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1) Researchers describe 'nanoclays,' an innovative addition to tools for chemists :by Eric Stann, University of Missouri

Credit ACS Applied Engineering Materials (2023)

Microscopic materials made of clay, designed by researchers at the University of Missouri, could be key to the future of synthetic materials chemistry. By enabling scientists to produce chemical layers tailor-made to deliver specific tasks based on the goals of the individual researcher, these materials, called nanoclays, can be used in a wide variety of applications, including the medical field or environmental science.A paper describing this research is published in the journal ACS Applied Engineering Materials.

A fundamental part of the material is its electrically charged surface, said Gary Baker, co-principal investigator on the project and an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry.

"Imagine a koosh ball where the thousands of rubber strands radiating from the ball's core each sport an electrically charged bead on the end," Baker said.

"It's analogous to a magnet—positively charged things will stick to negatively charged things. For instance, positively charged nanoclays could attract a group of harmful fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS, or 'forever chemicals,' which are negatively charged. Or, by making the nanoclay negatively charged, it can stick to things such as heavy metal ions like cadmium, which are positively charged, and help remove them from a contaminated body of water."

In addition to the electrical charge, each nanoclay can be customized with different chemical components, like mixing and matching different parts. This makes them usable in the design of diagnostic sensors for biomedical imaging, or explosive and ordnance detection.

"Essentially, these nanoclays represent chemical building blocks designed with specific functions which are assembled into extremely thin, two-dimensional microscopic sheets—thinner than a strand of human DNA and 100,000 times thinner than a sheet of paper," Baker said."We can customize the function and shape of the chemical components presented at the surface of the nanoclay to make whatever we want to build. We've just exposed the tip of the iceberg for what these materials can do."Two-dimensional materials are highly sought after because they can superficially coat the outside of a bulky object in a thin, conformal layer and introduce completely different surface properties than the object underneath."By mixing and matching a few things like different ions or gold nanoparticles, we can quickly design chemistry that's never existed before, and the more we tailor it, the more it opens a wider range of applications," Baker said.Study co-authors are Nathaniel Larm at the United States Naval Academy, Durgesh Wagle at Florida Gulf Coast University, and Piyuni Ishtaweera and Angira Roy at MU.

2) Researchers find evidence of a 2,000-year-old curry, the oldest ever found in Southeast Asia: by Weiwei Wang and Hsiao-chun Hung, The Conversation

Ancient starch grains of ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) were identified on the surface of this footed sandstone grinding

It's hard to imagine a world without spice today. Fast global trade has allowed the import and export of all manner of delicious ingredients that help bring Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Sri Lankan (and so many more) cuisines to our dinner tables. Now, new research shows the trading of spices for culinary use goes way back—some 2,000 years, to be precise.

In a paper published July 21 in Science Advances, we and our colleagues detail our findings of what seems to be evidence of Southeast Asia's oldest known curry. It's also the oldest evidence of curry ever found outside India.

We made the intriguing discovery at the Oc Eo archaeological complex in southern Vietnam. We found eight unique spices, originally from different sources, which were likely used for making curry. What's even more fascinating is that some of these would have been transported over several thousand kilometers by sea.

Grinding into the evidence

We excavated this footed sandstone grinding slab in 2018. On its surface we found ancient starch grains of ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)

Our team's research wasn't initially focused on curry. Rather, we were curious to learn about the function of a set of stone grinding tools known as "pesani," which the people of the ancient Funan kingdom likely used to powder their spices. We also wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the ancient spice trade.

Using a technique called starch grain analysis, we analyzed microscopic remains recovered from a range of grinding and pounding tools excavated from the Oc Eo site. Most of these tools were excavated by our team from 2017 to 2019, while some had been previously collected by the local museum.Starch grains are tiny structures found within plant cells that can be preserved over long periods. Studying them can provide valuable insights into past plant use, diet, cultivation practices and even environmental conditions.Of the 40 tools we analyzed, 12 produced a range of spices including turmeric, ginger, fingerroot, sand ginger, galangal, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon. This means the occupants of the site had indeed used the tools for food processing, including to powder the rhizomes, seeds and stems of spice plants to release flavor.

To figure out how old the site and tools were, our team obtained 29 separate dates from charcoal and wood samples. This included a date of 207-326 CE produced by a charcoal sample taken from just below the largest grinding slab, which measures 76cm by 31cm (pictured below and at the top of this article).

Another team working at the same site applied a technique called thermoluminescence dating to bricks used in the site's architecture. Collectively, the results show the Oc Eo complex was occupied between the 1st and 8th centuries CE.

A spicy history

We know the global spice trade has linked cultures and economies in Asia, Africa and Europe since classical times.However, before this study we had limited evidence of ancient curry at archaeological sites—and the little evidence we did have mainly came from India. Most of our knowledge of the early spice trade has therefore come from clues in ancient documents from India, China and Rome.

Our research is the first to confirm, in a very tangible way, that spices were valuable commodities exchanged on the global trading network nearly 2,000 years ago.

The spices found at Oc Eo wouldn't have all been available in the region naturally; someone at some point would have transported them there via the Indian or Pacific Ocean. This proves curry has a fascinating history beyond India, and that curry spices were coveted far and wide.If you've ever prepared curry from scratch, you'll know it's not simple. It involves considerable time and effort, as well as a range of unique spices, and the use of grinding tools.So it's interesting to note that nearly 2,000 years ago, individuals living outside India had a strong desire to savor the flavors of curry—as evidenced by their diligent preparations.

Another fascinating finding is that the curry recipe used in Vietnam today has not deviated significantly from the ancient Oc Eo period. Key components such as turmeric, cloves, cinnamon and coconut milk have remained consistent in the recipe. It goes to show a good recipe will stand the test of time!

What's next?

In this study, we primarily focused on microscopic plant remains. And we have yet to compare these findings with other larger plant remains unearthed from the site.

During an excavation conducted from 2017 to 2020, our team also collected a significant number of well-preserved seeds. In the future we hope to analyze these, too. We may identify many more spices, or may even discover unique plant species—adding to our understanding of the region's history.By completing more dating on the site, we might also be able to understand when and how each type of spice or plant started to be traded globally.

3) Scientists discover new isopod species in the Florida Keys by University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science:

New species of marine cryptofauna— Gnathia jimmybuffetti discovered in the Florida Keys and named after musician Jimmy Buffet.

