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Members of the LGBT community celebrate PRIDE month with frontline workers

By
The Commune
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The LGBTQIA community celebrated their annual PRIDE rally along with frontline workers on Tuesday. They have been celebrating the PRIDE rally every year since 2009 to create awareness about their community and celebrate those belonging to the community. This is the 13th PRIDE rally that is being organised in Chennai by the LGBTQIA community. In lieu of the same, they hoisted the rainbow PRIDE flag at the office of the Brotherhood NGO.

They also presented rainbow-coloured face masks to the public. Speaking to reporters of Dinamalar, Jaya, who is the General Manager of the Brotherhood NGO, said, “Thanks to the COVID restrictions last year, all activities related to the PRIDE rally and celebratory events were cancelled last year. Since there are similar restrictions this year as well, many groups across Tamil Nadu are conducting small programs online. But, the fraternity decided to celebrate the first day of June in public with the frontline workers as a show of solidarity.”

She continued, “The event was held in the presence of frontline staff and activists who have been actively affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This is our way of showing our appreciation for them.”

Sudha, Founder of the Friends’ Organization, Sreejith Sundaram, Convener of the Kattiyakkari Drama Group, Tamil Nadu LGBT Charan, the co-ordinator of the movement, also took part in this event.

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Amul asks PM Modi to Ban PETA for undermining India’s milk producers

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The Commune
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After People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had asked domestic dairy giant Amul to move from dairy to vegan, Vice-Chairman Valamji Humbal has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban PETA.

According to Humbal, PETA as an NGO is conspiring to ruin the livelihoods of 10 crore people by maligning the image of India’s dairy sector.

Humbal made it very clear how Amul dairy has been one of the critical contributors to India’s GDP and now PETA is running a negative campaign that can adversely influence through ‘misinformation spread by opportunistic elements’.

As far as he was concerned such organisations were working on a conspiracy to snatch away the employment of India’s milk producers and livestocks are part of the family as per Indian culture and there can be no question of inflicting any sort of cruelty on them does not arise at all.

The top executive mentioned, “To ensure that such organisations stop their activities in India, milk producers of Gujarat urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate necessary action to impose a ban on organisations which are engaged in condemnable activity of tarnishing the image of dairy industry through misinformation campaign and then harm them by encouraging plants of multination companies producing synthetic milk.”

“We urge around 40 lakh dairy farmers associated with Amul and around 15 lakh others to write to the PM seeking a ban on PETA. We shall do the same at our levels also,” Humbal was quoted in a report by the Indian Express.

Valamji Humbal has implied that international companies who see India as a great market are maneuvering to break the self-sufficient Indian dairy industry that ensures that the country does not have to rely on imports for milk and milk-related products.

Last week, PETA had appealed to Amul to tap on the plant-based milk and food market and thereby shift away from milch animals. It must be noted that Bill Gates owns large tracts of land in the US.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s double talk gets exposed not once but twice within 2 days

By
The Commune
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Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor was caught countering his own position on the matter of vaccine exports and the Central Vista project.

On 16th May 2021, Shashi Tharoor had put out a tweet as part of Congress’ propaganda on vaccines titled “Why did you send the vaccines of our children to foreign countries?”

He had said that instead of helping struggling Covid patients, Government of India’s was registering FIRs and arresting people for pasting posters of the Congress’ propaganda.

However, the Congress MP tweeted yesterday (June 1) that India’s decision to ban export of vaccines has impacted 91 countries and that the ‘vishwaguru’ should hang its head in shame.

But BJP leaders and netizens were quick enough to point out the hypocritical stance of the Lok Sabha MP. BJP National General Secretary (Organization) B.L. Santhosh said that such double talk was a blot on the public discourse.

The Congress MP was also caught taking contradicting positions on the Central Vista Project. Back in May 2018, when Shashi Tharoor had visited the Malaysian Parliament, he took to social media saying how he felt a pang of envy when he saw each Malaysian MP having their own name plate, plush leather swivel chairs, laptops and mike.

However, the Congress MP has been heavily critical of the Modi-led BJP government for going ahead with Central Vista construction, a project of national importance.

Pointing out at the double talk, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the Government of the day is doing exactly what he wished for back in 2018 and that the Congress MP should instill some sense in his bosses.

RSS Culture Wing to reach out to artists hit by pandemic, urges Center and States to provide relief

By
The Commune
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With lockdown affecting millions across India, the culture wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has urged both the Centre and state governments to help care for artists whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic, reports Economic Times.

