Explained snippets – This Word Means: Horse trading

This expression rushed back into currency as soon as it became clear that Karnataka had produced a hung Assembly on Tuesday. What is the political behaviour that it describes?

The Cambridge Dictionary describes horse trading as shrewd, often difficult, discussions among people or organisations trying to make a business arrangement, where each tries to get something more favourable to them. The origins of the expression lie in the nineteenth century, when the traders of horses were seen to be especially crafty or calculating. In modern British English, it refers to unofficial negotiations that involve hard bargaining and give-and-take, and various degrees of compromise, and carries a general sense of disapproval.

In the Indian context, horse trading has been commonly used since the mid-1980s when political defections became frequent, and MLAs and MPs were approached to act outside expected party positions and help rivals sometimes form governments. It usually involved loaves and fishes, the lure of office, and is seen as political corruption.

Aya Ram, Gaya Ram

This most eloquent evocation of the politics of horse trading is a contribution of Haryana to the Indian political lexicon. But horse trading is far from just being just a Haryana phenomenon.

In 1967, when the first non-Congress governments were formed in India, the Haryana MLA Gaya Lal managed to switch to, and back from, the United Front thrice in 15 days — one crossover happened within just nine hours. When he finally rejoined the Congress, Congress leader Rao Birender Singh produced him at a press conference and announced, “Gaya Ram is now Aya Ram.”
While entire cabinets have defected in Haryana, several states have seen the phenomenon of floor-crossing. In the so-called JMM bribery case, the minority government of P V Narasimha Rao survived in 1993 after Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MPs supported the government, allegedly in return for cash. While Rao was ultimately acquitted, the long-running scandal raised a lot of awareness about the phenomenon of elected representatives switching political loyalties, often for dubious reasons.The 52nd Amendment, which came into force in 1985 when Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister, inserted the Tenth Schedule in the Constitution, popularly known as the ‘anti-defection law’, which laid down a process for the disqualification of legislators on grounds of defection. A provision in the law that is relevant to the situation in Karnataka prohibits the breaking away of any section of legislators smaller than two-thirds of the strength of their party in the House. The anti-defection law has generally been seen as providing stability to the government by preventing shifts of party allegiance. However, a summary of the draft working paper of the Law Commission on simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state Assemblies circulated last month lists, among its possible recommendations, that “in order to prevent a stalemate… in the case of Hung Parliament/Assembly, the rigour of ‘Anti-Defection law’… be removed as an exception”.

JOINT LIABILITY

INTRODUCTION

The law concerning to ‘Joint Liability’ is contained in Sections 34-38 of IPC, 1860. Other sections relating to joint liability are Section 120A and B which lays down criminal conspiracy and punishment for it, section 149 relating to “unlawful assembly”, Section 396 dealing with “dacoity with murder or grievous hurt” and section 460- “Persons jointly concerned in lurking house trespass by night causing death or grievous hurt by one of such persons.”

Joint Liability is also known as ‘constructive liability’. Constructive Liability in criminal law means the liability of a person for an offence which he has not actually committed.

WHAT IS JOINT LIABILITY?

Section 34 of Indian Penal Code states the provisions regarding joint liability. “When a criminal act is done by several persons in furthers of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done but for him alone.”

In other words, an act which is criminal in nature and multiple persons involves in performing that act which is pre-determined with an intention common in nature, then liability for commission of such act lies upon all those persons involved in the equivalent manner.

ILLUSTRATION: X, Y, and Z agree to kidnap and kill ‘C’. All three will be held liable equally even if X makes an attack resulting in death of C.

Following essential conditions of Joint Liability are denoted in this section-

1. An act criminal in nature has been done.

An act which is offensive in nature and is sanctioned or punishable by the law.

2. Several persons were involved in commission of act.

Further criminal act, act must be performed by more than one person. Thus, there must be two or more persons in commission of an act resulting in joint liability.

Kishore Chand v/s State of Himachal Pradesh[1] – when two persons have caused two different offences with different purpose, then section 34 cannot be applied.

3. Common intention and criminal knowledge of several persons was involved in commission of such act.

There must be common purpose and intent of the persons involved in an act. Also, mere common intention is not a crime, there must be commission of such act(s) in continuance of common intention.

Darbara Singh V. State of Haryana[2]– Deceased was scything grass in a field where four persons attacked him with arms causing death. The trial court convicted the accused under sections 302 and 34. It was held by S.C. that the accused and the deceased were the rivals making criminal intention clear. There were 13 injuries infused by several weapons on the body of the deceased which indicates 2 or more person were involved.

