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Medical assistance to Afghan National Army by India

News Intervention Bureau
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Medical assistance to Afghan National Army by India

To alleviate the challenges and sufferings of some of the critically injured Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers, HE Shri Vinay Kumar, Ambassador of India recently presented 100 motorized wheelchairs to the ANA. India also remains committed to extending medical relief and assistance to the ANA personnel.

Till date, Indian Army has also trained 4880 ANA personnel in various professional, educational and military training programs, including training ANA doctors and medical technicians.

India remains committed to further strengthening the strategic relationship between the Indian Army and the ANA.

Has BJP already conceded its defeat in Madhya Pradesh?

Narender Yadav
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Has BJP already conceded its defeat in Madhya Pradesh?


With high-profile seats like Bhopal, Guna and Vidisha being grossly mismanaged by BJP Central Election Committee, ground-level workers as well as several state BJP leaders seems to be on the back foot. This election might turn out to be a real ‘poll-khol’ for the BJP.

In December 2018, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) lost its government in Madhya Pradesh by five seats. Though BJP’s vote share was 0.1 percent more than the Congress, yet it won 109 seats, while Congress formed the government with 114 seats. Almost five months after the close defeat for BJP in the Assembly elections, the party is now writing a script for yet another election defeat in the state – this time a bigger and bitter one. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had won 27 of the 29 seats in the state, however, this year BJP is even finding it difficult to field ‘winnable’ candidates on several important seats.

While, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah are on a fast-track tour to ensure they are able to bring Modi Sarkar back at the centre, but workers and leaders in the state are on the back foot. Going by the choice of candidates on crucial seats like Guna, Bhopal and Vidisha as well as reluctance of several sitting MPs and senior BJP leaders to contest elections from their traditional stronghold parliamentary constituencies, it becomes amply clear that party has no plan or strategy in place for elections in Madhya Pradesh.

Guna provides a perfect example, how BJP decided to commit a political suicide. Instead of giving a tough fight to Jyotiraditya Scindia of Congress, BJP has decided to give him the victory trophy even before the election. Guna has always been a stronghold of Scindia family and even Modi wave failed to blossom a lotus here in 2014 election. For several weeks, BJP state poll panel, kept suspense on finalizing the candidate for Guna, presumably to look for a ‘powerful’ candidate who can give a tough fight to Scindia at his safest den. Eventually, the party leaders realised the ‘invincibility’ of Scindia in Guna and decided to give ticket to a former Congress leader! Erstwhile Scindia aide, KP Yadav, who joined BJP just before the Assembly elections and also lost from Mungaoli constituency last year, is BJP’s ‘trump card’ to demolish Scindia bastion in Guna. According to sources, “BJP leaders Narendra Singh Tomar and Shivraj Singh Chauhan are behind Yadav’s ‘sudden’ appearance in the poll fray in Guna. Being an ‘outsider’ in BJP, he has little chance to get support from BJP workers in the area and the election is just a formality for both BJP as well as Congress.” Interestingly, sitting BJP MP from Gwalior, Narendra Singh Tomar, himself has shifted to Morena, due to fear of facing a complete rout in Gwalior. He is also not much convinced about fighting the election. Recently, while interacting with media in Shivpuri, he said “It is not important to become a Member of Parliament. What’s important is that one must work to strengthen the party.”

Bhopal is another political battleground, where no BJP leader was willing to contest against Congress stalwart Digvijay Singh. With no other option left, BJP had to bring in Sadhvi Pragya. Within 2-days of announcing her name, BJP got the taste of their misdemeanor, when she maligned slain police officer Hemant Karkare and BJP had to do firefighting to douse the widespread criticism. Probably, BJP was thinking of creating a ‘Yogi effect’ in MP with the Sadhvi, but failed to realize that Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have different socio-political base and a saffron-clad Sadhvi might not simply means garnering more hindu votes.

