Azmat Biwi, who belongs to a remote area of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, has scripted history by winning a bronze medal in under-21 Individual Kumite 55 weight category at the recently-concluded 9th Commonwealth Karate Championship which was held in Durban, South Africa from November 29 to December 2.
This is the first time that a girl from the Valley went on to clinch a medal in the Commonwealth Games.
The bronze-medal winner expressed happiness over the victory and credited her parents and coach for their continuous support in her journey. The youngster, however, admitted that it is difficult to train when one is living in a border area. She said that if a proper indoor training hall was provided to them, she would have performed better in the tournament.
“I am feeling proud. I went out of the country and played. Everybody here gave me a warm welcome; all of them are congratulating me. My parents supported me throughout my journey. They never stopped me from going anywhere. Above all, it was the coach’s support that made me capable enough to compete at international level,” Azmat Biwi told agencies.
Coach of Azmat Bibi, Charan Singh Slathia, said that it is a proud moment for him as a girl from a small village went to a foreign country to participate in an international event and won a medal for her nation.
Indian Assistant Coach Sanjay Bangar on Sunday highlighted the lower order collapse as one of the areas the team can improve going ahead in the Test series against Australia and said it is now about “crossing the line”.
The visitors lost their last seven wickets for 73 runs, and the last five for 25 runs, as they were bowled out for 307 runs in the second innings of the opening Test at the Adelaide Oval.
Chasing 323, Australia finished day four at 104 for four. Bangar said the expectation was of another 25 runs from the lower order, which collapsed as soon as Rishabh Pant holed out after an attacking inning.
“We were expecting at least 25 runs. That’s an area where we are continuously looking to improve. And we hope the lower order, especially number 9, 10 and 11 show more application than they did today,” he said.
“When Rishabh Pant walked in we were 260-odd. Immediately he released the pressure and gave us those quick 30-35 runs. Once he had put us in that position, we expected that with time, with a better approach and calculation, tactically he could have done better,” he said.
“But you don’t want to take the fearlessness away from him otherwise. Hitting against the turn and getting those boundaries are high percentage shots. Those are the shots that many courageous players have played.”
Bangar said that it bodes well that Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane had started this series well and that they had batted in some very difficult conditions in South Africa and England.
He added that there had been some tough conditions in previous tours, and the criticism at times can be unreasonable.
Talking further about Pujara, Bangar said that he had achieved his set targets.
Bangar said that Rahane had been batting well on the previous tours and is very close to scoring a big hundred again.
The coach also praised the top-order for an improve showing in the second innings.
“In the second innings, we had a better start. It gave us a base. That is what we expect from the opening partnership,” he added.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has claimed that Loktantrik Janata Dal founder Sharad Yadav is siding with the RJD as he finds nothing wrong in the alleged benami properties owned by its president Lalu Prasad’s family.
The remarks of Modi, who is also a senior BJP leader, followed Yadav’s meeting with Prasad, who is currently lodged at a hospital in Ranchi on account of ill-health.
Prasad is serving sentences in fodder scam cases.
“Sharad Yadav finds the benami wealth of Lalu family as legitimate and therefore, he rebelled against the JD(U) and started siding with the RJD,” Modi tweeted on Saturday.
The Income Tax department and Enforce Directorate have attached properties allegedly belonged to Prasad’s family earlier this year.
Yadav formed his own outfit, Loktantrik Janata Dal, in April this year after he was disqualified from the Rajya Sabha following a petition filed by the JD(U) before the Chairman of the Upper House.
Sushil Modi also criticised Yadav for “making an inappropriate comment against Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia, but keeping mum on the extradition of Christian Michel, who is involved in the Rs 255-crore Augusta Westland helicopter scam of which the Gandhi family was a beneficiary”.
After drawing flak over his remarks against the Rajasthan CM a couple of days ago, he expressed regret and said he would write a letter to her.
“Sharad Yadav is becoming a part of a front opposed to the NDA government, which has curbed black money, and ending up helping the Lalu-Gandhi families in protecting their ill-gotten wealth,” Sushil Modi alleged.
Two days ahead of a protest by Goa mining dependents in New Delhi, a state minister said such stirs would not help in finding a solution to the issue.
Mining in Goa came to a standstill in March this year after the Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases and banned the extraction of fresh ore.
Goa Mining People’s Front, an umbrella organisation of mining dependents, had in November announced that it would hold a protest between December 11-13 in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan and Jantar Mantar.
Speaking on the issue Sunday, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, “A solution to the (mining) issue has to come through discussions at government to government level.”
He said Goa Chief Minister Parrikar was in touch with “certain people” in Delhi to ensure mining resumes in the state.
