Heavy rains hammered southern China on the weekend, flooding homes, streets and farmland and threatening to upend the lives of tens of millions of people as rescuers rushed to evacuate residents trapped by rising waters. At least 11 people are missing, six of whom are from the town of Jiangwan near Shaoguan city in the province’s mountainous north, where heavy downpours have triggered landslides that injured six people, state-run news agency Xinhua said Monday. Days of rainstorms have lashed Guangdong province, an economic powerhouse home to 127 million people, bringing widespread floods that have forced more than 82,500 people to be relocated, state media reported, citing the local government. Since April 16, sustained torrential rains have pounded the Pearl River Delta, China’s manufacturing heartland and one of the country’s most populated regions, with four weather stations in Guangdong registering record rainfall for April. The Pearl River basin is subject to annual flooding from April to September, but the region has faced more intense rainstorms and severe floods in recent years as scientists warn that the climate crisis will amplify extreme weather, making it deadlier and more frequent. Last year, China encountered “more intense and extreme” downpours during the flood season than in previous years, with 72 national weather stations registering record daily rainfall and 346 stations breaking monthly records, according to the China Meteorological Administration. Since last week, at least 44 rivers in the Pearl River basin have swelled above the warning line, threatening to burst their banks, according to state broadcaster CCTV. On the Bei River, which flows into the Pearl River, authorities have warned of a “once a century” flood expected to reach 5.8 meters (19 feet) above the warning limit. The tributary had already burst its banks on April 8, marking the earliest arrival of its annual flood season since records began in 1998, according to Guangdong authorities. Aerial footage aired by CCTV on the weekend showed villages inundated by murky flood waters, with only roofs and treetops visible in some places. In Guangning county, Zhaoqing city, footage shared by residents on short video app Douyin shows muddy brown water gushing through village streets and sweeping away cars. In Shaoguan, a man is seen pushing his scooter through shoulder-high flood waters. And in Qingyuan city, social media footage shows strong gales and rain felling trees and flipping over motorcycles. Authorities raised the flood control emergency response for the Pearl River Delta to level 2 on Sunday – the second highest in a four-tier system. Many cities have suspended schools and hundreds of flights have been canceled in the metropolises of Guangzhou and Shenzhen. More than 80 houses have either collapsed or been severely damaged, resulting in a direct economic loss of nearly 140 million yuan ($20 million), Xinhua reported.   Source: CNN  

Large-scale protests have erupted across Balochistan after an alarming rise in cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances spanning different demographics in the region, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) stated in a report. Notably, the month of November witnessed an alarming rise in cases of human rights violations throughout Balochistan. 65 incidents of enforced disappearances were recorded, spanning different demographics from under-age to disabled persons, newlyweds, students, doctors, shopkeepers, and labourers. 39 extrajudicial killings were reported, including 10 previously disappeared persons killed by state forces in fake encounters. Throughout the month, Balochistan witnessed a tragic toll with the loss of 39 lives, including five women, in various incidents. While 30 of the victims have been identified, the identities of 10 remain unknown. One of the most disturbing occurrences that triggered widespread outrage and protests was the extrajudicial killing of ten Baloch students, previously reported missing but later killed by the CTD in a series of fabricated encounters, HRCB reported. The first incident occurred on November 8 when CTD officials claimed the killing of