Even on traditionally powerful seats like Vidisha and Indore, BJP stalwarts like Sushma Swaraj and Sumitra Mahajan are not fighting elections. Eight-time MP from Indore Sumitra Mahajan, who is 76, has decided to not contest the upcoming elections citing ‘age-related decision’ of the party that no candidate above 75-years of age would be given ticket. As a result, no candidate has been named till now. Vidisha is another prestigious seat for BJP, which was once represented by Atal Bihari Vajpayee as well. With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj not ‘willing’ to contest the elections this year, Vidisha is one more vacant space for BJP from where they have fielded a candidate Ramakant Bhargav, whose only political achievement till now has been his proximity to Shivraj Singh Chauhan.

With high-profile seats like Bhopal, Guna and Vidisha being grossly mismanaged by BJP Central Election Committee, ground-level workers as well as several state BJP leaders seems to be on the back foot.  This election might turn out to be a real ‘poll-khol’ for the BJP.

Kashmir Highway ban serves nobody’s interest

Farooq Wani
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Kashmir Highway ban serves nobody’s interest

Two months after the suicide attack in Pulwama on a CRPF convoy that killed 40 paramilitary soldiers, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, issued an unusual order banning civilian traffic on the J&K highway on every Sunday and Wednesday until May 31, citing security concerns as the reason to restrict civilian traffic. “Keeping in view the large movement of security forces on the national highway during the Parliamentary elections and associated possibility of any Fidayeen attack on security forces’ convoys, the state government has notified specified days in a week for the movement of security forces from Srinagar to Jammu,” said a Government Communiqué.

In order to understand the implications of this order it is necessary to get an idea about J&K highway. While the stretch from Udhampur to the Banihal Tunnel is mostly double lane, the highway widens after it emerges in the Valley, splitting into four lanes from Qazigund in South Kashmir to Narbal in Srinagar. After Narbal, the highway once again narrows to two lanes till Baramula. As the highway is the only stretch of road that connects Kashmir Valley to the outside world, the order restricting civil traffic twice a week is bound to cause heavy disruption in the day-to-day lives of Kashmiris. Those particularly affected will be medical patients, school children, businessmen, government employees, farmers and orchardists as well as drivers of public transport.

The restriction on movement of civilian traffic will add to problems already being faced by commuters due to the frequent closure of this highway on account of landslides and bad weather, which has forced adoption of a one-way traffic system for commercial vehicles. Since J&K is heavily dependent on supply of essential commodities from outside the state, the J&K highway becomes its lifeline and disruptions in vehicular traffic leads to scarcity of various items which in turn leads to hoarding by unscrupulous people that result in prices shooting up phenomenally. This leads to widespread dissatisfaction and can create a crisis, with people taking to the streets in protest. Srinagar has an airport but using the air mode to trans-ship goods and commodities is not only economically unviable but is also far beyond the handling capacity of this airport.

Since Kashmir Valley is a popular tourist destination, restrictions on civilian traffic will adversely affect the already tottering tourism industry. Similarly, this order will also disrupt the smooth movement of fruit laden trucks from Srinagar during the crucial period of April and May. Due to this, those associated with the horticulture sector will also suffer due to the impact on movement of fruits and vegetables which are perishable items.

The army has not yet commented on this issue but former Army Chief Gen VS Malik’s tweet slamming it as a “dumb idea” since it “…goes against the core object of winning hearts and minds” and “..shows forces becoming over defensive” seems to be in tune with the sentiments of the army. Gen Malik is not the lone army man who has criticised this move; even former Army Chief Gen VK Singh who is part of the government has voiced his reservations and so has ex-Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda. Gen Malik’s suggestion that there is a need to strengthen the local police, intelligence setup and improving the security during troop movement reflects the positivity that exists in the mindset of security forces and central government needs to take serious notice of this.

Facing criticism for closing down the national highway connecting Jammu with Srinagar, the Union Home Ministry took refuge in statistics to claim the ban was for only 15% of total weekly hours. Underlining that the ban became necessary in the backdrop of the Pulwama attack, it has clarified that the step is a temporary measure that has been taken for ensuring safe movement of forces till May 31.

