Page 184 - Social Issues
Dutch theme park to change 'racist' dolls
The Netherlands' biggest amusement park will update a popular ride to change controversial African and Asian dolls that campaigners have branded racist, it said on Wednesday. The Efteling park said the updates to the Carnaval Festival ride would give it an "appearance that fits better with the current era, traditional African costumes instead of nose rings for example". Asian dolls featuring slanted eyes and long front teeth would also be changed on the 35-year-old ride, the theme park in the southern Netherlands said in a statement. Negative reaction to the dolls came particularly from international visitors and media who "did not grow up with the attraction", NOS television's website quoted park spokeswoman Femke van Es as saying. But the park had no plans to change another ride called Monsieur Cannibale, which features a black cannibal in the middle of a carousel with cooking pots. Anti-racism campaigners have long called on the park to change both attractions and staged a protest .
Death toll reaches 43 after migrant boats sink off Djibouti
The death toll after two migrant boats sank in heavy seas off the coast of Djibouti has risen to 43, the UN migration agency said on Wednesday, with scores still feared missing. Search and rescue teams met with grim scenes of bodies strewn across the beach at Obock, a port town down the coast from Godaria where the vessels had set sail on the Horn of Africa nation's northeast coast on Tuesday. An AFP journalist also saw cadavers in the water before teams placed them in white body bags lined up on the beach. The International Organization for Migration said the boats capsized half an hour into their voyage. The IOM's chief of mission in Djibouti Lalini Veerassamy told AFP the death toll had reached 43 on Wednesday. "This tragic event demonstrates the risks that vulnerable migrants face as they innocently search for better lives," she said in a statement. Sixteen people were rescued following the sinkings, with one survivor telling Djiboutian authorities there were 130 people on his ...
All party meeting held ahead of budget session, Congress demands re-discussion on Rafale
After the culmination of all-party meet in the parliament annexe here on Wednesday, Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan expressed hope that the last session of 16th Lok Sabha will get time to discuss maximum number of issues and most members will get time to speak.Mahajan said, "We had a meeting with all party leaders. This is the 17th and last session of this 16th Parliament. There will be President's address tomorrow, the budget will be presented on February 1 and there will be about 8 days of session more. Today most leaders have given assurance of support. We will try that maximum issues are raised and most parliamentarians are provided with an opportunity to speak.""I believe Parliament is for discussions and on every issue must be discussed but no one should feel like the decision should be taken as per their will," she added.While answering a question she also opined in favour of Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya.Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also attended the meeting and ..
Thousands of people protest against Citizenship Bill in Meghalaya
Thousands of people gathered in Meghalaya capital on Wednesday to participate in a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 even as various civil society groups threatened a "severe agitation" if the Bill is passed in the Rajya Sabha.
HC quashes govt order on admissions in minority institutions
The Madras High Court Wednesday quashed a government order mandating minority educational institutions to admit not less than 50 per cent of students belonging to the community every year to retain their minority status. The state government does not have power to pass such order in connection with minority status of educational institutions under the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act, Justice T Raja held. He was allowing a petition by the Institute of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary seeking to quash last year's April 5 government order. The petitioner contended that the government order imposed a burdensome and impractical condition, modifying the principles that have stood the test of time. It suffered from executive mala-fide to indirectly deprive the minority status to the educational institutions established and administered by the minority community, the petitioner submitted. There cannot be a common rule throughout the state to admit a minimum of
Kin of those who lost lives in Assam agitation to return awards conferred by state
The families of deceased men and women who lost their lives during the Assam Agitation have decided to return the honour conferred on their sons, husbands or daughters by the government. Swahid Parial Samannayrakhi Parishad, an organisation of people who have lost family members in Assam Agitation have decided to return the mementoes in protest against the Centre's move to implement the contentious Citizenship (Amendment), Bill.The organisation said, "The sacrifices made by the sons and daughters of this land will become meaningless if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed. We will return these mementoes to the Assam government through Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner."The families of those who lost their lives in the agitation were given Rs 5 lakh and a memento each by the present government on December 10, 2016, at Khanapara Veterinary Ground in Guwahati.
ECI organises workshop for Radio Jockeys on voter awareness.
The Election Commission of India has taken an initiative to create awareness amongst voters through Radio.Dr Rajath Kumar, Chief Electoral officer of Telangana on Wednesday organised a workshop for Radio Jockeys (RJs) of leading FM channels including All India Radio and various private FM channels in Hyderabad.The workshop was conducted to explain the Radio jockeys about the various processes that the Election Commission follows to make the voters aware. The workshop was organised to familiarise the Radio Jockeys with the election process so that they can help in wide and accurate dissemination of information to their listeners.Around 20 radio jockeys attended a day-long interactive session and demonstration of the election machinery.Dr Kumar told ANI, "The workshop is essentially to sensitise all people who are communicating with the citizens. These days Radio jockeys have a large audience. If the Radio jockeys are aware of the various processes that the election commission follows, .
