Home Blog Page 1629

Americans call for ban on TikTok after thousands of youths share Osama Bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ supporting his views

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Americans call for ban on TikTok after thousands of youths share Osama Bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ supporting his views

On Friday (17th November), Former UN Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley called for a ban on the Chinese video app named TikTok. This is days after terrorist Osama Bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ in which he explained why Al Qaeda executed the attacks of 9/11 in America went viral over social media.

The South Carolina Governor said that several social media users were siding with Laden and his stand on waging Jihad against America due to TikTok. “Thousands of TikTok users are siding with Osama bin Laden who murdered 3,000 Americans. This is a prime example of how our foreign enemies poison social media to advance their evil agenda. Ban Tik Tok. Stop giving the Chinese Communist Party the ability to influence Americans,” she said.

Apart from Haley, several other influential Americans and other social media users called for a ban on TikTok. American TV personality and former Chairman of advertising firm Deutsch Inc, Donny Deutsch said that around 51 percent of the young Americans sided with Laden for attacking the Twin tower. “This is majorly because of the TikTok app run by China. What is happening to people’s minds? I am really worried,” he could be heard saying.

Meanwhile, the Israel War Room Twitter handle also commented on the issue and said, “TikTok is a Chinese Communist Party propaganda app that is doing incalculable damage to the mental health of young people in America. Apart from the one-sided and dishonest content it broadcasts about Israel, there are myriad reasons to Ban TikTok,” it read.

Also, United States Senator Marco Rubio condemned TikTok for negatively influencing the minds of young Americans. He shared a video of youngsters in which the latter could be seen supporting terrorism against America. “Now trending on social media (especially TikTok) people saying that after reading Bin Laden’s “Letter to America,” they now understand terrorism is a legitimate method of resistance against “oppression” and America deserved to be attacked on 9/11,” he said.

Several other respected Americans have posted on Twitter calling for a ban on TikTok given the dreadful spread of misinformation. As per the social media videos, youngsters in America are seen extending support to Palestine and Hamas terrorists. This has raised concerns regarding the increasing spread of misinformation.

“I support Palestine even though I don’t know where it is on the map,” the girl in the video could be heard saying.

Further, several videos on TikTok this week were posted by young Americans expressing sympathy with Osama bin Laden, the terrorist who orchestrated the 9/11 attacks. They also sided with the two-decade-old letter he wrote critiquing the United States, including its government and support of Israel.

What had Laden written in the letter that is going viral on TikTok today

In the letter, Osama Bin Laden rationalized Islamic terrorism by asserting that it is nothing but Jihad as ordered and permitted by the holy book ‘Quran’. He wrote in his letter, “It is commanded by our religion and intellect that the oppressed have a right to return the aggression. Do not await anything from us but Jihad, resistance, and revenge. Is it in any way rational to expect that after America has attacked us for more than half a century, we will then leave her to live in security and peace?”

Holding American citizens equally responsible for all the problems inflicted upon the Islamic countries by the USA, Osama Bin Laden said in his letter that the American people have willfully chosen to uphold their so-called concepts of freedom and they have elected the governments in their countries executing the anti-Islamic policies. He argued that because these ‘attacks on Islam’ are done using the tax money and other resources of the American people, they are not innocent at all and they should also pay the price for the same.

“Some American writers have published articles under the title ‘On what basis are we fighting?’ These articles have generated a number of responses, some of which adhered to the truth and were based on Islamic Law, and others which have not. Here we wanted to outline the truth – as an explanation and warning – hoping for Allah’s reward, seeking success and support from him. While seeking Allah’s help, we form our reply based on two questions directed at the Americans: (Q1) Why are we fighting and opposing you? (Q2)What are we calling you to, and what do we want from you?”

Answering these questions in detail, the terrorist – who was slain in 2011 – said in his letter, “As for the first question: Why are we fighting and opposing you? The answer is very simple: (1) Because you attacked us and continue to attack us. a) You attacked us in Palestine: Palestine, which has sunk under military occupation for more than 80 years. The British handed over Palestine, with your help and your support, to the Jews, who have occupied it for more than 50 years; years overflowing with oppression, tyranny, crimes, killing, expulsion, destruction and devastation. The creation and continuation of Israel is one of the greatest crimes, and you are the leaders of its criminals. And of course, there is no need to explain and prove the degree of American support for Israel. The creation of Israel is a crime which must be erased. Each and every person whose hands have become polluted in the contribution towards this crime must pay its price, and pay for it heavily.”

He added, “(b) You attacked us in Somalia; you supported the Russian atrocities against us in Chechnya, the Indian oppression against us in Kashmir, and the Jewish aggression against us in Lebanon. (c) Under your supervision, consent and orders, the governments of our countries which act as your agents, attack us on a daily basis; These governments prevent our people from establishing the Islamic Shariah, using violence and lies to do so. These governments surrendered to the Jews and handed them most of Palestine. And our fight against these governments is not separate from our fight against you.”

Osama Bin Laden, in his letter, also accused the USA of ‘stealing the Arab wealth and oil at paltry prices using their international influence’, ‘occupying Muslim countries by spreading military bases throughout those countries’, ‘starving the Muslims of Iraq’, and ‘supporting the idea that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jews’

The Guardian removed the letter from its website

Reportedly, ‘The Guardian’ removed Osama Bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ from its website, 21 years after it was published. The English translation of the original Arabic letter by the Islamic terrorist was published in ‘Observer’ of ‘The Guardian’ on 24th November 2002. 

After the letter went viral on social media, ‘The Guardian’ in a notification informed about the removal of this letter. The notification said, “This page previously displayed a document containing, in translation, the full text of Osama bin Laden’s “letter to the American people”, as reported in the Observer on Sunday 24 November 2002. The document, which was published here on the same day, was removed on 15 November 2023.”

