INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY MAY 6, 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: 18 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-917-4800; 301-445-0200 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • May 6, 2022 Abortion rights debate revives in US after SC draft overturns Row v. Wade verdict Wa s h i n g t o n [US], May 3 (ANI): The US Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade verdict that guaranteed the right to abortion for nearly a half-century and allow each state to decide whether to restrict or ban abortion, reported New York Times, citing a leaked draft opinion from February, published online on Monday night by Politico, the US-based media publication. According to the draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel A Alito Jr, a majority of the court voted to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade verdict. Further, Justice Alito called it had wrongly been decided and said the contentious issue, which has invoked political debates in the US for more than a generation, should be decided by politicians, not the courts. “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives,” Alito wrote in the document labelled as Successful trials of ATAGS howitzers carried out in Pokhran J a i s a l m e r (Rajasthan) [India], May 2 (ANI): Trials of made in India Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) were successfully conducted at Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR) between April 26 and May 2, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials said on Monday. ATAGS is a fully indigenous towed artillery gun system project undertaken in mission Remember: mode by DRDO as a part of the artillery modernization programme of the Indian Army. The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) has been developed by the DRDO and produced by two firms Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited. The gun is expected to be the mainstay of the Indian Army tower howitzer fleet and may also be used to replace the Bofors howitzers. (ANI) “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” JESUS CHRIST the “Opinion of the Court”, according to the media outlet. In Casey versus planned parenthood case, the Supreme Court had affirmed the ruling in the Roe v. Wade case. prohibiting the states from banning abortions. “The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and Casey arrogated that authority. We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives,” read the draft. Though the court’s holding will not be final until it is published, likely in the next two months, the ruling according to the draft would lead to the end of federal constitutional protection of abortion rights and allow each state to decide whether to restrict or ban abortion, reported Politico, adding that it is not clear though if subsequent changes have been made to the draft It’s unclear if there have been subsequent changes to the draft. Further, the ruling would be a seismic change in American law and politics, coming a few months ahead of the congressional midterm elections that will decide who controls power on Capitol Hill. Notably, several Republican-led state legislatures are moving to impose restrictions on women’s access to abortion and court decision along the lines of the draft could spur political battles with abortion being a contentious issue for the two parties for a long, reported The New York Times. (ANI) Discussed climate action, resilient and reliable supply chains, third country partnerships and economic impact of Ukraine conflict,” Jaishankar tweeted. “Signed agreements on Triangular Development Cooperation and Renewable Energy Partnership,” Jaishankar wrote in another tweet. Jaishankar also met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and signed an agreement on a direct encrypted connection between the two foreign offices. He also said that they discussed the Ukraine conflict and Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra India, Germany sign agreements on triangular development cooperation, renewable energy partnership INDIA - GERMANY AGREEMENTS SEE PAGE 6
May 6, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK India’s position on Ukraine takes care of our principles, interests: Foreign Secretary B e r l i n [Germany], May 3 (ANI): Addressing a press briefing at the conclusion of the first leg of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Europe visit on Monday (local time), newly appointed Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that India’s position on the ongoing war in Ukraine “amply takes care of our principles as also our interests”. The Foreign Secretary made the remarks, in response to a question asking “what India’s value space considerations are in this conflict (in Ukraine)?” “We have consistently right from the onset of the conflict talked about an immediate and early cessation of hostilities and the resolution path which goes through diplomacy and dialogue. I think these have been the central pillars in terms of our position which we have explained many times,” Foreign Secretary Kwatra said. “The question of principles, question of values, question of interests... I think eventually it’s a question of balancing principles and interests and I think our position amply takes care of our principles as also our interests,” the Foreign Secretary added. The Foreign Secretary also answered a question on oil imports from Russia, highlighting that India’s imports from the country are a small fraction of what the rest of the world imports from Russia. “In terms of oil embargo again, if you look at the actual situation on the ground, I think the oil imports by India from Russia is probably a small fraction of what perhaps the rest of the world imports from Russia,” the Foreign Secretary said. He added that India ultimately looks at the question of oil imports from Russia “from the perspective of energy security”, saying that this is how the other countries too pursue the matter. The briefing started with Foreign Secretary Kwatra summarising the Germany visit of PM Modi which included participation in the Inter-Governmental Consultations, as well as interaction with business leaders with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz. “It has been an intense day, but it has also been extremely productive both in terms of the range of discussions, the scope of the partnership, assessment of the overall range of the cooperation and the agenda chopped out in terms of what the two