Page 119 - Social Issues
NCC, Art of Living to develop course on drug abuse prevention
The NCC Directorate of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh along with NGO Art of Living foundation will develop courses on drug abuse prevention and personality development for the cadets, officials said on Monday. The National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the foundation during the recent visit of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual leader and founder of Art of Living at Panchkula, an official release said. The two-day courses are planned to be conducted for NCC cadets during their annual training camps held throughout the year. Major General R S Mann, Additional Director General, NCC said that the MoU was a "step towards the very noble cause of anti-drug abuse campaign in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarhand HP". In addition, a personality development course for the young male and female NCC cadets will be included in the programme, he said, as per the release.
12,995 'terrorists' arrested in China's Xinjiang
China on Monday said it has arrested 12,995 terrorists since 2014 in the troubled region of Xinjiang, where, according to human rights organisations around a million Muslims are being held in internment camps.
Sri Lanka launches Anti-Corruption Action Plan
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday launched a five-year Anti-Corruption Action Plan aimed to create a corruption-free nation by 2023.
Australian teen who egged senator hailed online as 'heroic'
An Australian teen who egged a far-right senator over his offensive comments about the Christchurch mosque attacks has been hailed as "heroic" by internet users, who have raised thousands of dollars in support of his protest. William Connolly, now better known as "Eggboy", cracked an egg over Fraser Anning's head at a press conference in Melbourne Saturday, prompting the senator to hit him in the face repeatedly. The controversial politician had a day earlier triggered outrage by claiming the attack in New Zealand that killed 50 people at two mosques was the result of Muslim immigration to the country. Connolly's act has spawned viral memes and drawn support from social media users around the world, with one setting up a GoFundMe page which quickly raised Aus$44,000 (US$31,000) to cover "legal fees" and "more eggs". An update to the page, which could not be verified, said "EggBoi (Will) plans to send a majority of the money to the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack". "I ...
Pollachi sex abuse: Key accused in prison
The Tamil Nadu Police on Monday lodged Thirunavukkarasu, the main accused in the Pollachi sexual abuse-cum-blackmail case, in a prison here.
'Mary Poppins 3' can focus on LGBTQ+ rights movement, says Rob Marshall
Director Rob Marshall says if possible he would like to feature LGBTQ+ rights movement in "Mary Poppins 3". The 1964 original featured Winifred Banks fighting for women's voting rights, while last year's sequel starring Emily Blunt saw Jane Banks (Emily Mortimer) working as a labour organiser. In an interview with The Advocate, Marshall was asked about the possibility of "Mary Poppins 3" tackling LGBTQ+ rights. "Wouldn't that be great? Please, Lord. That's exactly what should be happening. I'm always so aware of that, being a gay man myself. I mean, our movie takes place in the '30s. "But if it were to take place now, that's exactly what it should be. I understand so deeply what it's like to be on the outskirts and not feel like you are worthy. And I will say that kind of passion to explore acceptance in life is something that's so important. And so, yes, I'd be all for that, for sure," he said. Marshall said it was important for him to continue the original film's lead by addressing .
China says 13,000 Xinjiang 'terrorists' arrested since 2014
China says it has arrested nearly 13,000 people it describes as terrorists in the traditionally Islamic region of Xinjiang since 2014 and broken up hundreds of "terrorist gangs." The figures were included in a government report on the situation in the restive northwestern territory that seeks to respond to growing criticism over the internment of an estimated 1 million members of the Uighur (WEE-gur) and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups. China describes the camps as vocational training centers and says participation is voluntary. Former detainees say they were held in abusive conditions, forced to renounce Islam and swear allegiance to China's ruling Communist Party. The lengthy report issued Monday also says "law-based de-radicalization" in Xinjiang has curbed the rise and spread of religious extremism.
