‘Malabh Coronache’ by Dr Deepak Sawant

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September 29, 2021

Authored by Dr Deepak Sawant, this book is all about the effects of corona and how various institutions and human lives got affected. It speaks volumes on the education System, health infrastructure, and human crises.

The author explains how Corona Virus shaped society, looking at its impact on medical science and public health.

He also gives a historical perspective on viral diseases and pandemics. The book addresses the history and facts about the pandemic, COVID WHO guidelines, insights about the Corona vaccination and its effect on children, climate change, and many other related topics. The book has given huge insight into various concerns regarding pandemics.

It also mentions the efforts of Vietnam and South Korea to control the Covid-19 spread. This book is primarily written in the Marathi language soon the translations are expected in many other languages. Malabh Coronache is a timely must-read for everyone keen on understanding Coronavirus impact and fallout.

Malabh is a Marathi word and it means dark clouds.

Certainly, the book Malabh Coronache can be called an eye-opener by Dr Deepak Sawant that sensitively explains the reality of the Corona Virus thereby reinstating in the minds of the readers the very need to fight against this deadly virus.

Author Dr Deepak Sawant is a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, belonging to the Shiv Sena. He was Ex- Public Health and Family Welfare Minister(Maharashtra). He has written a few articles for Arogyadeep Magazine and authored a book on the reality of malnutrition.

Thane’s Valmiki Udyan sold by MIDC; Mehtar Samaj warns to intensify the agitation

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Afternoon Voice

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September 29, 2021

The Thane Municipal Corporation developed the barren land and constructed a garden named Valmiki Udyan. Now MIDC has decided to sell the said parkland to a private company. The Valmiki community members from the Ramwadi-Ramnagar area staged a protest to stop this deal.

Ramnagar- Ramwadi, Road No. 28 area has a large population of Valmiki community. With the aim of enabling this community to carry out its programs, the corporator Dr Jitendra Wagh had built a shed at Plot No. 414. Also, a platform was constructed in the park. Thane Municipal Corporation as Valmiki Udyan named this entrance. Various events of the Valmiki community are being organized at that place.

There is also a water tank of Thane Municipal Corporation at this place.

Water is also being supplied to the people of the area through this water tank. However, the ownership of the plot has suddenly been transferred to a private company called ISMA. Hundreds of Valmiki community members led protests.

However, as the police refused permission for the march, the marchers reached the MIDC office with their demands. The demands are to reserve MIDC Plot No. 414 for the activities of the Valmiki community, Plot No. 414 i.e., the sale and purchase of Valmiki Udyan should be cancelled. The encroachment of the private ISMA on Plot No. 414 should be removed and the Valmiki community should be allowed to use said premises for their cultural and social activities.

Thane Municipal Corporation is been taking care of this land for many years and has started various activities here. The sale of this park named after Valmiki Maharaj has hurt the feelings of the Valmiki community.

Despite correspondence in this regard last week, Isma, who bought the land from MIDC, is now taking possession of the park and preventing the Valmiki community from entering the park.

People of Gandhinagar want change, AAP has emerged as strong alternative, says Manish Sisodia

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Web Team

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September 29, 2021

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia on Wednesday claimed that the people of Gandhinagar city, the capital of Gujarat, want change and that his party has emerged as a strong alternative to the ruling BJP and opposition Congress.

He was in Gandhinagar to take part in a roadshow ahead of the October 3 elections to the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation (GMC). Addressing a press conference, Sisodia alleged that even as the voters of the city had given a chance to the Congress in the past, the party betrayed the people’s mandate and helped the BJP to capture the municipal body.

”Now, the people of Gandhinagar want to change. It’s not that BJP has been winning since the beginning here. In the past, the people of Gandhinagar had given a chance to Congress also as people were not happy with the BJP rule. But since Congress was the only option, people voted for that party to bring in a change,” said the deputy chief minister of Delhi.

”But unfortunately, Congress always remained weak. The party betrayed the people’s mandate and ultimately helped BJP to capture power. But now, AAP has emerged as a strong alternative to both Congress and BJP. I am fully confident that we will sweep this polls,” Sisodia added.

He was referring to the 2016 GMC election when both Congress and BJP won 16 seats each out of the total 32. Both the parties had equal chances of forming the board through a draw of lots. However, at the last moment, Congress corporator Pravin Patel switched sides and helped the BJP come to power at the civic body.

”Recently, 27 AAP councillors won in Surat. The way they are working, people are now realising what a corporator can do. People just want to get their work done. They don’t want any false promises. People now have a choice in the form of AAP. I firmly believe that BJP never did anything for the state capital and its people,” Sisodia claimed.

He added that instead of seeking votes on religious or caste lines, AAP will seek votes only on the basis of the party’s performance.

