Month: December 2022

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India News

Gujarat polls: Over 28 times increase in seizures compared to 2017

Going by the seizure chart as on November 29 which marks total seizures of Rs 290.24 crore, there is a massive jump in the amount of seizures which is 10.66 times of seizures in 2017….reports Asian Lite News

Massive seizure has been made by enforcement agencies in Gujarat ahead of the upcoming assembly elections that would be held in two phases — on December 1, and on December 5, officials said.

Election Commission has said that seizures during these ongoing polls have recorded over 28 times increase as compared to 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections.

The total seizure in the 2017 Gujarat Assembly Election was Rs 27.21 crore.

Going by the seizure chart as on November 29 which marks total seizures of Rs 290.24 crore, there is a massive jump in the amount of seizures which is 10.66 times of seizures in 2017.

Add to it, the ongoing seizure of drugs, it becomes whopping 28 times.

Behind the stupendous rise in seizure figures has been the comprehensive strategy, detailed planning and rigorous follow-ups by the Election Commission.

A senior EC official said that the meticulous planning, exhaustive reviews and expenditure monitoring through a host of enforcement agencies by Election Commission of India has produced stellar results leading to record seizures in the ongoing Assembly elections in Gujarat.

One significant ongoing seizure process of heavy consignment of drugs is led by a team of officers of ATS Gujarat which is carrying out an operation in Vadodara (Rural) and Vadodara City.

The team has identified 2-mephedrone drug manufacturing units and unearthed about 143 kg of mephedrone (synthetic drug) worth about Rs 478 crore.

They have detained five persons from Nadiad and Vadodara and a criminal case is being registered in ATS Police Station, Ahmedabad under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, 1985.

The operation is in progress and complete details will be made available once the operation is completed.

On the occasion of announcement of dates for Gujarat Assembly Election 2022, Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar stressed on inducement-free elections and cited the significant amount of seizures made in Himachal Pradesh.

On November 23, the Commission had interacted with Chief Secretaries, DGPs, Excise Commissioners, DG (Income Tax) and other senior officers of Gujarat and its neighbouring states and UTs — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

This was held to review law and order situation and coordinated participation for conduct of free, fair and peaceful polls.

On a similar note, seizures in Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections in 2022 saw more than 500 per cent increase over figures of 2017 Assembly Elections.

As compared to Rs 9.03 crore worth of seizures in 2017 Assembly Elections, the seizures in 2022 rose to Rs 57.24 crore.

ALSO READ: Gujarat polls: BJP leads in money power, 85% are millionaires

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-Top News Asia News

‘India leads in minority rights among 110 nations’

Some of India’s neighbours in South Asia fare poorly. Pakistan is ranked at 104, Maldives at 108 and Afghanistan at 109. The last country in its treatment of minorities is Somalia at 110…writes Rahul Kumar

The Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA), a Patna-based research body, has put India as numero uno in the treatment of its minorities. In the first of its kind of report by an Indian institution, the CPA says that only India accords special minority rights to its religious minorities while Western countries provide for equal rights to all their citizens.

Former Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu, released the report that ranks 110 countries on the basis of their approach to their respective religious minorities–inclusiveness of minority religions, religion-oriented discrimination and their attitude towards various sects.

India has been ranked at the top by the Global Minority Report, followed by South Korea, Japan, Panama and the US in being inclusive to their minorities.

Some of India’s neighbours in South Asia fare poorly. Pakistan is ranked at 104, Maldives at 108 and Afghanistan at 109. The last country in its treatment of minorities is Somalia at 110.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Naidu said that for a long time Western nations have been giving sermons to India without looking within. He said: “What we have been seeing is India bashing. Unfortunately it is not just people abroad who are criticising India but Indians themselves are doing it”.

Naidu said that some of the developed countries are not able to digest India’s progress, stability and peace. “Let there be an open and meaningful discussion without any bias”, adding that any report should be fact-based and close to truth.

He said that the Hindu civilisation is a broad cultural identity and is not narrow. “India is a crucible of religions, races, language and culture”.

This is the first time that an Indian body has made an attempt to rate other nations on the basis of their treatment of religious minorities. The report also discusses contentious issues like conversions, blasphemy laws and ‘propagation of religion’.

Durga Nand Jha, chairman of the CPA and author of the report said that his organisation was propelled to conduct research on minority rights in India after former US president Barack Obama made some negative comments on religious freedom in India. Jha said: “We noticed that only India is providing minority rights to its people through the constitution. No other country gives special rights to minorities. Europe gives equal rights to all people but no special rights to minorities”.