The proposal from RSS if agreed upon will provide financial assistance to over a lakh artists who are facing financial difficulties due to lack of work created by the Wuhan virus pandemic.

Sanskar Bharti National General Secretary Amir Chand was quoted saying in ET, “We are already in talks with leading artists of various art disciplines. Covid-19 has affected the lives and livelihoods of artists like never before. Those who have dedicated their entire lives to arts are now struggling. This is the time they need help,”. 

The RSS has already started an online forum to provide assistance to artists under social responsibility from corporate houses and the Ministry of Culture has also been approached to enhance the efforts to help the artists.

A statement released by the RSS said, “Efforts will be made by Sanskar Bharati to meet the minimum needs of the artists. Along with this, in this difficult time of the pandemic, a memorandum will also be submitted to the central government and various state governments to make them aware of the problems of artists,”.

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Assam: 24 culprits who attacked Dr Senapati arrested

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The Commune
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A doctor in Assam who has been treating Wuhan virus patients in Hojai, a township around 140 kilometers from Guwahati, was on Tuesday (June 1) mercilessly beaten by the relatives of a Covid patient who had died, allegedly due to oxygen shortage.

The video of this attack has now gone viral and the doctor who was assaulted is now hospitalised but stable. In the video available on social media, 24 people, including the main accused could be seen punching, kicking, and using metal trash cans and bricks to viciously attack the doctor.

The incident that took place on Tuesday shocked the nation but thanks to the quick reaction of the police, the violent mob who had attacked Dr Seuj Kumar Senapati has now been arrested.

The patient who had died due to Covid-linked complications was Giyaz Uddin, a resident of Pipal Pukhuri village.

“The attendant of the patient came to me saying the patient is serious and has not passed urine since morning. I went to the room and found that the patient was dead. As I broke the news to the attendant, another relative started abusing me,” Dr Senapati told the media.

After the family was informed of the patient’s death a mob attacked the hospital wherein most of the medical officers managed to escape, however, Dr Senapati, who had locked himself in a room was severely assaulted and was immediately shifted to another hospital in Nagaon to treat his serious injuries.

“They ransacked the hospital, we (the staff) ran for safety. I entered a room and tried to hide but they found me and assaulted me. They snatched my gold chain, my ring and my mobile,” he added saying there were around 30 people.

In a tweet sent by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “24 culprits involved in this barbaric attack have been arrested and the chargesheet will be filed at the earliest. I am personally monitoring this investigation and I promise that justice will be served.”

 

 

The assault has drawn widespread condemnation and Dr JA Jayalal, president of the Indian Medical Association, has condemned the incident. 

Members of the Assam chapter of Assam Medical Services Association (AMSA) have demanded strict action against the culprits and have also boycotted the Outpatient department (OPD) services today in all government medical facilities that could potentially risk the lives of many people. 

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Madras HC directs Universities to terminate staffs who convert religion to secure job

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The Commune
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Madras HC increased security in court campus after country bombs were exchanged among suspects in the Armstrong murder case. Christian shrine

The Madras High Court has given a series of guidelines on university appointments in Tamil Nadu, including the possibility of termination of staffs who convert religion to secure job.

Justice R Mahadevan gave the directives while hearing a case involving many irregularities by Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, in the appointment of  M. Gowthaman as Assistant Technical Officer (Library) and later elevation to Technical Officer.

Justice Mahadevan also asked the university to prosecute the members of the selection committee who were responsible for M Gowthaman’s illegitimate appointment to the job in violation of the rules.

The judge disposed of the writ petition filed by Dr. K Ramesh and two others, challenging Gowthaman’s appointment. Unfortunately, the illegal appointment was not canceled and Gowthaman was allowed to retire. However, the court said that the accused cannot be permitted to enjoy the fruits of such illegal appointment in the form of future benefits any further.  The Judge ordered that the payment of pension should be computed to the post of Assistant Technical Officer (Library), for which he was actually eligible and the excess amount paid should be recovered from him.

The court further stated that culpability should be attributed not just to the person who gained the employment unlawfully, but also to the selection committee.

“In some cases, the candidate may have willfully provided false information in order to get employment, and in such circumstances, the appointment must be terminated as soon as possible,” the court observed. Terming the appointment illegal, the court said it considered it necessary to issue certain directions which are applicable to all universities.

