Green Left speaks to Clifton D’Rozario, a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation about the rise of the Narendra Modi government in India.
This post was originally published on Green Left.
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Boeing signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ST Engineering to outline potential areas of collaboration in systems integration, training, local parts distribution, support and sustainment work for the P-8A Poseidon. Boeing and ST Engineering have identified opportunities to collaborate in a number of areas and will explore these in more detail, including jointly developing […]
The post Boeing and ST Engineering Sign P-8 Sustainment MoU appeared first on Asian Military Review.
This post was originally published on Asian Military Review.
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This story originally appeared in Peoples Dispatch on June 5, 2023. It is shared here under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 (CC BY-SA) license.
At least 275 people have died following a horrific train accident in the Balasore district of the Indian State of Odisha on Friday, June 2. Over a 1,000 people were also injured in what is being called the worst rail accident in 20 years. As the country recovers from the shock, questions are being asked about the government’s policies towards the railways.
The accident involved three trains. On the evening of June 2, the Coromandel Express, a passenger train, rammed a stationary goods train that had been parked in the Loop Line of the Bahanaga Bazar railway station. According to a preliminary investigation, 21 coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed and some overturned, including on to the adjoining track.
Just minutes later, another passenger train, the Yesvantpur-Howrah Superfast Express coming from Bengaluru hit the derailed compartments of the Coromandel Express, and itself derailed, becoming what is called “a wreck on a wreck.” Both trains had an estimated 2,000 passengers on board.
Issues with the signaling system
On June 4, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated the root cause of the collision had happened due to a change in the electronic interlocking, which is a signaling system to ensure route safety for trains. He added that the people responsible had been identified.
Subsequently, he added that the Railway Board had recommended an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), identifying a “signaling interference” as the main cause of the accident.
The preliminary investigation found that the Coromandel Express had initially been given the “green signal” to pass through the Up Main Line (heading towards Chennai). However this signal was then taken off, following which the train moved into the Loop Line (which are lines constructed around station areas to accommodate trains ease operations). It then collided with the goods train.
Coromandel was not scheduled to stop at the Bahanaga station and it is not known why the green signal was taken off. It is also not clear whether the signal was displaying “red” or “green” when the Coromandel Express crossed it.
Balasore and neighboring areas were the site of a massive rescue effort as local residents joined National Disaster Response Force and fire department personnel. Meanwhile, distressing videos circulated on social media revealed a close-up of the tragedy.
Heartbreaking scenes have emerged out of Odisha of relatives searching for their loved ones amid the chaos, as piles of bodies were laden on trucks and in open halls. According to news reports, the local Bahanaga high school was turned into a makeshift morgue, while local hospitals struggled to accommodate patients.
The State and Central governments have since then announced ex-gratia payments. Alongside the looming CBI probe, the Odisha Police have also filed charges of “causing death by negligence and endangering life,” however the case does not name any specific individuals as of now.
The Indian Railways is one of the country’s most important institutions, employing over 1.1 million people. It is the fourth biggest railway network in the world and the second largest in size if we consider passenger miles. While the Balasore train accident is the worst India has seen for many years in terms of its sheer scale, the Indian Railways have continued to witness routine accidents, both “consequential” (entailing serious repercussions including loss of human life) and otherwise.
This brings to the fore the structural issues that have continued to plague the railway system and which have become a key issue in this context. In a letter from February, seen by news publication ThePrint, the principal chief operating manager of the South Western Railway zone had warned of “serious flaws” in the signaling system, adding that if the maintenance system was not corrected, it could lead to “re-occurrence and serious accidents”.
“Anything of this nature happening in one zone raises eyebrows everywhere,” an anonymous senior railway official stated in the news report.
Incomplete safety inquiries
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) published a report in 2022 for the year ending March 2021. A section of the report stated, “Investigation of factors responsible for derailments conducted by the Inquiry Committees is an important exercise, which highlights the main factors responsible for the accidents.”
According to the report, the Zonal Railways (ZR) did not adhere to the timeline prescribed by the Railway Board for completing inquiries in 49% of the derailment cases. It also revealed that the Indian Railways neglected workforce vacancies and managed them through nominal outsourcing. This lack of proper staffing in the safety category compromised the railways’ vision of achieving accident-free, collision-free, and fire-free train operations.
The report revealed that track inspections were conducted in only 181 cases out of the required total of 350, indicating that over 50% of the mandatory track safety inspections were neglected. Furthermore, the data shows that out of the total 217 accidents between the years 2017 and 2021, 75% were caused by derailments. Additionally, there were 211 accidents attributed to signal failure. The report also acknowledged that essential safety measures were being disregarded, while funds were being allocated to non-priority projects instead of investing in rail safety.
Staff shortage
Just two days before the accident, The Hindu published a report highlighting how the shortage of staff in Indian Railways was leading to major accidents. For instance, in the South East Central Railway, 35.99% of loco pilots had duty shifts exceeding 12 hours in March, 34.53% in April, and 33.26% during the first half of May.
For the year 2023, over 312,000 posts in the Indian Railways remained vacant. The failure to fill these positions has resulted in employees working overtime. A 29-year-old employee, working at the Central Railway ticket booking office in Mumbai, told The Hindu, “I have been working double shifts for up to 16 hours continuously as we don’t have enough staff to relieve us.“
Political parties in India condemned the failure to address many of these underlying structural issues. Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary noted that a task force formed in 2017 had pointed out the urgent need for track renewals. However, in the 2022 budget, the allocation for track renewal was cut by 14%. He also called out the government for the vacancies of the position of gangmen, who monitor tracks for any loose bolts.
He warned against the CBI probe being used to divert attention from some of these issues.
Many observers also criticized the government’s focus on publicity campaigns boasting of super-fast trains while basic safety issues remained unresolved. Sitaram Yechury urged the government to focus on providing facilities for people to travel rather than on high-speed trains which only the rich can access.
