Today News Diary on 13 March 2021

1. PM inaugurates curtain raiser activities of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ India@75
2. Uttarakhand CM Tirath Singh Rawat inducts 11 ministers in his cabinet
3. PM Modi addresses fourth Global Ayurveda Festival
4. G7 expresses 'grave concerns' over electoral changes in Hong Kong
5. George Floyd's family receives $27 million settlement from Minneapolis over his death
6. In a huge achievement, Indian Railway surpasses last year cumulative freight loading way before the year end
7. Mera Ration Mobile App for migratory ration card holders launched
8. Sri Lanka announces burqa ban, to shut 1,000 madrasas
9. ISRO launches sounding rocket to study attitudinal variations in neutral winds, plasma dynamics
10. Govt to sell 16.12% stake in Tata Communications through OFS, rest to Tata Sons arm
11. The EU has been declared an ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’

News in Detail

1. PM inaugurates curtain raiser activities of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ India@75

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi flagged off the ‘Padyatra’ (Freedom March) from Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad and inaugurated the curtain raiser activities of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (India@75).

He also launched various other cultural and digital initiatives for the India@75 celebrations. Governor of Gujarat  Acharya Devvrat, Union  MoS (I/C) Prahalad Singh Patel and Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani were present on the occasion.

Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav is a series of events to be organised by the Government of India to commemorate  the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. The Mahotsav will be celebrated as a Jan-Utsav in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari.

Addressing the gathering at Sabarmati Ashram, the Prime Minister noted the launch of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ 75 weeks before 15 August 2022 which will continue till 15 August, 2023. He paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and great personalities who laid down their lives in the freedom struggle.

The Prime Minister reiterated five pillars i.e. Freedom Struggle, Ideas at 75, Achievements at 75, Actions at 75 and Resolves at 75 as guiding force for moving forward keeping dreams and duties as inspiration.

The Prime Minister asserted that Azadi Amrit Mahotsav means elixir of energy of independence. It means elixir of inspirations of the warriors of freedom struggle; elixir of new ideas and pledges and nectar  of Aatmnirbharta.

The Prime Minister said the country has been making a conscious effort for the last six years to preserve this history, in every state and every region. The revival of the site associated with the Dandi Yatra was completed two years ago. The site where Netaji Subhash hoisted the tricolor in Andaman after the formation of the country's first independent government is also revived. He added that the islands of Andaman and Nicobar are named after the freedom struggle. He said that the places associated with Baba Saheb have been developed in the form of  Panchtirtha, the memorial in Jallianwala Bagh and memorial of the Paika movement have also been developed.

The Prime Minister said we have proved ourselves with our hard work, both in India and abroad. We are proud of our Constitution and democratic traditions. He said India, the mother of democracy, is still moving ahead by strengthening democracy. He said that India’s achievements are giving hope to the entire humanity. He added that the development journey of India is filled with AatmaNirbharta and is going to give momentum to the development journey of the whole world.

The Prime Minister urged the youth and scholars to take the responsibility for fulfilling the efforts of the country in documenting the history of our freedom fighters. He urged them to showcase the achievements in the freedom movement to the world. He also urged the people associated with art, literature, theatrical world, film industry and digital entertainment, to explore the unique stories that are scattered in our past and bring them to life.

2. Uttarakhand CM Tirath Singh Rawat inducts 11 ministers in his cabinet

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat expanded his Council of Ministers on Friday.

Governor Baby Rani Maurya administered the oath of office to 11 ministers at Raj Bhavan. Banshidhar Bhagat, Bishan Singh Chufal, Ganesh Joshi, and Swami Yatishwaranand are the new faces of Tirath Singh Rawat team, who took oath today. However, Satpal Maharaj, Harak Singh Rawat, Yashpal Arya, Arvind Pandey, Subodh Uniyal,  Rekha Arya, Dhan Singh Rawat were Ministers in ex-Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat's team. MLA from Gadarpur Arvind Pandey took the oath in Sanskrit.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat said that the developmental work done by the earlier Chief Minister will be taken forward for the benefit of every person in the state.

