Latest news with #2021
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
How I Learned to Be a Muslim Father
My wife Mira and I had been waiting for this moment for months, but it wasn't so easy. The birth of our son Musa, in 2021, took almost 24 hours. After what felt like an eternity, our baby suddenly flung himself out, past the hands of the nurse, through the air and onto the bed. He literally bounced. I couldn't believe what I saw, but there was no time to take it in. The cries of our son filled the room, and the tension evaporated, replaced by relief. As the room settled into calm, I performed a ritual that Muslim fathers had done for their newborn babies for generations. I whispered the Athan, the Arabic call to prayer, into Musa's delicate ears: 'I testify that there is no God but Allah, and that Mohamed is the messenger of Allah.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
20k sqm Pilerne hill conversion risks landslides, threatens lake
Panaji: The town and country planning department has given the greenlight to convert a 20,000 sqm land parcel on the Pilerne hillside that forms the buffer zone and catchment area for Pilerne's Saulem Lake. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This zone change effectively reintroduces elements of the controversial Regional Plan 2011 that was scrapped after a massive public protest. The conversion was provisionally granted under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act. If granted final approval, this will see a steep hill slope being opened up for construction. The land parcel is currently marked as partly orchard with 'No Development Slope' in the Goa Regional Plan – 2021, meaning that the gradient is considered too steep for construction and is vulnerable to soil instability. 'In 2006, around the time RP-2011 was notified, over 90 trees were hacked down and the hill was burnt for days. This notification is yet another instance in the TCP's chequered history,' said professor of development studies Solano da Silva. The TCP granted provisional approval for change of zone under Section 39A for Survey No. 37/0 and 37/1 in Pilerne on June 18. The department has given a brief window for stakeholders to voice their concerns. Environmental experts argue that construction on such steep slopes could alter the natural water flow, exacerbating the risk of landslides. 'Allowing development activities on such steep hill slopes poses a severe risk of landslides in the future. This danger extends not only to structures within the converted property but also to adjacent properties with existing structures, which could face the brunt of slope erosion and altered water flow, potentially leading to loss of life and property,' said Pilerne Citizens Forum secretary Hilario Lobo. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The TCP has ignored the proximity to the eco-sensitive Saulem Lake, also known as Pilerne Lake, which was notified as a protected wetland on Dec 9 through a gazette notification. The Wetland Notification of 2018 clearly stated that a 'zone of influence' means part of the catchment area of the wetland or wetland complex. The lake functions as a natural funnelled aquifer, replenished by springs. The water resources department (WRD) has demarcated the buffer zone as a water catchment area under the Catchment Area Department Authority of Goa (CADA). Environmentalists say that the TCP department has failed to independently assess the gradient and slope, with ISRO satellite imagery analysis indicating the slope is greater than 25 degrees, which should classify it as no development slope.
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Manufacture, storage of biodegradable carry bags gets cabinet nod
Bengaluru: The cabinet has approved an important amendment to allow the manufacture, storage, and sale of biodegradable carry bags, announced Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre on Thursday. Speaking to the media after the cabinet meeting, Khandre said that under the 2016 state notification, the manufacture and sale of plastic carry bags, flex banners, posters, plastic plates, cups, and spoons were completely banned. However, with the recent innovation of plant-based biodegradable bags, which decompose within 180 days, the government has now approved a policy change to facilitate their use. He recalled that during a recent meeting of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, he had proposed amending the 2016 notification to align with the 2021 Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules issued by the Union Ministry of Environment. Khandre clarified that the amendment will now permit eco-friendly, biodegradable (compostable) bags, as well as pre-sealed packaging plastic that meets specific safety standards. The decision is in accordance with the Centre's 2021 directive. The move is expected to ease restrictions for industries producing biodegradable alternatives while ensuring that environmental safety remains a top priority. Boundary Revision of Shettihalli wildlife sanctuary okayed The Cabinet has approved a proposal to revise the boundaries of the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary located across Shivamogga, Tirthahalli, and Hosanagara taluks of Shivamogga district, Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre announced on Thursday. Khandre said that the sanctuary was originally notified in 1974 with a designated area of 395.60 sq. km. The revision will now officially define the sanctuary's area as 396.165 sq. km, without reducing the original extent. The Minister explained that when the sanctuary was first declared in November 1974, it inadvertently included infrastructure and human settlements such as roads, bus stands, inhabited villages, patta lands, and areas earmarked for Sharavathi backwater rehabilitation. To resolve issues and reduce inconvenience to local residents, the Forest Department decided to revise the boundaries while maintaining ecological integrity. The proposal was sent to and has been approved by the National Board for Wildlife, clearing the path for formal re-notification of the revised limits. This update is expected to improve both wildlife protection efforts and community relations in the region, striking a balance between conservation and local development.