The CPA has suggested that the United Nations (UN) makes it mandatory for every country to submit an annual minority rights compliance report. It also says that this report should be discussed at international forums including the UN.

Uday Mahurkar, Central Information Commissioner and former journalist, said that the report has been launched at a time of national re-awakening. “Religion rights violation has become a weapon with many countries. Minority rights is a sacred issue in India but has been made into a political issue”.

Swami Chidanand Sarawati, president of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram, said that this report will go a long way in opening up a debate because there is a hidden agenda in international rankings on India.

Ram Bahadur Rai, president of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) said that the Global Minority Report should be discussed at all international forums including the UN.

(India Narrative)

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-Top News USA

US special envoy for Afghanistan due in India

The Taliban have carried out broad censorship, limiting critical reporting, and have detained and beaten journalists, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW)…reports Asian Lite News

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West will travel to India this month to consult on humanitarian and economic crises in Afghanistan, the State Department said on Wednesday.

In a statement, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said West’s trip will be part of a three-nation tour including visits to Japan and the United Arab Emirates to discuss ways to address humanitarian challenges in the war-ravaged country. “Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West will travel to Japan, India, and the United Arab Emirates December 1-8,” Price said.

He said US Special Representative West will consult with partners and Afghans regarding the humanitarian and economic crises in Afghanistan, protection of Afghans’ rights, and shared security concerns.

“Special Representative West will also engage with the Afghan diaspora, including human rights, business, political, and media leaders on how to address these challenges,” the statement added.

This visit comes as the UN mission in Afghanistan has urged the Taliban to take immediate steps to end violence against women and the broader deterioration of women’s rights as a vital part of efforts to establish a meaningful and sustainable peace.

The Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021 and imposed policies severely restricting basic rights–particularly those of women and girls. They dismissed all women from leadership posts in the civil service and prohibited girls in most provinces from attending secondary school.

The Taliban have carried out broad censorship, limiting critical reporting, and have detained and beaten journalists, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The Afghan economy collapsed after August 2021, as millions of people lost salaries when the US, World Bank, and other donors stripped the Central Bank of Afghanistan of its foreign assets and access to financial assistance.

Over 90 per cent of the Afghan population faces serious food insecurity, along with a lack of medicine and a rise in malnutrition-related disease. (ANI)

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-Top News UK News

Residents seek King’s intervention as China plans an embassy in London

Beijing bought the site in 2018, and now plans to invest several hundreds of millions of dollars transforming it into its new embassy in the United Kingdom…reports Asian Lite News

Residents of an apartment complex that sits on a historic parcel of land opposite the Tower of London want Britain’s King Charles to buy it back, claiming that its current owner, China, will turn it into a hub for shadowy diplomatic activity, according to a media report.

The British monarchy sold Royal Mint Court, a 5.4-acre plot that was once home to the facility that manufactured Britain’s coinage, to a property company in 2010, CNN reported.

The local council, Tower Hamlets, is due on Thursday to decide on proposals for the site, which consists largely of decommissioned offices and a grand, 19th century building constructed for the Royal Mint. If the plans drawn up by architect David Chipperfield are approved, the site will become one of China’s largest diplomatic missions in the world, equipped with lodgings for hundreds of staff, a cultural exchange and a business centre, CNN reported.

But Royal Mint Court contains something of a historical anomaly. When it still owned the land about 30 years ago, the Crown Estate, which manages the British monarchy’s non-private property interests, built a set of low-rise apartments on part of the site as part of a government scheme to provide homes for “key workers” such as police officers and nurses. Queen Elizabeth II was pictured opening the estate in 1989.

Owners of the new apartments were granted a 126-year lease over the land a common practice in British property law where residents own the bricks and mortar of their property but another entity, a freeholder, owns the ground on which it is built.

China has been accused of using its diplomatic outposts, loosely affiliated community associations, in effect, as overseas police stations to monitor Chinese citizens abroad and coerce them to return home. British lawmakers have expressed concerns over reports of three such premises in the UK.

“I fear a diplomatic incident will occur because the powers available to the Chinese government are far reaching and excessive,” wrote David Lake, chairman of the residents’ group, in a letter to King Charles, CNN reported.

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India News

Maldivian FM praises friendship with India

India recently donated USD 100 million to the government of the island nation, which is currently experiencing major economic difficulties…reports Asian Lite News

In a video posted on Twitter on Tuesday, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid thanked India for its financial support and used a few Hindi phrases to highlight the strong ties that exist between the two nations.

