An Indian employee cleans the floor inside Amazon's largest Fulfillment Centre (FC) in India, on the outskirts of Hyderabad on September 7, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / NOAH SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images)
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has said that his company plans to create a million jobs in India by 2025. Amazon is looking to create thousands of job opportunities in India, by expansion of its warehouses as an immediate measure.
These expanded warehouses are expected to be an addition to the existing 60 warehouses, or fulfillment centres, in 15 states, with a total storage capacity of over 32 million cubic feet, the company said in a blog post on Thursday (23 July). The expansion is touted to increase amazon’s capacity to an extent of close to 10 football fields.
“With the expanded network of more than 60 fulfilment centres, we look forward to creating thousands of job opportunities with competitive pay,” Akhil Saxena, Vice President, Customer Fulfilment Operations, APAC, MENA & LATAM, Amazon India, said in a statement. “Our investment in infrastructure and technology is to provide sellers with closer access to Amazon’s fulfillment offerings, customers with faster delivery on a wider selection of products and help ancillary businesses such as packaging, transportation and logistics,” he added.
These warehouses are to be situated at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Patna, Lucknow, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ludhiana and Ahmedabad, and are said to make the experience more customer and retailer friendly.
Five Rafale jets of the 36 signed with the French Government has touched down at Ambala this afternoon. The aircrafts and the pilots were received at the station by IAF chief RKS Bhaduria.
The team of pilots were led by Group Captain Harkirat Singh, the commanding officer of the No 17 Squadron also known as “Golden Arrows”.
The Rafale fighter jets will be inducted into the IAF’s Golden Arrow squadron today.
Soon after taking off from the Al Dhafra Air base in UAE, the Rafale pilots established contact with Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata, deployed in the Western Arabian Sea.
The Rafale pilot expressed his pleasure over being received by INS Kolkata guarding the seas. INS Kolkata responded back in a brief interaction saying “May you touch the sky with glory. Happy landing!”.
The jets had taken off on Monday from France’s Mérignac Air base. It had a brief halt at the Al Dhafra Air Base in UAE. The jets undertook a mid air refuelling exercise too.
DMK leader MK Stalin has been issuing statements against the Tamil Nadu government on a daily basis on various issues of – OBC reservation, coronavirus, draft EIA notification 2020, etc. At the same time, Prashant Kishor’s IPAC team which has been deployed to device the election strategy for DMK continues to give assignments to the party in the run-up to the elections.
At the beginning of the pandemic, when the entire nation was under complete lockdown asking people to stay indoors and maintain social distancing, the IPAC team came out with a propaganda initiative called “Ondrinaivom Vaa” (Come, Let’s Unite).
Under this initiative, the public would send petitions through a missed call which would then be forwarded to the respective district secretaries of the DMK to provide relief assistance. This had burnt holes in cadres’ pockets with petrified DMK men lamenting about the party not providing funds and that they had to shell out their own money.
Next, IPAC team selected more than twenty major cities across Tamil Nadu and devised a program to feed the poor living in those cities on a daily basis. In this project, the DMK party did not directly involve themselves but roped in NGOs working in these cities. These NGOs were then put in touch with DMK IT Wing members.
Now, IPAC has asked for a list of 90 people in each ward in all the major cities of Tamil Nadu. The DMK secretaries have been instructed to collect the details including WhatsApp number of social activists, those running NGOs, and other DMK sympathizer in their area considered as ‘potential influencers’. Earlier The Commune had reported that how the IPAC was recruiting gullible college students as interns to identify influencers to create a pro-DMK narrative.
In addition to collecting the details of these ‘potential influencers’, the IPAC team has sent details of small and big hospitals in cities and has asked the DMK office bearers to collect the details including WhatsApp number of the doctors working in these hospitals. This will be extended to municipalities and panchayat unions as well. It is being said that they are planning to collect information more from municipalities and less from panchayat unions compared to municipal corporations.
While Prashant Kishor’s IPAC team for the DMK has been quietly gearing up for the polls, the team led by Sunil, who previously oversaw the DMK’s IT wing, is now touring district – wise to prepare the ground for the AIADMK. It is being said that with the AIADMK looking forward to retain power for another term, Sunil’s team has been conducting a survey asking people about what schemes would they like to be implemented in their area. For the AIADMK, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (fondly called as EPS) has been emerging as the face to bank on for the 2021 elections. Both the party and the leader has consolidated itself and has emerged stronger under CM Palaniswami. His tenure has seen the delta zone being declared as protected zone, bringing the Cauvery dispute to a conclusion and also steady flow of investments into the state. These have been instrumental for the party to win the Assembly by-elections and put a tough fight against the DMK in the local body elections. It would do well for the party to bank on the EPS-OPS ‘double barrel gun’ with EPS as the CM face for the next polls.
