So far using two COVID vaccines – Serum Institute of India’s Covishield developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotech made-in-India Covaxin India began immunizing people in January. As of now, the government has allowed vaccinations only for health workers, frontline workers and those above 45 in a centrally-controlled process.
In a new development, vaccination will be opened to all above 18 from May 1, the government on Monday announced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of meetings over India’s response to record daily surges in COVID cases.
PM Modi emphasizes that vaccination was “the biggest weapon” in the fight against the coronavirus and urged doctors to encourage more and more patients to get vaccinated.
“The government has been working hard for over a year to ensure that maximum numbers of Indians can get the vaccine in the shortest possible time,” said the PM.
Pricing, procurement, eligibility and administering of vaccines will be flexible in the latest round of the world’s largest vaccination drive. All adults can get COVID shots and states can buy doses directly from vaccine-makers in the “relaxed and fast-tracked Phase 3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination, the government said, on a day the country reported 2.73 lakh new daily cases in the highest spike since the pandemic broke out a year ago.
In recent weeks, states like Maharashtra, Delhi and Punjab had called for opening up vaccinations and had also complained about running out of vaccine stocks. After the controversy, some news rules are set such as vaccine manufacturers will supply 50 per cent of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) released doses to the central government and will be free to supply the remaining doses to state governments and in the open market.
Manufacturers will pronounce prices in advance for the vaccines supplied to state governments and in the open market. Based on this price, state governments, private hospitals, industrial establishments can buy vaccine doses from the manufacturers. Vaccinations at central government centres provided free of cost, will continue for those eligible currently – health workers, frontline workers and those above 45.
The centre will allocate vaccines from its share to states or union territories based on the number of cases. Vaccine wastage can affect the quota of a state. The second dose for those eligible currently will be a priority.
While vaccinations have been slow compared to the centre’s target, the country has clocked over two lakh cases daily in the past few days. Recently, the government fast-tracked approvals for foreign vaccines cleared in other countries.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan | Image Courtesy: Agency
If unrest in Pakistan is seen as a civil war, then you should know the only civil war that is really raging is on the Media and the social media Community. Sure, they are facing various political/social/economic difficulties, but it is not something that they have never seen before. No nation is immune to protests and street shows, similarly, the major political parties in Pakistan are teaming up and protesting against the government for a “Fair Re-election”, it’s their right to do so, just like their current PM Imran Khan did.
Khan’s government has launched an anti-corruption campaign, this was premised on the basis that no forgiveness would be given to politicians or family relatives who benefitted from a politician’s benefaction, however, Khan’s opponents had criticized the anti-corruption campaign as political victimization of his opponents.
However, Khan’s supporters argued that this was an honest anti-corruption campaign as senior members of Khan’s ruling party faced investigation and/or prosecution too, such as Jahangir Khan Tareen and Aleem Khan. But in no case, they ever create a situation that’ll lead to a civil war.
But if you look at the larger picture of Pakistan, right from its creation, this country has not seen peace and will do so, given its dirty policies and war-mongering army generals, always engrossed in squandering aid money while the civilian govt is an impotent bystander. This being the scenario, it’s always some sort of struggle or strife in Pakistan at any given time. Civil war is like a way of life for the people of that country.
Khan became the first person in the history of Pakistan general elections who contested and won in all five constituencies, surpassing Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who contested in four but won in three constituencies in 1970. In May 2018, Khan’s party announced a 100-day agenda for a possible future government. The agenda included sweeping reforms in almost all areas of government including the creation of a new province in Southern Punjab, fast-tracking of the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, betterment of law-and-order situation in Karachi, and betterment of relations with Baloch political leaders.
On 25 June 2020, Khan came under heavy criticism, both in the international press and from the domestic opposition, for calling al-Qaeda founder and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden a ‘martyr’, which critics argued connoted a sense of heroism and nobility in his death. A spokesman for Khan stated that any controversy around these remarks by Khan was “unwarranted”, suggesting the term wasn’t used to connote a sense of heroism as his critics argued.
Khan, on a previous occasion during a local television interview, had refused to call Bin Laden a terrorist. However, despite Khan’s fustian, his government has taken strict action against far-right Islamist groups such as the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, which was outlawed as a terrorist group with the group’s accounts frozen and its leadership arrested under Khan’s government. Also, Khan has repeatedly condemned the Pakistani Taliban, including in December 2020 when the nation commemorated the sixth anniversary of the Peshawar school massacre.
