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Kili and Neema Paul – Know about the popular TikTok users from Tanzania who were praised by PM Modi in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address

OpIndia Staff
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Kili and Neema Paul – Know about the popular TikTok users from Tanzania who were praised by PM Modi in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address

On Sunday (February 27), Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised popular TikTok users, Kili Paul and Neema Paul, for singing the Indian national anthem on Republic Day and paying tribute to veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar after her demise. He made the remarks about the Tanzanian siblings during the 86th edition of his ‘Mann ki Baat‘ programme.

PM Modi said, “These days, two Tanzanian siblings, Kili Paul and his sister Neema, are in the news a lot on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and I’m sure you too, must have heard about them. They have a passion, a craze for Indian music and for this reason they are also very popular.”

“Their technique of Lip Sync shows how hard they work at it. Recently, a video of him singing our National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ on the occasion of Republic Day went viral. A few days ago, he also paid a soulful tribute to Lata didi by presenting her song. I really appreciate these two siblings Kili and Neema very much for their wonderful creativity,” he added.

Recently, Kili Paul was honoured by the Indian High Commissioner in Tanzania. The Tanzanian artist shared a picture of the event and said, “It’s a pleasure meeting u sir and thanks to everyone there for being nice with me…I love you, my Indian supporters. Without you, I wouldn’t be here. More to come. JAI HIND.”

Tanzanian siblings sang Indian national anthem, paid tribute to Lata Mangeshkar

On the occasion of India’s 72nd Republic Day celebrations (January 26, 2022), Kili Paul and his sister were seen lipsyncing to a soothing redemption of the Indian national anthem (Jana Gana Maa). With their hands on their heart, the duo was seen repeating the lyrics of Tagore’s iconic song.

Following the demise of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, the Tanzanian siblings paid tribute to her by lipsyncing on the song, ‘Jana Kya Baat hai.’ They posted, “R.I.P to Lata Mangeshkar her voice was so soothing and so amazing she will always remain in our hearts, sleep well LATA.”

Who are Kili and Neema Paul?

The brother-sister duo hail from the Eastern Pwani region of Tanzania. Kili is 26 while Neema Paul is 23 years old. Dressed in accordance with their traditional Maasai culture, the duo herd cattle and farm for a living.

The siblings came to the limelight after several videos posted by the duo went viral on TikTok and Instagram reels. They have perfected the art of lip-syncing to Hindi songs from the Bollywood film fraternity.

While speaking to BBC Africa, the duo informed that there is no electricity in their village. As such, Kili Paul has to travel to the nearest town of Lugoba each day to charge his cell phone.

“In the beginning, it was just about having fun, we never thought we would go viral. So when I started seeing the number of views and the responses from people in India, I was so shocked. My mind was blown,” informed Kili Paul. He stated that he would spend about 2 days to learn and practise the lyrics of a Hindi song. He added that he would find the meaning of the lyrics in English so as to be able to provide the perfect expressions.

The popular TikToker informed that he developed a love for Bollywood films while attending school in the Tanzanian capital city of Dodoma. Paul emphasised, “Since I was young, I have been watching Bollywood films in the local cinemas in Tanzania and I fell in love with the movies and the songs. When you love something it becomes easy to learn.”

Neema joined her brother Kili Paul, only after getting comfortable to the camera. “When my brother asked me to do the videos with him, I refused at first because I was too shy to be in front of the camera. But then I started to get used to it. It is so strange what has happened – we never thought a day like this would come,” she said.

The 23-year-old pointed out, “We come from a small village outside of the city, so I never thought my dreams to be an actress and to be in front of the camera would ever happen. I just kept that in my heart.”

BBC Africa reported that the duo has started receiving offers from Bollywood. They are hoping to use their creativity and newfound fame to make it into the entertainment industry. Kili Paul and his sister also hope to travel to India someday. The recognition from Indian High Commissioner in Tanzania, followed by Indian Prime Minister is likely to make a positive impact in their career trajectories.

Harvard students start signature campaign to support Hijab girls, asks Karnataka govt to withdraw ban order and apologise to Muslim students

OpIndia Staff
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Harvard students start signature campaign to support Hijab girls, asks Karnataka govt to withdraw ban order and apologise to Muslim students

A few Indian students of Harvard University have written a letter to fellow students of various other major universities in the US seeking their support for the Muslim girls in India, who are protesting against the existing uniform guidelines that mandate students to wear a uniform and ban religious attire such as Hijab or burqa.

In a letter accessed by OpIndia, a section of students from India studying at Harvard University has written a letter to other Indian students at various other universities asking them to be part of a signature campaign to demand the Karnataka government to withdraw the order to ban Hijab in educational institutions. The students also demanded that the government apologise to all teachers and students who were forced to allegedly “disrobed” in public.

