Innholdsfortegnelse for January 20, 2020 i India Today

Migration has become a controversial and explosive issue across the world. The entry of legal or illegal migrants in any significant number stokes fear among the citizens of threats to their cultural identity or their economic well-being. Predictably, in this atmosphere of uncertainty and instability, there will be politicians ready to exploit the situation for electoral gain. One of President Donald Trump’s campaign promises, for example, was to build a wall along the border with Mexico to keep illegal immigrants out. In the United Kingdom, Brexit was fuelled by fears of immigrants swamping the country, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a huge electoral mandate at the end of 2019 to ensure his country’s swift exit from the European Union. So it was no surprise when the Narendra Modi government,…

Even after she had alerted the SHO of Vasant Kunj police station that there were armed outsiders on campus, AISHE GHOSH, JNUSU president, received no help “ I was surrounded by 30 people who hit me with rods continuously. Why would the administration not file an FIR against them?” Delhi Police PRO M.S. RANDHAWA said the spot of the “scuffle” between the students is an area where Delhi police are not usually deployed “WE HAVE RESPONDED TO THE LAW-AND-ORDER SITUATION PROFESSIONALLY” Speaking as a panelist on a television news channel, ANIMA SONKAR, joint secretary, ABVP Delhi, admitted that Patel, alleged to be one of the men seen in images from January 5, was an ABVP member, but that the group was acting in self-defence “Vikas Patel is our activist. I…

The killing of Iranian major general Qassem Soleimani, as ordered by United States president Donald Trump, had a knock-on effect on the price of crude oil and gold and shook markets across the world. Mourners flooded onto the streets in Iran, but dozens of anti-war protests also took place across the US. Trump has been bullish in the face of anger, threatening further attacks on Iranian sites, including those of cultural importance, and warning Iraq, which has voted to remove US troops, of retaliation through economic sanction. Outright war, many political analysts say, is unlikely, though most also agree that the situation is unpredictable. This volatility has been reflected in the price of gold and oil, and in stock markets across the world. And nuclear non-proliferation has been postponed, with…

The present government got rid of two excellent economists—Raghuram Rajan and Arvind Subramanian. It has presided over the worst economic downturn in a quarter century. Its ministers keep saying the crisis will be over soon, that good times are coming. The latter is a slogan used by the prime minister in the election five years ago that he won; and though the times got worse and worse, he won once again. He is certainly having a good time; he can give the economy as bad a time as he likes and the electorate will still vote him in. Magical oratory wins over sensible economic policy today. It seems hardly the time to write about how to make economic policy. Economics is supposed to be a dismal science, but some economists…

Jharkhand MLA SARYU ROY made headlines in the state assembly election by defeating former chief minister Raghubar Das from Jamshedpur East by over 15,000 votes. Roy’s ministerial stint in the Das government was marked by controversy as he raked up alleged corruption and questioned decisions. Denied a ticket by the BJP, he contested the poll as an Independent. Excerpts from an interview: Q You are a giant-slayer who proved to be the nemesis of Raghubar Das and three previous chief ministers. Whatever I have done is for a cause. I have no personal animosity towards any leader I’ve exposed. Individuals, irrespective of their positions, do not matter. I believe that the cause, the enormity of the issue, should be the driver. Q. Did you alert the BJP central leadership about…

Q What’s the logic behind the NPR? Why did you start it in 2010? The Citizenship Act, passed in 1955 and amended by Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government in 2003, contemplates an NPR. Inherently, there is nothing wrong with it. One needs to know the population of the country and who the usual residents are. It is an aid to the census. It so happened that in 2010, when we were ready to do the NPR and the Census was due the year after, the Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner decided they would do the NPR first and then the Census. It was the logical thing to do because there was no division on the issue in the country at the time. It was done in 12 or 13…

