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Find suitable alternative for plastic bags – Part II

Alternatives to plastic bags plastic ban,Plastic Bags,Plastic Ban,Pollution,AlternativesAs a packaging material, bamboo is strong, durable and sustainable as it is one of the more remarkable natural materials available to us. The Economist recently quoted that bamboo is literally, the green equivalent of plastics as it is renewable. It also said that bamboo is now part and parcel of our packaging material.

There are plenty of biodegradable and non-petroleum based plastic alternatives, but many do not provide the lightweight, durability, or convenience of plastics.  But, there is one product that seems to be on the rise as a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to plastic. Bamboo Fiber Composites are a result of mixing bamboo fiber into a polymer matrix, resins, or glue, resulting in a lightweight, biodegradable plastic alternative. The new processes used in the manufacturing of bamboo fiber composite materials recently became more eco-friendly and organic too. These processes are done completely mechanically instead of using harsh chemicals.

Bamboo fiber also has several advantages over other natural plant based composites.  For one it is the fastest growing woody plant in the world. Certain species have been known to grow up to 35 inches in a single day. The second advantage of bamboo fiber composites is the abundance of bamboo across the globe. Coupled with being extremely light and elastic, bamboo seems to be a sustainable, environment friendly, and advantageous alternative to petroleum based products.

It is no secret- there is a lot of garbage out there. From plastic bags and bottles to forest-guzzling paper mills, everyday products are wreaking havoc on our environment in a plethora of ways. Fortunately, people are becoming increasingly aware of this. The necessity for sustainable, earth-friendly and recyclable materials in the manufacture of everyday items has become apparent, and consumer demands are increasing as a result.

Having existed as an alternative material for millenniums  bamboo is amazingly strong and versatile plant and is a naturally eco-friendly resource. Cultivating bamboo requires no pesticides, herbicides or irrigation, and it instead relies on natural rainfall. Just like the lawn in your backyard, bamboo has a self-replenishing growth cycle, so no need for replanting activities that result in soil erosion or damage to the surrounding environment. Furthermore, bamboo produces up to 35 per cent more oxygen than trees, thus helping to offset carbon-dioxide emissions. It’s easy to see why bamboo is a favourite when it comes to sustainable materials.

Bamboo is one of the best eco-friendly products in the world. With banning of plastic and plastic made items, bamboo can become a suitable substitute to overcome the ban on plastics very much.

Also Read : Find suitable alternative for plastic bags – Part I


(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

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Letters to the Editor: 05 December, 2019

letters to the editor, afternoon voice,Bail doesn’t mean exoneration

Congress Party should not celebrate P Chidambaram’s release from Tihar jail as a victory as it merely is a legal process that he has been given reprieve from custody in the INX media case after custodial interrogation. There must be a definite case against former Finance and Home Minister of the country if such an powerful individual was jailed for 106 days. The law should take its on course and hope the case is put on special trial so that there is a final judgement soon.

Cases involving politicians who basically are elected by the people for governance should be tried in special courts on a priority basis so that citizens don’t lose faith in our judiciary. The level of corruption in our country is amazing where lakhs of crores of public money is siphoned off and citizens in turn are left to lead a life of apathy. Judicial reforms are the need of the hour to get rid of corruption to speed economic growth.

S.N.Kabra

 

High-handedness for loan-recovery resulting in suicides

Economic slow-down has resulted in trade-activities become so slow resulting in heavy losses that many traders are compelled to take loans either from private ones or from banks and Non-Banking-Financial-Companies NBFCs. High-handedness for loan-recovery is resulting in suicides by business-families, a phenomenon likely to become as common as suicides by loan-trapped farmers.

Private ones at times engage gangsters for recovery where known gangsters even operate from jails. Banks and NBFCs hire recovery-agencies and goons for recovery of loans directly in knowledge of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Fast-track hanging of gangsters jailed in murder-cases who operate from inside jails can prevent high-handed tactics for loan-recovery by private individuals. But such tactics of loan-recovery through threats and other means by banks and NBFCs can and must be stopped by RBI by ensuring that such recoveries may be made only through legal course, and visits by their private agents to residences or work-places of loan-takers may not be allowed in any case.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

 

Take steps to control onion price

The price of onions have been increased to such an extent that it is difficult for the common man to purchase them. The government must do something to reduce its price. Onion is the staple food of the common man. It is required by us daily not just for cooking but also for making salads and snack items like poha.

