Home Blog Page 4900

Mozambique: Islamist terrorists with links to ISIS burn village chanting Allahu Akbar, behead over 50 people

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Mozambique: Islamist terrorists with links to ISIS burn village chanting Allahu Akbar, behead over 50 people

While the world has been condemning the dastardly terrorist attacks in France, Mozambique in East Africa has been bearing the brunt of radical Islamism. As per reports, Islamists had unleashed terror in several villages and beheaded more than 50 people in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique in the past few days.

On Friday night, terrorists affiliated with the ISIS yelled, ‘Allahu Akbar’ before going on a killing spree in the Nanjaba village. They burnt down houses and fired shots at innocent people in one of the worst attacks in the province. While several women were abducted, two people were beheaded by the terrorists. In a separate incident, more than 50 people were decapitated by another group of terrorists in the Muatide village.

In a press conference held on Monday, a police official informed, “They set the houses on fire and then hunted down people who had fled into the woods and began their macabre action. Eyewitnesses have testified that the terrorists had abducted several villagers, including women and children, to a football field and used it as an ‘execution ground’ to behead the victims. The government in Mozambique had meanwhile appealed for international help to train its security personnel and maintain peace in the conflict zone.

Radical Islamism is on the rise in Mozambique since 2017

The Muslim-dominated province of Cabo Delgado has witnessed the displacement of 4.3 lac people and the gruesome killings of more than 2000 people since 2017. Although the province is rich in ruby and gas industries, the locals have failed to benefit from it due to a drastic rise in the terror activities of ISIS. In a bid to establish a Caliphate (Islamic State), the terrorist group had been recruiting local youth reeling with poverty and unemployment. The situation in Cabo Delgado has aggravated due to the indifference of the Mozambique government towards the region. In April alone, the ISIS terrorists shot and beheaded more than 50 people for refusing to join them.

Four killed in France over the cartoon row

In the last month, four people have been killed in France over the Prophet Muhammad cartoon row. On 17th October, Samuel Paty, a teacher, was beheaded in France for showing a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad in his class. Later, on 29th October, three people, including a woman, were reportedly beheaded at a Church in Nice, France. Several were injured in several attacks that happened on the same day in different locations across the world. A priest was shot on 1st November while he was closing a church. While India has shown support to France against terrorism, Islamic nations like Turkey and Pakistan have categorically justified the terrorist attacks in France.

Husband of BJP leader shot dead just a day before Bihar Assembly Election result day: Read details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Husband of BJP leader shot dead just a day before Bihar Assembly Election result day: Read details

On Monday evening, the husband of a prominent BJP leader was shot dead by criminals in the Sundernagar locality of Ara in Bhojpur district of Bihar, reported News 18. The incident took place just a day before the results of the Bihar Assembly elections were scheduled to be announced.

The victim has been identified as Pritam Narayan Singh aka Saheb Singh. According to his son, Singh was shot at by two unidentified bike-borne assailants in the Sundernagar locality when he was returning home from the civil court. He was then admitted to a private hospital in Ara. Although the victim was administered first aid, his condition began to deteriorate. Singh was referred to another hospital in the State capital but he died on the way on Monday, a day before Bihar elections result day.

On learning about the incident, Sadar SDPO Pankaj Kumar Rawat, Bhojpur SP Har Kishore Rai, Municipal Police Station Dharmendra Kumar, Nawada Police Station President Sanjeev Kumar Dalbal reached the crime spot.

The victim was a civil court advocate and the husband of the President of the ‘BJP Mahila Morcha.’ Reportedly, he too was an active member of the BJP and took part in several party events during the campaigning phase of the Bihar polls. A preliminary investigation has been initiated in the case.

Uttar Pradesh govt’s unique idea: Unnao district farmers exchange stubble for cow dung manure from Gaushalas

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Uttar Pradesh govt’s unique idea: Unnao district farmers exchange stubble for cow dung manure from Gaushalas

The district administration in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh has come up with an innovative idea to reduce the problem of stubble burning in the state. On 7th November, it has started procuring stubble from the farmers to be used in cow shelters as fodder. For two trolleys of stubble, the farmer will get one trolley of cow dung. So far, the district administration has procured 800 quintals of stubble. 

