Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Home Blog Page 731

ED raids residence of former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, PMLA investigation ongoing as per HC order to CBI

Sanghamitra
-
0
ED raids residence of former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, PMLA investigation ongoing as per HC order to CBI

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) carried out raids at the residence of former principal of RG Kar medical college and hospital, Sandip Ghosh, among othre places in Kolkata in a case pertaining to the financial irregularities in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

ED had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe money laundering charges against Sandip Ghosh in the financial irregularities case.

Ghosh is presently in the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

On Wednesday, Sandip Ghosh filed a petition in the Supreme Court against a Calcutta High Court decision that ordered the CBI to probe into the graft case against him.

His plea has been listed on September 6 before a bench led by Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud.

The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Dr Sandip Ghosh on September 2.

Dr Ghosh was under investigation for alleged corruption and financial irregularities at the college and hospital, following a directive from a single bench of the Calcutta High Court, which ordered the CBI to probe the matter.

He was sent to 8-day police custody on Tuesday.

On August 24, following the orders of the Calcutta High Court, an official FIR was registered by the CBI against Ghosh on the alleged corruption case. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) of Kolkata also suspended the membership of former Sandip Ghosh amid a CBI probe into the corruption case.

Earlier on August 26, the CBI also concluded a second round of polygraph tests on Dr Ghosh as part of their investigation into the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the institution.

The Calcutta High Court has granted the CBI three weeks to submit a progress report on the investigation, which is to be presented on September 17.

The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.


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

Arts, science, mathematics, all flourished for a 1000 years, then most powerful republic drowned in ‘caste politics’: Will those doing politics on caste census learn from history

सुधीर गहलोत
-
0
Arts, science, mathematics, all flourished for a 1000 years, then most powerful republic drowned in ‘caste politics’: Will those doing politics on caste census learn from history

The issue of caste census is quite a popular topic in India right now. The opposition is planning to use Caste Census as a Brahmastra against ruling NDA alliance. Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly threatened that Caste Census will have to be done at any cost. At the same time, Lalu Yadav’s party RJD of Bihar is also trying to link this census with caste identity, which can prove fatal for democracy.

The former RJD-JDU government of Bihar also conducted a caste survey in Bihar and on the basis of that, the limit of caste reservation in Bihar was raised to 65 percent. However, this was rejected by the court. Now, Tejashwi Yadav of RJD and Rahul Gandhi of Congress are asking for this caste census in the entire country.

If caste census is conducted, and on that basis the government makes welfare policies for the people, then it will be a very commendable step for society and democracy. Robert Dahl has also said, “The chances of a stable democracy in a country are better if its citizens and leaders strongly support democratic ideas, values ​​​​and practices.”

However, the way caste calculations are being linked to caste identity to gain power is spreading animosity and bitterness in the society. The way this controversy is being fueled in the country, this step can prove to be dangerous in a country like India. Looking at the ambitions of some politicians at present, it can prove to be a divider rather than an attempt of uniting society.

American politician, lawyer, diplomat, writer John Adams said about 250 years ago, “I do not say that democracy has been more harmful than monarchy or aristocracy overall and in the long run. Democracy has never been and cannot be as durable as aristocracy or monarchy. But, as long as it lasts, it is more bloody than both. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon gets ruined, gets tired and kills itself. There has not been a democracy yet that has not committed suicide.”

Although this idea by thinkers like John Adams may be in the context of Western civilization, where the modern democracy or republic emerged only in the 17th century, India is different in this case. India, especially Bihar, where the seed of caste census was sown, had already spread the tree of democracy centuries ago, which is an important part of today’s major global political system. But, in some cases this statement by Adams is accurate.

In India, about 2600 years ago, the Licchavi Republic emerged in the land of Bihar. It was a part of the Vajji Sangha. This republic had plurality like today’s India. This republic flourished a lot, but eventually internal disputes and conflicts for power started increasing among each republic clan and finally it collapsed.

In fact, next to the Magadh Empire was the Licchavi Republic. Its capital was Vaishali (Bihar). The system of governance here was in the form of Gana or Sangha. This union consisted of about 8 clans, which were called Ashtakul. This union was spread as far as Nepal. The chiefs of all these states, which are called Mahajanapadas, i.e. kings, used to participate in it.

There is a detailed discussion about this in the Buddhist religious text ‘Digha Nikaya’. These kings used to gather in the assembly and discuss the economic, social, political, and strategic aspects of the republic and unanimously work for the welfare of the republic. However, all the 16 republics and monarchies including Licchavi, were headed by Kshatriyas (Rajputs). These also include republics of Shakya, Chedi etc.