CHARITARTH BHARTI, 27 Singapore-based lawyer He is protesting because the current government has taken a slew of measures since 2014 that change the idea of India he grew up with. “They are trying to make India their own, in line with their ideologies,” he says. The current protest for him is not just about one act but about the kind of country we want to be. He is encouraged by the fact that people are willing to set their differences aside and come together to protect the secular and democratic fabric of the nation. SHALMOLI HALDER, 26 Development consultant The current movement holds more meaning for people her age because, unlike the issue-based protests of the past, it questions the very idea of India. “It will redefine our value systems,”…

OPERATIONALISE INTEGRATED BATTLE GROUPS Study the findings of the first IBG exercise, Him Vijay, and implement takeaways across the dozen or so IBGs being created CONTINUE REFORMS Including a restructuring of Army HQ, reducing wastage, synergising with the other services and the CDS KEEP THE LID ON INSURGENCY IN J&K Ensure that the levels of violence remain low and that the LoC remains sealed against infiltration from PoK— especially after internet curbs are lifted AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS Steer acquisition cases for medium-range, quick-reaction and shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles for the army’s air defence corps…

In the two years since Padmaavat released, Deepika Padukone got married, became an investor, started her own production house—Ka Productions—and became the chairperson of MAMI (Mumbai Film Festival). You could now see Padukone and her husband, Ranveer Singh, attend a screening of Martin Scorsese’s gangster drama The Irishman at Mumbai’s Regal Cinema. “I found [The Irishman] highly overrated, but I can’t deny it was an incredible experience to watch actors like them [Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci] on the big screen at such an iconic cinema,” she says. “Not everyone had something to do with films, but all of us who were present are passionate about them.” It’s this passion that has helped her deal with death threats and the vitriol of fringe groups like the Rajput Karni…

The Qissa—an oral storytelling tradition popular in South Asia—portrays sociological realities of the communities it represents: customs, practices, aspirations and fears. But Qissas are also a way of critiquing paradigms and oppressive institutions, challenging power at all levels. Often Qissas are portrayed as love stories, but on a deeper level, they are platforms to express defiance and rebellion. True to form, this story, presented by Farooqi as a Qissa, challenges the social norms of the time and culture it is set in: the medieval caliphate of Baghdad. The protagonist is Governor Juvayni and his advisor, the geographer, physician, astronomer and authority on religion, Qazwini. When presented with an odd gift—a ferocious and possibly ominous merman—the Governor asks his advisor what should be done. Qazwini suggests studying the beast. To study…

Q. What made you take up photography—and wildlife photography in particular? I started a long time ago. I was always passionate about taking photographs. I liked capturing the moment, but never learnt how to photograph properly. I’m fond of wildlife, nature and landscapes. Six or seven years ago, I met [photographer] Himanshu Sheth, who started taking me on safaris. That’s how the whole wildlife photography started. Q. What was it like being in the wild? It was so exciting! You see animals from such close quarters. I was in an open jeep and missed a heartbeat when I saw a lioness looking straight at me, but that’s part of the process. I do like excitement. Q. What was it like to see your work exhibited? I was not very keen,…

Party Ready Alable’s designer duds are the perfect gift for the woman who likes to keep it stylish and contemporary. We love this little retro inspired polka dotted number. Price On request Availability Brand boutique Gilded Words Lamy’s gold embossed pens make a great gift for those who believe in the power of words. Price On request Availability Brand boutique Figures of Joy Lladro has immortalised this adorable Jack Russel terrier in porcelain. Part of the Holiday collection, this figurine is the ideal gift for the house proud. Price On request Availability Brand boutique Passion for Fashion Christian Louboutin’s patchwork slides are as avant garde as they are funky. Topped off with pointed studs,this one is for a man who isn’t afraid to keep it very stylish. Price On request…

Oprah Winfrey named me the Cosmetics Cop when I went on her show for my book Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me. Over the years I’ve written 21 books on beauty. It all started because of my own struggles with acne and eczema. I spent years looking for products that would help but nothing did. Later in life my major in University was science and after graduation I eventually worked as a reporter at a TV station in Seattle, Washington. That combination of science and investigative reporting fuelled my passion to learn what published research and medical text books about skin proved what could and couldn’t work for skin. Myths and misleading information hurts skin and often causes the very problems you want to avoid or repair. Beauty…

