One prominent example of citizen defenders which has grabbed global attention in recent times is the rise of the “Bucha Witches”– an all-women group of volunteers who emerged in Bucha suburb of Kyiv after purported war crimes by Russian forces in the town.

Who are the Bucha Witches?

The ‘Bucha Witches’, Ukraine’s first all-women air defense unit tasked with gunning down Russian drones, is formed of women, most of whom have suffered deep personal losses in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The women volunteers come from the Bucha suburb in Ukrainian capital Kyiv, which has reportedly been the earliest epicenter of purported Russian war crimes in the Russia-Ukraine war. According to reports, Russian soldiers allegedly killed over 450 civilians, ncluding men, women, and children, during its 33-day occupation of Bucha, and subjected thousands others to torture, rape, and robbery.

The aftermath of Russia’s horrendous war crimes prompted women of Bucha to step forward to form “Witches of Bucha”, Ukraine’s first all-women air defense unit, as they vowed to protect their families and homes in wake of the invasion.

The ‘Bucha Witches’ is comprised of women of all ages, some as young as 19, and some over 60 years of age, and is tasked with taking down Russian drones, especially the Iranian-made Shahed and Russian Geran drones. None of the members of the unit are professional soldiers but in recent years, many of them have signed for service in the Ukrainian military.

“My mum is happy that I found myself. And I did find myself here. Found friends, colleagues, brothers, and sisters. We have one heart for all. We have one purpose – to speed up the victory and invest in the victory any way we can,” Al Jazeera quoted 51-year-old Valentyna, a prominent members of the Bucha Witches as saying.

Valentyna, a mother of three, is one of the nearly 100 women of the brave unit that takes on killer drones deployed by Moscow.

Who trains the Bucha Witches?

Notably, none of the women in the group had any prior military training, which is why they are put through a grueling training regimen in ‘Mordor’, a place named after dark lord Sauron’s evil realm in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings universe.

The women volunteers are trained by battle-hardened army veterans who yell commands and push them to their physical and mental limits. “Move your a** from the tree!” or “I shot you. You’re f****** dead!” the instructors bark during training drills, according to Al Jazeera.

Colonel Andriy Verlaty, one of the instructors who trains the Bucha Witches notes; “When you put on a uniform, you’re not a woman or a man. You’re a defender.” The veteran army man believes that many of the of the women are just as capable — if not more so — than men in fulfilling their military duties. “They even manage to wax their assault rifles,” he says with a smirk.

According to the report, the volunteers train with a 20th century Maxim M1910 machine guns, now repurposed to shoot down drones flying at speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour, often filled with up to 50 kg (110 lb) of explosives, and are dangerous and difficult to destroy as they fly in swarms.

“The drones are scary, very scary,” Valentyna says.

What motivates the Bucha Witches?

The enlisting of women in Ukrainian armed forces have significantly surged since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February 2022, with official records showing that around 65,000 women are currently serving, including 4,000 in combat roles.

The Bucha witches are a part of this surging trend where women, many of whom are mothers, professionals, and war survivors, are stepping forward to defend their homes from a hostile force.

“I was worried. I’ve never touched a gun before,” admits Kateryna, an art gallery owner from Kyiv, who initially hesitated before joining. But like many of her peers, she was quick to adapt to the new reality and stepped up to defend her homeland.

Natalya, a mother who fled Bucha with her children during the initial Russian invasion, but has returned to avenge the carnage, says “It’s better to take part than to watch from the sidelines”.

“My goal is to keep people safe and allow them to sleep peacefully,” says Olena, another volunteer who comes from a family with deep military roots.

While motivations vary from one volunteer to the other, one common motivation driving the Bucha Witches is their iron will to defend their home at any cost.

On Wednesday, a two-member bench headed by Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam of the Chittagong High Court acquitted the former minister and five other accused, and also reduced the death sentence in absentia of fugitive ULFA chief Paresh Baruah.

Apart from Lutfozzaman Babar, those acquitted in the case included former top intelligence officers, as well as the late Motiur Rahman Nizami, an ex-industry minister, who was executed in prison after being sentenced to death in May 2016 for crimes against humanity in the 1971 Bangladesh war of liberation from Pakistan.

What is the 2004 Chittagong arms smuggling case

On April 1, 2004, as many as ten trucks laden with with weapons, including rockets and grenades, were seized by the Bangladeshi Police. It has been alleged that elements of the then Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, with the help of ISI- Pakistan’s spy agency– had tried to smuggle the weapons using the jetty of Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL).

Police said the massive cache of munitions were being shipped to separatists groups in India, especially, the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). The seizure, later dubbed as the ’10-Truck Arms and Ammunition Haul in Chittagong’, is the biggest arms smuggling case in Bangladesh’s history.

According to a report by the Daily Star, a total of 4,930 types of sophisticated weapons, 27,020 grenades, 840 rocket launchers, 300 rockets, 2,000 grenade launching tubes, 6,392 magazines and 1,140,520 bullets were seized by the Bangladesh Police when these munitions were being loaded onto 10 truck from twin-engine boats at the CUFL jetty at the Chittagong port.

Paresh Baruah, the commander of ULFA– a terrorist organization which advocates the separation of Assam from the Indian state– is one of the 50 persons accused in the case. Baruah was reportedly living in Dhaka at the time.

Two cases were filed at the Karnaphuli police station in Chittagong under the Arms Act and Special Powers Act, and on January 30, 2014, nearly a decade after the arms seizure, a Sessions Court and Special Tribunal in Chittagong delivered their verdicts in the cases. The Chittagong sessions court awarded death sentence to 14 convicts, including former industry minister and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami (he was later hanged in another case), Lutfozzaman Babar, Paresh Baruah and the heads of two intelligence agencies.

Why Switzerland suspended MFN status for India?

The Swiss government has suspended the most favoured nation status (MFN) clause in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India and Switzerland, potentially impacting Swiss investments in India and leading to higher taxes on Indian companies operating in the European nation.

As per a December 11 statement by the Swiss finance department, the move follows the Supreme Court of India last year ruling that the MFN clause doesn’t automatically trigger when a country joins the OECD if the Indian government signed a tax treaty with that country before it joined the organization.

India signed tax treaties with Colombia and Lithuania that provided tax rates on certain types of income that were lower than the rates it provided to OECD countries. The two countries later joined OECD.

Indian firms operating in Switzerland will now have to pay 10 percent tax on dividends and other incomes, up from the earlier 5 per cent, effective January 1, 2025.

How suspension of MFN status would impact Indian investors?

According to industry experts, the suspension of MFN status is major setback for Indian companies with operations in Switzerland as it introduces new tax challenges for these firms in the country, especially in the pharmaceuticals, IT, and financial services sectors.

Stock market analysts believe that Indian investors must “keep an eye on sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, financial services, and engineering goods.”

Commenting on the decision of Swiss authority decision, Nangia Andersen M&A Tax Partner Sandeep Jhunjhunwala, said the unilateral suspension of application of the MFN clause under its tax treaty with India, marks a significant shift in bilateral treaty dynamics.

“This suspension may lead to increased tax liabilities for Indian entities operating in Switzerland, highlighting the complexities of navigating international tax treaties in an evolving global landscape,” he said.

It also underscores the necessity of aligning treaty partners on the interpretation and application of tax treaty clauses to ensure predictability, equity, and stability in international tax framework, Jhunjhunwala said

Under WTO rules, MFN clause is regarded as a cornerstone of global trade as it mandates that equal treatment by nations for all trading partners. Countries enjoying MFN status enjoy a more favourable’ tax treatment from each other under the treaty. Switzerland’s suspension of MFN status to India means Indian firms will now have to face higher tariffs, additional trade barriers, and reduced access to the Swiss, as well as European Union markets.

The Nestle case

Switzerland cited a 2023 ruling by Indian Supreme Court in a case relating to Vevey-headquartered Nestle for its decision to withdraw the MFN status.

According to the statement, in 2021, the Delhi High Court in the Nestle case upheld the applicability of the residual tax rates after taking into account the MFN clause in the double taxation avoidance treaty. However, the Indian Supreme Court, in a decision dated October 19, 2023, reversed the lower court’s decision and concluded that, the applicability of MFN clause provided “was not directly applicable in the absence of ‘notification’ in accordance with Section 90 of the Income Tax Act”.