4. Every person involved in commission of act is liable for it in the same manner as done by him/her alone.

Commission an offence by several persons in a pre-arranged or premediated plan, each of such persons shall be held liable and no one can take the plea that one is less responsible in comparison to others in such an act.

Wasim Khan v/s State of U.P.[3]– it was held, where other offenders have been acquitted, one offender can also be held responsible for the same for his/her conduct and consciousness of guilt.

Meaning of ‘common Intention’

Common Intention is multiple people having the same or equal intent or purpose in result of an act. Therefore, in a predetermined and a premediated plan to commit an act in persistence to same motto, then the act after commission is said to be ‘common intention’ in performance of an act.

Gurdatta Mal V. State of U.P.[4]– It is leading case of ‘common intention. It was held that if two conditions for joint liability are fulfilled, then all accused persons would be liable for common intention and participation in an act for murder.

Meaning of ‘Pre-arranged plan’

Any act which is pre-planned or framed by the offenders to cause mishap is a pre-arranged plan. It may be done just before instigating an offensive act or a time ago.

M.A. Abdulla Kunhi and others V. State of Kerala[5]– Accused persons were attacking the deceased, where a friend of accused was also standing who also tried to attack deceased by the sword but was barred by some people from attacking the deceased. It was held that, he also intended to cause the death of deceased along with other accused therefore stands liable for an act. This comes under Joint Liability.

Meaning of ‘Meeting of mind’

It implies when offenders are aware about the criminal knowledge and of an offence and they give consent for perform it. This makes a clear impression about their intention to cause an act with knowledge about its effects.

State of U.P. V. Ashok Kumar Srivastava[6] – Death of a lady was caused by burning which was a dowry death. Decided there was common intention to cause the death of lady by burning. This comes under Joint Liability.

CONCLUSION

In the system of collective liability, at least two individuals are involved, the greater number of persons may be up to infinite amounts. Numerous individuals are liable to collective criminal liability on the grounds of an unlawful act carried out jointly by them or are more or less connected to an act. In cases of joint liability, it is not mandatory for a quantum penalty to be given equal to all accused persons. Equal punishment can also be given on the grounds of the unfair role played by the specific victim, but one thing is clear that both individuals have engaged in the criminal act. It is a contribution to an act that makes all the accused collectively responsible.

[1] [1991] 1 S.C.J. 68, 76

[2] 1992 SCR (2) 586

[3] 1956 SCR 191

[4] AIR 1965 SC 257

[5] AIR 1991 SC 452

[6] 1992 SCR (1) 37

Birthday Tribute to Kishore Kumar, Kishore-Da : A Multifaceted Personality

August month is important to all Indians as on 15 August in 1947 we got our independence at the cost of sacrifice of millions of people. Also many memorable events took place in this month. Of the many events, one is birth of Kishore Kumar, popularly known as Kishore da, who was born on 4 August 1929, at Khandwa, present Madhya Pradesh as Abhas Kumar Ganguly. He was a versatile person and multifaceted calibre. Although he was popular as playback singer, but equally, he was also popular as actor, music director, lyricist, writer, director, producer and screenwriter. He was not only popular in India but also in Asian and African countries. While I was in some countries of Asia and Africa many told about him, also they mentioned names of some of our film actors and actresses.

As a singer, in addition to Hindi, Kishore-Da sang in many Indian languages including Bengali, Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Malayalam Urdu etc. He also sang on private albums in several languages including Bengali. According to a Report, Kishore Kumar sang around 3000 numbers of songs including Hindi and other languages.

Kishore Kumar won eight times Filmfare Awards for best male playback singer and holds the record of winning the most Filmfare Awards in that category. He was also awarded the “Lata Mangeshkar Award” by the Madhya Pradesh Government in 1985–86. In 1997, the Madhya Pradesh Government introduced an award in his memory “Kishore Kumar Award” for his enormous contribution in Indian film The eight songs for which he got Filmfare awards are Roop Tera Mastana (1970/film Aradhana) , Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera (1976/film Amanush ), Khaike Paan Banaras Wala (1979/film Don), Hazaar Raahen Mudke Dekheen(1981/film Thodisi Bewafaii), Pag Ghungroo Baandh(1983/film Namak Halaal ), Agar Tum Na Hote (1984/ Agar Tum Na Hote), Manzilein Apni Jagah Hain(1985/ film Sharaabi ) and Saagar Kinaare (1986/film Saagar). The Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards as best male playback singer were given to Kishore-Da four times- Aradhana (1971), Andaz(1972), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1973) and Kora Kaga (1975).

