ensuring that its own ahead for India in relation to China. the trauma of Jawaharlal Nehru instance, the Chinese casualties in big setback for any army and the territorial creep becomes a de facto The history of the last 60 and 1962 or the triumph of the October 1962 border war with Indian Army will respond in a manner reality. This was noted in the Doklam years indicates that China has been Margaret Thatcher and Falklands of India were discretely shared in the that it deems appropriate. The 1967 experience. And there should be no able to exploit the political and 1982. The next few months will be internal military history documents battles of Nathu La and Cho La illusions about China’s inherent ideological divisions within India to critical for India and Asia. of PLA only in the mid 1990s. It is when India lost 100 lives but erased orientation towards territory and its benefit in shaping the narrative of C Uday Bhaskar Many countries saw a dip in cases. There are lessons Achieve a recovery rate of over 70%, follow social distancing, and understand host susceptibility to virus A close look at the Covid-19 trajectory in 216 countries/areas or territories. India a recovery rate of 70% and above (China anytime soon. It is conceivable that in Europe reveals that the number of fatalities reported a test positivity rate of 5.8% of a 94.3%, South Korea 90%, Germany such a vast country, no one single peak in the four hotspot countries (Spain, Italy, total of nearly 59 lakh tests and only 7.0 91.3%, Scandinavian countries 82-95%, can be expected and the much- Germany, France) has suddenly decreased deaths per million population.For such a Italy 71%) have all been able to reverse the anticipated decline in numbers will differ and is down to double digits daily. densely-populated country and despite the trend with significantly reduced number of in different regions.Currently, it is Even the United Kingdom and the recent spike due to opening up, these new cases and daily deaths. The so-called apparent that many more people will get United States (US), with their initial sudden figures are remarkably low as compared smouldering infections may lead to more infected and self-help groups must step and steep rise in infection rates and deaths, to hotspots in Europe and the US where asymptomatic cases which can improve forwards to make Covid-19 a people’s appear to be on the path to recovery. Are up to 15% cases and significantly higher immunity. Government responses should movement. The three golden principles there specific lessons in this? Have these fatalities have been reported.What is even continue to focus on detecting and isolating of wearing masks, social distancing and nations already reached a peak and is the more remarkable is that there are relatively infected people with symptoms. hand hygiene are the only ways to infection now on the decline? Is the upsurge few severe/critical cases in India and the More good news comes from New contain the pandemic. in recovery rates related to this and, more mortality rate out of the total positive cases Zealand, which became the first country A recent study published in the UK important, does this signify a downward is very limited (less than 3%). with zero active cases, while neighbouring (BMC Medicine 2020) concludes that trend in virulence?The current pandemic is The observed population-specific Australia, with a recovery of over 92%, has physical distancing measures unique not just because it is caused by a heterogeneity in infection rates and also resumed normal activities.The substantially reduce the contact levels new virus that puts everyone at risk, but clinically different patterns (morbidity and recovery rate in India is almost static at to about 74% and this can help mitigate also because of the dichotomy of the host mortality) are due to two factors namely, 48% since June 1 due to greater public considerably the spread of the virus immunity. It is a unique case of innate virus virulence and host-susceptibility, both activity, leading to a daily spike in the which could lead to a decline in cases immunity (pre-existing, passed on by the of which are interdependent and together number of new cases. This is shifting the in the coming weeks. The real challenge mother since birth) in overdrive mode result in the manifestation of the infection.A recovery further ahead by weeks, maybe for us would be to focus on keeping the leading to a cytokine storm in more severe virus that is virulent in one setting could be months. The focus has to be on slowing mortality rates low.Understanding host- cases.The adaptive immunity, which is innocuous in another. On the other hand, spread of the virus. To achieve this, novel susceptibility to the SARS-CoV-2 virus more potent, long-lasting and much- host-susceptibility is dependent on the strategies will have to be developed that is a key step towards identifying a desired, is suppressed. The challenge is genetic diversity of genes that control may vary from state to state. The target vaccine. It will also help determine why to develop therapeutic strategies for immune responsiveness in a population. should be to achieve recoveries upwards the disease is mild for some people but maintaining an optimal balance between The latter is shaped by diverse microbial of 70% as early as possible. life-threatening for others. Science must the two, so as to halt viral replication and and geographical pressures, which are a India’s situation is not very also examine whether patients who promote the destruction of virus-infected hallmark of evolutionary selection and different from that of Russia and Brazil, recover are able to develop long-lasting cells. immunity to novel pathogens. both having reached high numbers and immunity against reinfection and The infection rates and clinical Once the peak is reached, the still reporting significantly high infection whether those reinfected will develop a severity of Covid-19 patients are highly virus may continue to replicate though at rates daily.The big question that milder form of the disease compared variable across populations. As of June 16, lower levels in the face of immune recovery, everyone is asking is whether we are to those who were previously not more than 8.15 million cases and over as reflected in the percentage of expecting the peak in India along with infected. 439,000 deaths have been reported from recoveries.It is noteworthy that nations with subsequent decline in infection rates Dr Narinder Kumar Mehra Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 12 Decoding China’s planned aggression Its arc of military pressure is designed to test India’s preparedness, political will and resolve

The deaths and injuries to regular references to India. Indian and Chinese military The commander of the personnel in violent Western Theatre clashes on the night of Command and former June 15 has escalated the commander of the Shigatse intensity of the border MSD would also have confrontation, with the memories of the statements of China’s disengagement at Doklam. foreign minister and the China is, meanwhile, People’s Liberation Army creating additional points of (PLA) Western Theatre potential pressure. It seems Command (WTC)?upping to have instigated Nepal’s the ante. It is curious how Prime Minister KP Oli to these violent, large-scale raise a contentious, clashes occurred when emotional claim on a border Indian military personnel dispute with India. A report went to the site with prior indicates that since May 8, agreement. PLA is constructing, or The statement upgrading, a military issued by PLA WTC on training base on the Tibet- June 16 expands China’s Bhutan border opposite territorial claims and Drowa village in Lhodrak asserts that China has for County, Shannan, TAR. The pressure on China’s number of places including pointing to long-term Demchok in Ladakh. In late a “long time had recent tweet by the leadership. These violent Daulet Beg Oldi, Gogra, interest in the Pangong May, the Ngari municipal sovereignty” over the spokesman of the Chinese clashes and loss of lives Hot Springs, Galwan Lake has been noticed. On public security bureau Galwan Valley. This is the Embassy in Islamabad have raised the stakes for Valley, Chushul, Pangong, April 21, Dorjee Tsedup, revealed that all public security second time since the suggesting that the standoff the leadership of both Demchok, Shiquanhe, deputy chairman of the personnel in Ngari received current confrontation in Ladakh may be linked to countries and will make Rudok and Naku La in TAR People’s Government “intensive real combat began that China has the revocation of Article 370 negotiations for north Sikkim. Such a and head of Pangong Lake training”. It is worth noting here extended its claims over is another indicator. He disengagement more military build-up takes Governance travelled to that General Li Zuocheng, the “entire Galwan Valley”. deleted the tweet later. difficult. planning and preparation. Ngari (Ali)’s Rutok County to chief of the joint staff The statement asserts also Viewed in this backdrop, It is important to At least three military sub- inspect the lake and its department of the Central that Indian forces the activity at multiple remember that since the districts (MSDs), namely environment. Hinting at long- Military Commission and the repeatedly crossed the points along India’s borders beginning of May, China Hetien, Ngari and term plans for military commanders of the Line of Actual Control is different from earlier has created an arc of Shigatse, subordinate to Pangong Lake, Dorjee Tsedup South Xinjiang Military (LAC) and warned India to intrusions. It suggests a sustained military pressure the Xinjiang and Tibet emphasised that law District and the Tibet “strictly restrain its front- larger objective with the along India’s northern Military Regions, are enforcement and protection of Military Region have long line troops, immediately Chinese testing India’s borders stretching over involved in this. Both the lake “is important for long- years of experience in the stop all provocative actions military preparedness, 1,000 kilometres from Military Regions come term work”. Days later, Rutok area. They would have been and return to the correct political will and resolve. In Daulet Beg Oldi in Ladakh under PLA WTC, which County’s judicial bureau and involved in planning this track of dialogue and view of the domestic and to Naku La in north Sikkim. exercises operational the Ngari regional customs and force build-up and resolve differences”. international pressures on Xi China’s action blends jurisdiction over the commerce bureau officials formulating its objectives. China’s foreign minister Jinping, he will be reluctant military, civil and diplomatic Chinese side of the entire conducted propaganda After the 73-day face-off at separately accused India of to withdraw forces without instruments. 4,057 km border with India. campaigns to explain the Doklam in 2017, the “crossing the LAC” and showing substantive gains, Confrontations between Related civilian activity by alignment of China’s border in number of ground and air “provocatively attacking” which points to protracted Indian and Chinese troops, the Tibet Autonomous the border villages of Deru and exercises held by PLA in Chinese personnel. negotiations. or Chinese military activity, Region (TAR) and Rudok Jaggang also known as the high altitude Tibetan Beijing quickly By Jayadeva Ranade have been reported from a County administrations Chagkang village, not far from Plateau has increased with sought to gain the propaganda high ground and portray itself as a China’s Reason For Clash With India Despite Saying Otherwise “reasonable power” by claiming it has not No foreign diplomat martyred in a bloody disclosed the number of understands China better skirmish with Chinese PLA?casualties “as it than the legendary Henry troops in the Galwan doesn’t want people of the Kissinger. In his book on Valley. The number of two countries to compare China, Kissinger narrates casualties is likely to the casualty number so as an interesting tale in the go up. In eastern to avoid stoking public context of the India-China Ladakh, some mood”. Hu Jixin, editor-in- war in 1962. He recalls that reports say China chief of the official Global in October 1962, the then has forcibly occupied Times, warned the Indian supreme leader of China, more than 60 square side, “Don’t be arrogant Mao Zedong, called a miles of Indian and misread Chinese meeting of his top military territory. This can be restraint as being weak. commanders and political construed as the China doesn’t want to have leaders in Beijing. This was most serious crisis a clash with India, but we when China was engaged for this government don’t fear it.” Later, in a military conflict with since Narendra Modi unconfirmed reports put the India and Mao had decided assumed office in 2014. numbers as close to 45 to break the stalemate. He so, China had to use force Indian positions and then Today, when India The crisis erupted suddenly Chinese killed and injured. told his audience, “China to ‘knock’ India back ‘to retreated to the previous is engaged with China in its in the month of April and China’s social media is and India are not doomed the negotiating table.” line of control even going worst crisis since 1962, I the Indian side failed to abuzz with netizens asking to perpetual enmity. They Kissinger writes that so far as to return the am reminded of those understand the real for the number of Chinese could enjoy a long period “China executed a sudden, captured Indian heavy words. 20 brave Indian Chinese motive. casualties. This will put of peace again, but to do devastating blow to the weaponry”. soldiers have been (Contd on page 13) Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 13

stronger position on some years back but Tibet. It must double will need to be down on its partnership considered now. with the US, make India will also have to Reset ties with China Quad (which also invest more in South includes Japan and Asia, ensure there are Beijing crossed a threshold. India must be strong Australia) a more friendly governments in permanent arrangement, neighbouring capitals, and be a part of any club and push back on that seeks to contain Chinese efforts to Chinese power. India encircle Delhi. The needs to economically government will also, re-examine its trade, domestically, need to technology and take the Opposition into investment ties with confidence (an all-party With its aggression in the Australia); exporting its own mobilise international geopolitical posture. China, for all these meeting scheduled for Galwan Valley, Ladakh, ideological worldview to opinion to expose Engagement with China appear to have Friday is a positive China has crossed a other countries (especially Chinese aggression at a is essential and should benefited Beijing more development) and threshold and pushed the in South Asia); and time when a continue. But there can than Delhi. It needs to prepare public opinion. As relationship with India to a becoming even more humanitarian, economic be no appeasement. ramp up its military India battles the coronavirus dangerous low, with long- repressive at home and health crisis Policymakers need to modernisation, identify pandemic and a recession, lasting consequences. (Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong (originating in China) go back to the drawing vulnerabilities across the security threat from Chinese soldiers used the Kong) . has engulfed the world. board and examine sectors, and prepare China has added to the opportunity of a negotiated In this backdrop, China But more fundamentally, ways to build leverage for a two-front situation challenge. But India has withdrawal operation to wants to limit New Delhi’s India will have to against Beijing. India — which may have to display strength and viciously attack a power and ambition; it reconsider its entire should consider taking a seemed unthinkable wisdom and defend itself. supervisory Indian wants India to accept contingent. The first Indian Beijing’s primacy in Asia military casualties along the and beyond; it wants to China’s Reason For Clash With India Despite Saying Otherwise Line of Actual Control (LAC) impose costs on India for (Contd from page 12) On June 5, 2020, The Global Times advised. No effort was made by his in 45 years, and the deepening ties with the Neither the government nor the again published an article which said, government to pacify Chinese leaders seeming manner of their United States (US); and it experts can pinpoint to one particular “Since Modi began his second term, prior to this deadly clash. Now, the deaths, are a tragedy. wants to continue using reason for the Chinese belligerence. India’s attitude towards China has killing of Indian soldiers in the line of While the present crisis in Pakistan, which has now China till now has not spelt changed...it is fair to say that India duty has created a situation which will Ladakh was unusual in becoming almost its client out the reason for its aggression. And has been active in many US plans to make his job more difficult. There are terms of the number and State with the China- what is most baffling is the audacity target China.” These are strong words. many in his ideological family and size of Chinese intrusions, Pakistan Economic of the Chinese troops - they decided And obviously China has been sending outside, who, on account of hyper- it appeared to have Corridor, to inflict terror on on a deadly blow to India when the feelers to India and it was up to the nationalism and jingoism, will be similarities with past India. Concerned about military leaders of both the countries leadership of the country to take the asking him for ‘an eye for an eye’ patterns of intimidation. India’s upgradation of are involved in trying to find a solution. hint. Undoubtedly, a sovereign and solution; they will attack his leadership Beijing would intrude; there border infrastructure and It was reported that after talks between proud country like India cannot be if he dithers. But the moot question would be some pushing and motivated by a desire to the commanders of both armies, pressured to conduct its foreign policy is, can or should India be more shoving; then it would change facts on the ground, troops from both sides have pulled according to the diktats of another aggressive? The pragmatic answer is withdraw, feeling a with its recent actions, back by a few kilometres. It is beyond nation, but it is also a fact that India a big “No” for two reasons. Firstly, message had been sent. China has violated every my comprehension why Indian troops can’t ignore the feelings of a big power China has very carefully chosen the Not this time. Galwan Valley border pact signed in the retreated when they are not the ones like China in its neighbourhood. It timing of its operation. It has entered indicates there has been a last three decades to to have crossed the line; it was should be deliberated if it was Indian territory when India is under dramatic shift in Chinese maintain peace and Chinese troops which entered the necessary to have a virtual conference lockdown due to the Coronavirus and tactics, one that will require tranquillity and engaged in Indian territory. In the absence of a with the Australian Prime Minister, is dealing with a battered economy. an equally drastic re- unacceptable aggression. clear motive, can it be said that this Scott Morrison, at a time when the While China has also suffered, there evaluation of India’s India will have to respond. deadly attack on Indian soldiers is an Chinese had occupied India’s territory. are forecasts that it could be the only position. But it must do so attempt to force India to the Secondly, the Modi major economy that does not face First, it is important to strategically, not negotiation table? But the issue then government’s effort to change the negative growth. Secondly, if China’s diagnose the roots of emotionally. There have to is - negotiation for what and why? geographical landscape of Jammu defense spending is 261 billion dollars, Beijing’s behaviour. At the be two layers of response. In the last few weeks, and Kashmir has also not been then India’s is only 71 billion dollars. macro-level, it is clear that The first priority has to be Chinese newspaper The Global Times appreciated by the China leadership. Since 2000, China has been working China — under President Xi to restore status quo ante which is the mouthpiece of the The statement by Home Minister Amit on the plan to make its army the most Jinping — believes the time at the border as it existed Chinese government has hinted at Shah in parliament during the powerful in the world by 2049. Chinese has come to assert its in April. This will require several reasons for the Chinese anger discussion on Article 370 that Aksai president Xi Jinping in May asked the power on the international both a display of military vis-a-vis India. There appear to be two Chin in Ladkah is a part of India seems military to “scale up the battle stage. This has translated strength at the border by potent reasons. The first is India’s to have provoked the Chinese preparedness, visualising the worst- into China violating standing up to Chinese growing proximity to the USA. China leadership. An article was penned by case scenario.” Among BJP leaders international norms and law aggression, and believes that there is a convergence a senior Chinese official, Wang Shida, and supporters, it is very proudly (South China Sea); diplomatic work by making of interest of India and USA to create very recently. He wrote that said that India under Modi is no longer engaging in predatory, it clear to Beijing that its an anti-China axis in the India-Pacific “Abrogation of Art 370 posed a serious India of Nehru in 1962. This sounds very almost colonial, economic intervention will lead to region. Events like India becoming a challenge to the sovereignty of attractive when it is voiced by our so- practices (Belt and Road heavy costs across all part of the “Quad” of USA, Australia Pakistan and China”. After the called nationalist TV anchors, but the Initiative); being brazen, spheres of the and Japan, and the US’s advocacy that abrogation of 370, China went out of reality is that China today is a superpower rather than introspective relationship. The political India should be a member of its way to support Pakistan. with a clear ambition to displace America and transparent, about its leadership, while providing expanded G7 have fuelled its doubt It was because of China that for the as the most influential force in world role in causing crises with strategic guidance, must about India playing a proxy game for first time in the last 50 years, Kashmir politics.India is a responsible nation which global impact (the give all the support the the USA. Then, Modi going out of his was discussed in the Security Council relies on diplomatic and back-channel talks coronavirus pandemic); armed forces need at this way to welcome Donald Trump in of the United Nations, though to defuse tensions. The Chinese have encroaching upon the moment and carefully events like ‘Howdy Modi’ in USA and informally. Therefore, Chinese troops not entered our territory to launch a full- sovereignty and territorial examine the possibility of ‘Namaste Trump’ in Ahmedabad entering Indian territory in areas like scale war with India. At the outside, integrity of neighbours inflicting costs on China in irritated it no end. Global Times writes the Galwan Valley is a clear indication they want to force India to negotiate, (Japan and India); other theatres (including on 23 February 2020, “China should that it has bigger plans and it is for as Mao told his commanders in 1962. intervening in the politics of business and trade) while not blithely ignore US overture to India to conduct its diplomacy This is not the time for India to react in democracies (from keeping the conflict within India”. This was written when Trump accordingly. It appears that Prime anger. European nations to limits. It must also was in India. Minister Modi has been wrongly By Ashutosh Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 POINT OF VIEW 14 India is key to the global battle against Covid-19 Beating the disease will require innovation, equity and global collaboration.?India scores on all three counts

By Mark Suzman player in global health I was last in India in research and development. November. Back then, my Thanks to vaccines developed meetings were about by Indian companies, subjects such as financial including Serum Institute, services, rural poverty, and BioE, and Bharat philanthropy. No one even Biotech,who our foundation mentioned the word has partnered with, fewer “pandemic”. Just six months children around the world on, there is now talk of little than ever before are dying else, with the world rocked from diseases such as by a disease, causing measles, pneumonia and human, economic, and social rotavirus. This expertise misery on a scale most of us gives India’s vaccines have not experienced in our industry a significant lifetimes. advantage in developing cost- As Bill Gates shared with effective, quality-assured Prime Minister vaccines as it turns its (PM)?Narendra Modi, India’s attention to Covid-19. response to Covid-19 to date Today, Indian is encouraging. The actions companies have 30 potential taken so far have kept the vaccines in their pipelines, loss of life and livelihoods with several of the most well below those experienced promising backed by in countries in Europe and measures such as physical engineers,the capacity of its available and accessible to government funding. Our the United States (US). Our distancing, closing shops, drug-manufacturers, its ability everyone who needs them; and foundation is partnering with foundation is supporting this stay-at-home orders, and to meet the highest safety global cooperation because the department of national response with suspending travel. That’s standards for medicines, and this is a challenge too biotechnology, the Indian technical assistance, digital because there are no drugs to culture of collaboration put it immense for one country or Council of Medical Research, tools, training for health care treat the disease, and no at the forefront of the race to one company to go it alone. and the office of the Principal workers, and other vaccine to stop people rescue the world from this Just consider what India has Scientific Adviser to provide programmes in Uttar Pradesh catching it in the first place. pandemic. already accomplished on insights from our global and Bihar. But like every The good news is that India is Ultimately, beating Covid-19 these fronts, and it’s clear that research and development other country in the world, also responding to this global will take innovation to get the this is its moment to lead. work that might inform India’s India’s weapons against the challenge. And the genius of solutions we need; equity to When it comes to innovation, vaccine development efforts. virus are mainly limited to its scientists, inventors and ensure they are affordable, India is already a significant (Contd on page 31) The worst is yet to come in Delhi and Mumbai Requisition health care workers; create temporary facilities; have a clear chain of command; help patients

