India’s foreign exchange reserves have surged by a massive 6.47 billion dollars to reach a fresh all-time high of 513.25 billion dollars in the week ended 3rd July 2020. Foreign currency assets, a major part of the overall reserves, rose by 5.66 billion dollars to 473.26 billion dollars. In the previous week, the reserves had increased by 1.27 billion dollars to end at 506.84 billion dollars.
The reserves had crossed the half-a-trillion-dollar mark for the first time in the first week of June, when it had jumped by 8.22 billion dollars to reach 501.70 billion dollar mark. Gold reserves went up by 495 million dollars to end at 34.02 billion dollars.
India’s special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund rose by 4 million dollars to reach 1.45 billion dollars, while the country’s reserve position increased by 259 million dollars to 4.526 billion dollars.
Month: July 2020
WHO sets up independent panel to review its handling of COVID-19 pandemic
World Health Organization (WHO) has set up an independent panel to review its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response by governments. The announcement follows strong criticism by US President Donald Trump, which accused the WHO of being China-centric.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf have agreed to head the panel. The co-chairs will select the other members.
The panel will then provide an interim report to an annual meeting of health ministers in November and present a substantive report next May.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the magnitude of this pandemic has virtually touched everyone and deserved a commensurate evaluation.
More than 1.2 crore people have been infected by the novel coronavirus globally and over 5.48 lakh have died.
US has formally informed WHO that it is withdrawing from the UN agency in a year’s time.
IRDAI gives its nod to Insurance companies to launch corona Kavach Health Insurance Policies
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has allowed 29 general and health insurers to launch short-term ‘Corona Kavach’ health insurance policies. The policy will cover medical expenses occurred due to coronavirus disease.
The insurance regulator said that it has designed a standard Covid specific product addressing basic health insurance needs of insuring public with common policy wordings across the industry. The sum insured amount of the policy ranges between fifty thousand rupees to five lakh rupees.
This policy can be availed by persons between the age of 18 to 65 years. People can avail the Corona Kavach policy for Self, spouse, parents, parents-in-law and dependent children up to 25 years of age.
The IRDAI has said that the policy will also provide for any co-morbid condition triggered due to Covid-19 during the period of hospitalization.
The authority had issued clearance to 30 General and Health Insurance companies to market this Corona Kavach Policy.
Following the IRDAI order, several insurers have already announced the launch of the ‘Corona Kavach’ policies for three -and-a-half months; six-and-a-half months; and nine-and-a-half months.
Home care expenses benefit up to a period of 14 days will also be covered in the policy for those seeking treatment within the comfort of their own homes, on the advice of a medical practitioner.
COVID-19 fatality rate declines to 2.72% in the country
India’s Covid-19 fatality rate has declined to 2.72 per cent. This is lower than the fatality rates observed in many other countries in the world. Union Health Ministry said, the focus of Covid-19 management in the country has been to keep the fatalities low. It was 2.82 per cent a month ago. Health Ministry also noted that 30 states and Union Territories have a fatality rate lower than the national average. Manipur, Nagaland, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sikkim have zero fatality rate.
The recovery rate has improved to 62.42 per cent. In 18 states and UTs the recovery rates are higher than the national average.
The ministry said with the support and guidance of the Central government, the states and union territories have taken many steps like mapping of communities to focus on high-risk groups like the elderly/aged and population with comorbidities, and providing special care to them.
It said, there is a focus on the improvement of quality of medical care for coronavirus patients. The country-wide strong network of ASHAs and ANMs along with Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres have helped in effective surveillance and contact tracing of the cases, including the lakhs of migrants and returnees, it said.
PM welcomes foreign investments in renewable energy sector; Describes India most attractive market for clean energy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed foreign investment in the renewable energy sector and described India the most attractive market for clean energy. He said solar energy will play a big role in Atmanirbharta or self reliance, and remains a core focus of the government. Prime Minister was inaugurating Asia’s biggest solar project in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh through vodeo link yesterday.
The 750 MW plant in Rewa is the first renewable energy project to provide energy outside the state to Delhi Metro. Mr Modi said he expects Madhya Pradesh to become a hub of clean energy in India with the addition of this project. The state currently has solar energy projects in construction at Neemuch, Shajapur, Chattarpur and Omkareshwar.
