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Shah said Modi visited the region over 50 times during the past eight years and laid out the roadmap for the region’s progress
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The Union home minister made the assertion when some of the states, including Bengal, blamed the BSF for border crimes like smuggling
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Prime minister to partcipate in golden jubilee celebration of North-Eastern Council
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Russia said that “at the request of PM Modi, President Putin gave a fundamental assessments of Russia’s line on the Ukrainian direction”
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Lt Gen Kalita underlined that the border situation on the Northern frontiers has been stable and under the firm control of the Indian army
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Soon after the incident, local residents took to the streets and pelted stones on the camp to protest the killings outside the Army camp
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Controversies have also been part and parcel of the yatra, with the Congress and the BJP trading barbs on several occasions
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CM Nitish stood his ground maintaining that prohibition was not his personal wish but a response to the cries of the women of the state
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Country hosted Osama bin Laden and attacked a neighbouring Parliament does not have the credentials to ‘sermonize’ at UNSC, asserted India
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Narendra Modi heaped praise on the party’s state unit, especially its president C.R. Paatil for the party’s victory
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After the collapse of the USSR, life, especially those of the womenfolk, reportedly became miserable in some of the erstwhile ‘states’ — now free countries — of the Soviet Union.
Stories, such as women selling sex to survive, became common in those places. I remember having read a story of a mother and her plight. She however, was not selling sex. Her daughter was in a hospital. The authorities there gave her a prescription that included needed medical equipment too. She had to buy those, as mostly happened in India too, even in government-run hospitals, at times. She had no money. When she came back to the hospital after ‘arranging’ for the prescribed drugs and possibly equipment — needless to say some considerable and vital time had elapsed — she was told that her daughter had expired!
What have these case studies to do with India and Indian women?
The USSR was a communist state. India as per her constitution is a socialist state. It has been said that the difference between communism and socialism is “not of kind, but of degree”. The political detractors — at least a handful of those — in this country would love to amend the constitution and do away with an amended import, ‘socialist’, an adjective (as per its use in the Constitution) that the Indian Constitution gives our country, in marketing parlance, a ‘positioning’.
If one goes through the newspapers published in the country, including those published in English, one would definitely stumble upon this debate — the validity of India staying ‘socialist’ — in which ‘noted intellectuals’ have taken part.
Another adjective, as used in the constitution, which gives India a ‘positioning’ in the eyes of the world is ‘secular’. According to both politicians and intellectuals, especially those that wear a certain colour — needless to say which — secularism in this country is under ‘threat’.
Now, one may ask what this debate concerning the constitution of the country and the political accusations and counter-accusations have to do with the country’s womenfolk?
Cut to 2014. Odisha. This writer in his official capacity — a journalist working in a prominent English language daily published from that state – was interacting with the law keepers of the Capital City — Bhubaneswar — of that state. During the conversation the following fact came to light:
Police nabbed 11 girls from a hotel at Bapuji Nagar in Bhubaneshwar. They reportedly were running a ‘honey camp’ from the hotel. All the 11 girls, police sources said, were from the neighbouring state of West Bengal and a few small-time actors were among those arrested by the police.
It may be noted that the Left-run government in West Bengal was ‘swept’ out of power in 2011 by Mamata Banerjee, who was then one of the 100 most powerful personalities in the world according to Time magazine, after a 34-year stint in office. What is happening in West Bengal under her stewardship now is for everyone to see and comment!
One may ask what are you driving at? One may even ask, after 34-years of ‘glorious’ rule the government falls and within two years of that girls, all aged between 20 and 25 years, in search of ‘decent’ livelihood get nabbed from a hotel in a neighbouring state. Then who is responsible? Sure, there is both an obvious and not-so-obvious answer to this question.
Let’s not go into politics. Let’s concentrate on the ‘case studies’ happening around us in this world. Are we not global citizens today, affected by the ‘global’ pandemic? The case studies stated above therefore are ‘glocal’ in nature. Aren’t they? And what are they pointing at? The answer is obvious.
Now one may say, “So what? These are just two or three ‘stray’ incidents — ‘stories’ in journalistic parlance”. Well, if you want to wear the hat of ‘complacency’ and behave like a camel caught in a desert storm (a camel reportedly hides its head, obviously in its body, and thinks it is saved) you are welcome. But then I will request you to remember the rape of the Dalit women, including teenagers that keep happening in the country. Do not say you have forgotten the ‘Nirvaya’ or the Hathras victims. Do not say that you have forgotten the Bagtui victims in West Bengal. The hapless, including women, were burnt alive in West Bengal, not so long ago.
Now, if you say, “Come on. Those were ‘political’ deaths!”, I will ask, with your ‘permission’: “Well, are politics required?” In the same breath, I will ask: “Have you guys seen the fighting, victorious Iranian womenfolk/girls?”
