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RNI No. DELENG/2016/71561

A Good News Weekly

Vol - 2 | Issue - 22 | May 14-20, 2018 | Price ` 5/-

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

There is more power in unity than divergence Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is Union Minister of Minority Affairs. He has effectively implemented various schemes aimed at socio-economic-educational empowerment of poor & weaker sections of minority communities with the goal of “Development with Dignity”. Recognised as a constructive, companionable & cultured leader, Mr Naqvi has a long political, administrative and organisational experience. He believes in the principle “Never stop learning because life never stops teaching”

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May 14-20, 2018

urooj fatima

nion Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the lone Muslim face in the Narendra Modi government, is known for his articulated opinions. In a freewheeling interview with Urooj Fatima, Havisha Arora (Grade 11, Shiv Nadar School, Noida) and Misha Raj (Grade 11, Shiv Nadar School, Noida), Naqvi talks openly about minority issue, schemes and programmes ministry provide for the minority and to which percentage they have been implemented so far. In the past four years, I have seen that there has been development with dignity, and empowerment without appeasement. We have fulfilled all our commitments. The Narendra Modi government has worked positively and constructively towards inclusive development. As far as minorities are concerned, we have managed to break the stereotypes associated with them that they should be appeased and not empowered. Here are excerpts of the interview:

What inspired you to take up politics?

During my college days there was a movement going on launched by Indian political leader, ‘LokNayak’ Jayaprakash Narayan, and it was called “Sampoorna Kranti” . Many students from my college were also getting involved in the movement for the democratic values and fundamental rights. This awakened my interest in politics and I joined the movement too.

Do you think all the schemes and programmes that have been launched by the Ministry of Minority affairs is being implemented everywhere and people are aware of these schemes?

I don’t think every programme is being implemented 100 percent. We are trying our best for transparency in these programmes, and to make sure they reach all the needy people. Narendra Modi’s government is trying to change the system for the betterment of the citizens and to some

Quick Glance Naqvi joined Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement He accepts that not every programme is implemented 100 per cent Progress Panchayat is an innovative interaction programme

level, it is being changed also. I accept that the schemes that the Ministry of Minority affairs is providing, and rest of the ministries also, are not reaching to the lower section of the society because of many reasons. But I’ll say that in the last three years, Rs 1.75 crore has been directly deposited into the account of the scholarshipholders. There is no middleman in the scholarship programme, which resulted in the stoppage of leakage in the scheme. Only 2-4 percent interest is taken in the education loan we provide under MFDC. Apart from creating awareness through the social media, print media, we have also started ‘Progress Panchayat’, an innovative interaction programme to establish direct communication with the deprived sections of the society, particularly minorities, and generate awareness about Government’s welfare and empowerment schemes for them. Officials and ministers from both the Centre and states and the local people came on to the same platform to interact and discuss the implementation of schemes, and issues relating to social, educational and economic development of minorities, and about the action being taken. ‘Progress Panchayat’ is aimed at listening to people’s problems and

to resolve them, and seeking ground level report to fulfill and accelerate the Central Government’s commitment to ‘Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas’ and ‘Antyodaya’. The revolution that social media has brought in the lives of people is also helping to take these programmes to even remote areas. At least 60-70 per cent people are using social media through which they are being made aware of the schemes and policies.

Sadbhavna Mandap

It functions as community centre for the benefit of the minority communities and weaker sections. The reformed form of Chaupals will be set up in every block of the district to bring together people of all communities so that they participate in programmes of communal harmony, skill development, education and sports. In the last 48 months we have established 350 Sadbhavana Mandaps.

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May 14-20, 2018

03 07

Minority Concentrated Area Development Programme Under Multi sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) SadbhavMandaps (Multipurpose Community Centres) Gurukul-type Residential school Market Sheds for farmers & artisans Degree colleges Innovative Teaching Aids for classrooms Girls Hostel ITIs School Buildings Additional Classrooms Total

After 2014

Before 2014

340

436

11 469

5 405

163 53 925 16,411 18,875

117 1094 20,856 22,477

Hunar Haat

This is an initiative by the Ministry of Minority Affairs under USTTAD that gives opportunity to artisans from minority communities to showcase their traditional arts and craft in different parts of the country. The haat clocked sales and orders worth over Rs 100 crore. In this scheme, minority artisans and craft persons, from across the nation, were provided stalls free of cost to display and sell their traditional craft during the India International Fair 2016 at Pragati Maidan and subsequently, at Connaught Place in February, 2017. It was a major step in this direction. This has instilled a sense of confidence and pride among the minorities and helped to provide opportunity and market support to the artisans’ heritage (Hunar Ka Hausla). More than one lakh artisans and craft persons benefitted in terms of access to market and employment opportunities. The brand ‘Hunar Haat’ has become very popular and the ministry is in the process of organising similar such events nationwide with the motto, ‘Mada Hamari Manzil Aapki’ and ‘Vikas Bhi, Vishwas Bhi’.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram

Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP), to be renamed Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, targeted at the minorities in backward districts even where they comprise 25 per cent of the population, and that 33 per cent to 40 per cent of that scheme’s fund should be spent for women. Earlier, at least 50 per cent of the population in the cluster of villages had to belong to the minority

segment for the funds to be disbursed. Lowering of the population threshold would extend the scheme from 196 to 308 districts. The government was keen about the empowerment of the minorities and that the funds marked for the minorities would be spent under the three headings of education, health and skill development. The government will spend Rs 3972 cr till 2019-20 under the scheme.

Education being such an important aspect in our country, what are some of the schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs

for educational empowerment of the minority community?

As I was saying there are many scholarship schemes, including Prematric, post-matric and merit- cummeans scholarship schemes. Through these schemes we help to provide solutions to the financial problems that arise in the families. Secondly, we have an environment-oriented skill development programme like Seekho Kamao, Ustad, Begum Hazrat Mehal Scholarship, different skill development programmes. So all these programmes, along with education, give benefit of employment and selfemployment opportunities. There are many artisans and crafts-persons among the minorities. We have separate schemes for them like Hunar

Haat and Ustad Sammaan Samaroh, where these artists come and sell their handmade products so that they get some exposure and they can promote their items to earn money.

What measures are being taken for the minority aspirants of civil services examination? What are all the schemes being provided to them? A record 131 candidates from the minority communities, including 51 Muslims, have been selected in the civil services examination 2017, an affirmation that the government had created an environment for their talent to flower. The ‘Nai Udaan’ and ‘Naya Savera’ schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs have been revised

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May 14-20, 2018 Educational Empowerment Schemes Pre-Matric Scholarship Post Matric Scholarship

and the financial assistance for those qualifying the UPSC prelims has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

Free Coaching and Allied Scheme (Naya savera) Under Nai Udaan

The scheme aims to empower the students belonging to minority communities and prepare them for competitive examinations so that their participation in government and private jobs improves. The scheme provides financial support for free coaching to notified minority students in select coaching institutions. The courses for which the coaching will be imparted shall be as follows: (i) Competitive examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), State Public Service Commissions, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and the various recruitment agencies like Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs.), Banking Services Recruitment Boards etc for Group A, B and C posts. Beneficiaries to whom financial assistance has been provided under ‘Nai Udaan’ scheme during the last three years and the current year:

Among all the schemes and programmes that have been launched till now, which one, according to you, is being the most praised and adopted by the people?

Every parent nowadays wants their child to be educated. I feel what is satisfactory is the 3Es formula we took up - Education, Employment and Empowerment -- which was successful. But, what we’ve observed so far is that our programme, Hunar Haat, has gained a lot of popularity, especially among the artisans and craftsmen. We

brought up this programme so that we can once again awaken the beauty of art and hard work of the artists.

As you talked about Hunar Haat, once the exhibition is over, does the government provide any aids to the Muslim artisans?

Initially, when we started this programme, we invited 100-200 artisans from over the country. We give them everything free, including shops and stalls. Government basically gives market opportunities to these artists so that there is sale and they get orders also. Once, some artisans from Assam came with their work of Bedh and within two days all their products were sold out. So, they called for some more products, which again got over in 2-3 days. We try to give at least 2530 per cent new artisans a chance to showcase their products. Throughout the country, ‘Hunar Hubs’ would be also established for regularly holding of ‘Hunar Haat’ and other cultural activities for promotion of traditional art and craft of master artisans and craftsmen.

The Multi-Sectoral Development Programme focuses on districts with a concentration of minority. Are there any provisions made for districts that don’t fall under this category, but still have citizens belonging to minority groups?

Earlier, districts with a concentration of minority were extremely limited. We have increased them from 100 to 308, thus covering the entire nation. By lowering the population criterion, we have been able to benefit everyone, not just the minorities. Their growth is now in accordance with national development. In areas that don’t meet this criterion, we have considered a cluster of villages together. There is

Merit cum Means Scholarship Maulana Azad National Fellowship for M.Phil/ Ph.D Naya Savera scheme for free coaching (approx.) Nai Udaan scheme to support for UPSC/SSC/ PSC exams: Padho Pardes scheme for financial help for overseas studies: Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship for Meritorious Girls Total no of beneficiaries

After 2014 2.29 cr beneficiaries 30.07 lakh beneficiaries

Before 2014 2.64 cr beneficiaries 34.33 lakh beneficiaries

5.33 lakh beneficiaries 3.31 lakh beneficiaries 15,120 beneficiaries

11,336 beneficiaries

45,000 beneficiaries

4142 beneficiaries

483 beneficiaries

3251beneficiaries

0 beneficiaries

2,57,908 beneficiaries 1,49,382 beneficiaries 2.66 crorebeneficiaries 3.03 crorebeneficiaries

development in these areas as well.

You have schemes for educational as well as employment development. However, have you introduced any schemes to help minorities become socially accepted?

Tolerance is in our country’s DNA. I don’t believe that we are lacking in acceptance. Political agendas aside, tolerance and harmony are part of India’s culture. We shouldn’t base our opinions on a few isolated incidents. While they are horrific and should not be occurring, they do not represent the entire country’s mindset. If this were the case, terrorist groups such as AlQaeda and IS would have been able to establish themselves in India as well. However, despite being successful all over the world, they were unable to turn us against each other. When they tried converting Indian youths in Kashmir, their families reported them. I feel that, in our country, the minority and majority have no problems co-existing.

What do you feel are the major issues minorities face in India? How have you overcome them?

I don’t believe the issues of the minority and majority are different. Every section faces problems related to unemployment, poverty and low literacy levels. Unfortunately, our political system has exploited these issues and created a divide for its own benefit. In the past four years, our ministry has aimed to incorporate the issues of minorities with those of the country. If we deal with them

separately, we won’t be able to do them justice. We believe in inclusive development as it has garnered a much more positive response. For instance, the dropout rate for minority girls in schools was more than 75%. When we spoke to the various stakeholders, we realised that this was due to financial and social limitations. We therefore offered scholarships to 2,00,00,069 people, 65% of whom were girls. The dropout rate has now fallen to 45%. Our aim is to negate this completely.

How does it feel to be a minority minster in a majority party?

When you start to feel the difference between minority and the majority, you can never be comfortable. We are all Indians, people of one nation. ‘Saare jahan se accha hindustan humara, hum bulbule hai iske ye gulistan Humara’

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May 14-20, 2018

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Development With dignity

he Minority Affairs Ministry has an important role to play. Its role becomes all the more crucial at a time when a political effort is being made to create a sense of mistrust among minorities. One of the priority areas of the ministry is be to provide opportunities of development for the last man in queue without any discrimination. We have to keep away brokers and middlemen. People say much of the schemes have remained on paper and nothing is reflected on ground. Abbas Naqvi wants the ministry to reach the people with its schemes... People are feeling secluded. That has to go. Ministry adopted a multipronged strategy for development of minority communities with focus on educational empowerment; infrastructure development; economic empowerment; fulfilling special need; and strengthening of minority institutions. The welfare schemes of the Ministry focus on poor and deprived sections of the minorities. Majority of schemes have devised the eligibility criteria on economic basis to ensure that the benefit reaches to poor and deprived sections.

Minorities have set new record in UPSC

A record 131 candidates from the minority communities, including 51 Muslims, have been selected in the civil services examination 2017; the government had created an environment for their talent to prosper. The ‘Nai Udaan’ and ‘Naya Savera’ schemes of the Minority Affairs Ministry have been revised and the financial assistance for those qualifying the UPSC prelims has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Naqvi said the ministry has been

The government

has created an atmosphere to protect and promote talent of youths from minority communities

running a large-scale free-coaching programme for meritorious youths belonging to notified minority communities preparing for UPSC examinations. Through various institutions and organisations, the ministry has been running coaching programmes such as ‘Nai Udaan’, ‘Naya Savera’ for the minority youths preparing for civil services, other UPSC examinations, medical, engineering and administrative examinations. The Modi government’s policy of ‘development with dignity’, without any discrimination, has ensured that this year, for the first time since Independence, a record 131 minority communities’ youths including 51 Muslims have been selected in Civil Services. Last year, 126 youths belonging to minority communities, including 52 Muslims, were selected in the prestigious civil services. This year, there are six Muslims, including three women, who have secured ranks in top 100. The government has created “an atmosphere to protect and promote talent of youths from minority communities” which has resulted in such a large number of youths of the minority community being selected in the top administrative services, Union Minister Abbas Naqvi said.

