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Constitution Day 2020

By
Jyoti B
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Constitution Day is celebrated on November 26. This day commemorates the date that we adopted the Indian Constitution, the base on which our nation was built. 

Also known as Samwidhan Diwas or National Law Day, Constitution Day commemorates the November 26, 9149 crucial event when the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India. 

Significance

The Constitution Day is celebrated as a mark of tribute to India’s first Law Minister BR Ambedkar, who played a pivotal role in drafting the Indian Constitution.

What is the Constitution of India

The Constitution is a set of written principles and precedents of the Government of India that frames fundamental political principles, procedures, rights, directive principles, restrictions, and duties of the government and the citizens of the country.

It declares India to be a sovereign, secular, socialist, and democratic republic and assures its citizens’ equality, liberty, and justice.

Facts about Constitution of India:

India boasts of the world’s longest written Constitution among all sovereign counties in the world. It consists of 448 articles and is divided into 25 parts. 

The original Constitution of India was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada in an italic style. 

The original copies of the Indian Constitution were written in Hindi and English. 

Artists from Shantiniketan decorated every page of the Indian Constitution.

The Constitution came into being after meetings that were held for 2 years, 11 months and 18 days. 

Before its completion on 26th November 1949, the Constitution underwent more than 2,000 amendments. 

The concept of Five Year Plans (FYP) was borrowed from the USSR, and the Directive Principles (socio-economic rights) incorporated in the Constitution were taken from Ireland.
 
Liberty, equality, fraternity- words that appear in the Preamble were borrowed from the French Constitution.

The Preambles of the Constitution of India and the United States of America have the same beginning. Both the Preambles begin with “We the People”. 

Up to January 2020, the Indian Constitution has had 104 amendments. 

26/11, Mumbai terror attack

By
Jyoti B
-

The Mumbai terror attacks of 26 November 2008 left a scar on the psyche of the city, one which it has struggled to come to terms with.

On November 26, 2008, ten terrorists trained by the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) carried out a series of coordinated attacks against multiple targets in Mumbai including the Taj Mahal hotel, the Oberoi hotel, the Leopold Cafe, the Nariman (Chabad) House, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station, killing 166 people.

The then ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Army Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Mumbai’s additional police commissioner Ashok Kamte and senior police inspector Vijay Salaskar were among those killed in the attack.

But amid the grief, shock, anger and horror which took over Mumbai and the rest of the country on that fateful November week 12 years ago, there were also incredible tales of raw courage, of bravery, of a sense of duty, of men who faced the terrorists’ bullets while trying to rescue others, of those who fought back against terror. Some of these brave men paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Even though the ill-fated day is still etched in the minds of the survivors and the victims’ family, Mumbai Police Commissioner Subodh Kumar Jaiswal — on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the attack — said that, “I can assure Mumbaikars that the city is safe and police are capable of protecting you from any eventuality. We have a strong and trained police force having latest equipment, weapons, strategy tactics and are always ready to deal with all the challenges,” he said.

The only surviving terrorist who was apprehended live by the Mumbai Police, Ajmal Kasab, disclosed that the attackers were members of Lashkar-e-Taiba as The Government of India declared that the attackers came from Pakistan as Indian government officials said that the attacks were so sophisticated that they must have had official backing from Pakistani “agencies”, an accusation denied by Pakistan.

However, on 7 January 2009, Pakistan confirmed the sole surviving perpetrator of the attacks was a Pakistani citizen.

Mumbai police originally identified 37 suspects—including two Pakistani army officers—for their alleged involvement in the plot.

One of these men, Pakistani American David Headley was found to have made several trips to India before the attacks and gathered video and GPS information on behalf of the plotters.

Punjab farmers call for March towards Delhi; Haryana, Delhi tighten border security

By
Shivani Negi
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More than thousand farmers from Punjab have gathered at the border area of Haryana as they plan to march towards Delhi on November 26, that is, today over controversial farm laws. The farmers of five states – Uttar Pradesh. Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab — have called for a showdown as they conduct ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to the national capital on Thursday and Friday.

The farmers are expected to reach Delhi through five highways connecting the national capital. To stop the farmers, security arrangements have been made at the borders with Delhi at Gurugram and Faridabad.

Heavy security has been deployed on Delhi-Jammu highway near Karna Lake in Karnal, in view of farmer’s protest march to Delhi, ANI tweeted. It also quoted a commuter as saying, ” The highway has been blocked since late last night. Many vehicles are stuck here.”

