Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 1

Vol. 20 Issue 22 Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 $1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com IllegalIllegal HumanHuman OrganOrgan TradeTrade TheThe uglyugly sideside ofof healthcarehealthcare inin IndiaIndia

Story on Pages 33-38 Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 COMMUNITY 2 Amid Massive Student Rush, Air India To Double Flights To US Move comes against the backdrop of several students flagging on social media rescheduling of their flights to the US, allegedly without prior notice. New Delhi: In what will bring was rescheduled to September respite to a large number of 22, more than a month from when Indian students headed abroad my course begins," she said. for higher studies, Air India has Meanwhile, Air India has also announced that it will increase tweeted that it will operate its flight frequency to the US from additional flights between New the first week of August. The Delhi & Newark on August 6, welcome move comes against 13, 20 and 27. "These are in the backdrop of several students addition to the existing flights flagging on social media the operating on this sector," it rescheduling of their Air India said. Owing to the pandemic, flights to the US, allegedly 2020 turned out to be a difficult without prior notice. Responding year for students, especially to an NDTV query on the issue, could operate 11 flights per week called them at least 15 times, was "impacted with no further those in Classes 10 and 12. Air India stated, "With the recent to USA in July, 2021. The and each call was a wait of 40 to details". "I was told to call up the Among them were many with surge in COVID cases and the frequency is being increased to 50 minutes" he said. airline for any further details, but plans to study abroad. In 2021, US Presidential Proclamation 22 from 7th August, 2021. With Another student my call was on hold for almost the government took note of the restricting flights from India, the frequency being enhanced on Anusha, scheduled to fly to the an hour. I found out that my flight students headed abroad for some of our flights to the USA, the US sector, all-out efforts are US in August, got an email from has been cancelled due to studies and arranged for their including those between Mumbai being made to accommodate as Air India, stating that her flight operational reasons and my flight vaccination on priority basis. and Newark, had to be cancelled. many passengers as possible in These were effected well in our US-bound flights from advance and passengers were August." Earlier, NDTV also kept aware of these cancellations spoke to students who were to which were for reasons beyond leave for the US this August but our control." were recently informed that their Speaking about its plans Air India flights have been to step up the flight frequency to rescheduled. Vishwas Bhargav the US, it said, "Vis-a-vis the said his flight to the US was approximate 40 flights we used rescheduled to after 25 days. "My to operate to the USA before the call never went through to the Presidential proclamation, we ticketing team; I must have Veena Reddy Sworn In As USAID's First Indian-American Mission Director Washington: US Agency for USAID partnership has the International Development potential to make a difference (USAID) on Monday named to the lives of people not only the first Indian-American - in India and US, but across Veena Reddy - as its Mission the world!" tweeted India's Director. Ambassador to the United "Today, Veena Reddy was States Taranjit Singh Sandhu. sworn-in as our new Mission Veena Reddy, a Director. She will be the first Foreign Service Officer with Indian-American to lead the US Agency for USAID-India, representing the International Development, is best of both countries, and USAID/Cambodia's Mission aims to bolster US-India's Director. development partnership She arrived in leveraging her unique Cambodia in August 2017 and experiences and leadership," currently oversees a staff of 75 tweeted USAID. as well as USAID programs in Today, Veena Reddy the food security, environment, was sworn-in as our new health, education, child Mission Director. She will be protection, and democracy and the first Indian-American to governance sectors. She has lead @usaid_india, served as Deputy Mission representing the best of both Director in Haiti, where she countries, and aims to bolster oversaw post-earthquake #USIndia's development reconstruction efforts, partnership leveraging her elections support, economic unique experiences and growth, food security leadership. pic.twitter.com/ interventions, hurricane RZqWQFGGji Best wishes, response, and the development Veena USAID-India. India- of a new strategy. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 INDIA - CURRENT AFFAIRS 3 Foreign Secretary, British Counterpart Review India-UK 2030 Roadmap The Roadmap 2030 was adopted at a virtual summit between PM Modi and Boris Johnson to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. London: Foreign Secretary Harsh Office, and Philip Barton, the Permanent Commission in the UK tweeted. The host this time in London. We discussed Vardhan Shringla has met his British Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Roadmap 2030 was adopted at a virtual the continued growth of the - relationship counterpart Lord Tariq Ahmad and held Commonwealth and Development Office summit between Prime Minister and how, together, the UK and India can a comprehensive review of the UK-India (FCDO) on Friday. Narendra Modi and his British provide leadership on global issues and cooperation in multilateral fora and on "Cordial meetings at FCDO of counterpart Boris Johnson to elevate be a force for good," Mr Ahmad tweeted. global issues and the implementation of HE Foreign Secretary @HarshShringla bilateral ties to a comprehensive "Today I welcomed @harshvshringla to Roadmap 2030, a 10-year plan that was with HE Minister of State Lord Tariq strategic partnership and guide London for talks on the delivery of the unveiled in May for bilateral partnership Ahmad & HE Permanent Under- cooperation over the next decade in the UK/India #2030Roadmap. The on the road to a free trade agreement Secretary @PhilipRBarton: a key areas of trade and economy, partnership is going from strength to (FTA). Mr Shringla arrived in London on comprehensive review of India-UK defence and security and climate strength as we work towards our shared Friday on a two-day visit. He held agenda, co-op in multilateral fora & on change, among others. Glad to meet ambitions," Mr Barton, who previously meetings with his counterpart Ahmad, global issues, implementation of @harshvshringla again today. We last served as British High Commissioner to Minister of South Asia in the Foreign RoadMap2030," the Indian High met in Delhi - a pleasure to be able to India, tweeted. PM welcomes Biden’s commitment to strengthen Indo-US strategic partnership New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra to democratic values and it is part of the Modi today welcomed President Joe bedrock of the relationship. “I was Biden’s strong commitment to pleased to meet civil society leaders strengthen the India-US strategic today. The US and India share a partnership during a meeting with US commitment to democratic values; this Secretary of State Antony Blinken. is part of the bedrock of our relationship “Good to meet US Secretary of State and reflective of India’s pluralistic @SecBlinken today. I welcome society and history of harmony. Civil President Biden’s strong commitment society helps advance these values,” he to strengthen the India-US Strategic tweeted. It is Blinken’s first visit to India Partnership, which is anchored in our after assuming charge as the US shared democratic values and is a force Secretary of State and the third by a for global good,” the Prime Minister high-ranking Biden administration official tweeted. Blinken called on Modi after after it came to power in January. As holding wide-ranging talks with External Blinken arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The talks evening, the US State Department said covered a range of issues including the the US supports India’s emergence as situation in Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific a leading global power and vital partner engagements and COVID-19 response in efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific mechanism among others. Blinken also an extensive agenda for talks. This is Secretary Lloyd Austin visited India in is a region of peace, stability, and held talks with National Security Advisor Blinken’s first visit to India after March while US Special Envoy on growing prosperity and economic Ajit Doval with a focus on taking the assuming charge as the US Secretary Climate Change John Kerry travelled to inclusion. “India is a leading global power relationship to the “next level”. The US of State and the third by a high-ranking New Delhi in April. Earlier, Blinken met and a key U S Partner in the Indo-Pacific Secretary of State arrived here on Biden administration official after it came civil society leaders after which he said and beyond,” it said in a fact sheet on Tuesday evening on a two-day visit with to power in January. US Defence the US and India share a commitment ties between the two countries. (PTI) New Yorkers to enjoy India Day Parade in Long Island Contd from page 52 Marshall. Bansal expressed deep prosperous. Jay A massive crowd is expected to march down appreciation and gratitude Singh in the parade, which will start from towards the sincerity of IDP USA encouraged all to Patel Brothers tentatively at 1 PM and office bearers and committee chairs make this year’s conclude near Asa Mai Hindu temple for their tireless job of preparing the parade, another on East Barclay Street where an colossal parade. successful event. entertainment stage will be erected. An internationally renowned Around 30 booths No entry fees are applicable, help oncologist and Padma Shri, Dr and 9 floats have everyone to enter and enjoy live DJ Dattatreyudu Nori, Diwali Foundation already been and stalls displaying ethnic goodies USA Chair, Ranju Batra, Navika Group booked, but more and food for sale. CEO and President, Naveen Shah and slots are open, According to Deepak Bansal, young guru and motivational speaker, including souvenir advertisement Funding Group, Elevator the movie, President of IDP USA, there will be Ishan Shivanand are the Guests of placements to be released at the gala Indian Visa Center, Omni Mortgage, the opportune presence of well-known Honor to grace the parade. celebration honouring the success of HAB Bank and The South Asian film star, Kajal Aggarwal and Besides, there will be various the parade. The sponsors list are Times. Several media organizations Philanthropist, Entrepreneur and Life attractive and exiting prizes in a raffle endless. It includes Phalguni Chintu have taken responsibility for its Consultant, Dr Jay Sarkar to lead the draw including car, jewelleries, Patel, Shiv Yog, Navika Group, Bolla promotion. parade as Grand Marshalls. Consul smartphone and cash. Before Market, CheapOair, Patel Brothers, The non-partisan and secular IDP USA General Randhir Jaiswal, who had pandemic, in 2019, under the Vass Pipe, The Portables Choice brings together more than 100 graced the parade curtain raiser at the presidency of Jasbir Jay Singh, the Corp, PICC, Flushing Bank, Maharaja, religious, cultural, regional and charity Indian Consulate on June 24 is Grand India Day Parade was highly Badshah, Commercial Capital organizations to serve the community. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 INDIA - CURRENT AFFAIRS 4 Don't travel unnecessarily, Covid pandemic far from over: Government The government on Tuesday asked people not to travel unnecessarily as the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over. The rate of decline of average daily Covid cases is reducing, which is a cause for concern, it added.

(News Agencies)-The "There's a noticeable increase Meghalaya among others - government asked people on in cases across the world, which where an increasing trend in Tuesday not to travel remains an area of concern. cases has been reported in the unnecessarily, as the Covid-19 We've to work on containing the last 4 weeks," said Lav Agarwal. pandemic is far from over and spread of the virus with He added that there are still 62 the virus behaviour cannot be strictness," he said. districts in the country where taken for granted. A slowdown in the rate of over 100 cases are reported During a health ministry press decline of average daily Covid every day. These cases are 38,090 cases during July 21- protection, while there was a briefing, Niti Aayog's Dr VK Paul cases found in a localised and limited 27. In the past few weeks, there 98% mortality reduction, the said, "Though more people are The rate of decline of average set of areas of these districts, has been a slowdown in the rate government said on Tuesday. receiving vaccines now, there is daily Covid cases is reducing, the government added. There of decline, which remains an "The study was conducted on still a cause for concern since which is a cause for concern, are also eight districts area of concern," said Lav 15 lakh doctors and frontline people are vulnerable to the the Union health ministry said. witnessing a decline in the Agarwal.Covishield reduced workers in AFMC who were virus. This is not the time for The government said 22 positivity rate, but are now Covid infection by 93% during administered with Covishield. It large-scale festivities. Don't districts in seven states have seeing a rise in Covid cases, the 2nd wave, mortality by 98% revealed that there was a 93% travel unnecessarily." reported an increasing trend in government said, adding that A study by the Armed Forces reduction in infection during the Health ministry joint secretary daily Covid cases for the last "we cannot take the situation for Medical College (AFMC) second wave which was driven Lav Agarwal said the Covid-19 four weeks. granted"."The average daily conducted on 15 lakh doctors by the Delta variant and 98% pandemic is far from over, if we "There are 22 districts- 7 from new cases declined from and frontline workers found that mortality reduction," said Dr VK look from a global perspective. Kerala, 5 from Manipur, 3 in 3,87,029 during May 5-11 to Covishield gives 93% Paul. Landslide cuts off Sangla-Chitkul road, nearly 80 tourists stranded in Himachal's Kinnaur

Nearly 80 tourists are stranded in the Sangla valley in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur after multiple landslides triggered by heavy rain damaged the Sangla-Chitkul link road on Sunday. Boulders descending down the Tuesday. The administration Geological Survey of India to Sangla valley even snapped maintains that the stranded find out the cause of the power lines, in addition to tourists were looked after. "Local landslides." Movement for causing heavy loss to private administration has said that the tourists has been suspended property and the Baspa valley stranded tourists were safe and following the tragic incident on river bridge. The landslides were being taken care of. Most Sunday. Officials said the also damaged a 300 metre of the stranded people were Chitkul-Sangla link road has stretch of the Sangla-Chitkul staying in local guest houses and been shut until it is cleared of road at Gunsa.Nearly 80 tourists hotels," said Kinnaur Deputy debris by the public works were stranded at various places Commissioner Abid Hussain department. Meanwhile, the (News Agencies)-Life killed nine tourists at Batseri between Rakcham and Chitkul Sadiq. He added, "Efforts are local administration has issued came to a grinding halt in gate on Sunday afternoon. after the bridge was damaged on to restore the road network an advisory for tourists asking Sangla valley in Himachal Multiple landslides caused by and Batseri was disconnected which was damaged by the them to avoid visiting spots Pradesh's Kinnaur district after heavy rain also damaged the from the rest of the world, landslide. We have invited a towards Chitkul, beyond a landslide-related incident Baspa valley river bridge. officials told India Today on team of the scientists of the Sangla. Andhra BJP workers oppose setting up of Tipu Sultan's statue in Proddatur Several workers of the BJP were detained on Tuesday ahead of a protest against the setting up of Tipu Sultan's statue in Proddatur.

(News Agencies)- Ahead of his arrival, there was Proddatur was converted into a heavy deployment of police a garrison on Tuesday ahead in the town. The police later of a march of BJP workers from detained the protesters along Andhra Pradesh against the with Somu Veeraraju. setting up of a statue of Tipu Somu Veeraraju alleged Sultan in the town. 'institutional conversion' in The BJP chief of Andhra unit, the state and claimed, "The Somu Veerraju, who is on a Andhra government is more 'Devalaya Darshanam' concerned about the campaign, was scheduled to installation of a statue of visit the junction where a Tipu Tipu Sultan at Proddatur Sultan statue has been while Hindu temples are proposed by the ruling party. facing threats." Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 ADVERTISEMENT 5 Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 INDIA - CURRENT AFFAIRS 6 Harappan-era city of Dholavira gets Unesco's World Heritage Site tag The Harappan-era city of Dholavira in Gujarat has been added on Unesco's World Heritage List. Earlier, Rudreswara Temple in Telangana was added to the World Heritage List.

(News Agencies)- Telangana, also known as an "outstanding universal Dholavira, a Harappan-era city Ramappa temple, as a World value", which signifies cultural in Gujarat, has been inscribed Heritage Site. "Kakatiya and/or natural significance as a World Heritage Site (WHS) Rudreshwara (Ramappa) which is so exceptional as to by the UNESCO heritage Temple received its inscription transcend national boundaries committee. as a World Heritage Site on 25 and to be of common The decision was taken at the July and Dholavira: A Harappan importance for present and ongoing 44th session of the City was inscribed on the World future generations of all World Heritage Committee of Heritage List today, bringing humanity. Gujarat has a total of UNESCO held online and India's number of World four World Heritage Sites now. chaired from China on Tuesday. Heritage sites to 40," a The other three are Champaner The session had earlier named statement read.A World near Pavagadh, Rani ki Vav in Rudreswara temple in Heritage Site is a location with Patan and Ahmedabad. Fake police notice for watching porn: High-tech extortion racket busted The Delhi police have busted a high-tech extortion racket that used to extort money from people watching pornographic content on the Internet by sending out fake police notices.

for watching pornography. They 'police'. These notices turned out notices were coming from abroad. used UPI payment and QR codes to be fake ones. The fake police Following the extorted money trail, for receiving extorted money from notices told the users that all the the police found that multiple victims and then send it to files on their computers had accounts were operating from Cambodia using over 20 bank been blocked and they had to Tamil Nadu. accounts, police said.From pay a fine of Rs 3,000 for RACKET BUSTED February to June this year, the involving in the "illegal activity" A police team reached Tamil (News Agencies)-The people including the Indian gang extorted about Rs 30 lakh of watching pornographic Nadu and found that the Delhi police have busted a high- mastermind of the extortion using UPI IDs and QR codes, content.The victims also accounts were opened on fake tech extortion racket that used gang. The police crackdown police said. Police said the reported that these messages addresses. The team camped in to extort money from people followed complaints lodged by technical mastermind of this popped up even though they the area for over a week and watching pornographic content several social media users. fraud is based in Cambodia. were only doing routine travelled about 2,000 km on the Internet. The racket was The gang used adware and HOW THEY OPERATED- searches on their web browser between Chennai, Trichi, being run from Cambodia with a browser pop-up windows to Several social media users and no pornographic content was Coimbatore, Udhagamandalam network in Tamil Nadu.The display fake police notice to informed the police about the being searched.During the probe, and several other places in Tamil police have arrested three extract money from Indian citizens notices that they received from police found that the bogus popup Nadu to track down the accused. Assam declares 3-day state mourning over 6 deaths during clashes at Mizoram border The Assam government declared a three-day state mourning from Tuesday to condole the death of five policemen and one civilian in a border clash with Mizoram on the previous day.

(News Agencies)-The including an SP, injured in a "We are deeply anguished by Assam government declared a bloody clash along the the loss of lives of our brave three-day state mourning from Assam-Mizoram border on @assam police personnel. I Tuesday to condole the death Monday. visited Silchar SP office and of five policemen and one Union Home Minister Amit paid floral tributes to the five civilian in a border clash with Shah has spoken to the chief martyrs and salute their Mizoram on the previous day, ministers of Assam and sacrifice," he tweeted. a notification said. Mizoram, Himanta Biswa Earlier in the day, the chief During this period, the Sarma and Zoramthanga minister visited the Silchar national flag will fly at half- respectively, and urged them Medical College and Hospital mast and there will be no to ensure peace along the and met the police personnel public entertainment, the order disputed border and find an injured in the attack. issued by the General amicable settlement. "Visited SMCH to meet injured personnel for higher level is also likely to visit the inter- Administration Department Sarma paid floral tributes to officials and directed doctors to treatment by air ambulance on state border where the situation said. At least six persons the five slain policemen at ensure best treatment to them. priority," Sarma said in another was stated to be "tense but were killed and 60 others, Silchar on Tuesday. Asked to send seriously injured Twitter post. The chief minister under control", officials said. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 INDIA - CURRENT AFFAIRS 7 Farmers' union challenges sedition law in Punjab and Haryana High Court A farmers' union has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging constitutional validity of the sedition law mentioned in the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

(News Agencies)- Station in Sirsa.Referring to Afarmers' union has moved this, the petition asked, "How the Punjab and Haryana High can sedition and attempt to Court challenging murder charges be justified if constitutional validity of the slogans are raised and sedition law mentioned in the windscreen of a vehicle of Indian Penal Code (IPC). The speaker is broken?" petition was filed after a case "It appears that the of sedition was registered government is using terrorising against 100 farmers for tactics against farmers, merely protesting against the Speaker because the farmers have of the Haryana Legislative shown black flags to BJP Assembly. leaders," the petition said. Hundreds of farmers The petition also stated that organised under different the sessions judge in Sirsa banners have been protesting did not have constitutional sedition charges for allegedly Besides the sedition charges, had termed the sedition against the three central farm validity. The petition complained attacking the vehicle of Haryana the protesting farmers were also charges against farmers laws enacted last year. The that the "abuse of the law of Deputy Speaker Ranbir booked for other serious "doubtful" while granting bail to petition against sedition was sedition continues unchecked Gangwa in Sirsa on July 11. The offences under IPC Sections the five protesters who were filed after the Haryana Police with cases being filed to silence protesters had allegedly 147, 148 (both related to arrested for the alleged attack booked 100 farmers, critics"."The petition takes the smashed the windscreen of rioting), 341 (wrongful restraint), on the vehicle of Haryana protesting against the three plea that the abuse of the law Gangwa's vehicle by pelting 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), Deputy Speaker Ranbir Singh agricultural laws, on July 11 in of sedition continues unchecked stones.On July 15, police in 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to Gangwa.The petition also Sirsa. with cases being filed to silence Sirsa arrested five farmers public servant), 353 (assaulting stated that the Chief Justice of The Haryana Progressive critics thereby creating a chilling including the farmer leader a public servant), 307 (attempt India on July 15 had remarked Farmers Union (HPFU) on effect on the right to protest," Harcharan Singh and Prahlad to murder), 427 (mischief to in open court that sedition law Monday challenged Section Pardeep Rapria, the counsel for Singh. They were all charged cause loss or damage), 186 was being misused by the 124A of the Indian Penal the HPFU said after moving the under the sedition law. The (obstructing public servant on authorities to trample upon Code. The union challenged ordinary writ petition.Over arrested farmers were later duty), and 120-B (criminal citizens' fundamental rights of the law on the ground that it hundred farmers were facing released on bail on July 22. conspiracy) at Civil Lines Police free speech and liberty. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh begins 3-day visit to Dushanbe to attend SCO meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh begins his three-day trip to Dushanbe where he will attend the annual meeting of the Defence Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states.

(News Agencies)- a conclave of the Shanghai likely to attend the SCO Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Cooperation Organisation meeting. However, it is not begins a three-day visit to the (SCO) in Dushanbe on immediately known whether capital city of Tajikistan on Wednesday. During his visit to there is a possibility of a bilateral Tuesday to attend the meeting Dushanbe, Rajnath Singh is discussion between him and of the defence ministers of the also expected to meet his Tajik Singh.Singh and Wei had held member states of the SCO, an counterpart Col General Sherali bilateral talks in Moscow on eight-nation influential grouping. Mirzo to discuss bilateral issues September 4 last year on the He is visiting Dushanbe from and other issues of mutual sidelines of the annual meeting He held an hour-long bilateral Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and July 27 to July 29 to attend the interest. It may be recalled that of the defence ministers of the meeting with Chinese Foreign Uzbekistan.India has shown annual meeting of the defence Tajikistan is chairing the SCO SCO states. Minister Wang Yi on the keen interest in deepening its ministers of the SCO member this year and hosting series of It was the first highest-level sidelines of the conclave. security-related cooperation states, Singh's office said in a Ministerial and official-level face-to-face meeting between The SCO, seen as a with the SCO and its Regional tweet. meetings. In his address, the two sides after the border counterweight to NATO, is an Anti-Terrorism Structure "In the annual meeting, defence officials said, Singh is expected row in eastern Ladakh erupted eight-member economic and (RATS), which specifically cooperation issues among SCO to delve into regional security in early May. security bloc and has emerged deals with issues relating to member states are discussed challenges, including terrorism, Tajikistan is chairing the SCO as one of the largest security and defence.India and a communique is expected and the ways to deal with them. this year and hosting a series transregional international was made an observer at the to be issued after the The defence minister is also of ministerial and official-level organisations. SCO in 2005 and has deliberations," it said. expected to meet his Tajik meetings. India and Pakistan became its generally participated in the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh counterpart, Col Gen. Sherali External Affairs Minister S permanent members in 2017. ministerial-level meetings of is expected to pitch for Mirzo, to discuss bilateral as Jaishankar visited Dushanbe to The SCO was founded at a the grouping, which focus concerted efforts to deal with well as other issues of mutual attend a conclave of foreign summit in Shanghai in 2001 by mainly on security and terrorism and other security interest.Chinese Defence ministers of the SCO states on the presidents of Russia, China, economic cooperation in the challenges facing the region at Minister Wei Fenghe is also July 14. the Kyrgyz Republic, Eurasian region. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 INDIA - CURRENT AFFAIRS 8 Lok Sabha adjourned for fourth time in the day amid Opposition uproar The Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2:30 pm for the fourth time on Tuesday amid Opposition uproar over the Pegasus snooping row.

