views & vision of city tmc's “aapla davakhana” project

VIEWS & VISION OF CITY

www.afternoonvoice.com SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021, MUMBAI RNI No. MAHENG/2009/2933212 Pages, ₹2 /-Volume: 12, Issue: 270

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EU leaders defend LGBT rights amid concern...

Dr.Vaidehi

One Rupee Clinicllness and its treatment costs are not uniform across India. For Ithe same disease, it could vary vastly between different cities located in different parts of the country. Common people

prefer to give up on life when it comes to the medical expenses. The treatment charges of few common diseases like cancer, kidney failure, cataract, etc. are way unaffordable and above all the medical syndicate that sucks the common man to the core. In such adversities, One Rupee Clinic like ventures are blessings to the common public.

As the pandemic has spread, so have demands for the Indian

government to regulate the rising costs of healthcare in private hospitals, which provide the bulk of the country's medical treatment. India has nearly twice as many private hospitals as public ones—an estimated 43 487 versus 25 7781—despite about 85.9% of India's rural population and 80.9% of its urban population having no health insurance.

Treatment at public medical facilities is free, but the quality of care varies greatly among states, and covid-19 has exposed the lack of government investment in terms of equipment, facilities, and

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ED raids premises of ex-Maha HM Deshmukh ...

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My crime, I fought for

breath of 2 crore ...

TMC's “ ”Aapla DavakhanaProject Forced Rahul Ghule

To Attempt Suicide?Dr.VaidehiTaman

afternoon_voice

he over stressed DR Rahul TGhule, who is helping society and authorities with

his utmost sincere contribution with medical services, is been harassed by politicians, journalists and his business partners. He believes there is nexus to extort and finish him.

Beguilingly, hours after word of his attempted suicide became the subject of news reports, Dr Rahul Ghule posted a tweet saying that all issues that had purportedly troubled him had been resolved, with the help of certain politicians he named. He said that those who were guilty have been punished, and added that 50 Aapla Davakhana clinics will open soon.

In a appalling episode, the founder of One Rupee Clinic, Dr. Rahul Ghule, on Thursday allegedly attempted suicide, after which he was admitted to a hospital. Hours before taking this drastic step, the doctor, who has now been discharged following treatment, had claimed on Twitter that he was taking the step due to the pressure he was facing from a

'nexus' of political leaders, Thane Municipal Corporation officials, and a few journalists.

Dr Rahul Ghule is the founder of One Rupee Clinic, in a series of tweets posted, which he later removed, Dr Ghule had stated that the TMC had not paid his bills for the past six months. He also claimed that a “nexus of political agents” had taken ₹29 lakh from him and further

forced him that he invests ₹1 crore in TMC's Aapla Davakhana project. He had claimed that he had taken the extreme step due to the pressure he was facing from a “nexus” of political leaders, Thane Municipal Corporation officials and certain journalists.

He posted his tweet stating “No bills from TMC since 6 months, time to suicide for common man in such situation. Thane supremo knows everything. There is no justice to me. I have small family I request don't harass then. Keep our hard-earned money to you all (sic),”, followed by another tweet saying that he was admitted to the hospital after taking 30 pills.

In response to a question asked to him by another Twitter user, Dr Ghule later said that he had deleted the tweets for the sake of his family.

Dr Ghule came to

meet me on Wednesday morning. I have assured him of all help, as we do not want anyone to suffer. I am also instructing the TMC Commissioner to look into the matter and take action. We will investigate the claims made by Ghule and take appropriate action. Ghule had undertaken some work for the Aapla Davakhana project with a partner and has some dispute with him, which caused him stress.”

Sandeep Malvi,TMC spokesperson

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vaidehitaman

vaidehisachin

Editoritis 02

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AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

EditorDr. Vaidehi

Email- [email protected] • SMS -9820199881

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Volume No. 12 | Issue No. 270

One Rupee Clinicstaff. Existing vacancies haven't been fulfilled, even as government run hospitals struggle without adequate manpower. Most ventilators are available only in private hospitals, and even then, they're concentrated in just seven states. All of this serves to drive desperate patients towards private healthcare—if they can afford it.

Dr Rahul Ghule got the stirring idea of working for poor patients' way back in 2014 while he was working as a medical officer at JJ hospital. He opened a charitable clinic in a slum in Colaba. He wanted to expand his services. Unfortunately, one day his mother met with a road accident and due to unavailability of timely medical treatment she was left paralysed. This incident made him realize the need to set up clinics at the most vulnerable place of MUMBAI; the railway stations. And when the government planned to start medical facilities at railway stations, he wasted no time to grab the opportunity. He started with around eight such clinics. Presently, there are more than 20 such affordable medical facilities, operative in and around MMR.

Ghule's team of passionate doctors working for the noble cause are well trained and qualified MBBS/ BAMS specialists providing the best care. Committed to providing high quality preventive, promotive and curative health services, all we are is a few steps away from you. You get personal attention specific to your healthcare needs and truly, there can't

be anything better at the negligible cost. For the first time in India, Magicdil has come up with a noble concept of 1 RupeeClinic for the common man.

The one-rupee clinic was established in 2017, in a Joint Collaboration with the Government of India and Ministry of Railways, and was started at numerous local train stations in Mumbai metropolitan region. It not only provides a health checkup facility to the locals and commuters but also works as an emergency unit in case of rail accidents. Dr Rahul Ghule had kept a token charge of rupee one as a consultation fee along with very nominal rates of diagnostic tests.

Diseases and potential health risks won't go unnoticed or unattended to, due to high expenses either. In a country, where 35% of the deaths are

caused due to non - communicable and lifestyle related diseases, this visionary approach for providing health checkups and medical facilities at railway stations, in collaboration with the Govt. of India and Railway Ministry, is indeed a leap towards a healthier India.

In this time of COVID 19 crisis, Dr Rahul Ghule and his qualified team of One-rupee clinics, comprising of 750 medical staffs are tirelessly managing around ten Covid care centres in and around Mumbai. These care centres are set up by local civic bodies. Dr Rahul Ghule and Magicdil health are also managing a 165 bedded Covid hospital at Mira Road.

Approximately they are managing over 2500 Covid patients and that's a commendable task. Ghule and his organisation not only takes proper care of their patients but they ensure that their team members are duly awarded for their duty. Additionally, he sees to it that all his One-rupee clinic doctors, nurses and even ward boys are paid handsomely and are duly insured. Moreover, the institution looks after their free accommodation and food for all their staff. This is the reason why these Covid warriors are working so efficiently under such tremendous pressure.

Intriguingly, hours after word of his attempted suicide became the subject of news reports, Dr Rahul Ghule posted a tweet saying that all issues that had purportedly troubled him had been resolved, with the help of certain politicians he named. He said that those who were guilty have been punished, and added that 50 Aapla Davakhana clinics will open soon.

Common people prefer to give up on life when it comes to the medical expenses. The treatment charges of few common diseases like cancer, kidney failure, cataract, etc. are way unaffordable and above all the medical syndicate that sucks the common man to the core. In such adversities, One Rupee Clinic like ventures are blessings to the common public.

“

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AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 03Voices

It refers to Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) releasing analysis on contribution made to

political parties through Electoral Trusts for the year 2019-20 revealing names of both the contributors and the receiving political parties the funds through electoral trusts. Report revealed that the ruling BJP got lion-share of rupees 276.45 crore i.e. 76.17 per cent of total donations given to all political parties through Electoral Trusts followed by Congress getting rupees 58 crore i.e. 15.98 per cent of total such contributions.