How popular is TikTok among the American users?

According to a KFF survey, TikTok is extremely popular among young Americans, with the majority of Americans under 30 using the app at least once a week. A lot of users of TikTok were born after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, DC, and rural Pennsylvania, when 19 terrorists hijacked commercial airplanes, intentionally exploded the planes, and murdered nearly 3,000 people. Bin Laden, the former leader of the al Qaeda terrorist organization who was killed in a US special forces raid in 2011, masterminded the attack.

The design of TikTok makes it tough to precisely measure how popular or widespread sentiment is on the platform, but an initial CNN examination discovered a few dozen videos openly praising or sympathizing with the sentiments expressed in the letter, titled “Letter to America.”

Many of the videos were tagged with #lettertoamerica. By Thursday, the views on those videos had surpassed 14 million, but some were from users who were frustrated and disgusted with the letter and how it was being praised by others on the platform.

In one video, which is no longer accessible on the platform but has been seen over 1.6 million times, a New York-based lifestyle influencer urged others to read the letter and said, “if you have read it, let me know if you are also going through an existential crisis in this very moment, because in the last 20 minutes, my entire viewpoint on the entire life I have believed, and I have lived, has changed.”

In another video that has received over 100,000 views, a TikTok user who frequently criticizes the US government said, “If we’re going to call Osama bin Laden a terrorist, so is the American government.”

Notably, India imposed a ban on the Chinese app TikTok and 28 other Chinese apps in the year 2021. The action was initiated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY), Government of India, under Section 69A of the IT Act, stating that these apps are engaging in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, the security of state and public order.

‘I saw a video in which I was doing garba’: PM Modi addresses threat of deep fake in India, stresses the need to educate people about AI’s negative effect

ANI
-
0
‘I saw a video in which I was doing garba’: PM Modi addresses threat of deep fake in India, stresses the need to educate people about AI’s negative effect

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted the threats of deep fakes in new-age digital media content and said that it was important to understand how Artificial Intelligence (AI) works since they could be used to purposefully spread false information or have malicious intent behind their use.

Addressing the gathering at the Diwali Milan program at the BJP Headquarters on Friday, Prime Minister Modi spoke to the journalists about the dangers of deep fakes in digital media.

The prime minister urged the media persons to educate the people about the negative effects of using artificial intelligence to spread harmful content such as misrepresentation of individuals in deep fakes.

“I recently saw a video in which I was seen singing a Garba song. There are many other such videos online,” said PM Modi adding that the looming threat of Deepfake has become a great concern and can create a lot of problems for all of us.

Deepfakes are used to purposefully spread false information or they may have a malicious intent behind their use. They can be designed to harass, intimidate, demean and undermine people. Deepfakes can also create misinformation and confusion about important issues.

The Centre has said that creation and circulation of Deepfakes carry strong penalty – Rs 1 lakh in fine and three years in jail.

Misrepresentation of individuals in Deepfakes has led to the generation of blackmail materials to falsely incriminate people. As these videos and audio recordings can be difficult to verify, the negative impact on reputation can be difficult to recover from, even when verified as a Deepfake.

The Prime Minister further said that the ‘Vocal for local’ campaign has found people’s support and that the idea of a fully developed India was not just mere words but had touched ground reality.

The PM further said that local businesses had blossomed under the vocal for local campaigns and stated that we all must prioritise our local products.

“We now have a strong position on a global level, the world now acknowledges our achievements,” added the prime minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the BJP leadership arrived for the ‘Diwali Milan’ program at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central office in the national capital. Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda have also arrived at the event that has been organised by the ruling party.

Additionally, journalists from the Indian media were invited by BJP party chief JP Nadda to attend the program.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

‘I feel embarrassed’: Wasim Akram slams Sikandar Bakht over his comments on Rohit Sharma’s style of tossing the coin

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘I feel embarrassed’: Wasim Akram slams Sikandar Bakht over his comments on Rohit Sharma’s style of tossing the coin

On Thursday (November 16) former Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram blasted former test cricketer Sikandar Bakht for claiming that India’s captain Rohit Sharma deliberately throws the coin far away during the toss to dupe the opposition captain. Akram wondered who can decide where the coin lands after it is tossed adding that such conspiracy theories make him feel embarrassed.

Speaking on a Pakistani sports news program Wasim Akram said, “Who decides where the coin should land? It is just for sponsorship! I feel embarrassed. I can’t even… I don’t even want to comment on it.”

Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketer Moin Khan opined that Sikander Bakht is just trying to create a fuss adding that every captain has their own way of tossing the coin.

“He is mistaken, just creating a fuss. Every captain has a different way of tossing the coin,” Khan added.

This comes after former Pakistani Test cricketer Sikandar Bakht said during a Pakistani TV show that India’s captain Rohit Sharma deliberately throws the coin far away during the toss to dupe the opposition captain. Taking to social media, several Pakistani cricket fans also peddled this conspiracy theory.

“I want to ask a question. If we can show all the tosses so far. Whenever Rohit Sharma tosses the coin, he throws it far away. The captain of the other team does not go to the coin and check if the toss call is correctly assessed or not,” Bakht said. After this remark, the Pakistani TV channel showed a video clip of all the tosses wherein Rohit Sharma is seen tossing the coin.

This controversy arose just days after former cricketer Hasan Raza, while appearing on a Pakistani news channel, had said that ICC or BCCI is providing some special kind of balls only to Indian bowlers due to which Indian bowlers like Shami and Siraj are getting swings even on batting pitches. Hasan Raza also asserted that there should be an ‘inspection’ of balls provided by the ICC. He also alleged that decisions are being made in favour of India in the matter of DRS. Reacting to Hasan Raza’s baseless and senseless assertion, former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram lambasted Hasan Raza saying that he too wants to try the same drugs these people (Hasan Raza) are smoking.