Being a democracy, a political party is running the country and like all democracy’s opposition parties are trying to win a majority for the next election. This is what is happening in Pakistan. There is no military intervention, as opposition parties are openly criticizing the army and ruling party but no crackdown or force is being used. The first factor is the recent rallies of PDM (group of 11 political parties) in Gujranwala and other important regional places, in which all the parties showed a strong resistance to the Army’s indulgence in elections. Inflation is at its peak and even the basic needs cannot be sufficed. Everything from electricity bill and gas supply, from basic to other requirements, the debt became 107 percent of Pakistan’s GDP.
The latest issue arises due to the kidnapping of the commissioner of Sindh police, which is the second biggest police force in Pakistan after Punjab. He was harassed which led to the resignation of various police officers and others asking for leave. Political parties and their adherents voice reservations against each other, however, they are not complying with the agenda of foreign dictators. Moreover, Pakistan is treading on the path of democracy, so if the masses are sick of any govt’s policies, they hold protests against the government.
Therefore, keeping situations in view chances of civil war is not imminent. Civilian unrest is going on in Pakistan in which it may escalate so much that the very life of its PM would either be in danger or the whole administrative machinery would be in the hands of its Army. The Army would give free hand to the terrorists to unleash terror against India, to divert the attention of the public. Unlike nations such as Syria, Iraq or Afghanistan, Pakistan is relatively little stable because it has a huge military presence.
More than 25 per cent of households in Mumbai are estimated to own at least one pet. And, since the outbreak of COVID-19, there’s a feeling of isolation and anxiety in Pets.
Apoorv Kushwaha resident of Godrej Central in Chembur wrote a letter to MP Maneka Gandhi who is also an Animal Rights Activist and Environmentalist and to his society members regarding the SOPs which have been issued for Micro Containment and Containment zones. While representing lakhs of pet parents living in this city who are worried and confused about how the biological needs of their pets will be met if they are stuck in a micro-containment/containment zone.
He says, “Pets need walks for carrying out their daily essential biological tasks and also for their physical and mental wellbeing. They are also accustomed to performing their daily duties outside the house. In case they are not taken out for their walks, it impacts their health which may also entail intervention from a veterinary professional.”
Currently, co-operative societies have been given strict guidelines to prohibit any person moving in and out of the micro-containment / containment zone, and are also bound by an initial penalty of Rs 10,000 for violating the norms laid down by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Societies are suggesting to get professional help for walking the dog; however, a dog walker attracts a cost of Rs 8000-10,000 per month. The challenge with this solution is that the cost of a dog walker is not viable for the majority of the people, given the uncertainty in medical expenses people have gone conservative on cash spending.
The second challenge is that the city does not have enough dog walkers to cater to 100 per cent of the demand as these professionals are employed by just a small fraction of the total pet owners.
Apoorv further states, “I have referred to the order – Break the Chain, dated 13th April 2021, however, it does not specify any provision for this scenario and would require an intervention. Hence request authorities to please give us clarity on SOPs for pet owners residing in micro-containment/containment zones.”
We tried calling MP Maneka Gandhi, though her personal assistant refused to connect calls, added Apoorv.
“The BMC, SPCAs and other authorities must step in to do the needful and help the pet owners,” said the honorary district animal welfare officer, Mitesh Jain.
Karuna Parivar Trust’s, trustee Bhavin Ganthani told Afternoon Voice, “People may not be aware of the new GR (General Regulations), it says if you are a pet caretaker or a pet owner you can take your pet out for its routine. You can even feed the stray animals. Each cooperative housing society should be provided with this GR to avoid inconvenience to pet owners and caretakers”.
He also said, “If a society is not allowing it, police can help these pet caretakers to resolve their issues.”
Vaidehi ReleLal, a well-known Bharat Natyam Performer says, “Dogs are getting tremendously affected by the stringent micro containment rules. If the house is COVID safe and without a case along with proper precautions the pet parent should be allowed to go down and relieve the fur babies, being a pet parent of three beautiful Indian doggies I know the importance of having a regular walk session and its emotional effect on my babies.”
