“The misfortune of the wise is better than the prosperity of the fool.”
Epicurus
“मूर्ख व्यक्ति की समृद्धता से समझदार व्यक्ति का दुर्भाग्य कहीं अधिक अच्छा होता है।”
एपिक्यूरस
Friday, September 23, 2022
Quote of the Day September 23, 2022
September 21: International Day of Peace
Key facts
- The International Day of Peace is observed to strengthen the ideals of peace through the observance of 24-hours of non-violence and ceasefire.
- Its main objective is to create a world where compassion and empathy overcome suspicion and hatred.
- The theme for 2022 is “End racism. Build peace.” It aims to eradicate racism and put an end to race-based discrimination.
- It highlights the plights faced by people who were displaced by conflicts because of racism.
- It also recognized the issues faced by certain racial groups during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect on certain races during the economic crisis.
- This year, International Day of Peace was observed on September 16, 2022 at the UN Headquarters in New York.
- The programme commenced with the traditional Peace Bell Ceremony at the Peace Garden
Background
The International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations General Assembly in the year 1981. In 2001, the UNGA adopted a resolution to designate this day as a period of non-violence and ceasefire.
About Peace Bell
The Peace Bell was donated by the United Nations Association of Japan in June 1954. It was created as a symbol of hope for peace. The bell was made from coin and medals donated by the representatives of member states, the Pope and people, including children from 60 countries. The bell tower was modelled based on the Hanamido (a temple decorated with flowers) that symbolizes the place where Buddha was born. It is rung twice a year – once at the Vernal Equinox and on the occasion of the International Day for Peace. It has an inscription on its side that reads “Long Live Absolute World Peace”.
Current Affairs- September 23, 2022
International Day of Sign Languages to be celebrated on Sept 23
– 10th IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum) Trilateral Ministerial Commission meeting held in New York
– 106 activists of PFI (Popular Front of India) arrested in raids by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 11 states over terror funding charges
– Minister of State for Culture Meenakshi Lekhi unveils ‘Wall of Delhi’ mural depicting 75 historical sites
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– PSU REC accorded with ‘Maharatna’ company status
– UCO Bank becomes first lender to get RBI’s approval for rupee trade
– RBI cancels licence of Solapur-based Laxmi Co-operative Bank
– Over Rs 58,000 crore in taxes lost in 2019-20 due to illicit trade in FMCG, mobile, tobacco, alcohol industry: FICCI report
– First consignment of plant-based meat products under Vegan food category exported to USA from Gujarat
– Atul Chaturvedi elected as first chairman of Asian Palm Oil Alliance
WORLD
– Global Clean Energy Action Forum-2022 being held in Pittsburgh (US) on Sept 21-22
– International Space Station gets 3 new residents (I from US, 2 Russians) after Russian Soyuz rocket launch from Kazakhstan
– US Senate ratifies international climate deal (Kigali Amendment to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on ozone pollution) to limit use of refrigerants
– Germany nationalises country’s largest gas importer Uniper for energy security against the backdrop of Russia’s gas supply freeze
– Ukraine announces high-profile prisoner swap that frees Ukrainian fighters who defended a steel plant in Mariupol during Russian siege
INDIA
– Defence Ministry signs deal for dual role (land as well as anti-ship) Surface-to-Surface BrahMos missile with BAPL (BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd)
– NCC (National Cadet Corps), UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) sign MoU in New Delhi to tackle the issue of plastic pollution
Nehru Fellowship 2023: Applications are open till 27 September 2022
For young, liberal-minded Indians, the Nehru Fellowship in Politics and Elections provides a rare chance to understand politics and elections in India. Campaigns, research, political strategy, and communications are just a few of the areas that the Fellowship intends to expose participants to in a way that is both unprecedented and practical. The Fellows might also get the chance to work in an election war room or in a senior politician's office.
The Fellowship will give Fellows the opportunity to build multidisciplinary expertise on a range of topics and industries that have an impact on societal development and the economy.
A 12-month, full-time program, the Fellowship will be situated in Hyderabad. The Fellows will be required to visit additional places as needed. Fellows will be paid a stipend of Rs. 75,000 per month.
Over the course of a year, fellows will work in a variety of departments inside a political consulting firm, such as campaigns, research, political strategy, and communications, to get practical experience.