(News Agencies)-The 2 pm.When the House met in repeatedly urged the protesting Lok Sabha proceedings were the morning, Speaker Om Birla members to go back to their adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday, led the members to pay tributes seats. for the fourth time since the to Anerood Jugnauth, former "Do not compete with each House convened for the day, president of Mauritius, and other in sloganeering. Compete amid continuous protests by Kenneth David Buchizya with each other to raise people's Opposition members over the Kaunda, the first president of issues," he said. Pegasus snooping row and farm Zambia. Agriculture Minister Narendra laws. As the proceedings began at 11 Singh Tomar took a swipe at the As the House reassembled at am, the Opposition members protesting Opposition members There are around 15 questions another adjournment till 12 12:30 pm, Rajendra Agrawal, trooped into the Well shouting and said if they are concerned related to farmers. If the noon. who was in the Chair, asked the slogans and raising banners. about farmers, they should Opposition members are really As the Lok Sabha reassembled protesting members to let the The Congress, CPI, CPI(M), allow the proceedings of the concerned about farmers, they at 12 noon, Agrawal, who was House take up the Zero Hour. TMC members were protesting House to continue. should listen to what the chairing the proceedings, Minister of State for over the Pegasus snooping He made the remarks while government has to say," Tomar asked the protesting Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram issue, while the BSP, SP and replying to a supplementary said. members to discuss their Meghwal said many members of Shiromani Akali Dal were query related to an insurance "Disruptions are lowering the issues and said the the treasury benches want to protesting against three farm scheme for farmers during the decorum of the House," he said. government is ready to raise their issues during the laws of the Centre. Question Hour as the As the protests continued, the answer their questions. Zero Hour and the House Meghwal said by disrupting the Opposition members continued House was first adjourned till "Please go back to your seats. should function. proceedings, the Opposition is with their sloganeering on 11.45 am. Please cooperate," he said. Amid the unrelenting protests, not allowing the ministers to do various issues, including the When the House met for the As the protests continued, Agrawal adjourned the House their duty of replying to Pegasus spying row and the second time in the day, the Agrawal adjourned the House for the fourth time in the day till questions.The speaker agriculture laws. protests continued, leading to till 12.30 pm. Home Ministry seeks another 6 months to frame rules for citizenship law

(News Agencies)-The successive waves may have Union Home Ministry has led to the significant delay. sought another six months' Home Minister Amit Shah, extension to frame the rules during the West Bengal under the Citizenship elections, had said that CAA (Amendment) Act. The will be implemented after the citizenship law was notified on vaccination drive is completed December 12, 2019. in the country.The latest MHA MHA has informed the reply by MoS Nityanand Rai Parliament that it has came after a question was sought another extension asked by Assam Congress till January 9, 2022 for MP Gaurav Gogoi who asked framing rules under CAA an unstarred question.The and sent a request to the CAA law seeks to provide Committees on Subordinate Indian citizenship to Hindus, Legislation, Lok Sabha and Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Rajya Sabha. Buddhists and Parsis While no reason has been entering India on or before given for the delay in December 31, 2014 from framing the CAA rules, Bangladesh, Pakistan and however, it is understood Afghanistan after five years of that the Covid crisis in two residence in India. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 EDITORIAL 9 Why we need to mask up again Concerns over Delta Variant: Capable of Infecting Fully-vaccinated Individuals Faced with a pandemic that has killed Hampshire, have demonstrated some of more Americans than all those who the lowest rates of Covid-19 infection in By Susmita Ghosh task easy. Accordingly, the virus perished during World War II, America the country. A blanket vaccination drive spread across the huge population to is a nation divided, split by both politics A KFF vaccine monitor poll found that across the globe, the biggest of its undergo mutation and come with this and the health crisis at hand. We've vaccine acceptance varies by our kind ever, is considered the only way fast-flourishing variant. The countries become two countries, one vaccinated political party, by where we live, how old to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic that had to reduce the restriction in search and largely safe, the other unvaccinated we are, and how much education we've is torturing the world. However, even of normalcy, this variant escaped India and still at great risk. received. that does not seem enough now. The and spread across the USA. Over the last month, the US vaccination In June, 88% of respondents who virus undergoes rapid mutation. The Delta variant does not effort has largely stalled, now just short identified themselves as Democrat said Hence, there are reports of changes discriminate - this is what the of President Joe Biden's July 4 goal of they had been vaccinated or would get in its protein structure and function. immunologists and virologists are at least 1 shot for 70% of American vaccinated as soon as possible, adults. During the same period, compared to only 54% of those Consequently, the initial vaccines that claiming now. The commercially coronavirus infections have surged. identifying as Republican. The poll found came out are reported to be less available vaccines offer a protective Since reaching a nadir of a little over an that 76% of city dwellers fell into this effective than primarily predicted. layer, but that is only to a little extent. average of 11,000 new cases a day last category, compared with 57% of rural There have been reports of several The unvaccinated are at a higher risk, month, the number of daily infections residents. Eighty six percent of people variants of the Covid-19 virus since but even the vaccinated are not free has now risen to an average of just under over the age of 65 reported that they had its global outbreak. The virus from infection possibilities, the record 62,000. been vaccinated or would be as soon as underwent local mutations in indicates. In the USA, more than 95 This week, in what many consider a possible, compared with only 58% for countries and then spread across the percent of new cases are from the dramatic reversal of its May 2021 easing people aged 18 to 29. Prior vaccination world, affecting more people. The Delta variant, among which there are of indoor mask requirements, the US or vaccination ASAP was reported by most virulent among them is B.1.1.7 a major number of vaccinated Centers for Disease Control and 80% of college graduates but only 63% (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), patients. The same incident is Prevention issued a recommendation of those without a college education. and B.1.617.2 (Delta). Most of the repeated in the whole world. In the that vaccinated individuals wear masks Although breakthrough infections in indoors in areas of high SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated people can happen, the vast problems lie with the latest i.e. the UK, a survey with around 5000 people transmission. An internal CDC slide majority of Covid-19 infections occur in Delta variant, as it has the capacity to shows around 23% of patients with presentation obtained by the unvaccinated people, and nearly all evade even the vaccination the Delta variant, had both their Washington Post suggests that the current cases of severe illness are found effects.Initially, this variant was dosages. For Israel, the rate is as high change in mask guidance was motivated in the unvaccinated. In a statement on reported in India, around November- as 60% for the hospitalized people. by unpublished data showing that the July 16, Walensky reported that 97% of December 2020. The official In Singapore too, there is a high rate Delta variant is remarkably contagious, current COVID hospitalizations are of presence of this variant was of vaccinated people, who have come about as transmissible as chicken pox, unvaccinated people, and Dr. Anthony confirmed when it was found in the down with this variant. The only and also that vaccinated people with Fauci stated earlier in the month that USA in March 2021. The problem consolation is, the symptoms are breakthrough infections may be as more than 99% of Covid-19-related with this variant is its high infection milder in the vaccinated people, contagious as unvaccinated cases. The deaths in June were of unvaccinated rate. The Delta variant is one of the compared to the unvaccinated. The CDC is scheduled to release data on individuals. Last month, there were 130 most dangerous versions, spreading major vaccines show a relatively Friday that will support its mask reversal. Covid-19 deaths in Maryland, every death In addition, the Biden administration occurring in an unvaccinated person. In alarmingly fast. Even though India is lower efficacy against the Delta announced on Thursday a new Texas, according to preliminary data one of the countries that lead the version, as reported. In case of requirement for federal workers to be from the Department of State Health global vaccine production, the overall Pfizer, the efficacy is 88% only. In vaccinated or regularly comply with Services, 99.5% of all Covid deaths since vaccination rate in this country is case of AstraZeneca, it is as low testing and mitigation measures. This February have afflicted the unvaccinated. relatively lower. The Indian as 67% in the Delta variant, is an important step in upping the US's While daily cases in the United States government is trying its best though, compared to 74.5% against the vaccine rate, but until those Americans are up 146% over the last 2 weeks and the high population does not make the Alpha variant. (Contd on page 32) who do not fall into this required category hospitalizations have increased 73%, choose to vaccinate themselves, the deaths have increased by a more modest CDC's new mask guidance will be a 11%. But deaths are a lagging indicator, critical step in keeping the public as typically following a rise in new cases healthy as possible. by 2 to 3 weeks -- and they are likely The explosive resurgence of the virus is soon to rise. The CDC released a ISSN No. 1554 06X a consequence of the rise of the very national ensemble forecast of Covid Editor in Chief & Publisher : transmissible Delta variant. Recently, deaths projected over the next month. Sharanjit Singh Thind CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky The model predicts a significant increase Editor (Political Affairs-India) : announced that the SARS-CoV2 Delta in Covid-19 mortality, with 1,800 to 6,900 Aruna Singh variant is now found in 83% of cases new deaths projected for the week ending Susmita Ghosh (Dy Managing Editor India) sequenced in the United States. "It is August 21, 2021. Anusha Syed (Legal Columnist) one of the most infectious respiratory To suppress the surge of the Delta Special Correspondents: viruses we know of, and that I have seen variant, the US must convince a large Gagandeep Singh (India) in my 20-year career," she said. block of the remaining tens of millions Geeta Saxena (Insider Show Host) While every state in the country now reluctant and recalcitrant unvaccinated Chief Photographer : Vijay Shah reports rising caseloads, the surge has adults to get a shot. Statements last been fueled by the South. week from some Republican governors Editorial Intern: Roubin Singh Thind For example, in the last two weeks one including Kay Ivey of Alabama urging Web Coordinator : Harpreet Singh state that has witnessed a more rapid constituents to get vaccinated are a late, A Publication of Media Partners Capital, Inc. growth in new coronavirus cases is but welcome change. Other prospective REGD & MAILING OFFICE : Louisiana, which has seen a 223% events such as the anticipated full FDA increase in average daily infections. approval of the Pfizer and Moderna P.O Box 7005 Hicksville New York 11801 Not surprisingly, Louisiana also has the Covid-19 vaccines may also persuade fourth lowest rate of Covid-19 some of the undecided, but the most Phone: 917 612 3158 vaccinations in the country, with only recent KFF poll found that 20% of the [email protected], [email protected] 37% of its population fully vaccinated. US population says they will either www.thesouthasianinsider.com Disclaimer The South Asian Insider is a weekly newspaper published every week by The South Asian Insider. It's available in Meanwhile, places with high vaccination definitely not get vaccinated or will do community & religious centers, ethnic grocery stores and also available by mail, email & online to subscribers. 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We are in the business of selling space and claims made by the advertisers are not authenticated or confirmed by an independent source Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 OP-ED 10 A Ray Of Hope In The Darkness The CJI's recent remark that the Supreme Court would stand by the people to protect their rights, has provided a ray of hope and has renewed faith in this institution as the protector of the secular, democratic way of life that our forefathers had dreamt of, at the dawn of independence.

On July 15, 2021, CJI been made at all? In a state like N. V. Ramana, asked Attorney- ours, where Muslims comprise General K. K. Venugopal and 35 percent of the population, a Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta draft bill is circulated that as to why the Union prohibits cow slaughter within a Government needs the 'colonial 5-kilometer radius of any Hindu law' of sedition in free India even temple or religious institution. after 75 years of independence. This is indeed strange because This question has been asked no similar law is being many a time to the successive contemplated to prohibit pig governments and also to the slaughter within a similar area Constitutional courts, by all of a Mosque. Is this not those Indians who believe in the discriminatory? It is time that the right to question the Court takes a call on this matter. government and the right to The Constitution makers dissent, which are the essence wanted to keep religion out of of democracy. However, no state affairs. Late Atal Bihari satisfactory answer has been Vajpayee, the first Prime given by either of them. In the Minister from the BJP, had meantime, people are thrown categorically said that State has into jail, put into preventive no religion. Hence, there should custody, confined to house- not have been any state grants arrest and harassed no ends on or state-sponsored schemes for dubious charges of sedition in law on merit and based on Courts. that the Supreme Court takes a construction, maintenance of which, so far, the prosecutors legally recognised basic Besides this section of the good look not only at the religious buildings, except those have been able to obtain only features of the Constitution Indian Penal Code, there are sedition law but also reviews all declared as national heritage or one conviction since 2007 itself. And the fallout is the other laws from the colonial era the laws - colonial or recent, that buildings of archaeological against hundreds who have systematic erosion of that have the same chilling tend to chip away people's importance, or holding of been incarcerated for long democratic principles in effect on people's rights and rights and liberties. religious conference, pilgrimage months and years all over the governance that should have liberties. The Telegraph Act Another issue that needs some to religious sites, Haj, etc., country. Is this not a breach of been the inviolable principles of empowers the state to thought is the various except facilitation activities like people's right to life and liberty our polity. The protest against eavesdrop on a person's private Constitutional amendments that maintenance of roads, rest under the convenient cloak of the Citizenship Amendment Act communications besides the have been passed by the houses on the way, and law that, in the very first 2019 and the large number of post-independence IT Act that Parliament over the last 75 transportation facilities against instance, should not have found protesters arrested on sedition requires the service providers to years. Some amendments have due payments. On the contrary, a place in the constitution of a charges and then thrown into jail give details of the origin of a already been declared ultra- it has been witnessed that the democratic republic like for prolonged periods, is a case flagged twit or post, the virus of the Constitution and states spend millions on independent India? A in point. proposed amendment of the have been struck down. But the pilgrimage, Haj, etc., and constitution bench of the Justice Ramana's remark, "the Cinematograph Act dealing with Executive, by taking advantage granting lands for the Supreme Court, in the 1962 use of sedition is like giving a film certification, the linking of of the brute majority that it construction of religious Kedarnath case which saw to a carpenter to cut a piece PAN Card and Aadhar Card with enjoys in the Parliament, has re- buildings and institutions. These challenged this very law as of wood and he uses it to cut individuals bank accounts, all framed some of them by aberrations too, need close unconstitutional, upheld the the entire forest," clearly points these have direct or indirect paraphrasing the text or by attention of the Constitutional essence of the word sedition towards the view that the law of effects on people's freedom of taking recourse to the Directive courts to see if they are not mainly by reading down the sedition, in its present form, has choice and action, having Principles of State Policy by violative of the basic structure. import of the terms "bring into passed its time. The apex court precious little to do with any placing them over the These issues cannot be kept in hatred or contempt" or "to is now faced with the uphill task threat to national security or Fundamental Rights and other suspended animation anymore. create disaffection towards the of dealing with hordes of terror activities. With every other basic features of the The political-religious climate of government established by petitions challenging this law new law, people's right to Constitution. A case in point is - the country is vitiated by many law." Of course, the bench set highlighting its "chilling effect" privacy and the freedom of many laws that have been such acts of omission and limits to its scope to those on the fundamental rights of expressing one's opinion on passed by the Parliament that commission on the part of those speeches or writings that show people to life, liberty, human issues affecting one's personal some of the state legislatures who are entrusted with the a pernicious tendency to create dignity, and free speech which or community life has been prohibiting cow slaughter, responsibility to run the affairs public disorder. By taking are the pillars of our curtailed in the name of national conversion to another region of of the country by fully adhering advantage of this interpretation, constitutional democracy. It is security and territorial integrity. choice, inter-religion marriages, to the letter and spirit of our governments over the past 60 anticipated that for a change, The shrill voice of communal etc. Secularism is one of the secular democracy as years, have put people behind this time, the concern of all right- and religious intolerance has basic features of the enshrined in our Constitution. bars by invoking the section thinking Indians will find an echo prompted proposing and Constitution and the right to The higher judiciary is the even in cases where the in the hallowed seats of justice making laws that directly affect practice one's faith without ultimate arbiter of all our laws accused persons have only and peace as well as the true people's choice of food, family interference from the State and rules and guardians of written or spoken or expressed guardians of our democracy, the size, and even reproductive being featured in fundamental people's rights. They must rise their view against a particular Supreme Court, and the High liberty. Therefore, it is high time rights. Should such laws have to shoulder that responsibility. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 OPINION 11 World Tiger Day: Protecting Wild Tigers In Big Cat Countries World Tiger Day 2021: The wild tiger status is suboptimal and almost nearing extinction in the South Asian Region including areas like the South Mekong basin countries like Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam.

We are in the Asian Region have fared well. taken several good actions, "Anthropocene" epoch, marked India deserves all credit for which includes the vision for a by ongoing human induced improving tiger governance task force to coordinate the transformations in wilderness and housing more than 70% of tiger agenda, apart from the globally. No country is an the global tiger population. The ongoing country level tiger exception to this phenomena, country has already declared estimation. With GTF which unfortunately treats the 52 tiger reserves spread over facilitation, Malaysia and green capital as a "commodity". 2.3% of its geographical area. Thailand have also interacted Myanmar has immense and Thailand, others have Why such transformations Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal at the official level to explore potential. The GTF team was suboptimal levels of wild tiger matter to us? Well, this should have also put in concerted formal collaboration on the tiger lucky to see a pugmark on the populations with local concern us because it affects efforts, with their wild tiger front. Malaysia is all poised for very first day of their visit to the extinctions in Lao PDR, our life support system. status at optimal levels. hosting the 4th Asia Ministerial Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary. Cambodia, and Vietnam. Species like the tiger are However, the South-East Asian Conference on the Tiger by the The tiger planning exercise Though countries like indicators of the well being of Region is a cause for concern. end of this year. undertaken by the Forum was Cambodia are keen to an ecosystem. If things are in Wild tiger status is suboptimal Indonesia and Thailand remain a great collaborative effort, translocate wild tigers, threat order and the forest habitat and almost nearing extinction as strongholds in the region for supported by the USAID. assessment, mitigations, need supports a good tiger in South Mekong basin the wild tiger. Thailand is keen China and Russia share a to be carried out based on population with a great countries like Lao PDR, to embark on active border, where both countries normative standards of turnover, we can be rest Cambodia and Vietnam. management to build up the zealously monitor the moving performance with adequate assured that the plethora of Malaysia has managerial natural prey. The country has Amur tigers. This is interesting. deployment. At places, co- ecosystem services would issues in several areas. The several SMART protocols, Russia has strengthened its opting other enforcement continue to be available, apart overall contours of forests have including the day to day tiger tiger governance, with the agencies, including police, from gains of adaptation to changed with large scale palm monitoring by professionally population showing an upward and army on deputation to climate change through locked oil plantations. There is an equipped frontline teams. trend. The country is also the wildlife department may up carbon and natural water urgent need for more boots on Both Malaysia and Thailand hosting the second tiger also be necessary. The provisioning in tiger bearing the ground, with frequent have evinced great interest in summit in 2022. China is keen Global Tiger Forum is forests. seizures of snares from several doing more, and officials from too on this front, with a pilot mandated to implement the The ground situation is not all protected areas. But the both countries visited Kanha in effort for declaration of a large Global Tiger Recovery that tranquil. In the context of passion and sincerity of the not so distant past for on- north-east Amur leopard and Program (GTRP), a tiger, the global status Malaysia to do for the tiger is ground experience in tiger Tiger National Park. commitment of all tiger range continues to be alarming. Tiger adorable. The Department of rewilding and prey Barring tiger range countries of countries towards doubling Range Countries in the South Wildlife and National Parks has augmentation. South Asia, Russia, Indonesia their tiger numbers. Envisioning A Post-Covid Pandemic Public Health Workforce In India India needs between 10,000-20,000 well trained public health officers to manage the primary healthcare system.

may be immune to the army of public health personnel. nation are not paying much virus.Recent sero-surveillance This pandemic has shown many attention. Simple diarrhea and study from Ahmedabad reports weaknesses in our public health childhood pneumonia kills that 81 per cent of sampled system. Public health work millions of children in the individuals have antibodies includes surveillance, control of country. Hence to prevent all against Covid. While epidemics, tracing, testing, such infectious diseases we Ahmedabad cannot be an isolating cases, keeping health need a solid public health outlier - other big cities are likely statistics and mortality statistics, human resource infrastructure The second Covid people succumbing to the virus to have similar levels of undertaking prevention of on the lines of IAS or IFS type wave is ebbing in India. From and over three crore people immunity. Unless we are very disease by vaccination, social centralized cadres. Unless we a peak of 4,14,433 cases and suffering in various ways due to unlucky and a new immunity distancing, lockdowns etc. This develop such a public health 4,487 deaths on May 6, 2021, the disease. The economic, evasive strain develops the is really the job of the workforce and administrative the country reported only social and medical cost of this chances of a third wave seem government and its agencies. cadre we will be lagging in 40,000 cases and about 500 pandemic is incalculable. But to be low. But, we, as a nation Private sector will have no role future pandemic response. fatalities on July 18. Further, the silver lining is that the should not be complacent. We to play here as there is no The way people had to India has substantially vaccine is now available and a must follow Covid appropriate private market for these kinds struggle during the first and "unlocked" for work and substantial population of the behavior till the pandemic is of jobs.While, Covid-19 killed second Covid wave can only education. Data suggest that country might have already past us.Further, in the future to 400,000 people, TB kills about be prevented in case of a there has been a tragic loss of been infected without reporting be able to deal with such a the same number of persons in future pandemic with very lives, with about 4,00,000 any symptoms and thus they catastrophe, we must build an India every year. But we as a strong public health measures. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 ADVERTISEMENT 12 Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 OPINION 13 Blinken Tour: Should US Lecture India On Human Rights, Democracy? For all its grandstanding and attempt to occupy a high moral ground, the US as we all know is not exactly a paragon of virtue. But is there a need for India to do some soul-searching? India and America will separated children from responded and reiterated that have a lot to look forward to immigrant parents and India is "open to engaging for strengthening bilateral ties patronised some of the most those who now recognise the during US Secretary of State ruthless rulers: from Saudi value of diversity". They further Antony J. Blinken's maiden Arabia's Mohammed bin seized upon the opportunity to tour of our nation for two days Salman to Egypt's Abdel Fattah stress that human rights and (July 27 and 28). A range of al-Sisi. democracy are universal and issues having overlapping But under new President extend beyond a particular mutual interests are up for Biden, the US has turned a nation or cultural perspective discussion, including new leaf. It wants the world to and that "India is proud of its Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific and believe in its new avatar and achievements in both domains Covid-related cooperation. Blinken's desire to raise human and is always glad to share But one discordant note in the rights and democracy for the experiences". The well-crafted talks between the two purpose of reminding us of and hard-hitting response democracies could be the their importance is expressly does not answer the moot prickly issues of human rights deliberately chose not to attempt to occupy a high moral for embellishing its own question, though: why did the and democracy which, stress, while disclosing what ground, the US as we all know credentials. One may have a US choose India in the first according to a senior official Blinken will discuss, in great is not exactly a paragon of problem in listening to the US place for the lecture? And does in President Joe Biden's detail what he meant by human virtue. History tells us that it has lecture and many may the blame for it in any way lie administration, Blinken will rights and democracy. The been a past master at actually dismiss it as with us? flag during his meetings with larger message, however, is skulduggery and often excelled something akin to the pot Being hugely polarised, with Indian officials. In the world of not lost and those in the know in what could at best be calling the kettle black. political opinions and loyalties democracy, barring a few will tell you that the US-the described as undoing Yet, what should worry us sharply divided now, there will notable exceptions such as modern world's oldest democracies. It has brought more is that the US, despite be a sizeable section who the fallen Libyan dictator democracy-is out to lecture down democratic governments its own chequered track record, would primarily fault us for our Muammar Gaddafi-who was India, the largest democracy, and also invaded independent has found India to be an ideal misfortune. This vociferous an incurable motormouth-or on the virtues of the two most countries such as Iraq on candidate for a lesson on section would like us to believe the incurably uncouth former eclectic principles that define a specious grounds such as something that normally should that India has under Prime US president Donald Trump, free-and-fair society: human retrieving weapons of mass define a democracy as ours. Minister Narendra Modi turned words spoken are mostly rights and democracy. That it destruction that no one finally How did it come to this, or where into an autocracy where both nuanced, and a lot is usually has come to this is strange. Not found. Its recent past under did we go wrong? - Of course, human rights and democratic left unsaid. Judging by that entirely surprising, though. But Trump has also been shameful, India isn't the one to be talked values have ceased to have yardstick, the US official for all its grandstanding and during which it forcibly down quietly. Our officials have any meaning. World Hepatitis Day: All You Need To Know About Hepatitis And Liver Cancer In India, an estimated 45 million people suffer from hepatitis B and 15 million from hepatitis C3

We have all heard illnesses like cancer and liver body, breaks down nutrients, about hepatitis immunization failure requiring surgery and produces bile which aids in schedule from our friends or liver transplants. Timely digestion, among other critical family physician. But ever diagnosis of liver cirrhosis/ functions. Although there are 5 wondered why is it so cancer can lead to better types of hepatitis namely A, B, important? Hepatitis is one of management of the condition C, D and E; Hepatitis B and C the leading causes of liver and survival rate for the patient. are the most common causes of inflammation globally and liver Therefore, it is crucial to create chronic hepatitis, both globally cancer - one of the top causes awareness around viral and in India. of cancer mortality. World hepatitis, its impact on the liver, Link between hepatitis and liver Hepatitis Day is marked every symptoms and treatment cancer annually. Genetic metabolic syndrome year on July 28 to raise options. Hepatitis infection is known to A study published in the Journal Smoking awareness of the global burden Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary, damage liver cells and impairs of Clinical and Experimental Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease of viral hepatitis. Every 30 Senior Director & HOD - HPB its functioning. It can lead to liver Hepatology found that chronic Treating liver cancer seconds a person is dying from Surgery & Liver cirrhosis, a condition where liver Hepatitis B virus infection, with Accurate diagnosis is critical for a hepatitis-related illness, with Transplantation, BLK-MAX tissue is replaced by scar tissue, tumours developing more often the right treatment and over 1.1 million global Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi, which in the long term can in a cirrhotic (76%) than in a management of any disease. An mortalities caused by both elaborates on the various facets progress to primary liver cancer non-cirrhotic liver, is a major ultrasound, MRI or CT scan is hepatitis B and C infections. In of the disease and its or hepatocellular carcinoma factor for HCC development in utilized to diagnose liver cancer India, it is estimated that approx. management. (HCC). Much more common north Indian population3. and detect tumours. The 45 million people suffer from What is hepatitis? amongst men than women, Risk factors for liver cancer: therapies with a potential for hepatitis B and 15 million from A viral infection that causes HCC has a high mortality rate. Excessive alcohol consumption cure of HCC are surgical hepatitis C. If left untreated, the inflammation of the liver - a vital Globally, about 7 lakh deaths Obesity resection, percutaneous ablation infection develops into serious organ that filters toxins from our are reported due to HCC Diabetes and liver transplantation. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 OPINION 14

A Wrong Grammar Of Politics: How Congress Has Forgotten The Art Of Waging A Political Fight While the Congress has adopted a pattern of promoting leaders who conform to certain new-age mantras, a tactic which might work well in the corporate world, it's most likely to fail in politics.

The word 'grammar' usually ideology? This, however, is the standard in politics. But perhaps adopted the reigning neoliberal its adoption of high-tech evokes an idea of a logical wrong question according to the that falls short of corporate-style value system, which stresses campaign strategies, at its core structure. Politics or ideology is new generation of the Congress personal roadmaps, where he 'governance' over deeply-felt projects an essentially political, not just a lexicon-not a mere set leadership. Not just Sidhu: there ought to have become CEO (!) politics and 'competence' over not corporate, image. of words. The only way those is a clear pattern of promoting of Rajasthan by this time. Or commitment, and places Ascension to the higher rungs words make sense is if they are or relying on leaders who consider Jitin Prasada, recently personal achievement at the of party and government is arranged according to the rules conform to certain new-age seen as Congress's poll in- apex. virtually reserved for the and ordering principles of that mantras, captured by words charge in Bengal, who has had According to this value system, ideologically committed and grammar. But of late, we have such as 'dynamic', 'go-getter', no compunction in switching to politics would be much proven, rather than seasonal been witness to multiple events and 'changemaker'. These the BJP, even in the aftermath improved if only 'good people' technocrats. And while the BJP relating to the Congress that qualities, which might work well of its disastrously inept handling from other walks of life enter has acquired many Congress seem to bear no relation to such in the corporate and business of the pandemic, in a bid to politics to 'cleanse' it. More so, turncoats in recent years, they a logical ordering. Political world, have a record of jumpstart his stalled political if these good people are highly haven't come to dominate its watchers, for instance, are translating rather poorly into career. credentialed (preferably from homegrown leadership-barring surprised at the indulgent politics. Take, for instance, Where, one might ask, is top foreign institutions) and stray cases like Himanta Biswa treatment given to Navjot Singh 'Team Rahul': it was and is ideology in all this? How can successful at business or in Sarma in Assam, who can be Sidhu by the Gandhi family. The populated by leaders who these leading lights of the corporate life. Not only does this explained in terms of cold cricketer-turned-TV personality- embody this management- Congress, who the party way of thinking blur the pragmatics. More pertinently, turned-politician was a multiple- inspired style. Hence you see projected for years as new faces difference between politicians the turncoats who have done time BJP MP and even a Jyotiraditya Scindia, who had in Indian politics, and who were and technocrats, it also lazily best in the BJP, like Sarma, are member of the party's national unparalleled access to the furnished with ministerships and reduces complex problems like highly political operatives, who executive, before switching to Gandhi family and enjoyed other lucrative positions, and corruption to a lack of 'individual do not see politics in terms of the INC in the lead-up to the great success in the Congress, enjoyed great access to the ethics', instead of the standards of excellence more 2017 Punjab Vidhan Sabha jump ship to the BJP when his Gandhi family, jump ship to a institutional, historical and social suited to the corporate domain. elections. Sidhu has made no dream of being chief minister, or party as ideologically opposed problem it is. There is undoubtedly an secret of his ambitions, and this at least being nominated to the as the BJP? While the change Interestingly, the Congress's important role for domain has put him on a collision Rajya Sabha, was thwarted. Or in their political colours appears adoption of this new value experts in politics, in that course with Captain Amarinder take the case of Sachin Pilot, unfathomable to those who still system has coincided with the effective leaders rely upon their Singh, who has long been the who regularly threatens to split see politics as an arena of ideas most spectacular electoral advice in taking decisions. face of Punjab Congress. Why, the party and bring down yet and values, for these new-age downturn in its history. It is Today's BJP clearly lacks this people are asking, would the another Congress government. leaders, trained in a modern uncanny that as the newer quality, which reflects in its poor Congress leadership anger a Admittedly, he was in the corporate style which focuses generation of leaders governance record and tall leader like Amarinder Singh, doghouse in terms of finding his on 'results', 'solutions' and progressively took over the abysmal economic in favour of a relatively recent ambitions thwarted in a way that 'personal growth', ideology is, at party, after the 2009 Lok Sabha management. This, however, BJP import whose actions seem he feels aggrieved. But seen on best, a pragmatic PR toolkit to elections, the party lost its ability does not mean that ideologically guided more by naked personal a larger scale, he was deputy win public support. Or more to connect with the masses committed and proven leaders ambition rather than any great chief minister of a major state accurately, they are ideological, (including the middle class). On be treated as "old-fashioned" concern for the Congress or its at a young age, enviable by any in the sense of having fully the other hand, the BJP, for all liabilities. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 ADVERTISEMENT 15 Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 OPINION 16 7 bodies recovered, 26 missing due to J&K cloudburst, all the latest news Here are today's top news, analysis and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.

