Tuesday, December 31, 2024
"Hardest Part Of The Job": Swiggy Agent Shares Struggles Of Collecting Orders From Malls
A Swiggy delivery agent has gone viral on social media after sharing the challenges of the job. With more people turning to online food delivery, many take up roles of delivering food for popular apps. In a viral Instagram clip, now with over 2.8 million views, the agent (@amriithah) discusses the "hardest and most hated part" of the job - collecting orders from malls. Since many food outlets operate from large malls, delivery agents often have to navigate these complexes. The agent mentions walking through "Asia's second-largest mall to take normal orders," referring to Lulu Mall in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
According to the post, delivery agents are paid Rs 25 for 5 km and must park their vehicles outside the mall. They receive no "extra payment" for the time and effort required to collect orders from within the "crowded" malls.
In the caption, the agent explains, "We have to park our vehicle (separate parking slots are there) and take the service lift, get to the food court, and walk to the shop from where we got the order. There is no extra allowance for these orders. We almost lose 10-20 minutes just to collect these orders, and after taking them, we have to use the normal exit, which is also usually crowded."
Also Read: Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal Shares Unpleasant Food Delivery Experience In Gurugram Mall
The agent further suggests changes: "Why can't malls collect the orders at the lower level to make our job easier? Or why aren't we getting paid extra?"
Many viewers voiced their support for the delivery agent in the comments:
A user noted, "Some malls do delivery guys dirty - no main entrance, no using elevators, escalators, or even restrooms meant for customers."
Another commented, "I wish everyone would do this job at least once in their lifetime and see how these guys are treated."
Sharing a similar experience, one said, "True. I did a part-time job with Zomato in Bangalore. Same issues - loss of time and money."
A viewer urged, "@swiggyindia, you need to pay more for such situations."
NDTV reached out to Swiggy for a response, but the company has yet to comment on the matter.
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Monday, December 30, 2024
"Hope You Let Go Of Baggage Of Politics": Atishi Hits Back At Lt Governor
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's New Year greetings to Chief Minister Atishi, heavy in its criticism of her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal, has drawn a stinging response. In a two-page letter, the Chief Minister, among other things, expressed hope that in the New Year, Mr Saxena would "let go of the baggage of politics" and work towards the welfare of the people of Delhi.
The 10-point "concerns" she raised, hit out at Mr Saxena over his "criticism rather than constructive cooperation", "unnecessary interventions that slowed down critical work" and actions taken to stop the Mahila Samman Yojana and accused his office of becoming a "proxy of the BJP".
The Lieutenant Governor, she alleged, has failed to keep the city safe - "the one job that you are directly responsible for and mandated to do".
"While an ex-Member of Parliament has been busy distributing money to lure voters right under your nose from his illegally occupied bungalow, your response of giving him police protection to conduct this illegal activity will go down in history as a benchmark of irresponsible and illegal behaviour," her letter read.
"While kids and women are being kidnapped and assaulted on a daily basis in Delhi, you have been occupied by pointless mudslinging and issuing instructions to the police to conduct raids and inquiries on our leaders on a daily basis," she added.
"Your actions have irreparably damaged the respect that people held for the office of the Lieutenant Governor and have tarnished the legacy left behind by your predecessors," added the Chief Minister.
The Lieutenant Governor - who said he was writing in a personal capacity -- had opened his letter to the Chief Minister with much praise, commending her efficiency and initiative.
"This is the first time in my two-and-a-half-year tenure that I am seeing a Chief Minister discharge the duties of a Chief Minister. Your predecessor did not handle a single government department and never signed a file. In contrast, you are handling many departments and trying to tackle many governance issues," he wrote.
The Lieutenant Governor also expanded on his criticism of Mr Kejriwal, pointing to his description of Atishi a "temporary Chief Minister".
"There is no such post in the Constitution and it is a reprehensible neglect to the concept of democracy in the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar," he wrote, underscoring that it was an insult to the President of India who appointed her and himself, who administered the oath to her.
The Delhi government, Atishi wrote, is "deeply rooted in the vision and legacy" of her predecessor.
"Be it the educational reforms, healthcare revolution, or infrastructural advancements, his model of governance has become a benchmark not just in Delhi but across India. The progress we are making today is a continuation of this legacy, and we remain committed to fulfilling this vision... The people of Delhi have repeatedly shown their faith in this government and in Shri Arvind Kejriwal," she wrote.
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Vinod Kambli Dances In Hospital During Recovery, Video Goes Viral
Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli, currently recovering at a private hospital in Thane district, was seen in a video performing an energetic dance at the medical facility, a moment that left not only the staff but also social media buzzing. Kambli (52) initially complained of urinary infection and muscle cramps following which he was admitted to Akruti Hospital in the Kalher area of Bhiwandi town on December 21. Later, a series of medical examinations revealed clots in his brain.
His health condition is improving, doctors treating him said on Monday. After capturing the attention of his fans for his cricketing skills during playing days, the left-handed batter, who featured in 17 Tests and 104 ODIs, has now impressed his admirers with his dance moves from hospital ward, indicating significant improvement in his health.
The moment was captured on video, showing Kambli dancing to a popular song with remarkable enthusiasm, which inspired those around him. His upbeat performance lifted the spirits of hospital staff, other patients, and attendees alike. A nurse and another staffer are seen enthusiastically dancing with him.
In a heartfelt message on social media, Kambli expressed his gratitude to everyone who had supported him throughout his recovery journey.
"I have reached this far because of your love," he said.
The Mumbai-based former cricketer also thanked Shailesh Thakur, the hospital director, for his support during treatment. The video of Kambli's hospital dance quickly went viral on social media with fans showering him with wishes for a speedy recovery.
Recently, the doctor treating Kambli said he is facing memory loss too.
"Yes, there is a little bit of impairment of memory function also. Definitely, there is some impairment. Neurodegenerative changes are there. So again, with the help of time and good rehabilitation, he will probably start functioning normally again. But not like 100 per cent, but definitely he will achieve 80-90 per cent of the memory, that previous memory," Dwivedi said.
"This happens. Earlier, he was ethanolic. Three-four months back he stopped alcohol and smoking. At that time, he was ethanolic. Sometimes, that can cause it (memory loss). At present there is complete abstinence of alcohol. There is now withdrawal symptom too."
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Sunday, December 29, 2024
Virat Kohli Turns 'Virtual Captain' At MCG vs Australia. Viral Video Proves
Virat Kohli was seen setting the field during Australia's second innings of the 4th Test in Melbourne on Sunday. The former India captain rolled back the glory days as he was actively involved in team discussions. Kohli, who stepped down as Test captain in 2022, was seen helping India skipper Rohit Sharma in making the field changes. He was also constantly on Rohit's ear as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj stunned Australia's top-order. A video of the same went viral on social media.
Virat kohli has been leading this side today and even changing field without telling rohit sharma
— (@Stroke0Genius41) December 29, 2024
- Adam Gilchrist #INDvsAUS #AUSvIND #BGT2024 #Cricket #ViratKohli
pic.twitter.com/LqhorRbjV8
King Kohli Setting The Field Set .
— Bhuuuva (@bhuuuva) December 29, 2024
Virat Kohli Leading The Team #ViratKohli https://t.co/eboOf5NYal pic.twitter.com/jabmi8vqj3
In another video, Kohli was seen guiding Siraj on where to bowl to Steve Smith, whom the Indian pacer eventually dismissed few balls later.