Kishore Kumar started his cinema as career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies, where his elder brother Ashok Kumar worked. He first acted in a film named Shikari (1946) where Ashok Kumar played the lead role. In 1948, music director Khemchand Prakash offered Kishore –Da a chance to sing the song Marne Ki Duayen Kyon Mangu for the film Ziddi directed by Shaheed Latif. It is pertinent to mention that in this film both the Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar sang first time their duet song Yeh Kaun Aaya Re. After that Lata ji sang with Kishore Kumar 327 songs as duet songs.

Kishore Kumar decided to retire from singing and was planning to return to his birth place Khandwa, but he died of a heart attack in Bombay/Mumbai on 13 October 1987 , incidentally that was his brother Ashok Kumar’s 76 birthday. His body was taken to Khandwa for cremation.

He recorded his last song, “Guru Guru”—a duet with Asha Bhosle for the film Waqt Ki Aawaz (wikipedia.org/wiki/Kishore_Kumar). Although he passed away at the age of 58 years but he will be in the heart of millions for his melodious songs and acting.

Dr. Shankar Chatterjee

Former Professor& Head (CPME)

NIRD &PR (Govt. of India),

Hyderabad-500 030

Telangana, India

Email <shankarjagu@gmail.com>

India’s 1st chief justice from the northeast: Ranjan Gogoi; the man and his powerful legacy.

“Pendency is bringing a lot of disrepute and it has the potential of making the system irrelevant”, says Ranjan Gogoi, 46th chief justice of India. He was India’s 1st chief justice from the northeast. He started his journey in the judiciary field in 2001 from the Gauhati high court. His roots belong to the very precious north eastern state of our country Assam. He will always be remembered for his furious flurry of landmark judgements in the history of Indian constitution. Ranjan gogoi is a very well known name in the country and known for his strong decisions and contribution to the country as a chief justice of India.
He was born on 18 november 1954 in Dibrugarh, Assam. He completed is secondary education from the state itself and went to Delhi for his higher studies. His father Keshav Chandra Gogoi was the former chief minister of the state and was one of the renowned person.Retired on November 2019, justice Gogoi had a 13 month tenure as a CJI. Known for speaking his mind, gives messages beyond his judgement.
He is the man who settled India’s longest running dispute, the “Ayodhya verdict case”. His one of the most remarkable judgement was on the sabarimala dispute over entrance of women in the temple premises. His name will go down the history for delivering remarkable verdicts on significant cases that will help shape the country’s political and social discourse.

Do school kills Creativity

Regardless of cuts in schools’ specialty programs, there are numerous different approaches to furnish understudies with chances to show innovativeness, however it requires a school-wide exertion. Sir Ken Robinson, a promoter of imagination in schools, asserted in a 2006 TED talk that the current training framework isolates numerous individuals from their normal gifts. He proposes foundational changes that permit understudies to acknowledge and grasp those abilities.

For instance, since the usage of the No Youngster Deserted Act, schools have prepared understudies to be great test takers, a procedure that comprises generally of straight reasoning (remembering realities, adhering to guidelines, and choosing one right answer). Luckily, there is a genuinely necessary educational move occurring in numerous states known as Basic Center Norms (CCS), and parts of this program underscore inventive reasoning.

For instance, in the demonstrating part of the CCS secondary school math educational program, understudies utilize factual standards to innovatively explain true issues, such as figuring gracefully dispersion during a city-wide crisis. Schools that really and tenaciously flash understudies’ imagination are advancing the development of future issue solvers and basic masterminds.

Kindness can change the world:

“Wherever you are, do your little bit of good; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world”

Do you recall a moment when you were good to someone, or was anyone nice to?

While reading this you should have realized certainly that empathy impacts both the recipient and the experiencer making a positive effect to both.

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see”Mark Twain

Kindness = basic goodness = benefit to the world = benefit to oneself.

Without the kindness of strangers you wouldn’t have food on the table or a roof over your head. Don’t forget that we are all interdependent. We can’t experience anything without each other.

By developing an attitude that you are contributing to the interdependence of all life forms, you will benefit, others will benefit, and ultimately the whole world will benefit.

We have succes and prosperity beyond imagination in our full, complex, modern country. We have excellent authors, talented thinkers, influential representatives of the nation, professors, doctors, intellectuals and intelligence. Promotion is far from over!

Yet despite our successes, we are no closer to stability and protection than we were 50 years earlier.What is missing?

What’s missing in our world today is kindness and compassion to all life beings.

The simple fact is that the world does not really require more prosperous individuals. Yet it definitely wants more peacemakers, healers, and all sorts of lovers.