“I also feed strays in my area; hence allowance to freely move and feed the strays who depend on the feeders without creating any hindrance should be rather encouraged especially during such a heatwave where animals also feel depressed or oppressed due to sudden change in the environment,” Vaidehi further added.
Mhalvika Shetty a bank employee said, “In my opinion, not taking our pets for a walk or pee is not right. Some of the pets are trained not to pee/poop in the house and they won’t do it. If a pet won’t pee/poop for a day it might cause some serious health issues. At least the pet owners should be allowed to let their pet step out of the house at least for some limited time. Making the pets pee/poop in the house is very difficult. Let the pet owners take proper precautions and take their pets for a walk or pee for some time; it won’t cause much of a problem. Let’s not make pets’ lives difficult.”
Pranali Kanade, a working woman and a Dog mom said, “When the entire building is sealed, the owners of the pet suffer a lot. For instance, my building got sealed and we are not allowed to take our pets out. My dog is trained to poop outside the building, not just mine, but a lot of pet dogs that I know are trained to do so. The authority should at least excuse the dog owners for this matter.”
Manish Sharma, an IT professional from Mumbai having many pets at home finds it very depressing to lockdown, he said, “I am going into depression looking at my pets’ miserable condition, we humans at least have TV, mobile and other things to entertain us but they don’t. Going out, taking walks, greeting their common friends, and attending nature’s call is their routine. Pets are equally emotional; our government is insensitive and the co-operative societies are one big bunch of mindless people.”
“Restrictions over taking out pets are total crap. No pet owners take their pets along with all the family members for a stroll. As such social distance is maintained when a pet accompanies because other pets don’t like a guest animal near them. We should ask authorities “Who would be responsible for the health issues cropping up if the pets’ poop and pee in the house?” says Ashwin Mane, a pet owner.
Remdesivir: The COVID vaccine has become a new political tool 14
Now the citizens of India are aware of the double the standard ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP has always been talking about United India but now they are dividing India for their political benefit and declaring that all the citizens of Bihar will get the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost and Bihar will be given preference as the first state to get vaccines, because elections were a priority there.
Later on, when the second wave of COVID sprung, they declared a free distribution of Remdesivir to attract the support of people of those states where elections are going on. As they lost power in Maharashtra on a humiliating note, they are depriving the state of adequate infrastructure to battle COVID-19.
The central government has asked states to allow COVID vaccines to be administered at offices with about 100 workers who are 45 years of age or older and are willing to take the shot. The vaccination was supposed to begin on 11 April at both government and private offices, the central government but due to PM Modi’s election campaign in West Bengal, other states are just ignored with the supply of vaccines.
There are 29 states in India and our constitution provides equality and it is the fundamental right of every citizen of India. Then how the government is declaring who will be given the first preference for the vaccine.
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and other BJP ruled states are stoking the vaccines in their party offices, whereas other non-BJP ruled states are suffering due to lack of supply.
On the other hand, in the middle of the vaccine shortage row, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has urged the Centre to formulate criteria for allotment of COVID-19 vaccines by taking into consideration factors like population and number of active coronavirus cases of a particular state. He alleged that many states, which are smaller than Maharashtra in terms of population and the number of patients, have received more doses.
Even though it’s still possible to control the spread of COVID-19 through very rigorous testing, contact tracing, and quarantining of infected patients, these are still not very effective if we are to significantly reduce the threat of the disease yet.
We also need to not only break the chain of transmission but also make sure that people get long-term protection once they are infected. This is also one of the greatest challenges that scientists have to grapple with right now. There is still no harmony on how long the body’s protective immunity lasts.
The BJP or union government can’t decide whether the COVID-19 vaccine will be given without cost or there will be some cost, it will be decided by the state government. BJP is simply saying that if voted to power, whenever the vaccine will come they will distribute it without cost.
Our economy and international trade depend on a healthy population worldwide. While the world is suffering from this plague our economies have become vulnerable to all sorts of disruptions, shortages, failed policies and promises by ignorant leaders, religious leaders wasting our time by praying for miracles and pointless disregard for science and facts, and conspiracy theories have drowned good sense with lies, innuendos.
So we must get back on track by making our citizens immune to this disease. The only way to do that is by mandating vaccination of the entire population (with obvious medical exemption when necessary). We can never achieve the so-called herd immunity for several reasons that are tangent issues.
