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Punjab records 2,544 stubble-burning incidents in 24 hours, 2nd highest of the season even as blame of poor AQI stays with Diwali

Anurag
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Punjab records 2,544 stubble-burning incidents in 24 hours, 2nd highest of the season even as blame of poor AQI stays with Diwali

On 15th November, the state of Punjab reported 2,544 stubble-burning incidents, raising concerns over the inability of the state machinery to follow the Supreme Court’s instructions to stop the practice. Wednesday recorded the second-highest single-day farm fire incidents of the season. Interestingly, the increase in stubble-burning incidents occurred while a flying squad of the Central Pollution Control Board was monitoring the situation in 22 districts.

Source: gis-prsc.punjab.gov.in

Not to forget, the apex court has put the responsibility of controlling farm fires on the Station House Officer (SHO) under the supervision of the Director General of Police (DGP) and the state’s Chief Secretary. Over 250 FIRs have already been registered in the state against the farmers, but the matter is getting worse with every passing day. Farmers claimed that they indulged in the practice as the window to sow wheat was closing down, with the 20th of November being the last day to get the best yield for the season.

The state has reported 6,931 incidents of stubble burning in the past four days. The incidents went down to six two days before Diwali, when the Supreme Court categorically blamed Punjab for the poor Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi-NCR. However, within a few days, farmers restored the practice while the Delhi government, Punjab government, different agencies, political leaders, celebrities and activists prepared ground to blame the Hindu Diwali festival for the pollution.

Source: gis-prsc.punjab.gov.in

On the day of Diwali, which was 12th November, there were 987 incidents of stubble burning in Punjab. On 13th November, there were 1,624 incidents of farm fires. On 14th November, there was a slight spike with 1,776 incidents of stubble burning, and on 15th November, farmers burnt stubble at 2,544 locations across the state. District Bathinda was the worst among them when it came to farm fires. 5th November has seen the highest number of stubble burning incidents, with 3,230 farm fires reported in Punjab.

Regarding AQI in Punjab, Bathinda was the worst city, with AQI reaching 359. Mandi Gobindgarh was at 284, grabbing the second position. The other cities with poor AQI in Punjab included Patiala (234), Jalandhar (228), Ludhiana (164), Khanna (162), and Amritsar (160).

On the other hand, the AQI in Delhi-NCR is getting worse with each passing day. Anand Vihar in Delhi had AQI at 411 at 9 AM on 16th November. IGI Airport was at 404, Nehru Nagar at 450, Punjabi Bagh at 430, PUSA Delhi at 297 and Wazirpur at 434.

Source: airquality.cpcb.gov.in

According to government data, there have been 30,661 incidents of stubble burning reported in Punjab this season. The Punjab government has given the excuse that the incidents have come down exponentially in the past two years. If we look at the data, it is somewhat true, as there were 76,590 incidents reported in 2020, 71,304 in 2021 and 49,922 in 2022. However, it cannot be an excuse to let 30,000+ incidents occur in 2023 despite claims that the AAP-led Punjab government was working to control stubble burning in the state.

Source: gis-prsc.punjab.gov.in

Interestingly, the AAP-led Delhi government and ministers, including the Chief Minister of Delhi, kept blaming Punjab before they came into power in the state for the pollution in Delhi. Last year, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann promised to end stubble burning in 2023 in a press conference to assure the people of Delhi.

However, as they failed to fulfill the promise, the AAP leaders, including spokesperson and environmental minister of Delhi, Gopal Rai, started blaming Haryana and UP for the pollution in Delhi, giving clean chit to Punjab. Even on 15th November, Gopal Rai said in a statement that as the wind was not flowing in Delhi, the pollution created by firecrackers would remain in the atmosphere in the national capital for 2-3 days.

It is worth noting that Punjab hasn’t been blamed by AAP leaders for disregarding the issue of farmers polluting the air in Delhi-NCR. In fact, the Apex Court acknowledged that Punjab’s farm fires are one the biggest contributing factors. However, instead of pointing fingers at Punjab, Gopal Rai accused BJP leaders of inciting Delhi’s residents to set off fireworks, which was banned and led to the spike in pollution. Interestingly, the data indicates that the AQI briefly increased on 13th November due to Diwali fireworks. However, it was just half of the AQI before the rain arrived in Delhi.

Telangana: BJP MLA T Raja Singh writes to Chief Election Officer, seeks enhanced security measures in Goshamahal constituency

ANI
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Telangana: BJP MLA T Raja Singh writes to Chief Election Officer, seeks enhanced security measures in Goshamahal constituency

BJP MLA Raja Singh has written a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer and requested enhanced monitoring and security measures in Goshamahal Constituency. 

