Lhasa (Tibet): The discrimination towards Tibetans has intensified after Xi Jinping took oath as China's President with an unprecedented third term as repressive policies continue to remain a part of Chinese rule in Tibet, reported a think tank, Policy Research Group (POREG).
Tibetans have raised the banner of affirmative opposition to Beijing since 1949. The latest oppression in Tibet is because of the Zero-Covid policy which has resulted in outrage amongst Tibetans.
The authoritarian lockdown is ostensible to prevent and control Covid-19 but it has suffocated people. Scores are pushed to take refuge in suicide due to inhumane quarantine conditions.
Han Chinese and Tibetans living in Lhasa hit the streets in October protesting against inadequate food and medicines under the lockdown regime. The security forces crushed the demo. Soon afterwards, the city witnessed the largest-ever protest since the 2008 uprising in which around 200 people were detained, POREG reported.
The cruelties against Tibet do not end here and reveal the next stage of hell in Tibet has created the world's largest forensic DNA database under Xi Jinping with more than 100 million profiles to control its population.
Violation of fundamental rights of humans in Tibet and their exploitation in their own country has been on a surge for years by the Chinese government with the recent one being discrimination against the Tibetans in employment and housing.
Moreover, with every passing day, the situation in Tibet is becoming frightening. The world is being shown a country like China handling the outbreak in a harmonious way, but the reality apparently is far from that. The measures being taken are too severe and not in the public's interest.
China was the centre of the COVID-19 outbreak in the world, the whole suffered millions of deaths in the past 2 years. But when entire China and many parts of the world were reeling under the coronavirus crisis, Tibet remained untouched except for one case at the beginning of the pandemic. Tibet did not see a COVID-19 case for over 900 days. But, Tibet has also come under its grip now.
Chinese President Xi Jinping enforced similar stringent conditions in Tibet as they were in other parts of China earlier under the 'Zero Covid' policy. Tibetans are taken to quarantine facilities or forced to stay inside their homes. This has caused them to lose their jobs and source of livelihood, besides mental harassment.
Amid this, China's censorship of news and social media posts from Tibet has further raised concerns about the safety of Tibetans.
Furthermore, self-immolations continue to happen in occupied Tibet in order to divert the world's attention towards the mistreatment of Tibetans by China with the latest one being on March 27, in which an 81-year male named Taphun from the Amdo region set himself on fire in the police station in the western part of Sichuan and died, Tibetrights Collective reported. —ANI

The discrimination towards Tibetans has intensified after Xi Jinping took oath as China's President with an unprecedented third term as repressive policies continue to remain a part of Chinese rule in Tibet, reported a think tank, Policy Research Group (POREG).

Protests Become Frequent As Tibet Witnesses 'Gulag, Gestapo-Like Policies' Under China

Lucknow: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said that the government is improving the healthcare and medical education sectors through a holistic approach that not only envisages creating more quality healthcare infrastructure but also trained manpower to efficiently run institutions.
"Health is today being linked with development because only a healthy society can become a developed society," he said in his address to the plenary session of the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit. The session discussed the progress and way forward on priorities in the healthcare and medical education sector.
Mandaviya said: "Uttar Pradesh is the land of Sushrut and Charaka. Under the leadership of (PM) Narendra Modi at the centre and (CM) Yogi Adityanath in the state, UP is a land of opportunities." Encouraging investors and businesses to encash on the opportunities available in the healthcare and medical education sectors in the state, he said that the government "has created a conducive ecosystem for businesses to grow and has brought in long-term policies to encourage investors in the healthcare sector".
He said that because of the policies of the government, there are over 100 unicorns in the country today. Mandaviya also highlighted that govt schemes like the Ayushman Bharat initiative has empowered and enabled even the poorest of the poor to benefit from quality treatment, even in private medical institutions. He also stated that the country is today 65 per cent dependent on import of medical devices and urged entrepreneurs to reduce this high dependency.
Reminding the audience of India successfully reducing the dependency of APIs for critical medicines in recent years, he also encouraged them to innovate in producing medical devices indigenously.
In this interactive session, the Uttar Pradesh govt also provided information on new medical facilities to the investors and highlighted opportunities available in medical colleges, para medical colleges and diagnostic facilities in the state. —IANS

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said that the government is improving the healthcare and medical education sectors through a holistic approach that not only envisages creating more quality healthcare infrastructure but also trained manpower to efficiently run institutions.

Govt Has Brought Policies To Encourage Investors In Healthcare Sector: Mandaviya

Education of physically or mentally handicapped children through modified and individually focused methods and techniques of teaching. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines Special Education as Specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.
The second definition is more applicable in the U.S.A., the first one is a universal one because not everywhere facilities for special education are offered free of cost.
To elaborate and understand in detail: Special education is the education which meets the need of those children who are different from average children either mentally, physically and or socially. The children may suffer from emotional disturbance, mental retardation, deafness, dumbness, blindness and any other ailments which hamper the intellect growth of the individual. The teaching methods in special education schools also differ from standard schools and are more individual-oriented to adapt to the individual’s needs. Depending upon the condition of the individual, education policies and educational laws, the students may or may not be admitted to a standard academic school. There are separate schools or separate classrooms for students with special needs but some students with mild impairments are allowed in a regular school or classrooms for a limited or full period of time. As the students require more care and attention, special education is also referred to as ‘Special Needs Education’ or ‘Exceptional Children Education’. Just, like a standard school, special school teachers receive specialised education training from educational institutes skilled in this area. Special education schools have certain norms and infrastructure which facilitates the development of children with special needs. But all this wasn’t available earlier, there were very few schools and people were largely unaware of them. Nobody knew how to take care of them. That brings us to the origins of special education.
<h2></h2>
<h2>History of Special Education</h2>
Special education was not prevalent before mid-1500’s. People with disabilities were looked down upon. There was a certain amount of acceptance towards the physically handicapped but those with mental disabilities were largely avoided or considered unwanted. Between 27 BC-AD 476/1453, there were certain people who took care of handicapped and disabled people. Whether they were educated and returned to normalcy is unknown? During 5th and 15th Century (Middle Ages) the church provided care for the same but the modern methodology of special education was still amiss. The development of advanced special education is mentioned below:

<h3><ins>Chronology / </ins><ins>Major Developments</ins></h3>

Mid 1500’s
Pedro Ponce de León, a Spanish Benedictine Monk was able to teach deaf children to speak, read and write Spanish. He had opened a school at San Salvador Monastery in Madrid for such individuals.