The government and the Centre have been blaming each other over the crisis of vaccination in the state. Maharashtra was given a total of 1 crore vaccines by the Central government and after administering millions of doses, the state started suffering a shortage following which it demanded more vaccines.
As of April 9, around 2,72,421 people took jabs out of which 2,38,386 people took their first dose who were above the age of 45 while in the same category 15,819 beneficiaries took their second dose. A COVID-19 vaccine is really important at this time because there will always be a risk of new disease outbreaks.
Maharashtra, with a population of over 12 crores, accounts for 60 per cent of the total number of active cases in the country. The number is more because testing has been increased substantially; the state has mobilized its capacity to administer six lakh doses daily, so they need vaccines in a similar proportion.
Mumbai police questioned a pharma company director over alleged excess stock of the Remdesivir drug and allowed him to leave after he produced necessary documents. The opposition party BJP in Maharashtra objected to the pharma executive’s grilling by Mumbai police, saying the Shiv Sena-led government in the state was playing politics amid the pandemic.
The BJP leader claimed that a Maharashtra minister’s officer on special duty called the pharma executive and asked him how he could provide Remdesivir on the appeal of opposition parties. The pharma executive was picked up from his house by 10 policemen.
The Leader of Opposition said, “The state government was harassing the Daman-based pharma as BJP leaders approached him for the supply of the antiviral medication to the state. No one knows the reality but one thing is sure that the Remdesivir has become a purely political tool and no one is bothered about the common public and their lives.”
BJP hoarding Remdesivir while people in Maharashtra are dying due to shortage 16
The former chief minister and leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis claimed that BJP leader Prasad Lad went to Daman on behalf of the BJP and met the director of Bruck Pharma. He used their Central government to give the exporter permission to sell locally and then the BJP purchased the stock of Remdesivir from Bruck Pharma.
Saket Gokhale, a transparency activist tweeted in series while exposing the BJP stated that “Last night (Saturday), Vile Parle police station in Mumbai seized 4.75 crores worth of Remdesivir vials that were being secretly moved by a Gujarat company. Suddenly Devendra Fadnavis shows up at the police station late at night and says BJP ordered those vials from Daman & Gujarat.”
He further stated, “It is shameful that the Modi govt is throttling supplies of Remdesivir to Maharashtra Govt while sneakily allowing Fadnavis & BJP to distribute it through their party office. This is politics of the filthiest kind where BJP is playing with the lives of innocent people.”
Whereas NCP leader Nawab Malik said that, “If the vaccination certificates carry PM Narendra Modi’s photo, then the death certificates of the COVID victims should also carry his image.”
“He said it is sad & shocking that when the Government of Maharashtra asked the 16 export companies for Remdesivir, we were told that Central Government has asked them not to supply the medicine to Maharashtra. These companies were warned, if they did, their license will be cancelled,” Malik further added.
Formal Principal Secretary to Government of Maharashtra Mahesh Zagade questions Pharma companies, he said, “The Indian pharmaceutical industry is worth about Rs 3 lakh crore and benefits the members of OPPI, IDMA and AIOCD. Where are those institutions in this Corona crisis?”
Political parties are registered with the Election Commission, and not Charity Commissioner. It is illegal for a political party to buy drugs, medicines or any other articles for donation. The shroud of charity can easily be used to bribe citizens hence our Constitution and Representation of the People Act 1951 have explicitly stated that political parties cannot do charity.
“Devendra Fadnavis is openly stating that BJP bought Remdesivir for charity, hence immediate action must be taken against him, BJP and their office bearers for this illegal act. Secondly, seeing the cheap politics being played out by BJP against opposition states it is not beyond imagination that the purpose of buying this large quantity of stock was for hoarding and denying it to citizens. This act is tantamount to murder and we demand that the Chief Minister investigate this action fairly and publicly,” said AAP leader Preeti Sharma Menon.
“All TV channels have broadcasted videos of Devendra Fadnavis and other BJP leaders browbeating police officers and thwarting an investigation. Had any common citizen done that then they would be charged with IPC Section 353 and thrown behind bars.”
“Why were BJP leaders treated with so much deference while common citizens are threatened by the police. Earlier this year I tried to meet DCP Upadhyay, he made me wait, then his office demanded I leave my cell phone out and when I refused, he did not let me enter his office. I had complained to the Commissioner but no action was taken. But here BJP leaders are seen recording the meeting on their phones! Why does Mumbai Police not treat all citizens equally?” Menon further added.