During that time, the ruler of the Magadh Empire, Ajatashatru, planned to attack the Licchavi republic. He met Lord Buddha to seek advice along with his minister Vassakar. However, Lord Buddha did not allow this. In this way, the Licchavi republic had become so powerful that no state could conquer it even if it wanted to.

Commenting on the future of the Licchavi republic, Buddha had told his favourite disciple Anand, “As long as they (the clan heads of the Licchavi republic) sit together in their assemblies and take decisions, solve problems through mutual consultation, create consensus, respect their elders, their republic will survive.”

This way, this state continued for about 1000 years. During this time, the states included in this union progressed in every field. Art, literature, knowledge, science, Ayurveda, medicine, philosophy, mathematics, etc. developed a lot. The mutual power of small states made the Licchavi republic invincible. However, mutual conflicts later weakened it.

Guruswami writes in one of his articles, “The king or chief of the republic was always a Kshatriya… The Licchavi, who ruled the Kathmandu Valley in present-day Nepal and a large part of North Bihar, were governed by an assembly of about 7,000 family heads.” In the Licchavi Republic, three main officials worked together – the ruling chief, the deputy chief, and the army chief.

The 8 Mahajanapadas of Licchavi, Chedi, Shakya etc. in the form of the Vajji Sangha were very powerful. However, being a republic, their chiefs used to move forward unanimously on matters of national importance like war, but there used to be frequent tussles between them regarding internal politics and system. The story was the same in the Licchavi, Shakya, Chedi republics.

It is said that the Licchavi Republic included the heads of 7000 elite families, which included people from every class, from traders to the elite.

This led to ideological divisions in these republics. Along with ideological divisions, the power struggle also deepened in them. All this was the result of giving importance only to one’s own class instead of the nation. The result was that all these republics including Licchavi started paying special attention to protecting their power. This made their monarchical neighbours like Magadha and Kosala keep a close eye on them.

Licchhavis became weak due to mutual conflicts and struggles. The mother of democracy had now become weak. Eventually, the Licchavi were defeated in the war with the Magadh Empire. Magadha absorbed all the Janapadas and Mahajanapadas one by one. In this way, the Licchavis and the Vajjis were destroyed in 16 conflicts. Later, it was finally destroyed during the Gupta Empire.

The main reason for the fall of other republics, including Licchavi, was that apart from internal power struggles and the attempt by the influential group to control the throne, their commitment to democratic rule decreased over time. The internal power struggle weakened the unity and collective decision making process of the Licchavi. This paved the way for more autocratic and centralized forms of governance.

The Licchavi republic, which gave the world its first democracy, was weakened and destroyed due to power struggle, and preference for own faction over the nation. Today’s modern politics needs to learn from this. The current system needs to learn that the influence of a faction in power makes it autocratic. Discontent arises in an autocratic society and ultimately ensures its downfall.

In today’s politics, there is a power struggle going on between factions in the name of caste census. In this caste census, no leader said that a survey should be done to find out how many families have been left behind in the development process, and their number should be counted. Rich and poor cannot be determined in today’s society on the basis of caste.

No politician said how many such families are there in this country who are not getting two square meals a day. How many families are there who are not getting health-education. Every political party has said only this that caste census should be done so that it can be ascertained what is the population of castes so that reservation system can be implemented in proportion to that.

This demand is impractical and dangerous for integrity. As we have seen that in other republics including Licchavi, when the influence of a clan (caste in today’s context) increased, then it started thinking about the right to power. On the basis of caste census, more reservation is being demanded for backward classes.

At the same time, from time to time there is a demand to add other castes in backward classes. Other castes are also added to these castes for gaining power, but they do not get the benefit of it, because the castes in these classes which have become rich and capable take advantage of it themselves. This creates the danger of increasing mutual differences and conflicts.

There should be caste census, but it should be for the welfare of the people standing at the lowest level. This should be done to find out how many people belong to each caste in the country and what percent of them are poor and incapable, so that the capable and rich people who take full advantage of that class can be excluded to let the poor and needy benefit. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, who call themselves protectors of democracy, should understand its seriousness.

Called me daughter but raped and groomed me to be sex-slave: Malayalam actress Sowmya’s shocking allegations on Tamil director

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Called me daughter but raped and groomed me to be sex-slave: Malayalam actress Sowmya’s shocking allegations on Tamil director

The slew of claims of sexual assault and rape that have rocked the Malayalam film industry is now reverberating in Tamil Nadu as well. Malayalam actress Sowmya, whose real name is Sujata, has accused a Tamil film director of severe mental, physical, and sexual abuse including sticking a rod into her genitalia for “entertainment.” She described being “groomed as a sex slave” by the director whose identity she has chosen to withhold at this time in an interview with NDTV.