Big question is if contributions received by respective political parties revealing the name of contributors can be made public, then why and how similar transparency is not observed in the case of Electoral Bonds despite repeated demands from ADR and others interested in transparency and fairness in the poll-system. It is noteworthy that the government has not so far been able to provide any

Letters to the

editor

The World Test ChampionshipThe World Test Championship

- Sourish Misra- Sourish Misra

The World Test ChampionshipNew Zealand men's cricket team

clinched the World Test Championship title by defeating India on Wednesday. The poor way the Indian batsmen performed on the sixth day - the reserve day - of the final match at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England was so unfortunate. Mostly because of their failure, India lost that historic Test match and New Zealand walked away with the inaugural title of the championship. It's really painful to see how one after another renowned Indian batter got out on that day and lastly stumbled to 170 all out in their second innings, from 64 for 2 at the time of the commencement of that day's play. The Indian batting squad's insipid performance of the day broke hearts of all Indian cricket-lovers.

I am a regular reader of your esteemed newspaper.

- Sourish Misra

‘'Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and ‘'Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi -all are facing Mehul Choksi -all are facing extradiction trials' (Editoritis)extradiction trials' (Editoritis)

- Maya Hemant Bhatkar- Maya Hemant Bhatkar

‘'Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi -all are facing extradiction trials' (Editoritis)

Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi -all are facing extradiction trials' (Editoritis) rightly points out the respinsibility of bank officials in the transactions of loan approval done by the three bussinessmen. The government undertaking bank rarely works for the benefit of bank as it is owned by government they take decisions that proves fatal in long run like the loans given to Mallya, Modi and Choksi. The onus of bank's cruicial decisions are upon the employees who take it, but PSBs are backed by government officers feel they are not responssible if anything goes wrong. At least top management of PSBs should take care but they are also negligant and such cases happens. Common man never get a lian of even paltry amount eadily but bussinessmen gets it on platter is the reason they can abscond and take the banks for granted. Government is helping them as its their undertaking but bank like Punjab n Maharashtra bank's loyal customers are still hoping against hope that their deposit will be given back to them someday.

- Maya Hemant Bhatkar

Enough of your natakgiri, Enough of your natakgiri, Mr ThackerayMr Thackeray

- Jubel D'Cruz- Jubel D'Cruz

Rise of terrorismRise of terrorism

Enough of your natakgiri, Mr Thackeray

We have had enough of Mr. Uday Thackeray's natakgiri. It's high time now he gave permission to the railways to resume local trains for the general public which had stopped plying in the fourth week of March 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. During the last 18 months of the lockdown, people have lost their permanent jobs and companies have closed down. Now they (including myself) have nothing to eat and are living on black tea and dry bread daily in order to survive. Even the free ration that was announced by the CM for the months of April, May and June 2021 have not been given to people, including myself.

Why make empty promises when they cannot be fulfilled? It is taking the common man for a ride.

- Jubel D'Cruz

Rise of terrorismPakistan pays pensions to those

who are declared dangerous and terrorists in the name of its national policies. Pakistan also gives shelter to these people. Therefore, now is the time to hold Pakistan accountable

- Sagar Shirodkar- Sagar Shirodkar

for aiding terrorists and for the rise of terrorism, India slammed Pakistan at a session of the UN Human Rights Council. India has sided with a report on Kashmir. More than 1,000 girls from religious minorities are forcibly converted to Islam in Pakistan every year. There have also been incidents of religious minorities sacred and ancient places being attacked and vandalized in Pakistan. For that, India needs to teach Pakistan a permanent lesson, not just criticize.

- Sagar Shirodkar

Out of more than 2000 registered political parties three-fourth have not contested not even a single election.”

convincing argument in keeping opaqueness in Electoral Bonds. It is for the Supreme Court to decide the issue at the earliest.

It is also time to abolish dual-edged tax-exemption on contributions made to and received by political parties by

Subhash C Agrawal

Readers are requested to mailLetters to the Editor only at

[email protected] postal letters will be entertained

(The views expressed are authors' own.)

Complete transparency in Electoral Bonds important like exists for Electoral Trusts – Supreme Court should urgently

decide the issue to ensure honest political system

repealing sections 13A, 80GGB and 80GGC of Income Tax Act also to avoid misuse to whiten black money through floating non-serious political parties. Out of more than 2000 registered political parties three-fourth have not contested not even a single election.

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AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 04CityDelta plus: Level 3 curbs in Maharashtra to contain COVID-19 spread

In view of cases of the Delta plus variant of COVID-19 emerging in Maharashtra,

the state government on Friday announced 'state-level trigger' for imposing restrictions in administrative units irrespective of weekly positivity rate and o x y g e n b e d o c c u p a n c y percentage.

Weekly positivity rate regarding levels of restrictions will be determined on the basis of RT-PCR

tests, and not rapid antigen or other tests, the state government said and described Delta plus as a variant of concern.

Restrictions in administrative units will remain at a level not below 3, according to new guidelines issued as part of a government notification which also calls for pushing for 70 per cent vaccination of eligible population in the state.

T h e m o v e i n d i c a t e s

tightening of restrictions to curb any surge in cases after some people were detected with the highly infectious Delta plus variant of coronavirus. Delta plus has been declared a variant of concern by the Centre.

The notification amends the f i v e - l e v e l u n l o c k p l a n announced by the Maharashtra government earlier this month.

Delta plus cases have been

found in Ratnagiri, Jalgaon and some other districts of the state, requiring stricter curbs, the notification said.

State-level trigger means that irrespective of the weekly positivity rate and oxygen bed occupancy, level 3 restrictions will continue in administrative units till the district disaster management authority takes a ca l l to withdraw them, according to the notification.

ED raids premises of ex-Maha HM Deshmukh in Nagpur, aides in Mumbai

T h e E n f o r c e m e n t Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted searches at the

p r e m i s e s o f f o r m e r Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in Nagpur and his associates in Mumbai as part of a money laundering probe against the politician on Rs 100 crore bribery charges, officials said.

They said the raids are being carried out under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the locations include Deshmukh's residence at GPO Chowk in Nagpur and that of his personal secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde in Mumbai.

Palande was brought by the sleuths to the ED office in B a l l a rd E s t a t e a re a o f Maharashtra's capital city for questioning around noon, they said.

The central probe agency had registered a criminal case under

the anti-money laundering law against Deshmukh and others last month after studying a CBI FIR.

The ED case came about after the CBI first carried out a preliminary enquiry followed by filing a regular case on the orders of the Bombay High Court that asked it to look into the allegations of bribery made against Deshmukh by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.

Officials said the search teams are looking for additional evidence that can be important for their probe.

The teams are trying to gather

evidence and record statements to substantiate the claims made by about 10 bar owners to the ED that they paid about Rs 4 crore ''bribe'' in cash that was allegedly handed over to the former home minister.

Official sources said these claims have been recorded by the agency under the PMLA and it is trying to corroborate it with additional evidence.

Deshmukh, who had to resign from his post in April following the allegations, has denied any wrongdoing.

The agency's probe is focused on the allegation that illicit funds were generated in the transfer, posting of police personnel in Maharashtra and if illegal extortion was done by the cops as claimed by Singh in his complaint.

The ED has powers to attach assets of the accused during the investigation stage and later file charge sheets against them before a PMLA court for trial.