three militants in an alleged exchange of fire in Khuzdar, with a significant cache of ammunition supposedly seized. However, investigations revealed disturbing details, including the identification of one victim, Aftab Sumalani, who previously disappeared by forces from Hazarganji Quetta on August 11. Another victim, Abdullah, had been detained and disappeared by Pakistani forces two years prior, while the third victim, Hamza, also had a history of disappearance. Later, on November 19, police brought three more bodies to the Hoshap police station, claiming they were victims of a car explosion. Upon identification, it was revealed that these victims, Nabi Bakhsh, Adil Essa, and Shahjan Essa, were students who had been forcibly disappeared on August 22, HRCB reported. Then, on October 23, the CTD again transported four bodies to Teaching Hospital Turbat, alleging their deaths occurred in an encounter on Banuk Chadahi Pasni Road. One of the deceased, Balach, a tailor at Star Plus market and a resident of Absar in Turbat, was detained by the CTD from his home on October 29 in front of his family. He was produced in the court on November 21, wherein, the court granted him a 10-day remand. During this period, his family met him, provided financial support, and witnessed legal proceedings, contradicting claims made by the authorities regarding his encounter death. The other three victims were identified as Saif son of Umeed, also a resident of Absor abducted on August 1 from his grocery shop, Shakur of Noor Jan, from Pulabad Kasano area of Tump abducted on June 25, and Wadood, son of Mubarak, a resident of Panjgur abducted from Army Camp on April 27 after being summoned. These incidents led to widespread protests in most parts of Balochistan where people from all walks of life joined the victims’ families against the long-standing systematic violence and ethnic targeting of Baloch people by the state through inhuman practices such as enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, HRCB reported. However, despite peaceful protests, the forces responded with lethal measures by beating and disrespecting the protesters and creating hurdles for the marchers. Moreover, further casualties during the month included nine individuals reportedly killed by the FC, two of whom were identified as separatists, while seven others died in an alleged encounter in Zhob. A person named Shoaib, son of Abdul Hameed, a Zamyad driver lost his life in firing by the forces. Furthermore, a woman fell victim to indiscriminate firing by SHO Noshki, Asadullah Mengal, which led to local protests against the continued violence by the police authorities. In another incident, six people were shot dead in targeted killings by unknown militants, five by Baloch militant organizations, and four people by the local death squad operatives, including journalist Sharif Shahzad, known for his reporting on a previous incident of violence against a woman by a death squad member in Nal, Khuzdar., HRCB reported. Other distressing incidents included the honour killing of a man and woman by the victim’s husband after which the two decomposed bodies were recovered in Mastung and Harnai. Enforced disappearances carried out by the paramilitary forces of Pakistan marked a troubling trend with sixty-five documented cases in the past month, predominantly from districts Kech, Awaran, and Gwadar. This affected a wide range of people, from minors to the disabled, from newlyweds to students, shopkeepers, and labourers. The report added that the incidents involving underage abductions were particularly alarming. In Wadh, Abdul Qadeer and Salahuddin — mere teenagers aged 13 and 14 — were forcibly taken away from Syed Momin Shah Mosque by Pakistani forces. Similarly, Amjad in Ormara, an 11-year-old went missing after protesting against land mafias. Bilal, a 16-year-old from Gwadar, forcibly disappeared for the second time from his home. All of them were students, HRCB reported. In another incident, nine other students were abducted across various districts. They were identified as Abdul Wahab, Shahid, Ali Juma, Imdad, Sheeran, Jameel, Sherdil, Ahmed Ibrahim, and Sameer, who were forcibly