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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Decode Politics: Amid Fadnavis govt's Savarkar push, why a research Centre is in the spotlight
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced the establishment of the Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Study and Research Centre at Mumbai University's Kalina campus. While the Hindutva ideologue has been celebrated by the Maharashtra governments in the past, this is the first time that it is setting up a study and research Centre on him. The Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government has decided to sanction Rs 100 crore for this Centre project and has also declared its plan to build a Savarkar statue on Mumbai University's campus. Besides, Fadnavis asserted that the Maharashtra government would also start correspondence with the relevant authorities in the United Kingdom to get Savarkar's barrister degree restored. Savarkar had completed his law education from Gray's Inn in London. But he was denied the barrister degree as he refused to pledge his allegiance to the British crown – a mandatory requirement then to obtain it. Here is a look at various aspects of the proposed Savarkar Centre and its scope as compared to such initiatives in the past. The Centre will document, preserve and archive the biography of Savarkar and his works, exploring his writings, speeches, and other available material. It will also offer various courses including the certificate, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes on Savarkar. Prof Ravindra Kulkarni, the Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University, told The Indian Express: 'The Centre will enable students, educators, and researchers to study ideas related to social reform, freedom, and national thought. Through this, we will strive to establish a global intellectual platform by encouraging scholarly debates and discussions on similar ideas.' Savarkar was himself a student of Mumbai University and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from here in 1906. While it was revoked by the British government in 1911 due to his participation in India's freedom struggle, it was restored posthumously in 1960. Prof Kulkarni said that in 2022, while researching on the distinguished alumnus of Mumbai University, the idea of a Centre on Savarkar began taking shape. Mumbai University has also other centres on different iconic figures. In 2020, the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Research Centre for Social Justice was announced by Mumbai University with a budgetary allocation of Rs 1 crore. In 2019, a stone-laying event was inaugurated for the Professor Bal Apte Centre for Studies in Students and Youth Movements at Green Technology Building at Mumbai University by then Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao. In 2006, the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Contemporary Studies was set up by the then Congress-NCP government. The Ambedkar International Research Centre for Social Justice remains on paper, even as a land has been identified for it at Mumbai University's Kalina campus. The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Contemporary Studies has a building which offers a few programmes. However, some Mumbai University officials said it has not been running properly. The Bal Apte Centre for Studies in Students and Youth Movements, officials said, is however running smoothly, which recently issued advertisements for the recruitment of some teaching and non-teaching staff. While studying in the UK, Savarkar joined other Indians abroad who planned to fight the British rule back home. In March 1910, 27-year-old Savarkar was arrested over these activities. While being extradited back home, he escaped from a steamer near the coast of France, and swam ashore. As that episode made headlines, Savarkar was rearrested and handed over to the British. At the age of 28, Savarkar was sentenced to two life terms and sent to Cellular Jail in the Andamans. The prison was meant to break the most hardened of prisoners, and Savarkar also faced torture and brutality. He was released from the prison in 1924 following contested 'mercy petitions' and a promise to not participate in political activities. A new chapter in Savarkar's life started with his election as the president of the Hindu Mahasabha at Ahmedabad in 1937. He continued in this position until 1943. After Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in January 1948 by Nathuram Godse, who was a member of the Hindu Mahasabha, Savarkar was also tried as an accused, but was eventually acquitted by the court. He has continued to remain a major figure for the BJP. During the BJP-led NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a profile of Savarkar was published by the government in February 2003 to mark his death anniversary, and a portrait of his was installed in the Central Hall of Parliament by then President A P J Abdul Kalam on February 26, 2003. The Opposition parties such as the Congress and the Left had boycotted the function.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NEW RAY DOLBY - MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP FUND ANNOUNCED, ENDOWMENT SUPPORTS THIRD-YEAR DOCTORAL RESEARCH