An initial two-week training course will precede the Fellowship. Following training, fellows will work in three distinct capacities for six months (two months per function). Afterward, Fellows will spend the following six months specializing in one functional area of their choice. Fellows would have mastered the critical skills necessary to conceptualize, implement, and manage an election campaign at the end of the Fellowship, as well as a deeper understanding of how a political party handles elections.
Nehru Fellowship 2023: Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the fellowship is 27 September 2022.
Direct Link to Apply for Nehru Fellowship 2023
Nehru Fellowship 2023: Eligibility Criteria
The Fellowship's main objective is to give young Indians a platform to get involved in the planning and running of electoral campaigns.
The following eligibility requirements should be met by applicants:
- Must possess a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
- Must be younger than 30 years old (born after 03.09.1993 ).
- Must be a citizen of India.
Nehru Fellowship 2023: Selection Process
A two-stage evaluation procedure will be used to select Fellows.
Applicants will be shortlisted in the first round based on the data they supplied in their applications. A candidate's resume, employment history, and statement of purpose will all be taken into account.
The candidates that made the second round will be contacted for a video or in-person interview.
On the basis of the interview performance, final decisions will be made.
Source: The Telegraph, 22/09/22
Fine balance: Editorial on Supreme Court’s humane approach to reduce death penalties
The apex court has referred the issue of the presentation and analysis of mitigating circumstances to a five-judge Constitution bench for clear guidelines to be followed by all courts
When the law takes the extreme step, it must do so with the greatest care. Capital punishment, therefore, demands that a finely balanced process precedes it. The Supreme Court has reportedly been examining death penalty jurisprudence with the aim of clarification, especially in its procedural aspects. One of these aspects is the presentation of mitigating circumstances. Sometimes trial courts deliver the guilty verdict and the sentence of death on the same day, so the convict does not get enough time to present the mitigating circumstances that could prevent death. The sentence cannot be quashed just because it was delivered on the same day. The Supreme Court reportedly said that aggravating circumstances are part of the prosecution’s arguments, but mitigating circumstances cannot be presented till after sentencing, and that takes time. This puts the convict at a disadvantage, eliminating his chances of life imprisonment. Differences of opinion as to the time needed to present mitigating circumstances — even if the sentencing is not on the same day — cause an unevenness of procedure far from desirable in any legal system, let alone in a life-and-death matter. A meaningful and effective hearing of mitigating circumstances from the convict’s side, not just a formal one, would right the balance. The Supreme Court has referred the issue of the presentation and analysis of mitigating circumstances to a five-judge Constitution bench for clear guidelines to be followed by all courts.
This decision appears to follow from the three principles governing capital punishment that emerged from a much earlier case: individualised sentencing, ‘rarest of rare’ cases and principled sentencing. It is the last that deals with aggravating and mitigating circumstances. The Supreme Court’s emphasis has been on rehabilitation and reformation whenever possible, even when life imprisonment is without remission or with curtailed remission. This humane approach may help reduce death penalties further; the ongoing clarifications are crucial for that. But as critics of capital punishment point out, statistics worldwide indicate that the fear of the death penalty does not lessen crime. So the question would be, why continue with an extreme punishment that could turn out to be wrong too late? Such tragedies occur everywhere: all human beings are fallible. Ironically, the fear of being wrong lowers the conviction rate. So the need for capital punishment must be understood clearly too.
Source: The Telegraph, 23/09/22
Noncommunicable diseases caused 66% deaths in India in 2019: WHO
Every year 17 million people under the age of 70 die of NCDs – one every two seconds, and 86% of them live in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), WHO said
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – chief among them, cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke), cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases – along with mental health, cause nearly three-quarters of deaths in the world, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Every year 17 million people under the age of 70 die of NCDs – one every two seconds, and 86% of them live in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), WHO said in its report titled ‘Invisible numbers: The true extent of noncommunicable diseases and what to do about them’.
“NCDs are noncommunicable diseases, which include some of the world’s biggest killers: cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke), cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory
diseases,” it said.
41 million deaths
In India, according to the report, over 60.46 lakh people died due to NCDs in 2019 and the percentage of total deaths due to NCDs was 66%. And, the probability of 30-year-old-people in the country who would die before their 70th birthday due to NCDs is 22% while it is 18% at the global level. The four major NCDs – cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke), cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases – along with mental health, account for a very high proportion of deaths and ill health. In total, 41 million people – 74% of all deaths – die of an NCD each year, according to the report
“Most of these premature deaths are preventable. NCDs affect all countries and regions, but by far the largest burden falls on low- and middle-income countries, which account for 86% of these premature deaths. The COVID-19 pandemic took an especially heavy toll on people living with NCDs, highlighting how these diseases undermine the very foundations of good health,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, said in the report.