Everyone has ideas about how to change the environment, but in their own lives nobody wants to practice kindness.

To create an environment of prosperity we must first build harmony within ourselves.

As we cultivate compassion, we adjust for the better — and our environment does likewise.

On a simple level, kindness is fairly easy; once you see anyone in a positive light, you want to be nice to them of course.

But what about those who you don’t see favorably:

• Strangers

• Enemies

• Foreign cultures

• Aggressive dogs

Kindness will help you, and it all starts with just small change today. So don’t fret, you won’t need to give your life savings away to a stranger on the street.

When we change, even minimally, we sometimes don’t realize the giant effect this has on our entire lives. Our mind work in the exact same way — if we infuse even a tiny bit of mindfulness, we will be able to transform our mind and our life in an enormous manner.

When you look at the world through a lens of kindness, non judgement and compassion, you would see good people. People just like you — people who want to be happy.

The actions of every living being are motivated by the desire for happiness, even people who do bad things; they don’t always know the sickness that inhabits their minds.Peace and stability does not result from the abolition of autocratic forces or the resolution of wars between nations. This can happen as mankind lifts its consciousness above terror and hate.

I have always claimed that Harmony is a Think Apart. The intentions come from loving feelings about oneself and others.

“Unconditional love flows through specific channels of respect, integrity, purpose, meaning, value, response-ability, forgiveness, kindness, and compassion — and these form the foundation of our new, naturally ethical lives,”

Kindness is not something that needs a lot of hard work. It originates from the simple act of not hurting anyone.

It means evaluating fewer, however pressured you might be to do so.

The ego is swift to assess when it is humiliated and wounded, and it retaliates in retaliation.

Kindness, though, bites her lip. It does not aim to be correct, but instead to maintain the peace of mind.

You achieve little by giving others a piece of your mind, rather than causing tension and alienation. Childhood provides several advantages, including enhanced joy and a strong spirit. It speeds down the ageing cycle and strengthens partnerships and interactions that ultimately enhance your wellbeing.

People claim that compassion is unique to those with religious faith because of their spiritual vows. Kindness does not allow you to be religious or even spiritual. Demonstrations of love are demonstrated in the greatest companion of man, the horse. Cats display love, too, and are respected for their emotional bond.

Kindness broadens the scope of reference of your experience and becomes a sign of appreciation and others.

This affects the giver rather than the beneficiary and has associations with increased intellectual, emotional and physical well-being. An important lesson in empathy includes telling yourself: ‘Why can I afford to be the receiver of this? ‘When it doesn’t feel good, stop the actions.

“Hurt is hurt, and every time we honour our own struggle and the struggles of others by responding with empathy and compassion, the healing that results affects all of us,” avows author and social researcher Brené Brown in Rising Strong.

I wish to leave you with a passage from Mother Teresa’s poem titled Anyway, in which she states: “People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centred; forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.”

Allow kindness to become the natural and spontaneous response to every situation, with this increased ability to respond compassionately, true success will follow.

LAW

Definition of law is a rule of conduct developed by the government or society over a certain territory. Law follows certain practices and customs to deal with crime, business, social relationships, property, finance, etc. The Law is controlled and enforced by the controlling authority. The law is significant for the general public for it fills in as a standard of lead for residents. It was likewise made to accommodate legitimate rules and request upon the conduct for all residents and to support the value on the three parts of the legislature. It keeps the general public running. Without law, there would be a disorder, and it would be survival of the fittest and every man for himself — not a perfect way of life for generally part.

Law is important because it goes about as a rule concerning what is acknowledged in the public arena. Without it, there would be clashes between social gatherings and networks. We must end them. The law takes into consideration simple reception to changes that happen in the general public.

Society is a ‘web-relationship,’ and social change implies an adjustment in the arrangement of social relationship. There is social relationship comprehended as far as standard procedures with social connections and associations. In this way, the term, ‘social change’ is utilized to demonstrate alluring varieties in the social establishment, standard procedures, and social association. The significance of law is because it incorporates adjustments in the structure and elements of the general public.

Importance of law

1..Significance of law is that Law assumes a significant circuitous job concerning social change by moulding an immediate effect on society. For instance: A law setting up is a mandatory instructive framework.

2. Another importance of law in society it that again, law interfaces as a rule in a roundabout way with essential social establishments in a way comprising an immediate connection among law and social change. For instance, a law intended to restrict polygamy.