Opposition leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted that “rail safety & track renewals have taken a backseat, while high-profile inaugurations & an obsession with speed get priority.”
His party, the Indian National Congress, and other political leaders demanded the resignation of Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
(With inputs from Umer Beigh, Hrishi Raj Anand and Tanupriya Singh)
This post was originally published on The Real News Network.
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4 Mins Read
Leading Indian plant-based protein label Shaka Harry has announced its expansion into Singapore.
The expansion marks the company’s first foray into the international market. Shaka Harry is set to introduce 15 innovative products at Mustafa Centre Singapore, a four-level retail hub and iconic shopping mall known for its 24-hour market-style shopping experience.
To support the launch in Singapore, Shaka Harry has planned a range of marketing and promotional activities. These include in-store demonstrations, engaging social media campaigns, and collaborations with local food bloggers and influencers. The company also aims to establish partnerships with local restaurants and food service providers to incorporate their products into their menus.
‘A timely and important solution’
“Expanding our business to Singapore, a country globally recognized for its commitment to promoting plant-based diets and addressing public health, environmental, and ethical issues, holds significant importance for Shaka Harry,” Anand Nagarajan, co-founder of Shaka Harry, said in a statement.
“We are delighted to bring our products to discerning consumers in a country that shares our dedication to promoting plant-based diets and creating a more sustainable and compassionate food system. We are confident that our products will appeal to the growing number of individuals embracing flexitarian diets and seeking healthy, delicious, and environmentally friendly food options,” Nagarajan said.
“Mustafa Shopping Centre Singapore is proud to announce the launch of Shaka Harry, a plant protein company backed by the legendary cricketer MS Dhoni,” said Mohd Saleem of Mohamed Mustafa & Samsuddin. “Shaka Harry’s innovative approach to sustainable and ethical protein production is a timely and important solution to address the challenges faced by our planet. We are excited to offer our customers access to Shaka Harry’s delicious and nutritious plant-based products, and we believe that this partnership will help create a brighter and more sustainable future for all.”
Sandeep Devgan, Shaka Harry co-founder says the timing couldn’t be more exciting for the brand. “Collaborating with Mustafa Centre will give us the impetus to propel the Shaka Harry brand in the global marketplace,” Devgan said. “Already established as the best-performing brand in online stores where we have a presence, we are now poised to launch our exclusive range of 15 products in Singapore alongside Mustafa. Food is a pivotal area where sustainability can make significant strides, and Singapore is at the forefront of adopting cultivated meat and plant-based diets worldwide.”
India’s global expansion
According to Devgan, India’s government, along with APEDA (the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), is actively promoting the export of plant-based food. “We are excited to be part of this growth story and build momentum,” he said. “India’s plant-based food products are highly regarded overseas due to their ethical values and contributions from foodservice operators and retailers. Building a consumer segment in the food industry necessitates a well-designed product range, deep expertise in taste and flavor, and a consistent customer experience. Our dedicated team at Shaka Harry is committed to creating the best plant-based food products in terms of taste and quality.”
GOOD Meat Cultivated Chicken Skewer in Singapore Butchery – Credit EAT Just, Inc Both India and Singapore have emerged as global hotspots for the alternative protein industry, attracting startups and innovations. While much of India’s development is happening with regional brands, Singapore has become a hub for international brands across a range of categories including cultivated meat, where Singapore is currently the only country to approve it for sale and consumption.
A recent survey on Singaporean dietary habits revealed that consumers are excited about the options; 46 percent of respondents expressed a willingness to adopt a plant-based diet due to health concerns, while 39 percent follow a flexitarian diet. The plant-based trend in Singapore has experienced an impressive average compounded growth rate of over 12 percent in the past four years, driven by health consciousness, taste preferences, and dietary restrictions related to religion or ethics. Notably, this trend has garnered an overwhelming 94 percent positive sentiment among consumers in Singapore.
The post India’s Shaka Harry Makes Its International Debut In With 15 Plant-Based Products In Singapore first appeared on Green Queen.
The post India’s Shaka Harry Makes Its International Debut In With 15 Plant-Based Products In Singapore appeared first on Green Queen.
This post was originally published on Green Queen.
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3 Mins Read
Indian-based synthetic biology company Fermbox Bio, known for utilizing microbial precision fermentation for sustainable production of bio-alternatives, is joining forces with global biotechnology company Dyadic International Inc.
The collaboration marks Dyadic’s first venture with an Indian entity for non-pharmaceutical uses on its renowned Dapibus platform. The partnership leverages the product development and process engineering expertise of Fermbox Bio, coupled with Dyadic’s proprietary filamentous fungal-based protein production platform, aiming to design, manufacture, and commercialize ground-breaking, animal-free alternative proteins and biomaterials.
Biomaterials manufacturing
Dyadic International Inc. and Fermbox Bio are both dedicated to creating sustainable and commercially viable products. Fermbox Bio is known for co-developing, manufacturing, and commercializing biomaterials for global markets, whereas Dyadic International Inc. is at the forefront of creating microbial platforms to meet the global demand for protein bioproduction and alternative proteins.
Photo by Louis Reed at Unsplash. “We are very excited to partner with Dyadic to bring our complementary skills to action and use its novel Dapibus platform to create alternative biomaterials that are not only sustainable but also economically viable,” Subramani (suBBu) Ramachandrappa, Ferbox’s founder, said in a statement.
“Our joint expertise across expression systems and execution capabilities from lab to large-scale manufacturing, uniquely positions us for success. We have a long-standing relationship with Dyadic leadership, and we believe that this co-development agreement can potentially accelerate the timelines for both companies to bring new and commercially viable bio-alternates to the market sooner.”
Fermbox Bio, operating in both India and the U.S., is strategically positioned for global collaborations, benefiting from access to Indian scientific talent and manufacturing capacities. This collaboration, along with India’s prowess in gene expression, enzymatic pathway engineering, and low-cost manufacturing, could thrust the alternative protein sector forward, positioning India as a potential global supplier.