Cong killed democracy, worked for self-interest: Maha BJP leader

The BJP's Latur unit p res ident and MLC Ramesh Karad on Friday

said the Congress had killed democracy and worked for self-interest and power, while the BJP has been working for the welfare of common people. Karad was speaking at a function organised to mark the 46th anniversary of Emergency, which was declared on this day in 1975, and honour people who fought against it.

The Emergency was declared

by then prime minister Indira Gandhi for a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977, when curbs w e r e i m p o s e d o n t h e fundamental rights of people. ''Indira Gandhi's Congress government killed democracy and imposed emergency for the sake of power and self-interest. Many are unaware that several citizens were tortured during the Emergency. This programme will teach thousands of youths about those dark days,'' the BJP leader claimed.

Maha land fraud: Absconding MBMC town planner held in Surat

A civic town planner from Mira Bhayander area of Thane district allegedly

involved in a multi-crore rupee urban land ceiling fraud was arrested from Surat in Gujarat on Friday morning, police said.

Accused Dilip Gheware, a town planner posted with Mira B h a y a n d e r M u n i c i p a l Corporation, along with others had f raudulent ly shown residential plots as agriculture ones to accumulate benefits under the ULC Act and in the process caused heavy losses by way of taxes etc to the state

exchequer, a Thane Crime Branch official said.

''Gheware was absconding since the past two weeks and h a d a l s o a p p l i e d f o r anticipatory bail in the sessions court. He was held in the morning from Surat in Gujarat. This is the fourth arrest in the case since probe by the Crime Branch began on June 10 this year. Before this, five people were arrested and a charge sheet was filed against them in 2017,'' Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Laxmikant Patil said.

Cyclone Tauktae: Mumbai Police files FIR against owner of tug Varaprada

Mumbai Pol ice on Friday filed an FIR against the owner of

the tug Varaprada that sank during cyclone Tauktae. An FIR at Yellowgate Police Station has been registered against Glory Ship Management Private Limited and company owner

Rajendra Sahi."We have filed an FIR based on

a complaint by Francis K Simon, one of the survivors and chief engineer of boat," the police said. Francis, in the complaint, claimed that the Varaprada Tug Company, Glory Ship Management Pvt Ltd, and the owner of the company,

Rajendra Sahi, intentionally did not carry out repairs or maintenance of the tug.

The incident had claimed the lives of 11 people. A case has been registered under Section 304(2), 34.

A Specialist Clearance Diving Team of Western Naval Command had conducted a diving operation over the wreck of Tug Varaprada in May, as per the Indian Navy. According to the Indian Navy, the diving was carried out at a depth of 32 Metres in nil visibility conditions at distance of 35 nautical miles from Mumbai harbour from INS Makar and INS Tarasa.

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AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 05NationOnline Applications Are Invited ForSix found with Delta Plus

variant, 56 with Alpha, 318 with Delta in Madhya Pradesh

Admission Into Govt. Of India Online Fire & Health Safety Courses

National Centre for Fire & Safety Engineering, Hyde rabad i n v i t e s

Applications into the Ministry of M S M E G o v t . o f I n d i a Organisation Fire & Safety, Health & Industrial Safety Courses. Interested 10th Pass, 10+2, Degree, Diploma, Engineering candidates all over Telangana State apply online for the respective courses.

Courses offered: Sub Fire Officer, Fire Technology &

Industrial Safety, Industrial Safety, Occupational Health Safety & Environment, Health Sanitary Inspector. Duration of the courses 6 months to 1 year.

After successfully completing Courses in Fire & Safety Courses the Candidates wi l l get opportunities in the Job profiles like Safety Officer, Fire Officer, Safety Supervisor, HSE Officer, Safety Engineer, Firemen. Candidates will be getting better opportunities from Oil &

Gas Industry, Mining, Plantation & Erecting, Thermal Power S t a t i o n s , C o n s t r u c t i o n , Airports, MNCs etc. Job Opportunities are good for these candidates in India as well as Abroad.

Last Date for Application: 15/07/2021

Online Application website: www.ncttindia.com

For details contact phone number: 9701496748

Madhya Pradesh, which has reported deaths o f two pat i en t s

whose samples tested positive for Delta Plus variant, has found Covid-19 variants in 380 of the 2,025 random samples it sent to the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) for genome sequencing since November 2020.

The state has so far received reports of 1,219 samples, of which 318 were found with Delta variant (B.1.617.2), which is reported to have caused a rapid spread of the virus during the second wave in India.

The Delta variant (B.1.617.2)

was first reported in India, while the Alpha variant was first reported in the UK.Delta Plus, a variant of Delta (B.1.617.2), has been categorised as a 'variant of concern' which resists monoclonal antibody therapy tha t p roduces a r t i f i c i a l antibodies.

Of the six Delta Plus cases detected in MP, two each are from Bhopal and Ujjain and one each from Ashoknagar and Raisen. A woman from Ujjain and a man from Ashoknagar have succumbed to the virus after their samples tested positive for Delta Plus variant. Madhya Pradesh Thursday reported 84 new coronavirus cases and 21 deaths. The state has a total of 1,495 active cases and a positivity rate of 0.1 per cent. Sarang, however, said the state will continue testing as was done during the peak of the second wave, and timely samples will be sent to NCDC for sequencing.

Mamata Banerjee seeks WHO approval for the CovaxinBengal Chief Minister

Mamata Banerjee urged Prime Minister Narendra

Modi to intervene in securing WHO approval for the Covaxin c o ro n a v i r u s v a c c i n e . M s Banerjee flagged concerns of Indian citizens - students in particular - unable to travel abroad for now because the vaccine had not yet been approved by the World Health Organization.

Mamata Banerjee said "A large number of students from all over the country travel abroad every year for higher s t u d i e s a n d m a n y g o t vaccinated with Covaxin. They came to learn, later on, that their vaccination is not valid

abroad. These students are now in a fix and their career is at stake," "It is learnt Covaxin is still not approved by WHO and it is not possible to travel abroad as many countries are allowing only those fully vaccinated with

WHO-approved vaccines," she added.

"Hence, I request your kind intervention so early approval is received for Covaxin so students do not face any problem. This will also benefit people travelling for any other purposes," she wrote.

Manufactured by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, Covaxin is in the process of securing an EUL, or emergency use listing f rom the Wor ld Hea l th Organization.Bharat Biotech officials and WHO authorities met Wednesday in a 'pre-submission' meeting to finalise submiss ion of data and documents needed to secure the EUL.

My crime, I fought for breath of 2 crore people: Kejriwal over report on 'inflated' oxygen need

In face of the BJP's accusation of ''criminal negligence'' citing a report that the Delhi

government ''exaggerated'' oxygen requirement during COVID-19 second wave, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said his only ''crime'' was that he ''fought for the breath of two crore people''.

He also said that those who lost their loved ones due to the shortage of oxygen should not be called ''liars''.

A sub-group constituted by the Supreme Court to audit oxygen consumption in the national capital's hospitals has said that the Delhi government ''exaggerated'' consumption of

the life-saving gas.The five-member panel,

headed by AIIMS director Randeep Guleria, said that during the second wave of COVID-19infections, the Delhi government had made claims for allocation of 700 MT of oxygen on April 30 using a ''wrong formula''.

After the report came to light, the BJP accused Kejriwal of ''heinous crime'' and ''criminal negligence''.