New Zealand mosque murder suspect appeared 'rational': ex-lawyer
The Australian charged with murder in the mass shootings at two New Zealand mosques appears "rational" and aware of the situation, his ex-lawyer told AFP on Monday. Duty lawyer Richard Peters represented the 28-year-old during a preliminary court hearing, but was dropped after Brenton Tarrant indicated he wanted to represent himself. "The way he presented was as a rational and someone who was not suffering any mental disability. That's how he appeared. He seemed to understand what was going on," Peters said.
US criticises Pak for discriminatory policies against minorities
The United States on Sunday criticised Pakistan for using discriminatory policies against Ahmadiyya community and other religious minorities including Sikhs, Christians, and Shias.A country report on human rights practices for 2018, released by the US Department of State, last week, says: "Courts routinely failed to protect the rights of religious minorities. Courts discriminatorily used laws prohibiting blasphemy against Shia, Christians, Ahmadis, and members of other religious minority groups.""Lower courts often did not require adequate evidence in blasphemy cases, and some convicted persons spent years in jail before higher courts eventually overturned their convictions or ordered their release," adds the report.The report stated that Pakistan had excluded the Ahmadiyya community from participating in the 25th general elections of the country, held in July last year, by creating a separate voter list for the minority community."The government requires voters to indicate their ...
Khaira-led Punjabi Ekta Party accuses Amarinder govt of failing on all fronts
The Punjabi Ekta Party (PEP) Sunday alleged that the Congress government in Punjab had failed on all fronts and the promises made by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was "nothing but a bundle of lies". The PEP was floated in January by former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who will contest the Lok Sabha polls from Bathinda. The party also came out with a "charge sheet" alleging that the state government had failed on several fronts, including eradicating drug menace and providing one job per family. Polls to the 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab will be held on May 19. The "lofty claims" of fulfilling poll promises made by Singh "is nothing but a bundle of lies and a cock and bull story", Khaira, who represents the Bholath assembly constituency, said. "Needless to mention, the promise to write off complete debts of farmers by Amarinder Singh was the most striking point in the election manifesto of the Congress. "The ground reality is that as of now the government has .
Dearth of migrants workers hit building activity in Kashmir
Kashmir has been left facing an acute shortage of migrant workers this year with the building activities in the valley taking a severe burnt. Though officials have no explanation for this unusual development, locals widely believe that the migrant workers may be shunning the valley, fearing reprisal against them due to attacks on Kashmiris outside the state after the February 14 Pulwama suicide bombing that left 40 CRPF jawans dead. Tens of thousands of migrant workers, who used to reach here from Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and elsewhere in the country by the last week of February or early March till last year are conspicuous by their absence this year. These workers, both skilled and unskilled, have failed to show up in the valley so far, hitting the construction activities that usually resume in March at the end of three-month winter here. The valley's labour market used to be so dominated by the migrant workers that the city's many landmark spots have been unofficially .
2 teen girls end life upset over being asked to cut on mobile
Two teenage girls allegedly committed suicide in separate incidents here after reportedly being told by their family members to not use the cellphone excessively and cut down on TV viewing in view of annual exams, police said Sunday. An 18-year-old girl hanged herself in her house Saturday afternoon, the police said. Elders in the family had reportedly told her not to use the cellphone much as exams were approaching, they said. In the other incident, a 13-year-old girl, studying class VII,jumped to death from the sixth floor of their residential building Friday night, the police said. She was asked by family members not to watch TV and use cellphone much, police said. Cases of suicide had been registered and further investigation was on, they added.
Abusiveness in Congress DNA, shows frustration: BJP
BJP leader Prakash Javadekar on Sunday accused the Congress of vitiating civil discourse by continuously using foul language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said such abusiveness was in the party's DNA.
Transgender leader Meera Parida joins BJD
Transgender leader and social activist Meera Parida joined Biju Janta Dal on Sunday in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.Speaking to ANI, Parida said, "It is a proud moment because it has never happened in the past. No ruling government have given a chance to a transgender."When asked whether she is planning to contest in upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Parida said, "If the (party) supremo will ask me to, I will definitely contest an election."The polls in 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147 assembly constituency in Odisha will be held in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29. Counting of votes is slated to take place on May 23.