“I am excited to announce this fully funded co-development and marketing agreement with Fermbox which is consistent with our business strategy of focusing on near-term commercialization opportunities that can create shareholder value,” said Joe Hazelton, Chief Business Officer of Dyadic.
‘End-market animal-free protein products’
“Fermbox has extensive expertise in bio-alternatives development and microbial precision fermentation which we expect will accelerate our ability to exploit the Dapibus platform and expand Dyadic’s product offerings for non-pharmaceutical alternative proteins applications, such as food, nutrition, wellness, and other bioproducts,” Hazelton said.
Courtesy Pexels “We anticipate this collaboration will enhance our market penetration into the alternative protein markets, while at the same time continuing to pursue our biopharmaceutical activities which are advancing at a rapid pace. We believe that this collaboration will further leverage our proprietary Dapibus platform toward developing and commercializing multiple end-market animal-free protein products.”
This collaborative model is setting a precedent, according to Nicole Rocque, Senior Innovation Specialist at The Good Food Institute (GFI) India. She says that a co-development partnership of this kind highlights the emerging role India can play in the global SynBio industry. “India has the potential to be a leader in the development of sustainable alternatives that have the potential to feed a growing population while showcasing a model of growth for other emerging markets.,” Rocque said.
The post Fermbox Bio and Dyadic International Announce a Global Partnership for Sustainable Bio-Alternatives first appeared on Green Queen.
The post Fermbox Bio and Dyadic International Announce a Global Partnership for Sustainable Bio-Alternatives appeared first on Green Queen.
This post was originally published on Green Queen.
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New York: New York Police Department’s (NYPD) Indian Officers’ Society (IOS) organized a fun-filled family picnic at Elley Pond Park in the Queens area.
On this occasion, children and adults did a lot of fun activities and enjoyed the jumping castle. There were also good competitions in video games.
On this occasion, the Vice President of the Indian Officer Society, Hasan Syed, said that today was a very good event in which Hindus, Muslims and people of different communities enjoyed together, and such events should continue in the future.
Members and their families were served with a variety of food.
Deputy Inspector Adeel Rana, president of the New York Police Department’s Muslim Officer Society (MOS) was also present on the occasion.
The participants said that such activities are like a breath of fresh air for them. Due to their professional duties, they often cannot participate in such activities.
Members of the Indian Officers’ Society and their families who participated in the picnic had a fun-filled day at Elley Pond Park and thanked the officials for the excellent arrangements.
The post NYPD’s Indian Officers’ Society organizes a fun-filled family picnic first appeared on VOSA.
This post was originally published on VOSA.
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In The Great Escape, Saket Soni recounts how he organized a group of Indian migrant workers to free themselves from a human trafficking scam and hold their captors accountable.
This post was originally published on Dissent MagazineDissent Magazine.
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As the walls of global climate apartheid solidify, the barriers to climate refugees intensify, and “ecofascist” mass killings multiply, the enduring acceptability of fascist politics is disturbingly apparent in the amazing reincarnation of India’s far right Hindu nationalist (Hindutva) regime on the world stage. Less than 20 years ago, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and company were shunned…
This post was originally published on Latest – Truthout.
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Hindutva is theocratic Hindu nationalism. It is a powerful force in what is now the world’s most populous country. Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, is a lifelong member of the RSS, an openly Hindu supremacist organization. Le Monde Diplomatique reports: Hindutva “followers regard India as a Hindu country. Non-Hindus are at best guests, at worst invaders, and must be identified, watched, deprived of certain rights, and in some cases expelled or even eliminated. The main victims of Hindutva are India’s large Muslim minority. Hindutva adherents oppose mixed Hindu-Muslim marriages, calling them a ‘love jihad’ that aims to convert Hindu women so that their offspring will be raised as Muslims. This paranoid fantasy has encouraged violence and widespread denigration of Indian Muslims.” Recorded at the Swedish Academy at the Thought and Truth Under Pressure conference.
This content originally appeared on AlternativeRadio and was authored by info@alternativeradio.org.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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Following the news that the sixth submarine of the Kalvari-class has commenced sea trials; Kandlikar Venkatesh, Defense Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view: “The commencement of sea trials for the sixth Kalvari-class submarine marks a significant milestone, as it moves closer to its induction into the Indian Navy. With […]
The post Sea trials of sixth Kalvari-class submarine to boost India’s self-reliance in building maritime capabilities, says GlobalData appeared first on Asian Military Review.
This post was originally published on Asian Military Review.
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This content originally appeared on Amnesty International and was authored by Amnesty International.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Amnesty International and was authored by Amnesty International.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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Indra’s Lanza 3D radar continues to strengthen itself as one of the most advanced surveillance systems on the market and continues its international expansion. Indra is currently installing its naval version, Lanza-N 3D, on one of the Indian Navy’s destroyer ship, beginning the delivery of the 23 radars that it will provide to the Indian […]
The post Indra Installs the Naval Version of Lanza 3d Radar on an Indian Navy Front Line Ship appeared first on Asian Military Review.
This post was originally published on Asian Military Review.
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By Joeli Bili in Suva
A partnership forged between the Indian government and the University of the South Pacific (USP) will see the establishment of a new Fiji-based centre for climate change, coastal and ocean management in the region.
The Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute (SCORI) at USP’s Suva campus was launched on May 22 by India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan, who described the initiative as a “celebration of the future”.
“This is a meeting of the best minds from both sides in the scientific, technology world and possibly being on the frontline of climate action,” Karthigeyan said.
He added that the institute would have India’s unstinted support and the way forward was going to be more critical.
“Unfortunately, due to the [covid] pandemic, we have lost quite a bit of time in taking this initiative forward and we have the momentum to make sure that this is not lost sight of and we make it a benchmark project not just for the region but the entire world,” he said.