“I would like to express my deep concerns regarding the conduct of elections in my constituency and the need for a fair and transparent electoral process. I am deeply concerned by the reports of excessive monetary influence being used to sway voters during the elections.

Additionally, there have been disturbing incidents where electoral booths were captured and bogus voting was carried out openly in Goshamahal Constituency, even in the presence of law enforcement agencies.” read the letter by BJP MLA Raja Singh addressed to Chief Electoral Officer Telangana. 

“I acknowledge the challenges in providing concrete evidence, but I believe that the Special Branch may be able to provide authentic information on these incidents. As we approach the 2023 Assembly Elections, I am writing to you for your interference to avoid any such incidents in the ensuing elections,” the letter further read. 

He also urged CEO Telangana to establish a specialized monitoring team dedicated to Goshamahal Constituency. 

“I urge the Election Commission to establish a specialized monitoring team dedicated to Goshamahal Constituency. This team should closely monitor the activities of local leaders from the Congress and BRS parties who are reportedly involved in the distribution of money to influence voters,” read the letter. 

The MLA requested the deployment of the Rapid Action Force in these areas to maintain law and order, prevent intimidation, and ensure the safety of voters, as rigging and bogus voting by the opposition are putting pressure on both agents to be inside the booth, as small lanes and by-lanes in Dattatreya and Jambagh Division departments should be monitored with CCTV cameras in the above sensitive booths. 

“I therefore request your authority to pass the necessary instructions to the authorities to ask the Burkha-clad voters to establish their identity by removing their Burkha at the time of voting,” the MLA wrote in the letter. 

“I believe that appropriate measures are essential to ensure a clean, transparent, and fair electoral process in Goshamahal Constituency. My primary concern is that opposition parties may attempt to defeat me through unfair means, which would undermine the very essence of democracy.” BJP MLA’s letter stated. 

Telangana is set to witness an intriguing triangular contest between the BRS, Congress, and BJP. In the previous Assembly elections in 2018, the BRS won 88 of the 119 seats, hogging 47.4 per cent of the total vote share. The Congress finished a distant second with 19 seats and a vote share of 28.7 per cent. 

Polls in Telangana will be held on November 30 and counting of votes will take place on December 3. 

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

Masaba Gupta slams former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja for laughing at racist comments on her parents Neena Gupta and Vivian Richards

OpIndia Staff
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Masaba Gupta slams former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja for laughing at racist comments on her parents Neena Gupta and Vivian Richards

On Wednesday (15th November), fashion designer and actor Masaba Gupta slammed former Pakistani cricketer Ramiz Raja for laughing at a racist comment directed against her parents, veteran actor Neena Gupta and legendary cricketer Vivian Richards.

Taking to X, Masaba said that Ramiz Raja lacks grace. She added that it was sickening to see Raja laugh over something the world stopped laughing at thirty years ago.

“Dear Ramiz Raja (sir) grace is a quality few have. My father,mother and I have it in spades. You have none. Sickening to see you laugh on national TV in Pakistan at something the world stopped laughing at about 30 years back.Step into the future. All 3 of us are here with our chin,” Masaba posted.

Masaba Gupta’s post came after a video of Ramiz Raja laughing at a racist joke aimed at Vivian Richards went viral. A comedian is seen in the video making fun of Vivian’s skin tone. When the show’s host inquired if the comedian followed cricket, she replied, “I do watch cricket matches, and my heart broke when Vivian Richards started dating Neena Gupta. I then composed a couplet. ‘Jo ladkiyan khud ko kehti hain malika-e-aliya, Unko fir milta hai Mr Kaliya,'” said the comedian. The lines translate as “the girls who consider themselves the queen, eventually end up with a black man.” The host and Ramiz Raja, a guest on the show, were spotted laughing at this insensitive remark.

Notably, Neena Gupta was in a relationship with former West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards in the late 1980s. Though they never married, they have a daughter Masaba Gupta born in 1989. Masaba is a successful fashion designer and has her own brand of apparel and cosmetics.

Notably, Pakistan TV shows are infamous for their offensive and outrageous content where celebrities particularly those from India are humiliated and mocked amidst the appreciation and loud cheer from the audience. Former Pakistani Cricketer Abdul Razzaq drew a bizarre parallel between marrying Aishwarya Rai and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).  “If you think that I will get married to Aishwarya (Rai) and then have good and virtuous kids, then that can never happen. So you have to correct your intentions first,” Razzaq said. His comments triggered outrage on social media forcing Razzaq to apologise.