The Harvard students claimed they were appalled and extremely disheartened to see the banning of hijabs in schools and colleges across Karnataka, making schools inaccessible to young girls. 

The students also noted that education begins with the promise of safety, a promise that when a student leaves home, they return safely with new knowledge and learning. However, the ban on Hijab has stripped off the Muslim girls and women of this safety, the letter claimed. 

Defending the Muslim girls’ rights to wear Hijab, the Indian students wrote, “A hijab may mean many things – a garment a symbol of modesty, a commitment to faith and a permanent facet of one’s identity. India’s diverse garbs and garments make her a rich nation. If India removes the range of diverse turbans, pagris, headscarves, braiding, bracelets, holy threads, pendants, bindis, and jewellery found in the country, she will discontinue serving her students by placing systemic barriers to accessing education.”

The letter, seeming to be written with a poor understanding of the facts of the matter, further claimed the ban on the Hijab is highly disconcerting and worrisome to the Harvard community. The letter added that as practitioners and academics in a wide range of fields, including education, law, government, and business, passionately work to catalyse positive transformation worldwide, and in India, they visualised an Indian education system that is representative of the diverse country.

However, this targeted ban on Muslim girls is a matter of great concern that undermines decades of efforts to uplift the status of education for the Muslim community, the alleged Indian students claimed in their signature campaign.  

“As current students at Harvard who come from various countries around the world and within the breadth and lengths of the diverse country that is India, we each carry our cultures, faiths, and identities into this nearly 400-year-old institution. Each of us walks into classrooms that fully welcome our identities. We are free to wear our bindis, sindoors, hijabs and pagdhis here. We come here far from home yet feel safe and welcome through various policies and measures to create a sense of belonging,” the letter added.

Muslims are poorest and devoid of education, so don’t ban hijab: Indian students at Harvard argue

Citing the 2006 Sachar Committee report, the students highlighted how Muslims have the lowest levels of school and higher education enrolment and also have the lowest participation rates in all prestigious schools and higher educational institutions. The signature campaign claimed that Muslims continue to be among the poorest and most disadvantaged groups in India.

Resorting to fear-mongering, the alleged Indian students claimed that the ban on Hijab would further exacerbate the conditions by making educational institutions further inaccessible to Muslim girls and women. The ban, therefore, further aggravates the potential for heightened learning loss for Muslim girls and acts as a massive barrier for continuing their education, the letter read. 

The letter also cited various Supreme Court judgements to suggest that the Karnataka High Court’s interim order asking schools and colleges not to allow students wearing religious attire was not only against the rights ensured under article 25 but also against the rights under Article 19(1)(a), Article 15, Article 14, and Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

“Not only that, but the right to education also remains a fundamental right under the Constitution. This IO blatant violation of the dignity of women and is an affront to their privacy and autonomy,” the letter said.  

Calling for support, the students at Harvard University said they strongly condemn this attack on Indian Muslim women and girls and said that they are also concerned about the interim order of the Karnataka High Court, which restrains “students regardless of their religion or faith from wearing saffron shawls (bhagwa), scarves, hijab, religious flags or the like withIn the classroom”. 

Hence, we call upon the High Court and the learned judges to take cognisance of this and review their interim order and take cognisance of the humiliation through public disrobing of Muslim women and teachers, the statement said.

The students’ community also demanded that the Government of Karnataka withdraw the order immediately and allow the students to attend classes. The community also asked the Karnataka government to apologise to all teachers and students who were “forced to disrobe in public view and had their derogatory treatment turned into a public spectacle”. 

Strangely, the letter that claims to address the educational rights of the students picked up the bogey of ‘Islamophobia’ to call upon the Government of India to “recognise the widespread Islamophobia in the country and acknowledge the role that it has played in aiding such acts”.

Karnataka hijab row

The hijab controversy in Karnataka gained momentum in the first week of January after eight Muslim girls were denied entry to classes in a Udupi college because they were wearing Hijab. The college authorities had informed that the Hijab was not a part of the uniform dress code mandated for the students.

The Muslim girls, adamant about wearing Hijab, then filed a petition in High Court seeking permission to attend classes with Hijab. They stated that wearing the Hijab was their ”fundamental right” granted under Articles 14 and 25 of the Indian Constitution and ‘integral practice of Islam’.

Recently, a report revealed that the notorious radical Islamic outfit Campus Front of India (CFI) – the student wing of Popular Front of India and banned radical Hijabr outfit Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, counselled Muslim students to orchestrate the hijab controversy in Karnataka. 

The controversy spiralled as Hindu students in Karnataka styled with saffron scarves around their necks protested against Muslim girls continuing to wear Hijab to the college. Tensions also prevailed at some educational institutions in Udupi, Shivamogga, Bagalkote and other parts as incidents of stone-pelting and violence were reported from various parts of the state.