The initiative ‘Parali Do, Khaad Lo’ was inaugurated by the administration on 7th November by DD Agriculture Nand Kishore and Veterinary Officer PK Singh. Kishore called it a commendable initiative. It will save farmers from any legal action and help the administration impose the regulations set by National Green Tribunal.

Unnao DM Ravindra Kumar has stated to Aaj Tak that the district has 125 Gaushalas in total. Out of this, 28 are quite large and these Gaushalas produce ample amounts of cow dung manure. Farmers are offered to take 1 trolly of cow dung manure in exchange of 2 trollies of stubble. The stubble will be turned into fodder and the manure will help the farmers to enrich their soil. Kumar has stated that so far, over 100 farmers in the district have brought their stubble and taken manure in exchange.

Technical Institutions providing support to farmers

Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology is one of the institutions helping farmers in stubble management. They provide support to increase modern machinery use, including modern reversible moldboard plow, cutter less spread, arc less mulch, happy seeder, super seeder, etc. among farmers. The method university promotes does not require stubble to be removed from the farms, and sowing can be done without plowing for adding fertilizers. In this method, stubble gets decomposed in the farm itself and acts as a fertilizer.

Stubble burning causes severe damage to soil and the environment

As per the experts, stubble burning causes air pollution and reduces the fertility of the soil. It increases the ground’s temperature and kills friendly insects and microbes that are essential for good plant growth. As a result, the farmer has to use more chemical fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, etc. that further affects soil quality.

240% increase of stubble burning incidents in Punjab

Congress’s Amrinder Singh-led Punjab government has miserably failed in controlling stubble burning. As a result, the incidents of stubble burning have increased by 240% this year compared to last year. On the other hand, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have seen a decline of more than 30% this year.

As Shiv Sena calls Tejashwi Yadav ‘Joe Biden’ of Bihar, here is what the party mouthpiece has said about Bihari migrants over the years

OpIndia Staff
-
0
As Shiv Sena calls Tejashwi Yadav ‘Joe Biden’ of Bihar, here is what the party mouthpiece has said about Bihari migrants over the years

Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana has recently published an article in which it compared the presumptive President-Elect Joe Biden with RJD leader from Bihar Tejashwi Yadav. The editorial went overboard in praising the Mahagathbandhan leader Tejashwi Yadav while criticising NDA leaders Nitish Kumar and PM Modi.

In its article, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece claimed that Tejashwi Yadav will defeat the NDA alliance in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections just like Joe Biden’s “landslide victory” against Republican candidate and serving President Donald Trump. Except, Biden’s victory against Donald Trump is far from being casted as “landslide victory”. 

Nevertheless, the Saamana editorial continued lavishing praises on the Bihari leader, claiming that Tejashwi Yadav had been successful in capturing the imagination of the Bihari residents, something with PM Modi and Nitish Kumar could not emulate. Saamana’s assertions rode on several exit polls which suggested that the Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son has punched above his weight in the Bihar Assembly polls. 

The exit polls indicate that the fight for forming the government in the state would be a fiercely close contest, with either of the two alliances—NDA and the Mahagathbandhan—racking up an almost identical number of seats in the Vidhan Sabha elections. Though the exit polls suggested a hung Bihar Assembly, Shiv Sena mouthpiece was too enthusiastic with the likelihood of Mahagathbandhan giving a tough fight to the NDA alliance.

While Saamana seemed bouncing off the walls at the prospect of Mahagathbandhan alliance between Congress, RJD and other affiliate parties forming government in Bihar, it is important to revisit the time when the same Shiv Sena mouthpiece had spewed vitriol against the North Indians, most notably against the migrant population from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in Mumbai, to further its regional politics. 

Though Shiv Sena has radically upended its narrative after forming an alliance with ideological rivals–Congress and NCP, one does not have to go too far in the past to determine the latent beliefs held by the Uddhav Thackeray-led party. 