3. PM Modi addresses fourth Global Ayurveda Festival

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the fourth Global Ayurveda Festival through virtual mode.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister noted the growing global interest in Ayurveda and appreciated the efforts of all those working on Ayurveda across the world. He said “Ayurveda could rightly be described as a holistic human science. From the plants to your plate, from matters of physical strength to mental well-being, the impact and influence of Ayurveda and traditional medicine is immense.” In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister said that the demand for ayurvedic products is steadily rising.

“The current situation presents a right time for Ayurveda and traditional medicines to become even more popular globally. There is growing interest towards them. The world is seeing how modern and traditional medicines both are important to further wellness. People are realising the benefits of Ayurveda and its role in boosting immunity,” said the Prime Minister. Talking about the potential for wellness tourism in India, he said that at the core of wellness tourism is the principle of - treat illness, further wellness. Therefore, the strongest pillar of the wellness tourism is Ayurveda and traditional medicine.

He called upon the audience to tap into the timeless culture of India to de-stress and healing.“Whether you want to treat your body, or a retreat for your mind, come to India”, The Prime Minister invited.

Prime Minister called for taking advantage of Ayurveda’s popularity and opportunities arising out of combining traditional with the modern. Citing situations like youngsters using a wide range of Ayurveda products and a growing consciousness to integrate Ayurveda with evidence-based medical sciences, Shri Modi called upon the academicians to deepen research on Ayurveda and traditional forms of medicine. He urged vibrant start-up community to specially look at Ayurveda products. He also appreciated the youth for presenting our traditional forms of healing in a language that is globally understood.

On behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister assured full support to the world of Ayurveda. He informed that the National AYUSH Mission has been started to promote AYUSH medical systems through cost effective AYUSH services. It is also working to strengthen educational systems and facilitating the enforcement of quality control of Ayurveda, Siddha Unani & Homoeopathy drugs and ensuring sustainable availability of raw-materials. He informed that the Government is undertaking various quality control measures as well. “Our policy regarding Ayurveda and other Indian systems of medicine is already aligned with the Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023 of World Health Organisation. The WHO has also announced the setting up of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India”, The Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to promote food items relating to Ayurveda and food items that further good health. He mentioned the United Nations declaring 2023 to be the International Year of Millets. The Prime Minister called to spread awareness on the benefits of millets.

4. G7 expresses 'grave concerns' over electoral changes in Hong Kong

Foreign ministers in the G7 group of nations including the United States have expressed grave concerns at what they said was China’s decision to fundamentally erode democratic elements of the electoral system in Hong Kong.

The G7 released a statement that was tweeted by British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, saying the recent decision to change Hong Kong’s electoral system indicated that authorities in China were determined to eliminate dissenting voices and opinions in Hong Kong.

“We also call on China and the Hong Kong authorities to restore confidence in Hong Kong’s political institutions and end the unwarranted oppression of those who promote democratic values and the defence of rights and freedoms,” it said.

China’s parliament approved on Thursday a draft decision to change Hong Kong’s electoral system, further reducing democratic representation in the city’s institutions and introducing a mechanism to vet politicians’ loyalty to Beijing.

The measures are part of Beijing’s efforts to consolidate its increasingly authoritarian grip over the Asian financial hub following the imposition of a national security law in June 2020, which critics see as a tool to crush dissent.

The European Commission and the High Representative noted in an annual report on Friday that there has been an “alarming political deterioration in Hong Kong”, citing the imposition of the national security law, the arrest of dozens of pro-democracy activists in January, and Beijing’s move this week to overhaul the city’s politics.

“China is consciously dismantling the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle in violation of its international commitments and the Hong Kong Basic Law,” EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell said.

Separately, Australia and New Zealand said they are deeply concerned, urging Hong Kong and China to allow “genuine avenues” for the city’s people to participate in their governance, and to protect the role of the Legislative Council.

In Hong Kong, the government said in a statement late on Friday it strongly opposed the EU’s remarks and that the report’s questioning of China’s willingness to uphold the “one country, two systems” principle was a “groundless accusation”.