ISKCON opens doors of over 54 temples in Ukraine, comes to the rescue of stranded people

OpIndia Staff
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ISKCON opens doors of over 54 temples in Ukraine, comes to the rescue of stranded people

As tensions escalate in Ukraine, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has opened the temple doors for the people of the war-torn country.

Radharamn Das, the Vice-President of ISKCON, on Saturday said the ISKCON temples all over Ukraine are ready to serve people in need.

“Our devotees and temples are committed to serving those in distress. Our temple doors are open for service”, Radharamn Das said in a tweet.

Radharamn Das said that ISKCON has over 54 temples in Ukraine and added that the devotees and temples are trying to serve others in whatever way they can.

Radharamn said that the all the ISKCON devotees and all the 54 temples are safe.

In another tweet, Das said, “When life gives you lemons make lemonade. Our ISKCON devotees in Ukraine are, in fact one step ahead. When life throws lemons at them, they make lemonade and share it with others. In these difficult times, our devotees are busy serving others, risking their own lives”.

Das shared a video of Raju Gopal Das, a devotee of Kyiv’s Hare Krishna temple, who says, “The situation among the devotees is stable. Everyone is afraid and disturbed. We have prepared the temple for devotees.” 

“In the past also, during the Chechnya war, our devotees served those in distress, especially old people who are stranded in their flats and no one is there to take care of them. Risking their life, the ISCKON devotees have reached out to people. Many have even died serving during the Chechnya war. The same spirit is there during these difficult times, and the devotees are working out how best they can serve people stranded in war zones in Ukraine”, informed Radharamn Das.

Radharamn Das also informed that along with Ukraine, ISKCON in Hungary too has started food relief for Indian students. The Indian Embassy in Hungary has sought ISKCON’s help to provide for food to the Indian students stranded in the war-torn country.

Operation Ganga: India evacuates 710 students from Ukraine

Meanwhile, the Indian government successfully evacuated 710 Indian students from war-torn Ukraine through the Romanian border. Despite multiple advisories by the government to Indians to leave Ukraine in the lead-up to the full-scale invasion by Russia, about 18,000 students are still stranded in the Eastern European country.

As per reports, the Government of India has launched “Operation Ganga” to bring back stranded students from Ukraine.

The first evacuation flight of Air India, AIC 1944, touched down at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on Saturday night. The aircraft had taken off from the Henri Coanda International Airport, Bucharest, Romania, brought home 219 passengers, mostly students from India. On Saturday, the second flight from Bucharest took off for Delhi carrying 250 Indian nationals, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said.

The second flight from Bucharest has taken off for Delhi with 250 Indian nationals. According to the Minister of External Affairs, the second flight is expected to reach India on Sunday morning. A third flight carrying 240 Indian nationals has taken off from Budapest for Delhi, Dr Jaishankar added.

Social media platforms stop ads, tighten crackdown on Russia after it invades Ukraine: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Social media platforms stop ads, tighten crackdown on Russia after it invades Ukraine: Details

On Thursday (February 24), Russia launched a full-scale invasion in Ukraine, months after deploying over 1 lakh security forces at the border. Following this, social media giants initiated action against Russian State-owned media.

In a tweet on Saturday (February 26), Twitter informed, “We’re temporarily pausing advertisements in Ukraine and Russia to ensure critical public safety information is elevated and ads don’t detract from it.” It had also paused certain tweet recommendations for people in war-torn Ukraine and Russia to prevent the dissemination of abusive content.

Screengrab of the tweet by Twitter Safety

The micro-blogging site had also restricted the use of its services for ‘some people in Russia’ to ensure that the users are safe. “Our top priority is keeping people on Twitter safe. We’re actively monitoring for risks associated with the conflict in Ukraine, including identifying and disrupting attempts to amplify false and misleading information,” it emphasised.

Screengrab of the tweet by Twitter Safety

Facebook stops Russia from monetising State-owned news content

Head of Security Policy at Meta, Nathaniel Gleicher, announced on Saturday (February 26) that Facebook will stop Russia’s State-controlled media from running ads or monetising their content.

“We are now prohibiting Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on our platform anywhere in the world. We also continue to apply labels to additional Russian state media. These changes have already begun rolling out and will continue into the weekend,” he tweeted.

Screengrab of the tweet by Facebook’s Head of Security policy

“We are closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine and will keep sharing steps we’re taking to protect people on our platform,” he further added.

YouTube stops monetisation of Russia Today and other State-owned media outlets

On Saturday (February 26), Youtube announced that it will stop Russian State-owned media channels from monetising their content on the video streaming platform. The popular news outlet, Russia Today (RT), has thus been barred from making money through advertisements.

The decision came in the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and sanctions imposed by the European Union. Youtube has referred to the ongoing conflict as ‘extraordinary circumstances’ and reiterated that it will pause the monetisation capabilities of Russian State-owned media outlets.

