Home Blog Page 3741

United Kingdom: Covaxin to be recognised as a valid Coronavirus vaccine from November 22 onwards

OpIndia Staff
-
0
United Kingdom: Covaxin to be recognised as a valid Coronavirus vaccine from November 22 onwards

On Monday (November 22), the United Kingdom recognised India’s indigenous Coronavirus vaccine Covaxin as valid in the country.

In a statement released by the UK government, it said, “From 4am on Monday 22 November, the government will recognise vaccines on the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL). As a result, Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing and Covaxin will be added to our list of approved vaccines for inbound travel, benefitting more fully vaccinated people from countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and India.”

It added, “Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing and Covaxin are covered by the expansion to the WHO EUL, and around 1 billion doses of these vaccines have been delivered worldwide.” On November 8, the British High Commissioner to India, Alex Hales had informed, “From 22 November travellers fully vaccinated with a #COVID19 vaccine recognised by @WHO for Emergency Use Listing, including Covaxin, will not have to self-isolate; so joining those fully vaccinated with Covishield.”

As such, Indians who have received double doses (fully vaccinated) of Covaxin and have the associated Covid-19 certificate will be exempted from a pre-departure Covid-19 test. They will also be not required to self-isolate on arrival in the UK or undergo testing on Day 8. However, they will need to undertake a lateral flow test before the end of the second day of their visit to the UK. As of now, the United Kingdom has recognised the following vaccines. now include Oxford-AstraZeneca (Covishield), Moderna, Janssen, Pfizer BioNTech, Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing and Covaxin.

WHO approved Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, granted it Emergency Use Listing status

The World Health Organization (WHO) on November 3 granted the Emergency Use Listing status to Covaxin after the Technical Advisory Group of WHO recommended the same. In a tweet thread, WHO said the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), an independent advisory committee of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has recommended Emergency Use Listing (EUL) status for Covaxin, the Covid-19 vaccine manufactured by India’s Bharat Biotech.

It further added, “The Technical Advisory Group, convened by WHO and made up of regulatory experts from around the world, has determined that the #Covaxin vaccine meets WHO standards for protection against #COVID19, that the benefit of the vaccine far outweighs risks & the vaccine can be used Earth globe Europe-Africa.”

Kerala now ranks 3rd in Covid deaths across India

Anurag
-
0
Kerala now ranks 3rd in Covid deaths across India

Kerala now stands at third position in terms of total deaths by Covid-19 in India. Since the beginning, the state has reported a total of 37,495 deaths because of the deadly disease. Only Maharashtra (1,40,739) and Karnataka (38,175) have reported more deaths compared to Kerala. Earlier, it was believed that Kerala managed to keep the number of Covid deaths in control. Even during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the state only contributed to 1.4% of the total number of deaths in the country.

Kerala has so far reported 37,495 deaths. Source: MoHFA

However, by September 2021, its share rose to over 45% and spiked to above 64% in October 2021. It is noteworthy that around 80% of the deaths that the state reported in the month of October were backlog deaths. Kerala did not properly report the Covid deaths as they happened, reportedly majorly due to the unwillingness of the state. As per reports, the state did not acknowledge co-morbidities as a factor in the deaths caused by Covid.

In just 27 days, from October 22 to November 17, the state of Kerala reported 7,731 deaths that made almost 21% of the total deaths reported in the state. Out of these 7,731 deaths, only 1,257 were from the month of October, while the remaining 6,581 were backlog deaths.

Source: Google News

Opposition parties and public health experts had alleged that Kerala was not transparent with the data on Covid deaths. Eventually, Veena George, Health Minister, Kerala, promised transparency. In the last few months, Kerala added the unreported Covid deaths to the tally. In a recent statement, the state health Minister had said the government would add around 7,000 “missing Covid deaths” to the tally.

Interestingly, health officials of the state are pointing fingers at the Centre for the “unreported” deaths. Rajan N Khobragade, principal secretary, health, said, “The government is of the view that the additions in the death data are being made based on the appeals the state government is receiving now. The Centre had amended the guidelines for declaring the deaths based on which now the additions are being made.”

He further alleged that only Kerala is reporting the deaths as per the “Supreme Court instructions and revised guidelines of ICMR”. On the other hand, internal medicine expert, Dr Arun N M, said, “This is what we have been saying all along, as we have a high number of persons with co-morbidities as well as an ageing population. The government was initially hiding Covid deaths but has now been forced to accept it. At the same time, apart from a few days in May this year, our hospitals were never overwhelmed.”

