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From soft power ascendancy to global leadership: India’s inspiring rise and future prospects in the international arena

Guest Author
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From soft power ascendancy to global leadership: India’s inspiring rise and future prospects in the international arena

In a study titled “India’s Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy” published on December 29, 2022, the Standing Committee on External Affairs defined “soft power” as the capacity to influence people without employing coercion by appealing to them and attracting them. Soft power is the ability to influence another person’s preferences through attraction and appeal. Power in international relations has traditionally been defined and assessed in easily quantifiable ‘hard’ terms. This understanding of power frequently relates to economic and military strength. Positive appeal and persuasion are used by soft power, as opposed to hard power, which employs coercion, to accomplish goals. Instead of using traditional foreign policy tools like coercive methods to gain influence, soft power builds networks, shares engaging narratives, creates rules for the world, and makes use of the resources that naturally attract people to the world.

India has consistently been at the top of the list for employing cultural diplomacy and soft power to establish itself on the international stage. Foreign policy, cultural influence, and political principles were the three pillars of soft power outlined by Joseph Nye, the originator of the concept of soft power. The various sources of soft power, however, are numerous and diverse. India is vividly conscious of the importance of cultural engagement and has given weightage to presenting its cultural fascinations to different corners of the world.

India has a vision of a relatively pluralistic government, non-violent, and liberal with a non-threatening global leadership. Luminaries like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, as well as the arts of literature, music, dance, the software industry, Ayurveda, etc., generate a staggering array of soft power assets that highlight India’s appeal to the world’s population. Ashoka, Buddha, and other prominent figures served as prime examples of the values that Indians are known for, which include the importance of respect, peace, and fraternity. Epics from mythologies like the Mahabharata and Ramayana are compared to classic Greek works like the Odyssey and Iliad. Between 1 and 1000 AD, India was lauded as the “Golden Bird” for its GDP, which was higher than China at the time. As a result, India soon received immigrants, traders, and invaders like “Alexander the Great”.

The concept of “unity in diversity” is the foundation of India’s international representation. Her history and culture, which show how India peacefully accepted several religions while never losing sight of its own culture and history, are her heritage to the world. The soft power of India, which has been dispersed throughout her enormous social and civilizational heritage over millennia, displays her goals of secularism, liberalism, and cultural inclusivity, all of which are increasingly important in modern society.

People from all over the world are attracted to the nation because of its vibrant democracy, autonomous judiciary, role for NGOs, and progressive and independent media. India is also attempting to gain international recognition for initiatives that are incredibly innovative and that reflect the country’s connection to its wonderful civilizational past. One of the most respected UNESCO members, India has always promoted inter-civilizational and intercultural exchange. The government of Narendra Modi at present has been setting fresh trends in the realm of Indian diplomacy. Today, the state has successfully achieved diplomatic victories, the attractiveness of culture, social values, and foreign policies and advanced the country’s national objectives by utilising special soft power assets of India, such as the diaspora, Yoga, Buddhism, and economic support. India’s supremacy in space technology and diplomacy is a significantly enhanced soft power tool with limitless potential.

India lacks the institutional ecology necessary to harness soft power and advance its national interests abroad despite being a nation rich in soft power resources. Due to issues such as corruption, poverty, violence against women, antagonism towards business, urban pollution, caste prejudice, and gender inequality, India has performed relatively poorly in terms of the factors that make a country attractive to tourists. A number of other factors, such as the Western bias that puts India at a relative disadvantage, force what appears to be an underperformance for India in the Soft Power 30 ranking. India needs to rediscover its ancient wisdom, and its spirituality should inspire other countries to see that India has the potential to play a significant leadership role in the world.

If utilised productively, the country’s soft power potential would unquestionably contribute to India’s elevated standing by making it prosperous in the international community. India undoubtedly possesses the ability and vast prospects to strengthen its position as the “growing global soft power,” which can further open the door for the nation to become a “soft power-superpower” of the twenty-first century.

(Writer Nihal Sharma is a political enthusiast with a keen interest in Indian political landscape, having worked with several Ministers gaining real on-ground experience of the political system.)

Pune: Outrage at DY Patil High School after Principal Alexander installs CCTV cameras in girls’ washroom, imposes Christian prayers and insults Hindu traditions, suspended

Siddhi Somani
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Pune: Outrage at DY Patil High School after Principal Alexander installs CCTV cameras in girls’ washroom, imposes Christian prayers and insults Hindu traditions, suspended

On Thursday, July 6, the Principal of the DY Patil High School in the Ambi region of Pune identified as Alexander Coates Reid, and a couple of Christian teachers, were removed from their position after being accused of molestation, religious conversion and causing insult to Hindu religion. The Principal was also manhandled by the local Hindu organizations after they found out that he had installed CCTV cameras in the girls’ washroom without any notice to the management or the parents.