At the same time, channels such as RT have been banned in Ukraine, following a request by their government. Spokesperson Farshad Sadloo said that Russian government propaganda will also feature less in recommendations.

“We intend to help Russians and the world to know the truth. I’ve contacted YouTube to block the propagandist Russian channels — such as Russia 24, TASS, RIA Novosti. If they are afraid of speaking the truth, so we should stop this flow of poisonous lies,” tweeted Ukranian Minister (Digital Transformation).

Earlier, users and lawmakers called on the social media giant to stop the Russian government from peddling misinformation and profiteering from Youtube. Reportedly, the Russian government made $7 million-$32 million from 26 Youtube channels between 2016 and December 2018.

Twitter refused to remove accounts of Islamist group Taliban

In August last year, Facebook had banned the Taliban and all content supporting it since it is considered a terrorist organisation under US Law. WhatsApp, a part of Facebook Inc, had also shut down a complaints helpline set up by the Taliban after it took control over Afghanistan. Similarly, video sharing platform YouTube had also said that it would ban accounts operated by the Taliban.

However, Twitter had refused to follow other social media platforms such as Facebook, and YouTube in prohibiting the Islamist group from using its platform. It had refused to suspend the accounts of the leaders associated with the Taliban. “Twitter’s top priority is keeping people safe, and we remain vigilant,” the social media giant had claimed.

“When your govt has not cooperated with us, why should we cooperate with you?” Ukraine puts Indian students in hostage-like situation at Poland border

OpIndia Staff
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“When your govt has not cooperated with us, why should we cooperate with you?” Ukraine puts Indian students in hostage-like situation at Poland border

While over 450 students have been evacuated from war-torn Ukraine, the latest reports suggest Ukraine has allegedly put Indian students in a hostage-like situation at the Poland border. A report in the Times of India quoted family members of stranded Indian students at the Poland border, saying that the Ukrainian Immigration Officials turned them back when they tried to enter Poland.

They said, “When your government has not cooperated with us, why should we cooperate with you.” Notably, the passport and travel documents of many students have been destroyed or lost during the chaos.

India had earlier abstained from voting at the UNSC resolution condemning Russia’s action agains Ukraine.

Ukrainian Ambassador had subtly and diplomatically threatened India using students as ‘leverage’

Earlier, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukrainian Ambassador to United Nations, had issued a subtle and diplomatic threat to India by saying that countries which abstained from voting should have thought before making a decision. Without naming India, the UAE or China, the three abstaining countries, the Ukrainian Ambassador at UNSC said, “It is exactly the safety of your nationals in Ukraine that you should be the first to vote to stop the war to save your nationals in Ukraine, and not to think that you should vote or not vote.”

Indian Embassy had advised students to coordinate before leaving

On February 26, the Indian Embassy had asked Indians, including students living in Ukraine, to stay put where they were and leave for borders only after coordinating with the Indian Embassy. The advisory read, “All Indian Citizens in Ukraine are advised to not move to any of the border posts without prior coordination with Government of India officials at the border posts (helpline numbers established) and the Emergency numbers of Embassy of India, Kyiv.”

It further read that the situation at various border checkpoints was sensitive, and the Embassy was working continuously with Indian Embassies in neighbouring countries to coordinate evacuation. However, it added, “Embassy is finding it increasingly difficult to help the crossing of those Indian nationals who reach border checkpoints without prior Intimation.”

The Wire, in a report, has quoted a student named Sahil stuck at Poland border saying, “Ukraine Border Guard is not allowing Indians to exit Ukraine. Poland Border Guard is being very helpful. But to no avail.”

Russia-Ukraine crisis

On February 24, Russia announced military action against Ukraine. The war-hit Ukraine has around 20,000 Indian nationals living there. The Indian government had issued advisories urging Indians to leave Ukraine multiple times before the war broke down between the two nations. The Indian embassies in Ukraine and bordering countries are coordinating to evacuate the Indian nationals as soon as possible. However, the Ukrainian officials are turning the Indians away, making it a hostage-like situation.

BJP President JP Nadda’s Twitter account restored after hackers take control, post appeal to donate crypto for Ukraine

OpIndia Staff
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BJP President JP Nadda’s Twitter account restored after hackers take control, post appeal to donate crypto for Ukraine

On February 27, the hackers took control of Bharatiya Janata Party’s President JP Nadda’s Twitter account. They posted a tweet seeking support for Ukraine via cryptocurrency. The tweet from the hackers read, “Stand with the people of Ukraine. Now accepting cryptocurrency donations. Bitcoins and Ethereum.”

Now-deleted tweet posted by hackers. Source: Twitter (image edited to blank out link posted by hackers)

The tweet had a message in Hindi and addresses to Bitcoin and Ethereum wallets. The tweet was posted at 9:52 AM. Within 10 minutes, another tweet was posted suggesting the account was hacked, and people should support Russia.

