With Omani intervention, seven Indian nationals who were detained by Yemen's Houthi rebels have been released.

The Indian nationals were detained on the ship Rwabee and had been under detention since January 2nd.

Along with seven Indian nationals, one national each from the UK, Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Ethiopia were taken from Yemen's capital Sana'a to the Omani capital of Muscat on a Royal Oman Airforce flight.

An Omani government release said, "Following the instructions of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to work to meet the requests of the governments of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of India, and the Republic of the Philippines to assist in the release of a number of their nationals detained in Yemen, the Sultanate of Oman has coordinated with the concerned authorities in Sana’a, which thankfully responded to these endeavours." It is important to know that the Oman side maintains contact with the Houthis and that the group also has an office in Muscat.&nbsp;

The government of Oman had been in contact with them for some time to secure the release of the sailors, and India, along with other countries, had requested their release. In a statement, the ministry of external affairs thanked the Omani government.&nbsp;

It said, "The government of India would like to thank all concerned parties for the release of the Indian sailors, in particular the government of Oman."

The Indian nationals who have been released are Sandeep Singh, Muhammad Munwar Samir, Dr Jashim Khan, Akhil Rego, Fresh Vassamsetti, Srijith Sajivan, and Dibash Mota Paramil.&nbsp;

The matter also came up at the United Nations Security Council in January.&nbsp;

The MEA statement highlighted that "the government of India has been exerting all efforts for the release of the Indian crew members over the past months." The government of India has been in touch with various parties to ensure the safety and well-being of our sailors during this time. "

Houthis are Yemeni rebels backed by Iran who are fighting against Saudi Arabia and the UAE for what they see as intervention in their country.&nbsp;

The Rwabee was a UAE-flagged vessel that the Houthis had taken into custody. Yemen has been in a state of civil war since 2011, when, amid the Arab Spring, the then President Ali Abdullah Saleh was ousted.&nbsp;

Since 2015, a 9-country coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been intervening in the country unsuccessfully. Houthis have also, in the past, attacked oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. Recently, the country saw its first ceasefire in years, which was welcomed by India.

With Omani intervention, seven Indian nationals who were detained by Yemen's Houthi rebels have been released. The Indian nationals were detained on the ship Rwabee and had been under detention since January 2nd.

With Omani intervention, seven Indian nationals who were detained by Yemen's Houthi rebels have been released. The Indian nationals were detained on the ship Rwabee and had been under detention since January 2nd. Along with seven Indian nationals, one national each from the UK, Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Ethiopia were taken from Yemen's capital Sana'a to the Omani capital of Muscat on a Royal Oman Airforce flight. An Omani government release said, "Following the instructions of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to work to meet the requests of the governments of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of India, and the Republic of the Philippines to assist in the release of a number of their nationals detained in Yemen, the Sultanate of Oman has coordinated with the concerned authorities in Sana’a, which thankfully responded to these endeavours." It is important to know that the Oman side maintains contact with the Houthis and that the group also has an office in Muscat. The government of Oman had been in contact with them for some time to secure the release of the sailors, and India, along with other countries, had requested their release. In a statement, the ministry of external affairs thanked the Omani government. It said, "The government of India would like to thank all concerned parties for the release of the Indian sailors, in particular the government of Oman." The Indian nationals who have been released are Sandeep Singh, Muhammad Munwar Samir, Dr Jashim Khan, Akhil Rego, Fresh Vassamsetti, Srijith Sajivan, and Dibash Mota Paramil. The matter also came up at the United Nations Security Council in January. The MEA statement highlighted that "the government of India has been exerting all efforts for the release of the Indian crew members over the past months." The government of India has been in touch with various parties to ensure the safety and well-being of our sailors during this time. " Houthis are Yemeni rebels backed by Iran who are fighting against Saudi Arabia and the UAE for what they see as intervention in their country. The Rwabee was a UAE-flagged vessel that the Houthis had taken into custody. Yemen has been in a state of civil war since 2011, when, amid the Arab Spring, the then President Ali Abdullah Saleh was ousted. Since 2015, a 9-country coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been intervening in the country unsuccessfully. Houthis have also, in the past, attacked oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. Recently, the country saw its first ceasefire in years, which was welcomed by India.

After Oman's intervention, seven Indians under Houthi detention released

India is number two worldwide in-app downloads. India accounts for over 11% of all app downloads worldwide. India's app downloads reached 27 billion in 2021. Indians spent a staggering 690 billion hours on their apps. But are they paying for these apps?

How many hours do Indians spend surfing apps? 690 billion!

To ensure safe evacuation of its citizens from war-torn Ukraine, India has launched a massive evacuation plan it's called operation Ganga under which about 46 flights will fly out Indian nationals out of Europe's evacuation centers.

Operation Ganga | Top focus: Safe rescue of Indians from Ukraine

The Indian embassy in Ukraine issued an urgent advisory asking Indian nationals to immediately leave Kharkiv and reach the outskirts of the city. Indian ministry of external affairs is briefing in New Delhi on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

No more Indians left in Kyiv | Indian external affairs ministry briefing on Operation Ganga

The Indian government is conducting an evacuation mission named Operation Ganga to bring back all the Indian nationals who are currently stranded in Ukraine. Six flights have brought back Indians till now.

Russia-Ukraine crisis: India's ministers to travel to Ukraine's borders to strategize evacuation Ops

Thousands of Indians are stuck in Ukraine and among them are students too who are running low on supplies. India plans to repatriate its nationals stuck in Ukraine. The video looks at the plight of Indian students stuck in Ukraine.

Indian students stuck in Ukraine: How India plans to get its nationals repatriated?

After the Indian embassy issued an advisory asking its nationals including students to consider leaving Ukraine due to tensions with Russia, reports claim the government may increase&nbsp;flights to Ukraine to bring back Indians.

The Indian embassy had asked citizens to avoid "non-essential" travel to Ukraine. India's ministry of external affairs has set up a control room to provide information to Indian nationals in Ukraine.

"The embassy of India has been receiving several appeals about non-availability of flights from Ukraine to India. In this regard, students are advised not to resort to panic, but book the earliest available and convenient flights to travel to India," the MEA&nbsp;said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-nationals-including-students-should-leave-ukraine-says-government-advisory-453383">Also Read:&nbsp;Indian nationals including students may consider leaving Ukraine, says government advisory</a>

"To meet the additional demand, more flights are being planned in the near future, including from Ukrainian International Airlines and Air India. Details on the same would be shared by the embassy as and when confirmed," it said&nbsp;as reports indicated&nbsp;that students were finding it difficult to return due to hike in airfare.

Several countries have pulled out their diplomatic staff from Ukraine due to tensions with Russia at the border.

Amid reports of difficulties faced by Indians in Ukraine, reports say a parliamentary committee is likely to discuss the issue.

The contact details of the helpline in the Indian embassy in Ukraine are: Phone: +380 997300428 +380 997300483. Email: cons1.Kyiv@mea.gov.in.

The contact details of the control room in Delhi are: Phone +91 11 23012113, +91 11 23014104, +91 11 23017905 and 1800118797 (toll free). Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in.

(With inputs from Agencies)

After the Indian embassy issued an advisory asking its nationals including students to consider leaving Ukraine due to tensions with Russia, reports claim the government may increase flights to Ukraine to bring back Indians.