<h3>In 1620</h3>

Juan Pablo Bonet, a Spanish Priest developed the use of sign language to teach speech to the deaf. His system of signs and manual alphabet were depicted in his book titled Reducción de las Letras y arte para enseñar a hablar a los mudos in Madrid. It means ‘Summary of the letters and the art of teaching speech to the mute’. It was published in 1620. Bonet's system influenced American Sign Language, French Sign Language, Spanish Sign Language and others.

<h3>During 1640 and 1653.</h3>

John Bulwer, an English physician and philosopher wrote five works exploring the Body and human communication, particularly by the gesture. In his book ‘Chirologia: or the natural language of the hand (1644)’, he depicts ‘Hand Gestures’ for communication. He also proposed the education of deaf people through an academy mentioned in his works ‘Philocophus’ and ‘The Dumbe mans academia.’

<h3>During 1760’s</h3>

Charles-Michel, abbé de l’Epée, a French Philanthropic Educator established ‘The Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles’ in Paris during the 1760’s. It was a free public school for the deaf. He also developed the natural sign language in French.

Thomas Braidwood, a Scottish Writing Instructor established 'Braidwood's Academy for the Deaf and Dumb' in 1760 at Edinburgh. It was the first school for the Deaf in Britain.

<h3>During 1770’s</h3>

Samuel Heinicke, a German Advocate and Teacher established the first German public school for the education of the deaf in 1778 at Leipzig. He promoted the oral method (phonetic method) of teaching and reading.

<h3>During 1780’s</h3>

Valentin Haüy, a French Professor founded the first school for the blind in 1784. It was named as ‘Royal Institution for the Young Blind’ in Paris (now the National Institute for the Young Blind, INJA -Institution Nationale des Jeunes Aveugles.

Roch-Ambroise Cucurron Sicard, a French Abbot and Instructor of the deaf, developed the manual system, or silent method, of teaching people with hearing impairments. His works include - Eléments de grammaire générale (1799), Cours d'instruction d'un sourd-muet de naissance (1800) and Traité des signes pour l'instruction des sourds-muets (1808).

<h3>During 1800’s</h3>

Jean Marc Gaspard Itard, a French Physician made first attempt towards the instruction of mentally retarded children on scientific basis. In his book – Reports on the Savage of Aveyron (Rapports sur le sauvage de l’Aveyron -1807), he explained these attempted methods to train and educate an unsocialized 11-year-old boy who had been found in a forest in Aveyron, south of Paris. His other work includes Treatise on the Maladies of the Ear and of Hearing (Traité des maladies de l’oreille et de l’audition) which advocated the combination of sign and oral communication in the education of persons with hearing impairments.

Friedrich Moritz Hill, a German Deaf and Dumb Teacher developed the German System of teaching deaf and dumb during the mid-1800’s. His work includes ‘Teaching guide for deaf and dumb children of clergymen and teachers’ (1840), ‘The clergy and teachers in the service of the deaf’(1882) and ‘Full instructions for teaching deaf-mute children’ (1840).

Édouard Séguin, a French Physician and Educationist established the first private school in Paris around 1840. It was meant for the education of the mentally handicapped. In 1846, he published The Moral Treatment, Hygiene, and Education of Idiots and Other Backward Children (Traitement Moral, Hygiène, et Education des Idiots). This work is considered to be the earliest systematic textbook dealing with the special needs of children with mental disabilities.

<h3>During 1900’s</h3>

Maria Montessori, an Italian Physician and Educator developed effective teaching methods. Her methodology was named the Montessori Method. She opened ‘Casa dei Bambini’ (Children's House) on January 6, 1907. She taught normal children here and the success of Casa soon spread. Montessori education became international spreading all over the globe.

In 1975, USA passes an act - The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA). It is also known as P.L. 94-142. In modern times this law is known as ‘Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)’.

In the UK, during 1978, The Warnock Report and subsequently, the 1981 Education Act, radically changed the conceptualisation of special educational needs. It introduced the idea of special educational needs (SEN), “statements” of SEN, and an “integrative” - which later became known as “inclusive” - approach, based on common educational goals for all children regardless of their abilities or disabilities: namely independence, enjoyment, and understanding.
By the end of 1900’s, developed nations had created facilities for special education.

<h2>In 2001</h2>
The USA passes an act ‘No Child Left Behind’ according to which all students, including students with disabilities, will have to be to be proficient in math and reading by the year 2014.

<h3>In 2004</h3>
IDEA was reauthorized. There were several changes like - call for more accountability at the state and local levels. School districts were told to provide adequate instruction and intervention for students.
Today, there are many special education institutes throughout the world. Some of the countries which have special education institutes are – Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and many more.

<h3>Philosophy of Special Education</h3>
Every educational institute has a philosophy towards achieving their objectives, so do the special education institutes. This philosophy forms the basis of course curriculum and requires the provision of providing a secure, caring and stimulating environment which stimulates emotional, intellectual, physical and social growth. Below are mentioned some of the essential philosophies that any special education institution should consider.

