Page 403 - Social Issues
Odisha assembly monsoon session beginning Tuesday
Opposition parties of Odisha, the Congress and the BJP, Monday said they would raise issues such as unemployment, corruption and farmers' problems in the monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly beginning Tuesday. The ruling BJD also said it would highlight Mahanadi and Polavaram issues in the session which has become significant as speculation is rife that the Lok Sabha and the state assembly polls would be held ahead of their schedule in April next year. The Congress has already identified issues like non-payment of insurance money to farmers, the BJD's efforts to set up a Vidhan Parishad without taking opposition parties into confidence, while the BJP would raise issues such as percentage commission in government offices, farmers' problems and alleged hijacking of central schemes by the state government. "We will raise unemployment problem in a big way in the assembly and also shortage of drinking water. We will also force the government to address them on a priority ..
BJP MP demands commission for men
BJP MP Hari Narayan Rajbhar has demanded that a panel be formed on the lines of National Commission for Women (NCW) to look into grievances of men. Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Rajbhar, who represents the Ghosi constituency in the Lok Sabha, said, "There is a national commission for women. But, there is no such commission for men. Men are committing suicide on being harassed by women, and false cases are being lodged against men." "Once a men's commission is formed, it will act as an appropriate forum for men to seek justice. The men can knock on its door and seek justice." The BJP MP said he had raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, too. He also said that he has written a letter in this regard to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. Rajbhar and Anshul Verma, BJP MP from Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh, had recently said they will address a seminar in New Delhi on September 23 to gather support for a "purush aayog". NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma had Saturday said, "The ...
YKA Summit 2018 concludes with agenda for Indian youth to bring revolutionary changes
The YKA Summit 2018 concluded its session amid talks to being in change across India, and pave way towards betterment.The key take-away from the Summit was the youth manifesto, which summarizes the conversation over 2-days, and highlights the critical issues that the audience endorses. This combined everything to create a document that would be shared and presented to leaders and media organizations, to ignite conversations, highlighting issues affecting young people in India.The summit saw stimulating discussions on key socio-political issues such as manual scavenging, caste-based discrimination, breaking stereotypes about disability, rampant fake news circulation, patriarchy affecting female police officers etc."Our vision was to unite people on one platform, use the power of storytelling, their personal experiences to communicate some of the most pressing issues of our times and create a large impact on the youth who honestly care and want to improve society. The audience was super
Myanmar journalists get 7 years' imprisonment for breaching official secrets act
Two Reuters journalists, accused of breaching Myanmar's official secrets act during their reporting of the Rohingya crisis, have been sentenced to seven years each in jail by a Yangon court."Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were originally detained in last December, after working on an investigation into the mass killing of a number of Rohingya villagers in Myanmar's Rakhine state," CNN reported.However, the accused journalists maintained that neither of them had done anything wrong.Shortly after the announcement of the verdict, Stephen Adler, Reuters Editor-in-Chief stated that the conviction was "a sad day" for the organisation, the two men (Wa and Kyaw) and "the press everywhere."Echoing similar sentiments, Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson in a tweet called the conviction a hammer blow against media freedom in Myanmar."This conviction of the 2 Reuters reporters is a hammer blow against media freedom in #Myanmar, showing just how afraid the #Tatmadaw & ...
Maneka wants Indian girl abandoned by Spanish foster parents back in India 'at any cost'
Union minister Maneka Gandhi has said she wants the Indian girl abandoned by her foster parents in Spain back in India at any cost, and the Women and Child Development Ministry is taking all necessary steps for it. She was reacting to a recent media report according to which a Spanish couple had abandoned the 13-year-old girl they adopted from an agency in Madhya Pradesh after they were allegedly deceived about her age. The girl is currently at a government home in Zargoza in Spain. At the time of adoption, Udaan, the Bhopal-based adoption agency, reportedly told the couple that the girl was seven years old. "I want the child back from Spain at any cost," she said, adding the Women and Child Development Ministry is taking all necessary steps for it. "There are many other cases of violations registered against the adoption agency, and we are looking into them," Gandhi said. 'Udaan' has been accused of defaulting under various provisions and not responding to show-cause notices. An ...
