INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY JUNE 10, 2022 1 A W e e k l y N e w s p a p e r Fe a t u r i n g N e w s & Tr e n d s f r o m t h e I n d i a n S u b - C o n t i n e n t P u b l i s h e d f r o m t h e U S C a p i t a l Website: www.indiathisweek.online Vol. 30 No: 23 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-917-4800; 301-445-0200 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • June 10, 2022 Dr. Ted Wilson Re-elected to a Third Term as President Of the General Conference (GC) of SDA St. Louis, Missouri June 6: Pastor Ted NC Wilson, President of the General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church was on Monday, elected to a third term with a 3 to 1 majority. While Dr. Wilson received 74.9% his challenger could harness only 25.1% of the votes. The Delegates received the results with thunderous applause. Dr. Wilson who began his ministry in 1974 as a pastor in the Greater New York Conference quickly rose through the ranks and became the vicePresident of the GC in 2001 and was elected president in 2010. With this election, he will be serving as president of the GC for 15 years by the time his term expires in 2025 making him one of the longest serving presidents in the history of the Church. His ministry includes serving people in various parts of the world including Russia, West Africa and other regions of the world. During the past 12 years as president Pastor Wilson has spearheaded many initiatives to promote the growth of the church globally to serve humanity and to draw attention to Christ centered living. The current strategic plan, “Reach the World: I Will Go,”outlines specific goals to meet in the Church’s mission to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19, 20). Dr. Wilson’s father Pastor Neal C. Wilson, served as president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church from 1979 to 1990. India, Vietnam ink MoU to simplify procedures for logistic support Hanoi [Vietnam], June 8 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang in Hanoi on Wednesday, after which they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mutual Logistics Support to help enhance engagements between the defence forces of the two countries. Wi d e - r a n g i n g discussions on effective and practical initiatives to further expand bilateral defence engagements and regional and global issues were held between the two sides. The two Defence Ministers also signed the ‘Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030’, which will significantly enhance the INDIA, VIETNAM MOU SEE PAGE 2 Indian-American teen Harini Logan wins 2022 National Spelling Bee in lightning round tiebreaker Indian-origin word whizzes earn five top spots in iconic competition By Geeta Goindi National Harbor, Maryland, June 5, 2022 – In one of the most popular and riveting national contests, an Indian-American teen, Harini Logan, 14, of Texas, has been crowned champion of the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee. While the competition Thursday evening was not without its suspense-ridden, nail-biting moments, more than usual, it still marked a major triumph for the Indian diaspora - for over two decades, the Spelling Bee has been dominated by children of Indian origin and in the current edition they have secured the top five slots. The winning word was ‘moorhen’ (the female of the red grouse) for Harini, an eighth grader at The Montessori School of San Antonio. She received a cash prize of $50,000 with the Bee’s engraved trophy and commemorative medal, $2,500 and a complete reference library from Merriam-Webster, and $400 of reference works from Encyclopedia Britannica, among other rewards. Harini faced off with Vikram Raju, 12, of Denver, Colorado, in an unprecedented Spell-off deftly conducted by Dr. Jacques Bailly, a long-time Quote: “Be grateful for what you already have while you pursue your goals. If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, what makes you think you would be happy with more.” Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart Indian-American teen Harini Logan of Texas was crowned champion of the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee held at the National Harbor, just outside of Washington, DC. Photo credit: Scripps National Spelling Bee official pronouncer at the Bee and a former champion (1980). Vikram, in seventh grade at Aurora Quest K-8, was awarded 30,000 dollars for finishing second in the prestigious competition’s first-of-a-kind lightning round. After a somewhat stressful spate of spelling in which the two top finalists misspelled four words each, the spell-off was spell- binding to watch and proved why Harini and Vikram so deserved to be on stage for the finale. “We activated the spell-off because it was the best chance to show the extent of these spellers’ preparation”, said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, executive director of the Spelling Bee. “Clearly, they demonstrated their deep capacity for the competition”. Thetwocontestants each got 90 seconds to spell as many words as they could from a predetermined list which was the same for both spellers who took turns in being sequestered. Harini, who reportedly draws inspiration from Vice President Kamala