Defence Ministry body KSB has distributed grants worth 932 crores to 3.7 lakh beneficiaries related to soldiers in 5 years

ANI
-
0
Defence Ministry body KSB has distributed grants worth 932 crores to 3.7 lakh beneficiaries related to soldiers in 5 years

Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), a Defence Ministry body, has distributed grants worth Rs 932 crore to over 3.7 lakh beneficiaries linked to the armed forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) in the last five years between 2018 and 2023 under various welfare schemes like education grants of their wards, daughters’ marriage, and serious diseases, among others.

These beneficiaries include ex-servicemen, widows, and their dependents who availed of the grant under 10 welfare schemes being run across the country for their welfare. These schemes are operated with the assistance of the 34 state KSBs and 410 district Sainik Boards across the country.

Among the grants provided under the 10 welfare schemes are penury grant for non-pensioner upto Havildar rank aged 65 (Rs 48,000 annual); education grant upto Havildar rank (student from class-1 to graduation) for two children (Rs 12,000 each annual); disabled children grant upto JCO rank (Rs 36,000 annual); orphan children grant (Rs 36,000 annnual); medical grant upto Havildar rank (Maximum 50,000 annual); daughter’s marriage grant upto Havildar rank (two daughters) (Rs 50,000 each); vocational training grant upto Havildar rank for one time (Rs 50,000); and serious diseases grants up to JCO rank for one time (Rs 1,50,000 maximum).

“In the last five years (2018-2023), grants worth approximately Rs 932 crores have been distributed to more than 3.7 lakh beneficiaries,” CMDE HP Singh, secretary KSB, told ANI.

Singh said on the sidelines of an event organised by the KSB on Friday to honour veterans and kin of martyrs ahead of Armed Forces Flag Day. Since 1949, Armed Forces Flag Day is observed on December 7 throughout the country to honour the men in uniform, who bravely fought on our borders to safeguard its territorial integrity and laid down their lives.

In the financial year 2022-23, Singh further said, a grant of approximately Rs 250 crores has been distributed to more than 99,000 beneficiaries.

Apart from this, the officer said, institutional grants have also been given to Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Kirkee and Mohali, Cheshire Home, Dehradun, Lucknow and Delhi and 36 War Memorial Hostels across the country.

“These grants have been increased from time to time,” Singh stressed.

In the 31st KSB meeting held on April 11 this year in the national capital under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Singh said many steps were taken for the welfare of our soldiers, ‘Veer Naaris’ and their dependents.

Last year, Singh said, grants were raised for medical treatment from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000; vocational training for widows from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 and serious diseases from Rs 1,20,000 to Rs 1,50,000.

Also, a dedicated website for contribution towards the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFD Fund) was launched during the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) conclave held on November 29 last year by the Defence Minister to facilitate Public Sector Units, Corporates and normal citizens to contribute generously towards the noble cause of taking care of our soldiers and their dependents.

“We at KSB, under DESW, are committed to provide opportunities to all segments of Ex-Servicemen to improve their financial and social status through an inclusive, participatory and holistic approach,” Singh added.

The KSB Secretariat functions under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare in the Ministry of Defence, vide a Government of India notification dated January 29, 2009.

Though the welfare of the ex-servicemen and their dependents is the joint responsibility of the Centre, the states and the Union Territories (UTs), the majority of the problems have to be resolved only by the states and the UTs.

Like the KSB at the Centre, the State and District Sainik Boards are responsible for policy formulation and implementation of resettlement and welfare schemes for ex-servicemen, widows and their dependents residing in their respective states, UTs and districts.

There are 34 State Sainik Boards and 412 District Sainik Boards in the country. The KSB Secretariat advises the Department of Sainik Welfare in the states and UTs on various matters pertaining to the welfare of ex-servicemen, widows, disabled soldiers and their wards. Advice is also rendered on various welfare schemes and their management from funds allotted by the governments of states, UTs and the Amalgamated Special Funds.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Ashneer Grover and his wife Madhuri Jain stopped at Delhi airport over lookout notice issued amid probe in connection to BharatPe fraud case

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Ashneer Grover and his wife Madhuri Jain stopped at Delhi airport over lookout notice issued amid probe in connection to BharatPe fraud case

BharatPe co-founder and Shark Tank India fame Ashneer Grover and his spouse Madhuri Jain were stopped at terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday, November 16, while they were travelling to New York.

The action was taken based on a lookout circular (LOC) that the Delhi Police’s Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) issued against them earlier this week amid ongoing investigations against the two for alleged fraud at BharatPe that had caused a loss of Rs 81 crore to the company.

A letter of caution, or LoC, is a circular letter that law enforcement uses to determine if a person is wanted. A person who is the subject of a LoC is prohibited from leaving the nation.

Speaking about the development, Sindhu Pillai, joint commissioner of police (EOW), said, “They were detained before security check and asked to return to their Delhi residence and join the probe at the EOW office at Mandir Marg next week.” 

Pillai also said that the LoC was only to stop the couple from travelling abroad and that they have not been arrested.

Grover, meanwhile, took to X to inform about the same. He wrote a long post where he laughed off the entire situation as he mentioned ‘facts’ about the case due to which he was stopped from travelling abroad. He claimed that he had “not received any communication or summon from EOW since FIR in May till 8 AM today 17 morning (7 hours after returning from the airport).”