3. Another importance of Law in society is that it plays an operator of modernization and social change. It is likewise a pointer of the idea of societal unpredictability and its specialist issues of joining — further, the fortification of our confidence in the deeply rooted panchayat framework. The nullification of the authorable practices of unapproachability, kid marriage, sati, endowment, etc. are ordinary delineations of social change. It is being realized in the nation through laws.

4. Law is a successful medium or organization, instrumental in realizing the social change in the nation or any locale precisely. In this way, we revive our conviction that law has been crucial in presenting changes in the societal structure and connections and keeps on being so.

5. Importance of Law is that it positively has gone about an impetus during the time spent on the social change of individuals. Wherein the weakening of standing imbalances, defensive measures for the feeble and defenceless segments, accommodating the honourable presence of those living under dangerous conditions and so forth are the famous models in such manner. The social change includes an adjustment of society; its financial structure, qualities, and convictions, and it’s monetary, political, and social measurements additionally experience alteration. Be that as it may, social change does not similarly influence all parts of society.

6 Another significance of law in society is that while material changes realize quite a bit of social change, for example, innovation, new models of generation, and so on. Different conditions are likewise fundamental. For instance, as we have talked about it previously, lawful restriction of unapproachability in free India has not succeeded as a result of insufficient social help.

The Relationship between Law and Society

Scholars have generally kept up that there are sure expansive perspectives on substantive criminal law. One lot of such imperatives concerns the sorts of conduct that may honestly be disallowed. Is it legitimate, for instance, to condemn a particular kind of activity because of a great many people in a single’s general public view it as indecent? The other arrangement of requirements which concerns what is required to build up criminal duty that is an obligation, autonomously of the substance of the specific resolution whose infringement is being referred to.

Statutory framework mirrors all the vitality of life inside in any general public. Law has the unpredictable imperativeness of a living life form. We can say that law is sociology described by development and adjustment. Standards are neither made nor connected in a vacuum, then again they made and utilized consistently for a reason. Guidelines are expected to move us in a specific heading that we accept that is great, or preclude development in bearing that we receive awful.

Individuals make social guidelines from the general public. It is the discipline of social dissatisfaction trails and noncompliance of the social principles. There is no positive punishment related to the infringement of standards aside from banishment or shunning. Then again, the law is implemented by the state. The goal of law gets a request from the general public to individuals of the society. It can advance and create a type of security in regards to what’s to come. The state makes laws. Non-compliance of state laws welcomes the punishment, which is authorized by the administration by the intensity of the country. What isn’t enforceable isn’t law.

Deodorant market in India

When we think about personal care products, the image of a woman comes into our minds immediately. However, in the deodorant segment in India, men have overtaken the women with a significant lead. In fact, of the Rs 1,400-crore deodorant market, the male segment contributes Rs 1,000 crores, pegging the male to female ratio at 70:30. Greater usage of deodorants among Indians can be attributed to greater awareness of hygienic practices and affluence. Deodorants are used by both men and women in the middle and upper classes and with greater disposable income in these families, more and more people are able to afford personal care products that are not considered a necessity.

Hindustan Unilever is the market leader in deodorants, with 31.5% market share. Its flagship product, Axe, is highly sought after by both middle and upper classes. Other brands under Hindustan Unilever are Rexona and Dove, whose deodorants are popular in the Indian market too. After Hindustan Lever, Marico Co Ltd. and McNroe Chemicals are the biggest industry players in the deodorant segment. Hindustan Unilever’s Axe is the leading product in this segment, garnering 25% of the market value, followed by Marico’s Set Wet, with 10% market value, and McNroe Chemicals’ Wild Stone garnering 9% market value.

Deodorants come in various forms, including roll-ons, sticks, and sprays. There are a number of deodorants for males but there are very few deodorants for females. This is because deodorants and antiperspirants have recently been introduced to the Indian market. For decades, the Indian market has been relying on perfumes to enhance the scent of the body. And as such, females in the country continue to use perfumes instead of deodorants and antiperspirants. Also, deodorants are used by those who are constantly outdoors, and this is dominated by males. It is only in the last few decades that there has been an increase in the number of Indian women spending ample amount of time outdoors, which is why the deodorant market for females is still in the infant stage. Some of the deodorant brands that cater to the females are Nike, Fa, Dove, and Nivea. Experts predict that the deodorant industry will grow in the next few years. In fact, the deodorant market is projected to grow at 25% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) over the next five years. As net household income increases and with more disposable income, there is ample scope for the growth of the deodorant market in India.