In a surreal military drill conducted by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian navy fired missiles at a dummy model of a US aircraft carrier. This has made the US military temporarily put two regional bases on alert as reported by the BBC.
The US has called this exercise “irresponsible and reckless behaviour by Iran”, labelling it an attempt “to intimidate and coerce”.
Iran named the drills as Prophet Mohammed 14th that has very important meaning to Shia Muslims and this exercise was broadcast on state television.
For the exercise, Iran used a dummy which resembles a carrier the US routinely sails into the Gulf. The fake aircraft carrier also had dummy fighter jets onboard and then it was targeted by missiles launched from a variety of angles, including some aimed at the carrier.
“What was shown today in these exercises, at the level of aerospace and naval forces, was all offensive,” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Hossein Salami told the state television.
When Iran fired one of their ballistic missiles, it was detected by the Americans who immediately put their troops on high alert in the UAE and Qatar, the US military said.
“The US Navy conducts defensive exercises with our partners promoting maritime security in support of freedom of navigation; whereas, Iran conducts offensive exercises, attempting to intimidate and coerce,” said Commander Rebecca Rebarich, spokeswoman for the US Navy’s Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet.
The relationship between Iran and the US took a nosedive ever since Donald Trump became the US President. He cancelled the Iranian Nuclear deal that was finalized during the Obama period and has been levying sanctions on the country allegedly for its nuclear activities.
At this time, any escalation of conflict between Tehran and Washington in the Gulf waters is best avoided as the Strait of Hormuz serves as one of the arteries for world’s oil to flow.
In an interview to the Outlook magazine ahead of the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Poojan, Member of Parliament from Hyderabad Asaduddin Owaisi had said that “Babri Masjid is a mosque and will remain as one” and added that “as far as Muslims and people who believe in justice are concerned, we will keep telling the new generation that our masjid was demolished”.
He also said in his interview that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should clarify if he is visiting Ayodhya in his capacity as PM or in his individual capacity. “As the Prime Minister, he represents all religions and also people who don’t believe in religion.”
Mr. Owaisi had shared the link to the interview in a tweet with a caption saying that attending Bhoomi Pujan in official capacity will be a violation of constitutional oath taken by the Prime Minister and that secularism is a basic structure of the constitution.
“We can’t forget that for over 400 years Babri stood in Ayodhya and it was demolished by a criminal mob in 1992”. Owaisi had tweeted.
Attending Bhumi Pujan in official capacity will be a violation of @PMOIndia‘s constitutional oath. Secularism is part of the Basic Structure of Constitution
We can’t forget that for over 400 years Babri stood in Ayodhya & it was demolished by a criminal mob in 1992 https://t.co/qt2RCvJOK1
Responding to Mr. Owaisi’s tweet, BJP MP from Bengaluru South hit out at the former’s hypocritical stance asking where was ‘secularism’ when Presidents and Prime Ministers of India organized Iftaar parties in official capacities and in official residences.
He also said that the Masjid was built by razing the temple and that mistake has now been reversed.
“P.S We don’t need lessons in constitutionalism from Razakars”, Mr. Tejasvi Surya added.
When Presidents of India & CM’s of states were organising Iftaar parties in official capacity, in official residences where was your ‘secularism’?
Masjid was built by razing the temple. That mistake is now reversed.
The Ram Mandir’s Bhoomi Poojan in Ayodhya is scheduled to happen on August 5th, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to lay the foundation stone. Over 150 attendees have been invited for this event. After
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of India to remove the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ from the Preamble of the Constitution, the Organiser reported.
The two words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ were inserted in 1977 during the then Congress government, when Indira Gandhi had imposed ‘national emergency’.
These words were added unconstitutionally without debate or through parliamentary procedures and when all opposition leaders were in jail.
45 years later lawyers Balram Singh and Karunesh Kumar Shukla through advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain have filled a petition to expunge the words ‘socialism’ and ‘secularism’. Along with this the petition has also sought removing the two words mentioned in Section 29A (5) of the Representation of the People’s Act.
The petitioners have asked the Supreme Court to declare that the concept of socialism and secularism is limited to the sovereign powers and functioning of the government and that it does not apply to ordinary citizens, political parties and social organizations.
The petition argues that that the words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’, were not in the original constitution drafted by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. These two words were added undemocratically without any discussion in the Parliament on 3 January 1977 through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment when Emergency was enforced on the country an when most of the opposition party members were in jail.
On three occasions attempt was made to add the word ‘secular’ to the Indian constitution but it was rejected by the Constituent Assembly on all the occasions.
More importantly, Bharat Ratna BR Ambedkar had also opposed the proposal because he believed that socialism and secularism should be confined only to the functioning of government.
The petition also states that Articles 14, 15 and 27 speak of the government being secular, that is, the government will not discriminate on the basis of religion, language, caste, place or varna. But Article 25 gives citizens the right to religious freedom in which a person has the freedom to believe and promote his religion.