Jubel D’Cruz

 

Spirit of cricket

New Zealand’s cricket team rightly deserves the ICC’s 2019 Christopher Martin-Jenkins’ Spirit of Cricket Award. The team has been recognised for their sporting conduct and high class sportsmanship in the men’s World Cup final at Lord’s in July this year where they lost the game in a nail biting match which witnessed opponents England winning on the number of boundaries scored after the match got tied in the regular fifty overs and then a super over.
MCC president Kumar Sangakkara remarked that the New Zealand team are worthy winners of this award and what he opined is right to the core for even in the heat of the thrilling match the Kiwis never lost their cool and only displayed excellent sportsmanship worthy of emulating. The match lingers in our memory not just for its thrill and chill but for the beautiful spirit of cricket displayed  especially by the New Zealand team.
At a time when cricketers get into all types of tiffs, conflicts, clashes and dirty  ‘sledging ‘ at the drop of a hat the Kiwis  proved that gentlemanliness is still alive and  they have become true role models to the cricket world.
The spirit of cricket Cricket Award was created in 2013 by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the BBC in memory of the former MCC president and BBC Test Match Special commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins who was so passionate  about the gentleman’s game and always  wanted to see the game played in the right way and was keen in promoting the spirit of the game.

M Pradyu


(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

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Man arrested for stalking, assaulting TV actress and her friend at Charni Road

Harshita Kashyap,Kashyap,Harshita,Assault,TV Actress,TV, Actress
Image Courtesy: Facebook

The Churchgate Government Railway Police (GRP) has held a 26-year-old from Worli for stalking and assaulting a 29-year-old Television actress and her friend at Charni Road Railway Station, Mumbai. The arrested accused identified as Shahrukh Shaikh who works at south Mumbai in a night club.

TV actress Harshita Kashyap who was a contestant of Splitsvilla 8, said to police, she and her friend were at the railway station heading back home when they realized that they were being followed by a man. When the actress confronted the accused he said, “If I am staring at you, what is the problem?”

Initially, the actress and her friend decided to ignore the accused however, he was still following them hence they decided to confront him again. As per the actress’s statement, “He first slapped her friend which shook her. I go to the gym daily and as I am fit I decided to teach him a lesson and started hitting him. Shaikh retaliated and he even started hitting me. The office goers and co-passengers intervened meanwhile the police personnel arrived and took us to the GRP chowki on the platform.”

Later on, police nabbed the accused and booked him under sections 354 (a), 354 (b) and 323 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Corruption is an issue cutting across party lines

Media can do wonders, if it has editors with moral values, who dare to stay independent and fearless of political consequences for truthful reporting. Corruption corroding the country is indeed a dismal scenario. Congress has become synonymous with corruption among the general people of the country which is an unfortunate stance. Corruption cannot be removed only by dethroning a specific political party. Name it any Party everyone has got buried skeletons of their Karma. Let it be Indira Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Kalmadi, Kripa Shankar Singh, Madhu Koda, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mayawati and Jayalalithaa, the list is very long and all are convicted for scandals and scams. Congress and NCP are the  worst example in this corruption saga. BJP is now shouting against corruption neglecting the fact that Yeddyurappa is in jail for the same reason, these traits would only result in other party’s success. When they will come in power, they would do the same. The country of Harishchandra and Rama must regain its former glory in the eyes of the world. Yes, it is true that corruption is the key issue in the election and that hurt the Congress and nobody else.

BJP’s corruption in Karnataka or the  corruption of Bajanlals and Chautala’s of Haryana did not hurt them. Congress had lost the ground in Bihar long ago and it will take time to retrieve lost ground. Corruption is an issue cutting across party lines everywhere but Congress alone gets hurt on that account. If there are more winners and Congress is the only loser in elections, there will not be a stable government to take the country forward in growth with peace and communal harmony. History bears testimony that Congress had taken action against corrupt party men may be with a delay sometimes. Those corrupt will be unholy as long as in Congress, once they are out, they will become holy and BJP will accept. Example SUKH RAM of Himachal Pradesh. Congress cannot play doublespeak with the PM saying one thing and Digvijaya Singh saying the opposite every time. To make matters worse, the cases foisted against Ran Dev and his aide, and all team Anna Members are quite obviously vindictive measures – which did not go down well with the public. Congress is not found serious on scams or corruption issues. The UPA is spoiled mainly because of their corrupt and very wealthy cabinet ministers, ministers, MPs and MLAs at state levels. Rahul Gandhi is too junior and inexperienced to hold a minister’s post even, considering the corrupt Congress politicians around him! So the media has got to bring out and highlight the corrupt practices presently prevailing at various levels in our country now.