An increase in the usage of deodorants can also be attributed to the Indian climate, which is hot humid, especially between the months of March and September, forcing consumers to purchase antiperspirants and deodorants to keep their bodies fresh and cool. Deodorants were introduced to the market to help people eliminate body odour. However, some of these products contain toxic chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic in nature, which can be harmful to one’s body. Not many consumers are aware of the dangers of prolonged usage of deodorants; however, manufacturers are constantly experimenting with the ingredients in deodorants to ensure minimal risk to consumers.

India perfumes and deodorants market stood at over $ 970 million in 2019 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 13%, to surpass $ 2 billion by 2025 on the back of rapid urbanization and emergence of online retail channel. Moreover, perfumes and deodorants manufacturers are offering a wide variety of innovative products such pocket perfumes, herbal perfumes, etc., which is further stimulating market demand across India.

Additionally, manufacturers are focusing on innovative branding and marketing of products, which is further anticipated to aid the growth of India perfumes and deodorants market in the coming years. Some of the leading players in India perfumes and deodorants market are Vini Cosmetics Private Limited, ITC Limited, Nivea India Private Limited, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Emami Limited, J.K Helene Curtis Limited, McNroe Consumer Products Private Limited, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting and Marico Limited.

Pocket-sized deodorants launched by brands such as Engage, Axe, Set Wet and Yardley continued to gain traction in 2019 leading to the entry of more industry players seeking to benefit from the popularity of these products. These included Marico’s Set Wet and Wipro’s Santoor brands. The Fogg brand by Vini Cosmetics led the overall category in 2019 and benefited from the strongest brand recall. The company continued to see success with this brand due to its strong value proposition.

Sales of deodorants are now expected to grow by 3% in 2020 in 2019 constant value terms in light of the impact of COVID-19. This compares to an expected 5% rise forecast for 2020 during research conducted at the end of 2019 before the spread of COVID-19. In light of the economic uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, consumers are set to reduce their spending on deodorants in 2020, with many opting for lower-priced products. Deodorant pumps, deodorant roll-ons and deodorant sprays are set to suffer from lower physical activity during lockdown while replacement demand could normalise by the end of the year.

Demand for deodorants is likely to normalise to some extent by the end of 2020 although the category will continue to be impacted by ongoing economic uncertainty and fears over a second wave of COVID-19. Price sensitivity will make consumers more cautious in their spending, with sales of deodorants likely to be limited to replacement purchases rather than products for stock at home.

Indian men’s, women’s hockey teams for Tokyo Olympics to join National camp in Bengaluru today

Members of the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams bound for Tokyo Olympics will join the National Camp at National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Bengaluru today. The decision was taken by Sports Authority of India (SAI) after formal permission was received from the State Government to begin training in Bengaluru.

The athletes, coaches and support staff, who were on a home break, will join the camp and undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine inside the campus. Considering the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru, the permission from the State Government has been given subject to all arriving athletes, coaches and support staff adhering to institutional quarantine protocols issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Government of Karnataka.

Flood situation in Bihar further deteriorates; Relief, rescue operations intensifies

In Bihar, flood situation has further deteriorated following breaching of embankments in Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur. Flood water is now entering in low-lying urban areas of these two districts. The swirling water of Gandak, Burhi Gandak and Bagmati is also inundating fresh areas of affected districts. Over 56 lakh people of 14 districts spread over 1,082 Panchyats are reeling under the impact of flood.

Flood situation is grim in Samastipur, Madhubani, Sitamarhi and East Champaran. Twenty three people have lost their lives in flood related incidents during last 24 hours in affected areas of the state. Rail traffic remained suspended on Darbhanga -Samastipur section of East Central Railway following overtopping of railway track. Vehicular trafffic has been disrupted at many places in flood affected areas.

Relief and rescue operations have been intensified. Thirty one teams of NDRF and SDRF have been pressed into service. Over four lakh people have been evacuated so far and 20,000 people are taking shelter in relief camps. In all, 1,358 community kitchens have been set up for providing food to affected people.

Over 9,40,000 people are taking food through these kitchens. Gandak, Bagmati, Kamlabalan, Mahananda and Adhwara group of rivers are flowing above danger marks. Met Department warns widespread rain across state in next 24 hours in many parts of north as well as catchment areas of Nepal.

Preparations in full swing in Ayodhya for Bhoomi Poojan for construction of Ram Temple

In Ayodhya, on the second day of the three-day long rituals preceding Bhoomi Poojan for construction of Ram Temple, a special six-hour long special Ram Racha Anushthan will be performed today. The Bhoomi Poojan function will take place tomorrow in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part. Along with him, many religious heads and saints from all over the country and from Nepal are expected to take part in the function.