Two Malaysian women caned under Islamic law for lesbian sex
Two Malaysian women were caned Monday for having lesbian sex in violation of strict Islamic laws, despite an outcry from activists at the "cruel and unjust" punishment. The case has sparked widespread condemnation and focused attention on what rights groups say is a deteriorating climate for the gay community in the Muslim-majority country. Campaigners said it was the first time that women in Malaysia have been caned for violating a sharia regulation which forbids same-sex relations. The country operates a dual-track legal system and Islamic courts can handle religious and family matters for Muslim citizens, as well as cases such as adultery. The women, aged 22 and 32, were arrested in April by Islamic enforcement officers after they were found in a car in a public square in northern Terengganu state, one of the country's most conservative areas. The pair, whose identities have not been revealed, pleaded guilty last month to breaking Islamic laws and were sentenced to six strokes of ..
Bru repatriation: Mizo officials return from 'futile exercise'
With only four of the 5,407 Bru families returning to Mizoram since the final repatriation process began on August 25, the state government termed it a "futile exercise" and withdrew the officials sent to neighbouring Tripura to oversee the exercise. The officials who were deployed in the six Bru relief camps of North Tripura district have already returned, Mizoram Additional Secretary for Home Lalbiakzama said Monday. The repatriation process was scheduled to continue for a month till September 25. "The state government is regarding it a futile exercise in view of the mood at the relief camps. We had to withdraw the officials as no Bru family returned since Tuesday (August 28)," Lalbiakzama said. Between August 25 and 27, only four refugee families returned from the relief camps in Tripura. Thereafter, no Bru refugee showed any interest in heading back, he said. In a November 2016 survey, 32,876 Brus belonging to 5,407 families were identified as bona fide residents of Mizoram, who ..
'Yogi' thali at Rs.10 in Allahabad
A subsidized meal facility for just Rs.10 was launched by Allahabad mayor Abhilasha Gupta on Sunday evening. The affordable meal has been named as 'Yogi thali'.The initiative has been started by a private individual with the help of his associates.After launching the 'Yogi thali', Gupta said, "It is an initiative by a private individual. This facility has started from today on the name of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. It is a thali for Rs 10 and I am sure disabled, poor, needy, saints etc. would be greatly benefitted from this initiative. This is a good thought where even those who cannot afford a full meal normally can get it here."The man behind the initiative, Dilip alias Kaake said, "We have a thought that no one should sleep on an empty stomach. We have named it in the name of Chief Minister Yogi because he is working for the people of the state and people are really appreciating his efforts."The meal facility has become operational at an outlet near Allahabad's Attarsuiya ...
Haryana girl becomes first Modicare beneficiary
19-day-old Karishma, born at Kalpana Chawla government hospital in Karnal on August 15, has become the first new-born beneficiary of Prime Minister's Ayushman Bharat Yojana (National Health Protection Scheme).Lauding the government for the scheme, Karishma's mother Mausami said, "'The government will bear all medical expenses. This scheme is very good."Prime Minister Modi, on the occasion of Independence Day, had announced that the 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan' will be launched on September 25.The scheme is the flagship project of Ayushman Bharat, the national healthcare policy, launched by the government earlier this year.Ayushman Bharat, also referred to as 'Modicare', was launched by the Government of India in February this year. The ambitious healthcare policy promises to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families, based on SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census) database, providing coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care ...