Each individual is unique, sociological and psychological techniques need to be varied to get the best out of them. At the same time, certain principles for instruction are important and universally applicable to most learning situations in the field of special education.
Varied individuals will have specific abilities and achievement levels. They will have individual goals apart from academic ones and teachers need to understand that the individual goals are also important. Teachers need to gauge both the goals and help in honing them and not ignore the individual ones.
The same opportunity for education, regardless of the state of disability.
Evaluate the student abilities and disabilities on a non-discriminate basis, keeping in mind the unique individual circumstance.
The needs of the special students can change overnight. It is important to understand and modify the education process in tandem with the possible fluctuating needs of each and every student. 
Encourage social interaction between all students and develop teaching methods suited to such an environment.
Techniques and strategies may not show instantaneous results. Some will require modifications and refinements over a period of time to show results.
To provide, not only provide formal education to the students but also develop their intellectual abilities by improving their social, emotional and behavioural skills.
To remain motivated and passionate towards the welfare of special students through education, a strong mind, body and any tool which enhances the abilities.
Be educated and informed to utilize all tools available to create the best possible learning environment for each child and be motivated and passionate so that the teaching is meaningful, flexible and in tune with the student's educational needs.
Share your evaluations, insights and observations with parents, educators, special education teachers and other professionals involved in the field to facilitate a cooperative and beneficial learning environment.
Protect the confidentiality rights of special education students. Be respectful of their emotional needs and of their privacy.
To encourage and foster parental involvement by communicating them of the student’s performance, achievements, illness and whenever a disability requires individualized education.
To ascertain the overall growth and enable each individual to make full use of their potential towards achievement, individuality, independence and living a fulfilling life as much as possible. 
—Vijay GarG / The Hawk

Special Education of physically or mentally handicapped children through modified and individually focused methods and techniques of teaching.

Special Education of physically or mentally handicapped children.

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) relies heavily on global supply chains for delivery of critical components, equipment and services to maintain its combat potential at optimum level, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhuri said on Tuesday.

"In recent times, the world has witnessed multiple and varied disruptions like the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine conflict, trade barriers, tariff wars, environmental compliance policies etc. Such events have highlighted the vulnerability of supply chains to disruptions," the IAF Chief said at the national logistics management seminar, LOGISEM-23, on the theme 'Leverage Emerging Global Supply Chain to Enhance Logistics Capabilities While Absorbing Disruptions'.

The event organised by the IAF was held at the Air Force Auditorium in the national capital, where Air Chief Marshal Chaudhuri inaugurated the seminar and delivered the key-note address.

In his address, the IAF Chief said, "Global supply chains have become increasingly complex and interconnected, driven by the manuscripts of international trade and advances in technology. The defence sector is not an exception to this trend. The IAF relies heavily on global supply chains for delivery of critical components, equipment and services to maintain its combat potential at optimum level. In recent times, the world has witnessed multiple and varied disruptions.

"To mitigate such disruptions, leveraging the emerging trends such as digitisation, automation and data analytics should be exploited to enhance IAF's logistics capabilities. I am confident that the deliberations, discussions and ideas generated in the seminar would help better understand the dynamics of disruptive environment."

At the seminar held over three sessions, prominent speakers deliberated and discussed issues related to the theme. The discussions ranged from future prospects of domestic aviation industry, modern trends in supply chain management and warehousing, and public procurement initiatives through GeM.

According to the Indian Air Force, the seminar provided an ideal platform for exchange of ideas between civil and military logisticians and is expected to assist IAF to tailor its supply-chain needs based on modern technologies and global trends. IANS

The Indian Air Force (IAF) relies heavily on global supply chains for delivery of critical components, equipment and services to maintain its combat potential at optimum level, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhuri said on Tuesday.

Multiple events, including Russia-Ukraine war, disrupted supply chains: IAF Chief

The Indian Air Force (IAF) relies heavily on global supply chains for delivery of critical components, equipment and services to maintain its combat potential at optimum level, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhuri said on Tuesday.