An international team of scientists from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and the Water Research Group from the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management at the North-West University in South Africa have discovered a new species of marine cryptofauna in the Florida Keys.The study, titled "Morphological description and molecular characterization of Gnathia jimmybuffetti sp. nov. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Gnathiidae): the first new gnathiid in 100 years from the Floridian ecoregion," was published on 12 June 2023 in the journal Bulletin of Marine Science.

Cryptofauna are the tiny, hidden, organisms that make up the majority of biodiversity in the ocean. The roughly three-millimeter-long isopod is one of only 15 species from the genus Gnathia currently known in the region.The newly discovered species, Gnathia jimmybuffetti, which is a member of a group of crustaceans called gnathiid isopods, were collected using light traps set in shallow water and characterized using photomicrographs and genetic sequencing.

"Upon examination, it was determined to be a species that was previously unknown to science," said senior investigator Paul Sikkel, a research professor in the Department of Marine Biology and Ecology at the Rosenstiel School. "It's the first new Florida gnathiid to be discovered in 100 years."

Various juveniles and adult specimens of Gnathia jimmybuffetti

These tiny animals, which are found throughout the world's oceans lead a very curious life. The juveniles are most active at night and feed on the blood of fishes like a mosquito or tick. The adults do not feed and live hidden in rubble on the ocean floor. Given their lifestyle, they are grouped as parasites, organisms that require a living host for survival.The current severe marine heat wave events in Florida and other regions of the world that host coral reefs is a big concern for species like Gnathia jimmybuffetti, who cannot simply swim to cooler water. Work by Sikkel's team on other gnathiid species has shown that at above average seawater temperatures, mortality rates increase, and abundance of gnathiids on reefs decrease significantly. To the extent these effects are likely to be similar for the myriad of other small invertebrates that live in or near the benthos (bottom), this can have major impacts on coral reef food webs.

Since the species was discovered in the Florida Keys and Sikkel and his team are long-time fans of Jimmy Buffett's music—which is synonymous with the Florida Keys—they named the new species: Gnathia jimmybuffetti after the music legend.

"By naming a species after an artist, we want to promote the integration of the arts and sciences," said Sikkel, whose research team named a similar species from the Caribbean after Bob Marley (Gnathia marleyi).

"All species in an ecosystem play an important role and all species have something to teach us," said Sikkel. "As we discover new species, we are reminded of how many undiscovered species there still are."

The researchers emphasize that while these organisms have a parasitic lifestyle, they are in no way likening these artists, whom they admire and respect, to parasites.

The authors include Anja Erasmus, Nico Smit, and Kerry Hadfield, North-West University Water Research Group, in South Africa, and Paul Sikkel, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science.

4) Researchers build a DNA structure and coat it with glass, creating a very low density, very strong material by Kim Krieger, University of Connecticut:

Image Description : Materials scientists from UConn and Brookhaven National Laboratory built an exceptionally strong, lightweight material out of DNA and glass. The series of images at the top (A) show how the skeleton of the structure is assembled with DNA, then coated with glass. (B) shows a transmission electron microscope image of the material, and (C) shows a scanning electron microscope image of it, with the two right-hand panels zooming in to features at different scales. Credit: University of Connecticut

Materials that are both strong and lightweight could improve everything from cars to body armor. But usually, the two qualities are mutually exclusive. Now, University of Connecticut researchers and colleagues have developed an extraordinarily strong, lightweight material using two unlikely building blocks: DNA and glass. "For the given density, our material is the strongest known," says Seok-Woo Lee, a materials scientist at UConn. Lee and colleagues from UConn, Columbia University, and Brookhaven National Lab reported the details on July 19 in Cell Reports Physical Science.Strength is relative. Iron, for example, can take seven tons of pressure per square centimeter. But it's also very dense and heavy, weighing 7.8 grams/cubic centimeter. Other metals, such as titanium, are stronger and lighter than iron. And certain alloys combining multiple elements are even stronger. Strong, lightweight materials have allowed for lightweight body armor, better medical devices and made safer, faster cars and airplanes.

The easiest way to extend the range of an electric vehicle, for example, is not to enlarge the battery but rather make the vehicle itself lighter without sacrificing safety and lifetime. But traditional metallurgical techniques have reached a limit in recent years, and materials scientists have had to get even more creative to develop new lightweight high strength materials.

Now, Lee and colleagues report that by building a structure out of DNA and then coating it with glass, they have created a very strong material with very low density. Glass might seem a surprising choice, as it shatters easily. However, glass usually shatters because of a flaw—such as a crack, scratch, or missing atoms—in its structure. A flawless cubic centimeter of glass can withstand 10 tons of pressure, more than three times the pressure that imploded the Oceangate Titan submersible near the Titanic last month.It's very difficult to create a large piece of glass without flaws. But the researchers knew how to make very small flawless pieces. As long as glass is less than a micrometer thick, it's almost always flawless. And since the density of glass is much lower than metals and ceramics, any structures made of flawless nano-sized glass should be strong and lightweight.The team created a structure of self-assembling DNA. Almost like Magnatiles, pieces of DNA of specific lengths and chemistry snapped themselves together into a skeleton of the material. Imagine the frame of a house or building, but made of DNA.

Oleg Gang and Aaron Mickelson, nanomaterials scientists at Columbia University and Brookhaven's Center for Functional Nanomaterials, then coated the DNA with a very thin layer of glass-like material only a few hundred atoms thick. The glass only just coated the strands of DNA, leaving a large part of the material volume as empty space, much like the rooms within a house or building.

The DNA skeleton reinforced the thin, flawless coating of glass making the material very strong, and the voids constituting most of the material's volume made it lightweight. As a result, glass nanolattice structures are four times higher strength but five times lower density than steel. This unusual combination of lightweight and high strength has never been achieved before."The ability to create designed 3D framework nanomaterials using DNA and mineralize them opens enormous opportunities for engineering mechanical properties. But much research work is still needed before we can employ it as a technology," says Gang.The team is currently working with the same DNA structure but substituting even stronger carbide ceramics for glass. They have plans to experiment with different DNA structures to see which makes the material strongest.

Future materials based on this same concept have great promise as energy-saving materials for vehicles and other devices that prioritize strength. Lee believes that DNA origami nanoarchitecture will open a new pathway to create lighter and stronger materials that we have never imagined before.

"I am a big fan of Iron Man movies, and I have always wondered how to create a better armor for Iron Man. It must be very light for him to fly faster. It must be very strong to protect him from enemies' attacks. Our new material is five times lighter but four times stronger than steel. So, our glass nanolattices would be much better than any other structural materials to create an improved armor for Iron Man."

