Delhi High Courts grants Bail to pregnant student activist from Jamia Millia Islamia Safoora Zargar on Tuesday. She was under Delhi Police custody on an alleged conspiracy behind the North east Delhi Riots happened in February. Delhi Police had said on Monday that her pregnancy should not be a consideration to grant bail.
Delhi High Court has granted Safoora a bail on the ground of humanitarian rights. There were widespread concerns over the custody and imprisonment of Safoora who is 23 week pregnant and her life in Tihar jail amidst the Covid19 pandemic.
On Tuesday, Tushar Mehta, the Solicitor General submitted central government’s state that Centre has no problem to send Safoora in a bail. Safoora will remain in Delhi only as SG clears.
It is the bench of Rajiv Shakhader granted bail for Safoora on a personal bond of ten thousand and other conditions including She must not be indulged in any of the criminal offenses that she is investigated for and she has to be in touch with the investigative officers once in 15 days at least through the phone call.
Suspended Jammu and Kashmir DSP Davinder Singh, arrested while ferrying two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists in a vehicle on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway earlier this year, was granted bail by a Delhi court on Friday, his lawyer said.
Singh and another accused in the case — Irfan Shafi Mir — were granted the relief by the court in a case filed by special cell of Delhi Police, noting that the probe agency failed to file charge sheet within 90 days from his arrest, as prescribed under law, their lawyer M S Khan said.
The bail was granted on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and two sureties of like amount.
The Kerala film industry plunged into sadness when the news came of ailing popular film director and script writer KR Sachidanandan (Sachy) passing away at a hospital in Thrissur on Thursday night, film industry sources said.
Popularly known as Sachy, the 48-year-old was recovering from a hip surgery when he suffered a cardiac arrest on Tuesday. He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a leading hospital in Thrissur.
The Malayalam film industry was engulfed in grief after the news of Sachy’s demise surfaced. Actors Prithviraj Sukumaran, Nivin Pauly, Tovino Thomas and Dulquer Salaam were among those who shared condolences on social media.
Sachy, a practicing lawyer in the Kerala High Court, turned to the film industry first by jointly writing scripts before going solo. His second film as a director, ‘Ayyapanum Koshyum’, turned out to be the biggest grosser this year, till the lockdown kicked in.
His brief film career began in 2007, when he scripted the film, ‘Chocolate’, along with Sethu with whom he wrote four more scripts.
Sachy with Prathviraj Sukumaran and Biju Menon during the shooting of ‘Ayyappanum Koshiyum.’
He wrote his first solo script for the Mohanlal starrer, ‘Run Baby Run’, in 2012 and went on to write another six scripts, which included ‘Anarkali’ , his first film a as director, in 2015.
On Wednesday, his close aides, including leading film personalities like actor Prithviraj and Biju Menon, and directors Renjith and B. Unnikrishnan, joined hands to see how the best medical care could be given to him and even expressed their desire to hire an air ambulance to shift him to another hospital.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi turns 50 today. The occasion won’t be celebrated in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the death of 20 Army personnel in a stand-off with China in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh. But party workers and leaders share greetings and wishes to Rahul Gandhi through social media.
The party had asked its state and district units not to organise any celebration on his birthday.
Sources said All India Congress Committee general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal had asked all state units of the party not to organise any celebratory activities owing to the COVID-19 crisis and the death of the soldiers.
He, however, suggested that party members should strengthen their efforts in providing support and relief to all those who are suffering.
Mr Venugopal suggested that distribution of food kits among the needy and community kitchens for the poor could be organised to alleviate the pain and suffering of the people during this difficult time.
He has asked the state and district units of the party to observe silence and hold prayers for two minutes in memory of valiant soldiers who put down their lives protecting the motherland, sources said.
They said the National Students’ Union of India, the student wing of the Congress, would organise country-wide blood donation camps on Friday and would provide cash incentives to the poor who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
‘Ancestry’ seems such an exhilarating word. You read it or think of it or hear it, and it often makes your heart yearn for your forefathers, as fond memories fill up the space in your mind and your heart begins to sink in with the realization that you are a living soul that once was a part of someone else – someone, who now may or may not, be alive.
Hotel Naaz, a short documentary about a hospitality destination of the same name strategically located in Jama Masjid, is a letter to a deceased grandfather from his granddaughter. The Jama Masjid area – whose streets you will always find awake with the honking of cars and scooters, ringing bells of cycle-rickshaws, slurping of tea early in the morning and munching of some bread pakoras and samosas, clattering of utensils as restaurants prepare themselves to serve their customers as folks bump into each other on their way to their places of work or hurry to make it in time for their prayers inside the mosque – is one of the top tourist attractions in Delhi, cream of the crop being the mosque itself. Naturally, an ideal place is required for travellers and those on business to feel at home when in the city.
