tacklewithjet

[tacklewithjet]

Philanthropic Journey: Faris Aboobacker, India's Prosperous Entrepreneur, Dedicates to Community Welfare

India boasts a rich tapestry of entrepreneurial history, each thread woven with its own unique story. In contrast to the surge in technological startups, many Indian entrepreneurs have carved their paths from humble beginnings, establishing thriving conglomerates that span generations as enduring family enterprises.

Faris Aboobacker stands as a testament to this entrepreneurial spirit, commencing his career in the modest surroundings of his father’s small leather products company. Embarking on his independent journey, he founded what has now become one of the nation’s foremost export trading entities.

Faris Aboobacker’s saga underscores the virtues of perseverance and hard work. From steering a fledgling export business to crafting the life of his aspirations, he emerges as a beacon of success. Despite amassing a significant self-made fortune, Faris remains a modest individual whose vision extends beyond personal gain. His commitment is evident in diverse initiatives, from extending financial aid to individuals to actively participating in impactful social endeavors like the Nayanar Memorial Football Fair.

Hailing from a low-income family, Faris Aboobacker’s narrative serves as a poignant reminder that even those who ascend to remarkable success have weathered hardships. Such reflections contribute to keeping individuals grounded and focused, illustrating that triumph is often rooted in resilience.

With a fortune worth millions, Faris Aboobacker remarkable trajectory not only underscores the significance of dedication and hard work but also accentuates the potency of focus, patience, and deliberate risk-taking.

In acknowledging these principles, we are persuaded that behind every triumphant story lies invaluable insights waiting to be discovered. Consequently, we delve into the lives of industry stalwarts, aiming to unveil the less-explored keys to their success, often concealed within their unassuming paths to triumph.

#Faris Aboobacker #Pharis Aboobacker

[tacklewithjet]

Concerns Arise Over Apple Vision Pro Headset as Returns Spike Due to Health Issues

Apple’s latest and priciest offering, the Vision Pro headset, initially generated excitement upon its release on February 2 of this year. However, a growing number of Apple enthusiasts are now flocking to stores to return the cutting-edge product, citing a range of complaints, including headaches and vision problems following extended use.

Priced at $3499, the Apple Vision Pro holds the title of the most expensive product in Apple’s lineup, featuring a 14-day return policy, which an increasing number of customers are utilizing.

The mixed reality headset from Apple has garnered reports of headaches, vision impairments, and motion sickness, leading to a surge in returns less than a month after its launch, as reported by The US Sun.

Users, such as an individual named Rjey, express anticipation for returning the Vision Pro despite acknowledging its technological marvels. Rjey mentioned experiencing headaches after just 10 minutes of use, contrasting with their prior experiences with other VR headsets that did not induce headaches.

A Twitter user also cited motion sickness as a reason for returning the headset, describing it as triggering a sensory overload. A review from Parker Ortolani of The Verge highlighted the discomfort of wearing the headset, emphasizing its strain on the eyes.

While users praise the Apple Vision Pro for its magical functionality, the physical repercussions of using the device have led to a wave of returns. It’s important to note that Apple had previously issued a warning that the headset might exacerbate existing health issues.

In a disclaimer, Apple stated that the Vision Pro headset could potentially worsen certain health conditions, increasing the risk of injury or discomfort. These issues include headaches, vertigo, vision problems, inner ear discomfort, seizures, skin-related concerns, and more.

Apple recommends a cautious approach to using the augmented reality headset, advising users to gradually acclimate to it and take regular breaks. The company’s website notes, “Immersive content that has a higher probability of causing certain people to experience motion sickness is labeled in the App Store as having high motion.”

#Apple #Apple Vision Pro

[tacklewithjet]

Breakthrough Cancer Treatment: UK Scientists Unveil Remarkable New Drug

Scientists in the United Kingdom have made a groundbreaking discovery with a new drug that promises a revolutionary breakthrough in the treatment of a hard-to-manage and aggressive form of cancer. The development, hailed as “truly wonderful,” comes from researchers at Queen Mary University London, who have reported that their innovative treatment has quadrupled three-year survival rates and extended the average survival period by 1.6 months. This new drug, designed to cut off the tumor’s food supply, marks the first of its kind for mesothelioma in the last two decades, as revealed in the publication of their findings in the journal JAMA Oncology.

Mesothelioma, a lethal cancer that originates in the lungs and is primarily linked to asbestos exposure in the workplace, boasts one of the world’s lowest cancer survival rates. Globally, thousands of individuals receive a mesothelioma diagnosis annually, with approximately 2,700 new cases reported each year in the UK alone.

The groundbreaking international trial conducted by researchers at Queen Mary University of London spanned five countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, Italy, and Taiwan. Led by Professor Peter Szlosarek at Queen Mary, the study involved all patients receiving chemotherapy every three weeks for up to six cycles. Half of the participants received injections of the novel drug ADI-PEG20 (pegargiminase), while the other half were administered a placebo for two years.

The trial, named ATOMIC-meso, took place at 43 centers across the five countries from 2017 to 2021. The final analysis included 249 individuals with pleural mesothelioma, the variant affecting the lining of the lungs, with an average age of 70.

Results from the study revealed that patients who received pegargiminase and chemotherapy survived an average of 9.3 months, compared to 7.7 months for those who received the placebo and chemotherapy. The “progression-free survival” was also higher with pegargiminase-chemotherapy, standing at 6.2 months, compared to 5.6 months for patients on the placebo and chemotherapy.

“In this pivotal, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial in 249 patients with pleural mesothelioma, pegargiminase-chemotherapy increased significantly the median overall survival by 1.6 months and quadrupled the survival at 36 months compared to placebo-chemotherapy,” the authors noted. They further emphasized the well-tolerated nature of pegargiminase-based chemotherapy, with no new safety signals reported.