Image Description : Materials scientists from UConn and Brookhaven National Laboratory built an exceptionally strong, lightweight material out of DNA and glass. The series of images at the top (A) show how the skeleton of the structure is assembled with DNA, then coated with glass. (B) shows a transmission electron microscope image of the material, and (C) shows a scanning electron microscope image of it, with the two right-hand panels zooming in to features at different scales. Credit: University of Connecticut

5 ) Ancient DNA reveals diverse community in 'Lost City of the Incas' :by Tulane University:

machu-picchu

Who lived at Machu Picchu at its height? A new study, published in Science Advances, used ancient DNA to find out for the first time where workers buried more than 500 years ago came from within the lost Inca Empire.Researchers, including Jason Nesbitt, associate professor of archaeology at Tulane University School of Liberal Arts, performed genetic testing on individuals buried at Machu Picchu in order to learn more about the people who lived and worked there.

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Cusco region of Peru. It is one of the most well-known archaeological sites in the world and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It was once part of a royal estate of the Inca Empire.Like other royal estates, Machu Picchu was home not only to royalty and other elite members of Inca society, but also to attendants and workers, many of whom lived in the estate year-round. These residents did not necessarily come from the local area, though it is only in this study that researchers have been able to confirm, with DNA evidence, the diversity of their backgrounds.

"It's telling us, not about elites and royalty, but lower status people," Nesbitt said. "These were burials of the retainer population."This DNA analysis works in much the same way that modern genetic ancestry kits work. The researchers compared the DNA of 34 individuals buried at Machu Picchu to that of individuals from other places around the Inca Empire as well as some modern genomes from South America to see how closely related they might be.The results of the DNA analysis showed that the individuals had come from throughout the Inca Empire, some as far away as Amazonia. Few of them had shared DNA with each other, showing that they had been brought to Machu Picchu as individuals rather than as part of a family or community group.

"Now, of course, genetics doesn't translate into ethnicity or anything like that," said Nesbitt of the results, "but that shows that they have distinct origins within different parts of the Inca Empire.""The study does really reinforce a lot of other types of research that have been done at Machu Picchu and other Inca sites," Nesbitt said. The DNA analysis supports historical documentation and archaeological studies of the artifacts found associated with the burials.

This study is part of a larger movement in archaeology to combine traditional archaeological techniques with new technologies and scientific analyses. This combination of fields leads to a more complete understanding of the discoveries made.

6) Final orbit-raising manoeuvre of Chandrayaan-3 completed:

Chandrayaan-3 is now in an orbit, which, when closest to Earth is at 236 km and when farthest is at 1,27,609 km

Following the final orbit-raising manoeuvre, ISRO will perform the TransLunar Injection (TLI) on August 1

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Tuesday (July 25) successfully completed the fifth and final orbit-raising manoeuvre (Earth-bound perigee firing) of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. It was performed successfully from ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru.The spacecraft is expected to attain an orbit of 1,27,609 km x 236 km. This means that Chandrayaan-3 is now in an orbit, which, when closest to Earth is at 236 km and when farthest is at 1,27,609 km.

“The achieved orbit will be confirmed after the observations,” ISRO said after the successful orbit-raising manoeuvre.

The four earlier orbit raising manoeuvres were performed by ISTRAC between July 15 and July 20.Following the final orbit-raising manoeuvre, ISRO will perform the TransLunar Injection (TLI) on August 1 to slingshot Chandrayaan-3 towards the Moon.

“The next firing, the TransLunar Injection (TLI), is planned for August 1, 2023, between midnight and 1 a.m. IST,” ISRO said.The Chandrayaan-3 consists of a lander module (LM), propulsion module (PM) and a rover which was launched by the LVM3-M4 on July 14.After the TLI takes place, the PM and the LM separation will happen on August 17. A series of deboost manoeuvres is also scheduled to take place before the power descent phase for the soft landing on the Moon. The lander is expected to touch down on the Moon surface on August 23 at 5.47 p.m.The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed the fifth and final orbit-raising manoeuvre (Earth-bound perigee firing) of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. It was performed successfully from ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru.

The spacecraft is expected to attain an orbit of 1,27,609 km x 236 km. This means that Chandrayaan-3 is now in an orbit, which, when closest to Earth is at 236 km and when farthest is at 1,27,609 km.The four earlier orbit raising manoeuvres were performed by ISTRAC between July 15 and July 20.

 

1) LS Speaker accepts 'No Confidence Motion' against Modi govt, BJP says it will be defeated like last term:

Opp brings no-confidence motion against Govt, hopes to force PM statement on Manipur in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today accepted the No Confidence Motion against the Narendra Modi government. The motion was moved by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. Accepting the motion, Birla said the time of the debate will be fixed by him and conveyed to the House.

"I will discuss with the leaders of all parties and inform of you of an appropriate time to take this up for discussion," said Speaker Birla.After the House met at 12 noon and papers were laid on the table, the Speaker said he has received a notice from Gogoi for moving a motion of no-confidence against the government.He asked members supporting the admission of the motion to stand after which INDIA alliance members, including Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, stood up for a head count. Birla then admitted the motion expressing want of confidence in the Union Council of Ministers.

Reacting to the motion, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that people have confidence in PM Modi and BJP. They brought a similar No Confidence Motion in the last term as well. People of this country taught them a lesson.

Although the no-confidence motion by opposition parties is bound to fail the numbers test, opposition parties argue that they will win the battle of perception by cornering the government on the Manipur issue during the debate.

The Congress has also issued a whip in the Lower House of Parliament for its members to be present in its parliamentary office by 10.30 am on Wednesday to "discuss some important issues."

They contend that it is also a strategy to make the prime minister speak in Parliament on the crucial matter even as the government has been insisting that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reply to the debate on the Manipur situation.Congress MP Manickam Tagore said: “We feel that it is our duty to use this last weapon to break the arrogance of the government and make the Prime Minister speak on Manipur.”

The BJP slammed the Opposition. “They had done that in the last term also and people had taught them a lesson and will do so again,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said.

When the House met in the morning, Gogoi – he is MP from Kaliabor in Assam, a state which shares part of its border with Manipur – stood up and said he had submitted a notice on the no-confidence motion and it should be taken up.

Speaker Birla urged Gogoi to take his seat and let the House function. “You are an experienced MP and you know the rules,” he told Gogoi.