Economic Times
14-07-2025
- General
- Economic Times
Surrogacy abroad: Legal pathways and challenges for Indian couples seeking parenthood beyond borders
Parenthood is a profoundly personal journey, shaped by hope and resilience, but also by legal and societal barriers that affect some individuals. For many Indian couples, including those living abroad, surrogacy is a vital and sometimes the only route to having a child. However, India's surrogacy laws, while aimed at preventing exploitation, remain restrictive. Indian nationals residing in India have limited options to avail of altruistic surrogacy in India, but Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are compelled to explore surrogacy options in other countries - an endeavour riddled with legal, diplomatic, and ethical complexities. Further, Indian nationals who do not qualify for surrogacy in India also choose other countries that support commercial article examines the legal complexities of surrogacy abroad, utilizing case studies and cross-border legal frameworks for context. India's legal framework: Narrow and exclusionary The legal landscape of surrogacy in India is primarily shaped by the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, and the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. Key features include: Permits surrogacy only for heterosexual married couples who have been in the marriage for a minimum of five years and can provide medical evidence of infertility. Prohibits commercial surrogacy; only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, and the surrogate must be a close family member of the intending couple. Single individuals, LGBTQ+ persons, foreign nationals, NRIs, and OCIs are excluded. While well-intentioned, these laws fail to reflect the diverse realities of Indian families today. NRIs, even if they hold Indian citizenship, cannot pursue surrogacy in India, leading many to seek options abroad despite steep legal and financial challenges. Despite public and legal advocacy, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 remains unchanged. Petitions challenging its constitutionality are pending before the Supreme Court, including those filed by LGBTQ+ rights groups, single individuals, and NRI advocacy organisations seeking broader eligibility and less restrictive definitions of family. Ethical debates continue in the UK and EU. Bodies like the Nuffield Council on Bioethics have recommended legal reforms, while UK parental orders remain mandatory post-birth. Legal complexities abroad Surrogacy laws vary widely by country. Some, like Canada and the UK, permit only altruistic arrangements, while others, like certain US states, Mexico, and pre-war Ukraine, allow commercial surrogacy through enforceable contracts. Key legal hurdles include: Establishing parentage: In California, for example, court orders before birth assign parentage to intended parents. In many other countries, this is only possible after birth. In California, for example, court orders before birth assign parentage to intended parents. In many other countries, this is only possible after birth. Indian Citizenship: Under Section 4 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a child born abroad to an Indian citizen may acquire citizenship by descent, but only if Indian authorities recognize the intended parents' legal status. This recognition often hinges on surrogacy agreements, court orders, birth certificates, and DNA evidence. Challenges at Indian missions Even with complete documentation, Indian missions abroad differ drastically in their approach. While Consulates in Georgia and the U.S. tend to be pragmatic, others demand excessive paperwork or DNA proof, leading to delays or statelessness. In the absence of standardized consular procedures, families may encounter arbitrary and inconsistent demands that delay exit formalities and citizenship issuance. Some destinations that Indian families opt for 1. United States California: Highly regarded for international surrogacy, permits compensated agreements, no residency or citizenship requirement, and issues pre-birth parentage orders. Courts are experienced and supportive. Highly regarded for international surrogacy, permits compensated agreements, no residency or citizenship requirement, and issues pre-birth parentage orders. Courts are experienced and supportive. Illinois: Allows both gestational and traditional surrogacy with parent-friendly laws ensuring enforceable contracts. Allows both gestational and traditional surrogacy with parent-friendly laws ensuring enforceable contracts. Nevada: Offers inclusive surrogacy laws with efficient court orders for intended parents, including foreigners. Offers inclusive surrogacy laws with efficient court orders for intended parents, including foreigners. Connecticut: Provides pre-birth parentage orders and recognizes intended parents regardless of marital status. Provides pre-birth parentage orders and recognizes intended parents regardless of marital status. New Jersey: Allows compensated surrogacy with pre-birth parentage orders; no residency or citizenship requirement. Allows compensated surrogacy with pre-birth parentage orders; no residency or citizenship requirement. Colorado: Progressive surrogacy law that is inclusive of foreign nationals and diverse family structures. Pre-birth orders are routinely granted. Progressive surrogacy law that is inclusive of foreign nationals and diverse family structures. Pre-birth orders are routinely granted. Washington (State): Permits compensated gestational surrogacy with enforceable contracts and supportive court processes. Permits compensated gestational surrogacy with enforceable contracts and supportive court processes. Delaware & New Hampshire: Offer strong legal protections with court-backed parentage recognition; available to foreign nationals. Offer strong legal protections with court-backed parentage recognition; available to foreign nationals. Maine & Vermont: Progressive jurisdictions with reliable procedures for establishing parentage, though less commonly used by Indian families. 