Vol: 29 | No. 6 | June 2021| R20

www.opinionexpress.in A MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE

Cover Story PANDEMIC PARALYSIS As is up against a raging virus, the response of the government in power has left much to be desired

editorial Indian Policymakers RNI UPENG01809 Volume 29, No 6 EDITOR Prashant Tewari Associate Editor have failed the nation Dr Rahul Misra Political Editor Prakhar Misra in Covid 19 pandemic BUREAU CHIEF Anshuman Dogra (DELHI), Diwakar Shetty odi government and several state governments incompetence is (MUMBAI), Sidhartha Sharma (KOLKATA), largely responsible for India’s pandemic disaster, as infections and Lakshmi Devi (BANGALORE ) DIvyash Bajpai (USA), KAPIL DUDAKIA (UNITED KINGDOM) Mdeaths mount at a terrifying pace in India, the prime minister’s team Rajiv Agnihotri (MAURITIUS), Romil Raj culpability for the crisis has become startlingly clear. A literate leader might Bhagat (DUBAI), Herman Silochan (CANADA), have saved India from this manmade disaster. Dr Shiv Kumar (AUS/NZ), Nithya Ramesh India might have been spared this humanitarian (Fashion & Entertainment ) crisis had Modi and his team not neglected their duties Principle Correspondent Shakila Makandar and vilified those who offered him constructive coun- Content partner sel. He had the time, means, and access to expertise The Pioneer to proof the country against this inferno. As early as Pratham Pravakta last November, a parliamentary committee had issued Legal Advisors warnings of a second wave and urged the government Vishnu Sharma Adv to stockpile oxygen. But rather than bolstering India’s Vijai Krishna Adv capacities, Modi used the virus to burnish his cult and Advertisement / Marketing Director pillage the country. Diwakar Shetty Gopal Chopra Last March, days after plunging India into chaos Administrative Director by announcing a nationwide lockdown with a four-hour notice, he sought tax- Amit Pandey free donations for a fund called PM CARES to help the poorest of the poor, Bal Mukund Gaur buy personal protective equipment and build oxygen plants across India. The Corporate Communication / PR equivalent of more than a billion dollars flowed into it during the first week. Sanjay Mendiratta What did Modi do with all that money? Nobody knows and nobody is allowed M M Upadhaya to know. Graphics & Design Like those other leaders, Modi has spent more time diminishing the pan- Writeword Commuications (Studio 8) demic’s seriousness than combating it. In early March, even as cases in India Photographer Ratan Shukla rose alarmingly, he again boasted that the country would serve as “the world’s Overseas Marketing pharmacy,” churning out vaccines for developing nations. His health minister OEMCL Ltd (Mauritius), OEHCL ltd (DUBAI) judged India to have entered the “endgame” of the pandemic. In a new crick- Advertisement / Circulation: et stadium named after Modi, tens of thousands of largely unmasked people Delhi / NCR - Hemant Sharma: D 239 turned out to watch matches between India and England last month. Many Defence Colony New Delhi 110024 INDIA more unprotected people turned out for Modi’s recent election rallies in the Tel – 011 49060350 state of West Bengal, and an estimated 3.5 million people have attended, with Mumbai - Vijay Kalantri – Advisor: New the encouragement of Modi’s Hindu nationalist colleagues, the Kumbh Mela ExcelsIor BUILDING, 6tH Floor, A.K. NAYAK MARG, Fort, MUMBAI - 400001 (INDIA). religious festival. Phone: 91 - 22 - 22019265 / 22019160 COVID-19 has shown that we have underestimated the insidious nature of FAX : 91-22- 22019764 / 22019760 and the menace posed by biological weapons to humanity. It is difficult to an- The magazine is published and printed by Rajiv ticipate new, highly infectious, and deadly bioagents like COVID-19. The ab- Agnihotri for Opinion Express Communications sence of immediate bio-defences and the timelag in finding treatment(s) and & Entertainments Pvt Ltd, from Kumpu Graphic Press 2 Ashok Nagar, Lucknow & printed at Kumpu vaccine(s) enables the invisible enemy to inflict high morbidity and mortality. Graphic Press 2 Ashok Nagar, Lucknow – 226001 The latency period and mutation into virulent and different strains, along with Tele : 91-522-4060880 & the chances of a recurrence in waves, makes disease detection and control Nikhil Offset An ISO 9001 : 2008 Certified Company more challenging. 223, DSIDC Complex, Okhla Industrial Area Phase - I, New Delhi - 110020 Tele : 91-26812316, Mass contagion and efforts to contain it, including through the Great Lock- 26810097, 26810458, FAX:91 45792362 E-Mail : down, has brought even the most powerful countries to their knees and econo- [email protected], [email protected] mies to a grinding halt. It has pushed robust democratic societies into turmoil Registered Office: OPINION EXPRESS HOUSE and has led governance into crisis. The pandemic has generated a psyche of 24-A Clyde Road, Lucknow-226001 (India) Phone: 91-522-4060880 Fax: 91-522-2208242 fear, uncertainty, and helplessness among people everywhere. # 24x7 mobility +91 9984437000 Wish the ruling class in India should be literate enough to understand the email: [email protected] scientific inputs rather than the usual election dynamic of dividing communi- All disputes are subject to be under jurisdiction of ties on the communal, caste and class lines. courts in Delhi. All content published may be subject to copyright, seek written permission to re-produce. Opinion —Prashant Tewari, Express is trade mark brand of Opinion Express Editor-in-Chief Communications & Entertainment Private Limited. Opinion Express June 2021 3 A Monthly News Magazine June 2021 Cover Story Team Modi paralysed While India Burns P 5-10 Biological weapons and biosecurity Lessons from the 11 COVID-19 war 41 Beauty personified India’s concern and situation in in an entrepreneur Afghanistan after proposed US package 17 and NATO troops withdrawal 20 in white western 48 banks Vision 5G is our only chance unlimited 27 to grow Vienna Talk: Need to think about more than 35 Nuclear weapons

4 June 2021 Opinion Express Cover Story Team Modi paralysed While India Burns Modi government incompetence is largely responsible for India’s pandemic disaster, as infections and deaths mount at a terrifying pace in India, the prime minister’s team culpability for the crisis has become startlingly clear. A literate leader might have saved India from this man-made disaster?

By Prashant Tewari

ndia’s healthcare system has collapsed under the weight of the Covid-19 pandemic. The country reg- istered more than 3500 deaths and nearly 400,000 infections daily, off- course the official figures are al- ways inaccurate. Videos of crowded mortuaries and funeral sites, and grief-stricken relatives outside packed hospitals are circulating among middle-class Indians Ion social media.This is after Indian Prime Minister Naren- dra Modi declared victory against COVID-19 in Jan 2021. Addressing a virtual summit of the World Economic Forum, he sought applause for saving “humanity from a big disaster by containing the coronavirus effectively.” Three months on, the epicenter of the pandemic and completely on its knees. The country’s health care system is on the precipice of

Opinion Express June 2021 5 total collapse, patients are suffocating to death, relatives are scrambling for beds, the most advanced hospitals have been reduced to begging the government for emergency supplies of oxygen, and cre- matoriumsblazing nonstophave run out of hospital room and cremation wood. Social media is inundated with agoniz- ing pleas for help, leading to a thriving for oxygen and essential medicine has emerged, and a nation acclaimed in 2015 by the International Monetary Fund as an economic power- house poised to overtake China is now lobbying for emergency foreign aid. India might have been spared this humanitarian crisis had Modi and his team not neglected their duties and vili- fied those who offered him constructive counsel. He had the time, means, and access to expertise to proof the country against this inferno. As early as last No- vember, a parliamentary committee had issued warnings of a second wave and urged the government to stockpile oxy- gen. But rather than bolstering India’s capacities, Modi used the virus to bur- nish his cult and pillage the country. Last March, days after plunging In- dia into chaos by announcing a nation- wide lockdown with a four-hour notice, he sought tax-free donations for a fund called PM CARES to help the poorest of the poor, buy personal protective equip- ment and build oxygen plants across In- dia. The equivalent of more than a bil- lion dollars flowed into it during the first week. What did Modi do with all that money? Nobody knowsand nobody is allowed to know. Because despite offer- ing tax subsidies to contributors and us- ing government organs to promote the fund, PM CARES cannot be reviewed by the state auditor because it is structured as a private trust. As in so many of the pandemic’s worst-hit countries, this tragedy was avoidableand is largely the fault of a boastful and incompetent government. Yet, judging by the fate of other bun- gling far-right politicians such as Bra- zil’s Jair Bolsonaro, the U.K.’s Boris Johnson, Hungary’s Viktor Urban, and the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte, Indi- an Prime Minister may well suffer few political consequences for his devastating misdeeds. Like those other leaders, Modi has spent more time diminishing the pan- demic’s seriousness than combating it. In early March, even as cases in India rose alarmingly, he again boasted that the country would serve as “the world’s pharmacy,” churning out vaccines for

6 June 2021 Opinion Express India might have been spared this humanitarian crisis had Modi and his team not neglected their duties and vilified those who offered him constructive counsel. He had the time, means, and access to expertise to proof the country against this inferno.

Opinion Express June 2021 7 developing nations. His health minister judged India to have entered the “end- game” of the pandemic. In a new cricket The current crisis does seem more serious than stadium named after Modi, tens of others Modi has faced. Until now, his claims for thousands of largely unmasked people turned out to watch matches between instance, that Indian airstrikes in 2019 killed scores India and England last month. Many more unprotected people turned out of terrorists in Pakistan or that withdrawing almost for Modi’s recent election rallies in the all currency notes in circulation punished corrupt state of West Bengal, and an estimated 3.5 million people have attended, with businessmen with an exception of his favorite the encouragement of Modi’s Hindu Gautam Adani could never be adequately tested nationalist colleagues, the Kumbh Mela religious festival. against reality, especially because Modi skillfully The result? Faced with a crush- ing case load and an acute shortage of constructed each time an alternative reality with the vaccines, India has stopped exporting help of loyal journalists and social media trolls. doses and is importing new jabs from Russia. Indian states are desperately fighting over the supply of something skillfully constructed each time an al- cabinet minister status, which demora- as basic as medical oxygen.He has also ternative reality with the help of loyal lised other equally or more talented of- survived, already, blunders that would journalists and social media trolls. The ficers. The latter had not crawled to in- have wrecked any other political career: facts of extensive death and bereave- gratiate themselves. Lightning transfers demonetization in 2016, hasty GST im- ment among India’s middle classes, and became commonplace, and the PMO plementation and a botched lockdown shortages of hospital beds and oxygen, controlled every appointment to senior last year that caused the biggest and cannot be denied so easily; they require posts, as well as to boards and commit- most desperate internal migration wit- no external verification. Even an illu- tees. Though inputs were taken from nessed in India since 1947. sionist as masterful as Modi will find it the RSS, the Intelligence Bureau and The current crisis does seem more difficult to spin them to his advantage. the spy chief, the NSA, mattered more. serious than others Modi has faced. An ex-bureaucrat revealed his ‘con- Stalinist shadows grew longer and Until now, his claims for instance, that trol freak’ nature, his deliberate bypass- head-less organisations suffered when Indian airstrikes in 2019 killed scores of ing of his ministers. Modi soon sized appointments took years. Babus and terrorists in Pakistan or that withdraw- up his secretaries, not necessarily cor- businessmen, however, learnt to fake ing almost all currency notes in circu- rectly, and his permanent scowl started everlasting loyalty and started wooing lation punished corrupt businessmen sending cold shivers. He then resorted Sanghis. with an exception of his favorite Gautam to his unabashed mode of operating But no government could function Adani could never be adequately tested through favorites namely PK Mishra with just handpicked cheerleaders, against reality, especially because Modi and Ajit Dowal, both bureaucrats given and experienced bureaucrats stopped

