Page 114 - Social Issues
Sri Lanka Navy detains 9 Iranians for drug smuggling
The Sri Lanka Navy on Sunday detained nine Iranian nationals who attempted to smuggle 100 kg of heroin into the island country.
'Chowkidars' only working for rich: Priyanka Gandhi on unpaid dues of sugarcane farmers
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday attacked the Uttar Pradesh government over unpaid dues of sugarcane farmers and alleged that 'chowkidars' (watchmen) were only working for the rich, not for the poor. She shared a media report on Twitter that claimed the dues of sugarcane farmers had crossed Rs 10,000 crore in the state. "The families of sugarcane farmers toil day and night but the Uttar Pradesh government does not even take the responsibility of paying their dues," Priyanka said. "Rs 10,000 crore of farmers' dues means everything, including their children's education, food, health, and the next produce comes to a standstill. These chowkidars only work for the rich and do not care about the poor," she claimed. Priyanka Gandhi was recently appointed the Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.
PMSYM scheme: Govt eyes over 1 crore enrolments by April-end
The government is expecting to cross 1 crore enrolments by April-end under the Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan (PMSYM) Yojna -- a pension scheme for unorganised sector workers, a senior official has said. The PMSYM scheme provides for a minimum monthly assured pension of Rs 3,000 for unorganised sector workers from the age of 60 years. The scheme was launched last month. "We have already enrolled 25.36 lakh unorganised sector workers under the PMSYM scheme so far. We are enroling about one lakh subscribers every day. We are hopeful that we would be able to enrol a total of one crore subscribers by end of April, 2019," Dinesh Tyagi, CEO, CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd (CSC SPV) told PTI. The enrolments under the PMSYM are being carried out by Common Services Centres across the country, which are run by the CSC SPV. Out of 3.19 crore CSCs in India, 2.99 crore centres spread across 36 states and union territories are enrolling informal sector workers under the pension scheme ...
India reduced TB deaths among people living with HIV by 84 per cent:UNAIDS
India achieved an 84 per cent reduction in tuberculosis deaths among people living with HIV by 2017, the highest recorded decline among over 20 nations and three years ahead of the 2020 deadline, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said. Ahead of World Tuberculosis Day commemorated Sunday, UNAIDS is urging countries to step up action to meet the 2020 target of reducing TB deaths among people living with HIV by 75 per cent, as outlined in the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS. World Health Organisation estimates show that, globally, TB deaths among people living with HIV have fallen by 42 per cent since 2010, from 520,000 down to 300,000 in 2017. The estimates show that, by 2017, five low or middle-income countries achieved or exceeded the target of a 75 per cent reduction in TB deaths among people living with HIV, three years ahead of schedule. India achieved the highest reduction at 84 per cent, followed by Eritrea (83 per cent, Djibouti (78
Bhagat Singh's 88th death anniversary observed in Pak
A candle-light vigil was held here on Saturday to mark the 88th death anniversary of Indian freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. The programme was organised by the Lahore-based Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation under police security to the participants after the organisation filed an application with the district administration that it feared some 'religious extremists' might sabotage the event in the current Pak-India scenario. Singh was hanged at the age of 23 in Lahore on March 23, 1931, along with Rajguru and Sukhdev. The capital punishment had inspired thousands of people to take up the cause of the freedom movement. The participants hailed the contributions made the the three freedom fighters and called for peace between India and Pakistan. "People like these three revolutionaries are born in centuries. We should fight hatred and promote peace between the two countries,"Imtiaz Rashid Qureshi, Chairman of Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, said. The participants also
Congress accuses BJP of 'destroying' communal harmony in country
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday lashed out at the BJP government for allegedly "destroying" the communal harmony in the country.Addressing a meeting of Haryana Congress workers here, Azad said: "BJP has divided India in the name of caste and religion. Our identity today has become more of our religion and caste rather than being Indian."The meeting was attended by senior leaders of the Haryana Congress including former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Haryana Congress chief Dr Ashok Tanwar.Azad claimed that five years ago, Dalits and minorities used to feel safest in Haryana while asserting that "change" is needed to keep the country united."When change happens in Haryana, it happens in the entire country. Change has occurred in Punjab and now we should work to bring change in Haryana," he told the party workers.Azad, who is also in-charge for the party affairs in Haryana, said: "BJP sheds crocodile tears that India is being weakened. It is you who are doing ...