Saamana slams migrant workers from UP and Bihar after they return to work following the removal of lockdown

Most recently, Shiv Sena’s Saamana went all guns blazing against the migrant population in Mumbai after Union Minister Nitin Gadkari rightfully raised the concern of the growing population in the city of Mumbai and Pune. In its editorial, Saamana slammed the UP and Bihar government for the “re-migration” of workers from the respective states.

It even endorsed the suggestion made by Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, who had put forth a ‘permit’ rule for outsiders entering the state during the Vajpayee regime in the early 2000s. Later in 2012, current Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, too, had raked up the demand of having a ‘permit’ to check the influx of Bihari migrants in Mumbai.

Marathi people are first among equals in Mumbai: Saamana on Devendra Fadnavis lauding north Indian contribution to Mumbai

Shiv Sena, known for its strident ‘son-of-the-soil rhetoric’, had lambasted the then chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, for lauding the contribution of North Indians to Mumbai. Claiming that Marathi people are first among equals, an article published in Saamana said, “Marathi people have the first right and claim over Mumbai. The statement by Fadnavis is an insult to Maharashtra.”

MNS wreaked violence on UP and Bihari migrants while Shiv Sena blithely watched over the carnage

Horrifying attacks were unleashed on migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in February 2008 after clashes broke out between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Samajwadi Party (SP). MNS, led by Raj Thackeray, cousin of Uddhav Thackeray and nephew of Balasaheb Thackeray, made critical remarks centred around language and regionalism, that acted as a dog whistle for the MNS workers, sparking violence against migrant population from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Across the state, MNS workers wreaked havoc against the migrant population from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. From Mumbai to Nagpur, Pune to Aurangabad, MNS workers ran amok, attacking people whom they perceived to belong to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. As many as 25,000 migrants fled Pune, and another 15,000 fled Nashik in the wake of the attacks. 

Reluctantly, the state government ordered the arrest of Raj Thackeray and Abu Azmi on charges of instigation of violence and causing communal disturbance. However, Thackeray’s arrest added fuel to the fire, with MNS workers going on a rampage with a greater intensity against the outsiders. They chopped off both hands of a Bihari hawker sleeping on the streets. He was severely beaten until he fell unconscious. When he gained consciousness, he found himself in a hospital with both his hands amputated. 

Several such horrifying accounts have been reported from the time when MNS specifically targeted the people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Through all the ruckus, Shiv Sena remained uncharacteristically neutral, conscious that condemnation of MNS might undermine their “Marathi Manoos” rhetoric. 

“Biharis are an unwanted lot in all parts of the country”: Saamana editorial in March 2008

It is also important to note that Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana published an article titled “Ek Bihar Sau Bimar” on the attacks against North Indians a month later in March 2008. In the article, the editorial appeared to defend the abominable persecution of UP and Bihari migrants by the MNS workers, instead of condemning the violence. 

The article said Biharis antagonised local populations wherever they went and were an “unwelcome lot” throughout the country. The parliamentarians from Bihar and UP had raised the issue of violence meted out on the UP and Bihari migrants in Maharashtra in the parliament. In response to this, the Saamana editorial had issued a stern warning, claiming that North Indians in the city would again be at the receiving end if they persisted with such talk.

Bihar politicians should rein in themselves or risk facing the same attacks again: Saamana

The editorial said that the North Indian politicians who should be taught a lesson. Not only did Saamana rationalise the attacks carried out on the North Indian migrants in Mumbai and other parts of the state, it even issued a clarion call to the North Indian parliamentarians to rein in their criticism or risk facing the same kind of attacks again. 

Incidentally, the editorial published by Bal Thackeray dissing North Indians was highly critical of Lalu Prasad and senior JD-U leader Prabhunath Singh. Now, since its political affiliations have changed, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at the possibility of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son Tejashwi Yadav becoming the chief minister of Bihar.

Shiv Sena, a perpetually opportunistic political party?

In the current context, Shiv Sena, which has been pretty much unapologetic in its criticism of UP and Bihari population in Maharashtra, has been enthusiastically celebrating the possible coronation of Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar’s new chief minister. It is doing so because it has currently aligned with a political party which is an alliance partner with Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD in Bihar elections. 