The petitioners say that a government can be secular but not individuals or people. It further demands to remove the words, Secular and Socialist, from Section 29A (5), which was amended on 15 June 1989 in the People’s Representation Act of 1951.
As per Representation of the People’s Act, all political parties have to declare at the time of registration that they will follow principles of secularism. Section 123 of the Representation of People Act says that votes will not be sought on the basis of religion, but this does not mean that organisations cannot be formed on the basis of religion.
Referring to the judgement given by Justice DY Chandrachud in Abhiram Singh’s case which in 2017, stated that, “the Constitution is aware that discrimination and injustice based on caste, religion, language, etc. has happened in the past. Hence, to raise their voice, organisations can be formed and people can be organised on this basis in electoral politics.”
The petitioner states that if he wants to form a political party, he need not make the declaration under section 29A (5). The petition demands that the Supreme Court declare that the government does not have the right to compel people to follow principles of socialism and secularism in personal lives.
Many leaders have sacrificed their lives for liberating India from the clutches of the British. Only a few of them have found a place in today’s history books. A few others have been lost to time as we failed to celebrate them.
Lot of us know Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar. When the firebrand nationalist Tamil poet died too soon at 38, the British government had imposed a ban on writing any form of obituary in magazines or participate in the funeral rites of the poet. But there was one man who wrote a 16 line elegy for the Mahakavi which was published in Swadesamitran and was also one of the few who went for the funeral of Bharathiyar. He was Salem Kavisingam Rajarishi Su. Arthanareesa Varma.
Early life
Rajarishi Arthanareesa Varma was born to Sugavanam and Lakshmi on 27th June, 1874 at Sugavanapuri near Salem. He completed his education in Gurukul format from Thiruppoonthuruthy Mutt near Thanjavur and gained proficiency in Tamil, Sanskrit and English. He started as manager at the Salem Sudeshabhimani printing press in 1911.
Inspired by Bharati’s poetry at the time, he dedicated himself to the freedom struggle. He also wrote and published poems and commented on India’s plight under the British rule.
Starting of ‘Kshatriyan’
At that time, there were many secret societies operating across the country against the British. Arthanareesa Varma and his friend Kovai Boopathy Pazhaniappa were part of one such society.
Boopathy Pazhaniappa wanted to start a magazine to rouse a feeling of nationalism among the Tamil populace. But he died before his efforts began to take shape. Following his friend’s death, Arthanareesa Varma started the Kshatriyan magazine in 1923 with P. Manikkam Pillai as the publisher. But he could not continue with it for more than three years.
Stint at ‘Veerabharathi’
Shortly later, Arthanareesa Varma became the editor of Veerabharathi in 1931 which was supported by the Indian National Congress. In the aftermath of the hanging of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, many revolutionaries were plotting against British officials. Arthanareesa Varma covertly spread the message through the Veerabharathi newspaper. Harikrishnan who was hanged for the assassination attempt on Governor of Punjab was praised in Veerabharathi. Dinesh Gupta who was hanged for killing the infamous Col NS Simpson, the Inspector General of Police known for his brutal oppression was also praised in Veerabharathi. Another revolutionary named Kanailal Bhattacharjee who killed the judge of Alipore court for hanging Dinesh Gupta was also praised by Varma.
Articles from Veerabharathi were translated in English and read out in the Parliament. Irked and shocked, the British government accused Veerabharathi of supporting murderers and banned the paper by slapping the Press Act (Emergency Powers) on it. Veerabharathi remains the only Tamil magazine banned by the British Parliament.
Varma brought back the Kshatriya magazine in 1931 with the proceeds from Veerabharati. However it did not last long. He wanted to bring Veerabharathi which was published thrice a week as a daily. But he could not hold after 64 issues.
Raja Rishi Arthanareesa Varma
Apart from Kshatriyan and Veerabharathi, he ran many other magazines like Kshatriya Sigaamani, Suryodayam (Puducherry) and Thamizh Mannan. He has also authored more than 15 books – Cheramaan Perumal Nayanar Saritham (1909), Mudhalam Karikal Chozhan (1913), Saras Smrithi Moolamum Uraiyum (1923), Bhagavad Gita Vilasam, Jaadhi Thatthuva Nirubanam, Lokantharam, Jeevanum Eesanum, Vidhi Madhi Vilakkam, Sri Vanni Vamsa Prakasikai (1912), Sri Vanni Kulothkar Deepikai, Sambuvarayar Varalaru, Saanaar Sarithiram, Vanniyar Ena Vazhangum Tamizh Nadu Kshatriya Manavar Illa Naan Mani Maalai, Sanga Kaaviyam (1940), Azhaga Nandhar Anbu Yathirai, Thiruvarunaipadhi Annamalaiyaar Aalaya Madhirchuvar Kudi Konda Kotthala Pillayar Padhigam, Thammanampatti Thiruvarulai Saiva Madalaya Prabandhangal to name a few.