Over 135 Saints belonging to 135 spiritual traditions will be present in the programme. Some eminent citizens of Ayodhya have also been invited by the Shri Ram Janm Bhumi Teerth Shetra Trust. Meanwhile, Ayodhya is already in the festive mood and eagerly waiting for the historic moment. Many religious activities including Ram Keertan and reciting of Ramcharitmanas have already started in Ayodhya.

Preparations for Deepotsav are going on and Ghats of holy Sarayu River are beautifully decorated. The city is all set to witness the historic Bhoomi Poojan ceremony tomorrow. Prime Minister will first have Darshan at Shri Hanumangarhi Mandir tomorrow after which he will perform Pooja of Bhagwan Ramlalla at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi.

It will be then followed by the Bhoomi Poojan and the stage event. General Secretary of Shri Ram Janm Bhumi Teerth Shetra Trust Champat Rai said that Apart from the 175 invitees for the ceremony, Mahesh Bhagchandka and Pawan Singhal from family of late Ashok Singhal, Former President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad will be Mukhya Yajman in Bhoomi Pujan.

Recovery rate of Covid 19 patients reaches 65.77 per cent

Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has said a total of 11,86,203 people have recovered from Coronavirus infection in the country so far. This takes the total recoveries to 11,86,203 and recovery rate to 65.77 per cent amongst COVID-19 patients.

With improving daily recovery number, the gap between the recovered cases and the active cases has increased to more than 6 lakh. The actual active case load is over five lakh 79 thousand and all are under medical supervision. In the past 24 hours, 40 thousand 574 recoveries were reported across the country.

The Health Ministry said, a total of 52,972 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the country in one day taking the total number of cases to 18 lakh three thousand 695. Presently, the total number of active cases in the country is five lakh 79 thousand 357. In a single day, 771 deaths were reported taking the nationwide toll to 38 thousand 135.

Govt formulates draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020

Defence Ministry has formulated a draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP-2020).

The policy aims to provide impetus to self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Scheme.

The DPEPP-2020 is envisaged as overarching guiding document of Defence Ministry to provide a focused, structured and significant thrust to defence production capabilities of the country for self-reliance and exports.

AIR correspondent reports, Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 has marked out clear goals and objectives to be undertaken by the Defence Ministry.

First and foremost amongst all is to achieve a turnover of Rs. 1 lakh 75 thousand Crore including an export of Rs. 35 thousand Crore in the Aerospace and Defence goods and services by the year 2025.

Developing a dynamic, robust and competitive Defence industry, including Aerospace and Naval Shipbuilding industry to cater to the needs of Armed forces with quality products has also been clearly laid out in the new draft policy.

The ministry has also laid emphasis on reducing dependence on imports and taking forward the Make in India initiatives through domestic designs.

Efforts will be made to create an environment that encourages Research and Development, rewards innovation, creates Indian IP ownership and promotes a robust and self-reliant defence industry.

Defence Ministry has solicited comments on the draft DPEPP-2020 policy from all stakeholders latest by 17th of August this year.

Indian National Flag

Every free nation of the world has its own flag. It is a symbol of a free country. National flags serve not only as a means of identity but also as a symbol for a country’s history and ideals. During the 1600s, as groups of people began to organize into states and nations, flags became an important way to identify a country’s territories and possessions. For its citizens, the flag grew into a symbol of pride and identity of a people and government.

Every country put an immense effort to design their flags as it is a great deal of their thoughts which reflect through country’s national flag. Colors, symbols, and layout of the design are all features that represent some principle or event that is significant to the country to which it belongs. Historically flag was originated in ancient India more than 5000 years ago and was called as Dhvaja. In the Rig Veda which is the worlds’ oldest book (4000-5000 BC), there is mention of Dhvaja hoisted on an elephant being ridden by Devraj Indra.

Flag mentioned in Rig Veda was triangular of black colour and had some inscription in white. Use of flag came into vogue all over the world after 600 BC. Indian “national” flag was hoisted first in Calcutta on August 7, 1906 by Sir Surindranath Banerjee demanding freedom for India from British rule. Independence Day, 15th August 1947, is the most significant day in India’s history, when India became one nation, despite partition, with one National Flag that was hoisted at 10:30 AM by Pandit Nehru. Pt. Nehru quoted ” a flag not only of freedom for ourselves, but a symbol of freedom for all people.”