Researchers highlighted that this marks the first successful combination of chemotherapy with a drug targeting cancer’s metabolism for this disease in two decades. The new drug operates by depleting arginine levels in the bloodstream, hindering the growth of tumor cells that cannot produce their own arginine.

Professor Szlosarek expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It’s truly wonderful to see the research into the arginine starvation of cancer cells come to fruition. This discovery is something I have been driving from its earliest stages in the lab, with a new treatment, ADI-PEG20, now improving patient lives affected by mesothelioma.”

#new wonder drug to treat cancer #Mesothelioma #cancer treatment

[tacklewithjet]

SSC MOCK – SSC Mock Exams 2023 | All You Need To Know About SSC Exams

SSC mock tests 2023 online at SSC MOCK are invaluable tools for candidates preparing for the Staff Selection Commission’s various exam. They simulate the actual exam environment, providing candidates with a chance to practice and evaluate their knowledge and skills. The detailed performance analysis and feedback offered in these mock tests aid in fine-tuning preparation strategies, building confidence, and ensuring better performance in the actual SSC examination. Practicing with these mock tests significantly increases the chances of securing a high score in the SSC exam.

SSC MOCK offers:

· CHAPTER WISE PRACTICE: Baby steps to crack SSC Exam — Take Practice Mocks for every chapter.

· FULL SUBJECT MOCKS: Take Full Subject Mocks for SWOT Analysis to excel in SSC 2023.

Benefits of SSC MOCK’s mock tests

Know why SSC CGL Mock tests are important:

1. SSC mock tests help in improving your speed

The real challenge of the competitive exam is the time constraint. You have to attempt a lot of questions in very little time. This is where mock tests can help. Mock tests at SSC MOCK will help you in increasing your speed along with accuracy.

2. SSC mock tests help you to get an idea about the real exam

You will get plenty of information on the structure and pattern of an exam from online sites. But simply knowing the pattern will not suffice. With the help of a new SSC pattern mock test at SSC MOCK, you will be able to get a better idea of the real exam.

3. SSC mock tests lead you to understand your weaknesses

We all have our weak points. With mock tests, you will be able to analyze where your weaknesses lie and work on them. They will show you which section you are struggling with, or which part of the syllabus is taking up more time.

4. Strategize with mock tests

Once you have grasped your weaknesses and understood the syllabus better, you can then craft a strategy. You can analyze your mistakes and understand how they could have been avoided. You can perfect your strategy by trial and error, and mock tests allow you to do that.

5. Helps you learn the study material

There is a lot to learn to qualify for an SSC exam. And mock tests at SSC MOCK make you do the Quant/Reasoning/GK/English problems multiple times. That reinforces the information and strategies so that your brain can retrieve them efficiently. And this trait will help you in the actual exam. The importance of mock tests in exams does not need any explanation.

For Contact Details: Office Address 701–702, Motia Royal business Park Zirakpur, Punjab — 140603 Phone No:[phone] Email: [email protected]

#Take Online SSC mock #SSC Mock Papers Free #Online SSC-GD Mocks #Carck SSC GD #How to crack SSC GD #SSC Exam Success #SSC GD Preparation #SSC GD Online Preparation #Qualify in SSC GD #SSC MOCK

[tacklewithjet]

36 women cadets among 197 Officers Training Academy pass-outs this year in Chennai

These include six women from Bhutan, two men from Maldives and two men and two women from Tanzania.

CHENNAI: On the occasion of the graduation of cadets from the Officers Training Academy, a Veer Nari gallery, a tribute to widows of war heroes, was inaugurated at the Officers Training Academy by Archana Pande, president of the Army Wives Welfare Association and wife of Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande.

The passing out parade, in which 197 cadets, including 36 women cadets, took part was inspected by General Pande.“Gender has no boundaries when it comes to serving the nation,” Pande said in his address. “While training has equipped you to operate on the battlefield, you will have to learn on the job each day,” he said.

Debashree Banerji, who lost her husband Major Subroto Adhicary of the 22 Jat regiment in 2013, said, “Training in OTA is completely different from civilian life. It tears down the facet of personality with which one enters the academy and brings out a stronger, better version of you.”

OTA Chennai trains the widows like any other cadet and passes out as army officers to serve the nation as their husbands did. The Veer Nari gallery displays photographs and life stories of such women.

Navteshwar Singh, son of Maj Harminder Pal Singh of 18 Grenadiers, who died fighting terrorists in a classified operation at Baramulla, recalls how he wanted to follow his father’s footsteps despite his mother’s initial reluctance. This year 12 cadets from foreign countries also completed their training. These include six women from Bhutan, two men from Maldives and two men and two women from Tanzania.

#Officers Training Academy #Chennai

[tacklewithjet]

"Nothing To Do With Hinduism", Rahul Gandhi Hits Out At BJP At Paris Event

Rahul Gandhi's jabs invited a predictably furious response with BJP Lok Sabha MP Tejasvi Surya taunting his rival for "crying... while Bharat achieves global consensus" - a reference to the the weekend's G20 meet.

New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Sunday, declaring neither “have nothing to do with Hinduism” and that “there is nothing Hindu about what the BJP does…”. Mr Gandhi was at an event in France on Sunday, when he said, “I have read the Gita, a number of the Upanishads and many Hindu books… absolutely nothing Hindu about it (the BJP)… “

“I have not read anywhere in any Hindu book, or heard from any learned Hindu person, that you should terrorise or harm people weaker than you. This idea… this word — ‘Hindu nationalist’ — this is a wrong word. They are not ‘Hindu nationalists’… they have nothing to do with Hinduism,” Mr Gandhi emphasised.

Interacting with students at Paris’ Sciences PO University, he ripped into the government, which has been widely criticised for suppressing opposition leaders’ voices within the country, accusing them of being “out to gain power at any cost”.