Washington: Although, India-US relations are progressing at a great pace, but over the last few months, some of the Biden administration's regional policies in the Indo-Pacific have done more harm to its partners, particularly India and its geopolitical leverage in the Indo-Pacific region, a senior fellow at Pacific Forum, Akhil Ramesh stated in The National Interest piece. As per him, the US cannot pursue an ideological and China-balancing strategy at the same time, and it has re-think its strategy to fully utilise the propelling relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a state visit to the US, where he received a rousing reception at the White House. In a light tone, PM Modi also cheered Republican and Democratic Congressmen with his quip that he could "help them reach bipartisan consensus," referring to the across-the-aisle support India enjoys in Washington. It is pertinent that India-US ties have grown in recent years, also under President Joe Biden. Both the White House and several members of the Biden administration, from the National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to the Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell, have characterized it as the "most important bilateral relationship of the twenty-first century". However, according to The National Interest, some of Biden administration's recent moves cut a significant departure from its predecessors until last month, returning to "Washington's old ways: myopic democratic interventions, benevolent outreach to adversarial nations, and partisan bickering." As a result of which, Washington's primary Indo-Pacific partners, India and Japan, have borne the brunt of these missteps. Biden in a last-minute change of plans, canceled his scheduled trip to Papua New Guinea and Australia to address the debt-ceiling crisis in Washington, with Republicans stalling the Democrats from raising the debt ceiling levels. Although, Secretary of State Antony Blinken went ahead with his trip to Papua New Guinea and signed a crucial defense agreement with the Pacific Island nation, Biden cancelling his tour was not the best messaging to a region increasingly falling under China's orbit, The National Interest stated. Nonetheless, PM Modi went ahead with his planned schedule and turned it into an opportunity to showcase India's position on the global stage. New Guinea's president hailed Modi as the leader of the Global South. Taking an implicit jab at the United States and China, the island-nation leader said, "we are victims of global powerplay, and you [Modi] are the leader of Global South. We will rally behind your leadership at global forums." Prior to Biden's cancellation, the Indian government had decided to accommodate his visit and cut short their visits as a courtesy to the incoming American presidential delegation. While this was a minor setback for a coordinated approach toward Chinese expansionism in the Pacific, the Indian Ocean challenge is a more geopolitically complex Gordian knot. Earlier in May, Blinken had Bangladesh with sanctions if the Indian Ocean state did not host free and fair elections in the 2024 poll. But, if the sanctions do come up, India and Japan will be left in a quandary as they have consistently positioned Bangladesh as a gateway connecting the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia for supply chain and infrastructure connectivity initiatives, The National Interest reported. Geographically, Bangladesh is nestled between India's state of Bengal to the west and India's northeastern provinces to the east, bordering a thin strip of land the connects the rest of India to the northeast (also known as the "chicken's neck"). Thus the densely populated country's interaction with the rest of the world is directed through India or the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Both New Delhi and Tokyo have invested in infrastructure in the region and have long-term plans to invest in Dhaka's growth. Recently, Japan and India agreed to jointly develop the Matabari deep-sea port in Bangladesh to serve as a "strategic anchor" in the Indian Ocean. The Japanese investment also plays a vital role in South Asian development. Bangladesh happens to be India's Northeast region's major infrastructure and development partner. Japanese PM Fumio Kishida articulating his government's Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy in New Delhi in early March this year, called for increased integration of India's Northeast with Bangladesh to transform the region into a single economic zone, The National Interest reported. Japan is also trying to capture the businesses moving out of the pricier markets of Southeast Asia, using the Bay of Bengal region. Japan's regional strategy has neatly complemented the Modi government's policies. PM Modi transformed the older "Look East" policy into an "Act East" policy of increasing strategic and economic engagement with Southeast Asia as a countervailing force to China's involvement in the region, The National Interest reported. Tokyo has slowly and steadily supported this transformation. A case in point is Tokyo and New Delhi hosting the 'India-Japan Act East' forum to discuss cooperation on a range of projects that will increase connectivity in India's Northeast to Southeast Asia. According to The National Interest, because of the complex history of India's north-east, only parties interested in the long game or have a vision for the region can invest here, and Japan happens to be one of them. Interestingly, as an extension, both Japan and India are engaging the immediate eastern neighbour to Bangladesh and India, Myanmar. Myanmar has limited partners on the world stage, after being sanctioned by the United States. But, Japan and India have continued engagement with the military junta to prevent the nation from falling entirely under China's influence. Here too, the Indo-Japanese interests are affected by America's sanctions, The National Interest stated. Earlier in May, India-Myanmar inaugurated the Sittwe port in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. India supported this port to enhance sea lane connectivity between India's eastern states and Myanmar. But, due to the sanctions, Indian companies either had to depart Myanmar altogether or face global scrutiny for working with the military junta-led government. Another concern is the increased military involvement of Chinese military of the Great Coco Islands of Myanmar, The National Interest stated citing satellite images released earlier this year. Situated less than thirty miles north of India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, any potential militarization of the Coco Islands by the Chinese could pose a significant threat to India's security in the Indian Ocean. In this geopolitical equation, India cannot afford to disengage from Myanmar. And yet, US' economic statecraft is undercutting India's vital regional partnerships, The National Interest stated. Former US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, summed up the dynamic as, "it may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." The recent US steps -- dialogue in Vienna, Blinken rescheduling his trip to Beijing, official abandonment of economic "decoupling" for the less confrontational "de-risking -- have shown "signs of softening" towards China. "Furthermore, Washington's skewed sanction policies toward democratic backsliding in a few states while calling for engagement with authoritarian China raise questions about the motives of such policies. While the United States has sanctioned Chinese officials allegedly involved in human rights abuses in Xinjiang, it continues to do massive business with Beijing. This selective condemnation only further isolates partners and strengthens Chinese engagement with the sanctioned nations," Akhil Ramesh wrote in The National Interest piece. Director for Regional Affairs at the Pacific Forum, Rob York, called this misbegotten strategy "a holdover from America's unipolar moment that we [America] need to outgrow. America's moral authority, and the benefits of aligning with Washington, are no longer assumed but must be competed for, and sanctions must be employed far more judiciously than they have been." This type of awakening to multipolar realities of the world order should inform Washington of the pitfalls and shortsightedness of its foreign policies. US' sanctions and other tools of economic statecraft should not be used for democratic interventions but to deter its enemies. If not, the United States will have few allies in its strategic competition with China, The National Interest piece added. —ANI

Although, India-US relations are progressing at a great pace, but over the last few months, some of the Biden

Washington's Myopic Policies On China May Undercut Indo-US Potential: Report

Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati has termed parties in the NDA and I.N.D.I.A as anti-poor, casteist, communal and pro-capitalist. In a series of posts on X on Wednesday, she said that the BSP had been fighting against such forces and hence, there was no question of entering into an alliance with such parties. She appealed to the media not to plant any fake news in this regard. Mayawati said that her party would bring together weaker sections of the society and form an alliance with them for the upcoming state elections and the general elections. She pointed out that all parties were keen to forge an alliance with BSP and when they did not get a positive response from her, they planted fake news.
—IANS

Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati has termed parties in the NDA and I.N.D.I.A as anti-poor, casteist, communal and pro-capitalist. In a series of posts on X on Wednesday, she said that the BSP had been fighting against such forces and hence, there was no question of entering into an alliance with such parties.

Mayawati terms members of NDA, INDIA as anti-poor, casteist & communal

Patna: Bihar education department will soon issue new regulatory guidelines for coaching institutions in the state. The department has prepared a draft pertaining to the regulatory guidelines and has asked people to file suggestions within one week. After that, it will be implemented in the state. Following the implementation, every coaching institute has to register with the district administration. The district magistrate will form a registration committee that will make decisions on applicants.  The registration committee will look after the infrastructures, facilities for students and amenities of particular coaching institutes. After its approval, the registration of coaching institutes will take place in the department. The coaching institutes have to file the application within 30 days from the date of regulatory guidelines implemented in the state.
The students can lodge complaints against coaching institutions before SDO rank officers of the district. The department may cancel the registration if two or more complaints are lodged against them. In case the department imposes a fine on any particular coaching institute, the owner has to deposit the same within six months.
—IANS

Bihar education department will soon issue new regulatory guidelines for coaching institutions in the state. The department has prepared a draft pertaining to the regulatory guidelines and has asked people to file suggestions within one week. After that, it will be implemented in the state.