Meanwhile, the Delhi government, which is finding ways to tackle the worst covid-19 outbreak in the city, has denied the permission to rally.

In the BJP-ruled state Haryana, CM Manohar Lal Khattar has ordered to seal the border with Punjab on Thursday and Friday. In order to stop the farmers to enter in the state from Congress-led Punjab, security measures such as water cannons, barricades, riot vehicles have been prepared.

Haryana has also suspended bus services linked with Punjab for the next two days to stop any movement between the two states. Meanwhile, farmers are determined to march as they spent whole night at the border. In case they are stopped by the neighbouring states, they will hold sit-down protests.

According to the Bharatiya Kisan Union (EKta-Ugrahan), more than two lakh farmers will enter Haryana to show solidarity.

 “We are ready for the battle, which may last long,” said BKU (Ekta-Ugarhan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan.

The farmers have brought ration, vegetables, wood, quilts and other essential items as they remain determined to hold protests.

Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal extended his support to the farmers and tweeted, “By stopping Punjabi farmers from peacefully exercising democratic rights centre is repeating 1980 when the Akalis were stopped from entering Delhi to protest.”

Meanwhile, to console the protesting farmers, Centre on Wednesday announced second round of ministerial talks on December 3 to negotiate. The Centre has invited several Punjab Union of farmers to discuss the laws until differences are resolved.

One-day nationwide strike over labour codes

By
Jyoti B
-

The all-India strike 2020 has been called by 10 trade unions to protest against the Central government’s alleged anti-labour policies.

The ten central unions include Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC) and Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).

Others are All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).

A meeting of the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and Sectoral Independent Federations and Associations was held virtually on November 16, 2020 where it was said that the preparatory campaign for the general strike on November 26 against “the anti-people, anti-worker, anti-national and destructive policies of the BJP government led by Modi has been going on with great enthusiasm all over the country”.

The trade unions have asked the government to withdraw all “anti-farmer laws and anti-worker” labour codes and stop privatisation of public sector including the financial sector and stop corporatisation of government-run manufacturing and service entities like railways, ordinance factories, ports etc.

They have also urged to withdraw the “draconian circular on forced premature retirement of government and PSU employees”.

Union have also put forth their demands including ‘pension to all’, scrapping NPS (National Pension System) and restoration of earlier pension with improvement in EPS-95 (Employees’ Pension Scheme-1995 run by retirement fund body EPFO).

As several transport, bank unions are part of the strike, banking services are likely to be hit across the country. Fewer autos and taxis might be on road today.

The Uttar Pradesh government, meanwhile, has extended the Essential Services Maintenance Act, banning strikes in all departments and corporations under it for a period of another six months.

Cyclone Nivar: Landfall near Puducherry; Chennai, Andhra Pradesh witness extremely heavy rainfall

By
Shivani Negi
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Cyclone storm Nivar made a landfall near Puducherry in the wee hours of Thursday. The tropical storm is gusting up to 120 km per hour and has now weakened to ‘severe cyclone storm’ from ‘very severe cyclone storm’.

Due to the heavy rain and strong winds that the cyclone has brought with it, more than a lakh people have been evacuated from low-lying areas.

“Over 1.45 lakh people have been shifted to 1,516 relief camps across the state as a precaution,” RB Udhayakumar, Tamil Nadu’s disaster management minister, told news agency Reuters.

The authorities have declared a public holiday with Chennai airport and metro services suspended due to the severity of storm.

The official Twitter handle of AAI Chennai Airport said “The closure of Chennai airport due to cyclone Nivar stands extended till 9.00 hrs of 26.11.2020, on assessing the prevailing climatic conditions and taking passenger safety as top priority. The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”

Meanwhile, government officials in Chennai had to release water from a major reservoir as the rapid rise in water levels continued due to heavy rains. The officials are anticipating major flooding in four more reservoirs in Tamil Nadu.

As of now, the NDRF team has reached Mudichur, which is one of the worst affected areas in the southern suburbs in Chennai, to carry out rescue operations.

Around 1,200 National Disaster Response Force personnel have been stationed in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh as well, an official told PTI. 

The Indian Navy is also closely monitoring the movement of Nivar with naval ships, aircraft and rescue diving teams on standby. The force is also in constant touch with both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry governments.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted, “Spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Shri Edappadi K Palaniswami and Puducherry Chief Minister Shri V Narayanasamy regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas.”

Besides Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the cyclone has also affected Andhra Pradesh. Due to the extremely heavy rainfall o 300 mm, the Kaivalya river in Nellore district have been over flooding, affecting the lives of more than hundred people.