NEW YORK, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Marshall Scholars, together with the family of pioneering sound engineer Ray Dolby, announce the "Ray Dolby - Marshall Scholarship Fund," an endowment to support Marshall Scholars who will be completing their third year of doctoral research in the United Kingdom. Ray Dolby studied physics at Cambridge University under the British government's flagship Marshall Scholarship as part of the class of 1957. Recognizing the Scholarship's role in bringing Dolby to the UK at an early stage of his research – work which subsequently transformed the nature of recorded sound across the globe - the Dolby family has given $3.6m (~£2.8m) to establish an endowment bringing comparable advanced research opportunities to future generations of Americans. The Ray Dolby - Marshall Scholarship endowment comes as Cambridge University opens the Ray Dolby Centre, supported by £85m from the Dolby estate and serving as the new center piece of the Cavendish Laboratory (Department of Physics). This national facility for physics will "support a diverse array of physics research and nurture the next generations of engineers, physicists and inventors," according to Professor Mete Atatüre, Head of the Cavendish Laboratory, "expanding the UK's science capabilities – in areas such as quantum technologies which are set to create new advanced industries and products." The Dolby family has given more than £150m in philanthropic support to Cambridge University to revitalise and develop the Cavendish Laboratory and to support a new fund for teaching and research, the Dolby Family Fund for Excellence in Physics. Ray Dolby OBE (1933-2013) was an inventor, audio pioneer, and founder of Dolby Laboratories, who transformed the sound of entertainment. Dolby's technical innovations in noise reduction and "surround sound," among other inventions, helped open new creative possibilities for cinematic and broadcast audio around the world. Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Wars, A Clockwork Orange, and A Star is Born are among the earliest of the 37,000+ films that have been created using Dolby technologies. With nearly 10,000 issued patents, the company and Ray Dolby have been recognized for their path-breaking contributions to the motion picture industry with many Academy Awards, Emmys, Grammys, and Oscars. Studying for a doctorate at the Cavendish Lab, Cambridge University, was pivotal for Dolby's career. Ray Dolby founded Dolby Laboratories in London in 1965 – bringing to it, according to his wife, Dagmar Dolby "the spirit of novel research and innovation which he had seen in Cambridge." The company took advantage of London being the world's hub for musical recordings in the 60's, working with Decca, the BBC, and many others, and eventually growing from a handful of employees to over 2,000 with 47 offices in 20 countries. Lord Chris Smith, previous Master of Pembroke College, reflects: "Ray Dolby came to Pembroke as a Marshall Scholar to do a PhD in x-ray microscopy; he went on to invent the sound system that revolutionized listening for the world. In subsequent years, he has had a major impact on Cambridge [University], supporting both Pembroke and the Cavendish Laboratory in a myriad of different ways. His commitment to the enhancement of Cambridge's facilities and the educational opportunities of our students has been second to none." As the first cohort of Ray Dolby - Marshall Scholars begins their research in the fall, Dagmar Dolby, Ray's widow, remembers: "Going to England opened Ray's eyes to the world and the exceptional creativity of the work being done at the Cavendish. It was there that he was inspired to tackle long-standing and difficult problems. Ray always acknowledged the critical role his time spent as a Marshall Scholar at Cambridge was to his development as a scientist." The endowment provided by Dolby's estate augments the British Government funded two-year Marshall Scholarship, deepening and expanding research opportunities for young American leaders studying in the United Kingdom. The philanthropic giving of Ray Dolby and his family, along with other scholars, over the past decade to their shared alma mater - Cambridge University - is 33 million pounds more than the entire cost of the Marshall Scholarship program in its 70 years of existence (adjusted for inflation) to the British Government. The Association of Marshall Scholars, made up of over 2,000 recipients of the Marshall Scholarship, builds upon the legacy of the Marshall Plan and the Marshall Scholarship, helping to expand the bounds of human knowledge and deepen ties between the United States and the United Kingdom and their shared democratic values. View original content: SOURCE Association of Marshall Scholars Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
News18
19-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Why Is China Trying To Revive World War II-Era Airbase Near India-Bangladesh Border?
