The very idea had been implemented as early as the 1990s. A riveting concept which had been bought into life in hopes to ease the process of voting system and enhance technology and politics altogether. But what is i-voting?

According to the California Internet Task Force, in 1999 the definition adopted by them was “Casting of a secure vote and secret electronic ballot that is transmitted to the officials over the internet.” It had been accepted that i-voting is a sub type of e-voting. Now what is e-voting? Electronic is simply the means to cast a ballot via broader range of electronic telecommunications technology including telephones, cable, and satellite and computers without the internet.

To advance this piece of technology, bills have been passed to initiate the study of i-voting, the countries included Washington and Minnesota, Australia, France, Switzerland, and these bills were passed in the 1990s. Soon after, in 2005, Estonia finally became the very first country to implement the system of i-voting for their general elections. Did the mock trials turn out to be cost effective? The answer would be a big no, for the reason even though an infinitesimal group was involved in the testing, giving birth to what seemed as a hypothetical project requires large investments as well as piloting the new system.

So, when does India come into the picture? Gujarat was one the states in India to conduct mock trials for e-voting in 2015 but unfortunately did not turn out to give the expected success rate. In fact, recently, the Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Mr. Sandeep Saxena claimed “the concept of ‘blockchain’ technology is a two-way electronic voting system, in a co trolled environment, on-white-listed IP devices on dedicated internet lines, enabled with biometric devices and a web camera". Unfortunately, this did not indicate the freedom of voting from home. It was quite the opposite, the voters still had to be physically present on the day assigned as well as the Time and Venue. The Deputy went on to explain "two-way block chain remote voting" consisted of a two-step verification and authorisation process using a multi-layered IT enabled which would be working on the EC's e-Governance award winning Electoral Registration Officer Network (ERO Net) using biometrics and web cameras.

Upon approval, a personalized e-ballot paper will be generated which will be encrypted generating blockchain hashtag. Even though the technology is advancing for the greater good, it still needs a way to reach the expatriates and military personnel.

The advancement of technology can be seen as a boon or a bane. It can be a boon for those who do not continue to live in their hometown, expatriates and military personnel. There is a possibility the voter turnout may increase effectively. But the issue which stands in the way of its adaptation are the security concerns. The very channel or medium is prone to cyber-attacks, which is the reason why it’s commencement should include a small sector of people, which may include, Universities, Private Organisations etc. Restricting the votes to a certain section of people may reduce the possibility of cyber-attacks and in fact turn out to be a boon, especially amidst the pandemic.

Let us talk about SEX: Moving Beyond Birds and Bees

Sexual Education, or as we like to address it with its PG euphemism, Family Life Education, is far from being accepted as a necessary component of education.

Sex education is high quality teaching and learning about a broad variety of topics related to sex and sexuality, exploring values and beliefs about those topics and gaining the skills that are needed to navigate relationships and manage one’s own sexual health. Sex education may take place in schools, in community settings, or online. Planned Parenthood believes that parents play a critical and central role in providing sex education.

In a country that reports high rates of teenage pregnancies and sexual abuse, one would think that the need for a curriculum focusing on gender equality, the importance of consent, and boundaries, would not be a matter of debate.

The reality, however, is that sexuality education for adolescents is a highly controversial topic in India. It is seen as offensive to Indian values, and concerns that it might lead to risky sexual behaviour and promiscuity.

Take the reaction when the central government in 2007 announced the launch of the Adolescence Education Programme in schools, along with the NACO, NCERT and UN agencies. Thirteen states called for an immediate ban as they felt that comprehensive sexuality education was against the Indian culture. Little has changed in the last 10 years. There is still a ban on Adolescence Education Programme in at least five states across India, and there is no uniformity in the way the subject is approached.

Sexuality education, as the UNESCO defines it, “provides opportunities to… build decision-making, communication and risk reduction skills about many aspects of sexuality…. encompasses the full range of information, skills and values to enable young people to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights and to make decisions about their health and sexuality”.

Indians, sometimes even the well-read urban kind, often tend to attach a whole lot of sensitivity to the topic of sex, regarding it with the most vicious taboo. It is thus a natural consequence that education that teaches their children about sexual well-being is met with the highest resistance possible – from parents, teachers, lawmakers and nosy neighbors, especially nosy neighbors.

Despite propaganda, and repeated favourable policies, it has been constantly rejected in various states in India. A deep-rooted sense of morality binds the sentiment of a large population from seeing the benefits and necessities of launching such an education program throughout the country. It is largely believed that talking about sexuality and its awareness may instead corrupt young adolescents.

A study was conducted in collaboration with UNICEF and the Population Council India about adolescents (the pimply teenagers between 10 and 19 years of age comprising nearly 250 million of India’s population) based on research conducted and published between 2002-2013.

They went to incredible details, but to summarize, adolescents face challenges in various aspects. Lack of education, child labor, lack of nutrition, substance abuse, child sexual abuse and a lack of understanding of their sexual and reproductive health are only some of the glaring shortcomings in their well-being.

The lack of comprehensive data on all adolescents makes it difficult to exactify the impact these problems have on them. However, here are some of the direct consequences of these issues, among the Indian youth.

Quality sexual education is imperative to a society of young adults making smart sexual health decisions and valuing consent in college where hookup culture can be prevalent. Adolescents making safe and smart decisions in their sex lives comes from having reliable information on protecting themselves and their partners.

Sexual education courses is to provide clear and accurate information to help young people make these good choices.

One of the most notable trends is that sexual education seems to be covering broad topics such as abstinence, awareness of sexually transmitted infections, the importance of respectful relationships and the need for protection from pregnancy and infection.

The many myths of sexual health commonly linger into late adolescence and adulthood, never being addressed in a classroom by a qualified teacher. Instead, they are debunked in a BuzzFeed article or after extensive Google searches. It can be a harsh reality check when you really actually experience the gravity of making decisions about your sexual health. This experience leaves many overwhelmed and confused as they enter adulthood.

Research shows that comprehensive sexuality education delays sexual initiation and leads to a fall in sexually transmitted diseases. This is critical in a country like India where rates of sexual violence against women are high and discriminatory attitudes towards women persist. For a meaningful social change, reaching out to boys and girls on issues like consent and gender equality becomes critical.

We have to go beyond looking at controlling adolescent fertility from the perspective of reducing unwanted pregnancies.

The Coronavirus Can Be Airborne Indoors, W.H.O. Says

"We have been talking about the possibility of airborne transmission and aerosol transmission as one of the modes of transmission of COVID-19," Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead on the COVID-19 pandemic at the WHO, told a news briefing."

• The World Health Organization has acknowledged that there's possibility of coronavirus being spread in the air under certain conditons


• The UN body releases new guidelines on COVID-19 transmission, including new scientific evidence available on the spread of the SARS-CoV-2

The coronavirus may linger in the air in crowded indoor spaces, spreading from one person to the next, the World Health Organization acknowledged on Thursday.

The W.H.O. had described this form of transmission as doubtful and a problem mostly in medical procedures. But growing scientific and anecdotal evidence suggest this route may be important in spreading the virus, and this week more than 200 scientists urged the agency to revisit the research and revise its position.

In an updated scientific brief, the agency also asserted more directly than it had in the past that the virus may be spread by people who do not have symptoms: “Infected people can transmit the virus both when they have symptoms and when they don’t have symptoms,” the agency said.

The W.H.O. previously said asymptomatic transmission, while it may occur, was probably “very rare.” Some experts said both revisions were long overdue, and not as extensive as they had hoped.

“It is refreshing to see that W.H.O. is now acknowledging that airborne transmission may occur, although it is clear that the evidence must clear a higher bar for this route compared to others,” Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech, said in an email.

An aerosol is a respiratory droplet so small it may linger in the air. In its latest description of how the virus is spread, the agency said transmission of the virus by aerosols may have been responsible for “outbreaks of Covid-19 reported in some closed settings, such as restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship or places of work where people may be shouting, talking or singing."