However, in a statement issued to India.com a Nestle India spokesperson said the issue is a “policy matter between India and Switzerland” and “not a Nestle specific issue”. “The matter is not a Nestle specific issue but is a policy matter between India and Switzerland. We would like to inform you that Nestle India was/is deducting 10% withholding tax, and this has no impact on Nestle India,” the spokesperson said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Let us take a closer look at some of key differences between cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles:

Cruise missile

A cruise missile is a guided missiles which typically has horizontal flight path and stays within the Earth’s atmosphere. This type of missile usually travels at subsonic speeds (around Mach 0.8-0.9), but can also have variants capable of travelling at supersonic speeds, reaching Mach 2-3 levels.

Cruise missiles follow a low-altitude terrain-hugging flight path to avoid radar detection, and use guidance systems such as GPS, terrain contour matching (TERCOM), or radar, to reach their target.

One key advantage of cruise missiles is their terrain-hugging ability and their low-altitude flight capability, making them difficult to detect and intercept. However, on the flip side, their comparatively limited speed makes allows missile defense systems to intercept them with ease.

Some key examples of cruise missiles are India’s BrahMos supersonic missiles, and the US Tomahawks, which are subsonic.

Ballistic missile

As the name suggests, these missiles follow a ballistic trajectory, which means they are launched into space and then rapidly descend towards their earth-based target using gravity. A ballistic missile follows a high-arching parabolic path that leaves the Earth’s atmosphere during the missile’s mid-course phase.

Ballistic missiles can reach hypersonic speeds during re-entry (Mach 10-20), as they descend upon their target from space. For guidance, most ballistic missiles are usually guided during the boost phase as well as mid-course phase, while some advanced variants are even guided in the terminal phase for precision strikes.

Ballistic missiles have a much longer range, reaching thousands of kilometers, including Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), which can have ranges in excess of 5,500 km, and can traverse across continents, as the name suggest.

However, one glaring disadvantage of ballistic missiles is that radars and other aerial defense systems can detect them with ease due to their high-altitude trajectory. Additionally, ballistic missiles have a longer pre-launch prep time compared to other missile types.

Some examples include, India Agni missiles, US Minuteman III ICBM, and China’s Dongfeng-41.

Hypersonic missile

Aptly named as they travel at hypersonic speeds of faster than Mach 5, hypersonic missiles are blazing fast as they can reach speeds of up to Mach 25 (25 times the speed of sound).

Depending on the propulsion system, boost-glide or cruise systems, hypersonic missiles can follow either a glide trajectory or an aerodynamic flight path, and use advanced guidance systems powered by AI and real-time targeting for precision strikes.

Hypersonic missiles have several advantages over their less advanced cousins, mainly due to their express speed, which makes them almost impossible to detect and intercept with even the most advanced missile defense systems in use today.

Additionally, hypersonic missiles have the ability to maneuver during flight, making it impossible to predict their flight path. The only drawback is the high development cost and technological complexity required to build these advanced missiles.

Some noteworthy examples are Russia’s Avangard missiles, US’ HAWC (Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept), and China’s DF-Z.

But how did a student protest against job reservations turned into a movement which culminated in the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government? The answer, experts believe, lies in how the Hasina-led dispensation dealt with the student protesters, resorting to a high-handed approach to quell the protests instead of opting for a dialogue to resolve the crisis.

How did the quota protests start?

The protests, which started last month initially with a demand to end the quota system , later turned into anti-government demonstrations after the country’s police and armed forces came down heavily on the protesters, killing over 200, according to official records.

Introduced in 1972 by Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina’s father, the quota system provided for 30 percent reservation in government jobs for the relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

Earlier in 2018, similar mass protests by students had erupted against the controversial job quota system, prompting Hasina to abolish all reservations. However, the quotas were reinstated by a High Court in June this year following a plea filed by the kin of 1971 war veterans.

The court order provided for a whopping 56 percent reservation in government jobs for the children and grandchildren of Bangladesh’s freedom fighters, women, and people belonging to ‘backward districts’. The ruling triggered a severe backlash, sparking student protests across Bangladesh with protesters demanding the scaling back of reservations and a merit-based recruitment in jobs.

The violent protests, which left over 200 people dead, finally forced the Bangladesh Supreme Court to cut down quotas to just 7 percent, mandating 93 percent of recruitments to be allocated on merit.

From quota protests to anti-Hasina movement

However, even after the quotas were scaled, the protesters did not let up, at first demanding accountability for the deaths during the protests, the arrest of police and armed forces personnel involved in killings, and the release of people detained during the unrest, among several other demands.

The protests soon turned into a full on mass movement against the Sheikh Hasina government as protesters demanded the resignation of the four-time Prime Minister, leading to Sunday’s deadly clashes which left at least 101 people, including 14 policemen, dead.

The student protesters had called for nationwide non-cooperation movement from Sunday to press their demands, but the protests turned violent as clashes erupted between the protesters and supporters of Hasina’ Awami League party.

Hasina resigns, flees country

The mass protests coupled with Sunday’s events– which proved to be the proverbial final nail in the coffin for the Awami League government– forced 76-year-old Sheikh Hasina to resign from her position and flee the country on Monday, ending her 15 years in power.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced Hasina’s resignation in a dramatic development amid massive protests against her government even as thousands of protesters defied a military curfew and stormed her official residence, resorting to vandalism and looting to vent their anger against the former premier.

‘I’m taking all responsibility (of the country), please cooperate,” General Zaman said in a televised address to Bangladesh citizens on Monday after Hasina was overthrown and fled the country.

At least six people were killed in a fresh outbreak of violence on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Kerala Landslides: Landslide Prone Region

Notably, the god’s own country falls under the landslide-prone region as 10 out of the 30 most landslide-prone districts in the country were in Kerala, and Wayanad falls on 13th position, as per landslide atlas released by the ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre in 2023.

As per ISRO’s atlas, 0.09 million square kilometres in the Western Ghats and the Konkan hills, which covers Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra, are prone to landslides.

“The vulnerability of inhabitants and households is more significant in the Western Ghats due to the very high population and household density, especially in Kerala,” the report said.

A study, which was published by Springer in 2021, stated that the major landslide hotspots are based in Kerala’s Western Ghats region and concentrated in Kottayam, Wayanad, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. The study said about 59 percent of landslides occurred in plantation areas.

Kerala Landslides: Depleting Forest Cover

Research carried out in 2022 regarding the dwindling forest cover in Wayanad brought to light some alarming statistics. Between 1950 and 2018, the area surprisingly lost over 60% of its forests, while plantation lands saw an enormous leap, ballooning by nearly 1,800%. The concerning details were published in the reputable International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Interestingly, the lush greenery covered almost 85% of the total landmass of Wayanad until about the 1950s. Today, in the current era of climate change, the Western Ghats, counted among the top eight global biodiversity “hotspots”, are increasingly prone to landslides. Scientists sound the warning bell, attributing this heightened risk to this unfortunate environmental shift.

According to S Abhilash, director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), the warming of the Arabian Sea made way for the formation of deep cloud systems that led to heavy downpours in the southern state in a short period, increasing the possibility of landslides.

“Our research found that the southeast Arabian Sea is becoming warmer, causing the atmosphere above this region, including Kerala, to become thermodynamically unstable,” Abhilash said.

“This atmospheric instability, allowing the formation of deep clouds, is linked to climate change. Earlier, this kind of rainfall was more common in the northern Konkan belt, north of Mangalore,” he added.

Kerala Landslides: Convective Rainfall

Abhilash and his team of scientists published a research study in the 2022 edition of npj Climate and Atmospheric Science journal. The study highlighted a growing pattern of convective rainfall across the West Indian coastline. This kind of intense, short-lived rain showers or localized thunderstorms is what characterizes convective precipitation.

Kerala Landslides: Ecologically Sensitive Area

The dreadful landslides also highlighted the warning of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, which is formed by the government under ecologist Madhav Gadgil.

The panel’s report, which was submitted to the central government in 2011, recommended the government to declare the entire hill range an ecologically sensitive area, dividing into ecologically sensitive zones based on their ecological sensitivity.

About 14 years ago, a proposition was put forth for the banning of activities like mining, quarrying, setting up of new thermal power plants, and executing large-scale wind energy projects specially, in ecologically sensitive zone 1. Unfortunately, despite the length of time that has passed, these suggestions remain unimplemented. The lack of progress can be attributed to opposition from various state governments, industrial bodies, and even the local communities living in these regions.