whisked away from his hostel. While Imdad, Sherdil, and Ahmed Ibrahim were eventually released, the rest remain missing. In instances involving disabled persons, Atwar disappeared during a military raid in Sibi. Notably, a brother of his had previously been killed by the Pakistan Army. The abduction of bridegrooms also stood out among the distressing incidents which reflects the callousness even during personal celebrations, as per the report. Liaqat, preparing for his wedding ceremony in Khuzdar, was whisked away by Pakistani forces a mere two days before his marriage. Similarly, Sibghatullah Sarpara, a shopkeeper, was abducted just a day after his marriage from Chaghai. It should be noted that in 2012, the father of Liaqat, Sakhi Dad was killed by a state-backed death squad group. In various incidents across district Awaran, security forces carried out multiple abductions, forcibly taking away fourteen people, including Gazzin, Hasil, Barkat, Hafiz Azeem, Muhammad Qasim, Akram, Lal Jan, Shahnawaz, Javed, Sajid Zabad, Mahdmood, Rahim Jan, Akhtar, and Muhammad Ameen, who is being disappeared for the third time, HRCB reported. Hafiz Azeem, Muhammad Qasim, Akram, and Sajid were later released, while others remain missing. Noorbakhsh, Akhtar’s brother was shot dead on 8 November by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). Similar abductions occurred in district Kech, where twelve people were detained and then disappeared. The victims include Noman, Saeed Ahmad, Wajo Salim, Allahdad, Adnan, Liaqat, Samad Assa, Muslim Ali, Mansoor, Waqar, Gulzar, and Miraj, whose father was found dead in custody in Karachi after being abducted in 2012. Only Adnan has been released among these people, and this marks the second abduction of Muslim Ali. The report further highlighted that the forces carried out a series of detentions and disappearances in district Gwadar and surrounding areas. Salim Raza, Razzaq Saud, and Amjad were abducted from Pasni, while Habib from Naiyaabad, Sameer Hamza from Surbandan, and Amjad from Ormara. Two persons were detained and disappeared from Khuzdar. Liaqat, son of Saleh Muhammad was taken away from his retail shop in Zehri, while another individual, named Haroon Baloch faced a similar fate but was later released. In Quetta, a series of raids conducted by the security forces involving Frontier Corps (FC), CTD, and intelligence agencies led to the disappearance of three youths – Attaullah, Hamza, and Bibagr. Hamza and Bibagr were brothers working as laborers. All of them were eventually released on November 10. In a separate incident, Jamal Marri, son of Gul Khan Marri, was apprehended by CTD in a raid in the New Kahan area of Quetta and subjected to enforced disappearance. One person, namely Kaleemullah, son of Abdul Hakeem Shahwani, was detained by FC and plain-clothed intelligence officers from the Khadkocha area of Mastung and disappeared. In the Sui area of Dera Bugti, six people were abducted by the security personnel. The victims were Jalab, Laik, Bhagia, Laeek, Muhammad, and Meeran Bugti. Two of Meeran’s sons had been killed by a local death squad a few years ago. Moreover, one person, Qaiser son of Ghazi Khan, was taken into custody and forcibly disappeared by the forces from Naseerabad. Although Mohammad and Meeran were abducted in October, we received information about their cases only this month due to internet unavailability. The report further cited an incident where three people were abducted from Sindh. Latif, son of Bacha and a resident of Sibi Lehri, was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies from the Larkana area. He had migrated to Sindh and was working there. Similarly, Hasnain Baloch was apprehended and then disappeared by the forces from the Lyari area of Karachi while traveling. Moreover, Muhammad Ismail was abducted from his Karachi home by unknown persons but returned safely after eight days, HRCB reported.   Source: ANI

A massive fire broke out at Mohammadpur Krishi Market in the capital around 3:45am on Wednesday.  17 units of the fire service are working to bring the fire under control, said Fire Service and Civil Defence officials. more to follow....