Tirupati and Kavali are some of the other affected areas by the cyclone storm in the state.

According to the latest update from India Meteorological Department, Nivar is expected to weaken further to ‘cyclone storm’ n few hours, much to the relief of local residents.

Indian-based New Zealand MLA took oath in Sanskrit

By
Harshit
-

Dr. Gaurav Sharma, the newly-elected Member of Parliament in New Zealand on Wednesday he took oath in Sanskrit. Sharma is from Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur, and he has been elected from Labour Party for Hamilton West.

India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Muktesh Pardeshi said on Twitter that Sharma took oath first in “New Zealand’s indigenous Maori language, followed by India’s classical language – Sanskrit, showing deep respect for cultural traditions of both India and New Zealand.”

Dr. Sharma has previously involved in public health policy, medicine, and consulting in New Zealand, Spain, the US, Nepal, and also in India.

Greg Barkley appointed to replace Shashank Manohar as ICC president

By
Harshit
-

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief Greg Barkley has been elected the new independent chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Barclay defeated Emraan Khwaja of Singapore and he will replace Shashank Manohar of India.

Voting took place during the quarterly meeting of the ICC on Tuesday. 16 boards of directors participated in the electronic voting process, including 12 full members from the Test-playing countries, three associate countries, and an independent female director (PepsiCo’s Indira Nooyi).

Barclay said, “It is an honor to be elected as the ICC Chairman and I would like to thank my fellow ICC Directors for the support, hoping that we will take the game forward together and overcome the global epidemic and make a strong comeback and progress.” will do,’

He said, “I am working closely with our members and look forward to strengthening the game outside our important markets as well so that more people in the world can enjoy cricket.”

The New Zealand official won the election 11–5. He got an important vote of Cricket South Africa in the second round of voting, which helped him to win.

Argentina legendary footballer Diego passes away

By
Harshit
-

Argentina’s legendary footballer Diego Maradona died on Wednesday. According to Argentine media, Maradona died of a heart attack. He breathed his last at the age of 60. Maradona was ill for a long time.

According to media reports, two weeks ago he had to undergo surgery due to a clot in the brain. Reactions have also begun on Maradona’s death. Former Team India captain Sourav Ganguly tweeted that my hero is no more. I watched football for you.

दिग्गज फुटबॉलर माराडोना का दिल का दौरा पड़ने से निधन (फाइल फोटो)

Diego Maradona is called the greatest footballer of all time. He played a key role in winning the 1986 Football World Cup to Argentina. Maradona entered the world of football in 1976. A decade later, Argentina won the 1986 World Cup under his captaincy. During this time he also scored two memorable goals in the history of the game.

The stature of this best player can be gauged from the fact that his statue is 9 feet high in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His first bronze statue was unveiled in 2018, celebrating Diego Maradona’s 58th birthday.

KL Rahul wants to keep till the next World Cup

By
Harshit
-
KL Rahul, India Tour Of Australia, India vs Australia,

India’s limited overs vice-captain KL Rahul said on Wednesday that he would like to take wicketkeeping in the next three World Cups if given the chance, although the team management did not talk to him about it. Rahul has become the first choice of the Indian team in limited overs with specialist wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson.

There is to be 2 T20 World Cup and one ODI World Cup in the next three years. The 28-year-old Rahul said ahead of the limited-overs series against Australia starting on November 27, “My wicketkeeping helps in team composition and I like it too. When given the chance, I would like to keep wicketkeeping in all three World Cups. ‘

Asked if the team management has talked to him about this, he said, ‘Nothing has been said to me and we as a team are not thinking so far ahead. The World Cup is important, but there is a long-term strategy for every team and country. ‘

The stylistic batsman from Karnataka said, ‘I think of the same match at one time. If I continue to perform well, then we will have a chance to field an extra bowler and batsman.

Rahul bats at number five in ODIs and starts the innings in T20. He admitted that his place in the batting order depends on the format. He said, ‘It depends on what the team wants from me and which team combination will be better.’

How Yogi planted ‘Love Jihad’ law and its introduction in UP?

By
Harshit
-

As the Uttar Pradesh government has passed ordnance against forceful interfaith conversions, marriage, or the so-called ‘Love Jihad’, the nationwide speculations had turned stronger on both sides of the scale. Amid the row of voices from the leftist side of the nation, the right-wing has been dominant in support of this religious law.

