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Air India flight breaks into two at Kochi airport, many injured

By
The Commune
-

Air India Flight 1344 flying from Dubai to Kochi carrying 184 people overshot the runway and split into two as it landed at the Kochi airport at 7:40 PM on Friday (August 7).

According to reports, several people have been injured who have been taken to the hospital at Malappuram.

Kochi airport has a table-top runway and flights are diverted to nearby airports if there is a bad weather. However, this was not done on Friday.

Initial reports mentioned that all members were safe and that there were no casualties.

More details are awaited

Zuckerberg joins the $100 billion club, as Facebook’s shares surge

By
Vaibavi Jayakumar
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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has joint the centibillionaire club, as the social network’s shares skyrocketed on Thursday. 36 year old joined Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, are the two other people to have achieved this status.

Mark owns 13% equity in Facebook, and following the 6% rise in the company’s shares on Thursday, his net worth passed $100 billion. Market experts predict that this is following the social media network’s recent rollout Instagram Reels, which is a competition to its Chinese counterpart TikTok. Notably, it has become popular after TikTok was banned in India and other countries following suit.

Furthermore, as half the world still under coronavirus lockdown, most people at home have gone online, causing a surge in usage of technological services. Zuckerberg’s net worth has risen by about $22bn this year, while Bezos’s fortune has jumped by more than $75bn. Apple could hit a valuation of $2tn in trading on Friday, the first US company to reach such a milestone.

The US senator Bernie Sanders wants to introduce legislation to tax what he called “obscene wealth gains” during the coronavirus crisis, despite the US economy shrinking at its fastest pace on record. The “Make Billionaires Pay Act” would impose a 60% tax on wealth gains made by the super-rich from 18 March through to the end of the year. The revenue would be used to cover the healthcare expenses of US citizens struggling to pay.

Landslide in Kerala kills 13

By
Vaibavi Jayakumar
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As heavy rains lash Kerala, series of landslides hit the region killing more than 13 people. Twelve others have been rescued so far and are undergoing treatment at Munnar’s Tata General Hospital.

Reports say that the landslides happened in the Rajamalai area of Idukki, which is only 25 km from, Munnar, a famous tourist spot. It is unknown as to how many more people are trapped under the mud due to the landslide. Officials also said that the connecting bridge had been swept away, making it difficult to access the area for rescue teams. A 50 member task force has been equipped, in addition to IAF helicopters for rescue and relief efforts.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had tweeted that, following the NDRF team that has reached the landslide site, a second Thrissur based team was also on their way to the disaster zone, along with fire service personnel and rescue officials. Night travel has been banned in Idukki and several roads and highways have been closed due to rains.

Heavy rain also lashed Ernakulam district, with a Shiva temple in Aluva flooded after water levels rose significantly in the Periyar river. Rain and landslides also disrupted life in Wayanad district’s Kurichiyarmala area, where two houses have been damaged so far.

Trump signs executive order banning WeChat, Tencent shares plunge 10%

By
The Commune
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After U.S President Donald Trump signed an executive order that bars U.S.entities from transacting on WeChat, the shares of the Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings fell 6.8 %

The ban comes into effect in 45 days beginning August 6.

This is the most significant drop in shares for this company that introduced the hugely popular social media behemoth, The Wall Street Journal reported.

WeChat is a messaging, social media, and electronic payment application owned by Tencent Holdings Ltd. This is company is also one of the major producers of motion pictures in Hollywood with films like Terminator: Dark Fate and the much anticipated “Top Gun: Maverick in its kitty.

Tencent’s shares, which are listed in Hong Kong, plunged as much as 10% but slightly recovered to 6.8%. Tencent shares were trading near a record high before Trump barred U.S entities from transacting on WeChat. The company’s market capitalization had been close to that of Facebook Inc and it is China’s second-most valuable listed company after Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

The latest decision by Trump, who many see fighting an uphill battle to win reelection amid the Wuhan virus is to stop the spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by the companies in China. This has been seen as a threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the country.

Trump order stated, “Like TikTok, WeChat automatically captures vast swaths of information from its users – threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information,”.

“WeChat also captures the personal and proprietary information of Chinese nationals visiting the United States, thereby allowing the Chinese Communist Party a mechanism for keeping tabs on Chinese citizens who may be enjoying the benefits of a free society for the first time in their lives” the order stated.

Tencent is the world’s largest video game company and it also has Chinese cinema’s global ambitions in mind and has plans to produce more films with Chinese cultural content.

SC comes down heavy on MoU signed between Congress and Communist Party of China

By
The Commune
-

In what could be an embarrassment for the Sonia Gandhi led Indian National Congress, the Supreme Court made strict comments on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between China and the Indian National Congress Party.

The apex court said, “We have never heard of how the current government of a country can sign any memorandum of understanding with any country’s political party”.