To counter China's footprint in Gulf, India is planning an ambitious connectivity project that aims to link New Delhi to the Middle East, reported Foreign Policy. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held a meeting with his US and UAE counterparts, which was also attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The leaders discussed a joint infrastructure project that would connect the Middle Eastern countries via rail. The ambitious connectivity project aims to link the Middle East to India through roads, rails, and seaports. The idea emerged during meetings of the I2U2 group - which also includes Israel - over the last year, Axios reported. The I2U2 group - a relatively new vehicle for US-India cooperation in the Middle East - was not envisioned as a China-focused entity, given the close commercial cooperation that both the UAE and Israel enjoy with China, reported Foreign Policy. Saudi Arabia hasn't formalized relations with Israel, which means the latter isn't a formal part of the project, but its membership in I2U2 suggests it will have a role. The connectivity project shows just how much India benefits from the Abraham Accords, the Trump-era agreement that normalized relations between Israel and several of its Arab neighbours. The deal allowed for the establishment of the I2U2 group, and discussions there gave rise to the new initiative, reported Foreign Policy. The proposed initiative signals that India and the United States are ready to take their joint efforts to counter China beyond the Indo-Pacific region and into the Middle East. It's clear the Biden administration views the connectivity project as a way to balance Chinese power in the region. "Nobody said it out loud, but it was about China from day one," a former senior Israeli official told Axios. The connectivity project aims to leverage India's capacity as an infrastructure provider. Its track record includes the construction of the world's largest rail system and contributions to cross-border electricity-sharing arrangements. Through the new initiative, Indian officials hope to develop a deeper infrastructure footprint in the Middle East to counter China's BRI.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador led a massive "people's march" with an eye to the next election. Critics believe that people were compelled to participate. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador led thousands of people on a march to the capital Sunday. "Mexico is no longer run by oligarchy, now there is a democratic system whose priority is the poor," Lopez Obrador told to the crowd. The rally was a response to a large march led by critics of the president two weeks ago. Those protesting two weeks ago opposed Obrador's proposal to reform the country's electoral authority. Onlookers shook hands and took selfies with the president as he passed through Mexico City. Many waved flags of the ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party. Obrador's march marked four years in office for the leftist leader. Jesus Ramirez, the presidential spokesman, said at least 1.2 million people joined the rally. Experts believe that this was the first such march led by a Mexican president in at least four decades. Obrador eyes next general election Lopez Obrador's march comes ahead of the next general elections slated for 2024. Mexican presidents are limited to a single six-year term, meaning he cannot run again. "No to re-election," he told the crowd on Sunday. Nevertheless, the president hopes to see his party hold onto power after he steps aside. Three of the his allies and potential successors — Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez — accompanied him at the rally. Opposition says protesters compelled to participate  Clara Jusidman, founder of INCIDE Social, an NGO specialized in democracy, development and human rights, said that what is important is less the number of participants ibut rather "why they participated.'' According to her, many Mexicans feel compelled to support Obrador as they receive money from the government. The opposition insisted that the participants had been forced to join the march, claims Obrador dismissed. Most supporters at the march had been bused in from different provinces across Mexico. Their transport was organized by the Morena party, unions and social groups. "I come from Sonora by plane and I paid for my ticket,'' America Verdugo, a lawyer, told AP. By contrast, Pedro Sanchez, a bricklayer who came with his wife from southern Mexico, told AP that his municipality had organized everything. Orbador enjoys approval rating above 60% During the course of his term, Orbador's government has been criticized for its increased use of military force and laws that have been constitutionality questioned in court. His plan to revamp the electoral system has proven to be his most controversial move so far. His proposals include improving democracy by limiting economic influence in politics and cutting candidates' advertising time. His opponents fear that the change could presade a power grab. They also believe that his plan could reduce the budget of the electoral commission and change the way councilors are elected. Obrador's approval ratings are around 60%. He owes much of his popularity to his social welfare programs aimed at helping the elderly and disadvantaged Mexicans. Referring to the rally led by the opposition, Fernando Dworak, a political analyst at the Mexican Autonomous Institute of Technology said that "It was a serious mistake by the opposition to believe that the president can be beaten on the streets." So far, his Morena party won four of six races for the position of governor in last year's midterm elections, giving the ruling party control of 22 of Mexico's 32 states. This gives the party an important advantage heading into the 2024 presidential elections.