Calling solar energy “sure, pure, and secure”, Mr Modi said India is one of the most attractive markets for clean energy. He said Solar energy is going to be a major medium of energy needs, not only today but in the 21st century. He said that Rewa’s “ultra mega” project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions every year by about 1.5 million tonnes, which would have otherwise been a by-product of conventional energy sources.
On reducing reliance on imports, Mr Modi said the government has realised the need for commissioning many such other projects which would manufacture PV cells, batteries and storage equipment.
The conflict of Kashmir…
On February 14th 2019, a suicide bomber attacked a convoy of Indian security forces. “We’re getting reports of multiple casualties in a roadside…” He killed at least 40 Indian soldiers here in Kashmir. “The deadliest attack the region has seen this century.” The bomber was part of an Islamic militant group based in Pakistan. “Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for that attack.” 12 days later, India carried out airstrikes in Northwestern Pakistan. Then Pakistan shot down at least one Indian aircraft around here. “The most serious escalation in years.” Kashmir is one of the most disputed places on Earth. Over the course of 70 years, it’s been at the center of three wars fought between two massive armies. It’s heavily occupied by more than half a million Indian troops and a deadly collection of militias and terrorist groups.
Kashmir is the stage for the relentless conflict between India and Pakistan. But focusing on the two countries can obscure what’s really at stake: The voice of Kashmiris who are caught in a vicious cycle of violence. Kashmir is one of the most strategic places in the world, where 3 powerful countries collide: India, Pakistan, and China. China invaded and took this slice of Kashmir from India. And was given this one by Pakistan. India and Pakistan control these parts, but lay claim to more. This region is at the center of a brutal conflict over these disputed borders. So it’s important to start when they were being drawn. In the mid-1800s, India was a patchwork of several hundred provinces and princely states under British rule. A century later, when British India won independence, the British left and hastily decided to split the region into two. These areas would be a new Muslim-majority country, Pakistan. And this would be the mostly Hindu, but secular, India. The partition was bloody. “Communal hatred flares up within the Punjab.” “1 million people become refugees overnight.” “They flee from savagery and butchery that has never been exceeded, even in India’s stormy history.” Amid the chaos, some princely states were given the choice to join either country. In most cases, the ruling monarchs followed the will of their people. But this state, called “Jammu & Kashmir” was different. It was right along this new border and had a Muslim-majority population, but was ruled by a Hindu monarch. When asked to pick a side, the ruler chose to stay neutral Fearing that the monarch would join India, the Kashmiri population rebelled here in 1947 Armed tribesmen from Pakistan soon joined the fight.
The monarch turned to India for military help and in exchange agreed to join them, which sparked the first Indo-Pakistan war in Kashmir. “Continuing thus increased the threat to world peace and brought the dispute to the eye of the United Nations . The UN Security Council brokered a ceasefire in 1949, which established this line with Pakistan controlling this side and India this one. It also asked Pakistani tribesmen to withdraw and Indian troops to follow, so that Kashmir could hold a direct vote to decide its own future. But neither held up their end of the deal. Pakistan argued that Kashmir’s Muslim-majority population rightfully belonged with them. While India insisted that Kashmir was handed over to them by the Hindu monarch. So they doubled down and added Kashmir to their constution. Both countries continued to tighten their grip around it for many years . “Kashmir. Fighting is going on and heavy casualties in men and equipment have been inflicted on the aggressor.”
In 1965, the second India-Pakistan war broke out in Kashmir. Thousands of people were killed between the huge armies on both sides. A ceasefire ended the war, but didn’t change this line. Kashmir was kept divided and occupied. And another war broke out in 1971. This time the focus wasn’t in Kashmir — it was in East Pakistan. Here, India helped rebels fight for independence and dealt Pakistan a devastating defeat. This region became a new country, Bangladesh, and Pakistan lost its eastern half. This made Kashmir more important than ever: It became one of the most militarized places on Earth, as India and Pakistan deployed planes, tanks, artillery, and soldiers along the Line of Control. On the political front, in ’87, India reportedly rigged an election, declaring a pro-India party as the winner. Now this was a big turning point for many Kashmiris, who felt they were again denied the chance to vote. Thousands took to the streets in Indian-controlled Kashmir to protest the occupation. But India met the movement for independence with harsh resistance. Which quickly escalated to more violence.