After the Indian embassy issued an advisory asking its nationals including students to consider leaving Ukraine due to tensions with Russia, reports claim the government may increase flights to Ukraine to bring back Indians. The Indian embassy had asked citizens to avoid "non-essential" travel to Ukraine. India's ministry of external affairs has set up a control room to provide information to Indian nationals in Ukraine. "The embassy of India has been receiving several appeals about non-availability of flights from Ukraine to India. In this regard, students are advised not to resort to panic, but book the earliest available and convenient flights to travel to India," the MEA said. Also Read: Indian nationals including students may consider leaving Ukraine, says government advisory "To meet the additional demand, more flights are being planned in the near future, including from Ukrainian International Airlines and Air India. Details on the same would be shared by the embassy as and when confirmed," it said as reports indicated that students were finding it difficult to return due to hike in airfare. Several countries have pulled out their diplomatic staff from Ukraine due to tensions with Russia at the border. Amid reports of difficulties faced by Indians in Ukraine, reports say a parliamentary committee is likely to discuss the issue. The contact details of the helpline in the Indian embassy in Ukraine are: Phone: +380 997300428 +380 997300483. Email: cons1.Kyiv@mea.gov.in. The contact details of the control room in Delhi are: Phone +91 11 23012113, +91 11 23014104, +91 11 23017905 and 1800118797 (toll free). Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in. (With inputs from Agencies)

Ukraine crisis: Government planning more flights to bring back Indians; helpline setup

Facing systemic exploitation and discrimination, India's lowest castes have barely been acknowledged on the big screen. Now independent, mostly non-Hindi language filmmakers are challenging attitudes with powerful stories of injustice to give them a voice.

Many of the directors are from the Tamil film industry 'Kollywood'&nbsp;-- nicknamed after Chennai's Kodambakkam district where many studios are based -- with some from the oppressed communities at the bottom of the country's rigid caste system.

In a vast nation of 22 official tongues, Kollywood and other minority-language producers are often overshadowed by the glitzy, Hindi Bollywood.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions-blogs/indian-cinema-is-not-just-hindi-cinema-as-language-barrier-comes-down-southern-movies-are-ready-to-dominate-433437" hreflang="en">Indian Cinema is not just Hindi Cinema: As language barrier comes down, Southern movies are ready to dominate</a>

But Tamil legal drama 'Jai Bhim', released on Amazon's streaming platform instead of cinemas, has attracted rave reviews and currently stands as the highest-rated film by all voters globally on movie database IMDb, with a score of 9.5.

Based on the true story of a lawyer battling for justice for a tribal woman whose husband was accused of theft and tortured and killed in police custody, 'Jai Bhim'&nbsp;has been praised for its unflinching portrayal of judicial violence.

It has also been hailed as the latest movie to defy film stereotypes of lower castes as voiceless victims by dignifying their lives and portraying them as people with agency.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/legal-notice-against-jai-bhim-movie-for-allegedly-misrepresenting-maligning-vanniyar-community-429463" hreflang="en">Legal Notice against 'Jai Bhim' movie for allegedly misrepresenting, maligning Vanniyar Community</a>

"The reason these injustices happen to people who are vulnerable is because we don't raise our voices," said director T.J. Gnanavel, 42.

"We wanted it to be that voice. I wanted to say that the silence of the society is more brutal than police brutality," he told AFP.

K. Chandru, the lawyer who inspired the role played by Tamil superstar Suriya, went on to become a judge and says young Indians tell him they were ignorant of such tribal groups and the abuse they face.

"Everybody wants to know what we can do for them... That's the greatest victory of this film," said the now-retired 70-year-old.

Tamil Nadu state's Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the movie made his heart heavy and announced measures to support tribespeople with access to welfare, drinking water and electricity.

But after an association representing the Vanniyar caste complained the film portrayed them in a bad light, a local politician offered 100,000 rupees ($1,300) to anyone who physically attacked Suriya.

Armed police were deployed to protect the star's home, amid an outpouring of support for him on social media.

The success of 'Jai Bhim'&nbsp;highlights the rise of such films in&nbsp;Kollywood.

'Koozhangal', a Tamil film internationally known as 'Pebbles'&nbsp;about an alcoholic father and his son, tackles issues of poverty and patriarchy. It has been selected as India's entry for best international feature at next year's Oscars.

- 'An awakening' -

India has about 200 million Dalits -- once known as the "untouchables" and the lowest group in the caste system -- and more than 100 million also marginalised tribespeople.

But their life stories are rarely told and India's prolific film industry generally favours bankable action-packed song-and-dance extravaganzas.

When lower castes are depicted in Bollywood, they fall into familiar roles of oppressed characters in need of upper-caste saviours, said filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, whose directorial debut "Masaan" won two awards at the 2015 Cannes film festival.

Ghaywan, a Dalit director in Bollywood, said that in contrast, Kollywood stories were "coming from authenticity".

"The characters are humanised. They are not just subjects of atrocity."

According to film historian S. Theodore Baskaran, right-wing politics under the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have helped fuel such movies, along with growing political awareness and education among Dalits in Tamil Nadu.

'Jai Bhim'&nbsp;-- as well as box office hits by Dalit Tamil directors Pa Ranjith and Mari Selvaraj -- are part of the "beginning of an awakening" in Indian cinema, Baskaran added.

- 'Telling my truth' -

Such subjects are also gaining cinematic currency in other Indian languages, including Marathi spoken in Bollywood's home state Maharashtra.

Marathi filmmaker Nagraj Manjule released his first short 'Pistulya'&nbsp;in 2009 about a low-caste boy who wants to go to school, and spoke about his Dalit background in interviews.

But both his own brother and a close upper-caste friend warned him to avoid the subject for fear of ostracism. Some Dalits in the industry hide their caste, he added, even changing their surnames.

"I decided that no matter what happens, I have to tell about my reality, my truth," Manjule said. His second feature, 'Sairat', about young lovers from different castes, became Marathi cinema's highest-grossing movie when it was released in 2016.

"We've always been among the crowd, not on stage or the big screen," he added. "So when Dalits see someone from their community and background telling their stories, they feel proud."

Facing systemic exploitation and discrimination, India's lowest castes have barely been acknowledged on the big screen. Now independent, mostly non-Hindi language filmmakers are challenging attitudes with powerful stories of injustice to give them a voice.