By Barkha Dutt “no space”. For 10 days, he The financial backbone and had run from hospital to the political nerve-centre of hospital, desperately our country are both reeling. seeking help. Now he was And the worst is still yet to stranded between shamshan come. With the biggest ghats. At a graveyard in the single-day jump in cases capital, Mohammad Sabir, this week, it’s critical to whose 40-year-old wife understand what is going on died this week, said in in Mumbai and Delhi — words that haunt me, “We that along with are poor, we will die like Ahmedabad and Chennai insects.” I am no votary of — have become the cities the lockdown but some of to worry about. As part of the learnings in these my now-16,000 kilometre cities are obvious; it is journey across India befuddling that the reporting the pandemic, I lockdown time was not have spent considerable used to implement them. time studying the medical In both Mumbai and Delhi, infrastructure in both the narrative of “beds places, apart from tracking running short” is a deaths at graveyards and misnomer. In fact, there crematoriums.In the pouring are enough beds. Take rain of a Mumbai storm, I days, including cleaning up by Covid-19 on the floor, treatment, including by Lok Mumbai for example. In its met Narmada, a domestic toilets, in what is meant to be sometimes asleep on Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital private hospitals alone, worker, who has been living a strictly isolation illness. makeshift “beds” assembled where she worked. In the there are 20,000 registered outside Mumbai’s Nair Inside KEM Hospital, I have from cardboard strips. In capital’s main crematorium, beds; there are another Hospital, looking after her seen bodies unclaimed by Delhi, I met the son of Seema, Nigambodh Ghat, I met a man 5,000 in the public hospital coronavirus disease (Covid- families, and relatives huddled a nurse orderly who was unable to cremate his system. 19)-positive mother for 11 together with patients infected denied both a test and younger brother as there was (Contd on page 32) Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 POINT OF VIEW 15 Orwellian Dystopia Is Here, So Is The New India The way government and police work now bears part resemblance to the dystopian setting of Oceania in George Orwell’s book 1984 By Pushkar Raj. and Anand Teltumbde— were to surrender before the trial ideology is socialism that a state where doublethink is then, when it becomes At a time when the whole word arrested for their alleged court in the Bhima Koregaon “rejects and vilifies every the norm, which Orwell defined necessary again, to draw it is fighting a life and death battle involvement in Bhima case, the court rejected it, principle for which the socialist as ‘the power of holding two back from oblivion for just as against a pandemic, the way Koregaon case. Police knock rescinding its own observation movement originally stood, contradictory beliefs in one’s long as it is needed. In people are being rounded up at the door of activists and earlier, i.e., bail, not jail to the and it does so in the name of mind simultaneously and Oceania, the ruling party and sent to jail bears part journalists alike because they accused, thereby concurring socialism." Similarly, Hindutva accepting both of them, such members distort reality and resemblance to the country of are perceived to be opposing with the government, effacing rejects foundational principle of as, ‘India is home to diverse doublethink is method to Oceania in George Orwell’s the ideology of Hindutva or its own purpose under the Hinduism, Vasudhaiva cultures, India is a Hindu achieve it.Presently, the book 1984. We are hopeful of speaking up against detention Constitution. The court Kutumbakam (the world is one Rashtra; Gandhian principles followers of Hindutva are finding a vaccine for Covid-19, of those who protest against overlooked that the family), in the name of are foundation of constitution, demanding doublethink from which is acting like a death controversial laws. Compared government of the day is Hinduism. constitution does not reflect its citizens, and those who do warrant, soon, but liberty may to Oceania, though, India has representative of a tiny minority Doublespeak Indian ethos.”While at play, not agree with or resist this not come back in public life, a Constitution with a chapter (considering statistical The government claimed that this doublethink becomes state of ‘cognitive dissonance’ as we have so long known it. on fundamental rights absolutes), but the judiciary the CAA is neither anti-Muslim doublespeak that Orwell are being questioned. The new normal in democracy enforceable by the judiciary. represented constitution and nor anti-human, though, it has describes as, “to tell deliberate Mass Surveillance is frightening.Recently, two However, when Navlakha and citizens of all ideological no logical answers on reports lies while genuinely believing In Oceania, propaganda prominent human rights Teltumbde sought additional persuasions. of building detention camps in them, to forget any fact that captures mind of people by activists—Gautam Navlakha time from the Supreme Court In Oceania, the ruling party’s across the country.Oceania is has become inconvenient, and constant bombardment of manufactured statistics, stigmatising opposition, and Modi Government's J-K Gambit Has Had Pakistan, China And Nepal Riled arousing hate. Recent media coverage of Shaheen Bagh China’s Asia policy rests on its desire to keep alliances from building amongst its regional rivals protests comes close to, how By KC Singh Chinese structure on the listing of Pakistani terrorism Alongside, India was finalising Vietnam. India is also chairing Emmanuel Goldstein, the The standoff over Chinese Indian side of the LAC. masterminds by the UNSC and eventually clinched its civil executive board of the World opposition leader in the book, intrusions across the Line of Jaishankar warned of its and so on. But whenever nuclear deal with US. Thus, Health Organization, where a is portrayed—as a traitor.In Actual Control (LAC) had “serious impact” on relations economic interests China’s Asia policy rests on probe into the Covid pandemic Oceania Thinkpol (thought simmered since early May. between the two countries. beckoned, China chose its desire to keep alliances is underway. India has also police) is entrusted to detect, Some analysts using private The statement said both sides conciliation. To maintain from building amongst its tightened the rules for Chinese arrest, and kill thought satellite pictures revealed that “would implement the peace and tranquility at the reg-ional rivals, with offshore foreign direct investment in criminals, citizens whose Chinese ingress was seen in disengagement LAC, agreements were US support, using the carrot vital sectors. intellectual, mental, and moral areas like Galwan valley— understanding of June 6 signed in 1993, 1996 and and the stick. Additionally, embarrassing a independence challenges the Indian control over which was sincerely”. 2013. After the 1989 There may be politically ascendant political orthodoxy of never disputed—or even This sounds optimistic but Tiananmen massacre, under multiple drivers for the current Narendra Modi, diminishes Ingsoc. They spy upon the deeper on the north shore of must be viewed cautiously western sanctions Chinese crisis, which catches India one Xi rival. It also signals to people through ubiquitous Pangong Tso, the world’s against past experience, growth stumbled. Its GDP fell amidst the pandemic-related countries in SAARC and two-way telescreens. highest saltwater lake. current Chinese motives and from 11.2 per cent in 1988 to health and economic stress. ASEAN that China is the Indian government’s Troops, larger than normal in the geo-political context. 4.2 per cent in 1989 and 3.9 Last year’s abrogation of dominant power and shall National Intelligence Grid number, were also observed Firstly, Chinese desire to per cent in 1990. It recovered Article 370 and division of brook no challenge. China has and facial recognition all summer patrolling the LAC contain India in a South Asian in 1991-94 but again began Jammu and Kashmir to take a call. It can gradually system will perform in contested areas. construct began in 1963, sliding, worsened by the definitely are factors. China restore status quo ante, similar tasks. So, when The Indian government kept immediately after 1962 Sino- Asian financial crisis in had protested both to show obtaining from India the police raid people’s the imbroglio quiet, to avoid Indian war. Pakistan settled 1997.Similarly, the most support for Pakistan, but also assurances on its concerns house, seizing cell triggering jingoism in both their border with China, promising border resolution create grounds for regarding Indian infrastructure phones and computers, nations. Existing ceding Sakhshgam valley. agreement was signed on intervention. It also puts India upgrade near LAC. It can do they already establish methodology and While China could not help April 11, 2005 on “Parameters on notice to avoid closer so partially, hoping India will guilt by thought and mechanisms under LAC Pakistan during the 1971 and Guiding Principles of the convergence with US and settle for a face-saver. Or it association as they know, management agreements of Indo-Pak war, as China was Settlement of the India-China China’s regional rivals can dig in and force India to with whom the seditious 1993, 1996 and 2013 were embroiled in its own Cultural Boundary Question”. Australia, Japan and react and then respond. citizen has spoken. used. On June 6, the Indian Revolution, they vented ire on corps commander met his Bangladesh by delaying its counterpart and the initial recognition. After the 1972 Don't be fooled : The US supreme court hasn't suddenly become leftwing public comments were Simla Summit, China began The ostensible issue in the Daca administrative law question. But it judge, but sometimes the desire to optimistic. But things went clandestine transfer of nuclear case was whether, under the could also be that they aren’t, and avoid looking like a political partisan horribly wrong on June 15 weapons technology and Administrative Procedure Act, the that he’s genuinely committed to guides them. The point is: we can’t when troops of 16 Bihar material to Pakistan, Trump administration’s had ensuring that executive branch rely on the justices’ conscience to Regiment, led by their entrenching its position in undergone the proper process for agencies undergo a particular series improve the world. Even commanding officer (CO), Islamabad. presenting its justifications for of steps in order to make or rescind “progressive” justices like Ruth proceeded to occupy an area Secondly, post-Mao ending the program, and whether the new rules. If that’s the case, under Bader Ginsburg often turn out to vacated by PLA. They were Zedong, China adopted administration’s judgments about a Democratic administration, have unexpectedly conservative attacked by the Chinese with pragmatic dualism. Following Daca’s legality had undergone the progressives might find that Roberts streaks, and while a conservative improvised weapons. Col B. Rajiv Gandhi’s 1988 China correct amount of deliberation. proves just as much an obstacle to may look like a lefty from time to Santosh Babu, the CO, and visit while relations Justice is sometimes served at the the accomplishment of progressive time, it’s frequently because of 19 colleagues were brutally normalised and trade supreme court, but when it is it’s goals as he is currently proving to an obscure procedural issue that killed. The external affairs boomed, mostly in China’s often by chance the accomplishment of Trump’s nobody except lawyers ministry (MEA) revealed in a favour, China continued to woo This is a rather dull question goals. The law that is applied in our understands or cares about. statement that foreign anti-India forces in South of administrative law, and the issues favor one day will be applied against Justice is sometimes served at minister S. Jaishankar on Asia. Since then it opposes being argued about have very little us the next. the supreme court, but when it is June 17 phoned his India’s permanent to do with whether or not Daca is a Judges make decisions for it’s often by chance. The court won’t counterpart Wang Yi and membership in the UN good thing. Of course, it could be all kinds of reasons, ranging from save us, and conservative justices protested “in the strongest Security Council, blocks that John Robert’s subconscious their ideals of justice to whether or are still not our friends. terms” over PLA’s violent Indian entry into the Nuclear sympathies for immigrants are not they have had lunch. Sometimes By Nathan Robinson, Courtesy reaction to India destroying a Suppliers Group, counters influencing his judgment on the partisan political values guide a The Guardian Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 16 Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 17 Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 18 Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 INDIA-NEWS ANALYSIS 19 India-China’s deadliest border clash since 1975 explained The weeks-long stand-off snowballed into the deadliest clash between India and China in 45 years. (News Agencies) India and is not resolved. China, on Monday evening May 19: As tensions simmer in engaged in their first deadly Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley and conflict in at least 45 years, Hot Springs, China’s foreign resulting in 20 deaths on the ministry accuses Indian troops Indian side, including that of a of trespassing across LAC, commanding officer, and possibly saying Beijing had to take 43 casualties including injuries “necessary countermeasures” on the Chinese side, pushing the after the Indian side allegedly bilateral relationship between the obstructed normal patrols by two nuclear powers to an all-time Chinese troops. low. May 21: India strongly refutes May 5-6: Violent clash between China’s contention that tensions Indian and Chinese patrols on the in the Ladakh and Sikkim northern bank of Ladakh’s sectors were triggered by Indian Pangong Tso lake. Soldiers troops. External affairs ministry exchange blows, throw stones at says Indian activities entirely on each other and Chinese troops the Indian side of LAC and China attack Indian soldiers with nail- hindering India’s normal patrols. studded clubs. Scores of May 22: Army chief General soldiers (from both sides) injured Manoj Mukund Naravane makes in the skirmish involving 250 a low-key visit to Leh-based 14 men. Corps headquarters for a security allow India’s dignity to be hurt. pulling back its forces deployed deployment in their ‘depth areas’ May 9: Tensions spread to review of the sensitive sector. June 2: In the first official in those pockets. They say across LAC includes more than eastern sector. Heated Troop build-up and military acknowledgement of a troop “limited military disengagement” 8,000 troops, tanks, artillery guns, confrontation between Indian and reinforcement from both sides. build-up along the border with has started in the Galwan valley, fighter bombers, rocket forces and Chinese soldiers in north May 25: China marshals close China, Singh says a significant Patrolling Point 15 and Hot air defence radars. Sikkim’s Naku La area. Four to 5,000 soldiers on its side of number of Chinese troops are Springs. June 13: Army chief says Indian and seven Chinese the disputed border in the Ladakh present along LAC and that the June 10: Indian and Chinese disengagement of Indian and soldiers injured during the face- sector where India has also sent Indian Army is matching the delegations, led by Major Chinese forces taking place in a off involving 150 soldiers. military reinforcements. neighbour’s military moves. General-rank officers, meet at “phased manner” along LAC with May 10: Army issues statement May 27: The army’s top brass June 6: In a rare meeting Patrolling Point 14 at the Galwan China where the situation is confirming Naku La face-off, says discusses security issues between top military officers, Valley area as part continuing “under control”. aggressive behaviour by soldiers including the ongoing border row Lieutenant General Harinder efforts to resolve the confrontation June 15: Army delegations led to injuries on both sides. Army with China in eastern Ladakh Singh, commander of Leh-based that has eased slightly with limited from India and China hold officers also confirm the Pangong where Indian and Chinese 14 Corps, and Major General Liu disengagement of forces at some discussions again. Talks take Tso clash. soldiers are locked in a standoff Lin, commander of the People’s LAC hotspots. This is the fourth place at two locations along May 12: Reports of tensions at multiple points. Liberation Army?in South Xinjiang round of talks between the two- the LAC --- brigadier-ranked building up in Galwan Valley May 30: Defence minister region, discuss de-escalation star generals to break the officers meet in the Galwan emerge. In a statement, army Rajnath Singh says India and plan. stalemate. Valley and Colonel-ranked reiterates “face-offs and China talking to each other at June 9: Army officers say China June 12: Major General-rank officers in Hot Springs.The aggressive behaviour occur” military and diplomatic levels to has begun withdrawing its officers meet for the fifth time to engagement between the two along the Line of Actual Control resolve the standoff, assures the soldiers from three hotspots along discuss de-escalation plan and sides happens the same (LAC) with China as the boundary country that government will not LAC, with India reciprocating by ease border tensions. Chinese evening. Beijing’s Tibet plan, Delhi’s infra push possible triggers for China’s troop build-up Experts say China is irked by India’s speedy development of infrastructure, especially in recent years, in strategic sections of the LAC, including in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. This includes bridges and other structures along Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie road. (News Agencies) Analysts say there could issued by the western command of China’s person. Or it could be plain old-fashioned the perfect way to cut India down to be a host of reasons behind China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday distraction. The people said China’s actions size,” the second person added. The massive troop build-up along the Line of said: “The sovereignty of the Galwan River along the LAC could also have been aimed people attributed the timing of the troop Actual Control (LAC) that flared up into the Valley has always been ours.” at countering growing criticism within the build-up and intrusions into the Indian first conflict between the sides in almost This is what China does, the country and abroad of Beijing’s response side of the LAC to the preparations 45 years: from Beijing’s desire to tighten people cited above pointed out: forcibly to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the calls from apparently done by the Chinese side its grip on Tibet to anger over New Delhi’s establish a military presence in a disputed several countries, including India, for an over the winter months. rapid development of infrastructure in border region and then stake claim to it. The people examination of the response from global “This was a coldly calculated move areas. Tensions between the two sides first said China was also irked by India’s speedy bodies such as the World Health and there doesn’t seem to be anything flared up in early May following clashes development of infrastructure, especially in Organization (WHO) as well as a probe to spontaneous about their actions. They between Indian and Chinese troops in the recent years, in strategic sections of the identify the “zoonotic source” of the virus prepared through the winter and acted as Sikkim and Ladakh sectors of the LAC. LAC, including in Ladakh and Arunachal and the route that led to human infections. summer set in,” said a third person. Amitabh The deployment of reinforcements Pradesh. This includes bridges and other “Linking the border stand-off to Mathur, a former special secretary in the by both sides led up to the “violent face-off” structures along the key Darbuk-Shyok- the pandemic may sound far-fetched to Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), said in Galwan Valley on Monday night that left Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road. But there some but President Xi Jinping has been the time has come for the Indian government at least 20 Indian soldiers, including a could have been other irritants as well. strongly criticised within the country for to take the opposition parties into colonel, dead. “The obvious priority for the “Then there’s Tibet and the Dalai his handling of the Covid-19 crisis. This confidence so that the political leadership Chinese side in Galwan Valley appears to Lama factor. Chinese officials have been stand-off could help burnish his image could present a united stand on the border be to move the perception of the LAC to saying for some time that India shouldn’t and also help distract attention from the stand-off. He too said the Tibet factor could their advantage,” said one of several people come in the way of their efforts to choose blame from around the world,” said the have influenced China’s actions along the familiar with developments who spoke to the next Dalai Lama. The current Dalai Lama second person. “China has also LAC. “The government has to take the HT on condition of anonymity. This is based in India along with the Tibetan watched the role India has sought to opposition into confidence and brief them sentiment in New Delhi appears to have administration in-exile and that’s always play in shaping the post-Covid world and plan a coordinated response before been vindicated as a statement in Mandarin been a problem for China,” said a second order and they could be thinking this is things spiral further out of control.” Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 20 Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 21 Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 INDIA-NEWS ANALYSIS 22 Corona Conundrum What is China trying to achieve: 5 experts weigh in Techies Forced to Take Up China’s actions along the LAC, which have gradually escalated in tone and MGNREGA Jobs, Theatre Artistes tempo over the last few weeks, are a reflection of its growing military capabilities Run Food Carts in Karnataka and its attempts to dictate the terms of engagement to India, experts say. (News Agencies) Desperate times call and they are intent on making India pay. for desperate measures. The breakout China’s recent intrusions aim to serve of a global pandemic, Covid-19, has three purposes: First, to stop or slow pushed millions out of their down India’s border infrastructure comfortable lives or jobs of their development, second, to restrict New choice. And the jobless in Karnataka Delhi to South Asia, thus reducing its are now taking up any available ambitions for a global role, and three, to employment just to survive, even if it weaken the traction the Quad partnership is manual labour. Also, some jobless has been gaining of late. Kathmandu and professional such as theatre artistes Islamabad are happy to lend a helping are being forced to sell food on the hand to Beijing on the second objective roadside to survive the pandemic in mentioned above. Our response has to Bengaluru. be firm and resolute. For Beijing, border Several dozen graduates, transgressions are a cheap instrument to postgraduates, diploma holders and apply pressure on India’s political even some techies who have lost their leadership. The Chinese side doesn’t tell jobs in Bengaluru have gone back to you “why”, “why now”, and indeed what their their native places to earn a livelihood (News Agencies) With the Indian Army infrastructure development along the claim actually is. By keeping New Delhi under MGNREGA. now sustaining fatalities in the tense DSDBO [Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg guessing as to its intentions, Beijing puts According to confirmed reports, border confrontation with China, the key Oldie] road? Article 370? To settle the the Indian government on the back foot on over 50 such youths are working under question is what China’s objective is. border unilaterally on their terms through lots of issues. For instance, we are now the rural employment guarantee scheme Regardless of the tactical details and the fait accompli? General assertiveness asking whether it is to pressure India to earning Rs 275 per day in Bidar district legal and linguistic gymnastics over East and West? Something else? stay neutral in the WHO investigation on alone. They are engaged in building canals, whether China has entered Indian Without any definitive statements from the origins of Covid-19, whether it is to desilting check dams, tanks, wells and “territory”, there is no question that the the Chinese, we are left with much retaliate against FDI restrictions, to coerce even repairing roads. According to Sharath scope, scale and swath of Chinese speculation. And it is when the Chinese India on the 5G issue, to counter the Modi Kumar Abhiman, assistant director of pressure is unprecedented and strategic. say nothing that one should worry. The government’s move to change the status MGNREGA in Bidar district, these are There are many hypotheses but few objective may become clear in due time, of Jammu and Kashmir, or indeed in people from poor families who used to earn definitive answers: Is this about Indian but one thing is clear now: The PLA response to purely military a decent living in cities like Bengaluru came to play and they came to stay, developments. before the lockdown. Intel agencies red-flag use of 52 mobile apps with links to China: Complete list The National Security Council Secretariat has backed the recommendation to block or discourage use of 52 mobile apps Team of India (CERT-in). India security.There have been calls spyware or other malicious wasn’t the first country to for action against mobile apps ware. There have been reports restrict use of Zoom within the that are perceived to be that security agencies had government. Taiwan has banned compromising security from advised security personnel from government agencies from using time to time. And companies using them in view of the Zoom, the German Foreign such as the hugely-popular video “detrimental impact that this could Ministry restricts its use of Zoom popular video-sharing app TikTok - have on data security. Such to emergency situations on owned and operated by Chinese concerns about backdoors in personal computers while the internet company ByteDance - have China-linked hardware or software United States Senate advises issued denials.But officials said there have been frequently articulated by (News Agencies) Indian home ministry had issued an members to use other were inputs that many Android and western security agencies too. One intelligence agencies have advisory on use of Zoom on the platforms. The company had IOS apps, either developed by argument has been that China asked the government to block recommendation of the national responded to the home ministry Chinese developers or launched by could use its access to degrade or advise people to stop use of cybersecurity agency – advisory, insisting that it was companies with Chinese links, had communications services in case 52 mobile applications linked to Computer Emergency Response serious about user the potential to be used as of conflict. China over concerns that these weren’t safe and ended up extracting a large amount of data Chinese Violence Completely Unprecedented, outside India, people familiar with the development told Govt Should be Firm in Statements: Lt Gen DS Hooda Hindustan Times. The list of (News Agencies) Calling the violence at reaction came a day after the Army Lt General Hooda also called upon the applications sent by the the Line of Actual Control by the confirmed that at least 20 Indian armed Indian authorities to be more firm in security establishment to the Chinese side as completely forces personnel were killed in a clash responding to the Chinese aggression government include video unprecedented, former head of Indian with Chinese troops at the Galwan while making statements, as the conferencing app Zoom, short- Army’s Northern Command Lieutenant Valley in Ladakh. government had till now maintained that video app TikTok, and other General (Retd) DS Hooda said clear Government sources say at military and diplomatic dialogue was utility and content apps such as UC browser, Xender, SHAREit rules of engagement are required going least another two dozen soldiers are being used to defuse the border row and Clean-master. A senior forward. The retired General, under battling life-threatening injuries, and that has lasted for more than a month. government official said the whose leadership India carried out the over 110 have needed treatment. “The In his first reaction since the deaths of recommendation of the surgical strikes against terror camps toll will likely go up,” a military officer the soldiers were first confirmed on intelligence agencies had in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, told with knowledge of the issue said. “I am Tuesday afternoon, defence minister recently been supported by the CNN-News18 this is not the first time sure that there are casualties on both Rajnath Singh on Wednesday gave his National Security Council that China has resorted to violence sides...we are in a situation where condolences to the families of 20 soldiers Secretariat, which felt these along the border, but the situation Chinese are resorting to violence and who laid down their lives in the violence could be detrimental to India’s never escalated to this extent.His this is not for the first time,” he said. face-off, but did not mention China. security. In April this year, the Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 SOUTH ASIA 23 India and China: How Nepal's new map is stirring old rivalries state of Uttarakhand with territories disputed with Gyawali said there was no "We urge the government of the Tibet region of Nepal inside India's other agreement beside the Nepal to refrain from China.Nepal and China have borders."We all agree that 1816 Sugauli treaty that unjustified cartographic been angered by India's international boundary defined the western border assertion and respect recent moves. Delhi's between two countries is of Nepal with India, and that India's sovereignty and published its new map of the defined by bilateral treaties. treaty clearly states that the territorial integrity," the border region in November, Any unilateral type of action three areas belong to Indian foreign ministry said after it divided Indian- cannot establish any Nepal.In retaliation, Nepal in a statement. The administered Kashmir into legitimate claim of their published its revised map amendment to replace the Jammu and Kashmir and presence," Pradeep last month showing the map is expected to be Ladakh. The map Gyawali, Nepal's foreign disputed areas within Nepal, passed in Nepal's incorporated some of the minister, told the BBC.Mr infuriating India in return. parliament this week. (News Agencies) Nepal's China are already locked parliament is expected in a military standoff in the this week to formally northern Ladakh region of Maldives’ Touted July Reopening approve a revised map of disputed Kashmir, where the country, including their troops have been three areas it disputes with facing off for weeks.Media Shows Complexities Behind the Hoopla its giant neighbour India. and some officials in India (News Agencies) The Maldives’ “See compulsory Covid-19 test upon source markets including the UK, The redrawing of the map have accused China of You in July” social media marketing arrival costing $100 per test, and an Maldives’ fourth largest, still allow covers a relatively small instigating the changes to campaign may be a little premature. immunity health certificate. If it only essential travel, said David region high in the Nepal's map, a charge to Just two weeks to go before seems too good to be true, it Kevan, director, Chic Locations, a Himalayas but it has which China has not reopening international borders, tour probably is. Industry players UK-based luxury tour operator that stirred simmering responded. operators are still in the dark about contacted by Skift said recovery is specializes in Asia. Bilateral tensions between two of What triggered the row? key matters such as flight schedules driven not just by a destination’s corridors or bubbles may be a the world's biggest Nepal and India share an and reciprocal travel corridors, while travel policies but those imposed by solution but again, there are no powers, India and China. open border of about 1,880 government regulations on safety tourists’ governments. So even if the details of who Maldives is discussing In Nepal, which is km (1,168 miles). The two protocols have not yet been Maldives does not quarantine them with, if at all. All 10 of Maldives sandwiched between the countries have finalised finalized. tourists, their own countries will upon top source markets in 2019, namely two, people have reacted maps covering 98% of the On the other hand, the reopening their returns. China, India, Germany, UK, Italy, angrily, protesting and boundary, but the Lipulekh rah-rah has built up great “The key for the destination Russia, France, US, Japan and accusing India of pass, Kalapani and excitement and interest from tourists to boom again for us will be reliant Australia in that order, currently have disregarding the country's Limpiyadhura in western to visit the Maldives, which has on the airlines ensuring flight routes a 14-day quarantine for all travelers, sovereignty.In recent Nepal are among the flaunted a dream welcome back: no are announced across all major hubs according to a chart shown by Ghaly months a new Indian road areas that remain mandatory quarantine, no Covid-19 and that source market return Marthala, founder and managing on a strategic mountain contested.Together, the immunity certificate needed, no quarantine regulations are eased,” director Morteza Capital, during a pass fanned tensions, as three areas cover about Covid tests before or on arrival, no said Cameron Holland, CEO of webinar organized by Delivering Asia. did a revised map put out 370 sq km (140 square new visa rules, and no additional fees Luxury Escapes, an Australian- At press time, the tourism ministry did by Delhi showing disputed miles), Nepalese officials imposed. A previous draft was for a based online company that curates not reply to queries from Skift regarding areas as belonging to say. The strategic Lipulekh special visa costing $100 for tourists travel deals for 3.2 million well- airlinks, airports or tourism bridges with India.To top it off India and pass connects the Indian staying a minimum of 14 nights, a heeled members. As well, many source countries. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 SOUTH ASIA 24 China’s ‘naval base grab’ in Sri Lanka exposed amid WW3 India row