Sowmya stated that the film director, who had approached her with his wife when she was eighteen, had subjected her to mental anguish by referring to her as his “daughter” and expressing that he desired a child with her. She apparently shared the man’s name with the Kerala government’s special police unit, which is looking into other accusations of suspected sexual assault in the Kerala film industry popularly known as Mollywood.

“I was 18 and in my first year of college. I came from a very sheltered background and my parents knew nothing about movies. This opportunity (to act in a Tamil film) came through my college theater contact. As a child I was enamored by the actor Revathy, who lived near my house at that time. I was in a fantasy world. So I went for a screen test with this couple. I was a child, I didn’t know much,” Sowmya recounted.

She said that the director had told Sowmya’s father they had spent a lot of money on her screen test and implied that her family had been coerced into allowing her to act. Then followed Sowmya’s warning signs. “I said I wasn’t comfortable with the man. I said this at my first meeting,” however, she felt “obligated” to perform in the cinematic venture.

“During the first outdoor shoots he didn’t speak to me. The agreement was that his wife would be the director but that was on paper, in reality he was directing the whole movie and so I was under his control. He gave me the ‘angry silent treatment’ like a lot of men are used to doing and because of our conditioning in patriarchy about authority figures, particularly intimidating men who express anger very easily, I was very scared,” Sowmya narrated her distressing experience.

She then disclosed how she was “groomed” by the guy who pretended to be her father and whose own daughter had left after accusing him of sexual assault. Sowmya added, “But they told me she (the couple’s daughter) was lying. So they brought me into their home. I was a teenager who was rebellious at home and suddenly this couple was nice to me, bribing me with good food and milkshakes and telling me good things. That was the grooming process. He knew fully well what he was doing.”

The actress described the horrible events that unfolded later. “One fine day, when his wife wasn’t around, this man while calling me his daughter, kissed me. I completely froze. I was so desperate to tell my friends but couldn’t. I was ashamed, thinking I had done something wrong and that I was obligated to be nice to this man. So I continued going for practice, for dance rehearsals. Every day I went back and gradually, step by step, this man completely used my body to his advantage. At one point, he forced himself on me and he raped me. This went on for close to a year while I was in college”, Sowmya said.

Sowmya maintained that during this period, the man called her his “daughter” on several occasions and conveyed his desire to have a child with her. “He messed with my brain,” she said. In the 1990s, Sowmya starred in three successful Malayalam films. Speaking on the current sexual assault allegations in Mollywood after the Hema committee report was published, she mentioned, “A co-star who sexually abused me has now been named in the Hema Committee report. Directors, actors, and technicians abused me. There were also rights violations. One person spat on me.”

All this happened without her consent. “It took 30 years for me to heal and recover from this sense of shame. I encourage survivors to report all such abuse,” she said.

Accusations of sexual assault and rape, directed towards prominent Malayalam actors and filmmakers such as Ranjith, have been flooding in since the Justice Hema Committee report was made public last month. On 3rd September, Malayalam movie star Nivin Pauly, a film producer and four others, including a woman were booked after a female alleged in a complaint that she was repeatedly sexually abused at a hotel in Dubai last year after the former promised her a role in a film. However, Nivin Pauly dismissed the allegations. Gang-rape and other charges have been mentioned in the First Information report (FIR).

Several lawsuits have been filed against well-known actors, including Mukesh, an actor turned politician who is also an MLA from Communist Party of India (Marxist) party. The executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) was also dissolved and all 17 members of the committee, including president and senior actor Mohanlal submitted their resignation as allegations of sexual abuse and misbehaviour were raised against its members and office-bearers.

For me, Dharavi is not just about urban renewal, it is about restoring dignity to over one million residents: Gautam Adani

ANI
-
0
For me, Dharavi is not just about urban renewal, it is about restoring dignity to over one million residents: Gautam Adani

Adani Group Founder and Chairman Gautam Adani on Tuesday mentioned the Dharavi Redevelopment Project during a speech in a Mumbai college and said it is not just about “urban renewal” but “restoring dignity to over one million residents of our country”.

Addressing the students at Jai Hind College, Mumbai, Gautam Adani extended greetings to the teachers on Teachers Day.

“I wish Happy Teachers Day to all the teachers present here…I find it fascinating that 75 years ago, two visionary professors from DJ Sindh College in Karachi laid the foundation for these institutions in two small rooms. Despite the immense challenges and human displacement during the partition of our country, they envisioned a future where the power of education could heal and unite,” he said.

