12 Pages, 2 /- CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

VIEWS & VISION OF CITY

www.afternoonvoice.com FRIDAY, JULY 01, 2021, MUMBAI 12 Pages, ₹2 /- RNI No. MAHENG/2009/29332

Volume: 12, Issue: 275

<<

PG 04

Congress' tradition of debates and dialogue...

Dr.Vaidehi

Festivals are the tools to bring exuberance and enthusiasm to life

n contemporary society religious festivals are becoming

I

But some people are still celebrating their religious festivals with full enthusiasm and enjoyment. There are rare families that are really celebrating each festival. In the modern era God's idol to traditions are shrunk to size. All traditional festivals teach and celebrate the good values of life such as morality and ethics.

For example, people used to celebrate Diwali in a grand manner by wearing new clothes, giving and receiving presents, bursting crackers and preparing traditional foods which give them more enjoyment. In addition, by decorating their homes with earthen

lamps they are also sending out the message that we should dispel darkness from the world and our lives. But in the modern era people are using China made wax lamps and some crackers for formality.

Health-conscious people avoid eating and making those traditional dishes.

When I was kid, there used to be hustle and bustle in my home before and after festivals. Days-long preparations, new clothes, house cleaning and the most favorite part of all this was shopping.

And then greeting relatives, going to friend's house for greetings, and getting together was fun. Things have changed now. Our hectic

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

GANPATI BAPPA

TO ARRIVE IN SMALL SIZE

The Idols height has been restricted at 4 ft for Big Pandals and 2ft for home Idols

Dr. Vaidehi Taman

afternoon_voice

n view of the expected

I

The government has also e m p h a s i z e d o n s i m p l e , unostentatious celebrations, without crowds and strictly following all Covid-19 protocols during the 10 days which mark

the state's biggest public festival in which people from all communities participate.

No processions will be permitted for the start of the festival on September 10 or for the 'Visarjan' (immersion) ceremonies on various dates t i l l t h e f i n a l a d i e u o n September 19.

Naresh Dahibavkar, the president of the influential BrihanMumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS) told the afternoon voice “this is really very sad and shocking news, continuing two

years we are unable to celebrate Ganesh festival. The organisers have sent several letters to the state government but they remained unacknowledged and now suddenly this one-sided and prejudiced decision has come," Dahibhavkar said in his statement.”

He appealed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to convene a meeting of the BSGSS and others in the state to discuss and jointly finalise the norms for the 2021 Ganeshotsav.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

GULSHAN KUMAR MURDER CASE

HC Upholds Conviction Of Rauf Merchant

Newsmakers Bureau

afternoon_voice

T

A bench of Justices Sadhana Jadha= and NR Borkar set aside the lower court order acquitting his brother Abdul Rashid Merchant, and sentenced him to life imprisonment as well.

The appellant however was acquitted of charges under section 392. The court also dismissed an appeal by the Maharashtra government against the acquittal of the accused Ramesh Taurani.

Another appeal of state government was allowed against Abdul Rashid who was acquitted earlier by the session court. Abdul Rashid Dawood Merchant convicted for murder, criminal conspiracy, Arms Act in the Gulshan Kumar murder

case was given life imprisonment.

The High Court d i r e c t e d h i m t o surrender forthwith before the Sessions C o u r t o r D N

Nagar police station and to deposit his passport.

Gulshan Kumar, also known as the "Cassette king", was shot dead while coming out of a temple in Mumbai on August 12, 1997.

Three assailants rained in 16 bullets while he was coming out of a temple at Jeet Nagar in Juhu.

Gulshan Kumar died on the spot.

The Mumbai police had named 26 people, including Music composer Nadeem Akhtar Saifee, in its 400-page charge sheet. Both Saifee and Ramesh Taurani, owner of Tips cassettes, were named as co-conspirators.

While Taurani was arrested for abetting his murder, Nadeem Akhtar Saifee managed to evade arrest and fled to the United Kingdom.