The guidelines stated that understanding how, when and in what types of settings the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads between people is critical for developing effective public health and infection prevention measures to break chains of transmission. WHO said current evidence suggests that COVID-19 transmission occurs primarily through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected individuals through their saliva and respiratory secretions, or through their respiratory droplets expelled when they cough, sneeze, talk or sing. The agency also said that asymptomatic people can also spread the virus to others, although it is still unclear to what extent this occurs and more research is needed in this area.

WHO stressed that high-quality research is urgently needed to understand the role of airborne spread of the SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the absence of aerosol-generating procedures, the dose of virus required for transmission to occur, the settings and risk factors for superspreading events, as well as the extent of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission. In this article, let us tell you how airborne transmission is different from droplet transmission and what you can do to stay safe from respiratory infections such as COVID-19.

What you can do to prevent contracting respiratory infections?

In the current scenario,

• it’s always best to wear a mask while venturing out in crowded areas to keep respiratory infections away.


• Try to keep at least 3 feet physical distance and wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.


• Do not touch your face unnecessarily.


• Practice respiratory etiquette.


• Avoid crowded places, close-contact settings and confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.


• Ensure appropriate environmental cleaning and disinfection.


• To maintain immunity, opt for Indian square meal and exercises like Surya Namaskar and Pranayam or any other cardiorespiratory fitness regimen. It can help your cardio-respiratory fitness and lowers blood pressure as well. Moreover, it also increases cardio-respiratory efficiency and respiratory capacity.


• To prevent transmission, WHO recommends identifying suspect cases as quickly as possible, testing, and isolating all cases (infected people) in appropriate facilities.

Only two years after the end of World War II, the French couturier presented a collection that symbolized not only a departure from previous styles, but the beginning of a new society. 

After the war period of utilitarian attires and vestiary austerity, perhaps nothing felt newer than Dior's vision. His first collection rejected the modern course of dressing established in the 1920s and 30s, which intended to liberate women from the restrictive sculptural volumes and corsets of early 20th-century fashion. Instead, he presented an image of radical femininity, achieved by tight-fitting jackets with padded hips, petite waists, and A-line skirts.

Dior became the new star of the Parisian haute couture scene and almost instantly transformed the wardrobe of the contemporary woman. The "New Look," the name by which Dior's style eventually went down in history, appealed strongly to the nostalgic mood of the post-war society.

Dior didn't want to create everyday clothes for the pragmatic woman of the fast-moving century but rather sell a dream of the good old days, when women could afford to be extravagant and deliberately glamorous. The New Look was a rediscovery of prosperity, and women across generations and social classes adopted it happily.

Feminists protested against New Look 

Not everybody was thrilled by the hip padding, draperies, pleats, embellishments, and other exaggerations proposed by Dior, however. Those were, in fact, regressive ideas, and many criticized Dior righteously for taking away women's newly attained independence by lacing them up in corsets and making them wear long skirts again. American fashion designers, who embraced modest, sleek silhouettes and whose business was blossoming during the war, were also similarly appalled by Dior's design. 

Reality and movies?

There are moments when the realism on screen is so wonderfully complex yet simply presented that you laugh , cry , move and grow with the charachters. There is however an important question to ask oneself on what comprises as a story and the process of creating movies based on real life . Real life inspired movies evoke emotions and heighten human feelings but is there overcompensation for creativity by picking up anecdotes from lives , war ,and battles ? Is the idea of a biopic or a movie like Uri so appealing that there is hardly any space for other films left . The brutal way in which filmmakers today takeover someone's loss, tragedy or shock and create a business around it is heartbreaking more often than less. Yes some biopics are truly moving and a absolutely beautiful but is it truly a celebration of life or a success formula. With recent events in the lives of the army at Galwan where more than 20 soldiers were martyred in a court somewhere filmmakers were getting copyright patents finalised. Is this commodification of lives truly what viewers intend to see, most wouldn't. It doesn't mean that real life incidents shouldn't be displayed, they deserve the attention and representation but they have to remain to be art .It is extremely essential for the things around us to be portrayed, reflected and represented but it in no way means that every incidents as soon as it happens need to be processed into a film before those who have suffered have even processed that grief. It is a voluntary act to be comfortable with letting the world see you through your biopic but shouldn't creative realism transcend the over use of people's lives and move towards a more content generated wave of cinema that we see today. Today more and more filmmakers want to let content drive their films and not the larger than life fantasy. So its it's an act of introspection that a film enthusiast has to do , towards the kind of stories that they seem important and want to see while at the same time being sensitive to what those films represent .

Pandemic and Digital Divide: Sparking Mental Trauma among young minds.

The lack of technological resources in the hands of the poor has challenged remote-learning which can create a big - learning gap between the rich & poor. We can't imagine the physiological trauma of a child who craves to study but can't.

Online Classes through the gifts of technology has bridged the gap between the educators and the students but has also mirrored “ Digital-Divide” in India.

The Digital Divide: The non-accessibility of gadgets has created a historic wave of mental-health problems like suicide, depressions etc.

According to the 2017-’18 National Sample Survey report on education, only 24% of Indian households have an internet facility. While 66% of India’s population lives in villages, only a little over 15% of rural households have access to internet services.

 

Giving a global perspective, UNESCO noted, “Half of the total number of learners — some 826 million (82.6 crores) students — kept out of the classroom by the Covid-19 pandemic, do not have access to a household computer and 43 percent (706 million or 70.6 crores) have no internet at home, at a time when digitally-based distance learning is used to ensure educational continuity in the vast majority of countries.”

The psychological trauma of the class 10 student who committed suicide as she was distraught by not being able to access classes online is unimaginable. Think about the students who used to go to school for the “Mid-Day Meal”.

Web-based learning in the Indian market has increased gigantic footing as of late. Beside simply scholastic content, they likewise empower students to pick up abilities and even get ready for serious assessments. Yet, there are different sides to each story. E-learning too has a considerable amount of advantages and disadvantages.  Let’s check some points

Almost sixteen lakh kids from poor households studying in government and municipal schools within the Delhi are watching disruptions of their studies without access to mobiles, net and laptops or desktops, at the same time privileged students from private faculties are taking online classes amid the coronavirus lockdown.

From coping with basics like internet connectivity and India’s notoriously undependable power supply to more structural issues such as curriculum and teaching methods, educators have come under tremendous stress.

A teacher from an SDMC faculty in Sarvapriya Vihar said the first actual problem in implementing the plan is: “We do not even have the database for the students or the parents’ contact numbers as a way to reach out to them.”

The teacher said there isn’t even a computer in the school for teachers to feed contact details into.

A mathematics teacher from a North Delhi municipal faculty agreed that executing the plan is a huge hassle. “At the same time as my faculty hasn’t received any orders, several others I recognize had been instructed to start WhatsApp class. But subjects like maths can't study on those applications, even for those who use WhatsApp. How will one take a look at calculations?”

Online education is not equal or the same or easy for everyone. When others are discussing the technical disadvantages of E-learning like lack of interaction, less cost-effective etc, while others don’t have a phone at least, this is the hidden truth of the society. It is the condition of the Nation’s capital.

According to a study conducted by scholarship ed-tech platform Buddy4Study, of the 25 crore students affected by the lockdown, 80 percent fall in the Economically Weaker Section category. Let’s read some stories:

Kartik and his sister Mansi are students of class5 and class 1, respectively, in distinct MCD schools in Kapashera. Their mother and father sell vegetables for a living. Kartik, who wants to be a police officer, said that they've no longer received any assignments from school on their father’s phone for the reason that lockdown started out. “We haven’t been given any work; on the grounds that schools closed, it’s been a holiday for us.”

Shyam Singh, a labourer in Samaypur Badli, had no clue what WhatsApp meant while he received a call from his son Sohan’s class teacher at an NDMC school. “Madam called five days ago, and I didn’t have WhatsApp installed on my phone. Now my son has explained it to me and I’ve downloaded the app, but no work has been assigned through the school yet,” he said.

Tarun, son of a domestic employee in GK-II, cannot now use his father’s second-hand phone as it has broken. The father’s employer offered to shop for him a simple phone but realized delivery of non-essentials online wasn’t possible amid the lockdown. The owner explained: “I felt depressed, that’s why I allow Tarun to take a class with my smart hone every morning.  I feel that’s was the sole thing I could do.”

