M K Tayal 

Before the curtains of the highly successful G20 Summit could be drawn, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the expansion of the United Nations Security Council and other world bodies. 

After the NAM in 1983, G20 was the biggest show in New Delhi, which went perfect to the T. The meet was a defining moment in history and the discussions are certain to have a profound impact on “One Earth, One Family, One Future” and the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. 

Addressing global challenges, the leaders were in tandem on the challenges the world faces today. The G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration agreed to set up a Global Biofuels Alliance, promote Lifestyle for Sustainable Development (LiFE) and Travel for LiFE, and pursue low carbon emission and climate-resilient, environmentally-sustainable development goals and collaborate in finance, food and malnutrition, and health and education etc. The nations also agreed to share knowledge on nuclear energy.

With an economic corridor from Bharat via Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Europe, and the inclusion of African Union, the other 30-odd page declaration of ‘G21’ was fairly scalable except for the contentious issue of Ukraine over which NATO and Russia are at loggerheads. 

Modi and team tide over a difficult patch and got the Russians and the Americans on board to agree on ‘war in Ukraine’ phrase in the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration.

In the gush of things, however Modi enthusiastically proposed to expand the base of United Nations Security Council. Prima facie, this looks unattainable given the strong position, expansionist and aggressive China has taken.

The G20 effectively works on the same principles as the UN, following similar goals without opposition from China cause the framework exists in mutually amiable environment. In the UN, China opposes Bharat’s permanent entry into the Security Council while the other four members, USA, UK Russia and France have expressed their support for the expansion of the Security Council. 

China aspires to become the world superpower and replace the USA with its bustling ever-growing economy. It envisages no opposition from two NATO straight partners, France and UK. Given the war in Ukraine, Moscow needs Beijing more than it does any other capital because of its military and economic might.

And ‘Vishwa Guru Bharat’, wannabee world leader, is emerging as the formidable challenger. China would rather want a smooth run and a strong New Delhi is the misfit competitor. Blocking Bharat entry into the Security Council is simple and easy with the Veto power it enjoys in the UN. Unless Modi has strategies in place to squeeze China, Bharat is not entering the coveted Security Council anytime soon.

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India has achieved over 80 percent vaccination with over 187 crore vaccines administered till April 20. Even adolescents too are getting vaccinated with the elderly even getting booster doses. But still Delhi started witnessing increase in Covid positive cases with daily cases crossing over 2,000 for the last three days.

In response to the increase in Covid cases in the city, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) sprang into action. It made wearing face masks mandatory in the national capital on April 13. The move raised valid doubts and if it was taken in haste and did it indicate re-infection of the virus in the people.

Though vaccination has helped tremendously in mitigating severity of Covid, it is still important to maintain necessary social distancing in public places and usage of masks is still relevant.

PSRI Hospital Senior consultant, Pulmonology, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Dr Neetu Jain says, “Though vaccination has helped tremendously in mitigating severity of Covid, it is still important to maintain necessary social distancing in public places and usage of masks is still relevant.

“Most people have got vaccinated but still we must not take it easy. We must continue wearing masks as DDMA has made it mandatory once again. People are becoming lax with Covid appropriate behaviour, so making mask mandatory is the step in right direction.”

Becoming Lax!

Doctors and experts, nevertheless feel that the rise in cases could be not only because people are becoming lax in following the Covid protocols but due to the new XE variant surfacing in the country. This new XE variant is a combination of the sub-variants of corona virus that was discovered in South Africa. It first surfaced in Gujarat and Maharashtra in India.

The symptoms of the new XE variant are the same as Covid 19 which include fever, cough, and tiredness, say experts. It is no different from the corona virus.  

Officials state that XE variant is highly transmissible. However, there is a sense of relief also as it is considered mild. 

But regardless of it being mild or not, the case in point it is that XE variant is difficult to detect. And even normal swab test have to be specially tested for the XE variant.

The question comes to mind – Is the new XE variant responsible for the rise in cases?