Educate Muslim girls

literacy among all sections of society, why should Muslim women be left behind? It is interesting to note that a supposedly Right-wing party at the Centre is taking steps to ensure socioeconomic empowerment of minority women, especially girls. The 2011 Census data on literacy levels of religious communities showed that 42.7 per cent of Muslims are illiterate. This is the highest level of illiteracy among all communities. The lack of education at the rudimentary level automatically translates into the lowest level of enrolment in higher education. By deliberately keeping Muslims away from education and jobs, most political parties have been able to exploit the community for electoral gains. Naqvi’s concern should resonate with the religious elite which have considerable say in community affairs. By keeping girls away from schools, Muslims are doing a huge disservice to themselves. Interestingly, the recent call for reforms, especially in the case of Triple Talaq, had come from women. This shows if girls are educated and made aware of their rights, it will bring about a sea change within the community.

By drawing attention to the high drop-out rate among Muslim girls in schools nearly 72 per cent Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has highlighted the need for education within the community. Without sounding patronising, one must acknowledge the fact that the c o m m u n i t y ’s opposition to Women Empowerment reforms stems largely from its lack of engagement with Nai Roshni- Scheme for leadership in books and ideas. The women, minority women bound by religious diktats and Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship for patriarchy, are Meritorious Girls particularly at a minority Girls benefitted disadvantageous Total position. When by scholarships for educational there is growing empowerment

For The First Time Women To Perform Haj Without Male Guardians

A total of 1,308 women from the country will, for the first time, perform Haj without the company of a ‘mahram’ or male guardian. “A total of 1,308 women have applied to go for Haj without a ‘mahram’. These women have been exempted from the lottery system and will be allowed to proceed to perform Haj.” Naqvi said that 3,55,604 applications had been received for Haj and this number comprised 1,89,217 men and 1,66,387 women. “This year, a total of 1,28,002 pilgrims will go to perform Haj through the Haj Committee of India. Women comprise 47 per cent of this number. Another 47,023 Haj pilgrims will go through private tour operators,” he said. Naqvi said that women Haj assistants will be deployed to help women pilgrims and monitor facilities provided to them, adding that this too was a first-time feature for the country. “In 2017, the government paid Rs 1,030 crore to various airlines for

After 2014

Before 2014

2,95,000 beneficiaries

97,825 beneficiaries

2,57,908 beneficiaries

1,49,382 beneficiaries

121 lakh girl beneficiaries

90.5 lakh girl beneficiaries

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flying 1,24,852 pilgrims. In 2018, the payment for this would be Rs 973 crore and the number of pilgrims would be 1,28,002,” the minister said. Naqvi said that the Union government’s decision to allow Haj pilgrims to choose the embarkation point most suited to them, instead of the earlier practice of fixing such a point for them, was benefiting those going to perform Haj. “Due to this new rule by the Union government, Haj pilgrims can board a flight from the airport most convenient for them. It has saved the government a lot of money,” he added.

Empowerment without appeasement

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi appealed to his own party men to build an environment of trust, besides development, referring to off and on statements issued by his party leaders. “Don’t derail our development agenda. It inculcates fears and our opponents put oil in the fire,” he said. He said his party was not in favour of getting the support of Muslims by appeasing them, but want to empower them. “If it is said that literacy rate for Muslims is less, job rate is less, giving

May 14-20, 2018

He said his party was not in favour of getting the support of Muslims by appeasing them, but want to empower them them a ticket is not empowering them. We want to empower them without appeasement.” Muslim representation in government services has increased due to a maze of efforts including free coaching for entrance tests. “It was after this that 126 minority students cleared the UPSC exam.” Speaking about the policies of the BJP-led central government, he said that people are now getting more jobs. We have given scholarships to 1.75 crore minorities, skill development training is being given. People are getting more job opportunities.” During the last three years, about 2.42 crore minority students have been provided various scholarships. This year, more than 1.5 crore students have applied for pre-matric, post-matric, merit-cum-means and other various

scholarships given by the ministry. More than three lakh applications have been received for “Begum Hazrat Mahal Girls Scholarship” alone, Abbas Naqvi said. In the last six months, thousands of educational institutions of minority communities, including madrasas, have been included in the mainstream education system by connecting them with “3Ts - Teacher, Tiffin, Toilet”. Besides, girls are getting benefits from job-oriented skill development schemes such as ‘Nai Roshni’, ‘Seekho aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Garib Nawaz Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ and ‘Hunar Haat’. In the last three years, these schemes have succeeded in providing employment and employment opportunities to more than 8.5 lakh people from minority communities, the minister added.

construction of toilets in the Ajmer Dargah complex

Employment-oriented skill After 2014 Development Programme Seekho Aur Kamao 3,17,290 beneficiaries

Before 2014

USTTAD

19,704 beneficiaries

20,164 beneficiaries 0

Nai Manzil

1,00,000 beneficiaries

Garib Nawaz Skill Development Scheme

1,06,600 beneficiaries

Total no of beneficiaries

5,43,594 beneficiaries

20,164 beneficiaries

Naqvi also inaugurated a complex of 100 toilets constructed by his ministry near the dargah. He also reviewed various developmental works carried out in the dargah. Urs formally began today. Elaborate security arrangements have been made at the dargah. The Minister also announced constructing a Sadbhavana Mandap near the Dargah complex to accommodate pilgrims visiting Dargah and Hindu Pilgrim town of Pushkar near Ajmer. (Pushkar has the only Brahma Temple of the country. Brahma is the supreme creator in the pantheon of deities in the Hindu religion.). The Mandap can accommodate nearly 15,000 people. A delegation of khadims related

with the Dargah in a representation to the Minister urged that the Central Industrial Security Force should be deployed for providing security in the Dargah complex and requested that the Dargah too should be included in the Smart City programme of the Union Government.

Development without discrimination

To establish direct dialogue with the minorities, the Union minority ministry on 18 December 2018 held a “Progress Panchayat” at Kishangarh Bas in Alwar, Rajasthan. The initiative was launched in 2016 from Mewat in Haryana so that policies could be trimmed according to their needs and delivery of schemes could be ensured to encourage their mainstreaming. Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the Modi Government was “determined to development without any discrimination” and that “we have ensured that all sections of the society including Minorities are becoming an equal partner of development process”. The ministry of minority affairs and the government was following the path of “empowerment without appeasement” and “development with dignity” so that the “light of development” reached all the needy sections. The ministry had ensured that each and every penny of the government money was being utilized for the welfare of the needy. Modi Government will not allow any destructive agenda to dominate our development agenda.

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May 14-20, 2018

Transgender gets fellowship for minorities

The Ministry is implementing MANF for minority students for pursuing higher studies such as full time M.Phil/ Ph.D degrees in sciences, humanities, social sciences and engineering and technology. Over 750 students belonging to the minority communities get the fellowships every year. “During the selection year 201718, one online application was received from candidate belonging to transgender community and was awarded fellowship,” he said. The student was the first in the transgender category to secure fellowship under the scheme since 2009-10. In 2017-18, Muslim students were awarded 517 fellowships, followed by Christian (109), Sikh (72), Buddhist (33) and Jain (25). 18 states have constituted their own state minority commissions so far. However, no such panel was set up by any state or Union Territory in the last two years.

India’s Haj Quota Highest This Year

After securing a sea route to Mecca, Prime Minister Modi’s Haj goes one step further as India’s Haj quota has been increased for the second consecutive year, making it the highest for independent India. The quota rise comes at a time when Saudi Arabia has decreased quota for many other countries, citing infrastructural works. Meanwhile Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who had been in close touch with Saudi Arabian establishment, following up on the PM’s diplomatic moves, has also achieved the feat of reversing the trend of decreasing quota under the

Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme For Minorities 1. Equitable availability of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) - Aims at development of children and pregnant/lactating mothers from minorities and those living below the Below Poverty Line (India), by providing services such as better supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-up and free education. 2. Improving access to School Education — Implement various Government schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya scheme and other similar schemes in villages/localities having a substantial minority communities population. 3. Greater resources for teaching Urdu - Assistance in recruitment and posting of Urdu language teachers in primary and upper primary schools in villages/ localities where at least one fourth belong to that language group. 4. Modernizing Madarsa Education — Provide basis educational infrastructure and resources for the modernization of Madarsa education. 5. Scholarships for meritorious students from minority communities 6. Improving educational infrastructure through the Maulana Azad Education previous UPA regime, when the seats were decreased by almost 25,000. “We have succeeded in getting

Foundation. 7. Self-Employment and Wage Employment for the poor — Earmark certain percentage of Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana scheme for minorities. 8. Upgradation of skill through technical training — Open new ITIs in areas predominantly inhabited by minority communities and upgrade some ITIs to ‘Centres of Excellence’. 9. Enhanced credit support for economic activities 10. Recruitment to State and Central Services 11. Equitable share in rural housing scheme — Earmark certain percentage in Indira Awaas Yojana for minorities. 12. Improvement in condition of slums inhabited by minority communities — Implement

In 2017-18, Muslims students were awarded 517 fellowships, followed by Christian (109), Sikh (72), Buddhist (33) and Jain (25) India’s Haj quota increased for the consecutive second year and now, for the first time after the Independence, record 1,75,025 pilgrims from India will go to Haj 2018. Three years ago, India’s Haj quota was about 1,36,020 which has been increased to record

Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in minority populated regions. 13. Prevention of communal incidents 14. Prosecution for communal offences 15. Rehabilitation of victims of communal riots. Three more schemes were introduced into the 15 point programme for minorities in 2009 namely: 1. National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) 2. Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) 3. Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG)

1,75,025,” Naqvi said. Earlier, as part of the new Haj policy of the country, the ministry had succeeded in doing away with the ‘mehram’ (male companion) system for women above 45 who wanted to go on pilgrimage. “About 3,55,000 applications have been received for Haj 2018. For the first time Muslim women from India will go to Haj without ‘mehram’. More than 1,300 women have applied to go without ‘mehram’ and all of them will be allowed to proceed. Women above 45 years, who wish to go for Haj but who don’t have a male companion, are allowed to travel in groups of four or more,” Naqvi said. The move was appreciated by PM Modi in his radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

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May 14-20, 2018

SCHEMES / PROGRAMMES / INITIATIVES Educational Empowerment

(i) Scholarship schemes: (a) Pre-Matric Scholarship (b)Post-Matric Scholarship (c)Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship (ii)Coaching schemes: (a) Naya Savera – Free Coaching and Allied scheme (b) Exclusive new component for meritorious students of Science stream (iii)‘Nai Udaan’- Support for students clearing Prelims conducted by UPSC, SSC, State Public Service Commissions, etc., for preparation of Mains Examination (iv)‘Padho Pardesh’Interest subsidy on educational loans for overseas studies (v)Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) (vi)Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF), which implements following two schemes: (a) Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for meritorious girls belonging to minorities in class XI and XII (b) Grant-in-Aid to NGOs

Area / Infrastructure Development:

Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP)

Centre To Trace Minority Funds

To trace the minority funds MukhtarAbbas Naqvi chaired a ‘samanvaya sammelan’ or coordination meeting of minority affairs ministers from several Muslim populations’ intensive states on January 18, 2018. The minority affairs ministers from several states were invited to take stock of how the schemes sponsored by the Centre as well as run by state governments are actually doing in the field. To review and appreciate the implementation of these schemes so as to know exactly how and how much the minorities have received the benefits.

Airfare reduction for Haj pilgrims

The government has significantly reduced airfares for Haj pilgrimage, in certain cases up to 50 per cent. The Centre had come under fire after the Ministry of Minority Affairs had done

Economic Empowerment:

(i)Skill Development: (a) ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’ (Learn & Earn) – Skill development initiative for minorities. (b)Upgrading Skill and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) (c) ‘Nai Manzil’- A scheme to provide education and skill training to the youth from minority communities. (ii) Concessional loans to minorities through National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) Women Empowerment:

‘Nai Roshni’-

Scheme for Leadership Development of minority women

Special Needs:

(i)‘Hamari Dharohar’- To preserve rich heritage and culture of minorities (ii)‘Jiyo Parsi’- Scheme for containing population decline of small minority community (iii)Waqf Management through: (a) Central Waqf Council (b) National Waqf Development Corporation (NAWADCO) (iv) Haj Management

away with subsidy for Haj pilgrims this year under a Supreme Court order of 2012. Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi personally monitored the Haj process while ministry officials were in constant touch with officials from airlines and had been in discussion on airfare for Jeddah during normal days and during Haj. The Modi Government’s commitment to ‘Development with Dignity’ and transparency has ensured that air fares for Haj 2018 have been reduced significantly, even after removing Haj subsidy, in comparison to airfares earlier

Govt To Award Fair Custodians Of Waqf Properties

In yet another move to strike at the backbone of ‘Waqf mafia’ and to incentivise transparency, the government would be awarding those

‘Mutawallis’ who will manage well Waqf properties to ensure better social utilisation, especially for educational empowerment of girls. Naqvi said “Waqf Mutawallis” were the “custodian” of Waqf properties across the country and they should ensure that these properties were being utilised for the betterment of the Muslim community. Protection and development of

community. Waqf properties across the country should be utilised for educational, employment oriented skill development and health related activities. Naqvi said that Central Waqf Council would also help those institutes which are being established and those who are running on waqf properties and are engaged in educational activities especially educational empowerment

waqf properties across the country is on priority of the Central Government so that these properties are utilised for socio-economic-educational empowerment of the Muslim

of girls. Naqvi added that Conference of Waqf Mutawallis were being organised across the country regarding preservation and development of waqf properties under Waqf Act. Minority Affairs Ministry, in cooperation with the state governments, will construct schools, colleges, malls, hospitals, skill development centres etc and revenue generated will be utilised for educational and other developmental activities for the Muslim community. Multi-purpose community centres “Sadbhav Mandap” will also be constructed on waqf land which will be utilised for marriage ceremonies, exhibitions and also relief centres during a calamity.