Political parties in J&K, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the J&K Peoples Movement, approached the High Court on State Home Department’s order to restrict civilian traffic twice a week on the national highway. The High Court issued a notice to the union ministries of home and defence and the state government to furnish a reply by April 19 to the petitions challenging the traffic order as it was in violation of fundamental rights of the people. Kashmir’s business body has called for immediate revocation of the government order banning movement of civilian traffic on the highway. They said the order does not augur well for a democratic set-up and has been rightly condemned by all stakeholders. Since this ban comes in the wake of Lok Sabha polls in which the main thrust of J&K politics remains fixated on Centre-State relations, it is bound to influence elections results in Kashmir valley.  

The logic of taking no chances in the run-up to the elections is well understood, the decision, however, should have been taken after weighing all pros and cons. It seems here that price that is likely to be paid for the move is too high in comparison to what will be gained. The movement of troops has been a regular feature in J&K over the last 30 years but never before has such a measure been imposed. Even in the 1990s when militancy was far more entrenched and more widespread no routine restrictions on movement of civil traffic on J&K highway was ever imposed.

It is well within the authority of the government to have a rethink on the order. Consultation with the Army by Home Ministry would be of some value since the forces seem to be confident of meeting whatever challenge the militants would pose in this crucial period. Rescinding the order may be a good idea for the government.

Poor political leadership continues to plague Kashmir

Jaibans Singh
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Poor political leadership continues to plague Kashmir

As the people of Jammu and Kashmir get on to vote to elect their representatives in the Indian Parliament, it becomes relevant to dwell on the report card of the esteemed Members of Parliament (MPs) from this state who were elected by the people in 2014 General Elections.

To begin with, many of these elected representatives have not completed their terms. Tariq Hamid Karra, MP from the Srinagar constituency resigned in October 2016 and Farooq Abdullah was elected in his place in April, 2017. Mehbooba Mufti, MP from Anantnag constituency, resigned in July 2016 and the seat has remained vacant ever since. Thupstan Chewang, MP from Ladakh resigned in December 2018.

Out of those who have completed their term, Musaffar Hussain Beig, MP from Baramulla has the most terrible performance record as provided by PRSIndia. Musaffar Hussain Beig’s attendance stands at 11%, he has participated in three debates, has asked 19 questions and initiated no Private Members’ Bill. It is quite evident that he had no interest in representing his people in the highest seat of Indian democracy where they had sent him. Jugal Kishore Sharma, MP from Jammu and Dr. Jitendra Singh, MP from Udhampur constituency were the only two who remained regular. Of these, Dr. Jitendra Singh was a Cabinet Minister. 

With such a miserable performance, the so-called mainstream local political parties of Kashmir should hide their faces in shame and not seek to represent their people in the Parliament again. But, wonder of wonders, they have fielded candidates in all the constituencies, some have even forged alliances. As the campaigning progresses, one tends to experience a sense of déjà vu. There is nothing happening in the electioneering that has not happened earlier. The candidates who have presented themselves for elections are more or less the same, they have been in this business for decades on end, in fact, for a life time and are not ready to make way for some fresh talent, such is their thirst for power and money.  Some have changed parties and are parroting the political line of their new establishments with whom they were at loggerheads earlier.

The campaigning, especially so in the Kashmir Valley, is following the tried and tested path of castigating opponents and talking of contentious political issues. Those who have been parliamentarians umpteen times and are seeking election yet again are not listing out their achievements and how they will build upon the same; it is so because they have nothing to show as performance and have no option but to skirt the issue.

There is no attempt being made to bring about a feeling of positivity by giving assurance of an improvement in the quality of life of the people with better security and economic stability. The narrative, instead, is designed to put an element of fear in the minds of the people by creating an impression that the candidate and his party are saviours of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a reprehensible falsity but, sadly, democracy does not provide any means to check the same.