At least seven people had ganged up against The T20 World Cup is three were killed and 17 others were authoritarian China. months away but all eyes are injured, five of them critically CBI can probe ex-TMC leader already on the ICC global event, while 26 remained missing after Vinay Mishra in smuggling which takes place in Oman and flash floods hit Honjar village in cases, says Calcutta HC the UAE, starting October 17. Jammu & Kashmir's Kishtwar The Calcutta high court on It's official! RedmiBook India district following a cloud burst Wednesday rejected former launch date revealed; here's early Wednesday. Trinamool Congress (TMC) what we know about the laptop Upset China gives lecture on leader Vinay Mishra's request to RedmiBook, Xiaomi's first democracy to India, US stop the Central Bureau of Redmi-branded laptop now has been launched in three different song Bachpan Ka Pyar, is giving A seemingly upset Investigation (CBI) probe an official launch date. The variants in China. her sleepless nights as well. spokesperson of the Chinese against him in the coal and company on Tuesday confirmed Anushka Sharma can't get the From booking Lalu to feud with foreign ministry on Wednesday cattle smuggling cases. that it will launch its first laptop viral Bachpan Ka Pyar boy out CBI chief: Meet Rakesh gave a lesson on democracy to 'He might be the Player of the on August 3, and the of her head. See her post Asthana, new Delhi top cop India and the US, the largest Series at T20 World Cup': Brad announcement comes a few Anushka Sharma has got an ear Rakesh Asthana took charge as and oldest democracies no less, Hogg makes massive prediction days after it teased the new worm. Sahdev Dirdo, the young the Commissioner of Delhi after it appeared that the two regarding India batsman device, which has previously boy who has gone viral for his Police on Wednesday. Xi Jinping's Tibet visit should worry India The importance of the visit was highlighted by the inclusion of three politburo members and General Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission in Xi's entourage

China's President Xi have reviewed the projects unification along with ensuring Jinping arrived at Nyingchi's earmarked for TAR in China's peace and stability in Tibet". He Mainling Airport in the Tibet 14th Five Year Plan and Long urged "the army to be Autonomous Region (TAR) on Range Objectives. These committed to the Party and its July 21 at the start of a two-day include defence infrastructure- ideology" and focus on visit, without prior public notice related projects such as the 20 becoming "a formidable force". and amid stringent security. He "general purpose" border Declaring that they have already was escorted throughout the airports and upgradation and passed the difficult challenge of tour by TAR party secretary, Wu extension of two additional Tibet's harsh climate and Yingjie, and chairman of the TAR highways along the Line of environment and done a good government, Che Dalha. The Actual Control (LAC). job of protecting the country, Xi importance of the visit was Other major projects are the asserted "they need to continue highlighted by the inclusion of construction of numerous training hard and prepare for three politburo members and hostile foreign powers. Sichuan-Tibet railway, on July smaller dams along the Yarlung future wars". The prevailing General Zhang Youxia, vice- Nyingchi is also important for the 22, for a briefing on the overall Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), and the situation along the LAC in chairman of the Central Military presence of People's Liberation plan of the Sichuan-Tibet railway massive dam at the Great Bend Ladakh and future operations Commission in Xi's entourage. Army (PLA) units, border and of the Lhasa-Nyingchi on the river. The likely impact of would almost certainly have Its main focus was on defence regiments and missile section. He was briefed on the the influx of large numbers of been discussed. implementation of the 14th Five bases. It is the gateway for the ongoing construction of the workers and technicians from Keeping Tibetan sentiments in Year Plan, the party's policy railway linking Chengdu, the crucial Ya'an-Nyingchi section. the mainland for these projects mind, Xi visited the Potala initiatives in TAR, and the capital of Sichuan province, with Xi pointed out that the planning into sparsely populated Tibet Palace, Barkhor and Drepung military. Lhasa, the capital of TAR. Once and construction of the Sichuan- would have been on the agenda. monastery in Lhasa. He also The visit, which took place in the completed, this will be the Tibet railway is a major measure General Zhang Youxia's called on veteran 81-year-old midst of high military tensions second railway connecting to promote the development of presence confirmed the visit's Tibetan Party cadre, Phakpa between India and China, has Lhasa and Shigatse to other Tibet and improve people's military content. After greeting Lha Gelek Namgyal.Xi implications for New Delhi. provinces in the mainland. It will livelihoods. He later travelled by military personnel and veterans Jinping's visit has given a Xi's decision to start his tour from reduce travel time between the Fuxing (bullet) train to Lhasa. at Lhasa, Xi addressed a definite impetus to the Nyingchi Prefecture, opposite Chengdu and Lhasa to 10 hours Economic issues and the separate meeting attended by policies being implemented in India's Arunachal Pradesh, is from the current 30-odd hours. implementation of proposed nearly a thousand PLA and PLA TAR. In the course of the significant. Official Chinese The world's largest dam being reforms ranked high on Xi's Air Force officers. Among those visit, he spoke of maps include most of Arunachal built at the Great Bend on the agenda. Liu He, politburo identified as attending were the environmental and ecological within the administrative Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo) member, vice-premier and Western Theatre Command protection. Xi reinforced the boundaries of Nyingchi is also in Nyingchi. director of the office serving the commander, its political CCP's directives and Prefecture. Relevant in this China's leadership has paid Chinese Communist party commissar, the commander of stressed the necessity of context are Xi's insistent calls for special attention to the (CCP)'s Central Financial and the Tibet Military Region and "blending ethnic groups", the "rejuvenation" of the Chinese strategically important Chengdu- Economic Affairs Commission, its political commissar. "adapting Tibetan Buddhism nation and recovery of territories Lhasa railway. During this visit, and He Lifeng, minister of the Xi thanked them for their to socialism with Chinese claimed to have been lost by the Xi went to Linzhi railway station, important National Development "large contribution to the nation characteristics" and ensuring imposition of unequal treaties by an important hub station of the and Reform Commission, would in terms of security and the loyalty of party members. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 ADVERTISEMENT 17 Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 VIEW POINT 18 Cognitive bias explains the inconsistent citizen response to Covid-19 As images of those gasping for air fade from people's memories, how has citizen behaviour flip-flopped to disregarding Covid-19- appropriate behaviour such as ensuring physical distancing and wearing masks? Why is the fear of the virus ebbing?

In India, the second memories, how has citizen threat of Covid-19. wave of the Covid-19 pandemic behaviour flip-flopped to Similarly, the optimistic bias, was devastating. People were disregarding Covid-19- another type of cognitive bias, hospitalised with severe illness, appropriate behaviour such as may lead people to believe that and many lost loved ones. It ensuring physical distancing they are less likely to suffer from was distressing to watch, in and wearing masks? Why is the the misfortune of falling sick like disbelief and agony, patients fear of the virus ebbing? others. These biases are likely fatigue, or adherence fatigue importantly, engage citizens as being denied their right to The inconsistent response to to distract people from taking has gained currency as an part of the solution. Community breathe, with the constant fear the threat of Covid-19 may be precautions, and, thereby, explanatory framework. It role models can be engaged to that any one of us could be next. related to a systematic error in influence recklessness. explains the tendency of people help encourage preventive People expressed their thinking known as cognitive This is also the second year of to become naturally tired of behaviours.Until a significant concerns about how the State bias. Cognitive biases affect our the pandemic. People are tired. preventive rules and guidance. percentage of people is double- and the health system failed us, everyday lives, choices and Fear, an adaptive emotional This fatigue may make people vaccinated, non-pharmaceutical all while wondering what could actions. They occur as a result response to a threat or danger, less motivated to adhere to interventions such as avoiding have been done to save more of the brain prioritising simplified can feel burdensome when it is these rules over time. crowded places and rigorous lives.With the second wave information processing. tentative and continuous, The World Health Organization mask etiquette are of utmost receding and the number of Because people's capacity for because of which it is acknowledges the complex importance. While individual daily cases on the decline, reasoning is limited, cognitive insufficient to motivate wise nature of pandemic fatigue and responsibility to mitigate the risk lockdowns and curbs have biases work as shortcuts - rule choices. The constant stress of recommends four key strategies of infection is high, people's been lifted in many states. This, of thumb - that lead to relatively illness, financial losses, layoffs, to maintain and reinvigorate fluctuating fear of the virus, naturally, has led to an increase speedy decisions as the brain the disruption caused to public support for protective pandemic fatigue, and a in social interactions and travel. makes sense of what's children's education, and behaviours. First, design lackadaisical approach in Market places and hill tourist happening. Many cognitive crucially, deaths, along with the effective policies and following preventive behaviour destinations are being thronged biases are likely at play here. forced physical separation from interventions based on must be understood, by people. Viral videos and Evidence of the confirmation friends and family have led to evidence tailored for people. acknowledged, and addressed. photographs have emerged of bias, a type of cognitive bias, is widespread emotional Second, allow people to live Rules related to Covid-19- people making merry, with no people selectively favouring exhaustion, which is being their lives, while reducing risk. preventive behaviour cannot be masks on. news stories that confirm a drop called Covid-fatigue. Third, acknowledge and broken. A reinvigorated effort is As images of those gasping for in new infections and lifting of Covid fatigue, also called address the hardships faced by needed to remind the public of air fade from people's curbs, as a sign of a reduced behavioural fatigue, pandemic people. Last, and most the enormity of this disease. The parable of two Mohammeds and what it means for India India has growing bilateral ties with both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, our third- and fourth-largest trading partners and among our top five oil suppliers professing free market, with a conflict now in its sixth year. award government contracts, strong role for the public sector. While the campaign to isolate under MbS's $2 trillion Vision Although sharing the long-term Qatar was led by the UAE in 2030 only to those goal of economic diversification 2018, the Saudis called it off at multinationals with regional from oil, they also realise that the al-Ula Gulf Cooperation headquarters in the Kingdom, global oil consumption may Council (GCC) Summit earlier cajoling them to relocate peak soon and are busy this year - an event MbZ mostly from Dubai. Riyadh has ramping up production before pointedly did not attend. also recently imposed several The blink-and-you- since November 2019, this was the value of the commodity Meanwhile, the UAE has also restrictions on the movement missed-it meeting on July 19 more than a festive gesture. erodes. Ironically, several of pursued an aggressive foreign of goods and persons from the in Riyadh between crown Saudi Arabia and the United these commonalities have, in policy marked by normalising UAE. On other hand, the UAE prince Mohammed bin Salman Arab Emirates (UAE) have turn, triggered their geo-political ties with Israel, warming up demanded a higher oil (MbS) of Saudi Arabia and plenty of duality in their ties. and geo-economic competition. towards Iran and supporting production quota earlier this Crown Prince Mohammed bin While they have a lot in Till 2019, MbS and MbZ rebels in Libya. This month, disrupting the Saudi- Zayed (MbZ) of Abu Dhabi was common, there are also pursued a common agenda of unilateralism has upended the Russia OPEC+ consensus. an event as banal as it was significant differences. They are curbing the al-Houthis of Yemen Kingdom's relatively staid This led to a rare bilateral row profound, depending upon largely absolute Sunni and isolating Qatar. However, foreign policy. in public. The revised where one looked. At a monarchies with a low threshold lately, mutual differences have Lately, their economic production-sharing agreement superficial level, it was de facto for political discourse, be it Arab stymied both these campaigns: competition has also been was reached only on the eve leaders of two neighbouring nationalism, the Arab Spring, The UAE withdrew its forces driven by mutual antipathy. of MbZ's visit to Riyadh. states meeting to exchange the Muslim Brotherhood or the from Yemen in 2019 and armed Saudi Arabia, the world's Against this backdrop, MbZ's Eid al-Adha greetings. export of Iran's Islamic a separatist militia in the south, biggest oil exporter and the Arab dramatic journey to Riyadh However, as the two have not revolution. They are both pro- complicating Saudi's exit world's largest economy, last week acquires been seen together in public West, oil-based economies, strategy from an unwinnable decided that from 2024 it would significance. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 PERSPECTIVE 19 China is focusing on 'discourse power'. Shore up defences In China's strategic lexicon, might is right but might is essential to earn the "right to speak". President Xi Jinping's messaging both to Chinese citizens and the world, as the CCP celebrated its march to the next century, seemed to stress on this theme repeatedly

In China's strategic Purged of failures, this history dialogue, but on the lexicon, might is right but might credits the party for China's "contestation of ideas" which is essential to earn the "right to strides and leading the have underwritten widely speak". President Xi Jinping's Chinese people "from one accepted universal values and messaging both to Chinese victory to another on an norms, institutions and citizens and the world, as the unstoppable march towards governance models. There is Chinese Communist Party national rejuvenation". This no space for reform or However, beyond persuasion, would be a folly - for the stakes (CCP) celebrated its march to narrative is essential to consensus in this narrative. It Chinese discourse power is all for India are much higher, more the next century, seemed to maintaining the infallibility of is about proving that all prior about the power to prevail nuanced and across multiple stress on this theme the party-State and is seen as methods for solving the world's across the diplomatic, domains. repeatedly. Aside from the central to its domestic problems have failed while economic, military, cyber and First, India is an open society obvious deification of the Xi era legitimacy. China offers one with better technological domains. It has where Chinese officials have and CCP, if one breaks down But Xi has also wanted China's solutions which it has applied manifested itself in the People's always had the opportunity to the centenary's themes to, say, discourse power to resonate successfully domestically. Liberation Army tactics of push their narrative in a vibrant bumper stickers, the following externally - China's story, on China's discourse power information warfare across the and noisy media environment. would sum it up - we have China's terms, and Chinese represents the party-State as spectrum, including on the Often, there is no reciprocity arrived; we will not be bullied; ideas setting the global the righteous leader in the China-United States (US) split, given the absence of a level- the party is always right/the agenda. From the 19th party international space. Concepts Taiwan, aggression in the playing field on the Chinese party is forever. In Chinese congress in 2017 onwards, Xi such as a "community of South China Sea, technology side as they wield an iron fist frameworks, a country's has consistently demanded shared future", Made in China wars and deflection on the with their State-controlled huayuquan or right to speak or that Chinese discourse power 2025's goal of dominating Covid-19 crisis. information flow. This the power/authority to speak is underwrite the promotion of the global science and tech, and For India, this has been awareness is yet to be essentially a form of power "China model", and project its the creation of international especially visible vis-a-vis the internalised in India and equivalent to military and ability to "influence global financial institutions aim to contentious border dispute. requires constant calling out. economic power, "with values, governance, and even project the ability to deliver an New Delhi has understood that Two, unlike earlier discourse as its carrier". Yet, for day-to-day discussions on the alternative solution to global China will leave no stone perceptions that India does all of China's gains in hard world stage". needs. With a military budget unturned to show that it was on not occupy mindspace in power and material strength, it Within China's borders, of $209 billion, and massive the right side of history, given China, Galwan proved has always felt lacking in discourse power is a potent tool investments in the grand Belt the emphasis the CCP's Beijing's India policy is not "discourse power" relative to of the State, but when and Road Initiative as well the centenary celebrations have monolithic. Scholarship has the West. expanded to the international Health Silk Route, China's placed on "correct" versions of highlighted a trend of growing So, China has invested heavily system, there are serious long- national rejuvenation is its deemed successes. antagonism and a pessimistic in telling "an overwhelmingly term repercussions. The showcased as adding value to Yet, looking at China's efforts outlook regarding the future positive" story of its history. emphasis here is not on global governance. from a narrow propaganda lens of India-China relations. The vaccination drive is entering a challenging phase. Change First, there is a sharp rural-urban disparity (which, to be sure, is strategies narrowing) in per capita vaccination numbers, and second, there are intermittent "dry" days in some parts of the country when lack of supplies brings the vaccination process to a halt increase in supplies, the relative particularly crucial to avoid this who most need medical care returns in the form of increasing since such a decrease could be are least likely to receive it. vaccination numbers may coterminus with the emergence Conversely, those with least diminish. This is due to the of newer variants and fresh need of health care tend to use interplay of multiple factors. In waves of Covid-19. In such health services more (and more mass public health campaigns, circumstances, incentives to effectively).A similar analogy initial returns are often high on promote vaccination (in can be drawn to the Covid-19 Despite improvements "dry" days in some parts of the account of governments addition to free or subsidised vaccination. It is well-known that in daily vaccination numbers country when lack of supplies reaching the easily accessible vaccines) could become crucial the private market allocates and the promise of increased brings the vaccination process sections quickly, and rapid to speed up the vaccination vaccines inequitably, with the supply, challenges persist in to a halt. But India may be coverage of the affluent and the drive.In 1971, Julian Tudor Hart rich getting vaccines more India's vaccination drive. First, headed for a more serious non-hesitant population. The wrote in The Lancet about the easily than the poor. However, there is a sharp rural-urban problem. Vaccination is indeed rate of gains diminishes as the "Inverse Care Law", which the private market also disparity (which, to be sure, is a function of vaccine supplies. challenge of reaching the describes an inverse inequitably allocates narrowing) in per capita However, there is no reason to inaccessible and hesitant relationship between the need incentives for vaccination. vaccination numbers, and assume that the relationship is sections increasingly looms for health care and its actual This is visible today: Gyms, second, there are intermittent linear. With time, despite the large. For India, this is availability. In other words, those pizza outlets, and big Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 ADVERTISEMENT 20 Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SOUTH ASIA 21 Pakistan PM Imran Khan's PTI likely to win majority in violence marred PoK Pakistan PM Imran Khan-led Tehreek-e-Insaf party is set to form the pollsnext government in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as it won a majority in the legislative assembly elections, PTI reported. The election was marred by allegations of irregularities and violence.

(News Agencies)-Prime Minister Imran Insaf party (PTI) has won 23 seats while Pakistan Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party is set to Peoples Party (PPP) was second with eight seats form the next government in Pakistan-occupied and the incumbent Pakistan Muslim League- Kashmir (PoK) as it emerged as the largest Nawaz (PML-N) secured just six seats, the state- political party in the legislative assembly elections run Radio Pakistan reported. in the region which was marred by allegations of Muslim Conference (MC) and Jammu and irregularities and violence, local media reported, Kashmir Peoples Party (JKPP) were successful citing unofficial results. The Pakistan Tehreek-e- in one seat each. Escalating Afghanistan violence sparks Pakistan's fears of refugee influx War-torn nation on the brink of a major humanitarian crisis, UNHCR warns [Islamabad] - Intensified violence are still about 2 million Afghans spokesperson in Pakistan, told as foreign troops exit Afghanistan in Pakistan.” The Media Line the agency “is is displacing hundreds of “Pakistan has been big-heartedly concerned about the current thousands of civilians, worsening hosting Afghan refugees. violence in Afghanistan. “UNHCR an ever-evolving humanitarian Pakistan has shown great is constantly in consultation with crisis. Afghanistan’s deadliest flexibility in handling the Afghan the government of Pakistan and battle has raised fears in Pakistan refugee issue and has allowed will formulate its policy according that thousands of families fleeing them a great deal of freedom while to its [UNHCR] strategy,” he the turmoil will try to enter the living inside Pakistan,” Khan said. added. “Once again, Afghanistan neighboring country. Pakistan “Pakistan may face a renewed is on the brink of a major already hosts around 2.8 million inflow of refugees if Afghanistan humanitarian and displacement registered and unregistered is plunged further into civil war, but crisis,” Afridi warned. “Increasing Afghan refugees, and efforts have we have a concern that terrorists violence and insecurity have been made to get some to return may enter under the pretext of prompted the displacement of to their home country. seeking refuge, so keeping in some 270,000 people within Afghanistan is the second-largest Last week, the Taliban claimed to the banned terror outfits like the mind the strategic situation, we Afghanistan this year, making the source of refugees in the world gain control of Spin Boldak, a Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan [aka the will do what is best for Pakistan,” total reach 3.5 million IDPs after Syria, and Pakistan hosts strategic border crossing to Pakistani Taliban] might enter he added. “If the state decides to [internally displaced persons] in the second-largest number of Pakistan located in Kandahar Pakistan from Afghanistan in the host additional Afghan refugees, Afghanistan.” “While no large- registered refugees “ Province. guise of refugees and create we will utilize all our resources to scale international displacement approximately 1.5 million “ after Afghan security forces continue unrest in the country,” Yusuf said. help them as we did in the past from Afghanistan has been Turkey. Afghanistan and Pakistan to battle the Taliban for the control Muhammad Iqbal Khan, a and we are doing now,” Khan said. observed yet, any major influx share a vast border stretching of the Spin Boldak border area, a member of the National Assembly The UNHCR has been active in would clearly require the 1,510 miles along the southern crossing that provides direct from the Tribal Areas and the Pakistan since the first Afghan international community to step and eastern edges of Afghanistan. access to Pakistan’s restive parliamentary secretary for the refugees arrived more than 40 up immediate and sustained As many as half a million Afghans Balochistan Province. Ministry of States and Frontier years ago after the December support to both Afghanistan and could flee the country in the Pakistan border management Regions, told The Media Line that 1979 Soviet invasion of its neighbors, in a spirit of weeks leading up to the August closed the Chaman-Spin Boldak “Pakistan is already going Afghanistan. responsibility and burden- 31 deadline for US troop crossing during the recent fierce through a difficult situation. There Qaisar Khan Afridi, a UNHCR sharing,” Afridi said. withdrawal, Pakistani officials battle between the Taliban and warn.As the US-led foreign troops Afghan security forces. ‘Absolute nonsense’: Khan rejects leave, violence has increased However, Pakistan reopened the across several provinces including crossing on Monday, which is in Kandahar, where Taliban under Taliban control on the other claim Pakistan helping Taliban side. fighters are carrying out PM Imran Khan denies report that Pakistani fighters crossed border widespread attacks. “The fighting Earlier, Pakistani National has displaced 22,000 families in Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf into Afghanistan to aid Taliban in its fight against Afghan government said, “Pakistan is not in a position the past month in Kandahar,” Dost Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has denied our borders, any terrorism within our country,” to let in more refugees from Mohammad Daryab, head of the a report that Pakistani fighters have crossed the Khan said. “When we were in the height of that Afghanistan.” provincial refugee department, told border into Afghanistan to aid the Taliban in its war on terror, which Pakistan joined, there were Yusuf, in his interview with the The Media Line. “They have all fight against the Afghan government. “This is suicide bombs taking place all over the country. Voice of America, said his moved from the volatile districts absolute nonsense”, Khan said in an interview The businesses collapsed, tourism collapsed. “country is willing but is not in a of the city to the safer areas.” with PBS NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff.Prime So what we do not want to be as part of any position to accept more asylum Kandahar city, the capital of the Minister Khan also said that Pakistan has conflict,” he said. Khan said Pakistan pushed seekers from Afghanistan.” province of the same name, is the suffered tremendously during the long US war in the Taliban to negotiate with the US over ending He recommended that the United second-largest city in Afghanistan Afghanistan. He said his government would not the conflict in Afghanistan and added the best Nations High Commissioner for after Kabul. It has 650,000 allow the United States to set up any bases political outcome in Afghanistan is an “inclusive Refugees (UNHCR) set up camps inhabitants and was a stronghold inside Pakistan to do intelligence work or carry government”. “This is the best outcome. There for refugees on the Afghan side of of the Taliban when they ruled out counterinsurgency operations. “We do not is no other outcome because the military the border. Afghanistan. have the capacity to have any more fighting within solution has failed”, he said. “There are fears that members of Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SOUTH ASIA 22 US sends strong message to China on Tibet from Indian soil US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on a visit to New Delhi, met a key representative of The Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile, Ngodup Dongchung.

(News Agencies)-The United Speaking to the group of civil Inter Faith Foundation.Foreign States seized the opportunity society leaders at a New Delhi policy expert, Sreeram Sundar of sending out a strong signal hotel, Antony Blinken said the Chaulia said, "The Biden to China on Tibet from the relationship between the United administration has been firing country that hosts Tibetan States and India was "one of the on all cylinders at China over religious leaders the Dalai most important in the world". human rights violations-- from Lama, India. "At a time of rising global threats Xinjiang and Hong Kong to On Wednesday, US Secretary to democracy and international Tibet. This has irked China a lot of State Antony Blinken, who freedoms -- we talk about a and has led to a tit-for-tat is on an official visit to New democratic recession -- it's vital sanctions war between Delhi, started his day by that we two world leading Washington and Beijing. The holding a 'Civil Society democracies continue to stand meeting between Secretary Roundtable' with the theme of together in support of these Blinken and a representative of discussion being 'Advancing ideals," he said. the Dalai Lama on Indian soil "Secretary Blinken had an refusal to disengage its troops equitable, inclusive, and The others who attended the raises the stakes further, opportunity to meet briefly this from all friction points at the sustainable growth and event were Swami because the Central Tibetan morning in New Delhi with a Line of Actual Control. Since development'. Shantatmananda from Administration (government-in- representative of His Holiness China says it does not accept The roundtable saw Ramakrishna Mission, Jatinder exile) is based in India." the Dalai Lama, Central Tibetan India's sovereignty over much representation from all major Pal Singh from United Sikhs Secretary Blinken's Administration Representative of Ladakh and Arunachal faiths of India, including Forum, Dr AK Merchant from engagements with the Tibetan Ngodup Dongchung." Pradesh, conveying that India Tibetan Buddhist monk Geshe Lotus Temple and Bahai community did not stop there. Meanwhile, Chaulia added, will not meekly recognise Dorji Damdul, current Director Community of India, Anuvinda He held a separate meeting with "The move was definitely Tibet's current status as an of Tibet House in Delhi and Varkey from Christian Coalition the representative of the Dalai coordinated by the US with the inalienable part of China, and former interpreter of His for Health, Menaka Lama and the Tibetan Indian government, which is also enhancing informal ties Holiness the Dalai Lama. Guruswamy, a renowned lawyer government in exile, Ngodup likely willing to subtly reopen the with Taiwan, will send strong INTERACTION WITH CIVIL and LGBTQ activist, and Dr Dongchung.A US State question of Tibet's status in countervailing signals to SOCIETY Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed from Department spokesperson said, China as retaliation for China's Beijing." Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 ADVERTISEMENT 23 Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SOUTH ASIA 24 Cloudburst triggers flood in Islamabad, Afghan comedian's brutal murder sends shock waves around world; Taliban denies killing him (News Agencies)-The A member of Parliament from army deployed in Rawalpindi killing of comedian Nazar Kandhar, Syed Ahmad Sailab, Mohammad, popularly known told India Today TV that after the roads. Muhammed Hamza as Khasha Zwan, in Eid celebrations, Taliban has Shafqaat said, "A cloudburst in Afghanistan's Kandahar intensified attacks on Afghan the federal capital has province, has sent shock forces in the entire Kandhar caused flooding in several waves around the world. province and the people who areas. Many teams are The comedian who previously have fled for safety are on the clearing nullahs/roads. served in the Hopefully we will be able to Kandahar Police clear everything in an hour." was taken out of his The deputy commissioner said home on Thursday the spillways of Rawal Dam night and killed by were being opened as he unidentified appealed to the public to stay gunmen, local media away from the riverbanks of the reported. Korang and Soan rivers. The family of the (News Agencies)- Army personnel.Several videos As the heavy rains wreaked comedian has Torrential rains triggered by a on social media showed havoc and flooding in the area, blamed the Taliban cloudburst wreaked havoc in floodwater sweeping away cars the Capital Development for the attack. Pakistan's capital Islamabad on and other vehicles after it rained Authority of Islamabad said all However, the radical Wednesday. In Rawalpindi, the heavily in Islamabad and teams were working to clear out Islamist group has denied any verge of starvation. They are, local administration sought Rawalpindi for hours. the excessive water. involvement.This comes as the however, being provided deployment of the Pakistan Islamabad's Deputy "The CDA teams are working to Taliban intensified attack food and medical care at one Army personnel. Commissioner Muhammed clear the roads. All the teams against the Afghan security of the migrant camps near Amother and her son were killed Hamza Shafqaat attributed the are in field to clear excessive forces and claimed that it has Kandhar. in Pakistan's capital Islamabad flash flood to a cloudburst and water. Machinery is working on captured nearly 70 per cent of "We have decided to provide where torrential rains triggered urged the public to "cooperate maximum locations for Afghanistan. Families are breakfasts and meals two by a cloudburst wreaked havoc. and restrict unnecessary clearance. We request the fleeing war-torn areas in times for all the families who In Rawalpindi, the local movements", according to a citizens to cooperate," the Kandhar province and taking had to leave their villages to administration sought report by GEO TV. He said an Capital Development Authority shelter in refugee camps set up reach Kandahar," he said. deployment of the Pakistan operation is underway to clear of Islamabad said. by the Afghan government. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SOUTH ASIA 25 After meeting, China expects Taliban to play 'important role' in Afghan peace process China said the Taliban is expected to play an important role in the process of peaceful reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

the peace process and security in Afghanistan. The militants Afghanistan, with which China issues were discussed, a Taliban have a political office in Qatar shares a border, has been spokesperson said. where peace talks are taking deteriorating fast as the United Wang said the Taliban is place and this month sent States withdraws its troops by expected to "play an important representatives to Iran where September. The Taliban has role in the process of peaceful they had meetings with an launched a flurry of offensives, reconciliation and reconstruction Afghan government delegation. taking districts and border in Afghanistan", according to a Politics, economy and issues crossings around the country readout of the meeting from the related to the security of both while peace talks in Qatar's foreign ministry.He also said that countries and the current capital have not made he hoped the Taliban would situation of Afghanistan and the substantive progress. crackdown on the East peace process were discussed "(The) delegation assured Turkestan Islamic Movement as in the meetings," Taliban China that they will not allow it was a "direct threat to China's spokesperson Mohammed anyone to use Afghan soil national security," according to Naeem tweeted about the China against China," Naeem said. the readout, referring to a group visit. Naeem added that the "China also reiterated its China says is active in the group, led by Taliban negotiator commitment of continuation of China told a visiting rebuilding the country, the Xinjiang region in China's far and deputy leader Mullah their assistance with Afghans Taliban delegation on Chinese foreign ministry said. west.The visit was likely to Baradar Akhund, was also and said they will not interfere Wednesday it expected the Nine Taliban representatives met further cement the insurgent meeting China's special envoy in Afghanistan's issues but will insurgent group to play an Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the group's recognition on the for Afghanistan and that the trip help to solve the problems and important role in ending northern Chinese city of Tianjin international stage at a sensitive took place after an invitation from restoration of peace in the Afghanistan's war and on a two-day visit during which time even as violence increases Chinese authorities. Security in country." Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SOUTH ASIA 26 Second Chinese nuclear missile silo field found in Xinjiang China could be building its second-largest nuclear missile silo field near Hami in eastern Xinjiang, a new report by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) suggests.