In reply to the allegation, Kejriwal took to Twitter to say, ''My crime -- I fought for the breath of my two crore people. When you were doing an election rally, I was awake all

night arranging for oxygen. I fought, pleaded to get oxygen for people.'' ''People have lost their loved ones due to lack of oxygen. Don't call them liars, they are feeling so bad,'' he said in a tweet in Hindi.

DGIPR-R

OC-2021-2022/C-5/C954



AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 06WorldEU leaders defend LGBT rights amid concern over Hungary law

Russia says Britain, US are stirring up Black Sea row

Russia accused Britain and the United States on Friday of trying to incite

conflict in the Black Sea and said it would defend its borders using all possible means, including military force.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was speaking a day after Moscow warned Britain it would bomb British naval vessels in the Black Sea if what it called provocative actions by the British navy were repeated off the coast of Russia-annexed Crimea. Russian news agency RIA quoted Ryabkov as saying Washington and London were sowing strife in the region by failing to accept Crimea as a part of Russia.

R u s s i a c o n s i d e r s t h e peninsula part of its territory. It annexed Crimea in 2014, but it is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. "Washington and London are denying reality... they are trying to provoke conflict," he said. "These are Russian territorial waters, this is our border. I can confirm that we will defend it with all possible means, including military."

Russia said on Wednesday it

had fired warning shots and dropped bombs in the path of a British warship to chase it out of Black Sea waters off the coast of Crimea. Britain rejected Russia's account of the incident. It said it believed any shots fired were a p re - a n n o u n c e d R u s s i a n "gunnery exercise", and that no bombs had been dropped.

I t conf i rmed a Br i t i sh destroyer, HMS Defender, had sailed through what it described as waters belonging to Ukraine. The British embassy in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, wrote on Twitter on Friday that HMS Defender was set to arrive in the port city of Batumi on the eastern coast of the Black Sea.

Russia's Defence Ministry said separately on Friday that it was beginning joint navy and air force exercises in the eastern Mediterranean, where Moscow operates an air base on Syria's coast.

European Union leaders clashed with Hungary's prime minister during a

heated summit Thursday over new legislation in his country that will ban showing content about LGBT issues to children, a measure that has been widely criticised across the region and has angered human rights groups.

A majority of the leaders insisted that discrimination must not be tolerated in the 27-nation bloc and told Viktor Orban that the new Hungarian law goes against the EU's fundamental values.

“Being homosexual is not a choice; being homophobic is," B e l g i a n P r i m e M i n i s t e r Alexander De Croo told Orban

during the meeting, according to a EU diplomat. The person spoke anonymously according to usual practice.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte launched a virulent tongue-lashing, suggesting that Orban activate the same clause in the bloc's treaty that

Britain used to leave if he is not happy with the EU's principles, another diplomat said.

Hungarian Justice minister Judit Varga said on Twitter that Hungary has no intention of leaving the EU. “On the contrary, we want to save it from hypocrites," she wrote.

China says Taiwan independence means war, asks Washington to 'sever' military ties with Taipei

China has issued a warning to the United States over its increasing

military contacts with Taiwan, saying the self-ruled island is an "inalienable part" of China and seeking its independence means war. In a statement, Chinese defense ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang said China is firmly opposed to any form of official exchanges or military contacts between the US and Taiwan, and Washington should "sever all military ties with Taiwan".

Ren made the remarks when commenting on the recent military exchanges between Washington and Taipei. "Ren sa id that the complete reunification of China is a historical necessity and the great rejuvenation of the C h i n e s e n a t i o n i s a n unstoppable trend. Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait

are the common aspirations of t h e p e o p l e . ' Ta i w a n independence' is a dead-end road, and seeking 'Taiwan independence' means war," the statement read.

"He reminded the US to fully r e a l i z e t h a t C h i n a ' s development and growth cannot be stopped by anyone or any force. The US should abide by the one-China principle and three China-US joint communiques, and sever all military ties with Taiwan," it added. China has ramped up political and military pressure

on Taiwan, which it considers as a breakaway province.

In an interview with a leading daily, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has said China's escalating military intimidation of Taiwan shows the self-governed island "needs to prepare" for a possible military conflict. In recent months, Taiwan has reported several incursions in its air defense identification zone by Chinese warplanes.

R e n s a i d t h e P e o p l e Liberation Army (PLA) has dispatched multi-type aircraft to conduct exercises in the Taiwan Strait, which is a necessary action in response to the current security situation across the Taiwan Strait and the need to safeguard national sovereignty As the Chinese threat has escalated, the US has stepped up its support to the self-ruled island.

Thailand to shut construction sites, seal off camps to contain virus

Thailand will close hundreds of construction sites and prevent workers from

leaving their camps for a month, its prime minister said on Friday, in an effort to tackle the country's worst coronavirus outbreak so far.

The order followed the emergence of more clusters in construction camps in the capital, which has 575 such sites in total housing about 81,000 workers. Since May, 37 clusters have been found in Bangkok camps.

Sites in some provinces near Bangkok and four in the south

near Malaysia will also be closed from next week. "Let 's implement this for a month. Things should improve then," Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters.

The labour ministry will compensate for the costs of halting construction projects, he said. Labour minister Suchart Chomklin said police will inspect camps for safety and make sure no one leaves, while authorities aim to test everyone inside. Many camp residents are migrant workers.

US to keep about 650 troops in Afghanistan after withdrawal

Roughly 650 US troops are expected to remain in Afghanistan to provide

security for diplomats after the main American military force completes its withdrawal, which is set to be largely done in the next two weeks, said an US official.

In addition, several hundred additional American forces will remain at the Kabul airport, potentially until September, to assist Turkish troops providing security, as a temporary move until a more formal Turkey-led security operation is in place, the officials said. Overall,

officials said the U.S. expects to have American and coalition m i l i t a r y c o m m a n d , i t s leadership and most troops out by July Fourth, or shortly a f te r that , meet ing an aspirational deadline that c o m m a n d e r s d e v e l o p e d months ago.

France's Macron says tensions with Turkey have eased

Tensions with Turkey have eased over the last few weeks but European

countries will remain cautious,

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday.

"Tensions have eased in recent weeks", Macron told a news con fe rence when speaking about Turkey.

“We will continue to be vigilant throughout the summer but also to re-engage in joint work", he added.



AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 07KidsRainy days are funTo children, rainy days are a sudden break

from their busy schedules. They often leave their studies behind and run out to

get drenched.Rainy days mark the discovery of a new life.

The trees look greener, and nature seems more diverse.

Rains are mostly accompanied with thunder and lightning. The grey clouds darken the usual azure palate and guard the sun. However, every dark cloud has a silver lining, and that renews our hope and inspires us. The thundering deafens us and we welcome the wrath of nature with outstretched arms.

A rainy day is a day which cools the weather with rain showers and a refreshing breeze. It is a boon for trees, birds, animals, plants and people during summer. It rejuvenates everyone by making the climate cool and pleasant.

The fruits and flowers on the trees look fresh, colourful and refreshing. Many people like getting drenched in the rain and children love playing football and making paper boats. A rainy day uplifts the mood of a person and brings in a sigh of relief from the scorching heat. It plays an important role for farmers as it helps them in the growth and nourishment of crops.

Some people listen to music and spend time with their family and friends when it rains.

When it rains, nature becomes very rhythmic and peacocks spread their feathers and frogs dance to celebrate

the charm of the rain.Rain is a beautiful gift of nature to mother

earth and her inhabitants. Without rain, there would be no life and people would run looking for water and food.