“They (BJP and RSS) have nothing to do with Hinduism. They are out to gain power at any cost… and will do anything to ensure the caste structure and social structure of my country is not threatened,” he said.

“They seek the dominance of a few… that is what they are about.”

Mr Gandhi’s comments came after a question about the “scary radicalisation of youth by Hindutva forces”. This is not the first time he has attacked the BJP on this topic. In 2021, he called them “fake Hindus” who “use” religion for their benefit.

The jabs invited a predictably furious response with BJP Lok Sabha MP Tejasvi Surya taunting his rival for “crying… while Bharat achieves global consensus” — a reference to the “100 per cent” declaration from the weekend’s G20 meet.

The very fact Rahul Gandhi thinks Hinduism is practiced by referring to ‘books’ shows how shallow his understanding of our dharma,” Mr Surya gloated on X (formerly Twitter).

“That he has been reduced to crying before a handful of people in some far away European city, while Bharat is achieving global consensus at G20, is telling of how the nation has rejected his brand of politics in the last decade,” he declared. And Then The ‘Sanatan Dharm’ Row

Mr Gandhi’s jabs also come amid a fight over Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s comment about ‘Sanatan Dharm’, which the BJP and right-wing commentators have claimed is a “call for the genocide of people with Sanatan thoughts”.

Earlier this month Mr Stalin said, “Sanatana (Dharma) ought to be eradicated like malaria, dengue and mosquito…”

An apoplectic BJP hit back, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several members of his cabinet and party targeting him. Mr Stalin was even the target of a ₹ 10 crore bounty allegedly issued by a temple priest in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya.

Mr Gandhi has not, so far, responded directly to this controversy, although his party has, flip-flopping between support and criticism. Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge disavowed any religion that does not treat all people as equals. However, Congress boss Mallikarjun Kharge, his father, seemed to want distance, declaring “there is no need to mix religion, politics”.

#Rahul Gandhi #Paris Event

[tacklewithjet]

'Ball of fire swallowed up everything': Families in Morocco weep for victims of deadly earthquake

Television channels broadcast aerial images showing entire villages of clay houses in the Al-Haouz region completely destroyed.

TAFEGHAGHTE: Moroccans on Sunday mourned the victims of a devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people as rescue teams raced to find survivors trapped under the rubble of flattened villages.

The strongest-ever quake recorded in the North African country has killed at least 2,012 people and injured over 2,000, many seriously, according to the latest official figures.

Friday’s 6.8-magnitude quake struck 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of the tourist hub of Marrakesh, wiping out entire villages in the hills of the Atlas mountain range.

“I’ve lost everything,” said Lahcen, a resident of the mountain village of Moulay Brahim, whose wife and four children were among those killed.

Rescue workers recovered the bodies of Lahcen’s three daughters from the rubble of their home, but had not yet found the remains of his wife and son.

“I can’t do anything about it now, I just want to get away from the world and mourn,” he said.

Troops and emergency services have scrambled to reach remote mountain villages where victims were still feared trapped under the rubble of houses, many of which were constructed from mud bricks.

Al-Haouz province, site of the epicentre, suffered the most deaths with 1,293, followed by Taroudant province where 452 lives were lost, authorities reported.

Citizens on Sunday rushed to hospitals in Marrakesh to donate blood to help the many injured.

‘Everyone lost family’ Bouchra, another resident of Moulay Brahim, dried her tears with her scarf as she watched men wielding pickaxes to dig graves for the victims.

“My cousin’s grandchildren are dead,” she said. “I saw the devastation of the earthquake live and I’m still shaking. It’s like a ball of fire that swallowed up everything in its path.

“Everyone here has lost family, whether in our village or elsewhere in the region.”

Many residents of the usually bustling tourist hotspot of Marrakesh spent a second night sleeping out on the streets, huddled together under blankets and among bags filled with their belongings.

Fatema Satir, a Marrakesh resident, said many were sleeping in the street for fear of their houses collapsing.

“Look where all these people are sleeping,” said Satir. “There is no help for us. Our houses have been cracked, others destroyed — like my daughter’s house which was wiped out. We are in a chaotic state.”

In the city’s historic Jemaa el-Fna square, about 20 people were huddled on the ground, wrapped in blankets, while others were staying on the lawn of the nearby town hall, with its 12th century ramparts partially collapsed.

“We spent the night outside the old town, in a safe place,” said Maria, a Spanish tourist.

The kingdom declared three days of national mourning while countries including France, Israel, Italy, Spain and the United States have offered aid.

US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said: “We’ve got search and rescue teams ready to deploy… We are also ready to release funds at the right time.”

Spain meanwhile said it would send search and rescue teams and other aid after it received a formal request for help from Rabat.

Algeria, which has long had rocky relations with neighbouring Morocco, opened its airspace, which had been closed for two years, to flights carrying humanitarian aid and evacuating the injured.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose country in recent years established ties with Morocco, offered to send search-and-rescue teams, declaring that “Israel stands by Morocco in its difficult time”.

‘Under the debris’ The Red Cross warned that it could take years to repair the damage.

“It won’t be a matter of a week or two… We are counting on a response that will take months, if not years,” said Hossam Elsharkawi, its Middle East and North Africa director.

The village of Tafeghaghte, 60 kilometres (37 miles) southwest of Marrakesh, was almost entirely destroyed by the quake, an AFP team reported, with very few buildings still standing.

“Three of my grandchildren and their mother are dead,” said 72-year-old Omar Benhanna. “They’re still under the debris. It wasn’t so long ago that we were playing together.”

Residents buried around 70 victims on Saturday, cries and screams punctuating the funeral rites.

In the evening, television channels broadcast aerial images showing entire villages of clay houses in the Al-Haouz region completely destroyed.

“The public authorities are still mobilised to speed up rescue operations and evacuate the injured,” the interior ministry said.

The tremor was also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Agadir, where many panicked residents rushed onto the streets in the middle of the night.