Transformative story of Madhya Pradesh under Shivraj Singh Chouhan, redeeming the ‘Heart of India’ from the notorious ‘BIMARU’ tag

Paurush Gupta
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Transformative story of Madhya Pradesh under Shivraj Singh Chouhan, redeeming the ‘Heart of India’ from the notorious ‘BIMARU’ tag

The destiny of Madhya Pradesh hangs in the balance as 230 seats are set for polling to determine the next Chief Minister of the state. While voters have already made their conscious and informed decisions on exercising their voting rights, here is an analytical examination drawing parallels between the Madhya Pradesh of 2002-03 under Congress’ Digvijay Singh and the governance under Shivraj Singh Chouhan from the BJP over the last two decades, except a brief period of Congress rule.

GSDP has grown by sixteen-fold while per capita income saw a ten-fold jump since 2003

According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics MP, in the fiscal year 2003-04, the GSDP was recorded at Rs 85,530.48 crores, and the per capita income was approximately Rs 13,465. In contrast, this year’s budgetary analysis projects the GSDP to be around Rs 13,87,117 crores, with the per capita income for state residents rising to Rs 1,40,583 in 2023. 

Notably, the state’s GSDP witnessed an impressive more than 16-fold surge, while the per capita income experienced a nearly ten-fold rise.

Moreover, Madhya Pradesh recorded an economic growth rate of approximately 16.43 percent in the fiscal year 2022-23, demonstrating resilience despite the challenges posed by the Covid situation. In the preceding fiscal year 2021-22, the growth rate was notable at around 18.02 percent. Similarly, the increase in economic growth rate has been in double-digit figures more often than not since 2003. In stark contrast, during the fiscal year 2002-03, the GSDP growth was negative, standing at (-) 4.01 percent and it fluctuated year-on-year basis indicating erratic government policies during then CM Digvijay Singh’s decade-long tenure. 

The fiscal deficit for 2023-24 is targeted at Rs 55,708 crore (4% of GSDP) whereas it was around Rs.4062 crore in 2002-03 (5.29% of GSDP). In FY 2003-04 the gross debt was 33.71 percent of the GSDP which has come down to 30.4 percent in 2023-24. It is important to note that debt-to-GSDP has reduced despite capital expenditure soaring by 19-fold. It is estimated to be around Rs 54,056 crore in 2023-24 which was at around Rs. 2,838 crore in 2003-04.  

Likewise, MP’s own tax revenue was merely Rs. 6,805 crore in the year 2002-03 which has seen nearly a 13-fold jump as it is estimated to be around Rs 86,500 crore in 2023-24

Similarly, indices like Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) which are indicators of health parameters of any state have shown considerable improvement. The state’s MMR was around 379, according to a survey done between 2001-2003. This saw a nearly 57% drop in 2019 itself. According to a special bulletin of the sample registration system on maternal deaths for 2017-19, the MMR for MP was around 163. 

The state has made significant strides in reducing the infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births). From a high of around 82 in 2003, when it ranked among the worst in the country, the rate has nearly halved, reaching 43 in 2020.

Similarly, the agricultural growth rate of Madhya Pradesh was 3 percent in the year 2002 which has since seen a substantial increase to 19 percent in recent years. Additionally, the irrigation capacity has witnessed a remarkable increase of 585 percent, growing from 7 lakh 50 thousand hectares in 2003 to surpass 45 lakh hectares.

Likewise, the industrial growth rate, standing at a mere 0.61 percent in 2001-02, has now surged impressively to 24 percent. 

Strikingly, Madhya Pradesh has won the “Krishi Karmanya Puraskar” for the 7th time in the year 2022 under the leadership of Shivraj Singh Chouhan. This award is given for the production of crops like wheat, paddy, pulses, millet, etc. The state has also received the “Best Performing State” award for the highest use of the Agricultural Fund.

Furthermore, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led state government has executed welfare schemes for street vendors, outpacing other states by disbursing loans exceeding 521 crores to approximately 5 lakh urban small businesses. 

In addition to the Rs.6,000 received through the Central Government’s Kisan Samman Nidhi, the Madhya Pradesh government provides an annual payment of Rs.4,000 under the Kisan Kalyan Yojana. Consequently, the beneficiary farmers are receiving a total financial support of Rs.10,000 per year.