As Birla took up Question Hour, the Congress and other Opposition leaders ran to the Well of the House, shouting slogans and asking Prime Minister Modi to address the Lok Sabha on the Manipur situation. They held placards that read: ‘India for Manipur’ and ‘Nafrat ke khilaaf India ekjut ho gaye (India is united against hatred)’

2) ‘Like East India Company, Indian Mujahideen,’ Modi jibe at Oppn INDIA amid stir over Manipur

The Opposition has held up Parliament over demands for a detailed discussion on Manipur and a statement on it by the Prime Minister.Amid stalemate in Parliament over Manipur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi derided the Opposition’s new name INDIA Tuesday, saying that those who wanted to break the country or rule it had names like the “East India Company”, the “Indian Mujahideen” and the “Popular Front of India.”

Modi also called the new 28-party alliance INDIA — Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) — directionless.

3) Mizoram CM Zoramthanga, ministers take part in march against Manipur violence:

The solidarity march was organised by NGO Co-ordination Committee, a conglomerate of five major civil society organisations including the Central Young Mizo Association and Mizo Zirlai Pawl among others. Hundreds of people, including Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, participated in a rally in Aizawl on Tuesday to express solidarity with the Kuki-Zomi community in violence-hit Manipur.

The solidarity march was organised by NGO Co-ordination Committee, a conglomerate of five major civil society organisations including the Central Young Mizo Association and Mizo Zirlai Pawl among others.

The Mizos share an ethnic bond with the Kuki-Zomi community of Manipur and Mizoram has provided refuge to more the 12,000 displaced people since the violence began in May. The march was called “In solidarity with Zo ethnic tribe of Manipur”.Apart from Zoramthanga, Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia, state ministers, MLAs and leaders of Opposition parties also participated in the rally.

“We are all united in this issue irrespective of parties, irrespective of different organisations,” said the CM, speaking on the sidelines of the march. He said his government will continue to “mount pressure” on the Centre and the Manipur government to restore peace and normalcy in the state.The offices of the ruling MNF were closed to extend support to the programme. The opposition BJP, Congress and Zoram People’s Movement also kept their offices shut in support of the rally.

Speaking at the rally, NGO Co-ordination Committee chairman R Lalngheta said, “Shri Modi ji, Honourable Prime Minister, I want to ask you a simple question. …why don’t you take steps to address the situation in Manipur? Our brethren in Manipur are suffering from untold atrocities. Their houses are burnt, their places of worship are burnt and desecrated. Our sisters are raped, their naked bodies paraded in a shameful manner… Don’t you think they are also Indian citizens who deserve to be protected under Indian law?”The protesters also adopted resolutions, urging the Centre to compensate the victims of the ethnic clashes and ensure stringent punishment to those involved in parading the two women naked.

4) Manipur violence: Meiteis reach Assam from Mizoram after threat from ex-militants' group over viral video:

Forty-one Meitei people have reached Assam from Mizoram after an ex-militants’ group asked the community to leave the state following the viral video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur, officials said on Sunday.Cachar’s Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta said these people reached Silchar from neighbouring Mizoram on Saturday night and they have been kept at the building of the Lakhipur Development Block in Binnakandi area. “These are all well-to-do families and they came in their own vehicles. Some are college professors, while some work as senior government officials. They said that there have been no attacks in Mizoram as of now,” he told PTI.

They said that the Mizoram government was providing all security to them, but they themselves did not want to take any risk and came to Assam for their own safety, he added. “They are saying that they will stay here till the situation normalises,” the SP said, adding that Assam Police is providing security to them.

Thousands of people from Meitei, Kuki and Hmar communities fled Manipur, and have been living in Assam since ethnic violence erupted in that state on May 3.

The Mizoram government on Saturday reassured the Meitei community living in the state of safety and told them not to pay heed to rumours.The government’s assurance came amid reports of some Meiteis fleeing the state following an ‘advisory’ by an ex-militants’ association of Mizoram asking them to leave due to tension triggered by the viral video of two women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur.

Mizoram Police said several Meitei people left for their home states on Saturday amid mounting tension.A few thousand Meiteis, mostly from Manipur and south Assam, live in Mizoram.Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress on Sunday alleged that an 18-year-old girl was assaulted and gang-raped in Imphal East district of Manipur on May 15, days after the two women were stripped and paraded naked.

Quoting a report appearing in a section of the press, the ruling party of West Bengal claimed on Twitter, “The tragedy doesn’t end for Manipur!”

“An 18-year-old girl was handed over to four armed men by women vigilantes. She was later assaulted and gang-raped in Imphal East in Manipur on May 15. If such brutal cases are coming in the public eye after more than a month, what’s still hidden must be truly gruesome,” it tweeted.The TMC, a delegation of which visited the northeastern state recently, wondered when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh “take accountability for the complete law and order failure”.

5) Manipur violence: Fresh clashes at India-Myanmar border town Moreh:

Amid the ongoing efforts to restore normalcy, a fresh incident of  violence came to light on Wednesday when a large mob of people torched nearly 30 abandoned houses and demolished several others in the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh on Wednesday morning.

Informing that a large mob of nearly 2,000 people comprising men and women launched an attack on Moreh Bazar, security sources said that the arson came hours after two buses used by security forces to transport security personnel were set on fire by a mob in Kangpokpi district.

The incident had occurred at Sapormeina when the buses were coming from Dimapur on Tuesday evening. Locals stopped the buses bearing Manipur registration numbers at Sapormeina and insisted that they would check if any member of another community were on board, the officials said. Some of them set the buses on fire.

Indicating that mob that came out in Moreh on Wednesday was backed by armed miscreants, security sources said that a combined team of Assam Rifle, Moreh Police, CDO and BSF are engaging in pushing back the mob and cross fire with Kuki militants who are suspected to have been backing the mob.Top police officials said that the premises and the buildings attacked by the mob were the same that were already targeted in previous attacks. The mob backed by armed miscreants also targeted the forest office building at Moreh, security sources said.

Pointing out that most of the abandoned houses belonged to Meiteis who left the place after the violence in the state broke out on May 3, security sources did not rule out the  possibility of people from across the border (Myanmar)  being the part of the mob.

The authorities were tight-lipped on the identity of the people engaged in the attack. If local reports are to be believed, several private residences have been burnt down including that of a journalist. Situation continues to be tense.

Informing that security forces resorted to firing to disperse the mob and contain the arson, security sources however claimed that there was no report of casualty.

6) Who Is Prahlad Modi, PM Narendra Modi's Brother, And Why Is He Protesting At Jantar Mantar?:

Prahlad Modi, the younger brother of PM Narendra Modi, has been protesting for fair price shops' issues since his brother's chief ministerial days.Prime Minister Narendra Modi's younger brother Prahlad Modi will stage a dharna on Tuesday in Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

The dharna is being organised by All India Fair Price Shop Dealers' Federation (AIFPSDF), of which Prahlad is the Vice President.