Facing systemic exploitation and discrimination, India's lowest castes have barely been acknowledged on the big screen. Now independent, mostly non-Hindi language filmmakers are challenging attitudes with powerful stories of injustice to give them a voice. Many of the directors are from the Tamil film industry 'Kollywood' -- nicknamed after Chennai's Kodambakkam district where many studios are based -- with some from the oppressed communities at the bottom of the country's rigid caste system. In a vast nation of 22 official tongues, Kollywood and other minority-language producers are often overshadowed by the glitzy, Hindi Bollywood. Indian Cinema is not just Hindi Cinema: As language barrier comes down, Southern movies are ready to dominate But Tamil legal drama 'Jai Bhim', released on Amazon's streaming platform instead of cinemas, has attracted rave reviews and currently stands as the highest-rated film by all voters globally on movie database IMDb, with a score of 9.5. Based on the true story of a lawyer battling for justice for a tribal woman whose husband was accused of theft and tortured and killed in police custody, 'Jai Bhim' has been praised for its unflinching portrayal of judicial violence. It has also been hailed as the latest movie to defy film stereotypes of lower castes as voiceless victims by dignifying their lives and portraying them as people with agency. Legal Notice against 'Jai Bhim' movie for allegedly misrepresenting, maligning Vanniyar Community "The reason these injustices happen to people who are vulnerable is because we don't raise our voices," said director T.J. Gnanavel, 42. "We wanted it to be that voice. I wanted to say that the silence of the society is more brutal than police brutality," he told AFP. K. Chandru, the lawyer who inspired the role played by Tamil superstar Suriya, went on to become a judge and says young Indians tell him they were ignorant of such tribal groups and the abuse they face. "Everybody wants to know what we can do for them... That's the greatest victory of this film," said the now-retired 70-year-old. Tamil Nadu state's Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the movie made his heart heavy and announced measures to support tribespeople with access to welfare, drinking water and electricity. But after an association representing the Vanniyar caste complained the film portrayed them in a bad light, a local politician offered 100,000 rupees ($1,300) to anyone who physically attacked Suriya. Armed police were deployed to protect the star's home, amid an outpouring of support for him on social media. The success of 'Jai Bhim' highlights the rise of such films in Kollywood. 'Koozhangal', a Tamil film internationally known as 'Pebbles' about an alcoholic father and his son, tackles issues of poverty and patriarchy. It has been selected as India's entry for best international feature at next year's Oscars. - 'An awakening' - India has about 200 million Dalits -- once known as the "untouchables" and the lowest group in the caste system -- and more than 100 million also marginalised tribespeople. But their life stories are rarely told and India's prolific film industry generally favours bankable action-packed song-and-dance extravaganzas. When lower castes are depicted in Bollywood, they fall into familiar roles of oppressed characters in need of upper-caste saviours, said filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, whose directorial debut "Masaan" won two awards at the 2015 Cannes film festival. Ghaywan, a Dalit director in Bollywood, said that in contrast, Kollywood stories were "coming from authenticity". "The characters are humanised. They are not just subjects of atrocity." According to film historian S. Theodore Baskaran, right-wing politics under the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have helped fuel such movies, along with growing political awareness and education among Dalits in Tamil Nadu. 'Jai Bhim' -- as well as box office hits by Dalit Tamil directors Pa Ranjith and Mari Selvaraj -- are part of the "beginning of an awakening" in Indian cinema, Baskaran added. - 'Telling my truth' - Such subjects are also gaining cinematic currency in other Indian languages, including Marathi spoken in Bollywood's home state Maharashtra. Marathi filmmaker Nagraj Manjule released his first short 'Pistulya' in 2009 about a low-caste boy who wants to go to school, and spoke about his Dalit background in interviews. But both his own brother and a close upper-caste friend warned him to avoid the subject for fear of ostracism. Some Dalits in the industry hide their caste, he added, even changing their surnames. "I decided that no matter what happens, I have to tell about my reality, my truth," Manjule said. His second feature, 'Sairat', about young lovers from different castes, became Marathi cinema's highest-grossing movie when it was released in 2016. "We've always been among the crowd, not on stage or the big screen," he added. "So when Dalits see someone from their community and background telling their stories, they feel proud."

Victims to heroes: India's lower castes take cinematic centre stage

In 2020, more Indians died of suicide than the Wuhan Virus. Data shows family problems were the leading cause of suicide. Daily wage earners and housewives made up the largest share of total suicides. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: More Indians died of suicide than of Covid-19 in 2020

Millions of 'good morning' messages from Indians on WhatApp is clogging the internet. Experts blame older Indians and their obsession with forwarding messages. Palki Sharma decodes the 'forwarding pandemic'

Gravitas: Indians say Good Morning, internet clogged

US might make it easier for Indians in their country to obtain a green card. Soon Indians could jump green card queues.

US to make it easier for Indians to obtain green cards

The Nepal government on Sunday confirmed the safe return of 504 Nepali nationals to Kathmandu from Afghanistan and affirmed that it is further coordinating and facilitating efforts to bring back its citizens who were rescued from Kabul and are in other countries.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement and outlined that the government was coordinating the return of Nepali citizens who were rescued from Kabul and reached Doha, Dubai, London and New Delhi.&nbsp;

“More Nepali nationals rescued from Afghanistan are in the process of returning to Nepal. So far, 504 people have been rescued and have returned to Kathmandu," the statement said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/127-people-including-118-nepalis-return-to-kathmandu-from-afghanistan-406250">Also read |&nbsp;127 people including 118 Nepalis return to Kathmandu from Afghanistan</a>

As many as 356 Nepalis in Afghanistan have registered their whereabouts on the Department of Consular Services’ web portal, expressing their interest to return home.&nbsp;

The Task Force formed to facilitate the rescue of Nepali nationals from Afghanistan said it was coordinating with other nations who are conducting rescue flights to and from Kabul to bring back Nepali migrants.&nbsp;

The evacuees were tested for COVID-19 on their arrival and put in isolation centres.

The Nepal government on Sunday confirmed the safe return of 504 Nepali nationals to Kathmandu from Afghanistan and affirmed that it is further coordinating and facilitating efforts to bring back its citizens who were rescued from Kabul and are in other countries.

The Nepal government on Sunday confirmed the safe return of 504 Nepali nationals to Kathmandu from Afghanistan and affirmed that it is further coordinating and facilitating efforts to bring back its citizens who were rescued from Kabul and are in other countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement and outlined that the government was coordinating the return of Nepali citizens who were rescued from Kabul and reached Doha, Dubai, London and New Delhi. “More Nepali nationals rescued from Afghanistan are in the process of returning to Nepal. So far, 504 people have been rescued and have returned to Kathmandu," the statement said. Also read | 127 people including 118 Nepalis return to Kathmandu from Afghanistan As many as 356 Nepalis in Afghanistan have registered their whereabouts on the Department of Consular Services’ web portal, expressing their interest to return home. The Task Force formed to facilitate the rescue of Nepali nationals from Afghanistan said it was coordinating with other nations who are conducting rescue flights to and from Kabul to bring back Nepali migrants. The evacuees were tested for COVID-19 on their arrival and put in isolation centres.

504 Nepali citizens rescued from Afghanistan so far: Government

Through various destinations and flights, numerous Indians have returned to home country&nbsp;on Sunday morning after being evacuated from Afghanistan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Sunday, India evacuated around 168 people including 107 Indians from Kabul in a IAF aircraft.&nbsp;In a tweet earlier, Arindam Bagchi,&nbsp;spokesperson, India's Ministry of External Affairs, said,&nbsp;“Evacuation continues!&nbsp;IAF special repatriation flight with 168 passengers onboard, including 107 Indian nationals, is on its way to Delhi from Kabul.”&nbsp;India also&nbsp;brought back an infant 'Baby Divi' in the flight from Kabul.

As per&nbsp;people familiar with the development,&nbsp;an Air India flight carrying 87 Indians&nbsp;arrived in New Delhi on Sunday morning. It had&nbsp;departed from Tajikistan.&nbsp;"Bringing Indians home from Afghanistan! AI 1956 carrying 87 Indians departs from Tajikistan for New Delhi. Two Nepalese nationals also evacuated. Assisted and supported by our Embassy in Dushanbe. More evacuation flights to follow,"&nbsp;Bagchi had shared. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;the first batch of 135 Indians, who were evacuated from Kabul to Doha&nbsp;in last&nbsp;few days,&nbsp;have&nbsp;also returned to India.&nbsp;The Indian Embassy in Qatar&nbsp;on Sunday had&nbsp;tweeted,&nbsp;"1st batch of 135 Indians, who were evacuated from Kabul to Doha over past days, being repatriated tonight to India. Embassy officials provided consular and logistics assistance to ensure their safe return. We thank Qatar authorities and all concerned for making this possible."