Regulatory guidelines soon for coaching institutes in Bihar

New Delhi: China’s might and ambition for securing the civilisational nation in all possible ways are well known. A most fundamental step in doing so is by securing the frontiers of a sovereign state -- and in the path to that comes the small Himalayan nation of Tibet.  It is pertinent to recapitulate the history of Tibet with regard to modern-day China for a clearer understanding of China’s policy on Tibet.  Clearly, China sees including Tibet crucial to consolidating its borders and addressing defence concerns from the southwestern direction. In realising this intent, many Tibetians and other commentators term Tibet’s reality as a “cultural genocide”.
Historical claims of Tibet being a part of China since the 13th century, Beijing’s policies on Tibet have largely been those of assertiveness and not of consultation.  Tibet had declared independence in 1911 and remained so until 1950, when China decided to “liberate” it.  The modern-day discourse dates back to 1951, when China and Tibet signed the 17-point agreement, as per which China would keep away from Tibet’s traditional government and religion. China had invaded Tibet in 1949-50 and established its control over large parts of it.  The Tibetans were not accepting this agreement in the first place and even accused Beijing of violating it. The mounting discontent resulted in the uprising of 1959, which the Chinese suppressed and consequently, the Dalai Lama fled to India along with a large number of followers that drew more migrants subsequently.  Fast forward to present times, on May 23, 2021, the 71st anniversary of the 17-point agreement, a third White Paper was released during the tenure of Chinese president Xi Jinping. The first was released in 2015, and the second came in 2019.  They all largely pertain to the same notion that China helped liberate Tibet from a feudal-theocratic system, and since there has been development in the region, the credit for ensuring political autonomy and religious freedom was also acknowledged. Further, it proclaimed that it is some Western elements that intend to disrupt Tibet’s progress.  The last white paper additionally emphasises on maintaining its grip on the Tibetan region, ensuring Chinese control over the selection of the next Dalai Lama, and reinforces border management and development. There is also the aspect of “managing religion in the Chinese context” and “guiding Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society.”  So, for China to go by its plan means firming up its frontiers—and this plan means extending its authority over Tibet.  China is known to handle Tibet with a heavy hand and with this increased precarious proximity to India, the concern is one to heed closely, especially with reference to worrisome developments in Doklam and Galwan.
—IANS

China’s might and ambition for securing the civilisational nation in all possible ways are well known. A  most fundamental step in doing so is by securing the frontiers of a sovereign state -- and in the path to that comes the small Himalayan nation of Tibet.

As China gets more active in Tibet, it's a cause of concern for India

China’s might and ambition for securing the civilisational nation in all possible ways are well known. A  most fundamental step in doing so is by securing the frontiers of a sovereign state -- and in the path to that comes the small Himalayan nation of Tibet.


Lucknow: The  Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Rai has demanded a judicial probe, by a sitting judge, into the murder that took place at the residence of Union Minister Kaushal Kishore’s son in Thakur Ganj police station area of Lucknow here, last week.
Rai alleged on Wednesday that the Union minister was now making efforts to protect his son. He said Kaushal Kishore was the second Union minister from the state after Ajay Mishra Teni who was protecting his son. He alleged that the police were completing mere formalities in the case.
He said a case under section 30 of the Arms Act had only been registered against the Union minister’s son in Lucknow.&nbsp;
“The BJP government is adopting dual standards. It is protecting legislators and ministers,” said Rai.
He also referred to the case of a woman police head constable who was found badly injured on-board a train at Ayodhya railway station and said the police stopped him from visiting the victim at KGMU.
He said he only wanted to inquire about the health of the woman head constable.
Rai alleged that contractors from Gujarat were being given contracts in the state and inflation and corruption were on the rise.&nbsp;
—IANS

The  Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Rai has demanded a judicial probe, by a sitting judge, into the murder that took place at the residence

UP Congress seeks judicial probe in murder at Union Minister’s house

New Delhi: India has done away with additional duties on some American products like chickpeas, lentils, and apples, as US President Joe Biden is set to arrive on a three-day visit to India.
These additional duties were imposed in 2019 in response to America’s decision to increase tariffs on certain steel and aluminium products.
India had imposed these duties on 28 US products in 2019.&nbsp;
The decision to remove these duties on American products was taken through a Finance Ministry notification dated September 5. It said that duties have been removed on products like chickpeas, lentils (masur), apples, walnut sin shell and almonds fresh or dried among others.&nbsp;
The move preceded Biden’s visit to India to attend the G20 summit on September 9-10. Before this, he will also have bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 8.
During Modi's state visit to the US in June, both countries had decided to terminate six WTO (World Trade Organisation) disputes and also remove the retaliatory tariffs on certain US products. As part of the agreement, India removed additional duty on chickpeas (10 per cent), lentils (20 per cent), almonds fresh or dried (Rs 7 per kg), almonds shelled (Rs 20 per kg), walnuts (20 per cent), and apples fresh (20 per cent).
—IANS

India has done away with additional duties on some American products like chickpeas, lentils, and apples, as US President Joe Biden

