Page 305 - Social Issues
Irani flays TRS govt for not implementing PMJAY scheme in TL
: Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani Sunday flayed caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for not implementing the Centre's ambitious PMJAY health insurance scheme in Telangana. Addressing a BJP workers meeting at Amberpet assembly constituency here, she said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise to help the poor tackle health problems had led to the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides Rs five lakh insurance cover. "It is sad why this scheme was not accepted in the state. Party workers tell me that there are several other schemes of the Central government which the TRS government is scared of implementing because they feel Modi will become more popular. Modi is popular and remains popular and that's why he became the Prime Minister," Irani said. She alleged that some programmes of the Central government were 'disrespected' and the TRS government wanted to politicise the schemes. "Was Ayushman Bharat implemented? The question arises what kind of .
Bring law or ordinance for Ram Temple construction: Spiritual leader Hansdevacharya
Spiritual leader Ramanandacharya Swami Hansdevacharya on Sunday asked the Centre to either bring a law or an ordinance for the construction of Ram Temple, adding that no other settlement is possible on the issue.While concluding the two-day event 'Dharmadesh' organised by Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti here at the Talkatora Stadium, the spiritual leader said that "either bring a law or an ordinance; no other settlement will take place on this issues."He further asked the people to support the government on the construction of Ram Temple and to maintain the unity in the Hindu society on the cause.Swami Hansdevacharya also demanded the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in every state in order to detect illegal migrants and deport them from India."The fencing of the international border should also be increased to stop the infiltration completely. Like Assam, every state should prepare the NRC list. Bangladeshi should be forced to take back the migrants after the completion of the NRC," ..
RJD youth wing workers clash with police at Raj Bhawan rally
The RJD's youth wing members on Sunday clashed with the police during a Raj Bhawan rally to protest against "anti-people policies" of both central and state governments. Police said they resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse some agitating RJD members although no one was injured in the incident. "No one was injured during the incident nor anyone was arrested by the police. We are setting them free after giving notices. Besides, an FIR has been lodged against unknown persons in this regard," Patna City Superintendent of Police (Central) D Amarkesh said. He said police had to resort to lathicharge after some RJD workers broke the barricade to enter the VIP area at Hartali Mor. The RJD had organised the Raj Bhawan march to submit a memorandum over deteriorating law and order situation in the state and Centre's failure to check price rise and corruption. Following the police action on party workers, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who was not .
Army organizes marathon in JK's Samba to show solidarity with disabled soldiers
Army Sunday organised a marathon in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir to show solidarity with disabled soldiers and promote physical fitness, a defence spokesman said. The Army is observing the year 2018 as the 'year of disabled soldier' to honour jawans who have been disabled in line of duty while serving the nation and to celebrate the undying spirit of 'soldiering', he said. A large number of school children, civilians, and soldiers from Army, BSF, ITBP and police personnel participated in the event, the spokesman said. He said the marathon was organised in four categories - half marathon of 21.1 km, combat run of 12 km, mini marathon of 10 km and introductory run of 5 km and the winners were awarded. Apart from the enthusiastic runners, he said the marathon was also attended by disabled soldiers and a large number of ex-servicemen from the border districts of Samba and Kathua. The Samba marathon depicted the bonding and camaraderie between the Army and civil population towards ..
Rohingya teen injured in firing at Bangladesh-Myanmar border
A Rohingya refugee boy was shot and injured on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border as multiple rounds were fired from a Myanmar border security post, an official said Sunday. Nurul Islam, 15, was grazing cows when 17 rounds were fired from Myanmar's Rymongkhali security post, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) spokesman Major Iqbal Ahmed said. "Islam was lucky as a bullet scratched his elbow," he told AFP, adding the boy lives in Balukhali refugee camp in Bangladesh's southeastern Cox's Bazar district. The BGB would send a protest letter to their Myanmar counterparts, the Border Guard Police, over the shooting, he said. A local Bangladeshi official, speaking on condition on anonymity, said the incident might be aimed at delaying the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, set to begin in next week. "Otherwise, why would they fire at the Bangladeshi ground? It is to create pressure on the refugees and the UN," he said. Bangladesh and Myanmar officials last week said some 2,000 Rohingya refugees would .
Take away voting rights of people with over two kids: Ramdev
Yoga guru and retail entrepreneur Baba Ramdev on Sunday said that those who marry and have more than two children should be denied their voting rights.
Laura Dern urges people to protect environment, immigrants
Actress Laura Dern, who works closely with organisations that are trying to protect the environment and the rights of immigrants, says she feels "desperate" to try and better the world.