Dr Jayakrishnan A V, chairman of, Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) Hospital Board of India, pointed that the state wanted to show it was “good and efficient”. He said, “In the initial phase of Covid-19 infection, the whole focus of the state and medical institutions was on showing fewer Covid deaths as low mortality numbers are equated with good and efficient government administration. Now since no one is talking about Covid and Covid deaths, the state is slowly adding its backlog deaths to the official data.”

Congress leader V D Satheeshan alleged that the Kerala government had been flouting all WHO and ICMR guidelines while determining Covid deaths. “They were not ready to include the deaths under Covid account if a patient had any co-morbidities,” he said. Sateeshan said it was only after Supreme Court ordered compensation, the state was forced to review all Covid deaths in the state. “I believe over 18,000 applications have been received by the government regarding deaths not included in the official Covid deaths data,” he added.

Covid-19 in Kerala

Kerala has been consistently reporting over 50% of the total cases across the country. On November 21, the state reported 5,080 new COVID-19 cases and 40 deaths. It also added 156 backlog deaths to the tally on Sunday. So far, Kerala has reported 50,04,786 Covid-19 cases and 37,495 deaths. There are 58,723 active cases in the state.

Andhra Pradesh: Jagan Mohan govt repeals bill for 3 capital cities amid farmers’ march for Amaravati

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Andhra Pradesh: Jagan Mohan govt repeals bill for 3 capital cities amid farmers’ march for Amaravati

After facing almost 2 years of prolonged protest by farmers and Opposition, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh on Monday decided to repeal the Bills that has proposed 3 capital cities for the state. The government has confirmed that the state would now have only one capital – Amaravati. 

According to reports, the State Cabinet, which met in the Legislative Assembly in Vijayawada on Monday, has decided to revoke the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020, which was intended to have three capitals for the State.

Advocate General S Sriram informed the same to the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which is hearing a batch of petitions challenging the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 and AP Capital Region Development Authority Repeal Bills, 2020. Advocate Sriram said the chief minister would make a statement on this in the state Assembly. 

Jagan Mohan Reddy’s ambitious tri-capital plan had proposed the executive capital in Visakhapatnam, legislative capital in Amaravati and judicial capital in Kurnool. Jagan Mohan Reddy had touted the inclusive growth of all three regions of the State as his govt’s rationale behind the decision.

This decision, from the very beginning, however, faced opposition from the Opposition parties and also the farmers from the Amaravati region who had given their lands for the proposed capital city during the Chandrababu Naidu govt rule.

A batch of petitions were filed by Amaravati region farmers and the daily hearing of the case is being held by the High Court presently.

At the beginning of the month, the Amaravati farmers had launched a 45-day maha padayatra ‘Nyayasthanam to Devasthanam’ (High Court to Temple) from Amaravati to Tirumala with a demand to have Amaravati as the sole capital of the State. Recently even Andhra lawyers staged a protest against moving the High Court from Amaravati to Kurnool. 

In June 2020, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government enacted two separate laws. Firstly the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development (Repeal) Act, which was aimed at abolishing the authority created by the previous TDP government in 2015 to develop Amaravati as the state capital.

Secondly, the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act aimed at establishing three capitals for the state – executive capital at Visakhapatnam, judicial capital at Kurnool and legislative capital at Amaravati.

Protests erupt over Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tri-capital Bills

Soon after the then governor, Biswa Bhusan Harichandan had signed the two Bills, tens of thousands of farmers, who gave up over 34,000 acres of agricultural land to build the state capital in Amaravati, challenged the two controversial Bills in the High Court.

Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s predecessor Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party who had named Amaravati as the state capital after Hyderabad went to Telangana had also opposed Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tri-capital proposal.

Andhra Pradesh govt abolishes legislative council after it rejects the 3-capital bills

In January last year, the Andhra Pradesh government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had abolished the legislative council after the 3-capital bills were rejected by the upper house.

The TDP opposed the resolution. “The government has taken the decision only because the TDP had stalled the attempt to create three capitals and sent the decentralization of administration bills to the select committee,” TDP lawmaker Deepak Reddy said.