8 June 2021 Opinion Express sharing their lifelong experience, out of fear, and the political savvy of ministers was treated with contempt. Modi bril- liant idea of 75+ retirement to remove experienced politicians from the active politics backfired. He can tolerate 75+ PK Mishra and Ajit Dowal but he has an aversion for 75+ politicians. As the Cab- inet system crashed and responsibility became opaque, India’s performance ranking in all internationally compa- rable indices started tumbling, every year. And the inviolability of statistics disappeared, as fudging began. Officers realised that only style and spectacle mattered, not substance. Covid 19 broke the spine of an al- ready badly slip-disced economy. Just because the home minister was/is Modi’s most trusted factotum, all deci- sions, even those well beyond its limited competence, were decided by the lathi- wielding home ministry, not the health ministry. Regular imperious edicts flowed, without consultation. Relief work has always been an integral part of Indian administration, but since the two leaders maintained an eerie silence on the plight of migrant workers, no re- lief camps came up to alleviate such an enormous human tragedy. While every sensible nation planned the production, import and distribution of vaccines and oxygen several months ago, India illiterate leadership backed by mediocre RSS ideological guidance woke up to issues like pricing, sup- plies and international obligations only a couple of months ago. Even simple arithmetic of supply versus demand was hardly understood, advice from special- ists received lower priority and the re- gime let its defenses down. The invincible ‘spell’ is finally break- ing, but what we need immediately is fire-fighting and imaginative response, not vengeance.Today, India has become the new global epicenter of the corona- virus pandemic, with daily infections surpassing 400,000 per day and the of- ficial death toll—likely a massive under- estimate—nearing a quarter of a million people. Hospitals are being overrun with patients, and the crisis is exacerbated by a devastating shortage of oxygen. The Indian judiciary has gone as far as threatening capital punishment for any- one caught trying to divert shipments of oxygen from around the country to af- fected areas. There have been dozens of deaths documented directly tied to a lack of oxygen.So, what happened? Modi government suffered from “arrogance, policy paralysis, incompe-

Opinion Express June 2021 9 tence, and no efforts to learn from the death is on both sides. ordinary leadership largely propelled past year.” A government with a reli- In spite of being the world’s largest by Mandal commission aftermath with gious fundamentalist ideology that has manufacturer of COVID-19 vaccines, zero competence fueled the disaster. taken aim at minority groups and el- India has exported far more doses to Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh evated a form of mediocre fascist Hindu other nations than were deployed inter- ( post Panchayat Elections), Rajasthan, supremacy has failed its people spec- nally. Modi has been accused of engag- Gujrat state leadership remained clue tacularly. ing in “vaccine diplomacy,” giving away less despite there is a gap of 14 month Modi has also refused to negotiate millions of vaccines to other nations to between the first wave and second with tens of thousands of poor farm- shore up his international support.The wave. Delhi Joker Chief Minister was ers who began a mass occupation on “vaccine has been put on the open mar- crying for oxygen and medicine when the outskirts of the capital New Delhi ket with limited provision from the gov- the people started dying on the street. last year in protest of new harsh priva- ernment to inoculate citizens.” In other As the hashtag #ResignModi began tization farm laws. While the number of words, poor Indians have to wait far trending to new heights, at least, Modi farmers protesting declined during the longer to obtain the vaccine compared to save his face must sack his cabinet annual spring harvest as they returned to wealthier Indians who can walk into and PMO to bring fresh faces to tackle to pick crops on their farms, an estimat- a private clinic and purchase a dose. the crisis with a new approach and pro- ed 15,000 still remain, many more are In the meantime, Indians contin- spective. However, the narrative has ready to return if needed.“What choice ue to die in numbers so large that the consolidated with the large section of do the farmers have at this point?”. capital New Delhi glows at night from Modi supporters that “the government “The farm laws will kill them in the next the fires of mass cremations. The state has failed on all accounts.” few years, and, heaven forbid, if the vi- governments have let down the coun- Writer is Editor-in-Chief of rus comes, it will kill them quickly. So, try badly. Health is a state subject, yet Opinion Express 10 June 2021 Opinion Express Biological weapons and biosecurity Lessons from the COVID-19 war

Lakshmi Puri

n the first of a two-part series on how the COVID-19 pan- Idemic has raised conscious- ness about the dangers of bio- logical warfare Ambassador Puri writes on how bioweapons and biosecurity have overtaken vio- lent conflict as the primary global security concern.

Jasmin Merdan/Getty Biological weapons Biosecurity Covid-19 Rogue regimes Weapons of mass destruction

Opinion Express June 2021 11 The United Nations was founded at the end of the Second “It’s an ideal weapon because it only destroys people. It’s World War “to save succeeding generations from the scourge a virus — airborne, indestructible, self-perpetuating, mul- of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold suffer- tiplying beyond our calculations — and all life will cease to ing to mankind” and “towards that end to unite our strength exist everywhere. Nothing can stop the Satan Bug.” Thus, to maintain peace and security.” Seventy five years later, we did Dr Gregor Hoffman, the insane bioscientist in the 1965 are being ravaged by another scourge of war — the COVID-19 Alistair MacLean science fiction book and movie The Satan pandemic — and we find ourselves ill equipped as an interna- Bug, ominously but not inaccurately describe a biological tional comity of nations to win over it. It has shaken our na- weapon. Despite being such a cataclysmic force, biological tional and international economic, social and political order weapons, unlike other weapons of mass destruction or WMD to its foundations. It has also exposed the weaknesses of the — nuclear and chemical — have escaped public consciousness global health and biosecurity system and the overall peace and scrutiny. and security architecture. It will require our going back to the The advent of the COVID-19, originating in China, has drawing board and reimagining the world as we did in 1945, suddenly awakened the world to the destructive potential of a for the survival of humankind. pandemic and has painted a vivid picture of what a biological

12 June 2021 Opinion Express COVID-19 is not high — 2-8%. COVID-19 has, however, not only hurt the country of origin, but has gotten exported to 212 countries and territories due to China’s extensive global economic and human footprint and connectivity. An alleged lack of transparency and absence of early warning as to its virulence is said to have contributed to COVID-19’s intrac- table global spread. With 3.9 million infections and 270,000 deaths and counting, it has been labelled a quasi-biological war in its scale, scope, duration, and impact. Most leaders around the world refer to their strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 as an existential war and see themselves as health and biosecurity generals. UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has called this pandemic the biggest crisis since World War II and some, like Bill Gates, have termed it a World War by other means. Most leaders around the world refer to their strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 as an existential war and see them- selves as health and biosecurity generals. Understanding what a biological holocaust would portend has jolted us into

The advent of the COVID-19, originating in China, has suddenly awakened the world to the destructive potential of a pandemic and has painted a vivid picture of what a biological war would look like.

prioritising biosecurity in national and international security in this turnpike year of 2020.

Menace and deception of bioweapons COVID-19 has shown that we have underestimated the in- sidious nature of and the menace posed by biological weapons to humanity. It is difficult to anticipate new, highly infectious, and deadly bioagents like COVID-19. The absence of immedi- ate bio-defences and the timelag in finding treatment(s) and vaccine(s) enables the invisible enemy to inflict high mor- bidity and mortality. The latency period and mutation into virulent and different strains, along with the chances of a re- currence in waves, makes disease detection and control more challenging. Mass contagion and efforts to contain it, including through the Great Lockdown, has brought even the most powerful countries to their knees and economies to a grinding halt. It has pushed robust democratic societies into turmoil and war would look like. has led governance into crisis. The pandemic has generated Biosecurity as a defence against biological warfare, bio- a psyche of fear, uncertainty, and helplessness among people terrorism, and pandemics has been underemphasised in everywhere. national and international security agendas. The advent of The relative low cost and ease of developing bioweapons, the COVID-19 pandemic, originating in China, has suddenly including by rogue regimes and private labs, and the possibil- awakened the world to the destructive potential of a pandem- ity of stealthy deployment of bioagents — through animal or ic and has painted a vivid picture of what a biological war human carriers or other special purpose delivery vehicles — would look like. It has taught us many lessons which India raises the stakes. and the world would do well to learn. Particularly worrisome is that any state or non-state ac- tor or entity with hostile intent could develop and wield a Significance of the COVID War bioweapon undetected, as production facilities require little Compared to some other pandemics, like the Spanish space and microbial agents as well as technologies are easy Flu and smallpox epidemics of the 20th century and the bio- to procure. The relative low cost and ease of developing bio- weapons used in the Second World War, the death rate of weapons, including by rogue regimes and private labs, and

Opinion Express June 2021 13 the possibility of stealthy deployment of bioagents — through animal or human carriers or other special purpose deliv- ery vehicles — raises the stakes. We, therefore, need to identify ex- tant and potential bioagents that exist in nature or that are human engineered to become dangerous bioweapons. Epi- demiologists have categorised these as: A — most lethal and transmissible, B — moderately threatening, and C — emerging bio-agents engineered for mass dissemination in the future. We must build our capacities to an- ticipate, detect, and defend ourselves in a timely manner from these dangerous bioagents, which will be a complex, re- source intensive, but necessary under- taking.

Our biodefence/vaccine stockpiles for existing and eradicated diseases, like smallpox — which could be used as a bioweapon by Satanic entities in the future — should be replenished.