Sena, perhaps, reckons that a victory in Bihar can add further ballast to the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra and reinvigorate the opposition against the Modi government. It had fanned the anti-Bihari sentiments when it saw political mileage in doing so. When it saw shunning Hindutva could get it the much-coveted chief ministerial position of Maharashtra, it fell over itself in breaking its long-term alliance with the BJP and joining hands with the Congress and the NCP. Now that it is in the alliance with the Congress party, it considers the election victory of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar pivotal to its political future.

Shiv Sena, which was once a fervid proponent of Hindutva and was deeply embedded in the NDA alliance, can be termed as an opportunist turncoat at best, relinquishing its support at a drop of a hat when it saw its political greed could be satisfied by switching over. However, on the flip side, it could also be described as a party with no firm political leanings, bartering its ideology for the sake of making short-term political gains.

‘Mama ji rocks’: No cracker ban in MP, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan urges people to celebrate Shri Ram’s return to Ayodhya with firecrackers

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Mama ji rocks’: No cracker ban in MP, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan urges people to celebrate Shri Ram’s return to Ayodhya with firecrackers

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has bucked the nationwide trend and declared that there will be no ban on crackers in the state. Responding to a query by a user on social media, Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured that people will be able to celebrate Diwali with great pomp and vigour. In addition, he urged people to celebrate the return of Shri Rama to Ayodhya this Diwali.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “Madhya Pradesh is a state of happiness. Here, we never ban happiness. There is no restriction on firecrackers in the state. But, yes, there is a ban on Chinese firecrackers. Celebrate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, burst firecrackers and celebrate Diwali with great pomp!”

Shivraj Singh Chouhan also said that firecracker brands that sell their products with pictures of Gods and Goddesses on their cover are banned as well. The decision is related to the religious sentiments of Hindus as the covers are then discarded and dumped as garbage with pictures of Gods and Goddesses on them.

There is jubilation among people on social media as netizens showered the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister with love and adulation. ‘Mama ji rocks’ and ‘We love you Mama ji’ appear to be the most popular sentiments on social media platforms. In recent days, there has been a concerted effort to ban firecrackers or impose severe restrictions on Diwali celebrations and his significant departure from it has been greeted wholeheartedly by people across the board.

The announcement by Shivraj Singh Chouhan comes on the same day as the NGT ordered a widespread ban and severe restrictions on firecrackers in cities and towns across the country. Earlier, Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami had appealed to states that had banned it reverse their decision as it will impact the livelihoods of lakhs of people in his state.

Alibaug Sessions Court shifts bail plea hearing of Arnab Goswami to Tuesday, CJM grants Mumbai police permission to question him for 3 hours daily

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Alibaug Sessions Court shifts bail plea hearing of Arnab Goswami to Tuesday, CJM grants Mumbai police permission to question him for 3 hours daily

As the Mumbai police’s persecution against Arnab Goswami continues unabated, the senior journalist will have to stay another day in jail after Alibaug sessions court shifted his bail plea hearing for tomorrow. After the Bombay High Court refused to grant interim relief to Arnab Goswami, he had moved the Alibaug Sessions Court for regular bail in the Anvay Naik abetment to suicide case, the plea for which the Alibaug sessions court will now hear on November 10.

The Sessions Court has also kept the petition of Raigad police, seeking revision of Magistrate’s order of granting judicial custody to Arnab Goswami, for tomorrow.

However, the Alibaug CJM has granted permission to the Mumbai police to question Republic TV Editor-in-chief for 3 hours daily in Taloja prison in connection with Anvay Naik abetment to suicide case. Taloja jail, a prison which houses hardened criminals and underworld dons, is where the senior journalist is currently lodged after he was hurriedly shifted from the quarantine centre on Sunday by the Raigad police.

The permission to interrogate Arnab was granted after Maharashtra police moved an application before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Alibaug seeking permission for the same.

Bombay HC refuses interim relief to Arnab Goswami

Earlier in the day, Bombay High Court had refused to grant interim relief from arrest to Arnab Goswami. 