“I stand here today, humbled and thankful, having been invited by Vikram Nankani to share my experiences from this historic platform. Just as Jai Hind College was built on the principle of breaking boundaries and creating new possibilities, the theme of my talk will focus on the inspirations that allowed me to overcome my own boundaries,” he added.

Gautam Adani said that every nation has its transformative years that change the direction of its future.

“Every nation has its transformative years that change the direction of its future. 1947 was about a free India. 1991 was about the liberalisation of our businesses. And in 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the essence of freedom was further accelerated as reforms and decisive governance took centre stage. All these years stand as turning points, each building on the other in India’s remarkable journey,” he said.

He asserted that the future belongs to those who dare to see beyond the present, who recognise that today’s limits are tomorrow’s starting points.

He talked about the development of Mundra port, the largest commercial port in India with state-of-the-art infrastructure and largest coal import terminal.

“In 1995, the Gujarat government announced its port-led industrial development plan through public-private partnerships. Around that time, we had been approached by the global commodities trader Cargill. It was a proposal to partner for manufacturing and sourcing salt from the Kutch region. While the partnership did not materialize, we were left with about 40,000 acres of marshy land and approval to build a captive jetty at Mundra for the export of salt,” he said.

“What others saw as marshy barren land, we saw as a canvas waiting to be transformed. That canvas is now by far our nation’s largest port! Mundra became my karmabhoomi and made my vision a reality a powerful testimony to the fact what you dream, you create, and what you think, you become. Mundra today hosts India’s largest port, the largest industrial Special Economic Zone, the largest container terminals, the largest thermal power plant, the largest solar manufacturing facility, the largest copper plant, and the largest edible oil refinery. And yet, we’re only about 10 per cent of what Mundra will eventually become. It stands as a living monument to the power of integrated business models and the strategic value of adjacencies challenging the very concept of core competencies that the west advocates,” he added.

Mundra port provides multimodal connectivity and is a deep-draft, all-weather port.

Gautam Adani said over the years he learnt a vital lesson that the “bigger your bets, bigger are the boundaries you break and bigger the boundaries you break, lesser is the competition”.

He spoke of Khavda in Kutch, one of the world’s most inhospitable deserts, now transformed into the world’s biggest Renewable Energy installation, spanning several hundred square kilometres. He then spoke of “world’s most complex redevelopment project” in Mumbai’s Dharavi.

“Khavda is not just another project it is a vision. Already generating more than 3,000 MW of clean energy – and on track to reach 30 GW in the next five years there is no parallel to Khavda today. For us, Khavda is a symbol of national pride capturing the philosophy of everything that the Adani Group as a company stands for,” he said.

“Or consider the world’s most complex redevelopment project in Mumbai’s Dharavi, where we are transforming the world’s largest slum over the next decade to create an unmatched ecosystem of sustainable living. For me, Dharavi is not just about urban renewal. It is about restoring dignity to over one million residents of our country. It is about the possibilities when you dare to dream big and act with purpose,” he added.

Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRPPL), a joint venture between the Adani Group and the Government of Maharashtra, announced that eligible residential tenements in Dharavi, will get flats with independent kitchens and toilets measuring a minimum 350 square feet (sq ft), which is 17 per cent more and the highest among slum redevelopment projects in Mumbai.

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

Bangladesh: Police had to declare blasphemy-accused Hindu boy dead to satisfy bloodthirsty Muslim mob, hospitalisation announced after videos went viral

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Bangladesh: Police had to declare blasphemy-accused Hindu boy dead to satisfy bloodthirsty Muslim mob, hospitalisation announced after videos went viral

Hindu youth Utsab Mandal, who was beaten by a mob over blasphemy allegations in Khulna in Bangladesh, is alive, said the Directorate of Inter Services Public Relations of the country. A statement issued by ISPR said that Utsab Mandal is being treated at a hospital under army supervision and is out of danger.

It has also been reported that to disperse the bloodthirsty mob, announcements were made from loudspeakers of nearby mosques announcing that the Hindu youth had died, after which the mob retreated.

The ISPR issued the statement after several media houses reported that the college student was killed by the mob after snatching him from the police and the army. The directorate said that Mandal was rescued alive by the efforts of armed forces and then admitted to hospital. The army asked the people to not believe in rumours circulating on social media claiming that the youth was dead.

The statement issued by ISPR states that after Utsab Mandal is released from hospital, he will be handed over to law enforcement agencies as he is booked in a blasphemy case. Referring to the attempt to lynch him by an Islamist mob, the statement said that the Bangladesh army is always committed to preventing extrajudicial killings and upholding the rule of law.