Harris, also of Indian descent, clinched the championship by correctly spelling 22 out of 26 words attempted. “This is such a dream. I think honestly so surreal”, she gushed upon clutching the championship trophy presented by Adam Symson, president and CEO of the E.W. Scripps Company. About the tense spell-off, she said, “I just decided to take it in stride. Whatever happens, it happens”, she added matterof-factly. For Harini, it was her fourth time participating in the Spelling Bee guided by coach Grace Walters who has worked with a number of prior champs. Harini placed 31st in 2021, 30th in 2019, and 323rd in 2018, So, it’s been quite a journey for this experienced speller whose love for reading led her to compete in spelling bees. “Harini displayed impressive focus and determination throughout Spelling Bee see Page 6
June 10, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Visiting US Army general discusses bilateral defence cooperation with Army chief Manoj Pande New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande held talks with visiting US Army’s Pacific Commanding General Charles Flynn on Tuesday and discussed aspects of bilateral defence cooperation. The US Army General is on a four-day visit. Upon his arrival, he laid a wreath at National War Memorial and received a Guard of Honour at the South Block. During talks with General Pande, he congratulated him on his recent appointment as India’s Chief of Army Staff. “General Charles A. Flynn, Commanding General United States Army Pacific USARPAC called on General Manoj Pande COAS and discussed aspects of Bilateral Defence Cooperation,” Indian Army said in a tweet. US General Flynn also held talks with Vice Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General BS Raju and discussed aspects of mutual interests. “General Charles A. Flynn, Commanding General United States Army Pacific USARPAC called on Lieutenant General BS Raju VCOAS & discussed aspects of mutual interests,” Army said in another tweet. Underlining the importance of India as a key partner in the region, US General Flynn said that he looks forward to expanding future bilateral cooperation with the Indian Army. “Grateful to VCOAS Lt. Gen. Raju for the warm welcome today at the Indian Army HQ. India is an important partner in the region and I look forward to expanding future bilateral cooperation with USARPAC and Indian Army,” he said on Twitter. “On behalf of the United States Army Pacific, I am humbled to begin my visit to India by honouring the Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen whose sacrifice is remembered at the National War Memorial,” he added. (ANI) India, Vietnam ink MoU to simplify procedures for logistic support INDIA, VIETNAM MOU FROM PAGE 1 scope and scale of existing defence cooperation. “A Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Logistics Support was also inked in the presence of both the Ministers. In these times of increasing cooperative engagements between the defence forces of the two countries, this is a major step towards simplifying procedures for mutually beneficial logistic support and is the first such major agreement which Vietnam has signed with any country,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement. Both ministers also agreed for the early finalisation of the USD 500 million Defence Line of Credit extended to Vietnam. Implementation of the projects shall add substantially to Vietnam’s Defence capabilities and further Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. The Defence Minister also announced gifting two simulators and a monetary grant towards setting up of Language and IT Lab at Air Force Officers Training School for capacity building of the Vietnamese Armed Forces. The Defence Minister began his official visit by paying respects to late President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum in Hanoi. He also visited Tran Quoc Pagoda, a revered Buddhist temple which reaffirmed the age-old civilizational and people-to-people linkages between the two countries. India and Vietnam share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2016 and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership. Vietnam is an important partner in India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision. Both countries share a rich history of civilisational and cultural linkages spanning over 2,000 years. India and Vietnam continue to have the most trustworthy relations in contemporary times with broader convergence of interests and common concerns. Bilateral defence engagements have expanded over a period of time to include wide-ranging contacts between the two countries, including Defence Policy Dialogues, military to military exchanges, highlevel visits, capacity building and training programs, cooperation in UN Peace Keeping, ship visits and bilateral exercises. (ANI)