The quake was the deadliest in Morocco since a 1960 tremor destroyed Agadir, a disaster in which more than 12,000 people died.

#Morocco #earthquake

[tacklewithjet]

New Delhi, Paris join hands to manufacture advanced defence tech

The decisions were arrived during bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. 

NEW DELHI: India and France on Sunday decided to strengthen defence cooperation through partnerships in the design, development, testing and manufacture of advanced defence technologies and platforms, and expanding production in India.

The decisions were arrived during bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

“We discussed a series of topics and look forward to ensuring India-France relations scale new heights of progress,’’ said Modi, who had nine bilateral meetings on Sunday. The other bilateral meetings Modi had were with Canada, Germany, South Korea, Turkey, Comoros and South Korea. India and Saudi Arabia will have a bilateral meeting on Monday.

During his talks with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Modi raised concerns about the anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada. The extremists are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada. Trudeau said Canada believes in freedom of expression and peaceful protests but doesn’t condone violence.

During his talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Modi spoke about enhancing trade, and continuous collaboration on clean energy. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed India’s G20 Presidency and complimented PM Modi on the Delhi Declaration.

#India #France

[tacklewithjet]

India or Bharat? 'Panic reactions, distraction tactics,' says Rahul Gandhi 

Gandhi also said such controversies seem to play out every time his party raises concerns about "crony capitalism".

LONDON: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that the debate around the country’s name that erupted on social media following the G20 Summit invitations going out in the name of the “President of Bharat” are “panic reactions” and “distraction tactics” by the government.

Gandhi also said such controversies seem to play out every time his party raises concerns about “crony capitalism”.

The dinner invitation from President Droupadi Murmu to foreign leaders attending the G20 summit this weekend comes in the name of “President of Bharat”.

It triggered a war of words on social media, with BJP leaders clashing with the Opposition and several celebrities and sports personalities also wading into the row.

Addressing a media conference in Brussels, the Congress MP claimed that the Opposition naming its alliance Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) has “disturbed” Prime Minister Narendra Modi enough that he wants a name change for the country.

“I’m perfectly happy with the names that we have in our Constitution. India, that is Bharat, works perfectly well for me,” he said when asked which name he prefers. “But I think these, in a sense to me, are panic reactions. There’s a little bit of fear in the government. These are distraction tactics,” he said.

“We of course came out with the name I.N.D.I.A. for our coalition, and it’s a fantastic idea because it represents exactly who we are, We consider ourselves to be the voice of India and so the word works very well. But it’s obviously disturbed the Prime Minister enough that he wants to change the name of the country, which is absurd, but that’s what it is,” Gandhi said.

“It’s also interesting that every time we raise the issue of Mr Adani and crony capitalism, the Prime Minister comes out with some dramatic new diversion tactic. It’s curious that just after I did a press conference on Adani, this entire diversion was put into place. It’s interesting,” he added.

Gandhi on Thursday sought a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into reports that Adani family associates secretly invested “hundreds of millions” in the company through opaque investment funds based in Mauritius.

The debate around the country’s name was one of several topics raised with Gandhi during his media interaction in Belgium, the first stop on his European tour which next covers France followed by the Netherlands and Norway.

Gandhi said the idea behind the tour was to have an “exchange of ideas” on global issues with European parliamentarians, interact with the Indian diaspora in these regions and also shed light on some of the challenges faced by India.

#India or Bharat #Rahul Gandhi

[tacklewithjet]

Sunak arrives in Delhi for G20 summit, says free trade agreement between UK and India not guaranteed

The most obvious hurdle toward a deal is India's desire for the UK to make more visas available for its students and employees of Indian companies, particularly its software businesses, a report said

A free trade agreement between the UK and India is not guaranteed, reports quoting British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

The 43-year-old Sunak, who tagged himself “India’s son-in-law,” accompanied by his wife Akshata, arrived in Delhi, the first prime minister of Indian heritage to visit the country, on Friday for the G20 summit.

BBC quoting Downing Street said, the “historic” visit will be “a powerful reminder of the living bridge between the two countries.”

Speaking on the way to the summit, Sunak said he was “excited to be back” in India, calling it “a country that is very near and dear to me”.

He said: “It’s obviously special. I saw somewhere that I was referred to as India’s son-in-law, which I hope was meant affectionately!”

Sunak, according to The Guardian, is hoping to use the weekend meeting to overcome some of the final hurdles that remain in the way of a free trade deal, including the politically sensitive question of visas for Indian workers and students coming to the UK. But he warned in advance that success was far from guaranteed, even after 18 months of tortuous negotiations.

London and New Delhi, Daily Mail reports, had a £36billion trading relationship in 2022/23 but Sunak is keen to finalise an economy-boosting trade agreement with the country that has a population of 1.4 billion people.

Boris Johnson originally targeted an October 2022 completion deadline, but one of the hold-ups to a trade pact has been India’s push for more visas to be granted to work in Britain.

Downing Street said the UK would not bend on its immigration stance in order to achieve a free trade deal, with no target date set by Sunak for signing off on new trade terms. There has been speculation about another visit later in the year to seal an agreement, Daily Mail said.

The Sky News suggested that the most obvious hurdle toward a deal is India’s desire for the UK to make more visas available for its students and employees of Indian companies, particularly its software businesses, which are among its biggest exporters.

This adds a layer of complexity because one of the biggest beneficiaries of such an agreement could be Infosys, one of India’s biggest software and outsourcing companies, which was founded by Sunak’s father-in-law and in which his wife retains a significant shareholding, according to Sky News.

Yet visas appear to be a red line for Sunak, as the PM’s spokesperson made clear this week: “The prime minister believes that the current levels of migration are too high.

“To be crystal clear, there are no plans to change our immigration policy to achieve this free trade agreement and that includes student visas.”