Indians evacuated to Doha from Kabul seem to be employees of a number of foreign companies, who were operating in Afghanistan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Indian Air Force&nbsp;and Air India&nbsp;have&nbsp;been strenuously evacuating Indian nationals along with others from the war-ravaged&nbsp;Afghanistan since Taliban took over the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The regime change has forced several Afghans and nationals of other countries to flee the country, fearing Taliban’s oppressive rule. It has&nbsp;triggered a significant&nbsp;humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

(With&nbsp;inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Through various destinations and flights, numerous Indians have returned to home country on Sunday morning after being evacuated from Afghanistan. On Sunday, India evacuated around 168 people including 107 Indians from Kabul in a IAF aircraft.

Through various destinations and flights, numerous Indians have returned to home country on Sunday morning after being evacuated from Afghanistan. On Sunday, India evacuated around 168 people including 107 Indians from Kabul in a IAF aircraft. In a tweet earlier, Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson, India's Ministry of External Affairs, said, “Evacuation continues! IAF special repatriation flight with 168 passengers onboard, including 107 Indian nationals, is on its way to Delhi from Kabul.” India also brought back an infant 'Baby Divi' in the flight from Kabul. As per people familiar with the development, an Air India flight carrying 87 Indians arrived in New Delhi on Sunday morning. It had departed from Tajikistan. "Bringing Indians home from Afghanistan! AI 1956 carrying 87 Indians departs from Tajikistan for New Delhi. Two Nepalese nationals also evacuated. Assisted and supported by our Embassy in Dushanbe. More evacuation flights to follow," Bagchi had shared. Meanwhile, the first batch of 135 Indians, who were evacuated from Kabul to Doha in last few days, have also returned to India. The Indian Embassy in Qatar on Sunday had tweeted, "1st batch of 135 Indians, who were evacuated from Kabul to Doha over past days, being repatriated tonight to India. Embassy officials provided consular and logistics assistance to ensure their safe return. We thank Qatar authorities and all concerned for making this possible." Indians evacuated to Doha from Kabul seem to be employees of a number of foreign companies, who were operating in Afghanistan. Indian Air Force and Air India have been strenuously evacuating Indian nationals along with others from the war-ravaged Afghanistan since Taliban took over the country. The regime change has forced several Afghans and nationals of other countries to flee the country, fearing Taliban’s oppressive rule. It has triggered a significant humanitarian crisis. (With inputs from agencies)

Kabul evacuations: Several Indians return to home country from many destinations

A total of 127 people landed at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu on Tuesday morning. These people, who include 118 Nepalis and nine Indians, were evacuated to Kuwait from Afghanistan on Monday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Brigadier General Santosh Ballave Poudyal, spokesperson, Nepali Army told WION that all evacuees have been taken to an isolation centre in Kathmandu and COVID protocols will be followed. &nbsp;

“The Nepali Government has given the responsibility to take these evacuees from airport to Radha Soami Satsang Beas COVID-19 Isolation Centre, Samakhusi. So, PCR and Antigen Tests will be carried out and accordingly, people will be sent to home isolation,” Poudyal told WION. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In a tweet, Nepal Foreign Ministry confirmed, “Arrival of Nepali nationals from Afghanistan has started. 118 of them have arrived at Kathmandu airport by a chartered aircraft via Kuwait this morning.” &nbsp;

Earlier, Nepal Government had requested the international community to keep Nepali nationals living in Kabul, Afghanistan in a safe place and help their repatriation home. &nbsp;

“It is an honour for us to be able to welcome the first flight to Kathmandu safely, among are Nepalese, who have worked in US Embassy in Kabul. We are extremely grateful for their services,” US Embassy in Nepal said in a tweet.&nbsp;

The Manpower Association in Kathmandu claims that there are about 15,000 Nepalis in Afghanistan, while the government has record of only 1,500. &nbsp;

A special US Air force flight took 385 Nepalis working at the US embassy to Doha on Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

While, 87 Nepalis working at the British embassy were flown out of Kabul by the British government on Sunday. As many as 470 Nepalis working as security guard in UN Office, UNHCR, IOM and other UN related agencies are waiting for a flight at a hotel in Kabul. &nbsp;

More than 120 Nepalis working at the Canadian and German embassies are being rescued by a US Air Force plane.&nbsp;

In addition to above, preparations are on to rescue 62 Nepalis working at the Japanese embassy in Kabul and they will be brought to Kathmandu within 72 hours. &nbsp;

This comes as Taliban took control of the presidential palace, soon after president Ashraf Ghani fled the country.

A total of 127 people landed at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu on Tuesday morning. These people, who include 118 Nepalis and nine Indians, were evacuated to Kuwait from Afghanistan on Monday.

A total of 127 people landed at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu on Tuesday morning. These people, who include 118 Nepalis and nine Indians, were evacuated to Kuwait from Afghanistan on Monday. Brigadier General Santosh Ballave Poudyal, spokesperson, Nepali Army told WION that all evacuees have been taken to an isolation centre in Kathmandu and COVID protocols will be followed. “The Nepali Government has given the responsibility to take these evacuees from airport to Radha Soami Satsang Beas COVID-19 Isolation Centre, Samakhusi. So, PCR and Antigen Tests will be carried out and accordingly, people will be sent to home isolation,” Poudyal told WION. In a tweet, Nepal Foreign Ministry confirmed, “Arrival of Nepali nationals from Afghanistan has started. 118 of them have arrived at Kathmandu airport by a chartered aircraft via Kuwait this morning.” Earlier, Nepal Government had requested the international community to keep Nepali nationals living in Kabul, Afghanistan in a safe place and help their repatriation home. “It is an honour for us to be able to welcome the first flight to Kathmandu safely, among are Nepalese, who have worked in US Embassy in Kabul. We are extremely grateful for their services,” US Embassy in Nepal said in a tweet. The Manpower Association in Kathmandu claims that there are about 15,000 Nepalis in Afghanistan, while the government has record of only 1,500. A special US Air force flight took 385 Nepalis working at the US embassy to Doha on Sunday. While, 87 Nepalis working at the British embassy were flown out of Kabul by the British government on Sunday. As many as 470 Nepalis working as security guard in UN Office, UNHCR, IOM and other UN related agencies are waiting for a flight at a hotel in Kabul. More than 120 Nepalis working at the Canadian and German embassies are being rescued by a US Air Force plane. In addition to above, preparations are on to rescue 62 Nepalis working at the Japanese embassy in Kabul and they will be brought to Kathmandu within 72 hours. This comes as Taliban took control of the presidential palace, soon after president Ashraf Ghani fled the country.

127 people including 118 Nepalis return to Kathmandu from Afghanistan

The much sought-after Indian talent is now getting attracted towards Canada in large numbers, away from the United States because of its outdated H-1B visa policy, immigration and policy experts have told US lawmakers.

This is mainly because of the per-country quota on issuing employment-based green card or permanent residency, the experts said on Tuesday, urging the Congress to act fast to prevent the Indian talent from moving to Canada from the United States.

Without Congressional action, the total backlog for all three employment-based categories for Indians would increase from an estimated 9,15,497 individuals currently to an estimated 21,95,795 individuals by fiscal 2030, executive director of National Foundation for American Policy Stuart Anderson said.