Our biodefence/vaccine stockpiles for existing and eradicated diseases, like smallpox — which could be used as a bioweapon by Satanic entities in the future — should be replenished. Additionally, to respond to unex- pected and emerging biological threats, all normal labs, medical facilities, and hospitals should be made re-purposable so that they can transform into a seam- less infrastructure for quick and reliable testing and therapeutics development. Public-private partnerships should be forged for vaccine development, test- ing, and deployment within telescoped timeframes. Our biodefence/vaccine stockpiles for existing and eradicated diseases, like smallpox — which could be infrastructure are essentially dual in that comes with the territory of scientif- used as a bioweapon by Satanic entities nature — their use in nature and in ic and technological development, and in the future — should be replenished. research and development for bio-de- reengineer verification and certification More evolved IT-based telemedicine fence, can easily be re-oriented for bio- systems for effective differentiation be- and health status surveillance technolo- offence. The Biological and Toxin Weap- tween bio-defence and bio-offence. This gies, information networks, and contact ons Convention (BWTC) permits states will also be addressed when a credible tracing apps are more enduring bio and to produce, use, and stockpile biologi- verification and compliance system un- health security measures. cal agents for medical, pharmaceutical, der the BWTC is established. and defensive purposes; and in small Biosecurity and health security Dilemmas of Dual use bio quantities for prophylactic, protective, are two sides of the same coin. agents and other peaceful purposes. We need There is only a thin line between Micro-organisms and their related to overcome this “dual use” challenge biological weapons — a WMD deliber-

14 June 2021 Opinion Express ately wielded — and a COVID-19 type those dubbed the “COVID-19 warriors”, tary in less obvious ways than a con- pandemic caused by spontaneous or ac- is unconscionable and counter-produc- ventional war would. Bioweapons and cidental virus release, in terms of their tive. Citizens must be vigilant, responsi- pandemics considerably affect the pre- impact and the response required. Bios- ble, empathetic, and perform their civic paredness of the armed forces to deal ecurity and health security are two sides duty during a war against a pandemic with WMDs, as well as conventional of the same coin. Those consciously in- — whatever the origin. and terrorist threats. The double jeop- fecting people with harmful intent are ardy of the armed forces getting weak- bio-terrorists. Those flouting health se- Military force and ened by the disease — witness the in- curity norms in communities are mor- biosecurity fections among police, border security ally culpable of the same harm. But the When we speak of wars, our first forces, CRPF, army, navy, and airforce stigmatisation of those spontaneously thought is of the armed forces. A war in India — and their being deployed for infected or those on frontline duty, like against a pandemic impacts the mili- pandemic response can pose major se-

Opinion Express June 2021 15 curity challenges. Reports of increased terrorist mobilisation Our bio-defence against such “unrestricted warfare” must and regrouping on our border with Pakistan, and of infected take its cues from these basic premises. It must be agile and COVID patients being infiltrated across the border are proof. “multidirectional”, and must straddle the civilian and mili- COVID-19 triggered defence spending cuts affect defense tary, the economy and society, technology and communica- preparedness too, as does economic infra- tion, the local and global. While keeping our structure degradation. military guard up on all fronts, we need to in- Victories are won on and off the “battle- China’s deployment corporate biosecurity into our overall defence, field”, with economics and politics becoming security, and counterterrorism strategies and the battlefields of an unconventional modern of the PLA planning. There needs to be a critical and pre- war. This War is fought simultaneously in for lockdown determined role for our defence infrastructure different spaces — local, national, regional, and its logistical capacity to meet any bio/ and global. enforcement health security challenge on a war footing. It is uncanny how the Chinese People’s China’s deployment of the PLA for lock- Liberation Army (PLA) officers Qiao Liang and vaccine down enforcement and vaccine development is and Wang Xiasu’s book, on the “Unrestrict- development is instructive even with our systemic differences. ed Warfare” strategy, seems to apply to the A dedicated National Rapid Deployment impact of bioweapons/pandemics on na- instructive even Biosecurity Force comprised of the armed forc- tional security. We would contend with the with our systemic es, the police, and health responders — who are “alternative methods” of war by disease be- well-protected and equipped against contagion ing employed with the same or greater de- differences. — should be set up with frontline, security and structive force than military warfare, with pandemic related, disaster reduction, relief and unprecedented and multidirectional impact. response functions. China’s deployment of the Boundaries between military and non-military assets, opera- PLA for lockdown enforcement and vaccine development is in- tions and personnel, and between weapon and non-weapons structive even with our systemic differences. are dissolved. Victories are won on and off the “battlefield”, These lessons about pandemics/bioattacks being in the with economics and politics becoming the battlefields of an nature of “unrestricted warfare” and the China experience unconventional modern war. This War is fought simulta- will no doubt inform our current fight against the COVID neously in different spaces — local, national, regional, and pandemic. It must also shape preparedness strategies for global. Deviating from the centre and finding the enemies’ fending off and responding to biological attacks from both weak point is a key strategy — in this case sickening an entire hostile states and bioterrorists in the future and prompt a population in a democracy — when a technologically stronger churning in current military doctrines and security architec- adversary is to be conquered. tures — nationally and internationally.

16 June 2021 Opinion Express India’s concern and situation in Afghanistan after proposed US and NATO troops withdrawal he US President Joe Biden’s an- nouncement regarding the com- Tplete withdrawal of American and NATO forces from Afghanistan by 20th anniversary of 9/11 has prompted the discussions on the subsequent se- curity vacuum as well as changing geo- strategic situation in India’s contiguous neighbour as well asstrategic partner Afghanistan.India has been support- ing Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process as In- dia’s foreign minister S. Jaishankar has

In which, Iranian Foreign minister Javad Zarif has argued that the US decision should be taken in the light of the reality of the region that foreign forces has never contributed to peace and stability to the region and their removal will lead to at least less chances for violence.

reiterated in the Raisina dialogue on the theme “Junction Kabul: the Road to Peace” held on 16th April. In which, Iranian Foreign minister Javad Zarif has argued that the US decision should be taken in the light of the reality of the region that foreign forces has never contributed to peace and stability to the region and their removal will lead to at

Opinion Express June 2021 17 least less chances for violence. Pointing out the opportunities for Afghan forces to take full control, Afghanistan’s NSA HamdullahMohib hasclaimed that Af- ghan Taliban is possessing no religious legitimacy and nationalistic causes due to its relentless attacks overs $900 mil- lion dollars worth of national infra- structure annually. But it is noteworthy that US with- drawal without any final outcome re- garding the power sharing proposa- laccompanied by President Ghani’s contention pertaining to transfer of power through democratic processes merely would have beenprovoking Afghan Taliban to suddenly increase attacks. Moreover,latest intelligence report has pointed out that Pakistan is planning to expedite anti-India ac- tivities by facilitating AfghanTaliban’s

India is concerned about the “vacuum”erupting in Afghanistan following the proposed withdrawal of foreign forces, as chief of defense staff General Bipin Rawat has pointed out that it can be utilized by “disruptors”.

“spring offensive” alongside mobiliz- ing allterrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba, who wereshifted to Afghanistan by Pakistan for divert- ing extreme pressure exerted by FATF over it. India is concerned about the “vacuum”erupting in Afghanistan follow- ing the proposed withdrawal of foreign allels in Afghanistan, Hamdullah Mohib span of time in this country. Afghan mi- forces, as chief of defense staff General has manifested the challenges ahead in norities encompass 27 percent Tajiks, Bipin Rawat has pointed out that it can be his country.Any frictions among these 9 percent Hazara and 9 percent Uzbek, utilized by “disruptors”. India’s big con- parallel militant groups for capturing etc. It is noteworthy that Taliban, an cern is that instability in Afghanistan can power can also destabilize the entire na- essentially “Pashtun formation”, has be used by Pakistan to further the proxy tion. A United Nations report,published remorselessly repressed all the ethnic war against India. Furthermore, it will inJanuary,confirmingthat there are as groups except Pashtun during 1990s; also beinimical to the counter terror oper- many as 500 al-Qaeda militants in Af- which has fuelled the ethnic rivalry ations in Muslim-majority union territory ghanistan who are in close relationship among minorities and Pashtun, which of Kashmir as many militants, who weree- with Afghan Taliban has also reflected the covers 42 percent of the Afghan popu- liminated here last year, had been trained seriousness of the prevailing situation. lation. Although Pakistan, which has in different terrorist camps located in Af- Moreover, reconciliation of the in- been relentlessly oppressing the Paki- ghanistan.By highlighting Pakistan’s re- terests of the multiple ethnic groups stani Pashtun people sseeking peaceful lentless support to Taliban alongsideother including Pashtun,Tajik, Hazaraand redressal of grievances, basic human active militant outfits including Haqqani Uzbekin Afghanistan has always been rights, social justice, equality of oppor- network and Islamic States Khorasan emerging as a big challenge,regardless tunity, etc through the Pashtun Tahafuz Province (ISKP), which arecreating par- of the regimes prevalent at the different Movement; has been striving to gener-

18 June 2021 Opinion Express ate a favorable majoritarian environ- way to the oil and mineral rich Cen- Security forces. India’s developmental ment in Afghanistan by strengthening tral Asian republics. The decision of projects strengthening the ease of liv- the Afghan Taliban- a Pashtun forma- the withdrawal of the US and NATO ing of the Afghan peoples, inculcation tion. Furthermore, the prevalent ethnic forces and intelligence report on Paki- of democraticvalues including minor- disharmony can also be used by Paki- stan’s conspiracy accompanied by over ity rights and respect for will of the stan indirectly to fuel the ethnic clashes aggressive postures of terrorists in Af- peoples, development of civil society, by spreading rumoursfor weakening ghanistan have intensified the security improvement in education facilities, etc the Afghan government and making concern for India’s strategic interests have made impossible to return to Af- subsequently a favourable condition for including energy security. But it is note- ghanistan of 1990s. Furthermore, Iran’s Afghan Taliban. Canada’s former am- worthy that Afghan forces, as Hamdul- support, as Javad Zarif has contended bassador to Afghanistan Chris Alexan- lah Mohib has presented in Raisina in Raisina Dialogue, for Afghanistan’s der has also contended that Pakistan’s Dialogue, has led over 94 percent of trade and commerce through Chabahar proxy war is an impediment to restor- the counter terror operations launched port instead of exploitation of Afghan ing peace in Afghanistan and there will after 2014. India-Afghanistan defense natural resources by militant groups be no peace without dismantlingthis co- cooperation will definitely enhance will enhance its development leading to vert proxy war. the capability of counter terror opera- strengthen the long-lasting and sustain- Moreover, Afghanistan is a gate- tions of Afghan National Defense and able peace. Courtesy IANS.

Opinion Express June 2021 19 Indian black “The extradition was upheld but he (Vijay Mallya) is money in still here because as you know there white western is another route for him to apply to the Secretary banks of State for The United Kingdom holds the distinction of status,” said Vijay being the dubious capital Mallya’s barrister Philip Marshall, of the world. India’s financial fraudsters when specifically find safe haven and sanctuary to park the asked by Deputy looted booty in the British little Island as the Insolvency and corrupt British regime continues breaking Companies Court Judge Nigel Barnett International laws by helping fraudsters to about the status salvage their sagging economy of the extradition

Joginder (Jo) Singh Birring proceedings. on the order for him to be extradited he Indian banks, their overseas to India to face charges of fraud and branches, corrupt employees, the money laundering. Vijay Mallya has ap- Tgreedy NRI lawyers, NRI Indian plied to UK Home Secretary Priti Patel think tanks and many uneducated cor- for “another route” to be able to stay rupt politicians in India are to blame for in the UK, the liquor tycoon’s barrister the decline and destruction of present- representing him in bankruptcy pro- day India. India is the only country in ceedings in the High Court of London the East that rejoices and feels proud confirmed. The UK Home Office has so to have a “Special relationship” with far only confirmed on background that the British. It is extremely sad that the a confidential legal process remains real freedom fighters of India who freed ongoing before the extradition order India from the murderous, raping, rob- can be executed. This had raised wide- bing British thieves died for the present spread speculation that Vijay Mallya Indian traitors who steal resources from had sought asylum in the UK, details of their own people to give the loot to Brit- which are neither confirmed nor denied ish Western warmongers. Today’s India by the Home Office in Britain while an should not be begging for Oxygen tank- application is pending. ers bottles, medicinal supplies, hospital “The extradition was upheld but equipment from the West. There should he (Vijay Mallya) is still here because be enough money in the present Indian as you know there is another route for government’s budget to have already him to apply to the Secretary of State built top class hospitals, medical equip- for status,” said Vijay Mallya’s barrister ment, infrastructure and educational Philip Marshall, when specifically asked institutes. But how everything got de- by Deputy Insolvency and Companies stroyed? Court Judge Nigel Barnett about the The Fugitive Billionaire Vijay Mal- status of the extradition proceedings. lya of the Kingfisher Airlines fame re- “He would need to argue much stronger mains on bail in Britain until the UK grounds. There are specific rules that Home Secretary Priti Patel signs off detail when asylum is a bar to extradi-