Some introspection the Congress is likely to sow dismal performance in the six state assembly elections slated for next year. The Congress’s total rout in the four bye elections cannot be judged as an index of the public mood against the party. All these states lie in different regions. What should be more worrisome for the party is that it is in power in all these states except in Bihar. If Congress does not take it as a wakeup call, it should be ready to bite the dust in the assembly elections in some states next year and the general elections in 2014. But for some introspection the Congress is likely to sow dismal performance in the six state assembly elections stated for next year. Congress cannot continue the role played in the freedom struggle, which is a half-century old story. The second part of the last century has been dynamic in geometric progression and aspirations of people have been widely changed and shifted. A new think tank to laterally evolve policies and thoughts relevant for the near future should be devised. Of course, a new, young, thoughtful and selfless leader is the need of the hour not only for Congress but also for the main stream major political parties. In the two other Assembly by-elections, in Daraunda in Bihar and Banswada in Andhra Pradesh, the stakes were not as high but the losses compounded the Congress’s misery.

In Daraunda, the Janata Dal (United), capitalising on the popularity of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, closed out both the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress. In Banswada, the game was quite different: Telangana overrode all other issues, and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, who resigned as a Telugu Desam member to contest again as a Telangana Rashtra Samithi candidate, trounced the ruling Congress party candidate by a huge margin. For the loser, there were different lessons from the four by-elections. Hisar showed that corruption is a powerful issue, and that the party can no longer make light of the movement for a strong anti-corruption institutional mechanism. Khadakwasla taught the Congress and the NCP that opportunistic, short-sighted politics does not pay. Daraunda exposed Congress’s grassroots weaknesses. Banswada served as a reality check on the Telangana issue, demonstrating the spreading popular support for statehood in the region. A party in denial might be tempted to dismiss these results as no more than straws in the wind. The real point is that each one of the straws, coming from different directions, is a bearer of grim tidings.

Let it be Telangana issue, Hisar elections or any such event, team Hazare and humiliation to them has got things to notice, that is corruption, in justice and over powering each other in the name of revolution and agitation. Otherwise, all are of the same pond. Nevertheless, the entire political breed is spoiled.


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PMC crisis: Two airplanes, yacht belonging to HDIL to be sold

PMC bank, PMC crisis, PMC scam,Rakesh Wadhawan , HDIL, Airplanes,Sarang wadhwan,Punjab & Maharashtra Co-operative Bank ,RBI The court allowed RBI appointed administrator for PMC Bank to sell two airplanes and a yacht belonging to HDIL group promoters Rakesh Wadhawan and his son Sarang, the prime accused in the Rs 4,355-crore scam at the cooperative lender. According to the Mumbai Police’s EOW, the PMC Bank management, in cahoots with the Wadhawans, concealed from the banking regulators’ scrutiny huge loan defaults by HDIL group firms. The administrator had moved the metropolitan court, seeking its direction to sell movable assets attached by probe agencies in connection with the scam at Punjab & Maharashtra Co-operative Bank (PMC Bank).

According to the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW), the PMC Bank management, in cahoots with the Wadhawans, concealed from the banking regulators’ scrutiny huge loan defaults by HDIL group firms. Over 70 per cent of the bank’s advances went to HDIL group, which led to a huge crisis when the realty group defaulted on repayment, the EOW had said. The RBI had on September 24 imposed operational curbs on PMC Bank and appointed an administrator following detection of alleged financial irregularities.

Rakesh Wadhawan’s family member who is a social figure told Afternoon Voice, “ We believe in truth, “when going gets tough the tough gets going” we will follow the orders of the court and also cooperate in every inquiry as law abiding citizens.”

Developer and builder Rakesh Wadhwan is a very close associate of Congress’s former minister Kripa Shankar Singh, who was accused of keeping two pan cards and also having amassed undeclared properties. Meanwhile, three directors of PMC Bank, including two women, were arrested on Tuesday for their alleged role in the Rs 6,670-crore loan fraud case. The economic offences wing (EOW) of the local police suspect some of the bank directors and their relatives had prior knowledge of the scam as they had cleaned out their accounts before the RBI appointed an administrator for the bank.

HDIL owner Rakesh Wadhawan is also connected to an alleged cheating case involving real estate giant Rudra Buildwell. The case relates to a complaint by 50 flat buyers who alleged that they had booked flats in the real estate project in Ghaziabad’s Indirapuram in 2011 but it did not take off. Wadhawan was named in a charge sheet and summoned by the Delhi Police. Wadhawan’s family businesses span real estate, financial services and retail. For years the Wadhawans known for their love for flashy cars had virtually treated PMC Bank as a personal lender.

