Page 103 - Social Issues
Attacked Gurugram family threatens mass suicide
A minority family that faced brutal assault on the day of Holi in Gurugram, on Monday threatened to commit mass suicide, alleging that both district police and civil administration are favouring the attackers under political pressure.
Diplomats, activists decry Chinese 'threats' at UN rights council
Diplomats and activists denounced Monday intense Chinese lobbying, pressure and even threats to rein in criticism of Beijing during last month's session of the UN Human Rights Council. Human Rights Watch (HRW) charged that the Chinese mission in Geneva had sent a letter to a number of missions urging them to stay away from a US-organised event on March 13 about China's treatment of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang province. The letter, signed by Ambassador Yu Jianhua and seen by AFP, tells countries "not to co-sponsor, participate in or be present at this side event...in the interest of our bilateral relations and continued multilateral cooperation." HRW slammed these "threats", with the organisation's Geneva director John Fisher warning that the public outcry over the treatment of Muslim minorities had "sent China into panic mode." Chinese officials, he said in a statement, are now "using public as well as private pressure to block concerted international action." The .
Saudi Arabia executes four people for drug trafficking
Saudi Arabia's interior ministry said four people were executed Monday for drug trafficking, including one woman, bringing to 53 the number of people put to death this year. Two Pakistani men, a Yemeni man and a Nigerian woman were executed in the holy city of Mecca, the ministry said in statements carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. Fifty-three people have been executed in the kingdom since the beginning of the year, according to a count based on official data released by SPA. The ultra-conservative kingdom has one of the world's highest execution rates, with those convicted of terrorism, homicide, rape, armed robbery and drug trafficking facing the death penalty. Rights experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the fairness of trials in the kingdom, governed under a strict form of Islamic law. The government says the death penalty is a deterrent for further crime. Last year, Saudi Arabia carried out the death sentences of 120 people.
UAE scraps 'profession' criteria, makes income only requirement for expats to sponsor family
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has approved a new rule for expats under which foreign workers will now be able to sponsor their family members if they fulfil a certain income criteria, a move which will benefit lakhs of Indians. Indians in the UAE constitute the largest part of population of the country. Approximately 3.3 million non-resident Indians constitute about 30 per cent of the total population of the UAE, according to the Indian Embassy in the UAE. Income will be the only requirement for UAE expatriates to sponsor their family members as opposed to the previously listed 'professions', the UAE Cabinet announced on Sunday as it adopted a decision to amend provisions of the resolution on foreign workers sponsoring their families. The Cabinet made the decision to reaffirms the UAE's position "as a hub for talents and a land of opportunities", the Khaleej Times reported. Under the prevalent guidelines, male expats can sponsor their immediate family members such as wife and ...
Changes in UAE visa to benefit Indian expats' kin too
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced new visa guidelines as per which family members of foreign citizens, including Indians, working in the country will now be able to get an "expat visa" if the working relative fulfils an income criteria.
PM ignored Maha farmer-drought issues; rally a flop, says Cong
The Congress Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to address Maharashtra's burning issues including drought and farmers' suicides after he attacked the opposition party at a poll rally on the 'Hindu terror' tag. "#BJP has failed #Vidarbha .#maharashtra as PM in #Wardha failed to address burning issues of draught, farmer suicides, #MSP distress, corruption of his govt & unfulfilled promises made in 2014 over jobs, Ease of doing business, Women safety, Inflation...," AICC secretary in-charge for Maharashtra Ashish Dua tweeted. Maharashtra Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant took at dig at the PM and asked why he had to come personally to Wardha if he intended to deliver the "same speech" he had made here five years ago. "He (Modi) again gave the slogan of Hindutva. He did not touch upon issues which matter. He spoke as if opposition parties are in power," Sawant said. Sawant termed Modi's rally a "super flop" claiming the venue in Wardha was ...
Rules flouted in granting extension to SSC chairman, sack him: Activists
A group of activists on Monday alleged that rules were flouted to grant an extension to retired chairman of the Staff Selection Commission to cover up the recruitment scam and protect those involved in corruption. "The cabinet committee on appointments led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regularised the illegal extension of Ashim Khurana by amending rules retrospectively even after concerned officers in UPSC and Law Ministry expressed written objection terming it unconstitutional," activist Yogendar Yadav told reporters. The group "Youth Halla Bol", of which Yadav is a part, demanded that Khurana must be removed from the post of SSC Chairman and CBI investigation in the recruitment scam be expedited.