For the UK, according to Sky News, the key priority is for India to reduce its tariffs, which are seen as among the world’s most protectionist. Just 3% of UK exports to India are tariff-free — while by contrast, about 60% of Indian exports to the UK incur no tariffs.

Some of the UK’s biggest exports are heavily taxed, most famously Scotch whisky, which attracts a 150% tariff.

Another stumbling block, as negotiations between the two countries enter a 13th round, is India’s approach to intellectual property.

One of India’s biggest exports is generic drugs — sometimes described as “copycat” drugs — cut-price versions of medicines that were once protected by patent, but which are no longer.

Leaders of the G20, which includes the European Union and the likes of China, the US, Brazil, and Russia, began holding summits following the 2008 global financial crisis, creating a top-level forum to discuss international challenges, Daily Mail said.

Two of the most powerful men in the world were on the guest list, but aren’t turning up. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi will not be attending the summit.

#Sunak #G20 summit

[tacklewithjet]

Indian-Sri Lankan descent Democratic party official left bloodied in carjacking attack

"Four very young men, all carrying guns, beat me violently down to the ground in front of our kids," Shivanthi Sathanandan said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON: A Democratic Party official of Indian and Sri Lankan descent has been attacked by unknown gunmen in her driveway in front of her children in the US state of Minnesota.

Shivanthi Sathanandan, second vice chairwoman of the Minnesota Democrat-Farmer-Labour Party, said she suffered a broken leg, bruises, cuts, and deep lacerations on her head in the attack by a group of armed men who carjacked her in the driveway of her Folwell neighbourhood home on Tuesday evening.

According to the police report, officers later found Sathanandan’s vehicle abandoned and recovered it, Washington Times reported.

“Four very young men, all carrying guns, beat me violently down to the ground in front of our kids,” she said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

“The young men held our neighbours up at gunpoint when they ran over and tried to help me. All in broad daylight,” she said, posting a photo of herself with blood streaking down her face.

Sathanandan went on to demand consequences, saying, “We need to get illegal guns off the street, catch these young people who are running wild creating chaos across our city and”, changing into screaming all capital letters, “hold them in custody and prosecute them. Period.”

There are currently no details available on the suspects.

Minnesota DFL Chairman Ken Martin said, “I am heartbroken at the news of Shivanthi’s attack. It is my sincere hope that the people who assaulted Shivanthi are quickly brought to justice and face punishment commensurate with the severity of their crimes. My heart goes out to Shivanthi and her family and I hope their recovery from such a horrifying experience is as swift as possible.”

Her account on Facebook quickly went viral, not just because of the brutality of the attack, but because of a three-year-old post showing Sathanandan was among those on the left targeting the Minneapolis Police Department after the May 2020 killing of George Floyd at the hands of an officer.

Social media users quickly pointed out the pre-and post-attack discrepancy in her views.

“You literally did everything in your power to dismantle the police. Now you’re reaping what you sowed,” said the first comment on her latest Facebook post.

Another commenter said: “No one should have this happen to them, children present or otherwise. Not ever. Nevertheless, HOW COULD Sathanandan NOT SEE THIS COMING, considering the efforts of her party? If you fight for a lawless state, lawlessness happens in broad daylight.”

Power Line editor John Hinderaker said he appreciated Sathanandan’s call to prosecute the offenders in a post entitled, “A Neoconservative is a Liberal Who Has Been Mugged.”

Hinderaker gave her credit, saying it was “nice to see that Sathanandan is now thankful to ‘the incredible Minneapolis 4th Precinct Officers’.”

The Minneapolis 3rd Precinct headquarters was destroyed after rioters set it on fire on May 28, 2020.

Three years later, the building’s charred remains are still fenced off.

A city ballot measure to restructure and reduce the authority of the Minneapolis police department was soundly defeated by voters in November 2021.

#Democratic party #carjacking attack

[tacklewithjet]

Is it India? Is it Bharat? Speculations abound as Modi govt pushes for country's Sanskrit name

The possibility is resonating with Hindu nationalists who form the prime minister's core vote base. But the reasons — political, cultural, historical — run far deeper.

NEW DELHI: It began with a dinner invitation. How it ends could affect more than a billion people.

State-issued invites sent to guests of this week’s G20 meeting referred to India’s president, Droupadi Murmu, as “President of Bharat.”

Suddenly, in many circles, the question was everywhere: Would the country of more than 1.4 billion now be called by its ancient Sanskrit name?

Since then, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ministers, his Hindu nationalist supporters, Bollywood stars and cricketers have made similar public proclamations: India should officially be rebranded as Bharat. India is known by two names: India, used worldwide, and the Sanskrit and Hindi nomenclature of “Bharat.”

Now, Modi’s government is signalling that Indians should shed the name India and instead call their country Bharat. The possibility is resonating with Hindu nationalists who form the prime minister’s core vote base. Their stated reason: the name “India” is tied to colonialism and slavery, a sentiment that Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has long shared.

But the reasons — political, cultural, historical — run far deeper.

There are some precedents, but India’s situation is singular

A name — be it of a person or an entire country — is many things. It’s descriptive, emotionally important and deeply wrapped up in identity. So when it comes to a whole nation, a name change is not a small thing.

Around the world, there have been some notable national rebrandings in recent decades as nations shed names inflicted by colonial rulers. Ceylon was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Rhodesia was rebranded as Zimbabwe in 1980. Burma became Myanmar in 1989.

And last year, Turkey was officially changed to Türkiye. The list goes on — Cambodia to Kampuchea, Swaziland to Eswatini, Malaya to Malaysia.

In India, the country’s renaming demands stem from a more cultural and religious perspective. They are often invoked by Hindu nationalists who say the name Bharat is more authentic to the nation’s past.

Officially, the Indian government has made no decision and issued no statement, and one senior leader dismissed the speculations of a name change as “just rumours.”