A visually-impaired pupil at a Delhi government school, who didn’t want to be diagnosed, stated: “Assignments on WhatsApp were now not possible for me. I don’t have parents and my grandparents too antique to use WhatsApp.

The interaction with school students, their parents, and teachers from government schools revealed how everybody was suffering to bridge the virtual gap — many families do not have smartphones, not to mention computers or laptops. Some said they don’t understand how to use WhatsApp, even as some parents are engaged in vital services and need to take their only smartphones with them on work.

The humanitarian crisis has brought all the officials under the microscope. How to ensure a sound transaction of online classes to students, especially poor across the country?

The Mirror of lockdown has reflected how the rooted structural imbalances are between rural & urban, rich & poor even in the digital world.

The government of India on Monday, June 28, 2020 announced yet another astounding news across the country. All Chinese app which are available for android as well as iOS users will be banned, effective immediately, as a result of which a day later, one of the most installed apps; Tik Tok has been taken down from Google Playstore and Apple’s Appstore.

Considering the uproar against Tik Tok which was a result of the CarryMinati’s video which has been eradicated from the popular platform of YouTube, titled “YouTube vs Tik Tok.” The war between content creators comparing the mediums and unity within the community while CarryMinati’s video was reported for harassment and cyberbullying. Following this, the content was critically analysed on the app and hence, brought on a huge negativity on the platform. All this while the apps functionality was also analysed which revealed the Chinese apps were engaged activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and of India, Defence of India and security and state of public order.

For those who have installed the app “Tik Tok” have received an alert which read “Dear users, we are in the process of complying with the Government of India’s directive to block 59 apps. Ensuring this privacy and security of all our users in India remains our utmost priority.” It has also been claimed by some users that they’ve been facing difficulty whilst scrolling through their feed or they’re unable to it at all and some are even unable to upload videos and a pop-up flashes “network issue.” One explanation to this can be that the telecom operators must have blocked Tik Tok until the government’s next order.

This has also resulted in a moment of cheer for Carry’s fans who had helped trend a hashtag fancied in his name #justiceforcarry  following the removal of the video. Many also felt that the 21-year-old YouTuber predicted the End of Tik Tok.

According to the Digital Forensics, an Open Technology Fund contracted Cure53, which a Germany based cybersecurity firm, examined the Chinese apps by disuniting the app and determining its capabilities. The researchers investigated the Android version of the app, used in smartphones manufactures by Oppo, vivo etc. as in iOS does not allow the type of “superuser” surveillance to be conducted. Although it wasn’t possible to assess the apps functionalities due to the code designed to thwart the attempts to dissect the app, It managed to expose that the code manages to open a back door to the users phone, this, in turn grants the developer of the app tantamount right to the users phone, allowing to download any software, modify files and, install a program to log key strokes, have access to all the messages as well as pictures and even allows them to turn on the microphone as per their will.

This study was reported in the United States of America.

In India, the recommendation of the intelligence agencies backed by the National Security Council Secretariat supported the take of the decision which could be detrimental to the country’s security, a report which was claimed by an unnamed government official. The Ministry of Information Technology received complaints from various sources regarding the misuse of some application in transmission of data in an unauthorized manner to servers with location outside India. The Indian Intelligence agency red flagged these Chinese apps as it challenged the privacy concerns of the users. They were left with two choices, either advice people to not to use the apps or ban the use of it once n for all.

Official press released on the ban of these apps, the Ministry of Information Technology claimed, “invoking it’s power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 59 apps ( see Appendix) since in view of information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.” Adding to their statement, “upon receiving of recent credible inputs that such Apps pose threat to sovereignty and integrity of India, the Government of India has decided to disallow the usage of certain Apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet enabled devices. This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.”

The step has proved to the assurance that India is not only on the verge but it is going to prove it is “atmanirbhar.” The ban on the applications also imply the intensive invasiveness is unacceptable by India and that the relation between the two countries cannot be mended. India has officially made it’s relations with the country loud and clear.

The list of the apps banned is as follows-

“Empowerment is about spreading hope and happiness”

The battle of officially being recognised on paper although had a full stop but the access to physical and emotional security is still a struggle for the Transgender.

“More than one in four transgender people have lost a job due to bias, and more than three-fourths have experienced some form of workplace discrimination. Refusal to hire, privacy violations, harassment, and even physical and sexual violence on the job are common occurrences, and are experienced at even higher rates by transgender people of colour.”

Elevating transgender people out of crisis and into empowerment by building power in our communities to advocate for liberation and autonomy has always been a challenge.

Well, even a 0.001 % of ‘acceptance’ matters and so the declaration of renaming ‘the Sector 50 Metro Station of Aqua Line(Noida-Greater Noida Line) as “Rainbow Station” is remarkable as it marks the beginning of the “ End Game” of the prejudice in the job market. The rainbow colours, especially etched on flags, represent diversity and are also a prominent symbol of pride for the wider Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community, which has for long struggled for equal rights.

The NMRC reflected that the name of the metro station "shall signify the essence of the community".

In the populated world of words, ‘Empowering’ dominates over the adjectives used for marginalised communities by the populated world of humans. Empowerment broadens the diversity of opportunities and the dimensions of ‘Acceptance’. Empowerment in all colours of life is essence to keep one lively. “Economic Empowerment” of Transgender to liberate them from the ‘advocacy of unacceptance’ is must.

The NMRC declared employment opportunities for “Trans” to become self-reliant and to pave the way for their healthy inclusion and participation in society. Employment to members of the transgender community will help them to connect with the mainstream and to uplift the transgender community. Offer of Employment for some activities such as ticketing counter and housekeeping will help them to become ‘self-reliant’.

The overall goal of the initiative is to promote inclusivity and acceptance of trans-persons, particularly at ground level institutions such as companies which lead to the creation of an ecosystem where the transgender community can flourish in the way they choose, in order to take maximum advantage of the provisions of the NALSA Judgement.

Transgender empowerment continues to be unfinished business. Too many of us struggle in our lives every day. Too many of us are at risk. Too many of us are insulted, beaten and killed. As responsible beings, we must support and bolster the trans movement in India and across the world. We need to stand united and work collaboratively with each other and with all stakeholders to guarantee the security, rights and dignity of all transgenders. We need to ensure that the Government works with us to reach this objective. Only then can the promise of our democracy be achieved. Trans lives matter, and India must act with urgency!

Inaugurated in August of 2016, the portal of Governments e-commerce platform (GeM) hosted by DGS&D wherein goods of a common user can which includes services can be procured.  This portal focuses on purchases made by government officers. It is user friendly, self-sustaining and dynamic.

The Public procurement forms a very important part of the government activity and caters the needs of MSMEs. GeM is not only an e-commerce platform but also renders a range of services for the online businesses running in India which includes Company Incorporation, GST Registration, ISO certification, Import Export Code, MSME Registration, Trademark, Copyright, Patent, Tax Return filing, do accounting, legal and financial compliance(s).

India has faced trade imbalance which is heavily in favour of China and with the ongoing border dispute between the two countries has given rise to a nationalist sentiment which has, in turn, driven the citizens of India even more to be “vocal for local” and boycott the Chinese products and services. The Union Government has stipulated that all the sellers to specify the country of origin while registering new products, whereas hitherto the sellers with registered products have been receiving regular warnings where they will be obliterated if they don’t update the information regarding the same.

The commerce & industry ministry has seen Rs 55,048 crore worth of transactions till now, are in the approach of invoking the interest of “Atamnirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India). “Sellers who have already uploaded their products before introduction of this new feature on the GeM, are being reminded regularly to update the country of origin. It’s with a warning that their products will be removed from the GeM if they fail to update," said the Ministry on Tuesday. 

All central and state governments, related to public sector agencies are mandated to directly purchase common-use goods and services solely through GeM. A provision of indication of percentage has been enabled of the percentage of local products. Class I and Class II (local content greater than 20 per cent) local suppliers are exclusively are allowed to bid on bids which stand below ₹ 200 crores with Class (local content greater than 50 per cent) suppliers getting purchase preference.