Notably, Utsab Mandal was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad on social media, and students of Khulna’s Azam Khan Government Commerce College took him to the office of Khulna Metropolitan Deputy Commissioner (South) on 4th September at around 8 PM.

But in the meantime, as the word spread about the incident, a large mob gathered at the spot, demanding that the Hindu boy be handed over to them. The mob of 3000-5000 people surrounded the office, calling for instant justice. Deputy Police Commissioner Tazul said police had assured the mob that a case would be filed against Utsab and that he would be brought to justice through legal means.

But the mob didn’t agree, and assaulted him, leaving him critically injured. Army and Navy personnel arrived at the scene to control the situation. But despite the presence of police, army and navy forces, the mob managed to break into the DCP office and attacked Utsab Mandal who was held by the police.

After the brutal assault, it was assumed that he had died as he was lying on the ground seemingly lifeless. However, the armed forces rescued him and rushed to the hospital. Now ISPR has confirmed that Mandal is out of danger.

As per reports, police got announcements made from mosque loudspeakers that Utsab has died, in an attempt to disperse the violent mob and restore order. That is the reason why initial reports said that he was lynched by the mob. However, later many of the reports by Bangladeshi media were removed from their portals.

However, the Hindu student will still face legal action as a case has been registered against him over the alleged blasphemous social media post against the prophet. ISPR said that legal procedure has been initiated against him for hurting religious sentiments, and he will be handed over to police subject to his health.

Pakistan, recently humiliated by Bangladesh at home, likely to shift home Test series against England to Sri Lanka or UAE

ANI
-
0
Pakistan, recently humiliated by Bangladesh at home, likely to shift home Test series against England to Sri Lanka or UAE

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to consider alternatives such as Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for hosting Pakistan’s Test series against England, according to Geo News.

In Jason Gillespie’s first assignment as Test head coach of Pakistan, the Shan Masood-led team hit rock bottom after enduring a whitewash against Bangladesh on their home soil.

During the two-match Test series, PCB had to shift the second Test to Rawalpindi, which was originally scheduled to be held in Karachi. Due to the ongoing construction work in Karachi National Stadium for next year’s Champions Trophy, it was not viable to host the second Test in Karachi.

As Karachi National Stadium, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, and the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium continue to go under renovation work for the marquee event; it could be possible that Masood and his side would have to play in Sri Lanka or the UAE.

Pakistan will host England for a three-match Test series, which is a part of the ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. The first of the three Tests will begin on October 7 in Multan.

The second Test will be played in Karachi, beginning on October 15, and the third red-ball clash is scheduled in Rawalpindi on October 24.
If PCB hosts the three-match Test series in the UAE, Abu Dhabi will be the only option due to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. The cricket extravaganza fest is set to take place in Dubai and Sharjah from October 3 to 20.

Pakistan will be keen to bounce back after their recent slump against Bangladesh. Pakistan dropped to eighth position in the ICC Test rankings, their lowest ranking in the format since 1965, barring the period where they did not have a place in the rankings due to an insufficient number of matches.

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

Austrian youth known as Islamist by agencies shot dead after he opened fire near Israeli consulate in Munich on the anniversary of Munich Olympics massacre

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Austrian youth known as Islamist by agencies shot dead after he opened fire near Israeli consulate in Munich on the anniversary of Munich Olympics massacre

On Thursday (5th September), police in Munich, Germany, shot and killed a man who was carrying a long-barrelled gun after an exchange of fire near a museum dedicated to the city’s Nazi history and the Israeli Consulate. The shooting occurred on the 52nd anniversary of the massacre at the Munich Olympics on the 5th of September 1972. The police said that there were no other suspects in the incident.

The man has been identified by police as an 18-year-old Austrian national, who travelled to Germany recently and lived in the Salzburg area. As per reports, he was known to the security authorities as an Islamist. 

“Police officers spotted a person who appeared to be carrying a firearm. The emergency services used their service weapons and the person was hit and injured,” Munich Police said on X. The suspect was armed with an older long gun when he was shot on Karolinenplatz, a square near the Israeli consulate and a Nazi documentation centre.

Later, the police said that “despite the all-clear, the police operation on site continues. The focus is currently on forensic work in particular. At the so-called witness collection point, colleagues speak to potential witnesses. Therefore, the traffic closures remain active.”

A Munich Police spokesperson said: “It was a male person and we know that he acted here with a long-barrelled gun. Due to the intervention of the police, the perpetrator was stopped and probably died at the scene.”

The incident took place on the 52nd anniversary of the attack on Israeli athletes during the Munich Olympics in 1972. However, no link has been established between the anniversary and the shooting.