Kone se... Kone se!!
— Kumar:/b (@pan_ghat) December 29, 2024
LEADER KOHLI taking charge & guiding Siraj!!
The energy, the leadership, the passion-Leader Virat Kohli leading by example! His presence and mentorship on the field are priceless. What a sight to see! #LeadershipGoals #TeamIndia #Kohli #Siraj#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/GeadOtYQvy
Siraj and Bumrah dismantled the Aussies top and middle order, but the hosts fought hard on the back of Marnus Labuschagne (70) and Pat Cummins (41).
Tailenders Nathan Lyon (41 not out) and Scott Boland (10 not out) extended Australia's lead to 333 at stumps on Sunday. The duo will resume on Day 5, having already put on a 55-run stand for the final wicket.
India will need the biggest successful fourth-innings run chase at the MCG on Monday if they are to win the Boxing Day Test after a thrilling Day 4 play.
The previous highest successful fourth innings score to win a Test at the MCG was England's 332/7 over Australia back in 1928.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is currently locked at 1-1 as the two teams are fighting for the World Test Championship final spot scheduled to be played at Lord's in June 2025.
Australia are in a strong position to finish in top-two. They will also tour Sri Lanka next year for an additional two Tests, meaning they could theoretically draw 2-2 with India and stay in contention for a place in the final.
India, on the other hand, need to win the ongoing and final Test against Australia to ensure qualification. Any other outcome, however, would leave their fate dependent on other results to reach the finale at Lord's.
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This Mumbai Teen Is The Youngest Girl To Climb World's 7 Highest Peaks
Kaamya Karthikeyan, a Class 12 student at Navy Children School in Mumbai, has made history by becoming the youngest female in the world to scale seven highest peaks across seven continents.
The 17-year-old adventurer has conquered Africa (Mt Kilimanjaro), Europe (Mt Elbrus), Australia (Mt Kosciuszko), South America (Mt Aconcagua), North America (Mt Denali), Asia (Mt Everest) and culminating the current climb in Antarctica.
The young Everester reached the summit of Mt Vincent Antarctica along with her father, Cdr S Karthikeyan, on December 24 at 1720 hrs Chilean Standard Time to complete the Seven Summits Challenge, the Indian Navy said.
The Indian Navy congratulated Kaamya Karthikeyan and her father on accomplishing this momentous milestone.
Taking to its official handle on X, SpokespersonNavy posted on X, "Kaamya Karthikeyan, class XII student at @IN_NCS Mumbai, scripts history by becoming the youngest female in the world to scale seven highest peaks across seven continents."
"The Indian Navy congratulates Kaamya Karthikeyan and her father on accomplishing this momentous milestone," it posted.
Navy Children School in Mumbai also congratulated the 17-year-old and posted, "Breaking barriers and reaching new heights! Kaamya Karthikeyan, Class XII, Navy Children School, Mumbai, becomes the youngest female in the world to conquer the Seven Summits--the highest peaks on all seven continents! A moment of immense pride for NCS Mumbai!"
Kaamya Karthikeyan was sixteen years old when she scaled Mount Everest. She said she was 7 when she took her first trek in Uttarakhand.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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"You Think Rohingyas Will Vote For BJP?" Minister On AAP's 'Op Lotus' Claim
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday dismissed the Aam Aadmi Party's allegations of operating "Operation Lotus" in Delhi for voter manipulation and challenged the notion that Rohingyas, whom AAP has accused the party of settling in Delhi for votes, would ever support the BJP.
In a sharp rebuttal to AAP's accusations of voter manipulation, Hardeep Puri questioned the credibility of the claims.
"Do you think that the Rohingyas, in any condition, will vote for the BJP? There is no chance that they will vote for us," Hardeep Puri asserted, turning the tables on the accusations.
When asked about, AAP's charges that 'Operation Lotus' is being operated in Delhi from December 15 wherein BJP has cut out 5000 voters and added 7000 voters.
Replying to the allegations, Hardeep Puri said, "This is the same Arvind Kejriwal and the same Aam Aadmi Party that were claiming that the BJP has brought Rohingyas to Delhi. We (BJP) have clarified everything in connection with this. Do you think that the Rohingyas in any condition will vote for the BJP? There is no chance that they will vote for us."
"This has all been done by the AAP. These 'illegal infiltrators' have been brought and settled by them for votes. If you cut these votes, I say it will be very good for our democratic process. Arvind Kejriwal says one thing and the very next moment changes his stance on that," said Mr Puri.
The BJP leader's response underscores the idea that the party believes allegations of settling Rohingyas in Delhi for electoral gain are baseless. They contend that any suggestion that the Rohingyas--whom AAP has painted as a vote bank for BJP--would vote for the party is far-fetched.
Mr Puri on Sunday also attacked AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal over the party's welfare schemes and accused the former Delhi Chief Minister of 'deceiving' the people.
The Union Minister said, "Aisa koi saga nahi jise Kejriwal ne thaga nahi" (there is no one whom Kejriwal has not deceived).
Mr Puri claimed that the Mahila 'Samman Yojana' and 'Sanjeevani' schemes lack proper budgetary provisions and cabinet approval. The Mahila Samman Yojana is aimed at providing women residing in Delhi with Rs 2,100 per month.
The minister questioned the sincerity of the schemes, stating that announcing such plans without clear financial backing or a robust implementation process is a betrayal to the people.
He accused Arvind Kejriwal of losing his 'mental equilibrium' after Kejriwal alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of running "Operation Lotus" in his constituency.
This comes after Earlier today, former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of running "Operation Lotus" in the New Delhi constituency since December 15 to delete voters from the voter list.
Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said, "In my New Delhi assembly constituency - their (BJP) 'operation Lotus' has been going on since December 15. In these 15 days, they have applied for the deletion of 5,000 votes and the addition of 7,500 votes. Why there is a need to conduct elections if you are manipulating approximately 12 per cent of total voters in the assembly? A kind of 'game' is being going on in the name of election."
Mr Puri expressed confidence in his party's victory in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, which are expected to be held in early 2025, saying, "The electoral results of Delhi will be the same as those of Haryana and Maharashtra."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Dutch Plane Skids Off Runway After Emergency Landing In Norway
An Amsterdam-bound flight skidded off the runway at Oslo Torp Sandefjord Airport in Norway after an emergency landing. The incident happened on Saturday night, when a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines-operated Boeing 737-800 experienced a hydraulic failure shortly after taking off from Oslo Airport, prompting the crew to divert to Sandefjord Airport.
This came hours before a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operated by Jeju Air, flying from Bangkok to South Korea with 181 people on board crashed on landing at Muan International Airport on Sunday, leaving all but two people plucked from the wreckage feared dead.
As per media reports, the KLM flight was carrying 176 passengers and six crew members. It landed safely at Sandefjord Airport, situated 110 kilometres south of Oslo. However, on landing, the plane veered off the runway before stopping in soft grass near a taxiway, a video of which is being widely shared on social media.
KLM flight #KL1204, a Boeing 737-800, veered off the right side of runway 18 after landing at Oslo Torp Sandefjord Airport.