<<

PAGE 1

editornbc@gmail.com vaidehitaman

vaidehisachin

Editoritis ⁰²

contact@afternoonvoice.com afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews afternoonvoice.com/editorial

AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI FRIDAY, JULY 02, 2021

Editor Dr. Vaidehi

Email- afternoonvoicedesk@gmail.com • SMS -9820199881

www.afternoonvoice.com www.beyondthenews.biz www.mumbaimanoos.com

www.newsmakers.co.in www.nbcaward.com

www.hackers5.com

Shop No 07, Swapna Siddhi Complex, Akurli Road, Kandivali (East), Mumbai 400 101.

Printer and Publisher

Newsmakers Publications Pvt. Ltd.

Printed at S R Publication & Printing Press

Vaishali Nagar, Dahisar (E), Mumbai - 68.

Disclaimer : The views expressed in the edit are solely of the editor. The publication do not necessarily share the opinions expressed. Any litigation against the content or publication will be entertained under the Jurisdiction of Mumbai only.

For any queries regarding the editorial desk, contact - 7506760610 Post Box No.8571 Mumbai- 400 101 Tel: 9137352545

Volume No. 12 | Issue No. 274

Festivals are the tools to bring

exuberance and enthusiasm to life

lifestyle is majorly to be blamed; also, since most of the families are nuclear it becomes very difficult to follow all those rituals of celebration.

However, I know of a few families who still get together and celebrate festivals the same old way. It's really good because in doing so they are preserving our customs and traditions. Moreover, smartphone addictions have distanced people from meeting and talking. Everyone is in some or the other kind of stress, one is running from the other. In the Indian culture, there was a time when there used to be a Holi Gulal Hindu Festival every day of the year – 365 festivals in a year – because a festival is a tool to bring life to a state of exuberance and enthusiasm.

That was the significance and importance of festivals.

The whole culture was in a state of celebration. If today was plugging day, it was a kind of celebration.

Tomorrow was planting day, another kind of celebration. Day after tomorrow was the wedding, that was a celebration. Festivals bring happiness, cheer, hope, optimism, celebrations, lights, joy, cooperation and many more pleasant things in our life. During Diwali, Christmas, Holi, Eid, Gurupurb, Passover, or any other festival the world appears to be a heaven. It appears as if the entire world is attending a wedding celebration. Children, adults, teenagers, elders, and middle-aged people all of them look cheerful and vibrant. The ambience looks bright and poise.

Now life is mostly restricted to urbanites, we are losing our culture. The cause behind it is the new moderately well to do middle class parents of youngsters. They fail to educate the kids about Indian culture but get thrilled when the kids dance to a Bollywood tune or a MJ song. These days these kids

would not be able to say which is Bharatanatyam and which is Odyssey or kathak.

They would identify any western singer but not Pt.

Jasraj or any other Indian classical musician. They would have seen 2012 or Startrek but not Shakuntala or Ramayana, their parents who are in the age group of 30 to 50 years as of now. These people had no time to teach the young about anything Indian. Further if you take a look at the schools today you may notice that all their school day functions vibrate with even five year olds dancing to Sheila ki javani .

I remember having acted as Krishna or Rama in school functions and girls performing Bharatanatyam or singing classical. With a much more demanding work life than earlier and with the amalgamation of cultures happening globally, we are losing our cultural identity.I wouldn't know if it's a good thing or not. All I know is we are no longer following age old practices which reflect our true culture. One reason which comes to mind is, maybe we have a more demanding working lifestyle than ever.

There's too much at hand to be doing things the traditional way. I'd like to believe that this is not the case. Many will disagree, I'm sure. Secondly, we, in today's world, have enough distractions to be able to reflect on our past way of life. I'm sure many of us have childhood memories when grandpa used to do the traditional "pooja"(prayers) which seemed to go on for eternity. I also remember my grandparents were very particular about how things were done. There was no reasoning with them as to why they were done the way they were.