"We should let that number sink in: Within a decade, more than 2 million people will be waiting in line for years or even decades for employment-based green cards," he submitted in his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee-Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Testifying before the panel on "Oh, Canada! How Outdated US Immigration Policies Push Top Talent to Other Countries,” Anderson said that highly skilled foreign nationals, including international students, are choosing Canada over America.

"This has happened in response to how difficult it is to work in the United States in H-1B status or gain permanent residence, and the comparative ease of international students and foreign nationals working in temporary status and then acquiring permanent residence in Canada," he said.

The number of international students from India enrolled in graduate-level computer science and engineering at US universities declined by more than 25 per cent between 2016-17 and 2018-19 academic years, according to an analysis of US government data by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP).

To place the significance of the decline in context, international students represent approximately 75 per cent of the full-time graduate students at US universities in computer science, and in the 2016-17 academic year, two-thirds of the international students at the graduate level in computer science at US universities were from India.

At the same time fewer Indian students were coming to America, the number of Indian students attending Canadian universities rose from 76,075 in 2016 to 1,72,625 in 2018, an increase of 127 per cent, according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education, he said.

"In sum, Canada''s immigration policies are much better than America''s for facilitating the entry of talented individuals. Congress established America''s policies in 1990, before smartphones, e-commerce, social media, cloud computing and the daily use of the internet exploded the demand for high-skilled technical labor. The world has changed since 1990. U.S. immigration policy has not,” Anderson said.

The Canadian government has made it increasingly easy for employers to attract and retain talent. On the other hand, numerical restrictions on high-skilled temporary visas block the vast majority of foreign-born applicants from working in America in a given year, Anderson said.

In March 2021, employers filed 3,08,613 H-1B registrations for cap selection for FY 2022 for only 85,000 H-1B petitions. "That means over 72% of H-1B registrations for high-skilled foreign nationals were rejected even before an adjudicator evaluated the application,” he said.

Jennifer Young, CEO, Technology Councils of North America, said that fast-growing Canadian companies are permitted to hire highly-skilled foreign talent, or people with skillsets most commonly found among H-1B applicants in the United States, in as little as four weeks, pre-pandemic. By comparison, the United States immigration system is paper-based, causing nearly all applicants significant delays in processing, she said.

Young said that a former colleague of her, Ketaki Desai, and her husband were both educated in the United States, on student visas. They were fortunate to obtain H-1B status upon graduation and were strong contributors to the US economy. After 18 years and realising their path to permanent residency was looking very bleak, they left the United States for Toronto, Canada. They bought a house and are actively recruiting and helping individuals leave the US workforce and join them in Canada, she told the lawmakers.

“With more than 1,00,000 H-1B cap submissions denied annually, the United States has turned away millions of qualified, highly-skilled, and often US-educated individuals who are going to other countries to contribute to their economy,” Young said, noting that the matter of raising or eliminating H-1B visa and per country immigrant visa caps have often fallen victim to incorporation into an overall immigration reform bill.

Sudip Parikh, CEO and Executive Publisher, Science Journals, American Association for the Advancement of Science, told lawmakers that it is critical that US immigration policies reflect a 21st century approach in the same way that the Congress is now working on legislation to advance research and innovation in critical technologies to compete with China.

Parikh urged the Congress to expand dual intent visas to include foreign student visas (e.g., F-1 visas) to allow them the option to apply for permanent residency and adjust post-graduation immigration law to ease entry to work for skilled graduates.

"Some organisations have recommended proposals to ''staple a green card'' to international students graduating with a diploma in specific, targeted fields of study to meet US demands,” he said, urging the Congress to continue to exempt higher education and research institutions from the H-1B visa caps.

The much sought-after Indian talent is now getting attracted towards Canada in large numbers, away from the United States because of its outdated H-1B visa policy, immigration and policy experts have told US lawmakers.

The much sought-after Indian talent is now getting attracted towards Canada in large numbers, away from the United States because of its outdated H-1B visa policy, immigration and policy experts have told US lawmakers. This is mainly because of the per-country quota on issuing employment-based green card or permanent residency, the experts said on Tuesday, urging the Congress to act fast to prevent the Indian talent from moving to Canada from the United States. Without Congressional action, the total backlog for all three employment-based categories for Indians would increase from an estimated 9,15,497 individuals currently to an estimated 21,95,795 individuals by fiscal 2030, executive director of National Foundation for American Policy Stuart Anderson said. "We should let that number sink in: Within a decade, more than 2 million people will be waiting in line for years or even decades for employment-based green cards," he submitted in his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee-Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. Testifying before the panel on "Oh, Canada! How Outdated US Immigration Policies Push Top Talent to Other Countries,” Anderson said that highly skilled foreign nationals, including international students, are choosing Canada over America. "This has happened in response to how difficult it is to work in the United States in H-1B status or gain permanent residence, and the comparative ease of international students and foreign nationals working in temporary status and then acquiring permanent residence in Canada," he said. The number of international students from India enrolled in graduate-level computer science and engineering at US universities declined by more than 25 per cent between 2016-17 and 2018-19 academic years, according to an analysis of US government data by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP). To place the significance of the decline in context, international students represent approximately 75 per cent of the full-time graduate students at US universities in computer science, and in the 2016-17 academic year, two-thirds of the international students at the graduate level in computer science at US universities were from India. At the same time fewer Indian students were coming to America, the number of Indian students attending Canadian universities rose from 76,075 in 2016 to 1,72,625 in 2018, an increase of 127 per cent, according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education, he said. "In sum, Canada''s immigration policies are much better than America''s for facilitating the entry of talented individuals. Congress established America''s policies in 1990, before smartphones, e-commerce, social media, cloud computing and the daily use of the internet exploded the demand for high-skilled technical labor. The world has changed since 1990. U.S. immigration policy has not,” Anderson said. The Canadian government has made it increasingly easy for employers to attract and retain talent. On the other hand, numerical restrictions on high-skilled temporary visas block the vast majority of foreign-born applicants from working in America in a given year, Anderson said. In March 2021, employers filed 3,08,613 H-1B registrations for cap selection for FY 2022 for only 85,000 H-1B petitions. "That means over 72% of H-1B registrations for high-skilled foreign nationals were rejected even before an adjudicator evaluated the application,” he said. Jennifer Young, CEO, Technology Councils of North America, said that fast-growing Canadian companies are permitted to hire highly-skilled foreign talent, or people with skillsets most commonly found among H-1B applicants in the United States, in as little as four weeks, pre-pandemic. By comparison, the United States immigration system is paper-based, causing nearly all applicants significant delays in processing, she said. Young said that a former colleague of her, Ketaki Desai, and her husband were both educated in the United States, on student visas. They were fortunate to obtain H-1B status upon graduation and were strong contributors to the US economy. After 18 years and realising their path to permanent residency was looking very bleak, they left the United States for Toronto, Canada. They bought a house and are actively recruiting and helping individuals leave the US workforce and join them in Canada, she told the lawmakers. “With more than 1,00,000 H-1B cap submissions denied annually, the United States has turned away millions of qualified, highly-skilled, and often US-educated individuals who are going to other countries to contribute to their economy,” Young said, noting that the matter of raising or eliminating H-1B visa and per country immigrant visa caps have often fallen victim to incorporation into an overall immigration reform bill. Sudip Parikh, CEO and Executive Publisher, Science Journals, American Association for the Advancement of Science, told lawmakers that it is critical that US immigration policies reflect a 21st century approach in the same way that the Congress is now working on legislation to advance research and innovation in critical technologies to compete with China. Parikh urged the Congress to expand dual intent visas to include foreign student visas (e.g., F-1 visas) to allow them the option to apply for permanent residency and adjust post-graduation immigration law to ease entry to work for skilled graduates. "Some organisations have recommended proposals to ''staple a green card'' to international students graduating with a diploma in specific, targeted fields of study to meet US demands,” he said, urging the Congress to continue to exempt higher education and research institutions from the H-1B visa caps.