— Aviation Safety Network (ASN) (@AviationSafety) December 28, 2024
The flight had diverted there shortly after takeoff from Oslo Airport (OSL).pic.twitter.com/SKIwHIfMBV
Video shows passengers being evacuated from the aircraft using mobile stairs, as emergency responders arrived on the site. Fortunately, all 182 people on board were unharmed.
Later, KLM in a statement confirmed that incident and said that during takeoff, a loud noise was heard, leading to the diversion. On landing, pilots were unable to control the aircraft and it slid and entered the grass next to the runway, NOS said in a report.
The airline also reassured that the passengers and crew were unharmed and were cared for and an investigation has been launched into the incident.
The flight departed from Oslo at 6:55 pm (local time) and the aircraft landed at Torp's Sandefjord airport at 7:14 pm (local time), according to Dutch media reports.
After safely evacuating them, all the passengers were transported to Torp Sandefjord airport's terminal by bus and a little before 9:00 pm (local time) everyone was off the plane, the reports added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Saturday, December 28, 2024
Watch: Bengaluru Man Drives Cab After Driver Falls Asleep, Video Goes Viral
A Bengaluru man has gone viral on social media after he posted a video of driving a cab after his driver fell asleep. Milind Chandwani, a startup founder and an IIM graduate, was returning home late at night from Bengaluru Airport when he booked the cab. Taking to Instagram, Mr Chandwani wrote that the driver appeared to be sleepy and despite multiple breaks, could not get himself up to speed, before handing the steering wheel to the passenger.
"Last night at 3 AM while returning from Bengaluru airport, I found myself in an unexpected role: my cab driver's driver," Mr Chandwani captioned the video where the driver could be seen dozing off on the passenger seat.
"He was so sleepy, he even stopped for tea and a cigarette but still couldn't keep his eyes open. So, I offered to drive, and to my surprise, he handed me the keys faster than I could say "Bengaluru traffic."
After the driver went to sleep, Mr Chandwani could be seen navigating through Bengaluru's streets with Google Maps guiding him.
"He immediately reclined his seat, passed out, and left me to navigate the city with Google Maps as my co-pilot. Five minutes before we reached, his boss called, and I overheard him asking for a day shift because he couldn't handle the night shift anymore," he added.
The video quickly went viral, amassing attention on social platforms with over 13.2 million views and hundreds of comments. It sparked a range of responses from social media users, with many appreciating the act of kindness while others calling out the driver for putting his and Mr Chandwani's life in jeopardy.
Also Read | Woman Details "Traumatising" Experience With "Disgusting" Rapido Driver
Another incident
On Reddit, another user shared a video of his cab driver falling asleep during a trip from Saket, Delhi to Gurugram. The passenger who was forced to drive the vehicle said he was still "shaking" after the incident.
"I'm still shaking a bit. I booked an Uber from Select Citywalk, Saket to Sector 85, Gurgaon, with a midway drop in Najafgarh. The driver was late, but I figured it was because of the heavy rain all day," the OP said.
"At first, he was responsive, but as soon as we hit the expressway, I noticed he was driving erratically-swerving between lanes, almost hitting the divider. I looked over and realized he was falling asleep at the wheel."
My Uber Driver Fell Asleep While Driving – I Had to Take Over the Wheel
byu/Intelligent_Sign_737 ingurgaon
After driving to his destination, the OP got down while the driver woke up and instantly accepted another ride.
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Friday, December 27, 2024
Quantum Teleportation Now Possible Over Everyday Internet Cable
In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, researchers have figured out a way to achieve the unthinkable: quantum teleportation. While the name may suggest that humans could be teleported through the technology, it is far from the real-life implication of the technology. Quantum teleportation allows the transfer of information instantly and over any distance without needing any future technology. Led by Prem Kumar from Northwestern University, Illinois, US, scientists demonstrated quantum teleportation over standard fibre optic cable that already carries everyday internet traffic, according to a report in ScieneAlert.
In simple terms, quantum teleportation involves sending information from one place to another using something called "quantum entanglement". Think of entanglement like an invisible twin connection where two particles, even if miles apart, are linked in a way that what happens to one instantly affects the other. Unlike sending a physical object, you are sending the state or condition of a particle.
"This is incredibly exciting because nobody thought it was possible. Our work shows a path towards next-generation quantum and classical networks sharing a unified fibre optic infrastructure. Basically, it opens the door to pushing quantum communications to the next level," said Mr Kumar.
The study involved the careful management of light scattering to ensure that the delicate quantum information, carried by photons, could survive amidst the swarm of internet data. To achieve the desired result, the scientists utilised a specific wavelength for the quantum signal and implemented filters to minimise interference from other data streams.
"We carefully studied how light is scattered and placed our photons at a judicial point where that scattering mechanism is minimised. We found we could perform quantum communication without interference from the classical channels that are simultaneously present," added Mr Kumar.
Also Read | Google's Latest Breakthrough A Major Leap In Quantum Computing
The result was a successful teleportation of a quantum state of light, which represents a significant leap towards integrating quantum communication with existing internet infrastructure. Notably, this was not just a simulation; it was done in real-world conditions, showcasing the practical viability of quantum communication alongside traditional data transmission.
One of the biggest appeals of quantum teleportation is that it can occur almost as fast as light travels. The development is a big step towards quantum internet that could revolutionise traditional computing. From secure encryption methods to enhanced sensing capabilities to potentially even connecting quantum computers on a global scale, without needing specialised infrastructure -- the potential for the technology remains immense.
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Thursday, December 26, 2024
Ex PM Manmohan Singh Lost Consciousness At Home: AIIMS Statement
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 92, suffered sudden loss of consciousness at his home and was taken to the emergency department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences at 8.06 pm on Thursday, the hospital said in a statement. He was being treated for age-related treatments and was declared dead at 9.51 pm, it said.
"With profound grief, we inform the demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM," the statement said.
Manmohan Singh's family reached the hospital and so did Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi are flying back to Delhi from Belagavi in Karnataka where they were attending a party event.
Tributes poured in for the two-time former Prime Minister and architect of India's economic reforms. Terming Manmohan Singh one of India's most distinguished leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the late Congress leader made extensive efforts to improve people's lives.
"India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people's lives," PM Modi posted on X.
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"Deeply Emotional Moment For Me": P Chidambaram Mourns Manmohan Singh
"Deeply Emotional Moment For Me": P Chidambaram Mourns Manmohan Singh
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"Doesn't Make You Smaller If...": Gavaskar On Kohli's Face-Off With Konstas
A physical altercation between India's Virat Kohli and Australia's teenager Sam Konstas turned out to be the most discussed topic on Day 1 of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The brief showdown took place after the 10th over of the Australian innings on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test when the players were crossing over. Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders while moving across the pitch in the face-off that was initiated by the travelling star. Former India batter Sunil Gavaskar has criticised Kohli for his act.
"Really, this can be avoidable. I mean, it's like you are walking in a busy pedestrian street, and you see somebody coming at you, you just sway away," said Gavaskar on Star Sports.
"There's nothing; it doesn't make you smaller if you move away. That's the thing. And you don't want to see these things on the field. Definitely not," he added.
"My first instinct, looking at it without seeing the replays, was that both were looking down, so they didn't see each other coming. Konstas was looking at his bat; Kohli had the ball in his hand, and he was doing something. But with that footage, we'll see who gets fined more this evening," Gavskar told further.
For his act, Kohli was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point even though it was played down as an accidental bump by the 19-year-old debutant.