(News Agencies)- and cleared soil for another 19 (PLARF) has additional smaller Anew report by the Federation silos. However, the grid-like silos at Jilantai. Matt Korda, a of American Scientists (FAS) outline visibly seen in the high- research associate for the shows that China could be resolution imagery provided by Nuclear Information Project at building its second-largest Planet Labs indicates that the FAS, who first identified the silo nuclear missile silo field near final number of finished silos field, noted, “the number of new Hami in eastern Xinjiang. could go up to 110. Hans Chinese silos under Although the work on this site Kristensen, director of Nuclear construction exceeds the began recently, based on Information Project, FAS, and number of silo-based ICBMs commercial satellite imagery, author of the report noted that operated by Russia, and FAS estimates that the facility both the Hami and Yumen constitutes more than half of the could “eventually include missile silo fields were located size of the entire US ICBM approximately 110 silos”. This deeper inside the Chinese land force. That being said, Russian FAS report. Chinese nuclear The FAS report emphasised comes in the backdrop of a June than previously known ICBM + US nuclear arsenals still doctrine advocates a minimum that there was still no clarity over 30 report from the Middlebury base that would make those dwarf China’s by a significant nuclear deterrence and FAS the intended operation of the Institute of International Studies sites out of reach of the US margin.” experts believe that it is unlikely new silos and the likely number which showed the first new conventional cruise missiles. The FAS report emphasised to change anytime soon.Matt of warheads each missile would Intercontinental Ballistic Missile “This will make them targets that there was still no clarity Korda, a research associate for carry. “Regardless, the silo (ICBM) silo field at Yumen in exclusively for nuclear missiles, over the intended operation of the Nuclear Information Project construction represents a Gansu province could have 120 mainly Trident,” Kristensen the new silos and the likely at FAS, who first identified the significant increase of the under-construction silos. posted on Twitter. With the number of warheads each silo field, noted, “the number of Chinese arsenal, which the Hami is 380km northwest of the discovery of two new silo fields, missile would carry. new Chinese silos under Federation of American Yumen missile silo field. the number of estimated under- “Regardless, the silo construction exceeds the Scientists currently estimates The report estimates that construction silos in China has construction represents a number of silo-based ICBMs includes approximately 350 construction at the Hami site moved to approximately 250 significant increase of the operated by Russia, and nuclear warheads,” read the began around early March 2021 which according to the FAS Chinese arsenal, which the constitutes more than half of the FAS report. Chinese nuclear and “continues at a rapid pace”. report are “more than 10 times Federation of American size of the entire US ICBM force. doctrine advocates a minimum Annotated satellite imagery the number of ICBM silos in Scientists currently estimates That being said, Russian + US nuclear deterrence and FAS published on the FAS website operation today”. The People’s includes approximately 350 nuclear arsenals still dwarf experts believe that it is unlikely shows a few erected shelters Liberation Army Rocket Force nuclear warheads,” read the China’s by a significant margin.” to change anytime soon. Thousands of foreigners leave Indonesia amid Covid crisis; country's daily toll surpasses 2,000 for first time Airport records revealed that thousands of foreigners have left Indonesia in recent weeks, reportedly due to the pandemic and shortage of Covid-19 vaccines.

Thousands of left through Soekarno-Hatta Kanasugi said on Instagram foreigners have left Indonesia in International Airport in the earlier this month. recent weeks, airport records capital, Jakarta. Japanese and Chinese released Tuesday showed, The exodus increased nationals made up the largest apparently spurred by a brutal significantly in the past three share of departures, with 2,962 pandemic wave and a general days alone, accounting for and 2,219 individuals shortage of vaccines, which nearly half of all individual respectively, followed by 1,616 have gone to high-priority departures this month, said South Korean citizens. Airport groups first. Sam Fernando, who heads the figures also showed departures Still, television reports showed 151.8 million vaccine doses by Indonesia now has the most immigration authority at the by 1,425 Americans, as well as foreigners complaining about late July. The vast majority of confirmed daily cases in Asia, airport. 842 French, 705 Russian, 700 the difficulties they've faced doses - 126.5 million - are from as infections and deaths have Japan's ambassador to British, 615 German and 546 getting vaccinated. Wiku the Chinese pharmaceutical surged over the past month and Indonesia, Kenji Kanasugi, said Saudi Arabian citizens. Initially, Adisasmito, a spokesman for company Sinovac. Indonesia's India's massive outbreak has the difficulty of getting vaccines only representatives of foreign the National COVID-19 Task confirmed daily death toll waned. Infections peaked in for foreign nationals has countries and international Force, said Tuesday that limited surpassed 2,000 for the first time mid-July, with the highest daily prompted some Japanese nonprofit organizations were vaccine supply remains a on Tuesday, hitting 2,069. The average reported at more than citizens to get vaccinated in eligible for the government's challenge. He expressed hope Health Ministry reported 45,203 50,000 new cases each day. their home country. free vaccine program. The that 45 million more doses set new confirmed cases as the Until mid-June, daily cases had "Amid a pandemic situation that program was expanded last to arrive in August would health system struggles to cope, been running at about 8,000. is very difficult for all of us, some month to include those aged 60 improve the situation. and even patients fortunate Since early this month, nearly Japanese citizens in Indonesia and older, as well as teachers Indonesia, home to 270 million enough to get a hospital bed are 19,000 foreign nationals have will temporarily return to Japan," and education staff. people, had secured at least not guaranteed oxygen. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SOUTH ASIA 27 Nepal faces competing territorial claims from both India, China Assuring to solve the paramount importance and too. We also know how rightful border dispute with both India probably that should enable to our claim is with China. We will and China in a diplomatic resolve the border issue to do what should be done but in manner, Nepali Congress satisfaction of both Nepal and a diplomatic fashion," Rijal said. leader Minendra Rijal and a India," Rijal added. "With India, yes, we have former Minister of Information When asked on steps that the competing claim, with China and Communication said the newly-formed government will competing claim and border evidences stand strong and take after map was released issues. But with both Nepal has rightfully claimed under former PM Oli, Rijal said, neighbours, these issues need over the territories. "We were all together on that. to be solved with satisfaction Speaking to WION on the long- This is a bilateral issue because from both sides," Rijal told standing border dispute India has its claim and we have WION on Chinese control over between Nepal and India, Rijal ours. Interest of both countries Mustang area in Nepal's important and are welcome," he member of Parliament as State said, "Limpiyadura-Kalapani- can be protected but at the northern territory. said. Fewer than four per cent Minister for Health and Lipulek is a major issue same time, land should be part Outlining the importance of of the country's 30 million Population. Commenting on between both the countries. of the nation that legitimately vaccines to curb the spread of population have been fully the political developments, We have strong evidence that has authority and jurisdiction COVID-19, leader Rijal said vaccinated. More than 1.3 Rijal said, "We started out as that's our land. This issue over it and that's us. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur million people, who have had a a small opposition and then needs to be resolved." Further, the leader strongly Deuba's top priority is to first dose of a vaccine, are Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli This is very important issue for asserted that there are border vaccinate the people of the waiting for the second dose. fumbled it, badly. He had a very us but at the same time this is issues between Nepal and country. The country however, still does solid support base but could not only the issue between the China too. "Our foreign policy will be not have a Health Minister. not manage his party affairs bilateral relationship of the two "Neighbours are very likely to largely directed by the A week after winning the vote and other party that was united countries. There are so many have border issues. I very consideration of the fact that we of confidence, Deuba-led with him. Later, Prachanda left good things about the strongly say and assert that we need more vaccines. Vaccines government on Sunday and he (Oli) could not manage relationship and that has to be have border issues with China coming from anywhere is appointed Umesh Shrestha, a Madhav Nepal also." Indian-American Manisha Juthani nominated as Public Health Commissioner of Connecticut

(News Agencies)- September 20, 2021."I am infections in older adults. Her Indian-American Dr Manisha grateful to the civil servants at the most recent area of interest is at Juthani has been nominated as Connecticut Department of the interface of infectious commissioner of the Connecticut Public Health, Dr Gifford, and diseases and palliative care, Department of Public Health in Governor Lamont for leading us including the role of antibiotics the US. through this pandemic to date," at the end of life. "Dr Juthani's Dr Manisha Juthani, who is an Manisha Juthani said. background in infectious infectious diseases physician at "Under Dr Gifford's leadership, I diseases will be a tremendous Yale School of Medicine in New look forward to continuing their benefit to the people of Haven, was nominated to the efforts related to Covid-19, Connecticut as we continue to post by Connecticut Governor mental health, health equity, respond to the Covid-19 Ned Lamont on July 26, health disparities, and access to pandemic and strengthen our by many top experts in this field, our residents, but as this according to a press statement. healthcare going forward," she vaccination efforts," Governor and I am thrilled to have her join pandemic continues, we need to She will succeed Dr Deidre added.Manisha Juthani Lamont said. "When seeking our administration. I'm incredibly implement sound policies that will Gifford as head of the state's specialises in the diagnosis, candidates to serve in this role, proud that Connecticut is among keep the rates of transmission as public health agency on management, and prevention of Dr Juthani came recommended the leading states in vaccinating low as possible," he said. Amid fighting between Taliban and Afghan troops, Russia to bolster Tajikistan's military Afghanistan.The Chinese Blinken who is on a visit to India Meanwhile, Russia said it will foreign ministry slammed the US said that, "An Afghanistan that reinforce Tajikistan with military saying, "The hasty withdrawal of commits atrocities against its equipment as the Taliban surge the United States and NATO own people would become a continues in the border areas. troops from Afghanistan actually pariah state," referring to the The Russian defence forces will marks the failure of the US Taliban.Blinken added that the be conducting joint military policy." Biden administration remains exercises with Tajikistan and Chinese foreign minister Wang engaged in Afghanistan in Uzbekistan along the border with Yi told the Taliban that it is a providing various forms of Afghanistan next week. "pivotal military and political assistance including security Russia already has a military force" in Afghanistan and was forces. "There's only one path. base in Tajikistan. Several expected to play an important And that's at the negotiating Afghan soldiers had poured into role in peaceful reconciliation in table to resolve the conflicts Tajikistan after losing military (News Agencies)- been sweeping rural areas and Afghanistan.The talks come as peacefully, and to have an posts along the border to the Afghanistan's delegation provinces for the past two the Taliban captured key districts Afghanistan emerge that is Taliban.Reports say Tajikistan is assured Chinese President Xi's months as the US troops pull out in Badakhshan and Kandahar governed in a genuinely ready to accept 100,000 regime on Wednesday that it will from the region. President Biden provinces amid heavy fighting inclusive way, and that is refugees from Afghanistan who not use its soil as a base against had set August 31 deadline for with Afghan troops.Meanwhile, representative of all its people," are feeling from areas annexed another country.The Taliban has the final troop withdrawal from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted. by the militant group. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 US & THE WORLD AFFAIRS 28 America may end up fighting real war in response to cyber attack, says President Biden

Biden mentioned Russia and China as growing threats to American national security and said that the growing wave of cyberattacks, including ransomware attacks, against government agencies and private industry.

increasing exponentially, the President Vladimir Putin and prominent economy in the capabilities," Biden said during Biden shared a list of critical world by the mid-40s, the a half-hour speech while infrastructure the US considers 2040s." visiting the Office of the off-limits to nation-state actors Biden in his remarks to 120 Director of National Intelligence during a June 16 summit in ODNI employees and senior (ODNI). Geneva. Since then senior leadership officials asserted Cybersecurity has become a members of the Biden that he understood the top agenda for the Biden administration's national complexity and critical nature of (News Agencies)- ransomware attacks, against administration after a series of security team have been in their work. The agency United States President Joe government agencies and high profile attacks on entities constant contact with senior oversees the 17 other US Biden on Tuesday said that if private industry that US officials such as network management members of the Kremlin over intelligence organisations. "You the country ends up being in a have linked to agents in both company SolarWinds, the cyber attacks on the United have my full confidence.I know real shooting war with a major countries. Colonial Pipeline company, States, agencies quoted the there's no such thing as 100 power it could be because of a "I think it's more than likely meat processing company JBS White House. Biden highlighted per cent certainty in the significant cyberattack. Biden we're going to end up, if we end and software firm Kaseya hurt the threats posed by China, intelligence world. mentioned Russia and China up in a war - a real shooting war the US far beyond just the referring to President Xi Jinping Occasionally that happens. as growing threats to American with a major power - it's going companies hacked. Some of as "deadly earnest about Rarely, rarely, rarely," he said. national security and said that to be as a consequence of a the attacks affected fuel and becoming the most powerful He noted that he would never the growing wave of cyber breach of great food supplies in parts of the military force in the world, as politicise the intelligence's cyberattacks, including consequence and it's US.Biden and Russian well as the largest and most work. US urges vaccinated Americans to wear masks indoors in many places US health authorities recommended that Americans fully vaccinated against Covid-19 should wear masks in indoor public places in regions where the coronavirus is spreading rapidly.

(News Agencies)- wear masks regardless of faced in 2020. "We are not going Americans fully vaccinated whether they were vaccinated. back to that," Biden said. against Covid-19 should go back US coronavirus cases have The CDC said that 63.4per cent to wearing masks in indoor been rising due to the highly of US counties had transmission public places in regions where contagious Delta variant, which rates high enough to warrant the coronavirus is spreading emerged in India but has quickly indoor masking and should rapidly, US health authorities spread and now accounts for immediately resume the policy. unvaccinated students to wear slowed dramatically and only said on Tuesday. more than 80per cent of US Manhattan, Los Angeles and masks. 58per cent of people eligible are In a toughening of guidance coronavirus cases. San Francisco meet the However, the new CDC fully vaccinated.New studies show issued earlier this month, the US US President Joe Biden said that transmission criteria, as does the recommen dations are not that fully vaccinated people who Centers for Disease Control and increased vaccination and mask entire state of Florida, but binding and many Americans, become infected carry as much Prevention (CDC) also wearing would help the United Chicago and Detroit do not. especially in Republican-leaning virus as unvaccinated people do, recommended all students, States avoid the pandemic American Federation of states, may choose not to follow suggesting they may be able to teachers and staff at schools for lockdowns, shutdowns and Teachers President Randi them. At least eight states bar transmit the infection to others, kindergarten through 12th grade school closures that the country Weingarten praised the new schools from requiring masks. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle CDC mask guidance in a Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Walensky told reporters on a statement, a Republican, rejected the CDC telephone briefing. "We felt it was calling it "a guidance. "Arizona does not important for people to understand necessary allow mask mandates ...," he said that they could pass the disease precaution in a statement. "We've passed all onto someone else," she said.On until children of this into law, and it will not Monday, the Biden administration under 12 can change."The United States leads confirmed it will not lift any existing receive a the world in the daily average international travel restrictions, Covidnumber of new infections, citing the rising number of Covid- vaccine and accounting for one in every nine 19 cases and the expectation that morecases reported worldwide each they will continue to rise in the Americans day. The seven-day average for weeks ahead.Ford Motor Co said over 12 get new cases has been rising sharply it would reinstate mask vaccinated." and stands at 57,126, still about a requirements for all employees The CDC's quarter of the pandemic peak.Two and visitors at its Missouri and previous months ago, when the CDC Florida facilities.The 1.3-million guidance for announced that fully vaccinated member United Food and schools only people could shed their face Commercial Workers Union said the called for coverings, COVID-19 was on the new mask guidance was a "critical decline. Vaccinations have since step" but did not go far enough. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 US & THE WORLD AFFAIRS 29 Biden promotes 'Buy American' programme to help locals in post-Covid recovery

The White House is aiming to said in a statement. The per cent as a start, which can update the 1993 'Buy decision has been taken as be eventually increased to 75 American Act' in a way that the coronavirus pandemic per cent.The authorities are puts pressure on suppliers to which has weakened the hoping that this increase will bring more locally produced global supply chain and has help medium and small scale goods rather than using left the US markets grappling manufacturers in the US, loopholes and supplying non- to gain access to important especially in the post Covid US products to the products, such as recovery period. government. semiconductors, building "As the pandemic made clear, This proposal "would increase materials, and toilet paper. supply chain disruptions can US content in the products the Biden's administration has impact the health, safety and federal government buys and proposed an increase in the livelihoods of Americans -- support the domestic 55 per cent US-content leaving us without access to (News Agencies)-US programme by proposing to production of products critical requirement for supplies in critical goods during a crisis," President Joe Biden increase US-made stuff in to our national and economic the federal government. The the White House said in a announced plans to amplify hundreds of billions of dollars security," the White House new amount proposed is 60 statement. his "Buy American" of government purchases. US man gets life term in jail for killing college student who mistook his car for Uber A South Carolina man was sentenced to a life term in jail on Tuesday for killing a 21-year-old college student who mistook his car for her Uber ride in 2019.

ASouth Carolina man car thinking it was an Uber ride Rowland to life in prison. A person was sentenced to life in prison on that would take her back to her convicted of murder is not eligible Tuesday for the 2019 abduction apartment, prosecutors said. for parole in South Carolina. and murder of a 21-year-old Instead, she found herself trapped Wearing a mask, Rowland college student who mistook his because Rowland had the showed little emotion as car for her Uber ride. childproof locks on, investigators Josephson's relatives reflected on The jury took a little more than an said. She was never seen alive the pain of their loss and how hour to find Nathaniel Rowland again. Josephson's future the college guilty of killing Samantha Covered in roughly 120 stab senior who was slated to attend Josephson, a University of South wounds, her body was later found law school on a full scholarship cellphone tracking data was found on her body and he had Carolina student who in remote woods about 65 miles was cut short. pinpointing Rowland's location the no visible marks of such a fight disappeared from Columbia's Five (105 kilometers) from Columbia. The prosecution spent about a night of the crime. One forensic after his arrest. The defense called Points entertainment district in The death cast a national spotlight week presenting voluminous scientist testified that DNA no witnesses, and Rowland did March 2019. on ride-hailing safety and led to evidence and called nearly three collected from Rowland's not testify.Before resting the "Her dreams were my dreams, some changes, including more dozen witnesses. Experts linked fingernails matched the victim's defense's case, Rowland's lawyer and her death was my death. I prominent displays of driver's Josephson's blood to the interior genetic material, and DNA asked the charges be thrown out close my eyes, and I feel what she license plates. of Rowland's Chevrolet Impala belonging to both suspect and because prosecutors had a endured at his hands," the victim's Rowland maintained his and to the suspected murder victim were found on gloves also circumstantial case - never mother, Marci Josephson, said innocence before being weapon, a knife with two blades. located in the trash. showing that Rowland actually during the sentencing phase of sentenced, but Circuit Judge Her blood was also found on Rowland's defense attorneys killed Josephson nor that he was Rowland's trial on Tuesday. Clifton Newman noted that all the cleaning supplies in the trash pointed out that scientists weren't driving the vehicle when she READ: Indian-origin Uber driver evidence pointed to Rowland. She behind the home of the man's absolutely certain Rowland's DNA disappeared. sentenced to three years on obviously put up an amazing fight girlfriend at the time - and on a was on the knife. His attorneys Newman rejected the request, kidnapping charges against you and left a sufficient trail sock and bandana owned by also argued that although saying there was an avalanche of The student from Robbinsville, for the jury to see what you did," Rowland, the experts Josephson appeared to fight her direct and circumstantial evidence New Jersey, got into Rowland's Newman said after sentencing testified.Other evidence included attacker, none of Rowland's DNA that a jury should consider. New York, other states to fight dismissal of antitrust lawsuit against Facebook (News Agencies)-New Court for the District of protections," she said.In York and other US states filed a Columbia dismissed the states' dismissing the states' lawsuit, notice on Wednesday saying lawsuit but said the Federal Boasberg said they had waited they will fight the dismissal of an Trade Commission could refile too long to challenge the antitrust lawsuit that they its complaint. acquisitions of Instagram and launched against Facebook Inc New York Attorney General WhatsApp, in 2012 and 2014 in an appeals court. Letitia James said the states respectively."We believe the In June, a US judge dismissed would press on."We filed this District Court's decision federal and state antitrust notice of appeal because we dismissing the states' complaint complaints against the social disagree with the court's is correct and look forward to media company that had sought decision and must hold defending the District Court's to force it to sell Instagram and Facebook accountable for decision before the Court of WhatsApp.Judge James stifling competition, reducing Appeals, a Facebook Boasberg of the US District innovation and cutting privacy spokesperson said. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 US & THE WORLD AFFAIRS 30 Tokyo 2020: Have to protect my mental health, says USA gymnast Simone Biles after skipping women's team final

mental health issues and not she didn't confirm her athletes, we're people at the due to injury. participating just yet. The 24- end of the day and sometimes Four-time Olympic gold year-old instead, stressed on you just have to step back. I medallist Biles shocked the importance of keeping her didn't want to go out and do everyone at Tokyo 2020 by mental health stable amid the something stupid and get hurt. deciding to skip the women's weight of expectations. "We're It's so big, it's the Olympic team final event and saw Russia going to see about Thursday Games, at the end of the day clinch the gold medal by beating (the women's all-around final). we don't want to be carried out team USA by 3.5 points. We're going to take it a day at a of there on a stretcher," Biles Biles, the world and Olympic all- time and see what happens. told the reporters. It was a around champion, and USA "I have to focus on my mental stunning and disappointing start women's team were expected to health. I just think mental health to the Olympics for the U.S. dominate the event once again is more prevalent in sports right women, who had expected to and clinch their fourth straight now ... we have to protect our dominate the final as they had gold medal but their chances minds and our bodies and not not been beaten in a major team were hampered after the just go out and do what the competition since 2011. pullout. world wants us to do. America's silver team medal Tokyo Olympics: women's team final for USA on "After the performance I did I "I don't trust myself as much means Biles can no longer win Simone Biles stressed on the Tuesday.Superstar American just didn't want to go on. Injury? anymore ... maybe it's getting six golds in Tokyo which, added importance of keeping her gymnast Simone Biles revealed No," she said. "Just a little injury older. There were a couple of to her haul of four from Rio, mental health stable amid the on Tuesday that she pulled out to my pride." Biles is likely to days when everybody tweets would have confirmed her weight of expectations after of the women's team final at the compete next in the women's you and you feel the weight of status as the greatest gymnast pulling out of the gymnastics Tokyo Olympics because of all-around final on Thursday but the world. We're not just of all time. Senate Reaches Bipartisan Deal on Infrastructure, Could Vote Wednesday Night

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate could vote as early as Wednesday evening on the motion to proceed, which would open debate on the legislation.