According to reports, the LoC was issued to the couple by EOW earlier this week. The agency, in a status report submitted to the Delhi High Court, had noted that there were differences in vendor invoices earlier this week in a status report to the Delhi High Court. They also stated that certain human resource (HR) consultancies associated with BharatPe had been set up to siphon money from the fintech startup.

It was discovered that the eight HR consultants in question were connected to family members of Madhuri Jain, the ex-control head of the fintech company and Ashneer Grover’s wife. According to the EOW, the probe is still in its early phases. The pair have been asked to come before the EOW next week to participate in the investigation, according to sources.

Zulfiquar Memon of MZM Legal, counsel for Bharat Pe informed, “After the latest status report filed by the EOW in the Delhi HC, where they have found evidence of embezzlement, it is only appropriate for the EOW to issue a LOC against the accused.”

Former BharatPe managing director Ashneer Grover and his wife booked for fraud

In May this year, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi police registered a case against former Bharat pe managing Director Ashneer Grover, his wife and others “for using company funds inappropriately based on various forged documents”. 

It was alleged that they had embezzled money and caused losses to Resilient Innovations Private Limited, the company that manages BharatPe, totalling Rs 81 crore.

The FIR had been registered under 20/406/408/409/467/468/471/120B sections of IPC.

Ashneer Grover had resigned after the firm sacked his wife, Madhuri Jain, over financial irregularities

Ashneer Grover had sent an e-mail to the company board late on February 28, 2022, informing them about their resignation amid the ongoing investigation into the financial fraud at the company. Ashneer’s resignation had come a day after Ashneer Grover lost the arbitration in Singapore he filed against the fintech platform for launching a probe against him and almost a week after the firm sacked his wife, Madhuri Jain, who was the company’s head of controls, for alleged financial irregularities including creating bogus invoices and billing the company for personal beauty treatments and vacations overseas.

‘Congress made UT Khader the speaker, now BJP MLAs have to fold hands before him’: Karnataka minister Zameer Ahmed Khan

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Congress made UT Khader the speaker, now BJP MLAs have to fold hands before him’: Karnataka minister Zameer Ahmed Khan

On Friday (17th November), a controversy erupted as Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan made a statement targeting the BJP during a campaign rally for the Telangana assembly elections. He said that BJP leaders are now compelled to extend respectful greetings with folded hands to the Muslim Speaker of the state assembly, UT Khader. Khan attributed this situation to the efforts of the Congress government in Karnataka.

Zameer Ahmed Khan said, “17 Muslims were given tickets. Out of these 7 have been elected as MLAs. Congress empowered 5 of them. I was given 3 portfolios and made a minister. Rahim Khan is the Minister, and Salim Ahmed is the whip. Naseer Ahmed is the Chief Minister’s political secretary.”

He added, “Never in the history of politics has a Muslim person been made speaker. Now for the first time, the Congress party has made a Muslim speaker. Now even the biggest of the BJP leaders have to respectfully greet UT Khader with folded hands and say Namaskar (Salutations) to UT Khader. Who made this possible? It is Congress!”

BJP Karnataka State President BY Vijayendra reacted to this statement by the Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. BY Vijayendra said, “Zameer Ahmed who is a cabinet minister and is in a responsible position making such statements is unfortunate and condemnable. As legislators, we respect the post and position of the speaker and we respect democracy and it is not towards any individual.”

JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy said, “It is respect to the chair, not Khader. The speaker is the custodian of 224 MLAs and he doesn’t belong to one particular community.”

Muslim appeasing policies of Congress in Karnataka is a long-known fact. The Congress party had promised in its election manifesto for the Kannada state that it will ban Bajrang Dal if voted to power. The speaker of the state assembly UT Khader about whom minister Zameer Ahmed Khan made this statement was also in the middle of a controversy regarding his deliberate actions against BJP. In July 2023,he suspended 10 BJP MLAs.

On the 19th of July, the two major opposition parties in Karnataka, BJP and JD(S), jointly gave a notice seeking a no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker UT Khader. The notice was jointly signed by both the BJP and JD(S) MLAs including Former Chief Ministers Basavaraj Bommai and HD Kumaraswamy. 

‘Hindus visiting Bhavya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will come out as Muslims’: Old video of former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad goes viral

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Hindus visiting Bhavya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will come out as Muslims’: Old video of former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad goes viral

As the consecration ceremony of the Bhavya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya draws closer, videos insulting the temple and undermining the temple have started going viral on the internet. In one such video, former Pakistan cricket captain Javed Miandad is seen claiming that the new Ram Temple will turn Hindus into Muslims.

“Those Hindus visiting the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will come out as Muslims. It is our firmly held belief that our faith (Islam) will shine its light on those who visit places that are connected to our roots. Modi may have done wrong by getting the Ram Mandir built in Ayodhya, but it will work as a blessing in disguise for us. I have full faith in Allah that this will be the place from where Muslims will once again rise,” Miandad says.

Notably, Miandad released the video three years ago on August 8, 2020, three days after the Bhoomi Poojan of the historic Ram Mandir, which was performed by PM Modi. You can watch the entire video here:-

Strikingly, the video has gone viral on social media months ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony planned at the newly constructed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. According to the reports, the consecration (Pran Pratishtha) ceremony is expected to take place on January 22 next year.

The Ram Mandir construction committee chairperson Nripendra Mishra recently asserted that the construction of the ground floor of the three-story Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will be completed by the end of December this year. 

In an interview with PTI, Mishra said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to take part in an event related to the “pran pratishtha” on any day between January 20 to 24 next year. However, he added that the Prime Minister’s Office has yet to communicate the final date.