Rains are a welcome relief after a long and hot summer. - Jubel D'Cruz

1. What do you call an egg who likes to go on safari?A. An eggs-plorer!

2. Why was the egg late for school?A. He didn't study for the eggs-am.

3. Where do Eskimos keep their eggs?A. Inside an egg-loo!

4. What do you call a scared egg?A. Terri-fried!

5. Why did the new egg feel so good?A. Because he just got laid.

6. What did the doctor tell the chicken with high cholesterol?A. Try to lay off eggs for a while.

7. What do you call a smart omelet?A. An egg head!

8. How do chickens stay fit?A. They eggs-ercise!

9. Why did the eggs go to school?A. So that they could become egg-ucated.

How to draw



AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 08ClassifiedFull Time Specialist (PG Diploma, MS/MD) In Employee's

State Insurance Corporation - ESIC RecruitmentRecruitment For: Full Time Specialist (PG Diploma,

MS/MD)No Of Vacancies: 01Last Date: 25/07/2021Address: Employee's State Insurance Corporation,

Mumbai, Maharashtra 400093Qualification: MBBS With P.G. Degree Or equivalent

with post PG experience of 3 years or PG Diploma

having post PG experience of 05 Years respectively in

particular Specialty.Pay Scale: As per 7th CPC LEVEL-11 in the PAY

MATRIX, pay of Rs.67,700/- plus Other allowances as

admissible from time to time. No Transport

allowance is admissibleAge Limit: Not exceeding 66 years of age.

How To Apply For ESIC Vacancy:Candidates seeking reservation/Age relaxation

benefits under SC/ST/OBC /PWD category must

ensure that they are entitled to such reservation as

per eligibility prescribed in the Notice and as per the

instructions issued by Govt. of India. They should

also be in possession of the certificates in the

prescribed format of Govt. of India in support of

their claim. Candidates claiming reservation/ age

relaxation under OBC Category should submit the

latest OBC Certificate given at” prescribed vide Govt.

of India, Department of Personal and Training OM

No. 36012/22/93-Estt.(SCT) dated 15.11.93 along

with Self Declaration given at Annexure “C” failing

which the benefit of reservation or age relaxation

will not be given.

General Instructions:Reservation for PWD/Other reserved categories will

be executed as per Central Government Rule. 2)

Age relaxation for OBC / SC / ST / PWD / Ex-

Servicemen will be as per rule. 3) Fee for General,

EWS & OBC is Rs.300/- for SC & ST is Rs.125/-

(Nonrefundable) (DD in favour of ESI Fund A/C

No.1) & No fees for Women & PWD. 4) Candidates

seeking reservation/Age relaxation benefits under

SC/ST/OBC /PWD category must ensure that they

are entitled to such reservation as per eligibility

prescribed in the Notice and as per the instructions

issued by Govt. of India. They should also be in

possession of the certificates in the prescribed

format of Govt. of India in support of their claim.

Candidates claiming reservation/ agenrelaxation

under OBC Category should submit the latest OBC

Certificate given at Annexure -”B” prescribed vide

Govt. of India, Department of Personal and Training

OM No. 36012/22/93-Estt.(SCT) dated 15.11.93

along with Self Declaration given at Annexure “C”

failing which the benefit of reservation or age

relaxation will not be given. 5) ESI Corporation may

increase or decrease or cancel filling up of any or

all the post without assigning any reasons at the

discretion of the Appointing Authority. 6) The

recruitments are purely on contractual basis and

selected candidates will have no claim for

regularization of the service in the hospital. 7) The

selection is subject to the candidates proving their

medical fitness and verification of their Character

and Antecedents. 8) The Competent Authority

reserves the right to fill up all or not to fill up any

post. 9) In case regular incumbent joins in, the

appointment shall be terminated immediately. The

discretion will be solely of Medical Superintendent.

10) No TA/DA will be paid to candidates for

appearing in the walk-in-interview. 11) Application

should be submitted for each post separately along

with requisite fee. 12) The Medical Superintendent

reserves the right to alter the date or cancel the

interview

Detail of Interview: 24.09.2020 (09:30AM) -

25.07.2021 (03:00PM)Venue of Interview: 4 th Floor, Employee State

Insurance Corporation, Sub Regional Office, Marol,

Panchdeep Bhavan, Plot No.9, Rood No.-7, MIDC

Marol, Maheshwari Nagar, Andheri (East), Mumbai-

400093.Job Type: CONTRACTORJob Details: Official Website Document

(shorturl.at/twyS7)

HR Manager (Techt Talent India)

Job DescriptionPosition: HR ManagerEducation: Graduate in any discipline (Most Preferred: MBA-HR)Experience: Minimum Relevant Exp. of 01 yr+ (More Exp. more preferable)Functional Area: HR - Recruitment / Employee Relations / Manager

Desired Candidate Skills● Excellent command of English● Excellent communication and problem-solving skills● Should have past experience in HR Profile specially in *Recruitment, Employee Relations and their Grievance - Redressal*.● Should work pro-actively and dedicatedly● Able to carry out tasks within deadlines● Basic presentation skills● Able to multi-task, if requiredJob Description● Recruit new talent● Managing and maintaining Employees and built relations● Redressal of Employees' grievances, if any.Note: The candidate should be willing to sign at-least one year...

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, and Temporary

ExperienceHR recruitment: 0- 3 year Work: 0-3 year Human Resources: 0-3 year

EducationBachelor/Master's

Siya(Hr Executive)Contact No.: 9711067935

Internet Work with Incentives (Digital Marketing Executives)

Job Description● TFG Vacations India Pvt Ltd are looking for the candidates to promote and do online marketing for our company. It's a Part Time work from home with flexible working hours.● Just spend 2-3 hrs daily and earn huge income monthly with incentives.● All you required a Laptop/Smartphone with basic knowledge of computer and good internet connection.● Can be done from anywhere.● All contents & list of sites where content is to be posted is provided by the company.

Hurry!! Only limited vacancy

Interested candidate can contact us on Samira - 8408887592 (Call/WhatsApp)

Sr Executive Marketing Mumbai (Spykar)Job Profile:● Strong with PR & Content Corporate communication.● High on Fashion PR & Research.● Managing articles, Write-ups and Business PR.● Effective Influencer Management, Media Relations● Managing internal communications, social media management.● Ensuring Award Entries.

Package: 6.50 lakhs per annumLocation: MumbaiExperience: 4-5 years

To apply for this position email us your CV on [email protected] with Job Title in the Subject Line.

Computer operator, data entry person

● Company need Candidates who are willing to work from anywhere to promote our services of the company Online through Internet advertising. It is a Part time - work from home job. Simply spend a few hours a day daily and earn an income.

● All the Essential Training and assistance provided by us at every step.

● Students, Fresher's and Working Professionals Basic Computer Knowledge Needed, No Experience. Earn weekly

Contact at WhatsAppMr.Ravi, (Senior Hr) 8929707604



AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 09Classified

Printing supervisor, printing operators

JOB FUNCTION: Anchoring/TV/Films/ProductionINDUSTRY: Printing/PackagingSPECIALIZATION: Production/TechnicalQUALIFICATION: Any GraduateEMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full Time

JOB DESCRIPTIONWe need some candidates printing machine

operators & some printing supervisors for printing company located in Lal Qua side Ghaziabad. salary as per experience.