(News Agencies)-A Democrats fell short of the 60 process. bipartisan Senate group and the votes needed to avoid a While a sizable number of White House have again filibuster, but this time it looks Republicans ultimately support reached a deal on an increasingly likely they'll get the an infrastructure deal, all 50 infrastructure package, a major 10 required Republicans - and GOP senators blocked last breakthrough after a week of possibly more - in support of the week's motion to proceed intense negotiations with plans motion to proceed. because they were still engaged to hold a second procedural "We now have an agreement on in negotiations and they didn't vote as early as Wednesday the major issues. We are want to vote on an unfinished evening. Republican senators in prepared to move forward," bill. the negotiating group GOP Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio But negotiators said they were announced Wednesday told reporters. "I don't know willing to keep working through afternoon they reached an exactly what time a cloture vote the final sticking points - agreement and are working on might occur, but I would guess including how to pay for more Democrats because they'd pass every member in line. Schumer finalizing the text of the more it'll be tonight some time from than half a billion dollars in new it through the budget said Wednesday that they are than $1 trillion package to what I'm hearing from Sen. spending - and hold a repeat reconciliation process. All making progress toward rebuild roads, bridges, airports Schumer." vote to move the package Republicans are opposed to it achieving both bills. and ports and increase The group's announcement forward. On Wednesday, and GOP senators who "With respect to infrastructure, investments in broadband and comes after Republicans met Portman said that the bill is announced the bipartisan deal senators continue to make good transit. with Senate GOP Leader Mitch "more than paid for." once again slammed the progress on both tracks of Senate Majority Leader Chuck McConnell of Kentucky about As the bipartisan package picks Democrat-only bill. Instead of legislation," Schumer said Schumer of New York said the the forthcoming legislation. up significant steam, Democrats the typical 60-vote threshold, minutes before the GOP upper chamber could vote on McConnell hasn't said whether are still working on their the party would only need a formally announced they the deal by the evening, which or not he'll support the motion approach to infrastructure. They simple majority to overcome the reached a deal. "Members marks the second time in a to proceed or the overall bill but are working to build consensus threat of a filibuster. But should be prepared to vote week that the Senate held a Portman said he remains around a $3.5 trillion budget Democrats will need all 50 again on cloture on the motion procedural vote to try to "open-minded" and has proposal focused on education, senators on board with zero to proceed to the bipartisan advance the bill and open encouraged GOP negotiators to families and health care that defections - and they are infrastructure bill as early as debate. Last Wednesday, keep working throughout the would only need support from currently scrambling to get tonight." Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 CONTD. 31 BioNTech to develop first mRNA-based vaccine for malaria by 2022

Organization (WHO) and the BioNTech is also exploring Africa Centers for Disease vaccine production in Africa in Control and Prevention (Africa an effort to implement CDC). sustainable vaccine supply "The response to the pandemic solutions on the continent. has shown that science and The pharmaceutical giant is innovation can transform exploring possibilities to set up people's lives when all key state-of-the-art mRNA stakeholders work together manufacturing facilities, either towards a common goal," said with partners or on its own. The Prof Dr Ugur Sahin, CEO and facilities are expected to co-founder of BioNTech. manufacture various mRNA- HOW THE MALARIA VACCINE based vaccines upon approval WILL BE DEVELOPED to ensure sustainable supply Messenger RNA (mRNA) operations. vaccines, like the Covid-19 This would involve co- shots manufactured by locating its African Pfizer-BioNTech and manufacturing capabilities Moderna, prompt the human with the technology transfer body to make a protein that immunity to prevent malaria and clinical development. "Together Sahin. hubs under development by is part of the pathogen, disease-associated mortality. It with our partners, we will do Scientists around the world the WHO, in alignment with triggering an immune will assess multiple vaccine whatever it takes to develop have been working for decades the African manufacturing response. They are also candidates featuring known a safe and effective mRNA- to develop a vaccine to prevent strategy created by the Africa quicker to develop than malaria targets such as the based malaria vaccine that malaria that infects millions of CDC. This strategy aims to traditional vaccines and can be circumsporozoite protein (CSP), will prevent the disease, people every year and kills more expand the capacity of low- adapted relatively easily. as well as new antigens reduce mortality and ensure a than 400,000 - most of them and middle-income countries Germany-based BioNTech's discovered in the pre-clinical sustainable solution for the babies and young children in the to manufacture contemporary objective is to develop a safe research phase. The most African continent and other poorest parts of Africa. vaccines end-to-end, and scale and highly effective mRNA promising mRNA vaccine regions affected by this EXPLORING VACCINE up production to increase global vaccine with durable protective candidates will be selected for disease," added Prof Dr Ugur PRODUCTION IN AFRICA access. Bezos' big gamble: Offers NASA $2 billion 'Rs 3,000 fine for watching porn': in exchange for moon mission contract How gang duped hundreds of people

Police said the fake raided places in different cities notices would say their and towns. They managed to computer will be "blocked" as apprehend three persons, they have been caught including local mastermind B watching pornographic content Dhinushanth," said DCP Roy. due to perceived near- an unfair advantage by the moon for the first time which is sexually violent or Dhinushanth told police that his term budgetary issues, and this allowing it to revise its pricing. since 1972. Blue Origin's lunar involves paedophilia. So, they brother, who lives in Veal Pon offer removes that obstacle," The GAO's decision is lander is called "Blue Moon." would immediately pay up. in Cambodia, is the brains Bezos wrote. expected by early August, Bezos and Musk are the During investigation, police behind the scam. He is yet to "Without competition, NASA's though industry sources said world's richest and third- found that the notices were be arrested. short-term and long-term lunar Blue Origin views the richest people respectively, routed from foreign locations. The other accused, Gabrial ambitions will be delayed, will possibility of a reversal as according to Forbes. Police checked the bank James and Ram Kumar, are ultimately cost more, and won't unlikely. Bezos' offer came six days accounts and transactions of residents of Chennai and serve the national interest," A SpaceX spokesperson did after he flew alongside three the victims and followed the allegedly helped the main Bezos added. A NASA not respond to a request for crewmates to the edge of money trail. "We found that the accused by providing account spokesperson said the agency comment. space aboard Blue accused received the money in details and transferring money. was aware of Bezos' letter but Before choosing SpaceX, Origin's rocket-and- accounts set up in Tamil Nadu. Police have seized 20 bank declined to comment further, NASA had asked for proposals capsule New Shepard, a Our team went there but faced accounts that were allegedly citing the protest Blue Origin for a spacecraft that would milestone for the company's many challenges as the used to receive money and form filed with the U.S. Government carry astronauts to the lunar bid to become a major player accused used bogus a trail to hide transactions. Accountability Office accusing surface under its Artemis in an emerging space tourism addresses. However, they Police suspect more accounts the agency of giving SpaceX program to return humans to market. stayed there for a week and are being used in the scam. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 CONTD. 32 Raj Kundra's arrest: What laws say about making porn movies in India

other sections of the IT corrupt persons who are likely, Act and the Indecent having regard to all relevant Representation of Women circumstances, to read, see or (Prohibition) Act. Section 292 of hear the matter contained or the Indian Penal Code: embodied in it, shall be According to this section, punished". something shall be deemed as The Indecent Representation obscene if it is lascivious or of Women (Prohibition) Act appeals to the prurient interest. 1986 says no person shall Under its many provisions which publish, or cause to be bar selling, renting, distributing published, or arrange or take any such content, the section part in the publication or says whoever "takes part in or exhibition of, any receives profits from any advertisement which contains business in the course of which indecent representation of he knows or has reason to women in any form. There are believe that any such obscene detailed provisions in Indian laws objects are for any of the banning child purposes aforesaid, made, pornography.While shooting for produced, purchased, kept, customers/audience as it says attempts so to do, shall be "publishes or transmits or adult content is banned in India, imported, exported, conveyed, "Whoever sells, lets to hire, punished".There are several causes to be published or viewing porn got periodically publicly exhibited or in any distributes, exhibits or circulates sections of the Information transmitted in the electronic blocked as the government manner put into circulation shall to any person under the age of Technology Act, 2020 which form, any material which is blocked many sites in the recent be punished. Section 293 of the twenty years any such obscene pertain to pornography. lascivious or appeals to the past. However, watching adult Indian Penal Code: This section object as is referred to in the last Section 67 in the IT Act: This prurient interest or if its effect is content is not officially banned deals with the age of the preceding section, or offers or provision says whoever such as to tend to deprave and in India. ED arrests Ambience group promoter Raj Singh Gehlot in Rs 800 crore bank loan fraud case

individuals on the pretext of "No material was supplied and payment of running bills and no work was executed and advance for supply of material almost the entire amount was and work executed," the agency immediately routed back to had alleged. the entities owned by Raj The employees of the Ambience Singh and Sons HUF (Hindu group and Gehlot's associates undivided family) and his were made directors and brother's son. proprietors in these companies "Money was further siphoned and Gehlot was the "authorised off through multiple layers in a signatory" in many of these complex web of group entities," entities, it had said. the ED had said. Concerns over Delta Variant: Capable of Infecting Fully-vaccinated Individuals

The Delta variant is a major has to move onward and the threat that significantly economic barriers cannot stay increases the Covid-19 in place forever. pandemic impact across the Hence, to counter the strain, company Aman Corruption Bureau of Jammu huge part of the loan amount of world. It is the most dominant global collaboration for Hospitality Private Limited against AHPL and its directors more than Rs 800 crore, which strain on a global scale now. vaccination is a must. As soon (AHPL), some other firms of the for alleged money laundering in was sanctioned by a consortium The strain is not fatal on itself. as the majority are vaccinated, Ambience group, director in the the construction and of banks for the hotel project, The main danger lies in its it will put a stop to the major company Dayanand Singh, development of the five-star was siphoned off by AHPL, Raj ability to spread itself faster mutations. To prevent infection, Mohan Singh Gehlot and their Leela Ambience Convention Singh Gehlot and his associates than the vaccination rate. even vaccinated people need associates in July last year. Hotel located at 1, CBD, through a web of companies It can put pressure on an to follow social distance norms The ED case against Gehlot, Maharaj Surajmal Road, near owned and controlled by them". already fragile healthcare along with the masks and other who is also a promoter of the the Yamuna Sports Complex in "A substantial part of the loan system when the vaccinated protective gear, when in public. Ambience Mall in Gurugram, is Delhi. money was transferred by AHPL people come down with Covid, The Delta variant is a warning based on a 2019 FIR of the Anti- The ED probe found that "a to several companies and thanks to this strain. The world to us, the worst is yet to pass. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 33 IllegalIllegalIllegal kidneykidneykidney racket,racket,racket, thethethe uglyuglyugly sidesideside ofofof healthcarehealthcarehealthcare ininin IndiaIndiaIndia

New Organ transplant mastered the art of using In the past one decade, zero in on potential victims. Delhi roughly 100,000 to 200,000 trafficking is one of the fastest, loopholes in the system to Chennai, has emerged as the Police said that Rao had people require a replaced kidney but least reported crimes in smoothly push through breeding ground for a thriving confessed to supplying kidneys every year, but only about 5,000 India as well as in other necessary documentation and organ racket whose primary to more than 15 top hospitals manage to get a transplant. For countries around the world. It clearances, that at times, even targets have always been the across India and nowhere was following the process legally, a has often been described as a doctors and hospitals don't poor. The arrest of a asked about who were the comprehensive set of deep-rooted menace affecting suspect anything and become Chennaibased medical donors. The World Health documentation is required, the medical profession, both victims of the racket. It is a finely representative in 2007 by Organisation (WHO) estimates including affidavits with domestically and globally. tuned modus operandi, where Mumbai police for allegedly around 2,000 Indians sell a photographs of both the donor Backed by unscrupulous middle men arrange kidneys running an inter-state kidney kidney every year. The WHO and the recipient certified by a personnel linked to the medical from the poor; get false racket revealed the enormous says South Asia is now the first class magistrate. There are profession, including touts and affidavits made and provide the size of the illegal organ market world's leading transplant incamera interviews too. Two doctors, it is estimated that required organ to the recipient. that had grown into a syndicate tourism centre, with India among separate committees for related across the globe, roughly Sometimes, the donor may with international links. In 2008, the top kidney exporters. and unrelated donors evaluate 100,000 illegal kidney even be positioned as a relative a Gurgaon-based kidney racket Kidneys taken from Indians are and clear cases. The committee transplants alone take place. So as per documentation. Doctors, was busted by the U.P. police delivered to Americans, Israelis, that looks at procedures entrenched is the organ hospitals and even screening and the subsequent arrest of Dr. Canadians, Britishers, Saudi involving related donors transplantation process, that at committees are beguiled by Amit Kumar, the suspected Arabians and residents of the comprises hospital staff, but times well known hospitals and such foolproof paperwork, that kingpin of the racket, revealed Gulf region. In the last two years, people who are not part of the doctors don't even know that the clearances are often obtained in that he had links with an cases of illegal organ transplants treating team. For unrelated critical replacement organ they a jiffy and the scamsters make international racket that was have surfaced in Maharashtra, donors, there are two nominees are inserting in a patient is off with a neat sum of money. operating in Nepal, Sri Lank and Hyderabad and Gujarat. As per of the government who evaluate illegal. Take for instance the Delhi and the National Capital Indonesia. Asia's biggest kidney police investigations, four the cases. Last December, kidney racket in India, which Region (NCR), Tamil Nadu harvester T. Rajkumar Rao, Colombo-based hospitals have Health and Family Welfare J P records show has raised its ugly capital Chennai and the Union conned over 15,000 debt-ridden been identified for performing Nadda, highlighting the problem head from time to time. There Territory of Chandigarh have farmers, Tsunami sufferers and about 60 illegal transplantations in parliament, admitted that there are past examples of this racket emerged as prime centres for impoverished tea garden for Indian recipients. In most of is a huge gap between the being run by a nexus of transit and organ transplant workers to build a Rs.75 crore these cases, reputed hospitals demand and supply of human middlemen (touts), doctors and trafficking. In the year 2003, a organ transplant empire before and doctors have suffered organs for transplantation, lawyers etc, who harvest kidney racket was busted in he fell into a cleverly-laid police irreparable damage to their and added that the kidneys from poor people in dire Amritsar, where they were sold trap along with his partner in reputation and credibility on government is giving priority need of money for paltry sums anywhere between Rs.5 to Rs.8 crime Dipak Kar late last month. account of these rackets. The to increasing donation of and then sell them to recipients lakhs. In 2004, a Bombay According to Delhi Police, the government has mandated that cadaver organs to bridge the at substantially higher prices. Hospital-based kidney racket duo had a 250- 7/30/2021 Illegal under the Transplant of Human gap and save lives. That does The genesis of the kidney racket was busted and the kingpin kidney racket, the ugly side of Organ Rules 2014, only organs not take away from the fact stems from a huge mismatch along with his accomplices was healthcare in India (Update) of immediate blood relatives, that middlemen appear to between the demand and arrested. After the arrests, it was https://www.aninews.in/news/ including parents, siblings, have placed themselves in supply for kidneys in the country learnt that the kingpin had health/illegal-kidney-racket-the- children, grandparents and key positions at some and a loophole in the law, which deceived the hospital authorities ugly-side-of-healthcare-in-india- grandchildren can be accepted hospitals and nursing homes to is often misused by these by producing forged documents update/ 2/2 strong staff spread for transplant. The Indian meet the demand of this ugly scamsters. They seem to have for conducting the transplants. across South Asia to help them Transplant Registry shows that side of healthcare in India. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 34 Duped into selling his kidney, this 23-year-old exposed an illegal organ racket in India

Seven years after leaving his money in India, you can buy so was more than $10,000 in debt, their documents also were being in 1994 that banned organ sales village in northern India to find many things, so what is so and Jatav was the only hope.In forged to show a blood and allowed only close relatives work in the bursting metropolis different about buying organs?" an interview in a cramped relationship with a kidney to serve as donors. of Mumbai, Sundar Singh Jatav No one knows how many of the Mumbai cafe, he described his patient. Researchers believe that was struggling in a menial job at roughly 8,000 kidney transplants role. At first, he declined to sell a Through a friend, Jatav 220,000 Indians need kidneys, a video game shop. The $2.50 performed in India last year were kidney. But then the agent, Iqbal contacted Suresh Gupta, an but the nonprofit Indian daily wage was hardly enough illegal, but organ scams Siddiqui, put him in touch with a activist with the Indian National Transplant Registry estimates with his family back home deep periodically surface. A month friendly, sweet-talking man who Congress political party, and that only 8,000 people got one in debt. before the Mumbai arrests, a called himself Sandeep. slipped him two pages of a last year. So in late 2015, when his boss leading hospital in New Delhi Sandeep arranged for him to visit transplant application. On July One reason is that most introduced him to a man who was found to have performed at Hiranandani, a sprawling 12, two days before Brijkishore transplants are performed in promised to solve his financial least three kidney transplants medical complex overlooking a Jaiswal, a 48-year-old sari private hospitals at a cost of problems, Jatav listened - and based on sham documents. lake. There, the small-town merchant, was to undergo $10,000 or more, and few people was shocked. The case that Jatav exposed young man sat in a room with surgery, Jatav called Gupta, who have health insurance or the "He suggested I sell my kidney," involved L.H. Hiranandani three doctors who told him that tipped off police. money to pay for it. said Jatav, now 23. Hospital, a private facility in donating a kidney was no Jaiswal and the seller, a 42-year- Those who can afford a What happened over the next Powai, a prosperous suburb of different than giving blood, he old housekeeper, were arrested transplant face another obstacle: several months would upend his wide boulevards and expansive recalled."I trusted them," Jatav just before the operation was to The lack of a national system to life - and reveal a high-level apartments. Authorities are said. "I thought they were good start. collect organs from cadavers - kidney trafficking network inside The three doctors who allegedly such as the more than 100,000 one of the most reputed persuaded Jatav to give up a Indians who die each year in car hospitals in India's financial kidney were arrested and freed accidents - means that kidneys capital. on bail. A preliminary inquiry are in short supply. At least 14 people, including four conducted by state health Only about 15% of India's doctors and the hospital's chief officials and leaked to Indian transplanted kidneys come from executive, have been arrested news media suggests they were deceased donors, although that since July when police, acting on complicit in the scam, although figure has been rising steadily. information provided by Jatav, a lawyer for the doctors called Some eligible living donors are stopped a kidney transplant the allegations "nonsense." simply afraid to part with an involving a 48-year-old patient Police also arrested the organ, even for a relative, who had presented forged hospital's transplant coordinator, doctors say. documents purporting that the who allegedly arranged phony That has helped give rise to the organ donor was his wife.The documents, as well as Siddiqui black market for living donors ring is part of what one news and Sandeep, whose real name posing as relatives. outlet dubbed the "Great Indian is Bhijendra Bisen. "It's a supply-and-demand Kidney Racket."Because the Bisen, 42, is one of Mumbai's problem," said Sunil Shroff, a country harvests relatively few investigating at least four people wanting to help me with most notorious organ traffickers. urologist who runs the transplant organs from people who die in transplants at the hospital and my financial condition."Sandeep He was jailed a decade ago for registry. "Families are accidents - the most common have ordered it to temporarily did not offer Jatav a specific price a similar scam and has sometimes pushed against the source of kidneys in the U.S. - stop carrying out the surgeries. for his kidney, saying only that it confessed to involvement in wall when they're not able to find the vast majority of transplants "Obviously, this case is just an would be enough to pay off his more than 30 kidney transplants a solution. In desperation, they here involve living donors who indicator of what's going on family's debt and promising to over the last four years, the can do all kinds of stupid things." give up one of their two kidneys. beneath the surface," Nagral help him get a better job. To Hindustan Times newspaper It is unclear why Jatav was never To reduce the chances that said. "We don't know the extent sweeten the deal, Sandeep reported.Jaiswal had paid him paid. Had he been, it is likely the money is changing hands, which of it, but it's very difficult for these moved Jatav, who had been more than $30,000 for the kidney ring would have remained is illegal in India and almost kidney sales to be completely sleeping on a mattress in a transplant, his lawyer, Shabnam hidden.After going public, he everywhere else, the law allows, stopped."The trade exists in part corner of the video game store, Khadri, said in an interview. The said, he received threatening with rare exceptions, only a because of the large pool of into a small apartment rent-free. hospital said it received $7,000. phone calls that prompted him spouse, child, parent, sibling, Indians desperate enough to Jatav never saw the donor forms The seller was promised about to take his wife back to his village grandparent or grandchild to act give up a vital organ. Just as that were submitted on his $3,000. When police raided the for her safety. Although he as a donor.For patients who don't surrogacy grew into a booming behalf, which claimed he and the transplant coordinator's home, agreed to have his story told in have a relative with a suitable industry over the last decade, recipient - later revealed to be a they reportedly found $12,000 in an American newspaper, he has kidney or don't want to put a with thousands of childless 30-year-old woman from New cash. It was unclear how the rest not revealed his role in the case loved one through the small risk Indian and foreign couples hiring Delhi - were siblings from was to be distributed. to her or other family members. that donation entails, there is Indian women to carry their suburban Mumbai. He was Gupta, the activist, said agents He remains in Mumbai, where he another option: a shadowy babies, laborers surviving on a admitted to the hospital March like Bisen exploit ignorance and has asked for police protection and marketplace in which well-off few dollars a day are ripe targets 15 after undergoing blood tests. vulnerability."They basically use is looking for a job, having quit the patients can buy organs from for agents who offer thousands Two days later, his kidney was the poor man as a sacrificial video store before the operation. A strangers. The sellers are often for a kidney.Jatav, the youngest removed. Within a week, he was lamb to prolong the life of the friend is paying his rent.He lifted up impoverished, recruited from of four siblings from Uttar discharged.But he had not been rich," he said.India was once a his white button-down shirt to small towns by middlemen and Pradesh, is a prime example. paid, and Sandeep was dodging top destination for transplant reveal a foot-long scar across the made to present falsified papers Slender and shy, with barely a his calls. When they finally tourists - patients from the United right side of his torso. His appetite - sometimes in collusion with fourth-grade education, Jatav spoke, Sandeep was evasive States and other wealthy has diminished, he has bouts of doctors."This is part of our VIP had been forced to become the about the money but offered to countries who traveled here to dizziness, and he cannot walk for culture," said Dr. Sanjay Nagral, breadwinner: His parents were bring Jatav on as a sort of receive kidneys because of more than a few minutes without a surgeon and publisher of the weakened from old age, his assistant, tasking him with shortages in their countries. fatigue - symptoms he blames on Indian Journal of Medical Ethics. sister had died from an illness, carrying bags and files.Jatav can Facing criticism that the system the kidney procedure, even though "It comes from our larger and his two brothers were barely read English. But he exploited the poor and that the such complications are rare. He understanding and our unable to work because of observed Sandeep meeting with procedures were secretive and does not have money to see a acceptance that if you have mental disabilities. The family other donors and realized that often unsafe, India passed a law doctor. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 35

Kidney Rackets in India: where Does the Buck Stops?

In India, doctors are healthcare indices, yet the economic supply chain by virtue field of healthcare. In the '80s That is where the whole story placed at par or next to God anomalies are stupefying. The of being educated. This, and '90s, our country was begins. The catchword is: as it is their profession to treat Maternal Mortality Rate has however, does not decrease labelled as the 'Kidney Bazaar' Survive at any cost. people in pain, end their declined from 167 in 2011-2013 their 'irresistible desire' for of the world. But subsequently, Irrespective of what happens sufferings and also many save to 130 in 2014-2016 per more, nor does their swearing with the enactment of The to anyone else. Irrespective of lives. On the other hand, 100,000 live births, according to by the Hippocratic Oath make Transplantation of Human the right and wrong of it. High- doctors are often accused of a special health bulletin from the them any more ethical than the Organs Act, 1994 (THOA), this profile patients like 'NRIs, callousness and self- government in 2018. Still, about average medically untrained image and the practice of ethical businessmen, politicians and infatuation for taking undue 44 children out of 1,000 live human being. The healer and kidney transplantation did bureaucrats' pressure the advantage of people's births die even today. the poor are all caught in the improve immensely. This is, treating doctor, the specialist. sufferings. In this process, the Advertisement Yet, India has web of a nation-wide trade in however, a case of too little, too India's laws don't help much doctor oscillates like a emerged as one of the top 10 kidneys perpetuated by rich late. Doctors Are either. The doctor/ surgeon is pendulum at his work and medical tourism destinations in recipients, their families and Inadvertently Pushed Into an expert in performing the becomes a tool in the hands the world with more than four middlemen - all five categories Rackets kidney replacement operation. of his patients and their families lakh people visiting India of people making up the innards Even today, two decades into But they are not an expert in and others in society. annually for low-cost healthcare of a runaway scam that no the 21st century, the fact documentation and Stupefying Anomalies that ranges from heart- government in India can reign remains that we keep hearing verification. This operating India is a developing economy. transplant to knee surgery and in. The authorities, as well as of such painful incidents from specialist is most often made The nation's assets are shared Ayurveda, amounting to about civil society, acknowledge that time to time. With technological to speak to unknown donors unequally by 1.4 billion people. 5 per cent of the total yearly the 'kidney rackets' need a final advances, kidney scandals, and their agents - presented According to the latest tourism revenue - about solution. But who is responsible scams and the trade of kidneys to him as 'friends or relatives government data: India's gross ?200,000 crore. And India is for such ongoing rackets all over has gone out of the hand of (cousins)' by the family of the domestic product is estimated also where kidneys can be India? Believe it or not, the governments, hospitals and civil prospective recipient. The to have slowed to a five-year bought for a few lakh of rupees. situation affects everyone, from society. Are the various doctors doctors cannot distinguish/ low of 5.8 per cent in the last The poor in India, however, the poor to the acclaimed and engaged in transplantation detect the impersonation, quarter of fiscal ended March have no access to even basic senior kidney physicians. A squarely responsible for these fictitious albeit genuine- 2018-2019. healthcare, and certainly no solution is needed and the malpractices? No! The looking relatives, and the At the same time, the country's access to dialysis or kidney doctors can neither wash off treatment and activity of kidney relevant documents presented per capita income is estimated transplants even in major their hands by blaming bad transplantation are done by to the hospital or the State to have risen by 10 per cent to government-run hospitals. What hospital management nor can well-trained, fairly well-to-do Authorisation Committees for ?10,534 a month during the is low-cost for the world is be meagre spectators without and senior persons in their approval. One specialist has financial year ended March unaffordable to the poor Indian. contributing to stemming the rot profession. I cannot accept that many patients in any hospital 2019, government data on The poor in India is deprived, in the system. As a specialist one of us would participate in a or private clinic settings. national income showed in uneducated and always in need nephrologist, I have participated racket, put his/ her life's Fabricating fake documents is June. In 2017-2018, the of funds. They remain at the end in the emergence of the much- reputation in the hands of others a huge industry in itself; this is monthly per-capita income had of the economic supply chain, needed kidney transplantation and then languish in jail. The a malady of high magnitude stood at ?9,580. This does not which includes basic housing, service in major hospitals in the fact is that a kidney physician/ and nearly insurmountable at mean every adult Indian has schooling and medicare and country from its beginning in the surgeon remains vulnerable to this stage. Hospitals do not ?10,000 to spend every month. often gets nothing in her/his life. early seventies to the present the suffering, hardship and have lie detectors or security- Since the 1970s, India has Doctors fall in the high-income time and I have witnessed the pressures of his patient who police scanners that can progressed rapidly in bracket, at the high end of the various forces at work in this wishes to survive at any cost. detect fake documents and Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 36 lies. Nor do average members and hospital harvesting a kidney from a mishandle 'evidence'; they because it is money that is authorisation committees have managers and auxiliary staff. donor who has 'sold' it to the make money to let arrested driving the kidney trade today. psychiatrists on panels, though Mostly, it is the care-taking recipient. Quite often, these culprits escape; they get Shortage Of Kidneys For this is legally mandatory. In an doctor and operating surgeon days, the doctor does publicity, promotions and Transplantation Our country attempt to plug the loopholes, who is named, hauled up, everything in good faith but ensure that the case proceeds tops in the world in road traffic the Transplantation Act has humiliated and his/her character becomes a victim of his own in the court/s for an unlimited accidents and in Delhi and the been modified twice - in 2011 assassinated. For the doctor/ doings. He remains under period, without any conviction National Capital Region alone, and 2014. However, surgeon, often there is a 'donor' police surveillance as a and punishment. The humiliated about 6 to 7 people meet fatal ambiguities in the law continue on one table and a 'recipient' on 'criminal' and is bundled into a doctor, his family and the accidents daily. Harvesting of to remain. The present law the another. Both would have lockup without being allowed a cheated slum dwellers continue kidneys from unfortunate permits transplantation from arrived at the operation theatre whimper! What an irony! to suffer throughout their lives. accident victims is the only totally 'unrelated donor' source through the hospital system. He Real Culprits One is often forced to wonder solution to the shortage of - after it is verified and is not likely to guess that the The real culprits - the why does the press wake up kidneys for transplantation in authenticated by the duly- donor-recipient are not related. middlemen, touts, hospital staff only when something India. We all need to urgently appointed 'hospital-based Or that the documentation of involved and various others who sensational happens? Why respond to this task both at the Authorisation Committee', of the donor is false. Even if have participated knowingly - cannot the media keep a government level and with the which the treating doctor is not they are not related, the put the medical profession in continuous eye on the kidney/ amendment of available laws a member. Any committee matching of blood and tissue the dark. In India, not only organ commerce in the to remove organs from brain- member can be open to and the compatibility test is kidneys but heart, liver and country? The solution to this dead victims, with the consent 'pressure' from political verified by the 'authorisation skin are sold as well. A problem is identifying the of the families. It is a gigantic quarters, the rich and the committee', supposed to be patient with low blood platelet middleman who is the 'actual task. The awareness of organ famous, a peer group or designated by the hospital count has accused a doctor kingpin' warranting severe donation from cadaveric hospital bosses. Any member and experts in their field. at a speciality hospital of punishment. The relatives of source is of paramount of such an 'authorisation Look at the catch in the advising her to get her spleen kidney patients and the importance in this country. My committee' can just as well situation. The recipient is real. removed! Whenever a case conniving hospital staff should slogan has been and knowingly connive to okay The donor is real. Only the or scam comes under media also be punished. The so-called continues to be ONE LIFE fake documents and papers of the donor are fudged. glare, the police in various 'cousins' of a patient - the SAVES FOUR LIVES. Two transplants based on these. Thus, the doctors who are medical centres reap a rich kidney-selling donor - and the available kidneys save two They can duped by the supposed to be next to God in harvest too. They get paid by kidney-buying recipient should persons' lives and in turn, they assisting staff, hospital one moment have their 'face the recipient family not to also be brought under the also vacate life-saving dialysis facilitators, and managers blackened' without any means pursue the investigation and purview of law with equal machines for two other whom they trust blindly. The of protesting or proving not to file charges; they make punishment. And these patients. I do not want to see blame rarely reaches the themselves innocent. He/She money from the arrested to punishments should include a this final solution remain just a 'authorisation committee' has committed the crime of 'complicate' the case, to huge economic component dream in my lifetime! Top Indian hospitals, foreign clients, donors from UP caught in 'kidney transplant racket' An official from Fortis, luring poor donors to donate people, desperate for a donor will continue to do so going needed kidney transplants last a doctor from a prominent their kidney in exchange for a and willing to pay even up to Rs forward." year. Delhi hospital, clientele from few lakh rupees or a job in a 80 lakh, police said. Fortis Hospital said it "has a However, only 150 transplants as far as Turkey, and poor town. And they allegedly did it "They charged these families a zero tolerance policy against all could be completed due to 'donors' from Uttar Pradesh - through a professional network phenomenal amount of money malpractices. In connection with unavailability of donors. it's suspected to be a massive of touts and hospital staff. ranging from Rs 22.5 lakh to Rs this case, further details are The latest alleged racket, kidney trade racket that spans Kanpur Police says it got whiff 80 lakh," said Yadav, who is awaited." which police say has existed not just several Indian states of the alleged crime in February leading the investigation. "The "We will cooperate fully with the for over six years and across but also a number of countries. after "getting a tip-off on a gang remaining money, which is a authorities and the police in their three states - Delhi, Uttar It's allegedly worth several profit of up to 70 per cent on the probe. As a responsible Pradesh and Haryana - crores and investigators organisation, we comply with all exploited these shortages. believe what they have aspects of the Transplantation Shukla's name, suspect for unearthed so far is "just the tip of Human Organs Act and Rules long, emerged during the of the iceberg". and adhere to all instructions interrogation of several The net of the alleged racket issued by NOTTO (National donors over the last few widened this week when UP Organ and Tissue Transplant months. He has been booked police arrested Sonika Dabas, Organization, working under the for cheating, wrongful a kidney transplant coordinator aegis of Ministry of Health & confinement, trafficking, at Faridabad's super speciality Family Welfare)," Fortis added. criminal conspiracy and Fortis Hospital, in connection Racket and extent under sections of the with the crime Tuesday. Kidney transplant rackets are Transplantation of the Human Dabas's arrest came close on detected every few years and Organs Act, 1994.Kolkata the heels of another detention doctors and police said such businessman T. Rajkumar by the UP police last week casually discussing its plot at a sale of a kidney, was then networks thrive because of the Rao is alleged to be the when it nabbed Dipak Shukla, local restaurant". distributed among doctors, touts huge demand for the organ. mastermind and was arrested a high-profile surgeon and 'Gullible people' and hospitals at pre-decided Tough laws governing kidney in New Delhi in February.How chief executive officer at Delhi- "They looked for gullible people. ratios." donation have led to a scarcity it worked -The allegedly based Pushpawati Singhania For instance, we found a case Both Dabas and Shukla were of donors in the country, they well-oiled network of Research Institute (PSRI) where a man needed money to detained in Delhi and have been said. doctors, middlemen and Hospital. get his daughter married. He sent to judicial custody in According to estimates of the hospitals was operating at Rajesh Yadav, superintendent was offered Rs 5 lakh," Yadav Kanpur district prison. Lucknow-based premier multiple levels. The DNA labs of police (crime), Kanpur, said. In a statement to ThePrint, PSRI nephrology hospital, Sanjay of these hospitals also called Shukla's arrest "just the Donors were generally offered Hospital said, "We are Gandhi Post-Graduate Institute allegedly played a key role in tip of the iceberg".The arrested Rs 2.5-5 lakh. On the other side extending our full cooperation to of Medical Sciences, around supporting the illegal men have been accused of were relatives of seriously ill the ongoing investigation and 31,000 people in Uttar Pradesh harvesting of kidneys. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 37 The unravelling of a kidney racket