Keeping ear to the ground makes KCR number one CM: KTR
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar has his ear to the ground, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao said, reacting to IANS-CVOTER Tracker opinion poll, which found KCR to be the top performer among the Chief Ministers in the country.
65-year-old woman booked for Maha man's suicide
A 65-year-old woman has been booked for allegedly forcing a man to commit suicide in Maharashtra's Palghar district, police said Saturday. Accused Dhudi Mulji Dhabi used to ask victim Suresh Bhoj (38) to stay with her as her son was a drunkard and wanderer, a Virar police station official said. "Bhoj's mother and the accused are friends. The accused used to threaten Bhoj that she would commit suicide if he did not stay with her. On Friday afternoon, Bhoj, under duress, hanged himself," the official said. Dhabi has been booked under section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code and further probe was underway, he added.
Upset at Sena MP being denied LS ticket, man attempts suicide
A man Saturday tried to commit suicide as he was upset the Shiv Sena had denied a ticket to sitting Osamanabad Lok Sabha MP Ravindra Gaikwad, police said. The Shiv Sena Friday declared a list of 21 candidates for the Lok Sabha poll, dropping Gaikwad (59), who had hit an Air India staffer with a slipper at the IGI airport in Delhi. The Sena has replaced Gaikwad with Omraje Nimbalkar in Osmanabad constituency. "Baba Bhosle, a rickshaw driver, tried to immolate himself on Saturday afternoon in Umarga area. He was at a meeting organised by Sena workers upset with Gaikwad being denied a ticket. However, police deployed at the meet managed to stop Bhosle from lighting a match after dousing himself with kerosene," an official said. Bhosle was detained and he told police he was upset about Gaikwad being dropped from the Sena's list of Lok Sabha candidates, the official added. A case of attempt to commit suicide has been registered against Bhosle, the official said.
Keeping ears to the ground makes KCR number one: KTR
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar has his ears to the ground, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao said, reacting to IANS-CVOTER Tracker opinion poll, which found KCR to be the top performer among the chief ministers in the country.
Farmers, soldiers dying under Chowkidar's eye: Congress
The Congress on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the farmers, soldiers, Dalits and minorities were dying while small businesses have been ruined under the watch of the "Chowkidar".
Minority community body to give parties set of poll demands
An umbrella body of minority community members Saturday listed a set of 14 demands for political parties for the April-May Lok Sabha polls. The Minority Coordination Committee said the demands include amendment to the National Commission for Minorities Act, setting up of a ministry of minority affairs in all states, establishment of an equal opportunities commission, special budget provisions for minorities and enacting laws to prevent communal violence. The Minority Coordination Committee convener Mujahid Nafees told reporters the charter of demands would be conveyed to all parties and candidates contesting from the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat. "These are issues related to the development and existence of minorities in the country. Our demands are being made for the first time in an organised manner. We hope parties will implement them after coming to power," Nafees said. The committee also wants to set up a judicial inquiry commission to probe police encounters, ...
Army organises veterans outreach programme in HP's Hamirpur
The army organised an outreach programme for ex-servicemen in Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, a defence spokesperson said. A large number of ex-servicemen and widows participated in the event organised by the Double Victory Brigade on behalf of the Vajra Corps. A team of officers and junior commissioned officers (JCOs) attended to the problems being faced by the veterans related to pension, Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) cards and canteen smart cards, the spokesperson added. Grievances and concerns of the veterans were discussed in an interactive session. A large number of problems were addressed on the spot and noted down for follow-up action with various institutions such as records offices, district soldier boards and pension disbursing offices/banks.