countries and the two systems will be working together on going forward in months and years ahead,” the Foreign Secretary said. The Foreign Secretary also highlighted that a number of bilateral documents were signed between the two countries, including 10 billion euros of new and additional development assistance to India until 2030, triangular development cooperation, migration and mobility partnership agreement, collaboration on green hydrogen and renewables among others. The briefing took place shortly after the conclusion of the private dinner hosted by German chancellor Scholz for PM Modi, which was the final segment of the Prime Minister’s official program in Germany. PM Modi today also held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments. PM Modi is scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly reelected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI) Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like selfdoubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember our rule of thumb: The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it. – Steven Pressfield
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May 6, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK India’s growing ‘chemistry’ with the world New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): India is an attractive hub for chemical companies. Chemical industry is one of the most significant contributors to the growth and development of any economy. In sync with that Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry in a recent tweet, called it, “India’s Bonding with the World”. This was about India’s organic and inorganic chemicals augmenting export growth by 106 per cent. It was in tune with PM Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. In fact, the growth of the Indian chemical industry is expected to double to reach USD 304 billion by 2025, clocking an annual growth rate of 15-20 per cent. An investment of Rs 8 lakh crore is anticipated in the sector by 2025. In July 2021, production volumes of key chemicals stood at 909,310 MT and petrochemicals at 1,867,351 MT. The specialty chemicals sector is expected to reach USD 40 billion by 2025. India’s share in the global specialty chemicals market increased to 4 per cent from 3 per cent between FY15 and FY21. This is news with massive multiplier effects. Chemical industry is one of the most significant contributors to the growth and development of any economy. So much so, that the industrial development of any country is measured on the basis of consumption of sulphuric acid, as the chemical industry acts as a backbone in the development process of the nation. Basic chemicals and their related products (petrochemicals, fertilisers, paints, varnishes, glass, perfumes, toiletries, pharmaceuticals, etc.) not Copenhagen [Denmark], May 3 (ANI): Business leaders of India and Denmark discussed several issues including wind energy, solar energy and other green technologies during the Business Forum event between the two countries on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly participated with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, in the IndiaDenmark Business Forum at the Confederation of Danish Industry. Addressing a press briefing here after several high-level meetings between the two countries, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, “At comprehensive CEOs’ business roundtable meet. All issues-wind energy, manufacturing of green technologies in India with India-Denmark support, bringing together capabilities of both in solar energy, making conventional manufacturing processes more green, were discussed.” “I have no hesitation in saying that in the years to come, you will see good tendencies not only in trade but also progress in the Danish investment in India and extensive support in the field of technology,” he said. Kwatra said PM Modi’s visit starts a new chapter in India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership and sets an ambitious agenda of cooperation that is mutually beneficial for both countries. During the India-Denmark Business Forum, the Prime Minister emphasized the complementary skillsets of the two economies and invited Danish companies to take advantage of India’s enormous opportunities in areas like green technologies, cold chains, waste to wealth, shipping and ports, among others. He highlighted the business-friendly approach of India and exhorted business communities of both sides to explore collaboration opportunities. Prime Minister Frederiksen highlighted the role of the business communities in forming a bridge between the two countries. The event saw the participation of businesses from both countries in areas like Green Technology, Innovation and Digitization, Energy Independence and Renewable Energy, Water, EnvironmentandAgriculture and Infrastructure, Transportation & Services. (ANI) Indian, Danish business leaders discuss solar energy and green technologies in Copenhagen only constitute a significant part of the Indian economy, but also indicate the pace of growth of the economy. FDI inflows in the chemicals sector (other than fertilizers) reached USD 19.09 billion between April 2000 and December 2021. In November 2021, Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) announced plans to invest Rs 3,681 crore (USD 495.22 million) to set up India’s first mega-scale maleic anhydride unit for manufacturing highvalue specialty chemicals at its Panipat Refinery in Haryana. The government recognises chemical industry as a key growth element of Indian economy. In chemical sector, 100 per cent FDI is permissible. The petrochemical demand is expected to grow at 7.5 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from FY 2019-23, with polymer demand growing at 8 per cent. The agrochemicals market in India is expected to grow at 8 per cent CAGR reaching USD 4.7 bn by FY25. According to a report by McKinsey, India’s chemical industry is a global outperformer regarding total returns to shareholders (TRS),1 and this has resulted in high expectations for sustained, continual growth. “The macro perspective on India indicates that while the short-term outlook is challenging, the country’s long-term-growth story remains positive.” Rise in demand from end-user industries such as food processing, personal care and home care is driving development of different segments in India’s specialty chemicals market, stated India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). The Indian chemical industry is one of