Page 135 - Social Issues
Polluted air kills around 6 lakh children every year: UN
Air pollution, both outside and inside home, is a silent and invisible prolific killer responsible for premature death of 7 million people each year, including 600,000 children, according to a UN expert on environment and human rights.
Spiritual traditions a force that has run India: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said he "pitied" the thinking of some people who believe all religious activities are useless, without realising that spirituality is the force that has driven the country. Underlining the role of seers in strengthening the society, the prime minister said the "spiritual force" had helped in fighting the 1200-year long slavery. Modi also said the country should aim for the best things and that even the action by soldiers should not be on a small scale, an apparent reference to the Balakot strike. "There is a class of people in the country which believes all these religious activities are useless (thinking) they do not give any benefit to society, but are invented for the benefit of a few. I pity their thinking," Modi said addressing a huge gathering here. He was peaking after laying the foundation stone for Rs 1000 crore Ma Umiya Dham temple complex of Kadva Patidar community at Jaspur village near here. "Our spiritual tradition has ...
2019 Lok Sabha polls: Women voters hold the key, says report
Women are likely to play a decisive role in the upcoming general elections as their voting participation is likely to be higher than that of men in the 2019 polls, a Centrum report said on Monday.
Demand for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in ST list reasonable:CM
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh Monday told the state Assembly that the demand for the inclusion of the ethnic Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list was reasonable. Terming the demand as reasonable, Singh said the state government was taking necessary steps in this regard. He said microscopic population of the indigenous people of the state is under threat and the ST demand seeks to provide Constitutional safeguard for the indigenous people, a press release issued by Department of Information and Public Relations said. Responding to the Calling Attention moved by opposition member K Meghachandra Singh, on the last day of the Assembly Session, Singh said the momentum for the ST demand began during the term of the previous government. He said the Manipur State Commission for the Schedule Tribe Act, 2014 was notified in the State Gazette on March 27, 2014. On August 8, 2016, the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes was constituted for ...
Panel report on Marathas 'scientific, error-free': Govt to HC
The report submitted by a state commission on the basis of which reservation was granted to the Maratha community was prepared "scientifically" and was "error-free", the Maharashtra government Monday told the Bombay High Court. The Maharashtra State Backward Classes Commission (MSBCC) had submitted its report on the social and economic conditions of the community on the basis of which the Marathas were given 16 per cent reservation in education and government jobs late last year. Government Counsel Anil Sakhare refuted allegations and claims of several petitioners, challenging the quota decision. The petitioners said the commission's report was void of merit and that its data claiming the Marathas are socially and economically backward could not be relied upon. "The commission's report was scientifically prepared and was error-free. Minor errors should be discredited. "A thorough study was carried out by the expert members of the commission and qualitative data was collected after ...
IT Min submits responses to House panel's queries on issue of misuse of social media platforms
The IT ministry has submitted responses to queries posed by a Parliamentary panel on various issues, including liability of social media platforms in instances of fake news circulation and efficacy of the IT Act in curbing the misuse of such platforms, said a source. Among the 40 questions that the information technology (IT) ministry has responded to included amendments proposed in the IT Act and its rules to deal specifically with issues related to social media platforms and intermediaries, and purported delay in bringing about the said changes. A government official privy to the development said the list of questions dealing primarily with the issue of safeguarding citizens' rights on social or online news media platforms was sent last month by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT, which had recently summoned senior representatives of Twitter, and now Facebook and WhatsApp. The questions posed ranged from mechanisms with the government to monitor compliance of guidelines by ..
Sri Lanka to offer multiple entry visas for business travellers
The Sri Lankan government on Monday said that it will change its immigration rules to offer multiple entry visas for business travellers who aim to trade and invest in the island country, according to media reports.
Longest serving CM seeks mandate for another term from Sikkim
Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, who has been ruling the state for over 24 years, Monday made an appeal to the people to elect him for another term in the next Assembly election. Chamling, the longest serving chief minister in the country, has been heading the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government since December 1994. Addressing the foundation day programme of the SDF here, Chamling said he tried his best to usher in socio-economic development in the small Himalayan state. "The people of Sikkim must evaluate the difference in their socio-economic condition and overall development between 1994 and now," Chamling said. The 68-year-old leader urged the people to give him and his party yet another term in power to take development of the state to a new level. Chamling said he has delivered houses, jobs, education and health infrastructure, and an identity to the state people at national and international level. "I leave it to the people to judge my performance. .
Surprising that private electric cars left out from FAME II subsidy: MG Motor India
MG Motor India Monday expressed surprise at leaving out of private four-wheeler electric vehicles (EVs) for support under the FAME II scheme saying for EV culture to develop in India, widespread application across segments irrespective of price and size needs to be encouraged. Under the Rs 10,000-crore Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME) II scheme announced last week, subsidies will be given to only to three-wheelers and four-wheelers used for public transport or registered for commercial purposes. In the two-wheeler segment, the focus will be on private vehicles. "We believe that to encourage an 'EV culture' in India, widespread application across segments irrespective of price and size is needed including for personal car users," MG Motor India President & Managing Director Rajeev Chaba said in a statement. He further said, "This will encourage people from all sections of the society to go for environment-friendly mobility solutions. ...
Kerala Minister asks banks for more humane approach towards farmers
Kerala Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar on Monday asked banks in the state to adopt a more humane approach, especially towards farmers.