UN agency: Trips across Mediterranean fall, but risks rise
The UN refugee agency says people smugglers are taking greater risks to ferry their human cargo toward Europe as Libya's coast guard intercepts more and more boats carrying migrants, increasing the likelihood that those on board may die during the Mediterranean journeys. That's one of the key findings from the latest UNHCR report about efforts to reach Europe. The report, released early Monday and titled "Desperate Journeys," says that even though the number of crossings and deaths has plunged compared to recent years, the voyage is more deadly in percentage terms for those who venture across. The report says 2,276 people died last year while trying to cross, or one death for every 42 arrivals. This year, it's 1,095 deaths, or one out of every 18 arrivals. In June alone, the proportion hit one death for every seven arrivals. On the Central Mediterranean route so far this year, there have been 10 separate incidents in which 50 or more people died most after departing from Libya. ...
UN agency: Trips across Mediterranean fall, but risks rise
The UN refugee agency says people smugglers are taking greater risks to ferry their human cargo toward Europe as Libya's coast guard intercepts more and more boats carrying migrants, increasing the likelihood that those on board may die during the Mediterranean journeys. That's one of the key findings from the latest UNHCR report about efforts to reach Europe. The report, released early Monday and titled "Desperate Journeys," says that even though the number of crossings and deaths has plunged compared to recent years, the voyage is more deadly in percentage terms for those who venture across. The report says 2,276 people died last year while trying to cross, or one death for every 42 arrivals. This year, it's 1,095 deaths, or one out of every 18 arrivals. In June alone, the proportion hit one death for every seven arrivals. On the Central Mediterranean route so far this year, there have been 10 separate incidents in which 50 or more people died most after departing from Libya. ...
UN agency: Trips across Mediterranean fall, but risks rise
The UN refugee agency says people smugglers are taking greater risks to ferry their human cargo toward Europe as Libya's coast guard intercepts more and more boats carrying migrants, increasing the likelihood that those on board may die during the Mediterranean journeys. That's one of the key findings from the latest UNHCR report about efforts to reach Europe. The report, released early Monday and titled "Desperate Journeys," says that even though the number of crossings and deaths has plunged compared to recent years, the voyage is more deadly in percentage terms for those who venture across. The report says 2,276 people died last year while trying to cross, or one death for every 42 arrivals. This year, it's 1,095 deaths, or one out of every 18 arrivals. In June alone, the proportion hit one death for every seven arrivals. On the Central Mediterranean route so far this year, there have been 10 separate incidents in which 50 or more people died most after departing from Libya. ...
Israeli leader praises US cuts to UN agency for Palestinians
Israel's prime minister on Sunday welcomed the U.S. decision to stop funding the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, accusing it of perpetuating a crisis that lies at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The agency's commissioner rejected such accusations, saying that the failure of political leaders to resolve the conflict has caused the refugee crisis to drag on for 70 years. Speaking in southern Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel has taken in hundreds of thousands of Jews uprooted from homes in the Middle East and Europe. "This is not what is happening with the Palestinians," he said. "There they created a unique institution, 70 years ago, not to absorb the refugees but to perpetuate them." UNRWA was founded after the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation to serve some 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were uprooted from their homes. Today, it provides education and social services to over 5 million people across the region. Netanyahu said ..
UP govt to establish two research centers in BRD Medical College
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday informed that two centers will be established for Rs 104 crore in Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College for timely diagnosis and treatment of encephalitis and vector-borne diseases."Two important centres will be established for Rs 104 crore in Gorakhpur's BRD medical college for timely diagnosis and treatment of encephalitis and vector-borne diseases," Adityanath told reporters here."The first is Regional Medical Research Center and the second is Combined Rehabilitation Center for children disabled due to encephalitis," he added.In August 2017, as many as 60 infants died, allegedly due to lack of oxygen supply. The hospital authorities had denied the claims and said that the infants died due to encephalitis.Adityanath, however, had refuted the reports claiming that 60 infants died due to a shortage of oxygen at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in August last year, adding that the incident took place due to ...