(With PTI inputs)

How Does the UK Elect Its President?

The UK is gearing up for elections in 650 constituencies, where voters will choose their representatives for the House of Commons. Using the first-past-the-post system, candidates must secure more votes than their opponents to win a seat in Parliament. A crucial threshold for any party is to win 50 percent of the seats, which amounts to 326 seats, to form a majority government. Once this milestone is reached, the party is invited by the monarch, King Charles III, to establish a government. Unlike the House of Commons, members of the upper chamber, the House of Lords, are appointed rather than elected.

If no party wins a majority, there is a hung parliament.

Political System in the UK

The UK operates as a constitutional monarchy, with King Charles III serving as the symbolic head of state. While the monarch’s duties are largely ceremonial, such as granting royal assent on bills, the real power lies within the two-house system of Parliament. House of Commons and House of Lords, sitting at the Palace of Westminster.

The House of Commons is composed of 650 members of Parliament (MPs) elected by the people.
Unlike the House of Commons, the number of members in the House of Lords is not fixed. As of June 20, 2024, it has 784 sitting members. It is made up of life peers, hereditary peers and bishops.

Leading the executive branch is the prime minister, responsible for implementing laws and appointing Cabinet members. The Cabinet comprises senior ministers who head various government departments. The prime minister serves a five-year term.

Additionally, the UK has devolved governments like the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments and the Northern Irish Assembly, each with some legislative authority.

UK’s current parliament

• The Conservatives – 344 seats (52.9 percent)
• Labour – 205 seats (31.5 percent)
• The Scottish National Party (SNP) – 43 seats (6.6 percent)
• The Liberal Democrats – 15 seats (2.3 percent)

The remaining 43 seats were held by nine other parties and independents.

Key contenders and parties in UK elections

• The Conservatives, also known as the Tories, are a centre-right-to-right party, currently led by Rishi Sunak, who took over from Liz Truss in October 2022.
• Labour are a centre-left party, led by Keir Starmer. They were last in power between 1997 to 2010 under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
• Liberal Democrats, centre to centre-left aligned, led by Ed Davey. In power from 2010 to 2015 in coalition with Conservatives under Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, then leader of the Liberal Democrats.
• Greens, left-wing eco-politics, led by Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay.
• Reform UK, right-wing party led by Nigel Farage.
• SNP, Scottish National Party led by John Swinney.
• Plaid Cymru, centre-left-to-left-wing Welsh party, led by Rhun ap Iorwerth.
• DUP, Democratic Unionist Party, led by Gavin Robinson.

Key Issues for the 2024 UK General Election?

According to a survey by the polling company YouGov, the most critical issues for Britons ahead of the 2024 general election include the economy, healthcare, immigration, the housing crisis, and the environment. The survey results, as of June 24, are as follows:

• The economy: 52 per cent
• Health: 50 per cent
• Immigration and asylum: 40 per cent
• Housing: 24 per cent
• Environment: 20 per cent

Polling and projections

Labour has secured a significant lead in the latest polls, positioning them as the top contender for a majority win in the upcoming 2024 UK general election. The Conservative party, on the other hand, is grappling with historic lows in poll numbers, facing a challenging mathematical scenario due to the concentration of their supporters in constituencies under threat. Moreover, the emergence of Reform UK poses an additional obstacle for the Conservatives in these crucial areas.

But what exactly has caused this unprecedented and bewildering surge in temperatures which has pushed the mercury in Delhi beyond record breaking levels?

Here are some explanations given by weather officials for the sweltering heat plaguing Delhi.

Why is Delhi witnessing record-breaking heat?

According to a senior official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), one of the major causes behind the record-breaking temperatures witnessed in parts of Delhi are the hot and humid winds blowing from nearby Rajasthan.

The gusts of hot winds coming from Rajasthan often hit Delhi’s outskirts first, causin temperatures in these areas to rise considerably, the IMD official said.

“Parts of Delhi are particularly susceptible to the early arrival of these hot winds, worsening the already severe weather. Areas like Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh are the first to experience the full force of these hot winds,” IMD regional head Kuldeep Srivastava told news agency PTI.

Meanwhile, another weather expert believes that open areas with a lot of vacant land have an increased amount of radiation, which coupled with direct sunlight and lack of shade makes them hotter than the inner city areas.

“In open areas with vacant land, there is increased radiation. Direct sunlight and lack of shade make these regions exceptionally hot,” said Mahesh Palawat, the vice president of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather.

“When wind blows from the west, it affects these areas first. As they are on the outskirts, temperatures rise rapidly,” Palawat added.

Charan Singh, another IMD expert agreed with Palawat, stating that open areas and barren land are contributing to higher temperatures due to increased radiation.

Delhi records highest-ever temperature

On Wednesday, Delhi sweltered under extreme heat as the maximum temperature in the national capital reached an alarming 52.3 degrees Celsius, the highest ever temperature recorded in the city.

Officials said a maximum temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius, the highest ever in the capital city, was logged in Mungeshpur locality of northwest Delhi on Wednesday, breaching the previous high of 49.9 degrees Celsius, recorded a day earlier on Tuesday.

As per data posted on the IMD website, Mungeshpur area logged a blistering 52.3 degrees Celsius at 4.14 PM on Wednesday, which is the highest temperature ever recorded in the capital city’s history so far.

(With PTI inputs)

In a major bipartisan move on Wednesday, the  US House of Representatives passed by 352 to 65 votes the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act co-authored by Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, and Congressman Mike Gallaghe from the Republican party.

The bill, which seeks to control the ownership of foreign apps like TikTok in the United States, now heads to the Senate for it to be sent to the White House for President Joe Biden to sign it into law.

Why US is proposing to ban TikTok?

US lawmakers who brought forth the bill to ban TikTok have flagged data privacy concerns of American citizens as the app is owned by Chinese company ByteDance which is allegedly under the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

US intelligence services has warned of possibilities of China using apps like TikTok to influence the country presidential elections in November this year.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that the CCP would use it (TikTok) to influence US elections,” Avril Haines, US director of national intelligence said in his report to the House intelligence committee.

Congressman Greg Murphy, one of the representatives who supported the bill alleged that China is using TikTok is to “target, surveil and manipulate American citizens”.

“The app collects sensitive user data that is shared with the Chinese Communist Party and its intelligence services. Under its current ownership, it presents a grave national security threat,” Murphy said.

House Republicans said the ambitious data collection goals of China and the documented lack of transparency from TikTok and their executives over data and moderation practices has prompted governments, including the US, the European Union, Canada, India and several US States to ban the use of the application on government devices.

What is the TikTok bill?

Viewed from a purely global geopolitical standpoint, the bill is the latest development in the deteriorating US-China bilateral ties. The US has claimed that the apps like TikTok must transfer ownership to America as its Chinese ownership might be used to access the data of its over 170 million American users, raising a major data privacy concern for American citizens.

The US also fears that China may use TikTok to run a disinformation campaign and attempt to influence the November elections.

How the ban will affect TikTok users?

TikTok is wildly popular in the US, boasting over 170 million users, and if the app is banned, it will directly affect millions of content creators and small businesses who depend on the platform for income.

Social media influencers, who have used TikTok to cultivate a mass following over the years, will also take a hit as the platform is very popular in the country and beats other social networks like Instagram and Facebook by miles.

Backlash from TikTok users?

After news broke out the government mulling to ban TikTok, scores of its users, especially teens, reportedly called the offices of their respective representatives to register their protest and oppose the legislation.

Last week, TikTok sent a sent a notification to some users, urging them to call their representatives and oppose a “total ban” on the platform that could “damage millions of businesses, destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country and deny artists an audience.”

Options for TikTok?

With the House of Representatives approving the Bill and awaiting to be signed into law by the President of the US, TikTok is left with all but two options; Transfer ownership to the US by separating from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or face a complete nationwide ban in the US.

Recently, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan asserted that the Bill does not aim to ban TikTok, but strives to end its Chinese ownership.

If ByteDance chooses to go the first route and divest its stakes, TikTok will continue to operate in the US if President Joe Biden determines “through an inter-agency process” that the platform is “no longer being controlled by a foreign adversary.”