The video of the incident is making rounds on social media in which the Principal of the reputed convent school can be seen being followed and beaten by the local Hindu organizations. However, the said video is being amplified by the Islamists and left-liberal cabal members who claim that Hindus were causing deliberate hurt to the minority community in India. The Islamists also claim that the Christians are next on the so-called target list of the Hindus and say that the Principal was thrashed just for conducting Christian prayers at the school, which is a partial truth.

The Islamists and leftists very diligently forgot to mention that the Principal who has now been suspended as confirmed to OpIndia by the VHP members had installed CCTV cameras in the washroom of the girls studying in standard 8th and above. And that he was caught molesting a female parent on the school premises.

Students are forced to read prayers from Bible, Hindu festivals are demeaned

OpIndia verified the incident from the school and from the VHP members. According to Santosh Dabhade, one of the local VHP members, the saga is said to have begun when the parents of one of the students at the school reached out to the local Hindu organizations saying that their daughter was being harassed and tortured at the school. The parents also told that she was deliberately being asked to lift the school benches and was harassed by pinches on her cheeks and other body parts.

School Principal was thrashed by local Hindu organizations (Images obtained by OpIndia)

“We went to the school to check on the case and then discovered that the school had installed CCTV cameras in the washrooms of the grown-up girl students. The parents were already furious and later it was also discovered that the school furthered the Christian way of life. The students there are forced to read prayers from the Bible during the assembly. The Hindu festivals are demeaned and insulted,” he said.

Authorities at the school called the tradition of Ashadhi Ekadashi ‘stupid’

Santosh Dabhade continued by saying that recently, the school denied to issue holidays on the Hindu festival of Ashadhi Ekadashi and also during Gudhi Padwa. “The students wanted to organize a Palkhi (procession) on the occasion of Ekadashi but the permission to it was also denied saying that it was a stupid tradition. We honestly don’t have a problem with Christian prayers. But why demean Hindu culture? Why call it stupid? Why no Hindu prayers are performed at the school when more than 90 per cent of the students studying there belong to the Hindu community?” Dabhade pondered.

The principal was thrashed after he attempted to molest a female parent, says VHP member

As per the information obtained, the school principal was thrashed by the people on July 4 after he threw arrogance and tried to molest one of the female parents of a student. “The parents have so many complaints about the school and its management. That day one of the female parents approached the Principal directly asking why were the children at the school forced to read prayers from Bible and why the girls at the school were harassed. The Principal at that time attempted to disrespect her and molest her by touching her. The people around th

en happened to thrash him,” the VHP member added.

Muslim teacher praised Islam, wanted Jinnah to become India’s PM instead of Nehru

As per the sources further, the teachers at the said school also force the Hindu students against their religion and influence them to believe in foreign religions. One of the Muslim teachers named Samina Patel is also said to attempt to influence the students by saying that ‘Muslims have always been pure, it is Hindus who keep on defaming and attacking the minority community’. Patel also is believed to have made a derogatory comment against India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. “Nehru was not capable of being a PM. Mohammed Ali Jinnah should have become the PM of the country. The country of India would have developed to a massive extent,” she was quoted by Dabhade.

Reportedly, three teachers of the DY Patil High School including Samina Patel are said to have been suspended by the management, as informed to OpIndia by the VHP members. Further, OpIndia also contacted the school management for comment on the development but no specific comments were provided. “No comments at present. The management is looking into the issue. We will issue the official statement soon,” said Shubert Dsouza from the school administration.

Management says it had no idea about the CCTV cameras, assures strict action

The management of the school conducted a meeting on July 6 over the issue and stated that it had no idea that CCTV cameras were installed in the washroom of the girls studying in standard 8 and above. The management has assured that the accused school teachers and the Principal will be terminated and strict action will be taken against them.

Teachers at the school called Hindu prayer ‘nonsense’

The parents of one of the girl students studying at the school talked to OpIndia and confirmed that a detailed police complaint has been filed at the Ambi Police Station but the FIR is yet to be registered. Deepti Karmale, the female parent said that the girl students are harassed at the school and CCTV cameras have been installed in the girls’ washroom. She also added that the students are kept away from the Hindu culture and traditions and are forced to follow only the Christian prayers.

“During an event, some of the students happened to play the famous Hindu prayer ‘Aee Giri Nandini’ but the teachers called it nonsense and said that no such ‘songs’ would be played at the school. The students are not given holidays on the Hindu festivals and are asked to pray to Jesus. We are not against it, but why such hatred towards the Hindu culture?” the parent asked.