Avail doorstep delivery of 'services' from September 10: Kejriwal
From September 10, the people of Delhi won't have to run from office to office to get their work done as the Delhi government will start its "doorstep delivery of services" in the city, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said here on Sunday.
Nigerian national detained at Chennai airport over visa
A Nigerian national was detained at the international airport here Sunday, as his visa was valid only till today. Upon his arrival from Frankfurt, Germany around 2 AM, the immigration authorities found that his visa was valid only till September 2. "We found that his visa was not valid beyond today. So we are deporting him back tonight," an immigration official said. The Nigerian tried to escape from the airport, but was caught by security personnel, the official said. "Four CISF jawans have been deployed to restrict his movement," the official added.
18 injured in German rival protests over migrants
Eighteen people were injured in rival demonstrations capping off a week marked by xenophobic protests in the eastern city of Chemnitz, prompting Germany's foreign minister to urge Germans to "get off our sofas" and speak up against racism. Chemnitz has been in the spotlight after violent far-right protests erupted over the fatal stabbing of a 35-year-old man, allegedly by a Syrian and an Iraqi last Sunday. On Saturday, 8,000 people answered a joint call by far-right party AfD and Islamophobic PEGIDA street movement to descend once again on the streets of the former communist city which was in the erstwhile East Germany. The mobilisation vastly outnumbered a contingent of 3,000 counter protesters, including Green party and Social Democratic Party MPs, who had also converged to take a stand against racism. Local police, backed up by officers from across Germany, were out in force to keep both sides from clashing. But as the rallies cleared, scuffles took place among small groups. SPD MP
Lap dancing goes from risque to risky in Israel
Israeli prosecutors have launched an offensive to end lap dancing in strip clubs, while lawmakers from across the political spectrum are backing a bill to outlaw striptease across the board. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Sunday that law enforcement had received a statement from the state attorney's office saying lap dancing can be considered a form of prostitution and therefore an offence. Officers are now awaiting instructions on how to enforce the rule, he told AFP. "The phenomenon known as 'lap dance' constitutes in certain circumstances an 'act of prostitution'," says the policy ruling, a copy of which was seen by AFP. "The continuation of this activity will constitute an offence and cause for taking all the measures in the law," including against business owners, it added. The police have informed strip club on the change in policy and warned that they would act to enforce it, the ruling said. Rosenfeld confirmed that "some letters have been sent out" to club ...
Pak model found dead at home
A Pakistani model has been found dead under mysterious circumstances at her residence in Lahore. The body of Anum Tanoli, 26, was found hanging from a ceiling fan of her bedroom on Saturday in her Defence house where she lived along with husband and two minor children. Her husband Navid Ahmad however claimed she committed suicide because of depression. He told police that he had got an appointment with a doctor for his wife on Saturday as she was suffering from depression. "When I asked her to get ready to see the doctor she locked herself in her room and hanged herself with her dupatta (scarf)," Ahmad said. He said he broke open the door and found herself hanging from the ceiling fan. He said he took her to the hospital where the doctors pronounced her dead. Police however detained Ahmad for further investigation. "We cannot confirm at this stage whether she committed suicide or she was murdered. The body has been sent for autopsy and we are recording the statements of her parents ...
Discrimination on basis of religion, caste, gender unacceptable to any nationalist: Naidu
Discrimination on the basis of religion, caste or gender is unacceptable to any "nationalist" and this approach should be followed by everyone, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said Sunday. Naidu, who is also the Rajya Sabha Chairman, called for deciding upon a national policy on the need for the Upper House in state legislatures, and urged political parties to evolve a consensus on the code of conduct for their members both inside and outside legislatures. He made the remarks during the launch of the book 'Moving on...Moving forward: A year in office'. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime ministers -- Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Rajya Sabha's Deputy Leader of Opposition Anand Sharma. Noting that the last session was called the "Session for Social Justice", Naidu said it was important to consider and pass legislations that reflect collective commitment to social justice. "In order .