Among such places is the Naaz Hotel, established by Mohammad Hussain sahab in January, 1959. The film begins with a brief introduction by Fayazuddin sahab, also known as Hajimiyan, the owner of the hotel, on how 6 to 8 decades ago there were hardly any hotels in Delhi and on the history of the friendship between Hindus and Muslims, and then you hear a soft voice talking in the background, agile yet heavy with emotions. As it turns out – the voice belongs to the granddaughter (also one of the core makers of this documentary) of Hussain sahab, Yusra Hasan. It wasn’t until this moment that the fact was acknowledged but when it did, I instantly knew how special the next twenty minutes were going to be. A warm smile crept onto my face and it lasted longer than I thought it would.
Naaz hotel hasn’t only been a home to travellers, but also its staff members and sometimes their families, too. The former manager, Ashraf Ali sahab, practically grew up here and staring into the distance, he recalls how he used to ride his tricycle in the lobbies and also study here. One striking fact he made us aware of is that qawwals (Sufi singers) and artists as big as M.F. Hussain have also stayed at Naaz Hotel.
As Yusra aapi (sister) continues to write in her notebook to her grandfather, remembering him, she says that she can “almost hear the qawwals who stayed here”, but fears that she’s beginning to forget what her grandfather sounded like. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sense the dread in her voice as she affirms her horror. It hit me with a pang of pain in my chest and I stopped to think, “Am I going to forget how my grandparents sound like too, one day?” But I didn’t let this thought break the flow of the film, I somehow curbed the shivers that had gone down my spine and pressed on “play”.
Moving on, there is a montage of pictures from Yusra aapi’s childhood; with her grandfather, cousins, uncles and other family members. It was hard to make out where she was in the photographs but I have to say, beautiful genes run in her family! She goes on talking to her daadu and says that through her interactions with the people who have known her grandfather, who familiarized her with his own youth, his interests and how he came up with the idea of doing business in hotels, she’s getting to know more about him. She not only sees him just as “daadu” anymore, but now also as “Mohammad Hussain”. A man has many identities – he’s a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a colleague or an employer etc., and this project became the course for a granddaughter to get an insight into the life of the person she claims to not have been very close with, but certainly misses a lot.
The camera then shifts to Mr. Danish Hasan, son of Mohammad Hussain sahab and father of Yusra Hasan. A very earnest Yusra aapi tells her daadu that his son is just like him; not very good at expressing his emotions, and then asks him a question, “Why are you men like this?” This was another moment where I had to take a pause and breathe. Isn’t the question relevant to what the conception is about males expressing themselves? There is a desperate need to ponder upon this, we need to ask ourselves why it’s so bizarre, or “feminine” for that matter, for boys to cry when they’re hurt or for men to discuss what they’re stressed about? It’s a profound question…take a break from reading this, and think about it, or think about it afterwards.
My most favourite part of the documentary was the moment when Yusra aapi’s four year old nephew (whom I personally know) sneaked up on her, after which she picked him up and the two affectionately grinned at each other and it was the most pure thing I had seen in a long time. The changing background music is so well chosen that it literally brought tears to my eyes when I saw the two playing. In this one moment, there were three generations standing together; Yusra aapi’s father and uncle, herself and her nephew, talking about a member of their fourth generation.
Just the thought of it warms my heart immensely as I write this. I’m confident that I’m not the only one.
As Mr. Danish and his brother, Mr. Adil, sit together reminiscing about their father, sharing jokes about how terrified people sometimes were of him and how he was very particular about the way his hotel was managed, I can only imagine how proud they feel today of the legacy their father has left behind, a legacy that now gets to be shared with the world through none other than his own granddaughter.
The adhaan (call to prayer) in the background was music to my ears, as it always is.
The curiosity about why the hotel was named “Naaz” made Yusra aapi get in touch with the youngest brother of Mohammad Hussain sahab from London, who explains how the inspiration for this name was their sister, Nazma, and here my eyes watered again. Imagine the amount of love the brothers would have had for their sister. The beauty of some relationships simply leave you dazed, don’t they?
Towards the end, we get a glimpse of the magnificent Jama Masjid that is the view from Naaz Hotel. The song “Yeh Zindagi Ke Mele” by Mohammad Rafi plays in the background as the camera takes us back to the restless streets of Chandni Chowk. The song, just like every other tune in the documentary, is perfect and fits well with what I think is one of its themes – death is inevitable, and we all die alone. What remains, however, is the heritage and memories we leave behind.