What you will say or do is your call. My job is to ask questions.
The post Have Women Become Victims of Politics in India? first appeared on Dissident Voice.This post was originally published on Dissident Voice.
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3 Mins Read
Mumbai-based Another Foods says its new plant-based chicken is made specifically for food service to support the demands across the hospitality and restaurant industries.
Another Foods says it worked with hospitality and food service experts to co-create its new line of plant-based chicken.
“Having our own lab and manufacturing setup, Another Foods is able to create products specifically required by our partners,” Sharvil Desai, Founder, Another Foods, said in a statement. “We’ve started with three SKUs including plant-based chicken mince, chicken burger patty, and chicken chunks.”
‘Just like chicken’
Desai says the new products taste “just like chicken” and are texturally identical to conventional meat. But Desai says the new items are non-flavored, which offers chefs the versatility to cook these products in different ways for different cuisines. “We want restaurants and hotels to think of us as their raw chicken supplier — just like a Godrej or a Venky’s — the only difference being that our products are plant-based.”
India’s demand for plant-based food is on the rise | Photo by Sylvia Bartyzel at Unsplash The launch has earned praise from the Good Food Institute India, the think tank organization for the alternative protein industry.
“As category awareness in India grows, food service offers the opportunity for curious and conscious customers to try plant-based meats at their favorite restaurants,” said Nicole Rocque, Senior Innovation Specialist, GFI India.
Awareness is growing across the country, with India’s smart protein sector on track to reach $4.2 billion by 2030, according to projections from GFI India and Deloitte India. There are currently more than 50 startups in the alternative protein space in the country with more than 80 companies in total supporting the category growth.
‘More inclusive dining’
As India’s population boom is expected to continue, Rocque says adding plant-based dishes to the menu “can help hotels, restaurants, and cafes attract new consumers, offer more inclusive group dining options, and appeal to younger demographics.” She says startups like Another Foods entering the plant-based market “gives back culinary creativity to chefs,” especially with its tailor-made product and marketing solutions for restaurants. “This model has great potential to scale as it leaves room for versatility, experimentation, and ultimately sustaining consumer interest for an extended period of time.”
This month, Mumbaikars will have the opportunity to try Another Foods’ plant-based chicken at the Indigo Deli Colaba and its ghost kitchen, the Indigo Burger Project.
Indian consumes want more than traditional meals as they embrace plant-based dining | Courtesy GoodDot “I have been interacting with [Desai] and Another Foods for quite some time now,” Anurag Katriar, Founder, Indigo Hospitality and former President, National Restaurants Association of India, said. “My first meeting with him was over product trials and I remember offering blunt feedback about the necessity to work on the product further, before its commercial launch. To my pleasant surprise, instead of being defensive, Sharvil took my feedback on board positively and came back a few months later with a superior, improved product line! This incident speaks volumes about the culture of Another Foods and its promoters – they are chasing excellence, and that will surely hold them in good stead in the long run.”
Desai says Another Foods’ team of scientists and chefs combine art and science to best serve its customers. “One of the biggest hurdles stopping people from being more sustainable is the notion that sustainability comes through compromises,” Desai said. “I wanted to create something that gives people what they want, without making them think they are compromising.”
The post Another Foods Launches India’s First Plant-Based Food-Service-Ready Chicken appeared first on Green Queen.
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In a statement in Lok Sabha, Singh said no Indian soldiers has died, nor has anyone been seriously injured in the faceoff
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The minister will make a statement on the issue in the Lok Sabha likely at 12 noon and in the Rajya Sabha around 2 pm
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The Congress MPs have given adjournment notices in both houses of Parliament to discuss the border situation with China
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This is first big clash between the Indian Army and the PLA soldiers at the LAC after the Galwan Valley incident
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The state government has ordered the registration of FIR against the Congress leader and former state minister, Raja Pateria
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Besides the prime minister and Amit Shah, chief ministers of other BJP-ruled states are set to attend the ceremony
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Mukesh Agnihotri was sworn in as the deputy chief minister at a ceremony in Shimla
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PM says some parties trying to destroy country’s economy
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The prime minister took a ride in the metro train between Zero Mile Freedom Park and Khapri stations with some students
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On his party’s defeat in the Gujarat assembly elections, Khurshid said the Congress’ vote went to the AAP and termed it a matter of concern
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A former president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress committee, he is a four-term legislator and is considered close to Rahul Gandhi
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Patel’s name was declared as the leader of the legislative party unanimously at the meeting held at the party’s state headquarters
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Several areas in Chennai saw waterlogging and squally winds uprooting trees in Chennai and in the nearby Chengalpattu district
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Gandhi marched through the streets along with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former deputy Sachin Pilot
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BJP, Congress switching positions in see-saw battle in sparsely populated state
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Ruling party hopes to beat the 1985 Congress record of 149 seats under Madhav Singh Solanki
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Government ready to discuss all issues, seeks help to pass 16 Bills
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4 Mins Read
A new report by Green Queen Media argues that while plant-based meat sales may be flat in the US and Europe, in Asia Pacific, the alternative protein industry is booming.