According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the consulate has been closed for a ceremony commemorating the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 Munich Massacre, in which 11 Israeli athletes were killed by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September during the Olympic Games. No consulate employees were injured in the attack.

Talya Lador, the Israeli Consul General in southern Germany, stated on social media that the occurrence demonstrated the dangers of increasing antisemitism.

“We are very grateful to @PolizeiMuenchen for their actions and cooperation. This event shows how dangerous the rise of anti-Semitism is. It is important that the general public raises its voice against it. Our Consulate General was closed today to commemorate 52 years since the terrorist attack at the Olympic Games,” Lador said.

Notably, in the 1972 Munich Massacre at the Munich Olympics by Palestinian terrorists, 11 Israeli athletes, a West German police officer and five of the Palestinian terrorists were killed.

PM Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission saves 60,000-70,000 infant lives every year, finds new study

OpIndia Staff
-
0
PM Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission saves 60,000-70,000 infant lives every year, finds new study

A recent study showed that the Swachh Bharat Mission initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been instrumental in saving the lives of 60,000 to 70,000 infants annually.

“Toilet construction under the Swachh Bharat Mission and infant mortality in India,” a study conducted by Suman Chakrabarti, Soyra Gune, Tim A. Bruckner, Julie Strominger and Parvati Singh has been published in the Nature magazine. It underlined that toilet construction under the Swachh Bharat program brought down the rates of infant and under-five mortality in the country.

Swachh Bharat: A landmark public health initiative

In 2014, soon after assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission initiative to eliminate open defecation through the construction of over 100 million household toilets across India. Data on all Indian states and Union Territories, covering 640 districts, from 2011 to 2020, has been used in the recently published study.

This study aims to assess the impact of this mega sanitation program on the health of children. The authors have concentrated on district percentage share of households receiving toilets under the program, showing a clear-cut association between improved access to sanitation and reduced infant mortality.

The study identified Swachh Bharat as an exception because it integrated toilet construction with community engagement, hygiene education, and robust monitoring mechanisms. The approach thus provided greater access not only to toilets but also encouraged people to change their lifestyles to reduce their exposure to harmful pathogens, which resulted in a drop in infant and child mortality.

Key findings: The sharp fall in infant mortality

This paper estimates the impact of toilet construction on Infant Mortality Rates (IMR) and Under-5 Mortality Rates (U5MR) using a two-way fixed-effects regression model. It found that districts where 30% of households received toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission had a reduction of 5.3 infant deaths and 6.8 under-5 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting the consequence of improved sanitation on child survival rates.

In addition, open defecation exposes people in the open to a wide range of faecal pathogens that bring about infections such as diarrhoea, which is fatal for infants and young children. Access to toilets under the program reduced these health risks, showing the importance of sanitation to public health, especially in low-income and middle-income countries.

Robust findings supported by several tests

Various robustness checks were performed to test the reliability of the study’s findings such as placebo and falsification tests which were conducted to determine that the observed mortality reductions were related to the sanitation improvements, not unrelated factors. For example, when separating interventions such as antenatal care visits or maternal education, the study did not find a significant impact on mortality.

It also found evidence of the threshold effect on infant and child mortality rates which were much lower when at least 30% of households in a district had toilets. These findings supported other recent studies indicating critical thresholds for the health gains of sanitation improvements.

Broader implications for public health

The study recommended that programs such as Swachh Bharat Mission hold transformative potential to bring equity in health outcomes among children. Similar initiatives might prove to be enormously useful in several other low-income and middle-income countries with high rates of infant mortality caused by unsanitary conditions.

The researchers indicated that the success of the program was not restricted to infrastructure provisions; it manifested community participation and changing behaviour. Similarly, continuous monitoring also made this scheme unique from earlier initiatives in this country.

Challenges and Future Directions

The study also acknowledged several challenges, such as concerns about the actual utilisation of the toilets built and the sustainability of the behaviour changes over the long term. Several such reports pointed out that socio-economic and cultural factors affected toilet adoption, influencing the gross impact of the program.

There is also the continuing need to maintain the level of sanitation and extend access further, particularly to those disadvantaged areas.

The research established that the Swachh Bharat Mission has saved approximately 60,000 to 70,000 infant lives every year in India. This drastically cut down on the infant and child mortality rates, and underlining large-scale sanitation drives improving results on public health parameters. Its success, with it being among the largest such sanitation programs around the world, accrues key lessons for other similarly placed countries.