“In January security forces opened fire on demonstrating separatists, turning a two-year old struggling movement into a full-blown popular uprising.” “More than 600 people are killed in clashes between troops and separatists.” Kashmiri militias, just like the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, started recruiting Muslim youth to fight for independence. And increasingly attacked the Indian military. Pakistan saw an opportunity in this insurgency. They helped introduce a new kind of militant group: Radical Islamic fighters who fought for a more pro-Pakistan Kashmir. By the mid ’90s, these groups dominated the insurgency. India responded with incredible military force, deploying 500,000 troops to Kashmir. And they cracked down on militants and protestors. Unarmed civilians were killed and many more were forced to flee the violence. And in ’98 the stakes were raised yet again. “Today India conducted three underground nuclear tests.” “Pakistan today successfully conducted five nuclear tests.” Kashmir became a battleground between two nuclear-armed nations and another war broke out in 1999. “More evidence of the attacks being launched on the Indian-controlled area of Kargil.” “The past two days have seen a number of the fiercest fighting thus far .” “Militant Muslim fighters have also crossed over into some parts of Indian-ruled Kashmir.” The 1999 war ended with another ceasefire, but that did not stop either country.
Over the years, Pakistan’s militant groups got bolder and launched terror attacks in Kashmir and outside of Kashmir. In 2001, members of Lashkar-e-Taiba bombed India’s parliament building in New Delhi killing 14 people. And in 2008, 10 militants from the same group killed 174 people and wounded 300 in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Indian military cracked down in Kashmir, firing bullets and pellets on unarmed protesters. Leaving hundreds wounded and blind. This is the vicious cycle of violence. The Indian Army’s crackdown drives some Kashmiris to join Pakistani-backed militant groups, who carry out violence against the Indian forces. It’s a cycle that Kashmiri civilians are stuck in the middle of. Which brings us back to 2019. The suicide bomber was 19-year old Adil Ahmed Dar from Pulwama, Kashmir. According to his parents, in 2016, Indian police officers stopped him and humiliated him by forcing his face into the ground. The same year he was shot in the leg at a protest. The next year, Dar left home with his brothers, to join Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistani-supported militia that radicalized him and trained him to be a suicide bomber. A year later, he drove explosives into an Indian military convoy. For more than 70 years India and Pakistan have driven a cycle of violence, retaliation, and exploitation in Kashmir. But beneath it all is the Kashmiri’s wish to make a choice. A wish that continues to be suppressed, again and again, by violence.
Cyber Bullying is a serious problem!
Internet and mobile phones have become an inseparable part of our lives. When the internet was out, there were restrictions on its usage that were imposed on children by the parents almost everywhere. At least they would use it under an adult’s supervision. Now that the use of the internet has become inevitable because of the school requirements and its necessity in the making of assignments and projects, parents really can’t help but make it accessible for their children.
Since we all are aware of the risks and dangers of cell phones and the internet entail, we ensure that they don’t adversely impact our children and their vulnerable brains. Are the web restrictions like age gate, safe search and family filters enough to keep our kids protected from every kind of possible harm in the cyber world? Do we only need to worry about that inappropriate content on the internet or there are other things too?
“Cyber bullying is a term used for bullying kids using technology including digital or social media. It involves the use of harassment, threat, and provocation that leave a negative impact on the mind, mood and overall psychological position of the child. It occurs in kids and teens and normally young children of all age groups. In adults, the same acts constitute a legally punishable crime known as cyber-stalking or cyber-harassment.”
Misuse of your child’s photos, messages or any other thing on digital media, any messages or calls that tend to scare your child out of their wits, acts like calling names, causing embarrassment and insult, faking identities etc., all are acts of cyber bullying. Most victims of cyber bullying don’t share their grief with their parents or teachers. According to a recent study, 1 in every 4 children encounters cyber bullying.
The consequences of cyber bullying vary from child to child. Some children are not that seriously affected by it while others can develop conditions like depression, anxiety, and disorders involving high stress. In some rarely reported cases, some children have even committed suicides that were either provoked by cyber bullying or merely attempted to get rid of it.