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June 10, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Vice President Naidu calls Indian community in Qatar ‘living bridge’ between two nations Doha [Qatar], June 7 (ANI): Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday interacted with the Indian diaspora and described India as a huge country with a large population where diverse languages and cultures reside in Unity and its people live with peace and harmony. Highlighting the Government’s vision to create a new India we can all be proud of, he acknowledged the 7.80 lakh strong Indian community in Qatar and designated them as a living bridge between the two nations. “Indian business people who are strengthening trade & economic partnerships; and the Indian Armed Forces Veterans who after diligently serving India are adding value through their experiences to our trusted partner Qatar. Indeed, the diversity of our community in Qatar is extraordinary,” he said in a statement while interacting with the Indian community in Doha. India-Qatar’s ties have progressed since Prime Minister Narendra Modi activated the Look West policy as the Indian premier has taken a personal interest in actively engaging with the Qatari leadership. Talking about the comprehensive energy partnership in a further statement, he said that the cooperation between India and Qatar is strengthening in the defence, security, healthcare and education sectors. A start-up bridge between India and Qatar was launched during Naidu’s visit to Qatar to link the innovative ecosystems of the two countries. Meanwhile, India and Qatar will soon mark the 50th anniversary of India and Qatar establishing full diplomatic relations. “Our constitutional architecture is the firm foundation of ‘inclusion’, of leaving no one behind. It is the vision that finds an echo in the overarching philosophy of the present Government, led by Prime Minister Modi that believes in “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas,” he said during his discussion. Moreover, he also urged the Indian community to maintain ties with the Janam Bhoomi, India. “Your Karma Bhoomi is Qatar and you should dedicate yourself to Qatar’s progress. At the same time don’t forget your Matra Bhoomi, India,” he said in a statement. He urged Indians in Qatar to contribute to the rapid socioeconomic development and transformation happening in India, saying that everyone can immensely gain from the skills and talents of the diaspora. Let us all pledge to work towards a New India that shares the fruits of development with all and achieve a Sankalpit Bharat, Sashakt Bharat, Atmarnirbhar Bharat and a Shreshta Bharat, he said, concluding his statement. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu is on a three-day visit to Qatar to enhance bilateral ties. He also visited Gabon and Senegal as a part of his three-nation visit where India signed two MoUs in Gabon and three MoUs in Senegal in different sectors which underlined the warm and friendly relations between the two countries. The Vice President is being accompanied by Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Sushil Kumar Modi, During the visit, EAM inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi Library at the University of Nairobi which has been renovated with the Government of India’s grant assistance of USD 1 Million. EAM also had virtual interactions with prominent members of the business community and diaspora. The joint statement issued after the JCM called for joint efforts to combat the COVID pandemic and to consolidate economic collaboration during postCOVID period; for enhanced bilateral ties, both at the government and private sector level, also including cooperation at UN Security Council. (ANI) Panaji (Goa) [India], June 8 (ANI): The Goa unit of the Aam Aadmi Party youth wing on Tuesday sought justice for the British woman who was allegedly raped at the Sweet water lake near Arambol beach in North Goa, and said that an “example should be set so nobody could harm anyone” in the future. The accused, Joel Vincent D’Souza, 32, who is a local resident, was arrested, according to the police. “Disheartening to see the news, British national was raped at sweet water Lake of Arambol. Goa was known for its safety for tourists. People, not just from India but from around the world come to Goa and people’s livelihood depends on it,” said Siddesh Bhagat, National Vice President AAP Youth Wing in a statement. Claiming that India-Kenya dialogue on UN, multilateral Issues held in Nairobi Nairobi [Kenya], June 6 (ANI): India-Kenya consultations on UN and multilateral issues at Director General (DG) level were held in Nairobi on June 6, 2022. Prakash Gupta, Joint Secretary (UN-Political) led the Indian delegation which included officials from the High Commission of India in Nairobi and the Ministry of External Affairs. The Kenyan delegation was led by Ambassador Salim M. Salim, Director-General of MultilateralandInternational Affairs, and included other officials from the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Both sides reviewed their ongoing cooperation during their current tenure as nonpermanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) and reaffirmed their commitment to work closely together in the UNSC and other multilateral fora. They discussed issues on the agenda of the UNSC, including regional country files in the Horn of Africa region and other thematic issues related to counter-terrorism and UN Peacekeeping. In keeping with the multi-faceted partnership, both sides agreed to deepen their engagement at other multilateral fora, including at the NonAligned Movement (NAM), Commonwealth, and Group of 77 (G77) groupings. Notably, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar paid an official visit to Nairobi from June 12-15, 2021, and co-chaired the 3rd India-Kenya Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with his counterpart Amb. Raychelle Omamo, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Kenya. Member of Parliament, Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, Member of Parliament, P. Raveendranath, Member of Parliament and senior officials from the Vice President’s Secretariat and the Ministry of External Affairs. India-Qatar ties taken to next level since PM Modi motivated ‘Look West’ policy: VP Naidu During his last leg British woman raped in Goa, AAP seeks justice for victim the rape victim lodged a complaint at the consulate and not at a local police station, the AAP leader alleged that there is a sense of insecurity among the tourists with the local police. “An incident like this happening is shameful and must be condemned. One thing which is bothering all of us right now is that survivor didn’t go to the local police but to her consulate for getting justice. Is there a sense of insecurity among the tourists related to local police? This matter is need to be investigated thoroughly and justice should be served for the survivor. An example should be set so nobody could harm anyone like this,” he said. Bhagat urged the state government to “make strict police protection on the coastal belt to avoid such incidents in future”. (ANI) of a three-nation tour, Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu addressed the members of the Indian diaspora in Doha on Monday. “India-Qatar ties have progressed since PM Modi motivated the ‘Look West’ policy. He has taken a personal interest in engaging with the Qatar leadership,” he said during the interaction with the Indian community. He also addressed members of the business community at India-Qatar Business Forum during his visit and highlighted the strength of the ties as he called for building an enabling environment and forging more collaborations for mutual benefit. As a part of his visit,Vice President Naidu who is on the last leg of his three-country visit launched the “India-Qatar Start-Up bridge” to link the startup ecosystems of the two countries at the India-Qatar Business Forum on Sunday while he also visited the Qatar National Museum in Doha. The Vice President highlighted the exchanges that paved the way for a special relationship between both the countries which has evolved over centuries through people-to-people and cultural exchanges. “We have now a very robust India-Qatar economic partnership and it is getting enriched with each passing day,” he said, adding that bilateral trade between India and Qatar has seen steady progress. The Vice President said Qatar Investment Authority has committed investments of over USD 2 billion in Indian companies in the last two years. During this visit, the Vice President is being accompanied by Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Sushil Kumar Modi, Member of Parliament, Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, Member of Parliament, P. Raveendranath, Member of Parliament and senior officials from the Vice President’s Secretariat and the Ministry of External Affairs. (ANI)
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June 10, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Indian-American teen Harini Logan wins 2022 National Spelling Bee in lightning round tiebreaker SPELLING BEE FROM PAGE 1 the competition all the way up to her thrilling win”, Symson said. “It’s exactly why the Scripps National Spelling Bee is a piece of American culture beloved by millions around the world. We get to know these spellers and their stories, and we love rooting them along with each turn at the microphone”. Harini was warmly commended for her big win on microblogging site Twitter. “Congratulations, Harini! You did it!”, wrote First Lady Dr. Jill Biden who takes great pride in being an educator. US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, an Indian-American trailblazer himself, tweeted, “Congratulations Harini! We are so proud of you!”. Republican senator John Cornyn of Texas marveled, “Spelling 22 words right in only 90 seconds is an incredible feat. Way to go, Harini”, he wrote on Twitter. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg pointed out, “Harini is the first San Antonio student to advance to the final round in the history of @ScrippsBee. Way to represent our city!”, he said. I n t e r e s t i n g l y, Harini was reinstated in the competition after judges decided that her answer to the meaning of ‘pullulation’ in the vocabulary round could be considered correct. So, she was back on stage with the three remaining contestants. Among the words she spelled correctly in the championship rounds were ‘tyrolienne’, ‘ditalini’, ‘tauromachian’, and India, Qatar Joint Commission to meet later this year Doha [Qatar], June 7 (ANI): A meeting of the Joint Commission between India and Qatar to strengthen bilateral ties in various fields will be held later this year. Addressing a press briefing in Doha on Monday, Ausuf Sayeed, Secretary (Consular, Passport & Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) said that high-level engagement to be sustained through an early visit of Qatar’s Emir to India. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu is on a threeday visit to Qatar to enhance bilateral ties. “Both India and Qatar agree to further strengthen their friendship. High-level engagement to be sustained through an early visit of Qatar’s Emir to India. A joint commission of foreign ministers to meet later this year,” Sayeed said. O Sunday, Vice President launched the “India-Qatar Start-Up bridge” to link the startup ecosystems of the two countries at the India-Qatar Business Forum in Doha. He also addressed members of the business community at India-Qatar Business Forum and highlighted the Indian-American teen Harini Logan (left) of Texas is the winner of the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee. She is seen here holding the coveted championship trophy, surrounded by family members. Photo credit: Scripps National Spelling Bee ‘charadriiform’. Vikram correctly spelled 15 of 19 words in the spell-off which put him in second place. He still has one more chance at winning the Scripps Cup which he plans to avail of. In the spelling rounds, he aced words like ‘dasypodid’, ‘coracidium’, ‘opisometer’, and ‘congener’. In third place was Vihaan Sibal, 13, of Texas awarded $15,000, followed by Saharsh Vuppala, 13, of Washington in fourth place who earned $10,000, and From thePoet’sPen INDIA THIS WEEK- June 6, 2022 The Ship That Never Returned By Henry Clay Work strength of India-Qatar ties and called for building an enabling environment and forging more collaborations for mutual benefit. India and Qatar decided in 2018 to establish a Joint Commission to strengthen the relations between the two countries in various fields with a view to further the common interests of their two friendly peoples. It is tasked with formulating the required basis to strengthen the relations between the two countries particularly in the economic, commercial, cultural, scientific, technological, information technology and educational fields. The Joint Commission is co-chaired by the Ministers of External Affairs and Foreign Affairs of the two countries or their representatives. (ANI) ‘Twas a summer’s day and the waves were rippled By a soft and gentle breeze, When a ship set sail with a cargo ladened For a port beyond the sea. There were fond farewells, loving demonstrations By the ones who were most concerned. Though they little knew ‘twas the fatal voyage Of the ship that never returned. Did she ever return? No, she never returned, And her fate is yet unlearned. Though for years and years there were fond hearts watching For the ship that never returned. Said the feeble lad to his anxious mother, “l must cross the deep blue sea, For they say, perchance, in some foreign climate There is help and strength for me.” ‘Twas a gleam of hope in the midst of danger And her heart for her youngest yearned. But she sent him forth with a smile and a blessing On the ship that never returned. “Only one more trip,” said a gallant seaman As he kissed his weeping wife. “Only one more bag of the gold and treasure And ‘twill last us all through life. “Then we’ll settle down in our cosy cottage And enjoy the rest we’ve earned.” But alas, poor man, for he sailed commander Of the ship that never returned. Surya Kapu, 13, of Utah in fifth position who received $5,000. The current edition of the Spelling Bee, held for the first time in-person at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor since the Covid-19 pandemic, began Tuesday with 229 spellers. By Wednesday evening, this number had dwindled to 12 finalists of which 10 were Indian-American kids. Following an appeal, Surya was reinstated into the field Thursday evening, upping the number of finalists to 13. Surya was able to convince the judges that he was denied relevant root information about a word and deserved another chance. The 13 finalists were: Sahasrad Sathish, 13, of Illinois; Ekansh Rastogi, 13, of Florida; Abhilash Patel, 14, of New York; Sahana Srikanth, 13, of Ohio; Nitya Kathiravan, 13, of New Jersey; Shijay Sivakumar, 14, of Texas; Aliyah Alpert, 11, of Arizona; Kirsten Santos, 11, of Texas; and the five top winners. “Congratulations to Harini and to all of the national competitors this year”, Symson said. Scripps is proud to tell your stories”. INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352Bryans Road, MD 20616 Phone: 301-917-4800; 301-445-0200 301-445-3543; 301-685-1800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Views expressed in this paper are solely those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor either by mail to the above address or by e-mail provided below. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Asst. Editors: Special Business Correspondent Business Coordinators Special Correspondent: Community Coordinator: India Office Columnists: World Religions Photo Journalist: System Admn. & Maintenance: Layout & Graphics: Business Affairs: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George Saju Mathew Isaac George Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Elisha B. Pulivarti Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Geeta Goindi Prof. Vinod Goel Manish Krishna Anadi Naik Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Mathew Karmel, Rajan C. George Prinston Samuel, Mrs. Molly George Advertisements: ADV Solutions Inc. Tel: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 301-445-3543, 301-685-1800 e-Mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Letters, Comments, Press Releases: indiathisweek@gmail.com