However, under Chinese law, a forced divestment of TikTok, would compel ByteDance to hand over the data of its 170 million American users to the Chinese government even while then platform has repeatedly claimed that it does not store US user information in China.

Trump, Musk, oppose TikTok ban

Former President Donald Trump and Tesla chief Elon Musk have opposed the ban on TikTok, stating that such a move would inevitably strengthen Meta– Facebook’s parent company– and “hurt some kids”.

Notably, Trump had attempted to ban TikTok in 2020 during his tenure as US President.

“I’m not looking to make Facebook double the size. And if you ban TikTok, (then) Facebook and others, but mostly Facebook, will be a big beneficiary. And I think Facebook has been very dishonest,” Trump said.

The conversation on a sensitive subject was never meant to be public, and the leak embarrassed Germany and raised concerns about the security of its communications.

Furious with Germany, Moscow leveled threats in response.

“If nothing is done, and the German people do not stop this, then there will be dire consequences first and foremost for Germany itself,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Monday.

In her retort, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, “If Russia had not brutally attacked this country, Ukraine would not have to defend itself,” according to the dpa news agency.

In fact, the German officers discussed sending the Taurus missiles only in theory. Germany has not approved deploying the weapons despite months of pressure from Ukraine.

Here is a look at the fallout from what German media are calling the “wiretapping affair” and the Taurus missiles at the heart of the tensions.

WHAT ARE TAURUS MISSILES AND WHAT CAN THEY DO?

Equipped with stealth technology that makes them less visible to detection, the missiles have a range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles), which would help Ukraine to put pressure on Russia in the Black Sea and elsewhere.

The German- and Swedish-made missiles would be able to reach targets deep in Russia from Ukrainian soil. (Taurus is shorthand for Target Adaptive Unitary and dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System.) In Latin, taurus means “bull.”

Ukraine has been asking Germany for the missiles to complement the long-range Storm Shadow missiles sent by Britain and France’s nearly identical Scalp cruise missiles.

The U.K. announced last spring that it was sending Storm Shadows, which have a range of more than 250 kilometers (155 miles) and give Ukraine capacity to strike well behind the front lines, including in Russia-occupied Crimea. Ukraine pledged not to use the missiles to attack Russia itself.

France followed Britain by sending its Scalp missiles, giving assurances that they would not be capable of hitting Russian soil. Paris recently announced the delivery of 40 additional Scalp missiles.

WHAT IS GERMANY’S POSITION ON SENDING THE MISSILES TO UKRAINE?

Germany is the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the United States and is further stepping up support this year. But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused to send the Taurus missiles. Last week, he said sending the missiles would pose a risk of his country becoming directly involved in the war.

“German soldiers must at no point and in no place be linked to targets this system reaches,” he said last week.

Some members of the conservative opposition, and even some in his socially liberal three-party coalition, want to send the missiles to Ukraine. But the idea is not popular with the public.

German media have suggested that by not allowing the Taurus weapons to be sent to Ukraine the unpopular chancellor was trying to distinguish himself domestically as “Friedenskanzler” or “peace chancellor” ahead of June elections to the European Parliament.

“Many people are afraid the war could spread. Scholz has long been aware of this sentiment,” the news magazine Der Spiegel wrote Friday. “He wants to show them: I am aware of you and your worries.”

For military strategists, there are other concerns.

Gustav Gressel, a senior policy fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in a note earlier this year that while the U.K. and France are already developing successors to their Storm Shadows and Scalps, Germany does not have yet have a successor to the Taurus.

Germans fear that their stocks of Taurus missiles could be depleted, he argued, and that “Russians would see the missile in operation in Ukraine and gain insights into the missile’s countermeasures and stealth characteristics.”

WHAT’S IN THE LEAKED AUDIO?

The 38-minute recording was published by Margarita Simonyan, chief editor of Russian state-funded television channel RT, on social media Friday, the same day Navalny was laid to rest after his still-unexplained death two weeks earlier in an Arctic penal colony. It surfaced just weeks before Russia’s presidential election.

In the audio, the head of Germany’s air force, Ingo Gerhartz, can be heard discussing deployment scenarios for Taurus missiles in Ukraine with three colleagues ahead of a meeting with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

The conversation took place Feb. 19, according to Simonyan.

The four military officers discuss how Taurus missiles could be used by Kyiv against invading Russian forces and how Germany would need to support Ukraine technically.

At the start of the WebEx conversation, there is a lot of small talk. One participant connected from Singapore. “It is quite humid here,” he says.

The four then start preparing a briefing on the Taurus weapon system for Pistorius, seeking to coordinate their messages and agreeing to prepare some slides to better visualize the situation.

“If we ever decide politically to support Ukraine with it (the Taurus missiles), how would all of this work?” one officer asked. “We should not only talk about problems but also about solutions.”

The four then discuss various issues that would need to be taken into consideration, including delivery, training and timing. They go into detail about what Ukraine would theoretically need the system for, such as targeting “a bridge in the east” or an “ammunition depot.”

In the course of the discussion, it becomes clear that they are referring to the Kerch bridge linking Russia and occupied Crimea. One of the officials says that training to target the bridge, which is “as big as an airfield,” would likely take longer.

They also discuss potential red lines for German politicians, including a desire to avoid the military being seen as directly involved.

The officers say the rapid deployment of Taurus missiles would only be possible with the participation of German soldiers — and that training Ukrainian soldiers to deploy the Taurus on their own would be possible, but would take months.

The recording makes clear that the German government has not given its OK for the delivery of the cruise missiles sought by Ukraine.

HOW HAS GERMANY REACTED?

German officials have not claimed that the audio is fabricated, which has widely been taken to mean that the recording is authentic.

For hours after the audio was published Friday by Russian media, German officials did not react at all. Then on Saturday, the Defense Ministry said it was investigating, and Scholz called it a “very serious matter” that required quick clarification.

Defense Minister Pistorius followed up Sunday by denouncing the leak as an act of “information warfare” against the West and said the aim was to sow discord within Germany. He said it was no coincidence that the recording leaked on the day of Navalny’s funeral.

“It is a hybrid attack aimed at disinformation,” Pistorius said. “This is clearly about undermining our unity.”

Senior officials have termed this modus operandi being perpetrated by cyber crooks as a serious concern which enables the scammers to easily extort money from the victims once someone is trapped in their vicious circle.

What is ‘Digital House Arrest’?

As per the Delhi Police, ‘digital house arrest’ refers to a fraud where impostors impersonating law enforcement officers dupe the victims into believing that their bank account, SIM card, Aadhaar card, or other cards linked to their bank account has been used unlawfully.

The scammers then virtually restrain the victims from moving out of the house and coerce them into paying them money, said an officer.

“Digital house arrest has become a major concern nowadays. However, our special unit only investigates those cases where the cheated amount is above Rs 50 lakh,” a senior police officer of the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police said, according to news agency PTI.

Recent cases

Giving an example of a recent case, the officer said, “A man was getting ready for his office on December 30, last year when he got a call at around 8.43 am. The caller took his name and said he was speaking from the Crime Branch of Mumbai. He told the victim that his Aadhar card was used to transport drugs in some courier packages which were seized by the crime branch.”

The accused also started interrogating him, which created fear in the mind of the victim. They also asked the victim to not move out of his house for around 8 hours during the “questioning”, the officer said.

“The victim had told police that he heard some voices coming from behind which were voices similar to wireless radio transmission of police. Later the accused asked him to download a Skype application and remote access to the desktop. A man appeared before him wearing a cop dress, interrogated him for hours, and asked the victim to show his bank account details to see if he had received any ‘foreign funds’. Meanwhile, they hacked his system and drained his account completely,” said the officer.

The complainant later lodged an FIR and police are further investigating the matter.

Scammers using forged letterheads

Another police officer said several such cases are being registered in the national capital region of late with over 200 registered every month.

These fraudsters use translation tools for better English to send threatening letters and forge letterheads of police departments. They usually procure Aadhar cards from other sources, the officer said.

“They usually target old people. In such situations, the victims must immediately call the police helpline numbers to report the matter and to get help,” said the officer.

The officer said such ‘cyber thugs’ are technically sound and know how to convince their targets and drain their hard-earned money.

Cyber crimes on rise in Delhi

According to the report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), cases of cybercrime in the national capital nearly doubled in 2022.