She also narrated one incident that happened at the school when the students were given a project to visit a religious place and write a note but were asked specifically to avoid visiting a temple. “The school wanted the students to either visit a Gurudwara, Church or a Mosque. Why no temple? This is not why we sent our children to school. This shows their disrespect to the Hindu culture,” the parent was quoted as saying.

The principal didn’t respect India’s National Anthem, used to walk during ‘Jan Gan Man’

While noting a complaint about the school Principal, the parent said that he has no respect event for India as a whole country. He does not respect and walks in the corridors while India’s national anthem ‘Jan Gan Man’ is played at the school. “He allows no Hindi, Marathi speech at the school. This is not at all fair. Students should have access to all kinds of knowledge and not only Christian culture,” the parent concluded.

She also expressed worry saying that she doesn’t know what all the CCTV cameras installed in the girl’s washroom might have recorded.

At present, the enraged parents of the students have filed a police complaint in the case and await an FIR to be registered. The management has assured to look into the case and take strict action against the accused Principal and teachers.

OpIndia contacted the Police for the comment but no information was provided. Further investigations are underway. Further updates are awaited.

No end to Congress VVIP culture: Karnataka assembly speaker demands separate lane at toll gates for MLAs, backtracks after criticism

OpIndia Staff
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No end to Congress VVIP culture: Karnataka assembly speaker demands separate lane at toll gates for MLAs, backtracks after criticism

Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader stirred controversy on Tuesday after he demanded a special VVIP toll lane for MLAs and retired lawmakers at toll plazas. When slammed for showcasing the Congress party’s elitist mindset, he later corrected his position, stating that a separate lane “is not possible” and that the demand was made by an MLA.

After two Congress MLAs claimed that they were harassed at toll gates, Khader directed that the PWD minister, Satish Jarkiholi, have a word with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The discussion was started when Congress MLA Narendraswamy moved for a calling attention motion and claimed that toll plaza employees had mistreated him.

“On June 17, when I was travelling on Mysuru road towards Bengaluru, I stopped at the Sheshagiri Halli toll plaza. Despite having an MLA pass, personnel at the toll plaza behaved in a way that breaches the respect of lawmakers. The pass was scrutinized as if it was a police investigation. The personnel behave like goondas and use abusive language. He added that the matter concerns all MLAs,” Congress MLA Narendraswamy was quoted as saying.

Hubli-Dharwad (East) Congress MLA Abbayya Prasad echoed the same sentiments. “Every time I travel between Hubballi and Bengaluru, I face the same problem. Our passes aren’t considered. They ask for other IDs. There’s a dispute all the time,” he frowned.

In response to the concerns, Satish Jarkiholi stated that he will schedule a meeting with the NHAI to talk about this. Khader advised Narendraswamy to file a motion for violation of privilege. To Jarkiholi, Khader said, “When you call a meeting, ask (NHAI) for a separate VIP lane. Also, their policy doesn’t cover ex-MLAs. They, too, should be covered.”

The opposition, meanwhile, criticised UT Khader’s proposal for a separate lane at toll booths and labelled it as a symbol of “elitism.”

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya tweeted, “Karnataka Assembly Speaker and Congress MLA UT Khadar’s suggestion of making special lanes for MLAs at toll plazas, reeks of elitism and displays the Congress’s VIP culture mindset. While PM Modi, through rules & personal actions, is trying to put an end to this colonial era culture, Congress tries to perpetuate VIP culture in every opportunity they get.”

After facing severe criticism, UT Khader later revised his demand on Thursday, stating that a “separate VVIP lane is not practical” after his initial demand caused a commotion.

“A separate lane is already there at every toll but this wasn’t there in Mysuru-Bengaluru toll…There is no question of a separate VVIP lane, it is not practical,” UT Khader told the media. He said that it was an MLA who made the recommendation, not him.

This is not the first time Congress is being accused of indulging in VVIP culture. In 2018, the Congress government in Karnataka under Siddaramaiah, spent Rs. 36 crores on phone bills of MLAs and MLCs during its rule, an RTI had revealed. Each of the 224 MLAs and 75 MLCs received Rs. 20,000 per month as a phone allowance.

That year it was also revealed that the state hospitality department under the then Congres Govt splurged 42 lakh rupees to host political leaders during the swearing-in ceremony of H.D. Kumaraswamy.

In fact, this brazen display of VVIP culture is not only confined to Congress. In 2021, reports emerged about how NCP supremo and former Indian Olympic Association president Sharad Pawar, Sports Minister Sunil Kedar, Cabinet Minister Aditi Tatkare and other ministers and dignitaries parked their vehicles on a race track for athletes in Pune’s Shivachhatrapati Sports Complex sparking controversy. 