“This report is a reminder of the true scale of the threat posed by NCDs and their risk factors… The clock is ticking towards the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal target to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one third. Currently, we are far off track… NCDs are everyone’s business. Working together, we can build a healthier, safer and fairer world for all,” he added.
Relatively small additional investments in NCD prevention and treatment could make a big difference long before 2030: spending an additional $18 billion per year across all LMICs could generate net economic benefits of $ 2.7 trillion over the next seven years. This is an investment, not simply a cost, with the benefits of action going far beyond health, the report said.
Many of these early deaths are not inevitable. Addressing major risk factors that can lead to them – tobacco use, unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol, physical inactivity and air pollution – could prevent or delay significant ill health and a large number of deaths from many NCDs, it added.
According to WHO, millions of people – especially in lower-income settings – cannot access the prevention, treatment and care that could prevent or delay NCDs and their consequences. This huge inequity undermines the human right of everyone, in all countries, to the best available standard of health.
Four major NCDs
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) affect the heart and blood vessels and are the cause of more deaths globally than any other disease. CVDs account for one in three deaths – 17.9 million people a year, and 86% of CVD deaths could have been prevented or delayed by eliminating risks to health through prevention and treatment, as per the report. Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells are rapidly created and spread out of control to affect other parts of the body. One in six deaths – 9.3 million people a year are due to cancer, and 44% of cancer deaths could have been prevented or delayed by eliminating risks to health, WHO said.
Chronic respiratory diseases: The most common chronic respiratory diseases are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide with one in 13 deaths (4.1 million people a year), and WHO said 70% of chronic respiratory disease deaths could have been prevented or delayed by eliminating risks to health.
Diabetes occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough of the hormone insulin (type 1 diabetes) or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (type 2 diabetes). One in 28 deaths (2 million people a year) is due to diabetes and as WHO, more than 95% of diabetes cases globally are of type 2 diabetes.
COVID-19 and NCDs
COVID-19 highlighted the links between NCDs and infectious diseases, with serious impacts on NCD care. In the early months of the pandemic, 75% of countries reported disruption to essential NCD services because of lockdown restrictions and channelling of resources, including cancellation of elective care, reductions in screening and redeployment of staff, the report said.
Also during the pandemic, exposure to NCD risk factors changed. Public health measures such as lockdowns often led to less physical activity, and economic insecurity meant many people could not afford to eat a healthy diet.
People living with NCDs are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. Current evidence suggests, for example, that people with obesity or diabetes have a greater chance of being hospitalised or dying from COVID-19; people with coronary artery disease and COPD are also at higher risk of severe outcomes; and smoking increases the chance of dying from COVID-19.
This implies that protecting people from NCDs and their risk factors will also build resilience to other health conditions, including infectious diseases, minimising the health and economic consequences of future epidemics, the report said.
Noting that too many people are getting sick and dying from NCDs that could have been avoided, WHO warned that inaction on NCDs is not an option for any government that cares about its people or its economy.
“Countries have the power to turn the tide on NCDs. This requires a few ingredients – political will, right policies and interventions, stronger health care delivery and protection for the vulnerable,” it said.