Finally, time is of utmost importance according to today's generation. We do celebrate festivals, but more often than not, it's more of a family get-together rather than following tradition itself. All of our

festivals have become more of coming together for a day or two, and then going back to your separate individual existence. We aren't patient enough to go through all procedures for lack of time and more than that, a lack of interest. The rich and vibrant festivals of India are a testimony to our diverse tradition and culture.

Festivals in India revolve around Lord's birthdays, traditional myths, seasonal changes, relationships, and much more. Festivals are celebrated irrespective of religion or caste in the country, bringing people closer and creating a strong bond of humanity. Right from childhood, infants in India are part of every festival celebration in the house. This helps them understand the rituals of each festival and they develop a liking for the festivals and celebrations. But in the modern ear everything is shortened to formality.

As they grow older, they get fonder of these festivals and they want to celebrate it in its full potential to enjoy it thoroughly. You will notice a lot of youngsters participating in festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Durga Puja and Christmas. These festivals bring them closer to each other as well as the country, and instill a feeling of patriotism as well.

For students, it is a great way to understand the rich heritage of India and learn about the importance of various festivals. These festivals also help students from across the world to know about India and its history. This creates a good reputation for our country in the world and we get an opportunity to spread our country's rich heritage. Many schools organize cultural exchange for students that foster intercultural learning experiences. Cultural exchange programs promote mutual understanding between nations and students get an opportunity to learn the culture of other countries.

“

contact@afternoonvoice.com afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews afternoonvoice.com/opinion

FRIDAY, JULY 02, 2021

AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 03

Voices

I

The recent terror attack, the first of its kind in our country, using drones have undoubtedly made us think serious about such a matter and how dangerous it is if

technology is used for wrong purposes. It has also made us think of the pitfalls in our security that has to be patched and improved immediately. Especially when Hi- Tech knowledge is used for anti- national and anti-humanitarian purposes, we should be ready to counter that and also empower ourselves with the most modern technology to sense, detect and

Letters to the

editor

Grant permission for home Grant permission for home vaccination for those unable to vaccination for those unable to visit Vax Centres for health reasons visit Vax Centres for health reasons

Grant permission for home vaccination for those unable to visit Vax Centres for health reasons

Aged citizens along with bed ridden people are more at risk from COVID & they need vaccination urgently than others. Such people find it difficult to visit vaccination Centres & High Court has rightly questioned the State as to why they cannot start door-to-door

vaccination for such people. A family doctors certificate ( about illness &

immobility) should be good enough for those who need home

vaccination & State should arrange for mobile ambulances to vaccinate such people for which a fee can be charged for the service.

Vaccination is the only hope to win this war over Covid & it should be mandatory for all to take the jab.

There are videos on social media discouraging people from getting vaccinated due to probable side- affects. Such videos should be removed & those forwarding them should be punished. We must have

- SN Kabra - SN Kabra A Good Gesture by SC over One A Good Gesture by SC over One

Nation One Ration Card Nation One Ration Card faith in our scientists & top doctors who all have recommended taking the jab & our Prime Minister was among the first to take the vaccine which should encourage others!

- SN Kabra A Good Gesture by SC over One

Nation One Ration Card It is a good and highly appreciable gesture of SC asking all state

governments and Union Territories to implement by July 31 the One Nation One Ration Card scheme. According to a report, passing slew direction on Tuesday 29th June 30, 2021 to the Centre and States for the benefit of migrant workers, a bench of the Honorable Supreme Court also ordered the Centre to develop a national portal by July 31 to register the unorganized and migrant workers. Going in detail SC also asked the state government to frame schemes for distribution of food grains to those not having ration cards asking the centre to allocate the food grains as per the demands of the state governments. This One Nation One Ration Card scheme is really a need of hour because with this scheme all the migrant workers and labor will be able to avail the

- Muaz Qasmi - Muaz Qasmi '51% children have developed '51% children have developed antibodies developed against antibodies developed against

Covid-19 BMC' Covid-19 BMC'

ration benefits from any part of the country. We know many workers and poor labor migrate to other states to earn their keep and for earning their breed and butter. They are not able to utilize the benefits of the ration card just because they don't have the ration cards of the state where they work. I am certain and hope this scheme will work much and bring ease to these poor workers.

