[Nasheman news] Srinagar A protest shutdown called by traders affected normal life across the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday
The shutdown was called against the Centre’s ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir and the subsequent arrests of nearly 200 of its cadres.
The protesting traders said the shutdown was also for the protection of Articles 35 A and 370 that give special status to the state.
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), a separatist conglomerate headed by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, has supported the shutdown call.
Shops, other businesses and public transport remained closed.
Authorities made heavy deployments of police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Srinagar’s old city areas and other law and order sensitive areas in the valley.
On February 28, the Central government banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, declaring it an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The order by the Union Home Ministry said that the organisation has “been indulging in activities which are prejudicial to internal security and public order and have the potential of disrupting the unity and integrity of the country”.
Gold can be mined from vermicast in Goan mining belt, claims report
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[Nasheman news] Panaji Botanists here have recommended reviving an ancient Indian alchemy technique by using earthworm feces for bio-mining of gold, which their research paper claims is present in the soil in the state’s mining belt.
In their research paper published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews, botanists at Goa University, Nandakumar Kamat and Sujata Dabolkar, say that earth-feeding worms, can be tapped in an eco-friendly way for sustainable bio-mining in Goa.
“Basically just like age-old artisanal alluvial gold mining from auriferous (containing gold) river sands we see the possibility of artisanal extraction of metallic secondary gold by intelligent, systematic and ecofriendly use of vermicasts (earthworm fecal matter) by rearing local geophagous earthworms with a feedstock blend of organic matter and auriferous soil,” the research paper states.
“This is like reinventing India’s lost alchemic heritage because anyone with some patience can rear earthworms and extract small quantities of metallic gold easily,” it adds.
The report also states, that gold availability in parts per million (PPM) is higher in Goa’s now non-utilised iron and manganese mining belt, compared to other areas in the coastal state.
“It was found that vermicast samples from mining areas contained gold ranging from 0.76 to 1.77 ppm whereas in case of non-mining areas the gold value ranged from 0.66 to 1.03 ppm,” the report states, adding that Goa lies in the northwest part of the Western Dharwad Craton which is known for its rich metallic deposits.
Explaining their research, Kamat and Dabolkar say they collected vermicasts from mining and non-mining areas, which were later dried, sieved and powdered. When the dust was put through a series of laboratory tests, they detected vermiform gold.
The research paper also suggests a roadmap for eco-friendly biomining of gold using earthworms.
“The first step is establishing a facility of rearing earthworms which can feed on auriferous soils which acts as the raw material,” the paper states.
The earthworms, the botanists say, should then be added to auriferous (which has been analysed for gold) soil and material to feed earthworms, which move through the soil and build an organomineral structure (vermicasts) with specific physical, chemical and microbiological properties.
“Further the vermicasts can be treated by powdering, sieving, magnetic separation, gravity separation/flotation techniques and finally auriferous (gold) material is recovered and purified,” the report states.
ICC welcome to take T20, ODI World Cup out of India for tax exemption: BCCI
[Nasheman news] Mumbai The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the recent ICC quarterly meeting was told by the world body to get tax exemption for conducting future global events like the 2021 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup. If BCCI fails to get the exemption, it will have to bear the tax liability in hosting the showpiece events. But the move has not gone down well with certain sections within the board.
Speaking to IANS, a senior BCCI official said that the ICC was free to move the tournament out of India if it felt that was the way forward as matters related to tax needed the government’s approval and external pressure would not help.
“We will abide by what the Tax Department and the Ministry decides on this. We would love for the World Cup to take place here, but if the ICC wants to play hard ball, they must be ready for everything.
“If they want to take the ICC tournament out of India, it’s fine. Let BCCI then take the revenue out of the ICC and see who loses more.
“Those in-charge of administration are trying to take policy decisions without jurisdiction to do so. The ICC will find it difficult to hold the BCCI to those decisions since a lot of these decisions do not have the approval of the board,” the official pointed.
Another BCCI official added that while the ICC claims to have an inclusive approach, it looks at every possible opportunity to hurt India’s interest.
“It was found earlier that the ICC had a different contract with different member boards. For example, Cricket Australia was only required to make best endeavours to get tax exemption while the BCCI was required to ensure tax exemption.
“See, this is a result of a situation where the present BCCI is found wanting. The CoA bigwig wants to show that he is in control of things and whenever that happens, the democratic functioning of an organisation is the first casualty.
“There is no way that the BCCI should agree to this. The ICC cannot on the one hand say that they aim to have an inclusive approach and on the other hand look at every possible opportunity to hurt India’s interest,” the official signed off.
Gunfight in J&K
[Nasheman news] Srinagar A gunfight took place on Tuesday between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Tral town, police said.