The end result of this confrontational path being adopted by Kashmiri leaders of all parties has a sinister connotation. Passions are being flared with no thought to the end result. A societal rift is being created among the people who are already suffering a grave sense of insecurity and alienation. By the time this psychological campaign culminates the fault lines will be more embedded than before. The politicians will get what they want but the people will be left floundering.

Can somebody kindly remind these so-called tallest leaders of Kashmiri people that their people are suffering at the hands of a foreign-driven radical ideology boosted by cross border terrorism. And, under the circumstances, their primary duty is to remove the disaffection among their youth which is guiding them towards a self destructive path of violence.

Experts across the world are identifying erosion of cultural values; radicalisation and the lack of parental control over the current young generation as reasons for the existing environment of political instability in Kashmir. The political leadership knows this very well but it is refusing to take the opportunity presented by the elections to address the core issues. Leaders are, in fact, fuelling this fire by making wild statements with open threats of leading a revolution to separate Kashmir Valley from the Indian Union. With huge properties outside the state and their children settled across the world they have nothing to lose, but what of the people who have to live where they were born? Can they survive outside of the Indian Union? Is any thought being given to the future of their children?

Here is one good example of the duplicity and double speak of these so-called leaders. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) provides protection to the soldier involved in ensuring peace in the region and protecting the people from the evils of foreign-sponsored terrorism. Politicians in Kashmir, regardless of the party they represent, are known to make loud demands for abrogation or dilution of AFSPA when they get into election campaign mode. The same is the case this time too. They conveniently forget that the very election rally that they are addressing has been facilitated by a meticulously established security cover provided by the very soldiers whom they are hounding in their jaundiced speeches. Once campaigning ends, all talk of abrogating AFSPA also ends so far as the politicians are concerned, what remains is an element of doubt, however small, in the minds of some innocent common men and women that AFSPA is actually the reason behind all of their problems and not lack of education, infrastructure, jobs, skill development etc. that these politicians are responsible to provide.  

All the Jihadis and foreign sponsored fundamentalist elements joined together would not have been able to damage the psyche of the Kashmir people so much as the so-called candidates standing for elections will in a short period of over a month’s times. These elements and their self-serving nefarious designs stand exposed. The people of Kashmir deserve better than this.

Art 370 & Art 35-A have distorted the issue of ‘State Subject’ in Jammu and Kashmir

Sant Kumar Sharma
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Art 370 & Art 35-A have distorted the issue of ‘State Subject’ in Jammu and Kashmir

Today is April 20, 2019, and it was on this day in the year 1927 that the first formal definition of ‘State Subject’ was out in public domain in Jammu and Kashmir during the reign of Maharaja Hari Singh. Subsequently, a supplementary notification was issued five years and two months later on June 27, 1932.

These two definitions are the basis of all controversies that surround Article 370 as also Article 35-A today. Those defending the twin articles of the Indian Constitution say that they are defending the special laws made by the Maharaja.

Foremost among them are the leaders of National Conference once led by Sheikh Abdullah who did everything possible to humiliate the Maharaja. It was the combined machinations of Sheikh and his bosom friend Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India that ensured the exile of Maharaja Hari Singh. It is the second and third generations of the Abdullahs (former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah), who are most vociferous defendants of something that the Maharaja did.

Ironically, Abdullahs, virtually sworn enemies of the late Maharaja, project themselves as the most ardent defenders of the State Subject laws in 2019. The National Conference (NC), under them, decided to boycott the elections of the panchayats and the urban local bodies (ULBs) held in late 2018, saying they were doing so to defend ”Article 35-A and Article 370″.

Mehbooba Mufti led her party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to follow into arch-rival NC’s footsteps. Some may say that the NC and the PDP showed a wonderful unanimity in defending the Maharaja’s laws. That is a rather simplistic interpretation of their moves and amounts to falling into their trap. Just as PDP did fall into the “poll boycott call” given by the NC.