There was no panic when the Russian Federation carried out a massive missile attack across Ukraine on Monday morning. Though many Ukrainians did feel reminded of the February day when the Russian army began its invasion with early morning missile strikes, this time no one fled. "Ukraine cannot be intimidated, and Ukrainians united even more instead," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message. "You have angered Ukrainians" — Serhiy Prytula, a Ukrainian TV presenter and Serhij Sternenko, an activist, sent a clear message of solidarity just hours after the massive shelling began by announcing a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for weapons for the Ukrainian army. They were joined by Ihor Lachenkov, a popular Ukrainian blogger. The outcome exceeded all expectations. Within just seven minutes, Ukrainians had transferred the equivalent of about €27,000 ($26,200) to the designated account. According to Sternenko, about €9.7 million were collected in just one day. The money has been earmarked to purchase of Ukrainian kamikaze RAM II UAV drones. Damaged power lines Ukrainians also followed calls by the authorities to save electricity, a measure that became necessary because the massive Russian missile attack hit infrastructure in 11 regions across the country and in the capital Kyiv. The authorities set about repairing the damage as quickly as possible and asked the population to cut back on the use of household appliances during peak hours from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. People in Kyiv and the surrounding areas complied, with power consumption reduced by more than a quarter compared to an ordinary autumn day, Ukrenergo reported later that evening. According to the electricity company, the total capacity of electrical appliances that consumers did not turn on during those hours voluntarily is equivalent to the capacity of more than 93,000 kettles or 46,000 washing machines. "That helped avoid overloading the functioning power grids and allowed the control center to balance the power grid during the most difficult time of the day," the company said. People were encouraged to continue reducing their consumption in the evening and to use power-hungry electrical appliances only during the day or at night-time. Prompt repairs Despite the constant threat of new missile attacks, all repairs are carried out as quickly as possible. Dnipro mayor Borys Filatov reported that an important section of road in the city had been repaired overnight. "Yesterday and today. We gritted our teeth and worked all night. Pipelines, road surface and signs, communication network and trees. Let the bastards die. We will repair and rebuild everything. But our hatred will live on for centuries. I bow to my co-workers and the workers of the municipal utilities," Filatov wrote on Telegram, posting "before and after" photos of the road. In Kyiv, Taras Shevchenko Boulevard was reopened to traffic during the morning hours of October 11, according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office. He said on Telegram that the important intersection of the boulevard that had been hit by a Russian missile the previous day had been repaired in just a few hours. Songs, memes The attacks on October 10 triggered an air alert of more than five and a half hours in Kyiv. It was the first time in months that citizens had to shelter in metro stations for so long, and a video showing some of them singing songs for encouragement quickly went viral. People have not lost their sense of humor, either. The Russian bombing of a popular pedestrian and bicycle bridge in Kyiv, known as the Klitschko Bridge in honor of Mayor Vitali Klitschko, has been the source of many jokes. Ukrainians have made fun of the fact that the bridge, which also serves as an observation deck, was targeted in the first place. They are even more amused by the fact that a bridge partly made of glass panels seems to have held up, unlike the Kerch Bridgethat links Russia to the Crimean Peninsula and was partly damaged by an explosion on October 8. More seriously, however, Russia's massive missile attacks, which continued on October 11, have once again made people aware of the need to pay attention to air alerts and to seek out bunkers or find shelter in safe parts of buildings.

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn said on Saturday that intentional interference was the cause of disruptions in the train network in northern Germany. "Sabotage to cables that were vital for train traffic meant Deutsche Bahn had to stop trains running in the north this morning for nearly three hours," Deutsche Bahn said. The German rail operator said security authorities had taken over the investigation. There was no immediate information on potential suspects. Investigators, however, said the communications cables were cut at one location outside Berlin and another in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.  German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said authorities "have to assume intentional acts" were behind the rail disruption as cables were severed at two locations.  Transport Minister Volker Wissing added, "It is clear that this was a targeted and malicious action." What do we know about the rail disruptions? Earlier on Saturday, Deutsche Bahn reported a "technical fault on the line" after trains in large parts of northern Germany were stopped. "The reason for that is the failure of the digital train radio communication system," the company said. Hours later, the Deutsche Bahn reported that the issue had been addressed, but further service cancelations and disruptions were still possible. Cables for DB's communication network had been severed in two locations, unnamed security sources told Der Spiegel magazine. The magazine initially noted that it wasn’t clear whether the cut was at the hands of a saboteur or if it was accidental damage due to construction work. How was the rail service impacted? The problem has affected trains in large parts of northern Germany as well as some international routes, DB said.  Travel to and from Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony in the direction of Kassel- Wilhelmshöhe, Berlin and North Rhine Westphalia had been suspended.  The high-speed ICE trains between Berlin, Hanover and NRW were also impacted by the outage. Some international routes were affected as well. Round trains from and to Berlin via Amsterdam are completely canceled. Meanwhile, trains from and to the Danish cities of Copenhagen and Aarhus would end/start in Padborg, southern Denmark. Train delays and cancellations have become a more common occurrence with DB services in recent years. However, the latest disruption comes after reported acts of sabotage targeting the vital Nord Stream gas pipeline last month, which prompted NATO and the European Union to sound the alarm on protecting critical infrastructure.