Kohli was eventually charged with breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.
(With PTI Inputs)
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As China Plans World's Largest Dam In Tibet, Its Impact On India Explained
- The dam will be situated on the Yarlung Zangbo River, where the river turns sharply towards Arunachal Pradesh in India.
- This ambitious plan is part of China's 14th Five-Year Plan, and with the Brahmaputra dam, the country will surpass the scale of its previous major infrastructure projects, including the Three Gorges Dam.
- The entire project is expected to cost about USD 137 billion, touting it as the biggest infrastructure project in the world.
- Lack of transparency: New Delhi is worried about Beijing's lack of transparency regarding the project, fueling fears about the dam's potential impact.
- Flash floods and water scarcity: The dam could trigger flash floods or lead to water scarcity downstream, affecting India's water supply.
- Dependence on China: India worries that the project could result in the country depending on China for its water supplies, giving China significant leverage.
- Upper riparian control: As the upper riparian state, China's control over the dam could affect the quantity of water available downstream, increasing India's concerns.
- Geopolitical tensions: The project may exacerbate geopolitical tensions between India and China, sowing the seeds of "water wars" between the two nations, according to Genevieve Donnellon-May, a geopolitical and global strategy adviser who wrote the same on AsiaGlobal Online in 2022.
- Regional implications: The dam will allow China to control water flow and potentially release large amounts of water to flood border areas during hostilities.
- India's response: India is building its own dam over the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh, and data sharing discussions just took place between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi during their Special Representatives meeting on December 18.
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Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Opinion: Why Nitish Kumar Has Gone 'Silent' Again
The Bihar unit of BJP has been in a damage control mode to circumvent any misunderstandings over leadership issues with coalition partner JDU (Janata Dal United) before the all-important assembly elections in 2025. On December 22, state BJP leader and deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary categorically stated that the forthcoming Bihar polls will be fought with Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar as the NDA's face.
Rejecting speculation, Choudhary said, "The NDA is working under the leadership of Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar and we will continue to contest elections under the leadership of both leaders." He went on, "In 2020, we contested after announcing (Kumar as the NDA's chief ministerial face) and, to date, we have considered Chief Minister Nitish Kumar only (as the NDA leader in Bihar). In future also, we will contest elections under the leadership of Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi."
The clarification was significant and necessary, given the confusion in political circles - and doubts for its ally JD(U) - that BJP could pull a Maharashtra in Bihar.
Nitish Kumar In A Sulk?
The rumour mill went into overdrive after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent interview to a news channel. Replying to a question about whether the NDA would go into the Bihar polls without naming a chief ministerial candidate (a strategy that paid off in Maharashtra), Shah had replied, after a pause, "We will sit together and decide. We will let you know after we have made a decision." His reply set tongues wagging about Nitish Kumar's future.
Adopting an "all is well" posturing, JDU officially interpreted Shah's statement as a form of tacit approval for Nitish Kumar's continued leadership. One of its spokespersons said, "Maun lakshanam, swikriti lakshanam (Silence means tacit consent)" but called for coordination among NDA allies.
However, sources say there is disquiet among JDU leaders, including Nitish himself.
Like always, as he does when he is unhappy with coalition partners, Nitish called in sick and didn't attend the two-day "Global Investors Summit - Bihar Business Connect 2024"; his two deputies from the BJP, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, showed up. The Chief Minister was expected to address potential investors and share the state's economic vision.
A sulking Nitish Kumar also cancelled his visit to Nalanda district on December 20 to inaugurate a statue of Magadh emperor Jarasandha in Rajgir, along with his two deputies.
Sanjay Kumar, a Patna-based political expert, says during this time the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) sensed an opportunity. "Nitish went silent. He distanced himself from scheduled programmes. RJD sensed it and made moves to contact Nitish. BJP came to know of these developments and went on damage control mode stating that they will fight elections under Nitish's leadership."
The Maharashtra analogy looms, because just like in Bihar, the BJP was the senior partner in the ruling coalition.
To reassure Nitish Kumar after Shah's interview, NDA constituents in Bihar held a meeting in Patna on December 20 and reiterated their faith in his leadership for the polls, ruling out any reconsideration.
Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal too sought to explain that key decisions are taken by the parliamentary Board. Other NDA partners like Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) also lent their support to Nitish Kumar.
As Nitish Kumar stayed glum, Samrat Choudhary reasserted that his boss would be the NDA's leader for the 2025 polls. Especially as rumours suggested the BJP may fight elections with Choudhary as its chief ministerial face in Bihar.
Behind the scenes
A beaming and visibly healthy Nitish Kumar launched his 'Pragati Yatra' - his record 14th yatra - on December 23. But all is not well between the NDA coalition partners.
"The statements coming from BJP's state leadership will not satisfy either Nitish or his coterie. They want a clarification from the senior BJP leadership in Delhi," says Ravi Upadhyay, a senior journalist based in Patna.
"Nitish's actions and reactions are instant. He hits out intelligently. There is an ongoing political turmoil in Bihar. JDU is alert after the turn of events in Maharashtra," adds Upadhyay.
NK Chaudhury, a senior political analyst, says, "JDU and Nitish are both jittery after Shah's comments. BJP is only testing waters as it cannot afford to antagonise JDU at this juncture. With Nitish, nothing can be ruled out. Even if Lalu Yadav extends support to Nitish now, it will be short-lived."
About jeopardising the coalition governments in the state and at the Centre (where BJP doesn't have a majority and is propped up by the JDU and Telugu Desam Party), Sanjay Kumar says, "Both BJP and JDU are indulging in pressure politics. There is also information about disgruntlement within the JDU and its MPs being in touch with the BJP's central leadership. This may have given confidence to Shah to make such a statement."
The BJP may say later that Nitish Kumar overreacted when he skipped out on the investors' meet where investments worth Rs 1.8 lakh crore were declared for Bihar, which the state needs so desperately.
Perhaps the BJP is taking a calculated risk knowing that for the 2025 elections, Lalu Yadav will only entertain Nitish on the condition that his son and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav is made chief minister - which will never be acceptable to Nitish Kumar.
It will be good for the BJP to placate Nitish Kumar soon, unless it has something else up its sleeve.
(The author is Contributing Editor, NDTV)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
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Monday, December 23, 2024
Explained: Trump's Warning Over Panama Canal Amid Rising Chinese Influence
The thought of China is haunting Donald Trump who is troubled over Beijing's growing influence right under US' tail - the Panama Canal - a bridge connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean through strategically located Panama, the country which links North and South America.
US President-elect Trump, who is always ready to threaten others with tariffs, is also perturbed by Panama charging "excessive tariffs" for the use of the Panama Canal. So unsettled is he, by the combination of these two factors, that Mr Trump has openly declared that the US might consider taking control of the Panama Canal.
Writing about his concerns on his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump warned that he would never let the Panama canal fall into the "wrong hands." Reminding the government in Panama that the canal was originally built by the United States more than a century ago, Mr Trump wrote "It was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else".
He further re-posted a video of himself titled "We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!"
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PANAMA CANAL
Till the early 20th century the shortest way to reach the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic Ocean and vice versa was to either sail around Cape Horn located in Chile at the southern tip of South America or to sail through the Strait of Magellan - also at the southern end of South America - in Chile. Both meant sailing around the entire continent of South America and nearly reaching Antarctica before sailing back up either into the Pacific or the Atlantic - this was neither economical, nor efficient.