The guidelines include: a.) immediate revocation of the appointment if it was found to be illegal, b.) recovery of the salary paid from members of the selection committee and appropriate legal action against them, c.) recovery of salary and other benefits if the candidate provided false information to secure employment, and d.) revoke the right to appointment, If a person who acquired a job under reservation converts to another faith before or after the appointment in order to get a job.

 

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Islamic cleric in Delhi arrested for allegedly raping a 12 year old minor girl inside Mosque

By
The Commune
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Another Illegal Bangladeshi Infiltrator Arrested From Kolkata Hotel

An Islamic cleric in northeast Delhi’s Harsh Vihar has been arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl inside a mosque, police said on Tuesday (Jun 1), reports Hindustan Times.

The alleged incident took place on Sunday evening (May 30) when the family had sent the 12-year-old girl to the mosque to fetch water, and on Sunday night the parents of the minor girl filed a complaint with the police.

As per a quote attributed to the Hindustan Times, a police officer associated with the case said that on the night of May 30, the family members of the minor girl had asked her to fetch water from the mosque as they did not have drinking water at home where she was allegedly lured by the cleric who then forced himself on her.

“The girl returned home and told everything to her family members when they asked her why she came late. The family, along with some neighbours, went to the mosque to confront the cleric. Seeing them, the suspect fled through the rear door,” the officer said.

A case was subsequently registered and the girl was counselled and taken for a medical examination, police said.

The name of the accused is Imam Ilyas (48) and he has been booked under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, a senior police officer said.

After the alleged rape Ilyas who ran away from the scene of the crime was later arrested on Monday morning from Loni in Ghaziabad where he lived, a senior police officer said.

Tension ran high and Police had to be deployed outside the mosque as agitated locals along with the girls family members gathered there to protest, police said.

Imam Ilyas hails from Bharatpur in Rajasthan has now been produced before a city court which sent him to 14-day judicial custody.

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Vatican criminalizes sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests on both adults and children

By
The Commune
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After years of concealing the sexual crimes committed by ordained Catholic priests, Pope Francis has now issued an order to explicitly criminalize the sexual abuse committed by priests on children and adults using their position and authority.

In a decision that has been long delayed, Pope Francis has unveiled extensive changes to Catholic Church’s criminal code on Tuesday (June 1) by adding details on punishing sexual abuse crimes of minors by priests, measures long demanded by activists against pedophilia.

These revisions were under discussion for more than a decade under Francis’s predecessor Benedict XVI who abhorred and was dismayed by the actions of Catholic priests. The new law aims to make the code’s penal sanctions more effective and applied evenly across the Church.

Under the new heading of “Offences against human life, dignity and liberty,” the code now specifies that a priest will be stripped of his office and punished “with other just penalties” if he commits offences against the sixth commandment (You shall not commit adultery) with a minor.

Under the revised laws, lay people, including founders of lay religious movements and parish employees, can also be sanctioned for sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse of minors was put under a new section titled “Offences Against Human Life, Dignity and Liberty,” compared to the previously vague “Crimes Against Special Obligations”.

Though one can call this progress, the new code falls short of explicitly spelling out sexual offences against minors yet refers to offences against the sixth commandment, which prohibits adultery which now has a broad meaning.

“In the past, much damage has been caused by the Church’s failure to perceive the intimate relationship between the exercise of charity and recourse — when circumstances and justice require it — to the discipline of punishment,” Pope Francis wrote in Pascite gregem Dei.

Through the revision, the Pope aims to reduce the number of penalties left to the discretion of judges, especially in the most serious cases.

The revisions involve all of section six of the Church’s Code of Canon Law, a seven-book code of about 1,750 articles. It will replace the code approved by Pope John Paul II in 1983 and will take effect on Dec. 8.

For decades the Catholic Church has been under criticism for rampant sexual abuse of minor children by paedophile priests and going out of its way to protect them. Over the years hundreds of millions of dollars have been given away as compensation to victims of sexual abuse by the clergy. 

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X-Ray Setu: A new AI-driven platform to facilitate early-COVID interventions over Whatsapp

By
The Commune
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A new AI-driven platform will now help early intervention through rapid screening of COVID 19 with the help of Chest X-ray interpretation over WhatsApp for doctors who have access to X-ray machines. The solution called XraySetu can work with low-resolution images sent via mobiles, is quick and easy to use, and can facilitate detection in rural areas.

As COVID 19 continues to wreak havoc across the rural heartlands of India, it has become critical to drive rapid testing, contact tracing, and create dedicated containment zones. At a time when such tests are taking more than a week across some cities, the challenge is even more for rural areas. Easy alternative tests are necessary as RT-PCR tests also give a ‘false negative’ for some variants.