the largest worldwide. In 2020, it ranked fifth in the world in terms of revenue. It has over 80,000 products and it is also one of the most diversified sectors in the country. The overall market size of the Indian chemical industry is standing at USD 178 billion in 2018-19. India ranks 14th in exports and eighth in imports at global level (excluding pharmaceuticals). Chemicals constitute ~5.4 per cent of India’s total exports. India already has a strong presence in the export market in the sub-segments of dyes, pharmaceuticals and agro chemicals. India exports dyes to Germany, the UK, the US, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, Singapore and Japan. The McKinsey report suggested to the industry players to accelerate to build an at-scale business and take advantage of economies of scale. This could benefit companies in India by opening geographic areas and customer segments; providing exposure to cutting-edge technological capabilities and to economies of scale in capital expenditures and fixed costs; and giving access to alternative and cheaper feedstock. It said industry players and associations could actively work with the government to address sector-level challenges. Supportive government measures could include an integrated petrochemical and specialty-chemical master plan and fasttracking the implementation of Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Regions. The Indian chemical industry is the source of raw materials to many end-user industries such as food processing, personal care and home care is driving development of different segments in India’s specialty chemicals market. The domestic chemicals sector’s small and medium enterprises are expected to showcase 18-23 per cent revenue growth in FY22, owing to an improvement in domestic demand and higher realisation due to high prices of chemicals. Consequently, India’s specialty chemicals companies are expanding their capacities to cater to rising demand from domestic and overseas. Once again, in order to provide a secured and reliable supply chain to the world, the chemical sector in India has the opportunity for significant growth. (ANI)
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May 6, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK India, Germany sign agreements on triangular development cooperation, renewable energy partnership INDIA - GERMANY AGREEMENTS FROM PAGE 1 Modi is on an official visit to Germany. PM Modi held a meeting with German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Monday. PM Modi and German Chancellor Scholz participated in the 6th edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations at the Federal Chancellery. According to the Ministry of ExternalAffairs, the Inter-Governmental Consultations is a unique biennial dialogue mechanism allowing governments to coordinate on a wide spectrum of bilateral matters. Moreover, PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly reelected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI) Germany, India agrees to develop hydrogen roadmap in green and sustainable development agreement India and Germany agreed to develop the hydrogen roadmap in their agreement for green and sustainable development, as per the joint statement after the 6th Inter-Governmental Consultations between the two countries. “Develop an Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap based on the inputs by the IndoGerman Green Hydrogen Task Force supported by the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF),” the joint statement stated after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed a joint press conference in Berlin. In the statement both the countries agreed to establish an IndoGerman renewable energy partnership, focusing on innovative solar energy and other renewables, including the associated challenges for electricity grids, storage and market design to facilitate a just energy transition. Germany expressed its intention to provide financial and technical cooperation including concessional loans of up to 1 billion Euros from the year 2020 to 2025. Both the countries also plan to establish lighthouse cooperation on “Agroecology and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources.” This cooperation will benefit the rural population and smallscale farmers in India in terms of income, food security, climate resilience, improved soil, biodiversity, forest restoration and water availability and promote the Indian experience globally. Regarding this cooperation, Germany intended to provide financial and technical cooperation including concessional loans of up to 300 million EUR until 2025 depending on high-quality project preparation and the availability of funds. For Advertisements Call: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 indiathisweekads@gmail.com www. Indiathisweek.online “ D e e p e n cooperation in restoring forest landscapes under the Bonn Challenge as an important measure to fight poverty, ßpreserve and restore biodiversity and prevent and attenuate climate change, acknowledging also the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 as a framework for intensified political partnership and dialogue and accelerated action to increase the area of healthy ecosystems and end their loss, fragmentation and degradation,” the statement reads. Both the countries will also work on the ‘Triangular Cooperation,’ based on individual strengths and experiences From thePoet’sPen INDIA THIS WEEK- May 6, 2022 Life is but a Weaving” (The Tapestry Poem) by Corrie ten Boom My life is but a weaving Between my God and me. I cannot choose the colors He weaveth steadily. Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow; And I in foolish pride Forget He sees the upper And I the underside. Not ’til the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly Will God unroll the canvas And reveal the reason why. The dark threads are as needful In the weaver’s skillful hand As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned He knows, He loves, He cares; Nothing this truth can dim. He gives the very best to those Who leave the choice to Him. in development cooperation and offer sustainable, viable and inclusive projects in third countries to support the achievement of SDGs and climate targets. In a statement, both the countries acknowledged their joint responsibility for the protection of the planet and for shared, sustainable and inclusive growth, said the joint statement after the 6th Inter-Governmental Consultations between the two countries. “Both Governments acknowledged their joint responsibility for the protection of the planet and for shared, sustainable and inclusive growth, leaving no one behind,” the joint statement stated. (ANI) INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. 