It has been a general trend in Indian politics that taxpayers have to bear the brunt of politicians wasting money on luxuries.

London: Khalistanis announce ‘Kill India’ rally outside Indian High Commission on 8th July, name Indian diplomats as targets

OpIndia Staff
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London: Khalistanis announce ‘Kill India’ rally outside Indian High Commission on 8th July, name Indian diplomats as targets

Pro-Khalistani elements have announced a ‘Kill India’ rally outside India High Commission in London on 8th July. A poster of the event has been circulating on social media platforms including Twitter. The announcement came days after the arson attack on San Francisco Indian Consulate. Several accounts that were created in June 2023 have been seen promoting the said poster.

The poster read, “Khalistan ‘KILL India’ Rallies 8 July to Challenge #Indian Hand in Assassination of Nijjar.” They also tagged several pro-Khalistani high-profile accounts and journalists.

The poster contained photographs of the Indian high commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami and Dr Shashank Vikram, consul-general of India, Birmingham. It falsely labelled them as “the faces of Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killers in Vancouver”. The poster referred to Vikram as CG of the “Embassy of India in London” which is false. The poster appeared to be created by Sikhs For Justice.

Reacting to the threats, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom James Cleverly said, “Any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable. We have made clear to
Vikram Doraiswami and the Government of India that the safety of staff at the High Commission is paramount.”

Speaking to Times of India Kuldeep Shekhawat, president of the Overseas Friends of BJP UK said, “What will Pannun gain with these kinds of gimmicks? Postering the Indian high commissioner and our CG in Birmingham clearly shows the frustration. There is no Khalistani support from the Indian diaspora and it is a clear story of a misinformation campaign that a handful of misguided Sikhs are trying to do. A true Sikh is for the nation India and will always remain (so).”

Similar posters carrying photographs of Indian diplomats have surfaced in the US, Australia and Canada promoting Khalistani rallies scheduled for the 8th of July outside Indian missions in respective countries. On July 5, India summoned Canadian high commissioner Cameron Mackay to register a protest over the controversial poster.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India will take up the issue of Khalistanis threatening Indian diplomats in posters circulated in Canada with the Trudeau government, and also talk to other partner countries where such issues keep emerging.

Speaking to the media, he added that India has urged its partner countries like Canada, the United States, the UK, and Australia not to give space to the Khalistanis. “This will affect our relations. We will raise this poster issue with the government of these countries,” he said. The statement came after Khalistani posters carrying threats to Indian diplomats were circulated in Canada.

Earlier, Khalistani posters targeting Indian High Commissioner and Counsul-General appeared in Australia. Both Indian diplomats have been named as “killers” of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. A march on the Indian Embassy has been announced in the poster which is scheduled for 8th July in Melbourne. Retired senior correspondent Terry Milewski shared the poster on Twitter and wrote, “Khalistani posters targeting Indian diplomats spread to Australia after Canada”.

On 2nd July, Khalistanis carried out an arson attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco city of United States. As per reports, the extremists set the building on fire between 1:30 am and 2:30 am on Sunday. However, the damage was limited and the staffers escaped unharmed. The fire was quickly doused by the San Francisco fire department. The local, State and federal authorities were also notified about the incident. A video of the incident has now gone viral on social media.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination

On 18th July, designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead by two unidentified assailants in a Gurdwara in the British Columbia province of Canada. Khalistani elements have accused the Indian security agencies of the assassination. Following the deaths of Avtar Singh Khanda who was Amritpal Singh’s aide, Khalistan Commando Force chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar and then Nijjar, several pro-Khalistani elements have gone underground including SFJ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Recent rumours suggested SFJ’s Pannu also died in a road accident in the US. However, the suspense of his being alive or dead is yet to be cleared.

I am NCP president, still effective whether 82 or 92: Sharad Pawar hits back at Ajit Pawar, expels Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and SR Kohli from party

OpIndia Staff
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I am NCP president, still effective whether 82 or 92: Sharad Pawar hits back at Ajit Pawar, expels Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and SR Kohli from party

Day second of the Maharashtra crisis stemming from Ajit Pawar’s mutiny against his uncle Sharad Pawar began on 6 July. In the latest development, Sharad Pawar claimed he is still in charge of the Nationalist Congress Party, which he formed more than twenty years ago after separating from Congress. In addition, he expelled senior party leaders Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and SR Kohli for siding with his nephew at a working committee meeting earlier today in Delhi.

“I am the president of NCP, if someone says otherwise then it is completely false, there’s no truth in it. There’s no importance if someone says something. We will rebuild the party, doesn’t matter if I am 82 or 92,” he stated responding to Ajit Pawar’s age taunt.