“The onus of responsibility is on all of us to make sure that we do justice to that. The best way to do that is to make it a benchmark project in the shortest possible time, and to make it a sustainable model of excellence.”
Karthigeyan echoed similar sentiments made earlier in the day by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 3rd India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea.
Focused on Global South problems
Modi focused on the problems faced by the Global South, including the issues of climate change, natural disasters, hunger, poverty, and various health-related challenges among others.“I am glad to hear that the Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute has been established at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. This institute connects India’s experiences in sustainable development with the vision of Pacific Island countries,” he told the summit.
“In addition to research and development, it will be valuable in addressing the challenges of climate change. I am pleased that SCORI is dedicated to the well-being, progress, and prosperity of citizens from 14 countries,” Modi added, drawing attention to India’s desire to partner the region in tackling issues that regional countries have placed priority on.
Prime Minister Modi said Pacific Island countries were not Small Island States, but rather, “large ocean countries”. He noted it was this vast ocean that connected India with the Pacific region.
“The Indian philosophy has always viewed the world as one family. Climate change, natural disasters, hunger, poverty, and various health-related challenges were already prevalent.
“Now, new issues are emerging. Barriers are arising in the supply chains of food, fuel, fertiliser, and pharmaceuticals,” Modi said.
India, he said, stood with its Pacific Island friends during challenging times, whether it was vaccines or essential medicines, wheat or sugar.
‘Unwavering’ support for SCORI
USP’s vice-chancellor and president, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, said the “unwavering support” and endorsement of SCORI by PM Modi and the Fiji government underscored the significance of the institute in advancing climate change and oceans management in our region.
USP’s vice-chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia . . . “We embark on a new chapter of cooperation between India, Fiji, and the University of the South Pacific.” Image: Twitter/APR “With the establishment of SCORI, we embark on a new chapter of cooperation between India, Fiji, and the University of the South Pacific,” he said.
“This institute will serve as a hub for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and cutting-edge technologies, ensuring that our work in climate change and oceans management remains at the forefront of global research.”
Through the collaboration of esteemed scholars from India and Fiji, Professor Ahluwalia said the university aimed to publish ground-breaking research and set new agendas in the field of coastal and ocean studies.
“This institute will greatly enhance our research activities and capacity building, contributing to the sustainability of the Pacific Ocean and aligning with the Blue Pacific 2050 Strategy launched by our Pacific leaders,” he said.
USP deputy vice-chancellor and vice-president (education) Professor Jito Vanualailai said that SCORI would serve as a hub for research and development to meet the needs of Pacific Island countries.
“SCORI will spearhead research and development initiatives that address pressing issues in the region,” he said.
“Together, we strive to develop policies for sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems while effectively tackling coastal hazards and vulnerabilities stemming from global warming, ocean acidification and climate change.”
‘Remarkable individuals’
USP’s director of research, Professor Sushil Kumar, said the project was a reality due to the integral role played by some “remarkable individuals and organisations”.Professor Kumar thanked the governments of Fiji and India for their support to foster collaboration and partnership under SCORI.
He said apart from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Indian government, several Institutes such as the National Center for Coastal Research are part of the collaborations.
The center will have a dedicated focus on areas of common interests such as coastal vulnerability, coastal erosion and coastal protection, monitoring and mapping of marine biodiversity, ocean observation systems, sea water quality monitoring and capacity building.
SCORI will be funded and maintained by the Indian government for five years until it is handed over to USP.
Joeli Bili is a final-year student journalist at the University of the South Pacific’s Suva campus. He is a senior reporter for Wansolwara, USP Journalism’s training newspaper and online publication. This article is republished through a partnership between Asia Pacific Report and IDN-InDepthNews and Wansolwara.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
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By Rachael Nath, RNZ Pacific journalist
In a significant step toward preserving and commemorating Fiji’s rich history, efforts are underway to establish the country’s first living museum.
This unique institution will focus on capturing the era of the British colonial government’s indentured system in Fiji, shedding light on the arrival of Fijians of Indian descent to the Pacific Ocean.
The initiative aims to honour the contributions and struggles of the indentured labourers, known as Girmitiyas, who played a pivotal role in shaping Fiji’s economy.
Behind the vision is the Global Girmit Institute, whose board of trustees chair Dr Ganesh Chand told RNZ Pacific the museum had great significance for Fiji.
Dr Chand said that many Fijians were unaware of their country’s history and the way of life under British rule in Fiji, noting that Fiji-Indians were even unaware of their origins — the Girmitiyas.
Fijian-Indians make up about 37 percent of the country’s population.
“For Girmitiyas, there has been a total silence of material in our curriculum all the way up to now,” Dr Chand lamented.
“There is nothing in the texts, and students don’t learn their history.”
He said that if schools fail to teach local history, it could be detrimental to that nation as a whole.
“If they don’t learn in these in schools, then they grow up thinking that their house and day-to-day life is their entirety in the country.
Girmitiyas working in a banana plantation in Fiji. Image: INL Archives “But that is not a very good state for nation-building. For nation-building, people need to know the history,” Dr Chand said.
The museum aims to rectify this by providing a “comprehensive and immersive experience” that educates visitors about the Girmit era.
The Global Girmit Institute living museum will be co-located within the GGI Library at its headquarters in Saweni, Lautoka, on the country’s main island.
Work has already begun, with the collection of artefacts intensifying in preparation for the anticipated opening of phase one next year.
Travellers who crossed two oceans
The gallery will feature a range of artefacts and recordings of the oral history of people from different linguistic backgrounds and cultures.Objects relating to farming and the sugar industry, lifestyle, music, food, clothing and religious events will also be displayed, along with objects that record the impact of colonialism on the islands.
Dr Chand said visitors will have the opportunity to witness and understand first hand the living conditions and lifestyle of the Girmitiyas.