The cup runneth over, at least for rum; unfettered from its plebeian past where it was labelled the choice of poison for crude pirates and inebriated sailors, and seldom celebrated for flavour. Over the past half-decade however, rum has been shedding its murky image to find place in the top shelves of cocktail bars all over the world. The appreciation of truly fine rum is growing, with connoisseurs waking up to the subtle complexities of the spirit and tastemakers realising its potential in creating unique cocktails. Apart from the usual cocktails such as the Daiquiri, Planter’s Punch, Pina Colada and Mai Tai, there are takers for innovative spirit mixes in all continents. With a valuation in the billions in spite of facing stiff competition, the drink is now being reimagined…

A constant on the trendy drink list, Japanese whisky has finally made its way to Indian shelves. House of Suntory has launched its celebrated single malt Yamazaki along with Hibiki, a blended whisky, and Roku gin. Yamazaki, a pioneer of Japanese whisky, will be available in it’s Distiller’s Reserve expression. A blend of more than ten malt and grain whiskies, Hibiki stands as a symbol of harmony. Roku gin brings together six Japanese botanicals to create a perfectly balanced taste. Price Yamazaki and Hibiki range from ₹10,900 to ₹20,000 while Roku gin ranges from ₹5,500 to ₹7,100…

The US drone attack at Baghdad airport on January 3, killing Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, has destabilised the region. While recent tit-for-tat events led to the current impasse, the US-Iran animosity has a long history, interspersed with moments of tactical cooperation. In 1985-87, President Ronald Reagan sanctioned the Iran-Contra operation in which Iran compelled its allies in Lebanon to release kidnapped Americans in exchange for arms needed for war with Iraq. Iranian payments funded the CIA’s anticommunist operations in Nicaragua. When revealed, it left Reagan exposed to Congressional ire. In 2001, post the 9/11 terror attacks, as the US prepared to dislodge the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and capture Al Qaeda masterminds, Iran extended full cooperation in making its network with the Northern Alliance available. In fact, Gen. Soleimani shepherded…

When IIT-Kanpur professor Vashi Mant Sharma decided to complain against the recitation of Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s Hum Dekhenge on December 17, he had little idea his tantrum would inadvertently give the movement he loathed its anthem. Verses of the poem echoed in Kolkata’s Gariahat where protestors were marching against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. After the assault on JNU students and teachers on the night of Sunday, January 5, a group of Mumbai residents gathered near the Gateway of India to express solidarity. They too felt the time was right to sing Hum Dekhenge. Sharma’s umbrage would be laughable if it wasn’t so twisted. He doesn’t like the fact that students on his campus turned to a Pakistani poet when registering dissent. He wants Faiz’s mention of “Allah” to be replaced…

In Delhi, the BJP has a fight on its hands against incumbent chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s well-entrenched Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). An early lesson the BJP has taken from its recent electoral debacle in Jharkhand is to be wary of factionalism—the party might choose not to declare a chief ministerial candidate before the upcoming assembly election for fear of upsetting rival factions. Four known MPs—Vijay Goel, Harsh Vardhan, Parvesh Verma and Manoj Tiwari—will be fielded in the February 8 polls, while the BJP is also planning to field over 40 new candidates in the 70-seat house. DUBIOUS DISTINCTION What do J. Jayalalithaa, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy have in common? All three figured in disproportionate assets cases as chief ministers. Seeking exemptions from appearing in the special…

A114 feet tall statue of Jesus, proposed to be built atop Kapala Betta in Congress strongman D.K. Shivakumar’s constituency, Kanakapura, has triggered a row in Karnataka. The 10 acres allotted to the Harobele Kapala Betta Development Trust in 2016 ‘for religious purposes’, have become the site of a controversy between the leaders of the Christian and Hindu communities. Originally earmarked as a gomala (grasslands for cattle grazing), the BJP now says it cannot be transferred to any trust for religious purposes. The party’s government in the state has ordered a probe. It all began when Shivakumar attended an event on December 25 to mark the commencement of work on the statue. “I have visited the site several times,” he says. “All necessary due diligence was done before handing over the…