South Korea and the US are holding joint military drills, involving aircraft, warships, tanks and potentially tens of thousands of troops. The US and South Korea on Monday kicked off annual joint military exercises, summertime drills known as Ulchi Freedom Shield. The renewed training comes amid a rise in tensions on the Korean Peninsula again following years of failed rapprochement that occurred while former US President Donald Trump was in office. The live-fire exercises involve thousands of troops and combine land, sea and air forces. Ulchi Freedom Shield is scheduled to run through September 1. What is the strategic context of Ulchi Freedom Shield?  South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol came to power in May vowing to normalize combined exercises and strengthen deterrence against threats from North Korea. In recent years, the joint US-South Korean maneuvers were scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic and before that, the doomed diplomatic efforts to get North Korea to agree to denuclearize. Trump and previous South Korean President Moon Jae-in held talks with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and drew down US-South Korean military cooperation in a bid to keep the North engaged. Pyongyang has lambasted the exercises as a dress rehearsal for an invasion. Last week, North Korea fired two cruise missiles from the town of Onchon, on the west coast of the peninsula. North Korea has conducted an unprecedented number of weapons tests this year. US and South Korean officials have warned that Pyongyang is preparing to conduct what would be its seventh nuclear test. What is planned for the exercises? US and South Korean troops will train jointly on 11 field training programs, including one at the brigade level. The exercises, which Washington and Seoul describe as defensive, involve aircraft, warships, tanks and potentially tens of thousands of troops. The drills include simulated joint attacks, front-line reinforcements of arms and fuel, and removals of weapons of mass destruction. The US currently has approximately 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Wednesday) said Bangladesh had witnessed gross violation of human rights during the long military regimes after 1975 carnage. "We're even barred from seeking justice," she said while UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet paid a courtesy call on her at her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital. PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the newsmen after the meeting. The premier said Father of the Nation and then President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members were brutally assassinated on August 15 in 1975. She added that she and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana survived the 1975 massacre as they were abroad at that time. Sheikh Hasina said the then military backed government had enacted Indemnity Ordinance to stop trial of those killings. After returning to country from forced exile, she said they were barred from seeking justice due to that ordinance. She said the then military government even rehabilitated killers of Bangabandhu and war criminals in politics. Bachelet, who was president of Chili for two times, said her family also had to suffer inhuman torture like Bangladesh Prime Minister when an oppressive government was in power in her country. The UN high commissioner said she was "deeply moved" after visiting the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum where the Father of the Nation with most of his family members were brutally killed on August 15, 1975. During the meeting, they discussed the current world issues and agreed that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions and counter sanctions have created crisis across the globe. On Rohingya issue, the Prime Minister said Myanmar doesn't refuse that Rohingyas are their nationals but they are yet to respond to repatriate their displaced citizens. Myanmar will has to bring their nationals back to their country, she said. She also said Bangladesh never wants war with anyone. Referring to the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) peace treaty, she said 62,000 refugees had returned to Bangladesh while 1800 arms cadres had surrendered after that deal. Bachelet requested Bangladesh Prime Minister to create scope for education and employments for Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar. The premier replied that they can arrange those scopes for Rohingyas in Bhashan Char. The UN high commissioner said the UN is working with the law ministry on the Digital Security Act and gave some observations to this end. Sheikh Hasina said she knew the matter and added that Bangladesh would not allow anyone to use its soil for terrorism. She briefly highlighted the government measures taken for overall development of Bangladesh. She said the Padma Bridge contributes to development of southern people of the country. "We are laying emphasis on agriculture for country's development while we are establishing agro processing industries," she added. The Prime Minister also said over 1.87 lakh families have got houses free of costs under Ashrayan projects as the government is working to bring every homeless and landless people under the housing scheme. Bachelet appreciated Bangladesh SDG implementation progress and work for addressing inequality.   