AP: 7-year-old sexually molested
A seven-year-old girl was allegedly sexually molested in Tumurukota village of the district on Tuesday night.Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the victim.Rentachintala Police Station Sub Inspector A Haribabu told ANI, "One 27-year-old M Jayaraj has sexually molested a seven-year-old girl. The incident took place at Tumurukota village. The victim was at first taken to a government hospital in Gurajala and was later referred to Guntur government hospital."The accused is in police custody and an FIR under sections 363, 376(2)(f) of IPC and section 6 of POCSO act, has been registered, informed the police.Chief Minister Naidu also spoke to Guntur district collector and police and has ordered him to see that the culprit is severely punished.
After CM's appeal, govt employees end over a week long strike
Tamil Nadu government teachers and employees Wednesday called off their nine-day old indefinite strike and urged Chief Minister K Palaniswami to address their demands which includes reversion to the old pension sheme. A day after the Chief Minister appealed them to resume work in public interest, the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers' Organisation Government Employees Organisations coordinator Vincent Paulraj announced that the strike had been called off "temporarily." "The Chief Minsiter should invite us for talks and look at the fairness of our demands and address them," he told reporters here. He said the decision was taken toeing the Madras High Court's guidance, in the interests of students, considering the sentiments of parents and the Chief Minister's appeal. Justice N Kirubakaran of the Madras High Court had on Monday appealed to government school teachers to suspend their strike and a division bench was also seized of a matter related to their demands
30 bodies recovered, many still missing after boats sink off coast of Djibouti
Dozens of migrants are still missing after two boats capsized near East African nation of Djibouti on Tuesday.CNN quoted United Nations migration agency stating that by Wednesday morning the Djiboutian coast guard had recovered 30 bodies and found 16 survivors.The local witnesses stated that the boats sank roughly 30 minutes after leaving the shore due to overloading and heavy swells. The boats sank off Godoria in the Obock region of northeastern Djibouti.An 18-year-old survivor told the UN migration agency's staff that he had boarded one of the vessels with 130 people on it, including 16 women. The teenager further said he did not have any information about the second boat.Search and rescue mission are still underway as dozens of people are missing. The migration agency divulged that its team was working together with the local officials to look for the survivors."This tragic event demonstrates the risks that vulnerable migrants face as they innocently search for better lives," ...
Rajasthan notifies 4% reservation for differently-abled
A provision of four-per cent reservation for differently-abled persons in government jobs has been made in Rajasthan. The secretary of the social justice and empowerment, Shuchi Sharma, said the government had issued a gazette notification last Thursday in compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Under the rules, other provisions like advisory board and investigation committee have also been made, she said in a statement.
11-hour shutdown in Western Garo Hills against Citizenship
An 11-hour shutdown was observed in Western Garo Hills region of Meghalaya on Wednesday in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The 11-hour shutdown, sponsored by several NGOs under the banner of the All Garo Hills Joint Action Committee (AGHJAC) in protest against bill passed off peacefully with no reports of any violence barring a few incidents of tyres burnt to block roads in the five districts, police said. West Garo Hills district deputy commissioner Ram Singh said, "There have been no incidents of violence reported and office attendance stood at about 75 per cent (for WGH)." Similar reports have also been reported from other parts of the Garo Hills region though the attendance in other districts in government offices was far lower. In Shillong, a rally was held where leaders of the North East Students Organisations and several NGOs attended to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill which seeks to provide citizenship in India to Hindus, Sikhs, ...
JAA delegation calls on Assam Governor
A delegation of the Journalists Association of Assam (JAA) Wednesday met Governor Jagadish Mukhi at the Raj Bhawan here and discussed several issues relating to problems of scribes in the state. The JAA members apprised the governor about the prevailing situation in the state and urged him to ensure protection of journalists, said a JAA release here. The JAA submitted a memorandum to the governor demanding a Journalists Protection Act, formation of media council, medical aid and insurance for all journalists' families, Provision of Journalists Pension, Allotment of Housing facility and land to homeless journalists on seniority basis, it said. The JAA delegation was led by its president Dhirendra Nath Chakravartty, working president Dalim Phukan and general secretary cum national vice president of the National Union of Journalists India (NUJI) Bhupen Goswam.