CITIZENSHIP (AMENDMENT) ACT (CAA), 2019 What: Proposes that all Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, who entered India on or before the 31st of December, 2014, and have stayed in the country for five years, can apply for citizenship through naturalisation Authority: A central agency will conduct physical verification. The ministry of home affairs is examining the types of documents persons from these minorities from the three countries will require while applying for Indian citizenship under the new law Collects: Applicant will be required to declare the country of origin and community at the time of applying for citizenship Documents required: Have not as yet been specified The CAA is not directly linked to the NRC or NPR. It has nothing to do…

CITIZENSHIP WAS ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED as membership of a political community. It was not just a territorial idea but signified a political community’s commitment to certain values. Citizenship is not just the vertical relationship between the State and the people, it is also a horizontal relationship between people. That is why people of all faiths are opposing the exclusion of a particular faith-community from the ambit of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019; they are worried that the new NPR (National Population Register) and the NRIC (National Register of Indian Citizens) will exclude those who either do not have documents to prove their citizenship on the new parameters or have discrepant documents. Threats to citizenship do unite people and have been the focal point of struggles in many countries. The common thread…

ON DECEMBER 16, FIVE MARCHES—three organised by political parties and two by groups of civilians from all walks of life—took over Kolkata. Close to 50,000 people, armed with posters, banners and some incredible lung power, came out on the streets to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Since the CAA came into being on December 12, similar marches and protests have been held across the country. In Bengaluru, about 50,000 people gathered at the Eidgah-e-Jadeed mosque on January 3 to hear H.S. Doreswamy, a 102-year-old freedom-fighter, speak on secularism. Similarly, Marine Drive in Kochi was brought to a standstill as thousands occupied the area on January 2, while Hyderabad conducted a ‘million march’ on January 5 in a collective display of…

ACCESSORY DESIGN Pearl Academy, Delhi www.pearlacademy.com No longer limited to shoes and handbags, today, accessories include jewellery, leather goods, eyewear, watches and home décor products. A career in this field demands creativity and experimentation. Students at Pearl Academy are taught to integrate their knowledge of fabrication with aesthetics to develop a variety of products. Smita Singh, course leader and associate professor of accessory design, says, “Graduates can work as accessory designers; as full-time employees in a design-based organisation, as freelance design consultants, or can start their own enterprises.” Graduates could also find employment as product development managers or merchandisers with exporters, manufacturers or start-ups. They could also choose to pursue design strategy and research or become part of design think-tanks. CREATIVE STREAK Though students are taught essential skills such as…

DURING A CONVERSATION with a friend about cinema books once, I found myself defending the hagiographical approach. Our relationship with films and film stars can be very intense, intimate and proprietary; if an author chooses a favourite subject to write a whole book about, and then invests time and effort in doing so, why expect the result to be detached and (loathsome word) “objective”? Surely it’s understandable if the writing is full of fanboy passion. The hyperbole and flowy praise on each page is enough to put off even diehard fans of DILIP KUMAR Well, after reading this new book, I have rethought my position a little. This is a special variety of hagiography, one that involves so many breathless gasps of excitement, so much hyperbole on every page that…

What strange, secret acts of violence have you committed, just so you could feel normal? Those acts are the subject of horror films, which re-read the book of human history as a catalogue of inhuman cruelty—psychic and physical, from the self-inflicted and suicidal to the murderous and genocidal. In horror, the smooth skin of daily reality is revealed to be riddled with wounds that only spread and grow. The best horror films tear those stitches open one by one, slowly letting the living rot of the past into the air of the present. Then, just after midnight, that latched door at the end of the hallway finally creaks open, and something pounces. Netflix’s anthology horror film Ghost Stories has plenty of creaking doors, not just at the end of hallways,…