20 June 2021 Opinion Express Opinion Express June 2021 21 UK Home Minister Priti Patel tion, it is clear that claiming asylum from the sale of a French luxury prop- vestigated by India’s Central Bureau of after all appeals have been exhausted is erty Le Grand Jardin last year. Investigation (CBI) and the Enforce- unlikely to be considered a valid claim The Present UK Home Minister Pri- ment Directorate (ED) for money laun- to asylum protection,” explains Toby ti Patel certainly plays the part well of dering, said to be in the region of $2 Cadman, co-founder of Guernica 37 a calm law abiding British NRI willing billion and involving loans from Punjab International Justice Chambers and a to benefit India and Modi’s BJP party National Bank (PNB). On February 25, UK-based extradition specialist. The because of her Indian cultural roots. Westminister Magistrates’ Court said remote hearing in the commercial divi- Recently in Feb 2021 she has done one there was prima facie evidence against sion of the High Court in London was big positive thing for India: She has ap- Modi, and that there was no evidence to establish whether the court can sanc- proved the Extradition of The Jewel- that the jeweller would not get justice tion substantial sums towards Vijay ler, Nirav Modi who is accused of bank if he was extradited, paving way for his Mallya’s living expenses and legal fees fraud in India. Nirav Modi is being in- extradition. The court said it was satis-

22 June 2021 Opinion Express justice are being made fools of by The and Ashok P Hinduja are for the past two UK Government’s Home Office and years bickering over the transferring of UK Legal system. The UK Government shares to the next generation. Now the trumpets their Human rights laws and family tussles have led to the youngest how fair British justice is? What about Ashok P Hinduja and Prakash Hin- The Present UK Home human rights and fair justice for Julian duja’s son Ajay facing legal troubles in Assange? Why is he not out on bail and Mauritius and Geneva court. According Minister Priti Patel having the right legal teams to repre- to lawyers, the eldest brothers Srichand sent him in his extradition to the USA? and Gopichand are unhappy with the certainly plays the part What makes Vijay Mallya so special to younger brothers handling of the affairs well of a calm law abiding the UK Government, UK home Office of the companies across the world. Ai- and Home Minister Priti Patel? Who kant Bhatti, a minority shareholder at British NRI willing to in Indian politics is promising the UK the Chennai-based Ashok Leyland and benefit India and Modi’s Government ministers and benefitting at the Hinduja Global Solutions where from this Vijay Mallya Extradition de- Ashok P Hinduja is the Chair Emeritus, BJP party because of her lays? claims that billions of rupees in compa- Indian cultural roots. The UK has over the years become ny funds were used to benefit promot- the most preferred destina- ers and records of a recent AGM were Recently in Feb 2021 she tion for economic offenders like Vijay false and did not include objections Mallya, Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Na- raised by shareholders. Bhatti has al- has done one big positive deem, Robert Vadra, Sanjay Bhandari ready filed a complaint to the Securities thing for India: She has just to name a few. Before being tak- and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to en into custody by the ED, YES bank intervene in the illegalities in the Hin- approved the Extradition founder Rana Kapoor was camping in duja Group of Companies. of The Jeweller, Nirav London. Had an intricate entrapment There will also be much more in- by Indian agencies not succeeded in depth reporting on perhaps India’s big- Modi who is accused of luring him back into India, he would gest financial scamster Anil Ambani’s have joined the list of fugitive finan- Reliance Group - Reliance Communi- bank fraud in India. cial fraudsters who are living the high cation, Reliance Telecom and Reliance life in the United Kingdom. Among the Infratel. The total amount that the three hundreds of entities that the Sandesara firms of Anil Ambani owe to banks is brothers of the Stearling Biotech group over RS 49,000 crore. The Swiss au- incorporated many were in the UK thorities in recently agreed to disclose and British Virgin Island among other full details to the India’s Finance Min- places. Barring Kapoor, all these busi- istry’s Foreign Tax and Research Divi- nessmen facing charges are subjects of sion of the personal bank accounts of extradition effort by the Indian Govern- Anil Ambani, his wife Tina Ambani, ment to return to India to face charges their two children Jai Anmol and Jai of financial crimes. Anshul Ambani. A few months ago, The Hinduja Brothers, one of In- Anil Ambani deposed in a London, UK dia’s richest families and their Hinduja Court that he has no money in a case Group of Companies remains the most filed by the Chinese banking consor- preferred Indian family aided and pro- tium. The London, UK Court had asked moted by the various British govern- the Anil Ambani to pay 770 million dol- ments in the past are facing major legal lars to Chinese banks for non-payment problems in Geneva, Switzerland in re- of loans 14 billion dollars. It is learned lation to a charge of forging a document that after the London court’s order, Anil at a bank. The Swiss prosecutor be- Ambani has limited his foreign travels lieved that there were grounds to pro- fearing Chinese banks move on issuing ceed for prosecution. Ajay Hinduja has red alerts in foreign airports through denied any wrongdoing and the Geneva . The Chinese are ruthless in prosecutor’s office confirmed that he business, the Chinese banking consor- fied there was enough evidence against had challenged what the Swiss term in tium will get their money back as unlike Modi for his conviction. “I do not accept French an Ordonnance Penale or crimi- corrupt UK system, the rest of the world that Nirav Modi was involved in legiti- nal order and the matter are due to be is quite transparent. mate business. I find no genuine trans- heard in court, but has been delayed UK - The Money Laundering Capi- actions and believe there is a process due to Covid. The Hinduja Group’s tal of the World. Since the UK is often of dishonesty,” said Westminster Mag- companies are controlled by holding cited as “the money laundering capital istrates’ Court judge Samuel Goozee. companies situated in tax havens like of the world,” with an estimated £90bn The judge said there were links between Mauritius and Geneva. The elder three laundered through the City of London Modi and conspirators, including PNB Hinduja’s names cropped up in the every year, according to figures from officials and top ruling elites in India. Bofors scam as the main middlemen. the UK’s National Crime Agency. Lon- Many in the present Indian Govern- The four brothers Srichand P Hinduja, don has not become the global capital of ment and many Indian banks seeking Gopichand Hinduja, Prakash P Hinduja money laundering by accident. Money

Opinion Express June 2021 23 launderers and those financing terrorist At the moment, the UK is a mem- They are merely powerless to respond activities have two main requirements. ber of two organizations, the OECD and to being listed. Former US official Juan The first is a place crowded with financial the European Union, which routinely Zarate has boasted that a dedicated transactions, in which their own will be publishes blacklists of countries that team at the US Treasury uses its influ- easy to lose. The second is a place where are deemed “high risk” when it comes ence to get American enemies blacklist- those who enable the setting up of com- to money laundering and a “danger to ed and friends left alone, in the name of panies and opening of bank accounts the international financial system”. The counter-terrorism. Banks’s face large are prepared to turn a blind eye to who UK, US, and Switzerland have never fines for facilitating transactions with is the owner of a business. Secrecy over been blacklisted. Instead, the usual pa- countries on these lists, and as a result, the beneficial ownership of companies is riahs of the west—Cuba, North Korea, they have withdrawn services, leaving the main conduit of money laundering. Iran and so on appear, along with small these countries stranded financially. Contrary to what you might think, it is states such as Antigua or St Kitts and Caribbean countries have lost the most more than three times harder to obtain Nevis. This money collection of coun- correspondent relationships with inter- an untraceable shell company in tax ha- tries presents the most marginal threat national banks. The EU and OECD are vens than in rich, developed countries. to the international financial system. in danger of pushing countries into the

24 June 2021 Opinion Express hands of the very people they listed them to become the global centre of money singing the high praises of the Britain for helping. There is a word in German: laundering. Some in the City of Lon- as they continue to park their loot by Lebenslüge meaning the lie you have to don think that Brexit will allow them to selling their souls to the British. The In- tell yourself to live your life. We prefer prosper but it will bring dooms day to dian financial fugitives continue to dis- to think that the success of the City of the country. English education has fa- respect their forefathers, disrespecting London and our property market re- cilitated creation of corrupt bankers and the memories of the Great Brave Free- lates to our skills honed in ancient uni- shyster lawyers who twist the truths to- dom Fighters of India who sacrificed versities, not the banking of nouveau wards lies that free the guilty criminals their lives making India free from the riche criminals. Once British newspa- across the globe. The British offshore corrupt . pers have salivated over the details of banking tax evasion is destroying East- The writer is the Global Chairman/ the latest money laundering ring, they ern countries infrastructure growth and Group President of the World Home- quickly return to the narrative that the prosperity by facilitating flight of illegal land Security/Smartechno Group of real threat lies on small, palm-fringed capital from East to West. Companies. www.worldhomelandse- islands. The politicisation of the black- Many NRIs, Lawyers and business curity.one The views expressed by the listed small islands has enabled London people, living in the UK-West continue writer are personal.

Opinion Express June 2021 25 26 June 2021 Opinion Express 5G is our only chance to grow By Pradeep Baijal moving, and like everything in new tech- for example, they are not necessarily nologies, evolving and changing fast. going to follow our privacy rules or our veryone talks of China overtak- 4G Broadband earlier delivered deep ethics We have to be careful to win this ing the USA in GDP and 5G (in web functionality to our latest technol- battle,” Schmidt said, pointing to the Ea digital world with multiplying ogy Smartphones. 5G also requires new Chinese government’s plan to lead the 5G usages). Indians have always been kind of regulation internalizing content global market for AI by 2030. Indians ahead in the digital and mobile tech- and pricing regulation. have proved that they can move ahead nologies, till of course, regulations and The US and other liberal democ- very fast as they did both for liberalised crony capitalism blocked growth. What racies are falling behind China in the 2G and 4G networks. is so special about 5G? Is it just a com- global 5G race. “I estimate that China China’s 5G networks are among the munication technology? 5G is the new is about 10 times ahead of us in the most advanced in the world, unless In- global wireless standard after 1G to 4G 5G space. This is a national emergen- dia is enabled to challenge them like networks, much faster and having lower cy. The US needs to get the necessary the US did that to China, post 1980. latency, packing density etc. 5G enables bandwidth and funding to the telcos to According to CCS Insights, China will a new kind of network that is designed get that built out, we may have already account for more than half of all 5G us- to connect virtually everyone and ev- lost that one, that’s how dire the situa- ers by 2022. China is also expected to erything together including machines, tion is,” Schmidt told CNN recently. “If dominate through 2025, at which time objects, and devices, both static and these technologies are built in China, it might represent 40 percent of global