According to Shahid, the relationship between India and the Maldives is strong, deep, and historic.

In Hindi, he said, “Dosti hamari acchi hai isliye rang layi hai, dosti humari gehri hai isliye sabko bhati hai. Dosti samay ki tarah chalti bhi jati hai.”

India recently donated USD 100 million to the government of the island nation, which is currently experiencing major economic difficulties.

“We (India-Maldives) have good friendship that’s reaping benefits, support each other & is creating history,” the Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid said on Tuesday. At the ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Maldives, a symbolic cheque was handed over by the High Commissioner of India Munu Mahawar to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.

In a tweet, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid wrote, “Thank you #India for the timely and generous financial assistance of USD100 million. It is truly the strength of our ties that enable mutual growth and cooperation reaffirming #MaldivesIndiaPartnership,” as he thanked the Indian government for the aid.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated in the ceremony via videoconferencing and said the special partnership between the two countries “is marked by genuine concern for each other’s welfare and interests delivers every single time”.

“Joined Foreign Minister @abdulla_shahid &Finance Minister @iameeru at the handover ceremony of financial assistance of USD 100 million to Government of Maldives,” Jaishankar said in a tweet.

“Our special partnership is marked by genuine concern for each other’s welfare and interests delivers every single time and particularly in time of need,” he added.

Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs said India remains reliable and steadfast in extending assistance to the Maldives.

“The Government of India handed over financial assistance of USD 100 million to the Government of Maldives to ease the financial challenges. #India remains reliable and steadfast in extending assistance to the Maldives,” it said.

The ceremony was attended by Maldives Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer.

Members of Parliament, High Commissioners, senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the High Commission of India in Maldives and the State Bank of India also attended the ceremony. (India News Network/ANI)

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India News

Govt asked scopes of ‘Project Great Indian Bustard’

Only 150 Great Indian Bustards left across India, Lok Sabha informed

The bench said right now the composition of the committee should not be tinkered…reports Asian Lite News

The Supreme Court on Wednesday told Attorney General R. Venkataramani to check with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to explore the possibility of having a ‘Project Great Indian Bustard’ (GIB) on the lines of ‘Project Tiger’ in order to save the endangered bird species.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing petitioner and retired IAS officer M.K. Ranjitsinh, contended before a bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud that despite directions from the apex court for all overhead power lines to be undergrounded within a year, it has not been done, and as a consequence, some more GIBs have died due to electrocution, as many as many seven this year.

He added that under-grounding of power cables has started in Gujarat, which is a positive development, but the same is not happening in Rajasthan where maximum GIBs are found.

Divan contended that diverters have to be installed and also maintained, as they may fall off.

The Centre’s counsel contended that the composition of the committee should be modified to include domain experts — additional secretary of renewable energy and the chief operating officer of Central Transmission Utility of India.



The bench said right now the composition of the committee should not be tinkered. The Centre was represented by AG and Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati.

The top court sought reports from the chief secretaries of Rajasthan and Gujarat in six weeks on installation of bird diverters in the priority areas. It also sought examination of the total length of transmission lines, where electrical wires would have to go under-ground to ensure the birds do not die of electrocution.

Concluding the hearing in the matter, the bench told the Centre’s counsel to check with the Ministry of Forest and Environment whether it is possible to have a ‘Project Great Indian Bustard’ on the same lines of ‘Project Tiger’.

The bench, also comprising justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian, said, “We had the Project Tiger… Is it not possible to have some mechanism to bring focus on having Project Great Indian Bustard?”

The top court was hearing a PIL seeking several directions to save the GIB.

It had set up a three-member committee to assess the feasibility of laying high-voltage underground power cables. The committee consisted of environmental scientists Rahul Rawa and Sutirtha Dutta, and Devesh Gadhavi, Deputy Director of Corbett Foundation.

Earlier, the apex court had directed Gujarat and Rajasthan governments to underground power cables, wherever feasible, and install bird diverters in priority areas where the birds live.

The Great Indian Bustard, or Ardeotis nigriceps, is listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List and the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016). A large bird of about 1 metre in height, the GIB has a wing span of almost 2 metres with the adult weighing between 15 kg and 18 kg.

In 2018, there were only 150 GIBs left in the country, 122 of them in the Jaisalmer area of Rajasthan. The remaining 28 were sighted in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka. However, wildlife conservationists have claimed that the number of GIBs in the wild is below 100 as of 2022.