Contact us 9368925584 or 0120-4133852 or email us. this is printing & lamination unit. it is group of company. job seekers can contact us any time. They can come for walk in interview soon. our placement competent 41 basement express market Ambedkar road Ghaziabad.

Post Doctoral Fellow (M.Phil/Ph.D) In Advanced Centre For

Treatment Research And Education In Cancer - ACTREC Recruitment

Recruitment For: Post Doctoral Fellow (M.Phil/Ph.D)No Of Vacancies: 01Last Date: 05/07/2021Address: Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer , Mumbai, Maharashtra 410210Qualification: Doctoral degree in biochemistry, biotechnology and Life Sciences and related biological fields from a recognized university.Pay Scale: Rs.40, OOO/- per month.Experience Requirements: Minimum one year of post Ph.D. experience will be preferred. Experience in recombinant protein purification, molecular biology, structural biology biochemistry, and cell based experiments are required. Extensive experience in mammalian cell culture, apoptosis assays, in vivo animal model studies is desirable.

Job Responsibilities: To sub-clone, design mutants, express and purify proteins. Perform biochemical, biophysical, Structural and cell-based studies with relevant proteins to characterize their interactions.

How To Apply For ACTREC Vacancy: Candidates fulfilling the requirements should send mail to [email protected] mentioning the Post Doctoral Fellow in the subject and attaching recent CV highlighting the relevant experience and qualification by 05.10.2020 till 5.30 pm.

Detail of Interview: 05.07.2021 till 5.30 pm.Venue of Interview: Eligible candidates will be informed by reply email about the tentative timing of Zoom Interview. Selected candidates will have to come to ACTREC and will be allowed to join after verification of their original certificates.

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Job Details: Official Website Document (shorturl.at/pzRU2)

Project Administrative Assistant (Graduate) In Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd - HAL Recruitment

Recruitment For: Project Administrative Assistant (Graduate)No Of Vacancies: 04Last Date: 27/07/2021Address: G. G. Agarkar Road, , Pune , Maharashtra 411 004Qualification Graduate of a UGC recognized university or equivalent in any disciplinTHUePay Scale: Rs. 18,000/- + HRAAge Limit: 50 years Desirable Qualifications: Knowledge of Tally/Accounting Software/HR/ERP/MS-CIT etc. with experience of 1 year. English typing speed on a computer with 8000 key depressions per hour.Job Responsibilities: Coordinating - Interviews, Leave management, Filing management, correspondence with funding agencies, hostel accommodations etc., � Managing budgets and expenditure, Preparing UCs, Funding Management, Bill passing etc. � Purchasing overview, Follow-up, Receiving Procedures, Sundry Purchases, maintenance of stock register etc. � Hindi translation and typing work. � Use of modern office equipment's, use and update the knowledge of different software used in sections/units such as administration, accounts, purchase, stores etc. � Any other work as entrusted by the superiors.

How To Apply For HAL Vacancy: Google Form Link (shorturl.at/dwCLS) - PROJECT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ON CONTRACT BASIS Up to 27th June, 2021

General Instructions: 1. The above positions are contractual engagement and not for any type of appointment in A.R.I. temporary or otherwise and therefore it would not confer any right implicit or explicit for consideration against any ARI or funding agency's post. 2. The appointment may be terminated any time by one month's notice by the Institute without assigning any reason. In case of resignation from the post, Project Assistant has to give one month's prior notice in writing. The notice period may be waived off at the discretion of the Director, ARI. Before relieving the post he/she should complete the NO DUES etc. formalities.

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Job Details: Official Website Document (shorturl.at/bklnL)

Authorised Officer (Graduate, Any Post Graduate)

In Seepz Special Economic Zone Recruitment

Recruitment For: Authorised Officer (Graduate, Any Post Graduate)No Of Vacancies: 08Address: Seepz Special Economic Zone, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400096Qualification: Period of deputation including period of deputation in another ex-cadre post held immediately preceding the appointment in the same or some other organization/department of the Central Government shall ordinarily not exceed three years. The maximum age limit for appointment by deputation shall be not exceeding 56 years as on the closing date of receipt of applications.)Pay Scale: Pay Band and Grade Pay — Level 7 (9300-34800 + 4600) (Pre-revised)Age Limit: The maximum age limit for appointment by deputation shall be not exceeding 56 years as on the closing date of receipt of applications.)

How To Apply For Seepz Special Economic Zone Vacancy:The applicants are advised to forward Advance copy of the application to this office. However, the application can be considered only after receipt through proper channel. Application found incomplete and in absence of above requirements will not be entertained. The Application along with requisite documents may be forwarded to the following address:- Development Commissioner SEEPZ Special Economic Zone, Govt. of India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, SEEPZ Service Centre Building, Andheri (E), Mumbai-400096. The last date of receipt of applications is from the date of issue of this advertisement. Application received after the due date will not be considered. Application on proforma (Annexure-I) of eligible and willing officers who could be relieved in the event of selection along with following documents may be submitted through proper channel: a) ACR grading for last Five Years duly attested by the competent authority, b) Vigilance clearance Certificate, c) Integrity Certificate, d) Details of penalty if any imposed during last 10 years any proceedings pending contemplated.Tenure of deputation normally is 3 (Three) years as per DOPT's guidelines. The terms and conditions of deputation will be regulated in accordance with the Instructions contained in Ministry of Finance 0M No. 02/29/91/Estt.(Pay-II) dated 5/1/1994 as amended from time to time to draw pay of the post held by them in the parent department plus deputation allowance in accordance with and subject to the conditions laid down in the Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel & Training 0M No.2/8/97-ESTT (Pay-II) dated 11.03.1998 & No. 2/22/B/Estt/Pay/l I dated 3/9/2008 as modified time to time and such other general or special orders issued by the Ministry of Finance. The officers selected will be entitled to transfer T.A and joining time in accordance with the Rules of the Government of India in force. The officers who have worked in Same SEZ or other SEZs may apply only if cooling Off period of 3 years is over.

Last Date: 19.07.2021Job Type: CONTRACTORJob Details: Official Website Document

Life Insurance - Sales Manager- Maharashtra

Job Description

● Appointment of Life Insurance Agents.● Sales Insurance Individually and through Agents.● It is Completely a field job.● At least 3 year experience in Sales● To achieve the given target● Should ready to work under pressure● Candidate should have good communication skill.

Interested Candidates can also send their resumes at [email protected]



AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 10Opinion

Continuation from yesterday...

It went on for long and it was time to wind up.

Brenda was having her dinner when the harsh sound of squabble hit her ears. She went outside and that's when she saw Ranbir holding Sher Singh by his collar and using the choicest words of profanity. Anvita was trying to pull him and in this pandemonium, Ranbir gave a tight backslap to Anvita. She fell down. Sher Singh got himself free and rushed back to the house. Alcohol always falls as a victim or let me put it that it is always inculpated for most of the transgression exhibited by the humans. Though thebiochemical effect of the said substance only manifests the slowing down of the neuro-reflexes or the response time, as I said for all malice, we as an intelligent species know who to be blamed. Brenda stepped in and asked everyone to leave.