continent.Indian Prime China also suffered after China’s government between countries with an Minister Narendra Modi casualties but Beijing has helped fund the project as often alleged negative vowed his soldier’s deaths given no details. While it looked to expand its intent. Specifically, it “will not be in vain” today military action has long trading power throughout involves one creditor after yesterday’s violent been a fear on the India- the world.Of the country intentionally clash on the contested China border – Beijing has £166million spent on the extending credit to another Himalayan border. also used its economic airport, around £150million debtor country with the Soldiers reportedly fear to gain more military came from Beijing via the alleged intention of brawled with sticks, bats power in Sri Lanka, Exim Bank of China. extracting economic or and bamboo sticks countries such as the US However, this deal has political concessions from studded with nails in the fear. become one of the most the debtor country when it (News Agencies) CHINA both sides - and while the Ladakh region. Both sides The Mattala cited examples of “debt- becomes unable to honour and India have clashed in border dispute rages on, insist no shots were fired, Rajapaksa airport is trap diplomacy” – defined its financial a violent skirmish this Beijing’s ambitions in Asia as part of a longstanding located in Sri Lanka, and as diplomacy carried out obligations.Due to Sri week leading to deaths on span across the pact. India’s army said was opened in March 2013 in the bilateral relations Lanka’s inability to service the debt on the Mattala Rajapaksa airport, it was 'Million at risk' as attacks on Afghan healthcare facilities rise leased to the Chinese Red Cross raises concern over spike in attacks on health facilities and large number of coronavirus cases among medics. state-owned China Merchants Port Holdings (News Agencies) said Juan Pedro Schaerer, the month on a hospital in the capital, population of more than 37 Company Limited on a 99- Rising violence and attacks on head of the ICRC delegation in Kabul that killed 24 people, million, Afghanistan has roughly year lease in 2017. This Afghanistan. including 16 women and two 172 hospitals and four doctors healthcare facilities amid the caused concern in the US, coronavirus pandemic have put "After the hope brought newborn babies, only made the per 10,000 people, according to Japan and India that the millions of people at risk in by a relative reduction in hostilities situation worse, it said. a 2019 government report.More port might be used as a Afghanistan, the International in February and March, we again "COVID-19 has than 26,000 people have so far Committee of the Red Cross see more violence."The ICRC challenged the world's most tested positive for the Chinese naval base to (ICRC) has warned.In a said Afghanistan's health system advanced nations. A country coronavirus, and nearly 500 have contain China’s statement on Wednesday, the was stretched even before the where gunmen attack a hospital died, according to data collected geopolitical rivals.The row humanitarian group said civilian arrival of the novel coronavirus, stands no chance at providing by Johns Hopkins is reminiscent of ongoing casualties were on the rise even with limited coverage in conflict- quality care. We see it in health University.Authorities imposed a disputes in the South as the war-torn country battles affected areas and poor facilities in conflict-affected areas nationwide lockdown after the China Sea as countries the coronavirus pandemic. specialised healthcare.Attacks and in prisons, where people have first cases were reported in try to thwart Beijing’s "The recent trajectory in on medical staff and health already limited access to February, but people have largely growing military presence Afghanistan is of great concern," facilities, such as the assault last healthcare," Schaerer said.With a ignored the regulations. in the contested region. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 SOUTH ASIA 25 Bangladesh archbishop critically ill with Covid-19 Catholics are praying for Archbishop Costa of Chittagong after he was hospitalized in Dhaka on June 13 with Covid-19. By Robin Gomes requested all to pray for him. infections in the country has Catholic dioceses in the official added. Bangladesh Archbishop Moses Costa of The news about Archbishop totalled more than 94,000. More Bangladesh to issue Covid-19 began easing Covid-19 Chittagong is the first known Costa’s critical condition spread than 30 people from the minority health guidelines and closed all restrictions on May 31 and case among Bangladesh’s quickly across Bangladesh’s Christian community of churches for public services since then all dioceses except senior Catholic clergy to be tiny Catholic community, both Bangladesh have been infected even before the government Chittagong have opened infected with the novel at home and abroad. Many and 5 have died in recent weeks. declared a nationwide shutdown churches for public worship coronavirus. The archbishop has expressed their closeness with Chittagong, officially known as from March 26. An official from including Masses. Aiming to been admitted to Square the archbishop, assuring and Chattogram, is the country's Chittagong Archdiocese told kick-start a crumbling Hospital, Father Leonard inviting prayers for his recovery. second-largest city and a major UCA News he was shocked to economy, Bangladesh has Rebeiro, vicar general of the Bangladesh Catholic Students' financial hub. It has seen a hear that Archbishop Costa who allowed the reopening of public archdiocese said in a statement Movement (BCSM) said its rapid increase in coronavirus has been maintaining strict transport, businesses, public on Sunday. He was flown by members are praying “for his cases in recent weeks. Its lockdown measures since and private offices on a limited helicopter from the south- speedy recovery”. 69-year-old Kotwali area has been marked March, was hit by the virus. All scale maintaining strict health eastern port city of Chittagong Archbishop Costa, a member of as a hot spot. Chittagong Archdiocesan staff protocols, most importantly to Dhaka on Saturday. the Congregation of Holy Cross, Lockdown have been advised to stay in physical distancing. Only Prayers urged is secretary-general of the Chittagong Archdiocese was isolation at home and to education institutes remain “Dear clergy, religious and lay Catholic Bishops’ Conference of among the first of the eight continue working from home, closed. (Source: UCA news) faithful, Archbishop Moses M. Bangladesh (CBCB) and he is Costa of Chittagong was also chairman of its admitted to Square Hospital Commission for Health Care. New Delhi could opt out of Russia-India-China virtual meeting with serious ailments on June Saint Pope John Paul II (News Agencies) India is on Monday night. One officer announced as yet, was 13,” Saturday, he said. “During appointed him Bishop of unlikely to join a virtual meeting was among the 20 soldiers killed originally scheduled to be held admission, his sample was Dinajpur in 1996 and in 2011 of foreign ministers of the in the confrontation and several in March but was postponed collected for a Covid-19 test and Pope Benedict XVI transferred Russia-India-China (RIC) more were injured. because of the Covid-19 the report came positive today,” him to Chittagong. Pope Francis grouping scheduled for June 23 Though the border pandemic. Russia recently took Father Rebeiro said. The vicar elevated Chittagong Diocese to in the aftermath of the violent stand-off was not on the agenda the initiative to organise the general also made an the rank of archdiocese in 2017, clash along the Line of Actual of the RIC meeting via video virtual meeting on June 22, as announcement regarding the making Bishop Costa its Control (LAC) that left 20 Indian conference, the people cited first reported by HT on June 13. archbishop’s condition at the Archbishop. soldiers dead, people familiar above said on condition of It was subsequently deferred by start of a Mass live-streamed on Covid-19 in Bangladesh with developments said on anonymity it appeared unlikely a day to June 23. The meeting Sunday, the solemn feast of Bangladesh on Tuesday Wednesday. After a weeks-long the Indian side would join the was expected to largely focus on Corpus Christi, or the Most Holy confirmed 53 more fatalities military build-up along the LAC, meet in view of the prevailing enhancing cooperation to tackle Body and Blood of Christ. He from COVID-19, bringing the Indian and Chinese troops were tensions with China and the the fallout of the global pandemic offered the Mass for the country's death toll to 1,262. involved in what Indian officials domestic situation. The meeting, and the agenda was to have been archbishop’s recovery and The number of confirmed described as a “violent face-off” which hasn’t been officially finalised by early this week. Bangladesh suspends visa-on-arrival indefinitely amid Covid-19 crisis The decision has been taken considering the Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has extended the suspension coronavirus. The suspension was later of visa-on-arrival services for nationals of extended till June 15. It also suspended all countries until further notice, as the incoming flights from all European Covid-19 pandemic in the country is countries, except the United Kingdom, on worsening. An order in this regard was March 16, while a nationwide shutdown issued by the Home Ministry’s Security was enforced to limit the spread of the Services Division on Tuesday. It read that deadly virus. This ban was also extended only foreign investors and businessmen several times. However, the authorities might be able to get the services upon resumed flights on several domestic routes showing proper credentials. However, they from June 1 and all international flights from have to submit a medical clearance Jun 16. On Tuesday, Bangladesh recorded certificate, by taking a PCR test which was the highest number of deaths -- 53 -- and obtained within 72 hours of arrival in cases -- 3,862 -- in a 24-hour span, till date. Bangladesh. The government had With those, the Covid-19 death toll in the suspended visas-on-arrival from March 15 country climbed to 1,262 and the total to March 31 to curb the spread of novel number of cases went up to 94,481. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 US & WORLD 26 Is America falling apart? It can seem that way in this totalitarian moment By Ben Shapiro easy to obtain and easy to neighbors; in which our America feels like it's falling maintain. strongest bonds are forged at apart. That's because it is. The founding vision for the most centralized level. There are two ways to achieve unity presupposed a flawed This second path unity in any group. The first is human nature: People were toward unity requires to set up a few serious capable of sin individually but purification. This path seeks standards of conduct, policed capable of the greatest sin homogeneity in place of with the absolute minimum of when backed with the power diversity, top-down standards compulsion, and then allow of federal force. The founding in place of localism. freedom in all other matters. vision for unity also Standards for membership are This was the founding vision presupposed an agreement on not weak or broad – viewpoint in all things is the individual rights in this climate for our federal government. the nature of rights and liberty: membership cannot be predicate for all serious means to be labeled a In this vision, we agree not to No man had a right to demand obtained simply by avoiding change. Once the group has defender of privilege. To deny infringe upon one another's anything from his neighbor. encroaching on others' life, been purified, change will the systemic evil of the United life, liberty and property, and Furthermore, the founding liberty or property. require only the snap of a States means to betray your we create a government vision for unity presupposed Membership can only be finger. No more gridlock; no moral unworthiness.The great capable of preventing or that our strongest bonds would obtained and maintained more conversation. The irony is that the second model prosecuting such exist outside of government – through strict compliance with collective can be activated of unity – the totalitarian infringements. Then, so long in our families, our an increasingly arcane set of quickly and powerfully.This purification rituals we watch as we abide by those simple communities, our churches. rules and standards. second model of governance before us – will never achieve standards, we are free to The founding vision has now Politically, this means a is totalitarian in nature, and unity. It will achieve further pursue our own paths.Diverse been abandoned in pursuit of demanding legal regime with it is toward that model we division, as more and more ways of life can coexist within something more fulfilling: a heavy coercion. Culturally, are now moving as a people fall short of ideological this broader group communitarian vision of reality this means braying mobs of society. Politically, those purity, or refuse to bow before membership. Governance in which the will of the mob is ideological enforcers, casting who deny that the collective the ideological demands of the becomes largely a matter of perceived as virtuous; in out unbelievers into the ought to have the power to perpetual revolutionaries. We localism – places with which every man has the right cornfields.This second model override individual rights could agree to live with one homogenous values setting to protect himself from the of governance is promoted by must be punished; another, as individuals under further standards for their vicissitudes of life and the the political left today. In this culturally, they must be the broader rubric of rights. If group membership. But our cruelties of history by view, diversity of viewpoint exiled. They must be deemed we don't, we won't be living broadest-group membership is demanding redress from his cannot be allowed; unity of unworthy. To stand up for with one another at all. Google and Big Tech are the chief threat to our liberties-and no one is protecting us