Brain drain: Indian talent moving to Canada due to outdated H1B visa policy, US lawmakers told

Multiple Indian businessmen in South African cities complained of financial ruin, as their stores were targeted by rioters. Is Jacob Zuma's relationship with the Gupta family making Indians a target?

Gravitas: Why are Indians being targeted in South Africa?

Indians in Afghanistan face a "serious threat of kidnapping". As the Taliban steps up its offensive, the Indian mission has termed the security situation in Afghanistan as dangerous.

Gravitas: Indians face "serious threat" of kidnapping in Afghanistan

According to an extensive study&nbsp;conducted by the Pew Research Centre, 84 per cent of Indians said that to be “truly Indian”, it is very important to respect all religions.

The study, which covered 29,999 Indian adults, concluded that citizens of India are "united in the view" that respecting other religions is a very important part.

People in six major religious groups openly asserted they are "free to practice their faith" and that people of other religions are also free to practice their own religion.

The research was conducted in 2019 and early 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic. The study found that nearly 97 per cent of Indians believe in God and 80 per cent people across religious groups&nbsp;feel that God exists, however, one-third Buddhists said they do not believe in God.

Interestingly, the Pew research found that India’s religious groups share several religious practices and beliefs.

For example, 29 per cent Sikhs, 22 per cent Christian women and 18 per cent Muslim women wear a bindi&nbsp;(marking on the forehead of a married woman) although it is a Hindu symbol, with Muslims, Hindus and Christians likely to believe in&nbsp;Karma.

The study also found that some members of the majority Hindu community celebrate Muslim and Christian festivals.

The research further found that 48 per cent of Indian Muslims said that the Partition of the subcontinent in 1947 was a bad thing for Hindu-Muslim relations, with 74 per cent Muslims in support of access to existing Islamic courts.

As far as religious identity is concerned, nearly 72 per cent people surveyed said a person cannot be a Hindu if they eat beef, while among Muslims 77 per cent said a person cannot be a Muslim if they eat pork.

The research revealed&nbsp;that close friends of Indian citizens come mainly or entirely from their own religious community.

But they have a&nbsp;different view when it comes to inter-religious marriages. Both Hindus and Muslims are averse to interfaith marriages, with majority of respondents from both communities opposing it.

According to an extensive study conducted by the Pew Research Centre, 84 per cent of Indians said that to be “truly Indian”, it is very important to respect all religions.

According to an extensive study conducted by the Pew Research Centre, 84 per cent of Indians said that to be “truly Indian”, it is very important to respect all religions. The study, which covered 29,999 Indian adults, concluded that citizens of India are "united in the view" that respecting other religions is a very important part. People in six major religious groups openly asserted they are "free to practice their faith" and that people of other religions are also free to practice their own religion. The research was conducted in 2019 and early 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic. The study found that nearly 97 per cent of Indians believe in God and 80 per cent people across religious groups feel that God exists, however, one-third Buddhists said they do not believe in God. Interestingly, the Pew research found that India’s religious groups share several religious practices and beliefs. For example, 29 per cent Sikhs, 22 per cent Christian women and 18 per cent Muslim women wear a bindi (marking on the forehead of a married woman) although it is a Hindu symbol, with Muslims, Hindus and Christians likely to believe in Karma. The study also found that some members of the majority Hindu community celebrate Muslim and Christian festivals. The research further found that 48 per cent of Indian Muslims said that the Partition of the subcontinent in 1947 was a bad thing for Hindu-Muslim relations, with 74 per cent Muslims in support of access to existing Islamic courts. As far as religious identity is concerned, nearly 72 per cent people surveyed said a person cannot be a Hindu if they eat beef, while among Muslims 77 per cent said a person cannot be a Muslim if they eat pork. The research revealed that close friends of Indian citizens come mainly or entirely from their own religious community. But they have a different view when it comes to inter-religious marriages. Both Hindus and Muslims are averse to interfaith marriages, with majority of respondents from both communities opposing it.

Indians believe it's important to respect all religions: Pew research

A 35-year old senior executive at a software company in Singapore, who made racially offensive tweets in April last year, including slurs to Indians and condemning Indian immigrants about COVID-19, was jailed for three weeks on Tuesday, a media report said.

Zainal Abidin Shaiful Bahari, a Malay, pleaded guilty to two charges each of committing acts he knew were prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different racial groups in Singapore. Another two similar charges were considered in sentencing, Channel News Asia reported.

A member of the public called the police in April 2020 after seeing a tweet by the user 'sharonliew86' condemning Indian immigrants about COVID-19.&nbsp;

Zainal, a senior director at a software company, used the pseudonym 'Sharon Liew' (Chinese name), had sole control of the account.

In March 2020, he also posted that 'smart Chinese' women have done social distancing inside the Mass Rapid Transit subway trains by not wanting to sit next to Indians.

Zainal's lawyers claimed that he was 'not a racist' and that he was taking over a 'parody account' and 'overstepped the mark' while 'trying to be funny'.

District Judge S Jennifer Marie said that race and religion are sensitive issues and would-be offenders must realise that careless remarks have the potential to cause social disorder.

"Further, when such remarks are published with the medium of the Internet, they have the ubiquitous reach and therefore amplify the potential and irreversible harm that could be caused to...Peace and racial harmony."

She added that racial tensions have been heightened by the continued pandemic and a strong deterrent signal must be sent.

Zainal was identified and police investigations revealed that he had set up the Twitter account in July 2018 with two other friends.

It was meant to be a parody account and had more than 5,000 followers, but the posts by Zainal's two friends stopped from early 2019.

Zainal took sole control of the account and posted the offensive tweets in March and April 2020.

The prosecutor called for four weeks' jail, saying there was a clear need for general deterrence, especially in the current climate where tensions in the community have been heightened and strained by exceptional pandemic circumstances.

Lawyer Sunil Sudheesan asked instead for three weeks' jail, saying that every action by his client must be viewed "in the proper context".

"He's not a racist, obviously," said Sudheesan. Zainal is married to a Chinese woman and has racially diverse friends.

Sudheesan said everyone, who followed the account knew it was a parody, and things could have become inflamed when people who did not know the intention of certain tweets forwarded them.

"Our client is very sorry for this. He should have anticipated this," the Channel quoted the lawyer as saying. 
The prosecutor responded that Zainal had well crossed the line.

"This was not parody, this was not satirical behaviour, this was simply the actions of an online troll who was provoking others...This is really not acceptable," he said. The judge told Zainal that the language used in his tweets were in bad taste.

"If you had really valued racial and cultural diversity, you should have appreciated all the more the need to preserve ... Sensitivities given the multi-cultural fabric of Singapore," she said.

For each charge of committing an act prejudicial to racial harmony, Zainal could have been jailed up to three years, fined, or both.&nbsp;

A 35-year old senior executive at a software company in Singapore, who made racially offensive tweets in April last year, including slurs to Indians and condemning Indian immigrants about COVID-19, was jailed for three weeks on Tuesday, a media report said.