He added that his wishes are with Ajit Pawar to become whatever he wants to be. The party veteran declared, “NCP will approach the Election Commission on the issue of the party’s name and symbol. Rebels will have to pay the cost.”

He further continued, “Now, whatever we need to say, we will say it before the Election Commission of India. Today’s meeting helped boost our morale.”

Sharad Pawar wrote to the Election Commission regarding Ajit Pawar’s petition laying claim for the NCP symbol. According to NCP leader P C Chacko, the party in New Delhi passed eight motions in the meeting. He alleged that Sharad Pawar is supported by the organisation.

Congress leader and disqualified Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi also arrived at NCP President Sharad Pawar’s Delhi residence to meet him.

However, the faction headed by Ajit Pawar released a statement in which it contended that Sharad Pawar’s national executive meeting was illegitimate and lacked the capacity to have any meetings or make any decisions. It mentioned in a petition submitted to the Election Commission on 5 July that Sharad Pawar was removed as the party supremo and Ajit Pawar was elected in his place during a national executive meeting on 30 June.

In a startling political move, Ajit Pawar and eight other prominent leaders including Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal joined the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government on July 2 which resulted in a major split in the NCP. The former was appointed deputy chief minister while the others were sworn in as ministers in a ceremony conducted at the Raj Bhavan.

‘SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannu is dead’: claims FPJ citing sources even as a new video of Pannun surfaces a day after rumours of his death

OpIndia Staff
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‘SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannu is dead’: claims FPJ citing sources even as a new video of Pannun surfaces a day after rumours of his death

A day after it was rumoured that Sikhs for Justice founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun died in a car crash in the USA before it was denied by people close to him, now a report by the Free Press Journal claims that the rumour was actually true. According to Free Press Journal, a high-level source in the Indian security establishment said that Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has indeed died in a road accident. The statement came at a time when social media is abuzz with rumours of his death in a road accident on the United States Highway No 101 that stretches from Los Angeles, California to Tumwater, Washington.

Notably, Lafayette County Fire Department issued a warning about a motor vehicle accident in the area of 600 Block of County Road 101 and asked the commuters to avoid the area, if possible. However, there has been no official word about who were the victims of that accident. OpIndia could not verify the claims independently if Pannu was one of the victims.

The rumours of his death first surfaced on social media on 5th July. One social media user MJ was among the first to post on Twitter that Pannu died in a road accident in the USA. After that, several others started posting the same claim. However, Sukhi Chahal, the founder and editor of Khalsa Times, has denied the rumour, calling it fake news. He tweeted, “Regarding the news about the alleged car accident in my neighborhood in California and the death of SFJ Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, I would like to emphasize that the information is FAKE & FALSE. I kindly urge everyone to refrain from spreading this misinformation.”

New video of Pannu threatening Indian diplomats surfaced

Amid these reports, a new video of Pannun surfaced on social media insinuating that he is well and alive. In the video that was dated July 5 and recorded outside United Nations Headquarters in New York, Pannu said, “Today is 5th July and I am standing outside headquarters of the United Nations. This is the place where one day the flag of Khalistan will be hoisted. This is the place where we will bring our case after completing a referendum to separate Punjab from India. Remember, voting will take place on 16th July at Shaheed Bhai Mohinder Singh Kooner Khalsa in Malton, Canada. Next voting will be held on 10th September at Shaheed Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar Voting Center in Vancouver, Canada.”

Targeting Indian diplomats in the US, Canada, the UK, Germany and Europe, he added, “This is to retaliate, every Indian diplomat in the US, Canada, the UK, Germany and Europe, they are responsible for the assassination of Shaheed Najjar. Every diplomat must remember we are not going to stay back. We are going to hold you accountable. This is the United States. Land of the free and home of the brave. We are not afraid of anyone. If anyone wants to meet and seek answers, they can meet me in New York. This is not your Indian jackals who stay behind cameras of Republic TV and like and call themselves lions. You will face consequences of targeting the Sikh community.”

Towards the end, the video showed an animated clip depicting a missile with the Khalistani flag attacking Red Fort in India.

Khalistani terrorists died under ‘mysterious circumstances’

In the past few months, several Khalistani terrorists have died under mysterious circumstances. SFJ’s Pannu and Khalistani elements have claimed that Indian Intelligence officials were behind the deaths. They urged the authorities in the US and Canada to probe the deaths accordingly. Following the deaths of Avtar Singh Khanda who was Amritpal Singh’s aide, Khalistan Commando Force chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar and Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, several pro-Khalistani elements have gone underground including SFJ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. It is unclear if the video published on social media was recorded after the supposed accident on Highway 101 or before.