The Hong Kong government said stability had been restored to society since the implementation of the national security law.

5. George Floyd's family receives $27 million settlement from Minneapolis over his death

The city of Minneapolis on Friday agreed to pay $27 million to settle a lawsuit by the family of George Floyd over his death in police custody, a case that stirred national protests over racial injustice and police brutality.

Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died in May as Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd’s dying pleas for help were captured on widely viewed bystander video, sparking one of the largest protest movements ever seen in the United States.

Benjamin Crump, an attorney for the Floyd family, said the agreement was the largest pre-trial settlement of a wrongful death lawsuit in U.S. history.

The size signifies that a Black person’s death at the hands of police “will no longer be written off as trivial, unimportant or unworthy of consequences,” Crump said at a news conference where he was joined by Floyd’s relatives, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other officials.

Floyd’s family was “pleased that this part of our tragic journey to justice for my brother George is resolved,” his sister Bridgett Floyd said in a statement.

“While our hearts are broken, we are comforted in knowing that even in death, George Floyd showed the world how to live,” her statement said.

The trial of Chauvin, who was fired by the police force, began earlier this week in Hennepin County’s district court on charges of murder and manslaughter. Chauvin has pleaded not guilty and said he properly followed his police training.

Judge Peter Cahill has set aside about three weeks for jury selection in the high-profile case. Five men and two women had been seated as jurors as of Friday afternoon.

Last year, Floyd’s relatives sued the city, Chauvin and three other police officers involved in federal court, saying police used excessive force against Floyd in violation of his constitutional rights.

Although Frey promised on Friday that the city would be “unrelenting” in reforming its police department, it was not clear if the city was admitting wrongdoing as part of the settlement, and city officials did not immediately respond to queries.

“Every American remembers where they were when they first saw it,” Frey said of the video showing Floyd’s death. “Today’s settlement reflects our shared commitment to advancing racial justice.”

The settlement includes a $500,000 contribution from Floyd’s family to the community at the Minneapolis intersection where Floyd died, which has been barricaded against police access by residents and is filled with flowers and other tributes to Floyd.

Chauvin was helping arrest Floyd on the evening of May 25 on suspicion of his using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes at the Cup Foods grocery store at the intersection.

The other three officers are due to go on trial later this year on charges of aiding and abetting Chauvin in Floyd’s death, which was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. The Minneapolis Police Department fired all four officers the day after the deadly arrest.

6. In a huge achievement, Indian Railway surpasses last year cumulative freight loading way before the year end

In spite of Covid challenges, on 11th March 2021, Indian Railways surpassed last year's total Cumulative freight loading.

On 11th March 2021, Indian Railways’ cumulative freight loading touched 1145.68 million tonnes which is higher than total cumulative loading of last year (1145.61 million tonnes).

Freight figures continue to maintain the high momentum in terms of loading and speed in the month of March 2021 as well for Indian Railways.

On a month to month basis, upto March 11, 2021, Indian Railways loading was 43.43 million tonnes, which is 10 % higher compared to last year’ loading for the same period (39.33 million tonnes).

On day to day basis, on 11th March, 2021, the freight loading of Indian Railways was 4.07 million tonnes, which is 34% higher compare to last year’s loading for the same date (3.03 million tonnes).

The average speed of Freight Trains in the month of March 2021 till 11th March was 45.49 kmph which is almost double compare to last year for the same period (23.29 kmph).

It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive. Strong emergence of Business Development Units in Zones & Divisions, constant dialogue with the industry & logistics service providers, faster speed etc are adding to the robust growth of freight business for the Railways.

It may be noted that COVID 19 has been used by Indian Railways as an opportunity to improve all-round efficiencies and performances.

7. Mera Ration Mobile App for migratory ration card holders launched

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Friday launched Mera Ration Mobile App for the benefit of those ration card holders who move to new places in search of livelihood.

Addressing media in New Delhi Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey said that at present 32 States and Union Territories are covered under One Nation One Ration Card- ONORC and integration of remaining four States and UTs is expected to be completed in next few months.