She also greeted the premier for graduating Bangladesh to a developing nation from a least developed one. Both of them also discussed the climate change impact. The premier said they stressed aforestation in coastal regions as they are vulnerable to climate change. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, State Minister Md Shahriar Alam, PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus and UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis, were present. Bachelet arrived in Dhaka on a four-day visit on Sunday morning last. Source: BSS AH

August 5 marks the day when Article 370 was abrogated in 2019. While a section of the media talks about the release of political prisoners, restoration of internet & phone connectivity, and lifting of the curfew are important issues, for ordinary Kashmiris the concept of ‘normalcy’ largely evolves normal functioning of schools, colleges, health services, government offices etc. Beyond the narrow interpretation of the state of ‘normalcy,’ real normalcy can be found in the thriving business and infrastructure that is being built in J&K.   Three years after the Central government abrogated Article 370, ending the semi-autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), bifurcate the state into the two centrally-administered union territories (UT) of J&K, and Ladakh began a new phase in Kashmir’s history, encouraging the people of the state a future of development and peace. Today Kashmir is well on its way to becoming a model state with investments, infrastructure, tourism, social welfare and agriculture showing unprecedented growth in the three years since being freed from Article 370.   According to information provided by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, 1,41,815 new works/projects have been taken up under various sectors/schemes in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) since 2019. Kashmir is in fact poised on the cusp of a massive economic push with record investment proposals worth Rs 31,000 crore under consideration. The project construction and procurement activities are creating significant employment opportunities for skilled as well as unskilled labourers, engineers, transporters and small businesses in addition to those engaged in the supply of material, equipment and tools in the private sector. It is estimated that this investment has generated employment of about 1,169 lakh man-days in the UT of J&K.   The central government has notified a new scheme worth Rs 28,400 crore which is likely to provide employment to over 4.5 lakh people. Six agreements with global investors were signed at EXPO2020 Dubai in January 2022 for investments in real estate, infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, and manpower employment sectors among others. The quantum jump in the budgetary allocation is a piece of evidence of how seriously India wants to bring peace through development in otherwise restive J&K because of the perpetration of terrorism from the Pakistani side. The new government is continuously taking policy initiatives for the development of J&K.   There is considerable progress on the infrastructure front. More than 53 projects are at different stages of completion at a cost of Rs 58,477 crore in various sectors such as roads, power, health, education, tourism, agriculture, and skill development. Twenty-one of these projects have been completed or substantially completed. Projects languishing at various stages numbering over 1,192 projects worth Rs 1,983.77 crore were completed, including five projects which were incomplete for more than 20 years, 15 projects for more than 15 years and 165 projects for more than 10 years. These include roads nearly 11,517 km in total length, 1858 roads and 84 bridges.   A multi-pronged plan has been put in place to transform Kashmir into a premier educational hub in north India. Besides improving existing schools and colleges, new educational institutions are rising across the territory. Premier educational institutes like IITs and IIMs are already functional. Over 22 colleges and two new cultural universities are on the anvil. At the micro level, students are being offered better-endowed scholarship schemes, helping those from the minorities as well as poorer sections of the society.   With an aim to improve the physical infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has accelerated the pace of execution of Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) projects. Official data suggests that the expenditure has reached up to Rs.34,653 crore ending October 2021 resulting in fast-moving improvement of physical infrastructure here. As per the data, 21 major projects have been completed/substantially completed and nine projects are likely to be completed by this financial year.   