By Tucker Carlson fired in the middle of a recession. Write Google tells you to do something, you disapproves of. At the end of her tweet, On Monday night, we did something we what you think online, and you will be do it. You have no choice. They can she thanked the activists who helped her don't do very often. We spent the entire silenced by the Big Tech companies. bankrupt you in a minute, and they will. to silence competing views "For their first block of the show on a single topic. So, you keep your views to In all of human history, no single entity hard work and collaboration!" -- We told you about Black Lives Matter. yourself. You have no choice. A lot of has ever had more control over #BlackLivesMatter with three raised fists We told you what Black Lives Matter Americans are doing that right now. information than Google does right now. at the end. Adele-Momoko Fraser believes. We told you what the group They're staying quiet. And of course, So, if you're worried about the seemed very satisfied with herself. She plans to do to our country as they amass that's the point of censorship -- to keep concentration of power in the hands of a had done her part for the revolution today. unprecedented amounts of power. The people isolated and alone to prevent a few unaccountable actors -- and you very So what did ZeroHedge and segment went on for nearly 20 minutes, consensus from forming that challenges much should be -- nobody has more "The Federalist" do to deserve this, to and by the standards of this business, those in charge. If you're forced to shut unchecked power than Google does. be demonetized? Well, we asked it was probably way too long. There was up, they can do what they want to you On Tuesday afternoon, NBC Google, and they told us that the two a lot to say. But in the end, a lot of people and your country. That's why they do it. News decided to use some of Google's sites maintained unmoderated saw it. The show turned out to be the But Monday night's show suggested they power to shut down a couple of its comments sections. In other words, most-watched hour of primetime have not yet succeeded, though they're competitors. Power is useful for that. An readers get to say what they want. television in the country on Monday. It trying. Millions and millions of NBC employee called Adele-Momoko Google finds this intolerable. Faced with out-rated everything else -- cable and Americans agree with you. You are not Fraser forwarded Google executives a destruction, The Federalist had no broadcast news, entertainment and crazy. Your views are not evil. What is screenshot from a leftwing activist group choice but to submit to Google. The site sports. happening to this country right now is in England denouncing two sites, deleted its comments section entirely. We never talk about ratings, and completely and totally wrong. And that ZeroHedge and The Federalist as No more saying what you think about we're definitely not telling you this to brag will be obvious to everyone someday "racist." articles on "The Federalist." Google has about it. There's already more than when our French Revolution has ended. Google immediately took the banned that now. ZeroHedge still does enough bragging in television, that's for For now, most are too afraid to bait, of course. The company threatened have comments. So, it has been sure. In any case, nothing in television say that. One of the reasons we get to to ban both news organizations from demonetized. We'll see if they can lasts forever. Next week, we'll probably say that and often do is that Fox News Google's ad platform. In other words, to continue operating. All of this raises an get beaten by a 3:00 a.m. re-air of is an independent company. We are not cut off their revenue. Adele-Momoko interesting question, though. Google "Gilligan's Island" or a four-hour "Love dependent on the progressive tech Fraser was thrilled by this. She says it now holds conservative websites Boat" retrospective. That'll probably monopoly, Google, to make a living here. immediately fired off a victory tweet responsible for the comments of their happen. The point of telling you this is Thank heaven. Most media companies boasting about the censorship she had readers. And yet, irony of ironies, thanks to remind you that you are not alone. are dependent on Google. Google inspired. She called the two sites "far- to a special carve-out Google has You may feel like you are. Suddenly your controls 70 percent of all online right." That's a term that has no meaning received from the United States opinions qualify as crimes. Dare to say advertising. So, if you're in the news but does suggest some kind of immoral Congress what you think at work, and you will be business, you obey Google. When behavior that Adele-Momoko Fraser (Contd on page 31) Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 US & WORLD 27 Why Democratic Progressive Party Of Taiwan Is Anathema To China Taiwan’s relationship with China is not just a bilateral issue; it also has geo- strategic and security implications for the Asia-Pacific, now rechristened Indo-Pacific (News Agencies) The Covid- dependence, and no use of governments. Singapore in 2015. reaching consequences detri- 19 issue and Taiwan’s bid for ob- force”. His policy was that Tai- A landmark event in Cross- In 1996, Taiwan held its first mental to KMT and China indi- server status at the World Health wan should continue with recon- Straits relations was the historic ever direct Presidential election rectly. Assembly, which concluded its ciliation towards the mainland to meeting between the General which was won by the KMT. How- For example, when Chen virtual session on May 18-19 with maintain peace and stability Secretary of the Chinese Com- ever, the DPP came to power in Shui-bian and Annette Hsiu-lien the active support of the US and across the Taiwan Strait which munist Party and President of 2000 and got re-elected in 2004. Lu of the DPP were elected presi- some other countries, has cata- in turn would help securing a China, Hu Jintao, and the Chair- After years in office, it lost the dent and vice-president, ending pulted Taiwan to international me- breathing space for the country man of KMT, Wu Poh-hsiung, at legislative and Presidential elec- the KMT’s over 50-year rule in dia attention. China, however, suc- in the international arena. It is in- the Great Hall of the People in tions to KMT in 2008. It faced 2000, President Chen Shui-bian, ceeded in jettisoning Taiwan’s bid deed a tactical position with a Beijing on May 28, 2008. During defeat again in 2012 election. in a smart move, appointed for a seat at the high table. While strategic objective. the meeting, Hu called for resum- The DPP chairperson Ms Tsai former Chief of General staff and China’s position with regard to During 50 years of KMT rule, ing exchanges and talks between Ing-wen was elected as Presi- former defence minister, Gen Taiwan is that “reunification is in- the relationship between main- the mainland’s ARTAS and dent in 2016 and was re-elected Tang Fei, a KMT veteran as prime evitable and China would never land China and Taiwan had con- Taiwan’s SEF as early as pos- in January this year with a very minister. He also appointed a tolerate Taiwan’s independence,” siderably improved. However, in sible. Within a few weeks, there comfortable majority. cabinet, of which the majority of Democratic Progressive Party 1979, the Kaohsiung incident, of- was a meeting between negotia- The DPP is anathema to ministers were from the KMT. (DPP) maintains that it cannot ten regarded as beginning of tors from Taiwan and their Chi- China because it doesn’t sub- Even if it created tension and in- accept becoming part of China Taiwan’s democratic revolution, nese counterparts in the famous scribe to ‘unification’ with the stability, at end of the day, Chen under “one country, two systems”. eventually led to the formation Diaoytai Guest House, a popu- mainland; rather proclaims ‘inde- could deliver and manage to rule But the question is that if and development of the Demo- lar venue for top-level negotiations pendence’ and this makes a huge with a wafer-thin majority. China supported Taiwan for ob- cratic Progressive Party. In order in Beijing. While the relations be- difference. President Tsai Ing- Taiwan’s relationship with server status in the World Health to develop some contact points, tween two sides were warming wen has said that Taiwan is an China is not just a bilateral is- Assembly from 2008 till 2016, then there had been efforts on both up, China’s ‘panda diplomacy’ in independent state, officially sue; it also has geo-strategic why did it oppose neighbouring sides of the spectrum for an in- December 2008 added yet an- called the Republic of China, and and security implications for the country’s bid for the observer sta- stitutional mechanism during the other interesting dimension to doesn’t want to be part of the Asia-Pacific, now rechristened tus this year? The answer is KMT regime. With this objective the Cross-Straits relationship. People’s Republic of China. Indo-Pacific. What kind of equa- simple and straight: because from in mind the Taiwan Straits Ex- Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, the What is worrying for China is not tion Taiwan will have with the 2008-2016, the Kuomintang change Foundation (SEF) was panda duo brought by private jet, only the victory of DPP at the mainland will have its resonance (KMT) party, which is inclined and set up in 1990. Similarly, the arrived at the Taipei zoo on De- husting and its increasing popu- in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in amenable towards mainland Association for Relations across cember 23, 2008 symbolising larity, but also its capacity to co- the context of China’s belliger- China, was in power in Taiwan. the Taiwan Strait (ARTS) was set the growing friendship between opt and absorb KMT to its fold ent behaviour. China’s reunifica- Former Taiwan resident Ma Ying up in China in 1991. The two the two sides. President Ma Ying and making basic changes in tion with Taiwan, if and when it Jeou’s position with regard to organisations enjoyed semi-offi- Jeou and Chinese President Xi governance structure through ref- happens, will exacerbate China’s China was “no unification, no in- cial status in their respective Jinping met for the first time in erendum which is fraught with far- hostility in the region. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 28 Follow Bhutan’s lessons for post-coronavirus life Its policies on conservation could To sustain this incredible investments in low-carbon help prevent the loss of habitat ecosystem, all government technologies; promote and biodiversity that create policies and projects are subject sustainable tourism and conditions for deadly viruses and to the Gross National Happiness agriculture; and provide diseases, such as COVID-19, to screening tool. It sets goals and incentives for transportation cross over into human indicators that are tracked and and small and medium-scale communities. evaluated to gauge which enterprises to embrace Bhutan’s Gross National conditions are conducive to the renewable energy. Kanni Wignaraja is U.N. Assistant The measures have largely Happiness philosophy that prizes happiness and well-being of the So far, the global debate has Secretary General and Director of worked: there have been only 47 the environment, culture and people, the country and the focused on finding a balance the Regional Bureau for Asia and cases recorded so far — mostly social well-being over GDP has planet. The screening tool has 33 between saving lives and the Pacific. Azusa Kubota is migrants or students returning made it the only carbon-negative indicators that analyze the saving the economy and jobs. Resident Representative of the from abroad — and no deaths. country in the world. Its 2008 nation’s well-being by measuring But instead of making trade- United Nations Development There has been no community constitution states that every an individual’s achievements in offs, can we seek answers in Programme in Bhutan. The tiny transmission either. Bhutanese is a trustee of the each indicator. alternative pathways, like Kingdom of Bhutan may be This has, of course, delivered Kingdom’s natural resources and While governments across the Bhutan? Recovery from managing to fend off COVID-19, brutal consequences to Bhutan’s environment, and mandates that world pump in massive resources COVID-19 is being measured but it cannot escape its crushing economy, where tourism makes the country maintain 60% of its to kick-start flailing economies, by “old normal” parameters — economic blow. up 9% of gross domestic product land under forest cover; so far, the the question is how to resist the the bounceback of GDP and To try and blunt the impact of the and provides the largest country has surpassed this temptation to go back to stock markets. pandemic, Bhutan’s government employment opportunity to target, with more than 70% unsustainable consumption and Meanwhile, as Bhutan aspires moved fast, putting decisive Bhutanese youth. Similar coverage. big carbon emissions, which for a dynamic future, it strives measures in place during the early measures have ensured tourism’s Today, over half of the country’s affect countries like Bhutan that to balance economic stages of the crisis. It closed its collapse around the world. area is protected by five national are doing their part to stay green development with its GNH borders to tourists, including the But the silver lining of coronavirus, parks, four wildlife sanctuaries, and clean. philosophy — inclusiveness, southern border with India; shut if there can be said to be one, is one strict nature reserve and eight The pandemic is revealing new sustainability and well-being. down schools; instituted work that this global slowdown has led biological or ecological corridors. ways of working, giving us Even as it illustrates how from home measures for most to clear skies, lower pollution and These areas host more than insights into sustainable interconnected we are, COVID- government offices; issued the rejuvenation of biodiversity — 11,000 species of flora and fauna, economic activity, divulging 19 is validating these values directives on social distancing; things which Bhutan has always which include 103 tigers and 96 opportunities that countless during these times of societal and asked businesses to shut had with its forward-thinking snow leopards. Of the more than summits and rounds of distress and demonstrating that down by 7 p.m. Last month it approach to the environment. Now 200 species of mammals that negotiations have failed to we can get through crises extended a two-week quarantine the rest of the world should learn have been identified here, 27 are deliver. So it is imperative that together, with a new enlightened to three weeks. from Bhutan. on the endangered species list. fiscal stimulus packages offer development model. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 29 CanCan thethe American-American- ledled BlackBlack LivesLives MatterMatter movementmovement triggertrigger anan AfricanAfrican awakening?awakening?

A good friend of mine shared argue that because the African every day, with little attention on his balcony at home. when examples of the inhuman this story with me. When her American condition is rooted in and almost no outrage. No The continent that gave us treatment of black people by daughter was seven, she told slavery and ours in headlines, few hashtags and icons like Kwame Nkrumah, black people is exposed in our her mother in no uncertain colonialism, and the architects no movement to call out the Nelson Mandela, Fela Kuti, countries. Why is that? terms that she didn't want any for both are white, there is a injustice. has also given us thousands of Remember the saying? "When black kids at her own birthday common understanding that Black people in Africa may not anonymous heroes who have you point a finger at another, party. My friend was shocked links Africans to this be dying as a result of racism, sacrificed their lives with no there are three fingers pointing not just because her daughter movement. but far too many are dying recognition, no campaigns. back at you?"Making a case was black -- so was she -- but Either way, this movement because of their ethnicity, their The Rwandan Genocide, South for African lives, that they because her daughter felt that clearly has global appeal and political beliefs, their poverty Africa's xenophobic uprisings, matter too is not demeaning black people were not the kind not just to teenagers. This is and their gender. Boko Haram's ongoing reign of #BlackLivesMatter, on the of people she wanted at her partially inspired by the As Africans we have our own terror in Nigeria are stark contrary it pays homage to the party. simplicity of the George Floyd, Eric Garner and reminders of these nameless movement. We can learn My friend, like any black #BlackLivesMatter message Manuel Ellis. South Africa's heroes; black Africans who lessons from it about how to mother, was alarmed. She and the dichotomy of its post-apartheid examples suffered at the hands of black start campaigns that capture couldn't figure out how her child protagonists, the black victim include Andries Tatane killed in Africans. They remind us that the world, create social change got to that point in her thinking. versus the white perpetrator. 2011 during a "service delivery the doling out of injustice is not for us and elevate the plight of After taking a moment, she But what happens when black protest"; then there was the the preserve of white people nor the downtrodden in Africa. responded, "Well, if you are people are both victim and Marikana Massacre in 2012 is it always about race. Thank you, George Floyd, and going to insist on not having perpetrator? Do black lives where 34 striking mineworkers Africans are equally complicit the many who sadly came any black people at your party matter as much then? were shot dead by police; and in ensuring that black lives before you. The impact of your then technically that means Despite progress on the more recently Collins Khoza don't always matter. death is already being felt you can't come to your own continent -- our growing who was allegedly killed during In an ironic move on May 29, beyond America. Africa's party, and neither can your economies, legitimate the country's Covid-19 the African Union issued a growing youth population has other friends, your brother and democracies, cultural lockdown. And it's not just in statement condemning Floyd's been described as a potential your dad." Her daughter contributions and increasing South Africa. In Nigeria, there's killing, asking America to "ticking time bomb." Let's hope paused, weighed up the pros significance on the global the recent alleged police "ensure the total elimination of the bomb explodes a and cons and responded a little stage -- there are still too many shooting of 16-year-old Tina all forms of discrimination generation of youth activists reluctantly with; "OK, I guess examples of massive injustices Ezekwe, and in Kenya the based on race or ethnic origin." like my friend's daughter who we can invite everyone then." perpetrated by black people case of 13-year-old Yassin It's ironic because there isn't use this opportunity to fight I tell that story not to illustrate towards other black people Hussein Moyo who was killed the same level of indignation injustice in their own country. the challenges of parenting or that racism comes from unexpected places, but to share some good news; today that same confused child, is now a teenager living in South Africa and has become a huge activist and influential ambassador in her social media circles for the American- led #BlackLivesMatter campaign.And it's not just her, many young, digitally savvy armchair activists from across Africa are emerging to champion this compelling movement that's playing out on social media platforms in their bedrooms. African teenagers and others should absolutely show solidarity for their black brothers in the US by supporting #BlackLivesMatter. At a deeper level you could Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 CONTD 30 Labor of Love The baby-making reality show you won't believe Watching Labor of Love is like least dignified thing any person pulling your brain out of your ear could ever do. Hopefully that’s with a corkscrew and booting it how this ends. But honestly, on into a lake. Let me try to explain. the basis of the first four In textbook dating show fashion, episodes, that isn’t going to Kristy is a 41-year-old divorcee happen. She’s going to have a who must choose between 15 baby with one of these gibbering different hunks. Together they corned beef statues. Their will, in the words of host relationship will falter. The child Kristin Davis, “skip the dating will grow up and discover how and go straight to baby- they came into being and embark making”. Because, that’s on an unbreakable cycle of right, Labor of Love is a dating destructive behaviour that leaves show where the prize is a real a permanent trail of regret behind life flesh-and-blood baby. The them. On the basis of the first entire show exists to help one four episodes, this whole show woman choose a candidate to is nothing but a recipe for impregnate her. It’s a mating suffering. Everyone involved in it show, not a dating show. Love, to be presented to God as an five, six, seven and eight, there’s backdoor; in the first episode we should be truly ashamed. To as we’re told, is optional. argument for the total eradication a fighting chance that everyone see that Kristy has had her eggs reiterate, I hate it. However, if any Clearly, we were already headed of the human race. It feels like involved in this legitimate horror frozen, allowing her the option to Fox executives are interested in this way. Dating shows cannot an open invitation for the show comes to their senses and back out of the deal and go it paying me for the rights to Sperm simply be dating shows any coronavirus. Now, it’s important starts to rebel against the alone in the event of her realising Lottery, please get in touch more. We’ve had Love is Blind, to point out that I have only seen system a little. The show does that going on a dating show just through the usual channels. I where couples propose to people half of the series. In episodes already have something of a to get pregnant is arguably the have kids to feed. they haven’t even seen. We’ve had Married at First Sight, where people get married the instant they meet. Of course there was Bolton's book makes it clear eventually going to be a show Pompeo - one of Trump’s worst constitutional duties and remove Trump to solve America’s problems, it will about women being impregnated sycophants - thinks the president is from office. And so officials like Bolton – hardly be sufficient. To rid America of by men they barely know.Labor “full of shit,” according to Bolton. Bolton who don’t have the courage to stand up to structural racism, to prevent the of Love isn’t necessarily the logical endpoint of the genre – and those around Trump deserve Trump when they are in positions of power incompetent leadership at so many because that’s Sperm Lottery, a nothing except an infamous place in – just get rich by selling their experiences levels that could botch the response to reality show of my own invention the dustbin of history alongside to corporate boards and in memoirs. a pandemic, to ensure that our elected where a woman repeatedly their boss. Bolton’s book is merely Bolton has some serious gall to try to leaders don’t corrupt our democratic inseminates herself with random the latest reminder that there are get rich by playing the role of Trump norms, and to guarantee that the sperm samples sent by few guardrails mitigating the opponent at the same time America is Boltons of the world cannot inflict anonymous donors, and then damage that Trump can inflict on grappling with the damage that Trump’s damage on the American people and marries the father of the child she the nation and the world. For more malignance inflicts on Americans by then profit off of their experiences, every likes best – but it’s close. It’s than three years Trump has eroded ignoring a deadly pandemic and fomenting American will need to pitch in. another moment of human purity norms, broken laws, and installed violence and bigotry against those Trump’s behavior and policies are bulldozed by television. To be cronies who facilitate his corrupt reign. protesting structural racism. America’s most acute obstacle to clear, I hate it. Even impeachment by the House with Trump, Bolton’s book, the pandemic progress, but improving the lives of all It doesn’t help that the potential fathers all feel like dopey offcuts a slam-dunk case could not convince and the protests all illustrate that while Americans will require structural change from other reality shows. They all Trump’s allies in the Senate to do their stopping Trump’s actions is necessary from the bottom up and the top down. uniformly, regardless of age or background or race, look like slabs of battered ham. They’re Providing work to migrants all a bit too dumb, their emotional problems a bit too overt. They say Prime Minister Narendra Modi will skill mapping of migrants showed Gandhi National Rural pinch of labour shortage. But things like “I appreciate the launch the Garib Kalyan Rojgar that more than two-thirds worked Employment Guarantee Scheme getting back migrant workers will interactions we had” instead of Abhiyaan (GKRA), a mission- in this sector. (MGNREGS) by Rs 40,000 not be easy because the actual human words. They look, mode scheme crore, taking the total experience of the coronavirus obviously, like the sort of people designed to help allocation under the pandemic, the lack of a social who’d sign up for a reality show migrant labourers, on scheme to Rs security net in the host states, about getting a woman pregnant. Saturday. The 1,01,500 crore. But it and the absence of support at a The format is awful, especially the massive public work was clear that critical time has broken the trust part where the woman eliminates scheme — details of MGNREGS was not between workers and their potential fathers on an iPad app. which were first enough, and the employers, and between workers The house they all live in is awful, reported in this Centre would have to and the State. It is critical to build not least because one of the newspaper — is come out with another back that trust, and to do so the rooms is an infantilised man cave worth Rs 50,000 crore comprehensive State must build a register of called “The Father Hood”. The and aims to provide scheme to tackle the migrants; fast track the one tasks are all awful, ranging from job opportunities to crisis. GKRA, if nation, one ration card scheme; the annoying (“look after some returnee migrant workers, in 116 The lockdown led to an implemented properly, can ensure proper housing, sanitation children at a party”) to the districts of key migrant- unprecedented humanitarian provide relief to the migrants, and medical facilities; invest in insulting (“get your sperm originating states (Bihar, Uttar crisis, with millions of workers many of them landless, without their skilling; and ensure that analysed”) to the apparently Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and their families frantically trying savings and dependent on labour laws spur industrial growth randomly generated (“spraypaint Rajasthan, Jharkhand and to return from their host states, informal rural financial but also provide basic protection negative adjectives on to a car Odisha) for 125 days; merge 25 predominantly in west and south ecosystems, to sustain to workers. Without these steps, and then beat the car to death existing State-run programmes; India and key urban centres such themselves and their families for the migrant workers crisis will with a hammer”). Labor of Love and create durable infrastructure. as Delhi and Mumbai, to their the next few months. The continue to fester, and have a is so terrible that it doesn’t even The decision to go for villages in states in the north and movement of workers will also debilitating effect on the feel like a television series. It construction-focused east. In May, the Centre hiked have a major impact on labour economy, State resources, and feels like a document designed employment was taken after a the allocation of the Mahatma markets. Industry is feeling the the lives of people. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 CONTD 31 India is key to the global battle against Covid-19 And it’s not just vaccines. India already solutions for the world. For example, through cooperation with several for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI), manufactures many anti-viral drugs that the rapid development and deployment international organisations, private which is overseeing a global effort could be re-purposed and scaled-up for of affordable diagnostics and medical companies, public sector research towards a Covid-19 vaccine. And the use in mild cases of Covid-19. Our devices from basic test kits to institutes, and academia. The rotavirus country also has a role to play with foundation is also working with Indian ventilators and high-end medical vaccine, ROTAVAC, for example, is a multilateral endeavours which are pharma companies to look at the equipment that are particularly suited joint venture involving the Indian critical to consign this virus to the potential of transferring production for use in rural and remote villages with government, Bharat Biotech, the history books. techniques for drugs created by US no electricity or regular power supply. international non-profit PATH, the US The time is right for India to pharmaceutical giants to Indian plants There is also a clear role for Centers for Disease Control and play a leading role in the fight for manufacturing and global supply. advanced technologies such as Artificial Prevention, the National Institutes of against Covid-19. It has all the Then there is the issue of Intelligence to enhance diagnosis and Health, and others. If there is a capability and capacity needed to do equity. With an ability to not only contact tracing. Indian start-ups have breakthrough in the global efforts on it. And as someone who has seen develop vaccines and medicines but a been successfully piloting such efforts Covid-19 research and development, its remarkable transformation over proven track record to manufacture for a while, and these technologies Indian manufacturers have more than a decade, I am more them to a high standard, in high could be crucial for frontline workers, demonstrated the collaboration convinced than anyone of India’s volumes and at low cost, India is critical especially where there is an acute necessary to manufacture large strengths and potential. Now we to saving millions of lives in the poorest shortage of doctors, radiologists, and quantities of cost-effective vaccines to need to make full use of them.The countries. other specialists. deliver to a waiting world. India — Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation stands Beyond vaccines and Finally, on global collaboration, along with our foundation — is also ready as a partner to help India find a treatment, India can offer unique India has seen excellent results a founding-member of the Coalition global solution to this global crisis. Google and Big Tech are the chief threat to our liberties-and no one is protecting us