Protection and development of waqf properties is on priority of the Central Government so that they are utilised for socioeconomic- educational empowerment of the muslim

Society

May 14-20, 2018

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Kerala

India Can Re-Emerge As Global Powerhouse In Education Vice-President

warm Wishes

He urges students to pursue academics as a means of all-round development

Chandrani Banerjee

ice President M Venkaiah Naidu formally dedicated to the country the full-fledged campus of the Central University of Kerala (CUK). He urged the students to passionately pursue academics as a means for all-round empowerment rather than focussing on exploring employment avenues. As 65% of India’s population was under 35 years, the youngsters should visit abroad for research work and return to serve the nation. Though, India had the third largest higher education system in the world, its Gross Enrolment Ratio was only 25.2%. In view of this, it was imperative that higher education system in the country should expand qualitatively and quantitatively for the betterment of the nation and society. Stating that hundreds of people from across the globe used to seek education in the country’s ancient Nalanda and Takshashila Universities in the past, the educational preeminence enjoyed by the Asian subcontinent eventually waned during the colonial rule, he said. The university which has plans to

teach all courses in local languages will soon work it for the students. The university authorities confirmed that all courses must be taught in their local languages in the coming future. Speaking at the function, the Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu has said that India has the chance to re-emerge as the global powerhouse in the field of education and called for revamping the syllabi and improving the infrastructure to impart world class quality education. While addressing the gathering after inaugurating the new campus of the Central University and dedicating the educational institution to the nation, in stressed on global view. He said that India was once known as ‘Vishwaguru’ and people from across the globe used to come here to study and acquire knowledge and expertise in different domains. The Vice President said that from private educational institutions to Central Universities like this, every academic organisation must work in a mission mode to revamp the educational architecture in tune with the requirements of the 21st century to make India a leading nation in the field of education and innovation.

He said the education system should aim at the creation of a new, inclusive society, non-violent and non-exploitative, consisting of highly cultivated and motivated individuals inspired by love for humanity and guided by wisdom. He asked the students to be the torch bearers of our culture, traditions, ethos and customs. There is nothing wrong in adopting and assimilating good practices from elsewhere, but always remain rooted to our age-old culture and heritage, he added. The Vice President recollected the famous words of the Father of the Nation - “I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the culture of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any”. The Vice President said that education must lay the foundation for the progress of a nation adding that specifically higher education, has an important role in building a knowledge-based society of the 21st century. He further said that higher education system should expand qualitatively and quantitatively for the betterment of the nation and society. Graduates need to be competitive not only in a local or national context, but in an increasingly global market, he added. The Vice President said that in this ‘global village’ our graduates as future leaders need a new kind of intercultural understanding, respect for common rules and fair play, an understanding of different interests, views and ways of thinking, and the ability to analyze and synthesize, he added. The Vice President expressed the hope that in future various courses, including science & technology, will be taught in respective local languages in various States. Expressing his concern over the increasing atrocities on women and girls, he said that the mindset needs to be changed to address this menace. He emphasized the need for people to collectively fight against social evils like atrocities on women and caste discrimination.

‘Humanity’ is the greatest of all relationships

n 9 May 2018, I met a great soul, DD Sharma, who was celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary. He is married to a woman, who is visually challenged since her birth. Saroj Sharma cannot see anything, and yet it seems that she is seeing everything with her divine power. She was in a cheerful mood today, and it was natural, as she was celebrating the golden jubilee of her beautiful marriage. The couple is blessed with a daughter, Geeta, and a son, Ajay, who is an accomplished Chartered Accountant. In this world there are people who are born to help the needy and the helpless. And nothing can be nobler than marrying a visually challenged person. I pray to God to bless this remarkable couple and keep them forever happy.

Dr Bindeshwar Pathak Founder, Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement

Sanitation

May 14-20, 2018

Zimbabwe

Looking For A Different Development Model The state-funded sanitation programme collapsed after a decade

Mihir Paul

imbabwe’s experience of water and sanitation sector development is that of a model of African sector development, collapsing within a decade. This reflects the vulnerability of service development built on state subsidies sector and donor finance, without sufficient focus on sustainability. Encouragingly, a relatively swift recovery may well be possible, given a favourable political environment, a large injection of finance, and prioritization of the sector. A second generation of reforms is now needed. They encompass: leadership, role allocation, capacity building and improving sector governance and stakeholder consultation; shifting government’s role from that of implementer to facilitator; filling key policy gaps and amending policies to improve sustainability; assisting service providers to become financially viable; improving donorgovernment alignment; and putting in place sector monitoring and annual review processes will also be helpful. Water supply and sanitation in Zimbabwe are defined not only by many small scale successful programs but also by a general lack of improved water and sanitation systems for the majority of Zimbabwe. According to the World Health Organization in 2012, 80% of Zimbabweans had access to improved, i.e. clean, drinking-water sources, and only 40% of Zimbabweans had access to improved sanitation facilities. Access to improved water supply and

sanitation is distinctly less in rural areas. There are many factors which continue to determine the nature, for the foreseeable future, of water supply and sanitation in Zimbabwe. Three major factors are the severely depressed state of the Zimbabwean economy, the willingness of foreign aid organizations to build and finance infrastructure projects, and the political stability of the Zimbabwean state.

History and Access To Sanitation

In the 20 years from Zimbabwe’s Independence in 1980, overall water coverage increased from 32 percent to 56 percent and overall sanitation access up from 28 percent to 55 percent. Urban services had achieved well over 90 percent coverage by the late 1990s. Since then there has been a decline, the exact extent of which is not known. The CSO2 compares countries’ own estimates of coverage with data from the UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme ( JMP). The impact of these different coverage estimates on investment requirements is also assessed. There are two different sets of targets for the sector. The lower, Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets are for 89 percent water coverage and 72 percent sanitation coverage; the

government’s own, more ambitious targets aim for 100 percent coverage by 2015 in all subsectors, except rural sanitation (80 percent). Estimates of coverage also vary considerably. The WHO/UNICEF JMP figures suggest that, in 2008, 82 percent of Zimbabweans had access to improved drinking water and 68 percent to an improved toilet. Government figures for 2008 estimate coverage in the range of 46 percent access to improved drinking water and 30 percent access to improved sanitation facilities. At Independence in 1980, Zimbabwe inherited a well developed urban sector and a neglected rural sector. The detailed JMP sub-sectoral figures show limited progress in drinking water supply over the whole period and a decline in piped supply access (see sections 6 and 9). Despite significant efforts to develop rural infrastructure, the imbalance between urban and rural services remains a

In the 20 years from Zimbabwe’s Independence in 1980, water coverage increased from 32 to 56 percent and overall sanitation access up from 28 to 55 percent

distinctive feature of the sector in Zimbabwe today:6 98 percent of those without an improved drinking water source live in rural areas and up to 42 percent of the rural population practices open defecation. Hidden behind the coverage statistics, there has also been a significant decline in the quality of urban and rural services (poorer water quality, intermittent supplies, and longer walking distances). Sanitation coverage has stagnated since 1990, with only a slow reduction in open defecation. Without a recovery in the water and sanitation sector, Zimbabweans will face further cholera outbreaks, more deaths, illnesses, continuing poverty, and negative impacts on livelihoods, industry, tourism, food production and agriculture, pollution of rivers and water courses: this essentially translates to more hardship, particularly for women and children

‘Flush Mob In Zimbabwe’

Many residents of Zimbabwe’s second city, Bulawayo have simultaneously flushed their toilets, as part of an official attempt to prevent blocked sewage pipes.

Sanitation

May 14-20, 2018

Quick Glance Zimbabwe had a well-developed urban sector Water coverage increased from 32 per cent to 56 per cent The Blair VIp (BVIP) is a Zimbabwean invention

A severe drought and years of poor maintenance have meant Bulawayo residents often go without running water for three days at a time. The synchronised flush takes place at the same time twice a week - on Mondays and Thursdays - though residents will of course be able to flush their toilets at other times too. While many households in Zimbabwe have flush toilets, due to a lack of water, many people have been using buckets of water instead.

Blair toilet

The Blair Toilet (a.k.a. Blair Latrine) is a pit toilet designed in the 1970s. It was a result of large-scale projects to improve rural sanitation in Rhodesia

Perhaps the best known technology used in the programme is the Blair Latrine. This was first designed in 1973 at the Blair Institute and placed on trial for two years before it was used

under UDI at the Blair Research Institute, and then deployed further during the 1980s after Zimbabwean Independence. There was mass deployment of the toilet design in the rural areas of the country. It was developed by Dr. Peter Morgan of Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe). Its design makes use of air currents, a septic tank like pit, over which is built an upper structure with an open light-trap entrance and ventilation pipe from the bottom pit with a fine wire grate to keep out flies but more importantly, to keep those entering the toilet hole from flying out towards the light. The result is hygienic, as flies cannot escape from the faecal matter to spread disease, and the gases produced by the decomposing waste are redirected outside. Perhaps the best known technology used in the programme is the Blair Latrine. This was first designed, in 1973 at the Blair Institute and placed on trial for two years before it was used more widely by the Ministry of Health. Recently published records show that about half a million Blair Latrines have been built in Zimbabwe since it was first designed. Since 1980, over 400 000 Blair Latrines have been built at household level with a further 25, 000 at schools for staff. In addition, 8,000 multicompartment Blair Latrines have been built at schools with the number on commercial farms and estates estimated at well above 50 000. The Blair VIP (BVIP) toilet is a Zimbabwean invention and the forerunner of all VIP toilets. It has been a standardised piece of sanitary hardware recommended by the Government of Zimbabwe for 30+ years. The family unit is multi-purpose and doubles as a washroom. A multi-

compartment version is recommended for schools

The Modern Blair Latrine

In 2010 the Government of Zimbabwe relaxed its technical policy guideline for family toilets (the spiral brick Blair VIP) to include an additional design called an Upgradeable BVIP (uBVIP). In this version the basic requirement is for a brick lined pit and a covering concrete slab, which allows the owner to upgrade in a sequence of steps to attain the final brick built Blair VIP. The starting point is a brick lined pit of suitable capacity capped by a slab which has both squat and vent holes. The government specifies that the range of vent pipe options should include those made of bricks as well as tubes (eg PVC or asbestos). It is a requirement that the minimum life of the pit be at least 10 years. However recent developments in manufacture have significantly reduced the cost of PVC pipes. It is already well established that tubular vents are more efficient than brick pipes, and therefore there is a place for them in modern BVIP technology. There are certain other advantages in using tubular pipes. The configuration of the concrete slab can be modified to reduce the number of bricks used and also increase ease of construction. A manual has already been written on the uBVIP designed for use with a brick (or tubular) pipe. This manual describes the construction of a BVIP designed specifically for the tubular 110mm pipe.

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Open Defecation In Zimbabwe

â&#x20AC;?Improved sanitation facilities are when facilities hygienically separate human faeces from human contact. These could be achieved through many ways including flush or pour flush to piped sewer system; flush or Pour-flush to septic tank; flush or pour flush to pit latrine; Blair Ventilated Improved Pit Latrine (BVIP); upgradeable ventilated improved pit latrines; to compositing toilet or urine diversion dry toilet (UDDT) and urinals for institutions and schools. Of the 12 416 households that were sampled, forty-two percent (42.2%) of the households reported having no access to standard sanitation facilities, and presumably practiced open defecation (OD). As is to be expected, the proportion of households without standard sanitation facilities was higher in the poorest two quintiles (19.8%) than in the wealthiest two quintiles (12.5%). Therefore wealthier households were more likely to have constructed a latrine on their own without subsidies than poorer households who rely heavily on state subsidies to construct latrines. Of the 30.1% households that reported having constructed a sanitation facility on their own without subsidies, 18.5% were in the upper two quintiles while only 6% were in the lower two quintiles. It is interesting to note that even in the wealthiest households in these villages; some people are without standard sanitation facilities.

Sanitation News

May 14-20, 2018

Kachra mane

A House From Trash G V Dasarathi’s 1,500 sqft double-storeyed house is built from Kachra – which translates into trash or discarded material

G Ulaganathan

mong the brick and cement houses that line the city of Bengaluru, one house stands out. It is mostly made from trash. The house, aptly named Kachra Mane (Trash house), attracts visitors throughout the year. G V Dasarathi’s 1,500sqft doublestoreyed house is built from Kachra – which translates into trash or discarded material. But, the house is anything but rubbish! As one enters the house, it gives a resort-type feeling with greenery everywhere, fresh air that makes way into the house through large windows and most importantly, the attractive wooden structure of the house. The house is in the heart of the city – in Sadashivanagar. The simplicity and sense of space at this place is quite noticeable. The house is well lit and well ventilated. Das says his aim is to minimise the impact of the trash on the environment and thus his Kachra Mane was designed to reflect this principle. He is a firm believer in four R’s – Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Rethink. “Reduce – to buy less and use less; Reuse – to use elements of a discarded item again; Recycle – use energy to

change the physical properties of the material, to make something new. Our house has massive amounts of Reduce and Reuse, no Recycle. We have also used massive amounts of a fourth R – Rethink,” he explains. Kachra Mane was built ten years ago but it looks as good as new. Das explains, “Less than 5 per cent of the total sand used in regular construction has been utilised in the construction of the house. We cause enormous environmental damage when we extract sand from riverbeds and must reduce our use of sand in construction.” Use of cement and steel in the

house is reduced by almost 90 per cent. The roof is made of bamboo-corrugated sheets. The walls are mainly made of wood and glass that keep out rain and usher in light. The wood comes from packing crates and the glass is from old demolished buildings. No tiles are used anywhere in the house. The only flooring throughout the house - including bathrooms – is made of cement.“The roof structure, windows, staircase, kitchen cupboards and bookshelves are made from discarded pine wood packing crates. They are just coated with linseed oil, and there’s no paint or other chemicals used,” says Das. Bathroom fittings – including the commode - are old materials. “The bathroom fittings are all of a luxury brand, and would have cost a lakh, but I got them at less than 10 per cent

machine, microwave oven — are all used stuff. There are no grills on the windows because Das wanted to avoid using steel. The house was built in just seven months, with the cost being less than half of what a ‘regular’ house would cost. Das is a mechanical engineer and runs his own firm. Also, every day, he cycles to his office in Jayanagar. Over 25,000 people, including architecture students, enthusiasts, those who want to pick up ideas from the house – have visited his house, over the years. Das welcomes them all with a warm smile. “Even if they adopt a small thing and make a difference to the environment, it is indeed a big thing,” he says.