“The living museum will feature a fully furnished residence from the era, and our workers will live there and depict how life was in those days under British rule,” he said.
So, how did a group of South Asian people — the Girmitiyas — arrive in the Pacific Ocean?
It was the abolition of slave labour in the early 19th century that gave rise to the Indian indenture system.
Linguist Dr Farzana Gounder . . . “They [Girmitya] worked long hours in difficult and often dangerous conditions on the sugar plantations.” Image: Dr Farzana Gounder/RNZ Pacific This saw an influx of labourers transported from India to various European colonies, including Fiji, to work in plantations.
The system was established to address the labour shortage that followed, explained academic and linguist Dr Farzana Gounder, a direct Girmitiya descendant and a representative of Fiji on the UNESCO International Indentured Labour Route Project.
“The term ‘Girmit’ is derived from the word ‘agreement’ and was used to refer to the system of indentured labour that brought Indians to Fiji between 1879 and 1916,” she said.
“Under this system, Indian labourers were recruited from British India to work on sugar plantations in Fiji, which was then a British colony. During this period, more than 60,000 Indians were brought to Fiji under indenture and became known as Girmitiyas.”
The indenture was seen as an agreement between the workers and the British government, and over the next three decades Girmitiyas were shipped across two oceans to work the lands in Fiji, where a jarring reality awaited them, explained Dr Gounder.
“The Girmitiyas faced many challenges when they arrived in Fiji, including harsh working conditions, cultural and linguistic barriers, and discrimination from both European and indigenous Fijian populations.
“They worked long hours in difficult and often dangerous conditions on the sugar plantations and were paid very low wages.”
The Girmitiyas were instrumental in the development of Fiji’s sugar industry, and this museum aims to tell these stories.
Fiji’s Peace Village to host historical stories
The government of Fiji is also commissioning a living museum in the central province of Navilaca village in Rewa.Assistant Women’s Minister Sashi Kiran announced that this gallery would pay homage to the relationship between the Girmitiyas and iTaukei people.
“Navilaca village is significant to the history of both the indigenous people and the Indo-Fijians,” she said.
Assistant Women’s Minister Sashi Kiran . . . recounts the heroic efforts of indigenous Fiji villagers rescuing many lives off the wrecked Syria in 1884. Image: Fiji govt/RNZ Pacific Kiran recounts the heroic efforts of the indigenous people in 1884 who, in the absence of immediate assistance from the colonial authorities, led the rescue operations, saving many lives when a ship named Syria, carrying around 500 Girmitiyas, became wrecked on the Nasilai Reef.
This village thus served as an apt location for the museum, paying homage to the resilience and humanity displayed during that challenging time, she said.
“The village of Navilaca had done the rescue when the Syria was wrecked, and villages there had not only rescued the people but buried the dead in their chiefly ground. They had also looked after all the injured until they healed.
“The fisherfolk had been rescuing people, and the archives also say that there were only about 100 out of almost 500 passengers left by the time the colonials came, so most of the rescue was actually done by the indigenous people.”
The village has since been declared a place of peace with an offer extended to host teaching of each other’s rituals, ceremonies, and customs.
“It will be a space where both cultures can be taught through artefacts and storytelling,” she added.
It will also be open to tourists and the diaspora.
Both living museums promise to be vital cultural institutions, providing a platform to remember and honour Fiji’s history.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Girmit relatives of the article author, Rachael Nath. Image: Rachael Nath/RNZ Pacific This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
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Are you worried about the rising political power of violent white nationalists in America? Well, you’ve got plenty of company, including U.S. national security and counterterrorism officials. And we’re worried, too — worried enough, in fact, to feel that it’s time to take a look at the experience of India, where Hindu supremacist dogma has increasingly been enforced through violent means.
This post was originally published on Latest – Truthout.
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By Sanjeshni Kumar in Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Pacific Islands nations consider the Indian premier as the leader of the Global South and will rally behind India’s leadership at international forums.
Highlighting the problems faced by Pacific Islands nations due to the Russia-Ukraine war, Marape pledged the support while addressing the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit which was co-chaired by Prime Minister Modi.
“We are victims of global powerplay . . . You [PM Modi] are the leader of Global South. We will rally behind your [India] leadership at global forums,” said Marape.
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He pointed to the inflationary pressure on his country due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Marape said that Pacific Islands nations had to face the brunt of the war as they had high costs of fuel and power tariffs and suffered as a result of big nations at play in terms of geopolitics and power struggles.
“The issue of Ukraine war with Russia, or Russia’s war with Ukraine rather, we import the inflation to our own small economies,” said Marape.
“These nations sitting before you, Prime Minister [PM Modi], have high costs of fuel and power tariffs in their own countries and we suffer as a result of big nations at play in terms of geopolitics and the power struggles out there,” said Marape.
‘You are the voice’
He urged Modi to be an active voice for the small island nations at global forums such as G20 and G7, adding, “You are the voice that can offer our issues at the highest [level] as advanced economies discuss matters relating to economy, commerce, trade and geopolitics.”Marape prompted India to use the FIPIC summit to be the strong voice and advocate the challenges of the region.
“We ask you, using this moment where I am co-chairing and I speak for my small brother and sister nations of the Pacific. While our land may be small and the number may be small, our area and space in the Pacific are big.
“The world uses [us] for trade, commerce and movement.”
Marape urged Modi to be an advocate for Pacific Island nations, adding, “We want you to be an advocate for us. As you sit in those meetings and continue to fight for the rights of small emerging nations and emerging economies.
“Our leaders will have a moment to speak to you. I want you, Prime Minister, for you to spend time hearing them.
“And hopefully, at the end of these dialogues, may India and the Pacific’s relationship is entrenched and strengthened,” said Marape.
“But more importantly, the issues that are facing the Pacific island nations, especially the smaller ones among us ahead in its right context and given support by you, the leader of the Global South,” the Papua New Guinea leader said.