“The AAP Mumbai team demands action be taken against BJP for indulging in hoarding and breaking the law by indulging in illegal charity”, said Preeti Sharma Menon.
“Fadnavis later claimed that the BJP bought that stock to distribute to people. How did a private individual like Fadnavis procure Remdesivir stock from Gujarat when the sale is allowed only to the government?” stated Menon.
Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis addressing the media at Vile Parle police station.
The second wave of the corona is not only scary but also disturbing 18
The second-ware of COVID-19 is nothing more than an outbreak since we have yet to settle on the actual incubation period. For some it’s two weeks, some have been 48 hours. We don’t know the effective combating of each person before the virus becomes active and infectious.
Some people have partial immunity, as the person may be able to fight off the virus but never develop total immunity and it may sooner or later overcome the person’s natural resistance. An asymptomatic person is immune but some can still infect others while others don’t.
It is safe to speculate that the COVID-19 virus will be a health concern until the population becomes adequately immune with a preventive vaccination on booster shots yet to be determined. I have seen people in grocery stores shopkeepers using surgical type gloves putting rations in their bags, checking out and even using gloves to load and unload their cars.
What happens after they store them in their cabinets, refrigerators and freezers? They never think about using gloves to get back the groceries for cooking. Many forget to disinfect steering wheels, door handles, gear shifts. Any virus will keep transmitting to different persons as long as targets are remaining and the weather conditions are suitable for its survival in transit.
There are so many ways of being infected most people don’t even think about, especially in apartment buildings. No one can be protected 24/7 because it isn’t in our nature. The second wave of the coronavirus sent shock waves across India. This could be “The Big One” compared to the mild spring wave.
Judging by the sudden surge in the number of cases, this could become very serious. The peak of the wave can be observed with infection control measures (social distancing rules) or sufficient immunity in the community to drive the simulation factor. The epidemic will then start bisecting rather than doubling as time passes. People will relax their guard and a third wave will start.
It will end when a majority of the population are resistant or immune. This may be because they got infected and recovered. This may be because we developed a vaccine and they got vaccinated. Corona won’t go away until a vaccine is found so we have to live with it.
We have no good data. However, SARS-CoV-2 seems to be a relatively stable virus, COVID is in contrast to influenza viruses. It transmits efficiently but unlike SARS-CoV-1 (10 per cent) and MERS seems to have a low case fatality rate of about 0.3 per cent. So, we get more cases but fewer deaths. This results in more people becoming immune but also enables the virus to maintain a presence in the population.
Many countries have gone for some form of lockdown or social distancing to reduce spread. This has the effect of maintaining the pool of susceptible people. So, when the measures are relaxed more cases emerge. Experience with other stable viruses suggests that there will be a cycle of small epidemics until a large population is vaccinated.
The first wave, of this novel coronavirus, causing COVID-19 the deadly disease apparent after, several people were infected, thus creating spreader effects, when many were not aware of it, had no or minimal symptoms, with most politicians, aka governments, failing to respond to what was predictable, and urgent. Governments had failed to implement emergency plans for obtaining stocks of PP kits, masks, and ventilators etc, based on the previous coronavirus epidemic.
The second strain was detected in the UK. The UK shut all of its borders down. However, the second strain did make it over to less than 20 people and a few states in the US. The higher rates were detected in California. The second strain has been detected in Texas, Pennsylvania and a few other US states. From there it reached India too.
In my opinion, all the international travel should have been shut down as well. People would stop being in denial and take this pandemic more seriously. However, a vaccine is a positive sign for the future against COVID-19 and its mutations. Viruses normally mutate to find a host to stay alive.
A second wave happens when a first “wave” begins to slow down making the number of cases to reduce a lot, in these conditions many officials and people start to relax the rules and start meeting with other people, eating outside, partying, and being reckless.
In these situations, the numbers started growing again because people got infected by the carriers. Because the virus growth is exponential very weakly what looked like the end of the pandemic might be the start of the worst part of the pandemic till that point. This is why it is essential to keep the rules in check for a while after the last known case of the disease is found.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us at feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
COVID-19: Delhi LG Baijal directs officers to set up helplines informing availability of beds 20
In the wake of an exponential rise in coronavirus cases in Delhi, Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Friday directed officers to set up helplines that inform the availability of beds in hospitals besides establishing help desks to assist patients and attendants, an official said.