The aim is to minimise the impact of trash on the environment and thus-Kachra Mane was designed to reflect this principle Laila and Shakuntala, the family dogs have been adopted off the street. Squirrels and birds make their home in gaps under the bamboo corrugated sheets. Monkeys, bats, butterflies and a lot of insects are daily visitors too. “It’s like living in a zoo”, Das says. Das has a 20,000-litre tank for rainwater, which reduces consumption of corporation water to half. Also, they have a grey water system to reuse water from wash

Quick Glance The simplicity at this place is quite noticeable

The house is well lit and well ventilated

Kachra Mane was built ten years ago

of the cost,” he adds. The chairs and the dining table too are used ones. The kitchen sinks too are from demolished buildings. The kitchen has natural draught instead of an exhaust fan. The electrical appliances – refrigerator, washing

basins, bath area, washing machine and kitchen sinks. The reused water is let out into the garden. Solid waste is segregated — the wet waste goes into a compost pit in the garden and the dry waste is given to a rag picker.

Sulabh

May 14-20, 2018 Scavengers

A Ray of Hope in a Pit of Darkness

The Government hasn’t been able to alleviate the predicament of manual scavengers. Dr Bindeshwar Pathak is among the few whose efforts have freed numerous individuals from this inhumane profession

Quick Glance Manual scavengers are impoverished and openly discriminated

Manual scavenging is rampant, despite government intervention

Dr Pathak has successfully rehabilitated all the scavengers of Alwar

Misha Raj

hen Chaman Bi got married and moved into her new house, she was brimming with aspirations. Little did she know that her mother in law had already condemned her to a degrading fate, in the name of ‘legacy’ and ‘responsibility’. She was now a member of the Helas, a Dalit Muslim community, and was therefore required to work as a manual scavenger for the entire village. Every morning, at 4:00 AM, she set out with nothing but a pan and basket, to manually clean the latrines of people in her village. She worked relentlessly, ferrying baskets of feces to the outskirts of the village, and bringing them back to fill them again. Despite the scorching sun, and bonenumbing winds, she continued her brutal task, so she could earn a living. However, she didn’t just have to brave the elements. Everywhere she went, people hurled insults at her. So it was day after day, until her identity was swallowed up by the abuse and stench that followed her so doggedly. Her luck finally turned, when she was freed by Jan Sahas, an NGO. She is now the production centre in-charge of a textile manufacturing firm called Dignity and Designs. Not everyone is so fortunate, however. While we’re snoozing our alarms at seven in the morning, there are more than 12 lakh people who rise at the crack of dawn, and resignedly take on the hellishly gruelling task of physically removing and disposing human excreta. Euphemistically termed as ‘manual scavengers’, these poor souls are victims of a punitive social practice. They are not only ostracised as ‘untouchables’, but also forced to earn a living by performing revolting tasks that everyone else refuses to do. These scavengers are thrust into latrines and sewage pits, without any safety gear. They often fall prey to skin and respiratory diseases because of their unsanitary working conditions. Every year, more than 22,000 scavengers are victims of these fatal diseases and lose

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their lives. Reports show that every year, more than 23,000 of them die due to toxic inhalation. Despite this risk and having to wade through fetid piles of human waste, they are paid the bare minimum, and spend their lives as destitutes. Their place in society further exacerbates their plight. Because of their occupation, they are considered impure. People avoid them on the streets. They are unwelcome in any home of caste Hindus, and people even refuse to use the same utensils as them. They are disrespected and subjected to all kinds of affronts. The government has taken numerous measures to extricate scavengers from their loathsome occupation. The Employment of Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrines Prohibition Act of 1993 bans hiring or employing an individual for cleaning and carrying human excreta. Manual scavenging, and constructing latrines without proper drainage systems is also prohibited. This was augmented in 2013, as The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act. Under this act, States were held responsible for identifying and rehabilitating manual scavengers

along with their families. In 2007, the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers was launched. Under this programme, states identified scavengers, and provided them with loans, one time cash assistance as well as vocational training for two years with a stipend of Rs 3000 per month. Despite these efforts, scavenging is still a widely practiced occupation in states such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. This is because of gaps in government policies as well as ineffective implementation by the states. Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International, took it upon himself to fill in these gaps. Having witnessed the scavengers’ situation first hand, he has been a strong advocate of scavenger emancipation ever since he started out. In his book, ‘Road to Freedom: A Sociological Study on the Abolition of Scavenging in India’, he states that along with the liberation of scavengers and change in their livelihood, a transformation in their social status and the ‘mould’ of their social relationships is required to improve their lives.

Dr Bindeshwar Pathak having witnessed the scavengers’ situation first hand, he has been a strong advocate of scavenger emancipation ever since he started out

Deeply impacted by the horrifying situation of scavengers, he invented the two pit technology, that negates the need for human scavengers. In 2003, he also established a center called NaiDisha (New Direction), in Alwar. Here, scavenger women are taken in and equipped with everything they might need to strike out on their own; from financial aid and vocational training to emotional support and medical assistance. Women are first provided with basic education. They are then offered a wide range of courses such as food processing, design and stitching. Normal trainings last from six months to a year, however, the sessions here are extended according to the learning speed of the women. They are provided with a monthly stipend during this time, so that they do not revert to scavenging. They are also counselled on the importance of education and sanitation. At the end of the course, they are either provided with monetary aid to open their own businesses, or put into cooperatives, depending on their leadership qualities and ability to take initiative. Apart from being equipped with a fresh set of skills, these women are also instilled with a sense of confidence and dignity; so that they may successfully carve a niche for themselves in society. Dr Pathak’s efforts have helped abolish the practice of scavenging in the town of Alwar. Thanks to him, hundreds of people like Chaman Bi have found alternate livelihoods. He has not only managed to transform lives but also change the mindset of an entire village. He set out with nothing but the urge to make a difference, and it was his unerring tenacity that helped tide him over the hurdles on his path. His actions are a fitting example of how one only needs drive and will power to instigate change. (Grade 11, Shiv Nadar School, Noida)

Culture

May 14-20, 2018 Exhibition

Journey Through History

Exhibition is collaborative effort of British Museum, London, National Museum, New Delhi, and CSMVS, Mumbai n urooj fatima

wide swath of the millenniaold Indian civilization came alive through a cluster of artefacts of astonishing brilliance as the National Museum opened a nearly two-month transcontinental exhibition that takes the viewers on an intriguing and exhilarating trip through the country’s spectacular past and its links with the outside world since antiquity. “India and The World: A History in Nine Stories”, the first of its kind event in India, marks an unprecedented collaboration in museum exhibition with the British Museum, London; National Museum, New Delhi; Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai; and some 20 private collections pooling in their resources for the phenomenal show. Planned as part of the commemoration of 70 years of India’s independence and a year of major cultural exchange between India and the UK (UK/India 2017), the nearly two-month-long watershed show at National Museum, this got underway on May 5. It was travelled to the national capital from Mumbai where it drew an enthusiastic response from critics and public alike at CSMVS. The exhibition is spread over nine sections, each representing a pivotal moment in history: Shared Beginnings (1,700,000 years ago to 2000 BC), First Cities (3000-1000 BC), Empire (600 BC-AD 200), State and Faith (AD 100-750), Picturing the Divine (AD 200-1500), Indian Ocean Traders (AD 200-1650), Court Cultures (AD 1500-1800), Quest for Freedom (1800-Present), and Time Unbound. A unique line-up of around 200 ancient and modern exhibits which offer a chronological and thematic depiction of the evolution of India with multiple expressions of art and artefacts, stories and aesthetics was unveiled by IGNCA President Ram Bahadur Rai. Some of the eye-popping objects on display include the oldest known hand-axe in the world (1.7-1.07

million years) from Attirampakkam, Tamil Nadu; a replica of the Dancing Girl of Mohenjodaro (2500 BC); a gold-horned Harappan humped bull (1800 BC); a Mughal miniatureinspired work by Rembrandt; an Ashokan Edict (250 BC); and an imprint of the Constitution of India featuring more than 50 paintings supervised by the renowned artist Nandalal Bose. Beginning with the Indus Valley Civilisation and coming down to the present, the artefacts range from stone sculptures, terracotta, coins, tools, inscriptions and manuscripts to textiles, jewellery, Mughal miniatures and contemporary paintings. They demonstrate the common threads of human history. A striking feature of the show is not only it’s linear and chronological depiction of Indian civilization, but also its exploration of ideas across time periods, and a profound insight into the confluence of the ancient and the modern. Essentially, it highlights the strong connections India has shared historically with the rest of the world, impacting each other through a gamut of activities that helped evolve a global culture. The nine gallery exhibition is staggering in several respects: the number of rare objects that it brings together, the time period and styles that it covers, the exquisiteness of each object and the rich stories that it

tells us about ancestors. Overall, there are 104 important works of art from the Indian subcontinent in dialogue with 124 iconic pieces from the British Museum. It is also a celebration of cultural exchanges and a moment to remember that our civilization has existed for millions of years and what it has given to the world in terms of culture, science and spirituality. Dr Hartwig Fischer, Director, British Museum said India and the World represented a new approach and new model of a museum exhibition that sets one culture in a global context of shared histories and common ground, looking at similarities and differences and combining the strength of their collections and expertise. “This is a phenomenal exhibition for the sheer number of artefacts, the profoundness of concept and the unprecedented extensive collaboration of Indian museums and private collections with the British Museum, London. It truly offers a brilliant exposition on the splendid Indian civilization and its impact on the global civilizations of yore,” says National Museum Director General, Dr BR Mani.

A unique line-up of around 200 ancient and modern exhibits which offer a chronological and thematic depiction of the evolution of India

Conceived over a period of two years of intense planning and curatorial brainstorming, ‘India and the World’ has been jointly curated by a team in the UK and India. Curators Jeremy David Hill and Beatriz Cifuentes Feliciano, from the British Museum, joined efforts with Naman P Ahuja, Associate Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi and his curatorial assistant, Avani Sood to develop this unique exhibition. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Director General, CSMVS, said, “The exhibition is a first of its kind experiment outside the US, the UK and European borders, and attempts to provide a model for the museum to share their collections with people across the world, some of whom may otherwise never have access to them. The objects from the British Museum and from Indian museums and private collectors, together in conversation, unlock fascinating stories and histories, and help us understand how we relate to the wider world.” The exhibition, which is supported by the Tata Trusts, the Getty Foundation and the Newton Bhabha Fund, will run till June 30 from 10 am to 6 pm, except on Mondays and public holidays.

North East

May 14-20, 2018

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ARUNACHAL PRADESH

gearing up to protect the endangered red panda

The Red Panda is found in Himalayan forests of the deciduous and conifer categories mixed with bamboo undergrowth at an altitude of 2200 – 2800 metres n Rajeev

he Arunachal Pradesh government has approved a plan for the conservation of the highly endangered Red Panda. The border state has the highest population of Red Panda among all the states but their numbers have been dwindling in the past several decades. It has been listed as “vulnerable” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list of threatened species and it finds mention in the Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The Red Panda can be found in Himalayan forests of the deciduous and conifer categories mixed with bamboo undergrowth at an altitude of 2200 – 2800 metres. The government’s decision to initiate a programme for the conservation of the species comes years after a similar programme was launched by World Wildlife Fund (India) in two western districts of the hill state – Tawang and West Kameng. It covered more than 7000 sq km of biodiversity-rich areas for more than a decade through community based strategies of conservation of forests and wildlife. It was observed that despite having more than 1000 sq km of Red Panda habitat under community conserved areas, there existed a much larger need to expand the conservation programme and secure the Red Pandas. At the initiative of WWF (India), some villages in the twin districts formed the Pangchen Lumpo Muchut Community Area Conservation Management Committee in 2007. The village panchayats endorsed this programme as it was targeted at nature conservation and socioeconomic development of the forestdependent tribal population. In November 2010, three more villages - Socktsen, Kharman and Kelengteng – followed suit and formed the Pangchen Socktsen Lakhar Community Conservation Areas. The wide variety of wildlife found in these forests also includes

Red Pandas. While these measures stopped the hunting of wild animals, the continued loss of habitat posed a threat to the long-term survival of the Red Panda. To prevent this, villagers came together to form the unique Pangchen Red Panda Conservation Alliance with the support of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and WWF-India. The aim of this community initiative was to help Red Panda conservation not only by banning its hunting or capture, but also by preventing

Quick Glance The numbers of Panda have been dwindling in the past several decades

It is listed as “vulnerable” in the IUCN list of threatened species

Initiative Pangchen Red Panda Conservation Alliance is to help panda

Programme for the conservation of the species comes years after a similar programme that was launched by World Wildlife Fund (India) in two western districts habitat loss and protecting the plant species on which it is dependent. WWF (India) has mooted a plan to develop a state-level management plan for the endangered species based on advanced habitat analysis and stakeholder consultation and ensure its implementation through the state Department of Environment and Forests. Arunachal Pradesh is home to various endangered faunal species like high altitude pheasants – Peacock, Monal and Tragopan. It is the only state that can claim to have four major varieties of the big cats in its jungles- tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard as well as lesser feline species like the golden cat and the marbled cat. Also, there are seven species of primates, including the Takin that can be found only in Arunachal Pradesh. Each district of the state has its own exclusive variety of orchids and one of Asia’s largest Orchidarium is located at Tipi in

Arunachal Pradesh. The government has also approved a proposal for setting up of a High Altitude Breeding Center cum Aviary which will not only be significant for promoting tourism but also for breeding of the endangered pheasants. While approving the programmes of conservation, the government also discussed ways and means to check land encroachment and illegal activities within reserve forests. It was decided that the government will relook at the licenses provided for guns that can be used for hunting wild animals. Chief Minister Pema Khandu has directed the home department to study the menace of illegal use of gun licenses, submit a plan to deal with it the problem and issue a directive to the officials of the forest department to inspect and check wherever there are complaints of illegal activities in reserve forests.

