Latest news with #Raksha
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Indian Pravasi Movement proposes three projects for imprisoned expatriates
The Indian Pravasi Movement (IPM) has appealed to the Department of Non-Resident Keralites (NoRKA) and the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights to consider three humanitarian schemes — Raksha, Viraha, and Nyayasethu — which they have designed to address the plight of Indian expatriates imprisoned in various Gulf countries. 'The Raksha scheme we proposed aims to secure the early release of Indian expatriates in Gulf countries detained due to civil or commercial disputes. Viraha focuses on protecting and supporting the families and children of those imprisoned, many of whom are facing severe emotional and financial hardships,' said R.J. Sajith, president of IPM. According to him, the third proposal, Nyayasethu, seeks to establish a support system offering legal aid and judicial intervention for Indians caught in foreign legal complications, and to protect them from exploitation. The appeal was submitted through NoRKA Roots' Chief Executive Officer Ajith Kolasseri, with a specific request for immediate action and the backing of businessman M.A. Yusuff Ali. The IPM delegation also urged NoRKA to take moral and operational responsibility by extending transparent financial and logistical support to the proposed schemes. In a separate representation submitted to Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairman K.V. Manoj Kumar, IPM functionaries highlighted the urgent needs of children of imprisoned expatriates. They said that around 45 children were in dire need of support from the Child Rights panel.
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Russia Classifies Population Data as Birth Rates Plunge to 200-Year Low
Russia has moved to classify key demographic statistics following a dramatic collapse in its birth rate, which has plunged to levels not seen since the late 18th or early 19th century, according to a leading Russian demographer. Newsweek has contacted Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment by email. For decades, Russia has been experiencing a plunging birth rate and population decline, which appears to have worsened amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine-with high casualty rates and men fleeing the country to avoid being conscripted to fight. Projections estimate that Russia's population will fall to about 132 million in the next two decades. The United Nations has predicted that in a worst-case scenario, by the start of the next century, Russia's population could almost halve to 83 million. Demographer Alexey Raksha, who previously worked with Russia's Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), said the agency recently ceased publishing detailed demographic data. In its monthly report published on May 16, Rosstat omitted figures for births and deaths for the most recent reporting period, along with monthly data on marriages and divorces, Raksha said. Of the five demographic tables previously published by Rosstat, only one remained in the latest report. It provided data on births, deaths, marriages and divorces only as a cumulative total from the beginning of the year, he said. "In fact, since March 2025, there have been almost no publicly available demographic statistics in Russia," Raksha wrote. "The level of demographic panic within the government has reached epic proportions," he continued. In March, Raksha said Russia might be seeing its lowest birth rates since the late 1700s. Births dropped by 6 to 7 percent in February and by 3 to 4 percent in March, the demographer said. In the first quarter of 2025, between 293,000 and 294,000 births were registered in Russia-2.4 percent lower than the first quarter of last year, he said. "March 2025 likely recorded the lowest number of births on the territory of today's Russian Federation since the late 18th to early 19th century," Raksha wrote on his Telegram channel. The average number of children per woman remained almost the same in the first quarter, decreasing from 1.432 to 1.431, the demographer said. Russian authorities have restricted access to abortions and contraception and have even offered pregnant women payouts in a bid to encourage the population to have children. In 2023, Valery Seleznev, a member of the Russian State Duma, proposed releasing women convicted of minor charges from prisons so they could conceive. Last year, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said reviving the nation's birth rate was one of Russia's "top priorities." He called the situation "catastrophic." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in July: "We live in the largest country in the world. And our numbers are decreasing every year. And this can only be dealt with by increasing the average birth rate." In addition to classifying population data, Russia plans to ban "childfree ideology." On September 1, Roskomnadzor, Russia's telecommunications regulator, is set to implement an order that could affect media such as Game of Thrones, Sex and the City and the Harry Potter franchise. Related Articles Donald Trump Reacts After Calls With Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr ZelenskyTrump Reveals What Putin Told Him About Melania During Two-Hour CallRussia Pulled Nuclear-Capable ICBM Launch: ReportUkraine Strikes Russian Radar on Black Sea's 'Boyko Towers': Video 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Russia Classifies Population Data as Birth Rates Plunge to 200-Year Low