Source: The Federal, 23/09/22
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Quote of the Day: September 20, 2022
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”
Plato
“बुद्धिमान व्यक्ति बोलते हैं क्योंकि उनके पास बोलने के लिए कुछ होता है, मूर्ख व्यक्ति बोलते हैं क्योंकि उन्हें कुछ कहना होता है।”
प्लैटो
Current Affairs-September 20, 2022
INDIA
– PM Modi meets Deputy PM and Finance Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong in New Delhi
– Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calls on President of Egypt Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo
– Kazakhstan to host Conference on Confidence Building Measures and Interaction in Asia (CICA) Summit in capital Astana on October 12-13; invites PM Modi
– President Droupadi Murmu meets King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London
– Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DONER G. Kishan Reddy addresses the Tourism Ministers’ meeting of the BRICS member countries virtually
– Odisha BJP leader Bishnu Charan Sethi dies at 61 in Bhubaneswar
– Shri Panchkhand Peethadheeshwar Acharya Swami Dharmendra Maharaj dies in Jaipur at 80
– Former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh joins BJP, merges Punjab Lok Congress with BJP
– Manipur CM Biren Singh launches portal ‘CM da Haisi’ (Let’s inform the CM) to address public grievances
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) amends regulations to boost value of stressed companies
– 9th Session of Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture being held in New Delhi from September 19 to 24
WORLD
– Ukraine says Russia strikes Pivdennoukrainsk nuclear power plant in Mykolaiv region, reactors undamaged
– 94 people killed in border clashes between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
– Nigeria: Death toll from Lassa fever rises to 171 this year
– International World Snakebite Awareness Day observed on September 19
SPORTS
– WTA Chennai Open tennis: Linda Fruhvirtova (Czech Republic) wins singles; Luisa Stefani (Brazil) & Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada) win doubles
Current Affairs- September 19, 2022
INDIA
– National conference of tourism ministers of States & UTs being held in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh on Sept 18-20
– Over 100,000 donate blood on Sept 17, creating world record as part of the fortnight-long ‘Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav’
– 9 District Disability Rehabilitation centres (DDRCs) inaugurated across the country by Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment
– Karnataka CM Basavraj Bommai launches diagnostic service Xpress Clinic
– Rajasthan to give 2% reservation to sportspersons in govt jobs: CM Ashok Gehlot
– Japan India Maritime Exercise 2022 (JIMEX 22) concludes in the Bay of Bengal
– Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh will lead the Joint Indian Ministerial Delegation of Power, New and Renewable Energy and Science and Technology to America to take part in Global Clean Energy Action Forum.
– President Droupadi Murmu offers tributes to Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in London
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– ICAR signs tech transfer pact with Biovet for lumpy skin disease vaccine
WORLD
– Toronto International Film Festival: ‘The Fabelmans’, directed by Steven Spielberg, wins People’s Choice Award
– Tsunami warnings issued after 6.8-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan
– Typhoon Nanmadol bears down on Japan’s southernmost main island of Kyushu
– Tropical storm Fiona becomes a hurricane, aims at Puerto Rico
– International Equal Pay Day celebrated on Sept 18; aims to bridge gender pay gap
SPORTS
– Football: Bengaluru FC win Durand Cup by defeating Mumbai City FC 2-1 in final at Kolkata
– World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade: India’s Bajrang Punia wins bronze in men’s 65 kg
– Davis Cup tennis: Norway beat India 3-0 in World Group I tie at Lillehammer
– India’s Pranav Anand (Under-16) & A. R. Ilamparthi (Under-14) win titles at World Youth Chess Championship in Romania
Study in France: Opportunities, Courses, Scholarships and more
Sitting near the Eiffel Tower working on your college assignments and eating a croissant. Sounds dreamy? Well, it doesn't need to be a dream! French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, on her recent visit to India, said that the government in France was looking to increase the number of Indian students studying in France to 20,000 by the year 2025.
France is one of the most sought-after destinations for Indians to pursue higher education whether in fashion, business or art. If you are aspiring to become the next Marie Curie or Jean Luc Godard or Vera Wang then France is definitely the place for you!
But before you study in France and live your dreams, it is important to have an in-depth knowledge of the education system, cost of living, scholarships, etc. Read on to find more information…
French Education System
In France, there are more than 3,500 private and state institutions offering degrees and certifications. Comparatively speaking, public universities are cheaper than private ones. International students can enrol in undergraduate, postgraduate, doctorate, diploma, and applied science programmes at French universities and colleges. Additionally, there are numerous diploma, applied science, and certification programmes available. These programmes typically last one to two years.
Typically, sessions start in September or October. Both English and French are used during instruction, which means that it is imperative that you learn basic French before you join the courses to get the best out of the course. International students who choose to enrol in English language courses must demonstrate their language skills through exams like the IELTS and TOEFL. With some of the world’s highly esteemed colleges, France has one of the best-rated educational systems in the world. Many of them also offer distance learning and online courses to international students, though the experience is definitely not the same.
Study in France: Cost of Education
When it comes to studying abroad, France is a low-cost and highly sought-after place for Indian students. In fact, with the aid of fully-financed scholarship programmes, deserving Indian students can also receive a 100% tuition fee remission. The fee, however, varies according to the programme, university, and specialisation type, with public universities charging a fraction of what a private university would charge. The living costs also vary, based on which city you are living in. The college you apply to will be able to help you with ballpark figures that help you chalk out a budget and financial plan.