May 14-20, 2018

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty

Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr Parsa is a Delhi-based journalist, who’s worked for many media houses like Indian Express, DNA in Delhi. He has also written for Deccan Herald, Times of India, Gulf News

VIEWPOINT

The changing identity of museum

Mahatma Gandhi

The Internet had created new ways of bringing the museum to people across the globe

Keep It Down!

World Hypertension Day makes the people to get every kind of knowledge to the people about the stress and tension

hose were the days when our forefathers toiled in the fields all through the day; our grandmothers were spinning around doing all the household chores and the children at home did not have snazzy gadgets to be glued on. Those were the days when the kids of the home ventured out to play; they had lots of friends playing with them on the not-so-crowded or polluted streets. The fast life, technological advancements and stressful workplaces are taking a toll. Diabetes and cardiac problems have now become a common ailment in almost every household, courtesy hypertension! With May 17 being observed as World Hypertension Day, this is a clarion call to those suffering high stress levels at work and sedentary lifestyles. World Hypertension Day makes the people to get every kind of knowledge to the people about the Stress and Tension. Hypertension makes the people to damage their health which makes them not to do their tasks properly. Hypertension makes the people to carry out their tasks with lots of mistakes and also makes the people to be unconfident in any type of activity It is not just about observing World Hypertension Day every year, it remains our responsibility to ensure that the common public make sure of regular checkups of their blood pressure. It is also important to encourage people having hypertension on global basis to go to their health practitioner for regular checkup and proper treatment. It is also necessary to promote to the common public to maintain their normal weight, normal cholesterol level, normal blood pressure, healthy living, healthy eating and regular physical exercise.

Editor-in-Chief

Kumar Dilip Edited, Printed and Published by: Monika Jain on behalf of Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation, owned by Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation Printed at: The Indian Express Limited A - 8, Sector -7, NOIDA (UP) Published at: RZ - 83, Mahavir Enclave, Palam - Dabri Road, New Delhi - 110045 (India) Corporate Office: 819, Wave Silver Tower, Sector - 18, NOIDA (UP) Phone: +91-120-2970819 Email: editor@sulabhswachhbharat.com, ssbweekly@gmail.com

nternational Museum Day is celebrated every May 18, and it began in 1977 as a move to revive interest in museums and connect them with their communities through various cultural projects. The theme of the International Museum Day 2018 is “Hyperconnected museums: new approaches, new publics”. This is a natural theme in the age of the Internet where it has become possible to take virtual tour of the museums without physically visiting the place. Museums have thus moved out of the physical locations. And it has also become possible for museums in different parts of the world to cooperate and coordinate and make their respective collections accessible to people everywhere. The first museums in the modern period came up in the 18th century, especially when the European countries began to collect art treasures from the colonies, which was a consequence of conquests. But there was also another aspect to museums. It became an institution of collective memory in modern times, with its collection of art pieces and artefacts of the society in which they are located. The National Museum in New Delhi which was established in 1949 is a collection of art pieces excavated from the times of the

Indus Valley civilization to the late classical period in 11th and 12th centuries of the Common Era (CE). Interestingly, it is the British colonial administration in India that had gathered the invaluable pieces, some of which were gathered during archaeological excavations in different parts of the country in the early part of the 20th century. The collections in museums in Chennai, in Sarnath and Patna reconstruct Indian history of the ancient and early medieval period. The museum of natural history at Kolkata (then Calcutta) contains specimens of extinct animals of the past. The Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad is an example of an individual’s collection that grew to the size of a museum, where the principle was the choice of the noble in the princely state of Hyderabad at the turn of the 20th century. There is quite a lot of the art of India in museums in Britain and in the United States. The British Museum, which came into existence through an act of the British Parliament in 1753, had through the 19th and early 20th centuries had acquired many of the invaluable art works and manuscripts of ancient and medieval India. The famous Buddhist friezes of Amaravati in modern Andhra Pradesh are now part of the British Museum collection. As a colonial power, Britain had transported art works not just from India but also from Syria and Greece to the British Museum collection. Like the Amaravati Buddhist friezes, the Elgin marbles from Greece are now part of the British Museum collection. In the United States, many private collectors who had acquired medieval paintings of the Mughal and Rajput period have gathered them in several museums from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. The renowned Louvre in Paris has art works from Egypt and other parts of Europe collected during Napoleon’s conquests

There is the hyper-connectivity movement, where an attempt is being made to connect museums worldwide, so that they do not remain isolated

May 14-20, 2018

in the early part of the 19th century. The Louvre, it is interesting to note, has been established by an act of the National Assembly in 1793, soon after the French Revolution of 1789 which overthrew the monarchy. But in the last five years or so, the concept of the museum has been reinvented to include historical experiences of a people from living memory. The first is the Bhopal Gas Victims museum in Bhopal which has put together material of different kinds to capture the December 3, 1984 gas leak from the Union Carbide factory, which killed three thousand people and blighted the lives of thousands more. The other example is that of the Partition Museum set up in Amritsar, which seeks to bring together the memory bric-a-brac of the trauma of Partition experienced by individuals and families. These projects show that the idea of museum is no more that of an institution which is created and managed by committees and that they operate on abstract principles of gathering information about societies. These projects also change the idea that the museum is a collection of artefacts belonging to a remote past. We can see the future museum moving in two directions. There is the hyper-connectivity movement, where an attempt is being made to connect museums worldwide, so that they do not remain isolated, and people can understand their own past, and also that of people elsewhere as well. This would create awareness about the common past that whole of humanity shares though divided by geography and culture. The International Council of Museums (ICOM) notes that 36,000 museums in 157 countries and territories had participated in the International Museum Day activities in 2017. The other aspect is that people are taking initiatives to create new museums around memory events of their choice as we have seen in the case of the Bhopal gas victims’ museum and that of India’s Partition. It shows that people who visit museums are not passive participants but they contribute to the collection in a museum. The museum is not just a place where visual materials of collective memory are placed for viewing, but it is also a place which is created by individuals through collective action. The museum, a product of 18th-19th centuries Europe, is then reinventing itself in the 21st century, and it is using technological breakthrough of the Internet to create a new identity for itself.

mihir paul

Mihir Paul is a graduate of Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States

upfront

ommunication is the backbone of our society. Communication and the mediums of communication have evolved alongside the human civilization. There used to be a time when humans communicated via drums, smoke signals, mirrors, and musical instruments. With the exponential growth of technology starting in the 20th century, telecommunications was born. From prehistoric man with their signal fires to the smartphonewielding high-powered executives of today, communication still remains a key for survival and success. What is telecommunication? Modernisation through the use of telephones, radio, and computers has brought people closer. Information travels around the globe, and this is very crucial in the development of any field. The true ‘jump’ in terms of quality came with the advent of electricity. Electromagnetic energy, in fact, is able to transport information in

The Great Growling Engine Of Change 17 May marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention

an extremely fast way, in a way that previously had no equals in terms of costs reliability. World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969, marking the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. It was instituted by the Plenipotentiary Conference in MalagaTorremolinos in 1973. Every year ITU announces a theme for telecom fraternity to observe and pursue. 2018 Theme: Enabling the positive use of Artificial Intelligence for All Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is

letters to the editor

The recent issue of the ‘Good News Weekly’ “Sulabh Swachh Bharat” has prominently covered the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to China. The weekly’s front page has the photographs of the world’s two great leaders– Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and the Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping. Some Chinese visitors who were travelling back to Beijing from India saw the weekly at the airport

OpEd

taking center stage with a lot of impact on people’s lives. AI’s potential power is being exploited and developed at an unprecedented speed. AI brings us many opportunities and challenges. AI will greatly change our economy and society. ITU, in its role of Specialized UN Agency for ICT services and technologies, wishes to work with Academia, researchers, industries, Administrations and Governments, UN Agencies, as well as other stakeholders and partners, to facilitate the AI development, to bring the benefits of AI to all. The 2018 theme will allow ITU Membership and other key stakeholders to focus on the opportunities for how AI can help accelerate the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. WTISD-18 will coincide with the second edition of the Artificial Intelligence for Good Global Summit at the ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Photo Feature

May 14-20, 2018

the long journey through historic epochs The ‘India And The World: A History In Nine Stories’ is a unique exhibition to mark 70 years of India’s Independence. It is a collaboration between the British Museum, London; National Museum, New Delhi; and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai. Photo: sIPRA dAS

May 14-20, 2018

The exhibition narrates the story of humankind from the ‘shared beginnings’ to the ‘early cities’ to the powerful men who ruled vast empires to court culture and to India’s quest for freedom in the modern period

Photo Feature

Science & Technology

May 14-20, 2018

Research

New Technique To Detect Chronic Kidney Disease

If CKD is detected at an early stage (Stage 1 or 2), mere modifications in diet and intake of ACE inhibitors may prevent the progression to end stage renal disease n Umashankar Mishra

ndian researchers have developed a technique which can potentially help in rapid detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is a highly sensitive electro-chemical technique, which can be used to detect different stages of the disease. The technique has been put together by researchers of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)’s New Delhi based Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and Amity University, Rajasthan. It has been developed by modifying a multi-walled carbon nanotube electrode with capture protein papain via covalent immobilization. The binding of the probe to the electrode was confirmed by various microscopic and spectroscopic methods. Cystatin

Dignya Desai, Dr. Manali Datta and Professor Ashok Kumar (Left to right)

C, a CKD specific marker can bind to the capture molecule producing variations in the electronic transitions occurring through the surface modified electrode. Dr Manali Datta, researcher of Amity University, who led the study, told India Science Wire, “This technique could detect Cystatin C concentrations corresponding to

baseline as well as different stages of CKD. Specificity of the sensor was tested against creatinine, albumin, and gliadin and was found to be highly specific for Cystatin C.” “The sensor”, she explained, “was tested with spiked samples of urine and was found to give a good accuracy rate. It has been tested in varying pH levels and is able to detect as low as 6

anti-venom

Earthworm Gut May Offer New Ways Of Efficient Recycling Of Organic Waste Cellulose-degrading bacteria in the gut of earthworms break it down into carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which make up most of the soil organic matter n Monika Kundu Srivastava

arth worms are considered best friends of farmers, acting as engineers in soils. They are helpful in decomposition of waste, producing bio-fertilizers. Indian scientists have investigated the gut of earthworms to get an insight into why they are so efficient in helping decomposition. They have found that the gut of earthworms provides an ideal environment for nurturing a variety of cellulose-degrading bacteria because of which they are able to convert organic waste from plant sources into fertilizer or compost. A team of scientists led by Dr Narayan C Talukdar at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology in Guwahati, studied

two types of earthworms those which are found on the surface of soil (Perionyx excavatus or composting earthworms) and those found under the soil (Glyphidrilus spelaeotes or semi-aquatic freshwater earthworms). Bacteria drawn from the gut of earthworms were cultured and separated on the basis of their rate of growth and general structure.

According to results, the use of a technique called ‘16S rRNA gene-based taxonomic analysis’ revealed distinct composition of cellulosedegrading bacteria specific to each type of earthworm. The rate at which cellulose was broken down by an enzyme (cellulase) found in these gut bacteria was much higher than that found in Cellulomonas cellulans, a bacteria whose distinguishing feature is breaking down of cellulose and was used as a reference for the study. This was clear from higher amounts of carbon generated from earthworm’s vis-à-vis Cellulomonas cellulans after 20 days of decomposition of rice straw in its natural environment. Further analysis also revealed that

microgram of CKD specific marker per liter of urine”. CKD is characterized by gradual loss of kidney function due to degeneration of kidney tubules. Patients with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease or hormonal imbalances have a higher risk of developing CKD than those without these complications. Detection of CKD is often serendipitous and is normally detected by hospital based urine and blood tests. These tests monitor the protein and creatinine levels in the urine. One of the main disadvantages is that there is a blind spot for serum creatinine testing. The kidney function has to come down by 50 percent if it needs to be detected and this poses a serious threat as required treatment cannot be given at the right time and it could be fatal. Hence there is a need for a more suitable method to estimate the severity of the disease, researchers said.Considering that 72 million diabetics, 110 million hypertensive patients, and 40 million suffering from cardiovascular diseases in India are prone to get CKD, it becomes necessary to develop a point of care diagnostics for the susceptible population. The new technique has the potential to be developed into a point of care device. the growth rate of cellulose-degrading bacteria in semi-aquatic freshwater earthworms was much faster than composting earthworms thus, making them more efficient decomposers of rice straw. The earthworm gut hosts many microorganisms. Earthworms eat plants, which contain cellulose (a complex sugar) as an important part of a plant cell wall. Cellulose-degrading bacteria in the gut of earthworms break it down into carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which make up most of the soil organic matter. “Knowledge on occurrence and screening of efficient cellulosedegrading bacteria within the gut wall of earthworms may help in efficient cycling of organic residues either in field conditions or in the compostmaking process,” pointed out Dr Talukdar. In rice growing tropical and sub-tropical regions, cellulosecontaining rice straw remains in the field after harvesting and needs to be decomposed quickly for efficient release of nutrients. In the summer to winter rice-cropping system prevalent in North East India, summer rice straw needs to be recycled 20 to 30 days prior to transplanting of winter rice.