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Food Lite Blogs

Winter delicacies

Recipes for winter delicacies(IANSLIFE)

Celebrating harvest in its truest form calls for a celebration with your loved ones. An amalgamation of good food and good company, and of course paying absolute gratitude. With scrumptious pies, casseroles, these recipes curated by Chef Prasad Metrani, Director of Culinary, Conrad Bengaluru will have you relishing winter delicacies.

PUMPKIN PIE

Ingredients

Basic Pie Dough:

. 300gms all-purpose flour

. 60 ml cold vegetable shortening

. 30 gms sugar

. 10 ml apple cider vinegar

. 5 gms salt

. 180 gms cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Pie filling:

. All-purpose flour, for dusting

. 220 gms pumpkin

. 80 ml heavy cream

. 40 gms granulated sugar

. 3 large eggs

. 5gms ground cinnamon

. 2 gms of freshly grated nutmeg

. Few drops of vanilla extract

. 5 gms salt

. Icing sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

Directions

. Roll out the dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Ease into a 9-inch pie plate. Fold the overhanging dough under itself and crimp the edges with your fingers. Pierce the bottom and sides all over with a fork. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.

. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

. Line the chilled dough with foil and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Transfer to the oven and bake until the edges are golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and continue baking until the crust is golden all over, 10 to 15 more minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.

. Make the filling: Gently whisk the pumpkin, cream, granulated sugar, 2 eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt (do not overmix). Beat the remaining egg and brush on the crust edge; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Pour the filling into the crust and bake until set around the edges, 50 minutes to 1 hour (the middle will still jiggle slightly). Transfer to a rack; let it cool completely.

STUFFED TURKEY BREAST

INGREDIENTS

. 2 skin-on boneless turkey breast halves (about 1 lb per half) *

. 4 cloves garlic, pressed

. 1 large shallot, finely chopped

. 4 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped

. 2 tbsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped

. 1 tbsp. grated orange zest

. 4 tbsp. olive oil, divided

. Kosher salt and pepper

. Gravy, for serving

DIRECTION

Step 1: Heat oven to 425 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine garlic, shallot, parsley, rosemary, orange zest, 2 Tbsp olive oil, and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper.

Step 2: Working with one turkey breast half at a time, remove the skin in one piece, being careful not to tear it, and set aside.

Step 3: Butterfly and pound each breast to 1/4-in thick. Divide herb mixture among each breast, leaving a 3/4-in. border all the way around. Starting at the short end, roll up each turkey breast. Lay skin on top of each breast, tucking and wrapping it under the edges, then tie it with kitchen string, spacing it about 2 inches apart. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.

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Step 4: Brush each with 1 Tbsp oil, season with 1/2 tsp salt, and roast for 25 min., then reduce oven temp to 375 degrees F and continue roasting until internal temp reaches 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 25 to 30 min. more. Transfer breasts to a cutting board and let rest for at least 10 min.

Step 5: Remove the string, slice it, and arrange it on a platter. Garnish with additional fresh herbs, if desired. Serve with Pan gravy.

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India News

India seeks to boost ties with Portuguese speaking countries

The Lusophone Food and Spirits Festival will highlight the gastronomic ties between India and the Lusophone world…reports Asian Lite News

Goa will host the International Lusophone Festival from December 3-6. By hosting the event, India hopes to strengthen its ties with the Lusophone world, which comprises countries that speak the Portuguese language.

The festival is being organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Goa government.

Goa has long-standing ties to the Lusophone world, which have been cultivated through the presence of Portuguese cultural organizations like the Orient Foundation and the Camoes Institute, which support the Portuguese language and culture in India.

“This has deepened our economic, cultural co-operation and people-to-people ties with the CPLP member countries,” the MEA said in a press release issued on Tuesday.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will inaugurate the International Lusophone Festival on December 3. Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Culture Meenakshi Lekhi will be the guest of honour.

The festival will include performances by visiting cultural troupes from the CPLP countries (about 70 artists) at several venues in Goa namely ESG complex, Azad Maidan, Sanskruti bhavan, Institute Menezes Braganza among others

Workshops on Lusophone music are being organized for artists and volunteers as part of the festival, along with other workshops and an exhibition of replicas of historical documents and the distinctive architecture, handicrafts, and furnishings of Goa.

The Lusophone Food and Spirits Festival will highlight the gastronomic ties between India and the Lusophone world.

The festival will also host discussions with the themes “India’s Outreach to the Global South-Exploring Convergence with CPLP” and “India-Lusophone Historical and Cultural Linkages: Retrospect and Prospects.” The discussions will examine not only India’s current and historical Lusophone connections but also the best course of action for future engagement.