The senior journalist was on Sunday transferred to the Taloja jail by the Mumbai Police from the quarantine centre where he was held in judicial custody. The Republic Editor-in-Chief revealed that he was yet again assaulted by the police and said that his life was under threat. Previously, Arnab Goswami revealed that he was force-fed a liquid that made him choke, he was hit by a police officer’s boot, he suffered injuries to his spinal cord and veins and he was not even allowed access to drinking water.

Arnab Goswami’s arrest

Arnab was arrested on Wednesday for a now-reopened 2018 abatement of the suicide case of an architect, Anvay Naik. In his suicide note, the architect has blamed a few people, including Arnab Goswami, for not paying dues. Later, the court dismissed the case against Arnab, but it was reopened in May 2020 by the Maharashtra government.

This Diwali, India goes ‘Atmanirbhar’ as governments, brands go vocal for local with #Local4Diwali. Read how

OpIndia Staff
-
0
This Diwali, India goes ‘Atmanirbhar’ as governments, brands go vocal for local with #Local4Diwali. Read how

Did you buy something local on Diwali? Not just diyas, but gifts, jewelry, sweets, chocolates, Diwali lights, electronics, gadgets, appliances, and the list goes on. Did you check or planning to see if the product you are eyeing was made in India or not? Did you try to buy something additional this Diwali just to promote someone local?

Did you post something that you purchased locally with the hashtag #Local4Diwali? If yes, then you are a part of a mass movement across the country to promote local products.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the people of India to buy locally as much as possible. The idea is to promote small manufacturers, retailers, shopkeepers, etc. to become ‘Atmanirbhar’ or self-sufficient. India needs a continuous movement to promote local goods and services if we want to become financially better than other countries and stand tall with the developed nations. With 1.3 billion people and growing, India has one of the highest purchasing power in the world, and it is essential for the progress of the country that we try to go local.

PM Modi’s call for “Local For Diwali”

In his recent addresses to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized on shifting the purchasing power to local products as much as possible. He said, “I request to promote #Local4Diwali with #Vocal4Local. This will not only strengthen the local identity, but also make Diwali celebrations of the people who make these goods worth. The people of my country are giving their sweat and blood, doing something new, it is our responsibility to hold their hands.”

Following his call for buying local products, several ministers, celebrities and brands have started promoting the movement and urging people to buy local products. Leaders including Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Home Minister Amit Shah, Textile Minister Smriti Irani, and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, among others, have shared tweets promoting local products.

Chief Minister of Tripura shared bamboo products’ images, including diyas and gift items made by local artisans.

Smriti Irani, who had shared contact details of several artisans on Handloom day in August, urged people to share photos of local purchases and promote the cause. She shared a beautiful video in which people were seen promoting local products. She said, “Help local craftsmen and businesses to prosper & support ‘Local for Vocal’ movement for an ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ as envisaged by PM Narendra Modi Ji.”

Celebrities and brands supporting the cause

Several brands have come forward to support the cause of promoting local purchases. One of the campaigns that stood out was by Cadbury’s. They launched an advertisement that uses the latest technology to find out where the viewer is from and promote local stores accordingly. As most of the local retailers were not available on online platforms, Cadbury made a database of them and added all the required info so that their system can pick the right retailer. Being an international brand, they found a way to connect to the people of India and found a silver lining in the pandemic.

Karan Johar shared a post on Twitter urging people to buy local this Diwali. He shared a heartwarming note and urged everyone to share photos of the purchases and use the #Local4Diwali hashtag. Ohter celebrities have also chipped in.

Several small and big brands join the cause and become a part of the movement on every platform. Let it be Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube, you will find many brands showcasing their best products and services while promoting other brands too.

In the time of the pandemic, everyone needs help to get back on their feet. With Prime Minister Modi giving a much-need shoutout to the local vendors, manufacturers and retailers, everyone has understood the need to go local and echo for local brands. So, did you buy anything local this Diwali?

Good news for festive season: India sees consistent decline in active and new cases of Coronavirus since mid-September

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Good news for festive season: India sees consistent decline in active and new cases of Coronavirus since mid-September

As the United States and Europe grapple with fresh surges in coronavirus cases, the outbreak in India is slowing for the first time since the pandemic began. After seeing a drastic surge in the number of active cases in the month of September, the number of new infections per day in India dropped sharply in the month October.