He also informed that at present, the system covers nearly 69 Crore National Food Security Act- NFSA beneficiaries in the country. Mr. Pandey informed that the ONORC has proved to be a tremendous value-added service to each NFSA beneficiary during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly migrants, which allowed them to avail the benefit of subsidised foodgrains.

8. Sri Lanka announces burqa ban, to shut 1,000 madrasas

Prevention of Terrorism law will be invoked to deal with religious extremism, says Minister

Sri Lanka will soon ban the burqa or face veil, a Cabinet Minister said on Saturday, as he announced the Rajapaksa administration’s latest policy decision impacting the minority Muslim community.

Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said authorities would henceforth use the controversial Prevention of Terrorism (PTA) law — that human rights defenders have termed ‘draconian’— to deal with religious extremism, with wide-ranging powers to detain suspects for up to two years, to ‘deradicalise’ them.

At a media conference, Mr. Weerasekara said: “The burqa is something that directly affects our national security…this [dress] came into Sri Lanka only recently. It is a symbol of their religious extremism.” While the Minister said he had signed the documents outlawing the burqa, the move awaits Cabinet approval. Over 1,000 madrasas would be shut, he said.

Following the IS-inspired Easter terror bombings in Sri Lanka in April 2019, attributed to a local Islamist radical network, the government temporarily banned the face veil using emergency laws. A small section of Sri Lankan Muslim women wears the burqa, and some of them reported harassment in public spaces at that time, when they were barred entry into banks and commercial establishments. Some sections criticised the move then for ‘targeting’ the women of the community that had not only condemned the attacks but also provided evidence that investigators said was crucial to their probe.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected to office in November 2019, following his campaign on the plank of enhancing security, promising a crackdown on extremism.

The announcement on the burqa ban comes after a year-long controversy over the government’s policy of mandatory cremation of COVID-19 victims, based on unsubstantiated claims that the bodies would contaminate ground water. The government reversed its decision recently, amid persistent calls for burial rights from Muslims, who make up about 10% of the 21-million population, as well as international bodies including the U.N.
 

9. ISRO launches sounding rocket to study attitudinal variations in neutral winds, plasma dynamics

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched a sounding rocket to study attitudinal variations in the neutral winds and plasma dynamics from Sriharikota spaceport.

ISRO has developed a series of sounding rockets called Rohini series, important among them being RH-200, RH-300 and RH-560, number in the name indicating the diameter of the rocket in mm, according to the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency.

“Launch of sounding rocket (RH-560) to study attitudinal variations in the neutral winds and plasma dynamics carried out today (Friday) at SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota,” ISRO tweeted.

Sounding rockets are one or two stage solid propellant rockets used for probing the upper atmospheric regions and for space research.

They also serve as easily affordable platforms to test or prove prototypes of new components or subsystems intended for use in launch vehicles and satellites

10. Govt to sell 16.12% stake in Tata Communications through OFS, rest to Tata Sons arm

Currently, the government holds 26.12% stake in Tata Communications, Panatone Finvest Ltd 34.8% and Tata Sons 14.07%, respectively

The government will sell its entire stake in Tata Communications through an offer for sale and the rest to Tata Son's investment arm Panatone Finvest Ltd, according to a regulatory filing.

Currently, the government holds 26.12% stake in Tata Communications, Panatone Finvest Ltd 34.8% and Tata Sons 14.07%, respectively.

"Tata Communications Ltd has today (Friday) signed an amendment agreement between the President of India, Panatone Finvest Ltd, Tata Sons Private Ltd and the company for sale of the entire shareholding in the company by the Government of India," Tata Communications Ltd (TCL) said in the BSE filing on Friday.

The government holds 7,44.46,885 equity shares of TCL, which, at last closing price of ₹1,289.75 per unit, stands at a value of over ₹9,601 crore.

"As an initial step, the government will sell up to 4,59,46,885 equity shares forming 16.12% equity shareholding of the company through an offer-for-sale (OFS) through the stock exchange mechanism.