This is not the first time that Prahlad has participdated in a protest or has criticised the policies of the government that his brother leads. Prahlad has been associated with the agitating organisation AIFPSDF since 2001, according to a report, and has continued to participate in protests even after his elder brother became prime minister in 2014.Here is all you need to know about Prahlad, why he protests against the government, the relationship with his elder brother, and what he has said in past

Prahlad Modi ran a ration shop

Prahlad Modi is the Vice President of All India Fair Price Shop Dealers' Federation (AIFPSDF), founded in 2001.

Prahlad used to run a fair-price shop, but Deccan Herald last year reported that he had recently retired due to old age. Despite retirement from the shop, he continues to be active in Federation's activities.

Fair price shops function under the Indian public distribution system (PDS) network. These shops are licensed to sell essential goods like wheat, rice, and kerosene to ration-card holders at subsidised rates. People from economically backward and below-poverty-line groups are the main beneficiaries of such shops.

Prahlad has been raising issues related to fair price shops for several years now. A Deccan Herald report noted that he also led a delegation that met Modi over these issues when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The meeting covered issues such as low quality supplies to fair price shops.

The report adds that Prahlad is the fourth of six children born to Damodardas Modi and Hira Ben Modi. It adds that that PM Modi is closest to Prahlad and his mother Hira Ben in the family.

Why is Prahlad Modi protesting now?

The Federation has a total of nine demands, one of which is an increase in the commission set by the government for the goods that fair price shop dealers sell.

"We used to get 70 paisa commission on 1 kilogram of ration, now we get 90 paisa. We have been demanding a commission of Rs 4," said Kali Charan Gupta, Co-President of AIFPSDF, to The Print in June.

PTI has reported that other demands cover compensation for loss on rice, wheat and sugar, and also for edible oil and pulses to be supplied through fair price shops. The Federation also demands that the 'West Bengal Ration Model' of free distribution be implemented across the country.

The dharna will be followed by submitting a memorandum addressed to the prime minister. A statement by the Federation added that members also plan to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday.

Prahlad Modi's protests, criticism of BJP government

As stated earlier, this is not the first time that Prahlad Modi has held protests. He has been protesting and raising demands since PM Modi was Gujarat's Chief Minister. He has continued his in the years since he became prime minister.Some of the notable instances when he has held protests or has been critical of his brother's governments are listed below:

1. In March 2015, Prahlad made the sharpest comments on his brother's government, saying that it has "failed" to live up to peoples' expectations and lacked will to resolve their problems.Prahlad was at the time staging a protest at Jantar Mantar as fair price shop dealers held protest in state capitals on issues such as the demand of an increase in their commission.

2. In February 2021, Prahlad Modi held a dharna at Lucknow airport after alleging that his supporters had been arrested in Uttar Pradesh. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power in UP. Deccan Herald reported at the time: "While the police officials did not confirm the arrests, Prahalad Modi, who arrived here to take part in some social functions at Sultanpur, Pratapgarh and other places in the state, alleged that around a dozen people, who had reached the airport to receive him, were taken into custody."

3. Later in 2021, The Print noted that Prahlad asked traders to not pay Good and Services Tax (GST) until various demands made by the traders' association at the time were realised.Notably, Prahlad has in the past mentioned that he is a member of the BJP, but has also said that it does not mean he would protest their policies.Prahlad in an interview with IANS noted that PM Modi during his tenure as Gujarat chief minister had helped resolve problems of fair price shop owners in Gujarat.

The relationship between Prahlad and Narendra Modi

Prahlad Modi has repeatedly criticised his brother PM Narendra Modi's government over the years, but he has maintained that he is criticising government policies and not his brother, and that he holds Modi in high regard. At the same time, Prahlad has made it clear that he is committed to his organisation and would do whatever is in its best interests. Prahlad made his stand clear in the 2015 protest when he made sharpest comments on his brother's government.

"What I am doing is not revolt of a brother against a brother. For me my brother is worth worshiping. I respect him. But I am in a profession and had to come to this platform to raise my voice before my brother," said Prahlad, as per PTI.

Prahlad only met PM Modi thrice between 2006-14 and has not met him since he became prime minister. But the two brothers have a healthy relationship, says Prahlad.

He told IANS in 2019: "We do not meet or talk on phone frequently, but we are on good terms...He has dedicated his life to the welfare of the nation. We did not meet even when he came to Gandhinagar to seek the blessings of our mother after his swearing in last year. I am a shopkeeper. I do not enjoy any special rights or privileges being the prime minister’s sibling. Yes, as a protocol I have been provided security."Prahlad also said he and the rest of the family has a health relationship with Modi's wife Jashodaben."Our family enjoys a healthy relationship with Narendra Modi’s wife Jashodaden who lives in Unjha with her brother. We meet her off and on," said Prahlad.Despite his criticism of his brother's government and protests that he continues to hold, Prahlad remains a supporter and appreciates PM Modi.

He told News-18 in May, "He is the son of India and also the guardian of India. People want more of him, he should remain in government for another 15 years. India is his family and India requires him."

7) Gehlot says his speech at Modi’s Rajasthan event cancelled, PMO says not true:

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said his address listing demands, including scrapping the Agniveer scheme and loan waiver, was removed from the schedule for the event in Sikar Chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said his three-minute scheduled address listing demands such as scrapping the Agniveer scheme and loan waiver at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s programme in poll-bound Rajasthan’s Sikar was cancelled. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) immediately denied the claim but Gehlot stuck to it.

The PMO maintained that Gehlot was invited and his speech was also slotted as per protocol at the inauguration and the foundation laying ceremony of 12 medical colleges but the chief minister’s office said he will unable to attend the event.

In a tweet, PMO said Gehlot has always been invited and he has also attended Modi’s programmes previously. “You are most welcome to join today’s programme. Your name is on the plaque of the development works as well. Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued.”

Gehlot responded saying the PMO was informed he will attend the event virtually due to the injury and that his minister will be at the venue. He attached the correspondence over it and the event schedule. “Respected Prime Minister, your office has taken cognisance of my tweet but probably it is not aware of the facts. My address was part of the proposed programme...,” he tweeted.

Gehlot added he was again informed that he would not be addressing the event on Wednesday night. Gehlot said he will join the programme in Rajasthan’s interest in non-interactive mode through video conferencing.