Opinion Express June 2021 27 5G connections, according to the GSMA. Mainland China is already the world’s largest Smartphone market, and it also boasts the largest 4G market, with 843.7 million 4G subscribers. Based on a 5G study published by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, China’s aggressive invest- ments in 5G infrastructures will be key to the country’s status as the world’s largest 5G market soon, unless India challenges like it did for 2G and 4G. We must also remember that seven Presidents after Nixon, helped China for political reasons. They might now help India and Japan in the peculiar politi-

China earlier grew with the help of stolen technologies from the US and the rest of the world. The US collaborated. It can no longer do so and hence China has invested hugely in R&D, and commercial use of new technologies- “David G. Goldman”. cal/geographical environment in Asia, where China can never collaborate with India or Japan. China earlier grew with the help of stolen technologies from the US and the rest of the world. The US collaborated. It can no longer do so and hence China has invested hugely in R&D, and com- mercial use of new technologies- “David G. Goldman”. The US, India and some other coun- tries flourished when they started oper- ating on far better and fully digital 2G to 4G standards/technology and regu- lation (converged network and regula- 5G space. This is a national emergen- China’s 5G networks are among the tion). But there was a problem in some cy. The US needs to get the necessary most advanced in the world. According countries like India, where we could not bandwidth and funding to the telcos to to CCS Insights, China will account for migrate to a converged network/regula- get that built out, we may have already more than half of all 5G users by 2022. tion due to the opposition of incumbent lost that one, that’s how dire the situa- China is also expected to dominate telecom operators, and tried to inef- tion is,” Schmidt told CNN recently. “If through 2025, at which time it might ficiently operate on Unified Access Li- these technologies are built in China, represent 40 percent of global 5G con- cense in 2004, and later moving to case for example, they are not necessarily nections, according to the GSMA. to case regulations for 4G networks. going to follow our privacy rules or our Late, late 5G in India: GOI is look- The US and other liberal democ- ethics We have to be careful to win this ing at issues around high prices of spec- racies are falling behind China in the battle,” Schmidt said, pointing to the trum and its limited availability/usage. global 5G race. “I estimate that China Chinese government’s plan to lead the We faced similar problems for 2G/3G is about 10 times ahead of us in the global market for AI by 2030. in 2004, but were carefully dealt with in

28 June 2021 Opinion Express new unified access regulations, license to a full range of services as ecosystem in new services/usages is slow in In- fee and connectivity charges. and demand for services grows. Indian dia, and does not match with the high In its report titled ‘Making India 5G IT technologists are far ahead of those anticipated fee. There are thus appre- Ready’ in August, 2018 Inter-Minis- in the world. 5G can unleash new eco- hensions that India is set to miss the terial High Level Forum for 5G (Paul- nomic opportunities and societal ben- 5G bus due to lack of preparedness, raj Committee)’, India anticipated the efits giving it the potential for being a spectrum issues, inadequate use-case start of 5G in 2020. Based on the Re- transformational force for Indian soci- development, uncertainty around sale port, the Government is creating an ety. It can help the country leapfrog the of radio waves for 5G, etc. Inadequate enabling framework for development traditional barriers to development as availability of spectrum, high spectrum of 5G services in India. Progress is slow well as advance the Digital India Mis- prices, poor development of use cases, as many new developments have taken sion. The cumulative economic impact low status of fiberization, non-uniform place and the 5G services are expected of 5G on India can reach $1 trillion by RoW issues, deficient backhaul capac- to be introduced gradually and advance 2035. But the progress in development ity, etc. are some of the factors coming

Opinion Express June 2021 29 in the way of rolling out of 5G services ‘Making India 5G Ready’ to the Govern- other countries, 5G trial applications have in India, missing the target dates in the ment in August, 2018. 5G Hackathon been submitted by the TSPs in the month Report. had been organized and the Department of January, 2020, however, till date the Globally 118 operators in 59 countries have shortlisted 100 use cases for further guidelines for trials have not been made have deployed 5G network, though only development. Thirty out of 100 use cases clear and there is no set date for com- China and S. Korea has progressed to will be demonstrated along with TSPs to mencement of these trials. Specrum allo- significant commercial operation. China learn 5G use cases and roll out challenges. cation is also posing to be a big problem. has already developed more than 5 lakh The current reserve price of spectrum is We have four times more people and 5G base stations covering around 7-8 per one of the highest in the world, which four times less spectrum which means cent of their population. Regarding status needs to be rationalized taking into ac- that spectrum available to one person of deployment of 5G in India, 5G High count per capita income, extremely low is 1/16th of the global average. Avail- Level Forum has given its report titled usage, and reserve price benchmarks of ability of 175 MHz only in 3300 MHz

30 June 2021 Opinion Express costlier than Australia, 35 times costlier than Spain and 70 times costlier than Austria. Price recommended by TRAI is Fear of 5G deployments exorbitantly high and ranges from 3-70 in China: Many reports times of the market determined price of the spectrum in other countries in abso- overstate the extent of lute terms and is 16 times of the price in relative terms. They are of the view that Chinese 5G deployment there is a need to strike a balance be- for several reasons. tween the Government’s expectation to generate revenue from the auction and Chinese government’s growth of the sector and the overarch- push to “accelerate user ing impact of 5G across the sectors. Fear of 5G deployments in China: migration to 5G through Many reports overstate the extent of measures such as Chinese 5G deployment for several rea- sons. Chinese government’s push to “ac- package upgrade offer, celerate user migration to 5G through measures such as package upgrade of- and credit purchases, fer, and credit purchases, etc.” Service etc.” Service providers providers then start encouraging cus- tomers to upgrade to 5G subscriptions then start encouraging regardless of their actual need, use, or customers to upgrade device. Some companies reduce 5G sub- scription prices so much they are even to 5G subscriptions cheaper than staying on a 4G plan. ITIF report suggests that by counting anyone regardless of their actual on a 5G plan, even if they only have a 4G need, use, or device. device connecting to 4G infrastructure, as a 5G subscriber, and measuring indi- vidual base stations instead of cell sites, pressuring its state-owned carriers to China’s 5G stats paint a misleading pic- invest faster than the market demands, ture. Consider that China Telecom and Chinese figures must be properly scru- China Mobile (the two largest opera- tinized when using them to make U.S./ tors in China) reported 150 million “5G other country policy decisions. package customers” as of September 2020. But according to China’s Acad- National Strategy of 5G emy for Information and Communica- 5G, will be a key driver of our Na- tions Technology, only 94 million 5G tion’s prosperity and security in the devices had been shipped for all of Chi- new age economy towards which we na during the same time frame, indicat- are progressing fast. It will provide con- ing a sizable gap between the number of sumers, businesses, and governments “subscribers” and actual 5G users. The with remarkably fast network connec- number of 5G-capable devices alone is tions that will enable tens of billions impressive, and the competitive threat of new devices to harness the power of from China justifies a thoughtful policy the Internet, transforming the way we response, but no one should be worked live, work, learn, and communicate. into a panic by goosed stats. Whole of government and industry led Slow and steady may win the race. approach should be launched for faster India won the race in 2G growth after rollout with demonstrable use cases. 2010 (Comparison with Chinese growth Spectrum cost should be rationalized to ever.) Whereas the United States is pur- remove the artificial cost barrier. to 3600 MHz band will mean that ap- suing a gradual, economical deployment Indigenous and demonstrable use proximately 50 MHz or so spectrum per of 5G, the problems with China’s rushed cases are the backbone of 5G because operator could be allocated, which is far 5G deployments are already starting to that will create the new economy. below the global average. show. One of Huawei’s own executives Indian government has to finalise TRAI had recommended Rs.492 went so far as to call China’s 5G “fake, the list of industries where it needs to crore per MHz as reserved price for spec- dumb and poor,” mostly due to poor in- achieve indigenous technological inno- trum in 3300 MHz to 3600 MHz for 5G tegration with the 4G network. Another vations, and handhold them for a prof- which is far higher than the auctioned former official warned in a recent speech itable start. spectrum price in other countries. Com- that China’s 5G push could become a (Pradip Baijal is former parison of unit pricing of 5G spectrum failed investment. While China is no Chairman, TRAI, and has with other countries indicates that it doubt investing substantially in the ex- authored many books on Indian is 07 times costlier than UK, 14 times pansion of its 5G network, including by reforms)

Opinion Express June 2021 31 BALKANISATION OF CHINA BY 2027 Afghan war broke USSR. The Wuhan virus will balkanise China

ou will wonder, how is it possible? You will also say that the mighty military and Yeconomic power, coupled with the totalitarian regime will never allow this to happen. The very same questions were asked for USSR too. But USSR balkanised. It will happen, and happen soon to China too. It does not matter if the Wuhan virus escaped from a laboratory, was deliberately made to escape or originated in wetmarkets; China will pay the price. The western pow- ers have had a heavy death toll that surpasses the number of US soldiers who died in Viet- nam War or the civilian casu- alty during 9/11. To put things in perspective 2043 Americans were killed in Pearl Harbour, but Japan paid the price, multiple times when ‘little boy’ and ‘fat man’ were released from B-29 bomber. The Wuhan virus toll in the USA is nearing 70,000. Cow- boy justice will be implement- ed. Very basic justice. You hit us we will hit you. Virus killed our people; we will make you suffer.

32 June 2021 Opinion Express The sequence of events will be as under 1. When the world limps back to New Zealand will seek help from the US, China and will be broadcast on all major normalcy, businesses will pull out of leading to increase its military presence channels. China. All major western multinational in the region. 22. A western collation to rein in the companies manufacturing in China, 6. A cornered China will start bullying communist government of China will will either move back to their home smaller countries who refuse to get active militarily. All major bases in countries or will relocated to other non- trade with it in consonance with the an around the neighbourhood of China threatening nations. international anti- Chinese mood. will be activated to protect human rights 2. Anyone who trumpets the benefits abuses. 7. This will trigger even greater military cheap Chinese labour leading to higher deployment in land, air and sea, of 23. In the meantime North Korea will profits for western multinationals will be western powers as a deterrent. implode and both the Koreas will be either a non-conformist or a Chinese. unified. 8. Western Intelligence agencies will 3. Western nations will correct the release report that the Wuhan virus was 24. The authoritarian Chinese presently skewed trade balance in man made. WHO will counter this report government will find it untenable to favour of their countries, and China will by its own research findings that the continue. suffer a trade deficit. Covid-19 has originated in nature and 25. The leaders will go into hiding or will 4. A US led campaign will bring all China is not to be blamed? escape in exile to South American tinpot developed and developing countries 9. Western powers will discredit WHO dictator country andAfrican banana under one umbrella to isolate China. and its funding pattern will change. republics. Only Pakistan and North Korea will China will go against the tide and try to remain in the China camp. 26. There will be unrest in China. keep WHO afloat. 5. China will flex her military might by 27. Many of PLA soldiers will join 10. China will approach UN to protest increasing presence in the South China protesters. against presence on other Navies and Sea. This will make other countries feel Forces in Chinese waters and ‘area of 28. There will be mass desertions in threatened. This fear will be leveraged influence’. PLA. by the western powers. Australia and 11. Belligerent statements will 29. Western collation will disarm the emanate from Chinese Govt residual PLA. mouth piece on how strong 30. A “Beijing Human Rights Tribunal” China is and can match any ( BHRT) will be constituted with judges western power in firepower. from 42 countries to try the PLA 12. Aggressive patrols of leadership for excesses. The trials will Chinese nuclear tipped be conducted ‘in absentia’. submarines and aircraft (Just like the post WWII Nazi trials) carriers will start. 31. A geographical longitude will 13. Sterner trade sanctions will be decided by the UN and the be imposed on China. ‘Chinese Melon will be cut” into two 14. It’s double-digit growth rate administrative zones of East China and will come down to negative West China. growth. 32. UN Administrative Mission in China 15. Unemployment will ( UNAMC) will help develop democratic increase in China. institutions in both these countries. 16. The citizens who were on a 33. The UNAMC will provide stability for tight leash will protest. 2 years after which the first democratic elections would be held in East China 17. Massive demonstrations and West China. will breakout in major cities and villages in China. 34. After which the UNAMC will be dissolved. 18. The resistance to the Communist government will 35. The two new democratic countries be fuelled and fanned by the will proud new members of the United western powers. Nations. 19. A Govt under pressure will 36. Tibet will gain independence. Dalai try to brutally suppress the Lama and Tibetans will leave India for protests. their promised land. 20. UNCHR will be activated. By Prakhar Misra, writer is a China Expert and 21. Videos of brutal political editor of Opinion Express suppression will escape out of Opinion Express June 2021 33 ZZZWUDQVJOREHDGYLVRUVLQ