-- something called Section 230 of the disturbing willingness to distort scrutiny. They attacked any two and any who share this view.Year Communications Decency Act, reality for ideological ends. investigation of the tech companies in and year out, we vote for these remember that -- Google itself is not And now it is happening. Google is that might have "preconceived people in the fervent hope they will responsible for content on its platform acting directly to shape what people conclusions that large tech stand up for us when it matters. Now because the Congress says it doesn't can say and what they're allowed companies are inherently bad or it matters. And now, like every time have to be.So, if you're slandered by to speak. It's a direct effort to stifle must be broken up." They actually before, they sell us out. Time is up. someone, for example, and that free speech. All of that is even truer wrote that. Who is paying these guys? Seriously, it is too much. The stakes slander passes through Google today. So why hasn't the Congress And more to the point, whose side are are too high. We need better servers, you cannot sue Google over done anything about this? Well, we'd they on? Again, let us hope for a leadership. We need someone to it. Google is immune from the love to ask Sen. Mike Lee of Utah. We vigorous primary challenge to these protect us. Nobody is. consequences. Immunity is a very invited him on the show. He would not nice thing to have if you're a big come. We've invited him before, he company. Fox News doesn't have it. would not come then.Why do we ask On China, the error of judgement But again, thanks to him? Because Lee chairs the Senate Congress, Google does have Antitrust Subcommittee. He is the man Now, within less than eight leaderships that thrive on the immunity, and that's one of the main who could do something to protect you months of hosting Xi in a supremo cult rarely admit to reasons that Google's founders are from Google, but Lee has not bothered luxurious Mamallapuram resort failures. The wounds of what some of the richest and most powerful to do that. Instead, Mike Lee along the Bay of Bengal, India happened on the night of June people in the world. Because Congress repeatedly has taken the side of the has lost several of its brave 15 in the high altitudes of the allowed them to be. Big Tech companies over your soldiers in a gory conflict in the Galwan Valley are perhaps still Sen. Josh Hawley has pointed constitutional rights -- the this out. Let's hope he and his constitutional rights Mike Lee is sworn hardy, unforgiving terrain of too raw to allow for such open colleagues act soon to revoke this to uphold and protect but refuses to. Ladakh. With the Pakistanis, it admissions. But sooner or later, privilege. If Google will not extend So, the question is, why is could be argued that a rogue any government must face itself 230 protections to others, Google Mike Lee still sitting in the United Inter-Services Intelligence terror in the mirror, admit to failings should not enjoy those protections States Senate? He should not be in network can never be trusted to and course correct. That is now itself, obviously. Google should the Senate, that is for sure. We are hold the peace. the challenge before the Modi have faced these consequences a hoping Mike Lee is soundly With the Chinese, on the other regime. Accept the shortcomings long time ago. Congress should defeated in his next primary by hand, it is far more in its personality-centric Chinese have done this years ago. It's been someone who cares about the disconcerting that four policy, recognise that Chinese clear for a very long time that the Constitution and more to the point, decades of relative peace and ambitions in the neighbourhood Big Tech monopolies have now about protecting Americans from tranquillity along the Line of pose a genuine threat; and surpassed the federal government the actual threats they face. We are Actual Control (LAC) has diligently work to restore the as the chief threat to our liberties. fervently rooting for that day. We evaporated in a matter of weeks. status quo ante along LAC in a Tucker Carlson, 2017: will celebrate it when it happens. To say we were ambushed by manner that national sovereignty Google is the most powerful We trust it will. So, how about Chinese troops would be to and territorial integrity are not company in the history of the world. House Republicans? Well, this admit to military failure. To say compromised. Before unleashing It's the portal through which the bulk spring, Congressman Doug Collins, we misread Chinese strategic the high-pitched rhetoric of of our information flows. That means the ranking member of the House intentions in reworking the status promising to recapture Pakistan- that if Google isn't on the level, Judiciary Committee, and Jim quo on a disputed border would Occupied Kashmir, let’s start with neither is our understanding of the Sensenbrenner, the ranking member be to admit to a monumental securing our land in eastern world. To an unprecedented extent, of the Antitrust Subcommittee, political and diplomatic fiasco. Ladakh. And yes, let’s not blame Google controls reality. Now, released a letter defending Google Unfortunately, political this on Nehru. Google has already shown a and the other tech monopolies from Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 CONTD. 32 100 days of Covid-19: Pandemic presents a new political paradigm Tablighi Jamaat; eastern Ladakh; accompanied with a different set businesses continue to close Normal political activity and the and a key basis on which voters Centre-state relations; digital of controversies — from payment down and millions find value of direct human interface judge parties. And on this metric, rallies; economic recession; and for their fares to lack of themselves deprived of basic can never be substituted. But the Narendra Modi still ranks above the coronavirus disease (Covid- coordination between the Centre incomes, there is a real form of both political outreach others. The structure of power 19) and its case count. It is now and states. The Supreme Court possibility of social unrest. But and political communication will between the BJP and the non- a truism to suggest that the eventually stepped in, but its if governments use this as an change. And five, never has BJP parties remains tilted pandemic has changed India, intervention was seen as coming opportunity to rethink the nature Indian federalism been put to towards the former in substantial and Indian politics. But the past rather late. of growth, provide immediate test as now. To be sure, India ways. Two, inter-community does not go away, and there is The image of the migrant family relief through a possible universal has always had a division of relations will remain fragile — as never — in history — a clean, walking back home will be the basic income, ramp up the powers but rarely have states witnessed during the Tablighi new slate. But disruptive events defining moment of this crisis and welfare architecture, provide a and the Centre had to work on Jamaat controversy, which was have an ability to force is a stark reflection of how the buffer through a larger fiscal a single issue, for weeks at used by a section to introduce a transformation and throw out Indian State sometimes treats stimulus, and succeed in end, together. This was most communal element to the Covid- variables with long-lasting its poorest citizens. The attracting investment, the future clearly reflected in the five 19 crisis.There is a clear consequences. scattered nature of migrant could be different. India’s political meetings held between the PM possibility that the pandemic may FIRST, RUPTURES workers and their own economy is at a crossroads. and chief ministers (a sixth is reinforce existing cleavages in One, never in the history of Indian heterogeneity made them Four, never have political parties scheduled this week). While society and push people back to politics has public health been politically weaker than usual. The had to innovate on such a scale this coordination began on a narrow, parochial identity this significant. From testing weakening of trade union to continue their internal promising note, there have grouping. Three, India’s security capacity to providing personal movements and the limited functioning as well retain their also been increasing challenges will persist. As we can protective equipment for health bargaining power of labour, connect with people. To adhere differences between the see with the Chinese aggression care workers, from increasing the especially in the unorganised to the norms of social Centre and Opposition-ruled in eastern Ladakh, Pakistan’s number of beds across public sector, left them vulnerable. distancing, large gatherings have states — especially on the continued efforts to create terror and private hospitals to health For the government, the been prohibited; even face-to- duration of the lockdown, in Jammu and Kashmir, and now, services for patients with other challenge now is in providing face meetings have declined. financial support, health Nepal’s decision to pass a map medical conditions, public health opportunities to migrants who Political parties have turned to protocols, and movement of which incorporates territory and infrastructure has become now want to stay home. For the technology. The most visible migrant workers. What is clear claimed and controlled by India, central for the first time. opposition, the crisis presents symbols of this include the is that the power balance that the neighbourhood will remain What has changed is that all an opportunity to channel the digital rallies that the Bharatiya forms the basis of Indian federal difficult. And four, Indian citizens across regions, castes, discontent of migrant workers. Janata Party is organising arrangements will change. institutions will remain under communities and classes today For the Indian political economy across the country and the digital Some states which have scrutiny. It took months for the experience, simultaneously, the in general, the reverse migration conversations Congress leader performed credibly will manage judiciary to address the migrant urgency of health care. Such a could lead to a shift in the way Rahul Gandhi is having with to enhance their political capital; crisis; the nature of investigation and large collective experience labour markets operate. How Indian and global thought other states which have struggled arrests over the Delhi riots in cannot but have an impact on migrant workers will act — will leaders. will see an erosion of their power February points to politics colouring politics. Governments and their economic identity become This trend will accelerate, and greater central intervention. independent probes; the fact that parties will be judged on whether more important than other especially for elections. Parties But fundamentally, this can open major legislations have been pushed they were able to cope with the identity markers; will they stay will rely even more on the mobile up a conversation on the division through the ordinance route without crisis; there will be louder home or return to the cities; will phone to reach out to voters. Data of powers (in terms of Union, parliamentary scrutiny speaks of the demands for better health care; they be angry at the government will become even more powerful state and concurrent lists) weakness of the legislature. The and India will need not just more or see it as a function of the in the micro targeting of voters. especially in a crisis. dialectic between the ruptures and doctors, but nurses, paramedical pandemic — will determine Large rallies will have to give way NOW, CONTINUITIES continuities will determine India’s staff, and Accredited Social political trends. to either virtual gatherings or very One, leadership will continue to future. Health Activists (Asha workers) Three, never in recent history limited, localised small meetings. be a critical component in parties (Hindustan Times) . Whether this translates into a has the country seen the kind of longer term shift, where public economic contraction that now services and quality of seems inevitable. With the All you need to know about Galwan Valley, governance is the central issue lockdown imposed to curb the in electoral debates and political spread of the pandemic, factories discourse, is to be seen. and businesses shut down, the site of clash between India and China Two, never in Indian history and supply chains got disrupted, News agency ANI quoting recent years. India is building a Council. Beijing said the move politics have migrant workers company revenues went down sources said four Indian soldiers strategic road through the violated Chinese sovereignty but been as central to public and unemployment soared. are in critical condition after the Galwan Valley - close to China - will also not change the situation face-off. The US media quoted connecting the region to an on the ground as part of the area consciousness as they are There is a real possibility that reported from its intelligence airstrip. in the former state remains under today. When workers first began millions of people may be pushed officials to say that 35 Chinese China is opposed to any Chinese control. The Indian and walking back to their villages and back to poverty. The government troops have been killed in the Indian construction in the area. Chinese armies are engaged in towns, soon after the lockdown first announced a relief package clashes. The troops fought each In 1962, a stand-off in the the standoff in Pangong Tso, was imposed on March 25, it of ¹ 1.7 lakh crore for the other with fists and rocks, people Galwan area was one of the Galwan Valley, Demchok and was as if an invisible India marginalised, and followed it up aware of the development said. biggest flashpoints of the 1962 Daulat Beg Oldie in eastern appeared. In the absence of a month and a half later, with a Neither side fired any shots in war, according to news Ladakh. A sizeable number of income and food, and given the cumulative ¹ 20 lakh crore the clash, they added. After the agency Reuters. India last Chinese Army personnel even deep yearning for emotional stimulus. But the package has clash, the two sides year abrogated Article 370 of transgressed into the Indian side security of families and come under criticism for lacking “disengaged” from the area the Constitution, thereby of the de-facto border in several communities, tens of thousands a strong enough fiscal where the fighting happened, the ending the special status of areas including Pangong Tso. The of workers kept walking, as all component. Economists believe army said in a statement. A Jammu and Kashmir. It further Indian Army has been fiercely protest was held outside the bifurcated the erstwhile state into objecting to the transgressions, public transportation had been that while the structural reforms Chinese embassy in New Delhi two union territories - Jammu and and demanded their immediate stopped during the lockdown. announced are important, they on Wednesday. The stand-off at Kashmir and Ladakh. China was withdrawal for restoration of The government, after 36 days may not solve the crisis at hand. Ladakh’s Galwan Valley has among the handful of countries peace and tranquillity in the area. of the lockdown, finally allowed There is a clear link between the escalated in recent weeks due to strongly condemn the move, Both sides held a series of talks their movement by buses, and state of the economy and to the infrastructure projects that raising it at international forums in the last few days to resolve the then trains. This, however, was politics. If distress grows, India has undertaken in the including the UN Security border row. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 CONTD. 33 Trump signs executive order incentivizing police reforms