In the month of September, India had overtaken Brazil to become the country with the second-highest number of COVID-19 patients in the world. However, things started to take a positive turn and the number of active cases began to slow down in India thereafter. In fact, on October 19, as per Government records, for the first time since July end, India recorded less than 50,000 new infections of the novel coronavirus.

According to the graphical representation of the new daily cases in India in worldometers, one can see a consistent decline in the number of daily coronavirus cases in India after September 16, 2020. According to the graph, on September 16, India recorded 97,859 active COVID cases. Yesterday, November 8, this number fell to 46,661.

Total new cases in India on September 16 according to Worldometer
Total number of new cases in India declined to 46,661 on November 8 according to Worldometer

The total number of active cases in India also witnessed a steep fall since the middle of September. The active cases which were 10,14,649 on September 18 fell to 5,11,551 on November 8. India has seen a significant bent in the curce of active cases since mid-September and if the trend continues, India might be heading for some good news.

The total active cases in India stood at 10,14,649 on September 18
The total active cases in India stood at 5,11,551 on November 8

There does not appear to be an overall decline in testing across the country. India appears to be conducting well over a million tests everyday on an average. The number of total tests in India conducted on November 9 stood at 8,35,401 against the normal range of 10 to 12 lakh tests every day.

Data taken from Corona India tracker

There was a concern that India could witness a sharp spike as the country enters its festive season. That does not appear to be happening thus far. Given the consistent decline in the number of active cases, it appears good news for the country during the festive season. However, as can be witnessed in Europe which is currently suffering from a second wave of a Coronavirus surge, there remains ample reason to exercise caution.

Based on mathematical and statistical forecasting on the spread of the deadly pathogen, a panel of scientists and doctors had claimed on October 20 that if all protocols are followed, the pandemic can be controlled by end of February 2021 with minimal active symptomatic cases.

The panel, which used the real-time dataset to make the prognosis, claimed that 30 per cent of India’s population was already projected to have developed antibodies, which indicated that they had been infected with the virus. Further, the panel estimated that there would be around 106 lakh symptomatic infections during the course of the pandemic. Currently, the panel claimed, there are an estimated 66 lakh symptomatic infections.

The panel also said that in a ‘no lockdown’ scenario, cases would have been at least 14 times of what they actually were in the month of June, when the peak had begun.

Currently, India stands second behind the US in terms of active cases of COVID-19 as well as total caseload, according to Worldometer. Also, the country is in the dominant position in terms of the number of recovered cases and third in terms of fatalities globally behind the US and Brazil.

NGT could destroy local cracker industry even as politicians preach ‘vocal for local’, orders severe Diwali restrictions nationwide

OpIndia Staff
-
0
NGT could destroy local cracker industry even as politicians preach ‘vocal for local’, orders severe Diwali restrictions nationwide

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday has ordered a complete ban on firecrackers in cities and towns across the country where the ambient air quality fell under the poor category or above (worse) in November. Furthermore, in places where the ambient air quality fell under the moderate or below (better) category, the selling of only green crackers will be permitted and only two hours would be provided for bursting firecrackers.

“We are also of the view that since we have taken the view that pollution aggravates COVID-19, not only crackers are to be banned or restricted depending upon air quality, all State pollution control boards and committees must take special initiative to contain air pollution by regulating all other sources of pollution,” a bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said. The NGT said that data from November 2019 would be taken into account as well.

“The cities/towns where air quality is ‘moderate’ or below, only green crackers be sold, and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals like Diwali, Chhath, New Year/Christmas Eve etc., as may be specified by the state concerned. At other places, ban/restrictions are optional for the authorities but if there are more stringent measures under orders of the authorities, the same will prevail,” the bench said.

The order will come into effect at midnight and last till the 30th of November. The NGT said on Wednesday that it may have to prohibit the use of firecrackers in order to protect the health of vulnerable groups, alluding to 122 cities across 22 states and Union Territories which have consistently demonstrated a poor ambient air quality. The cities include Delhi, Varanasi, Bhopal, Kolkata, Noida, Muzaffarpur, Mumbai, Jammu, Ludhiana, Patiala, Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Kolkata, Patna, Gaya, Chandigarh etc.