Shared history
Marape also highlighted the shared history of India and Papua New Guinea.He said: “People have been travelling for thousands of years. Just like your people have lived in India for thousands of years. We all come from a shared history.
“A history of being colonised. History that holds the nations of Global South together. I thank you (PM Modi) for assuring me in the bilateral meeting that as you host G20 this year you will advocate on issues that relate to the Global South.”
He said that Global South had development challenges and raised concern over the use of its resources while its people are kept aloof from sharing its fruits.
“In the Global South, we have development challenges. Our resources are harvested by tones and volumes. And our people have been left behind,” said Marape.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s assistance to Pacific Island nations during the covid-19 pandemic.
“The impact of the covid pandemic [impacted] most on the countries of the Global South. Challenges related to climate change, natural disasters, hunger, poverty and health were already there, now new problems are arising . . . I am happy that India stood by its friendly Pacific Island countries in times of difficulty,” said Modi.
Supply chain disruption
He also talked about disruption in the supply chain, saying that countries of the Global South had been impacted by the global crisis and also called for UN reforms at the Pacific meet.“Today we are seeing disruption in the supply chain of fuel, food, fertiliser and pharma. Those whom we trusted, didn’t stand with us when needed,” said Modi.
Modi added that India would put aspirations of the Global South to the world via its G20 presidency, adding, “This was my focus at the G7 Outreach summit.”
This article was first published by Asian News International/Pacnews. Republished with permission.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
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ANALYSIS: By Barbara Dreaver in Port Moresby
When I was growing up in Kiribati, then known as the Gilbert Islands, New Zealand divers came to safely detonate unexploded munitions from World War II.
Decades on from when US Marines fought and won the Battle of Tarawa against Japan, war was still very much a part of everyday life.
Our school bell was a bombshell. We’d find bullet casings.
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In fact, my grandmother’s leg was badly injured when she lit a fire on the beach, and an unexploded ordnance went off. There are Japanese bunkers and US machine gun mounts along the Betio shoreline, and bones are still being found — even today.
Stories are told . . . so many people died . . . these things are not forgotten.
That’s why the security and defence pacts being drawn up around the Pacific are worrying much of the region, as the US and Australia partner up to counter China’s growing influence.
You only have to read Australia’s Defence Strategic Review 2023 to see they are preparing for conflict.
The battle is climate change which is impacting their everyday life. The bigger powers will most certainly go through the motions of at least hearing their voices.
— Barbara Dreaver
Secret pact changed landscape
While in the last few years we have seen China put big money into the Pacific, it was primarily about diplomatic weight and ensuring Taiwan wasn’t recognised. But the secret security pact with the Solomon Islands changed the landscape dramatically.There was a point where it stopped being about just aid and influence — and openly started to become much more serious.
Since then, the escalation has been rapid as the US and Australia have amped up their activities — and other state actors have as well.
In some cases, lobbying and negotiating have been covertly aggressive. Many Pacific countries are concerned about the militarisation of the region — and whether we like it or not, that’s where it’s headed.
Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister Simon Kofe said he understands why his country, which sits between Hawai’i and Australia, is of strategic interest to the superpowers.
Worried about militarisation, he admits they are coming under pressure from all sides — not just China but the West as well.
“In World War II, the war came to the Pacific even though we played no part at all in the conflict, and we became victims of a war that was not of our making,” he said.
Important Pacific doesn’t forget
“So it’s important for the Pacific not to forget that experience now we are seeing things that are happening in this part of the world, and it’s best we are prepared for that situation.”Academic Dr Anna Powles, a long-time Pacific specialist, said she was very concerned at the situation, which was a “slippery slope” to militarisation.
She said Pacific capitals were being flooded with officials from around the region and from further afield who want to engage.
Pacific priorities are being undermined, and there is a growing disconnect in the region between national interest and the interest of the political elites.
Today in Papua New Guinea, we see first-hand how we are on the cusp of change.
They include big meetings spearheaded by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, another one by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a defence deal that will allow US military access through ports and airports. In exchange, the US is providing an extra US$45 million (NZ$72 million) in funding a raft of initiatives, some of which include battling the effects of climate change.
Equipment boost
The PNG Defence Force is also getting an equipment boost, and there’s a focus on combatting law and order issues — which domestically is a big challenge — and protecting communities, particularly women, from violence.There is much in these initiatives that the PNG government and the people here will find attractive. It may well be the balance between PNG’s national interest and US ambitions is met — it will be interesting to see if other Pacific leaders agree.
Because some Pacific leaders are happy to be courted and enjoy being at the centre of global attention (and we know who you are), others are determined to do the best for their people. The fight for them is not geopolitical, and it’s on the land they live on.
The battle is climate change which is impacting their everyday life. The bigger powers will most certainly go through the motions of at least hearing their voices.
What that will translate to remains to be seen.
Barbara Dreaver is TV1’s Pacific correspondent and is in Papua New Guinea with the New Zealand delegation. Republished with permission.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
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Since the elevation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power on the national level, India has been witnessing a state-driven clampdown on the rights of its citizens in furtherance of the ruling disposition’s ideological agenda. The BJP- a right-wing, Hindu Nationalist party that believes in replacing India’s pluralistic, secular democracy with an ethnocratic Hindu state, secured an absolute electoral majority on its own for the first time in the 2014 General Elections under the leadership of strongman Narendra Modi and replicated its performance in the 2019 elections. Under its watch, arrests of dissidents, activists, journalists and intellectuals, who refuse to toe the regime’s line, have become increasingly more common, with scant regard paid to evidence and guidelines enshrined in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Religious minorities have become especially vulnerable as they routinely face systematic state persecution and violence from vigilantes. Draconian laws, such as the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in effect, sanction preventive detention by making bail well-nigh impossible to procure. These laws initially aimed to combat criminal activities, such as terrorism and money-laundering. However, the present government has since amended the statutes to bypass some of the most fundamental principles of fairness, such as the presumption of innocence and the right to be heard. The process has thus become the punishment, making these laws a handy tool for the state to crack down on dissent. The continued incarceration of activists from diverse backgrounds pertaining to a civil society gathering at Bhima Koregaon and journalists like Siddique Kappan whose bail plea was rejected in October last year, are some of the most egregious instances of the misuse of these laws. In the former case, following the breaking out of violence at a gathering called by activists belonging to the Dalit community, a group of intellectuals and human rights activists affiliated with different institutions from all across India were linked to the incident on sketchy evidence and arrested. One of them, Fr. Stan Swamy, died in incarceration, whereas others had to spend more than three years in prison before securing bail. Repression of civil society organisations, independent media houses, and think tanks using investigative agencies has become commonplace under the Modi regime.