Delhi riots were result of deep-rooted conspiracy by groups like Pinjra Tod, AAZMI, SIO, SFI & others, everything was pre-planned: Prosecution tells court

ANI
-
0
Delhi riots were result of deep-rooted conspiracy by groups like Pinjra Tod, AAZMI, SIO, SFI & others, everything was pre-planned: Prosecution tells court

Delhi Police on Thursday began its arguments on framing of charges against accused persons in the larger conspiracy of Delhi riots 2020. It was submitted that Delhi riots were a result of a deep-rooted conspiracy hatched after the Citizenship Amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament on December 4, 2019.

The Karkardooma Court started hearing arguments on charges against the accused persons, namely Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Tahir Hussain, Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, Gulfisha Fatima, Safoora Zargar, Ishrat Jahan, Meran Haider, Asif Iqbal Tanha, and others.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad, during his submissions, also referred to the charge sheet and contended that in this entire conspiracy, there were various organisations like Pinjra Tod, AAZMI, SIO, SFI, etc., through individuals that participated in protests and violent activities.

The prosecution referred to WhatsApp groups, chats, and witness statements to support their claims. He also referred to the statements of witnesses.

The conspiracy aimed to disrupt the city by holding protests and chakka jaam (road blockages) in Muslim-majority areas, leading to violence against police and non-Muslims. As part of the conspiracy, 23 protest sites (against CAB) were created in Muslim majority areas.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sameer Bajpai adjourned the further arguments by Delhi police till Friday. The court has listed the bail application of Saleem Khan for hearing on Monday.

During his arguements, SPP Amit Prasad submitted that there was a conspiracy to disrupt the city by holding disruptive Chakka jaam in Delhi that would lead to violence.

Earlier, it was also submitted that before the riots of February 2020, another riot took place in December 2019 on a lower scale but with similar characters and modus operandi.

SPP also submitted that the protest was not organic but was created under a planned conspiracy and given the facade of an organic protest.

He also stated that the conspiracy with Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalidformation of JACT, DPSG, and JCC and other aspects mentioned in the charge sheet. It was also submitted by him that not only was the protest shown to be secular and organic but also women-driven.

It was also argued that the sequence of events clearly shows how everything was planned, organised, and well thought of. The women and children from Jahangir Puri to Jafrabad via Shaheen Bagh. The date was intentionally chosen when Donald Trump, President of the United States of America,, was to come to Delhi.

Delhi Police also cited the DPSG WhatsApp chat to highlight the conduct of the accused persons during and after the riots, including the flurry of calls and deletion of the group.

Statements of various witnesses, including protected witnesses, were read along with the major aspects of the charge sheet, including the conspiratorial meetings, to highlight how the riots were engineered by completely blocking the entry and exist point for the North East Delhi.

The video shows how the CCTV cameras installed in the Chand Bagh area were systematically dislocated so that the footage of riots could not be found.

The prosecution has already alleged that the conspiracy began after the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) by the Cabinet on 04.12.2019. It continued to develop and culminated in the horrific riots on 24th February 2020 in North-East Delhi. The first person who acts after 4th of December 2019 is accused Sharjeel Imam when Muslims Students of JNU is formed on 05/06 December 2019 and propagates the idea of disruptive chakkajam.

It has also been alleged that in the night of 5/6.2019, a WhatsApp group of Muslim Students of JNU were formed with Sharjeel Imam being its main member. Umar Khalid was also a member of the said group.

It is also alleged that United Against Hate (UAH) organised a protest at Jantar Mantar on 07.12.2019, and Sharjeel Imam joined the protest. Sharjeel Imam wanted to rope in students of Jamia, DU, AMU, etc. UAH conducted an agitation at Jantar Mantar on 7.12.2019, which was attended by Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Yogender Yadav and others.

As per prosecution, idea of chakkajam emerges here. Though stated, it is an inference of prosecution only that Umar Khalid introduced Sharjeel Imam to Yogender Yadav.

After the said meeting, Sharjeel Imam posted a message on 07.12.2019 on core members of MSJ regarding media collaboration, call, and protest. On 07.12.2019 itself, Sharjeel Imam had a chat with Arshad Warsi (SOJ) regarding a big mobilisation. A meeting took place at the Jungpura office on 08.12.2019, which was attended among others by Yogender Yadav, Umar Khalid, Sharjeel, and Khalid Saifi.

It is also alleged that Nadeem Khan and Sharjeel Imam were in continuous touch with each other. Sharjeel Imam visited Aligarh Muslim University on 11.12.2019, propounding chakkajam, and he created another WhatsApp group, Muslim Students of JNU_1, on 12/13.12.2019.

Sharjeel directed members of MSJ to reach Jamia University to support Parliament March (call given by Asif Iqbal Tanha) on 13.12.2019. Sharjeel Imam gave a seditious speech at Jamia and asked for a disruptive chakkajam, which included disruption and stoppage of supply of water and milk to Delhi. Consequently, violence/riots took place, and an FIR was registered. Police station Jamia Nagar was also registered.