Health

May 14-20, 2018

21 07

Alzheimer

Brain Cholesterol May Increase Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Cholesterol could trigger the beginning of dementia disease Alzheimer’s, scientists said last night. British researchers have shown how the fatty substance commonly linked with heart disease could also speed up the progression of the incurable brain-wasting illness

holesterol a molecule normally linked with cardiovascular diseases may also play an important role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers have found. The findings, published in the journal Nature Chemistry, suggests that in the brain, cholesterol acts as a catalyst which triggers the formation of the toxic clusters of the amyloidbeta protein, which is a central player in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers found that cholesterol, which is one of the main components of cell walls in neurons, can trigger amyloid-beta molecules

to aggregate, and their aggregation eventually leads to the formation of amyloid plaques, in a toxic chain reaction that leads to the death of brain cells. “The levels of amyloid-beta normally found in the brain are about a thousand times lower than we require to observe it aggregating in the laboratory - so what happens in the brain to make it aggregate?” said lead author Michele Vendruscolo, Professor at Centre for Misfolding Diseases, in the University of Cambridge. For the study, using a kinetic approach, the researchers found in vitro studies that the presence of

cholesterol in cell membranes can act as a trigger for the aggregation of amyloid-beta. Since amyloid-beta is normally

present in such small quantities in the brain, the molecules don’t normally find each other and stick together. Amyloid-beta does attach itself to lipid molecules, however, which are sticky and insoluble, the researcher said. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, the amyloid-beta molecules stick to the lipid cell membranes that contain cholesterol. Once stuck close together on these cell membranes, the amyloid-beta molecules have a greater chance to come into contact with each other and start to aggregate - in fact, the researchers found that cholesterol speeds up the aggregation of amyloidbeta by a factor of 20. “The question for us now is not how to eliminate cholesterol from the brain, but about how to control cholesterol’s role in Alzheimer’s disease through the regulation of its interaction with amyloid-beta,” Vendruscolo said. “We’re not saying that cholesterol is the only trigger for the aggregation process, but it’s certainly one of them,” Vendruscolo added.

source protein

Diabetics Need Not Always Hold Back From Eating Eggs The extended study tracked a broad range of cardiovascular risk factors including cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, with no significant difference in results between the high egg and low egg groups

eople suffering from diabetes may finally eat eggs daily without a pinch of guilt. A new study suggests that eating up to 12 eggs a week does not increase cardiovascular risk factors in people with pre-diabetes or Type-2 diabetes. People with Type-2 diabetes tend to have higher levels of the ‘bad’ low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol which is a risk factor for heart diseases. As eggs themselves are high in dietary cholesterol, diabetics are generally advised to avoid consuming eggs. But the findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical

Nutrition, showed that eggs have little effect on the levels of cholesterol in the blood of people eating them. “Despite differing advice around safe levels of egg consumption for people with pre-diabetes and Type-2 diabetes, our research indicates that people do not need to hold back from eating eggs if this is part of a healthy diet,” said study co-author Nicholas Fuller from the University of Sydney. “A healthy diet as prescribed in this study emphasised replacing saturated fats -- such as butter -- with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats -- such as avocado

and olive oil,” Fuller added. In the initial trial of the study, 128 participants aimed to maintain their weight while embarking on a high-egg (12 eggs per week) or low-egg (less than two eggs per week) diet, with no difference in cardiovascular risk markers identified at the end of three months. The same participants then embarked on a weight loss diet for an additional three months, while continuing their high or low egg consumption. For a further six months -- up to 12 months in total -- participants were followed up by researchers and continued their high or low egg intake. The extended study tracked a broad range of cardiovascular risk factors including cholesterol, blood sugar and

blood pressure, with no significant difference in results between the high egg and low egg groups. At all stages, both groups showed no adverse changes in cardiovascular risk markers and achieved equivalent weight loss -- regardless of their level of egg consumption, the researcher explained. The findings are important due to the potential health benefits of eggs for people with pre-diabetes and Type-2 diabetes as well as the general population, the research said. “Eggs are a source of protein and micronutrients that could support a range of health and dietary factors including helping to regulate the intake of fat and carbohydrate, eye and heart health, healthy blood vessels and healthy pregnancies,” Fuller noted.

Gender n Srawan Shukla

silent social revolution is on in Naxal-affected areas of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. The ‘Green Brigade’, comprising women mostly from tribals and lower castes, not only help police combat Naxal activities but check villagers joining Naxal groups due to poverty and backwardness. Besides this, the Brigade is also actively involved in removing social evils like gambling, liquor consumption, weed addiction and smoking in their areas. The Green Brigade initiative was replicated by the Mirzapur SSP Ashish Tiwari in 10 Naxal-affected villages in the district after he came across their activities in five villages of Varanasi, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Parliamentary constituency. Founded by two Social Science Graduate friends and civil services aspirants Divyanshu Upadhyaya and Ravi Mishra in 2015, the Hope Welfare Trust began its activities by selecting Khusiyari, one of the most backward villages on the outskirts of Varanasi. In less than three years, the Hope Welfare Trust has a team of over 300 volunteers working mostly in the tribal and Naxal belts of Mirzapur and Varanasi. The village having a population of over 1000, mainly tribals, had no roads, no electricity, no toilet or other basic amenities. When the two visited the village for the first time to get to their problems, an elderly woman suggested that before even thinking of any development in the area they need to fight and remove social evils plaguing the village. Men in the village do not even wait for the sunset. They start the day with alcohol or a ‘Chillum’ with local weed. While women work in whatever little farming they have, men will spend the whole day playing cards to gamble

Quick Glance Founded by two Social Science Graduate friends & civil services aspirants

In less than three years, they have a team of over 300 volunteers

The Trust members designed a program as per the need of the village

May 14-20, 2018 uTTAR PRADESH

tACKLING NAXAL CHALLENGE The ‘Green Brigade’, comprising women, mostly from tribals and lower castes, not only help police combat Naxal activities but check villagers joining Naxal groups

their family’s future. They will often go violent and quarrel with friends when they lose money and other valuables in gambling. They will return to their huts in an inebriated state when hungry, only to thrash their wives and children to take out their frustration. There was not an iota of a lie in elderly woman’s scary tale about the village. The two Hope Trust members had a first-hand experience when they spent two days in the village. Initially, they were reluctant to start the initiative from the village but when other tribal women in the village volunteered to support their reformist and women empowerment programs, both friends decided to take up the challenge. Khusiyari became the lab for the Hope Trust to begin a new social revolution. “We thought that if we succeeded here then we will not fail in other villages,” pointed Divyanshu. The Trust members designed a program as per the social, geographical and economic need of the village. A few girl volunteers of the Hope Trust were introduced to the village to select tribal women who were ready to be part of the program. About 15 women were selected for the core group for training. Since the majority of them were illiterates and had never attended schools, they were first taught to write

their names. They were given training in Judo-Karate for self-defence but were strictly told to adopt non-violent means to tackle any situation. Within three months, the core group trained about 90 women in other four villages including Deura, Ramsipur, Jagardevpur and Bhadrasi. At the time of their final induction, they were given a surprise gift Green Sarees. This is how the Green Brigade got its name. In each village, they have 15-20 members who carry on the new social revolution in their respective areas. Wearing Green sarees and wielding lathis in their hands, these tribal

women will counsel men, their wives, children and other family members and if men resisted then they would force family members to ostracize them for a day or two from home as a punishment. “We would also seek help from the local police if threatened by men not ready to mend their ways,” said Nirmala Kumari. The Green Brigade targeted local ‘bhattis’ (brewery) producing country-made liquor with the help of the police and cut off the supply of the ‘kuchchi daru’ in the village. The Trust also sought help from rural health mission officials in holding health camps for their check-ups and de-addiction of men hooked to alcohol and ‘ganja’. Within a month many village elders and men started supporting the Green Brigade initiatives. “We were being treated with much respect and not only women even men would come to us on their own to give up alcohol and ganja smoking,” recalled Asha Devi, one of the most active Green Brigade leader. Once the Green Brigade makes a house social evils-free, it will put a green ‘thappa’ (seal) of their both hands on the hut to announce that the home is free from alcohol consumption and domestic violation. “The occasion is celebrated with contributions by villagers,” said Chand Tara, another Green Brigade

Gender

May 14-20, 2018

23 07

dowry System

WhatsApp to say ‘no’ to dowry

‘Dowry Free Nikah’ united its first couple merely three months after its formation. It has brought together 75 couples since then n G Ulaganathan/ MANGALURU

The Hope Welfare Trust initiative of women empowerment to fight social evils soon reached the neighbouring Naxal-affected district of Mirzapur activist. The Hope Welfare Trust initiative of women empowerment to fight social evils soon reached the neighbouring Naxal-affected district of Mirzapur where the SSP Ashish Tiwari was also planning to rope in support of villagers to combat growing naxalism. The Hope Welfare Trust members were invited and assured full support if they began the same programs in Naxal-affected villages in the district. “After Khusiyrai, it was a bigger challenge. We gave a nod and redesigned the program with little changes,” said Divyanshu. Core Group from Varanasi along with a team of volunteers camped in Simri, Purania, Hinauta, Dhanseria, Rampur, Bhawanipur, Bhiti, Kudi, Dadra and Rajghar Naxal-affected villages to train over 150 tribal women to empower them and to begin on removing social evils first. Impressed by their works, the SSP Mirzapur gave them the ‘Police Mitra’ identity cards. It was the biggest achievement of the Green Brigade so far. The idea was to allow Green Brigade to keep an eye on Naxal activities and act as police informers for combating Naxalism. “Identity cards of Police Mitra were more effective than lathis. We got more respect and power in the village,” said Shunita Kumari.

Most of the naxalities from these ten villages will suddenly disappear for days and months to work for their groups in Chhattisgarh and Bihar and come back when police hunt for them after Naxal strikes in these states. The Green Brigade would make a list of such men and inform a police cell, specially created for them, on their return and any suspicious activities

they see in villages. Within two-three months, many of the Naxals were arrested and are now being reformed in police custody. The SSP Mirzapur has assured the Green Brigade to let them off once they are fully reformed to stay away from Naxal activities. After the success of the Green Brigade in Naxal areas, the Hope Welfare Trust is planning to approach Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and other states facing the Naxal problems with the help of the SSP Mirzapur Ashish Tiwari to replicate their ‘Mirzapur Model’ to reform Naxalites.

n February, 2017, a group of eight youngsters from Mangaluru, launched a crusade against dowry, via Whatsapp. Distressed by the increasing occurrence of dowryrelated deaths, decided to take matters into their own hands. ‘Dowry Free Nikah’, the WhatsApp group started by these internet friends has triggered a social revolution in the Dakshina Kannada district. Nizaam Valachil, Ilyas Mangaluru, Nuruddin Avinahalli, Zaheer Shantinagar, Musthafa Shiruru, Muzammil Nuhi Addoru, K M Jaleel Kundapura and Rehaman Byndooru met on social media, and discovered a shared concern about the malignant effects of dowry. They were all deeply perturbed by the number of suicides and women who remain unmarried as they cannot afford to pay. In a bid to make a difference, they got together to create a discussion group that addressed social issues. A month later, they created ‘Dowry Free Nikah’. “We haven’t yet met together as a team, but are united by a purpose. We strive to ensure that no family in our community suffers due to malicious dowry practices. Most of our team members are writers and we met on the group formed after a povertystricken family committed suicide in our village. Over a period of time, we started a group of our own to discuss the social issues plaguing the region, and ultimately ‘Dowry Free Nikah’ was pioneered.” says creator, Zaheer Shantinagar. ‘Dowry Free Nikah’ united its first couple merely three months after its formation. It has brought together 75 couples since then. Singles looking for a suitable match send their details to the group administrators. After their details are verified and they agree to follow the rules set by the administrators, candidates are accepted as members. Details such as age, qualifications, height and phone numbers of family members are subsequently shared with members

of the group, to connect them with each other. The group is a warm and openminded space. Unlike other matrimonial sites, it does not ask for the skin colour. This is unimaginable in an arranged marriage set-up and only highlights their progressive thinking. Any message against a particular caste or group isn’t permitted either. The group was an instant success in the Dakshina district of Kannada and has had now proliferated across Karnataka and has over 1,000 members. Five sub-groups have been initiated to accommodate these extensive numbers. Administrators feel that this widespread participation hints at a social change. They are confident that what started as a small scale initiative will soon penetrate the social fabric, and positively impact thousands.

excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend”

May 14-20, 2018

Digital India

The vision of PM for a Digital India is a very powerful one. It is a first step forward to empower citizens with technology. Azim Premji Chairman, Wipro

Giving wings to a dream

ight from the day of assuming power, "Digital India" and "Make in India" have been uppermost in the “To Do” list of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister’s Digital India Programme is envisaged to be vast in scale and ambitious in aim. It will be like a giant umbrella under which several big projects will run simultaneously. The objective will be to introduce

broadband speed to India's rural areas which suffer from a lack of connectivity. A major benefit of the project will be a substantial reduction of corruption in governance. Prime Minister Modi hopes to reduce corruption in government by making most services available online. India's top businessmen have committed to contribute Rs. 4.5 lakh crore to various parts of the programme which is expected to generate 18 lakh jobs.