In his tweet earlier in Hindi, Gehlot said he will not be able to welcome Modi. “...so I heartily welcome you to Rajasthan through this tweet.” He said the inauguration and foundation of medical colleges were being laid in partnership between the Rajasthan and the Union government. “The project cost of these medical colleges is ₹3,689 crore, of which ₹2,213 crore is the Centre’s share and ₹1,476 crore of the state government.”

He said he was tweeting the demands he was to make in his speech while referring to Modi’s seventh visit to Rajasthan in six months. Gehlot cited the demand of the youth, especially of Rajasthan’s Shekhawati region, and said the permanent recruitment should be restored by withdrawing the Agniveer scheme. The scheme, which sparked protests last year over reduced tenure and fewer post-service benefits, has been designed to lower the average age of India’s armed forces. Recruitments under it are being done on four-year contracts. Only 25% of the recruits will be retained at the end of their terms.

Gehlot said the state government has waived loans worth ₹15,000 crore of 2.1 million farmers from all the cooperative banks under it. “We have sent a one-time settlement proposal to the central government to waive the loans of nationalised banks...This demand should be fulfilled.”

He asked the central government to take a decision on a caste census without delay while referring to the Rajasthan assembly’s resolution over it.

Reservations and caste census are expected to be major issues in the run-up to the 2024 national elections. A caste census has not been conducted since 1931. Congress backed quotas based on a national caste census before it stormed to power in Karnataka in May.Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are due to go to the polls along with Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Mizoram. The polls in the five states accounting for roughly 15% of India’s population are set expected to set the tone for the 2024 national elections.

In his first tweet, Gehlot said medical colleges in three districts built entirely with the state’s funding were not getting any financial assistance from the central government. “The central government should also give 60% funding to the medical colleges in these three tribal-dominated districts,” Gehlot said.

He demanded the status of a project of national importance for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). Congress has accused the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of stalling the ERCP, which seeks to provide irrigation and drinking water facilities across 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan. Modi was also due to transfer money into the accounts of 90 million farmers under the Kisan Samman Nidhi cash transfer scheme for small and marginal cultivators before addressing a gathering of farmers in Sikar.

BJP leader Rajendra Rathore tweeted thanking Gehlot for at least accepting the central government’s ₹2,213 crore contribution to medical colleges in the state. “It would have been better if you had paid attention to the faculty and other resources in the previously operated medical colleges.”

Rathore questioned why did not Gehlot keep his poll promise to waive the loan of the farmers in 10 days. “Now the government’s tenure is in the last stage...so you are demanding loan waiver from the central government.”Rathore said Gehlot was rejecting Agniveers even as the country has accepted them. “...lakhs of youth across the country are taking advantage of the Agnipath scheme to serve the nation. Why this narrowness?”

8)"One Of The Reasons Why...:" Centre On Asking CBI To Probe Manipur Violence:

Manipur violence: Sources said the affidavit was filed by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla himself, in a message to the court that the Centre is acting on the case with utmost seriousness. The Centre today requested the Supreme Court to transfer the trial in the Manipur violence case outside the state. It also requested the top court to order the completion of trial, of the entire case regarding violence in Manipur, including the gang-rape case, in six months. Sources said the affidavit was filed by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla himself, in a message to the court that the Centre is acting on the case with utmost seriousness.

The Manipur government recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the case on July 26. The Home Ministry had also recommended a CBI probe in the case on July 27.

"The central government considers the offences like the present one to be too heinous which deserve to be taken not only with the seriousness it deserves, but justice should be seen to be done so that it has a deterrent effect throughout the nation with respect to crimes against women. This is one of the reasons why the central government (with consent from the state government) has taken a decision to entrust the investigation to an independent investigating agency i.e. CBI," the Centre said while listing steps taken to hold the perpetrators accountable. Seven people have already been arrested in the case -- the last one was arrested from Thoubal district on Monday.

A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud was scheduled to hear pleas over violence in Manipur today, but couldn't as the CJI wasn't available.

The top court earlier took suo motu cognisance of the brutal gang rape of women in the state after a video showing women being paraded naked and assaulted went viral on social media.

The video from Manipur, coming ahead of the monsoon session of parliament, generated furore in the house, with the opposition demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When the government made it clear that none was coming, the opposition took a circuitous route, pushing for a no-confidence motion against the government, which has been accepted by Speaker Om Birla.

Refuting the opposition's claim that Manipur "is burning", a senior government functionary on Thursday said that no killing has occurred in the state since July 18 and asserted that peace and normalcy will be restored soon through ongoing talks with the two warring communities -- Meiteis and Kukis.

9) Supreme Court extends Sanjay Kumar Mishra’s tenure as ED Director till September 15:

S.K. MISRA

Top court goes back on its earlier judgment in ‘public and national interest’ after Centre’s appeal in the wake of FATF evaluation; however, it will not accept any further requests for extension The Supreme Court on July 27, in a special hearing, extended Enforcement Directorate (ED) Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra’s tenure till September 15, 2023 to serve “public and national interest”.

The court had declared Mr. Mishra’s continuation as ED Director “invalid and illegal” in a judgment on July 11. It had directed him to quit office by July 31.

Keeping in mind the “larger public interest” in view of the ongoing review of India by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Sanjay Kumar Mishra to continue as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) director until September 15.

A special bench of Justices B R Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol, which took up an application filed by the Centre seeking extension of Mishra’s tenure, said that “under ordinary circumstances, we would not have entertained such an application”.

The bench referred to its July 11 order, wherein it had held the two extensions given to Mishra by orders dated November 17, 2021 and November 17, 2022, and said it had “permitted him to continue till July 31 in order to ensure (a) smooth transition”.The bench noted, “We find that though in ordinary circumstances such an application would not have been entertained, taking into consideration the larger public interest, we are inclined to permit respondent number 2 (Mishra) to continue for some more period. We, therefore, permit respondent number 2 to continue as Director ED till September 15, 2023.” The court clarified that “no further application will be entertained for grant of extension to respondent number 2” and directed that he “shall cease to be Director of ED with effect from midnight of 15-16 September, 2023”.

The Centre had requested the court to extend his tenure until October 15, 2023, citing the FATF review.

On Thursday, the bench initially quizzed the Centre over the request after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that Mihsra’s continuation in office is important from the point of view of the FATF review. “Are we not giving a picture that your entire department is full of incompetent persons,” Justice Gavai asked. “There is only one person in the country who is competent enough to head the ED? Is it not demoralising the entire force that the Department can’t function if one person is not there?”

