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The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
To the ramparts! Sir Keir summons hard power for hard times
It's War-War. Keir Starmer had come to the Govan shipyard to get us battle ready. The threat was real. The threat was now. His sweaty fingers hovered over the nuclear button. Any minute now he could authorise a first strike. Possibly by mistake. The world had never been more dangerous. It had taken all his self-restraint not to come dressed in uniform. Cos-playing a military commander is usually the point of no return for global leaders. Keir's message was stark. England expects that every man – and every woman – would do their duty. A war was both imminent and likely. This was no time for old people to moan about having their winter fuel allowance taken away. Rather they should be asking what they could be doing for their country. Joining the Home Guard. Knitting socks for fighter pilots. This was no time for hard-up parents to demand that the two-child benefit cap be removed. Rather they should be getting their kiddies battle-ready. Teaching them survival methods for the new frontline. Buying them toy drones with miniature nuclear warheads. No one is too young to fight. Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. In the new world order there would be no such thing as a civilian. Apart from the 650 MPs. They would play a vital role in the war effort by staying safely at home and telling the rest of us how we should die. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. A few even might get to make a few quid on the black market. Not to mention handing over food coupons and weapons contracts to cronies. Because they were worth it. Covid had been a good training ground for politicians. Peace through strength. At times the language bordered on the Orwellian. But Starmer had a message he was desperate to get across. We were in the fight of our lives. No one was safe. To imagine otherwise was to be in denial. Even as he spoke, the Russians were plotting our downfall. Don't be fooled that the Russian economy was no bigger than Spain's. Don't be fooled that Putin thought he could take the whole of Ukraine in a matter of weeks and was still bogged down in a land and drone war more than three years later. Don't be fooled that the Russian military is already overstretched. The Russians have just been playing hard to get. Lulling us into a false sense of security. Lithuania could be next. Then Germany. Then us. First he takes Manhattan. Then he takes Berlin. Not every shipyard worker who had been enlisted as a backdrop for Starmer's strategic defence review speech on Monday morning looked suitably impressed. Two stood stoney-faced and resolutely arms-crossed. Refusing to applaud either at the start, in the middle or at the end. Put them down as peaceniks at best. Traitors. Keir, though, was not to be blown off course. It was his sacred duty as prime minister to maintain the country's security. And we were now all in the frontline. So here was the deal. With the 2.5% of GDP that he had already committed to defence spending by 2027 we could get all sorts of exciting new 'kit'. He and the military seemed to regard weapons as Toys for Grown-Up Boys. Twelve new conventional nuclear-powered subs. Loads of drones and long-range weapons stuff. Loads more warheads. Six new munitions factories. Ploughshares into swords. A military 10 times more lethal than now. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion If this wasn't thrilling enough, there was even better news ahead. Remember the peace dividend? Well, the new war dividend was going to make us all even better off. With the whole country now devoted to making and eating weapons, we were all going to have more money than we knew what to do with. There was money for all of us in weapons of mass destruction. Starmer ended with a promise. He knew it was often extremely tempting for world leaders to want to see what all this hardware could do. But he would do his level best not to use it. It was there more as a reminder of our capabilities. That we weren't to be pushed around or taken for granted. But hell, it would be quite fun to launch the occasional drone attack. Just to see what happens. After all, what was the point of all this kit if it just lay around for years in a warehouse? Then came the questions. If the world was really as dangerous as Keir made out, how come it wasn't a priority for the government to up the ante to 3% of GDP as soon as possible? Rather than just making it an ambition for 2034? Just think of what we could do then. We could conscript everyone on benefits straight into the army. A navy on permanent patrol in the Channel. If illegal immigrants knew they were all liable to be used as live target practice, then maybe they wouldn't be quite so keen to come here. Starmer just shrugged. The time for foreign aid was over. Soft power was so last decade. The only language foreigners would understand now was war. Starmer's speech was met with predictable despair and contempt from the other parties. He hadn't gone nearly far enough. Why couldn't we have more weapons? Nigel Farage was already on a spending spree to make Liz Truss look frugal. One hundred billions pounds of unfunded cuts? Watch his beer. And his cigarettes. He would spend at least 3% of GDP now. Paid for by invading the Americans on the Chagos Islands and nuking Mauritius. That just left Robert Jenrick. He too would outspend anything that Keir came up with. Paid for by killing fare dodgers. Most of all he wanted a war. A war against foreigners. Even Nato isn't safe from Honest Bob. He wanted to protect good, old-fashioned British values. Like supporting the right to incite crowds to set fire to hotels with people in them. Like the right to exploit your expenses. Like the right to grant planning permission to your mates. Making Britain Great Again.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Return used packs, get paid: Himachal's new policy to tackle mountain trash
The Himachal Pradesh cabinet on Saturday approved a new initiative aimed at tackling non-biodegradable waste. Under the plan, buyers will pay a refundable deposit on select products. This deposit will be returned once the used packaging is handed back, according to an official release. The initiative, called the Deposit Refund Scheme 2025, will be launched on a pilot basis. It will cover various types of packaging, including glass bottles, plastic drink containers, aluminium cans, liquid cartons, soft plastic packs, and multilayered packaging. The cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, also approved the recruitment of 700 Home Guard volunteers in the Home Guards and Civil Defence Department. "Based on QR code scanning, the vendor will charge a nominal fee, and that will be refunded once the plastic pack is disposed of at the collection centre," said Himachal Industries Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan. Meanwhile, to improve resource utilisation and support environmental protection, the cabinet authorised the Himachal Pradesh Forest Development Corporation to collect minor minerals and