A few months back, Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur had predicted we could expect the fourth Covid wave around middle of June which will last for two months and peak from August mid onwards. 

“After three waves, first in 2020 (Covid), second in April 2021 (Delta variant) and third in December/January 2022 (Omicron), is this the start of the fourth wave (XE variant)?” says Dr Manav Manchanda of Asian Hospital.

But the government is not keen to go by the IIT researchers and downplays the suggestions that the fourth wave would be hitting the country anytime soon.

However, medical authorities concur with the researchers. Doctors feel that Covid is not over and perceive that the fourth wave could be just round the corner.

Its not over

Without much debate scientific debate, we ought to take care as the threat of corona was not over.

And for those, who have not taken booster dose, you can take Booster dose. The government has reduced the cost of the booster dose which the medical healthcare fraternity was ready to absorb the cost difference. However, even vaccine manufacturers were also ready to take unused stock. There are reports that the vaccine manufactures are willing to adjust the costing in future purchases by the hospitals. Delhi even made it free on April 21.

The booster dose should ideally be given after appropriate time as the elderly are impacted more and thus they need to be cautious. The role of vaccination and the booster dose cannot be undermined, hence take a booster dose if vaccinated.

And women especially need to be extra cautious. Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist, Obstetrician & IVF Expert, Nurture Clinic, said, “Women need to be more alert during pregnancy. There is a chance that you may not be infected and affect your new born, but why take a chance. Pregnant women need to take extra care.”

And did you know that in the age group 12-14 year old, so far, 2.57 crore adolescents have been vaccinated with first dose of vaccine in the country.

However, the government has so far not gone strict and closed schools and resorted to online classes once again and is permitting regular classes even as the cases started surfacing in schools in Noida and Delhi. Doctors in any case, advise caution. 

Remain vigilant

 “Remain vigilant especially for the sake of the children. We have to defeat Corona. The battle is long so, fight till your last mask. Maintain your healthy habits. In any case, Indians normally would wash hands before eating, so we just need to continue to broaden the selfcare base and just go on wearing masks,” says Dr Archna Dhawan Bajaj.

Wash your hand and maintain hygiene and remember to follow the social distancing norms and sanitize yourself whenever needed.

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Calling it the most challenging evacuation mission for citizens stranded in Ukraine, Jaishankar said it was inspiring for other countries.

“Had the four Union ministers not gone to countries neighbouring Ukraine, India would not have got the same level of cooperation,” he said in the Parliament on April 6.

Modi was “personally invested in the evacuation”, and that he conducted meetings and supervised the situation in the midst of elections, foreign minister added.

While India abstained in the United Nations on a vote against Russia-Ukraine war, New Delhi sought an independent investigation into reports of civilian killings in Bucha, 37 km north of Kyiv.

Oleksiy Arestovych, an aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, had on April 3 said that Ukrainian troops had found the bodies of women, local officials and children in Bucha. Town mayor Fedoruk said 300 residents had been killed during a month-long occupation by the Russian army.

“If India has chosen a side, it is a side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence. This is our principled stand and has consistently guided our position in international forums and debates, including in the UN,” he said adding that “continues to push for dialogue” and an end to violence. “If India can be of any assistance in this matter, we will be glad to contribute.”

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In an official statement on Wednesday, the government said that it “strongly deplores the personal attacks in unacceptable language on President Emmanuel Macron in violation of the most basic standards of international discourse”.

The Ministry of External Affairs, also condemned “the brutal terrorist attack that took the life of a French teacher in a gruesome manner that has shocked the world”.

The government offered its condolences to his family and the people of France. “There is no justification for terrorism for any reason or under any circumstance,” the statement added.

Indians at home and abroad have been expressing solidarity with France ever since the middle-school teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded by the 18-year-old Abdullakh Anzorov inside a school near Paris on October 16.

President Macron called it an act of Islamist terrorism after it emerged that the Muslim immigrant had taken offence to Paty showing his students Charlie Hebdo cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, in a class on freedom of expression.