- Muaz Qasmi '51% children have developed

antibodies developed against Covid-19 BMC' This sounds a positive news but the results are based on very small sample against the large population of the city, so it is very sceptical to say that half of children are safe. As it is said that the third wave of Covid 19 will be hitting children, everyone warns some solace and this survey result provides that. But main solace is a vaccine for children is in the offing and tastes are going on which may be ready by August 21. If vaccines are available in next few months, all parents should do vaccination of their children on priority basis. And teach them about

- Maya Hemant Bhatkar - Maya Hemant Bhatkar World Asteroid Day

World Asteroid Day

- Jubel D'Cruz - Jubel D'Cruz following Corona protocol and importance of it to keep away Corona.

- Maya Hemant Bhatkar World Asteroid Day

We celebrated World Asteroid Day on June 30. The day is also known as International Asteroid Day.

Although asteroids seem like mere rocks floating in space, they are actually objects of great importance for astronomers, geologists and planetary scientists.

Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the sun.

The first asteroid was Ceres, discovered by Giuseppe Piazzi in the year, 1801.

- Jubel D'Cruz The recent terror

attack, the first of its kind in our country, using drones have undoubtedly made us think serious about such a matter and how dangerous it is if technology is used for wrong purposes.”

destroy the very epicentre of attack.

These aerial flying objects in wrong hands can definitely cause heavy destruction. Terrorists around the globe have started using these for attacking as these are cheap, can fly to a good distance escaping the RADAR system and can carry deadly bombarding material besides

M Pradyu

Readers are requested to mail Letters to the Editor only at afternoonvoicedesk@gmail.com

No postal letters will be entertained (The views expressed are authors' own.)

Futuristic security - need of the hour

those operating these are safe too as these are operated from remote hidden areas.

Being a technologically sound nation with a strong IT background India must now be ready to tackle such technologically modern warfare using ultra-modern cyber technology and by using state of the art security weapons. Our armed forces should be equipped not only with the latest artillery, tanks, missiles and ultra-modern guns but also must be ready with the latest in cyber technology and artificial intelligence. It is high time that our security is further

strengthened using cyber and AI technology keeping pace with time and also be ready with futuristic plans and prepare strategies to counter techno warfare not only from terrorists but also against those nations that indirectly cause security problems.

contact@afternoonvoice.com afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews afternoonvoice.com/citynews

FRIDAY, JULY 02, 2021

AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 04

City

Pune becomes largest city in the state, surpasses Mumbai

Congress' tradition of debates and dialogue ended: Ex-HM Sushilkumar Shinde

Senior Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde has expressed 'unhappiness' over the functioning of the party leadership. The former Union Home minister said that the Congress once followed a tradition of debates and dialogue, but that has ended in the party now.

"Congress' tradition of holding sessions on debates and dialogue has ended today. I feel sad about it," he said and suggested that "introspection meetings are required".

"Our policies may be wrong, but to make them correct, such sessions are needed," he added.

Responding to Shinde's dismay, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay

Raut said that the Congress should listen to its leaders and address their grievances.

"If Sushilkumar Shinde has said something, the party should discuss the issue as he is o n e o f t h e s e n i o r- m o s t Congress leaders and he has

done so much for the party,"

Raut said.

The Shiv Sena and Congress share power in Maharashtra.

The NCP is also a constituent of the MVA government in the state.

This is not the first time when a senior party leader has called for 'rectifying the errors' in the party. Earlier, 23 senior leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma had pressed for an organisational revamp and demanded a full time president 'visible in the office'.

The Congress party has been headless since Rahul Gandhi's resignation after loss in 2019 general elections. His mother Sonia Gandhi was appointed as the party's interim chief.