It’s not really difficult to spot if a child is being bullied online if we’re smart enough and know our children. Cyber bullying can result in increased distress for the victims along with increased anger and frustration. They will vent this out on various occasions, and it might force them to get addicted to the virtual world where they can have several identities to hide their real one.
The victims will automatically have lower self-esteem since that is the sole purpose of bullying. Prolonged bullying will lead to severe withdrawal from their family and friends. They will begin favoring isolation most of the time and indulging in harmful activities like drugs and alcohol.
Cyber bullying is a serious issue, and it can be truly horrific to go through such a difficult period. Staying strong and fighting back is the only option against these bullies. It’s possible to get over it and live your life again. Seeing a counselor can help the victims handle the incident in a better and a safe way. Life does not get over if you are a victim of cyber bullying and it is possible to fight back.
Reality of Internet Speeds in India
4G is the talk of the town, but foot-racing is still a reality in India! The average speed of 4G LTE data in India has remained stagnant for more than a year at 6.1Mbps which is almost one-third of the world’s average of 17 Mbps, making it one of the slowest in the metric. Even if the big telcos are boosting 4G distribution, looking at 5G and talking about providing home-based fiberband speeds at the start of 100 Mbps soon, data junkies have no reason to rejoice. India’s 4G download speed is slower than neighboring Sri Lanka (13.95 Mbps), Pakistan (13.56 Mbps) and Myanmar (15.56 Mbps), according to UK Open Speed Inspector. U.S. data speed tester Ookla has placed India at 109 near its 124 nations list with full internet speed, with download speeds of 9.12 Mbps, which is way below. With so many people using the Internet at any given time, network communication can be a daunting task. Experts say the country’s 4G speed also depends on how much it is used on LTE, even if it has adopted new 4G technologies such as LTE Advanced, how many networks are built and the levels of integration. Each Indian display is at a lower level compared to other countries, which affects the speed of the 4G network. Indians experienced a much slower internet speed for at least two years in March when the country shut down to accelerate the spread of Coronavirus, an analysis of data from the government’s MySpeed program showed. The national closure began last March and some provinces ordered the closure of schools and the banning of public gatherings even earlier, resulting in people staying at home. The Hindustan Times last week reported, from government data, that India’s average internet usage in the week beginning March 22 (Janata’s home day) was 13% higher than the average daily usage last week. Raw data analysis from the app showed that the average download speed was 2.8 megabits per second in March. This has been the lowest monthly download speed for at least two years, starting in April 2018, when the app started tracking speed. The average download speed of 1.9 Mbps was also very low in the last two years. Prior to this in March, download speeds were significantly lower in December 2019 (3.5 Mbps) while download speeds were significantly lower in October 2019 (2 Mbps). Specifically, 4G users got an average download speed of 3.1 Mbps while 3G users got a Median speed of 0.8 Mbps, both of which are very low in two years. Median is considered to be a better measure of middle ground than what is stated, where there are a number of very large values that can be considered to be calculated. The average upload speed in February this year was 4.2 and 2.4 Mbps, compared to 2.8 and 1.9 Mbps in March, which is a decrease of 34% and 20% respectively. This slowdown in internet speed has been evident to all users of major Telecoms Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, Jio and the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. The average download speed across all networks was much lower in two years.
Broken wings
“They began work at 5:30 and quit at 7 at night. Children six years old going home to lie on a straw pallet until time to resume work the next morning! I have seen the hair torn out of their heads by the machinery, their scalps torn off, and yet not a single tear was shed, while the poodle dogs were loved and caressed and carried to the seashore.”
Mother Jones
In the present morden society where everyone run towards their dreams and goals there are people who wish to have ‘Going to school‘ as their unattainable dream!
When we make plans with our friends to dine in a fancy restaurants and complain about how less our pocket Money are! There are children who less then 10 years old yearning money by working more than their Age!
Get admitted in one of the top Schools/University and complaining ‘there is lot to study I want to party & chill’. There are people who dropped out of there schools/University and dreaming your normal life!
In their very own room laying on the fluffiest bed having a great wifi with latest gadgets and your own private space. Where some people are dead frozen while sleeping on streets!
While our Pantries are filled with things need for atleast a month. There are some people dieing of starvation!
I am not saying all the west things to make you all feel bad. I just want you all to feel thankful for the life which we are living is the biggest dream for millions of people out there.