According to the Chief Priest of Ram Mandir, Acharya Satyendra Das Ji Maharaj, the rituals will be held from January 15 to January 24. A letter was written to the PMO on their behalf, and a reply has also been received. Now, it has been decided that Prime Minister Modi will arrive in Ayodhya on the 22nd of January and will take part in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Prominent seers, eminent personalities, and scores of devotees have been invited to this consecration ceremony.

Pakistanis and ex-Pak cricketers resort to peddling conspiracy theories as India advances to World Cup 2023 finals

Being delusional is a hallmark of Pakistanis. Be it about their belief in the fictional supremacy of their official faith over others, their teetering economy being the best in the world or even their cricketing standards, Pakistanis often delude themselves into believing they are a cut above the rest in every department. These delusions, of late, have taken ominous proportions, notably after the exit of Pakistan from the ongoing World Cup 2023, especially among the former Pakistan players, who have resorted to peddling conspiracy theories and baseless speculations in their bid to undermine India’s performance and their team’s awful World Cup campaign.

In this context, old videos of Pakistani cricketers making bizarre claims are doing the rounds on the internet. Recently, a former Pakistan cricketer peddled conspiracy theories raising aspersions on the cricket ball being used in matches played by India. Two days ago, a prominent Pakistani cricket analyst and former cricketer went to the extent of sensing false play in the way Indian captain Rohit Sharma tossed the coin away from his body. There were also rumours among Pakistani social media that India had changed the pitch ahead of the semifinal against New Zealand, which was promptly rubbished by the ICC, the premier cricket governing body.

If you give power to Congress, it will take away power from your homes – Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan are prime examples

S. Sudhir Kumar
-
0
If you give power to Congress, it will take away power from your homes – Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan are prime examples

Ever since the Congress government came into power in Karnataka, we have been hearing news about power cuts making their way into the lives of residents of Karnataka. I dismissed this news as an exaggeration by the “godi media” that is sold out and unreliable and whatnot. Everything changed when the Chief Minister himself released a video blaming the BJP for the crisis that started after he became the CM.

In this video, he blames the BJP government in Karnataka and the BJP government in Chhattisgarh for not entering into the right deal, and therefore causing this severe crisis. 

This made many citizens think – but there has been no BJP government in Chhattisgarh since 2018. So one wonders if he blaming the previous BJP government in Chhattisgarh for not working with the previous BJP government of Karnataka. But then a simultaneous BJP government was there in both states way back in 2008 to 2013 time only. 

After watching this wonderful and thoughtful video, it became very clear that the electricity crisis in Karnataka was not a made-up story by the godi media but a real one that’s impacting the productivity of crores of citizens. A farmer was so angry, that he released a crocodile into the electricity office. We were told by a few Bangolereans how even on Diwali day they had to endure these power cuts. 

We then saw stories on how the 6-lakh-strong MSME sector in Karnataka was complaining about the severe impact on their industries because of these power cuts. The Jeans factory workers of Bellary were driven to tears when they spoke about this crisis. This immediately reminded us of the many pompous statements that Rahul Gandhi made while in Bellary for the election campaign (and also during the BJ Yatra). There is a viral video of him changing the package details he wanted to offer to Bellary. He ended up promising them a 5000-crore worth package. They ended up perhaps losing 500 crores within 5 months of giving power to Rahul Gandhi’s Congress party. 

Prolonged power cuts were supposed to be a thing of the past. Daily scheduled power cuts were also supposed to be a thing of the past. So, what happened? Well, Congress happened! Since the Karnataka CM made a reference to Chhattisgarh, it becomes very important to note how the current Congress government of Chhattisgarh is at loggerheads with the current Congress regime of Rajasthan with respect to the supply of coal. Rajasthan is facing a power crisis too, and both the veteran Congress leaders who are CMs, have not been able to resolve this amongst themselves. A cute video can easily be made on how Chhattisgarh is refusing to help Rajasthan (on similar lines to the Karnataka one). 

The Congress has been in power in only a handful of states since 2014. And even in this handful of states that they were in power, they mismanaged the power situation. It sounds as if mismanaging of power is their USP!  It’s one thing to be facing a crisis when many other states or the country as a whole are facing a crisis (like it happened for a brief while in mid-2022 or perhaps when there is a huge deficit in monsoon). But to be the only ones to face severe crises when others don’t, certainly points out to how you govern! 

We all must recollect the long-scheduled power cuts in the pre-2014 days. News reports from that time even indicate how officials who used to say “If any village gets power for 1-2 hours during the day, it is by mistake”. Imagine when supplying power is actually classified as a mistake! Amidst the current power crisis in Karnataka, the Chief Minister was busy with another kind of power struggle – securing his position. He was busy holding meetings with his deputy CM and other cabinet colleagues to hold on to his chair. Like they say – if you give power to Congress, it will take away power from your homes. 

Cash for Transfer Scam: Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra caught giving CMO staff orders on viral clip, opposition asks Karnataka CM to resign

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Cash for Transfer Scam: Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra caught giving CMO staff orders on viral clip, opposition asks Karnataka CM to resign

The son of the Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and former Congress MLA Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah is making waves online with a video that reportedly showed him discussing a certain list that opposition leaders like former state Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, are connecting to an alleged “cash for transfers” scam. The controversial development transpired on 16 November when he was observed giving specific instructions to a chief minister’s office (CMO) employee over the phone.

“Hello Appa (Father), Vivekananda! To where? No, I didn’t give that. Give it (phone) to Mahadeva. I had given only five,” stated Yathinder who then spoke to another person named Mahadeva and mentioned, “Mahadeva, why are you giving something? Who has given that? Nothing but whatever 4-5 I have given that alone should be done.”

The Janata Dal (Secular) leader Kumaraswamy demanded the resignation of the chief minister who categorically denied the accusations and claimed that he would step down from public office if it came to light that he partook in corruption while transferring officials.

