Page 212 - Social Issues
Bezbaruah refuses to be part of MHA-constituted panel on Assam Accord
In what could mean setback to the Centre, former bureaucrat MP Bezbaruah has refused to be a part of the nine-member panel, which was set up by the Home Ministry on January 7 to suggest ways to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.This decision of Bezbaruah, who was meant to head the Committee, came after four of the nine members quit the central government-nominated committee.Bezbaruah, in his letter to the Home Ministry, stated that with four members of the panel exiting, the committee is "non-functional and de facto defunct", adding that his position as chairperson is "untenable".The Assam Accord is a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed between representatives of the Government of India and leaders of the Assam Movement. The agreement was signed in New Delhi on August 15, 1985, in the presence of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, to identify and deport illegal immigrants.The Clause 6 of the Accord states that appropriate constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards
Differently abled cricket player embarks on unique Cycle expedition
Riding a bicycle may be an ordinary day to day affair for many but for differently abled Indian cricketer Mayur Dumasia, who had lost his right arm at the age of 15, it has become an expedition for creating social awareness.An aspiring cyclist and a batsman, amputee Mayur Dumasia is on his way to create history by attempting a record-breaking cycle expedition.The talented cyclist is on a mission to raise awareness on a number of social issues pertaining to women safety, Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao among others.His expedition also includes filling potholes throughout the route.Sharing motive of this innovative expedition, Dumasia said, "This journey is called 'mission on move'. During the course of our journey, we will highlight social issues like women safety, Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and spread awareness. We will also distribute 'seed pencils' to the school children. They can sow them in the ground after using them. It will grow as a tree. Most importantly we
Kumbh 2019: Kinnar Akhada participates for the first time
Terming it 'Akhada beyond sexuality', the head priest of Kinnar Akhada on Friday called their first-time participation at the Kumbh 2019 as a step forward towards aceeptance in the society.Kinnar Akhada Mahamandaleshwar, Acharya, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi exhumed pride and confidence while talking of her Akhada's debut at this massive congregation of pilgrims and said, "For me, it is a wonderful situation to come to this divine Prayagraj Kumbh. For me, we are one of the most conservative societies in the world where the acceptance of the third gender is remarkably outstanding. For us, this participation is about mainstream society accepting us. This is Akhada beyond sexuality. The creator is within us and once we perish we will go back to him. Our doors are open for all."Talking further about transgender issues and the modern scenario, she added, "Still the battle is on. We are sure that we will come across these hurdles. My community is striving to make its place in the mainstreams ...
1400 Yaba drug tablets seized from Rohingyas
1400 tablets of banned Yaba Drugs have been seized from the alleged possession of two Rohingyas, police said on Friday.Mahesh M Bhagwat, Commissioner of police, Rachakonda Commissionerate, Speaking to ANI said, "Today in the morning we got specific information that two Myanmar nationals (Rohingyas) are selling banned drugs. Based on the info the police staff of Balapur conducted searches and two accused persons by name Abibus Rehman and Mohd Rahim were apprehended. From their possession around 1400 tablets of banned drug by name Yaba drug which is also known as mad drug has been seized.""This drug is mainly imported from Thailand and Myanmar countries. We have also seized an Aadhaar card from Mohd Raheem with Uttar Pradesh address. We are investigating the matter further. The total worth of the seizure is more than two lakhs. In Hyderabad this is the first time we have come across such incident," he added.A case has been filed under Sections 8 (c) Read With 20 (i) A of NDPS Act 1985 ..
Saudi girl fleeing from family, granted asylum in Canada
An 18-year-old Saudi girl, Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, who fled from her family in Kuwait to Thailand, has been granted asylum in Canada.According to The Washington Post, Alqunun was admitted to Thailand on Monday where United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees processed her demand for a safe haven. Several nations, including Australia, had welcomed Alqunun as a refugee, but she preferred Canada.Alqunun was stopped by Thai authorities where she had shut herself in her airport hotel room. She had requested for a meeting with representatives of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in order to seek asylum as she was fleeing her abusive family.The Saudi teenager had boarded a plane to Thailand while her family was on a holiday in Kuwait. Upon arriving in Thailand, she claimed that her passport was taken away by a man at the airport on the pretext of getting her a Thai visa. However, the man did not show up, she said.Furthermore, the 18-year-old alleged that the man who ...