Baijal, who reviewed the enforcement of COVID appropriate behaviour, said that concerted and coordinated efforts are required from all agencies and stakeholders to contain the surge of coronavirus in the national capital.
The lieutenant governor also directed officers to ensure aggressive deployment and enforcement in areas in peak hours.
”The LG asked Chief Secretary Vijay Dev to ensure the setting up of helplines that inform the availability of beds in hospitals apart from displaying the same on government portals. He also directed to set up help desks to assist patients and attendants in every hospital,” the official said.
As the number of COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate continue to rise in the city, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday had announced a curfew this weekend and the closure of malls, gymnasiums and auditoriums till April 30 as part of sweeping restrictions to break the chain of the infection.
Delhi recorded 16,699 COVID-19 cases and 112 fatalities on Thursday, according to the health department.
The positivity rate soared to 20.22 percent, the highest to date in Delhi.
The city had registered 17,282 new infections on Wednesday, its highest single-day spike to date. The number of cases has been on an upward spiral in the past few days.
Indo Nepal Dalit Maitri Sangh and Babu Jagjivanram Kala Sanskriti and Sahitya Akademi confer the B. R. Ambedkar International Award to Dr Sunil Baliram Gaikwad, a former MP from Latur has been named as an eminent social worker for his socio-political contribution.
The award would be presented on May 8, 2021, at Lumbini, Nepal in a grand ceremony.
Mumbai Press Club demands immediate withdrawal of FIRs against 6 journalists 23
The Mumbai Press Club condemns the filing of multiple FIRs against journalists and publishers that include Rajdeep Sardesai, Mrinal Pande, Vinod Jose, Zafar Agha, Paresh Nath and Anant Nath. The FIRs have been filed in Delhi as well as in some BJP-ruled states including MP and Uttar Pradesh, and are based on the coverage and comments the journalists made in respect of the farmers protest rally in the capital on 26th January. The Mumbai Press Club demands the immediate withdrawal of these FIRs against the 6 journalists, and calls upon the Union government to stop using coercive and threatening practices, like filing of cases under the UAPA Act, pressing charges of sedition, etc against newspapers and journalists.
The events that took place around the farmer’s rally on Republic Day was chaotic and information was not easily available. There was clear intelligence lapse on the part of the Delhi Police, which had lost control of the situation. In these circumstances, to pin blame on the journalists for being responsible for the violence and disruption is reprehensible. Worse still is the attempt of the Police to stick sedition charges on the journalists using archaic laws? It shows the growing intolerance of the Union government against those who do not toe the line of the ruling establishment.
The Mumbai Press Club sees the filing of these FIRs as part of a dangerous trend in the country against the Fourth Estate which seeks to demonize, and then neutralize, those who cover events and issues that are not in sync with the government’s policies. This was highlighted recently by the arrest of Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) office-bearer Siddique Kappan by the UP Police under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Besides the harassment and attacks these journalists face, they are further demonized by being portrayed as ‘anti-nationals’, ‘terrorists’ etc.
A vibrant democracy requires a vibrant Fourth Estate that is allowed to function without fear or favour. FIRs, incarceration and using the heavy hand of the police against journalists show not only that the government is antipathy to a free press; but it also snuffs out information chains and contrarian views without which no mature civil society can function.
File Photo of Dalai Lama | AP Photo/Tenzin Choejor
While the 85-year-old 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, still in excellent health, curiosity over his succession is growing, along with fears that his death could spark a religious crisis in Asia. Tenzin, from the Tibet Policy Institute, said that Beijing had been slowly raising the profile of their chosen Panchen Lama, who has recently appeared at senior CCP meetings and went on an international visit to Thailand in 2019, to try and build his authority when he selects the 15th Dalai Lama.
The 14th Dalai Lama said as early as 1969 that it was for the Tibetans to decide whether the institution of the Dalai Lama “should continue or not”. He has given orientation to a possible vote stirring in the future for all Tibetan Buddhists to decide whether they wish to recognize his rebirth.
The 14th Dalai Lama supported the possibility that his next incarnation could be a woman. As an “engaged Buddhist” the Dalai Lama has an appeal straddling cultures and political systems making him one of the most recognized and respected moral voices today. Despite the complex historical, religious and political factors surrounding the selection of incarnate masters in the exiled Tibetan tradition, the Dalai Lama is open to change.