I’ll end here with Yusra aapi’s last words in her letter to her daadu, “Naaz, it speaks of you,” and I’m sure you can’t convince her otherwise.
According to latest information, Indian soldiers who were killed in Galwan Valley, were allegedly attacked with iron rods and nail studded clubs by the Chinese side. According to NDTV, Indian Army sources have claimed that Indian soldiers were not shot, but killed in a hand-to-hand combat, that included stones and batons.
Twenty Indian soldiers including the commanding officer of an infantry battalion were killed on Monday evening in a clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan valley where soldiers of the two countries have been locked in a tense stand-off for more than one month.
Responding to the incident, 48 hours later, Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi issued words of condolences to the deceased soldiers’ families.
“Tributes to the martyrs who lost their lives protecting our nation in Eastern Ladakh. Their supreme sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
Meanwhile Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, praised the soldiers’ bravery and courage.
“The loss of soldiers in Galwan is deeply disturbing and painful. Our soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
The loss of soldiers in Galwan is deeply disturbing and painful. Our soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
The Nation will never forget their bravery and sacrifice. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen soldiers. The nation stand shoulder to shoulder with them in this difficult hour. We are proud of the bravery and courage of India’s breavehearts,” tweeted Rajnath Singh.
However, the Defence Minister did not provide any further information about the face-off or the steps initiated by both sides to de-escalate the situation.
Meanwhile, Beijing on Wednesday categorically issued a statement claiming that the Galwan Valley belonged to China. Chinese spokesperson, Zhao Lijian said that the Chinese side did not “want to see more clashes”, but also said that “China owns sovereignty over the Galwan Valley region”, the Times of India reported.
However, the Ministry of External Affairs has claimed that India on Wednesday conveyed its protest in “strongest terms” to China.
In a telephonic conversation between external affairs minister, S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, on Wednesday, Jaishnkar is said to have warned China about serious impact on bilateral relations between both countries. “The need of the hour was for the Chinese side to reassess its actions and take corrective steps. The two sides should scrupulously and sincerely implement the understanding that was reached by the Senior Commanders on 6th June,” the official statement from the ministry of external affairs said.
In its initial statement early on Tuesday, the Indian army had announced that an officer and two soldiers had been killed in action. By evening, an update by the army said 17 Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty at the stand off location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high-altitude terrain had succumbed to injuries.
The army statement issued on Tuesday evening also said the Indian and Chinese troops at the Galwan area where they had earlier clashed ” have disengaged”.
The Chinese army also suffered casualties in the face-off but there was no immediate confirmation of the numbers.
The army statement came hours after the external affairs ministry rebutted the Chinese accusations that blamed Indian soldiers for provoking the clash. External affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said Monday evening’s violent face-off took place in Galwan valley where the Chinese side “departed from the consensus to respect the LAC (Line of Actual Control)” and attempted to “unilaterally change the status quo”.
The external ministry ministry did not elaborate how the Chinese troops had tried to alter the status quo. Officials later said it could be a reference to an observation post set up by the Chinese troops on the Indian side of the LAC that was removed by Indian soldiers.
These are the first Indian casualties in a border skirmish with the People’s Liberation Army since October 1975 when Chinese troops ambushed an Indian patrol in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tulung La sector and shot four soldiers dead.
20 Indian soldiers including the commanding officer of an infantry battalion were killed on Monday evening in a clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan valley where soldiers of the two countries have been locked in a tense stand-off for more than one month.
In its initial statement early on Tuesday, the Indian army had announced that an officer and two soldiers had been killed in action. By evening, an update by the army said 17 Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty at the stand off location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high-altitude terrain had succumbed to injuries.
The army statement issued on Tuesday evening also said the Indian and Chinese troops at the Galwan area where they had earlier clashed ” have disengaged”.
The Chinese army also suffered casualties in the face-off but there was no immediate confirmation of the numbers.
LADAKH, INDIA – AUGUST 05: An Indian army convoy moves towards the border in Pangong, a disputed territory between India and China, on August 5, 2012 in Ladakh, Indian-administered Kashmir. (Photo by Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)
The army statement came hours after the external affairs ministry rebutted the Chinese accusations that blamed Indian soldiers for provoking the clash. External affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said Monday evening’s violent face-off took place in Galwan valley where the Chinese side “departed from the consensus to respect the LAC (Line of Actual Control)” and attempted to “unilaterally change the status quo”.