In the said violence, there was an attack on police personnel and damage to public property and arson. Various other incidents of riots took place in Delhi in the month of December 2019. This pattern of riots consequent to the initial speech of Sharjeel Imam took place in Delhi, and various FIRs in south-east Delhi and even north-east Delhi were registered in December 2019.

Chakkajam also began consequent to a meeting of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Asif Iqbal Tanha, and others on 13.12.2019 at Jamia Campus. The said chakkajam was then to spread to the other parts of Delhi, police have alleged.

As per the statement of protected witness bond Umar Khalid, Sharjeel, Saiful Islam and Asif Tanha had come to Jamia University campus on 13.12.2019. In his presence, Umar Khalid said in front of all the protesters that Sharjeel, Saiful, and Asif are his brothers and members of his team. Umar Khalid said that he has explained to them the difference between chakkajam and dharna.

Umar told Sharjeel to start chakkajam at Shaheen Bagh, Asif, and Saiful and to start chakkajam at Gate No. 7 of Jamia University. Umar Khalid said that at the right time, they will also start chakkajam in other Muslim areas of Delhi.

Umar further said that government is a Hindu government and against Muslims and they have to overthrow the government and will do so at the right time.

On 16.12.2019, Umar Khalid (accompanied by Saiful and Asif) and Nadeem Khan came to AAJMI’s office, and in his presence, Umar said to Saiful and Asif that the Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC) be set up.

Nadeem Khan said that JCC will lead protests and chakkajam in Delhi. Asif and Saiful were agreed to the said suggestions and JCC was formed.

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

Karnataka govt withholds Teachers Day Best Principal award to Udupi teacher, who disallowed hijab in college, after objections by SDPI

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Karnataka govt withholds Teachers Day Best Principal award to Udupi teacher, who disallowed hijab in college, after objections by SDPI

The Karnataka Education Department on Wednesday, 4th September withdrew the ‘Best Principal’ award for B G Ramakrishna, an important figure in the hijab controversy that arose during the academic year 2021-22. The Congress government’s decision came in response to widespread criticism from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), a political wing of the banned terrorist outfit, Popular Front of India.  

Ramakrishna, the principal of Government Pre-University College in Kundapur, Udupi, was blatantly charged by the SDPI with requesting Muslim students wearing headscarves to stand outside in the sun during the hijab controversy while the BJP was in control in the state.

On Tuesday, in honor of Teacher’s Day celebrated on September 5th, the Karnataka government had announced the best teacher awards to 41 teachers, principals, and lecturers from government schools and pre-university colleges. Ramakrishna and A Rame Gowda, principal of Hunsur PU College in Mysuru district, were scheduled to be awarded the ‘Best Principal’ award. However, the government decided otherwise after SDPI raised objection.

Meanwhile, Ramakrishna claimed the award had not been withdrawn, but according to him, the Education Department said it could be delayed owing to ‘technical issues’. He stated that the Education Department did not provide a clear rationale for putting the award on hold. The state administration had planned to congratulate him on Teachers’ Day.

Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa also commented on the issue and asked the media not to politicize the issue. “I believe the committee overseeing the award to Ramakrishna overlooked a particular issue. After discovering the issue yesterday, we have temporarily put the award on hold. We will clarify the situation and provide an update. I have instructed them to re-evaluate and then report back to us. The concern is the way he treated the children,” he said.

As per the reports, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) fiercely opposed Ramakrishna’s selection for the award, associating him with the hijab controversy. SDPI Dakshina Kannada president Anwar Sadath Bajathur stated on X, “A principal who forced Muslim students to stand in the sun over hijabs has no moral right to receive such an award.”

The hijab controversy began in December 2021 in a government PU college in Udupi and then spread throughout Karnataka. In February 2022, at least 28 students were barred from attending classes at Kundapur PU College given their violations of the college rules regarding uniforms. 

Later the matter went to the Karnataka High Court which dismissed the writ petitions filed by the Muslim girls advocating hijab. The court ruled that the hijab is not an essential practice of the Islamic faith, and therefore, all the petitions filed by Muslim female students seeking permission to wear hijab in educational institutions deserved to be dismissed.

Ramakrishna is also believed to have received hate messages from unknown numbers during the controversy. 

1...730731732...7,562Page 731 of 7,562

Contact: infoopindia.com

About us

News and opinion website that brings you reports and narrative from a perspective often ignored or suppressed by the mainstream media of India.

Follow us

© OpIndia.com