Study in France: Scholarships for Indian students
There are numerous scholarships available in France, making higher education more affordable. France is well regarded for its quality education and academic infrastructure in addition to being a popular tourism destination. And these scholarships supporting bright foreign students' gives you an opportunity to experience it. Here are some of the popular scholarships available for Indian students.
- Charpak Scholarship
- The Erasmus Scholarship
- Ministry of Higher Education Scholarships for doctoral students
- Eiffel Scholarship Excellence Programme
- Foreign Ministry Scholarships
Also Read: 6 Essential Tips to make the best of your study abroad experience
Study in France: Popular Courses
Due to its top-notch educational system, France is a favourite study abroad destination for international students. There are suitable undergraduate & postgraduate courses available for students with various backgrounds and expertise. Check out some of the most popular courses that students apply for, both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Study in France: Top Institutes to Study
France has a wide variety of educational institutions where you can study, including universities, major Ecoles (schools) and business schools. Many of these rank among the top universities in Europe and the world. Check out the top 5 institutions to study in France.
- Sorbonne Universitè
- University of Paris
- University of Bordeaux
- Strasbourgh University
- ENS Lyon
If you are willing to enrol in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme that offers - a chance to study under a better pedagogical system, a chance to learn a new language and explore a new place, and a chance to land a job overseas, and of course, a stint abroad - France might be just the option for you. And of course, with the government encouraging the intake of foreign students, your chances are only going to get better!
Source: Telegraph, 16/09/22
Engineer’s Day 2022: The Engineer who received the Bharat Ratna and British Knighthood
To commemorate the birth anniversary of Sir Moksha Gundam Visvesvaraya, India celebrates 15 September as Engineer’s Day. Known as the father of Indian engineering, he is regarded as one of the nation's greatest engineers. His remarkable contribution to the world of engineering has changed the way we perceive the field today. Along with India, other countries such as Sri Lanka and Tanzania have also honoured him by marking 15 September as Engineer’s day.
Significance:
National Engineering day serves as a day for thanking engineers for their immense support and contribution made to the nation’s development. In 1968, the Government of India decided to observe 15 September as National Engineering day with the intention that aspiring engineers would look get inspired by Visvesvaraya’s consider him to be their role model and guiding light.
India has often been referred to as a country of engineers. This is no surprise, considering engineering is still one of the most earnest and popular career choices in India.
About Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya:
Born on 15 September 1861 in Karnataka, Visvesvaray initially attended the University of Madras to become a Bachelor of Arts. However, he soon made a career transition and instead pursued a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the College of Science in Pune. His remarkable innovation of creating ‘block systems’, where he installed an irrigation system with water floodgates at a reservoir near Pune, became a feather in the cap for him. The system helped in increasing the water supply level as well as storage. This irrigation system was initially installed at the Khadakvasla Reservoir, along with Tigra Dam at Gwalior and Krishnaraja Sagara Reservoir, KRS Dam in Mysuru, Karnataka.
In the year 1955, he was conferred the ‘Bharat Ratna’ by the President of India for his exceptional contribution to the development of India. He has also been awarded the British knighthood and served as Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918.
India and Engineering in 2022:
The advancement in technology, ease of access and growth in the IT industry would not have been actualised without engineering. It is the link which holds every industry together. India in particular is making significant investments in IT. Our country also currently has the highest number of engineers graduating, as well as several top-level engineering colleges and institutions. Engineering, in particular, is an ever-expanding field where new development keeps on happening with every passing year. This in-demand and highly skilled profession is one to stay.
Source: Telegraph, 15/09/22
An Indian paradox: India’s voluminous media is without bite
The news media in this country is a paradox. It is voluminous in numbers but, increasingly, without bite. We are on track to becoming the world’s fifth biggest newspaper market in terms of revenue by 2026 and have the largest newspaper readership, overtaking China by 2025. The size of our population, low internet penetration compared to other newspaper markets, growing literacy, and low pricing will ensure this. Even as India also continues to be a strongly mobile-focused market, with 72 per cent people already accessing news through smartphones.