The number of such cases rose from 345 in 2021 to 685 cases in 2022, NCRB’s comprehensive crime data for 2022 showed.

In 2020, the count was much lower with only 166 cybercrime cases, it added.

(With PTI inputs)

The sole aim of SWAYAM Plus is to transform the professional development journeys of all learners by providing access to the best learning content and growth opportunities, so they can take charge of their futures. Speaking about the SWAYAM Plus platform, India aims to achieve a higher education Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 50 per cent by 2035 and 65 per cent by 2047, which implies the addition of 37 million and 66 million learners respectively to the current system. As per a PTI report, SWAYAM Plus features innovative elements such as multilingual content, AI-enabled guidance, credit recognition, and pathways to employment.

According to Pradhan, SWAYAM Plus primarily focuses on building an ecosystem for all stakeholders in professional and career development, including learners, course providers, industry, academia, and strategic partners. “The other objectives of the platform include enabling a mechanism that provides credit recognition for high-quality certifications and courses offered by the best industry and academia partners; reaching a large learner base by catering to learning across the country, with a focus on reaching learners from tiers 2 and 3 towns and rural areas and offering employment-focused courses based on learner needs — across chosen disciplines with options to learn through resources in vernacular languages,” Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

“SWAYAM Plus also envisions bringing in features such as access to mentorship, scholarships and job placements as value-added services in due course of time, thus building a digital ecosystem for learners to pursue upskilling and re-skilling at all levels, namely certificate, diploma or degree,” he further added, PTI reported.

Taking a step forward towards implementing NEP 2020 in letter and spirit and fulfilling Hon. PM @narendramodi’s guarantee of making India’s population future-ready, launched SWAYAM Plus.

A collaboration between all stakeholders of the academia—@ugc_india, @AICTE_INDIA, @ncert,… pic.twitter.com/OrKgz6Z4AA

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) February 27, 2024

SWAYAM Plus Platform: Key Features 

1. Building an ecosystem for all stakeholders in professional and career development, including learners, course providers, industry, academia, and strategic partners.
2. High‐quality learning and certification programs from the best industry and academia at affordable costs.
3. Employment‐focused programs imparting future skills in chosen domains
4. Reach a large learner base by catering to learning across the country, with a focus on reaching learners from tier 2 and 3 towns
5. Flexible offerings based on learner needs – across chosen disciplines with options to learn through resources in vernacular languages.
6. Access to Indian Knowledge Systems for learners across the globe.
7. Access to Indian Knowledge Systems for learners across the globe.

According to the official website, SWAYAM Plus will have programmes in chosen sectors, namely – Manufacturing, Energy, Computer Science & Engineering/IT/ITES, Management Studies, Teacher Education, Healthcare, Hospitality & Tourism, Social Science, Indian Knowledge Systems, Media, Communication, etc. To know more, read the frequently asked questions(as listed on the website) here.

1. Are SWAYAM PLUS Different From SWAYAM?

SWAYAM Plus will adopt an ecosystem approach by working with various strategic partners i.e., academic institutions, industry, edtech platforms and individual contributors, while SWAYAM currently focuses on partnerships with academic institution through 9 National Coordinators. In the due course of time, SWAYAM Plus will offer the whole gamut of qualifications. However, in the initial years, the focus will be on certification programmes.

2. Are there any age or other restriction to access SWAYAM Plus courses?

There are no age restrictions to access SWAYAM Plus courses. Anyone can register on the portal and access the courses. However, partners based on their discretion may have prior knowledge requirement or qualification requisites to access the course and gain certification.

3. Can I enroll in multiple SWAYAM Plus courses simultaneously?

Learners can enroll in multiple courses on SWAYAM Plus as long as they have the ability to manage their time and fulfill the course requirements.

4. Are there exams or assessments in SWAYAM Plus courses?

All courses that have certification or credit recognition require that the learner appear for a proctored online / offline exam.

5. Can I transfer my SWAYAM Plus course credits to a traditional university or college?

“The CBSE is planning a pilot run of open-book assessments in selected schools, targeting subjects English, Mathematics, and Science for Classes 9 and 10, and English, Mathematics, and Biology for Classes 11 and 12. The aim is to gauge the time taken by students to complete these tests and gather feedback from stakeholders. “The plan is in line with recommendations made in the National Curriculum Framework. These tests would undergo a pilot phase in schools to evaluate various aspects such as completion time, suitability for formative and summative assessment, and stakeholders’ perceptions,” a senior board official was quoted as saying to news agency PTI. But what is an open-book exam plan? How it will impact students. To know more, read this article.

What is an Open Book Exam Plan in General?

Emerging as a prominent alternative to the age-old, traditional closed-book exams, open-book examinations now have a steady hold on educational methodologies worldwide. This new method enables students to flip through their textbooks, peek at notes, and utilize other resources whilst taking the test. The objective is less about memorizing facts and figures and more about the student’s ability to comprehend and apply the concepts learned.

In simple words, in an open-book exam, students are allowed to carry their notes, textbooks, or other study material and refer to them during the exam. Examinees are allowed to bring reference materials or textbooks into the examination room. Unlike traditional exams where students are expected to rely solely on their memory and understanding of the material, open-book exams allow students to consult their notes or textbooks during the test.

Open-Book Exams (OBE) can be of two kinds: a restricted type or a free type. Speaking of restricted open book assessment, only the study material approved by the exam-conducting authority is permitted during the examination. In a free type, candidates or examinees are allowed to bring any material they find relevant and useful.

While CBSE is concerned, the pilot will be focused on assessing higher-order thinking skills, application, analysis, critical and creative thinking, and problem solving abilities. While the design, development, and review of Open Book Tests is proposed to be completed by June 2024, the pilot testing of the materials in schools is being planned in November-December 2024, PTI reported.

Is Open Book Exam Plan New In India?

No, open-book examinations have been conducted at Delhi University. Even, though the Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE) had previously experimented with an Open Text-Based Assessment (OTBA) format for the year-end exams of Classes 9 and 11 for three years from 2014-15 to 2016-17. However, based on negative feedback from stakeholders, it was scrapped.

Drawing from this experience, discussions within the curriculum committee emphasised the importance of high-quality textbooks and suggested involving teachers in the initial OBE trials to ensure standards akin to advanced placement exams.

In 2014, Open Text-Based Assessment was introduced in Class 9 for subjects such as Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. Meanwhile, OTBA was held for the final examination of Grade 11th in subjects such as Economics, Biology, and Geography. Speaking of colleges, central universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI), Delhi University, Aligarh Muslim University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and several other universities conducted the open book test during the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier in 2020, the Delhi High Court allowed Delhi University to hold online open-book examinations for final-term students with certain directions. A single-judge bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh allowed the varsity to conduct online open book exams on conditions that the question paper should be available on the portal as well as should be emailed to all the students appearing in the exams.

Pros And Cons of Open Book Exam(General)

• Reduced Pressure: Since examinees have access to their textbooks, study material, and other resources, they may feel less pressure during the exam.
• Promotes Deep Understanding: Open book exams encourage examinees to understand the material thoroughly rather than simply memorizing facts.
• Encourages Critical Thinking: With access to resources, students are often required to analyze and evaluate information critically.
• Fairness: Open book exams can be perceived as fairer since all students have access to the same resources.

Cons:

• Time Management: During an open book exam, students can struggle with time management as they might spend too much time searching for information.
• Risk of Dependence: Some students may become overly reliant on their resources.

Present Scenario

In the governing body meeting, the board also contemplated on making the teachers take the open-book exams first to grasp the “potential” of multiple answers in OBE questions. The CBSE chairman stressed upon the need to learn from Delhi University’s experiences to calibrate CBSE’s OBE preparations effectively. As per a PTI report, Jyoti Sharma, a professor from Delhi University, who was present at the meeting drew parallels with the Advanced Placement (AP) exams for US college entrance, lauding their question clarity and quality, advocating for a similar high standard in OBE content. She suggested CBSE should consider AP questions as benchmark for drafting quality CBSE OBE content.

To express their concerns and demand action, the farmers have decided to march towards Delhi. Meanwhile, the police in Haryana and Delhi have put in place massive security arrangements and sealed borders between Punjab and Haryana, as well as Haryana and Delhi, to deter the farmers from entering the national capital.

How Farmers’ Protest 2.0 Is Different From 2020 Stir? 