The country’s two largest purchases are the ministries of defence and railways which are subsumed under GeM. Therefore, by September, all the goods and services which have been purchased by the Railways and Defence through the Indian Railways E-Procurement Systems, the Defence e-Procurement portal, and the Central Public Procurement portal, will have to be made through the GeM, said officials.

The encouragement towards the policy of self- reliance has led to 395,081 sellers and service providers and according to recent reports, the portal brandishes 1.83 million separate products and services. 

Writing about the members of a community which has been facing prejudices from time immemorial is not easy. The apartheid faced are intense which can easily destruct the very person’s mental stability, driving them to take a step as of taking their own lives. Even whilst the death of an actor has enraged millions which drove everyone to post the trending hashtag #mentalhealthmatters  makes them believe it will help those suffering. At some point of time we all have conjectured people, especially the hijras, from whom we’ve been taught maintain as much distance as we can. But why so? Are they genuinely forgetting about shiv and shakti or trying to ignore it?

Everything happens for a reason; our very existence, actions, everything.  Symbolism exists everywhere around as well in us. The union of Shiv and Shakti is one of the most thunderous and beautiful unification which represents numerous ideologies, one of them symbolising the third gender; transgender, similarly symbolising the importance of gender and harmony amongst them.

Recently, a boy from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh committed suicide, why? Because apparently, he had feminine features and continued to live in a toxic environment in which his relatives and batchmates continued to bully him. According to his father, he sometimes used to apply make up and dance which he claimed to be a normal behaviour for a person of his age. His classmates drove him to believe he was a transgender. His note read as,

 “I’m sorry papa as I could not be a good son. I have girl-like features and even my face is like them. People laugh at me. Even I have started feeling that I am kinnar (transgender). My life will darken your life and that is the reason why my death is necessary. Please bless me that I take birth as a girl. If a girl is born in our family, then you must believe that I have returned.”

This not only highlights the dark side of the society but also how a school fails to broaden a child’s perspective. During the initial stages it is the parents from whom the child is most influenced by, and eventually, the school is the place where they broaden the perspective. How can idiosyncrasies be changed when the root problem hasn’t been addressed.

Even though India claims to be republic, it still consists of the certain marginalized communities which have been disfranchised and are made even more vulnerable, rendering them helpless. There are numerous other cases which imply the toxicity against the LGBT community.

Whilst travelling in a metro, I overheard a woman, in her late 40s, saying how thankful she was that her kids were “normal” and that her daughter and son were heterosexual. The very aspect of normalcy is befouling. People are not judged for the very nature they possess but on the preference of their sexuality. The war of their rights will unfortunately continue. Even after the abolishment of article 377, they do not have the freedom to celebrate their love by marrying the person they love, even after independence, it was a long journey for them to finally free themselves from the “indictment” and openly express their love, and still have a long journey ahead of them.

•India was elected unopposed as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. India won 184 votes in the 193-member General Assembly in the election held Wednesday.

•  India will sit in the powerful UN body for two years beginning January 1, along with the five permanent members.

• Along with India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway also won the Security Council elections held on June 17.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, special rules were made for voting, with diplomats submitted their ballots at pre-arranged time slots in the General Assembly hall.

India was the sole candidate for a non-permanent seat from the Asia-Pacific category for the 2021-22 term. Its victory was expected since it had already got an endorsement from the 55-member Asia Pacific group, including China and Pakistan, last year.

“We have received overwhelming support and we deeply humbled by the tremendous confidence that the member states of the United Nations have reposed in India,” T S Tirumurti, the Indian permanent representative to the UN said in a video-recorded message.

Previously, India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the Council for the years 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992 and most recently in 2011-2012.

Among the five newly elected members, India has served the maximum of seven terms while Mexico and Norway have served four terms each while Ireland and Kenya have served thrice and twice, respectively.

India’s last two trysts with UNSC elections have been mixed. It won the 2011-12 elections by a similarly wide margin but had lost badly to Japan when contesting for the 1996-97 term.

In the immediate term, India will seek more transparency, consultations and coordination in UNSC and the UN Secretariat.

“The right to say no was a right he ought to exercise if he wanted his yes to mean something.” 

― Alex Beecroft, Blue Steel Chain.

Sex, a word which is feared to be used out in the public amidst the grossly overpopulated country like India, ironical isn’t it? The word consent means the “permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.” A meaning of which anyone can google, yet no one knows how to apply the meaning practically in their everyday lives. The evidence is the rise in the number of cases of sexual assault, harassment, and rapes. 

The society needs a variance in the idiosyncrasy that there is huge difference between rape and consensual sex. If a person has indulged in consensual sex it does not mean (mostly in the case of women) that the person has brought upon shame to the family name. Think of it this way, we have bodies and it has physiological needs, a human has been created or evolved in such a way and it’s our job to cater those needs. This certainly does not imply to rape a person. 

On the other hand, most of the rape cases reported turn out to be false accusations made by women. According to Delhi Commission for Women published a report in 2014 which stated that 53% of the rape cases reported in the city in 2013 were false. “Today the definition of rape has changed so much and anything and everything is reported as rape”, a statement stated by Partha Sadhukhan who is a Men's rights activist. The allegations are made by the family of the females to avoid that badge of dishonour, ergo, normalizing the attitude towards rape. A family could accept the girl getting raped than choosing to accept her as a normal human being with needs.

A case of Pavan Gupta, who was involved in a relationship soon turned 24 in 2019 and refused to marry his girlfriend. The following statements were made by Pawan. ““I liked her but I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life with her. I always told her I was an only child and would have to go along with my parents’ choice.” While Pavan was preparing for his wedding in March, his ex-girlfriend accused him of raping her and stated she had slept with only on the promise of marriage. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled that the consensual sex cases cannot be invoked as rape cases and a distinction a clear distinction shall be drawn between the two. But the damage had already been caused as the accusation led to Mr. Gupta’s mother’s death, his fiancé had called off the wedding and it also cost him his job and the discrimination he faced throughout is tacit. 

When heard of the word rape, it is automatically linked to a girl which is tacitly speaks of the injustices against men and transgender being completely ruled out of one’s mind.

A case involved of domestic abuse a husband and father of a child, faced from his wife in the U.K. His wife faced a mental issue and the instances involved of his wife punching him hard on his nose and running away while giggling, another involved to an extent where he dreaded her wife turned in after work. She cuffed him to the and hit him with him with a loudspeaker of the stereo system and demanded sex and his partner force-fed him Viagra and gagged him.

There are numerous such cases which when reported, are often met with disbelief. The victim stated "We're scared to talk about it and embarrassed, and when we do talk about it, we're not believed, because we're men. How can a man possibly be abused? Look at him, he's a man."

On the other hand, such cases put the cases of women in genuine of help at risk. The question which often arises is whom to believe? The citizens demand gender equality, but in order to introduce the concept, a ground of it has to be set, which will not happen anytime soon if these pseudo feminists and male chauvinists continue to proliferate the toxicity in others.

While China had stopped reporting a rise in the fresh cases of COVID-19 and was gradually returning 

back to the track, the virus has again begin to haunt it as new strains have been found in the Chinese 

capital- Beijing, causing the highest daily total of new COVID-19 cases in China in the last 2 months.

As of Sunday, a total number of 8 cases were reported, bringing the toll to 74, all linked to the Xinfadi 

wholesale food market in South Beijing's Fengtai district. The government officials have also reported an 

outbreak in another wholesale market of Haidain district of China. The Chinese experts claimed that the 

genome sequencing had shown that the strains were from Europe, however they are yet to know how it 

came in the Chinese markets.

Following the sudden outbreak conditions, The Xinfadi and Haidain markets in China were immediately 

shut down along with 15 neighbouring residential and official compounds. According to recent reports 

24 testing stations have been set up while 10000 tests have already been taken. Around 5800 swab 

samples also been collected on random basis of people who were in close contact with those who 

visited the Xinfadi markets.

In the meantime, a complete lockdown has been imposed in the affected areas and all the schools, 

markets and officers have been closed as a precautionary measure. While the second wave of 

coronavirus has hit China again, it has brought with it a political wave as well, wherein the officials are 

playing the blame game with each other, causing the removal and transfer of as many as 5 secretaries 

and managers of district level administration.