“Being an MLA from the mining belt, I have sympathy for the mining dependents and their interests should be protected. I have said CM Manohar Parrikar and the state government will have to work out a solution,” he said.
Rane said there were “two-three options” on the issue before the government and he expressed confidence that a solution would be found.
He said the discussions on Goa mining would restart once results of polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram are declared on December 11.
He said BJP leaders were busy with poll campaigning all this while.
Amid growing demands for farm loan waivers, NITI Aayog Member and agriculture policy expert Ramesh Chand said he is not in favour of debt waivers as this help only a small fraction of farmers.
The country recently witnessed agitations by farmers in key farm states in support of their demands ranging from farm loan waiver to clearing of dues by sugar mills and higher prices for crops.
“The biggest problem with loan waiver is that it will benefit only a small fraction of farmers…I am not at all in favour of loan waiver,” Chand, who has been involved in policy formulation for the last 15 years, told agencies in an interview.
He also observed that in poorer states only 10-15 per cent of farmers are benefited from loan waiver as few numbers of farmers get institutional loans in such states.
When asked about implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, he said Narendra Modi-led NDA government has implemented most of the recommendations of the Commission.
Chand further said the minimum support price (MSP) on various farm produce cannot be raised beyond a point it is not supported by the demand side factors as it would become too distorted and unaffordable for a large section of the society.
While the Swaminathan committee has suggested the MSP should be fixed on C2 (production cost definition) plus 50 per cent, the government has adopted A2+FL (actual cost plus the value of family labour) and a 50 per cent increase over A2+FL to provide a reasonable margin to producers.
“…I am in favour of enhancing the income of farmers but to enhance the income by only giving them the price by government, which is not reflected in the demand of the society can have very adverse fiscal implications because many a consumer would not be able to buy such produce and it will end up in mounting public stocks,” the noted agriculture economist argued.
“Cost of such stock and interest thereon will rise, so it becomes so costly,” he added. Further, if MSP is too high compared to open market price, the export will suffer and the country will become attractive for import from many countries.
The flyover that became a garden is a landmark and may tempt other states to look for such an arrangement down below the flyovers to keep it clean and away from the hands of encroachers and at the same time enjoy the green surroundings in the best way possible. Matunga residents transformed the space under a flyover into a breath-taking garden, Mumbai’s first such initiative, and gave the headway start. Now, we have seen a facelift in 11 places across the city and 15 gardens similar to the one under Matunga flyover. Apart from this, 11 vertical gardens are proposed to beautify the city. In all, there will 22 gardens below flyovers and under skywalks and that is good news for Mumbaikars. The greenery and the beautifully coloured flowers will make it a heaven on earth and this idea really sound remarkable.
– Chandrasekherapuram Maniam
Serious cases of Swine Flu on the decrease
The outburst of H1N1 is on the decrease and the BMC did well with the number of cases coming down considerably. The number of Swine flu cases is on the decline this year and it is time thanks to the efforts of BMC. The Corporation has attended the cases on war footing and the report by the BMC is a clear indication. The Government machinery acts on the symptoms and that is the reason for the gradual improvement. Swine Flu is decreasing and it is creditable. Since swine flu is spreading drastically in non-slum areas, the position was alarming and BMC did a yeomen service to the society. The health department should be appreciated for the timely action. The civic authorities are overseeing foaming on regular basis and the volunteers are maintaining a record and making a marking on the day it was done. This year the number of cases of Swine Flu has reduced and the Health Department has addressed the problem on a priority basis.
– CK Ramani
Inoperative and matured accounts in post-offices
There is huge unclaimed money lying deposited in post-offices with even many account-holders and depositors died without having informed their legal heirs. There are always chances of frauds (like in banks) that some mischievous persons in connivance with certain postal-employees may try to grab such unknown deposits. Department of Posts should send letters by registered post in name of such account-holders and depositors not having operated their accounts and claimed for maturity-amounts of deposits in last say three years giving them a reasonable period of say three months to either renew their accounts or deposits. Otherwise, all such unclaimed money may be freezed in some fixed account, which may be allowed to be withdrawn only after careful verification. Details of all such accounts then should be made public also so that legal heirs may be able to claim but only after a vigorous scrutiny-procedure. Even return of mailing envelope will let legal heirs sense about such unclaimed deposit in case of deceased account-holders and depositors.
– Subhash Chandra Agrawal
Complicated circular of Department of Revenue
It refers to circular-number 65-39-2018-DOR dated September 14, 2018 by Department of Revenue, Government of India which has created unnecessary complications for account-departments of central ministries and others concerned wherein it is directed that on any payment made towards bills with GST, there will be two rates of Tax-Deducted-At-Source TDS, one on basic payment without TDS generally at rate of 10-percent, and second at rate of 2-percent on amount of GST.