Canada takes in Saudi teen asylum seeker
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday that Canada was taking in an 18-year-old Saudi asylum seeker who fled her family and harnessed the power of Twitter to stave off deportation from Thailand. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun was already en route to Toronto late Friday when the prime minister made the surprise announcement, after officials had previously given heavy hints she was bound for Australia. "Canada has been unequivocal that we'll stand up for human rights and women's rights around the world," Trudeau said. "When the United Nations made a request of us that we grant al-Qunun's asylum, we accepted." The move is sure to further strain Canadian relations with the kingdom that went sideways last August over Ottawa's rights criticism of Saudi Arabia, prompting Riyadh to expel the Canadian ambassador and sever all trade and investment ties in protest. Canada also sparked fury in Riyadh by demanding the "immediate release" of jailed rights campaigners, including Samar Badawi, the ..
Canada 'pleased' to offer asylum to Saudi teen: Trudeau
An 18-year-old Saudi asylum seeker who fled her family and armed only with Twitter staved off deportation from Thailand has been accepted as a refugee by Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday. "Canada has been unequivocal that we'll stand up for human rights and women's rights around the world," Trudeau said. "When the United Nations made a request of us that we grant miss (Rahaf Mohammed) al-Qunun's asylum, we accepted.
Congress does not want poor out of poverty: Javadekar
Human Resource Development Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar on Friday accused the Congress of doing politics against the poor by not bringing them out of the clutches of poverty unlike the Narendra Modi-led government which empower them and look at them as partners in progress of the country.
Constitution Amendment Bill doesn't contravene Constitution's basic structure: Jaitley
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said that the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, which provides 10 per cent quota to poor in the general category in government jobs and academic institutions, does not "contravene the basic structure of the Constitution." "It was the single greatest recognition for the poor in the general category," he said."Caste in India was considered as a key determinant of either social or historical oppression as in the case of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes or a determinant of social and educational backwardness as in the case of the Other Backward Classes," Jaitley, also a noted lawyer, said in a Facebook blog.The Finance Minister further stated that "poverty is a secular" criterion and that "it cuts across communities and religions.""Poverty as criteria for a carve-out does not in any way contravene the basic structure of the Constitution. The original Constitution (unamended) in its Preamble mentions Equality of Opportunity and ...
Congress to launch women-centric campaigns in Odisha
The opposition Congress in Odisha on Friday said it will launch women-centric campaigns during the upcoming elections for Lok Sabha and the state assembly. "We will start women-centric campaigns in the upcoming elections," All India Mahila Congress (AIMC) president Sushmita Dev said here. Dev made the announcement after presiding over the executive meeting of the Odisha Pradesh Mahila Congress at the Congress Bhawan here. Stating that women constitute 49 per cent of Odisha's population, Dev said the campaigns would highlight the plight of women in the state and in the country. "Government data shows that not more than 13 per cent of the girls go for higher education, and there has been a steady rise in the number of crimes against women, particularly rape, in Odisha," she said. Dev said that there has also been many incidents of women trafficking in the tribal-dominated areas of the state, and livelihood programmes for women have not given the desired results. "Our ...
Trump assures 'certainty, path to citizenship' for H1B visa-holders
Singalling his support for legal immigration, US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will change the H1-B visa system for professionals to ensure "certainty" and a path to citizenship for those on the visa.
Citizenship Bill: Sahitya Akademi awardee Gohain denies receiving notice on sedition case
Sahitya Akademi Awardee Dr Hiren Gohain on Friday denied receiving any notice from the police related to a sedition case reportedly filed against him for opposing the Citizenship Amendment Bill.Speaking to ANI, the Assamese litterateur said, "I have been told a sedition case has been registered against me but I have not received any notice from the police as yet. I am surprised as I don't think in a rally I said anything that is seditious. "Some media reports have been doing rounds that a sedition case was registered on Thursday against Gohain for his comments on the Citizenship Bill.He was reportedly booked by the Assam Police for his remarks against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill at an event a few days back, even as the state witnessed protests against the legislation.The bill was, on January 8, introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who fled religious persecution in ...
US to make major changes in H-1B visa programme to attract talented professionals: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Friday assured H-1B visa holders, an overwhelming majority of whom are Indian IT professionals, that his administration will soon bring changes that will give them certainty to stay in America and a "potential path to citizenship". Trump on Friday tweeted that his administration is planning an overhaul of US policies on H-1B visa and will encourage talented and highly-skilled people to pursue career options in the US. "H1-B holders in the US can rest assured that changes are soon coming which will bring both simplicity and certainty to your stay, including a potential path to citizenship. We want to encourage talented and highly skilled people to pursue career options in the US," Trump tweeted on Friday. Trump's tweet comes as a good news for Indian professionals, especially in the IT sector, who currently have to wait for nearly a decade to get a Green Card or permanent legal residency. In the first two years of his presidency, Trump administration made ..