ARTPARK (AI & Robotics Technology Park), a not-for-profit foundation established by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, with support from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, in collaboration with Bangalore based HealthTech startup Niramai and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has developed XraySetu specifically designed to identify COVID positive patients even from low-resolution Chest X-Ray images sent over Whatsapp.

It also has semantic annotations of affected areas for review and localized heatmap by doctors to help them verify it easily with other modalities and has already served close to 1200+ reports so far from the interior parts of India.

To conduct the health check, any doctor simply needs to visit www.xraysetu.com and click on the ‘Try the Free XraySetu Beta’ button. The platform will then redirect the person to another page, wherein he or she can choose to engage with the WhatsApp-based chatbot via web or smartphone application. Or the doctor can simply send a WhatsApp message to the phone number +91 8046163838 to start the XraySetu service. Then they just need to click the picture of the patient’s X-ray and obtain the 2-page automated diagnostics with annotated images in a few minutes. While extending the probability of the COVID-19 contraction, the report also highlights a localized heatmap for a quick perusal of the doctor.

Tested and validated with over 1,25 000 X-ray images from National Institute of Health, UK, as well as over 1000+ Indian COVID patients from, XraySetu, has shown excellent performance with Sensitivity: 98.86%, and Specificity: 74.74%

Mr. Umakant Soni, Founder, and CEO, ARTPARK, said, “We need to scale technology for addressing the needs of 1.36 billion people, especially considering we have 1 radiologist for over 1 million people here. Built with the collaboration of industry and academia, XraySetu paves the way for exponential technologies like AI to leapfrog and provide cutting-edge healthcare technology to rural India in an extremely cost-effective manner.

“NIRAMAI has partnered with ARTPARK and IISc to provide a rapid COVID screening method for rural doctors who have access to X-ray machines. XraySetu provides an automated interpretation of Chest X-Rays to predict if a patient has any lung abnormality that indicates COVID-19 infection,” said Dr. Geetha Manjunath, Founder, and CEO, Niramai.

“In the absence of COVID positive X-Ray images, we developed a unique Transfer Learning framework that leverages easily available X-ray images of lungs, not necessarily COVID positive, to learn useful features which have high predictive power. We also developed a confidence score which is guided by the areas of lungs that are infected. The system outputs a prediction, localizes the infected parts, and creates a report which gives a confidence score, all within a few minutes”, said Prof. Chiranjib Bhattacharyya, IISc.

Besides COVID-19, the platform can also detect 14 additional lung-related ailments, including tuberculosis and pneumonia, alongside others. It can further be used for both analog and digital X-rays and has been successfully piloted by more than 300 doctors in rural areas over the last 10 months.

Technologies like XraySetu can enable cutting-edge AI-driven systems powering mobile PHCs, which can make healthcare more accessible even across rural India at a fraction of the cost.

Dr. Padmanabh Kamath, Prof & HOD Cardiology, KMC, Mangalore, who has been an early advisor and user of XraySetu, stressed that technologies like these could take healthcare and technology to the underprivileged and rural areas. Another early user of the service, Dr. Anil Kumar A D, Medical Officer of Health, Shimoga in Karnataka, was happy that the technology is helping to get the quick diagnosis of patients.

“Several Hubs of Cyber-physical Systems established by DST are working on leveraging of Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Data Analytics, Robotics, Sensors and other tools to address the challenges of the health sector from diagnostics, and drug design to biomedical devices to telemedicine,” said Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST.

ARTPARK, initiated under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), is further collaborating with infrastructure partners like C-DAC (for leveraging AI supercomputer ParamSiddi), Nvidia& AWS to scale this free service to all the doctors in rural India.

(Published from PIB)

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Hong Kong VHP donates oxygen concentrators to Tamil Nadu

By
The Commune
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Two oxygen concentrators have been donated by the Hong Kong Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for the use of people in Srivilliputtur and Rajapalayam.

The oxygen concentrators were donated in the presence of Sadagopa Ramanuja Jeeyar Swami at the Srivilliputtur Manavalamamuni Sannidhi.

It was received by Saravana Karthik, an office bearer of the State Monastic Council. Virudhunagar BJP District Secretary Saravanadurai Raja, VHP Disrict Treasurer Anand, VHP Rajapalayam District Secretary Isakkiraj were also present.

People in Srivilliputtur and surrounding region who are taking treatment at home can make use of this oxygen concentrator for free.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
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