After much thought, research and survey, a narrow, but possible way was discovered cutting across the Isthmus of Panama. However, there was a herculean challenge to be overcome in order to achieve that. The waterway was at different levels and there was no way a ship could either climb or descend where there was a sudden change in topography. For the waterway in the isthmus to be converted into a man-made canal, it would require an engineering marvel - one that was both inconceivable and unheard of in the early 20th Century.
The United States of America was the only nation at the time that had the technical knowledge and expertise to be able to make it happen. And so, in May, 1904 - less than a year after Panama declared Independence from Colombia in November, 1903, the US began the construction of the Panama Canal. A treaty was signed between the United States and Panama under which the canal would be constructed and managed by the US. After 10 years of engineering works round-the-clock, the Panama Canal became a reality in August, 1914 with the SS Ancon becoming the first ship to pass through the canal.
The US continued to control and operate the canal and its surrounding areas until a new agreement was signed between Panama and the US called the Torrijos-Carter Treaty in 1977. This provided for the handover of the canal to Panama after joint operations for nearly two decades. The Panamanian government took full control of the canal in 1999.
DONALD TRUMP vs PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT JOSE MULINO
Apart from the warning that the US would never allow operations of the Panama Canal to be handed over to another country amid China's growing influence and muscular posturing globally, Donald Trump expressed his displeasure over "very high" tariffs being charged by Panama.
Writing on Truth Social, Mr Trump said "The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US."
"It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question," Mr Trump added.
Hours after Donald Trump's warning, the Panamanian government responded, though without naming the US President-elect. Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino dismissed the threats by posting a video on social media platform X that "Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama."
"The canal has no direct or indirect control from China, nor the European Union, nor the United States or any other power," President Mulino said, adding that "As a Panamanian, I reject any manifestation that misrepresents this reality." His video message was in Spanish.
🇵🇦 Mensaje del Presidente José Raúl Mulino 🇵🇦 pic.twitter.com/DMXU8qAuNT
— José Raúl Mulino (@JoseRaulMulino) December 22, 2024
President Mulino also said he hopes to have "a good and respectful relationship" with the incoming Trump administration. Donald Trump responded soon after the posts by the Panamanian President but kept everyone guessing when he wrote "We'll see about that!".
Meanwhile, amid the power tussle between the US and China in terms of its military and naval prowess, it is important to note that China now has the world's largest navy, surging past the United States. China has a declared fleet size of more than 370 ships and submarines. This is significantly larger than the fleet size of the US Navy, which is 290 ships and submarines.
The Panama Canal is among the most crucial waterways of the world in terms of trade and commerce, and freedom of navigation of the seas has been among the topmost priorities of the democratic world, and a cornerstone of its policy.
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Photo From Shyam Benegal's 90th Birthday Resurfaces After His Death
Photos from legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal's 90th birthday celebration have resurfaced online following the news of his death.
The heartwarming images serve as a poignant reminder of the iconic director's enduring legacy and the lives he touched. The late filmmaker celebrated his milestone birthday on December 14, surrounded by Bollywood celebrities such as Shabana Azmi, Divya Dutta, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajit Kapur, Atul Tiwari, and others.
A group photo from the celebration, shared by Shabana Azmi on X, has gone viral. Sharing the photo, Azmi captioned it, "On #ShyamBenegal's 90th birthday with my co-actor of many films and my favorite actor @NaseeruddinShah. Why aren't more people casting us together?!"
Some of his actors with Shyam Benegal's on his 90th birthday Mashallah pic.twitter.com/cnDrjAphf2
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) December 15, 2024
On December 23, Shyam Benegal d at the age of 90. He breathed his last around 6:30 pm at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai. His daughter, Pia Benegal, confirmed the news.
Mourning his death, filmmaker Hansal Mehta shared a photo of Benegal and wrote, "Among the last of our great filmmakers. Go well, Shyam Babu. Thank you for inspiring many like me. Thank you for the cinema. Thank you for giving tough stories and flawed characters such amazing dignity."
Known for his iconic and award-winning films such as "Ankur," "Bhumika," "Manthan," and "Nishant," Benegal leaves behind a rich legacy in Indian cinema. He made his feature film debut with "Ankur" in 1974, starring Anant Nag and Shabana Azmi. The critically acclaimed film earned the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in Indian cinema.
His final directorial work, "Mujib: The Making of a Nation" (2023), chronicled the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Benegal was the recipient of multiple National Awards for films including "Bhumika: The Role," "Junoon," "Arohan," "Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero", and "Well Done Abba."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Sunday, December 22, 2024
Couple Tied To Pole, Thrashed By Mob In Bihar
A man and a woman were seen tied to a pole and thrashed by a crowd in a viral video. The police have confirmed the incident as from Bihar's Muzaffarpur district.
The two were in a relationship, the police said, adding the locals had objected to them being together.
In the video, the woman was heard screaming, her hands tied to the pole with a rope. The man is tied to the pole with his back against her.
Reports said the woman is from Samastipur district, and the man from Muzaffarpur.
The police said they started investigating soon after the video went viral.
"... It appears that the man is a resident of Sakra area of Muzaffarpur. The police station concerned has been directed to investigate the incident," Muzaffarpur Superintendent of Police (Rural) Vidya Sagar told reporters.
"I came to know about the incident after some people sent the video on WhatsApp," he said.
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4,000-Year-Old Massacre In England: 37 Victims Were Slaughtered And Eaten
A 4,000-year-old massacre in southwestern England was linked to possible acts of cannibalism, new research has revealed. The remains of at least 37 individuals -- men, women and children -- were found in a 50-foot-deep shaft at Charterhouse Warren Farm, showing snapped femurs, bashed skulls, and slicing cuts. Researchers suggest the victims were slaughtered and possibly eaten in a ceremonial feast, with some bones bearing marks of human teeth.
The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, suggest the victims were slaughtered in a single, large-scale event between 2210 and 2010 BC. Discovered in 1970 at Charterhouse Warren Farm, near Bristol, the site had initially been dismissed as a typical Bronze Age burial. However, the new study reveals the remains belonged to victims who were likely captives or caught in a surprise attack. No evidence of weapons or defensive injuries was found.
Nearly half of the recovered skulls bear fatal injuries consistent with blows from wooden clubs. Tool marks on leg bones suggest flesh was stripped, and fractures on long bones point to marrow extraction -- practices associated with cannibalism. The perpetrators also dumped butchered animal remains into the shaft alongside human bones, possibly as part of a ritual.
“It's taken us all aback. It was completely unexpected, totally atypical for the period and for almost all of British prehistory,” said lead author Rick Schulting, archaeology professor at Oxford University.
The scale of the violence and its motivations remain unclear. Researchers believe that a cycle of escalating revenge killings between nearby communities may have triggered the massacre. Rick Schulting suggests that the killings may have been a warning or a form of dehumanisation of the victims. “There has been no [previous] indication of violence on this scale in Britain at that time, both regarding the number of victims and the way in which they were treated after death,” he said.
Unlike the relatively peaceful archaeological record of the British Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, where violent conflict was rare, Charterhouse Warren presents a unique case of mass violence and systematic postmortem processing. The disarticulated remains stand out against the typical burial practices of the period, where articulated skeletons or cremations dominated. Charterhouse Warren joins a handful of European prehistoric sites that document extreme violence and body processing.