SC verdict on homosexuality, adultery detestable: Church body
The apex church body in Nagaland has taken strong exception to the recent Supreme Court judgments decriminalising homosexuality between consenting adults as well as adultery, terming them "detestable" and "unacceptable" to Christians. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) deliberated on the court rulings threadbare in its executive meeting held on October 30-31, it said in a statement on Saturday. "Legalising of such acts (homosexuality and adultery) is extremely detestable and unacceptable to the Christians under any circumstances," the statement by NBCC said. "This interpretation that granting of liberty, empowering adulterers and unnatural relationship with the encouragement and support of law is terribly wrong for our society," the NBCC added. In what was hailed as a historic move, the apex court had on September 6 unanimously decriminalised part of the 158-year-old colonial law under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises consensual unnatural sex, saying it
Migrants heading to US apply to Mexico for asylum
Over 3,200 Central Americans who had been heading towards the US, have now applied to Mexico for asylum over the past two weeks, the government said.
BJP sacks Sanjay Kumar over sexual harassment allegations
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday removed its Uttarakhand organisation General Secretary Sanjay Kumar from his post after a woman party worker accuses him of sexual harassment.Once a Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) campaigner, Kumar was holding the responsibility of the organisation for the last seven years.The victim has alleged that Kumar assaulted her at the party's headquarters in Balbir road, sent derogatory messages and also duped her in the pretext of providing a job.The issues came to the fore when the victim lodged a complaint before the party members.Soon after the #MeToo campaign raged in India, many women from all walks of life have opened up about the sexual harassment they faced in the past. Many women have leveled allegations against those who have allegedly sexually assaulted them.
Govt scheme on encouraging kids to educate elders soon: Javadekar
Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadevar said on Sunday that the Centre is working on a scheme under which kids will be encouraged to educate their elders at home. He visited a family in Jaipur and interacted with the children and urged them to educate their illiterate grandparents. "Preparations are underway and the scheme will be launched in two months. We will also issue study material," the minister said. Javadekar, who is the BJP's poll in-charge in Rajasthan, interacted with people here and took their feedback about the government's work in the last five years. State Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf, Mayor Ashok Lahoti and other leaders of the party accompanied him.
Nakhro thanks EC for according priority to disabled in polls
The icon for People with Disabilities (PwDs) in Nagaland Diethono Nakhro has thanked the Election Commission for according priority to the disabled in the electoral process of the country. "Making elections inclusive and accessible is not just about laws and rule books, but it is about wanting to do the right thing and then reaching out and making that little extra effort to make sure that voters with disability are not left out," Nakhro said at a workshop here Saturday. The workshop was organised by office of the chief electoral officer of Nagaland on 'Accessible Elections'. The disability rights activist, however, regretted that many PwDs were unwilling to come forward to enrol themselves in the electoral rolls and even politicians and governments seemed least bothered about the welfare of the PwDs at polling stations. She expressed happiness that the Election Commission under the slogan 'no voter to be left behind' had developed a plan on removal of barriers, ...
In Chhattisgarh, Raj Babbar compares Naxals to revolutionaries
Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee President and Rajya Sabha member Raj Babbar, while commenting on the Naxal activity in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, said the "revolution" undertaken by them should be resolved through conversation.Addressing a media briefing here on Sunday, Babbar said, "I only want to say that the people whose rights have been taken away, who are in misery, who are not being given their right worth, are laying their lives to get back their rights. However, usage of guns by either of the parties will not lead to any solution. A solution will only come out by addressing their problems and having a conversation with them.""Decisions are not made with guns. We need to address their questions. With fear, sycophancy, greed, the people of a revolution cannot be stopped. This is my view and I have also shared it with my party," he added.Responding to a question on whether Naxals are leading the revolution, Babbar said, "Naxal movement was started for the rights. For these ...
Migrant caravan in Mexico trudges through 'route of death'
Hundreds of Central American migrants from a 4,000-strong caravan winding its way through southern Mexico and towards the US border splintered off on their own after broken promises of bus transportation. Patience appeared to be wearing thin among the exhausted trekkers after Veracruz Governor Miguel Angel Yunes reneged on an offer on Friday to provide buses to leapfrog the migrants to the Mexican capital. Tempers flared as the migrants struggled with exhaustion, blisters, sickness and swollen feet. Caravan organisers have pleaded for buses in recent days after three weeks on the road, hitching rides and walking. The group scattered between several towns in Veracruz on Saturday, raising questions of whether they would stick together. Several thousand planned to spend the night in Isla, about 1,126 kilometres south of the US border, while another large contingent hunkered down in Juan Rodriguez Clara and yet another reached Tierra Blanca, 129 kilometers to the north. In a statement, ...