In 2020, farmers protested against three laws at Delhi borders, leading to their repeal in 2021. These laws were — The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

This years ‘Delhi Chalo’ protests demands a legal guarantee to MSP for all crops, the implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s formula, full debt waiver for farmers, pension for farmers and labourers, withdrawal of cases against farmers during the 2020-21 protest.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have launched Delhi Chalo 2.0. Earlier, the Bhartiya Kisan Union and Samyukt Kisan Morcha, led the farmers’ 2020 protest.

Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni were the two main leaders of the farmers’ 2020 protest. However, they are nowhere to be seen when the farmers are about to march the streets four years later. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the leader of SKM (non-political), and Sarwan Singh Pandher, the general secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh, are now leading the charge.

Farmers were allowed to enter the nation’s capital in 2020, but this time around the administration has implemented stringent preventative measures. There are barbed wire, cement barricades, and nails on the roads; all access to Delhi is restricted. Delhi has implemented Section 144. The Haryana government closed its borders with Punjab.

Last time, the Government accepted the farmers’ demand to withdraw all cases against the protesters registered during the 2020 agitation. However, there was no legal guarantee of MSP. This time, the Centre has already started the negotiation process even before the Delhi Chalo commencement today. The first meeting between the farmer leaders and the Union ministers took place on February 8, while the second happened on February 12.

Who all are leading the ‘Chalo Delhi’ 2,0 protests

In the earlier protests, almost all the farmer organisations in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, numbering more than 40, had come under the Sanyukt Kisa Morcha (SKM). This time a breakaway faction of that umbrella body is spearheading the protests.

• Farmers organisation BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, took along smaller groups and formed a parallel organisation, SKM (non-political)
• It also has farmers groups from Harmaya, Rajasthan, MP joined hands with Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and held rallies in Amritsar and Barnala with the call for ‘Dilli Chali 2.0’
• Another farmers block was formed with 18 farmers groups with more farmers groups coming together, this block was renamed as Kisan Mazdoor Morcha
• Punjab-based kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarvan Singh Pandher has formed groups from Punjab Haryana, Rajasthan, UP and MP. It has decided to align with SKM (non-political)
• SKM (non-political) includes BKU (Dallewal) led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha led by Sarvan Singh Pandher. It claims support of 17 farm organisations. Pandher and Dallewal from Punjab and Abhimanyu Kohar from Haryana have been the most visible faces of SKM (non-political) ahead of the February 13 Delhi Chalo march.

Speaking of paper leaks, let’s understand the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 which was introduced on Monday in Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Personnel and Training Jitendra Singh.

What is Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024?

On February 5, 2024, a bill – Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 – was introduced in Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Personnel and Training Jitendra Singh. to effectively deter persons, organised groups or institutions that indulge in unfair means and adversely impact the public examination system for wrongful gains.

The bill has stringent provisions against malpractices, including a minimum jail term of three years and a fine up to Rs 1 crore. Students in several states have suffered in the past due to examinations getting cancelled for malpractices including paper leaks. Currently, there is no specific substantive law to deal with unfair means adopted or offences committed by various entities involved in the conduct of public examinations by the central government and its agencies.

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, introduced by Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh, mentions “leakage of question paper or answer key”, “directly or indirectly assisting the candidate in any manner unauthorisedly in the public examination” and “tampering with the computer network or a computer resource or a computer system” as offences done by a person, group of persons or institutions.

Examination Covered Under Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024

The bill will cover entrance examinations held by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the railways, banking recruitment examinations and all computer-based examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), Singh said.

10-Year Jail Term, Rs 1 Crore Fine: Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024

It proposes a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment to curb cheating and those involved in organised crimes of cheating will face five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore, he further added.

The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 aims to deter such nefarious elements; meanwhile, the sole objective of the bill is to bring in greater transparency, fairness, and credibility to the public examination systems and to reassure the youth that their sincere and genuine efforts will be fairly rewarded and their future is safe. The bill covers recruitment examinations conducted by the UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), NEET and JEE, and the NTA among others. The bill is aimed at preventing organised gangs and institutions that are involved in unfair means for monetary gains, but it protects candidates from its provisions, the minister said.

1. The committee shall look into developing protocol for insulating digital platforms, devising ways and means for developing foolproof information technology (IT) security system, ensuring comprehensive electronic surveillance of the examination centres and formulating national standards and service levels for both, IT and physical infrastructure, to be deployed for conduct of such tests, the minister said, PTI reported.
2. The bill makes “creation of fake website to cheat or for monetary gain”, “conduct of fake examination, issuance of fake admit cards or offer letters to cheat or for monetary gain” and “manipulation in seating arrangements, allocation of dates and shifts for the candidates to facilitate adopting unfair means in examinations” as punishable offences.
3. The bill makes “threatening the life, liberty or wrongfully restraining persons associated with the public examination authority or the service provider or any authorised agency of the government; or obstructing the conduct of a public examination” a punishable offence.
4. The bill shall serve as a model draft for states to adopt at their discretion.
5. Ministries or departments of the central government and their attached and subordinate offices for recruitment of staff and any “authority as may be notified by the central government” for conduct of government job recruitment are also under the ambit of the proposed legislation.

Note: The bill’s provisions extend to entrance examinations like the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), and the Common University Entrance.

About Lachit Borphukhan – A Brief History

Lachit Borphukan (24th November, 1622 — 25th April, 1672) was the famous General of the Royal Army of the Ahom Kingdom of Assam who defeated the Mughals and successfully halted the ever expanding ambitions of the Mughals under Aurangzeb.

Borphukan was originally named Lachit Deca. He was born to Momai Tamuli (who was the commander-in-chief of the Ahorn army), who later rose to become the first Governor of Upper Assam and Commander-in-Chief of the Ahom army (Borbarua).

Borphukan, similar to a ‘Senapati’ or ‘Field Marshal’, was a title bestowed by the Kings of Ahom in their courts. Lachit Borphukan rose the ranks to become the head of the Ahom army under King Chakradhwaj.

Lachit Borphukan inspired the Assamese soldiers in the Battle of Saraighat fought in 1671, and delivered a crushing and humiliating defeat on the Mughals.

According to the NCERT, the Battle of Saraighat was fought on the Brahmaputra River between the Mughal Empire (led by Kachwaha king Raja Ram Singh I) and the Ahom kingdom (led by Lachit Barphukan) at Saraighat, now in Guwahati.

When on the battlefield of Saraighat, Lachit Borphukan asserted: “Dexotkoi Momai Dangor Nohoi” ( My uncle is not greater than my motherland) to punish his uncle for compromising the defence. Lachit found his uncle asleep during the war.  In doing so, he has sown the seeds of the ‘Nation first’ philosophy.

The Ahom army launched a massive attack on the invaders and when the Mughal admiral Munnawar Khan was killed by a gunshot, the Mughal naval force became leaderless and they could not maintain the attack and ultimately had to retreat.

The heroic fight of Lachit Borphukan and his army remains one of the most inspiring military feats of resistance in the history of our country.

The Mughals were at the height of their power but failed to conquer Assam and the Northeast and consolidate their rule. 17 attempts were made by the Mughals to conquer Assam but they failed every time.

The Mughals never attempted to capture Assam after the 1671 war.

The Ahom kings ruled large parts of what is now known as Assam for nearly 600 years, from the early 13th century to the early 19th century. This was a prosperous, multi-ethnic kingdom which spread across the upper and lower reaches of the Brahmaputra valley, surviving on rice cultivation in its fertile lands.

Legacy of Lachit Borphukan

On 24 November each year, Lachit Divas is celebrated statewide in Assam to commemorate the heroism of Lachit Borphukan and the victory of the Assamese army at the Battle of Saraighat. In November 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the closing ceremony of the year long celebrations of 400th Birth Anniversary of Borphukan in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Lachit Divas is celebrated to promote the ideals of Lachit Borphukan – the legendary general of Assam’s history.

Now, the best cadet from the National Defence Academy is awarded the Lachit Borphukan gold medal. It was first institute in 1999 following an announcement by General AP Malik saying the medal would inspire defence personnel to emulate Borphukan’s heroism and sacrifices.

Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with the senior official of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry has also summoned the Iranian charge d’affaires to convey its strongest condemnation. The responsibility for the consequences of this violation lies squarely with Iran, according to the statement.