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Saturday, December 21, 2024
Saudi Suspect In German Attack Held Strongly Anti-Islam Views: Report
The Saudi suspect in Germany's deadly car-ramming attack on a Christmas market held strongly anti-Islam views and was angry with Germany's migrant policy, official said Saturday.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the "terrible, insane" attack that killed five people and shocked the nation, days before Christmas and eight years after a jihadist drove a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin.
Police were puzzling over the motive of Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, the top suspect after an SUV ploughed at high speed through a dense crowd Friday, also injuring 205 people in the eastern city of Magdeburg.
The mass carnage sparked sorrow and revulsion, with a nine-year-old child among the dead and casualties being treated in 15 regional hospitals.
Germany has been hit by multiple deadly jihadist attacks, but evidence gathered by investigators and his past online posts painted a different picture of Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old doctor of psychiatry.
A self-described "Saudi atheist" who as an activist helped women flee the oil-rich kingdom, he has railed against Islam but also against what he saw as Germany's permissive attitude towards refugees from other mainly Muslim countries.
Interior Minister Nancy Fraser said he held "Islamophobic" views, and a prosecutor said that "the background to the crime... could have been disgruntlement with the way Saudi Arabian refugees are treated in Germany".
Taha Al-Hajji of the Berlin-based European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights told AFP Abdulmohsen was "a psychologically disturbed person with an exaggerated sense of self-importance".
Call for unity
Abdulmohsen in his online posts spoke about his troubles with and suspicions of German authorities.
Last August, he posted on social media: "Is there a path to justice in Germany without blowing up a German embassy or randomly slaughtering German citizens? ... If anyone knows it, please let me know."
Die Welt daily reported, citing security sources, that German state and federal police had carried out a "risk assessment" on him last year but concluded that he posed "no specific danger".
A sombre Scholz, dressed in black, visited the attack site Saturday together with national and regional politicians laying flowers outside the main church in Magdeburg.
Mourning and bereaved residents have left candles, flowers, cards and children's toys at the Johanneskirche church, where a memorial service was planned at 7:00 pm (1800 GMT).
Scholz pledged the state would respond "with the full force of the law" to the attack but also called for unity as Germany has been rocked by a heated debate on immigration and security ahead of elections in February.
The centre-left chancellor said it was important "that we stick together, that we link arms, that it is not hatred that determines our coexistence but the fact that we are a community that seeks a common future."
He said he was grateful for expressions of "solidarity... from many, many countries around the world. It is good to hear that we as Germans are not alone in the face of this terrible catastrophe."
'Sad and shocked'
Surveillance video footage of the attack showed a black BMW racing straight through the crowd, scattering bodies amid the festive stalls that were selling traditional handicrafts, snacks and mulled wine.
On Saturday, debris and discarded medical materials blew across the cordoned-off site, where stalls now stand empty around a giant Christmas tree, the event cancelled for the year out of respect for the victims.
The leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alice Weidel, which has focused on jihadist attacks in its campaign against immigrants, wrote on X: "When will this madness stop?"
"What happened today affects a lot of people. It affects us a lot," Fael Kelion, a 27-year-old Cameroonian living in the city, told AFP.
"I think that since (the suspect) is a foreigner, the population will be unhappy, less welcoming."
Michael Raarig, 67 and an engineer, said that "I am sad, I am shocked. I never would have believed this could happen, here in an east German provincial town."
He added that he believed the attack "will play into the hands of the AfD" which has had its strongest support in the formerly communist eastern Germany.
Security was stepped up Saturday at Christmas markets elsewhere in Germany with more police seen in Hamburg, Leipzig and other cities.
German footballers were holding a minute's silence and wearing black armbands in weekend matches in tribute to the victims.
The regional Evangelical church announced that at 7:03 p.m. (1803 GMT) "the time of yesterday's attack on the Christmas market, the bells of all churches in Magdeburg and many places of worship in the surrounding area will ring".
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Internet Loves Genelia's Dig At Sonam's "Whatever, These People" Comment
Genelia D'Souza is internet's favourite. So when she recently subtly clapped back at Sonam Kapoor for an insensitive comment she made in the past, it has gone viral. This is what happened.
The controversy started when Sonam appeared on the sixth episode of Koffee with Karan season 7 along with her cousin Arjun Kapoor. Sonam was asked who she thinks is the most real on Instagram.
Pregnant with her son Vayu at the time, Sonam replied, "Genelia, Sameera, whatever, all these people."
Even though Karan Johar and Arjun laughed it off, this comment did not sit well with a lot of people, especially with Genelia's fans. A Reddit page recently posted the same clip with the caption, "Genelia's one South movie is equal to her whole career, jealousy can be seen on your face."
The widely circulated video not only reached Genelia, but she also reacted and dropped a comment on the post. The actress posted a bunch of folded hands emoji on it.
Check out the post here:
Genelia's comment on Sonam mocking her
byu/Ok_Life_1511 inBollyBlindsNGossip
Recently, Genelia recently celebrated her father's birthday. She took to Instagram to share two adorable photos with him.
In the first picture, Genelia and her father were twinning in matching black hoodies and denim bottoms on a sports field. The second photo was a black and white picture of an adorable moment of the two.
On the work front, Genelia made her acting ocmeback in 2022 with the Hindi film Mister Mummy and Marathi film Ved.
In 2023, she was seen in the Hindi movie Trial Period. She will be next seen in Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par and Junior in Telugu and Kannada.
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Namita Thapar And Anupam Mittal Clash Over 70-Hour Workweek Debate
It's been several months, but the debate on India's work productivity, sparked by Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy's '70-hour workweek' comment continues to rage on. Now, 'Shark Tank India' judges, Namita Thapar and Anupam Mittal, have expressed their views on the matter. During an interview with 'Humans of Bombay', Mr Mittal, founder and CEO of Shaadi.com, engaged in a fiery debate with Ms Thapar, the CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals. While Mr Mittal supported the idea that one should not look at the number of hours being clocked at work, Ms Thapar disagreed with him calling it a "crock of bullsh*t".
In the interview, Mr Mittal was asked about his opinion on the workweek debate. He said, "I think it is a big lie that's being told to this generation, and I think it stinks because you are not ever going to... okay this is for people who want to achieve something extraordinary in life... you are not going to achieve anything extraordinary in life by counting the hours that you are putting in."
Mr Thapar then quickly chimed in, saying that it is different for founders as they have an "upside" which is not there for regular employees and therefore, they should work for stipulated hours, considering the work-life balance. "Basically this whole discussion and argument that is going on, pardon my language, is a crock of bullsh*t," she said.
Ms Thapar explained three data points to support her argument. "No. 1, when Emcure went public, it was $3 billion, my family owns 80 percent, so imagine the kind of wealth I am making. The founders, set of co-founders and top management, look at the kind of money they are making. Obviously, we could work 20 hours a day, which is what we all do. But the employee? Today, my accountant, he is making a salary, he does not have the upside of putting in that kind of hours," she said.
Ms Thapar then went on to say that extended work hours cannot be a norm for regular employees as it will have far-reaching implications. "If he is going to put in that kind of hours, my second data point is, he is going to have serious, serious, serious physical and mental health issues," she said.