However, the apex court headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde asked the petitioners Shahshak Shekhar Jha, a Delhi-based advocate and Savio Rodrigues, the editor of Goa-based online news portal, Goa Chronicle to approach the High Court first before moving the Supreme Court. The petitioners subsequently proceeded to withdraw the petition.

Jha and Rodrigues were represented by senior counsel Mahesh Jethmalani who argued that the MoU raises concerns regarding “national security” and should be investigated by the NIA for offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) or the CBI.

Savio Rodrigues who is also leading a crusade against rape accused catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal demanded the MoU signed between Congress party and the Chinese Communist party, public.

The petitioners said, “The Congress party brought the Right to Information Act during its rule, yet it failed to be transparent in this matter which is of national importance”.

In August 2008, the Sonia Gandhi-led Congress and the Communist Party of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) “for exchanging high level information and cooperation between them”. The MoU also said that the two parties would “consult each other on bilateral, regional and international developments”. The deal was signed by none other than the then Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on the Indian side.

Now this is not an agreement that was signed between two governments. As reported, “it was strictly on party-to-party” basis and in China, it is the Communist party that runs the government.

Before the signing of the MoU, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi held meetings with Xi Jinping and other Communist leaders and held discussions on “mutual interest”.

Earlier in October 2007, Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi led a Congress party delegation to China. They had interacted with a number of leaders who, as IANS reported, “were likely to play an important role in China in the near future”.

Now, it would not be surprising if Communists in India signed a MoU with Communists in China. However, what one should note is that China went ahead and signed the MoU with the Congress party despite knowing that the party was not in good terms with the Indian Left. It was reported that the CPC signed the document to build a relationship with the Congress and in particular the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Thoughts on Sanatana Dharma by an ex-Muslim woman

By
Sarah Kali Dasi
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Sanatana Dharma’s roots predate time immemorial. It is recorded in Quran and Bible too that such people and civilisation existed, who worshipped natural forces like fire, water, trees and idols of deities. As a matter of fact before the construction of Mecca, there were a lot of archaeological evidences like idols of deities and scriptures engraved in stones to be found across the world including Mecca and with the rise and expansion of Islam these pagan civilizations were destroyed.

The Kaaba in Mecca was a holy site for various Bedouin tribes who used to make an annual pilgrimage to worship their Gods (idols) placed in tside the Kaaba. However, they were destroyed by the followers of Muhammad, upon his command. Prophet Muhammed wanted to destroy all evidences of indigenous practices before laying the foundation for Islam.

The holy black stone of Mecca is nothing but a left over artefact of our pagan cultures of the region, simply served and marketed under brand Islam. Muslims circumambulate the Kaaba in anti-clockwise direction unlike how devotees do it in temples in clockwise direction. The holy black stone in Kaaba, and the water body Zam Zam looks also looks similar to a Shiv Lingam. The three towers of devil also could possibly be a manipulated relic.

As an ex-Muslim, I believe that Islam has destroyed and also taken in a lot of the Dharmic elements only to be twisted and remarketed it under its name.

Sanatana Dharma was practised under different name across the world before Islam or Christianity was founded. Some creative minds came up with their very own exclusive version of religion to establish control and power. That is how Islam, Judaism and Christianity emerged.

While Islam and Christianity spread across the globe, and Asian counties were untouched because of its Hindu rulers of that time. But they too fell under the Islamic onslaught over time. Now, India remains the only land where Hindus can be found along with other Abrahamic religions flourishing and this is because of its worldview.

The Dharmic world view regards Param Aatma as universal energy flowing through everyone and everything. It regards human beings as the highest level of life form with consciousness and recognizes them as an aspect of the creator and also as carriers of divinity. It teaches us to live in harmony with nature and know the creator as an unseen but loving and accepting universal force that resides in the heart of everything. This world view encourages us to develop an inner consciousness.

This inner awareness makes one realize that we are actually in all things leading to miraculous manifestations and that we are all actually connected to all. This worldview wants us to embrace the infinite variations of the universe so that the divinity of nature can flow and unfold through our lives. This worldview enables us to realize the Satya. The Satya being Advaita – that Aatma is nothing but a tiny fragment of the Param Aatma and vise versa.

The Western World view has always accorded God the status of a ‘white bearded sky daddy’ and someone who is beneficial but at the same time authoritarian, paternal and tyrannical who holds us accountable for our transgressions and worldy sins. It basically tells us how we are separate from God and how we are a sinner as far as our basic nature is concerned.

On the contrary the same world view accused Jesus and crucified Him when He proclaimed “I and the Father are one” without even realizing that this is the statement coming out attaining ultimate consciousness. Through this worldview, one will forever believe that God or the eternal source lies outside and thus will never be able to tune into the power and energy of the universe to create and have a fulfilled life.