Now-deleted post by hackers. Source: Twitter

Soon after the second tweet, both tweets were deleted as it seems that JP Nadda’s team took back control of the account.

Government accounts were hacked previously

This is not the first time social media accounts of Indian leaders or agencies got hacked. Earlier, Sansad TV’s YouTube account was hacked on February 15. The account was temporarily terminated by YouTube and later restored.

In January this year, the Twitter account of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was hacked. The account was restored within minutes. Last year in December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Twitter account was hacked, and the hackers published a tweet alleging India officially adopted bitcoin as legal tender.

By the time this report was published, no official statement was released by JP Nadda’s office.

Godhra Carnage: When Islamist mob returned to kill more Hindus three hours after burning alive 59 passengers on 27 February 2002

Nirwa Mehta
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Godhra Carnage: When Islamist mob returned to kill more Hindus three hours after burning alive 59 passengers on 27 February 2002

27 February 2002: Remember the date. It was the day 59 Hindus returning from Ayodhya after performing karseva (voluntary labour) for the bhavya Ram Mandir.

A disputed structure often referred to as ‘Babri Masjid’ stood on the land where once a temple dedicated to Shri Ram was there. Shri Ram was born in Ayodhya and that was his janmabhoomi (birthplace). On 6 December 1992, the structure was demolished by Hindus. That led to largescale communal violence. As revenge, on 12 March 1993, serial bomb blasts took place in Mumbai. The Babri demolition has been a bone of contention and cause of communal discord for decades now.

It is a no brainer, hence that when 59 people, including women and children were burnt live on 27 February 2002 inside a train by a riotous Muslim mob, it was because they were returning from Ayodhya. A place where they wanted to build Ram Mandir. A place where ‘Babri Masjid’ stood. Those burnt alive were all Hindus.

Justice Nanavati Committee report [pdf] talks about how the Godhra carnage took place. Right after the Godhra platform and boundary, there is a road and a locality named ‘Signal Falia’. “It extends upto the culvert and goes further towards A cabin. It is a locality mainly inhabited by Ghanchi Muslims,” the report mentions. When the train had arrived, a lot of unauthorised vendors, mainly Ghanchi Muslims, would come on platform and sell snacks, cold drinks, bidis, etc.

The report further states that the train arrived at the platform at 7:43 AM as it was running about 5 hours late and there was a halt of about 5 minutes. In its evidence portion, the report cites media reports from 28th February 2002, the day after carnage, where leading mainstream media had reported that a mob has set Hindus on fire. They mentioned how Hindus were returning from karseva and how the mob set the train coaches on fire with petrol.

While the attack by the Muslim mob where 59 Hindus were burnt alive became the subject of several conspiracy theories peddled by the likes of Mukul Sinha, simply to save the riotous mob, even 20 years on, there are details of the carnage that are less spoken about. For example, while activists, NGOs and “secular” politicians tried to whitewash the burning alive of 59 Hindus, the less talked about aspect of what happened in 2002 is the fact that there was a second attack on Sabarmati Express only a few hours after the Hindus were burnt alive – the Muslim mob had come back to inflict more damage than they already had.

The second attack on Sabarmati Express no one talks about

After the first attack on the train that took place at 7:43 AM, administration got into action to make sure law and order and peace is maintained. 

The Nanavati-Mehta Commission then talks about the second attack that took place on the Hindus in the train by a 2,000-2,500 strong Muslim mob. 

RPF Commandant Pandey had rushed to Godhra and he said that when he reached near the train he had heard announcements made from the nearby mosque through a loud speaker. They were: “Kafiro ko mar dalo, Islam Khatre me Hai.” Soon, a mob of 1,000 people armed with swords and sticks arrived from Signal Falia side. He asked the mob to back off, but when they didn’t relent, he ordered his RPF men to open fire. Vikramsinh had fired 16 rounds from his carbine. H.C. Jhala had fired two rounds. Sub-Inspector Mr. Varma had fired 1 round from his pistol. Some rounds were fired by other policemen too. 

DY SP Simpi too had seen the mob of 2,000-2,500 people ready to attack the train again near the Ali Masjid. “At that time he had also heard announcements like “Islam Khatreme Hai, Maro, Kapo” coming from loud speakers of the Ali Masjid. He has stated that he can give the names of the injured policemen after seeing the record,” the committee report says.

PI Mehbubbeg Mirza, then a PI at CID, Vadodara, left for Godhra at 9:30 AM. He reported to Dy S.P. Simpi at about 11:20 and he asked to make the passengers sit in the train. While he was doing so, a mob of about 2500 to 3000 persons had come from the Signal Falia side. Persons therein were shouting ‘Chhod Do, Mar Dalo, Kat Dalo”. 

They were also throwing stones, he said. “He has stated that the mob which was seen coming from the Signal Falia side was trying to come near the train. When it was warned it was about 50 to 100 feet away from the train,” he had said. While PI Mirza had not heard the announcement from the mosque, he heard the people in the mob chanting similar slogans. 