The teacher had given Muslim students the option not to attend the class beforehand.

Though Anzorov was shot dead by police later, this murder is one of the many Islamist terror attacks France has suffered in the last two decades.

Macron described Paty as a “compatriot killed for teaching children freedom of speech”, triggering a larger debate about radical Islam in the country.

Several massive protest rallies against radical Islamism were organized in France since.

However, Islamic chauvinists across the world posted abuses against Macron and French authorities, online.

In a confrontational move, staunch Muslims in France held prayers at a public spot, provoking nationalists to sing the national anthem right across them.

According to an opinion poll, 87 per cent people in France feel that their secularist society is under threat and 79 per cent believe that Islamism has declared war on the French republic.

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All existing assesses or taxpayers or individuals who are required to file a return of income, even on behalf of others, must have a PAN. Any person, who intends to enter into economic or financial transactions where quoting PAN is mandatory, must also have a PAN.

It may be noted that obtaining or possessing more than one PAN is against the law and may attract a penalty up to Rs 10,000. Electronic PAN called e-PAN is just as valid as physical PAN as it is a digitally signed PAN card issued in electronic form.

Here’s how you can get you PAN in just 48 hours:

You can apply for a PAN card by filling in Form 49A or Form 49AA. The application can be made online through NSDL website www.tin-nsdl.com. You can get PAN application form from any NSDL TIN-Facilitation Centre (TIN-FC). This come can be downloaded free of cost as well from the NSDL website. 

You need two recent colour photographs with white background (size 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm) which you have to affix in the space provided on the form. Make sure you have documents such as ID proof, address proof and proof of date of birth as it is required while submitting the application. These documents could include your birth certificate, driving license, Aadhaar card, passport, electricity bill and ration card. Apart from this, you must provide your mobile number and email address. 

For online application, you must provide your digital signature as well. Ensure that all the details filled in your PAN card application are accurate and error free. Once done, submit the application online by paying the fee. When you are submitting the application, you will have the option to choose between physical card or e-PAN. 

Once the form is successfully submitted, you will receive an acknowledgement with a unique 15-digit number. You can track down your status of PAN using this number. As soon as the details mentioned by you are verified, you will receive your PAN card in 2 days (48 hours). 

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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Expectations 1)Good Governance 2) Quality Education 3) Rapid Employment generation 4) Pollution free River 5) Industry Development 6) Integrated Health policy 7) zero corruption 8) Encouragement for research sector 9) Strong bilateral relationship with the nebouring country. 10) castism free social life.11) Agriculture Reformation 12) execution of Paris agreement More focus on Climate Change.

Dr Mangesh Kashyap.
Founder President.
Society for environmental education research and management. Pune. Maharashtra India.

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The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index declined from 52.6 in March to 51.8 in April, reflecting the weakest improvement in business conditions since August 2018.

This is the 21th consecutive month that the manufacturing PMI remained above the 50-point mark. In PMI parlance, a print above 50 means expansion, while a score below that denotes contraction.

April PMI data indicated that softer increase in new orders restricted the growth of output, employment and business sentiment.

“Although remaining inside expansion territory, growth continued to soften and the fact that employment increased at the weakest pace for over a year suggests that producers are hardly gearing up for a rebound,” said Pollyanna De Lima, Principal Economist at IHS Markit and author of the report, said.

When looking at reasons provided by surveyed companies for the slowdown, disruptions arising from the elections was a key theme, Lima said, adding that “firms also seem to have adopted a wait-and-see approach on their plans until public policies become clearer upon the formation of a government”.

The general election, that began on April 11, is currently underway. Votes will be counted on May 23.

On the prices front, input cost inflation eased to a 43-month low while the rate of charge inflation was marginal and below its long-run average.

“With price pressures in the manufacturing economy cooling and growth losing momentum, it’s increasingly likely that the RBI may cut its official rate for a third successive time in June,” Lima said.

The next meeting of RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee is scheduled on June 3-6.