IN A WORLD where disruption and innovation are almost used interchangeably, erring on the side of probability and predictability does seem a little brazen but this is what the January issue of Spice— Trends 2020—has in store. Much like the year’s namesake, cricket counterpart, Spice predicts a racy, expensive and dramatic year full of promise and punch. Stay abreast of what’s in, what’s indelible and what’s incredible. Whether it’s a chance to travel to the moon in a monogrammed, gold and Swarovski-studded vessel or kitchen gizmos that talk you into becoming a more calorie-conscious cook or to luxury vehicles that are straight out of a Sci-Fi movie, only sleeker and smarter, our trend casters span the luxury spectrum from around the country and the world. Alessandro Sartori, the creative director…

Stay Lit No matter how long the party ran, this baby from Pat McGrath will hide almost all your sins. The ChromaLuxe Hi-Lite Cream has pearlescent particles that reflect light to lend a glowy sheen. Price $60 Availability www.netaporter.com All Eyes on You The party season calls for some shimmer and shine. Try out some exciting eye looks with Kiko Milano’s Magical Holiday eyeshadow palette. It’s got the perfect balance of matte and shiny shades to see you through the holidays. Price ₹3,390 Availability Brand boutiques and online No Faults A lightweight full coverage foundation might seem like an oxymoron of sorts but Smashbox’s 24 Hour foundation ticks all the boxes for a flawless face. Price ₹3,300 Availability www.nykaa.com and Sephora stores Red Hot Charlotte Tilbury’s red lipstick is dedicated to…

Sculpted Miracle A sculpture adds interest to a space and makes for a great conversation starter. We love this thought-provoking piece by Blue Sky Designs. Price On request Availability info@blueskydesigns.in Book It A pair of interesting bookends can break the monotony of shelves lined with books. Ansavv’s ram head-shaped ones are a good pick. Price On request Availability Brand boutique Pretty Nooks Hèrmosa’s retro inspired chest is the ideal addition to your classic-themed library or bedroom. Price On request Availability Brand boutique Vintage Appeal A chair upholstered in floral fabric gives the room a character. Beyond Design’s classically designed chair has an antiqued feel, yet feels right in a modern home. Price On request Availability Brand boutique Top Table A bureau can solve storage issues as well as brighten up…

The lifestyle we are envisioning is not only about a clothing silhouette, it’s about a persona, someone who has his own life, feelings and emotions. Today’s man is not one man, he is a cluster of different characters and people from every part of the world. Last September we launched a new brand campaign “What does it mean to be a man today?” to open an authentic conversation on the meaning of modern masculinity in the 21st century. We do not want to define what the man has to be or what masculinity is; we don’t want to be pretentious. Instead, the idea is to initiate an open conversation because of the varying diversity of feelings, emotions and types of people so as to open the question to everyone and…

It is impossible to improve skin tone without being sun-smart which means avoiding direct exposure to daylight (seeking shade, wearing sunglasses, a hat) and most importantly every day of your life, rain or shine, applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater and reapplying when needed. Along with sunscreen, the research-proven skin-brightening ingredients to look for are azelaic acid, vitamin C, arbutin, niacinamide, retinol, salicylic acid, licorice extract, and lactic or glycolic acid.…

Bourbon is finally having it’s moment in the sun with bars across the country celebrating American whiskey as the new choice for cocktails as well as straight drinks. American styles of whiskey including bourbon are being appreciated for their sweet, spicy and woody palate that packs a punch of flavour and taste. Unlike many other spirits, Bourbon offers something that Indians prize—a slice of the Wild West within an increasingly shrinking globalised culture. Whiskey appreciation has acquired a much younger demographic recently, giving stiff competition to the venerable Scotch, which has held sway across Indian boardrooms and cigar lounges. With the availability of luxury brands, especially the explosion of craft bourbons, what’s interesting is the average age of the aficionado is now younger and veers between 30 and 35. Bourbon’s…

