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Dissent and different views are always strength of democracy and essential for development of any society. Unfortunately there is increasing intolerance to Dissent by those at the helms of affairs. This is not limited to one part of the world or any set of people. Even those who save the life of others are not being spared. Nobel Laureate Dr Denis Mukwege, who has worked for decades with great courage and compassion to address the needs of survivors of sexual violence has been getting threats to his life. He has been opposing the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, in the strife ridden Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and around the world. In 2012 he faced a deadly assault in which he narrowly escaped but his guard was killed.

The defensive or offensive capability of an army is determined not merely by the number of troops it has, the type of weaponry it has and the skill of the men in the army, navy and air force and to handle their weaponry to the best advantage. It also depends on the industrial base of the country, its economy (because war makes a heavy demand on a country’s resources) and finally, on the mood of the people: how enthusiastically they are supporting their government in conducting the war and the extent of social unrest prevailing in the country.

Union Ministry of Railways has issued orders restructuring Railway Board on corporate lines (claimed by the Ministry on functional lines) with effect from September 8, 2020. Restructuring has been effected to deal resolutely with the ongoing privatization of Indian Railways. Accordingly, Chairman Railway Board (CRB) and ex-officio Principal Secretary to the Government of India has been redesignated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with a trimmed five-member Board. Existing designation of CRB will continue but for all practical purposes he/she will be known as CEO, Indian Railways. Posts of two members, Member Electricals (ME) and Member Staff have been abolished and their work profile interpolated with two redesignated Members, Member/Infrastructure and Member/Traction and Rolling Stock. The post of Member Staff, after abolition, has been downgraded to Director General (Human Resource).

Clampdowns on the media have increased sharply in 2020, the UN cultural agency said on Monday, highlighting 21 protests around the world this year in which State security forces have violated journalists’ rights.

New Delhi: Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi who led India to a historic gold at the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad feels that Chess Esports is going to become big in post-Covid era.

New Delhi: India’s Akhil Rabindra along with French driver G.Vannelet, driving an Aston Martin Vantage AMR finished fourth at the Magny-Cours in the Championnat de France FFSA GT this weekend.

New Delhi: Natural venues will provide level playing field while making it more challenging for the teams in the IPL feels Delhi Capitals all -rounder Harsha Patel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to embark on a big-ticket privatization is certainly welcome but India cannot be without public sector, which always played a critical role in bailing out the economy in crisis.

Just a day after parting of his way with his onetime comrade in arms Lalu Yadav, the RJD supremo, the architect of the modern day rural employment scheme, the MGNREGA, which facilitated the prime minister Narendra Modi salvage his image in the wake of flight of the labourers after lockdown, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh bade his last adieu to the poor and daily wage workers of the country. His passing away at this juncture when Bihar is scheduled to face the assembly elections in November, will put RJD and especially RJD chief Tejashvi Yadav son of Lalu Yadav, in an embarrassing situation and question his leadership quality.

In Assam, two new features dominate the pre Assembly election scenario, if present developments are any indication. One, the Indian National Congress (INC) may fight the polls as part of a grand opposition alliance. The state unit is divided over the proposal to go into an alliance with the All India United Democratic Front (AIDUF). While the All India Congress Committee (AICC) is yet to endorse it, local leaders like ex chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and state party President Ripun Bora are strong backers of the idea.