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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The special team, comprising 24 jawans, was set up at the end of 2018 with an objective to control crime against passengers and to keep a watch on their belongings.

“The squad works as a shadow team to keep surveillance on the known and previously arrested criminals and their activities,” CR chief spokesperson Sunil Udasi said.

He said the number of crime against passengers came down in three months- to 1,821 in March this year from 2,140 in January- which shows the effectiveness of the squad.

According to him, the detection of crime has also improved.

“The number of cases detected in January, February and March stood at 47, 60 and 70 respectively. The number of cases detected by the team has gone up from 30 percent cases in 2018 (January to March) to 39 percent in the same period in 2019,” Udasi said.

The squad undertakes combing operations and conducts flash checks at various stations during peak hours in coordination with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Commercial Department of the Central Railway.

“It also analyses the pattern of crime to identify the most affected sections and conducts surprise checks to ensure alertness of duty staff,” he added.

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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While the Season 8 is still going on and the last war about to happen between the Dragon Queen and Cersei, fans have created a meme riot stating that the latter will win, because she is a BJP supporter. For those unaware, Lotus is the symbol of Bharatiya Janata Party which is ruling as of now. Apparently, she also has tattoos of Goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha.

Game of Thrones will conclude its series with this final season. The previous episode saw Arya defeat the Night King and now Westeros will come face to face as two queens fight for the Iron Throne.

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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Who is the No.4? Who is the third opener if Shikhar Dhawan continues to fail? Will there be a fourth specialist pace bowling option? Who is the second wicketkeeper? Has Ravindra Jadeja done enough?

These five questions did not find any answers during the 2-3 series defeat.
However, the format of World Cup (round robin) is such that India will have to be at their worst in order to not qualify for the semi-finals. All they need to do is win six out of nine games and take it forward from there.

Then, it’s the matter of two good days in office and hence Kohli has fewer issues to deal with despite a patchy series for his team. Save the skipper himself (310 runs with two hundred) and his deputy Rohit Sharma (202 runs with two fifties), the batting didn’t come together on a regular basis.

Shikhar Dhawan, Kedar Jadhav or Vijay Shankar had their moments but lack of consistency hurt the team. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as usual, was rock solid behind the stumps, something that was highlighted even more by Rishabh Pant’s fumbles in the final two games. Dhoni’s astute cricket brain was not there to support Kohli in crunch situations in the final two games.

In the bowling department, Kuldeep Yadav (10 wickets) was expensive but got wickets while Jasprit Bumrah (7 wickets) did have his off days. Ravindra Jadeja will still be wondering whether three wickets from four games is good enough or not.

India wanted a few answers going into the World Cup with regards to their fringe players but there were more unanswered questions after the conclusion of the final phase of their World Cup preparations.

According to Kohli though, he knows his “playing XI going into the World Cup” and only one spot requires to be discussed. However, there remains a big question mark over who will be India’s No.4 in the World Cup. Will it be a floating position given that original choice Ambati Rayudu didn’t exactly score those tough runs in Australia, New Zealand and now in India barring one game.

If the idea was to give KL Rahul enough chances to settle down, it didn’t happen as the Bengaluru-player got only one chance during the series. The flamboyant Pant has also promoted up the order in the final ODI but he couldn’t seal the spot.

Kohli himself came down at No.4 to accommodate Rahul in one game without much success. So, No.4 does remain a concern with Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey not being tried at all during this phase.

Kohli didn’t indicate which is the one spot the team is looking at but it could well be a toss-up between Pant and the more experienced Dinesh Karthik. It is clear that Hardik Pandya is a far better bowler than Vijay Shankar.

Siddharth Kaul was included in the squad for the first two games and not played. Umesh Yadav was dumped after two bad overs. Yuzvendra Chahal, with lesser variation than Kuldeep, was benched often.

So, the questions remained and hopefully, the picture will be clearer by April 20, by the time India announce their final 15.

With inputs from news agencies.

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