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May 6, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Will take legal action against Elon Musk says for Twitter baseless accusations: Karnataka to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral Minister Ashwath Narayan lambasts Congress leaders Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 2 (ANI): Karnataka Minister for Higher Education CN Ashwath Narayan, on Monday stated that the accusations of Karnataka Congress chief President DK Shivakumar and Congress leader VS Ugrappa against him are baseless and also said that he would take legal action against ‘allegations without evidence’. The Congress leaders have intentionally plotted this at the time when Union Home Minister is arriving in the city, he alleged on Monday. “I have not recommended any candidate to be appointed and that question did not arise at all. Those who are making allegations are indulged in making vague statements’ he lambasted. Being intolerant of my prodevelopmental approach Shivakumar is engaged in fabricating stories. But the truth will be revealed it they are examined and anyone is free to verify them,” he challenged. “There is no question of misuse of office either by me or my family members. However, some have lost human sensitivity after entering politics. But, It will be impossible to blemish my image”, Narayan remarked. Further, the minister said, “It is true that I have an elder brother named Sathish. But, he has not done anything. our family always stood against corruption and will remain so in the future also. Being intolerant of my transparent attitude opponents are making vain attempts to tarnish my image”. “If the accusations now made by Ugrappa were to be treated as true, then, the statement he made a few days back, calling his own party president DK Shiv Kumar an utter corrupt should also be accepted as true”, Narayan lambasted. “Congress leaders who are in utter despair have resorted to doing politics by dragging in the name of family members. But, in any situation, we (family members) do not exploit poor people. I have come for politics to serve the people”, he added. (ANI) Washington [US], April 28 (ANI): Days after Tesla Chief Elon Musk take control over Twitter, he said that for the microblogging site to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral. “For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally,” Musk tweeted. Twitter on Monday (local time) confirmed the sale of the company to Musk for USD 44 billion. Under the terms of the deal, shareholders will receive USD 54.20 in cash for each share of Twitter stock they own, matching Musk’s original offer and marking a 38 per cent premium over the stock price the day before Musk revealed his stake in the company, CNN reported. Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said that he was proud of the employees who continue to do the work with focus and urgency despite the noise. “I took this job to change Twitter for the better, course-correct where we need to, and strengthen the service. Proud of our people who continue to do the work with focus and urgency despite the noise,” Agrawal tweeted. Meanwhile, the former CEO of the microblogging site Jack Dorsey dropped a series of tweets, suggesting that he supports the move. “In principle, I don’t believe anyone should own or run Twitter. It wants to be a public good at a protocol level, not a company. Solving for the problem of it being a company, however, Elon is the singular solution I trust. I trust his mission to extend the light of consciousness,” Dorsey tweeted. For those unaware, Dorsey, the maverick co-founder of Twitter, on November 29, 2021, suddenly announced his resignation. Parag Agarwal, an IITian who was CTO at Twitter, was named his replacement. (ANI)
FRIDAY MAY 6, 2022 Seven held in Ayodhya for dropping objectionable items in Mosques Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 29 (ANI): Seven people have been arrested by Ayodhya police on Thursday, all are accused of disturbing the peace and equanimity of the city by throwing objectionable posters and objects at several mosques in Ayodhya. The arrested accused have been identified as Mahesh Kumar Mishra, Pratyush Srivastava, Nitin Kumar, Deepak Kumar Gaur alias Gunjan, Brijesh Pandey, Shatrughan Prajapati and Vimal Pandey, all are residents of Ayodhya. S e n i o r Superintendent of Police (Ayodhya), Shailesh Kumar Pandey said that the incident was carried out by 11 people out of which seven have been arrested while the other four are absconding. “A total of eight persons on four motorcycles, led by Mahesh, threw objectionable posters and objects outside the mosques. The police recovered the objects, and a mobile phone and vehicles have been impounded. We have arrested seven people so far, four are absconding. For Advertisements Call: 301-445-0200 • 301-917-4800 E-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com www.indiathisweek.online We will arrest them soon. Action under the Gangsters Act and NSA will also be initiated against them,” said the SSP. During the investigation, it was found that Mahesh Kumar Mishra was the main conspirator and along with his other accomplices, a conspiracy was hatched at Brijesh Pandey’s house in opposition to the recent incident in Jahangirpuri of Delhi. It also came to light that the accused on the night of Wednesday, first reached the Beniganj Tiraha where after seeing PRV’s car could not execute the plan on Beniganj Masjid and thus 9 moved to other mosques. They threw the objectionable posters and objects at the Ayodhya’s Masjid Kashmiri Mohalla, Tatshah Mosque, Ghosiyana Ramnagar Masjid, Idgah Civil Line Mosque and Gulab Shah Dargah behind Dargah Jail. Police also said that out of the four arrested three accused have previous criminal history. “The accused Mahesh has four cases registered against him in Kotwali Police station Ayodhya. Apart from this, the accused Nitin and Vimal also have cases registered against them,” said a police officer. Police said that all the seven accused have been booked under Sections 295 (injuring or defiling places of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), and 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code. (ANI)
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