India removes additional duty on 12 US products ahead of Biden's visit

Mumbai: All eyes are on the all-party meeting by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Monday evening here in an attempt to resolve the vexed issue of reservations for the Maratha community.  Building up pressure, the Shivba Sanghatana leader Manoj Jarange-Patil, has gone off water and medicines on the 14th day of his indefinite hunger strike in Jalna.  The top leaders of parties from the ruling and Opposition have been invited for the meeting to discuss and hammer out an amicable solution to the issue.  Jarange-Patil reiterated that the Marathas are OBCs and the administration should publish a Government Resolution (GR) to the effect, and then implement it within one or two months.  Sunday evening, he issued an open appeal to the leaders of all political parties, urging them to adopt a positive stance and ensure that reservations in education and jobs are granted to the poor people in the Maratha community.  The government has said that though it is committed to giving reservations to the Marathas, they need more time to work it out in a fool-proof manner and have urged the striking leader to call off his indefinite hunger strike.  Meanwhile, Jarange-Patil’s demand has triggered strong reactions and counter-protests from the OBC community in Nagpur and other cities who are opposed to the move as it would be detrimental to their interests.  While supporting the Marathas’ cause, Congress’ Leader of Opposition (Assembly) Vijay Wadettiwar has supported the OBC agitation, and ruling Nationalist Congress Party (AP) Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said though he is not opposed to the Maratha quotas, it should not be at the cost of any other community.  Wadettiwar slammed the government for driving a wedge among the Marathas-OBCs who are now pitted against each other to safeguard their respective positions.  NCP President Sharad Pawar has reiterated that the Centre should hike the ceiling of quotas from the current 50 percent by 15-16 per cent to accommodate all other communities clamouring for reservations.  Adding to the government’s worries, now the Dhangar community has also gone on the warpath and demanded that its long-pending demand for quotas should be immediately accepted by the government and announced, failing which they would launch an agitation.
—IANS

All eyes are on the all-party meeting by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Monday evening here in an attempt to resolve the vexed issue of reservations

Maratha quotas: Focus on all-party meeting today; Jarange-Patil refuses water, medicines

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice on Sweden-based professor of Indian-origin, Ashok Swain's plea challenging a fresh order issued by the Centre cancelling his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.  Swain moved the plea on the issue again after the high court on July 10 set aside the Centre's order cancelling the OCI Card of the faculty member of peace and conflict research at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Sweden's Uppsala University.  Swain, observing that other than repeating Sections, no proper reason has been given in the order as to why his registration has been removed.
The plea was listed before the bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad, who sought response of the Centre and listed the matter for hearing next on November 9.  Swain has contended that he cannot be witch-hunted for his views on current government or its policies.  He has said that despite specific and unequivocal directions of the court to pass a detailed order, the Embassy of India to Sweden &amp; Latvia passed the fresh order in a “callous manner” by merely para-phrasing the provisions of law.  “The Petitioner has an ailing mother aged about 78 years who is suffering from various medical ailments including Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and other age-related ailments. The Petitioner is the only son, and has not been to India in the past 3 years. Thus, there is an extreme urgency for him to visit India and attend to his ailing mother,” the plea said.  Swain has also said that he is a well-known academic and researcher, and that being an academician, he analyses and criticises certain policies of the present government.  “He cannot be made to suffer for his views on the policies of the government. As a scholar it his role in the society to discuss and critique the policies of government through his work. The petitioner cannot be witch-hunted for his views on the political dispensation of the current government or their policies.  "Criticism of certain policies of the government would not amount to being an inflammatory speech or an Anti-India activity,” the plea added.  Earlier, he had mentioned in his plea that his OCI card was cancelled in February 2022 as he criticised the current Indian government, adding that he has not delivered any inflammatory speech.  An OCI card is issued to a foreign national of Indian origin, who is allowed to live and work in India for an indefinite period.  “The respondents are directed to pass a detailed order giving the reason for exercising its power under Section 7D(e) of the Citizenship Act. The impugned order is set aside. The respondents are directed to complete the exercise in a period of three weeks from today," the court had said.  “This hardly is an order, doesn’t give any reasons…This hardly gives any indication of the application of mind on the matter. Pass a detailed order with reasons for cancellation," a single-judge bench of Justice Prasad had said as he perused the impugned order.  "It is submitted that the petitioner has never engaged in any inflammatory speeches or Anti-India activities. As a scholar it is his role in society to discuss and criticise the policies of government through his work," Swain's petition read.  "Being an Academician, he analyses and criticises certain policies of the present government, mere criticism of the policies of the current ruling dispensation shall not tantamount to anti-India activities under Section 7D(e) of the Citizenship Act, 1955."
—IANS

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice on Sweden-based professor of Indian-origin, Ashok Swain's plea challenging a fresh order issued by the Centre

Delhi HC seeks reply on Ashok Swain's plea against Centre's fresh order cancelling his OCI card

Rudrapur: Three students were allegedly punished by a private school here in Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district for not purchasing socks from the shop designated by the institution.
Sunil Rastogi, a resident of Bigbara village, claimed in a memorandum to the District Magistrate that his three children, studying in Mom's Pride School, were made to stand outside the class for not purchasing socks from the shop designated by the school.
Rastogi further claimed that a pair of socks were available for Rs 90 at the shop "run by the school" while three pairs of socks were available at the same price in another shop. So he bought the socks from the other shop.
"Angry over this, karate and music teachers at the school beaten up" one of his sons, who is studying in Class 7.
When Rastogi complained, the Principal allegedly threatened to rusticate the children.
District Magistrate Udairaj Singh, on Rastogi's complaint, directed officials to investigate the matter and submit a report.
Actions will be taken as per rules if any negligence on the part of the school will be found, officials have assured.
Principal Dinesh Deepak says that the allegations are baseless. "Six months' fees of the three children have not been deposited. Children do not come wearing prescribed uniforms. When the children were interrupted, their father came to the school and abused the teachers," he claimed.
—IANS

Three students were allegedly punished by a private school here in Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district for not purchasing socks

U'khand: School punished 3 kids for 'not purchasing socks from designated shops', alleges father