Germany stars Goretzka and Gnabry condemn racist abuse
Germany stars Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry have spoken out in condemnation of the racist abuse directed at team mates Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan during Wednesday's draw with Serbia. "It is ridiculous to cheer on one player and insult another just because of their skin colour. Racism has no place in the stadium or anywhere else in society," Gnabry, 23, told German tabloid Bild. On Friday, police confirmed that three men aged between 30 and 40 had turned themselves in after another fan, basketball journalist Andre Voigt, posted a video on Facebook. Voigt, who been at the game as a supporter, described in the video how fans sitting behind him had repeatedly hurled racist abuse at Sane and Gundogan, who are of Senegalese and Turkish heritage respectively. "I don't remember ever being insulted like that myself, but it does have an affect on me because I have the same colour skin as Leroy," said Gnabry, whose father is Ivorian. "It is really sad that things like this are happening in ..
Rapper Cardi B to sue bloggers for defamation
Rapper Cardi B is suing bloggers for claiming she is a "prostitute with herpes".
India cut 84% TB deaths in AIDS patients by 2017
India achieved 84 per cent reduction in tuberculosis deaths among people living with HIV by 2017 - three years ahead of the target, said a report by The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
Martha Farrell Award ceremony to honour "Most Promising Individual" and "Best Organisation for Gender Equality"
As a part of celebrating women's month, Martha Farrell Foundation in association with Rizwan Adatia Foundation and Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) is organising the 3rd Martha Farrell Award ceremony on March 27 in New Delhi.The Martha Farrell Award honours individuals and organisations from various sectors - government, business, industry or civil society - from any part of the country - rural or urban - who work with the belief that attaining women's empowerment and gender equality is an everyday goal."There are many women and organisations who have dedicated their life's work to create a gender equal society. Their everyday commitment, in the face of opposition from India's deeply patriarchal society, needs recognition," said Nandita Bhatt, Director, Martha Farrell Foundation.Such recognition deepens and creates excellence in the efforts toward women's empowerment."Awards give me, and other women in Kashmir, the strength to continue to work even more forcefully on empowerment .
Incredible numbers, but poor representation of women from NE in politics (Dangal 2019)
Women are almost a non-entity in the electoral politics and governance in India's northeastern region, albeit an incredible gender ratio in the electoral rolls of the region.
Dressed as Goddess Meenakshi, transgender activist files nomination from Madurai
Transgender activist BharathiKannamma donned the avatar of Goddess Meenakshi as she filed her nomination for the upcoming LokSabha elections from Madurai.Kannamma was accompanied by two persons dressed like people belonging to the Muslim and Christian communities. She will be pitted against R. Gopalakrishnan, AIADMK's sitting MP from Madurai.Earlier this month, Kannamma had expressed apprehensions regarding the date chosen by the Election Commission for polling in Tamil Nadu, as it coincides with the Chithirai festival in Madurai as well as Koovagam Koothandavar, a 3-day long festival of transgenders.This came after representatives of the transgender community in Madurai wrote to District Collector S Natarajan seeking rescheduling of the Lok Sabha elections, which will be held on April 18 in a single phase.Speaking to ANI on March 16, Kannamma had said: "We cannot accept the dates for two reasons. First, a huge number of people throng Madurai to witness the Chithirai festival. So, ...
School shooting survivor stricken by 'survivor's guilt' takes own life
A teenager who survived the Parkland school shooting in Florida has killed herself while struggling with survivors' guilt, local media reported Friday. Sydney Aiello, 19, was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas on February 14 last year when a former student opened fire with a semiautomatic weapon, killing 14 students and three staff members. Among the dead were two of Aiello's best friends, Meadow Pollack and Joaquin Oliver. Her parents told local news CBS4 that she had been treated for PTSD, and suffered from survivor's guilt, when a victim fixates on why they were the one to live, not someone else. Her mother, Cara, told CBS Miami that Aiello had had a difficult time with her college classes "because classrooms now scared her." Aiello graduated from high school in July. She was a yoga enthusiast, and took part in the national student movement seeking legal changes on gun control policy. Stoneman Douglas students became crusaders against gun violence under the banner "March for Our