This state of affairs is prevalent despite judicial decisions over the years that have characterized detention for long periods without trial as a violation of the right to life and personal liberty as provided under Article 21 of the Indian constitution. The Supreme Court has also provided a set of guidelines in D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal, for police officers to follow, concerning arrests. In Joginder Kumar v. State of U.P., the court stressed the need for sufficient justification for arresting the accused. Acknowledging that most of the arrests in the country were either unnecessary or unjustified, the court established a set of safeguards such as immediately informing the relatives and friends of the accused about his arrest.
However, judicial diktats have failed to dissuade the state from committing unlawful arrests, primarily due to the absence of a legal framework to affix accountability. In the face of repeated instances of non-compliance with its directions and recognizing the need to provide the victims with a remedy, the apex court, in Rudal Sah v. State of Bihar, observed that true relief didn’t simply constitute a release from imprisonment; instead, compensation had to be provided to the victims to mitigate, in some measure, the harm suffered by them as a result of spending long periods in incarceration. The court has since then, unequivocally asserted multiple times that compensation is the ‘only appropriate remedy’ in cases of violation of Article 21.
Despite past decisions, recent actions of the judiciary reflect a change in its stance, as exhibited in the Akshardham case, in which the Supreme Court decided not to grant compensation to people who had wrongfully faced prosecution and detainment, even while acknowledging that the accused had been the scapegoats of a conspiracy. This particular decision of the judiciary shows that giving compensation is still a matter of judicial discretion in India, and depends on the deliberations of individual benches. However, the Akshardham case decision is in stark contrast to the protections that are supposed to be provided by Articles 9 (5) and 14 (6) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 5 (5) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Specifically, these sections lawfully outline that there should be an enforceable right to access these payments in cases of unlawful prosecution and detention. While ratifying the former covenant, the Indian government confessed that no such right existed in India. Conversely in Spain, a statutory right to compensation exists in cases where there is proven judicial or procedural error concerning arrests. Spanish courts have applied this principle to even those cases where the accused is made to undergo detention by the authorities after following every safeguard and gets acquitted after the trial. Such a position avers that rights can’t be curtailed by the state simply on the suspicion of guilt, or by maliciously imputing guilt on the basis of flimsy evidence- principles that desperately need to be incorporated into Indian criminal jurisprudence.
As of now, the absence of a clear statutory or constitutional right to compensation in cases of unlawful prosecution and detainment encourages the state to continue to abuse its power and disobey expressly laid out judicial directions. The arbitrary arrests of dissenters and journalists are the most glaring evidence of the abusive repression. Such actions not only intimidate the regime’s critics, but also whip up public support for the BJP’s ideological project, as the government misrepresents these actions as strong measures intended to maintain national security. Seen together with the attempts to erode the autonomy of democratic institutions, discriminatory laws, and policies targeting religious minorities, undermining of federalism, and widespread proliferation of hate speech and fake news, such acts of repression threaten the foundations of Indian constitutionalism. One possible solution, therefore, would be to elevate the right to compensation for violation of Article 21 to the stature of a fundamental right; the legislature can viably incorporate this right into Article 32 of the Constitution, which provides for the right to secure remedies for the enforcement of fundamental rights by approaching the Supreme Court. Adopting such a measure would bind the state to legally having to compensate individuals who have had to endure long years of wrongful imprisonment, thereby serving both as a remedy for the victims and an effective deterrent against such actions in the future.
Bibliography
Statutes
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- European Convention on Human Rights
- Constitution of India
- Code of Criminal Procedure
Cases
- Sebastian M. Hongray vs Union Of India 1984 AIR 571
- Shri D.K. Basu State of West Bengal 1997 1 SCC 416
- Rudul Sah State of Bihar 1983 AIR 1086
- Bhim Singh, MLA State of Jammu and Kashmir AIR 1986 SC 494
Other Sources
- Ara, I. (2022) A List of Activists, Scholars and Scribes Whose Personal Liberty Remains at Judiciary’s Mercy. The Wire. Available at: https://thewire.in/rights/jail-bail-hearings-court-delhi-riots-elgar-parishad [Accessed 25 Nov. 2022]
- Loganathan, S. (2022). Watch | Data Point: UAPA, 153A, PMLA: What do these laws have in common? The Hindu. 8 Sep. Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/data/watch-data-point-uapa-153a-pmla-what-do-these-laws-have-in-common/article65865206.ece [Accessed 27 Nov. 2022].
- Shantha, S. (2022) Bhima Koregaon Violence: Four Different Theories, but No Justice in Sight. The Wire. Available at: https://thewire.in/rights/bhima-koregaon-violence-four-different-theories-but-no-justice-in-sight [Accessed 27 Nov. 2022].
- The Indian Express. (2016). Akshardham terror attack case: SC refuses compensation plea of acquitted persons. Available at: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/akshardham-terror-attack-case-sc -refuses-compensation-plea-of-acquitted-persons-2895251/ [Accessed 27 Nov. 2022].