Green Queen Media has published the 2022 edition of its award-winning APAC Alternative Protein Industry Report today, titled The Future is Asian and presented by plant-based chicken leader TiNDLE. The 150-page report, now in its third year, is the result of over 14 months of original reporting and dozens of first-hand interviews, as well as featuring expertise and insights from over 30 ecosystem insiders and sector investors.
Both the 2020 and 2021 editions grabbed the top prize in the category of Special Awards for best Global Report at the Hallbars Sustainability Reports Awards in Sweden. Hallbars is an organization that recognizes the best climate-forward publications around the world.
Representation matters
It’s been a challenging year for alternative protein, particularly for plant-based meats, with flat sales in the US and some European markets, a challenging environment for public plant-based companies like Beyond Meat and Oatly, and constant media attacks by pro-meat and pro-dairy lobbies. However, these headlines belie the global picture. “Across the Asia Pacific region, alternative protein companies have been going from strength to strength, hitting major milestones, attracting significant government support and raising record funding rounds,” said Sonalie Figueiras, the report publisher and Green Queen Media’s founder and editor-in-chief, in a statement. “Our report illustrates the importance of reporting and media representation. Western-centric media would have you believe that alternative protein is an industry in trouble. In reality, the sector is headed for boom times in Asia and beyond.”
“What is perhaps obvious to some, but became incredibly clear upon writing the report and working with our industry experts, is just how differently the various countries within APAC approach alternative proteins, both in terms of technology and consumer behaviour,” said Nicola Spalding, the report author.
The future is Asian
Where the 2020 report focused on examining making the case for why alternative protein was necessary in a region that boasts 60% of the world’s population but only 20% of the world’s agricultural land, and the 2021 report provided an exhaustive look at the industry in APAC and dug deep into the three technology pillars, the 2022 edition highlights the 10 most important growth stories and historic firsts that the industry has achieved, as well as the unique products created to serve consumers with vastly different food traditions, culinary tastes and dining preferences.
On the funding front, record-breaking rounds made headlines across the globe, as APAC was home to both the largest cultivated meat Series A ever and the largest plant-based meat Series A ever. The report chronicles every round raised in 2022, with an emphasis on the 10 biggest.
In addition, precision fermentation, which in 2021 was a fledging sector in Asia, experienced real traction this past year, with China’s first animal-free dairy company coming out of stealth and the launch of the region’s first animal-free dairy milk onto supermarket shelves amongst many other announcements.
Several APAC cultivated meat players celebrated major product firsts, from the first cultivated pork belly to the first cultivated duck breast to the first cultivated fishball to the first cultivated Dokdo shrimp- huge leaps, especially given how young the sector is.
The Future is Asian features extensive interviews with 10 local ecosystem insiders from Japan to Taiwan to India, and spotlights the insights of the top venture capitalists investing in the region’s startups.
For the first time, the report authors provided recommendations aimed at the many players of the region’s ecosystem on the road ahead amidst a changing global landscape fraught with supply chain disruption, the ongoing Ukraine war, rising food inflation and the looming threat of a worldwide recession, on top of a worsening climate crisis.
In-depth: APAC’s alt protein pioneers
After years of ecosystem building, the region now boasts hundreds of startups working towards a future of food that promises to feed over three billion people sustainably, safely, and ethically.
The report showcases a range of in-depth case studies spotlighting some of the region’s most exciting players such as South Korean cultivated meat and seafood startup CellMEAT, Singaporean plant-based chicken and seafood player Growthwell Foods, US-Australian animal-free casein maker Change Foods, global fats leader AAK, specialty distributor Classic Fine Foods, Californian precision fermentation company Perfect Day and Hong Kong-based foodtech accelerator Brinc.
Also included are greater China-based plant-based pork and dumpling brand Plant Sifu, US whole-cut fermentation-based seafood pioneer Aqua Cultured Foods, Singaporean cultivated seafood startup Umami Meats and Swiss flavor manufacturer Givaudan.
The climate crisis presents a clear and present danger for Asian countries. The region will feel the brunt of many of the worst tolls of environmental degradation from worsening air pollution to mass climate migration to declining food security. As Figueiras writes in the report’s introduction, “Alternative protein is an important part of the future food toolbox if we are to build a stronger, more resilient regional food system that will face water shortages, land degradation, and more frequent climate-related weather events, amongst many other challenges.”
Download The APAC Alternative Protein Industry Report 2022 – The Future is Asian now.
Lead image courtesy of Green Queen Media.
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