Lalu Prasad Yadav hits multiple targets with one arrow, says having a PM without a wife is wrong days after urging Rahul Gandhi to marry soon

Pragya Bakshi Sharma
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Lalu Prasad Yadav hits multiple targets with one arrow, says having a PM without a wife is wrong days after urging Rahul Gandhi to marry soon

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s accidental humour has made many people wonder. But he cannot claim this limelight all for himself, at least not after the grand Opposition meeting in Patna, for the quota on comical statements, has already been claimed years ago by none other than Lalu Prasad Yadav. It also seems that the former Bihar CM has determined to get Rahul Gandhi married because now he has set the marital status as one of the conditions for the PM candidate. This comes days after he openly urged 53-year-old Gandhi to get married soon.

RJD Chief Lalu Yadav while answering a question about the PM face from the opposition said that only a leader who has a wife should become PM. “Whoever becomes the PM should not be without a wife. Staying at the PM residence without a wife is wrong. This should be done away with,” declared the former Bihar Chief Minister.

Hitting not two but multiple birds with one stone (the Lalu Yadav edition), the former Union Railways minister further said that the PM living in the PM residence without a wife is “very wrong”. “This should be ended,” Lalu lamented.

However, it is difficult to guess who was the main target of Yadav, PM Narendra Modi, or Rahul Gandhi. It seems that Lalu Prasad Yadav has disqualified Rahul Gandhi for the post of PM because the Congress leader does not have a wife. However, there are other PM aspirants as well in the opposition camp without a spouse.

This latest statement is a fine example of Lalu’s exclusive skill of how to critique one’s adversary (PM Modi) and incarcerate one’s rival (Rahul Gandhi) at the same time enough to stay relevant in the media, for reasons better than a scam or two (or three or four). It must be noted that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is a widower and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has never married.

This brings up the very first point that Rahul Gandhi cannot beat Lalu’s talent. For all we know, the man who makes us all wonder is probably wondering himself whether the Opposition meeting on 23rd June was to form a Mahagathbandhan or find him a rishta (wife).

On 23rd June, Lalu Prasad Yadav gave a piece of parental advice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, like all uncles and aunties give to eligible bachelors in any family gathering in India. Addressing a joint press conference of the Opposition at Patna, Lalu urged the 53-year-old Congress leader to get married soon.

“You didn’t listen to my advice. Did not get married. You should have married. It is not too late even today. Get married and we would all participate in your wedding procession,” a paternal Lalu insisted.

Rahul’s response did not let anyone down and he went with the flow to say, “Now, that you have said it, it will happen.”

Whatsoever it may be, Lalu’s latest statement is perhaps the RJD chief’s way of saying that he is here for the alliance (political, not marriage) with Congress and not to endorse Rahul as PM, at least not when he is sans a wife.

But there’s still time before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and all cards are on the table. If Rahul Gandhi does good by his promise and gets married, Lalu Yadav might as well give in and endorse him for PM and then the Opposition might finally have a PM candidate. Well, Rahul Gandhi and the Grand Alliance have their task cut out ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

World’s first malaria vaccine: GAVI to launch 18 million doses in 12 countries, know how India’s Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute are going to play a crucial role

OpIndia Staff
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World’s first malaria vaccine: GAVI to launch 18 million doses in 12 countries, know how India’s Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute are going to play a crucial role

On 5th July Gavi, the vaccine alliance, announced that twelve African countries are set to receive 18 million doses of first-ever malaria vaccine in the next two years. Malaria is one of the leading causes of death in the African continent and these vaccines will play a critical role in saving lives.

As the vaccine supply will be limited in the beginning, priority has been given to the areas that are in the utmost need where the risk of malaria illness and death among children is the highest.

The Framework implementation group that has designed the process of delivering the vaccine includes representatives from Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), UNICEF, WHO, and the Gavi Secretariat along with representatives of civil society and independent advisors.

World’s malaria vaccines: manufactured by Indian companies

By 2026, the annual demand for malaria vaccine will reach 40-60 million doses and by 2030 it will reach 80-100 million doses. Bharat Biotech will be supplying the RTS, S/AS01 vaccine in the future.

In 2021, GSK, the British pharma giant that worked for over 3 decades with nonprofit group PATH, announced that the manufacturing of the protein part of the malaria vaccine RTS, S/AS01 will be transferred to India’s Bharat Biotech.

“Helping secure the long-term future of the only vaccine available by working with an established leader like Bharat Biotech is vital for the continued fight against this devastating disease,” GSK’s Thomas Breuer had said then. Hyderabad’s Bharat Biotech is currently the sole supplier of the RTS, S/AS01 vaccine and is expected to remain so till 2029.