NSC members who resigned never expressed reservations, says govt; Cong says another body destroyed
With two independent members of the National Statistical Commission quitting over non-release of job figures, the government Wednesday said the two had not expressed any concern in panel meetings, but the opposition Congress slammed it for destroying yet another institution. P C Mohanan, who along with J V Meenakshi resigned earlier this week, cited delays in the release of the National Sample Survey Office's (NSSO) report on employment as one of the reasons for the decisions. Stating that the National Statistical Commission (NSC) had recommended to release the employment report in January 2019, he said the members were sidelined and were "unable to discharge" duties. Speaking to PTI, Mohanan had said: "I have resigned from NSC. We thought that the Commission is not very effective nowadays and we also thought that we are not able to discharge the Commission's responsibility". However, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in a clarification stated: "These ...
Rally by six indigenous political parties against CAB
A newly formed political platform comprising of six indigenous political parties of Tripura Wednesday organised a protest rally against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and the police attack on Twipra Students Federation at Madhavbari on January 8. The 'Committee for movement against Citizenship Bill' comprises of representatives from INPT, IPFT (Tipraha), NCT, ST cell of Congress and Tripura United Indigenous Peoples Council (TUIPC) and Joint Action Committee of Civil Societies. The protesters burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the rally Tripuras royal scion, Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, was appointed the chairman of the newly formed committee, while Bijoy Hrankhawl, president of INPT will be the vice-president and Upendra Debbarma, former president of Twipra Student Federation the convener. Addressing a rally of the tribals at Khumulwng, the headquarters of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous Territorial Council (TTAATC), Pradyot Kishore said, "the ..
Delhi Police detains Manipuri students after protest against citizenship bill
A group of students from Manipur were detained Wednesday for protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Lutyens' Delhi. According to the Manipur Students' Association Delhi, they staged a sit-in at Parliament Street, following which they were detained and taken to Mandir Marg police station. They protesters claimed that their women colleagues were manhandled by police, a charge denied by the force. According to a senior police officer, 50 people were detained. "No women were detained. No one was injured. They were taken to Mandir Marg police station," he said. The bill seeks to provide citizenship to non-Muslims who had fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014, after six years of residence in the country. The bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month, has been met with widespread protests across the northeast region.
Feb 1 Budget could be full-fledged. showering sops
The interim budget to be presented in Parliament on Friday is expected to be a full-fledged budget of the Modi government ahead of the Lok Sabha elections that could include tax sops for the middle class and the corporates and a relief package that could address agrarian distress and the stressed small scale industry sector.
Extended support to states for implementation of national programmes: Health secy to officers
Regional directors must extend required technical support to state agencies for the implementation of national programmes, Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan said Wednesday. After inaugurating a three-day capacity building workshop for Regional Offices of Health and Family Welfare (ROHFWs) at Nirman Bhavan here, Sudan appreciated the role played by regional offices in coordinating with state authorities especially in the 2018 Kerala floods. "Regional directors must extend requisite technical support to state agencies in implementation of national programmes and should focus on operationalising Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) under Ayushman Bharat," she said. Sudan interacted with regional directors and asked them to involve themselves in state activities and become part of state conversations through specific groups of the health ministry. While reviewing Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, she asked the regional directors to work on containment of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute ...
Death toll hits 31 after migrant boats sink off Djibouti
The death toll from the sinking of two migrant boats off the coast of Djibouti has risen to 31, the UN migration agency said on Wednesday, with scores still feared missing. Two vessels carrying migrants departed from Godaria on the Horn of Africa nation's northeast coast on Tuesday morning, but sank in heavy seas 30 minutes into the journey, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The IOM's chief of mission in Djibouti Lalini Veerassamy told AFP the death toll had hit 31 on Wednesday. "This tragic event demonstrates the risks that vulnerable migrants face as they innocently search for better lives," she said in a statement issued by IOM. Sixteen people were recovered alive following the sinking, with one survivor telling Djiboutian authorities there were 130 people on his boat. The number of passengers on the second vessel remains unclear, as do the nationalities of those onboard. Located across the Bab el-Mandeb strait from Yemen and next to volatile Somalia .
Jai Ram Thakur to present Himachal Pradesh's budget on Feb 9
The Jai Ram Thakur government in Himachal Pradesh will present its budget for 2019-20 on February 9, speaker Rajeev Bindal said Wednesday. Presiding over the meeting of press gallery committee of Vidhan Sabha, Bindal said the second budget session of the 13th state Assembly would be held from February 4 to 18. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who also holds the Finance portfolio, will present the budget, he said, adding that the discussion on the budget estimates would be held from February 11 to 13. Voting on demands regarding budget estimates will be held on the last day of the session on February 18 at 4 pm, he said. There will be total 13 sittings in the budget session and it has been decided to hold sittings even on Saturdays on February 9 and 16, Bindal said. The budget session will commence with the governor's Address on February 4, followed by obituary references the same day. Subsequently the supplementary budget will be presented, the speaker said. Discussion on the governor's