Corporate chief executive officers at the launch of a ‘Digital India’ initiative.

May 14-20, 2018

excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend”

I dream of a Digital India where high speed digital highways unite the nation. I dream of a Digital India where government is open and governance is transparent. I dream of a Digital India where 1.2 billion connected Indians drive innovation. I dream of a Digital India where the world looks to India for the next innovation. I dream of a Digital India where ICTenabled citizengovernment interface is incorruptible. Prime Minister

Narendra Modi

Prime Minister articulates his vision

he Prime Minsiter has emphasised the need for providing digital strength to all citizens. He believes that if a large section of the population is left out, then a huge calamity awaits us in the form of a digital divide. He said that the M-governance being spoken of does not stand for ‘Modi governance’, it stands for ‘Mobile governance’. Prime Minsiter Modi elucidated his dream of a

Digital India where high speed digital highways will unite the nation; where government is open and governance is transparent; where technology will ensure that government is incorruptible; where quality education will be accessible to all; where quality health care will be available to all; where farmers will be empowered with real time information and where e-commerce will drive the economy.

I dream of such a digital India where technology makes the government systems transparent and brings a positive change in the life of the people. Prime Minister

Narendra Modi

excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend”

Key projects of Digital India programme

May 14-20, 2018

Our demographic dividend must get digital strength. Dream of a #DigitalIndia cyber security becomes an integral part of national security. Dream of a #DigitalIndia where the world looks to #India for the next big idea. Dream of #DigitalIndia where 1.2 billion connected Indians drive the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Digital Locker System to minimise the usage of physical documents and enable sharing of e-documents across agencies. MyGov.in, a platform for citizen engagement in governance, through a “Discuss, Do and Disseminate” approach. A Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Mobile app to be used by the people and government organisations for achieving the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The ability to make Delhi easily accessible to the poorest person in the remotest village can only happen through Digital India.

N R Narayana Murthy

Infosys co-founder

Digitise India Platform (DIP) to provide for largescale digitisation of records to facilitate efficient delivery of services to citizens. The eSign framework to allow citizens to digitally sign a document online using Aadhaar authentication. eHospital application to provide online registration, payment of fees, appointment, diagnostic reports and enquiring availability of blood, etc. A National Scholarships Portal to process and pay for scholarships online. Bharat Net and Broadband Highways to connect all 2.5

lakh gram panchayats of the country. Next Generation Network (NGN) by BSNL to replace 30 year old exchanges with IP-based technology to manage all types of services like voice, data, multimedia and video, etc. BSNL will also undertake large scale deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots across the country. The biggest programmme within Digital India, e-Kranti, will integrate all public programmes on single portals and use technology for implementation and act as a public grievance system as well.

Impact of Digital India

he estimated impact of Digital India by 2019 will range from providing broadband connectivity in all panchayats, Wi-Fi in schools and universities and public Wi-Fi hotspots. It will generate millions of jobs directly and indirectly. This programme will make India digitally empowered and a leader in the usage of IT for delivery of services related to various domains such as health, education, agriculture and banking, etc.

Normally, industry moves faster than government, but with Digital India, it is different. I have no hesitation in saying that the government has moved faster.

Mukesh Ambani

Chairman and MD, Reliance Industries Continue In Next Issue

Feature

May 14-20, 2018

27 07

Community Kitchen

‘Concept Of Equality’ Pervades World’s Biggest Community Kitchen On an average, it feeds over 100,000 people daily from children to old people from all religions, castes, regions, countries n Jaideep Sairan

f there is one big leveller for people, irrespective of their religion, caste, gender, social status or riches, it is the “langar”, or community kitchen, at the Golden Temple complex, where the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Harmandir Sahib, is located, in this city considered holy by Sikhs. Referred to as the world’s largest community kitchen, the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee Langar Hall of the Golden Temple complex is unique in several aspects. On an average, it feeds over 100,000 people daily from children to old people from all religions, castes, regions, countries; and people from varied social, economic and political backgrounds. “It is a 24x7 operation that carries on day and night all 365 days of the year. This has been going on for centuries, since the concept of langar was introduced by Guru Nanak Dev (the first Guru of the Sikh religion and its founder; born 1469) and propagated by other Gurus,” Wazir Singh, senior in-charge of the langar preparation, told. At any given point of the day or night, the place is not only swarmed by devotees wanting to partake what is considered as blessed by service but by hundreds of volunteers who are everso-ready to be part of the voluntary cooking and serving process.

The langar food is even sent thrice daily to the two Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)-run hospitals in Amritsar, especially to a ward where treatment of mentallyill patients and drug-addicts is being carried out. The SGPC is tasked with the management all Sikh shrines. “We have over 500 volunteer employees. The sangat (community) also pitches in with great enthusiasm daily. People come from across Punjab on trucks and tractor-trolleys even other states, different countries to help in this massive exercise of making and serving food. Several local residents, including women, have been coming here for years. People take time out of their government and private jobs to serve here, irrespective of their religion or caste. We welcome everyone with love,” Wazir Singh, speaking in Punjabi, pointed out, even as he continued to issue instructions to staffers involved in cooking the langar. The langar is all vegetarian comprising mainly of dal (maa-

chole ki dal), rice (slightly salted for taste), chapattis, achar (pickle) and a vegetable, along with something sweet (kheer or prasad). In the morning, the “chai langar” comprises of tea and rusk. The devotees sit down on the matted floor inside the langar hall in rows. To manage the huge rush, the SGPC volunteers allow only a few hundred to enter the hall at one time. The whole operation is carried out in a meticulous manner as a daily routine. “The whole exercise is quite enormous but it goes on, with the blessings of the almighty, seamlessly. The daily expense is around Rs 15 lakh. We use 100 quintals rice and up to 30 kg (each) of dal and vegetables daily. Over 100 LPG cylinders (domestic size) are used daily for the cooking along with hundreds of kilograms of firewood for the traditional cooking. Nearly 250 kg of ‘desi ghee’ (clarified butter) is used in the cooking. We have over three lakh steel plates. We can serve 10 lakh people in a day,” Gurpreet Singh, in-

The Golden Temple complex itself gets

millions of visitors from across the country and other parts of the world annually

charge of the kitchen, told. SGPC functionaries pointed out that 30,000-35,000 people from Amritsar and nearby areas are daily visitors to the shrine and partake langar thrice. Many of these are migrants from other states and poor people who cannot afford meals. “Our doors are open for everyone without discrimination. We follow the concept of equality here,” said Amrit Pal Singh, a SGPC official at the Information Office. The chapattis, in the thousands, are made on eight chapatti-making machines and even by hand by women and men volunteers. The steel utensils (plates, glasses and spoons), used by devotees, also numbering in lakhs, are washed voluntarily by the devotees themselves or by volunteers. “The shrine complex has such a spiritual attraction about it. The langar served here leaves you satisfied in many aspects. The whole experience touches your soul,” Ramesh Goyal, a devotee from Bathinda, said. “I had always heard about this shrine. Today, what I experienced was heavenly. The langar service is unparalleled in any religion. They do it with so much devotion and humility despite such huge crowds. It is unimaginable,” Tariq Ahmed, who had come here with his family from Patna in Bihar, told. “The whole exercise is carried out selflessly. It is a big task but everything is carried out smoothly. We keep introducing changes depending on the needs of the devotees,” Roop Singh, Chief Secretary of the SGPC, told. The SGPC, known as the miniparliament of Sikh religion, manages the Golden Temple complex and gurdwaras across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. It has an annual budget of over Rs 1,100 crore, mostly from donations at the gurdwaras.

Environment

May 14-20, 2018

Plastic

Scientists Create Plastic-eating Enzyme The enzyme is able to digest polyethylene terephthalate, or PET - a form of plastic patented in the 1940s and now used in millions of tonnes of plastic bottles n SSB BUREAU

cientists in Britain and the United States say they have engineered a plastic-eating enzyme that could in future help in the fight against pollution. The enzyme is able to digest polyethylene terephthalate, or PET a form of plastic patented in the 1940s and now used in millions of tonnes of plastic bottles. PET plastics can persist for hundreds of years in the environment and currently pollute large areas of land and sea worldwide. Researchers from Britain’s University of Portsmouth and the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory made the discovery while examining the structure of a natural enzyme thought

to have evolved in a waste recycling centre in Japan. Finding that this enzyme was helping bacteria to break down, or digest, PET plastic, the researchers decided to “tweak” its structure by adding some amino acids, said John McGeehan, a professor at Portsmouth who co-led the work. This led to a serendipitous change in the enzyme’s actions - allowing its plastic-eating abilities to work faster. “We’ve made an improved version of the enzyme better than the natural one already,” McGeehan told Reuters in an interview. “That’s really exciting because that means that there’s potential to optimise the enzyme even further.” The team, whose finding was published on Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy

of Sciences journal, is now working on improving the enzyme further to see if they can make it capable of breaking down PET plastics on an industrial scale. “It’s well within the possibility that in the coming years we will see an industrially viable process to turn PET, and potentially other (plastics), back into their original building blocks so that they can be sustainably recycled,” McGeehan said.

“STRONG POTENTIAL”

Independent scientists not directly involved with the research said it was exciting, but they cautioned that the enzyme’s development as a potential

solution for pollution was still at an early stage. “Enzymes are non-toxic, biodegradable and can be produced in large amounts by microorganisms,” said Oliver Jones, a expert in analytical chemistry at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University. “There is strong potential to use enzyme technology to help with society’s growing waste problem by breaking down some of the most commonly used plastics.” Douglas Kell, a professor of bioanalytical science at Manchester University, said further rounds of work “should be expected to improve the enzyme yet further”.

Desert

Thar Desert Was Once a Tropical Forest Indian researchers have discovered a set of rare wood boring trace fossils in Barmer region which reveal that this area was under tropical forest

n SSB BUREAU

estern Rajasthan in the present age is well known for Thar Desert. But this was not the case in the past. Indian researchers have discovered a set of rare wood boring trace fossils in Barmer region which reveal that this area was under tropical forest and even had vast river network 55 million years ago. A team of researchers from Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur have found mayfly insect fossils. The rare almond-shaped ‘trace fossils’of Asthenopodichniumlignorum and J-shaped fossils of Asthenopodichniumlithuanicum

have been discovered for the first time in India in the Barmer sandstone formations. Mayflies are relatively primitive insects having delicate transparent wings and two or three long filaments on the tail. Mayflies live close to water, where their aquatic larvae develop, whose presence is indicator of clean and unpolluted environment. “These trace fossils are indicators of fluvial freshwater environment and tropical climate, and clearly endorse that large part of western Rajasthan was under tropical forest 55 million year ago” Dr VS Parihar, a member of the research team, told India Science Wire. The length of trace fossils found in the western Rajasthan ranges from a few

millimetres to three centimetres, and they are loosely to tightly packed traces. These were shelter houses of mayfly nymphs or larvae living in a colony in wood logs or wood stems. The trace fossils are well preserved in 10-20 centimetre thick and about 0.3-1.2 meter long wood logs in fine-grained sandstones of 50 meter thick section. Dr SC Mathur, senior researcher and team leader explained “the tropical region around the world has the highest diversity of life, but we know very little about tropical biodiversity in the past. Barmer Basin was a mega bio-diversity region of the world in Palaeocene time. Our team has discovered many fossils of dinosaurs, fishes,

turtles, crocodiles, gastropods and many trace fossils in last one decade from various sandstone formations of Cretaceous-Paleocene age from western Rajasthan. These findings tell us that the tropics were full of life and diversity even millions of years ago”. These trace fossils are significant to ascertain how life was started and evolved after the mass extinction of species including dinosaurs at the end of cretaceous period around 65 million years ago. This research also illustrates the evidences of fluvial freshwater palaeoenvironment and tropical palaeoclimate indicating the presence of tropical forest and huge rivers network.