T

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit P a w a r o n Tu e s d a y g a v e instructions during a meeting held in Mumbai to classify government hospitals, schools, water supply schemes, Anganwadis, officers and employees of 11 villages that were merged into the Pune

Municipal Corporation earlier.

Pune will have a geographical area of 516.18 sq km while the B r i h a n m u m b a i M u n i c i p a l Corporation (BMC) has 440 sq km area. Thus, Pune has replaced Mumbai as the civic body with the largest area. With the new urban limits, Pune also becomes the seventh-largest city in the country.

At the same time, he instructed to incorporate the remaining 23 villages in the m u n i c i p a l c o r p o r a t i o n ' s jurisdiction. However, this could only be done after a notification was issued.

NSG unit official stopped for not wearing mask assaults cops in Aurangabad

A

An assistant police inspector a n d t w o o t h e r s e c u r i t y personnel were injured in the incident that took place on Wednesday, he said.

I n t h e w a k e o f f re s h restrictions enforced across the state earlier this week amid

fears of a third wave of COVID- 19, a team of personnel from the Cantonment police station was checking vehicles at the Nagar Naka square.

The accused, resident of Adgav Bhumi in Phulambri taluka, was on way to his village along with his brother when the police team stopped him as he was not wearing a face mask, the official said. However, the accused told the policemen that he was working with the NSG (National Security Guard).

He then allegedly got into a fight with the policemen and assaulted them, injuring three

personnel, the official said. The accused and his brother were taken to the police station.

An offense was registered against the accused under IPC Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 ((negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), the official said.

Raigad to remain in level 4 of COVID-19 curbs

T

In a release issued on Wednesday, Collector Nidhi

Choudhari said shops that come under the essential services category can function up to 4 pm, while hotels, resorts and lodges are permitted to remain open for tourists with 50 per cent occupancy.

The COVID-19 positivity rate in Raigad stands at 10 per cent, and hence, the district will continue to be in category 4, it was stated. Meanwhile, the d i s t r i c t o n W e d n e s d a y recorded 610 new COVID-19 cases that took the tally of infections to 1,47,148, an official said. At least 1,37,327 have recovered from the infection, while 3,582 have died of it, leaving the district with 6,239 active cases.

MVA govt firmly in saddle, will respond to BJP's 'falsehood': Shiv Sena's Raut

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday said the BJP in Maharashtra was under the wrong impression that it can shake the state M V A g o v e r n m e n t b y levelling ''false allegations'' a g a i n s t l e g i s l a t o r s a n d ministers.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA- comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress) has ''decided to fight back'' and respond to such tactics to ensure stability in the state, Raut, who is in New Delhi, told a news channel.

He said NCP president Sharad Pawar was like a ''father figure'' to Maharashtra Chief Minister

a n d S e n a h e a d U d d h a v Thackeray, amid speculation in state political circles over differences among the MVA allies.

''Delhi has been dug up for the Central Vista project and traffic routes have been changed, but the BJP should know that the path of the Maharashtra gover nment cannot be changed,'' the Rajya Sabha member said.

Notably, the state BJP unit recently wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a CBI investigation against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena minister Anil Parab into the allegations levelled

against them by dismissed Mumbai cop Sachin Vaze.

Referring to it, Raut said if the BJP feels it can destabilise and weaken the MVA with such tactics, ''it is wrong''.

''It is impossible to weaken the MVA by implicating legislators and ministers in false cases with the help of central investigating agencies,'' the Shiv Sena's chief spokesperson asserted.

He said there are no problems among the MVA partners. ''The MVA has become stronger after the one-on-one meeting of Uddhav Thackeray with Prime Minister Narendra Modi,'' he said.

Ganpati Bappa

to arrive in small size

T

The Ganesh Idols height has been restricted at 4 ft for Public and Big Pandals and 2ft for home Idols. In the guidelines, the government has requested people, if possible, worship metal or marble Idols at home or else idols should be made of clay.