In respect of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY), J&K has moved in the overall ranking in the country from 9th place in 2016-17 to 3rd position in 2020-21. A dedicated policy for the maintenance of road infrastructure has been approved by the UT government during 2021-22.   In another significant achievement, J&K has achieved 100% household electrification under the Saubhagya scheme before the target date and 3,57,405 beneficiaries have been covered. The government has also embarked on a path of smart metering and around 20 Lakh consumers shall be covered under Smart Metering Program. As of now, the Installation of two Lakh metres is already underway and the installation of another six lakh is being finalized under Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.   Further to improve the power infrastructure as well as distribution in Jammu and Kashmir, Government is committed to increasing the power generation of J&K as the UT has vast potential for Hydroelectricity. Power projects with 3500 MW capacity are going to solve most of the power woes in Jammu and Kashmir.   Improvement in health services has been dramatic with national health schemes and projects establishing themselves in far nook and cranny of the valley. National medical insurance schemes are now reaching even the most remote, and poorest, sections. Kashmir is the only Union Territory with universal health insurance coverage for up to Rs 5 lakh per family. Besides premier medical institutes like All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Cancer Institute along with two new medical colleges in Udhampur are changing the health scene in Kashmir. Mega private hospitals are already planning to enter the state. The first one would be Apollo Hospitals which plans to set up a 250-bed hospital, an initiative which the hospital administration hopes would sow the seeds of Kashmir being known as a global health tourism destination.   The Pakistan-sponsored insurgency that broke out in the 1990s wreaked havoc on the culture and heritage of the Himalayan region. Since the abrogation of Article 370, the government has devised a scheme for ‘Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Ancient Cultural Heritage’ in J&K. Under the banner of ‘Naya Jammu and Kashmir’ Government of India has embarked on a mission to revive, restore, preserve and maintain ancient sites and protect its cultural heritage.   J&K has been connected with the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ movement as the culture of the Himalayan region is being promoted among the people of other states and vice versa. In the recent past, many cultural exchange programmes of artists with other states and UTs have been organised to develop the connection that had been missing during the past 70 years. J&K has its own peculiar and varied cultural, social, historic, architectural and religious significance of the past embodied in the heritage sites. The present regime has worked out a comprehensive plan to restore the pristine glory of the heritage sites to make future generations aware of their legacy.   Kashmir is known for its handicrafts throughout the world. Its carpets, silks, shawls, basketry, pottery, copper and silverware, papier-mache, and walnut wood are most sought after. The cottage handicrafts industry provides direct and gainful employment to around 340,000 artisans. A new plan for global cooperation has been launched with Germany, one of the biggest patrons of Kashmiri handicrafts, as the focus.   The thrust areas are IT & Technology, Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Defense, Skills Education and Tourism sectors. Some of these have sought 15-year tax holidays on investment in militancy-hit areas, which the state is considering. Among the 31 companies which are eager to invest in the Valley include Reliance Ammunition Limited, Sree Cements Limited, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited, Krishna Hydro Projects Pvt Ltd, Universal Success Enterprises Singapore, Cheema Boilers, Indian School of Business, Prakash Amusement Rides and Fun World Pvt Ltd, Bestech India Private Limited, LM Energy and Software Pvt Ltd, Cure Fit Health Care Pvt Ltd, Precision Industrial Systems, Ace International, etc.   A violence-marred state is fast becoming a great investment destination to look out for in the days to come. In short, it can be said that the government with the help of the central government has boosted the infrastructure as well as other developmental aspects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In coming years the Union Territory will be transformed both in terms of development as well as economic means as a large number of projects and schemes are underway here which will change the entire economic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.   Write Up: Dr Sakariya Kareem   Source: Asian Lite