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June 10, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Uttarkashi bus accident Gupta brothers, linked to death toll rises to 26 dead; graft against ex-South African Rescue operation concludes Prez Zuma, held in UAE Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) [India], June 6 (ANI): A total of 26 persons have been confirmed dead after a bus carrying pilgrims from Panna district in Madhya Pradesh fell into a gorge near Damta in Uttarkashi district on June 5, officials said on Monday informing that search and rescue operations have concluded. “A total of 26 people died in the accident, and 4 are injured. The injured have been sent to Higher Centre for their treatment,” police said. The bus carrying 30 people, including 28 pilgrims was on its way to Yamunotri Dham in Uttarkashi when it fell into a gorge. Personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) along with district administration rushed to the site to conduct rescue and relief operations. The Prime Minister expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the accident and Rs 50,000 each for the injured. Governor Lt General Gurmeet Singh (Seni) has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his grief at the loss of lives in the accident and spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan arrived in Dehradun to take stock of relief operations. He also held a meeting with officials on the situation. The chief minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of those who died in the bus mishap and Rs 50,000 each for the injured. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the incident and reached the disaster control room at the Secretariat to take stock of the relief and rescue operations. The chief minister has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.(ANI) Cape Town [South Africa], June 7 (ANI): The South African government has said that the law enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrested Rajesh Gupta and Atul Gupta of the Gupta family, allegedly linked to former President Jacob Zuma in connection with financial wrongdoing. Their arrests come months after International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) issued a red notice last July. “The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services confirms that it has received information from law enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that fugitives of justice, namely, Rajesh and Atul Gupta have been arrested,” the South African Justice Ministry said in a statement. “Discussions between various law enforcement agencies in Moscow [Russia], June 7 (ANI): India is playing an irreplaceable role in the global systemic transition to multipolarity amid accelerated changes. Andrew Korybko, an American Moscow-based political analyst, writing in Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), said that the former US-led unipolar system is transitioning to an emerging multipolar world order. During the postcold war era, Indian foreign policy has moved from a policy of non-alignment (policy of being neutral with US and USSR blocs) to the policy of multi-alignment (India is having friendly relations with almost all great powers and the developing world). Multialignment is the very essence of India‘s foreign policy and the economic policy of India today. Indian scholar Sanjaya Baru, a political commentator and policy analyst, believes that the global systemic transition to multipolarity is presently unfolding as a bi-multipolar intermediary phase. This concept refers to the observation that the US and Chinese superpowers exert the most influence over the international system followed by a growing number of great powers like Russia and India, among others. Therein lies the motivation for what can be described as Russia and India‘s joint efforts to assemble a new NonAligned Movement (“NeoNAM”) for doing precisely that in order to maximize their strategic autonomy. Meanwhile, the US-led West’s unprecedented antiRussian sanctions that were imposed in response to Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine raised concerns that this targeted great power would become disproportionately dependent on China. However, India decisively intervened to avert that scenario by becoming Russia’s alternative valve from such pressure as well as its proactive efforts to comprehensively expand trade ties with it in order to replace lost Western ones, said Korybko. This gamechanging development completely altered the forecast that many analysts had and thus compelled them to recalibrate their predictions about the forthcoming dynamics of the global systemic transition to multipolarity. India jumped from being a latently impressive great power to one with the proven capability to decisively shape international events at their most sensitive moment during the onset of complex processes such as what