Immersion of home idols should be done at home or at artificial ponds created by the local authorities. Considering the pandemic situation Govt has asked to conduct health camps and blood donation camps instead of cultural programs. No exemption will be given during the Ganesh festival as all break the chain rules and associated levels will be applicable to districts. No crowding should happen in Pandals also Big Pandals should keep the facility of Online 'Darshan' via social media or via Live streaming.

Social distancing should be maintained. The area should be sanitised regularly.

contact@afternoonvoice.com afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews afternoonvoice.com

FRIDAY, JULY 02, 2021

AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 05

Nation

Time-bound call on defection: Only parliament can frame laws, says SC

Heat wave likely over northern plains in next 2 days: IMD

T

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana made this observation during a hearing of a plea seeking directions to the Centre to lay down strict time- frame for Speakers of Lok Sabha and state Assemblies and chairperson of Rajya Sabha to decide disqualification petitions filed against MPs/ MLA for defection to other parties.

The plea filed by member of t h e A l l I n d i a C o n g r e s s Committee (AICC) Ranajit Mukherjee also urged the court for directions of guidelines for Speakers to have an uniform process of decision-making in cases of defections across India.

The counsel for the petitioner argued that the plea has been filed for guidelines and to decide defection cases in an u r g e n t a n d t i m e - b o u n d

manner. The bench also compromising A.S. Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy noted that the prayers sought by the petitioner fall within the domain of Parliament and the court cannot frame laws.

The bench said: "How can we frame legislation? There is a s e p a r a t e i n s t i t u t i o n (Parliament) for that". The bench pointed to the counsel that the same issue was raised i n t h e c a s e re l a t i n g t o disqualification of Karnataka MLAs, which was turned down by the court.

The Chief Justice said: "I have already expressed my opinion in the Karnataka MLAs case. This issue was raised in this case also and senior advocate Kapil Sibal h a d a d v a n c e d s a m e argument." The bench added the issue was left for Parliament to decide, and asked the counsel to read the judgment in the matter and then come back to the court. The top court has scheduled the matter for further hearing after two weeks.

The plea said: "These rampant and unchecked political defections for personal or political gain, hit at the root of Indian democracy, and violate the fundamental rights of Indian Citizens, under Article 21 of the Constitution". The petitioner had urged the court to examine mala-fide delays on the part of the Speakers of legislative assemblies while deciding issues related to political defections.

N

It said severe heat wave conditions were observed in isolated places over Jammu on Wednesday.

The weather office added that heat wave conditions were recorded in most places over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, northwest Rajasthan and northwest Madhya Pradesh, w i t h s e v e r e h e a t w a v e conditions at isolated areas in the region.

Severe heat wave conditions were observed at isolated places over northeast Rajasthan as well, it said.

Northern India is unlikely to get any relief from the sweltering heat as the India meteorological department

(IMD) on Thursday said heat wave conditions are likely over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, north Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in the next two days.

It said severe heat wave conditions were observed in isolated places over Jammu on Wednesday.

The weather office added that heat wave conditions were recorded in most places over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, northwest Rajasthan and northwest Madhya Pradesh, w i t h s e v e r e h e a t w a v e conditions at isolated areas in the region.

Severe heat wave conditions were observed at isolated places over northeast Rajasthan as well, it said.

Ghazipur border clash: BJP hatching conspiracy to flare up caste-based riots: Rakesh Tikait

After BJP workers and anti-farm law protesters clashed in Ghazipur b o r d e r , B K U n a t i o n a l spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday accused the BJP of hatching a conspiracy to flare- up caste-based riots.

According to a statement released by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Tikait said the BJP workers showed black flags to the farmers' leaders and used abusive language.

Meanwhile, a group of B a l m i k i S a m a j m e m b e r s rendered their support to protest against the agri laws, the statement added.

The clash occurred when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

workers were carrying out a procession on a flyway where t h e p r o t e s t e r s , c h i e f l y supporters of the BKU, have been camping since November 2020, according to eye-

witnesses.

A fight broke between the members of the two sides on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway around noon and soon they were attacking each other with sticks which led to injuries to some people, they said.