The Lusophone Commonwealth (Comunidade Lusofona), commonly known as the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (Comunidade dos Pases de Lngua Portuguesa), is a global forum that was established on July 17, 1996, at the first CPLP Heads of State and Government Summit in Lisbon.

In July 2021, India became an associate observer of the CPLP. World Portuguese Language Day was observed in Delhi on May 5, 2022, as part of India’s association with CPLP. (India News Network)

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India News

EOS-06 satellite has started serving images: ISRO

ISRO further informed that the images were released by Chairman ISRO, S Somanath in virtual mode…reports Asian Lite News

The EOS-06 satellite, which was launched along with eight more nanosatellites by PSLV-C54 on Saturday, has started serving images, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The first images have been received on Tuesday, at National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). The images were of Shadnagar covering the Himalayan region, Gujarat Kutch region, and the Arabian Sea. The images were captured by the Ocean Color Monitor (OCM) and Sea Surface Temperature Monitor (SSTM) Sensors, ISRO informed.

“EOS-06 commenced serving the images. First-day images received on Nov 29, 2022, at NRSC, Shadnagar cover the Himalayan region, Gujarat Kutch region, & the Arabian Sea. They are captured by the Ocean Color Monitor (OCM) & Sea Surface Temperature Monitor (SSTM) Sensors,” ISRO said in a tweet.

ISRO further informed that the images were released by Chairman ISRO, S Somanath in virtual mode.

Other than him, Director, URSC Sankaran, and Director, NRSC Dr Prakash Chauhan at IMGOES NRSC, Shadnagar were also present at the event.

“The images were released by Chairman ISRO, Shri S. Somanath in virtual mode, in the presence of Director, URSC Shri Sankaran, and Director, NRSC Dr Prakash Chauhan at IMGOES NRSC, Shadnagar,” read another tweet by ISRO.

Earlier on Saturday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the PSLV-C54 rocket carrying EOS-06, also known as Oceansat-3, and eight nanosatellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota.

PSLV-C54 was launched from First Launch Pad (FLP) Sriharikota spaceport at 11.56 am in a two-hour multi-orbit launch mission.

The primary payload onboard PSLV-C54 was the EOS-06. It will be separated in Orbit-1.

“Subsequently, Orbit change is planned by using two Orbit ChangeThrusters (OCTs) introduced in the Propulsion Bay Ring of the PSLV-C54 Vehicle. The Passenger Payloads (PPLs) will be separated in Orbit-2,” read a statement by ISRO.

This was the 56th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the 24th Flight of the PSLV-XL version with 6 PSOM-XLs. (ANI)

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-Top News Australia India News

India-Australia trade pact to come into force from Dec 29

It is expected that with this agreement, the total bilateral trade will cross USD 45-50 bn in 5 years from the existing USD 31 bn, the ministry added…reports Asian Lite News

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) will come into force from December 29, 2022.

This follows the exchange of notification between the two countries after completion of the ratification processes and the necessary domestic requirements, including internal legal procedures, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Wednesday.

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) was signed on April 2, 2022. It will enter into force 30 days after this exchange of written notification between India and Australia.

The agreement will significantly enhance bilateral trade in goods and services, create new employment opportunities, raise living standards, and improve the general welfare of the peoples of the two countries.

Industries, businesses, students, and professionals on both the sides are eager to avail the opportunities arising through this agreement, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry pointed out.

It is expected that with this agreement, the total bilateral trade will cross USD 45-50 bn in 5 years from the existing USD 31 bn, the ministry added.

The other expected benefits, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, include:

  • Duties on 100 percent tariff lines are to be eliminated by Australia under the agreement.
  • It is estimated that an additional 10 lakh jobs would be created in India under ECTA.
  • Indian Yoga teachers and chefs are set to gain with the annual visa quota.
  • Over 1 lakh Indian students would benefit from post-study work visa (1.5-4 years) under the ECTA.

The agreement is also likely to increase investment opportunities, promote exports, create significant additional employment and facilitate strong bonding between the two countries.

Australia is an important strategic partner of India. Both nations are also part of the four nation QUAD, Trilateral Supply Chain Initiative and the Indo-Pacific Economic Forum (IPEF).

“ECTA will open a new chapter on India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership between two vibrant economies with shared interest and trade complementarities. The Agreement encompasses cooperation across the entire gamut of bilateral economic and commercial relations between the two friendly countries,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.

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