Notably, the transformative governance in Madhya Pradesh under Shivraj Singh Chouhan gains even more significance when considering the political landscape. Chouhan took charge as the Chief Minister on 30th November 2005, stepping into a role that witnessed prior changes, with Babulal Gaur replacing Uma Bharti initially. The BJP then entrusted Chouhan with the state’s leadership. His effective delivery and governance style enabled him to serve three consecutive terms until 2018. Despite narrowly missing out on forming a record-fourth consecutive government in the 2018 assembly elections, Chouhan returned to power on 23rd March 2020 and extended his record as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

Contrasting this with the decade-long tenure of Congress party’s Digvijay Singh from 1993 to 2003 reveals a stark difference. During Singh’s leadership, the state earned the infamous moniker of a ‘BIMARU’ state, an acronym for Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh—regions lacking in key parameters of development and good governance. The term ‘Bimar’ or ‘Bimaru’ is colloquially used for an ailing person, highlighting the stark contrast between the trajectories of governance under different leaders in Madhya Pradesh.

Welfare Schemes and effective delivery

During his initial tenure, the Chief Minister who had come from the second rung of the party’s leadership executed their poll promises which were themed around “bijli (electricity), sadak (roads), and paani (water)” campaign. Through effective execution, he gained voters’ as well as party leaders’ trust to beat anti-incumbency twice and quell rebellion in the early part of his tenure.  

For this, Chief Minister Chouhan has been laying particular focus on better execution of welfare schemes. In September, last year, he launched the Jan Seva Abhiyan to facilitate the enrolment of beneficiaries under two dozen schemes and to plug loopholes in their delivery.

With his low profile and benevolent image, the accessible CM delivering welfare schemes, particularly targeting women empowerment in the state, including the Ladli Laxmi Yojana and Kanyadaan Yojana, he earned the moniker ‘Mama’ and gained unassailable advances in the female voter base ensuring repeatability of the government. 

For those unversed, the Ladli Laxmi Yojana was designed to instill positive perceptions about the girl child. This is a government-sponsored insurance scheme that allocates a substantial sum of Rs 1 lakh to the girl upon reaching the age of 21 years, provided that she did not get married before the legal age. 

A similar welfare scheme for women includes a cash incentive scheme that encourages women to opt for hospital deliveries. This initiative led to a significant increase in hospital deliveries, soaring from 26 to 70 percent. These female-centric schemes reaped benefits in improving literacy rates and health parameters like MMR and IMR.

Against this backdrop, Madhya Pradesh’s transformative journey under CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has garnered acclaim both nationally and internationally. However, Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s government inherited depleted coffers, a derailing economy, disarrayed governance, crumbling infrastructure, and an extensively neglected social sector. Despite these challenges, the state has risen to commendable heights, marking a remarkable transformation, and has shed its notorious ‘Bimaru’ tag.

Sri Lanka cricket board files defamation case worth 2.4 billion SL Rs against sports minister after ICC suspended it over excessive govt interference

OpIndia Staff
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Sri Lanka cricket board files defamation case worth 2.4 billion SL Rs against sports minister after ICC suspended it over excessive govt interference

The Sri Lankan board on Wednesday announced that it has filed a defamation suit against Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Roshan Ranasinghe over his ‘persistent and damaging defamatory statements’ about the board. As per a statement issued by Sri Lanka Cricket on 15 November, its President, Vice President, and Treasurer jointly filed a defamation lawsuit against the minister in the District Court of Colombo, seeking damages amounting to 2.4 Billion Sri Lankan rupees on behalf of the Sri Lanka Cricket.

“The continuous dissemination of false and harmful statements by the Minister of Sports has caused substantial harm to the image of Sri Lanka Cricket, both domestically and internationally,” said the SLC statement. It said that this step was required to safeguard the reputation of the organization and its members.

“The legal action aims to rectify the unwarranted damage inflicted on Sri Lanka Cricket’s standing in the sporting community,” SLC added, saying that legal proceedings initiated against the Minister of Sports underscore the organization’s dedication to upholding its principles and protecting its stakeholders from baseless allegations.

The action comes after Sri Lanka Cricket was suspended by ICC for ‘excessive government interference’ after the Sri Lankan team’s exit from the ongoing World Cup in India. On 10 November, ICC suspended SLC with immediate effect, after the board was sacked by the minister and then was reinstated by a court.

It is notable that troubles with the Sri Lankan cricket board peaked after its disastrous defeat by 302 runs against India in the ongoing World Cup in Mumbai. The Sri Lankan parliament unanimously asked Sri Lanka Cricket’s elected board members to resign on Thursday, accusing them of unprecedented corruption. The allegations of corruption against the board were made by the sports minister, and the parliament agreed with him. However, the board didn’t resign.