"Immediately after the OFS, the government shall sell the remaining equity shares held by it in the company to Panatone," the filing said.

The price of equity shares to be sold to Panatone will be arrived at by dividing aggregate of the product of the number of equity shares sold under the OFS and the corresponding price at which such equity share is sold, by the total number of equity shares sold, according to the filing.

"Upon completion of aforesaid transactions, the government will cease to be a shareholder of the company," the filing said.

It added that the government, Panatone, Tata Sons and Tata Tata Communications have entered into an amendment agreement with regard to amending the shareholders' agreement dated February 13, 2002.

The pact was entered into at the time of disinvestment by the government in 2002 between inter alia, the government and Panatone and to record the terms and conditions for transfer of the agreed percentage of shares of Tata Commmunications held by the government to Panatone.

The government established VSNL in 1986 and divested its 25% stake in 2002 along with transfer of management control to Panatone Finvest Ltd, the strategic partner. Subsequent to the strategic disinvestment, the name of the company was changed to Tata Communications Ltd (TCL).

11. The EU has been declared an ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’

The European Parliament has symbolically declared the entire 27-member bloc as an "LGBTIQ Freedom Zone". A majority of countries in the EU (23/27) recognise same-sex unions, with 16 legally recognising same-sex marriage.

In a resolution adopted Thursday, the European Parliament symbolically declared the entire 27-member bloc as an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone” – the acronym meaning lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer.

The move comes as a response against member state Poland’s controversial move to create more than 100 “LGBTIQ ideology-free zones” around the country since 2019, and more generally against the backsliding of LGBTIQ rights in some EU countries, particularly in Poland and Hungary, the legislature said in a press release.

LGBTIQ rights in Poland and Hungary

A majority of countries in the EU (23/27) recognise same-sex unions, with 16 legally recognising same-sex marriage. Poland is part of the small minority that does not acknowledge such relationships. Its president, Andrzej Duda last year said that “LGBT ideology” is more “destructive to man” than communism imposed on the country by the Soviet Union.

Poland is also among the countries that bar same-sex couples from adopting children together, although many such couples get around this rule by applying to adopt as single parents. The country has now announced plans to close the loophole by introducing background checks on applicants. Under the proposed law, those found to be applying as a single parent while being in a same-sex relationship will be criminally liable.

Since March 2019, over 100 regions, counties and municipalities in Poland have adopted resolutions declaring themselves to be free from LGBTIQ “ideology”. As per these resolutions, the local governments have to refrain from encouraging tolerance towards LGBTIQ people and withdraw financial assistance from organisations promoting non-discrimination and equality.

The EU press release said, “MEPs (Members of European Parliament) also highlight that these ‘‘LGBTIQ-free zones’’ are part of a broader context in which the LGBTIQ community in Poland is subject to increased discrimination and attacks, notably growing hate speech from public authorities, elected officials (including the current President), and pro-government media. They also deplore the arrests of LGBTIQ rights activists, and the attacks and bans on Pride marches”.

Like Poland, Hungary has also been pushing forward a conservative Catholic social agenda. In November 2020, the town of Nagykáta adopted a resolution banning the ‘‘dissemination and promotion of LGBTIQ propaganda’’. A month later, the country’s parliament adopted a constitutional amendment to further restrict the community’s rights.

The EU resolution

The EU Parliament resolution to declare the bloc as an ‘‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’’ was passed by 492 votes in favour, 141 against and 46 abstentions.

The resolution reads, ‘‘LGBTIQ persons everywhere in the EU should enjoy the freedom to live and publicly show their sexual orientation and gender identity without fear of intolerance, discrimination or persecution, and authorities at all levels of governance across the EU should protect and promote equality and the fundamental rights of all, including LGBTIQ persons.”

The declaration is the latest flare-up between Poland and Hungary on one side and the rest of the EU on the other. The two former Communist states, now run by conservative nationalist governments, have in recent years been criticised by the bloc for deteriorating democratic standards. In December last year, the two central European nations threatened to veto the EU’s budget and recovery fund after Brussels said that it would make the money conditional on respect of rule of law and democratic norms.