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Bengaluru company set to launch COVID19 drug, to be priced at ₹ 8,000 per vial

By
Vaibavi Jayakumar
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Biocon Limited Chairman and Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar Shaw launches BASALOG during a press conference in Bangalore on May 29, 2009. India's leading biotechnology company launched BASALOG, a long acting (24 hour) peak less human insulin analog, Glargine, and claims the product is a significant step in diabetic treatment, maintaining the basal level of insulin required to control glucose levels in the blood. AFP PHOTO/Dibyangshu SARKAR (Photo credit should read DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Bengaluru-based biotechnology giant, Biocon, announced on Monday that it was to launch a COVID-19 drug for patients with moderate to severe symptoms of coronavirus infections. It claimed that it was the first company in the world to launch a drug for those with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms. It got the DCGI’s approval for its 25mg/5mL injection, which works to reduce the effects of the cytokine release syndrome in order to treat critically ill patients. It is to be priced at ₹ 8,000 per vial, and with the requirement of each patient being 4 vials per dosage, the treatment is said to cost ₹ 32,000.

Speaking about this new drug, Biocon’s CEO Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said, “Until the vaccine comes, we certainly need life-saving drugs. I think what we are doing across the world is to see how we can either repurpose drugs or develop new drugs to treat this pandemic.” She added that since there is a possibility of reinfection even assuming the development of a vaccine by the end of this year, a state-of-preparedness is necessary to combat the effects of this infection.

When asked about the steps the company is taking to ensure the availability of the drug, Mazumdar-Shaw said: “Alzumab is already in the market, we will be supplying to hospitals as per protocol against a medical prescription and patient consent form. Currently, there is a huge demand and Biocon wants to ensure Itolizumab first reaches those patients who need them the most”.

This drug is touted to be manufactured at the company’s biotech manufacturing facility in Bengaluru in the form of an intravenous injection.

SC upholds right of Travancore Family’s right over Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple , reverses Kerala HC verdict

By
The Commune
-

On Monday, The Supreme Court upheld the rights of the Travancore royal family in the administration of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, setting aside the 2011 verdict of the Kerala High Court which directed the State government to set up a trust to take the management’s control and the assets of the Temple. It is to be noted that the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple shot to fame as one of world’s richest temples after the renowned discovery of wealth locked in ‘kallaras’ (vaults) for centuries together.

This temple stands as an architectural endeavor built in granite with the history dating back to the sixth century and was rebuilt in its present form in the 18th century by the Travancore Royal House that had ruled the southern Kerala and some adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu before its integration with the Indian Union in 1947. Even after India’s independence, the temple continued to be governed by a trust belonging to the erstwhile royal family for more than 1,000 years. On the petition of former IPS officer TP Sundarajan, the Supreme Court had stepped into the dispute over temple’s management in 2011. The temple had been managed by a committee headed by the district judge and executive officer, as per the directions of the Supreme Court. The apex court ruled on Monday that the judge-led administrative committee will take care of temple affairs as an interim measure.

The Supreme Court verdict talks about the controversy over the administration and management of the historic temple that has been pending in the apex court for almost a decade. In the stir of charges, the ownership, control and management of the temple trust is to be retained with the erstwhile royal family of Travancore or by a Devaswom board controlled by Kerala government. The Kerala High Court in its verdict on January 31, 2011 had directed that the state government to take further steps to set up a body or trust to take control of the temple, its assets and management and to run the temple in accordance with the traditions. However, the Supreme Court had on May 2, 2011 stayed the High Court’s direction. The same day it had also directed that there shall be a detailed inventory of the articles, valuables, ornaments in Kallaras (vaults) A to F, but had later clarified that Kallara B would not be opened without express orders of the apex court. SC had said it would examine the claims that vault B contained extraordinary treasure with “mystical” energy.