It is to be noted that even though the fresh cases are few in number, it could yet cause a recession in the 

Chinese economy, keeping in view the political instability and the potential of the COVID-19 to create an emergency.

 

Featured Image Credits : Yahoo

 HAPPY OR SAD: THE CHEMISTRY BEHIND DEPRESSION

“The human life is made up of choices. Yes or No. In or Out. Up or Down. Live or Die. Hero or Coward. I’ll say it again to make sure you hear me. The human life is made up of choices. Live or die. That’s an important choice. And it’s not always in our hands.”

-Derek Shepherd, Season 6, Episode 24.

Genetic makeup influences how sensitive you are to stressful life events. When genetics, biology, and stressful life situations come together, depression can result.

Stress has its own physiological story with a chain of chemical reactions and responses in the body. 

People with suicidal thoughts exhibit higher levels of Translocator Protein, associated with microglial activation and indicating inflammation of the brain in a region of the cortex which is involved in emotional processes.

The long story of stress causes the low secretion of Serotonin ‘the happy neurotransmitter’, which increases the higher risk of suicide

Dopamine, ‘the motivational chemical’ and Noradrenaline, ‘fight-to-fight chemical’ acts as ‘magical wand’ to reinforce pleasure.

Our thoughts regulate chemical processes. We can’t let negativity dominate us. 

The loss of creative soul, Sushi Bhai who won hearts through ‘ Chichore’ actually sparked mainstream media to talk about ‘ Mental Illness’. We need to make ‘therapy’ the ‘New Norm’. It’s okay not to be okay!

QUARANTINE SCHOOLING: NEW NORMAL FOR HOMESCHOOLERS

With schools across the country closed in response to coronavirus, parents, teachers, and children are becoming subjects in an unofficial homeschooling experiment. But for experienced homeschoolers, coronavirus is a new normal, since you’re not supposed to leave your home unless necessary.

Schools have transitioned to distance learning, forcing parents to simultaneously manage their kids’ schooling and their own jobs. That part is nothing new to homeschooling parents, who have been sharing tips while they also navigate the changed realities outside. Parents have become accidental home school teachers now.  Home school parents advised others to keep in mind that academics are not the most important — especially while living in a pandemic. Of course, homeschooling during quarantine is quite different from homeschooling under ordinary circumstances. For example, many parents are unexpectedly adjusting work schedules to accommodate their new child care needs.

So, if you’re worried about your kids not completing a difficult assignment, know that one of the leading figures in Indian education has your back when you throw up your hands and let them read a book for an hour instead. The worst thing you can do is create a tense environment at home because “a stressful brain is not conducive to learning”. They don’t need you standing over them with your arms folded until they finish their fractions assignment during an already tumultuous time in their lives.

The most important thing parents need to homeschool their children is to like them, enjoy their company, their physical presence, their energy, foolishness, and passion. They have to enjoy all their talk and questions and enjoy equally trying to answer those questions. For the majority of parents who homeschool, the only prerequisite is the desire to do so, along with a dedication to the educational process.

Therefore, try to find creative ways to engage with your kids. Use gardening as an educational tool: building a garden bed could be an engineering or architecture assignment. Cooking meals together can provide plenty of lessons in science, math and reading. Turning meal times into lessons and reading aloud while cooking is a simple idea to have a long time influence.

Homeschooling was and is likely to remain, a niche approach to educating school-age children. The pandemic may convince some parents that it’s the right one for them. By taking a pluralistic approach to education and letting a thousand flowers bloom, policymakers can make homeschooling a viable alternative for parents who desire it.

HOME SCHOOLING: Rejection of the cookie-cutter approach to education

“The philosophy of Home Schooling is, you take real life and then you turn that into schooling.”

“Tota Kahani” by Rabindranath Tagore narrates the story of a free-spirited parrot who would hop, skip, fly and sing all day. A king ordered that the bird be 'civilized', and so it was put in a golden cage. In the flood of restrictions and instructions, it soon forgot to sing, and then, couldn't even squawk. When it tried to fly, its wings were clipped. Soon the parrot died, with not a sound except for the rustle of books in its stomach.

The same story is painted on the walls of Shikshantar in Udaipur, which calls itself a people's institute for rethinking education and development. In the mural, trapped in its gilded cage, this parrot, too, forgets how to sing. But unlike in Tagore's story, the narrative in Shikshantar has been tweaked to accommodate hope. Here, the parrot breaks free instead, snapping, as it were, the shackles of 'formal schooling'.

Homeschooling is home education. In many ways, homeschooling is a more organic form of education that focuses on getting out of traditional classrooms that focus on a one-to-many, generalist education. A homeschool-styled learning environment is more personalized to the student, with individual attention. If your son is struggling in reading or writing, parents can take the time necessary to make sure he masters the concepts. In fact, unlike a traditional classroom where curriculum and resources are predetermined, a homeschool program can change curriculum and tactics to ensure a successful outcome. Likewise, if your daughter is excelling in math or science, there is no need to proceed at a slow pace or continue using a curriculum that may not be challenging enough.

In short, homeschooling is about one-to-one learning.

Homeschooling has gained popularity in the new millennium with a small minority of households abandoning the rote learning and exam-obsessed mainstream school system to provide their children individualized primary-secondary education at home to develop their creative, critical thinking and problem solving cognitive capabilities.

Broadly speaking, home educators divide into three major groups: those who are motivated by religious and moral reasons; those who have philosophical or pedagogical reasons; and those who turn to home education because of problems their children experience in school, both academic and social.

Home Schooling in India lays down its root from the ancient gurukul schooling system which was based on parent/teacher-led education in home environments. Rabindranath Tagore's Visva-Bharati University, Sri Aurobindo's Sri Aurobindo International Center of Education and Mahatma Gandhi's ideal of "basic education had the element of home-schooling.

Homeschooling in India does not require any registration, recognition or regulation by any agency or authority. Most parents who choose to do so either follow the CBSE curriculum or opt for the state board syllabus. Home schooled children can appear for the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams as private candidates, or write the Class 10/12 examinations of the National Institute of Open Learning (NIOS), which gives students the option to get a degree or certificate and is conducted at centres across the country. Sahal Kaushik, the youngest pupil to not only crack IIT but also topple in Delhi with AIR 33 at the age of 14 is the gift of Home-schooling.

In the United States — inevitably the pioneer of homeschooling — an estimated 2.3 million children are being educated at home with this number growing by 7-12 percent annually. According to Brian D. Ray, president of the Salem (Oregon)-based National Home Education Research Institute, homeschooling “may be the fastest growing form of education in the United States”.

Expansion of the notion of learning

The truth is, children are born learning; it’s a survival skill that comes naturally to them. Genuine learning can go beyond core educational topics. The proponents of Home Schooling argue that school is a monoculture which limits the learning process of children and formal schooling forces to study only specified subjects, play prescribed sports, and mingle with children in their own age groups in strictly controlled environments. Such regimentation is contrary to the natural growth cycle of children. Home Schooling children learn socialization skills by interacting with people of all age groups and elements of nature such as animals and plant life.

 Following interests

So, if your kid loves video games, play with them. Read a graphic novel on Minecraft. If they’re interested in knights and superheroes, read books on the subject. Draw them on construction paper, or in sidewalk chalk outside. Talk about what it means to be a hero.

Flexibility.

If your child is struggling with a subject or a specific concept, you do not need to skip it and move on. Instead, you can work with your child until she/ he has mastered the material. Homeschooling allows you to take all the time you need to ensure learning is taking place. Likewise, if your child is ready to move on, you do not need to waste time on redundant or repetitive lessons. Homeschooling children can move through educational materials at a faster pace than their peers.

Practical Learning

Kids who are homeschooled also may get out in their communities more than other kids. They might get to experience hands-on education at museums, libraries, businesses, marinas, and other community resources. They also might volunteer or participate in "service learning" where they take on local projects.

 The pathway to unlocking your child’s potential.