The former took to Twitter and wrote, “This video clip is proof that the job posting for money ‘cash for posting’ scam has been going on in Karnataka uncontrollably, without standing up and shamelessly. Karnataka Congress Government recovery business has come to the fore.” He accused both father and son of “extorting the chief ministerial position” and referred to Yathindra as “Super Chief Minister of Karnataka.”

He highlighted, “The Karnataka collection king father and collection prince son have changed the Chief Minister’s Office into an extortion office. This has happened in the open, and one can guess what is happening behind closed doors.”

Kumaraswamy claimed Yathindra was speaking to R Mahadeva, a sub-registrar at Ganganagar in Bengaluru, who has been appointed the CM’s Officer on Special Duty. He remarked, “Who is that powerful Assamese who was so influential that the Chief Minister himself gave him a phone? Who is that person called Mahadeva? I had said this in a media conference. 30 lakhs each for each transfer. I told him that he was a growing customer.”

He questioned, “Now tell me Siddaramaiah for what percentage did you and your son sell the positions? How much of that for you? How much for your son?” He asserted that the people of the country would decide the merit behind the footage and asked if the Congress veteran and no dignity. He pointed out, “Pay the price and resign. All that is left for you is to vacate the office of CM. Immediately resign as chief minister. This is my request.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party unit of Karnata also attacked the Congress party and dubbed Yathindra as the “shadow chief minister.” BJP called for an inquiry into the clip and remarked, “CM Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s interference is going on everywhere in the state Congress government. In this way, the system has been witnessed in front of our eyes. Legal action should be taken regarding this. The viral video should be investigated and Siddaramaiah should resign as CM.”

Meanwhile, the chief minister shrugged off the criticism and argued that the topic of the phone call was the establishment of government schools funded by corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. “The list mentioned in the video is a list of five schools under the Varuna constituency limits (in Mysuru) that need repair. The BEO sent a list to my joint secretary. We discussed in public repairing these schools under the CSR funds.”

He charged, “Unfortunately, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who was involved in rampant corruption during his tenure, thinks all are like him. His pessimistic attitude does not allow him to think beyond corruption. His insecurity in politics often forces him to fabricate fake stories to paint a negative picture of his political opponents. The same has happened with respect to the recent public phone conversation between me and my son about the development of schools in the Varuna constituency.”

The Congress stalwart defended his son and argued, “Varuna Constituency Ashraya Committee Chairman and KDP (Karnataka Development Programme) member Dr Yatindra has been tirelessly working for the development of the region, including improving government schools using CSR funds. Yathindra was discussing the list of beneficiary schools for development. Kumaraswamy has twisted this phone conversation, which happened in front of the public, to falsely attribute it to corruption in transfers.”

The discussion, according to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, was about school development using corporate social responsibility (CSR) monies. According to him, Yathindra who is the head of Ashraya Samiti and a member of the Karnataka Development Programme was discussing how the cash would be used in the schools he had selected. Ashraya is an impoverished person’s housing program.

Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: All you wanted to know about the operation using advanced technologies to rescue the trapped workers

Gopal Tiwari
-
0
Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: All you wanted to know about the operation using advanced technologies to rescue the trapped workers

In a significant development in the rescue operations in the collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi on Thursday, a state-of-the-art performance auger drilling machine weighing 24 tonnes was deployed late at night. The machine, capable of cutting through the tunnel at a speed of 5 metres per hour, is expected to expedite the mission to save 40 workers stranded inside the under-construction tunnel for over 100 hours in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district.

According to on-site officials, this operation is anticipated to take an additional 2 to 3 days to complete. As the rescue efforts intensify, it is crucial to understand the details of the situation in the Uttarkashi tunnel, the complexities involved in such operations, the challenges faced, and to reflect on past instances where Indian rescue forces successfully saved individuals from similar calamities.

What happened in the Uttarkashi Tunnel

On the morning of 12th November 2023, around 5:30 AM, a devastating event transpired in the Himalayan region. A section of a tunnel under construction on the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, India, yielded to the formidable forces of nature, resulting in a substantial collapse of debris. As the roof of the under-construction tunnel collapsed, the debris blocked the tunnel and trapped a minimum of 40 workers within the tunnel, their lives now teetering on the brink.

Designed as an integral component of the ambitious Char Dham all-weather road project, the tunnel aimed to establish uninterrupted connectivity to four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites nestled in the Himalayas. Once finished, it is expected to cut down the distance by 26 km. Unfortunately, this noble initiative was overshadowed by tragedy as the 4.5-kilometre tunnel, at around 200 meters from its entrance, succumbed to the relentless pressures of challenging geological conditions, leading to its collapse.

Linking Silkyara to Dandalgaon, the tunnel suffered a rupture approximately 200 meters from its starting point on the Silkyara side of Brahmakhal-Polgaon. Fortunately, there were no casualties from the incident, but the workers working inside the tunnel were trapped. According to the officials of HIDCL, which is looking after the construction work of the tunnel, about 36 people are trapped in the tunnel.

Providing firsthand information to news agencies, a loader operator from the initial rescue team reported, “Mucking work is in progress, utilizing loaders and excavators. About 30-35 meters of the tunnel has collapsed. The incident occurred around 5:30 am. We are aware of approximately 40-45 people being trapped, but reassuringly, everyone is safe.” This marked the initial revelation of the gravity of this perilous incident to the nation.

Immediate kickstart of the rescue operations

The collapse news reverberated through the region, triggering an urgent response from authorities. Swiftly, rescue operations kicked into action, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) and the police converging at the site. The challenge ahead was formidable: extracting the trapped workers from the intricate maze of rubble and darkness within the collapsed tunnel.