Priyanka is very chilled out: Rajkummar Rao

Rajkummar Rao,Priyanka ChopraActor Rajkummar Rao has developed a great equation with his upcoming film “The White Tiger” none other than co-star Priyanka Chopra, who he says is one of the most chilled out persons to work with.

Priyanka and Rajkummar are working together for the first time in the screen adaptation of Arvind Adiga’s book, set at Netflix.

The film, which will mark the acting debut of Adarsh Gourav, helmed by Ramin Bahrani of “Fahrenheit 451” and “99 Homes” fame.

“Right now we are shooting in Delhi. The entire team is fantastic and our director Ramin is phenomenal. Adarsh and Priyanka are wonderful co-actors. Priyanka is a dear friend now, she is very chilled out. Her tag of ‘desi girl’ is perfect for her. She’s a full on desi girl,” Rajkummar told reporters at the red carpet event of Filmfare Glamour and Style awards.

Adiga’s book follows the extraordinary journey of a self-made man from tea-shop worker in a village to successful entrepreneur in a big city. Murder, love and deceit become the ultimate price for ambition.

Akshay Kumar’s ‘Gold’ headed for release in China

Gold, Akshay Kumar, Gold release in china, 13th december, khiladiAkshay Kumar starrer 2018 sports drama ‘Gold’ is now headed for a release in China on December 13, 2019.

Akshay shared the news on Twitter, “GOLD releasing in China on 13th December, 2019!” he wrote.

The film traces the journey of Tapan Das, a man who dreamt of making India win its first gold in Hockey post-independence.

The movie opened in Indian theatres last year on Independence Day, which also marked the 70th anniversary of free India’s first gold medal at the 1948 Olympics.

The sports drama directed by Reema Kagti and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani has an ensemble cast including Amit Sadh, Kunal Kapoor, Vineet Singh, and Sunny Kaushal, among others.

‘Gold’ was a hit at the box office and it became the ‘Khiladi’ actor’s ninth film to enter in the Rs 100 crore club on the 13th day of its release.

Ranveer Singh’s first look from ‘Jayeshbhai Jordaar’

Jayeshbhai Poster, RanvJayeshbhai Postereer SinghJAYESHBHAI hain ekdum JORDAAR,Jayeshbhai JordaarKnown for essaying an impressive array of roles, actor Ranveer Singh first look from his upcoming film ‘Jayeshbhai Jordaar’ was revealed on Wednesday.

The ‘Gully Boy’ actor portray’s the role of a Gujarati in his forthcoming flick.

Ranveer took to his Twitter account, to share his new avatar.

“JAYESHBHAI hain ekdum JORDAAR! #JayeshbhaiJordaar #ManeeshSharma #DivyangThakkar @yrf”, read the caption.

In the poster, Ranveer is seen wearing an orange, polo-neck T-shirt with print and faded black jeans. The wavy hairstyle has been added to complete the personality of the character, making him look like an innocent Gujarati man. Interestingly, the lead actor also sported a moustache.

From the poster, it seems that the 34-year-actor is protecting women, who have covered their faces with veils, from something approaching as he breaks the fourth wall. He seems to have shed weight for the film too.

Scripted and helmed by debutant writer-director Divyang Thakkar and the Yash Raj Films production has been bankrolled by Maneesh Sharma. The release date of the film is yet to be announced.

On the work front, Ranveer is working on Kabir Khan’s sports drama ’83’ which will hit the big screens on April 10, 2020.

Moscow will dominate Middle East for long time

Moscow, russia, us, united states, usaOn one hand United States military outposts and bases are being emptied or destroyed after Washington withdrew from the North East Syria and left its Kurdish allies and on the other hand Russian forces are moving in to take over these empty bases. This clearly illustrates that how Russia is filling in the gap left by US. It will not be an exaggeration to say that Moscow has established itself as more reliable partner then US in the region. Czarist Russia had longstanding interests in the Middle East, and its successor, the USSR rapidly after World War II emerged as a critical player in the region in its contest with the United States. But after end of cold war and subsequent disintegration of USSR. Moscow lost its influence and stature in the region this downfall in the region always dauted Russian leadership which always carved for a greater role in the Middle East. Syrian civil war provided Russia with golden opportunity to enter in the regional arena and prove itself a dominant player. Putin used this opportunity very well and exploited it to maximum. Russia now has been established as major player in the region and it will play this role for long time to come. Let’s have a look at factors which will enable Russia to dominate regional landscape for long.