Teach for India fellow Harshad Tathed, who worked on a documentary film titled Project Nomad about alternative education including homeschooling in India, believes this alternative schooling system is becoming increasingly popular because of its mix of basic elementary education and propensity to develop the special intelligence of children. “Children learn best when they are encouraged to question, investigate and research. This transforms them into creative and innovative problem solvers. According to a study conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA, in 2017, at age three, 98 percent of children are creative, but by the time they reach the age of 15, only 2 percent remain creative. This shocking revelation prompted me to work on the documentary film to educate parents about the benefits of homeschooling and other alternative education options,” says Tathed, chief executive of Swayam Bodh Gurukul, a learning centre in Pune which tutors children who fail in school or “don’t like going to school at all”.

Special Care

Parents of children who have learning disabilities are another set who opt for homeschooling because they feel schools are unable to cater to the special needs of their kids.

 Lack of Socialization

The standard notions that home-based education leads to socially ill-adjusted children and limited career opportunities for them. Effects on social life can be another possible disadvantage for homeschooled kids. All kids need to have friends and be around other children. Some homeschoolers may feel cut off from kids their age or feel like they spend too much time with their families.

Lack of Infrastructures

 A kid who's homeschooled doesn't have the convenience of school facilities, such as a gymnasium, science lab, or art studio. The child may be taught at the kitchen table or at a "school" area in the home. He or she might do science experiments in the kitchen or go outside to work on an art project. Some parents who homeschool their kids form groups so their kids can go together to take art classes and take part in other group learning activities, like field trips.

With home education gaining momentum and respectability worldwide, suspicion about the academic proficiency of homeschooled children is waning.

Some of the disadvantages of homeschooling include, homeschooled children tend to be pampered mother’s darlings who can’t take the heat of competition in adult life. There’s also a good chance of their transforming into self-indulgent and undisciplined spoiled brats grown fat on extravagant meals.

Home Schooling has washed up on Indian shores, it’s a tiny minority movement because it requires extraordinary investment in terms of time, dedication, patience and relearning capabilities on the part of one or increasingly, both parents — a difficult proposition for two-income households.

At least one parent has to sacrifice her career ambitions or place them on hold. Therefore, despite widespread dissatisfaction with factory-style exam-oriented primary-secondary education, the overwhelming majority of the country’s 60 million middle-class households can’t afford to homeschool their children.

How is homeschool socialization different?

For one thing, homeschoolers do not have the same exposure to peer pressure and bullying, both of which are tied to poorer academic performance and lower self-esteem.

Homeschooling also means less daily interaction with large numbers of kids in a child’s age group. And homeschoolers can end up spending less time each day participating in organized sports and activities with their peers.

However, this does not mean that homeschoolers have no access to their peers, or have no ability to play sports or socially interact with others outside their family. In fact, on average, homeschoolers participate more in their community, are less sedentary, and socialize with a wider mix of adults (especially professionals) than their public school counterparts. As part of its flexible nature and focus on one-on-one / personalized learning, homeschooling involves more field trips, real-life experiences, and hands-on learning. When it comes to sports, homeschoolers often participate in recreational leagues or homeschool sports classes offered in their community. Some students are homeschooled because their athletic or artistic talents have them engaged in sports and activities at a higher level.

It is every person’s dream to celebrate their love and tie a knot with the person they love. Unfortunately, most of them are judged and are treated as an inferior because of their sexual preference. But this is not the story of Alexandra Quiros and Dunia Araya, the two Ticos as they tied a knot on MAY 26, 2020.

A ray of hope glimmered on July 1, 2018, where the President made a public apology to the members of the LGBTQ community who had faced a dire situation of descrimination and eventually the issue of same sex marriage was finally raised in August 2018 the constitutional court underlined that ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and discriminatory, and within a span of 18 months, the ban was overruled.

“Empathy and love should from now on be the guiding principles which will allow us to move forward,” said the tweet of Costa Rica’s President Carlos Alvarado Quesada shortly after the announcement. Costa Rica became the sixth country in Latin America to legalize the law with Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and parts of Mexico and the first country in Central America. It is the 28th UN Member state to legalize same-sex marriage.

According to a survey which was conducted in 2013-14, it was found that non-religious communities , non-practicing Catholics and non-Christian minorities ware in support of the LGBT rights than most of the people who practiced Catholics, Mainline Protestants and Neo-Pentecostals which they believed it to be morally Incorrect and a “curable” disease. Left-wing party Broad Front was one of the first main parties to support the same sex-marriage.

Even though the homo sapiens have progressed through these years with new inventions on every field, we fail to transform to the Homo Novus. Despite these laws, the LGBT community faces discrimination on a daily basis, which isn’t shocking, females have been refused to be accepted an equal. Even though the discrimination against women is a whole another issue in itself, but what’s common between the two issues is that both the genders have the right of acceptance and equality.

The world needs a change in the custom societal idiosyncrasy. Marriage shouldn’t be about shoving the custom down one’s throat, neither Love can ever be forced. Sexuality is the path to self-knowledge which isn’t accepted in the 21st century. Alan Rickman, one of the brilliant master minds, a British mathematician who joined a cryptography team to decipher the German enigma code was homosexual and was convicted to “gross indecency” in March 1952 and was sentenced to 12-month hormone therapy.  Giving in, he finally took his life. Moral of the story being, one does not have the right to own one’s life.  Love isn’t a “curable” disease. Eventually, one either has to let the person embrace their true self or wave them a goodbye.

A dessert locust, which the citizens have been noticing all over India, belong to the grasshopper family of Acrididae. These are highly mobile creatures which feed on green vegetation, therefore, proving to be one of the most devastating creatures on the planet. As the name suggests, they usually breed in semi-arid/desert regions.

In the past few days, the internet has been flooded with videos depicting swarms of these locusts have been covering the entire roof, walls of buildings of the Indian states of Katol (in Nagpur) on Monday morning, eventually, they made their way from Madhya Pradesh into Amravati district on May 24 as a result of current wind direction. They were also spotted on Jaipur, Rajasthan, Gujrat, and Uttar Pradesh. A swarm of locust entails 150 million per hectare square, and at present these insects can cause major damage to crops.

These species are usually sited along the India-Pakistan Border during the months of July-October. The question which arises is that what conditions have led them to appear before their time, and importantly, why have fled to the urban cities?

According to reports this is due the cyclonic storms and Luban that struck Omen and Yemen in 2018. Consequently, the deserts were transmogrified into lakes, which led the breeding to continue to 2019. These swarms attacked East Africa where in November they reached its peak and the heavy rains in East Africa allowed the breeding to continue. According to Kuldeep Srivastava, Head of IMD’s regional weather forecasting centre, he stated that “Currently, the winds in Delhi are blowing from Rajasthan side. However, from May 28, the wind pattern may change to easterly. If the wind patterns change continuously to Delhi, the swarms will attack the city.”

What’s even more astonishing is that the attacks of these species have been recorded in dramatic ways in every major religious text. According to the story of Mahabharat, they appear when Karna provokes Arjuna during the battle in Kurukshetra. The Book of Exodus in the Bible, which is the tenth chapter mentions locusts as the eight plague, “They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail—everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.”

So, is it all just a bad omen or only the scientific explanation is to be believed? In a philosophical aspect, this is something the humans brought up themselves. The climate change has indeed brought about a drastic change in the lives of the homo sapiens. But what is not to be forgotten is that we are just a part of an ecosystem. This is a transgression against the rules of nature. The year of 2020 has surely challenged us with many more obstacles ahead of us. A few pieces of paper for which people are ready to claim each other lives is not the answer to survival in the long run. Money cannot ensure the survival of nature, the earth which we vontinue o live on.

“Sexuality leads to Self-Knowledge” 

I broke my silence today and whined as loud as I could, “Yes! I’m a Gay. I cherish flaunting with my worn long hair and I fancy dating a lovely man because I’m proud of my individuality.”

I started discovering my intense temptation towards same-sex when I was 14 but I was scared to endorse myself. The impressions of abnormality and medication used to vex me and I was eaten like a horse with, “Self-hatred.”