But India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, seemed to advocate the increased use of Bharat this week. “‘India, that is Bharat’ — it is there in the constitution. Please, I would invite everybody to read it,” Jaishankar said Wednesday.

Indeed, India’s constitution uses the term Bharat just once: “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.” Everywhere else, the country is referred to as India in English. The name Bharat is an ancient Sanskrit word that many historians believe dates back to early Hindu scriptures.

“India” has etymological roots in the Indus River, which was called “Sindhu” in Sanskrit. Another popular but not legally recognized name for the country is Hindustan, which means “land of the Indus” in Persian. All three names were in use long before British rule.

But Modi’s government, which won the 2014 national polls and returned to power in 2019, has a penchant for changing names. It has done so with various cities, towns and prominent roads that were long associated with British rule and Muslim heritage, arguing it is an ongoing effort to salvage the country from the taint of colonialism and so-called Muslim invaders.

Prominent among such efforts is the government’s renaming of the northern city of Allahabad — named by Muslim Mughal rulers centuries ago — to the Sanskrit word “Prayagraj.”

Politics is at centre of debate

The name-changing exercise is fraught with a political motivation that is an essential ingredient of the ruling government’s revisionist agenda and has, under Modi’s rule, come amid increasing attacks by Hindu nationalists against minorities, particularly Muslims.

A largely Hindu country that has long proclaimed its multicultural character, India has a sizable Muslim minority — 14 per cent of the population. Already, Indians and even foreigners are tacitly being nudged to get used to the revised nomenclature of the country.

A government-made mobile application for media and G20 delegates attending the summit says Bharat is the official name of the country — a first public proclamation of its kind during any global event. Visiting guests for the summit are also being welcomed to the host’s capital city with giant billboards that refer to the country as both Bharat and India.

Efforts to change India’s name have been made in the past through court cases, but judges have so far steered away from the issue. However, an upcoming session of the federal Parliament — a surprise announcement made by the Modi government without disclosing any agenda — has prompted speculation.

Opposition parties say an official rebranding could very well be in the cards.

In July, India’s opposition parties announced a new alliance called INDIA in an effort to unseat Modi and defeat his party ahead of national elections in 2024. The acronym stands for “Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.”

Since then, some officials in Modi’s party have demanded that the country be called Bharat instead of India. The formation of that alliance, says Zoya Hasan, an Indian academic and political scientist, “could be the immediate provocation here.”

“It’s a political debate which is aimed at embarrassing the opposition who have re-appropriated the nationalism platform with their new name,” Hasan said. “This rattled the ruling establishment, and they want to regain their monopoly over nationalism by invoking Bharat.”

She also said the timing of suddenly using Bharat is curious given one particular recent event.

Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a radical Hindu movement widely accused of stoking religious hatred with aggressively anti-Muslim views, recently urged Indians to use the Sanskrit name more often.

The RSS is the ideological mothership of Modi’s party, and the prime minister has been its lifelong member. “They can call it Bharat. It’s one of the official names. But there’s no need to erase India,” Hasan said, adding that the furore is a “needless controversy” as both names “have happily coexisted.”

Modi’s party leaders, meanwhile, have celebrated what they call a much-needed change.

“REPUBLIC OF BHARAT — happy and proud that our civilisation is marching ahead boldly towards AMRIT KAAL,” BJP politician Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Amrit Kaal” is a Hindi phrase meaning “auspicious era” that Modi often uses to describe what he calls India’s resurgence under his government.

Modi’s opponents have been less welcoming, with many saying the government’s priorities are misplaced amid more pressing crises like increasing unemployment, widening religious strife and the backsliding of democracy.

They also say his government is rattled by the INDIA grouping, and have — at least sarcastically — suggested they might change the alliance’s name as a countermove.

“We could of course call ourselves the Alliance for Betterment, Harmony And Responsible Advancement for Tomorrow (BHARAT),” opposition lawmaker Shashi Tharoor wrote on X.

“Then perhaps the ruling party might stop this fatuous game of changing names.”

#India #Bharat

[tacklewithjet]

G20 summit: President's dinner to be an evening of musical journey

The highlights of this part will be devotional songs — Vaishnav Janto and Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram and also an iconic song promoting national integration — Mile Sur Mera Tumhara.

NEW DELHI: An ensemble comprising 78 instrumentalists from across states is set to enthral delegates attending the G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam. The Ministry of Culture has planned a unique harmonious performance — Bharat Vadya Darshan (The Musical Journey of India) — at the dinner President Droupadi Murmu will be hosting on Saturday.

The three-hour show, starting at 6 pm, is divided into three parts. The performances will be in ascending tempo from Vilambit Laya (slow tempo composition), to medium or Madhya Laya, to fast or Druta Laya (concluding section).

The Vilambit Laya comprises Raagmalika and Rajasthani and Kashmiri folk songs. The middle section will have traditional songs of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Assam, Sikkim, and Jammu & Kashmir besides Rabindra Sangeet and Raaga — Bihag, Pilu, Bhupali, Desh, Khamaj and Malkouns.

The concluding section includes performances based on different raags such as Darbari Kanada, Mohnam, folk music of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Sikkim, and Meghalaya.

The highlights of this part will be devotional songs — Vaishnav Janto and Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram and also an iconic song promoting national integration — Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, which is based on Raag Bhairavi and Dadra.

The song composed by renowned vocalist Bhimsen Joshi was telecast on Doordarshan for the first time in 1988 after the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi delivered his speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day.

Several rare instruments of India such as Surbahar, Jaltarang, Naltarang, Vichitra Veena, Rudra Veena, Saraswati Veena, Dhangli, Sundri, Bhapang and Dilruba will be used during the presentation. “Bharat Vadya Darshan is envisaged as a sequence of instrumental music performances, wherein the audience will be taken on a one-and-a-half hour journey of India through the representative music of different States of the country.