Such dual rate of TDS on a single payment creates unnecessary confusion and complication for all concerned without any appreciable relief to the payee. Best is to have single rate of TDS on total payment inclusive of GST for simplicity in accounting. Income Tax provisions should be further simplified by abolishing separate number for those deducting tax at source. There should be only one Permanent Account Number PAN, which may also be basis for deducting tax at source.
– Madhu Agrawal
Indian hockey team displays glimpses of World Champions
India showed glimpses of World Champions as they drub Canada 5-1 to earn a direct entry into the quarter-finals of World Cup Hockey being held in our country. Indian hockey has been on the slide over the years and this is a great opportunity to turn tables to prove that we are still a force to reckon with in world hockey. We have the talent but the encouragement is missing. There is hardly any money in hockey which is the reason why youngsters with sporting talent prefer cricket to hockey.
India is now just a couple of wins away to make it to the finals. Even finishing in the top 4 would be creditable and winning the cup would be an icing on the cake. The government, along with the sports federation should pump in money to encourage not just hockey but sports like Boxing, Wrestling, Gymnastics etc. where we have the talent to be the best but lack of encouragement and infrastructure adversely affects our performances at the international competitions. Wishing our hockey team the very best to win the ongoing World Cup which would be a proud moment for us Indians.
– SN Kabra
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Mahaparinirvan Diwas 2018 was observed on Thursday, December 6. Dr. Ambedkar had died on December 6 in 1956 and that’s why Dr. Ambedkar Mahaparinirvan Din or death anniversary is observed every year all over India on the same day to pay him tribute and honour. He is called as “The Father of the Indian Constitution”. Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar may not have been a hero of the war of Indian independence, but he is the hero who built an independent India. After decades of neglect, one of the finest minds and statesmen of India Dr. Ambedkar is now invoked by almost everybody on the public scene. It is no wonder that everyone called him ‘Babasaheb’ out of love and admiration. He was the lion-hearted man who fought for equality, justice, and humanity. The Constitution of India written by the Dr. Ambedkar is still guiding the country and helps it in emerging out safely even after it had passed throughout the several crises. BR Ambedkar was also a supporter of equality and that’s why he was actively involved in fighting against social discrimination and rights of women and Dalits. Despite this stigma, he worked his way forward fighting discrimination at every step and achieved the highest degrees from world-famous universities and rose to become one of the makers of modern India.
He was no doubt a great man who single-handedly gave millions the hope to live and prosper in a society that deprived them of even the most basic needs. Babasaheb greatly contributed to the nation as a jurist, philosopher, politician, anthropologist, economist, and historian. His statue, with its ubiquitous electric blue suit, may be a common sight at the bus stands, bases, and universities, but it hardly brings out the fact that his life is one that was overshadowed by iconography and idolatry. The leadership of Baba Saheb and his teachings contained in his spoken and written word have given them sufficient independence of thought and action. Like most great men of the world, he was the most misunderstood person in his own time. He had chosen a thorny path to tread on while others preferred the rosy path for their life journey. A march was also led by him in the year 1927 at Mahad, Maharashtra, for ascertaining the equal rights for untouchable people who were not allowed to even touch or taste the water of “Public Chawdar Lake”. He led the temple entry movement in the year 1930 at Kalaram Temple, Nashik, and Maharashtra for real human rights and political justice. According to him, political power is not the only way to solve all the problems of depressed class people but they should get equal rights in society in every field.
Dr. Ambedkar, with his worldly perspective, changed the country’s fate. He was a liberator and philosopher. Dr. Ambedkar was a man ahead of his time. We remember his efforts to eradicate social evils and the importance he gave to education. He decided to delve into the history of human discrimination and the menace of untouchability. As independent India’s first Law Minister, Dr. Ambedkar collaborated closely with Prime Minister Nehru in fighting against oppressive social hierarchies in the Indian society. He hit the nail on the head when he said that the caste system in India was the root cause of the evil practice. Those who play politics of caste have no interest in the welfare of poor people even within their caste. A nation can only progress if there is a feeling of unity. Babasaheb became a voice for the oppressed and downtrodden. His ideals and thoughts will continue to guide us in our mission for an equal society. Dr. Ambedkar added that after Independence, we had greater responsibilities and that if things went wrong, we would have nobody to blame except ourselves.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday inaugurated the Kannur international airport making Kerala the only state in the country to have four international airports.
The other three international airports are Cochin International Airport, Trivandrum International Airport, and Calicut International Airport.
The first commercial flight from the airport, an Air India Express flight IX 715 with 180 passengers on board to Abu Dhabi, was flagged off by the two chief guests present at the inaugural today morning.