A fierce nationalist
He started the Kazhatritrarivaar Sabha through which he mobilized and trained youth on various skills. He revered Mahatma Gandhi as God and wore Khadi throughout his life. When Gandhi visited Thiruvannamalai on 17th February, 1934, he was honoured by Arthanareesa Varma who presented Gandhi with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the people of Thiruvannamalai.
Varma was also well versed in Siddha medicine and wrote about it in his Tamizh Mannan magazine. He was a staunch advocate of banning liquor. He released a book called Madhuvilakku Sindhu that propagated ideas of liquor ban. He even organized a rally to ban liquor by mobilizing people from 300 villages in Salem. Inspired by Varma’s efforts, Rajaji tried to implement the ban on liquor in Salem.
Varma along with his wife went village after village spreading the feeling of nationalism and freedom. He spent his last days at Thiruvannamalai and passed away on 17th December 1964 at the age of 90. His friend Rajaji wrote a laudatory article in Kalki magazine compiling and praising his work.
Arthanareesa Varma today
The man who ran the only Tamil magazine that was banned by the British Parliament, the man who was the only person to have written an elegy for Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar at that time, the man who instilled the feeling of nationalism among the Tamil masses, the man who ought to be celebrated as a national hero has been reduced to a caste leader by Dravidian groups and remains unknown to most of the Tamil people. In a rally held in Vellore in the year 1920, Thiruvarur Viruttachala Kalyanasundaram (popularly known as Thiru. Vi. Ka) hailed Arthanareesa Varma as a poet akin to Subramania Bharathi. Today there is nothing but a small structure (a Samadhi) in remembrance of him at Thiruvannamalai. Not even a memorial has been built to honour the contribution of this great freedom fighter from the Tamil land.
New Zealand followed suit with its counterparts and suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong citing the new developments caused by the Security Law.
“China’s passage of its new national security legislation has eroded rule-of-law principles, undermined the ‘one country, two systems’ framework that underpins Hong Kong’s unique status, and gone against commitments China made to the international community,” Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on Tuesday in Wellington. “New Zealand can no longer trust that Hong Kong’s criminal justice system is sufficiently independent of China.”
New Zealand might have strained relations with China henceforth, which is currently its largest trading partner. Irrespective of that, it has chosen to follow the footsteps of its other Five Eyes allies, namely Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, along with the United States. The US is in a diplomatic row with China, that is getting worse with every passing day.
China’s New Security Law for Hong Kong, that cracks down on Hong Kong citizens has drawn contempt from all over the world. In this regard, New Zealand has taken strict measures to update travel advice towards its citizens who are to travel there. It is also touted to treat its exports to Hong Kong the way it treats its exports to China.
Alphabet Inc.’s Google said on Monday that it will be extending its work from home policy till June 2021 for all the employees who need not necessarily be inside the office. This comes following the announcement in May by Google saying that it will reopen office globally by September this year. Later, after a discussion with its CEO Sundar Pichai, it was decided that they would not reopen the offices completely until June 2021.
“To give employees the ability to plan ahead, we are extending our global voluntary work from home option through June 30, 2021, for roles that don’t need to be in the office,” wrote Google CEO Sundar Pichai in an email to employees as quoted by The Verge. “I hope this will offer the flexibility you need to balance work with taking care of yourselves and your loved ones over the next 12 months,” Pichai wrote.
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news, said nearly all of the 200,000 Google employees and contractors worldwide would see an extension of the option which had been set to end in January.
Google’s decision puts pressure on other tech firms, who had been planning to reopen later this year. Twitter has meanwhile given its employees the option to choose to work from home indefinitely.
Two teenage girls from Surat, Gujarat have discovered an Earth-bound asteroid, after looking through the telescope images belonging to the University of Hawaii. These two girls, Vaidehi Vekariya Sanjaybhai and Radhika Lakhani Prafulbhahas, who are class 10 students, had discovered the asteroid as a part of an asteroid search campaign. This was conducted by SPACE India, along with International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), which is a NASA affiliated citizen scientist group. The institute is among the few private space education initiatives in India.
The asteroid which is currently called HLV2514 may be officially named only after NASA confirms its orbit. This has been found to be present near Mars, and its orbit is expected to cross Earth in about 1 million years.
The two 14-year-olds had received training from SPACE India prior to this. The girls had used specialised software to analyse the images snapped by the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii, and made the discovery in June, SPACE India said.
Asteroids and comets pose a potential threat to Earth, and scientists discover thousands of them each year. In 2013, an asteroid heavier than the Eiffel Tower exploded over central Russia, leaving more than 1,000 people injured from its shockwave.