Months after the complaint would blow the lid off which some people peg at over "The industry is thriving despite "Donors, all of whom are from monsoon hit the small town of a massive organ racket. a ?100 crore. several raids and laws against very poor families, are brought Saket Nagar in Kanpur last year, High demand, low supply So far, 15 people, including the it because those who sell their to these hospitals for initial Sangeeta Kashyap*, 33, The epicentre of this massive CEO of Pushpawati Singhania organs are desperate for testing and matching with packed her bags for Delhi illegal organ trade is the Research Institute (PSRI), money. It is a trade that patients," explains Lucknow- where she had been promised National Capital Region. The Deepak Shukla, have been guarantees high profit. Plus, it's based Vardhan, a prime witness a good job. She was excited; easy to do business in India," in the case. "We are then she had never stepped out of says a senior Health Ministry trained to face the interview Kanpur before. official who did not wish to come board of the competent "My husband's friend had on record. authority [which evaluates promised us ?40 lakh. We Impoverished donors are transplant of organs between dreamt of a 'pakka' house, a pushed into the trade as organ near relatives related good education for our children, donations from cadavers and genetically] or the Authorisation and even some savings to help brain-dead patients in India are Committee [which evaluates us through illnesses. We also not enough to meet the transplant of organs between planned for old age," says requirement of over a lakh those related emotionally and Sangeeta. On reaching the city citizens annually who require a where the donor's intentions are that promised to fulfil her kidney transplant. altruistic] of the hospital for dreams, Sangeeta was given In 2016, in its reply to a Lok clearance for donation. Then we accommodation in a guest Sabha question, the Union are housed in guest houses in house in Ghaziabad. "The next Health Ministry noted that there Delhi. There we are tutored to day I was taken to a small is a huge gap between the tell the hospital board that we clinic," she says, unable to recall demand and supply of human are relatives of the patients we the location. "There, the doctors organs for transplant even are donating organs to. At this ran a series of tests on me. My though the precise numbers of point, the payment too is husband's friend told me that premature deaths due to heart, partially made." this was important because my liver, lung and pancreas failures Like Sangeeta, Vardhan's story employer wanted me to submit have not been compiled. The began around August last year. a medical clearance certificate Ministry noted that against the He desperately needed money before employing me as a maid demand of 2 lakh kidneys, only to pay for the operation of his and a cook. But then he took my 6,000 were available. Similarly, two-and-a-half-year-old child Aadhaar card and told me that I against the demand of 30,000 who was born with a hole in the have to assume a Muslim name livers only 1,500 were available, heart. He decided to sell one of and identity. I refused. I realised and against the demand of his kidneys. that something was amiss. 50,000 hearts merely 15 were "An old friend told me about this Later during the week, when I available across the country. offer. He made it out to be a was taken to a hospital, I According to the Multi Organ noble deed. He said I would get overheard people describe me Harvesting Aid Network ?2 lakh - enough to pay for my as a kidney donor. I panicked Foundation (Mohan child's surgery and for setting up and raised a hue and cry at the Foundation), a Chennai-based a small shop for myself. It hospital. I insisted that I be sent NGO working on organ seemed like a good option. I back home immediately. They donation, only about 3% of the thought God has given the poor packed me off to Kanpur and I demand is met. two organs as personal thought the worst was over," The Indian Transplant Registry insurance against bad times," she recalls. But the nightmare notes that live transplants he says. He breaks down while had only begun. account for the majority of showing large surgery scars on "My husband's friend came kidney transplants in India; his abdomen. home and tried to convince me cadaver transplants account for Following the surgery, Vardhan to sell my kidney," says web of criminals includes police arrested, and notices have been a very small number. "In India, has one kidney and no child. He Sangeeta. "He told me that he personnel, doctors, hospital served to two leading doctors at [the] deceased organ donation is without a job. And to make has been living a good life after administration staff, medical Fortis Hospital in Delhi for programme is largely restricted matters worse, he has been selling his. When I refused, he support staff, and kidney and violation of the Transplantation to big institutions and the private receiving death threats from along with some other men liver donors - all catering to of Human Organs (and Tissue) sector which makes it less those in the illegal organ trade. threatened and assaulted me. patients with end-stage kidney Act, 1994. This legislation was accessible for all. The deceased "Life has become unbearable. They demanded that I pay them and liver failure. These patients brought in with the objective of donation rate in 2013 was 0.26/ The hospital administration's ?50,000 as part of my travel and can't be treated with medicines "regulating the removal, storage million population and this went goons took back the money I medical expenses. Frightened or dialysis and therefore require and transplantation of human up to 0.36/million population in got from my kidney sale after I and broke, I approached the a transplant.A dozen leading organs for therapeutic purposes 2014," it says. refused to work with the gang. police. A senior officer asked me private surgeons are under the and for the prevention of Modus operandi My child died without treatment. to file a complaint. An FIR was scanner now. These include top commercial dealings in human In the case that the police is And my wife, who I married registered on February 1 urologists in Delhi who allegedly organs." investigating at the moment, against the wishes of our against six persons in the Barra worked in nexus with some These arrests and notices could patients who needed parents, left me as she was Police Station in Kanpur under police personnel from the Uttar prove to be only the tip of the transplants were admitted in frightened by the death threats. Section 420 [cheating and Pradesh Police as well as iceberg. "Investigations against large and well-known private No one is willing to employ me dishonestly inducing delivery of brokers (some of whom were another leading hospital in hospitals that are protected by in Lucknow because they think property] of the Indian Penal previous donors themselves) to central Delhi are currently under a battery of lawyers and I am involved in something Code and sections of the ensure a smoothly running way and more arrests are likely," administrators, says a senior illegal. I used to repair watches. Human Organ Transplant Act." profitable trade, the value of says a senior Delhi police officer Delhi police official. I have become a nervous wreck Sangeeta was unaware that her who is investigating the case. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 38 following the investigation," he to manipulate medical tests and The investigating agencies in every deal. The rest was with the personal staff of the says. documents," says a senior claim that they are fully aware shared among the others, doctor and offered to pay for a His only mistake, he says, was official from the Uttar Pradesh of the reasons that compel including the donor. "He never kidney if I could get a donor. I his refusal to become a police who is involved in inter- people to sell or donate organs. paid the promised amount to the got a call from the doctor's headhunter himself. "They call State investigation. "A kidney is sold for anything donor. And when the donor secretary, who gave my family me daily to tell me that I will be "Those in the business had between ?70 lakh and ?1 crore asked for it, Rao would urge members the contact of a man 'accidentally' killed in an created a large database of depending on how urgent the him/her to bring more donors who could arrange a donor for accident soon. They stole my those who were ready to donate need is. The donor/seller never with the promise of more me. After several rounds of money after I refused to work their kidneys and livers. These gets over ?3 lakh. The rest of money. Regardless of the deal, negotiations, the deal was fixed with them," he says. people were then recruited into the amount is distributed among the donors get only between ?2 at ?20 lakh." Attractive to the poor the business to find more those who run the business," lakh and ?4 lakh of the promised Suresh was asked to pay "While there are many layers of sellers. And with every new says a senior official officer from ?5 lakh," says the officer. immediately, he says, while the control to prevent exploitation, racket being busted, we also the Uttar Pradesh Police. Donors who refused to co- paperwork was taken care of by the fact that there are a find that the age of the donors/ Expanding the web operate were threatened with the 'staff member'. "I paid the negligible number of organ sellers is rapidly falling. Younger It was when a police team from legal cases of cheating. amount before the operation donations makes finding a men are being recruited or are Kanpur approached the Delhi Suresh Singh* got a kidney and it went off smoothly. I met matching donor for the patients coming forward to donate their police regarding a kidney racket transplant in 2016, and was the donor only once during the a tough task," notes the Mohan kidney or liver. This is really that they stumbled on T. chargesheeted for demanding interview. I was introduced as Foundation. Under the law, only worrying," says a Delhi police Rajkumar Rao, 40, alleged to be money for it. "After a prolonged his elder brother to the hospital," those related to the patient are officer. the kingpin of an international kidney treatment my doctor he says. He explains that a allowed to donate organs. This A witness in the case, Sonu*, kidney racket. recommended a kidney major part of the payment was further reduces the number of admits that he is only 18-20 Rao himself was a donor. But transplant. He told me that my made through cash and rest prospective organ donors. years old. "According to my unlike other donors, Rao was kidney would stop functioning was transferred to a bank In 2013, the medical journal, official papers, I am much older ambitious and built his own soon," he says. "I discussed it account. Indian Journal of Anesthesia, though," he says. "I decided to empire. He had been arrested stated that of the 205 patients sell my organ to help my family before and sent to prison. But Organ racket gang busted declared brain-dead at AIIMS which was on the verge of after being released, he in Delhi in the trauma centre starving to death. But today, resumed his activities and in Assam, three arrested over the last five years, only even after selling my kidney, changed his base from West 10 were potential organ my life is no better. Bengal and its neighbouring Police on Monday Medhi told the media about donors. The reasons were Policemen and laws don't States to central India. He got busted an inter-state gang one Plabon Borthakur of varied. There was lack of understand that we sell our donors and sellers from involved in illegal trade of Dhubri and another Rajesh awareness about organ organs just to ensure that we Unnao, Kanpur, Lucknow and human organs in central Poddar of Morigaon who are donation among family are able to stay alive." Fatehpur. Assam's Morigaon district. also involved in the racket. members. Many believed that Sonu and Vardhan were A police officer who once Police also arrested one A case has been registered at donating a person's organs admitted in the same hospital interrogated him recalls Rao Ramen Medhi - believed to be Jagiroad police station in after death would affect the at the same time for kidney as being very sharp and kingpin of the gang -from Morigaon district against the person in his or her 'next life'. removal. Like Vardhan, Sonu knowing how to influence Dakshin Dharamtul village in accused under relevant And processes were simply too was cheated by middlemen, donors and later make them the district. Sections of the India Penal not in place to help such who only gave him a portion of part of his racket. Prior to Medhi's arrest, police Code. donations. the promised sum of ?2 lakh. "There were around 12 had nabbed two agents - a Reacting to Medhi's arrest, "Indian organs are being sold "When I close my eyes, I dream permanent members in the woman identified as Nilima Dakshin Dharamtul's Village thanks to advertising by word of of blotches of blood. The cops gang. They would prepare fake Boro and her son Mukul Boro Defence Party president mouth. We are dealing with an tell us that they will catch those documents, coordinate with - who were involved in the Hitya Doloi, said: "The underground mafia of organ who exploited us. But will we get hospitals and donors, transfer racket. accused used to take the traders. In this case, the gang our entire promised money or money and prepare donors for The accused were allegedly villagers to Kolkata by luring managed to create fake the organs we sold? No one is interviews," he says. running an illegal kidney trade them with payments of huge identities. And with the help of ready to answer these Rao used to keep a large at Dakshin Dharamtul village amount of money to sell their medical persons, they managed questions," he says. portion of the money for himself for the past few years. kidneys." Busted! Two Held For Running Illegal Kidney Transplantation Racket in Noida Noida Police arrested two persons, including a Bangladeshi citizen, for allegedly being involved in illegal kidney transplantation racket An illegal kidney department, an FIR was lodged brought into the country and transplantation racket has against five persons at the who else is involved in this been busted in Noida which Phase 3 police station, shared racket. We are also verifying in involved foreigners and Indian Harish Chander, Deputy detail the documents provided citizens along with the arrest Commissioner of Police, by these people," the officer of two persons, including a Central. said. Bangladeshi citizen. The "Some people were brought in Those held have been Noida Police added that while from Bangladesh in exchange identified as Bangladeshi the Bangladeshi citizen was for financial benefits but were citizen Ahmed Sharif and supposed to be getting the (cheating), 468 and 471 (all allegedly forced to donate his involved in kidney transplants. Bazulhaq, a native of Siwan kidney harvested illegally from related to forgery of kidney, the Indian person had Two people have been arrested district in Bihar and currently Sharif, a Bangladeshi travel documents) besides the facilitated his travel and stay in connection with the racket," living in Delhi's Shaheen agent Abdul Mannan, and one Foreigners Act, 1984, and the in the country. Following a Chander said. Bagh, police said. more person, they said. Transplantation of Human complaint by the Gautam "We are investigating in detail The others booked in the case The FIR has been lodged under Organs and Tissues Act, Buddh Nagar district health how these foreigners were included a man who was Indian Penal Code sections 420 1994, police added. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 BUSINESS 39 SEBI imposes Rs 3 lakh-fine on Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra for flouting insider trading norms SEBI has found Shilpa Shetty, her husband Raj Kundra and his company Viaan Industries guilty of not complying with its regulations on insider trading. They have been fined Rs 3 lakh.

The Securities and during the period under company was required to make Exchange Board of India (SEBI) investigation. the necessary disclosures to the has imposed a fine of Rs 3 lakh RULES THEY VIOLATED stock exchange within two on actor Shilpa Shetty, her As per the order issued by SEBI, trading days of the receipt of the husband and businessman Raj on October 29, 2015, Viaan disclosures from (Shilpa Shetty Kundra and his firm Viaan Industries Limited made a and Raj Kundra) or from Industries for flouting SEBI's "preferential allotment of becoming aware of such regulations on insider trading. 5,00,000 equity shares to four information pertaining to the (Prohibition of Insider Trading) luring aspiring actors and Shilpa Shetty was one of the persons". "In this preferential transactions," the SEBI order Regulations, 2015, SEBI models in exchange for giving directors of this company and allotment, 1,28,800 shares each said. imposed a penalty of Rs 3 lakh them a break in the film industry. resigned last year. were allotted to Ripu Sudan and WHAT THE PROBE FOUND on Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra Last week, Mumbai Police's SEBI had conducted an Shilpa Kundra," the order During the investigation, SEBI and Viaan Industries Limited. crime branch reached Shilpa investigation into the dealings of states. found that Shilpa Shetty and Raj RAJ KUNDRA AND PORN Shetty's residence in Juhu and Viaan Industries Limited Following the allotment of the Kundra failed to make relevant FILMS CASE questioned her for over six (formerly known as Hindustan shares through the preferential disclosures required under Raj Kundra is currently facing hours in connection with this Safety Glass Industries Limited) allotment, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Regulations 7 (2) (a) and 7 (2) investigations for allegedly case.The crime branch has for the period between Kundra were required to make (b) of the PIT Regulations within producing and distributing porn claimed to have seized nearly September 01, 2013 and the necessary disclosure to the the stipulated time period. films through a subscriber driver 20 terabytes (TB) data of porn December 23, 2015. company. They thus violated the PIT mobile application called films and seven servers that The shares of this company are This disclosure was required Regulations and SEBI initiated HotShots. He was arrested by were used to save them from listed on the Bombay Stock because value of these adjudication proceedings the Mumbai Police on July 19 Viaan Industries' office in Exchange (BSE) and Ripu transactions exceeded Rs 10 against them under Section 15 and is currently under judicial Andheri West. Police sources Sudan (alias Raj Kundra) and lakh. A (b) of the SEBI Act, 1992. custody. said some data was deleted, Shilpa Kundra (alias Shilpa "In terms of Regulation 7 (2) (b) After the probe found the duo The police have alleged that and they have roped in forensic Shetty) were its promoters of the PIT Regulations, the guilty of violating the SEBI these porn films were made by experts to retrieve it. Billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala to start new airline. He wants you to fly cheap Billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala is planning to set up a new low- cost airline as the ace investor remains optimistic about the future of the country's aviation sector.

Ace investor Rakesh million for the venture and would executive of Delta Air Lines Inc., Jhunjhunwala is betting big on own 40 per cent stake in the is searching for planes that can the country's aviation sector and airline. Jhunjhunwala told carry at least 180 passengers. is planning to start a new low- Bloomberg Television in an It is a bold move by cost airline. interview that he expects to get Jhunjhuwala, popularly known The 61-year-old billionaire plans a no-objection certificate from as India's Warren Buffett, as the to start the airline within the next the country's aviation ministry in aviation industry has been four years, with a fleet of 70 the next 15 days. going through a period of aircraft, reported JHUNJHUNWALA'S BOLD distress due to the Covid-19 low fares. "For the culture of a Although Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Bloomberg.com. Rakesh BET ON LOW-COST AIR pandemic. company to be frugal you've to remains bullish about the Jhunjhunwala is optimistic that TRAVEL- Rakesh However, Rakesh start off fresh," Rakesh aviation sector, all airlines were more people will travel by air in Jhunjhunwala said the ultra- Jhunjhunwala seems confident Jhunjhunwala told Bloomberg impacted by the pandemic and future. low-cost airline will be called about the venture and is looking Television. "I'm very, very bullish faced severe financial distress Rakesh Jhunjhunwala is Akasa Air and the team, at opportunities to woo flyers on India's aviation sector in when restrictions were imposed considering investing $35 comprising a former senior with a brand-new carrier offering terms of demand," he added. to reduce Covid infections. Rupee Gains 9 Paise To Close At 74.29 Against US Dollar The Indian rupee low of 74.34. dollar declined reacting to the trade with negative bias currencies, dipped 0.30 per cent gained 9 paise and settled for It finally ended at 74.29 against dovish Federal Open Market following weaker dollar index, to 92.04.On the domestic equity the day at 74.29 (provisional) the American currency, Committee (FOMC)," Dilip risk sentiment and strong dollar market front, the BSE Sensex against the US dollar on registering a rise of 9 paise over Parmar, Research Analyst, inflows from initial public ended 209.36 points or 0.40 per Thursday, supported by a firm its previous close. HDFC Securities said, adding offering. The pair is expected to cent higher at 52,653.07, while trend in domestic equities and On Wednesday, the rupee had that FOMC outcomes favoured hold support at 74.15 and get the broader NSE Nifty weak American currency. At the settled at 74.38 against the US the risk sentiments as they are resisted around 74.60," he advanced 69.05 points or 0.44 interbank forex market, the local dollar. not in rush to scale back asset noted. per cent to 15,778.45.Brent unit opened at 74.32 against the "Indian rupee appreciated as purchases at-least for next two Meanwhile, the dollar index, crude futures, the global oil greenback and witnessed an global risk sentiments meetings. which gauges the greenback's benchmark, rose 0.39 per cent intra-day high of 74.22 and a rebounded, while safe haven "Spot USDINR is expected to strength against a basket of six to USD 75.03 per barrel. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SCIENCE & TECH 40 Delayed due to Covid-19, Isro to launch Chandrayaan-3 in third quarter of 2022

The Chandrayaan-3 mission has been delayed due to Covid-19 and Isro is now planning to launch the lunar mission in the third quarter of 2022.

Hit by the Coronavirus evaluate the system projects of the Indian Space pandemic, the Indian Space performance on earth." Research Organisation (ISRO) Research Organisation (ISRO) The work on Chandrayaa-2's including the lunar mission. will likely launch the much- successor was affected due to "We are working on it. It is the awaited Chandrayaan-3 mission the coronavirus pandemic and same configuration like to the Moon in the third quarter the impending lockdown. Chandrayaan-2 but it will not of 2022. The new timeline was "However, all work that were have an orbiter. The orbiter revealed by Minister of State possible in the work from home launched during Chandrayaan- (Independent Charge) Science mode were taken up even during 2 will be used for Chandrayaan- & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh, lockdown periods. 3. With that, we are working on who said, "work of Chandrayaan-3 realisation a system and mostly the launch Chandrayaan-3 is in progress." resumed after commencement will be next year in 2022," Isro crash-landed on the far side of landings for further The minister in a written reply to of the unlock period and is in the Chief K Sivan had said earlier in the Moon. However, the orbiter interplanetary missions. Lok Sabha said that "Work on matured stage of realization," the February. However, the space is still working and conducting The Chandrayaan-3 takes cues Chandrayaan-3 involves various Department of Space said in a agency had yet to decide a critical observations of not only from the first Chandrayaan processes including finalisation statement. timeline for the launch. The latest the lunar surface but also the mission launched in October of configuration, subsystems Chandrayaan-3 was earlier announcement comes on the solar system. 2008 that made major realisation, integration, slated to be launched this year, heels of the second anniversary Chandrayaan-3 is critical for discoveries including finding spacecraft level detailed testing 2021. However, the Covid-19 of the unsuccessful ISRO as it will demonstrate evidence of water on the lunar and a number of special tests to lockdown affected several Chandrayaan-2 mission that India's capabilities to make surface. Indian astronomers part of Nasa team detect radiation from death of a star over 5 billion years ago The radiation was emitted by a massive burst of energy when a star collapsed. High- energy radiation has been travelling for billions of years across the Universe.

light-years.Named GRB Observational Sciences (NCRA) and IIT Mumbai also 200826A, after the date it (ARIES) was part of the study, participated in the study, the occurred, researchers released apart from scientists from other Ministry of Science & the details of the event in two Indian institutions. They showed Technology said in a papers published in Nature for the first time that a dying star statement.While the burst was Astronomy. While the first paper can produce short bursts too. detected for barely a second, led by Bin-bin Zhang at Nanjing "Such a discovery has helped astronomers estimate that it University in China explores the to resolve the long-standing emitted 14 million times the gamma-ray data. The second, issues related to gamma-ray energy released by the entire Part of an astronomy The burst was first detected by led by Tomás Ahumada, a bursts. Also, this study triggers Milky Way galaxy over the same team, Indian astronomers have Nasa's Fermi Gamma-ray doctoral student at the to re-analyse all such known amount of time, making it one detected a very short, powerful Space Telescope last year. University of Maryland, events to constrain number of the most energetic short- burst of high-energy radiation Analysis of the data showed that describes the GRB's fading densities better," Dr Pandey duration GRBs ever seen. that lasted for about a second. the shortest Gamma-Ray Burst multiwavelength afterglow and said.The Inter-University Centre What are GRBs? The event had been travelling (GRB) was caused by the death the emerging light of the for Astronomy and When a star much more for nearly half the present age of a massive star. These bursts supernova explosion that Astrophysics, Pune (IUCAA), massive than the Sun runs out of the universe before it hit are considered one of the most followed.Dr Shashi Bhushan National Centre for Radio of fuel, its core suddenly Earth. The universe is nearly 14 powerful events in the universe Pandey from Aryabhatta Astrophysics - Tata Institute of collapses and forms a black billion years old. and can travel across billions of Research Institute of Fundamental Research, Pune hole. Indonesia's Sinabung volcano spews ash, hot clouds 14,000 feet into the atmosphere

Arumbling volcano on Volcanology and Geological crater's mouth. They've been up increasing activity in recent a 2016 eruption. It has Indonesia's Sumatra island on Hazard Mitigation Center warned about lava while weeks. The last such eruption sporadically come to life since Wednesday shot billowing said.There were no casualties was in early May, when then.About 30,000 people have columns of ash and hot clouds from the afternoon eruption, ash fell on nearby been forced to leave their down its slopes.The ash said Armen Putra, an official at villages.The volcano, homes around Sinabung in the released by Mount Sinabung in the Sinabung monitoring post, one of two currently past few years. Sinabung is North Sumatra province and an alert has been erupting in Indonesia, among more than 120 active reached more than 4,500 maintained at the second- was dormant for four volcanoes in Indonesia, which meters (14,760 feet) into the highest level.The 2,600-meter centuries before is prone to seismic upheaval atmosphere, and an avalanche (8,530-foot) mountain has been exploding in 2010, due to its location on the Pacific of searing gas clouds blew 1 rumbling since last year and killing two people. "Ring of Fire," an arc of kilometers (0.62 mile) to the villagers were advised to stay 5 authorities were closely Another eruption in 2014 killed volcanoes and fault lines east and southeast, Indonesia's kilometers (3.1 miles) from the monitoring sensors that picked 17 people, while seven died in encircling the Pacific Basin. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 ADVERTISEMENT 41 Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SCIENCE & TECH 42 Global rainforests responding differently to climate, human impacts: Scientists design index to monitor changes New research now shows that the world's three major rainforest areas have different degrees of susceptibility.