 

Here are the highlights from Sundar Pichai’s “Google for India” virtual meet

By
Vaibavi Jayakumar
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Sundar Pichai, the Indian-origin CEO of Google, held a virtual meet with Prime Minister Modi on Monday morning, where he unveiled the ‘Google for India Digitization Fund’, worth ₹75,000 crores, or an approximate $10 billion. He added that this was in line with the PM’s Digital India initiative. “We’ll do this through a mix of equity investments, partnerships, and operational, infrastructure, and ecosystem investments. This is a reflection of our confidence in the future of India and its digital economy,” he said via video conference at the company’s annual event focused on India.

He emphasized on how technologies like Google Pay were instrumental in shaping India’s economy, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic period.

Here are the key highlights of the meet as well as an account of the investments.

The investments are to be based on 4 key areas, and the primary focus is to be on education technologies, agriculture-specific AI applications, and technological implementations.

  • The first goal is to provide affordable education and an ‘information-for-all’ access, in the vernacular languages of Tamil, Hindi, Punjabi, etc.
  • Secondly, Google aims to provide services and products that are tailored to cater to the specific needs of a country like India.
  • The third is to empower small businesses towards enhancing their presence in the digital marketplace. Google already has a small business-specific Grow With Google venture, designed specifically for small businesses to use internet tools without making massive investments in technological infrastructure.
  • Finally, expanding new-age technologies like AI towards fields like healthcare, education, and agriculture.

India is one of the biggest markets of Google and is perceived to be untapped potential for global giants like Google.

(Source: Tech Crunch)

Police officer behind the arrest of the DMK MLA who opened fire gains applause

By
Vaibavi Jayakumar
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Idhayavarman, the DMK MLA of Thiruporur constituency, who had opened fire in broad day light in the middle of a road using an unlicensed pistol was arrested yesterday. The incident happened near Chengalpattu, where he had fired shots due to a land dispute with one Kumar. One of the bullets that was fired hit a passerby. Following this, the police were on the lookout for him, and police officer SP Kannan had claimed that he will be arresting Idhayavarman in the next five hours.

When they had reached the MLA’s house, he had been having his dinner, and the police waited for him to be done with his meal, shortly after which the MLA had fled by sneaking out and scaling the wall of his house. In the chase that ensued, they finally tracked him down and arrested him. FIRs have been filed against him and his accomplices.

SP Kannan, who was the key person behind this operation, has been garnering praise for his speedy action against the perpetrator. While talking to the press, he said, “We have registered complaints given by Srinivasan, Lakshmipathi, the MLA’s father and Kumar – the other party. We have charged them for attempt to murder, use of deadly weapons, and causing hurt. We have also invoked Arms Act.”

Kumar is said to be a friend of AMMK functionary Thandavamurthy.

Youtube channel Karuppar Koottam with links to News18 Tamil Nadu, DK, DMK and Communists abuse Lord Murugan and spew venom against other Hindu Gods

By
The Commune
-

A Youtube Channel named Karuppar Koottam, run by a group of Dravida Kazhagam (DK) and Communist ideologues and sympathizers of Dravida Munnetra Kazahagam (DMK) and Communist Party of India parties has been putting out vile videos abusing Hindu gods.

In one of the videos, they abuse Lord Murugan revered in Tamil Nadu as the Tamil God, by making derogatory references to Kandhasashti Kavasam, a hymn dedicated to Lord Muruga that echoes in every Hindu’s home and temples in Tamil Nadu.

Karuppar Koottam channel has been posting videos abusing Hindu Gods, Hindus and Brahmins for a long time under the garb of ‘rationalism’. In the series titled “Aabasa Puranam” (Porn Puranam), members of the Karuppar Kootam (especially Surendhar Natarajan) use vulgar language and and trash-talk Hindu Gods like Murugan, Saraswathi, Brahma, etc. They claim that this is how it is written in Puranams and hence the name “Aabasa Puranam”.