The NC is one party which gained by emerging once again as the prime defender of the concerns of the Kashmiris regarding the articles of the Indian Constitution facing scrutiny in the Supreme Court of the country. By this deft move, it managed to push the PDP out of the central space of the discourse in J&K and also throughout the country.

The NC is now clearly being talked of as the party that will most likely bounce back to power whenever Legislative Assembly elections are held in J&K.

Abdullahs’ and Muftis’ as apparent collective defenders of the Maharaja’s laws have made the most devious and hilarious political move. Almost throughout their history, these parties and their leaders have only fanned contempt, and outright hatred for the Maharaja. In their narratives, Maharaja Hari Singh was always portrayed as a ”communal Hindu Maharaja ruling innocent Muslim Kashmiris” using his sword. As if the Mughals of Delhi durbar ruled Kashmir by giving a rose flower a day to all Kashmiris!

The defence of Article 35-A as also of the Article 370 by these parties is totally contrived. Maharaja’s laws on the issue of State Subject were much more liberal and enabling then either or both of these articles. In Maharaja Hari Singh’s reign, a 10-year period of residency in Jammu and Kashmir enabled anyone to apply for grant of domicile and citizenship of the state. And this is just one such example of enabling provision in the State Subject laws of the Maharaja.

The present Article 35-A, which governs the definition of Permanent Residents of J&K, has no such enabling provision. An arbitrary date of ”those arriving 10 years prior to May 14, 1954″ has been set for defining eligibility for the grant of PRCs (Permanent Resident Certificate).

Legal entrants to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, like the West Pakistan refugees, Gorkhas who entered the state to defend and expand its borders, Valmikis who were invited to the state by its government are not eligible to be Permanent Residents of the state. The West Pakistan refugees entered the state in 1947, the Valmikis in 1957 and the Gorkhas much earlier, are all collectively persona non grata.

The disability thrust upon these people by Article 35-A could not have been imagined or conceived in the Maharaja’s laws. The West Pakistan refugees would have become naturalised State Subjects (or PRC holders in today’s parlance) in 1957. The Valmikis would have become eligible for the grant of the PRCs in 1967, similarly the Gorkhas would have become eligible for PRCs.

It is a patent falsehood to say that Article 35-A or Article 370 are Maharaja’s laws.

The Maharaja’s laws for the protection of his ‘praja’ (people) were non-discriminatory and had enabling provisions. The 1927 law of the Maharaja was more progressive than the modern Indian Constitution.

At a communal level, if the current provisions of Article 35-A and Article 370 are examined, the state government of J&K has legislated some laws for enabling Muslims who fled J&K to neighbouring Pakistan to return. Subject to fulfilment of certain terms and conditions, these Muslims can become PRC holders again. However, when it comes to the Hindus or Sikhs or Christians, who were living in the Maharaja’s territorial jurisdiction and went out of J&K due to distress, or those who have been living here for generations, there are no enabling provisions ever legislated by any state government.

The West Pakistan refugees, who carry an odd nomenclature of ‘Pakistan’ defining them till date, a country they had fled to save their lives, the Valmikis and the Gorkhas are all Indian citizens, living permanently in Jammu and Kashmir. However, legally they are not Permanent Residents as defined under Part III of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution which comprises five sections from Section 6 to Section 10.

Irony perhaps dies a hundred deaths every minute in J&K as these are all Indian citizens but lesser and second class citizens condemned to a third rate treatment than those Indian citizens living in J&K having PRCs (Permanent Resident Certificates). These are domiciled in Jammu and Kashmir and spent their entire lives and die here absolutely like others do. But no. They are not legal domiciles of the state as the J&K Constitution does not treat them as domiciles of the state.

Let us hope that the hearings on the petitions pertaining to Article 35-A begin in the Supreme Court someday soon. The parties opposing these provisions and those supporting them both present their points of views and the court gives its verdict.