Environment

May 14-20, 2018 conservation

telling the life story of a big cat The life of Machli is a message for conservation. It tells us that if you protect one tiger, you can create a jungle

Quick Glance Machli died at the age of 20 on August 18, 2016

She was cremated in the forest with state honours

Her gene pool has generated at least 50 tigers

n IANS

he was often hailed as the “Tiger Queen”, and was easily the world’s most documented and famous feline. But what made Machli unique was that she helped break the “monster” myth and showed that even a ferocious wild cat could be human-friendly thereby also sending out a larger conservation message. “The life of Machli is a message for conservation. It tells us that if you protect one tiger, you can create a jungle. For her millions of followers and fans across world, she was another Taj Mahal,” award-winning wildlife filmmaker S. Nallamuthu, who followed the legendary and longestsurviving tigress of Rajashtan’s Ranthambore National Park for nine long years, told IANS in an interview. Nallamuthu, who tracked the tigress from her prime till the end, is screening “Meet Machli, the World’s Most Famous Tiger” his third documentary on the magnificent beast, in April. The documentary aims at reaching out to the masses, especially in the rural belts around forests, where one can’t present facts and figures to convince the rural folk to leave tigers

29 07

alone and not hunt them down. The film has been dubbed in 37 languages and is being screened across 147 countries. Machli died at the age of 20 (the human equivalent is 100 years) at Ranthambore on August 18, 2016. Her gene pool has generated at least 50 tigers, while she herself was the mother of at least 12 cubs. She was cremated in the forest with

state honours and the Rajasthan government is planning to build a memorial at the spot where she died. Sharing his experiences, Nallamuthu pointed out how one of Machli’s granddaughters was rehabilitated to Sariska Tiger Reserve in 2008, after poachers stripped the forest of its last tiger in 2004. At present, Sariska has 13 tigers. “This is a lesson we need to understand and take, especially to the uneducated lot and villagers that kill a feline just because it’s a tiger,” he said. His documentary, which is produced by Natural History Unit India for National Geographic channel, has been screened at several places across

Nallamuthu, who tracked the tigress from her prime till the end, is screening “Meet Machli, the World’s Most Famous Tiger” his third documentary on the magnificent beast

India and many other countries. Nallamuthu now hopes to screen the documentary in the tiger-rich Dudhwa-Pilibhit region of Uttar Pradesh, where human-animal conflict is at its peak. Earlier in April, villagers slaughtered a tiger two-anda-half km inside the core forest in Pilibhit. “I received great response from the Hindi belt and look forward to screen the movie in Pilibhit area,” he said. According to Nallamuthu, Machli’s life has unearthed a lot on ethology or animal behaviour, giving a broad perspective so humans can actually connect to tigers while generating huge revenues for the forests and the tourism industry. Ranthambore is one of India’s most visited tiger reserves. “She would sit next to the forest safari jeeps, walk next to people, this helped in breaking the myth and throwing out the notion that tigers always kill people,” Nallamuthu pointed out, adding that this makes it easier to convince rural folk who would kill a tiger without thinking. “You can relate her life to a dramatic life of a human, the way she rises to power, pushes her mother out of her territory, finds a mate who later dies so she becomes a widow and goes on her own, struggles and scavenges. On one occasion she fights off a 14-feetlong crocodile... the list goes on,” he said. Speaking of her end, this makes the only documentary that records the natural death of a tiger, Nallamuthu said that in a way it was painful, but the “Queen of Tigers” was as elegant as ever, making her death a kind of celebration, just like her life. His first film was on Machli’s separation from her mate and the second on her daughters. A fourth is in the making he is working on a tiger called Krishna.

Literature

May 14-20, 2018

Poem

Fearfulness

Inspirational

Pigeons

t’s fearfulness that drives me through the day, It isn’t what keeps me awakeIt’s the awareness of my fear.

Your sight It manipulates us As if a cursed placed. Padlocks of light that shadows it.

Those paranoid plans Of hands that’ll grab my leg, Put me down to my knees and make me beg. Those hands that command solicitude, That wrap around my waist and Pick me off; As if a game of she loves me and loves me not.

It dwindles the hopes that we hope forIn all of its glory. Hopes of hyperbole and the impossibilities The ones that you read in books; As you delve into a world that is borrowed; Borrowed from what the creator imagines Because only there would hopes exist.

Those hands belong to the sun, The Sun with the aura of prestige and robust. It’s hands, of that demeaning endowment: A click away for me to combust After all, you can’t possibly look at the sun for that long. You bend your head in front of power, Be timid and don’t forget to cower. This sphere of rage, That we seldom see as it is. It hides behind its light Discreetly hiding from my sight-

I’m fearful, Not of the fears that haunt me throughout the day Or appear in my nightmares that won’t go away I’m fearful of the reality of the day of the reason they like to stay

Anavi Akhaury Class 11 Shiv Nadar School, Noida

n an ancient temple, a number of pigeons lived happily on roof top. When the renovation of the temple began for the annual temple feast the pigeons relocated themselves to a mosque nearby. The existing pigeons in the Mosque accommodated the new comers very well. Ramzan was nearing and the Mosque was given a facelift, All the pigeons had to move out and look for another place. They were fortunate to find a place in a Church nearby. The pigeons in the Church welcomed them happily. It was Christmas time and the Church was repainted. All the pigeons now came to the same ancient temple. One day the pigeons on top found some communal clashes below in a market square. The baby pigeon asked the mother pigeon “Who are these people? The mother replied; they are “Human beings”. The baby asked,

Deepa

Fashion Designing

But why are they fighting with each other...? The mother said “These human beings going to temple are called ‘Hindus’ and the people going to Church are called ‘Christians’ and the people going to Mosque are called ‘Muslims’. The Baby pigeon asked, “Why is it so? When we were in the Temple we were called Pigeons, when we were in the church we were called Pigeons and when we were in the Mosque, we were called Pigeons. Similarly they should be called just ‘Human beings’ wherever they go”? The mother Pigeon said, ‘You and me and our Pigeon friends have experienced God and that’s why we are living here in a highly elevated place peacefully. These people are yet to experience God. Hence they are living below us and fighting and killing and molesting each other. Maybe human beings should think like pigeons.

Events

May 14-20, 2018

events & more...

YOGA at LODHI Garden Venue:

Lodhi Garden, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 10 May 2018 6:00 AM - 28 May 20187:00 AM

SSB crossword no. 22

events

SOLUTION of crossword no.21

Light Painting Photography Workshop Venue: 91springboard Nehru Place , South Delhi Sun, 20 May 5:00PM - 9:30PM

Circle Series Dance Workshop

by Atul Mehtani of Shiamak Davar International

Venue: Taj City Centre Gurugram , Delhi Sat, 26 May 4:00PM - 6:00PM

1. Jeep 2. Depreciation 3. Tractors 4. Audi 5. BENZ 6. Beetle 7. Big Foot 8. K-Series 9. Peugeot 10. Hilux

11. UK 12. 1780 13. W-16 14. Ford 15. 1998 16. Toyota 17. Dodge Demon 18. Germany 19. KTM 20. BENZ

solution of sudoku-21

ACROSS 1. The nutritional supplements Spirulina, Chorella and the Vitamin-C supplement, Dunaliella are actually : 3. The doctrine of ‘Vyuhavada’ is associated with which among the following Sects (or) cults of India? 6. ’Penicillin’ which is used as an antibiotic is obtained from : 10. ‘Oxus’ is the ancient name of which of the following rivers? 13. Which among the following nations of the PIGS group recently elected ‘Antonis Samaras’ as its 4th Prime Minister in 8 months? 15. What is the name of ‘the tropical depression’ which is building up in South China Sea (southwest of Hong Kong) and is expected to develop into a typhoon which may temporarily weaken Monsoon’s progress in India? 16. Pest-resistant cotton commonly known as ‘Bt-Cotton’ is genetically engineered by inserting a gene from a: 17. The power of a lens is measured in : 18. The world’s tallest and longest steel rail bridge is being constructed in Jammu and Kashmir over river ______ : 19. The first British ‘Presidency’ in India was established at : 20. Who among the following was the religious guru of Shivaji? DOWN 2. Which of the following ‘Social Networking’ Enterprise has been acquired by Microsoft by a $1.2 billion deal ? 4. The largest investment in single-brand retailing ever since the government has allowed FDI in this sector has been proposed by : 5. ’Anemophily’ is pollination by : 7. ‘Samarqand’ was invaded and destroyed by Alexander in 329 B.C. and Chengiz Khan in 1221 A.D. It is one of the important cultural and industrial city of Central Asia which is located in 8. A new Central scheme called ‘Swadhar Greh’ is being launched to protect destitute women in which of the following Indian States? 9. ’Amalgam’ is a term used for an alloy of a metal with : 11. Which company has bagged the 2012 World Business & Development Award for its transformational rural initiatives in social and farm forestry programmes in India at the Rio+20 United Nations Summit in Rio de Janeiro? 12. ‘Octagonal’ shape of mausoleums is the distinctive feature of which of the following dynasties of Medieval India? 14. Gammaxene, D.D.T. and Bleaching powder are important compounds of :

sudoku-22

Punchliners: Standup Comedy Venue: Aiwan-e-Ghalib Chocolate Making Workshop Venue: The Beehive , Gurgaon Thu, 24 May 4:00PM - 7:00PM

Auditorium, Delhi Mata Sundri Rd, Mata Sundri Women’s College, Mandi House, Central Delhi May 26 | 7:30PM

on the lighter side by DHIR

Please mail your solution to - ssbweekly@gmail.com or Whatsapp at 9868807712, One Lucky Winner will win Cash Prize of Rs 500/-. Look for the Solution in the Next Issue of SSB

POSTAL REGISTRATION NO. DL(W)10/2240/2017-19

Newsmakers

May 14-20, 2018

Indian-Origin Teen’s Heart Disease Project Wins Award In Singapore Vijayakumar Ragavi

Chennai-born Vijayakumar Ragavi, 18, topped the list of 611 other students who participated

hennai-born VijayakumarRagavi, now a Singaporean citizen, topped the list of 611 other students from secondary and tertiary institutions. She has won this year’s A*Star Talent Search award in Singapore for her study of genetic heart disease “hypertrophic cardiomyopathy”. She has been awarded a cash prize, a sponsored trip to an overseas conference and a trophy as well as a certificate for winning the competition. “It is estimated to be the most genetic heart disease in the world. People with the disease often suffer from arrhythmia induced sudden cardiac death,” Ragavi said. Arrhythmia is a group of conditions where the heartbeat is irregular, too slow or too fast. At the talent search, Ragavi’s research focused on stem-cell technology, which allows

for the detection of genetic disease through blood samples, rather than the typical method of performing cardiac biopsies. Such biopsies are extremely difficult procedures which entail taking a small piece of the heart so that it can be checked for genetic disease in the laboratory. Ragavi designed a humanised hypertrophic cardiomyopathy model that recapitulates the disease phenotype. The subsequent findings set the foundation for gaining insights into disease pathology and therapeutic intervention. “I really didn’t expect to win. I was quite surprised since it was very unexpected, but I was happy that my parents were so proud of me,” Ragavi said. She will be pursuing a degree in biomedical science at an overseas university next year.

Aurangabad Has Its First Ever UPSC Success In 70 YeaRS

Nooh SiddiqUi

Sheikh Salman Patel, son of a farmer, broke down after getting to know that he cleared the tough exams

wo civil services aspirants from Phulambri town in Aurangabad district cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination after 70 years of Independence. Sheikh Salman Patel, son of a farmer in a small town in Maharashtra, broke down into tears after getting to know that he cleared the civil services exams. Aspirants Sheikh Salman Patel and Mohammed Nooh Siddiqui, ranked 339 and 326 respectively in the civil services examinations. “We meet our expenses by doing farming on two acres of land that we have. I still cannot believe that I have cleared the Civil Services Exam. I will serve people to the best of my abilities,” Sheikh Salman Patel said. Over 9.5 lakh candidates applied for the preliminary examinations, out of which over

Sheikh Salman

4.5 lakh candidates appeared. 13,366 candidates qualified for the written (main) examination held between October and November last year. Of them, 2,568 candidates qualified for the personality test held earlier in 2018. The UPSC then recommended a total of 990 candidates, including 750 men and 240 women for appointment to various services, including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS). Durishetty Anudeep from Telangana is the first-rank holder in the civil services exam. Anu Kumari from Haryana’s Sonipat, mother of a four-year-old boy, is the second rank holder and topper among women. She cleared the examination in her second attempt. Eight women have made it list of the first 25 rank holders.

unsung hero

Study to ifi W e e r Station’s F At Free WiFi

e e Used Th And Crack The li o o C la a r Ke Study tation To S y a w il a R ices Exam Civil Serv

Sreenath K

eing surrounded by books is a matter of routine for civil services aspirants, but Sreenath K, a coolie who cleared the written test of the Kerala Public Service Commission, the preparation is just about his phone and earphones as he goes about his job. Sreenath has been earning his livelihood carrying heavy luggage at Ernakulam Junction in Kerala for the past five years. Unlike his colleagues, he deftly balances the luggage on his shoulders and listens to his digital coursework at the same time - his teachers speaking to him through the earphones. A high school pass-out, he takes advantage of the free WiFi Internet service available at Ernakulam station to learn. Sreenath hails from Munnar, a town in the Western Ghats mountain range. “I have appeared thrice for the exam and this is the first time I used the WiFi at the station. What I do is put on my earphones and listen to the study material as I carry the luggage or solve questionnaires in my mind. This way I can study while I work. I revise all my work at night when I get free time,” Sreenath told. He said the free WiFi service at the station opened up opportunities for him he never thought were available in the first place - reams of practice question papers, downloadable at a speed of 20-40 mbps, easy access to online examination forms, and above everything else, he saves money on books. If he qualifies for KPSC after the interview, he is likely to be a village field assistant under the land revenue department. “I will keep studying while I work as a coolie because I have the pressure of running my house, I will keep studying and appearing for exams. If I appear for enough exams, I am bound to get a good job,” Sreenath said. He has also applied for exams advertised recently by the railways for 62,000 Group D posts of trackman, cabinman, leverman, pointsman, gangman, and others. “What is my ideal job? A person of some authority to change things in my village maybe,” he said.

RNI No. DELENG/2016/71561, Joint Commissioner of Police (Licensing) Delhi No. F. 2 (S-45) Press/ 2016 Volume - 2, Issue - 22 Printed by Monika Jain, Published by Monika Jain on behalf of SULABH SANITATION MISSION FOUNDATION and Printed at The Indian Express Ltd., A-8, Sector-7, NOIDA (U.P.) and Published from RZ 83, Mahavir Enclave, Palam-Dabri Road, New Delhi – 110 045. Editor Monika Jain