GSK had committed to donate 10 million doses of the vaccine to WHO’s pilot program.

A second vaccine named R21/Matrix-M that has been developed by Oxford University will be manufactured and supplied by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and could also be prequalified by WHO soon, GAVI stated.

In April this year, the R21/Matrix-M vaccine for malaria, developed by Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, got regulatory approval for usage by the government of Ghana. SII has already established manufacturing capabilities for 200 million doses annually. R21/Matrix-M is a low-dose vaccine that is given to children between 5 to 36 months. It has been consistently meeting the WHO standards of 75% efficacy.

It is notable here that India is the world’s largest manufacturer of low-cost vaccines. Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech both played a crucial role in India’s fight against Covid.

Malaria vaccine program in African countries

Malaria vaccines are being delivered in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi via WHO and funded by Gavi, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and United. Since 2019, 1.7 million children in these countries have received RTS, S/AS01 vaccine and it has shown notable results and a substantial reduction in severe malaria. The number of deaths among children due to malaria has come down as well. So far, 28 countries have shown interest in getting their hands on the malaria vaccine.

With the proposed supply of 18 million doses of the vaccine, nine more countries will get the vaccine that includes Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. The vaccine will be introduced to the routine immunization programs in these countries for the first time.

The first round of allocation is being done to Gavi via UNICEF and the first doses of the vaccine will reach these countries between October and December 2023. The vaccine rollout will begin in early 2024.

Managing Director of Country Programmes Delivery at Gavi Thabani Maphosa said, “This vaccine has the potential to be very impactful in the fight against malaria, and when broadly deployed alongside other interventions, it can prevent tens of thousands of future deaths every year. While we work with manufacturers to help ramp up supply, we need to make sure the doses that we do have are used as effectively as possible, which means applying all the learnings from our pilot programmes as we broaden out to a new total of 12 countries.”

Malaria takes away the lives of millions of African children under the age of 5 every year

Every year, around a million children die under the age of 5 due to malaria in Africa making it one of the deadliest diseases. These deaths accounted for 95% of the global malaria cases and 95% of the malaria deaths in 2023. UNICEF Associate Director of Immunization Ephrem T Lemango said, “Nearly every minute, a child under 5 years old dies of malaria. For a long time, these deaths have been preventable and treatable; but the roll-out of this vaccine will give children, especially in Africa, an even better chance at surviving. As supply increases, we hope even more children can benefit from this life-saving advancement.”

WHO Director of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals said, “The malaria vaccine is a breakthrough to improve child health and child survival; and families and communities, rightly, want this vaccine for their children. This first allocation of malaria vaccine doses is prioritized for children at the highest risk of dying of malaria. The high demand for the vaccine and the strong reach of childhood immunization will increase equity in access to malaria prevention and save many young lives. We will work tirelessly to increase supply until all children at risk have access.”

Delhi Excise Policy Scam: Manish Sisodia moves Supreme Court challenging Delhi High Court order denying him bail

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Excise Policy Scam: Manish Sisodia moves Supreme Court challenging Delhi High Court order denying him bail

Manish Sisodia, senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and former deputy chief minister of Delhi, filed a petition with the Supreme Court in an effort to overturn a decision by the Delhi High Court that had refused him bail. Sisodia is facing charges framed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) related to Delhi’s new excise policy.

Sisodia had earlier sought bail from court citing his wife’s ill health and his son being abroad. Earlier, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court ordered the Delhi police to physically produce him on the upcoming hearing date in connection with the case.

Sisodia is accused in cases that concern irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy. He was arrested on 26 February on allegations of corruption in connection with the formulation and implementation of Delhi’s 2021–22 excise policy. CBI stated, “He (Sisodia) gave evasive replies and did not cooperate in the investigation despite being confronted with evidence to the contrary.”

On 12 April, the ED opposed his bail and informed the Delhi Court that the AAP stalwart was responsible for manufacturing emails indicating widespread support for the policy.

“We have evidence that Sisodia had planted emails. These have been received not only in the official email account of the excise department but even in Sisodia’s personal email account. This is another proof of conspiracy, the content of the email was given by Sisodia which suited his agenda,” ED attorney Zoheb Hossain revealed.

He asserted that the new policy was framed to gain incentives. “Policy making does not happen telepathically. A policy, which is touted to be transparent, and fair, is introduced without any deliberation. An illegal ecosystem was created to give illegal benefits to liquor cartels in lieu of kickbacks,” he added.

The federal investigating agency disclosed that Sisodia altered the excise policy in response to the desires of the “South Group” in exchange for an upfront advance kickback of Rs 100 crore in its remand notice, which was placed before the court on March 10.