New Delhi: Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday lauded the BJP-led government at the Centre after the Women's Reservation Bill was tabled by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given priority to women empowerment .
"BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi could have discussed anything, but they took the matter of women empowerment by giving priority to women. This is fantastic", elated Kangana told reporters referring to the Women's Reservation Bill.
The 'Manikarnika' actor who visited the new Parliament building, while lauding the Prime Minister further said, "Our Prime Minister ji is a source of inspiration for all the countrymen."
Notably, Kangana's visit to the Parliament comes on a day when the Prime Minister walked to the new Parliament building along with his cabinet colleagues, soon after the culmination of a special function in the Central Hall of old Parliament on the second day of five day Special Session.
Kangana looked ethereal in an off white saree with a golden thin border. She completed the look with a thin pearl chain and sunglasses. She kept her curly hair loosely tied, and opted for a nude makeup look with a small bindi.
Yesterday, Kangana wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "We are all witnessing beginning of a new age. Our time has come. This is the time of the girl child (no more female foeticide) this is the time of the young women (no more clinging to men for safety and security), this is the time of the Middle aged women (no you are not unwanted and won't be devalued anymore) this is the time of the elderly women (the world needs your wisdom and experience as well, your time has come) Welcome to the new world. Welcome to the Bharat of our dreams #WomenReservationBill."
Earlier, in the viral video, we can see Kangana talking to the paps at the Mumbai airport, and saying "Ganpati Bappa Morya". One paparazzi is heard saying "aaj aapko daraya nahi ham logo ne", to which Kangana replied: "aap kehte ho ki aap mujhse darte hain".
Meanwhile, on the work front, Kangana will be next seen in 'Chandramukhi 2', which also stars Raghava Lawrence and is the sequel to blockbuster Tamil film 'Chandramukhi' starring Rajinikanth and Jyothika. She has Sarvesh Mewara’s 'Tejas' in the pipeline which is expected to release on October 20. The actress also has 'Emergency'.
The movie also stars Anupam Kher, Satish Kaushik, and Milind Soman in key roles and is scheduled to release on November 24.
—IANS

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday lauded the BJP-led government at the Centre after the Women's Reservation Bill was tabled by Law Minister

Kangana Ranaut visits new Parliament building; heaps praises on PM Modi over Women's Reservation Bill

Lucknow: Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait has said that the farmers will be forced to step up their agitation against the government if their demands, including free electricity for irrigation and higher SAP for sugarcane, were not met.
Tikait told reporters that the recent agitation of farmers in Lucknow was not driven by any political agenda in view of the Lok Sabha elections due next year.
He said while the government was turning callous towards farmers’ welfare, the opposition was trying to stoke resentment among them to garner their votes in the elections.
“Farmers are extremely unhappy with the government for not getting adequate compensation for their produce. The cane growers are not getting their dues on time,” he said.
He further said that BKU will hold farmers’ protests in every district in the days to come.
The BKU leader also slammed the Centre for taking steps to favour companies at the cost of poor farmers. Tikait said the BJP government was misusing the powers of government agencies for political gains.
Tikait said “no political party” wants to address the problem. Tikait said the BJP has faltered on the promises it made to the farmers in the election manifestos – be it of Lok Sabha or assembly elections.
—IANS

Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait has said that the farmers will be forced to step up their agitation against the government if their demands

Tikait warns of agitation if demands are not met

Yavatmal: As the Ganeshotsav festival commenced, Maharashtra was rocked by seven farmers suicides in the past 72 hours from the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, a top farm activist said here on Wednesday.
The suicides were reported from Yavatmal (6) and Wardha (1) in the past less than three days, said Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti President and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishore Tiwari.
They are: Pravin Kale of Hivari, Trabank Keram of Khidki, Maroti Chavan of Shivni, Gajanand Shinde of Arjuna, Tevichand Rathos of Banegaon, Nitin Pane of Jamwadi (all in Yavatmal), and Dinesh Madavi of Rantapur in Wardha district, said Tiwari.
“Of these, six suicides were reported in the past 48 hours and one a day before on Sunday. Most of them are from the deprived sections of society and they took the extreme due to the burden of huge debts, crop failures and little or no help coming from the state government,” said Tiwari grimly.
With the latest deaths, the farmlands’ suicides toll in the state has shot up to 1,586 from January 2023, said the VJAS leader who has been tracking the agrarian crises that has been claiming lives without break since 1997.
“Everyday we are getting reports of one-or-two tillers’ suicides cases from a small region like Vidarbha… The situation in other states is hardly known. Yet, the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre is harping tall claims of making India a USD Five Trillion economy in the near future…how is it possible,” said Tiwari.
He said that if the government is indeed serious about the agrarian crisis gripping large parts of the country owing to the truant monsoon, then Prime Minister Narendra Modi should discuss the issue along with Vidarbha in the ongoing Special Session of Parliament.
“Despite claims by the Centre and the state government, the core issues of costs, crops and credit are not addressed, thus driving the farmers to end their lives, and it has virtually assumed ‘genocidal’ proportions now. Relief packages are announced with great fanfare but they fail to penetrate fully or provide relief to the rural economy that has crashed,” declared Tiwari.
Coupled with the climate change complications, the uneven monsoon this year with a drought-like situation confronts at least 10 districts around Maharashtra, the main cash crop cotton facing very low demand, input costs have shot up phenomenally and low credit is provided by the public sector banks.
All these have combined to put brakes on the rural economy besides the government’s failure to promote sustainable food pulses and oilseeds crops in the region, leaving farmers with no options but suicide, he added.
—IANS

As the Ganeshotsav festival commenced, Maharashtra was rocked by seven farmers suicides in the past 72 hours from the Vidarbha