Stating that no one is indispensable, Mehta submitted, “(It is) not that we are not trusting the rest of the officials. There is something like leadership in any organisation and continuity plays the role. This is a peer review for the past five years at least. There will be several questions which will have to be answered at the highest administrative level of the department.“This is not an annual exercise which somebody else can take up. This is an exercise which last took place in 2010. Thereafter it was due in 2018-19 but it could not be done because the international community was facing Covid. So no country was peer-reviewed. The peer review started recently…”The continuity, Mehta submitted, “would help the country”.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju said some neighbouring countries want India to fall in the grey list and a new person who comes into office will require time to settle and “will actually hamper” the process. Senior advocate A M Singhvi, who appeared for a petitioner, said the court had already dealt with FATF in its July 11 order and the present application was actually a review petition by another name. He also questioned “the level to which one country is depending on the shoulders of one man”.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan also contended that the points being raised by the Centre now were already dealt with in the hearing leading to the July 11 verdict. He said, “If this person is so important, the Government can appoint him as a special adviser to whoever is going to be there for the FATF review…why do they seek extension till October when the process goes on till 2024?”,

 

1) Korea Open 2023: Satwik-Chirag beat Indonesian top-seeded pair in final to win Men's Doubles title:

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated world no. 1 Indonesian duo Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto in a thrilling three-game men's doubles final 17-21, 21-13, 21-14 in Yeosu, Korea on Sunday.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty defeated Indonesian duo Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched the Korea Open 2023 men's doubles title

The final scores read 17-21, 21-13, 21-14, marking a significant victory for the Indian pair. The Korea Open 2023, a prestigious badminton tournament, witnessed an exhilarating performance by the Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. The duo clinched the Men's Doubles title, defeating the top-seeded Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto in a thrilling final held at Jinnam Stadium in Yeosu, South Korea.

The journey to the final was not easy for the Indian pair, who are ranked third in the world. They had to overcome several formidable opponents, including the world number two Chinese pair of Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in the semi-finals. The match was a nail-biter, with both pairs engaging in short rallies and pouncing on any weak returns. The Indians managed to secure a victory with a score of 21-15, 24-22, marking their first-ever win over the Chinese duo in three meetings.In the final, Satwiksairaj and Chirag faced the top-seeded Indonesian pair, who were world number one. The match started neck-to-neck, but the Indian pair gained the upper hand after winning five back-to-back points, making the score 14-8 from 9-8. Despite facing stiff resistance in the second game, the Indian duo managed to raise their game at the vital juncture, finishing off the contest in 40 minutes.

The final scores read 17-21, 21-13, 21-14, marking a significant victory for the Indian pair. This win added another feather to their cap, as they had already won the Swiss and Indonesia Open titles on the 2023 BWF World Tour. The results at the Korea Open 2023 also count towards players' qualifying rankings for the Paris 2024 Olympics, making this victory even more crucial.The Korea Open 2023 was held from July 18 to 23, and it was the fifth Super 500 tournament of the 2023 BWF World Tour. The tournament, organized by the Badminton Korea Association with sanction from the BWF, boasted a total prize pool of $420,000. The Men's Doubles winners, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, took home a prize money of $33,180.

Fans in India could watch the live streaming of the matches on the Badminton World Federation's official YouTube channel, BWF TV, and the JioCinema app. Unfortunately, the event was not telecast live on any TV channel in India.

This victory at the Korea Open 2023 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. Their performance has not only brought laurels to the country but also boosted the morale of other Indian badminton players. As the duo continues to make strides in international badminton, fans eagerly await their performance in the upcoming tournaments and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

2) U-19 Asia Cup: Pakistan beat India by 2 wickets in thriller:

Pakistan edged out a mediocre Indian side by two wickets in a last-ball thriller in the U-19 Asia Cup here on Saturday.

Pakistan rode on a stroke-filled 81 by one-down Muhammad Shehzad and a late cameo by Ahmad Khan (29 not out) to chase down a target of 238.

Ahmad hit Ravi Kumar for a boundary in the game's final delivery to seal the game for his side.Earlier in the day, the Pakistan U-19 bowlers, led by right-arm medium pacer Zeeshan Zameer (5/60), wreaked havoc as they bundled out the opposition for a sub-par 237.

Brief scores: India U-19 237 all out (Aaradhya Yadav 50, Harnoor Singh 46; Zeeshan Zamir 5/60, Awais Ali 2/43) lost to Pakistan U-19 240/8 (Muhammad Shehzad 81, Irfan Khan 32; Raj Bawa 4/56) by two wickets.

3) India vs West Indies 1st ODI Highlights: IND beat WI by 5 wickets as Rohit finishes the job from No.7:

India vs West Indies 1st ODI Highlights: Rohit Sharma came in at No.7 and finished the job as India chased down a target of 115 with five wickets to spare.

India vs West Indies 1st ODI Highlights: The West Indies put up a tame performance with the bat as they were blown away for just 114 runs in 23 overs. In response, though, India have gone through a bit of a collapse themselves. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli did not come out in their usual positions as India chose to give the lower order batters some time out in the middle. Ishan Kishan scored a half century but there was precious little from others. Kishan eventually fell for 52 off 46 and India were 97/5 in 17.2 overs, at which point Rohit Sharma finally came out to bat. Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav ended with incredible figures of 4/6 in just three overs while Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets. West Indies went from 88/3 in 15.4 overs to being all out for 114 in 23 overs. Captain Shai Hope cut a forlorn figure as he was stranded at one end while West Indies kept losing wickets at the other. He ended up falling for 43 off 45 balls. Rohit finally walked in at No.7 and Kohli was padded up when the Indian captain hit the winning runs. India ended up winning by five wickets.

 

1) Kaalkoot:

Directed by: Arunabh Kumar

Cast: Vijay Varma, Shweta Tripathi, Seema Biswas, Yashpal Sharma, Gopal Dutt, Suzanna Mukherjee

Releasing on: 27 July 2023

Streaming on: JioCinema

Synopsis: The story revolves around the life of a police sub-inspector, Ravi Shankar Tiwari. He is no longer keen on working as a police officer and is all set to designate from his post, when a gruesome acid attack case comes his way and takes all his attention.

2) Captain Fall:

Created by: Joel Trussell

Cast: Jason Ritter, Anthony Carrigan, Lesley-Ann Brandt

Releasing on: 28 July 2023

Streaming on: Netflix

Synopsis: A inexperienced yet humble sea captain unintentionally lands himself in trouble when a wretched international cartel asks him to smuggle a ship. The cartel is using him as a fall guy so that the authorities never catch them and the little guy has no option but to help them.

3) Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani:

Directed by: Karan Johar

Cast: Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt

Releasing on: 28 July 2023 (in theatres)

Synopsis: This Friday, the biggest Bollywood movie release of July is taking place. The story of Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani revolves around two lovebirds — Rocky Randhawa and Rani Chatterjee. Rocky is a desi, loud and charming Punjabi man while Rani is an intellectual Bengali journalist. To make their relationship work and get the families to agree to their marriage, the duo decides to live with each other’s families for three months.

4) Haunted Mansion:

Directed by: Justin Simien

Cast: LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jared Leto

Releasing on: 28 July 2023 (in theatres)

Synopsis: A single mother named Gabbie, and her son are excited to move into a mansion. However, they find out that the house is haunted. To help exorcise the newly bought estate, they hire a priest, a psychic, a former paranormal investigator turned tour guide, and a college history professor for assistance. Be ready to be spooked by this new Friday movie release.

5) Bro:

Directed by: Samuthirakani

Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Sai Dharam Tej, Priya Prakash Varrier, Ketika Sharma, Brahmanandam, Subbaraju

Releasing on: 28 July 2023 (in theatres)

Synopsis: Another exciting weekend release is Pawan Kalyan starrer Bro. The story revolves around a man who is given a second chance at life to fix his mistakes after he dies.

6) Good Omens Season 2:

Directed by: Douglas Mackinnon

Cast: Adria Arjona, Miranda Richardson, Michael McKean, Jack Whitehall, Nick Offerman, Brian Cox, Mireille Enos, Jon Hamm, Frances McDormand

Releasing on: 28 July 2023

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

Synopsis: Based on the novel Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett, the show revolves around Aziraphale, an angel and Crowley, a demon. The two friends have a nice time on Earth but have a huge task at hand. They aim to prevent the final battle between heaven and hell called Armageddon from happening to save the earth.

Book of This Week:

Lords Of The Deccan:Southern India From from the chalukyas to the Cholas:by Anirudh Kanisetti (Author)

The history of the vast Indian subcontinent is usually told as a series of ephemeral moments when a large part of modern-day India was ruled by a single sovereign. There is an obsession with foreign invasions and the polities of the Gangetic plains, while the histories of the rest of the subcontinent have been reduced to little more than dry footnotes. Now, in this brilliant and critically acclaimed debut book, Anirudh Kanisetti shines a light into the darkness, bringing alive for the lay-reader the early medieval Deccan, from the sixth century CE to the twelfth century CE, in all its splendour and riotous glory.

Kanisetti takes us back in time to witness the birth of the Chalukyas, a dynasty that shaped southern India for centuries. Beginning at a time when Hinduism was still establishing itself through the Deccan, when the landscape was bereft of temples, he explores the extraordinary transformation of the peninsula over half a millennium. In vivid and colourful detail, Kanisetti describes how the mighty empires of medieval India were made: how temple-building and language manipulation were used as political tools; how royals involved themselves in religious struggles between Jains and Buddhists, Shaivas and Vaishnavas; and how awe-inspiring rituals were used to elevate kings over their rivals and subjects. In doing so, he transforms medieval Indian royals, merchants and commoners from obscure figures to complex, vibrant people. Kanisetti takes us into the minds of powerful rulers of the Chalukya, Pallava, Rashtrakuta and Chola dynasties, and animates them and their world with humanity and depth.

It is a world of bloody elephant warfare and brutal military stratagems; of alliances and betrayals; where a broken king commits ritual suicide, and a shrewd hunchbacked prince founds his own kingdom under his powerful brother’s nose. This is a world where a king writes a bawdy play that is a parable for religious contestation; where the might of India’s rulers and the wealth of its cities were talked of from Arabia to Southeast Asia; and where south Indian kingdoms serially invaded and defeated those of the north. This painstakingly researched forgotten history of India will keep you riveted and enthralled. You will never see the history of the subcontinent the same way again.

 Anirudh Kanisetti (Author)

“Like most other South Indian men I was prepared for a life of an engineer,” remarks Anirudh Kanisetti laughingly, while talking about his crossover or transition in life from engineering to history. His life took a completely different trajectory, for the better, when in his second year of engineering, he discovered his love for history; specifically the history of medieval south India.

Since then, 26-year-old Anirudh has been working with and on unearthing how history works to influence our world and its mechanisation today.

Kanisetti’s upcoming book “Lords of the Deccan: Southern India from the Chalukyas to the Cholas” is to be published in January 2022 by Juggernaut Books. It hopes to explain the medieval south’s influence on politics and culture in contemporary times by focusing on exploring medieval political power and globalisation. His excitement for the long-gone past – the good and bad shades of it – is palpable. Speaking to Siasat.com, Kanisetti states that he has never formally studied history. “I was first drawn to history when I visited Kolkata. The presence of history is very out-there and I was curious to see how the same operated in South India.”

As of 2021, Kanisetti has worked as a public history writer since 2018 and currently serves as the editor on the Encyclopaedia of Indian Art at the Museum of Art and Photography.He further adds that there is only so much one can discern from the history born out of the Gangetic plains and there exists a gaping hole in our understanding of south Indian history. “While North Indian history shows its presence in an overt fashion, the way history is employed by political parties and culture in south India is far more subtle.”Kanisetti was referring to the presence of Kakatiya Vidhya Bhavan in modern-day Hyderabad or the Telangana state emblem which has a motif, the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, borrowed from the Kakatiya dynasty. The point he makes is a simple, lucid one: That history is used often to celebrate our now dead rulers and offer the gentry the promise of wealth and progress.

“I am not against celebrating the past. But it is limiting to reduce the past to just a great time of progress or to discard it as completely demonic,” he adds. Medieval south India was not a great time for women or for other oppressed groups.

But it is worth noting, according to Kanisetti, that despite all the violence born of ambition, there was healthy patronage of art and architecture and a time of great mobility. In fact, poets and priests from Kashmir were said to have been employed in the Deccan empire which hints at how cultures spread and merged to form a cohesive whole.Kanisetti’s book will mainly be focusing on the kings belonging to the Chalukyas and Rashtrakuta empires. The idea, he remarks, is to see how the kings influenced their subjects back then and how that influence continues to shape history up until date.

While one has to wait until January to know more, Anirudh Kanisetti’s book has started to garner attention already. Noted historian William Dalrymple, read the draft of Kanisetti’s book and has called the author a “major new talent”.“I chanced upon a letter from the 11th century by an Arab merchant. His wife asks for a divorce and he states that he would grant it because he loved her even though it would cause him deep anguish. Those sentiments don’t wither away. People back then wanted love, wealth and adventure as much as they do today and hence to better understand our legacy, we need history.” he concludes.