As climate change journal OneEarth indicates that than half of all the carbon in land worsens and global warming rainforests are perhaps the vegetation. These rainforests heats up the planet, one of the most endangered habitat on act as a brake on the rise of first to be affected are forests Earth, threatened by large-scale carbon dioxide in the and the impact is being seen land-use activities to clear land atmosphere from fossil fuel clearly across the world. for farming or to harvest trees burning as they absorb the Rainforests, known for their for timber. Scientists have now carbon from the atmosphere. ability to absorb carbon and released a unique Tropical According to the National keep the planet cool are Rainforest Vulnerability Index Geographic Society, the becoming more and more (TFVI) to detect the rainforests are a powerful Saatchi, Principal Scientist dryer condition, and smaller- vulnerable due to human-made susceptibility of these natural climate solution. Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems scale land-use change and changes and the warming of the forests.The new index has been Conserving and restoring Jet Propulsion Laboratory. What fragmentation.Rainforests in planet. developed by a team put rainforests not only improves did scientists find? Southeast Asia appear to be New research now shows that together by the National water filtration, biodiversity During their analysis, scientists suffering more from land use the world's three major Geographic Society that was habitats, and enhances climate found that different regions of and fragmentation than climate rainforest areas have different first convened in 2019. It takes resilience but can also tropics and rainforests have except for areas of peatlands degrees of susceptibility. input from satellite observations contribute to stabilizing global different responses to climate that have become more While the Amazon Basin in and ground-based data from warming to below 2 degrees threats and that there are strong vulnerable to fire during El Nino South America is extremely 1982 through 2018, using the Celcius. These natural buffer interactions between climate, years.JPL said that the data vulnerable to both climate Landsat and the Global zones are the greatest land use, and biodiversity. The from the tropical rainforest change and changes in human Precipitation Measurement repository of biological diversity, Amazon Basin shows large- vulnerability index provides land use, the forests in Congo mission, to observe the a major aggregation of scale vulnerability to drying scientists with an opportunity to Basin in Africa are going changes in the vegetation, land freshwater rivers, influential on conditions of the atmosphere, perform more in-depth through drying trends. use pattern and climate. climate. "At some point in early frequent droughts and large- examinations of natural Meanwhile, Asian forests Why are rainforests critical? 2000s threats from climate scale land-use changes. The rainforest processes, such as appear to be suffering more Rainforests make up a diverse change started to rival land-use Congo Basin, on the other carbon storage and productivity, from changes in land use than ecosystem and are home to as the most important impact on hand, seems to be more changes in energy and water from the changing climate.The more than half of the planet's life habitat degradation and resilient because of historical cycles, and changes in new study was published in the forms, while also holding more biodiversity," said Sassan impacts of droughts, the overall biodiversity. Scientists complete decoding human genome, uncover over 100 new genes, variations Scientists deciphered the complete human genome twenty years after the first draft was released in 2001. Now they have uncovered over 100 new genes.

cell in the body contains a is made up of virus-like In February 2001, when researchers released the first complete copy of the stretches of DNA that make new set of the human genome approximately 3 billion DNA copies of themselves. They base pairs, or letters, that make broke the genome into very sequence, it was a seismic event in the history of life up the human genome. With its small fragments of about 200 sciences. However, it was not four-letter language, DNA base pairs, deciphering their contains the information needed sequences, and then piecing truly complete and 15 per cent of the genome was still to be to build the entire human body. them back together. However, deciphered. The most Why it took so long to decipher when researchers began human genome? working on solving these complicated chunk of DNA called for further research and Scientists identified 3.055 billion structures, they found that the technological advancement. base pairs ("letters") of our DNA twin strands of DNA in our cells code as they made the data contained roughly three billion Twenty years later, researchers institutions, has released data the chemical compound that have finally deciphered it all public. However, the wait has pairs of letters. Assembling the that gives new insights into the contains the instructions filling the gaps in the long list of been over two decades since puzzle of DNA bits was more workings of the DNA and how it needed to develop and direct the first draft was released in complex than they had errors in previous versions and influences risks of disease and the activities of nearly all living changing our view of human 2001. Scientists have known for expected, and it took years to how cells keep it in neatly organisms. They are made of DNA. A team of 99 researchers decades that genes were assemble.As long stretches of organised. Experts say that the two twisting, paired strands spread across 23 pairs of the genome remained led the groundbreaking new details will open our eyes often referred to as a double discovery by identifying about chromosomes. However, their unknown, scientists struggled to to critical information stored helix. According to the National 115 new genes that code for structures have been a mystery. understand where millions of within DNA that had remained Human Genome Research The work on unravelling these bases fit. While they released proteins. elusive forever. Institute, each DNA strand is The Telomere-to-Telomere mysterious structures began by the first draft in 2001, the What is the human genome? made of four chemical units, (T2T) Consortium, an the end of the 20th century. reference genome draft was A genome is an organism's called nucleotide bases, which Researchers found that genes released in 2013 where they international collaboration that complete set of comprise the genetic comprises around 30 make a very small percentage had read these fragments more Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), "alphabet." Virtually every single of the genome, much of which accurately. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SPECIAL REPORT 43 Fact Check: No, Meenakashi Lekhi's father-in-law didn't defend Nathuram Godse in court A false claim is doing the rounds on social media that MoS for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi's father-in-law PN Lekhi had defended Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.

Many netizens are India Today Anti Fake News War archived version of the book claiming that MoS for External Room (AFWA) has found that 'May it please your honour Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Meenakashi Lekhi's father-in- Nathuram Godse' written by Lekhi's father-in-law PN Lekhi law Pran Nath Lekhi had not Gopal Godse, Nathuram's was a traitor who had defended defended Nathuram Godse in brother. Nathuram Godse, the assassin the court. It is noteworthy that An excerpt from page number of Mahatma Gandhi. Nathuram had refused to be 20 of this book says, "Nathuram This comes in the backdrop of represented by a lawyer and preferred to argue his own case. Godse had declined to be PN Lekhi was a well-known Lekhi's recent statement where had represented himself in the He argued for two days without represented by a lawyer and lawyer who participated in the she had called the protesting court. challenging his conviction under had made a prayer that he Quit India Movement and was farmers 'mawali'. The statement AFWA probe the murder charge." should be permitted to appear imprisoned in 1945 and 1946 for had stirred a controversy Mahatma Gandhi was shot This makes it clear that no in person and argue his appeal his role in the 'Free INA following which Lekhi had dead by Nathuram Godse when lawyer had defended Nathuram himself. This prayer had been Prisoners' movement. During apologised. he was going for his regular Godse in the trial case of granted, and so he stood in a the Emergency, he was Criticising Meenakashi for her prayers in Delhi on January 30, Mahatma Gandhi's specially constructed dock. His detained under Maintenance of statement, a Facebook user 1948. Nine accused were tried assassination. small defiant figure with flashing Internal Security Act (MISA) and wrote, "Meenakashi Lekhi is the for the conspiracy and his Another book 'The murder of the eyes and close-cropped hair had to spend more than half of daughter-in-law of traitor Pran murder. The trial of Mahatma Mahatma' written by GD Khosla, offered a remarkable and the imprisonment in solitary Nath Lekhi who had left no Gandhi's murder case began in former Chief Justice of Punjab immediately noticeable contrast confinement. stone unturned to save May 1948. who had heard the appeals of to the long row of placid and He had defended Satwant Nathuram Godse from getting We looked into some history Nathuram Godse and others prosperous-looking lawyers Singh one of the accused in the convicted in the court. And now, books to find out whether there and had given the verdict in the who represented his Indira Gandhi murder case. He Meenakashi Lekhi has called was any connection between assassination also establishes accomplices." had also represented Zaheera the farmers 'mawali'!" Nathuram Godse's trial and the same thing. Godse was sentenced to death Sheikh, a key witness in the This claim is quite viral on lawyer PN Lekhi. With the help On page number 19 of this book on November 8, 1949, and was Best Bakery case of the Gujarat Facebook. of keyword search, we found an GD Khosla says, "Nathuram hanged on November 15, 1949. riots, in the Supreme Court. In its most complex flight on Mars, Earth's small aircraft crosses a kilometre mark in air The Ingenuity helicopter reached the milestone on its 10th flight as it flew in the Jazero crater.

Three months after it JPL said that Ingenuity has first spread its rotors on Mars, survived 107 sols (Martian the Ingenuity Helicopter has days) since deployment from crossed a major milestone of Perseverance, 76 sols flying for over a kilometre on an beyond the original alien world. The small rotorcraft, technology demonstration which has exceeded mission it was designed for. engineering expectations, "It has also successfully achieved the feat during its executed two separate flight- latest hop in the Jazero crater software updates, improving the as it continues its operational aircraft's ability to execute flights demonstrations. and capture colour imagery," The helicopter took to Martian JPL said. skies on its 10th flight to fly to During its ninth flight, the an area known as "Raised helicopter, which will serve Ridges" (RR), named for the as an aerial scout for the geographic features. The area rover, captured images from was about 164 feet away from a height of around 33 feet, its current location and is offering the Perseverance strategically important for Mars had said that Flight 10 will southwest about 165 feet and statement. During the hop, JPL team greater detail than scientists. be the most complex flight to captured the Raised Ridges snapped two more images at they get from the orbiter The helicopter imaged the area date, with 10 distinct waypoints taking first Return to Earth waypoints 4 and 5 before images hovering above the during the sortie as the and a nominal altitude of 40 feet (RTE) images. The flight took heading northwest for two planet. The helicopter Perseverance rover scientists above the surface. two such images. more sets of stereo pairs at spotted sand dunes that are find it intriguing and are The 10th flight "Imagery experts at JPL hope waypoints 6 and 7. The knee or waist-high in-depth and considering visiting it sometime The flight began with Ingenuity to combine the overlapping rotorcraft landed 95 meters could cause the two-ton rover in the future. The Joint taking off from its sixth airfield data from these two images west of airfield 6 after to be stuck. The dunes have Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and climbing to the new record to generate one stereo spending about 165 seconds accumulated over millions of that flies the small helicopter on height as it headed south-by- image," JPL said in a in the air. Surviving Mars years. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SPECIAL REPORT 44 History will remember how this government didn't allow Opposition to raise voice in Parliament History will remember how the Opposition wasn't allowed by the current government to raise their voices and concerns of millions who suffer at the hand of the power-hungry and brazen ministers.

On Wednesday (July District Child Protection Units Secretary of Social Welfare for functions with them may also years) shall now be made 28), the Juvenile Justice and the Special juvenile turning a blind eye to the raise concerns of separation of non-cognizable instead of Amendment Bill was passed in Protection Units. ongoings at the shelter home. powers between the executive cognizable. the Rajya Sabha without The Act makes them an Till now there has been no and the judiciary. According to This affects issues such as hearing the views of the overarching authority to take a closure for those affected. What an RTI reply by CARA, the total child labour, wherein the members of the Opposition call on shelter homes, stops such collusion in the number of applications for police will not be able to and without making an attempt compliance, adoptions without future and guarantees that adoption in the last 5 years was rescue the child until a to put the House in order. A day any need for judicial there will be no trafficking or 48,842. This signifies a high warrant has been issued. prior to this even Marine Aids intervention. The government selling of girls for prostitution pendency rate however, this This provision goes against to Navigation Bill was cleared says it will ease the process of when you empower one sole transfer of power doesn't several articles of the UN without the Opposition getting adoption and ensure their person to decide their fate? resolve the issue, as the reason Convention on the Rights of a chance to speak up on the safety however this is far from The question is whether it is for delay and pendency needs the Child which India is a issue. The way the bills are the truth. appropriate for an to be analysed at the level of signatory to, as well as being passed in the ongoing Those in governance know that administrative authority to issue the law enforcement agency to against Article 14 of the session shows the arrogance the control of District adoption orders instead of a submit a report, second at the Constitution, and shall delay of the government and its Magistrate's service conditions judicial body? This issue needs level of the CWC to declare the the rescue of children in need inability to hear or implement are with the political system, to be considered as the child legally free for adoption of care and protection. changes in bills that could given that they are functionaries question arises of whether the and third at the level of the Despite these serious make it stronger. of government bodies it will level of pendency justifies family court to finally give the concerns for the government These amendments that have create a scope for political shifting the load to the district child in adoption. The 2019 to not pay heed shows a lack been made are anti-justice power to influence adoption- magistrate. DMs are already NALSA report shows there of intent on its part to be able and work against the children related decisions. The overburdened with various were only 13 states and UTs to take all stakeholders along. who most need government Muzaffarpur Shelter Home responsibilities of that had Child Welfare Some valid concerns have support to keep themselves case in Bihar is a grim reminder administration by adding this Committees as per law. The also been raised by DCPCR safe. The Amendment bill of how such collusion can be responsibility how would the Standing Committee on Human with the authorities but the seems oblivious to the fatal for the lives and safety of government ensure that it will Resource Development had government and the challenges that exist for those staying in these shelter reduce the pendency of noted that statutory bodies responsible minister's juveniles in shelter homes and homes. During investigations in adoption cases. The Act also under the Juvenile Justice Act, absolute contempt for a valid their pending adoptions. The the case, in 2018, it was provides that any person 2000 including JJBs and CWCs debate on the issue will bill which is now an act has discovered that at least 34 girls aggrieved by an adoption order, were not present in many continue to deny India's empowered District were drugged and raped at the may file an appeal before the states. Several bodies existed children a truly safe and Magistrates (DMs) to decide a shelter home. A Delhi court had divisional commissioner. Thus, only on paper and were not secure environment. Our child's fate rather than a civil convicted 19 people, including it does not provide for judicial functioning. The Standing children need protection, but court. In addition to that, the former MLA, in connection with oversight at the appeal stage as Committee also noted that the government continues to district magistrates along with the sexual and physical assault well. District magistrates and CWCs and JJBs lack authority give justification in its defense. additional district magistrates of girls. It also led Bihar's divisional commissioners are to manage their financial and History will remember how the (ADMs) will be responsible Minister of Welfare to resign, trained to be administrators and Human Resources due to this Opposition wasn't allowed by authorities to monitor the after allegations surfaced that perform the functions of the action taken by them is limited the current government to functioning of various her husband had links to the government. They may not and delayed. As an Amendment raise their voices and agencies under the JJ Act in main accused in the case. The have the competence to issue of section 86 of the JJ Act 2015, concerns of millions who every district. This includes the court also ordered an inquiry adoption orders or hear serious offences (offences with suffer at the hand of the Child Welfare Committees, the against Muzaffarpur District appeals related to them. minimum punishment of 3 power-hungry and brazen Juvenile Justice Boards, the Magistrate and Principal Vesting such core judicial years but not more than 7 ministers. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SPECIAL REPORT 45 AstraZeneca to apply for Covid-19 vaccine approval in US later in 2021 British-Swedish biopharma giant AstraZeneca on Thursday announced that it would seek approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its vaccines in the second half of this year.

19 Vaccine AstraZeneca SARS- pandemic COVID-19 vaccine, medicines with further CoV-2 (US)" later in the year. revenue increased by 14 per significant progress across The timeline for the USFDA cent (9 per cent at CER) in the disease areas," he said. application has been in the half to USD 14,371 million and The CEO highlighted that in the works since the end-March by 17 per cent [12 per cent at field of BioPharmaceuticals, the when AstraZeneca released the CER] in the quarter to USD US approved Farxiga for data from its clinical trials of the 7,326 million," the results show. chronic kidney disease and Covid-19 vaccine in the US. "AstraZeneca has delivered granted tezepelumab "Priority British-Swedish UK and European medicines AstraZeneca has pledged to another period of strong growth Review" to treat patients with biopharma giant AstraZeneca, regulators, is pending a US deliver the vaccine on a non- thanks to robust performances asthma. which manufactures the Covid- Food and Drug Administration profit basis as long as the across all regions and disease Following the recent acquisition 19 vaccine developed by (USFDA) application. pandemic lasts. Its supplies areas, particularly Oncology, of rare disease therapy scientists at the University of As part of second-quarter include 80 million doses that New CVRM and Fasenra in company Alexion, the company Oxford, on Thursday indicated financial results released on went to the Covax initiative for Respiratory. As a result, we said it was updating its full-year that they would seek approval Thursday, which showed that low and middle-income have delivered further earnings 2021 guidance and long-term from the US medicines the company and its sub- countries. progression, supported goals to accelerate scientific regulator for its jabs in the licensees including SII Overall, AstraZeneca reported ongoing launches, and discovery."Alexion will enable second half of this year. delivered more than 700 million first-half revenue of USD 15.5 continued our investment in us to enhance our pipeline, The AZD1222 vaccine, also doses of the vaccine to over billion, up 23 per cent, with R&D," said Pascal Soriot, Chief extending the company's being produced under licence 170 countries in the first half of around USD 1.17 billion Executive Officer of presence in rare diseases and by the Serum Institute of India this year, the approvals accruing from the delivery of the AstraZeneca. immunology with its (SII) as Covishield and timetable indicates a USFDA Covid-19 vaccines. "Excluding "We continue to advance our complement biology," added approved for human use by the approval application for "Covid- the contribution from the portfolio of life-changing Soriot. Vyapam scam case: CBI files supplementary chargesheet against 73 accused The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed supplementary chargesheet against 73 accused in a case related to alleged cheating in MPPMT-2012 examination, held through Vyapam. The Central Bureau of The CBI had booked 587 the OMR answer sheets to Investigation (CBI) has filed persons on July 31, 2015 in illegally pass these candidates. supplementary chargesheet connection with the case. Untampered data of accused against 73 accused, including The CBI had filed chargesheet candidates was also recovered 13 new accused, for allegedly against 592 accused, including and it showed that these cheating in the Madhya Pradesh 245 new accused, on November candidates had filled up less Pre-Medical Test(MPPMT), 23, 2017, before a special CBI answer circles. In conspiracy 2012 that was held through court in Bhopal. with these candidates, their Madhya Pradesh Professional Further investigation was kept guardians and middlemen, the Examination Board, known as open under section 173(8) of the said Vyapam officials Vyapam. Code Of Criminal Procedure manipulated digital data and It was alleged in the case that (CrPC). CBI'S INVESTIGATION OMR answer sheets of these the accused persons had During further investigation, the candidates to enhance their adopted a unique engine-bogie CBI reportedly found real marks and to illegally pass them system or method of cheating in identities of impersonators and in MPPMT-2012. MPPMT-2012 by engaging traced absconders. In the said It was also alleged that the then intelligent students from out of supplementary chargesheet, 54 principal system analyst of Madhya Pradesh as solver accused persons related to Vyapam, Bhopal had prepared The real identities of these numbers and email IDs which candidates for allowing copying manipulation of digital data and an excel sheet containing the impersonators were ascertained were filled in the application or of their answers by the OMR answer sheets and 19 names of the accused by making use of innovative counseling forms of beneficiaries or bogie accused related to candidates, their sponsors, the techniques, including obtaining impersonators. candidates and also impersonation were roll numbers, amounts paid or and scrutinizing data of the Database of photos of more manipulation of digital data and chargesheeted. to be paid, marks and category candidates of PMT than 18 lakh aspirant PMT OMR answer sheets of accused It was alleged that 19 accused etc, and the said excel sheet examinations from 2010-2014 of students, MBBS students as candidates by the said persons candidates had deliberately left was also recovered by the some states and AIPMT. The well as registered doctors for passing these candidates in ovals of 120 to 130 questions agency. agency also cross-checked the collected from medical colleges, MPPMT-2012. blank on their respective OMR It was further alleged that details of bank account, credit coaching centres, MCI, Medical The case was earlier registered answer sheets during the impersonation was found out cards and debit cards used for Education Directorates of some at STF police station in Madhya examination and the accused during investigation and 16 making payment of the states etc, and database along Pradesh's Bhopal. The Vyapam officials manipulated accused candidates were examination fees. with photos of untraceable Supreme Court had ordered the the digital data of OMR answer named in chargesheet as the Apart from this, the CBI also unidentified candidates were investigation of Vyapam scam sheets (computer data) and impersonators who belonged to identified social media profiles also scrutinised through experts case to be transferred to the CBI subsequently blackened the Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and created using the mobile phone and photo matching exercise. on July 9, 2015. corresponding answer circles in Rajasthan. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SPECIAL REPORT 46 Millet-based diet can lower risk of type 2 diabetes and help manage blood glucose level: Study

The study found that millets WORLD have a low average glycemic In India, diabetes seems to have index (GI) of 52.7, which is about assumed epidemic proportions. 30 per cent lower than what it is The condition has contributed to for milled rice and refined wheat. a high disease burden in the The glycemic index of millets is country between 1990 and about 14-37 points lower than 2016. what it is for maize. ''There is no easy solution. It All 11 types of millets studied requires a lifestyle change and either had low (less than 55) or diet is a very important part of medium GIs (55-69). Glycemic this. This study provides one index is an indicator of how part of the solution which can be much and how soon a food item useful for individuals and increases the blood sugar level. governments. How we use this ''The review concluded that finding and implement it into even after boiling, baking and programmes needs careful steaming (most common ways planning," said Dr Hemalatha, of cooking grains), millets had director at the National Institute lower GI than rice, wheat and of Nutrition in Hyderabad. A new study shows that millets for diabetic and pre- diabetic people who consumed maize,'' said Dr Raj Bhandari, According to the International a millet-based diet can lower the diabetic people as well as non- millets as part of their daily diet one of the study's authors and Diabetes Association, the rate of risk of type 2 diabetes and help diabetic people as a preventive saw their blood glucose levels a representative on the Indian diabetes is increasing in all to manage blood glucose levels measure. drop 12-15 per cent (fasting and National Technical Board of regions of the world. India, in people who have diabetes. This study is the first in a series post-meal). Their blood glucose Nutrition. He stressed that diet China and the USA have the Anew study led by the that researchers have been levels went from diabetic to pre- plays a critical role in controlling highest number of people with International Crops Research working on for the last four years diabetic levels. diabetes. diabetes. Institute for the Semi-Arid as part of the Smart Food The HbA1c (blood glucose Dr S Anitha, the study's lead However, the African continent Tropics (ICRISAT) has found initiative led by ICRISAT. The bound to hemoglobin) levels author and a senior nutrition has the largest predicted that having a millet-based diet studies will be released one by lowered by 17 per cent on scientist at ICRISAT, said, "A increase in diabetes patients of can reduce the risk of type 2 one in 2021. average for pre-diabetic review of the studies published 143 per cent from 2019 to 2045. diabetes as well as help to EATING MILLETS LEADS TO individuals, taking the levels in scientific journals proves that The authors of the current study manage blood glucose levels in DROP IN BLOOD GLUCOSE from pre-diabetic to normal millets keep blood glucose have urged people to diversify people who have diabetes. LEVELS status. levels in check, thereby their staples with millets in order The study notes the potential to Published in 'Frontiers in MILLETS HAVE LOW reducing the risk of diabetes." to keep diabetes in check, design appropriate meals with Nutrition', the study says that GLYCEMIC INDEX DIABETES IN INDIA AND THE especially across Asia and Africa. International Space Station thrown out of control by misfire of Russian module, says Nasa

The International Atlas V rocket on Friday from station to pitch out of its normal Montalbano, manager of to where it had begun, NASA Space Station (ISS) was thrown the Kennedy Space Center in flight position some 250 miles NASA's space station program. said. briefly out of control on Florida. above the Earth, leading the 'TUG-OF-WAR' Communication with the crew Thursday when jet thrusters of Thursday's mishap began mission's flight director to Flight teams on the ground was lost for several minutes a newly arrived Russian managed to restore the space twice during the disruption, but research module inadvertently station's orientation by "there was no immediate fired a few hours after it was activating thrusters on another danger at any time to the crew," docked to the orbiting outpost, module of the orbiting platform, Montalbano said. He said "the NASA officials said. NASA officials said. crew really didn't feel any The seven crew members In its broadcast coverage of the movement." Had the situation aboard - two Russian incident, RIA cited NASA become so dangerous as to cosmonauts, three NASA specialists at the Johnson require evacuation of astronauts, a Japanese Space Center in Houston, personnel, the crew could have astronaut and a European Texas, as describing the escaped in a SpaceX crew space agency astronaut from struggle to regain control of the capsule still parked at the France - were never in any space station as a "tug of war" outpost and designed to serve immediate danger, according to between the two modules. as a "lifeboat" if necessary, said NASA and Russian state- about three hours after the declare a "spacecraft At the height of the incident, the Steve Stich, manager of owned news agency RIA. multipurpose Nauka module emergency," U.S. space station was pitching out of NASA's commercial crew But the malfunction prompted had latched onto the space agency officials said. alignment at the rate of about a program. NASA to postpone until at least station, as mission controllers An unexpected drift in the half a degree per second, What caused the malfunction of Aug. 3 its planned launch of in Moscow were performing station's orientation was first Montalbano said during a NASA the thrusters on the Nauka Boeing's new CST-100 Starliner some post-docking detected by automated ground conference call with reporters. module, delivered by the capsule on a highly anticipated "reconfiguration" procedures, sensors, followed 15 minutes The Nauka engines were Russian space agency uncrewed test flight to the according to NASA. later by a "loss of attitude ultimately switched off, the Roscosmos, has yet to be space station. The Starliner had The module's jets inexplicably control" that lasted a little over space station was stabilized determined, NASA officials been set to blast off atop an restarted, causing the entire 45 minutes, according to Joel and its orientation was restored said. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SPECIAL REPORT 47 Isro launches merchandiser programme, theme-based T-shirts, toys available Launching the program in a virtual event, ISRO Chairman, K Sivan, said it makes him happy to see the immense interest the program has generated in such a short time.