After that on Monday, Sri Lanka’s sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe sacked the SLC board and installed an interim committee headed by Arjuna Ranatunga on 6th November. But a court of appeal stayed the minister’s order for 14 days on 7th November, reinstating the current board, after SLC president Shammi Silva filed an appeal against the minister’s sacking order.

However, this was seen as excessive government interference into the sporting body by the ICC, and it suspended the SLC on last Friday. However, reportedly SLC itself requested the ICC to suspend it, to put pressure on the Sri Lankan government to not interfere in its matters.

In the statement announcing legal action against sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe, SLC said that “continuous dissemination of false and harmful statements by the Minister of Sports has caused substantial harm to the image of Sri Lanka Cricket, both domestically and internationally.”

‘Changes to planned pitches routine’: ICC dismisses claims of ‘pitch swap’ in India-New Zealand World Cup semi-final

OpIndia Staff
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‘Changes to planned pitches routine’: ICC dismisses claims of ‘pitch swap’ in India-New Zealand World Cup semi-final

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been accused of pressuring a last-minute pitch adjustment ahead of India vs. New Zealand’s Cricket World Cup semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Now, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has replied to these claims and clarified that adjustments to the scheduled pitch are normal and were made at the venue curator’s request.

ICC spokesperson stated in a statement, “Changes to planned pitch rotations are common towards the end of an event of this length and have already happened a couple of times. This change was made on the recommendation of the venue curator in conjunction with our host. The ICC independent pitch consultant was apprised of the change and has no reason to believe the pitch won’t play well.” The BCCI has further explained that the new pitch that was scheduled to be used for the semifinal was replaced because of a technical problem.

There were rumours circulating hours before the crucial match between New Zealand and India that the surface would be somewhat slower. According to one such report from Daily Mail, the BCCI allegedly changed the pitches at the last minute without the ICC’s consent. It further stated that an old surface was chosen for the match rather than a new pitch that was designated for the knockout stages.

The article also alleged that Andy Atkinson, the independent pitch expert for the ICC overseeing the pitches for the World Cup, was unaware of the modifications that had been done. It seems that this was done throughout the tournament, not only during the semifinals. This was reportedly carried out throughout the tournament and not only during the semifinals.

Mumbai has been a high-scoring ground throughout the World Cup and bowlers who are new to the game have benefited greatly from playing under lights. The pitch was altered prior to the crucial semifinal because, according to reports, the Indian team management had desired a slower pitch.

However, the ICC refuted the allegations and asserted that they chose which pitch to use after consulting with the hosts. They added that Atkinson was informed of the modifications. The unexpected news shocked both the world body and the BCCI. The ICC noted that there are no such restrictions in the ICC playing criteria.

India, who have dominated the league stages with nine wins in as many games, are two games away from claiming the first ICC trophy they have been waiting for in ten years.

Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan captain from all formats of cricket after disastrous World Cup campaign

ANI
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Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan captain from all formats of cricket after disastrous World Cup campaign

Babar Azam on Wednesday announced his decision to step down as Pakistan captain from all formats of the game after his side’s debacle in the ICC World Cup 2023 in India.

The 28-year-old player has relinquished the captaincy role of the side from all formats, he made the announcement on X via a statement.

“I vividly remember the moment when I received the call from the PCB to lead Pakistan in 2019. Over the last four years, I’ve experienced many highs and lows on and off the field, but I wholeheartedly and passionately aimed to maintain Pakistan’s pride and respect in the cricket world,” Babar wrote in a statement.

“Reaching the No.1 spot in the white-ball format was a result of the collective efforts of players, coaches, and management, but I’d like to express my gratitude to passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their unwavering support during this journey,” he added.

“Today, I’m stepping down as the captain of Pakistan across all formats. It’s a difficult decision, but I feel it is the right time for this call. I want to express my sincere thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for entrusting me with this significant responsibility.”

During Babar’s stint, Pakistan went to the No. 1 position in ODIs. Babar Azam-led ended their disastrous campaign in the WC with a debacle at the hands of England by 93 runs.

Babar had a dismal performance with Pakistan in the ICC World Cup in India, finishing fifth with eight points from nine matches. On a personal level, Babar scored 320 runs in nine World Cup matches, the third most for Pakistan, with an average of 40 and a strike rate of 82.90.

Pakistan suffered five defeats out of their nine matches and one at the hands of arch-rival India by seven wickets. In their last league match of the tournament, Men in Green started proceedings knowing that they had the slimmest of chances of still reaching the SFs, requiring a win by an enormous margin to force a gargantuan swing on net run rate. And the possibility of such a result soon disappeared as the 2019 champions England built towards a sizeable first-innings score and registered a 93-run win.