Polls to the Gandhinagar civic body are being held almost six months after they were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As per the schedule, polling for the GMC with 44 seats in 11 wards will be held between 7 am and 6 pm on Sunday. The counting of votes and declaration of results will be done on October 5.

Union Cabinet approves ECGC IPO; investment of Rs 4,400 crore in next 5 years

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Web Team

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September 29, 2021

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said that the Union Cabinet has approved the listing of state-owned Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) Ltd through the initial public offer (IPO) on the stock exchanges. The minister made this announcement during the Cabinet briefing.

While addressing the press conference, Goyal said, “The Union Cabinet has approved the listing of Export Credit Guarantee Corporation Ltd. through the IPO on the stock exchange.” “The cabinet also approved Rs 4,400 crore investment in ECGC Ltd in 5 years to provide support to exporters as well as banks,” the Union Minister added further.

The minister stated that the approved amount will be infused in instalments, thereby, increasing the capacity to underwrite risks up to Rs 88,000 crores and this will enable ECGC to issue covers that can support additional exports of Rs 5.28 lakh crore over the five-year period in line with the existing pattern.

Goyal also said that this move will help in creating 59 lakh new jobs including 2.6 lakh in the formal sector and ECGC could be listed on the stock exchanges by the next fiscal year.

ECGC was established by the Government of India under the Companies Act in 1957 to promote exports by providing credit insurance services to exporters against non-payment risks by the overseas buyers due to commercial and political reasons.

Rohit as captain and Rahul, Pant are my options as Team India future vice-captains, says Gavaskar

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Afternoon Voice

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September 29, 2021

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant can be groomed as vice-captains in the shortest format of the game by the Team India management. Gavaskar also said that since Kohli has announced to step down as the T20I skipper after the upcoming World Cup, Rohit Sharma would be an ideal candidate to lead the team in the next World Cup.

“I think Rohit Sharma for the next two World Cups because they are back-to-back, one starting in a month and another exactly a year from now. So clearly, yes, you don’t want to change too many captains at this particular stage. Rohit Sharma would definitely be my choice for the captaincy of the Indian team for both these T20 World Cups. And then, I’m looking at KL Rahul as the vice-captain,” said Gavaskar on Star Sports’ show ‘Cricket Connected’.

“I would also keep Rishabh Pant in mind because he has been really impressive in the way he has led a star-studded Delhi Capitals team and the bowling changes that he has been making in the T20 format, using Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada in such a clever manner that actually shows a street-smart captain, and you always want a street-smart captain who can read situations and act immediately. So yes, Rahul and Pant are the two guys I would look at as vice-captains,” he added.

Earlier, Kohli decided to step down from T20I captaincy after the ICC T20 World Cup in November this year. Kohli explained his decision to leave the T20I captaincy in a statement on social media. The India skipper said he needs to give himself space in order to play all three formats for the country.

“I have been fortunate enough to not only represent India but also lead the Indian Cricket Team to my utmost capability. I thank everyone who has supported me in my journey as the Captain of the Indian Cricket Team,” Kohli had said in a statement.

“I couldn’t have done it without them — the boys, the support staff, the selection committee, my coaches, and each and every Indian who prayed for us to win. Understanding workload is a very important thing and considering my immense workload over the last 8-9 years playing all 3 formats and captaining regularly for the last 5-6 years, I feel I need to give myself space to be fully ready to lead the Indian team in Test and ODI Cricket. I have given everything to the Team during my time as T20 Captain and I will continue to do so for the T20 Team as a batsman moving forward,” he added.

‘Sanak: Hope Under Siege’ starring Vidyut Jammwal to be out on Oct 15

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Web Team

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September 29, 2021

Sanak - Hope Under Siege, Vidyut Jammwal, Sanak

Actor Vidyut Jammwal-starrer ‘Sanak: Hope Under Siege’ is all set to release on October 15 on Disney+ Hotstar. Directed by Kanishk Varma, ‘Sanak’ is touted as an action thriller.

Announcing the news on his Instagram account, Vidyut wrote, “Ek baar SANAK gayi na toh…Complete the sentence in #SANAKI style #SANAK releasing on 15th October only on @disneyplushotstar.” Producer Vipul Shah also expressed his excitement over the release of the film.

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A post shared by Vidyut Jammwal (@mevidyutjammwal)

“I am very happy to announce the date of ‘Sanak’, which we shot under the most difficult circumstances of Covid-19. The sole purpose of putting all the effort was to keep entertaining people and again, as usual, we have tried to take the action a notch higher than the Commando series. I believe that we have achieved it,” he said. ‘Sanak’ also stars Neha Dhupia, Rukmini Maitra, and Chandan Roy Sanyal among others.