In one of the video titled “Saraswathi Puranam” , Surendar Natarajan, a member of the Karuppar Kootam says “You say Saraswathi sits in the tongue of Brahma.. If we ask, where will Saraswathi go when she needs to pee or has a bad stomach.. they don’t have an answer. You told she is in the tongue, shouldn’t you also say you also have built a toilet in Brahma’s mouth?”

https://twitter.com/Rajiv__7__/status/1282311328439259137

Here are some of the other videos where he blatantly indulges in spewing venom against Hindu Gods.

https://twitter.com/RajiniSoldiers/status/1282184577922957313

In the above video Surendran wearing a T-shirt with E.V.Ramasamy Naicker’s picture, describes an encounter between Sage Nara and Lord Krishna and says that Lord Krishna was ‘busy doing samacharam’ with women of the households wherever Sage Narada went and that finally Sage Narada asks for having sex with Lord Krishna.

Surendar Natarajan is a Periyarist and  had campaigned for the DMK in previous elections.

In another video, Surendar Natarajan while talking about Ramayana makes vile references to Tamil Sage Poet Kambar, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman.

https://twitter.com/BenzMathe/status/1281947820140814336

Sirpi Rajan, another member of the Karuppar Kootam gang in a video showing magic tricks, uses Hindu children and mocks at their beliefs. Sirpi Rajan even goes on to cut the religious thread tied in the hand of a boy saying that if the God’s thread is more powerful, the scissors will break.

https://youtu.be/fQBNQNhF314?t=199

While performing a trick he asks the children “Have you seen Abhishegam done in temples? What do you do at that time?” to which the children respond “We pray”. He further asks “What does the Pujari do when the God is eating?” and children reply “They close the screen”. Sirpi Rajan says “You should ask them. You are bathing the God with the screen open and closing it when God is eating!” He also says “You know why the Poojari closes the screen? He eats the food kept for the God stealthily!”

https://youtu.be/fQBNQNhF314?t=566

He instigates children to ask their parents “Why is the lady God showing herself bathing but eats in private?”

It is alleged that the channel enjoys the patronage of Haseef Mohamed, Senior Correspondent of News18 Tamil Nadu and other journalists associated with Centre of Media Persons for Change (CMPC). Members belonging to DK, DMK, VCK and the Communist parties are frequent guests hosted by the channel.

https://youtu.be/CXjYyNZIkUQ?t=317

Sundaravalli, a member and spokesperson of Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Surendar Natarajan discuss about these Puranas and spews venoms against Hindu Gods. She claims to have read the Saiva Thirumurais (hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva) and says that the Thirumurais have porn in them. “Asinga asingama irukum, kevalam kevalama irukun!” (They are so gross and disgusting). She says that Puranas are the epitome of porn. At a later point in the video, Sundaravalli says that their primary mission is to break Hindus by attacking the Hindu scriptures.

Fearing the rising public outrage, Karuppar Kootam has hidden/take down their “Aabasa Puranangal” videos.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, DK ideologue Suba Veerapandian are just some of the others who have expressed their support for Karuppar Koottam after Maridhas took them head on in the video about News 18 Tamil Nadu and their alleged links with Karuppar Koottam.

https://twitter.com/trollsoriyar/status/1282598565605339136

 

Surendar Natarajan in a video message has said that they will continue to keep putting Aabasa Puranam videos.

Like Karuppar Koottam, there are several other channels like – Karuppar Desam, U2 Brutus, Kulukkai, etc where several EVR (addressed by followers as Periyar) ideologues and Communists indulge in abusing Hindu Gods. Several people have reported and lodged a complaint with Youtube but the streaming service has not taken any action against these channels for abuse, obscene, hurting religious sentiments and inciting hatred and violence.

https://twitter.com/anavrittim/status/1282304015003348992

In light of this, a police complaint has been filed by BJP Tamil Nadu’s Aswathaman urging action against Karuppar Koottam’s handlers, owner, the anchors, and other members associated with the channel under Sections 153 (A), 295, 295 (A), 296, 298, 499, 504, 188, and Section 67 of the IT Act.