Following the prolonged protests against the proposal, CM Jagan had in the month of June met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Explaining his government’s stand to have three capitals aimed at ensuring inclusive growth of all the three regions of the State, he urged the Centre to issue a re-notification for the location of the High Court in Kurnool.

However, despite the meeting, the Centre had not yet issued any notification for shifting the High Court to Kurnool and the President’s assent is still pending on Jagan’s three capitals law.

The BJP had also rejected the 3 capitals bills, asserting that it stands with the demand to build the state capital as proposed in Amravati. Protests by TDP, BJP and Janasena have been going on for over 3 years against the bill.

Viral video: Governor Satyapal Malik seen warning of ‘Indira assassination’-like consequences for not revoking farm laws

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Viral video: Governor Satyapal Malik seen warning of ‘Indira assassination’-like consequences for not revoking farm laws

On Sunday (November 21), a contentious video of Meghalaya Governor Satyapal Malik issuing veiled threats to the Modi government of ‘Indira Gandhi-like assassination attempts’ for not revoking farm laws went viral on social media.

The video was shared on Twitter by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit. The original video dates back to November 8 this year, when Satyapal Malik was invited as a Speaker at the Global Jatt Summit. “You cannot defeat the Sikhs. The four children of their Guru was killed but the Guru did not surrender. You cannot defeat the Jats as well”, the Meghalaya Governor was heard as saying. On hearing this, the crowd applauded in unison.

He warned, “If you think that the farmer protestors will go back on their own, then, you are wrong. Give them something (accept their demands) and get them going. But don’t do two things. First, do not use force against them. Second, do not send them home empty-handed. Because they (Sikhs) do not forget easily, not even after 300 years.”

Satyapal Malik went on to claim that even Indira Gandhi knew about her impending fate after Operation Bluestar. “When Mrs Gandhi destroyed the Akal Takht, she performed a ‘Maha Mritunjaya yagna’ at her farmhouse,” he alleged. He claimed that Indira Gandhi told Arun Nehru about the threat to her life.

While hinting at the possibility of drastic consequences for not revoking farm laws, Malik emphasised, “Indira Gandhi knew that she would be killed and she was killed. They killed General Vaidya in Pune and General Dwyer in London. I have even said that don’t test the patience of the Sikh community.”

He further insinuated that the incumbent government could face similar consequences if farm laws are not rolled back. Satyapal Malik went on to claim that the farm laws have led to discontentment within the army. “Anything can happen. Today, you are in power. You don’t know what can be the consequences,” he added.

PM Modi repealed the three farm laws and urged protesters to go back home

On the 19th of November, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi addressed the nation at 9 AM. Addressing the nation, PM Modi thanked the millions of farmers who appreciated the farm laws, which were introduced after due deliberation and with honest intentions. PM Modi made a startling announcement saying that the government had decided to, however, repeal the 3 farm laws that were passed for the benefit of the farmers.

PM Modi, addressing the nation said that by the end of this month, the Modi government would complete the process of repealing the three farm laws. He then appealed to the protesting farmers and middlemen to return to their homes on the occasion of Gurupurab and stop their protest. He further said that the government will form a committee to formulate laws for the benefit of the farmers.

He further said that the government had introduced the laws after due deliberation but perhaps it was the shortcoming of the government that they could not convince all farmers that the laws were indeed in their benefit. Further, he said that the past governments had deliberated on these laws as well but it was the Modi government that had implemented them.

ISIS using TikTok to recruit suicide bombers to carry out attacks around Christmas: Report

OpIndia Staff
-
0
ISIS using TikTok to recruit suicide bombers to carry out attacks around Christmas: Report

The terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS) has been found to be using the short-video social media platform TikTok to recruit young suicide bombers to carry out attacks during Christmas celebrations. According to a report published in Sun, there are dozens of accounts on the platform posting ISIS propaganda.

TikTok, a popular platform among youth, is being used to incite hatred towards non-Muslims.

The report suggests that one of the videos that they come across urged the supporters to initiate terrorist attacks in the Western countries during the Christmas holidays to induce mass casualty. The video described Christmas as “the celebration of the Kufar and Crusaders”. It said, “They do not believe in Allah, and they make fun of the sacred. They are Shaytan (Devil) slaves.” The video showed several scenes of Christmas markets and celebrations, and the narrator added, “Prepare yourself, O soldier of Allah to shed the blood of these Kufar.”