President Donald Trump civil judgments for a lack of teeth. The vast to use is more criminal justice reform, on additional on Tuesday signed an improper use of force. It majority of law memorable than dismissed the measures” for police executive order aimed at notes that information- enforcement decisions anything he did say,” the executive order as reform. guiding police reforms sharing related to use- are made at the state ACLU’s executive making “only cosmetic The executive order after weeks of of-force complaints and local levels, and director, Anthony D. changes when the comes as Senate nationwide unrest over would not apply in Trump‘s order aims only Romero, said in a nation is ready for law Republicans led by Tim police killings of unarmed “instances where a law to incentivize local statement. “The enforcement’s racism Scott of South Carolina, black Americans — enforcement officer departments by president’s use of to be pulled out by its the lone black member of though the reforms he resigns or retires while stipulating that only victims’ families as a roots," noting that it their conference, are outlined fall far short of under active departments that adopt backdrop as he offered “says nothing“ about planning to introduce changes demanded by investigation related to his reforms might be empty words of racial disparities in their own police reform protesters. the use of force,” and eligible for discretionary sympathy, anemic policing. While the proposal on Wednesday. The president revealed emphasizes that the grants from the Justice reforms, and hollow group called the Democrats in the House in his Rose Garden database would track Department. rhetoric was sad — to order‘s reforms a and Senate have remarks that he’d just only episodes in which The ACLU seized on the borrow a word from the slate of “welcome introduced their own met with the families of an officer was “afforded optics of Tuesday‘s president’s vocabulary. changes,” it said sweeping police reform nine victims of police or fair process.“ event, as well as Trump‘s What’s wrong with this that legislation in the proposal, which would racially motivated killings But it does not address failure to mention racism picture: The president House was more ban chokeholds, limit — though none were in the issue of qualified in his remarks or in the had a veritable beauty comprehensive and qualified immunity for the audience as he laid immunity, a legal executive order. It noted pageant of law would be more police officers, create a out three planks of doctrine that reform that on the point of enforcement officers effective. National Police reforms, according to a advocates say shields whether racism exists in behind him as he signed The president Misconduct Registry and pool report. police from liability and policing, he even broke an executive order that himself appeared to stop the use of no-knock The order would create that the White House has with some in his party. was supposedly meant acknowledge the arrest warrants in drug federal incentives called a nonstarter for The group also called for as a response to the restraints of cases. through the Justice any reform measures. communities to divest public outcry of recent unilateral action, Sen. John Cornyn (R- Department for local The president’s action from police departments weeks.“ announcing that Texas) said the executive police departments that on Tuesday swiftly drew and shrink police The Brennan Center, a “beyond the steps order “was pretty good seek “independent criticism from activists for presence in Americans' think tank and we're taking today, I as far as it went,” but credentialing” to certify systemic reform for not lives. advocacy group that am committed to noted that “there are that law enforcement is going far enough and for “The word he was afraid has pushed for working with Congress limitations.“ meeting higher standards for the use of force and de-escalation training. Trump The worst is yet to come in Delhi and Mumbai specifically noted that Back of the envelope encouraged to stay at home those standards would calculations suggest that the and not rush to the hospital include banning the use city needs roughly 5,000 if they have mild symptoms. of chokeholds — an beds, including 1,250 critical In the absence of enough especially controversial care intensive care unit (ICU) polymerase chain reaction tactic that has led to the beds.Theoretically, there is no (PCR) kits and dodgy high-profile deaths of shortage. Practically here is serological tests, X-rays may multiple African- what’s happening. be the only cost-effective American men — It’s not beds but health way along with oximeters and “except if an officer’s life care staff which has run short. temperature screening to sift is at risk.” Trump's order would also Whether it’s because many With sections that separate system; instead promoters of who needs a swab. Oxygen incentivize local young residents have tested cancer patients, pregnant private hospitals and cylinders need to travel into departments to bring on positive or because ward staff women, the elderly and those laboratories have begun to containment zones so that experts in mental health, is unable to travel in the who need regular oxygen, it whisper about pressures to you can buy time for gasping addiction and absence of local trains or has married science with under-test. The problem is patients till they get an homelessness as “co- because many health care zeal. But even in this rooted in the paranoia and ambulance. Above all, responders” to “help professionals, especially in exemplar venue, doctors, hysteria around testing governments need to have officers manage these private hospitals, are not nurses and intensivists are positive and the suggestion representation (along with complex encounters.” showing up to work. One of woefully short and the that being Covid-19-positive ambulances on standby) And it would encourage the models Mumbai has got facility is welcoming is a calamitous event. Our outside hospitals to talk to better information right is its National Sports Club volunteers.Delhi, by focus must be on deaths, not patients, families — to sharing to track officers of India Covid “Dome”, an contrast, has not used the cases. comfort them, advise them, or with “credible abuses” to erstwhile rock concert venue, lockdown period to create Fundamental things redirect them to the facilities prevent them from that is now a 600-bed modular makeshift jumbo facilities in need to be addressed in both where beds do exist.I first saw moving from one hospital. Led by Dr Muffazal stadiums and colleges; it cities. Health care workers the abdication of the Indian department to the next. Lakdawala, what has kept it urgently needs this. And need to be requisitioned from State when migrants were The text of the order relevant is its constant unlike Mumbai, which also did states that are doing walking on the road. Now it is directs the Justice adaptability. It has so too late, it has not yet relatively better on an urgent happening outside hospitals Department to create experimented with mobile X- — and at funeral grounds. and maintain a database capped the fees of private basis. There needs to be a rays as one way of preliminary hospitals, permitting a class clear chain of command, not Covid-19-affected patients to track when officers mass screening; it has built cannot be orphaned. And no have been terminated or divide in health care response multiple officials with giant ICU containers on wheels and dashboard on a mobile app decertified, have been that is morally egregious. egos fighting petty battles created contactless booths can be a substitute for a real criminally convicted for Governments should be that pull doctors in different for doctors to talk to patients. person. on-duty conduct or faced focusing on fixing a broken directions. People need to be Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 SPECIAL REPORT 34 Are You Immune? Why Immunity Is The Central Plot In Your Inner Covid Drama... The coronavirus has shown an extremely varying potential to infect and a puzzling unpredictability about who recovers and who does not differing healthcare older people and children mutiny against the body practices and treatment being most vulnerable, itself—till the whole protocols (at state/ healthy adults of median zeppelin comes flaming hospital/country level). age being the hardiest— down. This happens when But the lens surely was markedly absent here. immunological agents fail needed to be adjusted to But as the pandemic in one key function— another level of spread, even children are recognising self- magnification—because seen to be not entirely out substances, and one key act in this grim of its sway. But regardless exempting them from drama unfolds inside the of age variation, think of a attack, while it goes for individual. This is where first layer of armour. those nasty “non-self” immunity comes in. Now, say the enemy macromolecules (the All other things being penetrates that arm-our, via foreign pathogens). equal—age, health, a Trojan horse, and you do The realisation that there’s exposure to virus—why get inf-ected. Why only a a consistent pattern of does Person A get mild flu for X, and ICU for Covid fatalities being linked infected and Person B go Y? Well, post-infection, to this inner suicidal drama unaffected? That’s innate immunity continues has led to a reorientation simply hard-wired innate to work, now in of efforts across the world. immunity: a healthy collaboration with its That’s why proposed/ body’s first line of brother-in-arms, adaptive ongoing studies posted on defence against immunity: it smells out the the US National Library of pathogens, an in-built foreign invasion, and Health’s ClinicalTrials.gov fortification. This enlists its ally to produce bear titles that refer to Short stories can afford to groups and variable Young Keralites in their 30s inv-isible armoury of the the amm-unition…the therapeutic strategies come with a twist in the vulnerability thereof? Was were dying in the Gulf, but body is by nature antibodies. Infla-mmation targeted at critically ill end. But epics are fated to it the wall-to-wall coverage back home in hilly Ranni, capable of warding off happens, like sirens going patients who’ve suffered or contain twists at every of BCG vaccination? 93-year-old Thomas and new enemies—so the off, signalling for are close to an turn, at every level of the The questions seemed his 88-year-old wife fact of this being a novel reinforcements to rush to immunological burnout— labyrinth of nested stories. valid enough. After all, Mariyamma tested virus wouldn’t matter. the infected site. Usually, by modulating or COVID-19 is proving to be through Season 1, the positive, even got critical The innate system has this is when you get fever suppressing their one such gigantic and India graph had moved at and stayed so for days, non-specific barriers that with any flu, before the body immunity processes. A perplexing hall of mirrors: a gentle canter, with a low then happily recovered— work regardless of who recovers. This is where the Lancet study called the logic unfolding in a sub- (official) fatality rate to defying everything in the the enemy is—the body- critical twist in the plot immunosuppression “a plot at Level 5 can alter the boot. But as those COVID 101 handbook castle’s moat, comes. It’s a cataclysmic double-edged sword” main narrative frame…and ominous hoofbeats picked about the elderly being drawbridge and mortar- breakdown of these normal because the body may then twist again. Immunity up in May, even that was at higher risk. By now, fire repel Viking and immunity processes—this be still vulnerable to any is a word that’s been discarded for a more this randomness is a Mongol alike. By complex wartime infection, and leaving it lurking around like a minor fragmented picture. Some leitmotif of the COVID contrast, adaptive (or communication ber-eft of its armour is character with a walk-on regions within India looked story: you as a patient acq-uired) immunity is like machinery—that’s now risky too. As a focus part in the story from the less (or more) at risk. Over may have merely an active database of prior looming forth frighteningly area, though, it has beginning. There was at 30 districts witnessed a experienced an infections: it invests the as a final act. A sudden, dawned. But first the first that partly naïve wide spread, others unpleasant fortnight body with a pathogen- little understood crumbling macro-level, before we optimism in the idea that experienced slower (with your “pizza tasting specific immunological of the fortress. A gasping, descend the steps. Indians, on account of transmission. And like cardboard,” as writer memory. An 85-year-old shuddering death. The key ‘Native immunity’ is exposure to a rich bouquet seemingly inexplicable Karan Mahajan told The person’s body thus carries episode, called a cyt-okine actually just a synonym of pathogens, have a kind variations within that defied Atlantic), but your the memory of a childhood storm, is now linked to for innate immunity, but of all-purpose ‘native a universalising story. It still neighbour goes to the measles infection, but is many a Covid fatality. “It’s let’s twist it to fit us immunity’—a Teflon looks deadliest in ICU, perhaps thence to too slow to produce a centerpiece of COVID-19 ‘natives’. Have Indians coating against Covid. As Maharashtra, as the state the mortuary. Why? Two antibodies against a new pat-hology,” writes Tufts been conferred with an the new coronavirus exacts the highest toll. In axioms stay with us: the enemy—hence, more at University immunologist ability to take on all plugged into India as a Delhi, it looks more new coronavirus has risk. “This is why children Alexander Poltorak. “The comers of the collective host, that was infectious but not as fatal shown an extremely are more protected: their killer is not the virus but the microscopic variety? soon quietly replaced with as in Maharashtra and varying propensity and immune systems are immune response.” Have we acquired a a more modest, and Gujarat. Kerala has a potential to infect, and simply stronger. That Essentially, an exc-essive greater immunity by way perhaps illusorily durable, tremendous rec-overy rate; an equally puzzling wanes as you age,” says reaction or dysregulation of of familiarity with viruses hyp-othesis. That if the no other state has that.But unpredictability about Calcutta paediatrician Dr the host’s immune in general? Would that virus strains were the same soon it became clear that who recovers and who Aniruddha Maitra. A point system, akin to what suffice to thwart a novel as were lacerating Italy, the one key playfield of does not. And perhaps of mystery: COVID-19 happens with autoimmune and tenacious one like UK and US, Indians looked variations existed at a still neither has to do with initially seemed to spare disorders. The system Covid? The idea that at least more immune than more micro level: not the virus per se. Some children altogether. Thus goes into hyperactive prior exposure to other the West. Could it have country, not region or variation in recovery the famous ‘double peak’ mode, then goes berserk infections can create an something to do with blood ethnicity, but individual. rates could owe to seen in other infections— and launches a stunning all-purpose shield isn’t Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 SPECIAL REPORT 35 Are You Immune? entirely erroneous. There vaccination against ins-tance, attributes equilibrium leads to the obs-erved chain of is to “trigger is such a thing as bacterial infections even Australia’s “spectacular” loss of appetite and/or catastrophic effects: inflammation” and ‘cross-res-istance’, conceivably work against flattening of the curve (a diarrhoea common to anaemia, excess iron “recruit” other which can work by a virus? Well, there’s a mere 7,227 cases as of many diseases. The UK choking the kidney; immunological altering the way receptor new line of theory on June 4, some 6,640 officially added the loss silent hypoxia (from a elements to fight sites behave. But India’s ‘trained immunity’—the recovered, 102 deaths) of taste and smell as hindered exchange of infection. Why they climbing numbers do not idea that, say, a vaccine to simply “good part of Covid symptoms oxygen and carbon dysfunction is because seem to offer any can modify our innate policies…and civic on May 18—either as a dioxide) starving all Covid manages to blanket comfort there. system’s pattern sense”, adding it has presenting symptom, organs, inc-luding the “silence” this Why? recognition receptors in nothing to do with high signalling an early onset brain; thrombosis, with inflammatory One reason could be that such a way that they immunity among stage, or independently, all its usual effects (heart res-ponse, and grows in low nutrition levels pick up similar antigens Australians. But even if without other symptoms. attack, stroke) et al. the body in what an enfeeble the delicate on even new enemies country-wise variations Indeed, isolated anosmia Blood was also a Atlantic article called web acquired weaves in (antigens are surface are possible, we’re still and ageusia are now putative candidate to “stealth mode”. When the conjunction with innate. structures on microbial in the grip of a story that seen as a tool to screen explain Covid’s rainbow body realises belatedly It’s the latter’s signalling bodies). But it begs evokes fear and awe: the potential spreaders, for effect: the all-pervasive that it has been totally apparatus—a complex, further study…. “As of perennially unravelling these are often nature of its attack on besieged, the immune multi-function now, there is only mysteries of Covid, and associated with a milder the body. The theory is system goes into communication grid correlation,” admits Dr how your body can itself form of the virus— hotly disputed, even if overdrive: cytokine storm. involving constantly Maitra. And as Lancet unravel, a deadly patients “10 times less Ebola too famously A mass attack ensues on patrolling sentinel called warned in another denouement where likely” to go on to be wrought havoc on blood infected cells. The lungs neutrophils, our most context, “correlation immunity is the tragic critical. The reasons for systems in fill with a sea of dead abundant White Blood does not equal protagonist. anosmia/ageusia are not unexplained ways. The cells, a kind of biological Cells, and proteins causation”. An evolving death understood yet. One view idea that the virus sludge that leads to organ called cytokines—that Despite India’s recent The Covid infection was is that ACE2 is also cracks open failure. The blood clots all rec-ruit the good guys surge in cases, some initially thought to be a present in cortical haemoglobin molecules over, blood vessels leak, with the Bofors gun, the researchers are willing to merely respiratory neurons, making them (haemolysis) may or BP plummets because of B-cells and T-cells. give a chance to BCG, a phenomenon, aff-ecting potential targets. may not endure. Then vasodilation, anaemia (Roughly, the first mandatory booster for only the alveoli in the Another is that it’s likely where do we take all occurs. Somewhere along produces antibodies that children in India to lungs—and bringing on to be a secondary that stunning variety of this disastrous slope, they lock onto antigens on the protect them against pneumonia. That’s still effect—the nervous symptoms? Well, start turning on even surface of pathogens, meningitis and the primary effect: the system, for instance, is recent understanding healthy body cells. Just and calls upon disseminated TB. “While lung’s ACE2 receptors dependent on blood inserts a vital first step: like any other autoimmune phagocytes that eat COVID-19 caused a lot of are the most abundant, oxygen to function immunity-gone-awry. disorder, it’s an aberrant them up; the latter kills deaths in Spain, its most strategically properly—rather than a Once that happens, overreaction that some infected cells). neighbour, Portugal, placed, most amenable direct infection of the your body-castle turns people have. Including, it’s Micronutrient deficiency witnessed a very low to hosting the virus. But nerves, as in, say, forms into a house of cards now known, a subset of the leaves this double- fatality. And Portugal is it’s becoming clear that of meningitis or and caves in. That’s children who get infected. barrelled defence the only European it often causes a “multi- encephalitis. cause; haemolysis, Why only they have it is one fortification starving at all country where BCG system disorder”, says This brings us to another thrombosis et al are of the mysteries of levels. The internet is vaccination is still Dr Maitra—an all- potentially crucial site: effect So the real twist science. Thus, from a awash with preprints of prevalent,” says Dr pervasive attack on blood. It was in the plot is when your struggling country down to studies linking, for Sudhir Bhandari, senior several fronts. Heart, controversially proposed body starts eating a self-immolating cell, the instance, Covid professor of medicine at guts, liver, kidney, in a ChemRxiv preprint itself. An uncontrolled view is different at each morbidity with low Sawai Man Singh brain...all cells can get by two Chinese scholars immunological self- step down the baoli. And Vitamin D levels (severe Medical College, Jaipur. inf-ected because most and then reiterated by immolation. And it’s the last step promises a among the old in Italy, “The BCG association, organs have ACE2 Italian pharmacologist cytokines that do the pool of water with no clear Spain et al). Elina like that of rec-eptors. A captured Annalisa Chiusolo that arson. “Small proteins reflections. Hypponen, an Australian hydroxychloroquine, heart can go into the Covid virus manages important in Dr Ramanan nutritional and genetic arose because the early myo-carditis, an inflamed to plug on to red blood immunological Laxminarayan epidemiology professor, spread of Covid was a liver produces an cells, crack open the processes” and Director, Center for offers preliminary reverse image of these enz-yme glut. Most haemoglobin and release produced by white Disease Dynamics, support “in theory” for the two, but there are benignly, the gut lining; the enclosed iron. This blood cells are called Economics and Policy, link, writing: “Nearly all multiple possible an altered gut flora was then linked to all the macrophages, their job Washington immune cells have explanations for it Vitamin D receptors without ascribing a (showing the causal link,” says interaction). The active Ranchi-based radiologist Vitamin D hormone, Dr Manish Kumar. calcitrol, helps regulate Many medical both innate and adaptive professionals anyway immunity. And deficiency dismiss the notion of is associated with India (or any other immunity dysregulation.” country) collectively So, on that front, India having a higher immunity, fundamentally represents citing the interplay of a vulnerable mass of several factors that humanity—and it goes inf-luence transmission beyond vitamin and fatality. Dr Yadu deficiency. Singh, Sydney-based What about BCG? Can cardiologist, for Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 36

Will India Side With the West Against China? The United States and its allies power in the region. continue to meet along the border planned to raise tariffs on coronavirus spread beyond the have long wanted India’s help in India’s campaign for a larger to discuss de-escalation efforts. Chinese goods. city of Wuhan, where it is widely confronting China. Now, a deadly profile in multinational And Indian officials acknowledged Diplomats expect India to thought to have begun. border clash seems likely to push organizations has also moved on Friday that the night before, prevent the Chinese Vijay Gokhale, who recently India in that direction. quickly. On Wednesday, it was China released 10 Indian soldiers telecommunications giant retired as India’s foreign secretary For years, the United States elected unopposed to a seized during the fighting. (Later, Huawei from entering its market and is still close to the and its allies have tried to nonpermanent seat on the United China’s foreign ministry to build a 5G wireless network. government, wrote a lengthy persuade India to become a Nations Security Council. And in spokesman said he did not know The United States accuses opinion piece this month in which closer military and economic May, it won the chair of the World of any prisoners being taken, but Huawei of aiding the Chinese he blasted China’s handling of the partner in confronting China’s Health Organization’s executive did not explicitly deny India’s government in cyberespionage, pandemic. “The shortcomings of ambitions, painting it as a chance board, where it promptly announcement.) and it has urged its allies to block the regime,” he wrote, “will further for the world’s largest democracy supported calls to investigate the But the troop buildup is the company’s 5G development. fuel a debate on the superiority to counterbalance the largest origins of the coronavirus — an continuing, with villagers in the Although India’s potential of the Chinese model as an autocracy. inquiry China had fought to block. area and satellite imagery buying power gives it one way to alternative to democracy. Will this This week, the idea of such a But India is still well behind indicating that both sides are still slap at China, it has nowhere form the ideological underpinning confrontation became more real China when it comes to military sending in reinforcements. On near the spending and lending for the birth of a new Cold War?” as Indian and Chinese soldiers and economic power. That may Friday, Mr. Modi scheduled a capacity that China has used to The pandemic also gave Mr. clashed in the worst violence on give India’s leaders pause over closed-door meeting with top increase its global influence. Modi a chance to tap his the countries’ border in 45 years, the prospect of an armed opposition leaders to discuss Still, Indian officials have country’s giant pharmaceutical leaving 20 Indian troops dead and escalation on their disputed what India will do next. embraced the idea of being a industry to strengthen diplomatic causing an unknown number of Himalayan border, where the While India’s military is one of democratic counterbalance to ties. Diplomats stationed in India Chinese casualties. bloody clashes broke out this the world’s largest, it has failed China, and the coronavirus has say that in the early days of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi week. to modernize and stay offered a chance to push that crisis, he and his foreign minister has publicly reveled in the “India will have to deploy all competitive. This year, India narrative as countries fume over were “constantly working the prospect of a more muscular role three — military, economic and announced a military budget of Beijing’s handling of the phones” to offer countries help for India in the region and the political options,” said Samir nearly $74 billion, compared with pandemic. with medicines. world. But analysts say the new Saran, the president of the Beijing’s $178 billion. In India’s Indian political figures went on One Western diplomat felt that tensions with China will be the Observer Research Foundation, case, much of that spending is the offensive after the pandemic the coronavirus crisis had made starkest test yet of whether India an influential think tank in Delhi. going to pay pensions. began, criticizing China’s India more eager to build stronger is ready — or truly willing — to “China is a large and powerful Economically, India has authoritarian system and its lack relationships to help it deal with jostle with a rising power bent on country, and a sustained become more willing to use its of transparency as the China, and that diplomacy with expanding its interests and response to their aggression will vast market as a lever to pressure territory. have to include all of these.” China. In April, it passed With China facing new scrutiny “The defense of liberalism and legislation requiring government and criticism over the coronavirus democracy and an international approval for any investments from pandemic, Indian officials have open system will play out Chinese entities, a setback for recently seemed emboldened, between India and China,” he China as its companies look taking steps that made Western said. abroad for growth. And Reuters diplomats feel that their goal of Chinese and Indian generals reported on Thursday that India an India closer to the West was starting to be realized. And some believe the friction with China will push India even further in that direction. This month, India signed a major defense agreement with Australia that allows both countries to use each other’s military bases. And it is expected to invite Australia to join naval exercises it conducts with Japan and the United States, to strengthen efforts by the so-called Quad — Australia, Japan, the United States and India — to counter China’s projection of sea Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 37 Will India Side With the West Against China? India was going more smoothly than ever Malaysian oil rig operations and tightened Sri Lanka denies. Party, published an editorial claiming that before. its control over Hong Kong in hopes of “India went from having a monopoly of the United States had given Mr. Modi’s “Everyone is more willing, privately, to stamping out the pro-democracy political and military power in the region government false confidence, and that it talk about what to do with China in a post- movement there. to dealing with a marketplace of would ultimately abandon India. Covid world,” the diplomat said, speaking But India has several reasons to feel competition where China is increasingly “The resources that the U.S. would on condition of anonymity. “The ways that particularly hemmed in by China. Over predominant,” said Constantino Xavier, a invest in China-India relations are limited,” China has influenced that world order can the past decade, China has heavily fellow at the Brookings Institution. He the editorial read. “What the U.S. would now more easily be discussed as we are courted India’s neighbors, unraveling New predicted that the new wave of border do is just extend a lever to India, which all trying to figure out what the new world Delhi’s influence on its own doorstep. violence would prompt India to push back Washington can exploit to worsen India’s order is. As Indian and Chinese troops clashed harder. ties with China.” “India represents one path,” the in the Himalayas, Nepal’s government Some see China’s buildup on the border Despite warm meetings between Mr. diplomat added, “and China represents simultaneously claimed a sliver of territory as a calculated effort to keep India’s Modi and President Trump, their countries’ another.” on its border that India considers its own. aspirations in check. relationship has at times been rocky. But More immediately, India faces the India’s defense minister recently “China doesn’t particularly want India given China’s increasingly hard line in prospect of an escalation at the border, suggested that Nepal’s border actions to succeed,” said Tanvi Madan, the territorial disputes, some Indian officials where China had been building up its were taken at the behest of China. director of the India Project at the fear there may be little choice but to look forces before the violence this week. On In Pakistan, India’s archrival, China is Brookings Institution. “A weaker India will West. Wednesday, Mr. Modi broke his silence building huge infrastructure projects, some do less strategically in its own In an opinion piece on Tuesday, Mr. to promise a tough response. in territory that the Indian government neighborhood, allowing China to step in Gokhale, the former Indian foreign “India wants peace,” he added, “but if disputes. With every project built, China more; and it will engage less in places secretary, said that countries could no provoked, India is capable of giving a is making it harder for India to hold on to like East Africa or in regional institutions, longer ignore Beijing’s transgressions and befitting reply.” its territorial claims. posing little challenge to China.” must choose between the United States China’s push at the border is not an And right off India’s southern coast, China has also been sensitive about the and China. isolated show of strength. Since the China took possession of a port in Sri prospects of closer ties between India and “In the post-Covid age,” he wrote, pandemic’s start, China has flexed harder Lanka after that country could not pay its the West. “enjoying the best of both worlds may no on many different fronts: It sank a debt to Beijing. Some Indian officials fear On Wednesday, Global Times, a longer be an option.” Vietnamese shipping boat, harassed that China could militarize the port, which mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist By Maria Abi-Habib, Courtesy NY Times Chinese side makes fresh claim on Galwan Valley The claim was made in what was described as a “step by step account of the Galwan clash” by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian that was posted on the Chinese embassy’s website shortly before midnight on Friday. A day after India rubbished China’s claim to cross the LAC and make provocations”, Referring to a meeting of senior Indian and soldiers who went there for negotiation, of sovereignty over Galwan Valley, at the Zhao said.Zhao contended Indian troops and Chinese military commanders held on thus triggering fierce physical conflicts and heart of a tense border standoff between crossed the LAC by night and trespassed June 6, Zhao said the two sides “reached causing casualties”. He reiterated various the two sides, Beijing on Friday claimed into China’s territory on May 6 and then consensus on easing the situation”. He accusations levelled by the Chinese side the region on the Chinese side of the Line “built fortification and barricades, which claimed the Indian side “promised that they in recent days about the violation of of Actual Control and had been patrolled impeded the patrol of Chinese border would not cross the estuary of the Galwan agreements. There was no immediate by its troops for “many years”. troops”.They deliberately made river to patrol and build facilities” and the reaction from Indian officials to Zhao’s The claim was made in what was provocations in an attempt to unilaterally two sides would discuss and decide the account. A readout issued by the external described as a “step by step account of change the status quo of control and phased withdrawal of troops”. Zhao affairs ministry after a phone conversation the Galwan clash” by Chinese foreign management. The Chinese border troops claimed that on June 15, Indian troops between external affairs minister S ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian that was have been forced to take necessary violated the agreement reached on June 6 Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart posted on the Chinese embassy’s website measures to respond to the situation on and “once again crossed the Line of Actual Wang Yi on June 17 had clearly accused shortly before midnight on Friday. the ground and strengthen management Control for deliberate provocation…and Chinese troops of provoking the clash on June China’s People’s Liberation Army’s and control in the border areas. even violently attacked the Chinese officers 15 by entering the Indian side of the LAC. (PLA) western command had in a statement issued on Tuesday initially raised the issue, saying: “The sovereignty Is China eyeing new world order? of the Galwan River Valley has always been ours.” Is China using the world’s preoccupation India’s decision last August to scrap Jammu director of the Australian Strategic Policy On Thursday, external affairs ministry with the Covid-19 crisis to enlarge its position and Kashmir’s special status and create the Institute, told CNN there was a “95% chance spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had on several border disputes and target rivals union territory of Ladakh, which Beijing has that it is China who is responsible for this dismissed the PLA’s claim as “exaggerated that could have a say in shaping the post- indicated had an impact on its territorial claims attack”. Australia has been vocal in recent and untenable”. pandemic global order? That’s a question now in the region. Experts have also pointed to months about an international investigation On Monday night, Indian and Chinese being debated by experts and analysts China’s desire to protect its considerable into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic and troops were involved in a seven-hour violent following a string of actions by China over the investments in the China-Pakistan Economic backed India’s calls for reforms of the World face-off in Galwan Valley that left 20 Indian past few weeks and months. Corridor, a key part of which is located in Health Organization for its initial handling of soldiers dead and at least 76 injured. India-China border standoff: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. the crisis. China retaliated with tariffs on Another 10 Indian soldiers held by the The most urgent of the crises is the tense Australia cyber attack: Australian exports, including barley and beef. Chinese side were released on Thursday. weeks-old face-off between Indian and Chinese The Australian government said on Friday India and Australia have also spoken about The so-called “step by step account” by border troops in the Ladakh sector of the Line it was dealing with a massive cyberattack working together to shape the post-Covid Zhao said: “The Galwan Valley is located of Actual Control (LAC) that has sparked at targeting all levels of the administration, world order. on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual least three clashes since early May, the latest industry, education, essential services, critical South China Sea: Control in the west section of the China- being the violent brawl of June 15 that left 20 infrastructure, and political organisations. There has been no let-up in China’s India boundary. For many years, the Indian soldiers dead. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a activities to bolster its presence in the Chinese border troops have been patrolling India has accused China of taking malicious and sophisticated “state-based South China Sea, where it is embroiled in and on duty in this region.” “premeditated and planned action” that cyber actor” was behind the attack, adding maritime boundary disputes with several It further claimed that since April, Indian reflected an intent to change the status quo that “there are not a large number of state- countries, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. troops had “unilaterally and continuously on the LAC. based actors that can engage in this type of China has never been happy with the “one built roads, bridges and other facilities at Reasons advanced for China’s actions have activity”. country, two systems” principle put in place the LAC in the Galwan Valley”. China made ranged from anger over India’s beefing up of Though Morrison didn’t name any country, for governing the special administrative representations and protests on multiple infrastructure along the strategic Darbuk- Australian experts and observers pointed the region of Hong Kong when it was returned occasions but “India has gone even further Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road and finger at China. Peter Jennings, executive by the UK in 1997. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 38 AA dangerousdangerous leakleak ofof dieseldiesel fuelfuel inin thethe ArcticArctic