But it will not be our journalism or reporting that takes us to any international heights. The New York Times currently has 1,700 journalists reporting from 160 countries. But the past two or three decades have seen India’s television news channels withdrawing feet on the ground and replacing news with debates. Our biggest newspapers have shrunk their foreign correspondent deployment to three or four major countries, at best, and state bureaus within India have shrunk to a single correspondent. The eight states in the Northeast are likely to be covered by one or two people for national newspapers. When the Hindi heartland newspapers expanded in the late 1990s and early 2000s to reach villages, they pioneered the extensive use of citizen stringers — it was cheaper than deploying journalists.
The closest one can get to the number of journalists reporting for different newspapers is the total figure of media and publishing employees from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy’s monthly employment data and the figures big media companies give on LinkedIn regarding their employees on the network. Take a closer look at The Times of India and Hindustan Times, for instance,and you would find management personnel figuring generously in the lists, which are around 1,400 and 2,600 employees respectively.
This government figured out in its first tenure that you can ignore the media and still win elections handsomely. It could have left it at that but there were scores to settle, going back to the reporting of the Gujarat riots of 2002. Hence the periodic efforts to regulate and harass the media via regulatory agencies. Today you can be bullied regularly by the government and let it set the news agenda on a daily basis with few questions asked. You can thus be one of the biggest media markets in the world and still have dismal freedom of press ranking. Since the last edition of this column was written, the system and its allies have not been idle.
To begin with the allies, on August 23, the Adani Group launched a hostile takeover bid of NDTV. It acquired convertible warrants through the acquisition of a company originally owned by the Ambanis. This group company had entered into a loan agreement with a promoter company, RRPR Holdings, owned by Prannoy and Radhika Roy, in 2009 and 2010. It has since changed hands before being acquired by Adani. This move to convert the warrants into shares triggered an open offer to acquire another 26 per cent of NDTV. Given the closeness of the Adani Group with the ruling establishment, this was widely seen as an attempt to tame a channel that the ruling party finds particularly galling. Considerable coverage of this takeover attempt ensued both here and abroad.
Later that month, The Washington Post reported a whistleblower complaint in which a former security chief of Twitter alleged that the Indian government may have forced Twitter to “put one of its agents on the payroll, with access to user data”. This was allegedly done at a time of intense protests in the country even though the protests were not specified. This is being cited as an example of efforts to police social media.
Earlier this month, there were income tax ‘surveys’ on three establishments— the Delhi-based think tank, Centre for Policy Research, the Bangalore-based Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation, which funds a number of digital web entities, and the funding agency, Oxfam India. The exercise involved confiscating and cloning of telephones and computers of personnel at these establishments and photocopying of records and papers to take away. No reasons were given for the surveys. In September last year, there were similar ‘surveys’ (the term, ‘raid’, is not used) at the offices of the news sites, Newslaundry and NewsClick.
Meanwhile, the much-reported case of the Kerala journalist, Siddique Kappan, who was apprehended and jailed in Uttar Pradesh while on his way to report on the Hathras rape in October 2020, continues to simmer. The Supreme Court granted him conditional bail earlier this month in the UAPA case even as the NIA court in Lucknow stymied his release with bail conditions demanding two local sureties of one lakh rupees each. His lawyers and family struggle to find UP residents who will oblige and bail in a PMLA case brought by the Enforcement Directorate is yet to be granted.
A confident government whose leader is constantly striding on the world stage should not need to be quite so hyperactive in its efforts to control the public narrative and harass journalists to boot, particularly when much of the media is happy to let the government and Narendra Modi set the agenda for coverage. A sanguine example for this government came with the reporting, earlier this month, of the September 8 agreement reached to disengage by Indian and Chinese troops in the area of Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15). Most reports stuck to what the ministry of external affairs spokesperson said.But a few looked closer.
Deccan Herald reported that India has ended up conceding to the creation of yet another ‘buffer zone’ in its own territory. A Karan Thapar interview on The Wire reinforced this by suggesting that grazing lands used by shepherds in the area have been given away. As much as a full kilometre of Indian territory has been lost, he suggested. NDTV, according to Thapar, had also reported the loss of some 30 km of grazing territory in length. All reports were based on local sources such as councillors and graziers in the area.
Both Thapar and NDTV are already in the doghouse as far as this government is concerned for past reporting/interviewing sins. But some dogs, thankfully, continue to bark.
Sevanti Ninan
Source: the Telegraph, 19/09/22
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