What truly sets this ensemble apart is the inclusion of 34 Hindustani musical instruments, 18 Carnatic musical instruments, and 26 folk musical instruments featuring 78 artists including 11 children, 13 women, six differently-abled (Divyang) artists, 26 young men and 22 professionals,” said officials privy to arrangements.

The responsibility to curate the event was entrusted with Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Ministry of Culture. The performance has been conceptualised by the chairman of the Akademi Sandhya Purecha. Chetan Kumar Joshi is the music director.

“Some of the prominent styles included in the presentation are Hindustani, Carnatic, folk and contemporary music. This journey will take us through all parts of India through their representative music,” officials added.

‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara’

78 instrumentalists from across states will enthral delegates at President’s dinner on Saturday

They will perform a 3-hour-long ‘Bharat Vadya Darshan’ (The Musical Journey of India)

It will feature the iconic song ‘mile sur mera tumhara’

Rare instruments such as surbahar, jaltarang, naltarang, vichitra veena, rudra veena, saraswati veena, dhangli, sundri, bhapang and dilruba will be used

#G20 summit #President's dinner

[tacklewithjet]

Rajan & Co: Your Ultimate Destination for Home Theatre Requirements

Rajan & Co stands out as an unparalleled destination for home theatre Showroom in Nagercoil. Recently, my relative procured top-tier speakers from this establishment, and upon visiting their residence, we were thoroughly impressed. Given their glowing account of the experience, we instinctively gravitated towards Rajan & Co when seeking our own home theatre system. Undoubtedly, Rajan & Co reigns as a paramount choice for acquiring your long-awaited home theatre setup.

Our encounter with Rajan & Co proved exceedingly gratifying. Their inventory boasts an expansive array of home theatre options, encompassing elite speakers, sound bars, AV receivers, multimedia speaker setups, party boxes, and projectors. Virtually all prominent brands find representation here, allowing for effortless customization and mixing to craft the perfect configuration. The adept and knowledgeable team overseeing this establishment provided invaluable guidance, aiding me in selecting the ideal components for my personal home theatre arrangement.

The excellence of customer service at Rajan & Co merits applause. The personnel exhibited warmth, approachability, and an unwavering eagerness to assist patrons. Their responsiveness to my inquiries, adeptness in delivering product demonstrations, and adeptness in furnishing recommendations tailored to my requirements and financial considerations was notable. Evidently, their commitment to ensuring customer contentment permeated every facet of my interaction. Rajan & Co has thoughtfully assembled a team distinguished by expertise, experience, and an innate helpfulness, guaranteeing a superlative service experience at all times.

Rajan & Co's commitment to customer satisfaction transcends the point of purchase. Their post-sale services stand as a testament to their dedication, offering steadfast support and aid as the need arises. In instances of issues or concerns with appliances, their specialized service unit is on standby to swiftly address problems. This degree of support and dependability affords me a sense of tranquility, knowing that Rajan & Co's reliability extends even beyond the point of transaction.

Not only is Rajan & Co the ultimate destination for your home theatre requisites, but it also boasts a comprehensive selection of home appliances and electronics. More than a mere business endeavor, it embodies a genuine passion. Most notably, the establishment excels in providing well-suited recommendations tailored to diverse budgets. Competitive pricing further adds to its allure. A definitive one-stop emporium for all home theatre needs, I wholeheartedly endorse Rajan & Co without hesitation! 

COTACT DETAILS:

Address : 50, Court Rd, Opp SLB School, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu 629001.

Email : [email protected]

Phone: [phone]

#BestHomeAppliancesShowroomInNagercoil #BestLEDShowroomInNagercoil #BestKitchenAppliancesShowroomInNagercoil #BestFridgeShowroomInNagercoil #BestWashingMachineShowroomInNagercoil #BestACShowroomInNagercoil #BestHometheatresShowroomInNagercoil #BestHometheatreShowroomInTamilNadu #HometheatreShowroomInKarungal #HometheatreShowroomInMarthandam

[tacklewithjet]

Shah Rukh Khan may not renew deal with Byju’s

Byju’s had signed up the Bollywood actor in 2017 for an annual fee of close to Rs 4 crore, and he has been the edtech platform’s most visible face ever since.

Edtech platform Byju’s, which is cutting costs after struggling to raise funds, is unlikely to renew its endorsement deal with actor Shah Rukh Khan when it ends in September, people aware of the matter said.

“With the edtech platform in serious trouble, Shah Rukh’s team is also hesitant to continue the association with the brand,” one of the people said.

Byju’s had signed up the Bollywood actor in 2017 for an annual fee of close to Rs 4 crore, and he has been the edtech platform’s most visible face ever since.

Emails sent to Byju’s and Khan’s business management company seeking comment remained unanswered at press time Monday.

This is not the first time Byju’s association with Khan has hit rough weather. In April this year, a district consumer disputes redressal commission in Madhya Pradesh fined Byju’s and the actor Rs 50,000 each “for not meeting teaching standards and false ads”. The actor has been questioned by fans repeatedly on social media for continuing his association with Byju’s. In 2021, Byju’s had halted its advertisements with Khan during acontroversy involving the Pathaan star’s son, Aryan.

Byju’s has slashed thousands of jobs in the past year to cut costs amid a slowdown in the online education market and difficulties in raising funds.

India’s cricket board announced last weekend that online gaming company Dream11 replaced Byju’s as the lead sponsor for the India cricket team, ahead of the World Cup later this year.

Meanwhile, representatives of three key investors in Byju’s — Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), Prosus (earlier Naspers) and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative — resigned from the company’s board. Also, Deloitte quit as its statutory auditor, citing a delay in getting financial statements for FY22 which it was supposed to audit.

At a virtual townhall meeting last week, Byju’s founder Byju Raveendran told employees that “things are not as bad as you think — as you read in the media, for sure”, and that Deloitte and the three directors had left on good terms.