It was a beautiful evening of my senior secondary year. I was returning home from school with my friends on our school bus. It’s the busiest hour in the city so the small travel from school to home took 40 mins. Me and my friends usually used to take a short naps during the travel. But that day was our last day of our exams so we decided let’s have fun!
Our bus stopped on the busiest junction. I turned my head to enjoy the weather outside. My eyes fall on a young girl around 5 years old with red pakoda skirt carring flowers and small accessories from one vehicle. She is trying to sell them before the signal turn from red to green. It’s not the first time I have seen such scene but what made me realise there is something wrong is beside the girl on the platform I saw a beautiful little girl around the girls age. She is carring a school bag on her back and holding her hands with her elder brother.
My bus started moving but I can’t forget the scene I just saw. Somehow I felt guilty in my heart eventhough I am totally unrelated to her situation.
I tried to distract myself by talking to my friends but my eyes keep looking through the window. The next scene hit me even hard there are two children doing their homework on their platform home which is less than 5 feet. There is no lamp in their house they are using the street lamps!
I been traveling this path since I started my high school but I never noticed this! This is what my first taught but I am wrong. When I refreshed my memory I have seen thi place on my first day to school too! And during that time as soon as I saw this slum area I turned my head to look in the opposite area. When this memory comes back I am really ashamed of myself.
I asked my friends to look outside the window of our bus they all looked out they give me a glare like what’s wrong everything seems normal. I started to point out the people who I saw. When they all saw the same thing I saw with my exaggerated explanation. I noticed a rare seen emotion on my friends faces that’s empathy!
In our next school activity we informed it to our class coordinator can we do anything regarding this. Our school suggested that we can do a charity fair!
I know it’s a small pin in a huge ocean but we did some to make their lives better. Even it’s a little thing after seeing the smiles on the children faces we all felt like we had done a big thing. I don’t know how to say but trust me that feeling felt so great.
When we born in this world we can’t decide whom our parents are or how our lifestyle will be. So begin born poor/disabled is not their fault.
But why should this society wants to broke their dreams and shatter their hopes?
People will answer simply that they are not responsible for this people. But I want to ask what makes us different from other living this is Humanity if this humanity is gone are we still humans?
“If we can’t begin to agree on fundamentals, such as the elimination of the most abusive forms of child labor, then we really are not ready to march forward into the future.”
Alexis Herman
Role of Youth in Eradicating Corruption.
Once, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam has rightly said, ” If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are – Father , Mother and the teachers.”
The truth is, corruption is now a worldwide phenomenon. But according to me the fourth and the most important societal member who can eradicate corruption is the YOUTH of our country. The real war has to be fought against these social evils and as the leaders of tomorrow it is our prime responsibility and duty. Why should we create awareness in small children about such vicious crimes ? Because – Things sowed in the minds of young take deep roots.
In reality, it is very difficult to root out the infectious disease known as corruption which has become rampant in every field of life. However instead of bearing it we must challenge it. Some years ago when social activist Anna Hazare started the anti-corruption moment, the maximum crowd was of schhool and college students. Their support is what made the purpose of the protest a succesful one. But was that enough?
Mahatma Gandhi- the father of our nation has quoted ,” A small act of good deed can cause endless ripples.” Youth of our country should remain vigilant and never allow themselves to be exploited by this social evil. Many people say that nothing can be done, but I believe things can change. Of course individual efforts can bring excellence but only collective efforts can be delivered effectively.
In the modern era, our Government is slowly accepting the opinions of young minds and their needs have been put forth as priority.I truly believe that the modernisation and dinamic attitude in the Indian parliament will slowly yet steadily change the phase of our nation. According to me it is not only the duty of politicians and government officials to boycott curroption but also the duty of each and every individual to war against it.
Whenever the circumstances may come, public should not bribe school or college managements to accomodate seat and admissions. We should not bribe traffic police for violating the traffic rules. Corruption has made our country lawless. Muscle and money power has come the law. Our freedom fighters fought all their lives to give us freedom from physical slavery. However we as a educated generation are not free from financial slavery.
Gandhi led the non-violent fight against the british but the currency note which bears his photo is the medium of corruption. What an irony ! Corruption is a virus which can be eradicated if the youth of our country decides to do so. No matter how much the delay we must not pay the bribe at any cost.