An approximately 5-million-gallon drocarbons. Pound-for-pound in 50 years later, grasses, crabs, problems. It has limited ports, hear about in the Arctic. diesel fuel spill from a power sta- the short term, diesel fuel is sig- and mussels in the area still show roads and airports, available to for Warming temperatures mean tion storage tank near the Arctic nificantly more lethal than crude detrimental impacts from the spill. bringing in equipment, supplies, that more ship traffic will soon be town of Norilsk, Russia, poses a oil and can cause longer-lasting While a total volume of about 5 responders, and scientists -- and plying the northern passage be- deadly threat to the region's damage. million gallons pales in compari- few places to house and feed tween Europe and Asia -- ships people, plants, and animals. Even Then there's the "where" part of son to the 11 and 168 million gal- people who show up to help. On powered by diesel and other re- Russian President Vladimir my first question. With oil spills, lons released from the Exxon Friday, TASS reported, the first fined fuels. Warming tempera- Putin, who doesn't have a strong it's all about location. Among the Valdez and Deepwater Horizon stage of the cleanup operation tures also mean more thawing environmental track record, has worst places for a diesel spill to disasters, respectively, the "what" was completed. permafrost, which makes the declared a state of emergency. occur is an enclosed body of and "where" of the spill will lead The Deepwater Horizon spill was soils move and collapse and puts Nornickel, the parent company of water, like a slow-flowing river or to a much greater relative amount a major challenge, but the estab- infrastructure, like the Russian Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company, inlet. I have studied three such of damage. lished infrastructure and ready fuel tank, increasingly at risk. which operates the station, said spills. Despite its similarities to Cape access in the Gulf of Mexico was The world is fraught with dangers the accident could have been the In September 1969, a barge ran Cod, the Arctic is unknown terri- instrumental to the cleanup effort. for which we could have and result of the foundation of the stor- aground in Buzzards Bay, Mas- tory for oil spill responders. Un- Little such infrastructure exists in should have been more prepared. age tank sinking due to thawing sachusetts, spilling diesel and like coastlines here or in the Gulf the Arctic. To that list, we need to add the permafrost, the Russian state causing massive deaths of ma- of Mexico, we haven't mapped the All of these things mean that we Arctic's vulnerability to oil spills. news agency TASS reported. rine life and marsh grass in bays Arctic Ocean's seafloor or traced have a vast learning curve ahead We need the foresight, will, and As an oil spill scientist, I see that are similar to those found currents in detail. Its weather is of us and a short time to navi- investment to develop strategies unique dangers in the Arctic. This along the Arctic coastline. harsher, particularly in winter. We gate it. The Ambarnaya River re- and policies to minimize the spill is a warning of a precarious Residents still refer to the "Silent also don't know nearly as much gion in Siberia will have to make costs and impacts of future spills future that we are unprepared for. Autumn" that followed for the lack about its fragile and intricate eco- do with what the responders can -- to prepare effective responses Whenever I learn about an oil of bird life in the area that sea- system. manage in a hurry and with the now for inevitable oil spills in the spill, I immediately ask two ques- son. It took up to five years for On top of all that, the vast, re- clock ticking. But this will almost Arctic, and not react futilely to tions: What type of oil spilled and marsh grasses to grow back, and mote Arctic has singular logistics certainly not be the last spill we them after they happen. where did it spill? Crude oil, the kind spilled in the Exxon Valdez (1989) and Deepwater Horizon (2010) disasters, is thicker and stickier, but that also makes it visually obvious and easier to track and clean up. Crude oil spills can be corralled with the help of booms -- large, floating barriers -- and skimmed with equipment that physically removes the oil from the water. Crude oil-covered objects along shorelines can be cleared away. Diesel oil, which spilled in the Arctic disaster, is less viscous and harder to contain and recover. Once the oil is in the water, plants and animals will find themselves enveloped in a coat of potent hy- Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 39 Policing: What Trump and Congress can do now An endless stream of sicken- documents and testimony, and ing videos from civilian cell issue public findings. Transpar- phones and police camcorders ency is the cornerstone of any has shown the world an unde- good government agency, and niable truth: Our policing sys- police can no longer be permit- tem in the United States is ted to abuse citizens and then badly broken -- and it needs to cover up that abuse. Review be completely reinvented and boards with teeth might have overhauled. prevented a number of police Police accountability systems killings, including the 2014 mur- are so pathetically inadequate der of Laquan McDonald by a that no single federal law or ac- Chicago police officer who had tion -- such as President been subject to 20 complaints Donald Trump's forthcoming for excessive force. executive order on police reform 4. Decertify bad cops: State -- could hope to fix them all in and local police departments one fell swoop. But even in an that get federal money must election year, even with the US have decertification programs government as polarized as it with teeth that revoke the cer- is, meaningful progress to lock ent. ruption and abuse. That's why change state drunken driving tification of cops who use in a set of basic improvements It is hard to FIRE bad cops. Po- we have meat inspectors; not laws. deadly force illegally. that address the worst symp- lice unions have made it their because we hate the butchers. Any bill worth passing Con- 5. Register bad cops: And we toms and lay the groundwork mission, over the years, to That's why we have building in- gress must include several bare need a "bad cop" registry that for more fundamental changes bubble wrap even the worst spectors; not because we de- minimum items. identifies officers who have been is possible and necessary. police officers in layers of pro- spise all construction workers. 1. Ban choke holds: Congress fired for misconduct, especially Below I will spell out where I tective red tape. As a result, The reason we maintain strict should prohibit federal funding the use of excessive force, so think the common ground is. even the best police chiefs have oversight over both professions from going to any state and lo- that they can't simply move But first, here's a thought ex- a hard time hacking through is because otherwise we would cal police departments and law from department to department periment. What if you gave the bureaucracy to impose or- have a national epidemic of enforcement agencies that to commit more wrongdoing. 800,000 decent, law-abiding der -- even when they are try- food poisoning and collapsing don't adopt tougher policies on The first two steps would help citizens handguns, batons, ing to get rid of notoriously bru- buildings. By the same logic, when the use of deadly force save lives. And the last three Tasers, pepper spray, fast cars tal cops. lack of meaningful oversight is is permitted. Police must es- steps would give good police and badges -- and told them it It is almost impossible to SUE a major reason we have an pecially ban the hideous choke chiefs and communities better was their job to maintain order bad cops. The US Supreme epidemic of unlawful police vio- hold restraints that killed tools to find and weed out the in a big, diverse country? Court has granted qualified im- lence. George Floyd, Eric Garner and worst elements. Fortunately, What if you told them, "Please munity to police officers; on Until we address the core is- many others. Some cities and many of these ideas are already follow the rules. But because Monday it declined to reexam- sue of "police impunity," we will states have already done so; under consideration in the US you are good people doing a ine the doctrine. So, even if a continue to see outrageous the rest of the nation must fol- House. tough job, nobody is going to cop rapes, unjustly beats or misconduct -- especially tar- low suit. Federal tax dollars But Congress should try to go fire you ... or sue you ... or jail kills someone, it is extremely geted at people of color. should not go to support any further -- if not in this summer's you ... no matter what you do! difficult for a citizen to sue a That said, penetrating the police department that permits bill, then in the next ones. Just please follow the rules!"? police officer individually in a hardened bunkers of unac- choke holds -- or any other ma- 1. Fix immunity: Congress What if you ran this experiment court of law. countable police power will neuvers that restrict breathing needs to roll back the woefully in a nation with a long, docu- It is very difficult to JAIL bad take years, not weeks. Before -- as a policing tool. misguided doctrine of "qualified mented history of severe dis- cops. Meanwhile, prosecutors the presidential election sucks 2. Eliminate no-knock entries: immunity," which protects offic- crimination against one or more are reluctant to press charges up all the oxygen this fall, Congress also needs to ad- ers who commit constitutional disfavored ethnic minorities? against officers who break the leaders in DC should move dress the use of no-knock en- violations from the kind of civil How soon do you think you law because prosecutors have quickly to solve as many prob- tries, like the one that led to liability that any other citizen would have a huge mess on to work with police officers on lems as they can now. And the death of Breonna Taylor in would face. your hands? Which groups do other cases. And juries are re- their actions should set the Louisville, Kentucky. Analysis 2. Involve the feds: Congress you think would suffer the most luctant to pronounce a cop table for more significant of these entries show that they should create an enhanced fed- from excesses or brutality? guilty of a serious crime. changes after the election. have evolved from an unusual eral role in investigating officer Well, unfortunately, the above The dangers of impunity for po- Congress: Essential elements tactic used in high-risk situa- misconduct committed during scenario is not a thought ex- lice of police reform tions to an everyday policing the use of deadly force. periment. It is a pretty decent The result is a de facto "policy Democrats and Republicans in tool, used to serve low-level 3. Support de-escalation: Con- description of America's law of impunity" for police officers the House and Senate are de- drug warrants and the like. gress should mandate tougher enforcement system. -- meaning that cops generally veloping legislative proposals These dangerous entries training requirements on de-es- This approach is turning out can violate their training, police on police reform. present terrible risks to officers calation for local police depart- exactly as you would imag- policy, criminal law and the Misguided funding programs and citizens, as the Taylor case ments. ine -- with the vast majority Constitution, without fearing that channel federal dollars to demonstrates, and their use 4. Support mental health: Con- of people trying to do a good serious consequence. It's a local law enforcement have needs to be severely curtailed gress needs to repurpose some job, but way too many of recipe for disaster, on its face. contributed to the massive ex- and subject to stringent over- federal police dollars into hir- them breaking the rules (even But when you add well-docu- pansion of local police forces sight to ensure public safety ing mental and behavioral killing people) and getting mented racial bias against Af- over the past 40 years. So, and respect for citizens' rights. health specialists. It is unfair away with it. The endless vid- rican Americans to the mix, even though the federal govern- 3. Mandate review boards: Po- to expect police officers to also eos showing cops behaving you have an inevitable catas- ment can't directly regulate lice departments that receive function as therapists, marriage lawlessly are entirely pre- trophe for the black commu- state and local police, it can federal funding should also be counselors and psychologists. dictable because the mecha- nity. use the power of the massive required to create review boards Those steps would also create nisms to enforce the law Any human system without ad- federal purse to effect change with civilian membership that more checks and balances, against law enforcement are equate oversight, checks and in the way conditioning federal can review the use of deadly less violence and more peace- almost completely nonexist- balances will tend toward cor- highway funding helped to force, compel the disclosure of ful streets. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 40 OUR MS DHONI ACTOR SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT COMMITS SUICIDE AT 34. By Sukhmani officer in the action thriller 'Detective were allowed inside the crematorium. Avery young bright and talented actor Byomkesh Bakshy!' in 2015.Bollywood His body was brought to the cremato- Sushant Singh Rajput left us shocked actor Sushant Singh Rajput was filled rium in Vile Parle from Cooper Hospital and speechless, as he commits suicide with dreams, and was inexorably work- where the autopsy had been conduct by lynching in his Bandra apartment on ing to fulfills them. As his premature de- earlier on Monday Mukesh Chhabra Sunday morning, was battling depres- mise shaken the whole nation.The last who has worked with Rajput in the yet- sion. According to a Mumbai Police of- burials of actor Sushant Singh to-be-released remake of 'The Fault In ficial, the team that visits his home Rajput were conduct on Monday in Our Stars' was one of the first to reach found some medication which meant to the attendance of family members the crematorium. The 'Kai Po Che!' star's treat depression. But No suicide note and close friends from the film and colleagues from the industry including was found from the spot. The Patna-born TV sorority. The actor was cremated Shraddha Kapoor, Kriti Sanon attended Rajput became an immediate strike with at Mumbai's Pawan Hans cremato- the cremation. They were joined by a his good looks and boyish charm when rium around 4:30 pm in the few others including his friend Rhea he was notice in the famous daily soap afternoon.Earlier on Monday, Chakraborty and Abhishek Kapoor who on Zee TV's 'Pavitra Rishta' in 2009. He Rajput's father and a few other fam- directed him in both 'Kai Po Che!' and made his Bollywood entrance in the ily members flew from Patna to reach 'Kedarnath' who offer farewell to the 34- chum drama 'Kai Po Che!' in 2013, for Mumbai. The family had earlier year-old as it rained. . Actors Vivek Oberoi, which he also received a Filmfare nomi- wanted to conduct the last rites in Patna Randeep Hooda, Prateik Babbar and nation for Best Male Debut. The same where Rajput had spent a considerable singer Udit Narayan were a few others who year, he was also seen in the romantic part of his childhood. Due to novel attended the cremation. Suicide is not the comedy 'Shuddh Desi Romance' 2013, coronavirus pandemic and restrictions solution for our problems. But still we pray which was followed by the ostensible on large gatherings, only a few people for his beautiful soul who will be missed. Sushant Singh Rajput’s US-based sister Shweta deletes social media profiles after sharing empowering messages for fans A day after posting an emotional message in smile revealed the true purity of ur heart. you remembrance of her brother, actor Sushant will always be loved mera Baby and so so Singh Rajput’s sister, Shweta Singh Kirti has much more....Whereever ur mera baby stay deleted her social media profiles on Facebook happy....stay fulfilled and know that everyone and Instagram. Shweta had been sharing posts loved, loves u and will always love you uncon- about her brother on Facebook, as recently ditionally.” In an earlier post, she had written as Wednesday. In her last post, Shweta had about telling her son that his uncle is no more. shared a handwritten note from Sushant, and Sushant died by suicide on Sunday, at the age had written, “Mera baby, mera Babu mera of 34. He was reportedly suffering from depres- Bachcha is not physically present with us any- sion. She’d written, “When I told Nirvanh the more and it is ok... I know u were in a lot of news that Mamu is no more, he said ‘But he pain and I know u were a fighter and u were is alive in your heart’ 3 times. When a 5 yr old bravely fighting it. Sorry mera Sona... sorry can say something like that... think how strong for all the pain u had to go through...if I could we should all be.... Stay Strong everyone.... I would hav taken all ur pain and given all my especially the fans of Sushant... please un- happiness to u.” derstand he lives in our hearts and he will al- The had added, “Your twinkling eyes ways keep doing so....Please don’t do any- taught the world how to dream, ur innocent thing that can hurt his soul....Stay Strong!” ‘STAY AT HOME’ BRINGS ANOTHER RIFE TO FIGHT’ By Sukhmani crimes to be committed by cul- world, on the other hand, it has COVID19 lockdown has took the prits. It’s really difficult to aban- also shaken the markets around another turn, due to lockdown don victims in the middle of the world. Corona virus has af- DOMESTIC ABUSE has become lockdown because this kind of fected our economical, social life an additional subject to think demeanor of people privately, it but also personal life. Because about. Since the lockdown has was unexpected so there is no of this Corona virus, divorce started; there is increase in do- arrangemement of places to live. cases have also increased mestic abuse complaints. The "All women who need to escape among the people, couple lockdown has turned into a fence during lockdown and beyond says that they spent the last in with the abusers for women must be assured of a safe place two months together during and children. “Staying at home to stay. Basic reason or Domes- isolation. During these two is a main part of the tactic to put tic reason could be the fear of the months, their relationship has a stop to corona virus from scat- epidemic, which has led many reached to divorce. Even just tering and accumulate lives, but people to drop their jobs and short because of curfew marriages for some people lockdown isn’t of alcohol is all toting up to the are put to test like never before safe. Things have become quite aggravation of these offensive as 30percent of couples have dren will be listen and resolve. On has gone to next level because hard for children and women. men. Reports say that from filed a divorce case as they are the other hand, France, French three women are murdered due With limitations in society, it is March 24 till April 1 , 257 com- fed up and unable to cope up with gender equality minister will be to domestic abuse in lockdown. difficult for the victims to ask for plaints related to various offenses each other. To resolve the domes- helping sufferers of domestic bru- Well this pandemic has changed help to run away from their abus- against women were received out tic matters governments of differ- tality during lockdown. Moreover the lives of people completely. ers. The victims are mostly of the 69 complaints are related ent nations are trying to handle in some countries NGOS are This pandemic is not so easy so women and children, who are to domestic violence. As we this situation differently. For in- tackling this problem by giving everyone has to be strong head now caged with their abusers. know the pandemic of stance: India has provided counseling sessions through to fight it and cope with it by co Insistent act is needed to save covid19 has produced a unease helpline numbers where private video calls and phone calls. But operating with governments of victims from harm and avoid among the people all over the fuss related to women and chil- in nation like Spain domestic level their nations. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 BUSINESS 41 CII Study: 155 Indian Companies Account for Over $22 Billion in Investments, Nearly 125,000 Jobs in U.S. Texas, New Jersey, New York, Florida, and Massachusetts are top investment destinations for Indian firms By our staff reporter (WASHINGTON, and Georgia. York ($1.8 billion), Florida ($915 million), tant Secretary, US Department of State. D.C.- One hundred and fifty-five compa- The surveyed companies also provided and Massachusetts ($873 million). Several members of Congress also joined nies with origins in India are responsible data regarding their corporate social re- Indian investments in 20 U.S. states stand the report launch over video, including for generating over $22 billion in invest- sponsibility (CSR) and research and de- at over $100 million each. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Mark ments and nearly 125,000 jobs across velopment expenditures, which totaled 77% of the companies plan to make more Warner (D-VA), co-chairs of the Senate the United States, according to a new $175 million and $900 million, respec- investments in the United States. India Caucus, as well as Representatives survey report released today by the Con- tively. 83% of the companies plan to hire more Brad Sherman (CA-30), co-chair of the federation of Indian Industry (CII). Key findings in the report (attributed to employees locally in the next five years. House Caucus on India and Indian Ameri- The report, “Indian Roots, American Soil the 155 survey-respondents): The CII survey respondents represent di- cans, and Ami Bera (CA-07) who joined 2020,” is a state-by-state breakdown of Together, 155 Indian companies employ verse sectors including pharmaceuticals live. A business panel moderated by Atul tangible investments made and jobs cre- nearly 125,000 people across 50 states, and life sciences, telecommunications, Deshmukh, Global Head of Assurance, ated by 155 surveyed Indian companies the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. aerospace and defense, financial ser- KNAV, followed the report launch, in which doing business in all 50 states, as well The total value of tangible investments vices, manufacturing, tourism and hospi- business leaders – Inderpreet Sawhney, as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. made by these 155 companies exceeds tality, design and engineering, automo- Group General Counsel and Chief Com- Texas, California, New Jersey, New York, $22 billion. tive, food and agriculture, energy and min- pliance Officer, Infosys Ltd, Dr Sofia and Florida are home to the greatest num- The top five states in which Indian com- ing and materials. Mumtaz, President, Lupin North America, ber of workers in the U.S. directly em- panies have generated maximum employ- The CII report was launched via a webinar and Laksh Vaaman Sehgal, Vice Chair- ployed by the reporting Indian companies. ment are: Texas (17,578 jobs), California by Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, man, Motherson Group highlighted the The surveyed companies disclosed the (8,271 jobs), New Jersey (8,057 jobs), CII and Taranjit Sandhu, Ambassador of contributions of Indian companies to the highest amounts of foreign direct invest- New York (6,175 jobs) and Florida (5,454 India to the United States, along with sup- U.S. economy in the form of FDI, jobs ment (FDI) in Texas, New Jersey, New jobs). port from senior US Government officials, created and saved, research and devel- York, Florida, and Massachusetts. The The top five states in which Indian com- including Diane Farrell, Acting Deputy opment, skills training and local corpo- states with the top concentrations of In- panies have contributed the highest for- Under Secretary for International Admin- rate social responsibility initiatives – in- dian companies reporting were New Jer- eign direct investment are: Texas ($9.5 istration, US Department of Commerce cluding Indian companies’ support to the sey, Texas, California, New York, Illinois billion), New Jersey ($2.4 billion), New and Peter Haas, Principal Deputy Assis- US in its fight against COVID-19. Mumbai BJP leader booked by CBI for ‘cheating’ Bank of India of Rs 57.26 crore The BJP leader said his firm had entered into a compromise with the bank and made a one time payment to settle dues. (News Agencies) The Central It was further alleged in the com- lease. The CBI has been conduct- various bank accounts and locker received no dues certificate from Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has plaint that the accused company ing searches at five places in keys, said the CBI official. Mohit the Bank of India in March 2019. registered a case against local diverted the funds obtained from Mumbai including at the residen- Kamboj, who changed his name to I don’t know why the bank has Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the bank followed by forging and tial and official premises linked to Mohit Bhartiya said, “Compro- gone ahead with this complaint, leader Mohit Kamboj and direc- fabrication of documents in sup- the accused individuals and compa- mise in the above loan account after two and a half years of clear- tors of his company for allegedly port of their claim, which resulted nies. The search has led to recov- has been done in 2018 by pay- ing all the dues. Nevertheless, I cheating Bank of India to the tune in a loss of Rs.57.26 crore to the ery of certain incriminating docu- ing Rs 30 crore as one-time will cooperate with the CBI probe of Rs. 57.26 crore. The CBI has bank, as per the CBI press re- ments pertaining to property, loan, settlement of dues. I have also as I have full trust in them”. also booked unknown public ser- vants and bank officials, while its inquiry in the case continues. Uncle Ben's and Mrs. Butterworth's follow Aunt The cases have been registered against two Mumbai-based firms known as Avyaan Overseas pri- Jemima phasing out racial stereotypes in logos vate limited-- now known as M/ (News Agencies) )Uncle Ben's owner Mars brands and ensure they reflect our values wholly inconsistent with our values." s. Bagla Overseas private limited, is planning to change the rice maker's and meet our consumers' expectations," the The moves are an acknowledgment of the Mumbai--- and KBJ Hotels Goa "brand identity" — one of several food com- Pepsi (PEP)-owned company said in a brands' origins in racist stereotypes, a private limited. Mohit Kamboj, panies planning to overhaul logos consideration brought to the managing director of the former and packaging that have long been forefront during the nationwide has also been booked along with criticized for perpetuating harm- reckoning on race following firm directors Jitendra Gulshan ful racial stereotypes. the death of George Floyd in Kapoor, Siddhant Bagla and In a statement on its website police custody. Irtesh Mishra. Wednesday, Mars wrote that According to the Uncle Ben's According to a CBI offi- "now is the right time to evolve the website, the name was first cial, between 2013 and 2018, the Uncle Ben's brand, including its used in 1946 in reference to a Mumbai based firm ‘Avyaan visual brand identity, which we will black farmer known as Uncle Overseas private limited and its do." Ben who excelled in rice-growing. managing director Mohit Kamboj, "We don't yet know what the ex- The man depicted in the logo is a along with unknown public ser- act changes and timing will be, "a beloved Chicago chef and vant, entered into an agreement but we are evaluating all possibili- waiter named Frank Brown." with the bank’s Mid Corporate ties," Mars added.Earlier on Wednesday, statement. However, the imagery evokes a servant and Branch in Fort, with an intention Quaker Oats announced it's retiring the 130- And Conagra, which makes Mrs. uses a title that reflects how white South- to cheat through FB purchase/ year-old Aunt Jemima brand and logo. "As Butterworth's syrup, said it would conduct erners "once used 'uncle' and 'aunt' as hon- Foreign Bills Negotiation Limit we work to make progress toward racial a complete brand and packaging review. orifics for older blacks because they re- and Export Packaging Credit equality through several initiatives, we also Conagra noted it "can see that our packag- fused to say 'Mr.' and 'Mrs.,'" according to Limit facilities worth Rs.60 crore must take a hard look at our portfolio of ing may be interpreted in a way that is a 2007 New York Times article. (approx.) extended to the firm. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 HEALTH & FITNESS 42 India needs better mental health care systems Address structural and financial gaps, change mindsets