The narrator encouraged the viewers to become suicide bombers and attack the crowds while wearing clothes like “them”. He encouraged the viewers to bring explosives well-hidden under the disguise and to “explode it and plant panic and terror in their hearts.”

Sun said in the report that the video was uploaded on an account that was being used to spread ISIS propaganda. The account has been functional for the last 18 months and has been watched thousands of times. Not only this account but several others were found to have been doing the same over the short-video platform. Another account has a video of a woman in a burqa who posted surveillance video of buildings and structures in Germany. The caption of the video read, “May Allah accepts you into Paradise”. The bio of the account read, “A lion fights for its prey until it has it and turns its enemies into its flock”.

The UK has been facing a “severe” terror threat level since the car bomb attack in Liverpool. Security agencies believe there is a possibility that more “lone wolf” attackers have been prepared during the lockdown period due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These self-radicalized individuals might carry attacks once the restrictions are completely lifted.

Notably, on November 17, Milan Police in Italy had arrested a 19-year-old woman for alleged involvement in international terrorism. The Police found videos of beheadings, material generated by the propaganda wing of ISIS and a photo of a young man who allegedly blew himself outside Kabul airport in August that claimed the lives of 183 people, among other objectionable content.

In April 2019, ISIS launched a serial bomb attack in Sri Lanka on Easter. Hundreds of people were killed and injured in the simultaneous attacks that took place across 8 different locations in 3 cities of the island nation.

USA: Christmas parade turns into bloodbath, man runs car over people 3 days after Rittenhouse verdict

OpIndia Staff
-
0
USA: Christmas parade turns into bloodbath, man runs car over people 3 days after Rittenhouse verdict

A car bulldozed through a Christmas parade of people in Wisconsin, resulting in multiple casualties, three days after the Rittenhouse verdict.

Another video ciip of the incident captured by the City of Waukesha’s Facebook account showed the car speeding through the marching parade, breaking the police line.

According to reports, at least 5 people were killed by the car while several people were left injured. Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow stated, “This is an unspeakable tragedy, affecting us all as we work to overcome an extremely challenging two years and resume our cherished holiday traditions.” 

The police have recovered a suspect vehicle and taken a person into custody. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers tweeted about the incident, “Kathy and I are praying for Waukesha tonight and all the kids, families, and community members affected by this senseless act,” adding, “I’m grateful for the first responders and folks who acted quickly to help, and we are in contact with local partners as we await more information.”

The celebratory Christmas parade at Waukesha city turned into a tragedy after a red S.U.V ran over the marching people. As per reports, the SUV moved from corner to corner of the road targeting people. According to one Tyler Kotlarek (28), “He was going from side to side, targeting people,” and added, “The car bombed through. He was flying through there going intentionally from left to right.”

The suspect has been identified as one Darrell Edward Brooks, a Black male. The suspect has a long criminal record.

According to journalist Andy Ngo, the suspect has supported BLM causes in the past and has demonstrated support for Black Nationalism. We could not verify the claim independently.

Notably, three days earlier, Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who was accused of 2020 Kenosha shootings in Wisconsin was acquitted of all charges after Rittenhouse testified that he acted in self-defense. Protests had taken place following the verdict at several parts of the United States with the protests in Portland declared a riot.

Rittenhouse was accused of killing two people and injuring one on the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin. The shootings took place during an intense spell of rioting in the summer of 2020. Prosecutors brought multiple charges against him which included first-degree intentional homicide, attempted homicide, reckless endangerment and the firearm possession count.

Rittenhouse had said that he acted in self-defence with the prosecutors left to prove that his fear for his safety and his use of lethal force were unjustifiable. In the end, the teenager was acquitted of all charges.

Inserting penis into the mouth of child ‘less serious’, Allahabad HC lessens sentence in case where minor was forced to have oral sex for Rs 20

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Inserting penis into the mouth of child ‘less serious’, Allahabad HC lessens sentence in case where minor was forced to have oral sex for Rs 20

The Allahabad HC Saturday, November 20, lowered the penalty imposed by the Special Sessions Court on one Sonu Kushwaha, a convict, found guilty of conducting oral sex with a 10-year-old minor child in lieu of Rs 20. The single-judge bench of Justice Anil Kumar Ojha reduced Sonu Kushwaha’s punishment from 10 years to 7 years, observing that the crime committed by him is ‘less serious’.