Maha furore as 7 debt-hit farmers end life in 72 hours

New Delhi: Congress member Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday urged the Centre to immediately implement the women’s reservation bill and conduct the caste census, otherwise the opposition will do it.
He described the women’s reservation bill as “incomplete” as it doesn’t include reservation for OBC women.
Participating in the discussion on the women’s reservation bill, Gandhi said that though he supported the bill, it was an incomplete legislation as no OBC reservation has been included in it for women.
A large chunk of women should have access to reservation but that is missing, Gandhi said.
He also shared a data of 90 Union ministries’ Secretaries, informing that it was “shocking and shattering” to know that only three of them belonged to the OBC community.
“This an insult to the OBC community. Out of 90 secretaries in the government of India, only three are from the OBC community. They control only 5 per cent of the country’s budget,” the Wayanad MP said amid chantings of “Shame!” by Congress MPs.
When Speaker Om Birla said that it was a discussion on women’s reservation bill, Gandhi said: “This is about transfer of power to women and OBCs.” He said that he supports the bill and agrees it’s an important step, but no reservation for OBC women is a “missing” link.
“I would like to see OBC reservation included in this bill. A large chunk of India’s population and India’s women should have access to this reservation, and that is missing in this bill,” he said.
Gandhi noted that two “strange” conditions about implementation of this bill are the requirements to conduct a census and a delimitation exercise. This, he said, was an anomaly and wondered why the bill couldn’t be implemented immediately.
The government, he said, tends to distract people from real issues like caste census and the Adani-Hindenburg matter.
Underlining the urgent requirement of a caste census, Gandhi said that only after this exercise is conducted, will the people get to know how many tribals, Dalits and OBCs are there in the country.
Amid protests from treasury benches, where Home Minister Amit Shah was also present, Gandhi said: “Don’t be scared, I am only talking about the caste census.”
“So please immediately pass and implement the women’s reservation bill and conduct the caste census. If you don’t do it, we will do it,” he said.
He even took a dig at the government for not inviting President Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of shifting to the new Parliament building on September 19.
“The building is nice but would have liked to see the President, who is a woman and a tribal, during the transfer from the old Parliament building to the new one,” he said.
—IANS

Congress member Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday urged the Centre to immediately implement the women’s reservation bill and conduct the caste census

Rahul Gandhi seeks urgent implementation of women's reservation bill, holding of caste census

Kolkata: Amid the rising controversies of a recent ragging-related death of a fresher of Kolkata's Jadavpur University (JU) at the main students’ hostel, the JU authorities have issued restrictions on entry timings in all student’s hostel under its jurisdiction.
As per a notification issued by the JU authorities, the main entrance gate of all the universities will be closed at 10 p.m. and will remain closed till 6 a.m. on the next day. This will be done to prevent the free entry and exit of outsiders, including the former students.
The hostel students, in the notice, have been advised to enter the hostel every day by 10 p.m. and in case they need to stay outside the hostel campus for the night, they will have to inform the hostel superintendent in advance.
At the same time the students will always have to carry their identity cards along with them and they will have to produce them, as and when it is sought by the administrative staff or officials.
Every time the students make entry and exit to the hostel they will have to make note of it.
Lots of restrictions have also been imposed regarding movement of the visitors; within the hostel campuses, where the visitors cannot move anywhere within the hostel campus and will have to remain confined within the visitors’ rooms. The visitors will also have to carry their identity proofs while coming to the hostels, the details of which will be recorded in the visitors’ books.
—IANS

Amid the rising controversies of a recent ragging-related death of a fresher of Kolkata's Jadavpur University (JU) at the main students’ hostel

Ragging death impact: Entry to all JU hostels prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Bengaluru: Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said the Supreme Court’s verdict water dispute should not be based on the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) but on ground reality.
He told reporters here that the apex court, after hearing arguments of both the states, has upheld the orders of the CWMA. It was unfortunate that Karnataka has been directed to honour the orders of the Authority for the next 15 days.
The state government must once again review the prevailing situation in the Cauvery basin. The orders of the CWMA were not final. It was not correct on the part of the apex court to say that it was not connected in this issue. It was important to calculate the water level in Tamil Nadu along with the water storage level in the dams in the Cauvery basin.
The former CM pointed out the state should have filed an appeal before the Supreme Court when the CWMA pronounced its first orders.
Karnataka moved the apex court only after releasing water to Tamil Nadu twice. It looks like the SC fully depended on the CWMA. The attitude of CWRC and CWMA is not right. The CWMA must see the ground reality but it was issuing orders based on the statistics, he maintained.
Bommai said the state government says it would file a review petition in the SC but Tamil Nadu had already utilised the water illegally. This must be brought to the notice of the Supreme Court.
The state government must not only say that there was not enough water in the Cauvery basin dams but mentioned that Bengaluru which is an international City, was flocked by people from everywhere. For this, a separate quota of water has been fixed for the State capital. This point must be made aware of to the apex court, he stated.
The Tamil Nadu State would witness rain in the return monsoon whereas the rainy season has almost ended in Karnataka. This must be explained to the apex court. The state government now should fight at least to preserve water for drinking water purposes. The BJP did not want to do politics in this issue but the reality was that the crops were withering. The farmers must be compensated by Rs 25,000 for each acre, Bommai explained.
—IANS

Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said the Supreme Court’s verdict water dispute should not be based on the orders of the Cauvery

Cauvery dispute: SC order must be based on reality, says Bommai

New Delhi: A day after Parliament cleared the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, the Congress on Friday said that BJP stands exposed on its real intentions as delimitation and census are poor excuses for postponement and the whole exercise was to create an election issue for a “jaded” Prime Minister.&nbsp;
In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said: “The Congress Party moved amendments to the Women’s Reservation Bill last night in the Rajya Sabha. These amendments would have ensured: Implementation of the reservation from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections itself. Reservation for OBC women in addition to the reservation for women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.”
Slamming the government, Ramesh said, “Either of these amendments are eminently doable. Both were rejected.”
“The BJP stands exposed on its real intentions. Delimitation and Census are poor excuses for postponement. The whole exercise was to create an election issue for a jaded and about-to-be-faded Prime Minister without actually implementing it,” he said.
On Thursday, the Rajya Sabha also unanimously passed the women’s reservation bill after an 11-hour debate, a day after Lok Sabha passed the Bill.
Now 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and in the state assemblies will become a law and will be implemented after census and delimitation.
The motion was adopted in the House with 215 MPs voting in favour and none against and without any abstention.
Earlier, all Rajya Sabha MPs across party lines verbally supported the bill despite some opposition members terming it an election gimmick.
This Bill became the first Bill to be passed in the New Parliament Building during the five day Special Session.
—IANS

A day after Parliament cleared the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, the Congress on Friday said that BJP stands exposed

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