Albert Einstein has rightfully said that, ” Evils in the world exist not only because of those who do them but also because of the one’s who just see them annd do nothing to prevent it.” Corruption is like cancer which starts at one part of the system and spreads to every part if not treated or cured at an early stage.
Many years ago we had tryst with destiny and now the time has come when we shall redeem our pledge as the responsible citzens of this nation. Let us wake the Anna Hazare in us and stand for ” India against Corruption”. Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realise we cannot eat money.
Even if the older generations saw corruption as an immortal enemy, we millenials think of it as a mortal one. So my dear youngsters, ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your Country and World at large as one family.
Misogyny and patriarchy
Misogyny
The term “misogyny” is derived from the Ancient Greek word “mīsoguníā” which means hatred towards women.The word is formed from the Greek roots misein (“to hate”)and gynē (“woman”).
Misogyny: the “law enforcement” branch of patriarchy (contrasted with sexism, the branch of patriarchy concerned with beliefs and attitudes about female people’s inferiority), which involves the sanctioning of feminine gender norm-violations.
Misogyny is a blatant disregard for women; while someone who is sexist may still be opposed to the fact that women make 78 cents to the dollar, a misogynist will believe that women don’t deserve equal pay because they are inherently lesser than men. Misogyny has taken shape in multiple forms such as male privilege, patriarchy, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, belittling of women, violence against women, and sexual objectification.The roots of misogyny can be traced back to ancient Greek mythology.
Misogyny over years has evolved as an ideology which has engulfed the society as a smog which diminishes their site to aurora. Great philosophers, socialist, and thinkers of golden era were subdued by roars of male dominant society which narrowed their vision and made them a supporter of patriarchal society. Aristotle who was an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist was also a misogynist. He thought of women as a deformity, an incomplete male. He preached that men should always command and women should follow as they are the inferior being created by God. Misogyny at its front had male supporters, but over years, few females also supported the ideology as stated by Sociologist Michael Flood.
Over centuries, women have been suppressed, their rights were neglected as a human being, they were treated as an lower part of the society, and their roles were restricted to household chores and birthing. Prolonged oppression raised many voices and collectively led to a concept of feminism which started the longest movement in history which still continues.
Feminism
Feminism is a gamut of socio political movements and ideologies that share a common goal to delineate, establish, and achieve political, economic, personal, and social equality of sexes.Feminist movements over decades have campaigned for rights of women, including the right to vote, to hold public office, to work, to earn fair wages or equal pay, to own property, to receive education, to enter contracts, to have equal rights within marriage, and to have maternity leave. Feminists have also worked to promote bodily autonomy and integrity and to protect women and girls from brutal crimes such as rape, sexual harassment, and domestic violence.
Postmodern feminism has two components, i.e., liberal feminism and radical feminism,the former being an individualistic form of feminist theory which focuses on women’s ability to maintain their equality by uplifting themselves in the field of academics, and other domains by which they can make better decisions and attain equal political and legal rights. Radical feminism on the other hand demands drastic reordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts.
The fourth-wave feminism refers to a kind of feminism that began around 2012 which targets sexual harassment, campus sexual harassment, rape culture, workplace discrimination, body shaming, sexist imagery in the media, online misogyny, assault on public transport, and other type of harassment that is associated with the use of social media.The recent issues which were shocking and horrid like Nirbhaya Delhi Gang Rape, Harvey Weinstein allegations, and Bill Cosby allegations gave birth to campaigns like Everyday Sexism Project, No More Page 3, and the recent #MeToo and Times Up movements, equality and the empowerment of women have become household conversations around the world.
Patriarchy
the system in which female people are structurally oppressed on the basis of their sex (whether by male people, or in a way that advantages male people).
Misogyny, is aligned with a disdain or devaluing of women in general. Misogynists often place women in value categories based on physical traits or simply qualify women in regards to their worth as they see fit to define it. For example, calling a woman a ‘dog’ or ‘cow’ or referring to her only as being the kind of woman good enough to have an affair with but not good enough to marry are examples of misogyny. The patriarchy is a governing system ruled by men. For example, when a man is the ”head” of a household that reflects a patriarchy. The United States is still considered as patriarchal society.