Nanavati-Mehta Commission report thus states, “The Commission does not find any good reason for rejecting their evidence. It is of the view that the evidence given by these witnesses is quite reliable and deserves to be accepted. It clearly establishes that the attack by the mobs on the train between 11.00 a.m. and 11.45 a.m. did take place as stated by the witnesses. This incident though it had happened after burning of coach S/6 is relevant as it is connected with what happened earlier between 8.00 a.m. and 8.30 a.m.”

History forgotten will be repeated

When people speak about this, it is almost always about the ‘riots’. No one mentions the burning alive of 59 karsevaks. No one talks about how an Islamist mob got so violent that announcements were made from a masjid to kill the Hindus, the ones returning from Ayodhya. And when the carnage sometimes is still being talked about, very few are aware about the second attack that almost happened before the train with the karsevaks that managed to save themselves left the station.

That it was found by the Nanavati-Shah Commission, too, never made it to mainstream narrative.

Hindu lives, it seems, have always been expendable.

Here is a partial list of those Hindus who were burnt alive in the carnage. We are still trying to find the full list of the ones who perished that day, but let us not forget them.

1.  Nilimaben Prakashbhai Chaudagar, Ramol, Amdavad

2.  Jyotiben Bharatbhai Panchal, Maninagar, Amdavad

3.  Premaben Naranbhai Dabhi,Gita Mandir, Amdavad

4.  Jiviben Parambhai Dabhi,Gita Mandir, Amdavad

5.  Devkalaben Hariprasad Joshi,Chandlodiya, Amdavad

6.  Zaverbhai Jadavbhai Prajapati,Vastral Amdavad

7.  Mittalben Bharatbhai Prajapati, Maninagar, Amdavad

8.  Nitaben Harshadbhai Panchal, New Ranip, Amdavad

9.  Harshadbhai Hargovindbhai Panchal, New Ranip, Amdavad

10. Pratikshaben Harshadbhai Panchal, New Ranip, Amdavad

11. Niruben Navinchandra Brahmbhatt, Sanket society, Vadnagar

12. Chayaben Harshadbhai Panchal, New Ranip, Amdavad

13. Chiragbhai Ishwarbhai Patel, Vaghodiya, Vadodara

14. Sudhaben Girishchandra Rawal, Chandlodiya, Amdavad

15. Malaben Sharadbhai Mhatre, Ambavadi, Amdavad

16. Arvindaben Kantilal Shukla, Ramol, Amdavad

17. Umakant Govindbhai Makwana, Nava Naroda, Amdavad

18. Sadashiv Vithalbhai Jadhav, Sureliya Estate road, Amdavad

19. Maniben Dahyabhai Dave, Nava Naroda, Amdavad

20. Jesalkumar Manshukhbhai Soni, Vastral, Amdavad

21. Manshukhbhai Kanjibhai Soni, Vastral, Amdavad

22. Ratiben Shivpati Prasad, Municipal quarters, Vijay mills, Naroda, Amdavad

23. Jamnaprashad Ramashray Tiwari, Municipal quarters, Vijay mills, Naroda, Amdavad

24.Satish Ramanlal Vyas, Odhav, Amdavad

25. Shantaben Jashbhai Patel, Roon, Anand

26. Indiraben Banshibhai Patel, Roon, Anand

27. Rajeshbhai Sardarji Vaghela, Khokhra, Ahdavad

28. Shilaben Mafatbhai Patel, Roon, Anand

29. Manjulaben Kirtibhai Patel, Roon, Anand

30. Champaben Manubhai Patel, Roon, Anand

31. Diwaliben Raojibhai Patel, Matar, KHeda

32.Lalitaben Karansibhai Patel, Kadi, Mehsana

33. Manguben Hirjibhai Patel, Kadi, Mehsana

34. Prahladbhai Jayantbhai Patel, Ambika township, Patan

35. Bhimjibhai Karsanbhai Patel, Khedbrahma, Sabarkantha

36. Lakhubhai Hirajibhai Patel, Kubhadharol Kampa, Vadali, Sabarkantha

37. Vithalbhai Parshottambhai Patel, Dungerji ni Chali, Khokhra, Amdavad

38. Shailesh Ranchodbhai Panchal, Sankalp Park Society, Surendranagar

39. Amrutbhai Joitaram Patel, Gamanpura, Mehsana

40. Narendra Narayanbhai Patel, Vanpardi, Mandal, Amdavad

41. Ramanbhai Gangarambhai Patel, Nugar, Mehsana

The burnt coaches, S6 and S7 were separated by 11:30 AM and the train was reassembled. The train, with the passengers who were alive, left Godhra finally at 12:40 PM.

Remember these names so that the history is not repeated.