Vintage champagne is so called only when all the grapes making the wine come from a single harvest. Ninety five per cent of all champagnes contain grapes from different vintages to even out the variety found in different climactic conditions and seasons. Globally, there is a shift in perception when it comes to champagne. No longer simply a drink to toast with, it is now being viewed as a fine wine. This has led to better understanding of the beverage. There is an almost imperceptible rise in awareness among younger people who want to drink less, but drink better. Authenticity and provenance rate high on their criteria of choosing a drink and that’s where Dom Perignon scores. Vintage champagne at the moment is a category that is asserting itself by…

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has put out his governance wishlist for 2020, and building public toilets tops it. “We are building 13,000 public toilets with the support of local self-government (LSG) bodies across the state. This will make the state more traveller-friendly,” he says. The government is also in discussions with petrol pump owners across the state to open toilets at the pumps to all travellers. It’s also a bid to boost tourism numbers as the state hopes clean, hygienic public toilets will give it “better branding”. The state estimates the total cost at Rs 40 crore, with an additional Rs 4 crore a year to maintain the facilities. ‘God’s own country’ attracts over 15 million domestic tourists and one million foreign ones a year with the industry recording…

[ BY BIRTH ] ■ Every person born in India on or after January 26, 1950, and before July 1, 1987, is an Indian citizen irrespective of the nationality of their parents ■ Every person born in India between July 1, 1987 and December 2, 2004, is an Indian citizen if either of their parents is a citizen of India at the time of their birth ■ Every person born in India on or after December 3, 2004, is an Indian citizen if both their parents are Indians, or at least one parent is a citizen and the other is not an illegal migrant at the time of birth [ BY REGISTRATION ] ■ A person of Indian origin who has been a resident of India for seven years can…

PISAASU Siddharth (played by Naga) is haunted by the ghost of a young girl who he was unable to save in an accident. Directed by Mysskin, this Tamil horror film uses the tropes of the genre only to subvert them. HOTSTAR IT A group of bullied children come together to destroy a shape-shifting monster who disguises himself as an evil clown. This Stephen King adaptation is a story of steely grit, yes, but first of terrifying horror. NETFLIX A QUIET PLACE The world is overrun by creatures who hunt by sound. A family—which includes a pregnant mother—tries to survive in silence. The eerie quiet makes you clutch your seat before you jump out of it. AMAZON PRIME…

You don’t have to be a die-hard cricket fan to love the sound of 2020 (twenty-twenty). And like its new-age cricket counterpart, this year is going to be fast, expensive and impactful. If you don’t stay on top of latest trends and launches you might miss a chance to travel to the moon in a spacious, monogrammed, gold and Swarovski studded vessel; or own kitchen gizmos that let you know when the food is cooked. Better yet, purchase luxury vehicles that are right out of the sci-fi movie, but look sleeker and smarter. Home appliances that talk In 2019, we saw a lot of AIs (Artificial Intelligence) coming to life like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant on smartphones and smart speakers. So, it was only natural that this year they…

Some companies will try to sell you different products for adult acne vs. teenage acne, but that’s a marketing ploy because regardless of your age, the primary causes of acne are the same: hormonal changes, your genetic propensity to have acne, excess oil, and inflammatory factors in the body and skin. Moreover, the gold standard ingredients for treating acne (salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide) remain the same whether you’re a teen or an adult with acne. The only difference is that adults have other skin concerns such as preventing or reducing signs of aging (though so do teens they just don’t know it yet).…

A New Year is a new beginning. It sheds all of the gloom and pall of the past and steps into the bright light of newness and light. Blancpain celebrates the infinite joys of the new year with its first watch crafted entirely in porcelain to mark the Chinese New Year of the Rat. Handcrafted in the Métiers d’Art workshop, the special series of only eight limited edition marks the introduction of traditional Chinese skills. The creation of this timepiece involves several dexterous steps punctuated by long drying and firing phases. Dedicated to the Chinese zodiac sign of the year, each of its one-of-a-kind timepieces depicts the Rat. Each animal decoration is painted freehand with a superfine brush. A lengthy 1,200 degree Celsius firing stage fixes the colours on the…