Impact of Technology on Privacy – Aman sharma
Impact of Technology on Privacy
Technology has offered various options to help people maintain privacy depending on their situation. At the same time, technology has made it almost impossible for anyone to have privacy. There are devices and programs that can help you get privacy but they can also be used to invade it. Modern society has too many incidences and events that include invasion of privacy, including on national and international levels. Is it possible to ever maintain a level of privacy when you are on the computer, your cellphone, or even in your own home due to technology advancements?
Having privacy when you need it is a significant asset to most people. You want to be able to access important information such as documents, account statements, and other personal information without worries of it being stolen, hacked, or tapped into. Technology has helped keep your information safe and secure, but only to an extent. There are major corporations, along with small and large businesses and individuals who feel there is not enough being done to ensure user privacy when it comes to devices, programs, and websites to name a few. There are options you can take to help safeguard personal information such as changing passwords frequently and paying attention to websites you visit for peculiar behavior or links to avoid clicking. But, technology has a catch 22 concept that includes being at risk for your privacy to be invaded. Just when you think you have something to help protect you and your personal information, the same content can be hacked or tapped into by a knowledgeable person or group of individuals with negative intentions. There are people who feel they do not want to engage with online websites or digital programs to avoid the risk, but is it really possible to do so? Many say it is not.
Technology is constantly changing and so is the way personal information is obtained and stored. When you think you have a solution to a privacy related problem, there are people on the other end trying to figure out how to invade your personal space. In many cases it seems as if you need to be a step ahead of the perpetrator. You have to think like one in order to determine the best course of action in trying to increase personal privacy. This is another task on its own that can take further time to understand depending on the element of privacy you want to secure.
Trump’s new visa rules affecting Indian students
The Indian students in USA are going to be affected by Trump’s new visa rules.
F-1 VISA
It is the Visa that allows you to enter and stay in US as a full time student.
Currently about 202,000 students are enrolled in US contributing a big part of population.
On Monday, the US announced that if the classes are moved online in the upcoming semesters, the international students might have to leave the country or risk deportation. Hence, the students enrolled in the US colleges or schools will have to return back home.
The students who came back home after the universities were shut down due to lockdown will not be allowed to return if their courses are completely online.
For the students enrolled in universities with hybrid courses that is online and in-person classes can continue their stay in US or return after the lockdown is over.
The agency has also made it clear that no new visa will be issued further and the students with existing stamped visas will not be allowed to enter the country.
U.S. Defense Economy…
The police, obviously, they’re not in the business of of profiting from private acquisitions. We’ve seen extensive lobbying from defense industries who produce educational videos for police who were spending hundreds of millions of dollars to directly lobby Congress for defense spending, but also for these police programs. The police also have their own lobbying organizations that work toward security budgets and equipment for local law enforcement. The National Fraternal Order of Police is one of them and has lobbied in favor of federal grants that are responsible for the militarization of police. It’s really a variety of Homeland Security grants administered by the cops office, the home, the Department of Homeland Security, etc., that have allowed departments to directly purchase military grade equipment. And this has been essential to stimulating a domestic law enforcement market for military contractors. In some cases, the folks who provide the equipment actually directly assist police departments in making these grants. There’s even a Web site that is sponsored by these defense contractors and other providers of police equipment to aid departments in the production of these grant proposals. This whole industry grew significantly during the War on Drugs campaign in the 1970s.
Congress passed a law that focused on incorporating cooperation between the military and the local law enforcement, particularly related to countering drug crimes and the war on drugs. Right. That was sort of the first connection between the military and domestic law enforcement. In 1989, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act, temporarily allowing the Department of Defense to transfer excess military equipment to federal and state agencies. The program continued until the 1997 National Defense Authorization Act expanded it to include local law enforcement and made it permanent under a new name. The 1033 program that began a massive transfer of military equipment to local police departments free of charge as long as they paid for shipping and maintenance. That 1033 program was the congressional authorization that allowed police departments to basically go online. There were catalogs of of weapons and vehicles and aircraft and watercraft and any kind of military surplus military equipment was available for the asking. And it was at no cost to law enforcement agencies.