Haryana girl refuses to leave Ukraine, says will take care of landlord’s kids as he joins army to fight Russian invasion: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana girl refuses to leave Ukraine, says will take care of landlord’s kids as he joins army to fight Russian invasion: Report

A girl from Haryana, who is studying medicine in Ukraine, has reportedly refused to leave the war-torn country as she wants to take care of her landlord’s young kids.

A Facebook user named Savita Jakhar has penned an incredible story of a 17-year-old girl from Haryana who gave up her chance to get evacuated from Ukraine just to look after the three young kids of her landlord, who joined the Ukrainian forces to fight against advancing Russian troops.

According to a report by Tribune, the girl is identified as Neha, the daughter of an Indian Army soldier who lost his life a couple of years ago. Apparently, she got admitted to a medical college in Ukraine.

In her post, Savita said that Neha, one of her close friends’ daughters, is trapped in Kyiv amidst the ongoing conflict. She said that the girl did not find any space in the hostel as she went to study medicine in Ukraine. So she rented a room with a loving family with three children, Jakhar said in her post.

However, a day before yesterday, the father of children joined the army to fight the Russians, while the mother and her three children were sent to a bunker. The 17-year-old Haryana girl insisted that she travel with the family instead of returning to India.

“My friend tried hard to contact the embassy to get him out of there, but the girl does not want to come back, leaving those three children and their mother alone in such difficult times. Despite millions of efforts of mother, the girl is stubborn to stay there till the end of the war. I’m wondering what is encouraging that child to stand with that family in such difficult times?” wrote Savita in her post.

Speaking to The Tribune, Savita said that Neha’s family members and acquaintances are trying to persuade her to return to India, however, she has plainly and firmly refused to do so.

“We keep on hearing blasts outside, but we are fine so far,” she reportedly said to her family friend recently.

Savita, who belongs to Jhanswa village in the Jhajjar district of Haryana, is now a French national presently based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Operation Ganga: India evacuates 710 students from Ukraine

The Indian government successfully evacuated 710 Indian students from war-torn Ukraine through the Romanian border. Despite multiple advisories by the government to Indians to leave Ukraine in the lead-up to the full-scale invasion by Russia, about 18,000 students are still stranded in the Eastern European country.

As per reports, the first batch of 470 Indian students boarded a bus from the city of Chernivtsi to the Porubne-Siret border. Officials belonging to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) thereafter facilitated their travel from the Siret in Suceava County to the Romanian city of Bucharest for their onward journey to India.

The Government of India has launched “Operation Ganga” to bring back stranded students from Ukraine. The second flight from Bucharest has taken off for Delhi carrying 250 Indian nationals, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said on Saturday.

The first evacuation flight of Air India, AIC 1944, touched down at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on Saturday night. The aircraft had taken off from the Henri Coanda International Airport, Bucharest, Romania, brought home 219 passengers, mostly students from India.

The second flight from Bucharest has taken off for Delhi with 250 Indian nationals. According to the Minister of External Affairs, the second flight is expected to reach India on Sunday morning. A third flight carrying 240 Indian nationals has taken off from Budapest for Delhi, Dr Jaishankar added.

Fact Check: Old image of a food truck from Canada passed off as Sikhs offering Langar in Ukraine

OpIndia Staff
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Fact Check: Old image of a food truck from Canada passed off as Sikhs offering Langar in Ukraine

Amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a picture of a food truck operated by Sikhs has been doing the rounds on the internet. The claim that is being bandied about with the picture is that Sikhs are operating a ‘Langar’ and serving food to the embattled people in Ukraine in the midst of a war. 

Ukraine crisis
Source: Twitter

In the picture, a food truck could be seen, along with people who are eating food. On the food truck it is written: “Guru Nanak’s Langar, Good Bye Hunger.” 

The picture has gone viral on social media platforms, with a large number of netizens, including notable ones, sharing it to highlight how Sikhs are helping feed Ukrainians at a time when their country is under attack from the Russian forces. 

Anti-rape activist Yogita Bhayana shared the picture to claim the food truck is being operated in Ukraine. 

Ukraine crisis
Source: Twitter

Similarly, several other social media users took to Twitter to claim that Sikhs have started a ‘Langar’ in war-ravaged Ukraine. 

Ukraine crisis
Source: Twitter
Ukraine crisis
Source: Twitter
Ukraine crisis
Source: Twitter

The image went instantly viral on social media websites at a time when the situation on ground in Ukraine is precarious, with people fleeing towards safer locations in the wake of the Russian invasion.

Is the picture of a food truck operated by Sikhs from Ukraine?

Contrary to the claims made by social media that Sikhs are operating a ‘Langar’ through a food truck in Ukraine, it is, in reality, an old picture from Canada that is being passed off as recent. 

The picture is of Canada’s first free food truck, launched more than three years ago, in August 2018. The picture was shared by a social media user @WeTheSikhs on 6 August 2018.