"So, I think for founders and high stakeholders, who make tons of money - go for it. Work 24 hours a day forever! But I think for the common man and woman... (there needs to be) a certain number of hours that they are supposed to work, and of course when there are deliverables... people work longer hours, but it is not on a non-stop, standard number basis," she continued.
Also Read | Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal's Strongly-Worded Email To Employees On WFH Misuse Goes Viral
"Third thing: For God's sake, don't get married and have children because the next generation is suffering because of non-existent parents... just spare them the misery and mental health issues due to having an absentee parent. So, I think for people with high stakes, yes (work long hours), but for common employees, have a reasonable work limit, knowing that there will be some blips during deliverable time, but it cannot be a constant 70-hour work week, which is what a lot of people are proposing," she added.
Notably, the 70-hour workweek debate started when Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy said that India's work productivity is one of the lowest in the world and asked the youth the contribute towards building the culture so that India can compete effectively on the global stage.
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Friday, December 20, 2024
India Lodges Protest With Bangladesh Over 'Map' Post By Muhammad Yunus Aide
India has lodged a strong protest with Dhaka over a now-deleted social media post by a key aide of Bangladesh's interim government that claimed certain areas of Indian territory should be part of that country.
Mahfuz Alam, known for his provocative comments, had also posted on Facebook four days ago a map purportedly showing parts of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam as parts of Bangladesh. He deleted the post after it triggered backlash.
Mr Alam is a de facto minister in the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh.
In strongly reacting to the post, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday reminded all concerned to be "mindful" of their public comments.
"We have taken this up with the Bangladeshi government. We have strongly registered a protest on this issue. We understand that the post being referred to has reportedly been taken down.
"We would like to remind all concerned to be mindful of their public comments. While India has repeatedly signalled interest in fostering relations with the people and the interim government of Bangladesh, such comments underline the need for responsibility in public articulation," he said.
The relations between India and Bangladesh are reeling under severe strain after the interim government headed by Mr Yunus came to power in August.
Mr Yunus assumed the charge as the head of the interim dispensation days after the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post and fled to India in the face of a massive anti-government protest.
Asked about Mr Yunus not providing a specific timeline for holding parliamentary elections in Bangladesh as he said it could be held between late 2025 and early 2026, Jaiswal did not give a clear answer.
"We have very clearly defined our approach towards our ties with Bangladesh. We have said that we support a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh," he said.
"We have reiterated our willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on mutual trust, respect and mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns and interest," Jaiswal said.
"We have also emphasised that the people of Bangladesh are the main stakeholders in the India-Bangladesh relations and noted that India's development cooperation and multi-faceted engagements with Bangladesh including in areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building which are all geared towards benefiting the people of Bangladesh," he added.
In an address to the nation on December 16, Mr Yunus said the elections could be held between late 2025 and early 2026, depending on implementation of various reforms.
Asked about Mr Yunus's comments offering to host the stalled SAARC summit in Bangladesh following his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Cairo, Jaiswal said India has been pushing for regional cooperation through various platforms.
"Our efforts have been to boost regional cooperation. We want to move forward with platforms like BIMSTEC," he said, adding, "SAARC is another platform...You know why cooperation under SAARC is not moving forward." The SAARC ((South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) is a regional bloc comprising India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The grouping has not been very effective since 2016 as its biennial summits have not taken place since the last one in Kathmandu in 2014.
The 2016 SAARC Summit was to be held in Islamabad. But after the terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to "prevailing circumstances".
The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet.
In the last few years, India has been making concerted efforts to make BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) a vibrant forum for regional cooperation as initiatives under SAARC were not moving forward.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Thursday, December 19, 2024
Speaker Bars Protests At Parliament Gates After MPs' Injury Row: Sources
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has issued strict instructions to ensure no MP is allowed to hold protests at any of the gates in Parliament House, sources have said. The instructions came after chaos and ruckus unfolded earlier today between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Opposition MPs at the Makar Dwar of the Parliament House.
Mr Birla has also issued instructions to all MPs not to block or hold protests at any of the entry gates to the parliament.
MPs from the NDA and the Opposition bloc INDIA took out separate protest marches over the BR Ambedkar issue earlier today. The situation escalated when both came face to face outside the Parliament House, leading to jostling in which BJP MP Pratap Sarangi was injured.
He was taken to hospital with an injury on his forehead. BJP MPs alleged Mr Sarangi was pushed by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. Another BJP MP Mukesh Rajput was also injured, the party said.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, later told reporters that while he was trying to enter Parliament House, BJP members pushed and "threatened" him.
"It is our right to enter Parliament," he said.
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned following the noisy protests by the Opposition seeking an apology from Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks on BR Ambedkar.
The Delhi Police this evening registered a first information report (FIR) against Rahul Gandhi after the BJP filed a complaint accusing him of "physical assault and incitement".
A police officer said they are likely to call Rahul Gandhi for questioning in connection with the case. The police will also request the Lok Sabha secretariat to provide CCTV footage of the area where the alleged incident happened.
The Congress has strongly rejected the assault claim, alleging BJP MPs pushed its chief Mallikarjun Kharge and "physically manhandled" Rahul Gandhi. The Congress also filed a complaint in connection with the matter.
In his two-page police complaint, BJP MP from Vadodara Hemang Joshi said, "They intentionally used physical force to push Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Rao Sarangi and others who were standing on the narrow stairs at the entrance."
He alleged Mukesh Rajput suffered a "severe injury" to the back of his head and Mr Sarangi to his forehead.
"My colleague, Dr Byreddy Sabari, MP, who is also a qualified doctor, immediately provided first aid to the injured individuals. I personally witnessed the incident as I was standing next to my injured colleagues and attempted to reason with Shri Rahul Gandhi and his accomplices," Mr Joshi said in the complaint.
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Remittances To India As Much As Pak, Bangladesh Budgets Combined: 5 Facts
- At $129 billion, India's remittances alone is nearly as much as the annual budgets of Pakistan ($67 billion) and Bangladesh ($68 billion) combined. It is also nearly double that of Mexico, which took the second spot on the highest remittances list.
- As per the latest figures compiled by World Bank economists, India, which topped the list of recipient countries for remittances in 2024, received an estimated inflow of $129 billion. Mexico came second with $68 billion, China came third at $48 billion, the Philippines came fourth at $40 billion, and Pakistan came fifth at $33 billion.
- India has steadily been receiving remittances of more than $100 billion each year for the last five years, except 2020 - when COVID-19 had peaked. That year India saw an inflow of $83 billion. The growth rate of remittances this year is estimated to be 5.8 per cent, compared to 1.2 per cent registered in 2023, according to a World Bank.
- India has received such high remittances that it has even surpassed the Foreign Direct Investment or FDI inflows significantly, which, till the September quarter stood at $62 billion. Remittances also surpassed India's overall defence budget for 2024 by more than $55 billion.
- In the last 10 years, India's overall remittances grew by 57 per cent. In total, between 2014 and 2024, India has received nearly $1 trillion dollars ($982 billion) only in remittances. The year-wise break-up being - $70 billion in 2014, $69 billion in 2015, $63 billion in 2016, $69 billion in 2017, $79 billion in 2018, $79 billion in 2019 $83 billion in 2020, $105 billion in 2021, $111 billion in 2022, $125 billion in 2023, and $129 billion in 2024.
