News Wrap

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Released on 14 october 2021, the Global Hunger Index, indicates India has stepped seven places on the Index, falling behind Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. India is positioned at 101 among 116 countries, ranked for the peer-reviewed annual report. The union government of India responded sharply to the downgrade, questioning the methodology employed. In 2014, when the Narendra Modi (BJP) government took office, India was ranked 55.

Durga Puja Pandal In Bengal
To organize a street Durga Puja in Bengal, the patronage and approval of the local Trinamul Congres (headed by chief minister Mamata Banerjee) is now obligatory. Faith, the rituals of worship, the political takeover of the most important religious festival of Bengali Hindus were near total in the celebrations. The awesome replica of Dubai Burikhalifa hotel as a highlight at the Sreebhumi pandal, (North 24 Parganas), which was hosted by a West Bengal state minister. The accompanying laser show happened to be on the flight path to Dum Dum city airport. As the laser show, hitting the skies, was on the flight path of the airport, it had to be stopped abruptly.

Tension In Taiwan Strait
Chinese military aircraft flew a record 150 sorties in Taiwan island’s air defence identification zone, over five consecutive days in early Oct 2021. Beijing has built aircraft hangars and potential munitions bunkers, and extended runaways and tarmac aprons, all of which would enhance the capabilities of the Chinese air force, if it were to attack. President Xi of China said in the second week of Oct 2021, that reunification of the Nation must be realized, and it would definitely be realized. President Teai of Taiwan said the island hoped for an easing of cross-Strait relations and that her government would not act rashly.

Communal Unrest In Bangladesh
Violence erupted in Bangladesh, after alleged blasphemous incidents during Puja celebrations in Comilla, triggered attacks on Hindu Temples. Protests began on 13 Oct 2021, after footage emerged on social media of a “blasplemous incident” during celebrations at a Durga Puja pavilion in Comilla, bordering Chandpur and about 100 kms from Dhaka. The minority Hindu community makes about 10% of the 169 million population. Around fifteen Hindus were killed in communal violence, and 150 Hindus were injured across the country. 80 make shift temples had been attacked. On 15 Oct 2021 violence broke out in the capital and Chittagong. High speed mobile phone internet services were shot down, in an apparent bid to prevent the violence from spreading.

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Frontier
Vol. 54, No. 21, Nov 21 - 27, 2021