Navjot Singh Sidhu time and again displayed his character

By

Vaidehi Taman

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September 28, 2021

navjot singh sidhu, navjot, sidhu, congress, punjab chief, congress punjab chief, singh sidhu, punjab chief, congress leader, navjot singh sidhu quits — Image: PTI

After lots of permutation and combination somehow congress chose its new chief minister for Punjab, elections are approaching and Aam Aadmi Party is doing quite well in the state, as such crucial juncture Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned as Punjab Congress chief, delivering a big shock to the Gandhis’, who may have hoped that changing Chief Ministers would help end the turmoil in the state before elections early next year. Sidhu an unreliable politician tweeted a resignation letter that hinted at his unhappiness at the ongoing changes to the Punjab cabinet.

Sidhu was upset about the cabinet changes made by new Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who was seen to be close to him. Though Sidhu was widely seen to act as “Super Chief Minister” when it came to making any decisions, he was reportedly ignored in recent appointments seen as controversial. He was also angry about key posts given to officials linked to the “sacrilege” case. Some even say that he thought he would be the next Chief Minister of state but his close aid was chosen by Gandhi for the highest post.

At this level in politics, Congress needs a person of strategy, whereas Sidhu never had any character. Rather he has destructive shots in the game of cricket or politics.BJP had timely recognized this calibre and dropped him from playing eleven. Unfortunately, Congress think tank doesn’t possess the ability to select competent person anywhere in the country. It spoiled even winning games in states such as Goa, Haryana, Karnataka, and MP, etc. Consequently, Congress has eroded the trust of its followers all over the country. No one knows how and when the Congress high command will strike the right chord.

The inner-party democracy having been crushed and the family micromanaging the party affairs is the cause of Congress caving in by itself without the need of any external forces. Navjyot Singh Sidhu not only changed political parties but also changed his career options.

After a long wait and repeated defeat since 2014, Captain Amarinder Singh, 75, took oath as Chief Minister. Third on the list of nine ministers who were sworn in was Navjot Singh Sidhu, who then quit the BJP and joined Congress. Everyone predicted that Sidhu would be to be a Deputy Chief Minister, a post he has been keen on, but was made only a cabinet minister – has been allotted the low-profile local bodies’ ministry in the Amarinder government.

Sidhu hoped that he would be suitably rewarded for joining the Congress after resigning as BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP. After leaving BJP he humped at AAP, but Kejriwal did not assure him big perks as expected by the man himself.

After the cold replies from AAP, Sidhu formed Awaaz-e-Punjab in September. Awaaz-e-Punjab was not only criticized by AAP but also called a “tonga party” by, of all people, Amarinder. Perhaps the lowest point for Sidhu came in November when Awaaz-e-Punjab fell apart as two of its members, Simarjeet Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains, joined hands with AAP. It was at this point that Sidhu had been abandoned by every major party in Punjab. By the time Sidhu joined Congress his credibility came to nicks. Now by showing immaturity he lost all the goodwill within the party.

In 1991 Sidhu was accused of assaulting Gurnam Singh and causing his death. Sidhu was arrested by Punjab Police after the incident and had to spend several days lodged in a Patiala jail.

In December 2006, Sidhu was found guilty and sentenced to a three-year prison term for culpable homicide following a road rage incident. Controversy and Sidhu walked hand in hand, the opportunist, who is fit to be a comedy show judge tried his luck in all the political parties and finally got back to congress and resigned as party chief in Punjab. His expectations were not fulfilled as he estimated it would be interesting to see how he is going to manage with what he has given or takes another rebellious step as he already has proficiency in it.

Have joined oldest, most democratic party as country can’t be saved without Congress, says Kanhaiya Kumar

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Afternoon Voice

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September 28, 2021

Soon after joining the Congress, former CPI leader Kanhaiya Kumar said that he has joined the country’s “oldest and most democratic” party because he and many youngsters like him feel that the nation cannot survive without saving the Congress.

In a veiled attack at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kumar said, “I am joining Congress because I feel that an ideology is trying to ruin the values, culture, history, and future of this country… Crores of youngsters feel that this country can’t be saved without saving Congress.”

Addressing a joint press conference after joining the party, he also said, “I am joining Congress because it’s not just a party, it’s an idea. It’s the country’s oldest and most democratic party, and I am emphasising ‘democratic’…Not just me, many think that country can’t survive without Congress.” Kumar said that if the Congress is saved, the aspirations of many people along with the oneness of Mahatma Gandhi, the courage of Bhagat Singh and BR Ambedkar’s idea of equality will be protected.