Last Updated: Chinese presence in the Lalmonirhat airbase in Bangladesh, close to the Siliguri Corridor connecting India's northeast, could increase New Delhi's strategic vulnerability Chinese officials reportedly visiting a World War II-era airbase in Bangladesh near the Siliguri corridor has been drawing attention. The Lalmonirhat airfield is just 12-15 km away from the India border, and is controlled by the Bangladesh Air Force. The airbase has remained inactive for decades, and lies only 135 km away from the Siliguri Corridor also known as the 'Chicken's Neck', connecting Northeast to the rest of the country. Although the purpose of Chinese presence so close to this passage is unclear, but the development could increase India's strategic vulnerability. What Is The Legacy Of Lalmonirhat Airbase? Built as a military base in 1931 by the British government, Lalmonirhat airbase was used by allied forces during the World War II as a forward airbase for its operations on the eastern front. After Partition, Pakistan briefly reopened it in 1958 for civilian use. Since then, it has been largely abandoned, despite its sprawling 1,166 acres and facilities including a 4-km runway and large tarmac. During the tenure of Sheikh Hasina government in 2019, a plot in the base was given to Bangladesh Aerospace and Aviation University there, which is now operational under the Bangladesh Air Force. More recently, the interim administration led by Mohammed Yunus has proposed reviving Lalmonirhat and five other British-era airports to boost the economy. The other airports include Ishwardi, Thakurgaon, Shamshernagar, Comilla, and Bogra. He brought the matter during his visit to China last month, when he made the controversial remarks saying that Bangladesh is the only guardian of the ocean for the entire region including the northeast of India. The security of Chicken's Neck Corridor, which is just 22 km wide and connects eight Northeastern states to the mainland, is vital due to potential Chinese involvement in developing the airbase. This could enable Chinese to keep an eye on Indian military movements or gather intelligence near the Siliguri Corridor, said Sriparna Pathak, China Studies professor at OP Jindal Global University, as reported by The Times of India. Thus, any threat to the corridor could have a destabilising effect on India's access to its North-eastern region, which includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim. China's Growing Military & Economic Interests In Bangladesh China is not just trying to establish footprint in Bangladesh militarily, but also through economic projects. Reports suggest that Chinese companies are building factories and a solar power plant near Rangpur, planning a satellite city. As per a Dhaka-based journalist, who refuses to reveal his name, told TOI that these factories are operated almost entirely by Chinese personnel, with not much involvement from local workers. Besides, China remains a key supplier of military equipment to Bangladesh. Deepening defence ties between Dhaka and Beijing under the current regime has been a major concern for India as a neighbour. Kalpit Mankikar, a fellow of China-Taiwan Studies at the Observer Research Foundation, stated to TOI, 'One thing is China has definite plans for that region. All this while those plans may have been dormant because [deposed Bangladesh PM] Sheikh Hasina was more accommodative towards India's interests. Now, with the regime change and Mohammed Yunus' open offer that Bangladesh can serve as a fountainhead against India, China would definitely be tempted to take up the offer [the airport project]." He added, 'We don't know yet what are China's plans for the project. But this could be used to monitor civilian and military movement to Northeast from the rest of India and vice versa." How Pakistan Is Involved Reports suggest that the work on the airport is likely to start in October, and China will engage a Pakistani company as the sub-contractor for the work. Before Chinese officials visited Lalmonirhat, a Pakistani military-intelligence delegation inspected some border areas of Bangladesh. Indian agencies are watching whether the air base would be used for civilian purposes, training or to deploy military aircraft. 'We need to see if Bangladesh will allow other countries like China and Pakistan to use it. Bangladesh has the right to develop air fields for their security reasons, but that should not be used against India," defence officials said, as per the Assam Tribune report. Historically, the Pakistani spy agency, ISI, had close links with armed separatist groups in India's Northeast, many operating from Bangladesh until a crackdown launched by the Awami League government in 2009. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : chinese military india-bangladesh border Muhammad Yunus News18 Explains Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 19, 2025, 16:04 IST News explainers Why Is China Trying To Revive World War II-Era Airbase Near India-Bangladesh Border?