many have since concluded is now a New Cold War. Moreover, India is in the unique geostrategic position of having stakes in the UAE and South Africa on the way forward are ongoing. The South African government will continue to co-operate with the UAE,” the statement added. Back in 2018, the South African government started to investigate the corruption charges levelled against former president Zuma. The former South African president is accused of overseeing India playing irreplaceable role in global order transition to multipolarity both blocs, which explains why it closely cooperates with them in order to advance its goal of becoming third pole of influence in the bi-multipolar transitional phase of the global systemic transition to multipolarity. It is for this reason that India has sought to play leading roles in multilateral platforms the Quad, BRICS, and the SCO. The first one serves as its means for balancing China’s rise in what India hopes will be a friendly, gentle, and nonhostile way compared to the new AUKUS alliance’s nonfriendly, harsh, and hostile one. BRICS and the SCO, meanwhile, are complementary widespread graft during his nine-year reign. The Guptas are accused of using their influence to profit financially and influence senior appointments. However, they have denied wrongdoing. Last year, Interpol said they were being sought in connection with a 25 million rand contract paid to a Gupta-linked company to conduct an agricultural feasibility study, Al Jazeera reported. The Gupta brothers — Ajay, Atul and Rajesh — had migrated from Uttar Pradesh to South Africa in the 1990s and owned a business empire spanning from computer equipment, media and mining in South Africa. The scandal had forced Zuma to quit in 2018 after he faced massive furore within his own ruling African National Congress (ANC) lawmakers over corruption charges. The former South African president also faced allegations of corruption relating to a 1990s arms deal. Following Zuma’s resignation, the Gupta brothers had fled South Africa. (ANI) platforms for reforming the international system as it transitions towards multipolarity. The ideal scenario for India is that it successfully cooperates with US-led structures like the Quad to peacefully “manage” China’s rise in parallel with cooperating with China to gradually reform the international system, said Korybko. (ANI)
FRIDAY JUNE 10, 2022 9 Sale Ends 6-30-2022 Delhi, nearby areas to witness severe heatwave, IMD issues ‘orange alert’ New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): An ‘orange alert’ has been issued in Delhi and other nearby areas concerningasevereheatwave with the temperature varying between 44 to 47 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department on Monday. The heatwave would be prevalent in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. “Orange alert in Delhi. Severe heatwave from June 4 in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, UP and parts of MP, Rajasthan. Temp varying b/w 44°-47°. Shall continue for four more days. We advise people to venture out carefully as heat spells are very severe,” said RK Jenamani, senior scientist at IMD. With the anticipation of monsoon entering Delhi to give a shy of relief from the scorching heat, the people are left disappointed as according 47 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature was 47.1 degrees at Mungeshpur and Pitampura recorded 46.5 degrees Celsius. The weather station at Najafgarh recorded a maximum temperature of 46.2 degrees Celsius. In Ganganagar in Rajasthan, the highest temperature was 47.5 degrees Celsius. Hisar in Haryana reported 46.8 degrees Celsius. It said there is likely to be an increase in rainfall activity likely over South Peninsular India from June 7. However, the IMD on Sunday predicted no significant changes in the maximum temperature in most parts of Northwest India for the next few days but assured a hopeful fall in the temperature after two days in Central India. “No significant change in maximum temperatures very likely over most parts of Northwest India during next 4-5 days. No significant change in maximum temperatures very likely over most parts of Central India during next 2 days and fall by 2-3°C thereafter,” the IMD tweeted. (ANI) New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): A fire broke out at a bank inside Supreme Court premises on Tuesday morning. According to Delhi Delhi Fire Service, the fire erupted at a bank inside Supreme Court premises. Fire tenders rushed to the spot and the fire was brought under control. No casualty was reported in the incident. The cause of the fire is yet to ve ascertained. (ANI) Fire breaks out inside Supreme Court premises, no casualty reported to the IMD, monsoon is yet to set in the North. “In North-eastern parts, heavy rainfall is expected. Assam, Meghalaya & Arunachal Pradesh have been issued warnings. Meanwhile, the monsoon has not really begun anywhere in the North. We are monitoring. Monsoons in Delhi are still far,” Jenamani said. Meanwhile, Delhi has been undergoing severe spells of the heatwave in recent days. Delhi witnessed scorching summer heat on Saturday with the temperature in parts of the city going beyond
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