Next day, at breakfast Brenda served the offal tarts which was liked by everyone. She described how one has to be very careful while stuffing the tart shells with the right amount of kidney and liver. Brenda had also made some special ones with the heart. The group finished breakfast and started their trip for skiing. They had booked the cottage for a whole week and it was just the third day. The entire day Brenda and Sher Singh were busy in the garde manger while Ringo was tied outside. He always gets a sumptuous treat for guarding. That night at the dinner table Ranbir

again slapped Anvita and pushed Saransh on a trivial argument. He was stronger than the rest in his physique and nobody dared to return the favour. As much as he poured the spirit inside, Ranbir's savagery kept showing. He was wearing a half-jacket in this cold with a body-fitting full-length crew- neck T-shirt. He would deliberately flex his arms to exhibit all his strength. Brenda kept watching standing near the door where she was not visible to anyone. Sher Singh came inside to collect the meat stew and looked at Brenda. Both smiled at each other.

In a winter paradise, one must know that after some time the whiteness around starts getting portrayed inside your psyche and the cold makes you feel the frozen time. The group, on the fourth day, had nothing much to do asthey had covered almost the entire length and breadth of the small town. Ranbir approached Brenda and asked her, “Auntie, your boring town sucks now. Don't you have any more thrills apart from the skiing in this place?” Brenda with her calm demeanour, replied, “You see, Narkanda is nature's paradise and one must know how to relish it. You have many places to enjoy. For a start, I would recommend the small place near the Hatu peak where the silence among the mountains can make your mind serene.” Ranbir's sardonic laugh was piercing as he said, “Must be for you at your age, Brenda. We are young and we need the thrill to keep us serene, not

the silence. So I am asking you again, do you know where we can have some fun?” Brenda smiled and one could easily see how her eyes defied the feelings. With stone-cold eyes she replied, “Sometimes thrill can kill”. Ranbir said, “Then that's what I am talking about. What is it?”

Ranbir's persistence was now inexorable, to the extent that he told Brenda that if she was not ready to risk the entire group then he alone wanted to experience such thrill. Let his friends be not part of it. She called Sher Singh who then described to Ranbir about the Night Safari. This is one of a kind journey among the thick trail of maple, oaks and conifer, to the peak of Hatu, where one might be lucky to even do some bit of night hunting, mostly of night birds or a hare if one is lucky. But no guns are allowed. They could see the glistening in Ranbir's eyes as he announced that he would make the trip the next day. Brenda told him that he should inform this to his friends and that thetrek may take 18-20 hours and he might wish to carry his camping gears along.

The next day's breakfast saw the group in serious discussion. Anvita was trying to convince Ranbir to take her along, but as laddish as he could be, all the pleas got dejected. He told the group that they were too feeble to bear the endurance required for such a night trek. It was agreed that Ranbir would go all by himself with the briefing taken from Sher Singh and would start that

evening. The group decided to have a trip to Shimla to buy the necessary items. The day got engaged.

Ranbir's father was into real estate and his affluence never posed a threat in deliberating him into such unplanned extravaganzas in life. All the required gears including headlamps, handy shovel, neck gaiter, the trekking poles and the tent gear were purchased by Ranbir and the afternoon was spent in embellishing his backpack. After all, the photos would matter a lot in the social circles, the world that matters ultimately. They even took a picture of Brenda and Sher Singh along with the group.

Ranbir commenced his ascent for the trek sharp at 6:00

p.m. immediately after sunset. That night Brenda left the responsibility on Sher Singh to cater to the dinner for the group, as she was not well and had to sleep early. Without Ranbir, the dinner finished early and the group went to their rooms. Anvita was invited by Dharani to sleep with her that night as she would feel lonely. The watch can never match the silence and cold of the desperate night. Even at 8:00 p.m.,it was pitch dark and the fathomless night seemed never- ending. Anvita was telling Dharani, how un-reasonable Ranbir could be sometimes, and slowly the discussion progressed into nothing but plain and simple tittle-tattle.

While the trek progressed, Ranbir was slowly getting drained of the initial enthusiasm. It seemed to be

now boring and tiring as he grappled himself to move ahead. The thick snow path was weary and at some point, he even thought of returning to the cottage. But the thought quickly faded as the very postulation of him getting reckoned as a coward gave him more chills than the climate outside. He was no pussy. He had to prove. He let his backpack down and opened the scotch bottle. Time to have a drink or two, before he proceeded further. This was required as he never had experienced a sub-zero climate trekking outside in the night. He also thought to call Anvita and took off his mobile phone. But for obvious reasons, there was not a spot of signal. He checked the time instead and it was only 10:30

p.m. in the night. There was no way to be sure what distance

he has covered so far. All that he knew was that he had diligently followed the direction given by Sher Singh. A long stretch among the conifers. The night was slowly opening its dreamy eyes and now from the pitch dark, Ranbir could see the moonlight splattered all over the place. The view outside was mystic and for the first time, he felt that Brenda was right on that day, on the concept of serenity. He sipped his scotch which felt like nectar in this frosty night. He felt the warmth inside. Along the stretch, one could only see the black lines of tree trunks and the white snow sparkling in the moonlightin a pure visible uniformity. Suddenly the thought lashed out in his mind: “Are there any wild animals out there?” Sher Singh had said there wasn't even an ant, but who knew, there might be a lone wolf. Ranbir did not even have a gun with him. As his eyes tried to search the far-reached woods, he saw a pair of glowing eyes in the far distance.

(The latter part of the article will be continue tomorrow)

BRENDA’S KITCHENStory by Tapo Vijay Kar



AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 11Different Strokes

Drug Abuse on rise

26th June is observed as the International Day against Drug

Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking), often referred to as the International Day against Drug Abuse. It is to strengthen global action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. Observance of this day aims to raise awareness to fight against the substance abuse as well as the unlawful trade of drugs. Drugs are initially taken out of choice, but it becomes hard to resist them sooner than you realize. It is difficult to recover from this problem and even those who are at high risk of developing it again.

It is a fact that drug racket operates internationally, but some countries are transshipment points for drug circulation. India possibly because of its strategic location is more prone to drug activities including drug trafficking and local consumption. The

influence of westernization, changing family structure and peer pressure are some of the reasons behind drug abuse.

Our society should change its attitude. He should be provided with all the support and care. He should be properly rehabilitated. Moral education should be made a part of our curriculum. Society should be made aware from the early stage. n order to tame and trample the monster of drug abuse, we must go back to the root of the problem and make the user of drugs more human, tolerant, understanding, appreciative, sympathetic and helpful. Social workers, teachers, and above all parents, especially mothers can play a vital role in this direction. Many counselling and de-addiction centres have contributed greatly to create a national awakening. More such

efforts are required from all walks of society.

Drugs are primarily chemicals that affect the communication system of the human brain. They disturb the ways in which nerve cells send, process and receive information. There are a couple of ways in which drugs achieve this – they copy the natural chemical messengers of the human brain and they overstimulate the brain's reward circuit. Drugs such as heroin and marijuana are structured in the same way as chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. The Drug addiction can develop at any age but those who begin taking drugs at an early age have the highest risk of getting addicted. This is because the areas of the brain that are responsible for self-control, judgment and decision making are still in development stage. This is the reason why teenagers are more prone to drug abuse. Governments have a

responsibility to counteract both drug trafficking and drug abuse, but communities can also make a major contribution. Families, schools, civil society and religious organizations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs.