Earlier this week, Morne Morkel resigned as the bowling coach of the Pakistan Men’s team. The former South Africa fast bowler joined the Pakistan team on a six-month contract in June this year.

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

PM Modi named Chandrayaan-3 landing site as Shiv Shakti, Bhupesh Baghel named a betting app after Lord Mahadev: Amit Shah in Chhattisgarh

ANI
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PM Modi named Chandrayaan-3 landing site as Shiv Shakti, Bhupesh Baghel named a betting app after Lord Mahadev: Amit Shah in Chhattisgarh

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday questioned Bhupesh Baghel over selecting the name of Mahadev for betting and compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach of designating the country’s successful lunar mission’s landing site after Lord Shiv.

The Union Home Minister addressing an election rally in the poll-bound state said that the Baghel-led government has transformed the Durg division from an education center to a center of betting.

“Bhupesh Kakka’s government has ruined the Durg division. During the Raman Singh government, this division remained the center of education, youth from all over the state used to come here to get education. But this government has turned this center of education into a center of betting,” Shah said during his address in Janjgir-Champa.

Hitting out at the state Chief Minister Baghel, who is facing heat after the Enforcement Directorate claimed that he was allegedly paid Rs 508 crore by the promoters of a betting app, Mahadev, Shah said that the Congress leader insulted the Lord Shiva.

“If you wanted to do betting, you would have kept your name, why did you choose (Lord) Mahadev’s name? On one hand, PM Modi named the Chandrayaan-3 landing site as Shiv Shakti, Baghel named a betting app after Lord Mahadev,” Shah said, adding that the countdown for Baghel’s government has started.

Polling for the 20 seats of the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly was held on November 7 in the first phase, while the remaining 70 seats will go for polling on Friday. The counting of votes will be done on December 3.

“Bhupesh Baghel has been wiped out in the first phase. The first phase itself has decided that BJP government is going to be formed in Chhattisgarh,” the BJP’s heavyweight said.

He also said that the Congress party stalled the construction of Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya for 70 years. “Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ram Temple and the consecration ceremony is also going to be held on January 22, 2024,” he said further.

Later, the Union minister held a public gathering in Korba, where he said that the state is set to celebrate the Diwali festival thrice in the coming months– on the day of Diwali which was on Sunday, on the day of the state poll results, and when the temple consecration ceremony is scheduled in Ayodhya.

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

BBC issues rare apology for falsely claiming that Israeli forces targeted medical teams and Arab speakers in Gaza hospital

OpIndia Staff
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BBC issues rare apology for falsely claiming that Israeli forces targeted medical teams and Arab speakers in Gaza hospital

On Wednesday (15th November), the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which is very well known for spreading disinformation, issued a public apology for spreading incorrect information against Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The BBC had earlier reported that the Israeli forces had entered Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital and were targeting medical teams and Arab speakers. However, it issued an apology saying that the information being disseminated by the channel was false.

The BBC clarified it should have stated that medical teams and translators were assisting the IDF in the operation, but instead said that the IDF was targeting medical teams and translators in the hospital, adding that they misquoted a Reuters report.

“As BBC covered initial reports that Israeli forces had entered Gaza’s main hospital, we said that ‘medical teams and Arab speakers were being targeted’. This was incorrect and misquoted a Reuters report. We should have said IDF forces included medical teams and Arabic speakers for this operation,” BBC tweeted.

“We apologize for this error, which fell below our usual editorial standards. The correct version of the events was broadcast minutes later and we apologized for the mistake on air in the morning,” the statement added. The channel also aired the apology on air.

According to the reports, the Israeli forces entered the Al Shifa hospital in Gaza and uncovered unspecified weapons and “terror infrastructure” inside the hospital compound. The troops said that there was no fighting inside the hospital with civilians, patients or staff.

The soldiers carried boxes marked ‘medical supplies’ and ‘baby food’ in English for the people trapped inside. “Before entering the hospital our forces were confronted by explosive devices and terrorist squads, fighting ensued in which terrorists were killed. We can confirm that incubators, baby food, and medical supplies brought by IDF tanks from Israel have successfully reached the Shifa hospital. Our medical teams and Arabic-speaking soldiers are on the ground to ensure that these supplies reach those in need,” the military was quoted as saying by Reuters.

However, the BBC reported that the Israeli forces had entered Gaza’s main hospital and that the medical teams and Arab speakers were being targeted.