2. MexicoLegal nationally since 2021, including for foreigners, LGBTQ+ couples, and single parents. However, implementation varies by state and often requires navigating court petitions or regional inconsistencies. 3. Canada & UK Only altruistic surrogacy is permitted. Legal parentage typically involves court processes and can be prolonged. Compensation beyond reasonable expenses is prohibited. 4. Georgia Previously, it offered affordable commercial surrogacy with transparent legal processes and cooperative Indian consular support, making citizenship and exit formalities smoother for Indian families. However, changes in the law have been passed, though they have not yet been implemented. Hence, it is unclear how the government would treat new cases. 5. Greece Permits altruistic surrogacy for heterosexual married or cohabiting couples with prior court approval. The process is judicially supervised, and intended parents are legally recognized before the birth of the child. While commercial surrogacy is not allowed, reimbursement of expenses is permitted. Indian authorities generally cooperate when documentation is complete and verified as compliant with local laws. 6. Cyprus & Albania Permit surrogacy under conditions such as a required genetic link between the child and at least one intended parent. Indian authorities may mandate DNA testing as part of the exit process. 7. Colombia Inclusive laws for LGBTQ+ and single parents. This jurisdiction is gaining popularity despite legal ambiguity. 8. Kenya Once popular for low-cost surrogacy, it is now generally discouraged due to minimal legal safeguards. Indian missions often advise against applications from children born through surrogacy in Kenya, citing concerns around trafficking and unreliable documentation. Germany and France ban or criminalize surrogacy, making legal recognition difficult. Legal and diplomatic challenges for NRIs NRIs or Non-Resident Indians refers to Indians who reside outside India. Foreign nationals who are registered as Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are treated on par with NRIs under most Indian regulations: Exclusion from India: Excludes NRIs from accessing surrogacy services within the country. Excludes NRIs from accessing surrogacy services within the country. Inconsistencies among Indian Consular Posts: Lack of clear consular guidelines results in unequal treatment. Lack of clear consular guidelines results in unequal treatment. Conflicting laws: Some countries ban or criminalize surrogacy, making legal recognition difficult even for families that lawfully reside in these countries. Some countries ban or criminalize surrogacy, making legal recognition difficult even for families that lawfully reside in these countries. Financial burden: The cost of international surrogacy, legal representation, and documentation can be overwhelming. For many Indian families, surrogacy abroad is not a luxury but a necessity. Yet without consistent legal and diplomatic support, this journey remains fraught with risk, emotional distress, and financial United States continues to be one of the most reliable destinations, especially in states like California, Illinois, Nevada, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Colorado, which offer strong legal protections, enforceable contracts, pre-birth parentage orders, and cooperative consular processes. These jurisdictions provide smoother pathways for establishing legal parentage and securing Indian citizenship for the child, particularly when genetic linkage is clearly countries such as Greece, Mexico, and Georgia (prior to recent legal changes) have also been attractive options due to relatively predictable legal frameworks and, in some cases, greater affordability or consular India moves towards a more inclusive and practical framework, one that acknowledges evolving definitions of family, protects the rights of all parties involved, and guarantees every child's right to identity and belonging—Indian families will continue to look beyond borders. Parenthood is a universal aspiration, one that should be enabled, not obstructed, by laws or bureaucracy. (Co-authored by Anila K. Sabu, Immigration Executive at LawQuest) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. The 10-second mystery: Did the Air India crash report hide more than what it revealed? Can Indian IT's 'pyramid' survive the GenAI shake-up? Zee promoters have a new challenge to navigate. And it's not about funding or Sebi probe. The deluge that's cooling oil prices despite the Iran conflict Stock Radar: Natco Pharma stock showing signs of momentum after falling over 30% from highs – what should investors do? In mid-caps, 'just hold' often creates wealth: 10 mid-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential up to 44% F&O Talk | Foreign outflows, IT drag pull nifty lower; next support at 24,500: Rahul Ghose How to use dividend yield in volatile times: 6 stocks where this strategy has a high chance of giving much better returns
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Then and now...
It was a right-back as captain who lifted the 2021 Club World Cup trophy... And it is a right-back as captain who lifts the trophy in 2025!