“Hey Mr. Long Hair, the thresholds of your happiness must be traversing all horizons. Section 377 has been decriminalized. So, confess your love.”, said the teacher, embarrassing me in front of my classmates. So, I broke my silence as my sexuality is my identity. It is part of my behaviour with biological and genetic factors and not an oddity that needs to be medicated. I own my sexual craving which is the most empowering thing to do as it’s the art of living your individuality.

The stigma against LGBTQ students like me ranges from the boy/girl dichotomy while dividing students into groups to usage of anti-LGBT language. Any individual who is homosexual faces discrimination, homophobic and transphobic bullying, social exclusion which leads to emotional health struggles like depression, and even suicide.

Isn’t it hypocritical that a gay/ lesbian has to undergo the journey of Self-hatred in order to step forward to the journey of Self-Love and Acceptance? The ‘Truth’ of being a 'Gay' was a criminal offence to me. What I wish is a safe and comfortable environment to accept and love myself, where my parents, teachers, friends would see me through the lens of equality and respect and support me, the school and home environment would be crafted to empower LGBTQ people and no one has to go through the journey of Self-Hatred to be “Real”. The schools should include a special curriculum on sex culture and sexual orientation so that students like me can learn to understand their identity.

I trusted my intuition as it never lies. Respect your individuality because ‘You Matter.’ So, use this ' Social- Distancing' to express your love as "Love has no boundaries, no gender, no colour. It's eternal."

( A piece of narration by my homosexual friend in my words)
 

While governments across the world still dwell on the nature of life and the post lockdown measures with people continuing to cope with life in a pandemic the news of a plane crash from Pakistan shook many.Around 09:45 GMT on Friday Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-8303 from Lahore to Karachi went down.With 99 people aboard the flight was said to be rapidly losing altitude. 

An investigation has been launched to piece together how the plane developed a fatal technical fault that led to the crash with the black box, or the light data recorder and cockpit voice recorder recovered from the site. It brought light to the events that led to this crash.The pilot had contacted the air traffic controllers regarding the engine power failure on both the plane engines. The last audible message from the pilot were Mayday calls.The controllers gave the clearing for both landing strips while enquiring whether the plane would have a belly landing. After trying to land twice at the airport it crashed short off the runway into Model Colony neighbourhood, a crowded residential district. 

The fuming black clouds and the burning smell covered the region with parts of the plane scattered on the streets with building damaged and burned with more than 25 affected houses already cleared the damage is quite a lot .One of the survivors awoke to these surrounding before jumping out towards a beam of light as the only ray of hope amongst the dark fumes and screams that surrounded him in that moment. The other survivor remembers the turbulence and then he had lost much of his senses. Two male survivors had been identified after the crash with at least 97 dead amongst crew and passengers. Interestingly both the survivors were at the front of the plane. 

With what had seemed to be a journey towards Eid al-Fitr celebration it turned into a day of remorse for the country which had only opened air transport the previous 

week. The accurate cause of the crash is still under investigation with prayers for the ones lost and battling being said across the country.

Following the 2-month shutdown nationwide, the economy had come to a halt with absolutely nothing and no one working. This led to believe everyone that they finally had time to themselves and that it had stopped where they could, for once do sit in the comfort of their homes and not worry about the deadline on which the reports had to be submitted. Unfortunately, the vacation has ended and it’s time to go back to school.

According to recent reports, the domestic commercial passenger flights will resume effective May 25, 2020.  According to the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri’s tweet, he claimed that the domestic flights across India would resume in a “calibrated manner”. The tweet also mentioned “All the airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from May 25. SOPs for passenger movement are also being separately issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation”

The Ministry of Home Affairs amended its guidelines by expunging domestic air travel from the list. The aim is to finally get the country on a move. It’s true that the world can’t simply sit down and do nothing; this might be a good start to finally resume and get things back on track and adapting to the “normal.” Top airline executives were scheduled to have a meeting the minister officials to finalize the modalities of resumption with SOPs for flight operations .Although some states gave expressed their concerns over the transportation among the red zones, on the other hand, the airlines don’t find it viable to only become operational only in green zones and it may also reduce the demand.

According tp the proposals from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the passengers are suppose to reach the airport 2 and/or 3 hours prior to their scheduled flight. Delhi, Mumbai, Hydrabad and Bangalore are one amongst the many airports which are setting up thermal screening counters at arrival and departure gates respectively, but since Delhi is one of the busiest airport across the country, the authorities have also decided to set up a system for UV disinfection of all baggage’s and trolleys as well. Mumbai and Banglore airports have created markings, making sure to keep a gap of 1.5 metres between every passenger, the cities have also reshuffled the seating arrangements in food courts to maintain the notion of social distancing.

According to New Zaeland’s reports, they are currently at level 2 alert with 380 Auckland buses running with foreign nationals being granted the permission to take domestic flights. New Zealand is in a state to allow the transportation as according to recent statistics, there hadn’t been any new cases of covid-19 reported in the last 48 hours.

Although extreme precautions are going to be taken and it may not seem viable to only operate in the green zones, but it is extremely important to safeguard the lives of their burgesses. This could be a good start to getting back on track gradually and safely. It is important to get the economy going soon but this could also be taking a huge risk since India has crossed a ballpark of 1 lakh cases overall. One could only hope that everything is administered as planned, And the flights keep making happy landings.  

A cyclone is a large scale of mass that rotates around a strong centre of low atmospheric pressure, characterised by strong winds, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Storms developed over the Indian ocean, are referred to as tropical cyclones or severe cyclonic storms. Amphan is the first severe cyclone of the area in over 20 years and is expected to cause severe flooding, mudslides and deadly storm surges with being equivalent to a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane. It's named Amphan since cyclone names are started with the first alphabet for the first cyclone of the year. Amphan is forecast to hit the densely populated, low lying area in coast in the Ganges River Delta, the world's largest river delta with unreliable infrastructure.The cyclone could bring storm surges of up to 5 meters (16.4 feet).Its centre is approaching Kasafal in the easters coast of the state of Odisha, India. The cyclone is set to make landfall between the town of Digha in India's West Bengal state and Bangladesh's Hatiya Island, near to the Sundarbans, the department said in a Twitter post.The Sundarbans are an ecologically fragile cluster of low-lying islands spread across India and Bangladesh, known for mangrove forests and rare wildlife, including the endangered Bengal tiger. The cyclone has started making landfall in India and will take four hours to move fully over land, India's Meteorological Department has said.The Indian government said the storm's impact was already being felt and that rescue crews were working to move uprooted trees in West Bengal. Bangladesh has evacuated around 2 million people and set up 12,078 cyclone centre's, the country's state minister for disaster management and relief Md. Enamur Rahman said. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed 20 disaster relief teams along the country's eastern coast to carry out search and rescue operations at short notice.More than 300,000 people have been evacuated in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, removing them from the path of Cyclone Amphan, according to India's National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF).Relief teams are still rushing to evacuate people in low- lying coastal areas, which are most at risk from a storm surge and heavy rains that could cause flooding. COVID-19 has led to another challenge in the active response to this cyclone. With the nature of this pandemic and the necessity to follow social distancing it puts the risk management of this dual catastrophe at a difficult spot. Landfall on the western side of Bangladesh, will likely bring heavy rains to Cox's Bazar the world's largest refugee camp in the east of the country thus causing huge challenges to the prevention of COVID-19 transmission in the densely populated region of the refugee camp. The NDRF chief said that keeping in mind the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, all NDRF teams have been equipped with PPE kits. It is another form of new normal, we have to handle disasters considering the COVID-19 pandemic too,”he added. The pandemic definitely poses barriers to efficient disaster management putting millions of lives at risk. The evacuation protocols and shelters along with the other stages of rescue protocol are in jeopardy due COVID-19. The photographic images seen of the impending cyclone as it affects everything it passes show the disastrous impact it could have. Waves crashing the sea walls, a Childs death and trees snapping are all photographic evidence of the cyclone.The cyclone is being tracked at every stage and given the multitude of difficulties ahead it can only be hoped that it doesn’t lead to increasing the gravity of the situation.

 “The world could learn from Taiwan’s success in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, yet it doesn’t have a seat at the World Health Organization.”