This is not the first time that BBC has issued an apology for spreading misinformation amid the Israel-Hamas war. Earlier on 16th October, the BBC issued an apology for the way it characterized demonstrations supporting Palestinians.

“Earlier we reported on some of the pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the weekend. We spoke about several demonstrations across Britain during which people voiced their backing for Hamas. We accept this was poorly phrased and was a misleading description of the demonstrations,” Maryam Moshiri, the chief presenter at BBC News was quoted as saying.

Interestingly, the BBC has been notorious for sharing fake information and fake news. In the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, BBC had also spread misinformation by claiming that the Israeli airstrike was responsible for the rocket attack on 17th October at the Gaza hospital in which the initial reports claimed that around 500 people had died.

The BBC later admitted that one of its live air correspondents incorrectly suspected that the rocket attack on a Gaza hospital was the result of an Israeli airstrike. “We accept that even in this fast-moving situation it was wrong to speculate in this way, although he did not at any point report that it was an Israeli strike,” the corporation wrote on its page amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

During early live reporting from Israel on what was reported to be a deadly explosion, BBC correspondent Jon Donnison speculated that Israel’s forces were to blame. He reported, “It’s hard to see what else this could be really, given the size of the explosion, other than an Israeli airstrike or several airstrikes.” An independent evaluation has since established that a Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket misfired and struck the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza. 

The BBC has already been under fire for refusing to name Hamas as a terrorist organization, despite the fact that it is marked as such by the UK, the US, the EU, and Israel. Earlier, the BBC had defended its stand on not calling Hamas a terrorist organisation saying that calling someone a terrorist would mean taking sides.

Since Hamas terrorists unleashed a wave of strikes along Israel’s border with Gaza on 7th October, thousands have been killed in Israel. Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered outside the BBC in London on October 16th evening, demanding that the corporation name Hamas as terrorists.

Neville Roy Singham, named in NewsClick-Chinese funding row, and wife funding anti-Israel protests in the US, reveals new report

OpIndia Staff
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Neville Roy Singham, named in NewsClick-Chinese funding row, and wife funding anti-Israel protests in the US, reveals new report

There has been a recent upsurge in pro-Palestinian protests in the United States. The protesters have called for the end of Israel. Interestingly, one name has come up in funding these protests, and that is Neville Roy Singham. He is the same person who was behind the infamous news portal NewsClick in India that received Chinese funding to run propaganda against India and the central government.

A recent report by The Free Press revealed that Singham and his wife, Jodie Evans, provided the financial backing to the protests that played a pivotal role in orchestrating and sustaining these protests. The extent of the financial support has raised eyebrows and triggered questions about the motivations and implications of such extensive support for the pro-Palestinian, rather pro-Hamas protests in the United States. Interestingly, the first protest that the organisation funded by Singham was held on 8th October, a day after Hamas initiated a terrorist attack on Israel. By that time, Israel was still counting how many people died in the terrorist attack. While the Israelis were mourning and preparing for a counter-attack, Singham and his organisation were already geared up for an anti-Israel narrative in the US.

Singham’s contributions make almost the entire funding of TPF

Singham is the primary funder of the People’s Forum. From 2017 to 2022, he has provided financial contributions worth USD 20.4 million. The details of the funding have been provided in the public disclosure forums. Interestingly, the amount that Singham brought to the forum constitutes nearly the entire funding of The People’s Forum.

The organisation is based in Midtown Manhattan. It identifies itself as a “movement incubator for working-class and marginalised communities to build unity across historic lines of division at home and abroad.” However, the funding provided by Singham and his wife has raised concerns regarding the authenticity of the movement’s grassroots nature and its potential susceptibility to external influences.

Singham’s financial strength stems from his association with Thoughtworks, a software consulting company he founded in 1993. In August 2017, he sold the company for USD 785 million to Apax Partners. The People’s Forum was established during the same period, and a substantial amount was pumped into the organisation. Interestingly, the People’s Forum’s office is only a few meters away from the famous Times Square. In 2021, the organisation had 13 staff members and assets worth USD 13.5 million.

Singham’s connections to the CCP

Following the sale of Thoughtworks, Singham committed his life to “philanthropy” via his financial contributions. However, the reality is far from what he projected. The 69-year-old tech entrepreneur shifted to Shanghai and developed a close relationship with at least four propaganda news websites to promote and propagate the “feel good” image of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In a report, the New York Times explored his relations with CCP, raising questions about potential foreign influence in US affairs, especially related to the promotion of discord and division.