A 35-year old senior executive at a software company in Singapore, who made racially offensive tweets in April last year, including slurs to Indians and condemning Indian immigrants about COVID-19, was jailed for three weeks on Tuesday, a media report said. Zainal Abidin Shaiful Bahari, a Malay, pleaded guilty to two charges each of committing acts he knew were prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different racial groups in Singapore. Another two similar charges were considered in sentencing, Channel News Asia reported. A member of the public called the police in April 2020 after seeing a tweet by the user 'sharonliew86' condemning Indian immigrants about COVID-19. Zainal, a senior director at a software company, used the pseudonym 'Sharon Liew' (Chinese name), had sole control of the account. In March 2020, he also posted that 'smart Chinese' women have done social distancing inside the Mass Rapid Transit subway trains by not wanting to sit next to Indians. Zainal's lawyers claimed that he was 'not a racist' and that he was taking over a 'parody account' and 'overstepped the mark' while 'trying to be funny'. District Judge S Jennifer Marie said that race and religion are sensitive issues and would-be offenders must realise that careless remarks have the potential to cause social disorder. "Further, when such remarks are published with the medium of the Internet, they have the ubiquitous reach and therefore amplify the potential and irreversible harm that could be caused to...Peace and racial harmony." She added that racial tensions have been heightened by the continued pandemic and a strong deterrent signal must be sent. Zainal was identified and police investigations revealed that he had set up the Twitter account in July 2018 with two other friends. It was meant to be a parody account and had more than 5,000 followers, but the posts by Zainal's two friends stopped from early 2019. Zainal took sole control of the account and posted the offensive tweets in March and April 2020. The prosecutor called for four weeks' jail, saying there was a clear need for general deterrence, especially in the current climate where tensions in the community have been heightened and strained by exceptional pandemic circumstances. Lawyer Sunil Sudheesan asked instead for three weeks' jail, saying that every action by his client must be viewed "in the proper context". "He's not a racist, obviously," said Sudheesan. Zainal is married to a Chinese woman and has racially diverse friends. Sudheesan said everyone, who followed the account knew it was a parody, and things could have become inflamed when people who did not know the intention of certain tweets forwarded them. "Our client is very sorry for this. He should have anticipated this," the Channel quoted the lawyer as saying. The prosecutor responded that Zainal had well crossed the line. "This was not parody, this was not satirical behaviour, this was simply the actions of an online troll who was provoking others...This is really not acceptable," he said. The judge told Zainal that the language used in his tweets were in bad taste. "If you had really valued racial and cultural diversity, you should have appreciated all the more the need to preserve ... Sensitivities given the multi-cultural fabric of Singapore," she said. For each charge of committing an act prejudicial to racial harmony, Zainal could have been jailed up to three years, fined, or both.

Singapore court jails man for racially offensive tweets, slurs against Indians 

An estimated 360 million Indians will get Russian covid vaccine Sputnik V's by the end of March 2022 as India will have approximately 361 million doses of vaccine, officials coordinating the entire vaccine measure in the country have said.&nbsp;

On May 1, India got the first consignment of 1.5 million doses of the vaccine, and second consignment will also reach soon. In total, India gets 18 million doses of Sputnik V, three million in May, five million in June and 10 million in July.

Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is the Russian sovereign wealth fund that has funded the vaccine, has signed pacts with five Indian companies to produce 850 million doses. The doses will not only be produced in India but also, exported to third country. Between June 2021 to March 2022, around 238 million doses will be produced in the country. India also expected to get 11 million doses in form of fill and finish.&nbsp;

Sputnik V vaccine is the third Covid vaccine after Covishield and Covaxin that Indian regulatory authorities have given approval to. More than 60 countries have given approval to Sputnik V and as of May 5, more than 20 million people globally have received the first injection of the Sputnik V vaccine. Interestingly, a combination of vaccines like Sputnik and AstraZeneca for use is being talked about.&nbsp;

With the announcement of Russia's single-dose Covid vaccine Sputnik Light, the volume of the vaccines, which is a variant of Sputnik V is expected to increase. Sputnik Light will also be produced in India."It will be produced in exactly the same countries where Sputnik V will be produced. So, it's India, Korea, and China," said Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian direct investment Fund (RDIF) told reporters last week in a virtual presser.&nbsp;

And it is just not that Sputnik V in the focus, India is looking at Moderna and the Quad Vaccine initiative under which vaccines will be produced in the country. When it comes to constraints for raw material for vaccines from the US, the issue has been resolved with Washington making an announcement on it days ago.&nbsp;

But perhaps the biggest breakthrough has been the US extending support to the proposal for waiver of intellectual property rights on Covid vaccines. Being termed as something that will make a 'huge difference' on the ground, it will help in the production of Covid vaccines at a huge scale as removes legal impediments. For example, India's Serum Institute can make vaccines under the licence by AstraZeneca, and these vaccines can’t be exported to some geographic areas. The matter was raised by PM Modi with US President during their talks on April 26. According to officials, the Indian PM had told President Biden that it is an opportunity to make a difference.&nbsp;

An estimated 360 million Indians will get Russian covid vaccine Sputnik V's by the end of March 2022 as India will have approximately 361 million doses of vaccine, officials coordinating the entire vaccine measure in the country have said.

An estimated 360 million Indians will get Russian covid vaccine Sputnik V's by the end of March 2022 as India will have approximately 361 million doses of vaccine, officials coordinating the entire vaccine measure in the country have said. On May 1, India got the first consignment of 1.5 million doses of the vaccine, and second consignment will also reach soon. In total, India gets 18 million doses of Sputnik V, three million in May, five million in June and 10 million in July. Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is the Russian sovereign wealth fund that has funded the vaccine, has signed pacts with five Indian companies to produce 850 million doses. The doses will not only be produced in India but also, exported to third country. Between June 2021 to March 2022, around 238 million doses will be produced in the country. India also expected to get 11 million doses in form of fill and finish. Sputnik V vaccine is the third Covid vaccine after Covishield and Covaxin that Indian regulatory authorities have given approval to. More than 60 countries have given approval to Sputnik V and as of May 5, more than 20 million people globally have received the first injection of the Sputnik V vaccine. Interestingly, a combination of vaccines like Sputnik and AstraZeneca for use is being talked about. With the announcement of Russia's single-dose Covid vaccine Sputnik Light, the volume of the vaccines, which is a variant of Sputnik V is expected to increase. Sputnik Light will also be produced in India."It will be produced in exactly the same countries where Sputnik V will be produced. So, it's India, Korea, and China," said Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian direct investment Fund (RDIF) told reporters last week in a virtual presser. And it is just not that Sputnik V in the focus, India is looking at Moderna and the Quad Vaccine initiative under which vaccines will be produced in the country. When it comes to constraints for raw material for vaccines from the US, the issue has been resolved with Washington making an announcement on it days ago. But perhaps the biggest breakthrough has been the US extending support to the proposal for waiver of intellectual property rights on Covid vaccines. Being termed as something that will make a 'huge difference' on the ground, it will help in the production of Covid vaccines at a huge scale as removes legal impediments. For example, India's Serum Institute can make vaccines under the licence by AstraZeneca, and these vaccines can’t be exported to some geographic areas. The matter was raised by PM Modi with US President during their talks on April 26. According to officials, the Indian PM had told President Biden that it is an opportunity to make a difference.

360 million Indians to get Sputnik V jabs by March 2022 

While India has a demographic dividend with greater percentage of population being young, increasing population is still a challenge before the country. This puts a strain on available resources and puts additional responsibility on the government to take care of more number of people. The government tries to stabilise the population through various schemes and efforts. A non-profit organisatin has now provided assistance and a fillip to these efforts.