34 June 2021 Opinion Express 9HQWXUH&DSLWDO_0HUJHU $FTXLVLWLRQ_/HJDO6HUYLFHV Vienna Talk: Need to think about more than Nuclear weapons

By Hanuman Prasad Singh gic issues are inherent in it. Iran and Israel has been relentlessly In spite of rest of the participant’s stimulating both the nations to further huttle diplomatic effort of the appeal to stay in the JCPOA, President enhance its arms and ammunitions in- European intermediaries in Vi- Trump’s decision to withdraw the US cluding an Iranian ambition to attain Senna talk to reinvigorate the joint unilaterally and subsequent re-imposi- nuclear compatibility with Israel. With comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA) tion of economic sanctions for exerting the obstructed economy due to global by persuading USA for returning into “maximum pressure” over Iran to com- sanctions, in the self-help conditions, the deal and Iran for ensuring full pel it for renegotiations have been con- Iran has also been motivated to rethink compliance has presented the major ceived as the US betrayal by Iran. It has about strengthening its security as well breakthrough in this way.Iran’s previ- relegated Iran in isolation, which has as uranium enrichment capability. That ous demand of nothing less than lifting culminated in the worsening the Iranian has been catalyzed byreduction in Iran’s all sanction has been a major restraint economy alongside fueling the bitter- commitment as a response to USA ab- in this progress. But Vienna talk has ness. In fact, the US sanction restrain- rogating JCPOA. Consequently, Iran opened a path, from where deadlock ing global economic activities with Iran has developed the underground missile can be dismantled through negotiations has relegated it in the situation of self- city in Tehran and started the produc- and renegotiations. Although Iranian help for his security and survival, the tion of Uranium metal and heavy water nuclear deal concentrates particularly vital interests of any country, for which beyond the stipulated limit of the nucle- on non-proliferation of nuclear weap- any country can go to even war. ar deal. Moreover, Iran has also cooper- onization, but a number of other strate- More importantly, hostility between ated with North Korea for the develop-

Opinion Express June 2021 35 ment of long-range ballistic missiles. Such cooperation of the countries fac- ing strict global sanctions has been eye opener for the US economic sanctions strategy. China-Iran strategic and economic partnership signed on 27thMarch, in which China has agreed to invest $400 billion in Iran over twenty-five years in exchange for a steady supply of Iranian oil in comparatively lower cost, has ren- dered the economic sanctions redun- dant. Furthermore, the investment plan in the field of banking, telecommunica- tions, ports and railways as well as mu- tual consent for deepening military co- operation through joint exercises, joint research and weapon development, and intelligence sharing have explicitly un- dermined the Iranian isolation. Wang Yi’s assertion regarding Chinese support to Iran for safeguarding its national dig- nity and state sovereignty as well as his demand for removal of all US sanctions over Iran have placed China as “Iran’s friend for hard times”. It is noteworthy that China’s ventur- ing for mutual cooperation with Iran by defying all global challenges and spurn- ing economic sanctions has strength- ened the Chinese stronghold in the Iran- the strategic gateway for Eurasian countries. Wang Yi’s insistence for China’s help in resolving persistent dis- putes of Middle East including Israel- Palestine issue during his visit to Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Bahrain, and Oman has manifested the Chinese ambition to supersede USA in this stra- tegic part. In fact, The US economic sanctions have helped China indirectly in getting Iranian oil in comparatively cheap pric- es. But by contrast, it has obstructed the India’s engagement with Iran. It has even impeded Indian plan to develop the International North South Trans- port Corridor- an alternative to the Chi- nese Belt and Road initiative. OPEC na- tion’s decision of cutting oil production alongwith lack of sufficient oil trade with Iran has exerted over pressure on Indian economy. Thus, economic sanc- tions have pushed Iran far from India but closer to China simultaneously. So the USA must strive to reconsider its policy of economic sanctions as well as Iran’s strategic situation emanating after latest Iran-china negotiations. Undoubt- edly, Nuclear issue encompasses very profound stake in this entire diplomatic lenges after Chinese involvement has the world, that will not only dismantle effort. But failure of the global sanctions highlighted the need of policy review. the special environment for China but in preventing the nuclear acquirement There is a need to establish complex in- it will also remove all the restraints on attempts alongside the strategic chal- terdependence between Iran and rest of Iran-India mutual cooperation leading

36 June 2021 Opinion Express to establishment of regional balance of tegic forwardness in the Middle East. So, Writer is JRF qualified profes- power between India and China. Con- removal of irrelevant global sanctions sional and Post-Graduate of Political taining China in Iran is prerequisite to and subsequent cordial relations be- Science from University of the continuous US hegemonic and stra- tween Iran and USA is very necessary. Allahabad, India.

Opinion Express June 2021 37 Ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur led a dharmic path By Dattatreya Hosabale

n Indian history, Guru Shri Tegh Bahadurs personality shines re- Isplendent like a bright constella- tion. He was born in Amritsar to Guru Hargobindji and Nankiji on Krishna Panchami in the Baisakhi month. As per the Nanakshahi calendar, Guru Tegh Bahadurs 400th birth anniversary falls on May 1 this year. Guru Tegh Bahadurji was born into a tradition that challenged Mughals of Central Asia that had occupied vast tracts of Indian territory. He is a sym- bol of tenacity, sacrifice and his life is a wonderful example of physical and mental valour. In fact, Shri Tegh Bahadur’s life stands out as one of the greatest experi- ments in character-building. By rein- ing in one’s negative instincts, even ordinary men can follow the path of dharma. Those who are trapped in the chakravyuha of blasphemy, avarice and pride cannot remain stable in crisis. Whilst the behaviour of ordinary men changes in the midst of joy and sorrow, men of great attainment rise above these considerations. Guruji proclaimed that one should be beyond “praise and slander, look upon gold and iron alike” and not be “touched by pleasure or pain, greed, emotional at- tachment and egotistic pride” (Shlok Mahalla 9 - page 1426 onwards of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib). In his teachings, Guruji exhorted, “One should neither frighten away anyone nor be scared of anyone”. The greatest fear is the fear of death, that goads a person renounce his values and turn a coward. Guruji said, “I cannot forget the fear of dying, and this worry has torched my body”. Through his preachings and self- less work, Guruji sought to create a so- ciety in which one could walk the path of dharma, free from worry and fear. Guruji’s life is perhaps the finest exam-

38 June 2021 Opinion Express ple of attaining the four purusharthas man would have to martyr himself to said, (goals of human existence) e dharma protect his nation and the faiths of her “He protected the tilak (mark on the (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama people. Through this sacrifice, a tide forehead) and janevu (sacred thread). (desire) and moksha (liberation). of public consciousness would galva- His martyrdom is a significant event He successfully demonstrated excel- nize the nation and shake the walls of of the Kali Yuga. For the sake of saints, lent human values in his family and the the foreign Mughal empire. Who would he laid down his head without even a society whilst accomplishing the goals make this sacrifice? This quandary was sigh.” of artha and kama in his domestic life. resolved by Guruji’s son, Shri Govind On a day when the whole country is He attained martyrdom for the cause of Rai, who asked his father if there was celebrating Guruji’s 400th birth anni- dharma. He envisions hope and trust anyone who commanded more respect versary, let us be reminded that the best even in the worst of crises. Guruji fa- and stature than him. way to honour his memory was to fol- mously said, “I have regained my pow- Aurangzeb’s army imprisoned Gu- low his path. Today, there is a scramble er, my bonds are broken and all options ruji along with his three disciples and for enjoying material pleasures. Guruji, are open on to me.” brought them to Delhi, where they were however, showed the path of renuncia- Guru TeghBahadurji’s thoughts and subjected to inhuman torture and pres- tion and restraint. actions had such an inspiring impact surised to convert to Islam. All kinds Envy, malice, selfishness and dis- that they broke the bonds shackling the of alluring assurances were made. But, crimination are prevalent all around. country and unlocked the path of libera- Guruji stood firm on the path of dhar- But, the revered Guruji spoke about tion. His messages in the Braj language ma. Angered by his defiance, the Mu- creativity, harmony and conquering is a unique exposition of Bharatiya cul- ghals forced Guruji to watch as his dis- disorders of the mind. ture, philosophy and spirituality. ciples were tortured in Chandni Chowk One of the lasting effects of his Guruji’s abode, Anandpur Sahib, e Bhai Mati Das was ripped with a saw, teachings was on the people he passed emerged as a centre of mass struggle Bhai Diyala was drenched in boiling oil en route to Delhi, who refrain from cul- against the injustice and atrocities of and Bhai Sati Das was tied and burnt in tivating tobacco till date. Fundamental- the Mughals. Aurangzeb wanted to a heap of cotton. ist forces are rising to gain dominance. make Hindustan Darul-Islam. Kashmir, The Mughal regime probably felt But, Guruji showed the path of valour, an intellectual and spiritual centre, was that he would be frightened by the treat- selflessness and sacrifice. At a time his key target. ment meted out to his disciples. Guruji when mankind is entering a new phase The people of Kashmir approached knew that the very essence of dharma of change, the sacred memory of Guruji Guruji for guidance, following which was to fight injustice and tyranny. As propels us to follow his path and build a he held a lengthy discussion. Situation Guruji did not waver, the qazi ordered new India that is rooted in its soil. everywhere was grave. How could the the executioner to behead him. This cruel Mughal ambitions be frustrated act of martyrdom led to a reawakening (Writer is the General was the question. across the nation. On the martyrdom of Secretary of the Rashtriya There was only one route e a great his father, tenth guru Shri Govind Singh Swayamsevak Sangh) Opinion Express June 2021 39 Country’s Longest Road Himalayan Railway The Edge of 50 The Path Eight-Fold In Search of Solace UP: The Growth Factory The Making of the Building the Great New enhanced website More editions COFFEE TABLE COFFEE BOOKS TABLE MAGAZINES � � � � � � COMING SOON � � EXOTICA DIALOGUE completes PRINTECH LIMITED thanks all its readers and patrons for their support. Raipur � CMYK Bhopal Raipur � � Dehradun � The Pioneer Ranchi � Lucknow Lucknow The journey of passion continues with your blessings as we enter our 20s � � Delhi Bhubaneswar Chandigarh Delhi Faridabad 8 editions � � � 4 editions � �

40 June 2021 Opinion Express Beauty personified in an entrepreneur package

ary Radenkovic is a Ser- bian born entrepreneur and Mfashion designer. She grew up in Greece in the Mediterranean. Mary has been in the fashion indus- try since the age of 15. She initially worked as a model for beachwear, make-up and hair products and was a face of several European brands. She graduated with a BSc in Art and Poetry and has worked a designer of women’s clothes. She is currently working on her own luxury London based swimwear brand Lavishly Appointed. She is the founder and designer of a luxury resortwear brand Lavishly Appointed. Excerpts from an Interview of a wonderful human being and beauti- ful lady by Opinion Express Fashion & Entertainment bureau Chief Ms Nithya Ramesh (Online).