A representational image of the Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse Rescue Operation. Image Source: India Today

Right from the start, rescue endeavours encountered substantial challenges. The precarious terrain, compounded by the persistent threat of additional collapses, posed a continuous risk, potentially impeding advancements and jeopardizing the safety of both rescuers and trapped workers. To mitigate these obstacles, heavy machinery was set in motion to clear the debris, to carve a passage for the rescue teams to access the trapped workers. The ongoing efforts continue. Around 20 meters of the 70-meter-thick debris is removed.

After the initial removal of heavy debris, the rescue operations reached the third day on 14th November 2023. The rescue teams initiated efforts to create a passage by installing a 900 mm pipe through the debris inside the tunnel to assist the trapped workers in coming out. Trucks loaded with pipe and drilling machines reached the tunnel site. A platform was prepared for the machines to operate horizontally, pushing the pipe through the debris to evacuate the workers. The 900 mm pipe is expected to prove wide enough for the workers to pass through.

Before starting drilling to rescue the workers, small pipes were inserted through the debris to supply air, water and food to the trapped workers. These pipes are working as lifelines for the workers.

However, the auger drilling machines being used were found not effective enough to drill through the rocky debris quickly. As a result, a more powerful state-of-the-art ‘American Auger’ drilling machine has been deployed at the site to drill the saviour hole. The 25-ton high-performance drilling machine was airlifted from New Delhi by Indian Airforce’s C1-30 Hercules transport aircraft to the Chinyalisaur airstrip, from where it was transported to the tunnel by road on Wednesday afternoon. The machine was then assembled at the site, and it started drilling on Thursday morning.

Explaining the challenges faced by the rescue team, Anshu Manish Khalkho, director (A&F) at NHIDCL, said, “The nature of the rocks here is quite fragile, posing a significant challenge to the operation.”

The newly brought machine can drill at the rate of 5-6 metres per hour, which means it can reach the trapped workers in 10-12 hours if run continuously. However, due to the nature of the location and obstacles within the debris, it can’t be run non-stop. A separate platform inside the tunnel has been prepared to accommodate the high-performance auger machine.

As per the latest reports, over 25 metres have been drilled through the debris blocking the tunnel by the advanced auger drilling machine, and steel pipes have been inserted in the hole. Uttarkashi SP Arpan Yaduvanshi said that four pipes, each with a diameter of 900 mm and a length of 6 meters, have been inserted and the fifth one was being welded. He said, “The American augur machine is a highly advanced machine. Its work is going on in full swing. As per the latest update, four pipes have been inserted and the welding of a fifth one is underway. We can say that the auger machine is going well. If there are no hindrances by the debris, we will be able to make the tunnel and rescue them at the earliest”.

He said that as soon as the hole is drilled and steel pipes are inserted, the trapped workers will be rescued immediately. Further 30 to 40 meters needed to be drilled to reach the workers. The auger machine was working at its full capacity so the workers could be rescued at the earliest, officials working at the site said.

The machine had stopped at around 3 AM after it hit a metallic object. After a halt of a few hours, the matching started working in the morning. As per officials, there could be a JCB machine or other similar earth-moving equipment of large size under the debris. This is why it is taking so long to dig through it and make a way for a safe escape.

The officials added that another high-performance drilling machine will be airlifted from Indore, and it will reach by tomorrow morning. The second machine is being brought as a standby.

As almost half the distance has been already drilled, it is expected that the rescue operation will be completed by tonight or Saturday morning. As per officials, the workers may come out as early as midnight, if there are no obstacles.

Tunnel Project Director Anshu Manih Khalkho said that the distance to be drilled can be less, as the distance of the debris only has been estimated using the description of the location of the workers provided by them. He said that as the auger machine runs on diesel, ventilation measures are being taken to remove the toxic exhaust gases. He added that as the machine causes vibration, they have to be careful in drilling so that it does not cause further damage.

Uttarakhand’s chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “I have been told that the new drilling machine has already penetrated five to seven meters through the debris. We hope it would soon reach the trapped workers, drilling at the rate of five to 10 meters every hour.”

A Timeline of Rescue Efforts: A Chronicle of Resilience

Spanning several days, the rescue operation has been an unwavering quest for survival. Here’s a timeline highlighting key events:

12th November: Commencing at 5:30 AM IST, rescue operations kicked off, navigating challenging terrain and the constant threat of further collapses.

13th November: Intensified efforts utilised heavy machinery and specialised equipment to clear debris and locate survivors.

14th November: A ray of hope emerged as rescuers employed a specialised machine to insert large-diameter mild steel pipes into the rubble, to create an escape path for trapped workers.

Auger Machine brought in action Image Source: India Today

15th November: Tension heightened as a stampede occurred during rescue operations, caused by falling debris, resulting in minor injuries to two workers. Due to slow progress in drilling, a High-performance American Auger drilling machine was airlifted by the Indian Air Force and it was deployed to accelerate the digging task.

16th November: Drilling by the newly brought machine continued, amid protests by locals to expedite the rescue operations. Minister of State for Highways Development General VK Singh visited the accident site.

17th November: Around 25 meters were drilled by 6 AM in the morning and four 900 mm pipes were inserted. Officials said drilling is going on fast and smoothly using the high-performance drilling machine, and will be completed soon. Throughout, special efforts are underway to provide sustenance to the stranded workers inside the tunnel. Continuous contact ensures their safety is monitored diligently.

Technologies involved in the Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse Rescue Operations

The rescue efforts following the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse on 12th November have employed a range of advanced technologies to locate, communicate with, and extract the trapped workers. These technologies are playing a crucial role in saving lives.