Industry watchers say celebrities naturally tend to distance themselves from brands facing controversy.

Lloyd Mathias, business strategist and former marketing chief of PepsiCo, said: “Associating with a brand under such intense scrutiny would be detrimental to any big name. Even Byju’s would be looking at paring its exposure, considering the crisis it is mired in.”

For the past several months, Byju’s has not released any new campaigns featuring Khan.

The actor endorses multiple large brands such as Hyundai cars, LG Electronics, Dubai Tourism and Reliance Jio. His net worth is estimated at $770 million, making him the richest actor in Asia and fourth richest globally, ahead of Tom Cruise, Jackie Chan and George Clooney, global data analytics platform World of Statistics said in a report this January. He has an Instagram following of 39 million and over 43 million followers on Twitter.

In January this year, the edtech company announced footballer Lionel Messi as its global brand ambassador.

#Shah Rukh Khan #Byju’s

[tacklewithjet]

NExT Exam: Doctors, MBBS Students Unhappy With National Exit Test, Call it 'Disastrous'

The examination will serve as a substitute for the NEET PG for both admissions to postgraduate programs and for practicing medicine. Since the govt released the guidelines, several doctors and MBBS students are not satisfied with these guidelines

Since the government released the National Exit Test or NExT exam guidelines, several doctors and MBBS students are not satisfied with the same. Students have been raising objections to various aspects such as the qualifying percentile, tie-breaking criteria, and other related points. Numerous medical professionals and MBBS students are expressing their opposition to the NExT exam gazette, demanding the withdrawal of the regulations.

“Imposing NExT on 2019 batch is violation of clause 49 (1) of NMC act because 2019 batch started on 1st Aug 2019 while NMC act was published on 08/08/2019,” wrote a Twitter user. “The government needs to understand it’s not a joke of what is happening with Students and not listening to them is entirely dictatorship by NMC. From the morning I am counselling medical students from across the nation, they are depressed due to this badass policy of NEXT exam, and the uncountable confusions created in the stressful mid session,” tweeted another.

While another user demanded the NExT exam passing criteria be reduced. “NExT 50 percent passing criteria is disastrous. How? Considering NExT Exam Step 1 paper is set as per level of NEET PG 2023, only 19k/75k of 2019 batch would be able to pass. These figures are alarming. Request NMC to reduce the passing percentage,”

The government had earlier issued a gazette notification regarding the National Exit Test Regulations 2023 of the National Medical Commission (NMC). These guidelines include the National Exit Test exam pattern, schedule, marking scheme, eligibility, and more. The examination will serve as a substitute for the NEET PG (National Eligibility Entrance Test for Postgraduate) for both admissions to postgraduate programs and for practicing medicine. NExT will be conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi in May and November.

According to the regulations, MBBS students have the opportunity to take step 1 multiple times to enhance their scores, provided they have cleared NExT step 2 and complete the process within 10 years of their MBBS admissions. The NExT exam comprises two steps, namely Step 1 and Step 2, both of which will be held twice annually. The first batch of MBBS students eligible to appear for the exam will be those from the 2019 cohort.

#NExT Exam #MBBS Students

[tacklewithjet]

Now, Hyderabad’s real estate development becomes case study for other States

With Hyderabad hitting the headlines regularly for rapid development in the real estate sector, many builders and other developers from other cities are visiting the State capital on study tours

Hyderabad: With Hyderabad hitting the headlines regularly for rapid development in the real estate sector, especially in commercial space absorption and luxurious residential apartments and villas, many builders and other developers from other cities are visiting the State capital on study tours.

A 250-member team from Maharashtra is expected to visit the city shortly. This comes after a delegation from the Youth wing from Maharashtra Builders Association visited the city last year.

Sharing details behind this practice, CREDAI National Secretary G Rami Reddy said the growth of Hyderabad has been phenomenal, especially in the last seven years. Every field, including pharma, industries, IT, life sciences and others witnessed rapid development and this had triggered positive growth in the real estate sector as well.

Skyscrapers, ranging from those with 30 to 50 floors were dotting the cityscape. After Mumbai, the maximum numbers of high rise structures were coming up in Hyderabad. At present, Hyderabad was the most happening city in the country. There were villas with prices ranging from Rs 3 crore to Rs 30 crore here. Likewise, there were apartments, which cost about Rs 5,000 per sqft to Rs 15,000 sqft. No other city has such diversity, he said.

Doing away with conventional technology, complete aluminum form work has come up. This is a system for forming the cast in-place concrete structure of a building. Builders were coming here to learn about such advanced technologies and construction practices, he said.

The clubhouses in several gated communities are also drawing the attention of many architects, builders and contractors. Equal priority is being accorded for landscaping in projects.

During these tours, they study residential apartments, high-rise structures and luxurious villas. All aspects right from foundation to finishing and advanced technologies used would be discussed, besides market potential, he said.

“Buildings permissions are approved transparently and this is not being done in many major cities. There is no political corruption here and it is the biggest differentiating factor,” Rami Reddy said.

Even in rural areas across Telangana, magnificent buildings are being constructed. “In Chityala village, I personally noticed amazing structures. The elevation, glass façade and solar fencing enabled buildings are coming up. People’s affordability in Telangana has definitely increased,” he said.

The visitors are not just from Maharashtra. Builders from the Delhi NCR region and some from Kolkata were also evincing interest in visiting Hyderabad for studying different aspects, including commercial space, warehouses and residential structures, CREDAI Hyderabad Secretary V Rajashekhara Reddy said.

The biggest advantage of Hyderabad is infrastructure. Many cities were facing lots of challenges due to lack of infrastructure or poor planning. Link roads, flyovers and underpasses have been constructed to ease traffic congestion. This is making many builders to look towards Hyderabad, he added.

#Hyderabad #real estate