Upon receiving information about the militants, the security forces started a search operation in Mir Mohalla on Monday evening.
“As the operation continued on Tuesday morning, the militants fired at the security forces triggering the gunfight,” the police added
Authorities have suspended mobile Internet services in the town.
Navy chief warns of seaborne terror strikes
[Nasheman news] New Delhi Observing that India is facing state-sponsored terrorism, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on Tuesday warned about terrorists being trained to carry out attacks even via sea route.
Addressing the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue, Admiral Lanba without taking names hit out at Pakistan for abetting terrorists, who carried out the February 14 Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 40 CRPF troopers.
“India, however, faces a far more serious version of terrorism — state-sponsored terrorism. You have all witnessed the horrific scale of the extremist attack in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir just three weeks ago,” he said.
“This violence was perpetrated by extremists aided and abetted by a state, which seeks to destabilise India. We also have reports of terrorists being trained to carry out attacks with varying modus operandi, including through the medium of the sea,” said Lanba.
“We have seen how quickly terrorist groups evolve across the globe and this particular ‘brand’ of terror may well become a global problem in the near future.
“The Indian security establishment is continuously working to address this menace. It is imperative that the global community acts to contain and eliminate terrorism, in all its forms,” he added.
2 militants killed in Pulwama encounter (Lead)
[Nasheman news] Srinagar Two militants were killed on Tuesday in a gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police said.
Their bodies have been recovered from the Mir Mohalla area in Tral region. “We have also recovered two AK-47 rifles. A combing operation is underway,” a police officer said.
The house the militants took shelter in was completely destroyed in the gun battle that had started on Monday evening.
Mobile Internet services in the town was suspended.
Bappi Lahiri’s song might feature in Marvel Studios’ film
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[Nasheman news] New Delhi It was back in 2017 when Hollywood star Chris Pratt said “Whoa… wow” after watching a special Hindi promotional clip of his movie “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” that featured Bappi Lahiri’s foot-tapping song “Jhoom jhoom jhoom baba”.
The Indian veteran singer-composer says he is in talks with Marvel Studios for one of their upcoming movies.
Over the years, some of the Indian elements have managed to find their way in Marvel superhero films. Remember Robert Downey Jr.’s character Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) attending an Indian wedding in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” or the Indian slum scenes in “The Avengers”?
If things work out, then one of Bappi Lahiri’s songs will feature in a Marvel film.
“I am currently in talks with Marvel Studios. They had used my song ‘Jhoom jhoom jhoom baba’. Chris Pratt, the hero of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2’, had really liked the song. So maybe a song (by me) will be used in their next film. I will go to Hollywood in April,” Bappi told IANS in a telephonic interview.
While he is yet to sign on the dotted line for the Marvel association, his other international collaborations with rapper Snoop Dogg and singer Akon are complete.
Acting has also been keeping him busy. He recently made a cameo in Sony Entertainment Television’s show “Ladies Special”.
“I have acted in so many films, including ‘Kalakaar’. I had done ‘Indian Idol’, but this (‘Ladies Special’) is the first time that I worked on a TV show. It’s today’s story about women travelling by a train and making friends during their journey,” he said.
In the show, he acted as a musician providing a platform to new talent.
“In real life also, I have always encouraged new singers. I had introduced many singers, including Usha Uthup and Alisha Chinai. So, my character is the way how I am in real life,” said the “Yaar bina chain kahan re” hitmaker, who likes to work in different film industries such as Bengali and Telugu.
The artiste with about a 50-year-long career has even been a film director. After helming a documentary called “We are One”, he is set to direct a musical.
“This year, I am directing a movie titled ‘Ek Adhura Sangeet’,” said Bappi.
What about a film on his life?
“Yes, a lot of people are approaching me to make a film on my life but I haven’t finalised anything. The biopic should start by this year,” he said.
“Actor Ranveer Singh could proabably play my younger version…you know the 1970s, 80′ and 90s time,” he added.
15th Annual National Conference on Electoral and Political Reforms
L The second day of the two-day long 15th Annual National Conference, organized by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the Uttar Pradesh Election Watch (UPEW) at DDU State Institute of Rural Development on the 2nd and 3rd March 2019, was successfully concluded.
The first session of the day focused on “Information & Communication Technology (ICT) for Better Governance”, chaired by Maj. Gen. Anil Verma (Retd), Head-ADR and National Election Watch. The panel members included Mr. Jaskirat Singh, Trustee – ADR/NEW and Founder – CRAMAT, Mr. Chandrakant Naidu, Chief Editor at NewsNest, Ms. Shelley Thakral, Head of Programs, Facebook and Mr. Rakesh Reddy Dubbudu, Founder Factly.in and ADR State Coordinator – Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The issues raised during the discussion by some of the panelists focused on technology as a force multiplier for improving the lives of people, by helping them perform better and faster as well as on its role in promoting good governance. At the same time, the issue of misuse of ICT by spreading fake news was also discussed. The panel agreed that simplification of government process, reduction of human intervention, improving transparency and timely delivery of services are some of the goals of ICT.