Spread across 2,000 acres of area, this new international airport is likely to boost tourism in the region like Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargode. It may also increase the inter-trade in sectors such as spices and handloom.
The West Bengal BJP on Sunday said it had filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to ensure that it got a hearing in case the state government moved the apex court against the Calcutta High Court verdict on the party’s proposed “rath yatra”.
“We have filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to ensure that we do not go unheard if the Bengal government decides to move the apex court against the order passed by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court (on the “rath yatra”),” state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said.
He claimed that the West Bengal government did not want the saffron party to conduct the “rath yatra”, adding, “We are apprehensive that the government may move the Supreme Court.”
A caveat is a notice that states that certain actions may not be taken without informing the person who has given the notice.
The caveat in the apex court was filed by the BJP Saturday.
A division bench of the Calcutta High Court came down heavily on the West Bengal government Friday for not responding to Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) letters, seeking permission for three “rath yatra” in the state, and directed top officials to take a decision on the processions by December 14.
Justices Biswanath Somadder and A Mukherjee said the government’s silence on the permission was “astonishing and astounding”.
The BJP wrote to the West Bengal government Saturday, stating its readiness to join discussions over its proposed “rath yatra”, as directed by the high court the previous day.
BJP national president Amit Shah was to kickstart the party’s “Save Democracy Rally” comprising three “rath yatra” — one from Coochbehar in the northern parts of the state last Friday, one from Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district Sunday and one from the Tarapith temple in Birbhum district on December 14.
The three “rath yatra” were scheduled to cover all the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.
A single-judge bench of the high court had refused permission to the BJP Thursday for conducting a “rath yatra” in Coochbehar after the West Bengal government refused to allow the event saying it may cause communal tension.
The party then moved the division bench of the court against the verdict Friday.
The chief secretary, the home secretary and the director general of police shall hold a meeting with three representatives of the BJP by December 12 and take a decision on the matter by December 14, the division bench directed.
The UP government on Sunday transferred Raees Akhtar, who was posted as additional superintendent of police (rural) in Bulandshahr, six days after two people died in mob violence in the district following an alleged cow slaughter incident.
In a statement issued here, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said Akhtar has been transferred to PAC Headquarters in Lucknow.
Manish Mishra, posted as additional superintendent of police at the modern control room, Ghaziabad, has been made the new ASP (rural) of Bulandshahr.
The development comes close on the heels of the arrest of an Army jawan allegedly involved in the killing of a police inspector during the mob violence.
“The Army handed over Jitendra Malik to Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force team in Meerut yesterday late night,” IG STF Amitabh Yash told an agency.
On December 3, a mob of some 400 people rampaged through a village in Bulandshahr apparently after cow carcasses were found in a jungle nearby. During the violence, Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and a 20-year-old man died of gunshot wounds.
Singh and his team had gone to the area to tackle the violence when they came under attack by the mob.
On Saturday, the UP government transferred Bulandshahr SSP Krishna Bahadur Singh to the DGP office in Lucknow. Kumar had said the senior superintendent of police will be replaced by Sitapur SP Prabhakar Chaudhary.
The government has transferred two other policemen of Bulandshahr district Circle Officer of Syana area Satya Prakash Sharma and Chingravati police chowki in-charge Suresh Kumar.
Additional Director General, Intelligence, SB Shiradkar submitted a report on the violence Friday. The transfers are understood to be in line with the findings of the report on police handling of the situation.
Inspector Singh, who died in the mob violence, was the investigating officer of the Dadri lynching case from September 28, 2015, to November 9, 2015. However, the chargesheet was filed by a different IO in March 2016.
Police have arrested nine accused in the Bulandshahr case but the main conspirator, Yogesh Raj, the district convener of Bajrang Dal, is on the run. In a video that surfaced online on Wednesday, Raj had claimed innocence.
Another inquiry by a government-constituted SIT is underway, and the team is going into the details and video footage of the incident, an official said.
Also, a magisterial probe has been ordered by the government.
The Uttar Pradesh government has been severely criticised by opposition leaders over law and order and for its handling of the situation after the violence.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said the violence in Bulandshahr was an “accident” and there did not happen any incident of mob lynching in his state. He, however, assured that no one responsible for the violence will be spared.
The Congress has slammed Adityanath’s downplaying of the severity of an incident of mob violence and said he has attempted to “derail” the probe in the case.
Azmat Biwi, who belongs to a remote area of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, has scripted history by winning a bronze medal in under-21 Individual Kumite 55 weight category at the recently-concluded 9th Commonwealth Karate Championship which was held in Durban, South Africa from November 29 to December 2.