Illegal Church construction in AP goes unabated, locals write to NHRC for intervention

By
Vaibavi Jayakumar
-

Christian evangelists in the Dorasanipalli village region of Kadappa district in Andhra Pradesh have illegally encroached a large area of land to expand the building of a Church, by forcefully evicting Scheduled Caste members who originally lived there. Notably, the demographic of this region comprises predominantly of Hindus.

This has been a great cause of concern to the people who are living there, and the pleas of those living there are falling on deaf ears of the police officials in the area. This also evoked protests in the region, claiming it was illegal to construct a church in the region, without proper intimation from the authorities and an appropriate amount of notice period for the inhabitants of the area to vacate it.

A petition has been filed by the Legal Rights Protection Forum to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and District Collector of Kadapa, that seeks protection of the rights of those the Scheduled Caste community, while also requesting for action to be taken against the church authorities and evangelists, for their attempts to proselytize in the area.

Another similar incident in the Moolasthanam Agraharam village of Godavari district has come to light. It is reported that a church was forcefully constructed in the village that has only Hindus living there. The villagers of the Moolathanam Agraharam had filed an RTI with the local authorities. The RTI reply stated that no permission was given for the construction of the Church. The order issued by the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department of Andhra Pradesh mandated that construction of any religious place of worship can be permitted only after obtaining the due permission from the District Collector provided none of the neighbours object.

However, the Church obtained no such permission. The villagers then approached all levels administration from Village Administrative Officer to District Collector but their pleas to stop the Church construction fell on deaf ears.

Later, the villagers sat on a hunger strike to stop the construction of the illegal church. However, the local police officials started harassing the villagers, who were often called to the police station and threatened with filing of criminal cases if they did not stop their protests.

The villagers have now written to National Human Rights Commission in their last hope to get justice. They have sought the intervention of NHRC, CM of Andhra Pradesh,  District Collector of East Godavari and District Superintendent of Police to take action against the illegal construction of the Church. They had said in their letter “Not even considering our complaints and targeting us for raising our issues is nothing but suppressing our fundamental ‘Right to Equality’ which is guaranteed by Constitution of India”

(Source: Kathir News, OpIndia)

Assam unhappy with UGC guidelines regarding examinations

By
Preetika Parashuraman
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Assam will not be conducting online examinations as most students lack the basic requirements to appear for their online examinations, said Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

The University Grants Commission recently updated their guidelines regarding the end semester and final year examinations.

They have instructed universities to conduct final year examinations via online, offline, or a combination of both by the end of September.

According to him, medical and engineering students who are familiar with the system will be able to appear for their online exams.

“However, BA, MA university exams cannot be conducted online as these involve a large number of students,” he added.

He further added that a blend of offline and online examination will be helpful for those who are from poor economic backgrounds.

Recently, in a memorandum to UGC, Postgraduate Students’ Union of Gauhati University said that appearing for offline exams will be of immense risk considering the rising COVID-19 cases in the state.

Concerning online examinations, the memorandum stated that many students are living under poor economic conditions and do not have proper network connections.

The guidelines of UGC regarding examinations were not received well by Assam.

Taiwan stands up to bully China, Invites the Dalai Lama

By
The Commune
-

In a move that is set to anger Beijing even more, Taiwan has said it would welcome a visit by exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the Hindustan Times reported.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry has said, any invitation would be handled under “relevant rules” if a request to visit is received, reported Radio Free Asia, a US-funded international broadcasting corporation.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said on Monday (13 July) said, “The Dalai Lama is welcome to come to Taiwan again to propagate the Buddhist teachings,” and the visit would be handled in accordance with the principle of mutual respect and at a time of convenience for both sides.”

A visit to Taiwan by the Dalai Lama would be his first since 2009 and would certainly anger Beijing, which claims self-governing Taiwan as a renegade province and regards the Tibetan spiritual leader as a dangerous separatist intent on splitting Tibet from Chinese rule.