Pak boy in 'protective custody' for attempting to operate self-made 'flying machine'
A Pakistani student who attempted to operate a "flying machine" he built has been taken into "protective custody" by police in Punjab province, a media report said Monday. Police detained Fayaz, a matriculation student, who was about to "fly" his device in the fields of a village in Muhammad Nagar of Arifwala, Punjab province. Rang Shah police on Sunday took the youth into "protective custody" who was attempting to operate, what he called, a flying device he had created, Dawn newspaper reported. Fayaz said he sold his four-kanal (0.5 acre) land he had inherited and invested the money into developing the flying machine. On Sunday, hundreds of villagers gathered as he was about to test the machine. However, someone informed Rang Shah police who cordoned off the fields and stopped Fayaz from operating the machine. Witnesses said police carried the machine in a tractor trolley and took it to the police station along with Fayaz. No first information report was registered against him and ...
Cong's 'NYAY' will help victims of 'anyaay' in Bihar; to make big dent in cycle of poverty:Tejashwi
The RJD on Monday came out in full support of the Congress' proposed minimum income scheme NYAY with its leader Tejashwi Yadav asserting that the scheme will make a "massive" dent in the vicious cycle of poverty and help the victims of 'anyaay' (injustice) in Bihar. Tejashwi also said the Bihar grand alliance, which represents the oppressed and marginalised sections of the society, has rattled the BJP-led NDA, and asserted that it was not a "lackluster alliance" but a "robust rainbow coalition of not only political parties but also of social constituencies". "The Nyuntam Aay Yojana or 'NYAY' proposed by the Congress will have far-reaching impact for the people of Bihar. It promises to put in the hands of the poorest, a regular sum of money every month to be spent on basic necessities," Yadav told PTI in an interview. "The people of Bihar have been victims of 'anyaay' (injustice), suffering from the anti-poor policies and actions of the central and state governments, and it is high ...
Vote out hate politics, Indian writers, artistes appeal
Over 200 writers and artistes including Arundhati Roy, Girish Karnad, Keki Daruwalla, T.M. Krishna, and Nayantara Sahgal on Monday appealed to citizens to vote against hate politics and for an equal and diverse India.
NDA govt took several measures to help middle class: Modi
: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday asserted that the NDA government had taken various measures for the middle class, the benefits of which were already visible. Addressing a rally here, Modi said inflation had been contained and measures like reduction in interest rates of home loans and increase in the income tax exemption level had all benefitted the middle class. "Today is April 1, the beginning of the new financial year and the interest exemption of Rs five lakh announced in the budget will come into effect," Modi said amidst applause from the crowd. He said after the NDA regime under Atal Behari Vajpayee, it was his government that had the privilege of bringing prices under check after the erstwhile Congress government had failed in this direction. "Home loan interest rates have become less...the EMI has become less .... the Pradhan Mantri Aawaas Yojana has enabled the middle class to have access to cheaper homes," Modi said. Had not the NDA government taken ...
SC irked over absconding foreigners, summons Assam Chief Secy on Apr 8
The Supreme Court Monday expressed unhappiness over several thousand declared foreign nationals absconding and amalgamating with local population in Assam, and summoned the state's chief secretary to appear before it on April 8. Accusing Assam government of "playing with the court", the apex court also termed the reply filed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as an "exercise in futility" and sought to know as to how the persons, declared foreigners by the tribunal, have amalgamated with the local population. "What is your government planning to do to trace those people who have merged with the local population," said a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. "You (Assam government) are saying that the declared foreigners have gone untraceable. How do you intend to identify them and deport them," the bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state government. The top court was hearing a PIL filed .
Man jumps in front of train in Kota
A 30-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man committed suicide in two separate incidents in Rajasthan, police said Monday. The woman, Durga Kumari Gujjar, apparently hanged herself to the ceiling fan of her room at Maleda village of Bundi district on Sunday night, Karwar police station incharge Hariram said. The woman's family members alleged that her husband, Krishan Murari, had been harassing and thrashing her. A case of abetment of suicide has been filed against the accused under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code, the officer said. In another incident, Jai Singh Rajput jumped before a train near Dakaniya Talav railway station in Kota city on Monday morning, In the suicide note, the man held no one responsible for the step, an officer said. The body was handed over to the family after post-mortem and an investiation is on, the officer added.