Mobius Foundation, a non-profit organisation has augmented government efforts with its project Aakar. Mobius Foundation, which implemented Project Aakar in two phases, is an organisation that strives to spread awareness about sustainability and works for the betterment of future generations.

Phase 1 of Project Aakar was completed in December 2018. It covered two highly populated districts of Uttar Pradesh namely Baharich and Barabanki. In this phase, families were familiarised with contraceptives and family planning methods.

After completion of phase 1, the next phase was launched. In Phase-2, focus is on counselling on married couples as well as school students in the 'marriageable' group of 17 to 20 years.

Mobius Foundation has also come up with 'Dampatti no. 1' and 'Zimmedar hum' initiatives. In this, eligible couples are given information and guidance.

Project Aakar began with Mobius Foundation linking up with NGO that had a good ground-level presence. Through the project, outreach was made to about 1 million people in two districts. 
&nbsp; 
For raising awareness, a three-pronged approach was adopted

Reach Out Model

In this, a strong network of capable individuals was established

Strong Linkages

String links were established between this network and public private systems at state district, block and village levels.

Communication

Mobile communication technique was used to establish community groups, referrals

While India has a demographic dividend with greater percentage of population being young, increasing population is still a challenge before the country. This puts a strain on available resources and puts additional responsibility on the government to take care of more number of people.

While India has a demographic dividend with greater percentage of population being young, increasing population is still a challenge before the country. This puts a strain on available resources and puts additional responsibility on the government to take care of more number of people. The government tries to stabilise the population through various schemes and efforts. A non-profit organisatin has now provided assistance and a fillip to these efforts. Mobius Foundation, a non-profit organisation has augmented government efforts with its project Aakar. Mobius Foundation, which implemented Project Aakar in two phases, is an organisation that strives to spread awareness about sustainability and works for the betterment of future generations. Phase 1 of Project Aakar was completed in December 2018. It covered two highly populated districts of Uttar Pradesh namely Baharich and Barabanki. In this phase, families were familiarised with contraceptives and family planning methods. After completion of phase 1, the next phase was launched. In Phase-2, focus is on counselling on married couples as well as school students in the 'marriageable' group of 17 to 20 years. Mobius Foundation has also come up with 'Dampatti no. 1' and 'Zimmedar hum' initiatives. In this, eligible couples are given information and guidance. Project Aakar began with Mobius Foundation linking up with NGO that had a good ground-level presence. Through the project, outreach was made to about 1 million people in two districts. For raising awareness, a three-pronged approach was adopted Reach Out Model In this, a strong network of capable individuals was established Strong Linkages String links were established between this network and public private systems at state district, block and village levels. Communication Mobile communication technique was used to establish community groups, referrals

Non-profit organisation project helps government stabilise Indian population

India has filed the highest number of EB-5 immigrant investor applications in the United States. Watch report.

India's ER-5 applications up 400% from 2016 to 2019

Watch today in 'World Business Watch': Indian filed highest number of EB-5 immigrant investor applications in the United States.

Indians filed highest number of EB-5 immigrant investor applications in the US

The Indian Navy on Wednesday said it has completed Operation Samudra Setu, which began on May 5, by bringing nearly 4,000 Indians back home from three countries amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock), and Airavat, Shardul and Magar (Landing Ship Tanks) participated in this operation which lasted over 55 days and involved traversing more than 23,000 kilometres by the sea," the Navy said in a statement.

While five repatriation trips were done by ships to Male in the Maldives, two were done to Bandar Abbas in Iran and one was done to Colombo in Sri Lanka under this operation.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on ships and seafarers due to the compact environment and forced ventilation systems onboard ships," the statement noted.

The greatest challenge for the Indian Navy was to avoid any incident of the outbreak of the infection on board the ships during the evacuation operation, it noted.

Rigorous measures were planned and medical and safety protocols unique to the operating environment of ships were implemented, it mentioned.

"These were strictly followed on board the ships undertaking Op Samudra Setu resulting in the safe return of 3,992 of our citizens to their homeland," it stated.

Ships used for the operation were especially provisioned and the Sick Bay or the clinic on board was specially equipped with COVID-19 related equipment and facilities, the statement said.

This operation was undertaken by the Indian Navy in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health and various other agencies of the government of India and state governments.

The Indian Navy on Wednesday said it has completed Operation Samudra Setu, which began on May 5, by bringing nearly 4,000 Indians back home from three countries amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Indian Navy on Wednesday said it has completed Operation Samudra Setu, which began on May 5, by bringing nearly 4,000 Indians back home from three countries amid the coronavirus pandemic. "Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock), and Airavat, Shardul and Magar (Landing Ship Tanks) participated in this operation which lasted over 55 days and involved traversing more than 23,000 kilometres by the sea," the Navy said in a statement. While five repatriation trips were done by ships to Male in the Maldives, two were done to Bandar Abbas in Iran and one was done to Colombo in Sri Lanka under this operation. "The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on ships and seafarers due to the compact environment and forced ventilation systems onboard ships," the statement noted. The greatest challenge for the Indian Navy was to avoid any incident of the outbreak of the infection on board the ships during the evacuation operation, it noted. Rigorous measures were planned and medical and safety protocols unique to the operating environment of ships were implemented, it mentioned. "These were strictly followed on board the ships undertaking Op Samudra Setu resulting in the safe return of 3,992 of our citizens to their homeland," it stated. Ships used for the operation were especially provisioned and the Sick Bay or the clinic on board was specially equipped with COVID-19 related equipment and facilities, the statement said. This operation was undertaken by the Indian Navy in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health and various other agencies of the government of India and state governments.

Indian Navy completes Operation Samudra Setu by repatriating nearly 4,000 Indians from 3 countries

Nearly 800,000 Indians may be asked to leave Kuwait soon. The Kuwait government could pass a new expat quota bill to reduce the number of foreign workers. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Nearly 8,00,000 Indians could be forced to leave Kuwait

Kuwait National Assembly’s legal and legislative committee has approved the draft expat quota bill, according to which Indians should not exceed 15% of the population. The bill will now be transferred to the respective committee so that a comprehensive plan is created, according to reports.

Fineprint: Kuwait approves bill to expel Indians, Bill targets Kuwait's expat population

The Indian govt is bringing home 1.8 million Indians stranded abroad. But overseas citizens of India are not being given seats on special Air India flights. Several OCI card holders reached out to WION to make an appeal. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you their story.

Gravitas: Stranded outside India: A Gravitas special report

30 countries have requested India to lift the ban on the export for a medicine - that could potentially help in curing Coronavirus patients. Can India export key medicines to the world right now, while ensuring there is enough for Indians?

Wuhan Coronavirus: 30 countries request India for medicine supplies | Gravitas

India will be evacuating its pilgrims first from Iran, followed by the Indians students stranded in the country in the backdrop of novel coronavirus outbreak.

India to evacuate pilgrims from Iran,talking with Tehran

IAF C-17 Globemaster carrying the first batch of 58 Indian pilgrims, lands at Hindon air force station in Ghaziabad from Tehran, Iran.

India airlifts batch of 58 citizens from Iran

India on Monday sent an IAF C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft to coronavirus-hit Iran to evacuate stranded Indians over there, the Indian Air Force said.

India sends C-17 Globemaster to Iran to bring back Indians

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