Last month, at least 11 Iranian police officers were killed in an attack overnight on a police station in the southeastern province of Sistan-Balochistan, according to Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, who blamed the Jaish al-Adl for the incident. He claimed the Jaish militants had entered Sistan from the Pakistan side near Panjgur.

Who are Jaish al-Adl?

Jaish ul-Adl, also known as the ‘Army of Justice’, is a Sunni Salafi separatist militant organization that primarily operates in southeastern Iran. This region is home to a significant population of Sunni Baluchis and shares a porous border with Pakistan. The group has been responsible for numerous attacks against military personnel in Iran, and their main objective is to fight for the independence of the Sistan and Baluchistan Province, as well as to secure greater rights for the Baluch people. One of the notable aspects of Jaish ul-Adl is its affiliation with Ansar Al-Furqan, another Iranian Baloch Sunni armed group operating within Iran. This alliance strengthens their capabilities and extends their reach, posing a significant challenge to the Iranian security forces.

The current leader of Jaish ul-Adl is Salahuddin Farooqui, who has taken over the reins after his brother, Amir Naroui, was killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.The rise of Jaish ul-Adl can be attributed to the historical grievances and socio-economic disparities faced by the Baluch population in Iran. The Baluchis, who are predominantly Sunni in a predominantly Shia country, have long felt marginalized and discriminated against. T

The porous border with Pakistan provides Jaish ul-Adl with a safe haven and facilitates the smuggling of weapons and supplies. This enables them to carry out attacks on Iranian military personnel and infrastructure, making it difficult for the Iranian government to effectively counter their activities. The group’s ability to operate in the rugged and remote terrain of southeastern Iran further adds to the challenges faced by the security forces.

The Iranian government has been actively engaged in efforts to counter the activities of Jaish ul-Adl. They have deployed additional security forces to the region, increased border surveillance, and intensified intelligence operations to disrupt the group’s networks. However, the complex nature of the conflict, the porous border, and the local support enjoyed by Jaish ul-Adl make it a persistent threat.In conclusion, Jaish ul-Adl is a Sunni Salafi separatist militant organization that operates in southeastern Iran.

Their objectives include fighting for the independence of the Sistan and Baluchistan Province and securing greater rights for the Baluch people. The group’s affiliation with Ansar Al-Furqan and the porous border with Pakistan pose significant challenges to the Iranian security forces.

Jaish al-Adl’s Formation

Salahuddin Farooqui, a driven militant, laid the foundation for Jaish al-Adl in 2012. Calling Sistan-Baluchestan and Pakistan their operational bases, the group amasses backing particularly from the ethnic Baluch tribes. This support intensifies in geographical pockets where Sunni Muslims, the minority, are subjected to discrimination in Shiite-ruled Iran.

Attacks, bombings and ambush

In October 2013, Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for killing 14 Iranian border guards in the city of Saravan. The group claimed that the attack was in retaliation of 16 Iranian Baloch prisoners who were on death row. The prisoners were convicted of drug trafficking and extremism. As result of the attack, Iranian officials hanged 16 prisoners a day later.

Weeks later, on November, two attackers opened fire on Musa Nuri’s vehicle in the city of Zabol, province of Sistan and Balochistan. At least two people were killed in the attack, including Nuri, the Zabol city prosecutor, and his driver.

Jaish Al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack, as well as for the hanging of the prisoners days before. Nine days later, militants attacked a patrol of the border guard, killing fourteen guards and wounding six more.

In February 2014, terrorist abducted five Iranian border guards in Sistan and Baluchistan, being transferred to Pakistan. One of the hostages was killed sometime in March 2014, while the other four were released in April 2014. Jaish Al-Adl claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.

In October, Iran’s state news agency reported that three members of Iranian security forces were killed by Jaish ul-Adl. According to the news agency, the militants had called the police emergency line and once the members of security forces reached the area, they were attacked by militants belong to Jaish ul-Adl.

Previously, one Iranian soldier was killed and two pro-government militiamen were wounded in an attack that was blamed on Jaish ul-Adl.

Today, January 2024, Iran claimed to have targeted Jaish ul-Adl’s headquarters with ballistic missiles and drones.

Note: Over the years, the troubled Balochistan province has become a hotbed for terror attacks, and many banned religious terror, and separatist outfits have also used its soil to carry out attacks against Pakistan’s security personnel and installations.

“Davos is easily mocked. But in current times it is hard to get people together to talk in a room on shared global issues and the value of face-to-face conversations is very real, as the COVID-19 pandemic showed,” Bronwen Maddox, director of the Chatham House think tank, was quoted as saying in an email by Livemint.

Who initiated the World Economic Forum?

Klaus Schwab, a German professor, founded the World Economic Forum (WEF). He had a background in mechanical engineering and later earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University. From 1972 to 2003, Schwab served as a professor of business policy at the University of Geneva, according to a report in The Indian Express.

Schwab established the WEF in 1971, originally known as the European Management Forum. One of the key concepts introduced by Schwab and the WEF is “stakeholder capitalism.”

The WEF website states that the idea behind stakeholder capitalism is that a company should serve all its stakeholders, not just its shareholders. It encourages businesses, government, and civil society leaders to come together to discuss global issues and brainstorm solutions to address these challenges.

What happens at WEF?

The annual summit in Davos provides a platform for leaders from various sectors to engage in discussions and find ways to tackle major global issues while considering the interests of all stakeholders and society as a whole. Here’s what typically happens at the WEF:

• 1. Participants: The meeting brings together around 3,000 participants, including paying members and selected invitees. These participants include investors, business leaders, political leaders, economists, celebrities, and journalists.
• 2. Global Issues: The WEF meeting focuses on a wide range of global issues, including economic, social, and environmental challenges. The discussions cover topics such as geopolitics, climate change, technology, healthcare, education, and more.
• 3. Sessions: The meeting consists of around 500 sessions, which are organized in different formats such as panel discussions, workshops, and presentations. These sessions provide a platform for participants to share their insights, exchange ideas, and collaborate on finding solutions to global challenges.
• 4. Stakeholder Engagement: The WEF emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement. It brings together representatives from business, government, civil society, and academia to ensure a diverse range of perspectives and expertise in addressing global issues.
• 5. Networking and Collaboration: The meeting provides ample opportunities for networking and collaboration among participants. It allows leaders from different sectors to connect, build relationships, and explore potential partnerships to drive positive change.
• 6. Side Events: In addition to the main sessions, the WEF meeting also includes various side events, such as exhibitions, cultural performances, and social gatherings. These events provide a platform for participants to engage in informal discussions and foster a sense of community.

Overall, the WEF meeting serves as a forum for stakeholders to come together, discuss global and regional socio-economic issues, and work towards finding innovative and sustainable solutions.

Who funds the WEF and why is the WEF Meeting held at Davos?

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is primarily funded by its partnering corporations, which are typically global enterprises with annual turnovers exceeding $5 billion. These corporations provide financial support to the WEF to facilitate its operations and initiatives.

As for why the WEF meeting is held in Davos, there are a few reasons. Firstly, Davos is a well-known and prestigious ski resort located in the Swiss Alps. It offers a serene and picturesque setting, which provides a conducive environment for focused discussions and networking among participants.

Secondly, the choice of Davos as the meeting location has historical significance. The setting of Thomas Mann’s novel “The Magic Mountain” is Davos. The novel tells the story of a young man who goes to Davos to stay at a sanatorium for three weeks but ends up spending seven years. This literary connection adds a cultural and symbolic element to the choice of Davos as the venue for the WEF meeting.

Lastly, holding the WEF meeting in Davos helps to create a sense of exclusivity and privacy. The remote location and limited access to the event contribute to a more intimate and confidential atmosphere, allowing participants to engage in open and candid discussions without the distractions of global politics.

Davos’ history

Davos has a rich history as a holiday destination, dating back 150 years, when the first winter guests arrived in 1865. Prior to that, it was primarily known as a summer mountain health resort for the treatment of tuberculosis patients.

In 1865, Doctor Friedrich Unger and Hugo Richter from Germany arrived in Davos for treatment. They used a makeshift bed made from a hay sled covered with boards. The treatment was successful, and both men were able to return to work. Unger eventually returned to Davos and worked as a doctor there for over two decades.