Roya News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
From 1948 to 2025: Palestinians mark 77 years since Nakba
On May 15, 2025, Palestinians and supporters worldwide mark the 77th anniversary of the Nakba. The Nakba, a term meaning "catastrophe" in Arabic, encapsulates the displacement, dispossession, and enduring trauma experienced by Palestinians during the establishment of the Israeli Occupation in 1948. The Nakba refers to the mass exodus of approximately 700,000 Palestinians—over half the Palestinian population at the time—who fled or were expelled from their homes during the 1947-1949 period, particularly during the 1948 Arab-"Israeli" War. It is impossible to discuss the Palestinian catastrophe without examining the Balfour Declaration of 1917, a brief but consequential document that profoundly shaped the modern Middle East. Issued on Nov. 2, 1917, by the British government, the declaration pledged support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, setting in motion events that led to the creation of the Israeli Occupation and the displacement of Palestinians. Years after, a war followed the UN General Assembly's adoption of Resolution 181 in November 1947, which proposed partitioning Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. The plan was accepted by Zionist leaders but rejected by Arab leaders, who argued it violated the rights of the Palestinian majority. By early 1948, Zionist militias, such as the Haganah, Irgun, and Stern Gang, launched military operations to secure territory for the nascent Jewish state. These operations included attacks on Palestinian villages, leading to massacres like the one in Deir Yassin in April 1948, where over 100 Palestinians were killed. Such events spread fear, prompting many Palestinians to flee their homes. - UNRWA reflects - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) released a statement commemorating the anniversary and reaffirming its longstanding support for Palestinian refugees. In its statement, UNRWA reflected on the evolution of its mission—from a temporary emergency response to a comprehensive provider of education, healthcare, social services, and economic development. Today, the agency serves over 2.4 million registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan alone. "From emergency food distribution centers to brick-and-mortar schools and health clinics, UNRWA has become a pillar of support for generations of Palestinian refugees," the agency said. "What began as a response to urgent need has grown into a system that creates meaningful opportunities and supports dignified lives." Education remains at the heart of UNRWA's work. The agency now operates 161 schools across Jordan, providing primary education to more than 100,000 students. Its curriculum incorporates technology, human rights, and conflict resolution, taught by nearly 4,000 trained educators. UNRWA also runs vocational training centers and a Faculty of Educational Sciences and Arts, boasting employment rates of over 89 percent for graduates. On the health front, UNRWA manages 25 health centers serving more than 480,000 patients. In 2024 alone, the agency provided 1.6 million consultations, addressing acute and chronic illnesses, maternal care, mental health, and immunizations. Special attention is also given to pregnant women and high-risk cases, as well as Palestinian refugees from Syria and Gaza. Relief efforts have also shifted over time. From distributing basic food supplies in the 1950s, UNRWA now runs quarterly cash assistance programs supporting nearly 60,000 of the most vulnerable Palestinian refugees in Jordan. "As we remember the Nakba together, we honor the memories of all those who have suffered the plight of displacement," UNRWA stated. "We remain committed to doing our utmost to stand by the Palestinian refugees in Jordan who continue to rely on us." - From 1948 till 2025 - Seventy-seven years later, the Nakba remains a cornerstone of Palestinian collective memory and identity. It is not a singular event confined to 1948 but an ongoing process. This year's remembrance is overshadowed by the unprecedented violence in Gaza, where an ongoing military campaign has claimed over 52,928 Palestinian lives and injured 119,846 since October 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The convergence of these tragedies—1948's historic dispossession and today's devastating genocide—underscores the concept of the "ongoing Nakba," a continuous process of displacement, oppression, and loss that defines Palestinian existence. Palestinians point to continued displacement, land confiscation, and restrictions on movement in the occupied territories as extensions of the original catastrophe. The blockade and genocide of Gaza, the expansion of "Israeli" settlements in the West Bank, and discriminatory policies against Palestinian citizens of "Israel" are seen as perpetuating the Nakba's injustices. The Nakba also shapes the Palestinian narrative, preserved through oral histories, literature, and art. The "key of return," symbolizing the homes left behind, is a powerful emblem passed down through generations. Annual commemorations, such as Nakba Day rallies and marches, underscore the resilience of Palestinians and their unwavering demand for justice. - Mobilization in the US - In commemoration, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the only Palestinian-American serving in the US Congress, reintroduced a resolution calling for the United States to formally recognize the Nakba and affirm the rights of Palestinian refugees. press release.
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First Post
12-05-2025
- General
- First Post
What is the Malir Cantonment in Karachi that India hit during Operation Sindoor?