To stop BJP, minorities likely to go with TMC in Bengal
Despite nursing a grudge against the state government for its alleged failure to curb communal riots, the minorities in Bengal are likely to vote for the TMC to stop BJP's march, leaders said. A deciding factor in several Lok Sabha seats in the state, the minorities especially Muslims are likely to vote for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) which they perceive as a "credible force" unlike the Congress-Communist Party of India (Marxist) alliance, they claimed. "Despite having anger against the state government over various issues including several riots that took place in the state, the minorities will vote for TMC in the state to ensure their safety and security," Mohammed Kamruzzaman, General Secretary of All Bengal Minority Youth Federation told PTI. "In Bengal, TMC is the most credible force as it is in power, when it comes to fight against BJP," he added. Kamruzzaman, whose organization has the biggest following among Muslim youths in the state, said that the Congress-CPI(M) ...
'Others' voters increase by 15,306 in 5 yrs; activists blame paperwork, 'insensitive' officials
The number of transgender voters enrolled in 'others' category in the electoral list has not seen much increase since the 2014 general elections. According to data provided by the Election Commission, the number of voters enrolled in the "other" category now stands at 38,325, an increase of 15,306 in the last five years. The poll panel had since 2012 allowed registration of transgender persons as 'others' in the electoral rolls. Transgender activists claim the figure is quite low compared to their population, as many of them still refrain from enrolling themselves in the voters list as 'others'. Though the 2011 census puts the population of transgenders at around 4.9 lakh, activists claim it is much higher than that. Besides social stigma, they claimed that the tedious process of furnishing documents to validate a transgender person's identity is another reason behind the community's low enrolment in the voters list. A number of documents are required to be furnished to prove one's ..
Pandit Chhannu Lal may not propose Modi's name again
Disappointed with the Uttar Pradesh and central governments for failing to recognize his contribution to classical music, well-known classical singer Pt. Chhannu Lal can have his own way to protest: he may not become a proposer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's candidature, this time.
#MeToo movement hasn't made big impact: Lily Allen
Singer Lily Allen says the #MeToo movement has not made big enough of an impact and thinks people are ignoring important issues.
Islamists misusing blasphemy law to harass Christians in Pakistan:Activists
Pakistani Christians living in parts of Europe held a protest rally in Geneva to raise their voice against Islamic hardliners who are persecuting minorities in the name of blasphemy.The protesters including women and children carried out a rally from Palais Wilson, the current headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to Broken Chair, during the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council.They demanded that the Pakistan government must abolish the 'dangerous' law misused by the state and non-state actors to target the minorities.Frank John, a Pakistani Christian and Chairman of Drumchapel Asian Forum in NW Glasgow, said: "We are unhappy with the functioning of the government in Pakistan because the mindset of 'maulvis' (Islamic hardliners) towards Christians is immoral. Every day, atrocities are being committed against our children, especially girls, which is not acceptable. Our girls are being kidnapped by misusing PPC 295C and they are ...
Odisha assembly polls: BSP fields a Transgender candidate
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Saturday decided to field a transgender named Kajal Nayak from Korei assembly seat for upcoming assembly elections in Odisha.Kajal, also a social worker from Jajpur region said, "I am happy that BSP has decided to give ticket to me to contest the poll. I approached many political parties earlier but no one entertained me, I am thankful to BSP for showing their faith in me and in the transgender community."Kajal is also the president of Transgender Association of Jajpur and has been working for transgender rights as well as on local issues."There are many issues in the region which need to be raised along with issues related to transgender community. I want to raise issues of transgenders along with the issues of the people of the region" added Kajal.Hailing the step, BSP leader, Krushna Chandr Sagaria said that the party believes in social empowerment of all communities."We have decided to give ticket to Kajal Nayak because BSP believes in social ...