India
Centre to rate states on faster green clearances, environmentalists seek withdrawal of such move | India News
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The move is, however, severely criticized by the environmentalists who sought its immediate withdrawal, saying the government’s decision will reduce environmental law compliance to a mere formality as the role of such body is to give nod after detailed scrutiny which takes time.
The environment ministry on Tuesday issued an office memorandum (OM) on its star-rating system for states’ green authorities, saying the move is intended as a mode of recognition and encouragement as well as for promoting improvements where needed. It also recalled how its several initiatives in the past had cut down the average time taken in grant of Environment Clearance (EC) to 75 days as against the prescribed timeline of 105 days.
The ministry said the issue of ranking of states based on the time taken in according clearances was raised in a meeting, chaired by cabinet secretary in November last year, on action taken on ‘ease of doing business’, and it was decided to “incentivize the states through a star-rating system, based on the efficiency and timeliness in grant of EC”.
Under the system, State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAA) will be rated to encourage transparency, efficiency and accountability. “A perusal of the (rating) criteria, however, reveals that greater weightage is given for projects where due diligence is less,” said environmental lawyer Ritwick Dutta who led the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE), a New Delhi-based think tank.
“This (rating system) process will ensure that SEIAA’s aim will be to clear projects at the shortest possible time,” said Dutta while flagging the irony as the real task of SEIAA is to undertake a ‘detailed scrutiny’ of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report and all other relevant information including minutes of the public hearing which takes time.
“This order must be immediately withdrawn lest it makes a complete mockery of whatever sanctity the EIA process still has in the country. Environment ministry, SEIAA and other authorities exist to safeguard India’s environmental security, and not give away the nation’s natural lands to gain brownie points,” said Manoj Misra, retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer and founder of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan.
“At a time when India has the world’s worst air and water quality, this OM will, if applied, will reduce environmental law compliance to a mere formality. It needs immediate withdrawal,” said Dutta. He noted that the ministry’s decision will put the EC processes in a situation where “getting full marks is bad for the environment and people”.
Referring to the rating criteria, the LIFE analyzed that if the SEIAA members conduct ‘site visits’ to ascertain the local conditions and ecology, marks are attributed for the same – and ironically the more the members visit the field to see the ecology, less marks they get.
“If SEIAA members undertake site visits in less than 10% of the proposals that come to them for appraisal, they will be given 1 mark. However, if they do site visits in more than 20%, SEIAA will get 0 marks… Similarly, in terms of time required for granting EC, 2 marks will be given if the approval is granted in less than 80 days and 0 mark will be given if approval is granted in more than 120 days… The aim is clear. SEIAA members should sit in the confines of conference rooms and make decisions and earn high marks,” said Dutta.
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India
A makeup artist discusses how Kisbu, a balloon seller girl from Kerala who became an overnight Internet sensation
Remya asserts that the nomad girl’s rise to fame among the thousands of other faces present at the event was not the product of excessive application of makeup but rather of inborn beauty.
A balloon vendor from Kerala named Kisbu rose to fame overnight after photos of her from a photoshoot attracted a huge amount of attention. The girl, who is from a Rajasthani family, was observed at the Andalur Kavu festival in Kerala by wedding photographer Arjun Krishnan. Now, the makeup artist who was in charge of her stunning transformation discussed the entire procedure. The artist known as Remya Prajul discussed how she changed Kisbu for the photo shoot.
Remya claims that the nomad girl’s rise to fame among the thousands of other faces present at the festival was not a product of elaborate makeup but rather her natural attractiveness. When she saw a picture of Kisbu in Andalur Kavu selling balloons without any makeup, the thought struck her. After that, all that remained was to persuade Kisbu’s family to agree to the makeover.
Remya claims that the nomad girl’s rise to fame among the thousands of other faces present at the festival was not a product of elaborate makeup but rather her natural attractiveness. When she saw a picture of Kisbu in Andalur Kavu selling balloons without any makeup, the thought struck her. After that, all that remained was to persuade Kisbu’s family to agree to the makeover.
According to the makeup artist, the process started around 4 AM. Before she was ready for the camera, she had to go through several steps with the facial, manicure, and pedicure. Remya made Kisbu feel at ease by outlining each step and its rationale. And as far as we know, the pictures caused the internet to breaking.
Kisbu’s parents only have one dream, according to Remya. They want her to get educated and not spend her life selling things like them. They are hopeful that this exposure will help the girl in her education.
Kerala
Kerala High Court allows lesbian couple Adhila and Fathima to live together
Adhila and Fathima met when they were students in Saudi Arabia and later they decided to live together. But their relatives objected to the relationship.
Kerala High Court on Tuesday, May 31 allowed a lesbian couple, who were separated by their parents, to live together. The order was issued after hearing a plea filed by one Adhila Nasrin.
Adhila Nasrin said that she and her partner Fatima Noora were physically and mentally tortured by their families. Six days ago, Noora was abducted by her relatives.
Nasrin alleged that Fatima Noora, who came to Aluva to stay with her, was abducted by her family and could not be found. Later on Tuesday morning, a habeas corpus was filed in the high court claiming that Noora was missing.
The high court considered the petition in the morning and ordered the police to produce Fathima Noora in court. The petitioner, Adhila Nasrin, was also summoned to court at the same time.
A bench of Justice Vinod Chandran clarified that it is not forbidden for adults to live together. The high court also settled the habeas corpus petition filed by Adhila Nasrin.
The 22-year-old Nasrin and 23-year-old Noora have been in a relationship since their school days in Saudi Arabia. But their relationship was opposed by their parents. Later, after graduation, the couple decided to live together. But both families opposed this move.
India
International Nurses Day 2022: Role of Nurses in COVID-19 Pandemic
International Nurses Day 2022: This special day provides an opportunity to reflect on the role nurses played during the COVID-19 catastrophe.
INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2022: International Nurses Day is observed worldwide on May 12 annually to honour the selfless contribution of these angels of the medical fraternity. This significant day commemorates Florence Nightingale’s birth anniversary, known as the founder of modern nursing. ‘A Voice to Lead—Invest in Nursing and Respect Rights to Secure Global Health’ is the theme for International Nurses Day 2022.
Nurses, like doctors, have become heroes for saving and healing patients amid the deadly pandemic. This special day provides an opportunity to reflect on the role nurses played during the COVID-19 catastrophe.
Role of Nurses in COVID-19:
For generations, nurses have laboured tirelessly, often at the expense of their health and well-being. However, their struggles and physical challenges are rarely appreciated. But it is our responsibility to acknowledge and thank them for their contributions to the healthcare system.
The global pandemic of COVID-19 has put a lot of burden on nurses. Unmindful of their safety, nurses worked with doctors round the clock as the pandemic continued to take a heavy toll on human lives globally. Nurses went above and beyond their everyday tasks to console patients in distress and provide them with the care and bravery they needed to combat the unprecedented pandemic. Nurses in Gujarat, for example, even danced with PPE kits to Bollywood hits like “Sochna Kya, Jo Bhi Hoga Dekha Jayega…” to cheer up patients.
“This global COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world the important role nurses play in keeping people healthy across the lifespan”, stated Annette Kennedy, President of the International Council of Nurses.
Nurses emerging as Corona warriors are now actively engaged in COVID-19 initiatives. They will continue to be critical participants in containing the pandemic with sufficient support. Hence, to attain universal health coverage, every country must invest in nursing, and medical infrastructure.