Batting for citizenship bill, Himanta says can't allow Assam to become another Kashmir
Defending the controversial citizenship bill, Assam's Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Friday said its implementation is a must for the state to ensure it does not face a Kashmir-like situation in the future. He claimed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill can be an "opportunity" for not just Assam but the entire Northeastern part of the country. Assam and other Northeastern states have been witnessing strong protests over the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government's attempt to pass the citizenship bill in Parliament. The bill seeks to grant citizenship to people from minority communities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of residence in India even if they don't possess any proper document. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8 but the Rajya Sabha did not take it up in the just-concluded winter session. "People of Assam need to understand that this is not an Assam specific ..
In a first, farm widow inaugurates top Marathi literary meet
In a first, farm widow Vaishali S. Yede on Friday evening inaugurated the controversy-ridden 92nd Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan (ABMSS), amid a protest by a section of invitees.
Thai police: Saudi asylum seeker is flying to Canada
A Saudi asylum seeker who fled alleged abuse by her family is leaving Bangkok on Friday and will fly to Canada, Thailand's immigration police chief said. Police Chief Surachate Hakparn said the 18-year-old woman, Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, would leave late Friday evening. He gave no other details. He earlier said several countries including Canada and Australia were in talks with the UN refugee agency on accepting Alqunun. A spokesman for Canada's foreign minister said he could not confirm she was coming to Canada. Alqunun's case has highlighted the cause of women's rights in Saudi Arabia. Several female Saudis fleeing abuse by their families have been caught trying to seek asylum abroad in recent years and returned home. Human rights activists say many similar cases have gone unreported. Alqunun was stopped last Saturday at a Bangkok airport by immigration police who denied her entry and seized her passport. She barricaded herself in an airport hotel room and launched a social media ...
Meghalaya mine: Citizenship bill protesters target bus carrying rescuers from Odisha
A bus carrying a team of rescuers from Odisha, headed to aid the operations to trace 15 miners trapped in a rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya, was attacked in East Jaintia Hills district allegedly by people protesting against the citizenship bill, police said Friday. District Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtynger said while there was no injuries to any personnel when the bus was targeted Thursday night on the National Highway in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, the vehicle was partially damaged. Protests have been reported from several places in the northeast region against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that seeks to accord Indian citizenship on non-Muslims from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. On Thursday night, a group of 14 Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sponsored a night blockade on highways and hence traffic movement on the National Highway was disrupted, police said. The vehicle carrying the rescuers from Odisha was attacked on the highway in East Jaintia Hills
Trump assures 'certainty' path to citizenship for H1-B visa-holders
US President Donald Trump said Friday that he will change the H1-B visa system for professionals to ensure "certainty" and a path to citizenship for those on the visa.
Brajesh Thakur's aide sent to 48-hour police custody
A key associate of Brajesh Thakur, prime accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal, was on Friday taken into custody by police for investigation into the disappearance of several women lodged at another facility run by him in the town. Madhu alias Shaista Parveen was remanded to 48 hours in police custody vide an order passed by special POCSO Judge R P Tiwari on Thursday. The police had sought her custody in pursuance of an FIR lodged on June 06 last year at the women police station here in connection with the mysterious disappearance of 11 women and four children from 'Swadhar Grih', another shelter home run by the NGO headed by Thakur. Madhu, who is said to have managed Thakur's NGOs and newspapers, was arrested in November last year by the CBI after it took over the probe. The scandal came to light in May last year when an FIR was lodged by the state social welfare department based on a social audit report by Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The report ...
Andhra CM announces doubling of pension, distribution of sanitary napkins to 6L girls
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced the enhancement of old age pensions from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000, starting January. The decision is expected to benefit around 5.4 million pensioners in the state.After coming to power in 2014, Naidu had increased pension from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. The new amount is now ten times the initial one.Naidu said that despite the financial crisis ensuing in Andhra Pradesh following the bifurcation of the state and "non-cooperation" from the central government, his government was committed to the welfare of the poor and hence, took the decision to increase pensions.Apart from the increase in pension, the Chief Minister announced the distribution of sanitary napkins to 6 lakh girls studying in Grades 8, 9 and 10 at a cost of Rs 120 crore.Quoting the observation of Lok Satta president Jayaprakash Narayan and Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan, Naidu said the central government has to release Rs 75,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh. This ..