Bharti AXA General launches service for fast vehicle claim settlement
Private insurer Bharti AXA General Insurance on Monday said it has introduced a technology-led service that allows customers and partner garages to raise instant vehicle claims and get quicker claim settlement. The company is aiming to process 20-25 per cent of its total vehicle insurance claims in the first year through the service, Smart eSurvey, which is a live streaming solution for processing motor insurance claims, Bharti AXA General Insurance said in a statement. The company shall provide its customers with the option of on-the-spot video inspection and virtual survey of their damaged vehicles through Smart e-Survey App and browser based web link, it said. "Smart eSurvey App empowers customers and our partner garages to connect with us and raise motor insurance claims survey request instantly and seamlessly. It helps vehicle owners receive speedy claims settlement," the company's CEO Sanjeev Srinivasan said. The virtual survey can be completed in just a few minutes and the ...
45 passports of NRIs cancelled for abandoning their wives: Maneka
The government has cancelled passports of 45 non-resident Indians, or NRIs, for abandoning their wives, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has said. The Integrated Nodal Agency made to look into the matter has been issuing Look-Out Circulars to absconding husbands in cases of NRI marriages and 45 passports have been impounded by the External Affairs Ministry, Gandhi said. The agency is chaired by secretary in the women and child development ministry, Rakesh Srivastava. Gandhi said the government has also introduced in Rajya Sabha a bill to give justice to the women who have been abandoned by their NRI husbands, but expressed dismay that the bill has got stalled in the upper house. The bill envisages registration of marriages by non-resident Indians, amendment of the Passports Act, 1967 and Amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The bill is a joint initiative of the External Affairs Ministry, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Home Affairs .
BHEL installs first solar EV charging station on Delhi-Chandigarh Highway
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) on Monday announced that the company has set up its first solar-based electric vehicle charger on the Delhi-Chandigarh Highway.The first in a series of charging stations was inaugurated at Ethnic India Resort in Sonepat district by A.R. Sihag, Secretary at the Department of Heavy Industry, in the presence of BHEL Chairman and Managing Director Atul Sobti and senior officials of Haryana Tourism.The project is covered under the FAME scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles). The establishment of EV chargers at regular intervals over the entire 250 km stretch between Delhi and Chandigarh will allay range-anxiety among the users and bolster their confidence for inter-city travel.As part of the project, BHEL has also developed a central monitoring system for EV chargers with a user-friendly mobile app.BHEL has been expanding its footprint in the e-mobility business. It is also executing another commercial order for ...
'Prayash': A private shelter home for HIV+ children
Saroj Kumar Das, a resident of Odisha has started a private shelter home, named 'Prayash', for children who are HIV positive.Located in Dhamanpur village of state's Kalahandi district, the shelter home was founded in 2015.The special home provides shelter to HIV+ children. Das also pays all the expenses for the education of all the children residing in his shelter home."When I was in CWC (Child Welfare Committee), we rescued an HIV+ girl, but faced a lot of trouble for her rehabilitation. That's what inspired me to start a shelter home for children, who are HIV+. We are functioning from donations only," Das told ANI.
Migrant women sexually assaulted on US-Mexico border: NYT
The New York Times said in a report that migrant women were victims of sexual assaults on the US-Mexico border that most often go "unreported, uninvestigated and unprosecuted".
Navratilova sorry for transgender 'cheat' claim
Martina Navratilova apologised for describing transgender athletes wishing to compete in women's sports as cheats. The tennis legend, an 18-time Grand Slam title winner, was branded as "transphobic" after writing in a newspaper column that allowing trans athletes to compete with women who were assigned female at birth is "cheating and unfair". She was also dropped as an ambassador for the Athlete Ally group which campaigns for LGBT rights in sport. "I know that my use of the word 'cheat' caused particular offence among the transgender community. I'm sorry for that because I certainly was not suggesting that transgender athletes in general are cheats," the 62-year-old wrote in a blog on Sunday. "I attached the label to a notional case in which someone cynically changes gender, perhaps temporarily, to gain a competitive advantage." Despite apologising, Navratilova said that the issue of transgender athletes competing in women's sports is guaranteed to keep creating competitive as well ..
Google refuses to ban the controversial Saudi app that allows men to track women
Google has reportedly declined to remove the controversial app called 'Absher' that allows men in Saudi Arabia track and control women's movements.After review of the app, Google has concluded that it does not violate any agreements and hence, can remain on the Google Play Store. According to Business Insider, Google communicated the decision to the office of Representative Jackie Speier, a California Democrat who, with other members of Congress, demanded the removal of the app.Meanwhile, Apple is still reviewing Absher and Rep. Speier told the publication that the responses by both the tech giants are 'deeply unsatisfactory'.Absher, backed by the Saudi Arabia government, has received severe criticism from women's rights group for being oppressive in nature. The app has been primarily designed for Saudi citizens to access e-government services. However, it also allows men to track women or migrant worker and control where they travel, the duration and set restrictions to their ...
Schools with boarding facility to be established for poor, says Uttarakhand CM
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday announced that schools with boarding facility will be setup in the state to benefit children belonging to poor families. In another major announcement, he also said that there would be 5 per cent reservation for orphans in government jobs in Uttarakhand.Earlier on February 18, Rawat had presented the state's annual budget of Rs 48,663.90 crore for 2019-20 in the Vidhan Sabha with an emphasis on doubling farmers' income by 2022.Under agriculture and co-operation, the budget has Rs 450 crore, which would benefit more than 90 per cent farmers of the state through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, said Chief Minister Rawat.
Fashion designer ends life owing to dowry harassment
: A 29-year-old fashion designer allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the fifth floor of a residential apartment building here Sunday due to dowry harassment, police said. The woman had got married eight months ago. Her parents lodged a complaint saying her husband and his kin had harassed her for additional dowry, which drove her to death, a police official said. A case of dowry death has been registered and the woman's husband and his parents have been taken into custody, the official said.
Odisha announces 7th Pay Commission benefits for ULB staff
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday announced implementation of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) employees in the state.