Climate change demands urgent steps towards energy security: International Solar Alliance

News Intervention Bureau
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Climate change demands urgent steps towards energy security: International Solar Alliance

The recently concluded 4th TILA International Energy Conference gave a clarion call to make energy revolution possible through concerted efforts of all the stake holders. Organized by Dr. Gopal Energy Foundation (DGEF) at New Delhi on 15th April, the conference was inaugurated by Upendra Tripathy, IAS, Director General, International Solar Alliance (ISA). While focusing on the urgency to take short term and long terms steps to end energy deficit and energy poverty, he said that “Climate challenge necessitates immediate steps. If the global temperature increases by 1.5 degrees and there will be lot of weather uncertainty, all the investment, capital and efforts could go in vain.” He also released the “Right to Energy Declaration”, and launched TICE achievers Award 2020 for Institutions/Individuals who contribute to accelerate the pace of energy Revolution through various innovative means. The dignitaries on the dais included J N Swain, MD SECI, Pawan Singh MD, PTC, K.S. Popli, former MD IREDA, Anjuli Chandra, member PSERB, and Ramesh Chaudhry member, BERC.

The conference started with an Open House multilateral dialogue on the need for energy revolution between representative of various countries like Nigeria, South Korea, Cameroon, and Canada. The International distinguished guests from Solar Alliance, Electricity Regulatory Commission, CMD’s/ Directors of PSUs and energy funding agencies, Financial Corporations also participated, besides delegates from different institutions from all across the globe.

While welcoming the dignitaries Sh. Raj Singh Niranjan, energy law expert & Managing Partner of TILA and Convener of the Conference (TICE 4), said that the objective of the conference is to bring about “Energy Revolution” by bringing in all the stakeholders on a single platform to discuss the existing Govt. Initiative, policies, all out innovative ideas, suggest potential measures for wholesome implementation of govt. objectives in India (Urja Kranti) to remove the curse of energy poverty in India.

The conference was supported by leading Companies in energy sector like Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Limited (THDCIL), Satluj Jal Vidyut Limited (SJVNL), Railway Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL), National Hydro Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NHPC), Power System Operation Corporation Limited (POSOCO).Patel Engineering, Jakson, DMRC, Gujarat Metro, Maharashtra Metro, IREDA, PTC Financial Services and others. Trans India Law Associates, who is also the legal adviser to International Solar Alliance (ISA) was the Knowledge Partner of the Conference.

The delegates and energy experts from across the globe resolved to celebrate 15th April as “Right to Energy Day” every year.

‘Mental Hai Kya’ criticized by the Indian Psychiatric Society

News Intervention Bureau
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‘Mental Hai Kya’ criticized by the Indian Psychiatric Society

Rajkummar Rao and Kangana Ranaut starrer film ‘Mental Hai Kya’ has entered into fresh trouble. The Indian Psychiatric Society has recently complained against the title of the film and has called it discriminating. The film’s poster had been launched a few days back, in which Rajkummar and Kangana were seen performing a crazy act of balancing a razor sharp blade on their tongue.

The Indian Psychiatric Society has criticized choosing a title that is discriminating against the people who are tackling mental health issues. As per a report of Mirror Now, the members of the Indian Psychiatric Society have complained against the makers to the Chairman of the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Mr Prasoon Joshi. They have also written to the makers of the film and have urged them to remove any content which would make a mockery out of the people who are battling mental issues.

For the love of organic North-East flavour

Narender Yadav
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For the love of organic North-East flavour

Every Sunday, Prescilla Zinyu brings an eclectic range of organic food products from North East at the Farmers’ market in Greater Noida’s Jonas Nursery. Most popular among these are her non-vegetarian pickles, turmeric powder tea, dried herbs, and the world famous dried Naga King Chilli. For residents of Delhi-NCR, it’s a weekly adventure of taste, fragrance and flavour from the north-east.