Assam killings: Congress observe 'black day' in Bengal
The Congress on Friday observed 'black day' across West Bengal in protest against the killings of five Bengali-speaking people in Assam's Tinsukia district on Thursday. Several top state Congress leaders took out protest rallies in the city and accussed the BJP-led government in Assam of purusing divisive politics. "Both the Assam government and the central government should take steps to enusre safety and security of Bengalis living in Assam," state Congress president Somen Mitra demanded. Wearing black badges, Congress activists shouted slogans against the BJP and demanded that a proper inquiry be conducted into the killings. Unidentified gunmen in battle fatigue shot dead five individuals, including three members of a family, near Kheronibari village in Tinsukia district on Thursday night.
Nigerian army deletes tweet that quoted Trump on protesters
Nigeria's military is facing criticism after sending out a tweet that appeared to use President Trump's comments as justification for shooting and killing protesters in the West African nation. The tweet, which has since been deleted, referenced a video of Trump where he suggested that US soldiers on the country's southwestern border may open fire if migrants throw rocks at them. Trump insisted Friday that he meant that rock-throwers would be arrested. The tweet on the Nigerian army's Twitter account stated: "Please Watch and Make Your Deductions." The military did not return calls seeking comment on the deleted tweet. Nigeria's main Shiite Muslim movement says the army killed at least 50 of its members who were protesting this week. Nigeria's military said it killed six people and claims the protesters had fired first.
'Grand alliance' against majority community, says BJP leader
Spiritualist and BJP leader Swami Paripoorananda Saturday alleged that the TRS and Congress-led 'grand alliance' was acting against the interests of the majority community. BJP is the only party which protects the rights of the majority as well as the minority, he told reporters here. The 'grand alliance' for the December 7 Assembly polls, comprising the Congress, TDP, CPI and TJS, had also run governments by allying with the AMIM, he said. The TRS and the 'grand alliance' are indulging in votebank and appeasement politics, he said. Those belonging to the majority community have to vote responsibly by choosing a party of their choice which protects them, he said, adding that seeking protection for majority community does not mean hurting the interests of minorities. Paripoornananda, blaming the state administration for the death of a 68-year-old priest in Warangal, said a number of restrictions were imposed on him while he was proceeding to attend the funeral of the ...
NID faculty member expelled over sexual harassment charges
A senior faculty member of the National Institute of Design (NID) here has been expelled after a group of students accused him of sexual harassment, the institute said Saturday. Krishnesh Mehta, who had been teaching at the NID since 1995, resigned last month after the institute sought to terminate his services, it said in a statement. The development comes amid the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment which has gained momentum in India in recent weeks. Mehta could not be contacted for his reaction. According to the NID statement, a group of students had alleged that Mehta made "undesirable and out-of-syllabus references to sexuality and sexual relations and behaviour," and his conduct amounted to "sexual harassment". This was the second time the institute had received a complaint against him, it added. A few years ago his increment was stopped following similar complaints and he had tendered a written apology then, it said. After the latest allegations, the NID set .
Indian-origin couple arrested in UK on suspicion of keeping 'slave' in their shed
An Indian-origin couple from southern England have been arrested on modern-day slavery charges after they were accused of keeping a Polish builder in their garden shed for four years. Palvinder and Pritpal Binning, both in their mid-50s, were arrested by the UK's Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) earlier this week after a raid on their home in Chilworth, near Southampton on southern coast of England. GLAA officers said they acted after a frail Polish man told staff at a walk-in healthcare centre in Southampton that he had been forced to work in exchange for food. The Binnings have since been released under investigation, pending further enquiries. GLAA, the workers' watchdog, said its officers also searched the property and seized evidence which may prove critical to the investigation. "Following the two arrests we made, our investigation is ongoing as we examine and assess the evidence we collected from the property," said GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Tony ...
COCO by DHFL GI launches New Car Insurance Policy and Brand Film Using Digital Influencers
Busting traditional routes, COCO by DHFL General Insurance has unveiled its unique comprehensive, four wheeler motor insurance policy - COCODrive - and Second Chances, its digital brand campaign, with leading social media influencers in Mumbai today.COCO by DHFL General Insurance is the first insurer in the country to engage with influencers from the BFSI, lifestyle and auto genres to preview COCODrive - the country's first, fully a la carte product and do a secret screening for their new brand film.In an effort to demystify insurance, as well as allaying concerns of purchasing insurance online, the brand's unique step of engaging with social media influencers will help create greater awareness of motor insurance.Offering a slew of 20 add-ons, COCODrive will provide motor vehicle owners with a truly customizable experience to fulfill their specific needs. The Second Chances digital campaign delivers a key social message - every person should have a second chance to find what makes ...