AIF and NCPEDP organized round table discussion on "Future Focused Skill Development for People with Disability"
Over 50 representatives from the corporate sector and skill development agencies participated in a round-table discussion organized by the American India Foundation (AIF) and National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP).The discussion titled "Future Focused Skill Development for People with Disability" encouraged employers to identify jobs for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in a scenario, where technological advancement is driving employment and creating newer job opportunities.Participants also brainstormed to understand the challenges involved to leverage these opportunities to skill PwDs in new-age technologies like AI (Artificial Intelligence), augmented/virtual reality, machine learning and analytics.With the support of Tarsadia Foundation-USA, AIF advocates for inclusive growth in India through the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce and acceptance of disabilities within larger communities. Eminent guests present during the round
Boxing stalwarts await pensions for two years, Ministry says coming through this month
Some of India's most accomplished boxers, including the sport's national observer Akhil Kumar and the former Asian champion M Suranjoy Singh, are still to get their pensions due since 2017 but the sports ministry says their wait will end this month as the requisite funds have been procured. Akhil, a 2006 Commonwealth Games gold-medallist, and Suranjoy, winner of an astonishing eight consecutive international gold medals before a knee injury snapped his career short, are among the boxers waiting for their pensions to be released. "I applied in 2017, have sent reminders as well but everytime the response has been 'it's in process'. I don't know what's the problem," Suranjoy, who is entitled to Rs 14,000 per month for his gold medals in the 2010 CWG and the 2009 Asian Championships, told PTI. A ministry official, on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the inexplicable delay but said the process of getting the funds is now complete and the money will be released this month. "The Ministry
Should we issue a non-bailable warrant against Assam Chief Secretary for being absent, asks Supreme Court
Expressing displeasure over the absence of Assam Chief Secretary Alok Kumar during a hearing on the plea seeking humane treatment to immigrants at detention centres, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the state government if "a non-bailable warrant" should be issued against him."There is a reason why we wanted the Chief Secretary to be present. But he is not here. Should we issue a non-bailable warrant against him," a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi asked Assam government.The bench also observed that the state is dragging its feet in pursuing identification of migrants. After the conclusion of arguments, the CJI headed bench posted the matter for hearing on April 8, and directed Chief Secretary Kumar to be present in the court.Even during an earlier hearing, the apex court had pulled up the Centre and Assam government over the deportation of illegal migrants from the state. "It has become a joke and you haven't done anything," the bench had said.The top court had also ...
Sri Lankan authorities publicly destroy 770kg of cocaine
Sri Lanka authorities have publicly destroyed 770 kilograms (1,700 pounds) of cocaine in a bid to deter smugglers from using the Indian Ocean island nation as a transit point for drug distribution in the region. Police officers first liquefied the cocaine, which was packed in more than two dozen sacks in front of two magistrates at a warehouse outside the capital Colombo. It was then taken to be disposed in a cement kiln north of the capital. The cocaine was seized by police and custom officials in 2016 and 2017. Monday's event came as Sri Lanka's president pledged to end a 43-year moratorium on capital punishment and execute condemned drug traffickers.
'Nyay' money to be deposited in a/c of women: Rahul Gandhi
Seeking to woo women voters, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Monday said the Rs 72,000 money proposed to be given to the poor by Congress under the ' Nyay' scheme would be deposited in their bank accounts. "This money would go to the bank account of the woman in a family. Every month, this money will directly go to the bank account of women. Crores of women will get power and India would stand on its own," he said, addressing an election rally at Wanaparthy under Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha constituency. The scheme would jumpstart the country's economy as the beneficiaries would start making purchases with the money received by them, Gandhi said. The economy has been paralysed following demonetisation implemented by the NDA government, he alleged. If the UPA came to power, 33 per cent reservation would be given to women in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and State assemblies, Gandhi said. He also said 33 per cent of Central government jobs would be reserved for women.
Malvinder Singh's quarterly pension plea rejected
The Delhi High Court has rejected former Ranbaxy CEO Malvinder Singh's plea seeking exemption of the quarterly 'pension' received by him from the ambit of an attachment order.
Canada: Sindhi community protests against forced conversions in Pakistan
Canadian Sindhi Community staged a protest in Mississauga on Sunday against forced conversion and marriages of Hindu girls in Pakistan."This kind of practice is needed to stop as they are done to the subjugate particular community. I request Pakistani government to take action against this, " said a protester while referring to the forced conversion of two Hindu girls who were allegedly abducted from their home in the Sindh province on the eve of Holi on March 20.The demonstrators raised slogans against forced conversion and held placards reading "Stop forced conversion", "Sindh government eyes on you for action against culprits" and "Minorities in Pakistan need constitutional protection."Forced conversion is a common practice in Pakistan but the recent abduction of two girls have drawn headlines. Several human rights groups have expressed concern over the recent event.Meanwhile, India has also sought suitable remedial action by the Pakistan government to protect and promote safety, ..