(Views expressed are the author’s own).

Disposed PPE could be turned to biofuel, say Indian scientists

By
Vaibavi Jayakumar
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A new study published in the Biofuels journal has stated that billions of disposable personal protective equipment that has been produced as a result of the global pandemic could be converted into renewable biofuel.

The group that carried out this research to explore the issues revolving around their disposal noted the content of polypropylene in it, and its potential to be turned into a biofuel. They broke down using a chemical process called pyrolysis at a high temperature of 300 to 400°C for 1 hour without oxygen.

The unmindful disposal of plastic PPE has become a mounting problem. In the wake of this, a study led by Sapna Jain from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Dehradun, Uttarakhand stated the following. “The transformation into bio-crude — a type of synthetic fuel will not just prevent the severe after-effects to humankind and the environment but also produce a source of energy. Presently, the world is focusing to combat COVID-19, however, we can foresee the issues of economic crisis and ecological imbalance also. We have to prepare ourselves to meet the challenges which are forcefully imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, so as to maintain sustainability.”

The research further states that when the plastic materials are discharged into the environment, they end up as landfills or in the ocean, and do not degrade even after millions of years. It, however, said that this is a suggestive measure for combating this issue and not a permanent solution.

North Korea inundated, Kim evaluates losses

By
Vaibavi Jayakumar
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Heavy rains lash North Korea, inundating more than 730 single-storey houses and flooding rice-growing land.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the officials to evaluate the losses and provide food and shelter for the hundreds of families who have lost their homes in floods. “It is of priority importance to quickly supply sleeping materials, daily commodities, medicines and other necessities to the flood-affected people to stabilise their living,” Kim said in comments carried by KCNA. He has also said that he would be ordering the army to rehabilitate those who had been displaced and 800 architects have been instructed to build model houses in the badly hit agricultural lands.

Kim made the remarks while inspecting a flood-hit part of North Hwanghae Province, on the border of South Korea, as he “clarified tasks” for recovery work with officials there.

South Korea on Thursday donated $10 million to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) for its efforts to help North Korean children and women. Notably, despite the fact that torrential rains have been lashing through both the Koreas, South Korea is relatively less affected. Parts of South Korea have seen more than 40 consecutive days of rain, the longest monsoon since 2013, and more are expected across the peninsula.

Saudi Arabia asks Pakistan to return loan deposit, refuses to raise Kashmir in OIC

By
The Commune
-

In 2018, Pakistan approached Saudi Arabia to seek a loan deposit of $3 billion in foreign currency support for a year. Pakistan also wanted the Saudis to grant $3 billion in deferred payments for oil imports as it was reeling under a massive economic crisis.

However, it was under the impression that Saudi Arabia will not ask for the money back. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who drove the car as the personal chauffeur of the Saudi Crown Prince, Bin Salman got a rude awakening when the money was asked to be repaid.

Pakistan has been known as a nation that has too many masters. Right from its separation from India in 1947, Pakistan has always been in the need of a “Sugar Daddy”. From its creation until the last decade, Pakistan received billions of dollars from the United States along with military hardware for its fight against terror.

Pakistan also got close to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia not only for the shared religion but also the money it received from this oil-rich nation. Over the years, Pakistan was the recipient of several millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia. However, for the Saudis, its money given was to be used to spread Wahabi Islam.

The Imran Khan government made itself a slave of money by two masters: Saudi Arabia, its religious master with oil money and China, the mastermind with deep pockets.

All this changed in the last ten years when even the Saudis started to feel the economic crunch with a steep fall in oil prices. Also, during this time, Pakistan has fallen into China’s debt-trap diplomacy under the guise of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Islamabad secured a $3 billion loan from Riyadh in October 2018, but now it has been forced to pay back $1 billion.

After Imran Khan became the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Kashmir became his sole obsession. Khan made Kashmir as the basis of his foreign policy with Saudi Arabia.

At every forum, Pakistan pushed Saudi Arabia the keeper of the two of the holy mosques in Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia is the leader of the Organisation of Islamic Nations (OIC) and Pakistan has been trying to raise the Kashmir in the OIC.

Pakistan went as far as forming a separate group with the help of Malaysia, Turkey, Iran and Qatar to diminish the hold the Saudis had over OIC.

After OIC failed to raise the Kashmir issue, Imran Khan went to Malaysia and said: “OIC can’t come together on Kashmir, we are divided, we have no voice”. But this decision backfired and the message from Riyadh’s was clear: “Do not undermine our authority with the OIC.”

On Wednesday (August 6) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi again demanded that the Saudis convene a meeting of Islamic countries on Kashmir.

Qureshi said, ” “I am once again respectfully telling the OIC that a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers is our expectation. If you cannot convene it, then I’ll be compelled to ask Prime Minister Imran Khan to call a meeting of the Islamic countries that are ready to stand with us on the issue of Kashmir and support the oppressed Kashmiris.”.