In a video message to his devotees and followers his holiness the Dalai Lama said, “As the political scenario changes, it may be that I’ll be able to visit you in Taiwan again soon. I hope so,”. This message was conveyed to the island nation of Taiwan on his birthday, July 6.

Taiwan new President Tsai Ing-wen made some moves to further distance from China and the Dalai Lama said he will always remain with the people of Taiwan in spirit no matter what happens.

On his 85th birthday, his holiness received video messages from former US President George Bush, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Nobel laureates, and European politicians.

In a statement of support released by the US Ambassador to India Kenneth Ian Juster, the ambassador said, “The esteem in which you are held by the people of the United States is a demonstration of the deep and enduring affinity between Americans and Tibetans,”

He further added, “I believe the warm feelings between Americans and Tibetans spring in part from the recognition that yours is a just and noble struggle–a struggle to secure for your people the same self-evident and unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that our Founding Fathers enshrined in the Declaration of Independence,”.

The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959 after Tibetan national uprising against rule by China.

Rafale jets capable of dodging all radars and air defence systems, bomb Turkish facilities in Libya

By
The Commune
-

Rafale fighter jets belonging to France or Egypt bombed the al-Watiya airbase in Libya as a response to Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar’s visit to Libya.

France and Egypt are both against any involvement of Turkey in Libya. France called the presence of any Turkish-backed militias who tried to head towards Sirte as unacceptable and warned to intervene militarily in Libya.

The 4++ generation Rafale jets carried out an airstrike on al-Watiya airbase. As per reports, a squadron of fighter planes launched a series of airstrikes on al-Watiya base, where Turkey had deployed F-16 aircraft, Bayraktar TB2 and Anka-S drones, backed by a MIM-23 Hawk air defence system with its radars.

However, such countermeasures did not deter the airstrikes and these advanced fighter jets easily managed to dodge the air defence systems.

The jets either flown by French or Egyptian pilots also targeted air defence systems, fixed and mobile radar installations and Koral signal jamming system in Sungur, which the Ankara had deployed at al-Watiya base.

India is poised to receive six Rafale jets on 27 July 2020. India had placed an order of 36 Rafale jets from France to give its air force superior air dominance.

BJP MLA found hanging in market in West Bengal, party suspects murder, TMC refutes charges

By
The Commune
-

Debendra Nath Roy, who is a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal was found hanging near his house in Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur district on Monday morning.

BJP leaders in West Bengal and his family members have alleged that he was murdered first and then hanged.  The BJP has demanded an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the lawmaker’s unnatural death.

A police official from Uttar Dinajpur district, requesting anonymity said, “The body has been sent for autopsy. We are investigating the case. No one has been detained for questioning or arrested so far,”.

https://twitter.com/DilipGhoshBJP/status/1282572194497785856

National Secretary of BJP Rahul Sinha has alleged and said, “Roy was murdered. The way his body was found hanging suggests that it was a premeditated murder and the accused tried to pass it off as a suicide. The ruling TMC (Trinamool Congress) is involved in his murder,”.

Mamata Banerjee’s TMC, which is the ruling party in West Bengal has refuted the BJP’s allegations.

Roy in 2016, had contested Bengal assembly elections from Hemtabad on a Communist Party of India (Marxist) ticket but later joined the BJP.

“I head that he (Roy) died by suicide. Police are investigating the case. Let the truth come out. If he has been murdered, then the culprits should be identified and punished as per law,” said Kanhaiyalal Agarwal, a TMC leader from Uttar Dinajpur district.

Many took to social media to express their anger against the unnatural death of the BJP lawmaker. They have accused Mamata Bannerjee’s administration as “Jungle Raj” and “Fascist Raj”. They also called it a murder of democracy.

https://twitter.com/OnyourNot/status/1282576660831719424

https://twitter.com/OnyourNot/status/1282572956741189634

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