According to National Survey, hardly a third of drug dependents reported having taken treatment. In the findings of other agency it was found as low as two per cent. It is largely because people do not see drug abuse as a medical problem. Besides, lack of rehabilitation and access to treatment facilities are various other causes for not seeking treatment. The disintegration of the old joint family system, absence of parental love and care in modern families where both parents are working, decline of old religious and moral values etc lead to a rise in the number of drug

addicts who take drugs to escape hard realities of life. Drug trafficking is one of the major crime. Killing someone or helping someone to kill himself is equal to a crime. This is what common sense and human sense says. The ones who are trafficking and helping such drugs reach each and every corner of the country are committing a big crime. Drugs and drug dealing is a scourge that can bring down a mature and intelligent society to intolerable levels of depravity. It is better to nip this crime in bud so that our country doesn't follow the horrible western malady. Creating awareness of dangers of the substance abuse in society and effecting behavioural change are integral parts of the National Drug Master Plan. There should be no leniency when talking about peddlers and pushers who destroy the victim and his kith and kin and put the victim into unalterable habit which will make the individual take to all crimes including murder and rape. If we need to stop this menace from spreading we need harsh steps and stringent punishments. Only love and affection can help the youth from falling into clutches of drugs. Societal control is a necessary along with legal skeleton. Let us develop our Lives, our Communities, and our Identities…Without Drugs.”

Vinod Dixit✍



AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 12Gossip

'Ray': Uneven but worth a bingeIt's compulsively dark for

most parts, often strangely so, the way Satyajit Ray's

oeuvre rarely was. Ray had a way of serving the sombre in layers, with simplistic emotions often acting as mask for deeper subtexts.

The short stories adapted to create this anthology are direct in comparison while establishing grave discomfort. But then, they never said they were recreating Ray. The series is only based on Ray's writing and the three new-age filmmakers who call the shots on the four stories between them, take creative liberty to alter plots as well as moods, rendering a darker edge to the tales and tweaking the thriller quotient to satiate new-age tastes.

"Ray" makes for a good watch, although the series could seem erratic along the way. The show starts on a high note, maintains the tempo for most parts, slumps a bit in the final story only to come alive right at its end.

You note a couple of things. First, the sheer universal appeal of the stories that set up the narratives. The timelessness of Ray's legacy becomes obvious watching these tales, crafted for a medium that far from existed in Ray's time, and interpreted to suit an audience whose definition of entertainment has drastically altered since the decades when auteur lived and created his art.

The other thing that strikes is the fact that despite substantially moving away from Ray's idiom, the director trio of the anthology has credibly maintained an aesthetic quality with the material at hand. In characters and content, the stories could appear vastly different, but each of the stories retains Ray's creative spirit somewhere.

Abhishek Chaubey helms "Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa", the breeziest among the four segments based on Ray's short story "Barin Bhowmiker Byaram (Barin Bhowmick's Ailment)". Manoj Bajpayee is Musafir Ali, a popular ghazal singer who is travelling from

station where the city never sleeps. This third story, in many ways, is the high point of "Ray". It is a story well told, is engaging for the way it gradually introduces the metaphorical subtext and, importantly, lets the fantastic Kay Kay Menon take centrestage.

Vasan Bala's "Spotlight" ends the quartet. Based on a story of the same name, the finale focuses on Vik (Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor), a young actor whose stardom seems to rest on a particular 'look' he gives to the camera. "One Look Vik", as critics dub him, is gunning to enter Hollywood, although he wears a fake T-shirt that has 'Scorse Dada' written on it in Bangla (he means Scorsese, right?). On an outdoor trip to Agra, Vik finds himself in a quandary. A godwoman who goes by the name Didi checks in at the hotel where Vik stays and, just like the rest of the town, the managerial staff falls at her feet. Vik is upset because, suddenly, he is no longer the star around. Did has stolen his spotlight.

“Spotlight" is a moody and strange piece, uneven in parts. Just like Vik's 'one look', the segment seems to be salvaged by a single incidence -- the entry of Radhika Madan around 10 minutes from the end. Radhika enters the narrative just when you were wondering if Didi exists at all. Her act gives the story -- indeed the anthology -- a fitting closure, as she (literally) runs away with the "Spotlight".

The four episodes primarily bank on interesting storytelling and acting. While the primary cast is laudable across the board, you spot truly engaging moments thanks to a few in the supporting cast, too. Raghubir Yadav as the hakim ("Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa"), Anindita Bose as mystery girl Rhea ("Forget Me Not"), Dibyendu Bhattacharya as a mystical fakir ("Bahrupiya") and Chandan Roy Sanyal as Vik's assistant ("Spotlight") are perfect props who enrich each story with their roles.

Competently executed, "Ray" manages to sustain interest despite the uneven patches. Definitely worth a binge, and a second season with new stories.

memory, till a chance meeting with a woman named Rhea Saran (Anindita Bose) puts him in a tizzy. Rhea claims they have spent a night together in Aurangabad, and gives vivid details about not just their blind date but about Ipsit, too -- details a stranger is not supposed to know. He has absolutely no recall of Rhea, or visiting Aurangabad ever.

"Forget Me Not" scores as a slow burn suspense drama that has an intriguing story of vengeance at its core. Mukherji inserts the right twists at the right moment, and his trumpcard in the cast is Shweta Basu Prasad as Ipsit's secretary Maggie, who walks into the narrative as discreetly as a secretary might walk into a senior's room. It is a casting that value-adds to the story and, without giving away spoilers, Shweta impresses with an act that allots

minimum footage and limited dialogues, but

keeps you guessing all the way.

Mukherji returns to direct "Bahrupiya",

easily most twisted of the four stories and highlighted

by Kay Kay Menon's outstanding performance. The segment is based on a short story titled "Bahurupi (impressionist)". Kay Kay plays Indrashish Saha, a timid make-up artist who is basically a loser in life. Then, when his grandmother passes away, she leaves him a substantial amount of money and, more importantly, her book on prosthetic expertise. Suddenly, Indrashish is equipped with the power to 'become' just anybody. He begins to imagine he is invincible and starts abusing his newfound 'power', to his peril.

"Bahrupiya" is a modernday allegory, and its metaphysics need to be needs to be interpreted for one to savour the story. The plot is gripping and Mukherji maintain tension all through, spreading his narrative all across Kolkata in varied hues -- from the lush Maidan overlooking a resplendent Victoria Memorial to the restlessly dingy surroundings of Sealdah

smart choice of Ghulam Ali ghazals to set the tone, "Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa" is the right start for the anthology.

The mood turns bleak in the second story as Srijit Mukherji narrates "Forget Me Not", based on the Ray short

story "Bipin Chowdhury'r Smritibhrom (Bipin Chowdhury's Memory Loss)". The protagonist here is reimagined as Ipsit (Ali Fazal), partner at a start-up who is soaked in his ambition to scale the heights. Dashing Ipsit boasts of a razor-sharp

Bhopal to Delhi by train. His co-passenger in his first-class compartment is Baig (Gajraj Rao), a wrestler-turned-sports journalist. As they get acquainted, Musafir realises Baig is someone he knows -- from a similar train journey 10 years ago. A quirky secret from back then ties their fates.

Chaubey, who revealed a sense of impish humour in past directorials as "Ishqiya" and "Udta Punjab", lives it up casting two phenomenal actors at their best. With a

“Ray” (Anthology series on Netflix)

Direction: Abhishek Chaubey, Srijit Mukherji, and Vasan Bala

Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Gajraj Rao,

Shweta Basu Prasad, Anindita Bose, Ali Fazal, Kay Kay

Menon, Bidita Bag, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Radhika Madan,

Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and Akansha Ranjan Kapoor

Rating:

views & vision of city tmc's “aapla davakhana” project

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