In India, the term ‘Tricolor or Tiranga’ refers to the Indian National Flag which was designed by Pingali Venkayyaand. It is designed in such a way that reflects country’s integrity, aim for growth and peace. It is a horizontal tricolor of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of width of the flag to its length is two to three. In the centre of the white band is a navy-blue wheel which represents the chakra and it has 24 spokes. National flag of India is also the war flag of Indian Defense Forces.

Each colour of flag has different significance and purposeful meaning.

• Saffron stands for courage, sacrifice and renunciation

• White stands for truth in action and purity in thoughts

• Green is the symbol of life, abundance and prosperity

• Chakra is the symbol of progress and of movement

A few days before independence, the constitution assemble was formed to select a flag of Independent India. On 23 June 1947, the assembly created a committee headed by Rajindra Prasad and other members including Maulana Abul Kalam, Sarojni Naidu, C, Raja Gopalachari, K.M.Munsi and Dr. B.R.Ambedkar. The committee recommended that the flag of the Indian national congress should be adopted as the National Flag of India. Committee also suggested some suitable modifications so that it should be acceptable to all political parties. Its main task was to select a flag that should not be a under stone of any political party and it should reflect an image of Azaad Bharat.

The flag symbolizes freedom .On 22 July 21, 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Lal Nehru proposed Indian National Flag at the constituent assembly as a horizontal tricolor of deep saffron, white and dark green color bands in equal proportions, with Asoka wheel (Chakra) in blue in the centre of the white band.

Nehru also presented two flags, one in Khadi-silk and the other in Khadi-cotton, to the assembly. The resolution was approved unanimously. Indian Flag, by law, is to be made of khadi. The manufacturing process and specifications for the flag are laid out by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The right to manufacture the flag is held by the Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission, who allocate it to the regional groups. As of 2009, the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha was the sole manufacturer of the flag. Its use and display are regulated by a code. A Flag Code was outlined to maintain the dignity and honor of the National Flag. Flag code is a set of rules which need to be followed to give respect to Indian National Flag.

On January 26, 2002, the new ‘Flag Code of India2002’ was released by the Union government. According to new code the citizens of India are allowed to hoist the Indian flag over their homes, offices and factories on any day and not just National days as was the case earlier. Now Indians can proudly display the national flag anywhere and anytime, as long as the provisions of the Flag Code are strictly followed to avoid any disrespect to the tricolor.

Following are some rules and regulations of Flag Code of India 2002 :

• The National Flag may be hoisted in educational institutions (schools, colleges, sports camps, scout camps, etc.) to inspire respect for the Flag. An oath of allegiance has been included in the flag hoisting in schools.

• A member of public, a private organization or an educational institution may hoist/display the National Flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise consistent with the dignity and honor of the National Flag.

• Section 2 of the new code accepts the right of all private citizens to fly the flag on their premises

• The flag cannot be used for communal gains, drapery, or clothes. As far as possible, it should be flown from sunrise to sunset, irrespective of the weather

• The flag cannot be intentionally allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water. It cannot be draped over the hood, top, and sides or back of vehicles, trains, boats or aircraft

• No other flag or bunting can be placed higher than the flag. Also, no object, including flowers or garlands or emblems can be placed on or above the flag. The tricolour cannot be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting

The Indian National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. Over the last five decades, several people including members of armed forces have ungrudgingly laid down their lives to keep the tricolor flying in its full glory.

The flag should be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning. The decision to do so lies with the President of India, who also decides the period of such mourning. When the flag is to be flown at half mast, it must first be raised to the top of the mast and then slowly lowered. Only the Indian flag is flown half mast; all other flags remain at normal height. The flag is flown half-mast nationwide on the death of the President, Vice-president or Prime Minister. On occasions of state, military, central Para-military forces funerals, the flag shall be draped over the bier or coffin with the saffron towards the head of the bier or coffin. The flag shall not be lowered into the grave or burnt in the pyre.

The Indian National Flag symbol of our national pride. Achievers feel proud to proclaim with the hoisting of the national flag when they break or make new world record for the nation. The Indian national flag was hoisted on Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world, on May 29 1953, along with the Union Jack and the Nepalese National flag. National flag flew to space in 1984when Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma went to the space. The flag was attached as a medallion on the space suit of Rakesh Sharma. Such achievements not only bring proud feeling to the country but also spread a massive feel of inspiration among young youth.

In nutshell, to fly the national flag is a sign of pride and patriotism. It is a positive affirmation of loyalty and commitment. It marks out a country that has confidence in itself, and is comfortable with its place in the world, its history and its future.

“It will be necessary for us Indians Muslims, Christians Jews, Parsis, and all others to whom India is their home-to recognizes a common flag to live and to die for.” –Mahatma Gandhi