The money was allegedly handed over to Vijay Nair, the communicator in charge of the Aam Aadmi Party, at a South Delhi hotel by representatives of the latter. According to the Enforcement Department, he took home Rs 2.2 crores through the scandal.

UP: Saddam and Rizwan arrested under UAPA for supporting terrorism, wanted Sharia rule in India and were willing to sacrifice lives for jihad

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Saddam and Rizwan arrested under UAPA for supporting terrorism, wanted Sharia rule in India and were willing to sacrifice lives for jihad

Two middle-aged men from Bengaluru and Kashmir were detained by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for supporting terrorism on social media. These individuals desired to join terrorist organisations and rule India according to Sharia law. They were prepared to give their lives in retaliation for the Jihad.

The narrative of the upcoming movie “72 Hoorian,” which delves deeply into the world of terrorists and their ideologies, is remarkably similar to the tales of these men. In the movie, terrorists are drawn into Jihad by false promises made by Jannat and Hoor. The two accused who have been identified as Saddam Sheikh and Rizwan Khan also were waiting to sacrifice their lives for Jihad. 

Both of these men frequently shared and uploaded videos on social media that encouraged terrorism and the Jihad. They expressed respect to terrorists like Osama bin Laden, Zakir Musa, Sameer Tiger, and to terrorist organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba. Saddam Sheikh wanted India to be governed as per Sharia law. 

Saddam, the 38-year-old son of Munshi Miya, was a driver for the NTC firm and a resident of Bengaluru’s Dhabsapet area. He caught ATS’s attention because of his offensive social media posts. He had his accounts withheld several times as a result of his contentious posts.

The ATS obtained an investigative warrant and summoned Saddam to their office after the initial monitoring. Saddam acknowledged during the initial investigations that Al-Oaeda, Ansar-Gazwat-ul Hind, and Hizb-ul were influential on him. Saddam said that he had the same ideals as terrorists like Osama bin Laden, Zakir Musa, Riyaz Nayaku, Naved Jat, and Sameer Tiger. He also had a cell phone that the ATS used to recover questionable information on these terrorists.

Press release by UP ATS (Image- Organizer)

Saddam used to post videos and talks of these terrorists and terror organisations to influence other users since he wanted to be a mujahid. He intended to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling over the Babri Mosque because he was upset with it. He made a number of social media accounts that were restricted or withheld by Facebook for their controversial content.

According to a report, one of the motives behind Saddam’s social media postings was his desire for these extreme organisations to get in touch with them and attain training. Saddam planned to assemble an army by enlisting all Muslims who were in precarious situations or harboured resentments towards the Indian political system.

He wanted India to make the transition to Islam and adopt Sharia as its primary legal system. Saddam was in contact with Pakistani terrorist organisations using IMO, and his profile image featured posters for ISIS, Al-Badr, and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

After conducting an investigation, the ATS arrested Saddam on July 1 and filed a FIR (number-04/2023) against him at the ATS police station in Lucknow. Saddam has been charged with violating UAPA sections 13/18/38 and 121-A.

On the other hand Rizwan stated that he wanted to sacrifice his life for Islam. The ATS personnel were alerted by intelligence that a man from Kashmir who is connected to terrorism is residing in several areas of Uttar Pradesh. After some research, the ATS discovered abusive posts and videos from Rizwan’s handle that aroused suspicion.

Press release issued by UP ATS (Organizer)

Rizwan was charged with using social media to spread hate speech and recruit followers for the same by spreading contentious remarks. He briefly stayed in Unnao and was employed as a security guard at the Indango Food Private Limited meat plant. Rizwan was being held in custody while residing in Farbis Ganj, Bihar, and working as a security guard for Marhaba Frozen Food Private Limited.

Rizwan was summoned to the headquarters by the ATS as part of a procedure using an investigation warrant, where he admitted to sharing radical content on social media. Rizwan was motivated by militants and weaponry because he aspired to join the Mujahideen in the future.

The ATS discovered images from his profile of anti-national music, weaponry, and terrorist training camps. Rizwan confessed that he aspired to be a terrorist like Burhan Wani (Hizb-ul-Mujaheeddin and Mujahid) and terrorists Zakir Musa (who led the Tanjim Group and Ansar-Gazwat-ul-Hind).

Rizwan Khan said, “Jihad ki raah par fida hone ke liye, lnshah Allah mai apni baari ka intezar kar raha tha”(I was waiting for my turn to sacrifice my life for Jihad). Following the interrogations, the ATS detained Rizwan and registered an FIR (number-05/2023) against him at the ATS police station, Lucknow. He also has been booked under IPC sections 121-A and 123 with sections 13/18/38 of the UAPA.

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