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russia has moved to classify key demographic statistics following a dramatic collapse in its birth rate, which has plunged to levels not seen since the late 18th or early 19th century, according to a leading Russian demographer. Newsweek has contacted Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters For decades, Russia has been experiencing a plunging birth rate and population decline, which appears to have worsened amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine—with high casualty rates and men fleeing the country to avoid being conscripted to fight. Projections estimate that Russia's population will fall to about 132 million in the next two decades. The United Nations has predicted that in a worst-case scenario, by the start of the next century, Russia's population could almost halve to 83 million. What To Know Demographer Alexey Raksha, who previously worked with Russia's Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), said the agency recently ceased publishing detailed demographic data. In its monthly report published on May 16, Rosstat omitted figures for births and deaths for the most recent reporting period, along with monthly data on marriages and divorces, Raksha said. Of the five demographic tables previously published by Rosstat, only one remained in the latest report. It provided data on births, deaths, marriages and divorces only as a cumulative total from the beginning of the year, he said. "In fact, since March 2025, there have been almost no publicly available demographic statistics in Russia," Raksha wrote. "The level of demographic panic within the government has reached epic proportions," he continued. In March, Raksha said Russia might be seeing its lowest birth rates since the late 1700s. Births dropped by 6 to 7 percent in February and by 3 to 4 percent in March, the demographer said. In the first quarter of 2025, between 293,000 and 294,000 births were registered in Russia—2.4 percent lower than the first quarter of last year, he said. "March 2025 likely recorded the lowest number of births on the territory of today's Russian Federation since the late 18th to early 19th century," Raksha wrote on his Telegram channel. The average number of children per woman remained almost the same in the first quarter, decreasing from 1.432 to 1.431, the demographer said. Russian authorities have restricted access to abortions and contraception and have even offered pregnant women payouts in a bid to encourage the population to have children. In 2023, Valery Seleznev, a member of the Russian State Duma, proposed releasing women convicted of minor charges from prisons so they could conceive. Last year, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said reviving the nation's birth rate was one of Russia's "top priorities." He called the situation "catastrophic." What People Are Saying Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in July: "We live in the largest country in the world. And our numbers are decreasing every year. And this can only be dealt with by increasing the average birth rate." What Happens Next In addition to classifying population data, Russia plans to ban "childfree ideology." On September 1, Roskomnadzor, Russia's telecommunications regulator, is set to implement an order that could affect media such as Game of Thrones, Sex and the City and the Harry Potter franchise.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Art finds a home beyond gallery walls
Chitrakala Parishath Indian Institute of World Culture Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts A group of five artists have joined hands to promote art amongst the people who visit Lakshmi Kantha Park at Padmanabhanagar in South Bengaluru. The group has been organising the art show at the park during weekends, and are happy with the response from those who visit the park in the morning and evening for a a visual artist and graduate of, said that she recently began exhibiting her works at local parks to observe public engagement and reactions. 'It was a success. Later, I decided to call more artists to join me to exhibit their works. The goal of this is to make art accessible to more people,'' she said. Raksha shared that earlier she exhibited her artworks in galleries, but primarily those familiar with art and already interested in it visited. 'I wanted the general public to be aware or know more about art and make art accessible to them,'' she H, an artist from Padmanabhanagar, expressed that she was delighted with the experience of the art show. 'Many of the visitors have evinced interest to know about Mandala art. It is my fourth art show. I put up a stall during Chitra Santhe. I have also exhibited my art works at(IIWC), and,'' said Paul, who specialises in intricate versions of Kalamkari art, said that the art show provided a platform for exposure to different kinds of artwork. 'A few senior citizens came along with their grand-children who were enthusiastic to know about Kalamkari art,'' said Paul. Appreciating the artists for organising the art show, Captain Ramesh Nanjundaiah, a resident of the area, said that he wants the artists to organise more art shows for the benefit of people who visit the park. 'I am very happy to see different types of art works. It is a visual treat,'' he a similar opinion, Sreelatha Ramesh, another resident, highlighted that the art show allowed visitors to know about various unique art styles.
Iraqi News
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Iraqi News
'All The Mountains Give': Poetic Kurdish Kolbar film hits London
Baghdad ( – Kurdish director Arash Raksha's debut feature, 'All That the Mountains Grant,' is garnering praise from The Guardian for its poetic style ahead of its London premiere on April 11th, 2025. The film provides an immersive look into the perilous lives of Kolbar, Kurdish porters smuggling goods across the Iran-Iraq border. Filmed over six years in the treacherous Zagros Mountains, the movie follows friends Hamid and Yasser, documenting their grueling work carrying heavy loads while facing constant threats from harsh terrain, border patrols, and deadly landmines left from the Iran-Iraq war – dangers claiming nearly 200 Kolbar lives yearly. The Guardian highlights Raksha's 'poetic cinematic style,' capturing both the somber beauty and immense risks. Despite the tension, the film reveals moments of warmth, friendship, and quiet resilience through scenes of family life, underscored by a poignant score from Aso Kohzadi and Michael Assian. This impactful debut offers a powerful, artistically rendered window into the Kolbar struggle, showcasing human endurance against overwhelming odds as it launches Raksha's voice onto the international stage.