The order passed by the NGT has the potential to destroy the local cracker industry. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, E Palaniswami, had appealed to states that had banned firecrackers during Diwali to revoke their order as it would impact the lives of lakhs of people in his state. With the order by NGT, his cause for worry appears to have worsened. At a time when politicians are preaching ‘vocal for local’, destroying a local industry appears to be a very bad idea.

Furthermore, such orders at the last moment would cause huge losses to business owners who have already made investments. Firecrackers during the festival of Diwali has huge significance for the Hindu community. Governments in India, unwilling to take decisive measures to curb pollution, appear to have decided to make firecrackers a scapegoat as a quick-fix in order to give the impression that they are taking the issue seriously.

The ambient air quality in Delhi has been terrible for weeks now which makes it clear that firecrackers are not the significant contributors of pollution. Under such circumstances, the ban on firecrackers has caused much anguish among the Hindu community. Karnakataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa was forced to walk back a little on his cracker ban following outrage.

‘Tanishq, you failed to understand the essence of Diwali’: Here is how netizens reacted to the dull, bizarre ad

Dibakar Dutta
-
0
‘Tanishq, you failed to understand the essence of Diwali’: Here is how netizens reacted to the dull, bizarre ad

Tanishq Jewellery, which recently came under the fire by social media users for allegedly glorifying love jihad, has been facing criticism yet again for the dull portrayal of Diwali in its new digital ad.

The new ad shows actresses Nimrat Kaur, Nina Gupta, Alaya Furniturewala and Sayani Gupta, all over-loaded with makeup, wearing clothes in pastel shades and telling the audience what they would like to do for Diwali. One actress, wearing some heavy strange orange-brown shade of make-up that makes her face almost unrecognizable, even preaches that everyone should celebrate a cracker-free Diwali.

(Video Courtesy: Politics Videos)

Netizens irked at the dull portrayal of Diwali

Popular Twitter user Maya asked Tanishq to fire the ad firm that they hired for the production of the digital ad. “Dear Tanishq, FIRE your ad firm! This looks like a obituary ad, a funeral one not a diwali ad.” She complained about the dull theme that the ad portrayed for the festival of lights.

“How can anybody get a Diwali themed ad so wrong. Why are the women there pretending so much? Wearing dull clothes bad make up? Just bloody enjoy.. wear colourful clothes.. the Tanishq gold looks so bad in the ad. Damn.. pathetic stuff by ekatvam by Tanishq,” Maya emphasised.

Another Twitter user Neerja wrote, “Such a bland diwali ad. No colors, no bindi !!, just plain dull boring monotones… Don’t remember diwali being so boring !! Tasteless ad Tanishq….”

Another user, Ash, pointed out that people do not wear such dull clothes, as shown in the ad, on the occasion of Diwali. “We don’t wear dull colours on Diwali ….we wear bright colours…and we speak in our mother tongue…. we have poojas all 4 days including cow, Dhan Laxmi, Lord Ram, Chopdi pooja …ok … and we don’t call our mothers MUM ….fake angrej (English)…. !!Tanishq…change ur team …dumbs”, she tweeted.

Other Twitter users too complained about the advertisement, resembling a kitty party instead of Diwali, due to the dull attire of the actresses featured in it.

Tanishq earlier promoted love jihad

Earlier, a massive controversy broke out on various social media platforms with users calling for the boycott of the jewellery brand Tanishq for their advertisement. The ad, in question, showcased a Hindu woman married into a Muslim family, preparing for her baby shower. Heeding to criticism, the controversial advertisement was pulled down from YouTube.

The ad was criticised by social media users for trying to paint a rosy picture while the grim reality of the situations faced by non-Muslim women marrying Muslim men. As dozens of cases of forced conversions and kidnap of minors by older Muslim men are reported across the country, the ad faced criticism for promoting such unions.

1...4,8994,9004,901...7,677Page 4,900 of 7,677