While the farmers alleged that the episode was a conspiracy of the BJP and the RSS to quell the seven-month- old protest, the ruling party workers claimed that abuses and casteist slurs were hurled against them when they were t a k i n g o u t a w e l c o m e procession for the newly- appointed BJP general secretary Amit Valmiki that led to the clash.

Nirav Modi's sister sends Rs 17.25 crore from UK account to Indian govt: ED

The ED on Thursday said fugitive businessman Nirav Modi's sister has ''remitted'' over Rs 17 crore from a UK bank account to that of the Indian government after she was allowed pardon from criminal proceedings in lieu of extending help in the PNB loan fraud case.

''On June 24, Purvi Modi i n t i m a t e d E n f o r c e m e n t Directorate that she had received the knowledge of one bank account in London, United Kingdom in her name, which was opened at the behest of her brother Nirav Modi and that the funds did not belong to her.''

''As Purvi Modi was allowed tender of pardon on conditions

of making full and true disclosure, she remitted an amount of USD 2316889.03 from her UK bank account to the bank account of the g o v e r n m e n t o f I n d i a , Directorate of Enforcement,'' the central probe agency said in a statement.

With the cooperation of Purvi Modi, it said, the ED has been able to recover about Rs 17.25 crore (USD 2316889.03) from the proceeds of crime, it said.

Nirav Modi is presently lodged in a UK jail and has lost his extradition plea to India in connection with the alleged USD 2 billion loan fraud at the Brady House branch of Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Mumbai.

NIA court acquits activist and Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi, others in sedition case

The NIA court in Guwahati on Thursday acquitted activist and MLA Akhil Gogoi and three others in a sedition case along with other charges.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had on Tuesday filed an additional chargesheet against MLA Akhil Gogoi who has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, (UAPA) for his

alleged role in violent anti-CAA protests and possible links with the Maoist elements.

Akhil Gogoi's advocate said the investigating agency has p r e s e n t e d a " p r o t e c t e d witness", in the Chandmari case for which NIA have filed an additional chargesheet in the Special NIA Court in Guwahati.

"We have prepared an objection, which we will file in the NIA court soon," the

advocate added.

The additional chargesheet

comes at a time when the hearing in the case is in its final stages and the NIA court was expected to give its verdict shortly.

Akhil Gogoi was cleared of charges in the original Chabua police station case, by the NIA Court last week and the hearing for the Chandmari police station case was on at the same court.

He was granted parole last

Friday to visit his ailing mother at their Jorhat home and his son, who recently recovered from Covid-19, at Guwahati.

Akhil Gogoi was arrested on December 12, 2019, from Jorhat, during the height of the violent protests against the then p r o p o s e d C i t i z e n s h i p (Amendment) Act (CAA) as a

"preventive measure" in view of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

contact@afternoonvoice.com afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews afternoonvoice.com

FRIDAY, JULY 02, 2021

AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 06

World

Joe Biden nominates Indian-American woman

circuit court chief judge as federal judge Kim Jong Un berates North Korean officials for 'crucial' virus lapse

U

Nominated by Biden to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Chief Judge Shalina has served on the

Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court since 2007. She was appointed Chief Judge of the

Circuit Court by the Michigan Supreme Court in January of 2018, a media release said.

Shalina would be the first federal judge of South Asian descent in Michigan, the White House said.

In addition to her chief judge duties, Judge Shalina retains a full caseload covering both civil and criminal matters, the White House said.

N

The state media report Wednesday (local time) did not specify what “crucial” lapse had prompted Kim to call the Politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, but experts said North Korea could be wrestling with a significant setback in its pandemic fight.

So far, North Korea has claimed to have had no coronavirus infections, despite testing thousands of people and sharing a porous border with China. Experts widely doubt the claim and are concerned about any potential outbreak, given the country's poor health infrastructure.

At the Politburo meeting, Kim criticized the senior officials for s u p p o s e d i n c o m p e t e n c e , irresponsibility and passiveness

in planning and executing anti- virus measures amid the lengthening pandemic, the North's official Korean Central News Agency said.