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Strict Laws For Women's Welfare; Marriage Not Commercial Venture: Top Court
The Supreme Court on Thursday said the strict provisions of law were for the welfare of women and not a means to "chastise, threaten, domineer or extort" their husbands.
Justices BV Nagarathna and Pankaj Mithal observed a Hindu marriage was considered to be a sacred institution, as a foundation for a family and not a "commercial venture".
Notably, the bench observed the invocation of Indian Penal Code sections including rape, criminal intimidation and subjecting a married woman to cruelty -- as a "combined package" in most of the complaints related to matrimonial disputes -- was condemned by the top court on several occasions.
"The women need to be careful about the fact that these strict provisions of law in their hands are beneficial legislations for their welfare and not means to chastise, threaten, domineer or extort from their husbands," it said.
The observations came when the bench dissolved the marriage between an estranged couple on the grounds of its irretrievable breakdown.
"The provisions in the criminal law are for the protection and empowerment of women but sometimes are used by certain women more for purposes that they are never meant for," the bench said.
The husband in the case was ordered to pay Rs 12 crore as permanent alimony to the estranged wife as a full and final settlement for all her claims within a month.
The bench however commented on cases where the wife and her family tended to use a criminal complaint with these serious offences as a platform for negotiation and as a tool to get the husband and his family to comply with their demands, which were mostly monetary in nature.
It said the police were sometimes quick to jump into action in selective cases and arrest the husband or even his relatives, including aged and bedridden parents and grandparents, with trial courts refraining from giving bail to the accused owing to the "gravity of the offences" in the FIR.
"The collective effect of this chain of events is often overlooked by the actual individual players involved therein, which is that even minor disputes between husband and wife tend to snowball into ugly prodigious battles of ego and reputation and washing dirty linen in public, eventually leading to the relationship turning sour to the extent that there remains no possibility of a reconciliation or cohabitation," it said.
The Supreme Court noted a plea was filed before it by the wife seeking transfer of a divorce petition filed under section 13 (1) of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, pending in a court in Bhopal to a court in Pune.
The husband had sought dissolution of marriage under Article 142(1) of the Constitution.
The court said the parties and their family members were involved in numerous litigations during the brief period of their marital relationship.
The bench said the marriage did not really take off at all, observing no continuous cohabitation of the estranged couple.
Considering the point of alimony, the court said the wife claimed the estranged husband had a net-worth of Rs 5,000 crore with multiple businesses and properties in the US and in India, and had paid the first wife at least Rs 500 crore upon separation, excluding a house in Virginia.
"Thus, she claims permanent alimony commensurate to the status of the respondent-husband and on the same principles as was paid to the first wife of the respondent," the bench noted.
The court expressed serious reservations with the tendency of the parties seeking maintenance or alimony as an equalisation of wealth with the other party.
The bench said it was often seen that parties in their application for maintenance or alimony highlighted the assets, status and income of their spouse, and then asked for an amount that could equal their wealth of the spouse.
"However, there is an inconsistency in this practice, because the demands of equalisation are made only in cases where the spouse is a person of means or is doing well for himself," it said.
The bench wondered if the wife would be willing to seek an equalisation of wealth if due to some unfortunate event, post-separation, he was rendered a pauper.
Fixing alimony depends on various factors and there cannot be any straight-jacket formula, it said.
In the joint plea jointly seeking dissolution of their marriage by a decree of mutual divorce, the husband had agreed to pay a sum of Rs 8 crore towards full and final settlement of all claims.
"The family court at Pune has assessed Rs 10 crore as the quantum of permanent alimony that petitioner could be entitled to. We accept the said finding of the family court, Pune. An additional amount of Rs 2 crore is liable to be paid to the petitioner so as to enable her to acquire another flat...," said the bench.
The court also quashed the criminal cases filed by the wife against the estranged husband.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Superman Teaser Trailer Out, Features Superdog Krypto And Hawk Girl
James Gunn's much-awaited Superman's teaser-trailer is out now. The relatively new Superman David Corenswet will inhabit a world full of DC Comics characters. The teaser introduces the Superman, lying on a snow-covered terrain and blood spitting out of his mouth. When Krypto the Superdog, comes near a wounded Superman, he says, "Take me home."
The teaser offers a first look of David as Superman's bespectacled alter ego, Clark Kent, reporter for the Metropolis newspaper The Daily Planet. Kent's colleague and Superman's beloved, Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Superman's arch nemesis, Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), are also introduced in the teaser. Additionally, there are a few quick glimpses of Skyler Gisondo as Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen, as well as Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent, Clark's adopted father.
There are also glimpses of other DC superheroes making their debuts. They include Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, the pugnacious member of the Green Lantern corps, Isabela Merced ("Alien: Romulus") as the winged Hawkgirl; and Anthony Corrigan as the pale, bald Metamorpho.
During a press meet, James Gunn mentioned the essance of the film with these words this Superman "lives in a world with superheroes," quoted Variety.
The new Superman film is also David Corenswet's biggest Hollywood project yet. He is only the fourth actor to play the iconic role on the big screen, after Christopher Reeve (1978-87), Brandon Routh (2006) and Henry Cavill (2013-2022). Before Superman, David has been seen in projects such as The Politician, Hollywood, and Pearl.
Before casting for the lead role of Superman/ Clark Kent, James Gunn had shared his vision for the film in an interaction with Variety. He had said: "The next Superman has to be someone who has all the humanity that Superman has but he's also an alien. It's gotta be somebody who has the kindness and the compassion that Superman has and be somebody who you want to give a hug."
James Gunn has previously directed films such as the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, The Suicide Squad, and Slither, among others.
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Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Influencer Arrested For "Money Hunt" Challenge On Highway In Hyderabad
An Instagram content creator found himself behind bars after his video of 'Money Hunt' on Hyderabad's Outer Ring Road (ORR) went viral.
The accused, identified as Bhanuchander, alias Anchor Chandu, 30, a resident of Balanagar in Hyderabad, had circulated a video throwing bundles of currency notes along the ORR and challenging viewers to a 'Money Hunt' and the video had gone viral.
In the video, the accused was seen throwing bundles of Rs 200 notes along the roadside near ORR exit number 9 in Ghatkesar, challenging viewers to locate and retrieve the cash. According to police, he claimed to have thrown a bundle of Rs 20,000 on the roadside.
After the video went viral, several people rushed to the area, stopping their vehicles on the ORR to search for the hidden money. This disrupted traffic and raised safety concerns, prompting intervention by ORR patrolling personnel.
Rachakonda Police said they arrested the irresponsible Instagram content creator as his act caused chaos, and inconvenience, and posed a significant threat to road safety.
Taking the matter seriously, Rachakonda Police Commissioner G. Sudheer Babu directed the Ghatkesar Police Station to initiate action.
Authorities increased security at exit number 9 and enforced measures to prevent vehicles from stopping in the area.
The Ghatkesar police registered a case, identified the individual, and arrested him.
A case was registered against him under Sections 125 and 292 of Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 8(1b) of the National Highway Act.
Rachakonda Police Commissioner said such reckless acts not only endanger lives but also set a bad example for others.
"Social media should be a platform to inspire and educate, not to act irresponsibly. Rachakonda Police remains committed to ensuring public safety and holding individuals accountable. Use your social media platform wisely-create content responsibly," the Police Commissioner posted on 'X'.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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