“Canada’s first Free Food Truck – Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s LANGAR – Goodbye Hunger. Everybody is welcome here regardless of Faith, Gender, Age, Caste or Status,” the tweet by We The Sikhs said.

Russia launches ‘military operations’ against Ukraine

On Thursday (February 24), Russian President Vladimir Putin announced limited military operations against Ukraine. In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the special operation to be conducted in East Ukraine.

Putin had added explicitly that Moscow did not plan on occupying Ukraine. He said the military action he announced would seek to “demilitarise” and “denazify” Ukraine and came in response to threats from Ukraine.

According to Ukraine’s border guard agency, the Russian military entered the country from neighbouring Belarus. The Russian forces crossed Belarus to enter Ukraine from the North, said Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Northern border forces in Ukraine have come under attack by Russian troops.

On Friday, a day after Russia launched a full-scale invasion in Ukraine, the President of the Eastern European country, Volodymyr Zelensky, informed on Friday (February 25) that a total of 137 people (including civilians) were killed in Russian military strikes.

From playing the piano with his d**k to standing up to Russians: Meet former comedian and current Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

OpIndia Staff
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From playing the piano with his d**k to standing up to Russians: Meet former comedian and current Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Seen in olive-green military gear, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an appearance on social media on Friday to claim a Russian attack on the capital Kyiv has been repulsed. Through a series of social media posts, the 44-year-old Ukrainian president vowed to stay and fight the Russians, thus boosting the morale of Ukrainians.

“I am here. We will not lay down any weapons. We will defend our state because our weapons are our truth,” he declared, as he rejected allegations that he has surrendered or fled.

In 2019, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, one of the country’s most popular TV comedians, surprised the world by becoming Ukraine’s President. In his inaugural speech, Zelenskyy had made a similar speech saying, “We are not the ones who have started this war. But we are the ones who have to finish it.”

After occupying the office, the actor-comedian-turned-president promised a ceasefire in Donbas – a territory is occupied by pro-Russian groups. Almost three years after being in office, Zelenskyy is still fighting his own people in the name of fighting separatism in Eastern Ukraine.

Who is Zelenskyy and How did he become Ukraine President?

Perhaps, no one in the world would have predicted that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a popular TV comedian starring in a satirical TV show, would stand up to Russians someday in the future. Interestingly, Zelenskyy speaks Russian and is a Jew, a minority community in Ukraine.

For Zelenskyy, it all began with a satirical TV show – “Servant of the People”, in which he played a character named Vasily Goloborodko, a mid-30s high school teacher who wakes up one morning to realise that he has been elected the country’s president. Through his show, Zelenskyy and his comedy troupe satirised the issue of corruption in Ukraine and depicted what Ukraine could look like when it evolves into a democracy.

In one of his shows, Zelenskyy was seen playing the piano with his penis for over five minutes.

Zelenskyy’s fictional character – a high school teacher who suddenly becomes the president of the country and fights corruption, resonated with the masses. Incidentally, the show was released a year after the massive protests in 2014, which led to the ouster of former President Viktor Yanukovych.

The pro-Russian Yanukovych government was overthrown after refusing to sign a deal with the European Union. As the Russians feared losing its influence in Ukraine, Russia annexed Crimea, prompting pro-Russian supporters to rebel in eastern Ukraine.

During the crisis period in Ukraine, Zelenskyy’s show “Servant of the People” catalysed the people of Ukraine against the corrupt government. As a result, he became a household hero in Ukraine, landing him in the president’s seat. Zelenskyy’s campaign was focused on ending corruption.

Zelenskyy during one of his shows in Ukraine/ Image Source: New York Post

Zelenskyy won the presidential election in a landslide victory. It is alleged that Zelenskyy’s campaign was sponsored by one of Ukraine’s wealthiest and most corrupt oligarchs – Igor Kolomoisky. Considered a puppet of the oligarch Kolomoisky, Zelenskyy tried turning his image as a crusader against oligarchs. To gain support from the Ukrainians, Zelenskyy also transformed his image from being a native Russian-speaker brought up in pro-Russian eastern Ukraine into more of a nationalist.

At present, Zelensky is now at the centre of a new war in Europe and Russia’s number one enemy. Yet, in a short period, Zelenskyy has proven to be a man of mettle as he has now taken the fight to the mighty Russian President Vladimir Putin. At a time when the western countries, the self-proclaimed champions of the free world and the champions of democracy, turn their back on the Ukrainian people, Zelenskyy has stood by fellow countrymen to fight the Russians, who are just 30 kilometres outside Kyiv.

No one knows the future of Ukraine yet. What happens to Zelenskyy’s fate once the Russians capture the cities of Ukraine is also uncertain. But, the actor-comedian-politician Volodymyr Zelenskyy has now emerged as a hope for the Ukrainians, who have now rallied around him to fight the most decisive battles of their lives.

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