Sharing about her experiments with food, Zinyu says, “Life unfurls in mysterious ways. It has been a while living in Delhi, travelling throughout the country, discovering food and lost recipes with my husband. Whenever I am travelling, I would always make non-veg pickles at home and pack them for my survival. During the trip, my other companions would also like to try them out and they not only like the taste but also become curious to know more about the north-east food. This helped me make up my mind to start promoting organic north-east food.”

She feels that north-east is still largely unexplored in terms of its culture and food traditions. “North-east has so much variety to offer when it comes to food, yet people largely are unaware of it. So, I thought of a name which will bring attention and curiosity to others, “Terra Incognita”, which in latin means ‘unknown land’.” Zinyu started with few products in the beginning and has gradually elaborated the list of products available with her. “That’s how my organic food adventure began and I started with pickles, juices, and jams etc, which are quite handy to pick-up and can be easily introduced to others who would like to try out new things,” she adds. 

To ensure the authentic taste remains intact she sources all organic products from Nagaland, Tripura, Assam, Manipur and Sikkim.  Currently, a wide range of products are available with her including pickles, (veg, non-veg), jams, dried fruits, pulses, buckwheat powder, ginger powder, turmeric powder tea, dried herbs, dried king chilli etc. Her focus now is to market these products properly so that more and more people can enjoy and experience food from north-east.

In her constant endeavor to popularise North East food products she is regularly participating in events and exhibitions in Delhi-NCR.  “Just after the brand name Terra Incognita was christened in July 2017, I participated at an event in Delhi at India gate “Northeast Calling”. As first timers the response was good, gradually I started  promoting it online and the response has been quite positive.  Delhi being the capital city of India and people from diverse regions staying here, they want to explore different cuisines as people have become more adventurous with food and food trends, and north-east food is definitely getting popularity now.”

Sharing her future plans, Zinyu says, “Though, it’s a little too early to say but will definitely try to bring the best food from the region, and expand the product list with dry herbs, teas, rice, varieties of fruits etc. Currently I have a Facebook page, “Terra Incognita” where all the products are available. If there is any requirements then the individual can inbox me and the delivery is made within a week anywhere in India. I have also been actively participating in food events to popularise NE food in Delhi and Noida.”

Jet Airways announces temporary shutdown of its operations

News Intervention Bureau
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Jet Airways announces temporary shutdown of its operations

Sky is no more an option for Jet Airways, which announced temporary shutdown of its operations tonight over its failure to garner immediate funds from lenders.

As per the official communication from Jet, this decision has been taken after a painstaking evaluation of all alternatives that were made available to the Company and after receiving guidance and advice on the same from its Board of Directors. Jet Airways has informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Finance and other relevant government institutions, of this course of action.

Over the last several weeks and months, the company tried to seek both interim and long-term funding, however nothing materialised. As a result, the airline has been left with no other choice but to go ahead with a temporary suspension of flight operations. While Jet had been running a bare minimum number of 35-40 flights for the last few days, a total grounding will significantly affect its value for potential investors that are undergoing a bidding process.

Jet Airways will now await the bid finalisation process by SBI and the consortium of Indian Lenders. The bid process will conclude on 10th May 2019.

Chinese app TikTok no longer accessible on Google

News Intervention Bureau
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Chinese app TikTok no longer accessible on Google

Hugely popular video app TikTok is no longer accessible on Google platform. The move came hours after a court in Tamil Nadu refused a request by China’s Bytedance Technology to suspend a ban on its TikTok app.  The state court had on April 3 said that the app encouraged pornography and made child users vulnerable to sexual predators. The app was still available on Apple’s platforms late on Tuesday, but was no longer available on Google’s Play store in India.

TikTok, which allows users to create and share short videos with special effects, has become hugely popular in India but has been criticised by some politicians who say its content is inappropriate. It had been downloaded more than 240 million times in India, app analytics firm Sensor Tower said in February. More than 30 million users in India installed it in January 2019, 12 times more than in the same month last year. Jokes, clips and footage related to India’s thriving movie industry dominate the app’s platform, along with memes and videos in which youngsters, some scantily clad, lip-sync and dance to popular music.

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