The external ministry ministry did not elaborate how the Chinese troops had tried to alter the status quo. Officials later said it could be a reference to an observation post set up by the Chinese troops on the Indian side of the LAC that was removed by Indian soldiers.
These are the first Indian casualties in a border skirmish with the People’s Liberation Army since October 1975 when Chinese troops ambushed an Indian patrol in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tulung La sector and shot four soldiers dead.
The world is going through one of its toughest times in history, where the unprecedented outbreak of novel coronavirus has put the world into a standstill. Not only it created a blow in the healthcare sector, but also made the economic base abysmally weak. Concerning India, in this development phase, the outbreak of the virus has thrown severe implications on the economy.
When the increase in the cases were reported in India, the prime minister of the country called for complete lockdown of the nation, which was done without pre planning made life more painful for people. Particularly, the lives of laborers belonging to the informal sector were severely affected. Few days after the implementation of lockdown, the nation witnessed one of the greatest migrations of migrant laborers on foot for long distances from one end of the nation to another. There were no alternatives other than that, because their means of livelihood was a big question mark. One should not be blind towards those fatalities that are caused due to this migration.
Center for monitoring Indian economy (CMIE), statistics projects that unemployment rate is 21.1% currently, where urban rate of unemployment is 26.5% and rural rate is 23.2%. Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand constitute more of the unemployment rate which are 46.6%, 43.2% and 47.1% respectively. Almost every state is struggling with increased rates of unemployment, more specifically after when COVID pandemic hits the nation. If we are comparing the figures of unemployment, during March it was 8.75% but in April it rose to 23.52 and furthermore after that. During 2019 for the same time, the rate was only 7.03%. More seriously that fact is there is no record of foreign unemployed in the aforesaid data, where India’s a huge pack of human capital is working in foreign nationals also.
Like almost every nation, India also came up with the stimulus packages to overcome the ripples caused by pandemic. The finance minister emphasized the need for ‘atma nirbhar’. It is okay with the project if further incentives were also assisted with it for the smooth implementation. If we analyze the package, very few measures will only produce desired results. There were more provisions for corporate than boosting MSMEs which will create larger stakes in primary sectors. Moreover there were no any more incentives that will put money directly towards the beneficiaries to boost aggregate demand, which was suggested by economists like Nobel laureate Abhijith Banarjee to boost demand.
The number of informal sector workers in India is far more than those who work in formal sectors. For the same reason, the protection and security in the formal sector is a provision for those engaged there but at the same time is a big blow for the informal sector workers. Informal sector workers mostly engage in daily wage jobs etc and are organized to any particular firm or jobs mostly, which is a threat for their sustainability in the job market. That is what we saw when the country moved for lockdown, that informal sector laborers were in the crossroad while formal sector remained as a circuit. Also this does not deny that some of the formal sector enterprises also experienced the blow of this pandemic. But in total it was far more secure than the informal sector.
Amid all those catastrophes, states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan etc came forth for the restructure of the existing labor laws and rules. Verily more than the pandemic, this will create hardships for laborers. There was an ordinance produced by the UP government for suspension of labor and industry law for about three years. Large number of provisions in business disputes, safety of workers in factories, minimum wages, improvement in living conditions of laborers, working of labor unions, protection for contract and migrant laborer jobs, provident funds, bonus etc thirty eight items were suspended. After all those suspended items, part V of wages act of 1936, construction workers act of 1996, compensation act of 1993 will only have effect for next three years. The explanation given by the authorities for this particular move was to revive the economy and make ease for business. There is no chance in the laws that relate with children and women in work. From the entrepreneurs’ point of view this may be some benefits, but concerning the labor force it is not at all welcoming one.
Likewise Madhya Pradesh also changed the factories law that are beneficial for laborers for 1000 days also other states like Gujarat and Uttarakhand are also following the same. In Gujarat the basic provisions of laborers are taken away to provide sops for entrepreneurs. Working hours in the states were increased from 8 hours to 12 hours. This is how hypocrisy of government is unveiled. On the other hands they speak for the welfare of workers while on the other hand they restructure all the existing laws.
Almost every labor union, including labor unions under BJP and BMS also came against such moves from the side of governments. More than considering that all laws are beneficial for laborers, it is all about tireless efforts and struggles in the past days for achievement of those. Such things of larger importance are now being suspended like anything. Actually the labor laws are formulated based on the rights said in the constitution of India. The working time of eight hours per day is globally accepted. Also the Supreme Court of India and Indian labor conference insisted that minimum wage should be an amount that should satisfy self and dependents needs of a labor also that should satisfy health, education and healthy meals for the family.