Rep Mike Gallagher, who is the chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, drew attention to the broader context of Chinese influence strategies, including the utilisation of Confucius Institutes on college campuses, TikTok’s algorithmic reach, and organisations like those funded by Singham, to undermine and weaken America. These concerns brought up the multifaceted nature of Singham’s involvement, extending beyond financial backing to geopolitical and ideological alignments that could impact the socio-political landscape.

The far-left ideology’s impact on Singham’s life

Singham has a lifelong association with the far-left political ideology. He was born in 1954 to a Cuban mother and a Sri Lankan father. His father was deeply engaged in political science and once advised the United Nations on Third-World development. His father authored several influential works as well. Singham was part of the radical Marxist League of Revolutionary Black Workers when he was only 17. He played an active role in organising strikes at a Chrysler plant in Detroit. In 1974, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) looked into his life and deemed him as “potentially dangerous”, underscoring the intensity of his involvement in leftist activism during those formative years.

Though Singham had subsequent success in the corporate world, his political beliefs remained radical. In 2008, Fortune profiled him in which he expressed admiration for Venezuela under Hugo Chavez and endorsed China’s economic policies as a model for capitalist economies.

Singham’s wife became pro-China after marriage

In 2017, Singham married Jodie Evans, a former Democratic political activist and co-founder of the anti-war nonprofit Code Pink, marking a union of like-minded individuals with a shared history of left-wing activism.

Initially, Evans was critical of the Chinese government’s treatment of feminists in 2015. However, following her marriage to Singham, there was a notable shift in her views towards CCP. In 2020, she started the #ChinaIsNotOurEnemy campaign through Code Pink. These days, she leads webinars praising China’s political structure and dismissing allegations of Uyghur oppression. Her transformation sparked controversy, especially given her simultaneous advocacy for the rights of Muslim residents in Gaza while justifying China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims.

Notably, Singham shares an office with the Maku Group in Shanghai. The media company focuses on telling “China’s story well through innovation.” Furthermore, his association with pro-Chinese portals like NewsClick in India and the now-defunct New Frame in South Africa has raised questions about his authentication. He is also linked to the Chinese website Dongsheng News, which shows his involvement in shaping the narrative around China’s domestic and international image.

Lawmakers in the US have raised concerns over the couple’s links to the Chinese government. Notably, Senator Marco Rubio’s call for an investigation into its compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act. However, Singham has denied CCP ties and claimed his actions stem from personal views.

Despite accusations, Singham and Evans, associated with The People’s Forum, remain silent. The People’s Forum defends itself on social media, claiming Singham is a Marxist who donated wealth to political education. However, the questions remain intact about the organisation’s independence and external influence on its agenda.

The organisation’s executive director, Manolo De Los Santos, aligns the organisation with pro-China sentiments. He has praised China’s system on a state-owned media channel. However, De Los Santos stays away from commenting when it comes to questions about the uncertainty of the organisation’s leadership and ideology.

The organisation is actively involved in pro-Palestinian activism and frequently organises protests against perceived Israeli supporters. However, controversies surrounding financial transparency, alignment with China, and potential external influence persist. Senator Rubio’s call for investigation reflects broader concerns about foreign impact on domestic advocacy and prompts a reevaluation of the intersections between activism, philanthropy, and geopolitical alignment. Despite the scrutiny, The People’s Forum remains committed and undeterred, preparing for the upcoming “Shut It Down for Palestine” protest on 17th November.

The NewsClick Controversy

On 5th August, The New York Times published a detailed article, revealing the ties of an American businessman with the Chinese government and his financial support to an Indian leftist propaganda outlet named NewsClick.

According to the US-based newspaper, a millionaire named Neville Roy Singham has been funding several news publications worldwide (including India) to peddle Chinese propaganda.

“What is less known, and is hidden amid a tangle of nonprofit groups and shell companies, is that Mr Singham works closely with the Chinese government media machine and is financing its propaganda worldwide,” the article stated.

The New York Times pointed out that Singham has successfully disseminated Chinese government talking points under the pretext of ‘progressive advocacy’ in countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States.

During its investigation, the American newspaper found that Neville Roy Singham had financed an India-based leftist propaganda outlet named NewsClick. It noted that the news outlet had repeated the talking points of the CCP in the past. 

“In New Delhi, corporate filings show, Mr Singham’s network financed a news site, NewsClick, that sprinkled its coverage with Chinese government talking points. “China’s history continues to inspire the working classes,” one video said,” noted The New York Times.

OpIndia’s complete coverage of the NewsClick controversy can be checked here.

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