(News Agencies) Bollywood Mental health issues are among the brought down to ¹ 40 crore from ¹ 50 Sushant Singh Rajput died by suicide leading causes of non-fatal disease crore in FY18. Budget 2020 has not in Mumbai on Sunday. His tragic death burden in India; one of every seven increased the allocation for NMHP. has trigged a much-needed Indian was affected by mental health When it comes to mental health care conversation on mental health in India. issues in 2017; the proportional personnel, India has 9,000 According to the World Health contribution of mental health to the total psychiatrists, or one doctor for every Organization, over 90 million Indians, disease burden has almost doubled 100,000 people, when WHO norms say or 7.5% of the population, suffer from since 1990; and suicide was the leading there should be three for every 100,000 mental health issues. A study published cause of deaths among young people people. While these structural and in The Lancet in December 2019, titled — aged 15 to 39 — in 2016. financial lacunae need to be addressed, The burden of mental disorders across India spends little on mental health it is important for society to not the states of India: the Global Burden care. In financial year (FY) 2019, the stigmatise the victims, and provide a of Disease Study 1990–2017, also budget allocated to the National Mental community support structure so that they highlights the scale of the challenge. Health Programme (NMHP) was don’t battle such problems alone. People with co-morbidities 12 times more likely to die of Covid: US study In the US, cardiovascular disease (32%), diabetes (30%) and lung disease (18%) are the most common chronic diseases among Covid-19 patients. illness. The prevalence of April 30. Men accounted for two- people have heart disease and 70 underlying diseases is similar thirds of cases, and half (51.2%) million people have diabetes , between the sexes, but men with of all patients were over 60 years according to estimates based on Covid-19 were twice as likely to old, said the Union ministry of the Global Burden of Disease need hospitalisation, the CDC health analysis. The risk factors Study 2017. “With testing study found. In a separate but for severe Covid-19 include old age, remaining low and many sick linked study published in the cardiovascular disease, chronic people avoiding hospitals, there is journal Lancet on Tuesday, an kidney disease, diabetes, chronic a danger of the death certificates estimated 1.7 billion people — respiratory disease and obesity. not recording the correct cause of more than 20% of the world’s “Our clinical experience in India is death and Covid-19 being missed, population – have at least one that those at the highest risk of which is why we must study all- underlying health problem such severe disease and death are cause mortality to see if overall (News Agencies) People with needed hospitalisation, 2% as obesity or heart disease that Covid-19 patients with any two or deaths have increased during the underlying health conditions like needed intensive care, and 5% put them in greater danger of more underlying conditions, such pandemic. Also, the advantage of heart disease and diabetes are died, but the real death rate is Covid-19 infection. In India, close as hypertension and kidney a young demographic is negated 12 times more likely to die and likely to be lower because people to four in five people (78%) disease, or diabetes and chronic if chronic diseases are high in six times more likely to be with mild or no symptoms often diagnosed with Covid-19 have lung diseases,” said Dr Randeep young people and the health hospitalised with severe remain undiagnosed, said the underlying conditions, according Guleria, director, All India Institute systems are weak,” said Dr Dileep coronavirus disease (Covid-19) CDC. The chances of severe to an analysis of data from first of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Mavalankar, director, Public Health than healthy patients, according illness and death increase with 33,050 cases in India reported till In India, an estimated 54.6 million Foundation of India, Gandhinagar. to what is the largest yet age, particularly in men and analysis of patient records to people with underlying health understand how to save lives conditions, according to the from the virus that has infected analysis. 823,289 and claimed 431, 541 The CDC report is consistent with globally (WHO report as on June reports from around the world, 15). including India, where people One in five (19.5%) people with with other diseases had a higher underlying diseases died risk of hospitalisation and death. compared to 1.6% of those who In the US, cardiovascular were healthy, found an analysis disease (32%), diabetes (30%) of 1.3 million cases and 103,700 and lung disease (18%) are the deaths in the United States from most common chronic diseases January 22 through May 30 done among Covid-19 patients. by the US Centers for Disease Even among young adults below Control and Prevention (CDC), 39 years, the hospitalisation rate the country’s federal agency. in the US is at least four times Hospitalisations were also higher for those with underlying significantly higher in those with illnesses. Deaths are highest chronic diseases, with 45.4% of among people 80 years or older, such people needing to be irrespective of whether they had hospitalised compared to 7.6% chronic illnesses, but about 50% with no pre-existing disease. of all deaths were in that age Of the 1.3 million cases, 14% group with a chronic health Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 ENTERTAINMENT 43 Pioneering Grant For South Asian Filmmakers in the U.S. Tasveer Film Fund is the first of its kind grant dedicated to South Asian storytellers in the U.S. creating short films - submissions accepted through proud to be able to offer this sup- port towards getting films made and out into the world,” added Pulkit Datta, Artistic Director of the film festival. Tasveer Film Fund is funded by Tasveer, Archana Soy Fund, and donations by lo- cal community members. Tasveer produces three festivals yearly including Tasveer South Asian Literature Festival (TSAL), Yoni ki Baat (YKB), and its signature cepting submissions from South award one grant of $5,000 to a Tasveer South Asian Film Festi- Asian filmmakers in the US to South Asian filmmaker residing val (TSAFF), now in its 15th year. make their scripts come to life. in the U.S. to make a short film. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Submissions are accepted now Filmmakers should submit the organization will combine its through July 31, 2020 and the scripts between five to 20 pages festivals into one, now titled grantee will be announced at the in length and incorporate a so- Tasveer Arts Festival (TAF). TAF Tasveer Arts Festival in October cial justice issue or theme. will feature South Asian films, lit- 2020, which is the new iteration Scripts can be submitted through erature, and performance arts to of the festival this year. “Tasveer FilmFreeway and the submission empower, transform, heal, and was founded to combine a pas- deadline is July 31, 2020. The fi- entertain audiences. In a healthy and sion for social justice and aware- nal grantee will be announced dur- safe way, the diverse programs will ness, with powerful, inclusive ing Tasveer Arts Festival in Octo- encourage people to start and hold (News Agencies) SEATTLE Festival (TSAFF), the largest storytelling by and about South ber 2020, and must complete their space for dialogues focused on Tasveer, the non-profit that oper- South Asian film festival in the Asians,” said Rita Meher, Execu- film in time for a premiere at the South Asian stories that represent ates the Tasveer South Asian Film United States, is currently ac- tive Director of Tasveer. “With this festival in fall 2021. “Funding is equity, climate change, LGBTQ+ new fund, we can make this pos- one of the greatest barriers to issues, women’s rights, and much "Frankly, My Dear, He sible all around." entry for South Asian filmmakers, more. TAF is scheduled for early Oc- In its inaugural year, the and at this critical moment for tober. The format of the festival and Didn't Give A D**n" Tasveer Film Fund (TFF) will artists and representation, we’re dates will be announced soon. Sushant Singh Rajput's Friend Rohini Iyer In Viral Post THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD Opens in Theaters on August 14 (News Agencies) As movie the- aters in North America begin plans to reopen with social dis- tancing guidelines this summer, Searchlight Pictures has an- nounced that the acclaimed Dev Patel film THE PERSONAL HIS- TORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD will release in cinemas on the new date of Au- (News Agencies) Actor Sushant chatter about Sushant Singh gust 14, 2020. The film re-imag- Singh Rajput's close friend Rohini Rajput has focused itself on public ines Charles Dickens’ classic Iyer, an influential Bollywood outpourings of grief from ode to grit and perseverance celebrities, one of whom - publicist, has shared an through the comedic lens of its immensely long, detailed and filmmaker Karan Johar, who award-winning filmmakers — giv- honest - almost aggressively so - produced Sushant Singh Rajput's ing the Dickensian tale new life note about Mr Rajput. Ms Iyer last film Drive - wrote that he writes that she was prompted to blamed himself for not having been for a cosmopolitan age with a di- share her thoughts on Mr Rajput in touch with the actor for a year. verse ensemble cast of stage and by the "fiction" she reads online Rohini Iyer names no names but screen actors from across the instead of news. Sushant Singh writes, "Firstly, he didn't give a f**k world. Rajput was found dead at home in about fame or your opinions. He didn't Release Date: August 14 Direc- Mumbai on Sunday and police say care about these people who are busy tor: Armando Iannucci Cast: Dev it was suicide - since then social posting about not being in touch with Patel, Peter Capaldi, Hugh media has discussed little else, him. For the record, he didn't care Laurie, Tilda Swinton, and Ben from why he died to why some about being in touch. He hated fake Whishaw friends, phone calls and small talk." celebs shared tributes to him to THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF for a cosmopolitan age with a di- (IN THE LOOP, HBO’S Succession) why others didn't. In her now-viral There has also been speculation DAVID COPPERFIELD re-imag- verse ensemble cast of stage and lend their wry, yet heart-filled post, shared by many including by about a supposed boycott ines Charles Dickens’ classic screen actors from across the storytelling style to revisiting some celebrities, Rohini Iyer Sushant Singh Rajput allegedly attempts to set the record straight faced from powerful production ode to grit and perseverance world. Emmy® winners and Oscar® Dickens’ iconic hero on his quirky about the man she called her best houses and that he felt shut out through the comedic lens of its nominees Armando Iannucci (IN THE journey from impoverished orphan to friend. Some of the social media and isolated by the camps that award-winning filmmakers — giv- LOOP, THE DEATH OF STALIN, burgeoning writer in Victorian Bollywood is notoriously run by. ing the Dickensian tale new life HBO’S Veep) and Simon Blackwell England. Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 44

See Full page Voice of South Asian Community Since March 2002 advt on P : 10 Vol. 19 Issue 16 Friday 19 June to 25 June 2020 $1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com Trump signs executive order Labor of Love The baby-making reality incentivizing police reforms show you won't believe But Trump's order offered little in the way of enforcement and appears unlikely to quiet calls for broader change in policing.

(News Agencies)If the coronavirus has taught us anything, it’s that people will watch any old dating show under quarantine, no matter how staggeringly dumb it is. So with that in mind, Fox’s Labor of Love will probably end up as the biggest hit of the summer. Because, and I really can’t stress this enough, Labor of Love is stupid. It is arguably the most knuckleheaded show I have seen in half a decade. You could take this show and bury (Story on it in the desert, and people would still be able to locate it from the stench of its utter, Page 33) logic-defying stupidity. (Contd on page 30) All you need to know about 100 days of Covid-19 Galwan Valley, the site of clash Pandemic presents a new political paradigm Covid has claimed about 12,000 lives in India, with cases and fatalities rising in recent weeks. between India and China HOW THE PANDEMIC has shaped national issues since march 2, seen as the beginning of the infection’s first wave in India, and changed personal lives and habits. The outbreak pushed to the fore the urgency of health care, plight of migrant workers, and economic hardships. It also put to test federalism and made political parties innovate.

(News Agencies) Think back to February this year. The political lexicon of India revolved around the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register; Shaheen Bagh and (News Agencies) A violent face-off took place protests; Namaste Trump; Anurag Thakur, between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Kapil Mishra and violence; and an economy Ladakh’s Galwan Valley on Monday night in in decline. A little over 100 days later, examine which 20 Indian soliders were killed. Defence what has animated the Indian political minister Rajnath Singh issued a statament on discourse: Lockdown; migrant workers; Wednesday in which he mourned the loss of testing; hospital beds; inter-state movement; lives of 20 soldiers. In his first comments since the Mahatma Gandhi Nation Rural the clashes on Monday, Singh said that the Employment Guarantee Scheme loss of soldiers in Galwan is “deeply disturbing (MGNREGS); (Contd on page 32) and painful”. He also said that India will never forget the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers who displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives. Singh had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday evening and held two other meetings with the Chief of Defence Staff and the three service chief. (Contd on page 32)