The Allahabad High Court Saturday observed that putting a penis inside a child’s mouth is punishable as ‘penetrative sexual assault’ under Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), rather than ‘aggravated penetrative sexual assault’ or ‘aggravated sexual assault’ under Sections 6 and 10 of the POCSO Act respectively.

Justice Anil Kumar Ojha was hearing an appeal filed by Sonu Kushwaha against a Special Sessions Court verdict convicting him under the Indian Penal Code’s Sections 377 (unnatural offences) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), as well as Section 6 of the POCSO Act.

The court was examining whether putting the penis into the mouth of the victim and discharging semen therein, will fall under the purview of Section 5/6 or Section 9/10 of the POCSO Act. The judgment said that it would not fall within the purview of either of the two sections, but it is punishable under section 4 of the POCSO Act.

“…it is clear that offence committed by appellant neither falls under Section 5/6 of POCSO Act nor under Section 9(M) of POCSO Act because there is penetrative sexual assault in the present case as the appellant has put his penis into mouth of victim. Putting penis into mouth does not fall in the category of aggravated sexual assault or sexual assault. It comes into category of penetrative sexual assault which is punishable under Section 4 of POCSO Act,” the Court observed.

The Court reduced the sentence of the appellant from 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to 7 years, and a fine of Rs 5,000, since ‘penetrative sexual assault’ under Section 4 is a “lesser offence” than ‘aggravated penetrative sexual assault’ under Section 6.

Sonu Kushwaha had filed a criminal appeal in the Allahabad HC against the judgement of the Additional Sessions Judge/Special Judge, POCSO Act, Jhansi, in which he was found guilty, convicted and awarded rigorous imprisonment of 10 years.

The appellant Sonu Kushwaha was accused of going to the complainant’s house and taking the complainant’s 10-year-old kid with him. In exchange for Rs 20, urged him to put his penis in his mouth. When the child returned home, his family inquired as to where he obtained the money from. Upon being coerced that child narrated the ordeal. He said that Sonu Kushwaha had threatened him with dire consequences if he revealed the truth. The parents of the minor subsequently filed a complaint against Sonu Kushwaha.

The Special Sessions Court convicted Sonu Kushwaha under sections 377 and 506 of the IPC and section 6 of the POCSO Act.

NCP’s Nawab Malik launches new offensive against Sameer Wankhede, tweets photo that he claims was clicked during NCB officer’s ‘nikah’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
NCP’s Nawab Malik launches new offensive against Sameer Wankhede, tweets photo that he claims was clicked during NCB officer’s ‘nikah’

Continuing his ad hominem attacks against NCB officer Sameer Wankhede, Nationalist Congress Party’s Nawab Malik has on Monday tweeted a picture to push his claims that the NCB officer forged his caste documents to get into civil services through the reserved category. Sharing a picture that he claimed was clicked during Wankhede’s ‘nikah’, Malik wrote on Twitter: “Qubool hai, qubool hai, qubool hai.. What did you do Sameer Dawood Wankhede?”

The attack on the NCB officer is part of Nawab Malik’s ongoing campaign against the officer after the latter arrested star kid Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, in the Cordelia Cruise drugs bust case on October 2 and Nawab Malik’s son-in-law Sameer Khan. He has earlier, too, alleged that the officer was born a Muslim but ‘forged’ caste documents to get admitted into civil services via reserved quota.

Malik, a few days ago, had also tweeted a picture of Sameer Wankhede and his first wife, Shabana Quraishi, and also posted a copy of the couple’s ‘nikah nama’ to insinuate that Wankhede got married as per Islamic rules.

To bolster NCP minister Nawab Malik’s attack on NCB officer Sameer Wankhede, Malik’s daughter Nilofer Malik Khan also took to Twitter the previous night to post what she claimed was Sameer Wankhede’s marriage certificate and wedding reception card, claiming the officer was married according to Islamic customs.

Sameer Wankhede framed his ex-cousin wife’s in a drugs case, alleges the NCP leader

It seems that NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik has made demeaning the NCB officer Sameer Wankhede his only priority these days. The minister, on Thursday, November 18, claimed that since the family members of Wankhede’s ex-wife (Shabana Quraishi) have spoken out in the religion-caste debate, Wankhede had now framed his ex-cousin wife’s in a drugs case.