Kim said “senior officials in charge of important state a f f a i r s n e g l e c t e d t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e important decisions of the party on taking organizational, institutional, material, scientific and technological measures as required by the prolonged state e m e r g e n c y e p i d e m i c p r e v e n t i o n c a m p a i g n , ” according to KCNA. This

“caused a crucial case of creating a great crisis in ensuring the security of the state and safety of the people a n d e n t a i l e d g r a v e consequences.”

‘Pakistan respects Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process'

P

Addressing a session of the National Assembly or the lower h o u s e o f t h e c o u n t r y ' s parliament, Khan said that "we do not want any kind of strategic depth in Afghanistan.

We do not want any favourites or choose any party in Afghanistan. Afghans are our brothers, and what they like for themselves, we shall support it", reports a news agency.

Khan, in his policy statement, told the house that he already had meetings with the Afghan leadership, including President Ashraf Ghani, and told them that Islamabad has great

interests if there is peace because "Pakistan wants betterment of Afghan economy for bilateral trade, and want to enhance trade relations with Central Asian nations via Afghanistan by new roads and railway links".

The US abruptly announced the exit date and then asked Pakistan to bring the Taliban to talks, said Khan, adding "we

have no leverage over them (Taliban) other than that we suggest them that conflict or prolonged civil war is not a solution of Afghan issues".

Khan expressed his fear that if there is a civil war, it would b r i n g a d i s a s t e r f o r Afghanistan, which would also have effects on Pakistan in the aftermath.

E x p l a i n i n g h i s r e c e n t response to the US media over a question about Washington's' demand of an airbase in Pakistan to overlook the situation in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said: "Pakistan would never compromise over its sovereignty and Pakistan can always be a partner with the US in peace but not in any conflict."

Taiwan boy thrown 27 times in judo class, dies after 2 months of coma

A

The boy, who was only identified by his family name Huang, was rushed to Feng Yuan Hospital in central Taichung city on April 21 after he was reportedly thrown 27 times by his judo coach.

He had been in a coma for 70 days with brain haemorrhages and developed respiratory problems as well as multiple organ failure before his parents decided to take him off life support on Tuesday, a hospital official told a news agency.

His coach, identified by his surname Ho, was indicted earlier this month on charges of inflicting severe injuries on children and using children to commit a crime, prosecutors

said in a statement.

The coach instructed other children to practise with Huang even when the boy was not familiar with basic judo movements, and he started to u s e s e v e r a l t h r o w i n g techniques on the child after he said "the coach is a big idiot",

according to the statement.

The boy complained of a bad headache but Ho proceeded to throw him a dozen more times that caused him to vomit, it added. The coach did not stop u n t i l H u a n g c o l l a p s e d unconscious on the floor, prosecutors said.

7 migrants killed in boat capsize off Italian waters

Seven migrants were killed and 46 others rescued after their boat capsized off the island of Lampedusa, Italy's Coast Guard said in a statement.

A search for possible survivors is ongoing, the statement said on Wednesday.

The eight-metre vessel loaded with some 60 people capsized a f t e r t h e C o a s t G u a r d intervened to rescue those on board, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Coast Guard said it intervened after receiving a distress call from a migrant on board the vessel, which was in distress “about seven nautical miles from Lampedusa, within the Italian Search and Rescue (SAR) zone”.

“ N e w s o f t h e t r a g i c

shipwreck off Lampedusa today highlights once more the urgent need for an EU-led and proactive sea patrol system to reduce loss of life at sea,”

tweeted Antonio Vitorino, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

“ A t l e a s t 7 0 0 p e o p l e drowned attempting the Central Mediterranean crossing this year,” Vitorino tweeted.

On June 22, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, had said that

“the number of illegal border crossings (into the European Union) in the first five months of 2021 reached 47,100, 47 per cent more than a year ago when irregular migration dropped due to Covid”.