Can you take us through your journey to where you are now? I have been in the fashion industry since the age of 15, initially working as a model, then as a designer and now as an entrepreneur as well.

How did you launch Lavishly Appointed and can you tell us since we last spoke, where you are at today with the brand? We opened our very own in-house boutique luxury production. Now, that our production is in the house, we feel like we gained more credibil- ity and can produce orders of differ- ent sizes for our respected clients. In addition, we are now preparing our fifth collection and are very excited about it.

Who does the team involve be- hind you at Lavishly Appointed? We have two separate teams, the first one is focused on sales & advertising and is very well organised and entre- preneurial whereas the second team is our hard-working design team con- sisting of pattern makers and tailors.

Having come back from a suc- cessful presentation during the

Opinion Express June 2021 41 What outlets do use to market Lavishly Appointed? I still love the good old fashion magazines, so we will be featured in the Tatler magazine December issue. However, we are also very much up to date with the new wave of digital influencers and are very active on Instagram and also work with the famous bloggers.

What would you like to see changed for millennials in busi- ness? I would like to see more space for young designers and smaller com- panies to work. With imperialism in which we currently live in, it is often difficult for young talented people to succeed unless they join the large corporates and I would like to see more visibility of millennials and their smaller scale start-ups.

What is the best piece of busi- ness advice you have received to date? Hard work will always pay back!

What is the critical lesson you have learned in your career so far? That I need to be more serious about my company’s business plans. As an artist, I usually struggle with that!

How do you create an evenly balanced work and personal life? I ensure I always allow protected time for my family and also some personal time for my hobbies and give my self-time to enjoy art and at- tend exhibitions.

The highlight of your career so Paris fashion week, where can forecasts as we want to produce truly far? you see yourself within the next valuable and luxury products, but Definitely, starting my own business 3-5 years? also still need to make the commer- Lavishly Appointed. We are hoping we will have our own cially appropriate. fashion show at Paris Fashion Week. What gives you ultimate career Have you ever had any other satisfaction? What strategies do you have in mentor? If so, how has this ben- I love what I do, working in fashion place when looking at the expan- efitted you to grow? is fun because we work with media, sion of Lavishly Appointed? Well, certainly have a few friends and tech, celebrities and beauty industry. Opening our first branch store would colleagues who are successful entre- We are at the intersection of business be the next challenge and the next preneurs and often willing to share and creativity, so the work is quite step, but we have not yet decided the their words of wisdom. Nevertheless, variable. Moreover, we organise the details. my true mentor was my late grandfa- best parties and events. ther who was also a fashion designer. Can you tell us what areas you He helped me develop a genuine pas- What challenges have since been have struggled in profession- sion for fashion that has been with presented during the growth of ally? me since my early years. Lavishly Appointed in this last Mostly in our financial plans and year?

42 June 2021 Opinion Express Well, my challenge is to ensure that each new collection is better than the previous one and that is not always easy.

Which other leading entrepre- neurs and pioneering game changers do you also admire and why? I admire Anna de la Russo,who had turned Vogue brand into an estab- lished luxury brand over a very short period of time. Also, Ashley Graham is fantastic role model for success story.

What is a good article or book you have read recently? I enjoyed reading the Grit from Angela Duckworth. It is an excellent easy read and it tries to explain why resilience is more important than talent for success and it gives a differ- ent perspective when thinking about every day business problems. I read Prashant Tewari editorials on geopo- litical matters on regularly.

How do you measure your own terms of success? Well, I think success is when you wake up and are happy that you’re about to start work and are also get- ting paid well for it.

What does #BEYOUROWN mean to you? I think it is when you turn behind and reflect on everything that happened and you realise that despite all the difficulties, you managed to get your idea and your dream to come true.

What is next for you and Lav- ishly Appointed? We will participate in the huge proj- ect MTV EMA Awardswhere most of the A list celebrities will be wearing preneurs and often willing to share cently looking fabulous wearing Lavishly Appointed, so stay tuned their words of wisdom. Nevertheless, a piece from your swimwear col- and follow the EMAs! my true mentor was my late grandfa- lection, however what has been ther who was also a fashion designer. the most rewarding moment for Where do you intend to go with He helped me develop a genuine pas- you since building your brand? it? sion for fashion that has been with Yes, having Eva wearing our signa- We are based in the UK and our cur- me since my early years. ture piece was amazing. We are very rent market is in Europe, but next thankful and have decided the piece year we are planning to extend a How do you think mentors can after her (every model of Lavishly Ap- business to Miami and are exciting really help new founders and pointed has a unique name). about prospects of our business in the CEO’s? We also got quite a lot of celebrities USA. We will attend the Miami Swim Certainly, they can help by making asking for our pieces for their private Week this year. useful introductions, expanding net- boat parties. I guess our line is very works and pointing towards the right attractive and glamorous, so goes Have you ever had a mentor? people. well with women who want to be dif- Well, certainly have a few friends and ferent. colleagues who are successful entre- We saw Eva Longoria most re-

Opinion Express June 2021 43 44 June 2021 Opinion Express Living A Life Of Hopes And Dreams While Shredding Barriers, One Adventure At A Time By Ashlesha Balyan recognition. Fish that flow against the stream are easily spotted. With her ack in 1984, in the sweltering heat Isuzu V-Cross, she participated in many of Dholpur (Rajasthan), Anamika off-roading events and was often the BTomar would run on the edge of only female contestant. She bagged the a hillock, in love with the idea that the first position in Force Motors’ nation- warm loo winds would sweep her right wide women’s off-roading event. She up. She successfully managed to fall off also completed the rally lap of Ford this hillock, however, and tried again the Motors’ off-roading event in the short- next day, and the day after. And now she est time. She was also the only woman has a wonderful story that speaks volumes to receive an invite from Apollo Tyres’ about her sparkly-eyed dynamic self. specially off-roading event amongst ce- A woman who built herself to suc- lebrities including Sachin Tendulkar. cess, Anamika singularly moved to Mum- Seems like auto sports won’t be part of bai (Maharashtra) from Noida (Uttar “a man’s world” in India for long. Pradesh) in 2004 while working in the Eco Adventure is Anamika’s beloved international trade and textile industry. baby project, a foundling of years of self- With a natural inclination towards design growth and toil. To embrace a lifelong and a stunning understanding of aesthet- laughing). passion is a difficult achievement - not ic appeal, she launched her own interior A rather memorable journey was to everyone is able to gather the means (or design brand - Anamika Design Co. - not Spiti. Anamika took a road-trip from maintain the willingness) to make their long after migrating. She bagged numer- Delhi to Spiti and back, and if that dream an enjoyable hustle. The process ous prestigious projects all over the coun- wasn’t enough excitement, she went was slow and undoubtedly painstaking, try and was repeatedly a jury member of ahead for one of the most treacherous albeit extremely rewarding and fun. the celebrated ACE Design Convention. treks of Spiti – Triund. The struggle of Eco Adventure is an ode to the same She masterfully sustained herself as her breathing at an altitude of over 4000 Anamika Tomar who fell off a hill but business grew multifold until finally it was feet is an experience that results in couldn’t care less. She has always been time to let her true passion make a place many ephemeral revelations that have a the person to take a goat-track off of an in her professional and personal life. permanent impact. It was a reminder of asphalt road. Anything extraordinary Anamika has had a demanding pro- why she loves what she loves – willingly and purposefully difficult is exciting. fessional life that had a tendency to en- stepping outside your comfort zone Going with the flow may be the norm, croach upon her time in a way that made is exciting. It separates you from the but is it not more fun to raft against clocks futile. For a single woman to build crowd. It offers profound learnings. the current? The dare is an accolade it- a business from scratch in India is Hercu- The learnings from multiple adven- self. Time and again she has challenged lean – kudos and salute to all who have tures to Rajasthan, Goa, Karnataka, Ut- what life threw at her and came out on broken barriers, irrespective of the labels tarakhand and Maharashtra culminated top. This is not difficult for her - it’s in that try to define them. To make space into numerous awards and widespread her blood. and time for something exciting everyday was a deliberate decision. She started Eco Adventure with the value she created for people through her skills and talent. The purpose was straightforward – combining passion with responsible and educational adventures that would add excitement to her life and to everyone else’s. The prep for this new journey of fun and self-discovery was everything. Ana- mika invested in an Isuzu 4x4, with an eye-catching imprint of Eco Adventure’s brand design on it. And with this vehicle as her beacon she traversed up and down and here and there and everywhere she could, to the point where she had to be rescued from a canyon’s edge by a rescue team in Khandala (the child in her was

Opinion Express June 2021 45 Rock-n-Mob embellishing the music industry Riya Gulati mense love and support from all over the world.

ock-n-Mob is the Russian Army of Rock who started APPRECIATED BY ALL THE AGE GROUPS off its journey from Moscow in 2016and has blos- The R-n-M has shrewdly maintained an equilibrium in Rsomed in Macedonia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Mexico, terms of music production. It produces music from all the and Malaysia. From veridical to virtual performances, it has genre which keeps the spirit young and old soul dance. Also, not only gained wide popularity but has also melted every- the collaboration is not only confined to a particular age group one’s hearts. R-n-M is well known for providing a stage to but is general. Here, the participants from all over the age beautiful ordinary souls which not only sets it apart but also groups are whole-heartedly welcome. Certainly, R-n-M has adds an emotive flavour to the music. Here is the list of rea- wider acceptance and is enthralled and cherished by people sons which will propound why R-n-M is a rising star in the from all age groups. music industry(?) CREATIVITY GLOBAL OUTREACH The artistic and creative skills add splendour to the R-n-M is not only constricted to Russia but has its glori- music. From shooting the video to the editing process to ous presence all over the world. The wide-ranging interna- the style of uploading the video, all counts. From personal tional participants, admirers, members, patrons, and jour- experience, a random search for Linkin Park’s In The End nalists are segregated by distance but are united by R-n-M. video got me to discover Rock-n-Mob’s channel. Undoubt- The sensational Quarantine Mob#1 (In the End-Linkin Park) edly, the intercontinental participation of diverse age which comprised of 266 musicians from 35 countries had hit groups, the cover page per se, theme, colour scheme, par- more than 1M views in less than a year. Also, the recent buzz- ticipants’ expressions, fun element, picturization, recogni- worthy Quarantine Mob#2 (System of a Down- Chop Suey) tion, and praise-worthy comments were magnificent in the which had 177 musicians from 34 countries have gained im- R-n-M channel.