- poderjudicial.es. (n.d.). C.G.P.J – Leyes. Available at: https://www.poderjudicial.es/cgpj/es/Temas/Compendio-de-Derecho-Judicial/Leyes/Ley-Organica-6-1985–de-1-de-julio–del-Poder-Judicial [Accessed 27 Nov. 2022].
- Nair, R (2022) Violations of Rights and Compensation: India’s Failure to Adhere to International Standards. The Leaflet. Available at: https://theleaflet.in/violations-of-rights-and-compensation-indias-failure-to-adhere-to-international-standards/ [Accessed 27 Nov. 2022].
This post was originally published on LSE Human Rights.
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Mod govt had brought about a conceptual policy change to develop the areas and help the locals living here by providing basic amenities
This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.
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Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit AIIMS, Jhajjar on April 10 to oversee the mock drill
This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.
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The situation turned violent on Sunday evening when a shop was gutted, leading to brick-batting from both sides
This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.
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Modi said those fighting an ‘existential battle’ had become ‘desperate’ after the exposure of their corruption
This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.
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To avert the worst consequences of the climate crisis, the world must stop building new coal plants and shut down existing ones at nearly five times the current rate.
That’s according to an analysis published Wednesday by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) and nearly a dozen other groups, including Reclaim Finance, the Sierra Club, and the Alliance for Climate Justice and Clean Energy.
GEM’s ninth annual survey of the world’s existing and proposed supply of coal-fired power—the largest single source of energy-related CO2 emissions—found that “outside China, the global coal pipeline is drying up,” albeit not at a quick enough pace.
“Urgent action is necessary to ensure an end to coal and a fighting chance at a livable climate.”
Seventeen countries retired a combined 26 GW of operating coal capacity in 2022. Meanwhile, 25 GW of operating coal capacity received an announced close-by date of 2030.
However, to meet the Paris agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels—beyond which the climate emergency’s impacts will grow even deadlier, especially for humanity’s poorest members who bear the least responsibility for the crisis—coal power must be phased out completely by 2040. To stay on track while giving developing countries extra time to switch to renewables, high-income countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) must shutter their coal plants by 2030.
This “would require an average of 117 GW of retirements per year, or four-and-a-half times the capacity retired in 2022,” according to the report. “An average of 60 GW must come offline in OECD countries each year to meet their 2030 coal phaseout deadline, and for non-OECD countries, 91 GW each year for their 2040 deadline. Accounting for coal plants under construction and in consideration (537.1 GW) would require even steeper cuts.”
Lead author Flora Champenois, the project manager for GEM’s Global Coal Plant Tracker, said in a statement that “the transition away from existing and new coal isn’t happening fast enough to avoid climate chaos.”
“The more new projects come online, the steeper the cuts and commitments need to be in the future,” she noted.
Last year, the world added 45.5 GW of new coal capacity, meaning that the operating coal fleet grew by 19.5 GW overall.
“Fourteen countries commissioned new coal power in 2022,” the report notes. “More than half (59%) of the newly commissioned capacity was in China (25.2 GW), with a remaining 16% in South Asia (India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh), 11% in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia), 9% in East Asia (Japan and South Korea), and 5% in other regions.”
Outside China, the global coal fleet continued to shrink in 2022 as planned projects were canceled and old plants closed. But coal retirements slowed down compared with previous years due in large part to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which sent gas prices soaring.
\u201c\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa retired only 2.2 GW last year after a record 14.6 GW, but coal is not making the comeback many expected from the energy crisis. The rebound in retirements in the next few years could make up for the lower than expected retirements in 2022.\u201d— Global Energy Monitor (@Global Energy Monitor) 1680739205“While coal under development—or coal in pre-construction and construction—has collapsed by two-thirds since the Paris agreement, nearly 350 GW of new capacity is still proposed across 33 countries, and an additional 192 GW of capacity is under construction,” the report notes. “China’s pre-construction and construction capacity surpassed the rest of the world’s in 2021, and the gap widened in 2022. New coal capacity under development in China increased by 38% (266 GW to 366 GW), while the capacity in the rest of the world decreased by 20% (214 GW to 172 GW). China now accounts for two-thirds (68%) of global capacity under development, up from 55% a year ago.”
Wednesday’s analysis follows the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) latest warning that burning existing fossil fuels will consume the world’s remaining “carbon budget,” or the maximum amount of planet-heating pollution compatible with preventing temperature rise from exceeding 1.5°C. The IPCC has made clear the need for “rapid and deep, and in most cases immediate greenhouse gas emission reductions.”
Upon the publication of the IPCC’s assessment two weeks ago, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres outlined “an ‘Accelerated Agenda‘ renewing calls for an immediate end to new coal, and for a phaseout of existing coal by 2030 in developed countries and 2040 in the rest of the world,” GEM’s new report points out. “Under such a scenario, only 70% of OECD operating coal capacity is currently on pace (330 GW), and outside the OECD, only 6% of coal capacity has a known closure date before 2040 (93 GW).”
“Urgent action is necessary to ensure an end to coal and a fighting chance at a livable climate,” the report adds. “To accomplish this, countries need to translate announcements into plant-by-plant retirement plans as well as ramp up phaseout commitments. Details on how current and future policies and funds will be implemented to impact coal retirement dates and ensure a swift and equitable end to new coal will be essential.”
This post was originally published on Common Dreams.
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The sessions court will hear the matter on April 13
This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.
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Gandhi is likely to remain present in the sessions court when the plea will be filed challenging the lower court’s order
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Modi said that amid the conspiracy to batter his image, he focused on development of the country
This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.
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Indian farmers held a successful march to demand crop price guarantees, land ownership rights for tribal farmers, immediate financial relief and loan waivers, reports Peoples Dispatch.
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The Indian Patent Office rejected pharmaceutical company Janssen’s application for an extension of its patent on a drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis, reports Peoples Dispatch.