“Congress party is like a big ship if it’s saved, I believe many people’s aspirations, Mahatma Gandhi’s oneness, Bhagat Singh’s courage and BR Ambedkar’s idea of equality will be protected too. This is why I have joined the party,” said Kumar.

Further paying tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh on the freedom fighter’s birth anniversary, Kumar said, “Today is a historic day. Today is the birth anniversary of Shaheed Bgahat Singh. He is Shaheed-e-Azam. I pay my hearty tributes to the ‘icon of the youth’, Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his birth anniversary today.”

Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Kanhaiya Kumar joined Congress in the presence of party leader Rahul Gandhi at AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday. Kumar met Rahul Gandhi earlier today at Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Park, ITO, Delhi on the 114th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

Country will see ‘company raaj’ as public assets being put on sale: Rakesh Tikait

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Afternoon Voice

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September 28, 2021

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Tuesday alleged the country’s entire assets are put on sale and it would see a “company raaj” (corporate rule) in the coming days as he slammed various policies of the Centre.

He said the capital of every State would witness protests for the repeal of three Central farm laws if the demands of cultivators are not accepted by the government.

Addressing a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Rajim town of Chhattisgarh, Tikait appealed to youths to join farmers in their protest “to save land, crops and the generation”.

The event was attended by thousands of farmers, many of them from Punjab and Haryana, which was held under the aegis of the Chhattisgarh Kisan Majdoor Mahasangh, an umbrella organization of farmer unions.

“The day is not far when farmers will have to leave the sickle (a farm tool) and resort to revolution. We have to fight against the three agriculture laws,” Tikait said.

Referring to the 10-month-old protests at the borders of Delhi for the repeal of three Central farm laws, Tikait said that the capital of every State would witness similar protests if the demands of cultivators are not accepted by the government.

Farmers should get the minimum support price (MSP) for every agricultural produce including vegetables, and also for milk, he said.

“Till the time the Centre withdraws the three laws, farmers should not back down. You have to support the protest. If the Delhi protest fails, no such agitation will be held in future,” he said.

Hitting out at the Centre, the farmer leader said, “railways, airports, ports, LIC are being sold (to private players). The entire assets of the country are put on sale. They have come to loot the nation. They want everything to go into the hands of the private sector. The country will see a company raaj”.

He said farmers are being targeted now but the next target will be the media.

“They are trying to divide the country into castes and religions but you should not focus on their propaganda and should know only one thing that we all belong to only one community that is the farmer,” Tikait said.

Calling upon young people to join the protest, he said youths will have to take the movement to the masses through social media.

“The country needs revolution by youths. This movement will have to be carried forward through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other online platforms by youths,” he added.

Yogendra Yadav, Medha Patkar, and other leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) also addressed the gathering.

On Monday, the SKM observed Bharat Bandh mark one year since President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the three controversial laws and 10 months since thousands of farmers set up camp at Delhi’s border points to voice their protest.

The three laws — The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 — were passed by Parliament in September last year.

The Centre has projected them as major reforms, but the unions allege that the laws will leave the farmers at the mercy of big corporates. Farmers have been protesting against the three laws on Delhi’s borders since November last year.

Navjot Singh Sidhu quits as Punjab Congress chief, triggers crisis in party

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Web Team

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September 28, 2021

Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday resigned as the chief of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, plunging the party into a fresh crisis just months ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

Sidhu quit the post shortly after the allocation of portfolios to the members of the new state Cabinet.

In a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he said he will continue to serve the party.

Sidhu had taken over as the state party chief in July amid a leadership tussle with Amarinder Singh, who stepped down as CM 10 days back while accusing the party of the high command of humiliating him.

The cricketer-turned-politician didn’t elaborate why he has quit.

”The collapse of a man’s character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab,” he said in his letter to Sonia Gandhi.

”Therefore, I hereby resign as the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress,” he wrote.

Amarinder Singh, who had called Sidhu “dangerous” and “anti-national”, and said he will pit a strong candidate against him to ensure that he doesn’t become the chief minister, was quick to react.

“I told you so… he is not a stable man not fit for the border state of Punjab,” the former CM tweeted.

The abrupt resignation took place on a day Amarinder Singh was headed for Delhi.

Singh’s travel plan had triggered speculation that he might meet some BJP leaders.

His media aide, however, said the Congress veteran had come to the capital on a personal visit and will vacate Kapurthala House, where the Punjab CM stays during trips to Delhi.

Sidhu’s resignation has also prompted speculation over the next move of the politician, who was with the BJP before he joined the Congress.

In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party claimed that Sidhu resigned because a poor person was made the chief minister.

Channi, who took charge last week, is the state’s first Schedule Caste chief minister.

The opposition had, however, charged that he was being overshadowed by Sidhu, who they claimed would end up being the party face when the assembly elections are held.