In response to the possibility that the PRC might attempt to choose his heir, the Dalai Lama said he would not be reborn in a country strained by the People’s Republic of China or any other country which is not free. There were assumptions that the next Dalai Lama might come from the Tibetan cultural belt that stretches across northern India, Nepal, and Bhutan, presumably making him even more pro-Indian and anti-Chinese.
For your information, the name “Dalai Lama” is a combination of the Mongolic word Dalai meaning “ocean” or “big” (coming from Mongolian title Dalaiyin Qan or Dalaiin Khan, translated as Gyatso or rgya-mtsho in Tibetan) and the Tibetan word (laa-ma) meaning “master”. The Dalai Lama is also known in Tibetan as the Rgyal-ba Rin-po-che (“Precious Conqueror”) or simply as the Rgyal-ba.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama-the spiritual leader of Tibetans and he is the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism and traditionally has been responsible for the governing of Tibet until the Chinese government took control in 1959. Before 1959, his official residence was Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism, was born on July 6, 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet. Now he lives as a refugee in India. The Dalai Lama is also considered to be the successor in a line of Tulkus who are believed to be incarnations of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
The traditional function of the Dalai Lama as an ecumenical figure, holding together disparate religious and regional groups, has been taken up by the present fourteenth Dalai Lama. He has worked to overcome sectarian and other divisions in the exiled community and has become a symbol of Tibetan nationhood for Tibetans both in Tibet and in exile.
From 1642 until 1705 and from 1750 to the 1950s, the Dalai Lamas or their regents headed the Tibetan government (or Ganden Phodrang) in Lhasa which governed all or most of the Tibetan Plateau with varying degrees of autonomy under the Qing dynasty of China, in which Tibet had been under non-Tibetan suzerainty,[10] and a period of disputed “de facto independence” between 1913 and 1951.
This Tibetan government also enjoyed the patronage and protection of firstly Mongol kings of the Khoshut and Dzungar Khanates (1642–1720) and then of the emperors of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty (1720–1912).
In 1913, several Tibetan representatives including Agvan Dorzhiev signed a treaty between Tibet and Mongolia, proclaiming mutual recognition and their independence from China; however, the legitimacy of the treaty and declared the independence of Tibet was rejected by both the Republic of China and the current People’s Republic of China. The Dalai Lamas headed the Tibetan government afterwards despite that, until 1951.
The Dalai Lama belongs to the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which is the largest and most influential tradition in Tibet. The institution of the Dalai Lama is a relatively recent one. There have been only 14 Dalai Lamas in the history of Tibetan Buddhism, and the first and second Dalai Lamas were given the title posthumously.
The political landscape of China started changing in the 1950ies. Plans were made to bring Tibet officially under Chinese control. But in March 1959, Tibetans took to the streets demanding an end to Chinese rule. Chinese People’s Republic troops crushed the revolt and thousands were killed.
The Dalai Lama fled from Tibet to India with thousands of followers during the 1959 Tibetan uprising, where he was welcomed by former Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru who permitted him to form the ‘Tibetan government in exile in Dharamsala.
The Dalai Lama, and the refugees who followed him, created a society in which Tibetan language, culture, arts, and religion are promoted. In 1989 he received the Nobel Peace Prize for maintaining a policy of non-violence with the Chinese government. He has travelled the world and has spoken about the welfare of Tibetans, environment, economics, women’s rights, nonviolence, interfaith dialogue, physics, astronomy, Buddhism and science, cognitive neuroscience, reproductive health, and sexuality, along with various topics of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist teachings.
Because of the threat from China, the 14th Dalai Lama has made several statements that would make it difficult for a Chinese-appointed 15th Dalai Lama to be seen as legitimate. According to him, the institution of the Dalai Lama might not be needed anymore.
However, he has also said it was up to the people if they wanted to preserve this aspect of Tibetan Buddhism and continue the Dalai Lama lineage. Another option the Dalai Lama has proposed would be for him to appoint his reincarnation before he dies. In this scenario, the Dalai Lama would transfer his spiritual realization to the successor.
The Dalai Lama has also stated that if he dies outside of Tibet, his reincarnation would be located abroad, most likely from India.