Richter, on the other hand, married a local woman and took over the management of a guest house. He later moved his publishing business to Davos and began printing two local newspapers.

Another notable figure associated with Davos is painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. He spent the last 20 years of his life in Davos and created many of his finest paintings there. His work can be seen throughout the town, and there is a museum dedicated to his art.

Towards the end of his life, Kirchner suffered a major nervous breakdown and spent his final days in a sanatorium in Davos. This sanatorium served as inspiration for Thomas Mann’s classic novel “The Magic Mountain”.

Davos’ connection with the World Economic Forum (WEF) began in 1971 when the Forum was known as the European Management Forum. That year, WEF founder Klaus Schwab invited over 400 European business leaders for a meeting at the Davos Congress Centre under the patronage of the European Commission. Since then, Davos has been the host city of the annual WEF meetings.

Overall, Davos has a fascinating history as both a healthcare resort and a cultural destination, with notable figures and events shaping its development over the years.

In an over 10-minute audio message on X, Modi said he is experiencing sentiments he has never felt before. He said that “only 11 days are left for the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. I am fortunate that I will also be a witness to this auspicious occasion. The Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India during the consecration. Keeping this in mind, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today. I am seeking blessings from all the people. At this moment, it is very difficult to express my feelings in words, but I have tried from my side.”

प्राण-प्रतिष्ठा से पूर्व 11 दिवसीय व्रत अनुष्ठान का पालन मेरा सौभाग्य है। मैं देश-विदेश से मिल रहे आशीर्वाद से अभिभूत हूं। https://t.co/JGk7CYAOxe pic.twitter.com/BGv4hmcvY1

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2024

Details of PM Modi’s 11-day Anushthan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on an 11-day spiritual journey known as ‘Anushthan’ on Friday. This disciplined practice, will see PM Modi following in the footsteps of Lord Ram during his vanvaas (exile). The Prime Minister will visit temples and places where Lord Ram, along with his wife Goddess Sita and brother Laxman, spent time.

During this period, PM Modi has announced that he will observe fasting and adhere to strict practices as prescribed in Hindu scriptures. These practices, known as ‘Yam Niyam’, are essential to maintain the sanctity of a holy event.

The Anushthan is a significant event that holds great spiritual importance. It symbolizes PM Modi’s dedication and devotion towards Lord Ram and his teachings. By undertaking this journey, he aims to connect with the divine and seek blessings for the well-being of the nation.

The journey will not only involve visits to temples but also include interactions with spiritual leaders and scholars who can provide insights into the teachings of Lord Ram. PM Modi believes that such interactions will deepen his understanding of the scriptures and help him in serving the people with greater wisdom and compassion.

Significance of Panchvati

Panchvati, located on the banks of the Godavari River, is a place of immense religious importance. It is believed to be the spot where Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, had stayed during their exile period of 14 years. The name Panchvati itself means ‘a garden of five banyan trees’ and is derived from the presence of these trees in the area. It was also from Panchvati that Lanka’s ruler Ravana had abducted Sita after Lakshman cut off his sister Shurpanakha’s nose and ears.

The decision to begin the Ayodhya ‘Anushthan’ from Panchvati showcases the deep-rooted connection between these two holy places. Ayodhya, known as the birthplace of Lord Rama, has been at the center of a long-standing dispute regarding the construction of a Ram temple. The ‘Anushthan’ is a religious ceremony performed to seek the blessings of the deities and ensure the successful completion of a task.

Panchvati is often referred to as Western India’s Kashi due to the presence of a number of temples here. Kalaram Temple, Kapaleeshwar Temple, Ganga Godavari Temple, Sundar Narayan Temple, Talkuteshwar Temple, Neelkantheshwar Gorarama Temple Muralidhar Temple, Tilabhandeshwar Temple, Balaji Temple, Sandavyachi Devi Temple, Vitthal Temple, Pataleshwar Temple, Naroshankar Temple, Ramkund, Kartikswami Temple, Dutondya Maruti, Katya Maruti temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman temple, and Bhadrakali temple are among the religious stops here.

The Kalaram Mandir, which was visited by PM Modi on Friday, is said to be not just an architectural wonder but also a spiritual marvel. The temple is built right where Lord Ram is believed to have set up his hut with Sita and Lakshman.

At the Shree Kalaram Temple, I had the profound experience of hearing verses from the Bhavarth Ramayana written in Marathi by Sant Eknath Ji, eloquently narrating Prabhu Shri Ram’s triumphant return to Ayodhya. This recitation, resonating with devotion and history, was a very… pic.twitter.com/rYqf5YR5qu

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2024

As per legend, sages of Panchvati implored Lord Ram to get rid of demons occupying the region. The prince assumed his ‘Kala Roop’, meaning invoked his dark side, to slay the demons, as per Make My Trip blog.

The famous Ram Kund and Sita Gupha (or Sita’s cave) are also present in the pilgrim town.

Between 1999 and 2015, these individuals were relentlessly pursued in court by the Post Office for financial losses that were never actually incurred. This pursuit led to some being imprisoned, while most experienced severe financial hardships. Additionally, many suffered from mental health issues and tragically, some even took their own lives.

Since ITV’s drama aired, more victims have come forward, but dozens of other people died before they could receive compensation. When Horizon declared branch accounts were in deficit, managers were contractually obliged to make up shortfalls. Some even paid from their own savings to avoid prosecution, even though they were sure they had done nothing wrong. . Others pleaded guilty to lesser crimes to avoid jail although they were innocent.

The faulty IT system, Horizon, falsely declared that branch accounts were in deficit. As a result, branch managers were contractually obligated to cover these shortfalls, often resorting to using their personal savings. It is important to highlight that these individuals were confident in their innocence, yet still felt compelled to make these payments in order to avoid prosecution.

In some cases, victims even pleaded guilty to lesser crimes they did not commit, simply to avoid imprisonment. This further emphasizes the immense pressure and hardship they faced throughout this ordeal.

What Is UK Post Office Scandal

The UK Post Office Scandal revolves around the Horizon computer system, a digital accounting system installed by the IT multinational Fujitsu, which wrongly said post office branches had cash shortfalls. It has been alleged that this system is flawed and has led to numerous errors and discrepancies in the accounts of postmasters and mistresses across the country.

Overall, 3,500 branch owner-operators were wrongly accused and more than 900 prosecuted, with many of these jailed and ruined. Some suffered significant ill health, local ostracism and family breakup, and in a handful of cases, suicide.

The scandal came to light when a group of postmasters and mistresses formed the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (JFSA) to fight against their wrongful convictions. These individuals were accused of theft, fraud, and false accounting due to discrepancies in the Horizon system. However, it has now been revealed that these discrepancies were not the fault of the postmasters and mistresses, but rather a result of the faulty computer system.

The impact of the UK Post Office Scandal has been devastating for those affected. Many postmasters and mistresses have faced financial ruin, job loss, and even imprisonment as a result of the false accusations. Lives have been shattered, and trust in the Post Office has been severely damaged.

The scandal has also raised questions about the accountability and oversight of the Post Office. It has been suggested that the Post Office management was aware of the issues with the Horizon system but failed to take appropriate action. This has led to calls for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable.

What is Fujitsu’s Horizon system?

Horizon was introduced by the Post Office in 1999. The system was developed by the Japanese company Fujitsu, for tasks like accounting and stocktaking.

Sub-postmasters complained about bugs in the system after it falsely reported shortfalls – often for many thousands of pounds. Some attempted to plug the gap with their own money, as their contracts stated that they were responsible for any shortfalls. Many faced bankruptcy or lost their livelihoods as a result.

The Horizon system is still used by the Post Office, which describes the latest version as “robust”.

PM Sunak promises law to compensate the victims

Under pressure, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday promised a new law to exonerate and compensate all known victims, a sweeping intervention that aims to finally bring justice after years of glacial progress.

The new legislation has not yet been published and voting timelines are unclear, but Sunak says former Post Office workers who were part of the group litigation in 2019 would be eligible for an upfront payment of £75,000 ($95,000), according to a report in Time.

“This is one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nation’s history. People who worked hard to serve their communities had their lives and their reputations destroyed through absolutely no fault of their own. The victims must get justice and compensation,” said Sunak.

“Today I can announce that we will introduce new primary legislation to make sure those convicted as a result of the Horizon scandal are swiftly exonerated and compensated.”