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday revealed that it carried out a strike on Malir cantonment in Karachi during Operation Sindoor. Air Marshal AK Bharti, the Director-General of Operations for the IAF, made the announcement in a special briefing. But what do we know about the cantonment? Why is it important? read more From Left to Right: Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General (DG) of Air Force Operations, DG of Military Operations Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, and DG of Naval Operations, Vice Admiral AN Pramod at a press briefing for Operation Sindoor. On Sunday, India made a big revelation. The Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a strike on Malir cantonment in Karachi during Operation Sindoor. Air Marshal AK Bharti, the Director-General of Operations for the IAF, made the announcement in in a special briefing Sunday evening. 'We carefully selected our targets. Of the nine chosen, the IAF was tasked specifically with the notorious training camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke,' Bharti said. He added that the response was part of India's 'measured and calibrated' attacks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what do we know about the Malir Cantonment? Why is it important? Let's take a closer look: What we know and its importance As per NDTV, Malir Cantonment is a heavily fortified military base in Sindh. It is around 35 kilometers from Karachi. As per it was declared a cantonment by the British government in 1941. The Pakistani Army took over the condonement in 1947. As per it was established as a base in October 11, 1948. The base is eight kilometers east of Shah Faisal Town and seven kilometers east of Jinnah International Airport. The cantonment is important because it is home to key military infrastructure. The Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a strike on Malir cantonment in Karachi during Operation Sindoor. Representational image. AP The base itself is one of the most posh locations in Karachi. Stretching over 12 square kilometres, the base is home to the Cantonment Bazar Area, Defence Officers' Housing Schemes l & ll, Askari-5 (army officers housing scheme), PAF Falcon Complex and approximately seventy Private Housing Schemes. Home to around 139,000 people, the base is governed through the 'Cantonment Board Malir' under the Pakistani ministry of defence. A majority of the base's population comprise those that serve in the military, ex-armed services forces, civilians and bureaucrats. Interestingly, General Pervez Musharraf's funeral was held at the Polo Ground of Malir Cantonment in February 2023. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He was buried at the Army Graveyard in Karachi. What else do we know? The strike on the cantonment was part of India's efforts at crippling the terror network in Pakistan. 'Each action taken was part of a deliberate and proportionate military response to the pattern of drone, missile, and cross-border aggression originating from Pakistan,' Bharti said. 'Our fight is with the terrorists and not with Pakistani military or civilians.' 'Our fight was against terror, and on May 7, we hit only terror hubs, but the Pakistani Army converted it into its own fight by supporting terrorists,' Bharti added. As per News18, the IAF's military targets included airbases at Chaklala, Rafiq, and Rahim Yar Khan, followed by strikes on Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad. 'This multi-dimensional operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats, deterred Pakistani aggression, and reinforced India's zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism, all while maintaining strategic restraint and international support," the IAF said. As per The News Minute, Bharti said the IAF also took out a radar site near Lahore. This was done by reportedly using an Israeli-origin HARPY loitering munition system to hit a Chinese HQ-9 air defence system. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India also took out a second radar installation near Gujranwala in Punjab province. 'We are in a combat scenario and losses are part of combat. However, we have achieved all our objectives and all our pilots are back home,' Bharti was quoted as saying by Economic Times. 'We have downed a few Pakistani planes . So, we don't have wreckage with us, but definitely, we have downed a few Pakistani planes; numbers, we would not like to hazard a guess out here, I have the numbers and we are getting into technical details to establish it. So, I would like to put a figure at this time.' 'Our job is to hit the target, not to count the body bags,' Bharti said. Director General of Military Operations Rajiv Ghai said, 'I want to praise the Border Security Force also, who complemented our efforts by joining our counter-armed response.' 'There has been absolute synergy in the three services, and not only have we been supported by government agencies, but also the 140 crore people,' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Pakistan knows what we are going to do' NDTV quoted Vice Admiral AN Pramod as saying that the Indian Navy remained in a 'deterrent posture with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, at a time of our choosing'. Pramod said this 'compelled Pakistani naval and air units to be in a defensive posture, mostly inside harbours or very close to the coast…' for the entire conflict. 'This time, if Pakistan dare take any action, Pakistan knows what we are going to do, that's all,' Pramod was quoted as saying by Economic Times. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier said 100 terrorists were killed during the strikes. The Indian military carried out strikes on nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. With inputs from agencies