The Indian Space more creative enterprises Research Organisation on would come forward to make Thursday formally launched its use of this opportunity and theme-based merchandise create diverse products, program with the selection of highlighting ISROs previous the first batch of nine registered and upcoming efforts, in a ISRO merchandisers. manner appealing to the Customized ISRO-theme- younger generation, as we take based products can play a the space program ''onwards 'game-changing' role in and upwards''. The registered creating awareness and ISRO merchandisers as of date kindling interest of the students, are Ankur Hobby Centre children, and public, in the (Gujarat), Black White Orange domain of space science & Brands Private Ltd technology, propagating the (Maharashtra), Indic achievements and laurels that Inspirations India Private Ltd ISRO brings to the nation, an (Maharashtra), Dhruva Space ISRO statement said. Private Limited (Telangana), An 'Announcement of virtual event, Secretary in the reach nook and corner of the intent is outreach and creating EENGN Private Ltd (Tamil Opportunity' had been floated Department of Space and ISRO country including northeast awareness through common Nadu), Imagic Creatives in this regard, where interested Chairman, K Sivan, said it States & Jammu & Kashmir and products such as toys, Do-it- Private Ltd (Karnataka), agencies were invited to apply makes him happy to see the take the ISRO story among the Yourself kits, and T-shirts, Touchstone Enterprises to become registered ISRO immense interest the program youth and kids'', he said. among others, which kindle Private Ltd (Karnataka) and merchandisers, the Bengaluru- has generated in such a short Sivan also emphasized that the curiosity and serve as Mankutimma Studios Private headquartered space agency time. merchandise program has not ''reminiscence'' of ISRO Ltd (Karnataka) and Specific said. ''I am certain that the products been rolled out with a success. Impulse Technologies Private Launching the program in a created from your efforts shall commercial interest; rather, the He expressed hope that many Ltd (Punjab). Indian astronomers peek into the Sun using sound, find intriguing internal layer The layer exists very close to the solar surface and its understanding is critical to know more about sunspot formation and solar cycle. The Sun has always existence for the first time. In a have shown otherwise, been the centre of attention for study published in the journal explaining that it holds near the astronomers looking to explore Notices of the Royal surface as well. Led by Bibhuti the coronal developments and Astronomical Society, Kumar Jha, a researcher with to prep the world for its researchers used the Aryabhatta Research dangerous effects. Now, two helioseismology, a technique of Institute of Observational Indian astronomers have using sound waves to peek Sciences (ARIES) and peeked into the internal rotation inside the Sun. Professor Arnab Rai Choudhuri, of the Sun using sound waves They provide an explanation of from the Indian Institute of revealing the existence of an this layer based on the thermal Science in Bangalore, the study intriguing layer. wind balance equation that forwards the first indication of The layer marks the position explains how the slight the existence of such a layer where the rotation profile of the difference in temperature that came more than half a Sun changes sharply adding to between solar poles and century ago. Understanding the already known equator, called thermal wind NSSL is crucial for the study of activity, ending, the Sun is explosion. The sunspot, which phenomenon that the Sun's term, is balanced by the several solar phenomena like 'waking up' again. The Sun had is now gone, occurred over the equator spins faster than the centrifugal force appearing due sunspot formation, solar cycles, recently erupted the biggest star's northwestern limb. The poles. The layer is called Near- to solar differential rotation. and it will also help in flare in over four years that led latest eruption marked the Surface Shear Layer (NSSL) While most scientists believe understanding such to blackout over the Atlantic. The beginning of a new solar cycle, existing very close to the solar that the condition is true only in phenomena in other stars, the sunspot AR2838 burst through ionizing the top of Earth's surface. the interior of the Sun, and it researchers argue. With the the surface of the sun atmosphere, causing a Indian astronomers have found does not hold near the solar solar minimum, a period marked unleashing the strongest solar shortwave radio blackout over a theoretical explanation for its surface, the two researchers by the least amount of solar flare in four years, an X1.5-class the Atlantic Ocean. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 SPECIAL REPORT 48 South Korea, North Korea resume communication amid diplomatic stalemate with US The leaders of North and South Korea restored suspended communication channels between them and agreed to improve ties, both governments said Tuesday.

The leaders of North develop their relationships liaison office just north of the and South Korea restored again as soon as possible," countries' border. suspended communication senior Blue House official Park Many experts said the channels between them and Soo Hyun said in a televised provocative North Korean agreed to improve ties, both briefing. Park said the two action signaled the North had governments said Tuesday, Koreas subsequently reopened grown frustrated that Seoul has amid a 2.5-year-stalemate in communication channels on failed to revive lucrative inter- Korea if its economic difficulties favors, Nam said. "North Korea US-led diplomacy aimed at Tuesday morning. Korean economic projects and worsen. Mismanagement, can also build up an stripping North Korea of its North Korea's state media persuade the U.S. to ease storm damage and border (international image) that it's nuclear weapons. quickly confirmed the South international sanctions on the shutdowns during the willing to continue dialogue" with While the move could certainly Korean announcement. North. coronavirus pandemic have the outside world.According to help ease animosities on the "Now, the whole Korean nation Moon, who espouses greater further depleted North Korea's Moon's office, the recent letters Korean Peninsula, it's unclear desires to see the North-South reconciliation with North Korea, broken economy and Kim in exchanged between Moon and whether Pyongyang would go relations recovered from earlier shuttled between recent speeches called for his Kim didn't discuss holding a as far as to revive previous setback and stagnation as early Pyongyang and Washington to people to brace for prolonged summit or phone talks between vigorous cooperation programs as possible," the official Korean facilitate a first summit between COVID-19 restrictions. While them.Park Won Gon, a professor with Seoul and get back to the Central News Agency said. "In Kim and then-President Donald his remarks may indicate the of North Korea studies at Seoul's nuclear talks with Washington. this regard, the top leaders of Trump. But North Korea potential for a worsening Ewha Womans University, said Some experts say North Korean the North and the South agreed abruptly turned the cold economic situation, outside North Korea may intend for steps leader Kim Jong Un merely to make a big stride in shoulder to Moon after a second monitoring groups haven't seen to help South Korean liberals intends to burnish his recovering the mutual trust and Kim-Trump summit fell apart in signs of mass starvation or supporting greater North Korea international image or use promoting reconciliation by early 2019 due to disputes over social chaos in the country of 26 ties win next March's South Korea as leverage ahead restoring the cutoff inter-Korean U.S.-led sanctions. million people.Nam Sung-wook, presidential elections.He said of a potential resumption of talks communication liaison lines Since taking office in January, a professor at Korea University, it's unlikely North Korea's with the U.S. through the recent several the administration of President said the restoration of the agreement to restore the Since April, Kim and South exchanges of personal letters." Joe Biden has called on North communication channels won't communication lines meant its Korean President Moon Jae-in Last year, North Korea cut off Korea to return to the talks. But likely lead to dramatic pandemic-related difficulties exchanged personal letters all communication channels North Korea has insisted it won't improvement in ties, such as worsened to a level that forced several times and decided to with South Korea in protest of rejoin the talks unless the U.S. another Moon-Kim summit. it to reach out to get urgent normalize the cross-border what it called South Korea's withdraws its hostile policy "North Korea knows it has to sit assistance. He cited reports communication channels as a failure to stop activists from against the North, an apparent down for talks with the Biden that North Korea is still first step toward improving floating anti-Pyongyang leaflets reference to the sanctions. administration one day. It thinks refusing to receive aid even relations, Moon's office said. across their border. An angry Some experts earlier said North South Korea still has an from China, its major ally, due The two leaders agreed to North Korea later blew up an Korea may be compelled to effective value ... to make Biden to worries that aid deliveries "restore mutual confidence and empty, South Korean-built reach out to the U.S. or South move" in a direction that it could spread the virus. Mysteriously large meteor lights up Norway; may have hit Earth near Oslo Preliminary data suggested a meteorite may have hit Earth in a large wooded area, called Finnemarka, just 60 km west of the capital, Oslo.

An "unusually large footage and other data on sky for about five to six seconds, meteor" briefly lit up southern Sunday to try to pinpoint the Bilet said. The summer sky was Norway on Sunday, creating a meteor's origin and destination. dark, with the days starting to spectacular sound and light Preliminary data suggested a get shorter from the end of display as it rumbled across the meteorite may have hit Earth in June. Some eyewitnesses also sky, and a bit of it may have hit a large wooded area, called said they felt a stronger wind Earth, possibly not far from the Finnemarka, just 60 km (40 blow with the event also capital, Oslo, experts said. miles) west of the capital, Oslo, causing a pressure wave, There were no immediate the network said. "This was Bilet said. "What we had last reports of injuries or damage. crazy," the network's Morten night was a large rock Reports of sightings started Bilet, who saw and heard the travelling likely from between arriving around 1 a.m. with the meteor, told Reuters. Mars and Jupiter, which is our phenomena being seen as far By Sunday afternoon no debris asteroid belt. And when that north as Trondheim. had been found and given the whizzes in, it creates a rumble, A web camera in Holmestrand, "demanding" location, one light and great excitement particularly frightened, Bilet Chelyabinsk in 2013 rained south of Oslo, captured a fireball could take "some 10 years" among us (experts) and maybe said, adding that for those fireballs over a vast area and falling from the sky and erupting searching for possible some fear among others," Bilet nearest it was likely more of a caused a shock wave that into a bright flash lighting up a meteorites, Bilet said. The said. "spooky" event. smashed windows, damaged marina. The Norwegian Meteor meteor travelled at 15-20 km There were no reports of A meteor that exploded over the buildings and injured 1,200 network was analysing video per second and lit up the night damage or people being central Russia near the city of people. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 HEALTH & FITNESS 49 More Evidence That Limiting Red and Processed Meat May Be Good for Your Heart

In a new review, 32,000 people who later went and processed meats will lower researchers found that eating on to develop ischemic heart the risk of ischemic heart more red and processed meat disease.Compared with people disease," says Rod Jackson, - but not poultry - was with the lowest daily red meat MBChB, PhD, a professor of associated with a higher risk of consumption - up to 25 g (0.9 epidemiology at the University developing ischemic heart oz) - people with the highest of Auckland in New Zealand, disease. daily red meat intake - 25 to 141 who wasn't involved in the Cutting back on red meat in g (5 oz) - were 12 percent more study.Poultry doesn't have the your diet may maintain healthy likely to develop ischemic heart same risk because it doesn't blood flow to your heart. A disease. have the same amount of review published in July 2021 Similarly, people with the saturated fat that is typically in Critical Reviews in Food highest daily processed meat found in red and processed Science and Nutrition found consumption - up to 10 g (0.4 meat, Dr. Jackson that the risk of developing oz) - were 11 percent more likely says."Saturated fat is the major studies only assessed dietary and trimming any visible fat ischemic heart disease rises 9 to develop ischemic heart dietary cause of ischemic heart habits at a single point in time, may help reduce the risk of percent with every additional disease than people with the disease," Jackson adds. and it's possible that people's ischemic heart disease 50 grams (g), or 1.8 ounces lowest daily processed meat Limitations of the Study eating habits changed in ways associated with this food, (oz), of red meat people eat consumption - 9 to 78 g (2.8 oz). There are several caveats to the that might have influenced their Jackson says. It can be more each day, and the risk climbs However, there wasn't a study findings. For starters, risk of developing heart disease. difficult to remove fat from 18 percent with each extra 50 significant difference in the risk most of the smaller studies In addition, it's not clear from the certain processed meats, but g of processed meat. of ischemic heart disease based included in the analysis used study how people prepared their with products like bacon where Researchers examined data on how much poultry people ate food frequency questionnaires food or what cuts of meat they fat is visible it can be trimmed, pooled from 13 previously each day. There also wasn't a to assess meat intake, which ate, both of which might Jackson adds. "You don't need published studies that had a meaningful increase in the risk don't always provide a reliable influence their risk of developing to eliminate red and processed total of more than 1.4 million of ischemic heart disease with picture of how people eat. ischemic heart disease, meat from your diet, participants without heart each additional 50 g a day of Another limitation of the analysis Jackson says.For example, particularly if you remove the disease, including more than poultry intake."Reducing red is that many of the smaller choosing lean cuts of red meat visible fat," Jackson says. Sugary Drinks Are Linked to Greater Risk of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer developing colorectal cancer by or artificially sweetened drinks and sweetened beverages. Not 16 percent.In examining a did not appear to heighten only do they contribute to subset of 41,272 nurses who cancer risk.Alfred Neugut, MD, obesity, but they have been had recorded their sugary drink a professor of cancer research linked to other types of cancer, consumption from ages 13 to 18, at Columbia University in New diabetes, and heart researchers found that a serving York City, who was not involved disease."The results here join a a day was linked to 32 percent in the research, notes that the whole mosaic of negative greater likelihood in developing study provides further evidence outcomes for sweetened cancer.They noted that fruit juice of the ill health effects of sugar beverages," he said. Addressing adolescent mental Colorectal cancer has sweetened teas, or sports and been rising rapidly among young energy drinks) compared with health need of the hour: Experts adults. Since the 1990s, the rate those who on average There was an urgent need to focus losing loved ones and anxieties about their of this disease (which includes consumed less than one of these on mental health in discussions and policy future, and this had a potential of long-term cancers of the colon and rectum) products per week.For the making, with particular attention to address impact on adolescent mental health, he added. has more than doubled among research, Yin Cao, ScD, MPH, the problems of adolescents, said experts at Experts further said online schooling had adults younger than 50, associate professor of surgery at a webinar, 'Breaking the barriers: Addressing exacerbated the digital divide, which already according to the National Cancer Washington University School of adolescent mental health', recently organised existed in the country. According to National Institute (NCI).The NCI suggests Medicine in St. Louis, and by ETI (Empower, Transform and Inspire). ETI Sample Survey (NSS) 2017-2018, only 4.4 per an unhealthy diet may be a collaborators reviewed health along with George Institute of Global Health cent rural households have access to contributing factor. A meta- data on more than 94,000 has commenced a series of focused computers. Further, only 14.9 per cent rural analysis of more than 100 female registered nurses discussions on the subject and the status of households have access to the internet. This studies, published April 2018 in between the ages of 25 and 42. mental health in India.Dr Virander Singh led to many not having access to online the journal Obesity, found that Every four years, participants Chauhan, founder, ETI, said the Covid-19 education, which contributed to stress over half of younger adults with completed a questionnaire, pandemic had had a debilitating impact not keeping up with school work and apprehensions colorectal cancer were which included details on their only on physical health but also on mental. about the future, experts added. Dr Sukriti overweight and 17 percent were beverage consumption. Adolescents form one-fifth of the Indian Chauhan, CEO of ETI, who moderated the obese.A study published in May During an average follow-up of population, but were still left out of panel discussion, said students able to 2021 the journal Gut lends more 24 years, the scientists observed conversations around access to safe spaces, attend online classes also reported issues support to this notion. The 109 cases of colorectal cancer he added.He said the shift to online schooling, of fatigue, inadequate attention and investigation revealed that the among the women. Based on distancing from peers, and lack of a regular loneliness due to lack of social interaction. She risk of developing colorectal this information, Dr. Cao and the schedule had made an impact on the social said the impact on the mental health of girls was cancer doubled in women who her coauthors calculated that and emotional development of young minds. more severe, as the burden of additional each week drank two or more each additional serving of sugary This was also compounded by the fear of domestic work also fell upon them. sugary drinks (such as soda, drinks raised the risk of Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 ENTERTAINMENT 50 Anushka Sharma can't get the viral Bachpan Ka Pyar boy out of her head.

Anushka Anushka has not Sharma has got an announced her ear worm. Sahdev next project since Dirdo, the young boy 2018's Zero. The who has gone viral film, which was for his song Bachpan directed by Aanand Ka Pyar, is giving L Rai and co- her sleepless starred Shah Rukh nights as well. Khan and Katrina On Wednesday, Kaif, did not Anushka took to perform well at the Instagram Stories to share camera as he sings the song in box office. However, Anushka a meme about the boy. In a uniform tone, cracking up has been keeping busy with it, a person is seen lying those around him. The video production ventures such as awake in the night went viral recently and even Paatal Lok, Bulbbul and Qala. because they can't get singer Badshah has shared a Anushka and her husband Sahdev's song out of remix version of it. On Virat Kohli also welcomed their head. Anushka Wednesday, Chattisgarh chief their daughter Vamika earlier simply shared some minister Bhupesh Baghel also this year. Announcing her laughter emojis with felicitated the boy with a name, Anushka wrote, "We her post. Anushka garland and got him to sing have lived together with love reposted the meme for him on video.Comedians , presence and gratitude as from basketball Bharti Singh, Krushna a way of life but this little one player and cricketer Abhishek and Sudesh Lahiri , Vamika. has taken it to a Ishant Sharma's wife also performed to the songs whole new level! Tears , Pratima Singh's page. on the sets of The Kapil laughter , worry , bliss - Sahdev's school Sharma Show promo shoot. emotions that have been teacher recorded a The Mumbai Police also experienced in a span of video of him singing the caught on the trend tweeting, minutes sometimes ! Sleep is song Bachpan Ka Pyaar "Was your bachpan ka pyaar a elusive. but our hearts are SO in their classroom in secret? Then your password full. Thanking you all for your 2019. Wearing a blue shirt, might still be safe. Just add a wishes , prayers and good Sahdev looks straight into the few special characters to it!" energy." Entertainment Industry and even her good friends distance themselves from Shilpa Shetty

As her husband Raj support . Or ask about her friends only as long as you are Kundra's troubles are seen to children working together. Once the mount, the Indian An actor from a film family tells working relationship ends, all entertainment industry me, "This (the adult-content other considerations notorious for its self-centred scandal) is too sleazy. It's not automatically expire. Your attitude, has kept away from like a routine controversy. No family and a few trusted friends the controversy. Not one from outside the film industry individual from Bollywood has are all one has." come forward to express even In this hour of abject darkness a semblance of solidarity for Shilpa whom I know to be an Shilpa Shetty who has been extremely emotional person, part of the film industry for must be counting her friends, almost 30 years, and has as they evaporate one by one. always been known to be a Guru Dutt experienced the good friend to many Bollywood solitude of showbiz long ago denizens. A source close to one wants to be seen when he sang 'Dekhi Zamanein Shilpa says no one from anywhere near to this." Ki Yaari Bichde Sabhi Baari among her good friends in the Where exactly does this place Baari'. Not that there is any industry-and we don't need to Shilpa? Not in a very enviable comparison between the two. name them, just check her position. As rumours of her But Kaagaz Ke Phool and these party photos and social media arrest gather momentum I paper fools who spend fortunes images to know who she hung recall a conversation with her in keeping up an appearance around with-has bothered to where she told me, "You can't often at the cost of their integrity even make an obligatory call, have friends in this film and reputation, are distant let alone extend a hand in industry. Over here you are cousins. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 ENTERTAINMENT 51 Ayushmann Khurrana Reveals 'Nothing Was Working'; Wanted To Quit Acting After Flop Films

Known for his Bhava' if not for the films. songs like Paani Da Rang, unconventional roles and Khurrana stated that he would Saadi Galli Mitti Di Khushbhoo movies, Ayushmann Khurrana's continue entertaining people at and Yahin Hoon Main. In 2008, Ayushmann journey in Bollywood is dubbed birthday parties or writing a he married filmmaker Tahira as one of the most inspiring book but, would not stop being Kashyap and shares two kids Khurrana stories. Starting off as a video an artist. His passion for art is with her. jockey, the actor grabbed the evidently reflected on his opportunity of debuting on the social media platform as big screen with Vicky Donor and the actor constantly shares steadily climbed the ladder of videos of him becoming one of the most experimenting with music sought-after actors in Bollywood and musical instruments. in recent times. However, in his Recently, he admitted being low moments, Khurranna obsessed with playing 'Tank'. revealed that he had decided to More on Ayushmann quit acting and pack up to his Khurrana's journey hometown. The debuted in Bollywood in Ayushmann Khurrana wanted 2012 in the comedy-drama to quit acting Vicky Donor and went on to In his recent appearance on a appear in several successful talk show hosted by a popular movies. Ayushmann Khurrana's Bollywood actor, the 36-year- movies like Bareilly Ki Barfi, old divulged the ups and downs Badhaai Ho, Andhadhun, in his Bollywood journey. The and Shubh Mangal Zyada actor revealed that after Saavdhan are some of delivering three consecutive his biggest hits. His latest flops, he decided to pack up his movie Gaurav Solanki's career and move back to his Article 15 was a huge home town in Chandigarh. critically acclaimed movie and Adding further, he revealed that also received positive feedback 'nothing was working for him' at at the box office. that point in time. READ | Ayushmann Khurrana However, not giving up on his gives befitting reply to troll who passion, the actor sternly says he doesn't have the looks admitted that he would work on Along with movies, the talented his music band 'Ayushmann artist has also lent his voice to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Marvel release new TV spot, fans are impressed by seamless CGI Marvel has released a new TV spot for their upcoming superhero movie, Shang-Chi. It stars Simu Liu in the lead with Awkwafina and Michelle Yeoh as well.

Marvel has released a new TV we have seen in almost all trailer is better than some other spot for their upcoming teasers and trailers for the Marvel films! Super excited," superhero movie, Shang-Chi movie so far. Shang-Chi's father read a comment on the video. and the Legend of the Ten tells him how the 10 rings have "When Marvel finally Rings. The video shares a given 'legendary power' to their remembered they had other special insight into the powerful family and asks him to prove films other than Black Widow," 10 rings and how our that he is worthy of it. However, read another. protagonist, Shang-Chi played he doesn't seem to be in a mood Shang-Chi is directed by Destin by Simu Liu, learns to harness to prove anything. "I am nothing Daniel Cretton and is the first their power. The new spot like you," he says. There is Marvel film with an Asian begins with Shang-Chi some underwater CGI action, a character as lead. Cretton said descending into a fighting ring ninja army, a helicopter flight, in a statement, "Shang-Chi's with his shirt off. Awkwafina, some drifting cars and a few main problem in his life is rooted who plays his friend Katy, levitating rings added to the mix. in not knowing who he really is. all of it-the good, the bad, the light Michelle Yeoh as Jiang Nan, as cracks a joke about it, perhaps Fans, overall, seemed excited He has to learn how to own and the dark-and to own it all, he well as Fala Chen, Meng'er to calm his nerves. The action for the movie, which releases in every part of himself. If he won't be able to reach his full Zhang, Florian Munteanu, and then goes to the same tram fight September. "The CGI in this doesn't allow himself to look at potential." Shang-Chi also stars Ronny Chieng. Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 52

The Home of Solid Games www.greystonegames.com Voice of South Asian Community Since March 2002 Vol. 20 Issue 22 Friday 30 July to 6 August 2021 $1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com BioNTech to develop first mRNA- Bezos' big gamble: Offers NASA $2 billion based vaccine for malaria by 2022 in exchange for moon mission contract (SAI Bureau)- Jeff Bezos record of orbital missions and other is trying to outpace Elon Musk's factors in a contract decision that SpaceX as the billionaire offers senior NASA official Kathy Lueders Nasa to cover $2 billion in costs called "what's the best value to the for its Moon lander. government." Fresh off his trip to space, In a letter to NASA Administrator billionaire businessman Jeff Bezos Bill Nelson, Bezos said Blue Origin on Monday offered to cover up to would waive payments in the $2 billion in NASA costs if the U.S. government's current fiscal year space agency awards his and the next ones after that up to (SAI Bureau)- After tackling the Covid- company Blue Origin a contract to $2 billion, and pay for an orbital 19 pandemic with its mRNA vaccine, BioNTech make a spacecraft designed to mission to vet its technology. In is planning to use the same technology to land astronauts back on the moon. exchange, Blue Origin would develop a first of its kind vaccine for malaria, NASA in April awarded rival accept a firm, fixed-priced contract, with an end of 2022 target to begin clinical billionaire entrepreneur Elon contractor Dynetics. Blue Origin had and cover any system testing. BioNTech's malaria project is part of the Musk's SpaceX a $2.9 billion partnered with Lockheed Martin development cost overruns, Bezos 'eradicateMalaria' initiative, led by the kENUP contract to build a spacecraft to Corp (LMT.N), Northrop Grumman said. Foundation, to accelerate the eradication of the bring astronauts to the lunar Corp (NOC.N) and Draper in the bid. "NASA veered from its original mosquito-borne disease. The efforts are surface as early as 2024, rejecting The space agency cited its own dual-source acquisition strategy supported by the World Health bids from Blue Origin and defense funding shortfalls, SpaceX's proven (Contd on page 31) (Contd on page 31) Raj Kundra's arrest: What laws say 'Rs 3,000 fine for watching porn': How ED arrests Ambience about making porn movies in India group promoter Raj Singh (SAI Bureau)- Businessman and Bollywood gang duped hundreds of people Gehlot in Rs 800 crore actor Shilpa Shetty's husband Raj Kundra has been Police said the gang, bank loan fraud case arrested on several charges including cheating, whose mastermind (SAI Bureau)-The making pornography etc. The Mumbai Police operates from Cambodia, received complaints from more than one woman of ED has arrested Raj Singh managed to extort more being lured into starring in adult content for Raj Gehlot, promoter of the than Rs 30 lakh from Ambience group, in a Kundra's app Hotshots, which is presently owned thousands across the by a UK firm, which allegedly belongs to Kundra's money-laundering case country in the last six brother-in-law. After a few arrests and raids, the linked to an alleged bank months. Police claim they loan fraud of Rs 800 crore, police finally reached Raj Kundra. The charges under travelled more than 2,000 which Raj Kundra has been booked include Section officials said on Thursday. km in Tamil Nadu for a 420 (cheating), Section 34 (common intention), 292 They said Gehlot is expected (SAI Bureau)- The Delhi week to nab the accused.DCP (Cyber to be produced before a and 293 and (Contd on page 32) Police Cyber Cell arrested three men Cell) Anyesh Roy said, "There were a court here after he was who allegedly extorted money from few complaints online about fake ads arrested under the New Yorkers to enjoy people by telling them they had been and pop-ups warning internet users that provisions of the Prevention found watching porn online and that they were caught watching pornography of Money Laundering Act India Day Parade in it's illegal. The accused allegedly sent and it's illegal. These notices also had (PMLA). Long Island fake police notices to their targets, UPI payment and QR code payment The central probe agency asking them to pay a fine of Rs 3,000 options to pay the 'fines'." had raided Gehlot, his (Our Staff Reporter) Its celebration time for the or face legal action. (Contd on page 31) (Contd on page 32) entire Indian Community residing in Long Island. On August 8, 2021 the community will enjoy the 10th India Day Parade to rejoice India’s 75th Independence Day in Hicksville, NY. Most importantly this will be the one and only parade occurring in whole of New York, announced by the officials of IDP USA, the organizer, at a press conference on July 28. (Contd on page 3)