carry out dredging in rivers and ponds situated in forest areas. Mountain of trash According to media reports, Shimla generates nearly 2,800 tonnes of solid waste each month, while Manali — a popular tourist destination — produces more than 1,100 tonnes. This amount tends to double during peak tourist seasons. Apart from major urban centres like Shimla, many smaller towns that draw visitors with their natural charm lack effective waste management systems. As a result, rubbish often accumulates along roadsides and causes blockages in local water bodies. Earlier in 2018, the state government imposed a ban on the use of thermocol items such as cups, plates, glasses, and spoons to address environmental concerns. Other cabinet decisions In another decision, the cabinet approved regular jobs for 203 Panchayat Secretaries (Zila Parishad cadre) who will have completed two years of contract service by March 31, 2025. The cabinet also decided to shift the Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) office from Shimla to Dharamsala. A significant change was also made to the Postgraduate/Specialist Services (PG/SS) Policy. The cabinet removed the requirement of a one-year field posting before doctors can apply for senior residency at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, and Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda. This update aligns the policy with that of AIIMS in Chamiyana and aims to simplify the selection process while streamlining the Resident Doctor and PG/SS policies. Lastly, the cabinet approved the reorganisation of development blocks in parts of Kangra and Hamirpur districts — specifically Sulah, Bhawarna, Lambagaon, and Bhoranj — to enhance local administrative accessibility for residents.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Youth dies during physical test
Bhubaneswar: A youth died and seven others were hospitalised after collapsing during a physical test for Home Guard recruitment in Gajapati district on Thursday morning, police said. The incident occurred during a 2 km running test held between Ranipenth and Padmapur near Paralakhemundi, the district headquarters. The deceased has been identified as Sulant Mishal, a resident of Parisal village in Gajapati district, police said. According to sources, Mishal suddenly collapsed just 30 seconds before completing the run. He was rushed to the district headquarters hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Seven other candidates, who fell ill during the physical test, are currently undergoing treatment at the same hospital. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the family of the deceased youth. In a post on X, the CMO said, 'Sulant Mishal died while undergoing physical examination for recruitment to the post of Home Guard in Gajapati. Chief Minister Shri @MohanMOdisha expressed deep grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased.'
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Home Guard fitness test turns fatal for 2 aspirants in Odisha, 4 fall ill
Two Home Guard job aspirants died and four others fell ill while appearing for the physical fitness test in Odisha's Gajapati district on Thursday. The two aspirants who died were identified as Sulanta Misal, a native of Parisal village, and Deepak Padal from Narayanpur village. According to police, the physical test was conducted by the district police at Betaguda in Ranipeetha, and the candidates had to complete a two-km run. After completing the run, Misal collapsed and was rushed to the Paralakhemundi district headquarters hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Padal was among several candidates who fell ill after appearing for the test and were immediately rushed to the Paralakhemundi hospital. When Padal's condition deteriorated, he was rushed to the MKCG Medical College in Berhampur, where he died in the evening. Misal, the only son of Pramila, a widow, was in his final year of graduation. To support his family and carry forward his studies, he also practised tailoring. 'My son had promised that he would clear the test and get the job. But he never returned. I have no one else in this world,' said Pramila. The Gajapati police filed two unnatural death cases and are conducting an inquiry into the deaths. Officials said that over 1,000 male candidates and 200 female candidates participated in the physical test for the Home Guard recruitment drive. The male candidates are required to complete the two-km run in 10 minutes, and the female candidates are required to complete it in 12 minutes. Expressing concern over the death of two candidates, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to their families. In March, a 19-year-old aspirant died while appearing for the physical endurance test during a Home Guard recruitment drive in Deogarh district. Earlier in that month, two engineers and another youth had died during a 25-km walking test as part of a physical fitness examination for recruitment to the posts of foresters and forest guards.
News18
5 days ago
- Health
- News18
Home Guard Recruitment Exam: 1 Dead, 7 Hospitalised During Physical Test In Odisha
Last Updated: Home Guard Recruitment: The deceased has been identified as Sulant Mishal, a resident of Parisal village in Gajapati district, police said. A young man died and seven others were hospitalised after collapsing during a physical test for Home Guard recruitment in Odisha's Gajapati district on Thursday morning, police said. The incident happened during a 2 km running test conducted between Ranipenth and Padmapur near Parlakhemundi, the district headquarters, reported PTI. The deceased has been identified as Sulant Mishal, a resident of Parisal village in Gajapati district, police said. Sources indicated that Mishal suddenly collapsed just 30 seconds before completing the run. He was rushed to the district headquarters hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Seven other candidates who fell ill during the physical test are currently receiving treatment at the same hospital. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the family of the deceased youth. In a post on X, the CMO said, 'Sulant Mishal died while undergoing physical examination for recruitment to the post of Home Guard in Gajapati. Chief Minister Shri @MohanMOdisha expressed deep grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased." (sic) What Are The Rules For Home Guard recruitment In Odisha? Educational Qualification: Minimum 5th standard pass. Age Limit: 20 to 60 years (as on 1st January 2025). Physical Standard Test (PST): Height, weight, and chest (for men) are measured. Men: Height 160 cm (155 cm for ST), chest 79 cm (unexpanded), 84 cm (expanded). Women: Height 150 cm (145 cm for ST), weight 45 kg. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): It consists of running, long jump, and high jump. Running (men): 2 km to be completed in 10 minutes. This was the race in which the accident happened in Gajapati. Running (women): 1.6 km in 12 minutes. Long Jump: 3.66 meters for men, 2.75 meters for women (3 chances). High Jump: 1.22 meters for men, 0.91 meters for women (3 chances). First Published: May 29, 2025, 19:29 IST