Departments may purchase shotguns that are placed in police vehicles as a routine matter, and some departments are purchasing a variety of less lethal weaponry with their own resources. But when we see sniper equipment, armored vehicles, large amounts of body armor, this is often the result of federal spending. Since its inception, over 11,500 domestic law enforcement agencies have taken part in the ten thirty three program, receiving more than 7.4 billion dollars in military equipment. What you end up seeing is as a result of the 1033 program, local law enforcements continue to ramp up what we call special task force, like SWAT teams, gang task force, drug task force. Right. That all utilize this excess military material. In July 2014, Congressman Alan Grayson proposed that legislation to limit the transfer of certain weapons through the 1033 program. The amendment was met with immense opposition failing on a bipartisan vote of 62 to 355.
The people who voted not to change the 1033 program received 70 percent more money in campaign contributions from the defense sector than those who wanted restrictions. One of the really troubling developments about the involvement of the federal within the direct subsidy of purchases of militarized equipment is that this is often really about creating a new marketplace for defense contractors instead of really putting questions of public safety first. Besides providing free military equipment, the federal government also allows the police to purchase new equipment using their own funds. Under the 1122 program, it also gives local police departments the same discounts enjoyed by the federal government. We’ve seen instances across the country where local governing bodies, like boards of selectmen and mayors and city councilors are often unaware that tax dollars have been expended to acquire these kinds of military weapons and military vehicles. What makes both 1033 and 1122 programs so powerful is the lack of clear oversight and accountability.
The 1122 program, as an example , isn’t a grant or transfer program and thus isn’t required to be monitored by the federal . Meanwhile, the 1033 program has put lethal weapons within the hands of officers who haven’t any justifiable need for such equipment. We’ve seen instances reported of some small towns, even some college and university police departments that were acquiring military grade weapons with none demonstrable need for the utilization of these or the acquisition of these weapons. After the events in Ferguson, the Obama administration sought to tighten the 1033 program with additional requirements and restrictions after months of confrontations on America’s streets. President Obama today banned the federal government from giving some types of military equipment to local police. We’ve seen how militarized gear can sometimes give people a sense like there’s an occupying force as against a force that’s a part of the community that’s protecting them and serving them. And this led to calls in Congress to eliminate 1033 and eventually measure an executive order by the Obama administration to place some limits on the type of equipment that could be used, things like bayonets and turreted armored vehicles.
The Obama administration also required police agencies to justify purchases of equipment considered potentially lethal. President Trump, however, rescinded all of those measures within two years in office. Obama administration made some efforts to increase accountability in auditing of this. But even then, the restrictions and oversight were quite limited. Under the Trump administration, there’s even less evidence of any oversight. Any sense that we know how this equipment is being used or whether or not officers are being properly trained and how to use it. In some cases, equipment transfer through these programs has simply vanished due to a lack of oversight and poor bookkeeping.
There’ve been a number of situations where there have been audits of local police departments to try to figure out what they’ve done with this equipment. And these departments have been unable to provide adequate records. We don’t know if this is a local sheriff taking home camping supplies or if this is about, you know, stuff that’s really gone missing, has been resold or has just simply been lost. Oftentimes, the militarization of the police force might be what’s distracting them from their original purpose, protecting our communities.
Sunflower
Thinking about sunflower the first thing that comes to your mind are yellow colour flowers. Here are some facts about sunflowers that you didn’t know about.
Colours
Sunflower is not only of yellow colour. It also comes in red and purple colour.
Yellow colour sunflower species are tallest of all.
Red sunflower comes in various species. Some of them have head like the daisy flower.
Purple sunflowers have 5 feet height approximately and has no pollen which makes it easier for cutting.
Height
Some sunflowers are tall while some are dwarf. The tall ones grow in field and have height up to 12 to 16 feet or more. Dwarf sunflowers are planted it pots and grow there. They don’t grow more than 3 feet.
Sun trackers
Heliotropism is the phenomenon in which the growth of plants is towards the sun.
Young sunflowers grow towards the sun. A young sunflower’s face follows the sun from sunrise to sunset until they mature.
Other facts
There are about 70 species of sunflower.
Sunflowers are also planted to soak nuclear radiations.
Each sunflower can contain 1000 to 2000 seeds.
Sunflowers should be harvested in the morning and not in the afternoon.
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