Mr. Rakesh Reddy Dubbudu said ICT works better in absence of human intervention in instances like online ticketing while it fails where human intervention is needed as in case of online grievance redressal.
Ms. Shelley Thakral asserted that sharing the right information is key. She added that a bottom-up approach is needed for ensuring that ICT is used for better governance.
The discussion concluded with panel members collectively advocating the need for digital literacy by educating masses about how to use information technology.
The second and the final session of the day was a discussion on “Role of Youth & Voter Awareness: In preparation for General Elections 2019” chaired by Dr. Vipul Mudgal, Director of Common Cause and Trustee ADR.
Shri Lakku Venkateshwarlu, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Heera Lal, IAS, District Magistrate & Collector, Banda and Mohd Zeeshan, Founder of YES Foundation, Lucknow were some of the panel members.
Strengthening democracy through awareness among voters especially the youth, increasing voter participation and responsible and ethical voting were some of the issues raised by the panel members and audience during the discussion.
Speaking on the efforts to improve the voter turnout in Banda, Shri Heera Lal spoke about fixing a target of 90 per cent voter turnout in the upcoming elections in Banda, including reaching out to disabled voters. He talked about using cultural programs as a means to reach out to voters.
Concluding the discussion, Shri Lakku Venkateshwarlu said that politicians are driven by vested and sectarian interests and are not committed to public cause.
Speaking on the Resolutions and ‘Next Steps for National Election Watch (NEW)’, Prof. Trilochan Sastry (Founder member & Trustee – ADR/NEW) recommended that in order to prevent electoral malpractices, an example needs to be set by suspending elections in five such constituencies where Model Code of Conduct is violated.
The two-day national conference concluded with Maj. Gen Anil Verma (Retd) thanking all the panelists, participants, DDU State Institute of Rural Development, and ADR team for making the event a success.
Act against terror groups, UK PM Theresa May tells Pakistan’s Imran Khan
Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and told him to act against terror groups, days after expressing “deep concern” over tensions between India and Pakistan prompted by the recent Pulwama attack.
A Downing Street Spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan today. She welcomed his commitment to reducing tensions with India, and the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan”.
May and Imran discussed the need to address the causes of the conflict, the spokesperson said, and added: “The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of Pakistan taking action against all terrorist groups, in support of global efforts to combat terrorism.”
India has blamed the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed for the Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. The group is banned in the United Kingdom since 2001.
The House of Commons held an extended debate last week on Jammu and Kashmir, while May called for “urgent restraint” and de-escalation of hostilities between the two countries.
May said on Wednesday: “We are in regular contact with both countries urging dialogue and diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability. We are working closely with international partners, including through the UN Security Council, to de-escalate tensions and are monitoring developments closely and considering implications for British nationals.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn responded: “We strongly support rapid dialogue between India and Pakistan in order to reduce the tension and deal with the root causes of the conflict before more lives are lost.”
Agencies
Schools, mosques and orphanages run by Jamaat-e-Islami : J-K govt
Amid rumours that the Jammu and Kashmir government is contemplating to seal the mosques and schools run by the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), the state government has denied any such move.
Government’s spokesperson Rohit Kansal has categorically said schools, mosques and orphanages had been kept outside the scope of seizures and sealing in the wake of the ban imposed by the Government of India on Jamaat-e-Islami, J&K.
“Action is being taken against offices, assets, properties and other equipment of the banned organisation,” Kansal said in a statement, adding that the ban would be for five years and was subsequent to orders issued by the state government and the deputy commissioners concerned.
The government’s clarification came on Monday when a lot of rumour-mongering on the issue was being done reportedly with the intention to instigate people, particularly in the Kashmir valley.
The Kashmir-centric politicians were adding fuel to the fire by endorsing such rumours.
National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah, in a tweet, said: “While the government may take some time to review the need to ban the JeI there is an need to urgently review the ban on schools & the sealing of mosques.”
PDP leader and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has described the ban on JeI as “muscular approach” of the Modi government.
Meanwhile, police have detained more than 100 activists of JeI and sealed the properties of the organisation in the Valley and some areas of Jammu division.
Last week, the Central government banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, declaring it an “unlawful association”.
The order issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said the organisation had “been indulging in activities which are prejudicial to internal security and public order and have the potential of disrupting the unity and integrity of the country”.
Agencies