“Wankhede thought his first wife will speak against him. So, through a peddler, Wankhede planted drugs and got her cousin arrested through the Anti-Narcotics Cell of the state police,” Malik said. “His first wife’s family was threatened that if they spoke against Wankhede, the entire family will be dubbed as drug peddlers and arrested,” he said.

Nawab Malik accuses Wankhede of owning bar despite being in service

In another set of allegations, Malik, on November 20 claimed that Sameer Wankhede held a hotel liquor licence since 1997-98 when he was a minor, which is illegal. Nawab Malik said Sameer Wankhede had violated central civil services (conduct) rules by owning a restaurant and bar in Navi Mumbai in spite of being in service. Service rules do not permit government officials to own businesses.

Malik apparently presented documents to the media alleging that the licence for Sadguru Bar & Restaurant in Vashi was in Sameer’s name, according to excise records. He further claimed that Sameer had been using his name on the licence since October 1997. Malik said the NCB officer was underage when he received the bar licence, claiming Sameer’s father Dnyandev was an excise department officer and he misused his position to get his son the licence.

When approached, Sameer said he had done nothing illegal because he had informed his department and mentioned properties in his tax forms since joining the IRS in 2008. “It can be seen from my records that I have declared the earnings from my restaurant in my records,” he explained.

Nawab Malik floats new conspiracy theory, alleges Aryan Khan was ‘kidnapped’ for ransom

The allegations, however, does not end here. Even after the NCB transferred the Mumbai cruise ship drugs case involving Aryan Khan to an SIT formed by its central officials due to the gravity of the case, NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik, on Sunday (November 7), stepped up the conspiracy theory by alleging that the arrest of Aryan Khan during the VVIP rave party was a matter of ‘kidnapping and ransom’.

Due to the continued personal attacks meted out at the officer and his family, Dhyandev Wankhede, father of NCB Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede had on November 7, filed a defamation case against Maharashtra government minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik for maligning the image of his family by making false allegations.

During the hearing on November 12, advocate Arshad Shaikh, appearing for Dhyandev Wankhede, father of NCB Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, has submitted 28 annexed documents of his client in the Bombay High Court to substantiate their claim that NCP leader Nawab Malik’s remarks, insinuations, imputation etc that he made against his family in whatsoever way— in writing, oral, press releases, interviews and likes were defamatory in nature. 

The Bombay High Court had reserved the order on November 12 and urged Nawab Malik and Dnyaneshwar Wankhede, Sameer Wankhede’s father, not to submit any papers till the order was issued on November 22.

Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal receives Shaurya Chakra posthumously for Pulwama operation in which five terrorists were killed, watch

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal receives Shaurya Chakra posthumously for Pulwama operation in which five terrorists were killed, watch

On November 22, President of India Ramnath Kovind presented Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) to Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal’s wife, Lieutenant Nitika Kaul and mother Saroj Dhoundiyal in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Major Dhoundiyal received the award for his role in an operation in district Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, in which five terrorists were killed, and 200 KG explosives were recovered.

Who was Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal

Hailing from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal was born on December 18, 1987, to OP Dhondiyal and Saroj Dhondiyal. His grandfather and father had worked in the office of Controller Defence Accounts. Keen to join the Indian Armed Forces, he cleared the Combined Defence Services Examination after graduation from DAV College. On September 17, 2011, just a day before turning 24, he got commissioned into the Army. In April 2018, he got married to Nikita Kaul.

He served in his parent unit for eight years and was deputed to serve 55 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Battalion in 2019 at Pulwama base in Jammu & Kashmir for counterinsurgency operations.

The last operation

During his time with 55 RR, Major Dhoundiyal led several successful operations in Pulwama. On February 17, 2019, the security forces received credible input from the intelligence sources that the terrorists responsible for February 14, 2019, attack on the CRPF convoy were hiding in Pinglan village, district Pulwama.

Based on the information, 55 RR and J&K Police Special Operation Group launched a search and destroy operation. Notably, Pinglan is located in the neighbourhood of Kakpora, the home village of the terrorist involved in the attack. The team was led by Major Vibhuti under the supervision of Brigadier Harbir Singh. When the team challenged the terrorists, they opened fire. The battle continued for over 20 hours.

During the encounter, despite being injured by the bullets shot by the terrorists, Major Vibhuti crawled and reached close to the hiding spot of the terrorists. He shot dead one terrorist who was trying to escape. He was identified as a dreaded terrorist of the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Muhammad. The assault team eliminated a total of five hardcore terrorists.

Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal showed his valour and courage during the encounter and gave the supreme sacrifice to the motherland.

Major Vibhuti is survived by his mother, wife and three sisters. While bidding the soldier farewell, an emotional Nikita had said, “You said you loved me, but the fact is you loved the nation more. I am really proud. The way you love everyone is entirely different because you sacrificed your life for the people who you may have never met, but still, you decided to give your life for them. You are such a brave man. I am very honoured to have you as my husband. I’ll love you till my last breath. I owe my life to you.”

Just six months after her husband’s sad demise, Nikita had filled the Short Service Commission (SSC) form. She cleared the exam and the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview in 2020 and was waiting to join the force. She has passed out of the Officers Training Academy on May 26 this year.

Kerala: Woman says her CPM leader parents took her baby and gave away for adoption because the father is a Dalit

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Kerala: Woman says her CPM leader parents took her baby and gave away for adoption because the father is a Dalit

A case of adoption has turned into a political slugfest in the State of Kerala and put Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan under the spotlight. A 23-year-old woman by the name of Anupama S Chandran had alleged that her parents gave away her 1-year-old child for adoption without her consent.

As per reports, the father of the child is a ‘Dalit-Christian’ man named Ajith. Anupama had claimed that her parents were against her marriage to Ajith due to their prejudice against Dalits. In their defence, the woman’s family informed that Ajith was already married at that time and was yet to get divorced from his estranged wife. Nevertheless, the child was born out of wedlock, which became the bone of contention between Anupama and her parents.

The woman alleged that her father S Jayachandran handed over the infant, who was born in October 2020, to an orphanage run by Kerala State Council for Child Welfare in Thiruvananthapuram. Anupama claimed that the orphanage bypassed adoption rules and gave away her child to foster parents in Andhra Pradesh in August this year, without seeking her consent. The matter came to light on October 20, 2021, when Anupama filed a complaint with the police and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered in the case.

Anupama signed adoption papers but under ‘duress’, KCWC intervenes

A total of 6 people, including the girl’s parents were booked by the cops. Jayachandran had claimed that the infant was shifted to the orphanage with the consent of his daughter. He added that Anupama had signed on stamp paper confirming the same. However, the woman had refuted the claims and said that she was forced to sign under duress. Forced by circumstances, Anupama filed a petition before a quasi-judicial body, Kerala Child Welfare Committee (KCWC).

KCWC directed authorities to produce the ‘adopted child’ within 5 days and determine the biological parents of the infant through a DNA test. In line with its order, the foster parents of the child handed over the infant to a team of 3 Kerala police personnel and 3 officials of the Kerala Child Welfare Council. The foster parents reportedly expressed happiness after learning that the process to find the biological problems was underway. The child was brought to Kerala’s capital city on Sunday (November 21) evening.

Infant brought back to Thiruvananthapuram, DNA test to be conducted

The DNA test, to determine the biological parents, will be conducted on Monday (November 22). The Kerala Child Welfare Committee (KCWC) had directed a senior police official to ensure the safety of the infant until a final decision is reached. While speaking about the matter, Anupama said, “I am really relieved. Our six-month struggle evoked some results. But I have a reservation that same department officials who gave my baby for adoption flouting all norms were given charge of bringing him back.”

Kerala adoption row stirred political upheaval within CPI (M) ranks

The custodial issue has turned into a political one as Jayachandran is a senior leader CITU, the trade union wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Anupama was also a former leader of the Students’ Federation of India, the student wing of the Communist party. Reportedly, even the father of her child, Ajith, is also associated with the CPIM. It is believed that Jayachandran has exploited his political influence to flout adoption norms in cahoots with the orphanage authorities.

While the CPI(M) has maintained that it was a family issue, the silence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had been questioned. Anupama had expressed disappointment over his abject silence. “It seems the CM is misinformed. His continued silence pained me a lot,” she said. The woman had earlier approached CPI(M) politburo members in the hopes of securing the custody of her child. However, all her efforts were in vain.

It was at that point that Anupama decided to hit the streets. She sat on a fast outside the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare office. Earlier on November 14, she said, “I don’t have any other option than hitting the street. The party and government say they are with me but still, no help is forthcoming. And officials of the child welfare council are trying to complicate the issue further. I need my child back.”

1...3,7403,7413,742...7,648Page 3,741 of 7,648