46 June 2021 Opinion Express UNITY IN DIVERSITY LOYAL FAN BASE FROM ALL OVER THE R-n-M is a catalyst in connecting people from all over the WORLD globe. R-n-M explores divergent forms of music which makes Apart from commendable devotion to work, R-n-M has it ahead of its time. The versatile feature of R-n-M is that it verily attained a true-blue intercontinental fan base due to its has provided a single platform to the Keyboardists, singers, kindness, love, compassion, and humility. Also, there is a fair drummers, bassists, and guitarists to rock together. Whether flow of interest in demography. R-n-M has equitably reached it is a real or virtual concert, the soulful melody of the (global) out to everyone irrespective of their age, gender, and location. musicians have given R-n-M a total Thumbs Up. Moreover, it has received bountiful admiration from Thirty Seconds to Mars, Linkin Park, Metallica, Pain, Kiss and Bon THE MUSIC NOT ONLY GIVES GOOSE- Jovi. BUMPS BUT ALSO DRAINS OUT A VARI- ETY OF EMOTIONS THE GLITTERING STYLE AND CHARISMA R-n-M’s artistry in choosing the songs of the commend- R-n-M is indeed people’s music, i.e., music of the people, ed bands make people somehow connected to the channel. by the people, and for the people. One need not to be a per- Also, in the case of a virtual concert, seeing one’s country’s fectionist, but one must have a passion for music. R-n-M has performer(s) and national flag raise up the spirits. Literally, managed to pour out a lot of musical variation into phenom- within a timeframe of 30 seconds, one needs to make a con- enal synchronization. The music is beamed in different styles nection with the audience wherein the euphony and videog- of the commoners’ genuine selves and this is what makes R- raphy skills play a pivotal role. n-M unique. I am sure that you will certainly like RocknMob’s chan- FACILITATES ORDINARY TALENTED nel. So don’t miss out the chance to add sweet melody to your PEOPLE TO REALIZE THEIR EXTRAORDI- life and explore the channel by clicking on the link provided NARY TALENT below. R-n-M graciously provides an opportunity to the ordinary talented people to realize and develop their potential, skills, LINK:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rYNnkkUu6U and sometimes latent talent. You will justly feel the energy, enthusiasm, unity, and radiance of the performers in the Mi- Writer is Paralegal at Law Offices of Caro chael Jackson- BEAT IT video. Kinsella, Ireland+ India.

Opinion Express June 2021 47 Vision unlimited t is hard to typecast or describe to it by her partner through his com- Bandana Sondhi, a Model, Brand pany WLM Courier & Freight and is Di- IInfluencer, in logistics for WLM In- rector - Sales & Business Development dia, stylist and now Designer for her for the company which has a worldwide very own new brand called ‘Supergirl@ presence with its HQ based in London, ttitude’. Bandana is a total fashion buff United Kingdom. since she was a child. Bandana says, I learnt something With no formal training or profes- totally new from scratch and it was not sional course in fashion or style, she be- easy. It has got a lot to do with people lieves that she is excellent professional and the movement of their packages because she is blessed with impeccably within India or Worldwide. Making cli- good taste and knows what works, she ents aware about the various modes of feels ‘these things can’t be taught or services namely Road, Air, Sea for Door learnt, it is an inborn talent’. 2 door delivery movements. ‘To make She has been associated with fash- new clients and have them come back ion world in different ways over the again and again because of the superb years. Bandana journey was totally service we provide gives me extreme unplanned and unraveled. She just satisfaction’. followed the path with conviction as a Bandana never imagined that she stylist and styling people, their look, would become a Designer one day but their wardrobe to being a very success- here she is today launching her own ful model and doing countless Ad-films brand in fashion - ‘Supergirl@ttitude’.She for famous and renowned brands like has come up with a tee shirt line which is BMW, Shangri La Hotel, IPL, Samsung, India centric and is a fusion of a western Philips, Apollo Hospital, Max Hospital, and Indian sensibilities.She says “there is Coca Cola: Bollywood movie ‘ Setters’ so much culture and rich heritage in India and now starting her own line in cloth- itself that you don’t have to look outside ing called Supergirl@ttitude. and far and that is the reason her designs She enjoys styling people because will always have the Indian element and the amount of joy when they start look- promote Indian craftsmanship.She be- ing good and how it starts changing lieves that the best of fashion should be their life is her payback. “It is extremely affordable and within reach of everyone. gratifying for me to make a tiny dif- Bandana says “You don’t have to make ference in someone’s life through my things frightfully expensive for them to work” says Bandana.The key is for peo- you get to dress up as and enact, very be classified as exclusive and high fashion ple to understand that they must choose often very different from what one is in and I hope to break this barrier with my to wear what suits them, their complex- real life and that is what makes it inter- brand - Supergirl@ttitude”. ion, body type etc. It’s not about blindly esting and challenging. Lastly but definitely not the least following trends. One has to also keep While doing all of the above activi- she is the founder of an all-women’s fo- in mind one’s lifestyle, family back- ties, many brands would approach her rum called ‘Supergirl Chronicles’. The ground and then decide how to dress up for advice on how to promote them- idea behind the name and its inception and what look to portray. selves, social media promotion, endorse- is that she strongly believes that every While styling her first ad shoot, she ments and she started spearheading her woman has a super power, a gift, a tal- was noticed by a very famous photog- own events as a Brand Influencer and ent, something they are good at. Some rapher and advised that she should be curated her own shows for them. From know their powers and some are yet to in front of the camera and not behind store openings, to specially created eve- discover them. Supergirl Chronicles is a it and that was the start of her career as nings for hospitality brands, trunk shows platform for women to showcase them- a Model.Over a 100 Ad films for all the for designers, shows to promote new age selves, their work, their talent, express major international brands done. To- brands she does it all and more. themselves freely regardless of whether day she continues to model for brands The most interesting thing recently they are professionals or not. she believes in and likes on her own has been her foray into a totally differ- Her message for everyone is that no- terms. The best part she says about be- ent sphere from all of the above. The body is perfect, recognize what you are ing a model is the different characters world of logistics. She was introduced good at and use it wisely and kindly.

48 June 2021 Opinion Express Reasons to include a workout in your child’s routine By Puja Gupta ercise. troduce to your child. Skipping Kids can also do aerobics as it strengthens hand and leg muscles. workout doesn’t mean spend- strengthens the heart and helps in Kids can also join any dance ing hours in a gym or sweat- circulating oxygen to the cells. Aero- classes which is an ultimate form ing on a treadmill. The foun- bics can be done at home and parents of exercise. It helps in the complete A can also participate in these exer- movement of a kid’s body and hence dation of working out should be laid at a young age. Delhi-based fitness cises like playing basketball, swim- gives a complete opportunity to work and sports nutritionist Hasti Singh ming, jogging, running, cycling. out. shares top five reasons to include Singh points out: “When I say Exercise not only improves a workout in a child’s daily routine. workout, don’t confuse it with weight- child’s abilities but will also help Stronger muscles and bones lifting. Kids could do push-ups, him/her to gain concentration. Kids Fit and lean posture crunches with stomachs, stretching, nowadays spend a lot of time tak- Lower risk of becoming obese and other exercises to give a shape ing online classes and hence expose Lower chance of attracting dis- to their physique and gain strength. themselves to uncalled problems like eases These exercises don’t include much strain, headache, and health issues. Controlled B.P and cholesterol. hard work and are also good from Taking out time and doing work- Singh says, to start with, parents the kids’ perspective. By doing push- outs daily can save your child from can ask their child to do yoga or ups, the child would learn to tackle these issues. Also, a regular workout meditation for at least 1 hour daily. weight and it will improve his shoul- helps in better sleep and makes your The trick is that parents should also der and arm connection.” child energetic. do with them as then they will try to Rope Skipping is another good imitate and will enjoy doing the ex- workout activity that you can in- IANSlife

Opinion Express June 2021 49 Live telecast of Supreme Court proceedings will be a landmark reform to bring transparency

By Adv Vishnu Sharma

hief Justice of India N V Ramana is planning a landmark solution Cto bring transperancy in the ju- dicial system by stating - he is “actively considering the proposal to telecast live the proceedings of the Supreme Court”, but “before initiating concrete steps in this regard”, he plans “to seek general consensus among… colleagues in the court”. Speaking at the launch of a mobile application that would enable reporters to access virtual court proceedings, the CJI pointed out that transparency is a time-honored principle when it comes to the country’s judicial process and it’s important for the public to be able to access court proceedings since the ruling of the court has a bearing on the lives of people and the media’s role as- sumes importance in the process of dis- seminating information. In a September 2018 judgment, a three-judge bench headed by then CJI Dipak Misra had given its nod to live stream court proceedings, saying this will bring more accountability and en- hance the rule of law. Chief Justice of India N V Ramana e-committee, headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, has suggested that “The dence during trial as 11 out of 25 High media to access the courts and some judges will draw inspiration from the Courts have adopted these rules as per provision was made to allow reporters practise prevalent in other countries, area-specific requirements and chang- to watch proceedings at specific loca- if there is any, and also study the 2018 es. The remaining High Courts have the tions. However, this also faced certain verdict in the Swapnil Tripathi case as option to adopt Rules framed by the e- difficulties, the CJI said, adding he re- well as the suggestions that were fur- committee, the bench said. ceived several requests to make changes nished by the Attorney General in that Saying “sunlight is the best disinfec- to the system. matter,” a senior court officer, familiar tant”, it ordered that the project “must The CJI said he then took it up with with the development. be implemented in a progressive, struc- the SC e-Committee and other court offi- Justice Chandrachud revealed that tured and phased manner, with certain cials who then came up with the new app at present the Supreme Court is focus- safeguards to ensure that the purpose which will allow reporters to watch the ing on enhancing the video conferenc- of live-streaming of proceedings is proceedings on their mobile phones. ing facility. “The idea is to have one achieved holistically and that it does He also announced the introduction video conferencing facility for all High not interfere with the administration of a new feature on the SC’s official web- Courts and district courts and a sepa- of justice or the dignity and majesty of site and mobile application. The feature, rate facility for Supreme Court. Bids the court hearing the matter and/or im- ‘Indicative Notes’, is aimed at providing have been invited for managing the en- pinge upon any rights of the litigants or concise summaries of landmark judg- tire videoconferencing facility,” Justice witnesses”. ments in an easy-to-understand format, Chandrachud said. Following the pandemic, the judicial the CJI said, adding, “this will serve as The rules for conducting such hear- system has had to adapt quickly, the CJI a useful resource for media persons and ing have been finalised by a committee said, talking about how cases began to the general public who wish to be bet- of High Court judges. District courts too be heard through video conferencing. ter informed about the rulings of the would be able to virtually record evi- This also created problems for the Court”.

50 June 2021 Opinion Express