Thermal imaging cameras are used to detect the heat signatures of the trapped workers, allowing rescuers to identify their location even in the dark and debris-filled tunnel. A team of trained sniffer dogs will also be there in the last phase of the rescue operation.

Steel pipes are inserted into the tunnel to provide a lifeline to the trapped workers. These pipes allow for the delivery of food, water, and oxygen, ensuring that the workers can sustain themselves until they are rescued.

Communication devices, such as two-way radios, are used to establish contact with the trapped workers, allowing rescuers to assess their condition, provide reassurance, and gather information about their location.

Heavy machinery, including cranes and excavators, are employed to clear debris and create a stable working area for rescuers. These machines are essential in removing large chunks of debris and facilitating the rescue operation.

As mentioned above, a high-performance American Auger drilling machine has been used to drill a rescue hole, after the existing drilling machines were found ineffective. After the machine was airlifted by AIF transport plane on Wednesday, it was assembled at the site, and it started working on Thursday morning.

900 mm steel pipes are being inserted into the drilled hole, to prevent it from further collapsing. The pipes are 6 meters long, and after one piece is inserted, another piece is welded to it. While the pipe is being welded, the drilling machine gets time to cool down. After the rescue path is drilled and the pipes are welded and inserted, a trolley will be installed inside it, which will be used to bring out the trapped workers.

The combination of these advanced technologies, coupled with the unwavering dedication of the rescue teams, is playing a pivotal role in the rescue of the trapped workers. This incident highlights the importance of investing in cutting-edge technologies and training personnel in their use to respond to such emergencies effectively.

Experts from Norway and Thailand helping the rescue teams

As per reports, advice from experts from Norway and Thailand is taken into prime consideration during the ongoing rescue operations. Especially, inputs from Thai experts are especially crucial because similar incidents had taken place in Thailand twice in the past. In one such incident, 12 young boys and their football coach trapped in a cave were rescued after 15 days. However, Tunnel Project Director Anshu Manih Khalkho said that no international agency has been called to the project site.

Impact of the Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse incident on Char Dham All-Weather Road Project

The collapse of the Uttarkashi tunnel has cast doubt on the Char Dham all-weather road project, prompting apprehensions regarding the safety and stability of infrastructure development in the rugged mountainous terrain. Critics are now scrutinising the project’s environmental implications and its susceptibility to landslides and avalanches.

This underscores the urgency for a thorough risk assessment and a robust mitigation strategy. As we march uphill in the Devbhoomi, the complexities involved in developing the infrastructure become a yet bigger challenge. Landslide incidents in Joshimath earlier in 2023 therefore appear like an alarm in hindsight.

Meghalaya Coal Mine Tragedy

13th December 2018, marked a tragic event in Meghalaya, India, as an illicit coal mine in Ksan village became flooded, leaving 15 miners trapped inside. Meghalaya has a notorious history of unauthorized coal mining, frequently employing dangerous “rat-hole” techniques. These mines, dug vertically into the ground at depths of hundreds of feet, pose significant hazards. Miners, often operating with minimal safety measures, are consistently exposed to risks such as collapse, gas poisoning, and flooding.

Rescue operation during the Meghalaya Coal Mine Tragedy. Image Source: India Today

On that fateful December day, the miners were engaged in activities within a rat-hole mine when, inadvertently, they breached into a neighbouring mine filled with water from the nearby Lytein river. The water swiftly inundated their mine, submerging it within minutes. While five miners successfully escaped, the remaining 15 found themselves trapped inside.

Despite exhaustive rescue endeavours, the operation faced challenges due to the mine’s depth, unstable terrain, and ongoing water influx. After two months of unwavering search efforts, only two bodies were discovered, leading to the presumptive conclusion that the remaining 13 miners had lost their lives.

Tham Luang Cave Rescue

In June 2018, the world witnessed with astonishment as a group of 12 boys and their soccer coach became ensnared inside a waterlogged cave in Thailand. Enduring 18 perilous days, they remained stranded, their destiny hanging in the balance. Yet, through the steadfast endeavours of international rescue teams, all 13 individuals were ultimately rescued.

Thailand rescue operation concept diagram. Image Source: The Irish Times

On June 23, 2018, the Wild Boar football team, led by their coach Ekkarat “Eak” Saen, embarked on an exploration of Tham Luang Nang Non, a cave system in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Upon deciding to return to the cave entrance, heavy rains flooded the cave, trapping them deep inside. The news of their predicament spread rapidly, triggering a massive search and rescue operation that involved over 10,000 people, including cave diving experts, military personnel, and global volunteers.

The rescue operation was marked by numerous challenges. The cave’s length, darkness, and flooded conditions, along with narrow passages, posed difficulties for divers. The water level fluctuations added an unpredictable element. After meticulous planning, the rescue team formulated a strategy to extract each boy individually. Accompanied by two experienced divers, the boys navigated through the submerged cave passages. The rescue commenced on July 8, 2018, and over the subsequent five days, all 12 boys and their coach were successfully rescued and brought to safety.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse stands as a stark reminder of the formidable challenges faced in developing infrastructure in the Himalayan region. The deployment of advanced technologies and the collaborative efforts of both domestic and international rescue teams showcase resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The incident has sparked debates about the safety of such ambitious projects, emphasizing the critical need for meticulous risk assessments and mitigation strategies.

As the rescue operations continue, drawing insights from past incidents like the Tham Luang Cave Rescue, the focus remains on leveraging expertise and technology to navigate the complexities of mountainous terrains and ensure the safety of those affected. The Uttarkashi incident serves as a sombre reflection on the fragility of human endeavours amidst the unpredictable forces of nature.

1...1,6281,6291,630...7,651Page 1,629 of 7,651