Since 2017 the right-wingers in Uttar Pradesh have grown their stem with the rise of Hindutva dominant Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Yogi has been clear with his term in the state, he brought in various laws in support of the majority part. As soon as his appointment in the state he introduced ‘Anti Romeo Squad’ in the Uttar Pradesh, droughted poultry, and grown his voice for Ram Mandir.

The issue has been on Yogi’s list even before he became Chief Minister of the state. Even BJP never mentioned ‘Love Jihad’ in its poll agenda in the previous state assembly elections. He is the hero of ‘Hindu Yuva Vahini’, who has done a lot to pitch themselves in bringing the law in the entire country.

How will the law help Yogi’s rise for 2022 polls?

Recently, the long row of Ram Mandir and Babri Masjid has come to an end even the Supreme Court announced the verdict but the credit takers are only the NDA government in-country and the Uttar Pradesh. Ram Mandir has been in BJP’s manifesto over the decades and it has to be believed that the verdict came under the BJP led government. This new law introduced by UP’s cabinet defines punishment and fine under different heads. The guilty ones will be sent to 5 years in jail and a minimum fine of Rs 15,000.

Hindus-Muslims can’t marry in Uttar Pradesh after the law pass?

The proposed law is only for the conversations done through misrepresentation, force, undue unfluence, allurement, coercion. Self-Choice will remain an option for many even the law came into action.

PagarBook appoints Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador

By
Shivani Negi
-

PagarBook, an employee management, work and payroll management software app, has signed in Akshay Kumar for a two-year-long partnership. The actor will be app’s face until 2022.

According to the statement released by the company, with the help of actor’s extravagant presence across the country, it aims to drive visibility up to 20 million users by Financial year 2022. As of now, the app has 4 million users who use its services.

Speaking of the partnership, Akshay Kumar said, “PagarBook’s USP is that it truly represents the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, something I am very passionate about. To have touched the lives of so many small and medium business owners in a short span of six months and impact the way they run their business is exceptional, and that is the kind of performance and passion I support.”

Adding on to this, Rupesh Mishra, Co-founder, PagarBook opined, “We’re a very Bharat kind of a brand and we’re talking to small business owners who have come up their hard way. So, Akshay was an organic fitment for our brand in that sense. He also doesn’t have any kind of Godfather in Bollywood and he has reached this stature all by himself. So when Akshay endorses, it looks pretty simple and people think he’s someone like me”.

Sivaprasad K, Sr. Vice President, Marketing and Sales, PagarBook added: “Our ethos is focused on solving the most challenging problems faced by the SME sector. The goodwill of India, the common Indian, is something that we strive towards, and this is where there was great synchrony with Akshay”.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan introduces law on chemical castration of rapists

By
Shivani Negi
-

Pakistan Prime Minster Imran Khan on Tuesday passed a new law on chemical castration of rapists and fast tracking of sexual cases, a media report on Tuesday said.

According to the a report by Geo TV, the decision was made during a federal cabinet meeting where the law ministry presented a draft of the anti-rape ordinance.

“We need to ensure a safe environment for our citizens,” he said, while mentioning that was a serious matter.

The government said that it plans to introduce more women in police officers, fast-track rape cases and witness protection.

The prime minister added that the new law will help rape survivors will be able to register complaints without fear as government will protect their identity.

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaf senator Faisal Javed Khan said the law will soon be presented in Parliament.

Meanwhile, the Pak PM said that the government will introduce a three-tier legislation which will also including registration of sex offenders, exemplary punishment for rape and child abuse and effective policing.

Sputnik V to cost less than $20, to be available in January

By
Shivani Negi
-

Russia’s vaccine against covid-19 infection has reported 95 per cent efficacy in second interim analysis, the developers said.

Sputnik V, developed by Gamaleya Institute and RDIF(Russian Direct Investment Fund), is two dose vaccine and will be priced under $20 with each dose costing $10.

The vaccine may be available for public use by February 2021 if everything goes as scheduled.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), second interim analysis of clinical trial data showed a 91.4% efficacy for the Sputnik V vaccine on day 28 after the first dose while the vaccine efficacy is over 95% 42 days after the first dose, the statement issued by the company said.

More than 22,000 volunteers were vaccinated with the first dose while 19,000 volunteers were given first and second doses. The results were proven effective with unexpected adverse events during the trials, it added.

“Gamaleya Center has developed one of the most efficient vaccines against coronavirus in the world with an efficacy rate of more than 90 per cent and a price that is two times lower than that of other vaccines with similar efficacy rate,” Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said in a statement.

Meanwhile, in India, the vaccine is yet to undergo late-stage trials. RDIF have collaborated Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s to produce the vaccine candidate in India.