On Monday, May 18, representatives of 194 countries gathered virtually for one of the most important public health meetings in recent memory. A country thought to have had one of the best public health responses to the coronavirus pandemic—Taiwan was not invited. 
Taiwan attended the assembly as an observer from 2009 to 2016 but China blocked further participation after the election of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, whom China views as a separatist, an accusation she rejects. 
Taiwan is not a member of the WHO as China has opposed its entry into international bodies. Taiwan was the first to begin screening passengers from Wuhan, starting December 31. 
Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations (UN) or its sub-organizations, but it aspires to participate. China also claims Taiwan as part of its territory and denies that Taiwan is a sovereign state. China is adamant about preventing recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state and its membership in the UN system. Like other U.N. organizations, the WHO considers Taiwan a part of the People’s Republic of China and excludes its government from membership. This, critics say, is detrimental to global cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Taiwan has emerged as one of the most effective countries in combating the disease. Taiwan and its defenders have strongly criticized the WHO and its director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, for being overly deferential to Beijing.
 China, officially called the People’s Republic of China (PRC), refuses to allow that to happen. The PRC claims that Taiwan is a province of China, not an independent state. It says that only the PRC has the right to represent all of China in the United Nations and other international organizations, including the WHO, that limit membership to states. Taiwan’s government, generally called the Republic of China on Taiwan, has all the elements of statehood required by international law and maintains diplomatic relations with fifteen countries. Yet due to the PRC’s great-power status, including its seat as a permanent UN Security Council member, Beijing has been able to impose its “One China” policy upon the world.
 
In the early days of the outbreak, health officials in Taipei say the WHO ignored their warnings—based on communication with mainland colleagues—that the disease could be transmitted between humans, slowing the global response to the growing threat. Instead, in mid-January, the organization issued a now-infamous endorsement of China’s finding that there was no human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan. The WHO continued to praise China’s handling of the virus throughout January, despite abundant evidence that authorities were covering up the severity of the situation in Wuhan. This praise was especially stark in contrast to the organization’s criticism of China during SARS. Taiwan has had remarkable success in combating the virus. More than two months after COVID-19 arrived on the island, it has seen only 380 cases and five deaths. Yet its health officials remain frozen out of emergency meetings and briefings at the main organization coordinating the global response to the pandemic. (In a painfully awkward interview with a Hong Kong journalist, one senior WHO official seemed to pretend not to hear the question and then insisted on moving on when asked about Taiwan.)

Why is Taiwan’s exclusion a problem, especially during the coronavirus pandemic?

Taiwan is an important stakeholder and a valuable partner in fighting this unprecedented crisis. Taiwan’s government is donating masks to countries in need and sharing its experience using technology to investigate outbreaks. It is also working with U.S. experts to develop more rapid diagnostic test kits and vaccines.
Despite Taiwan’s valuable input, the WHO continues to shun it. For example, when asked by a journalist about Taiwan’s exclusion and experience dealing with the pandemic during a recent interview, WHO senior advisor Bruce Aylward hung up the call after trying to avoid the questions. After this public relations disaster, the WHO claimed it was closely working with Taiwan experts, which Taiwan’s government refuted. Taiwan has continually shared coronavirus data with the WHO, but the WHO has never released this information to its members. Additionally, in a February coronavirus status report, the WHO misreported the number of cases in Taiwan based on information provided by China. It also continues to deceptively list Taiwan’s case numbers under China’s. Taiwan was snubbed by the WHO yet again when it was not invited to the organization’s emergency meetings in January. After repeated requests, in February, the WHO finally allowed two Taiwanese experts to attend an online forum. Such ludicrous limitations have rightly been scoffed at by many governments and critics.
The WHO’s exclusion of Taiwan from the global fight against the pandemic is a reckless dereliction of duty. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose election was due in large part to China’s support, has been widely criticized for actions that appeared to help China downplay the outbreak, delaying the international response as a result. Taiwan’s exclusion is an example of how the world’s health body puts politics before public health. Governments and concerned citizens must demand that the WHO fulfill its obligation—to represent the world’s health interests, not China’s—and hold the WHO accountable when it fails.
Wu said that Taiwan had agreed the issue of its participation would be put off until later in the year so the shorted assembly can focus on the coronavirus.
"Understandably, countries want to use the limited time available to concentrate on ways of containing the pandemic," he said.
"For this reason, like-minded nations and diplomatic allies have suggested that the proposal be taken up later this year when meetings will be conducted normally, to make sure there will be a full and open discussion," Wu added.

U.S AND TAIWAN

The United States has attempted to maximize Taiwan’s involvement in international relations and has, without success, supported Taiwan’s “meaningful participation” in various institutions, including the World Health Assembly (WHA), the WHO’s highest decision-making body. In March 2020, the Donald J. Trump administration enacted the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act, aimed at supporting Taiwan’s international presence. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the State Department would “do [its] best to assist” Taiwan’s “appropriate role” in the WHO.
 Nearly 15 countries, including Belize, Guatemala, the Marshall Islands,, and Honduras, had written to the director-general of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, asking that the question of Taiwan's participation be added to the agenda.
But on Monday Taiwan's foreign minister Joseph Wu said "countries want to use the limited time available to concentrate on ways of containing the pandemic".

"We have accepted the suggestion from our allies and like-minded nations to wait until the resumed session before further promoting our bid," Wu said. He added that allies had suggested instead the proposal be taken up later in the year when the WHO is expected to hold in-person meetings. The calls for Taiwan to join the meetings had angered Beijing.

The countrywide lockdown, which enters its fourth phase from 18th May, is likely to see a lot of relaxations, especially in terms of public transport, sources indicate. With a limited number of passenger trains running since last week, it is the aviation sector and road transport, including metro services, which are expected to get some relaxation now.
Sources indicate that it is likely that the government will allow partial opening of malls and shopping centres, which could be on an odd-even basis. Apart from this, entertainment centers, school, colleges, gyms etc will be shut.
Slowly but surely, the government is trying to bring back the 'normalcy' needed by the citizens desperately at this point.

“Every Indian should be vocal for the local…. Today’s local brands were once local too but when the people started supporting them, they became global.” Stated by the honorable Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi addressed the nation March 12,2020 at 8PM. Within the speech, it was indicated that Lockdown 4.0 will contain new forms and rules, with certain relaxations to be provided, keeping in mind to follow the notions of social distancing, the government is planning to resume the public transport facilities to gradually facilitate the movement of citizens. While the decision may seem practical to boost start the economy, practically it’s asking to choose between life and livelihood. 

He announced the release of a package of Rs 20 lakh-crore which roughly sums up to 10% of India’s GDP. The aim of this package is to boost the stalled economy of India by reforming the land, labour and liquidity laws. The package will assist various sections of the industry, to name a few; cottage industry, agricultural industry (farmers), labourers, Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s), The details of which would be disclosed by the Finance Minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman on May 13, 2020 at 4PM. The Prime Minister gave a call for a strong and independent India and referred this as “Atmanirbhar Bharat.” He also pointed out the 5 pillars on which the “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” would rest on, are given as under-

1.Economy

2.Infrastructure

3.Technology-Driven System

4.Vibrant Demography

5. Demand

He not only spoke of the financial package but exhorted people to change their mindsets and turn local brands into global brands. The financial package is equivalent to 10% of the GDP of the country, this is more than that of some countries like Germany and France which is at 10.7% and 9.7% respectively.

India is close onto touching the 10,000 mark of positive cases of covid-19 while the latest analysis claim there have been 359 more positive cases of the virus have arisen in the last 24 hours. The scientists unanimously reached to an agreement that the virus would continue to have an effect on the society for 2 years to come. Maximum precautions maybe taken to, but the truth still lies in the fact the one whose immunity maybe weak will be drastically affected by the virus which may even result in death while those having a strong immune system will act as carriers. The worst affected category of people are the migrant laborers, with absolute uncertainty about the jobs. This section of the society has been trying to rush back to their hometowns ever since the commencement of the lockdown.

The above stimulus would turn the pandemic emergency into an opportunity to make India a globally competitive economy. This would not only increase the effiency in various sectors but also ensure quality. The PM stated that life cannot be held hostage to the coronavirus and there is a need to work towards targets while exercising due caution in daily life.