Proven Military Might- The weaponry and equipment that Moscow brought in Syrian theatre from the very beginning signalled a clear intent to stay for the long term. Russian brought in its best state of art defence system like- S-400 surface-to-air missile (SAM) anti-aircraft/missile system. In addition to SAMs and airspace control, Russia has tactical ballistic and cruise missiles and advanced anti-ship missiles deployed. Kremlin even send its only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, on the Mediterranean and fly aircraft off it, even if there were difficulties. The broader point conveyed is that Moscow used all tools in its arsenal to project power and assert influence when it needed to and will continue to do so.

Diplomatic Powerhouse- In the diplomatic realm, Moscow now clearly wields superior effectiveness, having developed contacts with all parties and a distinctive ability to mediate, balance and help shape, rather than trying in vain to impose outcomes. Maintaining good relations with all sides has been core of Russia Middle East strategy. Unlike the United States, which has always divided the region into allies and foes, Russia has taken a pragmatic approach which is paying good dividends. Russia only has the ability at this point in time to interact with many state and nonstate actors in the Middle East. Like-Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, UAE and Kurds. Even the traditionally American-oriented countries like Israel now look for greater understanding with Moscow.

Reliable Ally- Russia has transformed the battlefield, saved its allies, and established itself as reliable partner which can always be banked upon. Moscow presented itself as a reliable ally which believed in maintaining current status quo for traditional Middle Eastern leaders who fear any change. Russia has proved itself as an all-weather friend which won’t judge will just help.

Russia has used same mix of military and diplomatic tools but in its own creative way that made the United States dominant in the region for so many decades. Russia’s actions in the Middle East should be seen in the wider context of its global geopolitical rivalry with the United States and its Western allies. The creation of a ‘multipolar world’ in place of the United States dominated unipolar world order, has long been a comprehensive Russian geopolitical goal. Outside the countries of the former USSR the Middle East is probably the region where Russia has been most successful in consolidating its influence at America’s expense. United States eagerness to disentangle itself from the regional conflicts creates more room for Russia to expand. Russia’s growing influence in the region has also been a result of US ambiguous strategy and lack of foresight. It’s hard truth that by pursuing its clear-cut goals with limited means but with determination, Russia has returned to Middle East to play a major role. America by contrast lacks a consensus about what its goals and interests are, let alone how best to secure them.

By Manish Rai


Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

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Find suitable alternative for plastic bags – Part I

Alternatives to plastic bags plastic ban,Plastic Bags,Plastic Ban,Pollution,Alternatives

The greatest man made disaster towards green environment comes from use of plastic, especially the thin film variety. While touring vast areas of Southern India I was pleasantly surprised to see the strict enforcement of plastic ban. During my visit to Mahabaleshwar, Aurangabad, Pune last year, I have noticed awareness about ill effects of plastic. It is heartening to note that by and large India has become active in banning plastic totally. It is however deplorable that West Bengal turns a blind eye when it comes to banning and enforcement of the ban on thin film plastic. Must be vested interests are working against the interest of common people.

Partial ban on plastic bags that several local bodies in the country implemented at various stages has fallen flat so far primarily due to faulty implementation. Secondly, the non-availability of feasible alternatives has been dissuading administrators from opting for a complete ban. Cloth is the next choice, though the non-woven bags that pass off as cloth bags in most shops these days are equally or even more dangerous than plastic bags.

Plastic bags play a negative role in chocking the drainage system. Reuse old polythene bags. Make sure you do not burn polythene bags as they cause a lot of pollution. With so many options, finding the right alternative for plastic carry bags is a tricky matter and only large-scale awareness at the grass root level can ensure that another hazardous material does not substitute plastic.

Though paper is the first option, it cannot be counted as an environment-friendly option considering the large-scale destruction of trees for paper pulp and also because they cannot hold much weight. Though recycled paper bags have become a trend, common people may not find them pocket-friendly. Up-cycled paper bags using newspapers may be used for purposes other than packaging liquid and semi liquid products.

The third option is biodegradable plastic that comes in several varieties.  There are starch-based bio plastics that are soluble in hot water. There is also compostable plastic that disintegrates and joins the soil within 90 to 180 days. Plastic bags, thermocol, disposable cups and plates, cutlery, non-woven polypropylene bags, plastic pouches and packaging are all banned.

Bamboo is one of the largest members of the grass family and is the fastest growing woody plant on the planet. Its growth rate varies according to the soil and climate, and is best known as a major food source for pandas. Bamboo is also used for culinary and medicinal purposes in many parts of the world, as well for construction materials, furniture, textiles, musical instruments, bicycles, clothing and more. 

(The latter part of the article will continue tomorrow)


(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

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