Surely such words would create more problems for Pakistan that still owes a lot of money to Saudi Arabia.

Qureshi also mentioned that Pakistan skipped the Kuala Lumpur Summit last December on a Saudi Arabia’s request and now Pakistani Muslims are demanding Riyadh to “show leadership on the issue.” He further added “We have our own sensitivities. You have to realise this. Gulf countries should understand this,”.

Many economic experts even within Pakistan acknowledge that the CPEC is a debt trap and the deal favours only China. Pakistan is claiming that its Iron Brother has come to its rescue again and a Pakistani newspaper said, “Pakistan’s time-tested friend, China, has immediately come forward and extended $1 billion in loan to help Islamabad avoid any adverse impact of the partial withdrawal of the Saudi lifeline.”

But this is far from the truth because the reality is Pakistan has taken loan from China to pay its debt to Saudi Arabia. This would only lead to further indurated servitude.

The timing of the one billion dollar loan given by China could not be perfect as Pakistan approved its costliest CPEC project, the $6.8 billion project to upgrade Pakistan’s railway lines that was built by the British.

It is clear no matter how many times Imran Khan plays chauffeur to his Arab masters, it is not going to help.

British Indian woman bullied and hounded by liberal fundamentalists for speaking in support of Ram Mandir

By
The Commune
-

Kamya, an Instagram influencer and an indigenous rights activist who had expressed her thoughts on the Bhoomi Poojan day was harassed by self-proclaimed liberals and abusive trolls for speaking in support of building the Ram Mandir at Ram Janmabhoomi.

Kamya in her Instagram account had posted a picture of her in traditional Indian attire holding a lamp with the caption “Happy Diwali” to commemorate the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Poojan day.

She said that it was the home coming of Shree Ram from exile which is essentially what Diwali is about.

While in the northern part of India, Diwali marks the return of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita from exile, the southern part celebrates it as a triumph of Lord Krishna over Naragasasuran.

Kamya had mentioned in her post about how the day marks the biggest reclamation of indigenous heritage in decades.

She had also in her post said that Ayodhya is to the Hindus as Vatican is to the Christians and added that the place is one of the most sacred sites and central to Ramayana.

“Whilst colonial agents love to dismiss the Ramayana and pretty much the entire Hindu philosophy as myth, this is the identity of the land” Kamya said.

She also mentioned that millions of Hindus were slaughtered and thousands of temples were demolished by invaders and added that thousands had sacrificed their lives to protect the cultural heritage and in service of their motherland.

Kamya stated that India’s original identity cannot be separated from its spiritual root and the Ramayana is essentially a tale of values with deep teachings, codes and guidance for those who seek.

“Today’s celebration is not just for Hindus. It is the reclamation of indigenous heritage after 400+years of sacrifice. It is for all the indigenous cultures across the world. It is the re-establishment of what has been there since the beginning. And for every Indian, no matter what religion, to come to and find peace in, as home”, Kamya wrote in her Instagram post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDghiOfpSOJ/

While she has been receiving appreciation for embracing her Hindu heritage, she was also hounded by abusive trolls for the same. She was cyber-bullied by a section of the liberal fundamentalists by quoting how she is celebrating the death of Muslims and demolition of Babri Mosque while conveniently brushing the brutal oppression and suppression of Hindus by Islamic invaders for centuries.

She was also called an “upper class” and “upper caste” NRI who was trying to make a fool of herself. Comments that can be considered as outright Hinduphobic like “cow dung” were hurled at her. She was also slut-shamed based on her Instagram pictures.

Here are some of the comments:

 

Not able to with stand the bullying, she brokedown. In the video, she talks about how she was never bullied in the UK for singing Bhajans or wearing a Bindi but she had to face Hinduphobia from India.  This video has however been deleted now following another round of bullying.

Some of them even derived joy from her breakdown video. This is what a journalist from the The News Minute tweeted.

However, she has been gaining support for speaking her mind and for standing up to the cause of the Ram Mandir.

https://twitter.com/nitayuvani/status/1291370774729719810

To end it once and for all, she had put out an Instagram post saying that “It’s a pity that they snap it back when I’m the one that wants to be heard.” This post has comments from people who can be called as the ‘liberals’ who view Hindus as oppressors.

Kamya has around 209K followers on Instagram and has been open about her Hindu roots. She identifies herself as a traveller and a spiritual person.

It is said that Kamya has earlier courted a controversy with some prank videos. It was reported that in one of her pranks she has sent a picture of a vibrator through airdrop in a cafe, which the reciever declined. Further to this she was mob attacked for pranks by people who participated in her pranks earlier and even received rape threats. As of now she has paused her prank videos and focuses on her main work: travel and spirituality.

 

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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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