So, restructuring of labor laws is denial of all those fundamental frameworks. Trade unions leaders commented that such laws will make laborers ‘slaves’ of the entrepreneurs.
At the same time, the crisis created a large impact on other sectors also, like agricultural, industrial, hotel management and tourism, information technology, public transport etc areas. Even in Kerala, its estimated about 17000 core losses in the hotel, restaurant sector itself. Verily there should be some provisions and incentives provided to entrepreneurs to overcome the crisis. But that should not be denying the basic right of laborers; those are supposed to work there.
Meanwhile the government should concentrate more on the sops which will create benefit for both entrepreneurs without affecting the needs of laborers in particular. The protection should not give to those who deploy capital only. But, it should also protect the right of labor. As India, having a large population which can be changed to a demographic dividend, labor can be made available cheaper, so there is a way cleared to invite foreign investments in that perspective, because there are presently large numbers of laborers unemployed in India. So by making friendly decisions for laborers and entrepreneurs, India can make its human capital than leaving it for a demographic disaster.
Actor Sushant Singh Rajputis reported to have died by suicide at his residence in Mumbai. He was 34. Rajput, who made his Bollywood debut with the 2013 film Kai Po Che!, is best known for his roles in Shuddh Desi Romance the same year and the 2016 hit MS Dhoni: The Untold Story.
According to media reports, Rajput’s body was discovered by his domestic help at his Bandra residence. His former manager, Disha Salian, was also reported to have died by suicide four days earlier.
Rajput’s last big screen release was Rajkumar Hirani’s Chhichhore.
He has committed suicide at his residence in Bandra. Our team is there, Manoj Sharma, additional commissioner of police, Western Region, told PTI.
The actor, who became popular with his starring role in the television show Pavitra Rishta made his foray into films with Kai Po Che! in 2013. He has starred in movies such as Shuddh Desi Romance, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Raabta, Kedarnath and Sonchiriya.
India is the third country in the line to hold highest number of covid-19 active cases just after US and Brazil. Going through a lockdown of almost 80 days, we have witnessed some of the extreme faces of our country, ranging from mass migrations to a crumpled economy at stake. An almost failed lockdown has left us with a lot insecurities and damages in fact.
Even in such an obscure situation, when the number of active cases are increasing at a rocket speed day by day, the question to be answered is; are we enough cautious in planning and administering the unlocking of our priorities?
Does the opening up of religious Institutions fall under the circle of necessity?
India is home to various religious domains and as a result we have distinctive cultures and traditions, most of which promotes mass prayers and congregations as a basis of faith and worship. Even though the government has framed certain rules to maintain social distancing and safety in religious institutions, the trouble arises when people start betraying the rules when they get completely focused on worship, seeking peace and security from God alone. The mass religious gatherings do not lend to physical distancing and gatherings inside certain confined spaces which would drive infection much faster. It is to be taken with much concern that we cannot afford a condition of mass transmission in such a pathetic situation.
A man wearing a facemask sanitises the Saint Joseph’s Cathedral as government plans to reopen places of worship as part of the relaxation measures of the nationwide lockdown imposed against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Hyderabad on June 7, 2020. (Photo by NOAH SEELAM / AFP)The normally bustling courtyard of the Jama Masjid in New Delhi on Friday. Rebecca Conway for The New York Times
Opening up such public places all of a sudden can lead to a surge in infectious cases. As the country is now reporting roughly 10,000 cases a day, this can make the situation even worse. It is true that religious ceremonies can help a believer to attain solace and inner peace, but as of now we’ve to rise from the walls of personal concern to the general good of whole humanity by sacrificing certain things.
I do respect the concept of religion as it is a fine medium to impart moral values in societal as well as personal life. But at a time when the whole of humanity’s existence is at brisk, we must be able to shorten the expressions of faith into our comfort zones. This is a time we can’t depend on Almighty’s mercy alone, for this is the time we need to act as responsible citizens for the general good.
It is noteworthy that some of the states have taken a decision not to open such institutions until the pandemic slowly retards.
Concerns regarding the people whose means of livelihood are mainly associated with religious institutions must also be taken into account. Also we need a system to support the hungry people left on harsh roads when the source of food from these places have came into an end.
As the lockdown already had provided some negative impacts and was unable to curb down the infection curve, what we need now is an assiduous and perfectly planned step for a better tomorrow. Because the failure of an insensible unlocking in such a vulnerable situation will result in an explosion of cases.
We must be legitimate and reasonable in unlocking the aspects of our society – giving importance only to the necessary and at the same time creating an inclusive structure for the betterment of every person.