As per the statement released by the developers, the first batch of the vaccines will be released in January 2021 based on the existing partnerships with foreign manufacturers.

“There are two forms of the vaccine, one of which requires -18°C (liquid) and must be transported in special refrigerators. Second form is lyophilised(freeze-dry) and can be stored at + 2 to – 8°C. We expect that the freeze-dry version will be supploed in large quantities to many countries to many countries including India in February,” TOI quoted a spokesperson as saying.

As per the existing agreement, RDIF will supply 100 million doses of the vaccine to Dr Reddy in India.

 

Centre introduces new covid-19 guidelines for states/UTs, calls for stricter restrictions in containment zones

By
Shivani Negi
-

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday issued new set of guidelines as a part of its plan to control the spread of covid-19 infection in the country. The new guidelines will come into effect from December 1 will remain till December 31 and will focus on surveillance, containment and caution against the virus.

The new guidelines come after few states witnessed spike in covid-19 cases due to the ongoing festive season and start of the winter season.

The ministry has asked states and UTs to closely monitor the containment zones and consider the guidelines released by MoHFW in ths regard. It has asked states to keep close surviellance but not to impose lockdown outside the contianment zones withour any discussion with the Central government.

It has also allowed states to limit the number of people attending social/religious/sports/entertainment/educational/cultural/religious gatherings to 100 or less if required.

 “In cities, where the weekly Case Positivity Rate is in more than 10 percent, States and UTs concerned shall consider implementing staggered office timings and other suitable measures, with a view to reduce the number of employees attending office at the same time, thereby ensuring social distancing,” it said in the statement.

In containment zones, only essential activities shall be allowed with intensive house-to-house surveillance by surveillance teams. Other regulations include prescribed testing, isolation of covid-19 patients in no time and covid-19 appropriate behaviour.

What is allowed?

All activities have been permitted outside Containment Zones, except for the following, which have been permitted with certain restrictions:

*International air travel of passengers, as permitted by MHA.
*Cinema halls and theatres, with upto 50 percent capacity.
*Swimming pools, only for training of sports persons.
*Exhibition halls, only for business to business (B2B) purposes.
*Social/ religious/ sports/ entertainment/ educational/ cultural/ religious gatherings, with upto a maximum of 50 percent of the hall capacity, with a ceiling of 200 persons in closed spaces; and keeping of the size of the ground/ space in view, in open spaces.

For the activities outside the containment zones, states and UTs would require to follow covid-19 appropriate behaviour as per the guidelines issued by the ministry which are as follows:

*States and UTs shall take all necessary steps to promote Covid appropriate behaviour and ensure strict enforcement of wearing face masks/coverings, social distancing and hand hygiene.

*To enforce the most crucial requirement of wearing face masks/coverings, states and UTs may consider administrative actions including imposition of fines for those people who do not follow the regulation in public and work spaces.

Meanwhile, the government has also asked to continue the use of Aarogya Setu mobile app.

Abdullahs’ Deny J&K Admin Claim That Jammu House Was Built on Encroached Land

By
Jyoti B
-

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday denied the administration’s allegations that his residence was built on illegally occupied land, NDTV reported.

The administration, in its second list of beneficiaries of the Roshni Act published on Tuesday, also named Abdullah’s sister Suraiya Matto and son Omar Abdullah as “encroachers” of the state land, according to The Indian Express.

“I have purchased every inch of land where my house was built in 1998,” Farooq Abdullah told NDTV. “Falsehood is being unleashed to defame me.”

Stating that it is important to clarify, the party said the land on which Farooq’s residential house in Jammu is built has “nothing to do with Roshni scheme”.

“The malicious nature of the allegations are laid bare by the fact that even though Mr. Omar Abdullah does not own the land but actually lives with his father in Jammu as he does in Srinagar. Yet in order to hype up a frenzy, his name has been added to the list & released by the government,” the NC stated.

The list was made by public ahead of District Development Council elections which are due to begin from November 28.

Senior National Conference leaders, however, termed this as an age-old trick of shoot and scoot policy of the BJP saying there was no wrongdoing about the house of senior Abdullah in Jammu.

Reacting to the development, senior BJP leader and union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad accused the Congress and the National Conference leaders of encroaching large tracts of government and forest land in and demanded a thorough probe into the Roshni scam.

“There was a conscious loot by powerful people of forest land and getting benefits under the Roshni Act, which has been declared unconstitutional by the high court,” Prasad told reporters in New Delhi.

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