US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held tele talks.
"Reviewed the flow of equipment and material from the US. Highlighted the importance of strengthening oxygen supply, expanding vaccine production and increasing Remdesivir supply. Appreciated the forthcoming response of the US in this regard," Jaishankar tweeted. In the US, spokesperson Ned Price said:
Secretary of State reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-India partnership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Expressing his appreciation for Indian assistance in America’s time of need, Secretary Blinken reviewed comprehensive ongoing U.S. government efforts in support of the Indian government’s COVID-19 response operations. He also noted the outpouring of support from U.S. industries, non-governmental institutions, and private citizens for COVID-19 relief efforts in India".
"The Secretary offered condolences and noted our concern for those who have lost friends and loved ones during this difficult period. Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar agreed to remain in close contact."
In a tweet, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said: A strategic partnership of global significance! Our healthcare partnership can help effectively tackle the global pandemic. Deeply appreciate gift of 423 oxygen cylinders with regulators and other medical supplies from the U.S.A.
During the day, External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar also "Received a call from State Councilor & Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who conveyed China’s "sympathies at the COVID challenge now faced by India".
Master Blaster is on a different knock, Sachin Tendulkar donates Rs 1 crore to procure oxygen concentrators
On Thursday, April 29, the batting sensation announced donating Rs 1 crore to help procure oxygen concentrators for Covid-19 patients.
Inn a message on social media, he said that the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic has put the country's health infrastructure under severe. He said that he is contributing to 'Mission Oxygen', a group of young entrepreneurs in Delhi-NCR who have set up a fund-raising initiative, for importing oxygen concentrators and donating them to hospitals across the country.
"It is heartening to see how people are rising to the occasion. A group of 250+ young entrepreneurs have launched Mission Oxygen to raise funds for importing oxygen concentrators and donating them to hospitals across the country.
"I have helped by contributing to the cause and hope that their effort soon reaches out to many more hospitals across India. Today, we have to stand together behind everyone that is working hard to fight this pandemic."
Sorabjee once put his head on chopping block to save Vajpayee Govt
New Delhi:
Death must be a private affair, or so. On the issue of 'privacy judgment', Late Soli Sorabjee used to refer to cases related to litigation on Aadhaar cards. Once he said, the essence of the right to privacy is the right to be 'left alone'.
In his journey to eternity, he is perhaps alone though around the same time we have scores dying due to Covid19. But privacy - as he underlined - will remain one of the most cherished rights of democracy.
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| Soft Hindutva icon |
A committed legal luminary to the cause of civil liberty, eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee had opposed Emergency strongly. Known for his anti-Congress stance, he first became the Attorney General of India, from 1989-90 under V P Singh government and then from 1998-2004 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Sorabjee passed away on Friday morning. He was 91. Delhi's media corps would have fond memories of the man, who called himself a 'good friend' of journalists,but also someone who would court controversies for his candid remarks at times both within the courtroom and also outside.
Though he occasionally fought with Ram Jethmalani, Sorabjee had trust of the then PM Vajpayee and Home Minister L K Advani during the NDA regime. But around the same time, he would often court controversies as well.
Such was an episode during the hearing on the Ram Temple-Babri Masjid dispute in the Supreme Court in 2002.
In one of the hearings, he told a bench of three judges that the Vajpayee government sought to give a special concession and allow 'bhoomi pujan' at Ayodhya as sentiments of the majority were involved.
"...the objective is not to rake up the past," he had told the court perhaps in reference to 1992 demolition of thedisputed structure and riots thereafter.One of the judges, Justice G B Pattanaik had actually provoked Sorabjee when he said, "The Rashtrapati Bhawan belongsto you, so is the acquired land at Ayodhya, will you allow Bhoomi pujan at Rashtrapati Bhawan".
Sorabjee had shot back: "This is not Rashtrapati Bhawan".Coincidentally, all these arguments were taking place when Godhra railway station inferno had already taken placeon Feb 27, 2002 and the mayhem also followed in Ahmedabad and various other parts of Gujarat.
Sorabjee later told journalists that he knew of the public sentiment and thus made the offer before the apex courtas Bhoomi Pujan could have 'brought in some calm and amity'. Of course, some MPs were up in arms, saying Sorabjee was acting like a "BJP member".
Parliament was disrupted. Sorabjee also had said, "I was not sharing anyone's views....it was as an officer of the court. Neither the government or the VHP had given him the briefing".
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| Sorabjee: Favoured simple language for Laws |
However, it was claimed that top BJP leaders had approved of the 'suggestion' for Bhoomi Pujan after Arun Jaitley mooted the idea. The BJP leaders discussed with Sorabjee and concluded that the 1994 Supreme Court judgement put no restrictions on the subsequent use of the 'undisputed land' in Ayodhya.
Apparently, some leaked media reports claimed Pramod Mahajan had opposed the move.
Years later, Sorabjee would laugh over the episode and once told some journos in presence of Late P A Sangma, "Often these things happen, a lawyer knows how to protect his client's interests and prestige by offering his own head".
On a different plane, Sorabjee used to say that 'freedom of the press' is not specifically articulated in Indian constitution.Hus argument while it is mentioned in statues all over the world, the Constituent Assembly leaders believed that the freedom of the press was contained in theguarantee of 'freedom of speech and expression' and thus need not be specifically mentioned.
"Our Supreme Court in more than one decision has deduced freedom of the press from Article 19(1)(a) on the premise that it is implicit in the said guarantee," the eminent lawyer used to say.
Thus, by "creative judicial interpretation", he would say - the freedom of the press has been given the constitutional status of a fundamental right.
Sorabjee also had a good sense of humour.
For repeated 'stay orders' from the courts,he would often say, "Everything has been stayed in India, what is the point .....".
ends
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| Did he oppose Bhoomi Pujan at Ayodhya ? |
Shoaib Iqbal adds to Kejriwal's woes, demands President's Rule in Delhi
New Delhi: Amid height of Covid-induced crisis and strong rebuke from the Delhi High Court, Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP has landed into a deeper problem with its own legislator demanding imposition of President's Rule and dismissal of their government.
"Aaj mujhe Delhi ka halat dekh ke rona aa raha hae (Today, I feel like crying as I see the shocking things of affairs in Delhi)," AAP leader Shoaib Iqbal said. "
I am not proud, but I am embarrassed of being an MLA as I am not able to help anyone in such a distressful situation," Shoaib Iqbal said in a video message that has gone viral on social and electronic media.
"The situation in Delhi makes me cry. It pains my heart to look at such a condition. There's no oxygen or medicine available. My friend is suffering right now. He does not have any oxygen supply or any ventilator for support. I don't know where to buy him Remdesivir medicine...", the legislator from Matia Mahal said.
Notably, the angry outburst from the legislator comes days after Delhi High Court told the city government's counsel during a hearing that if it failed to deliver during the time of pandemic, it could ask the centre to take over.
"I appeal to the Delhi High Court to impose the President's Rule with immediate effect," Iqbal said.
AAP sources said Iqbal's views were personal and moreover, "it is a well known fact that Shoaib Iqbal is a known turncoat and a habitual defector".
In fact, Iqbal though a six-time MLA in Delhi has functioned in the past with parties like the Janata Dal (Secular), Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP and also Congress.
He had joined the Congress party in 2014 and subsequently won Delhi Legislative Assembly elections from Matia Mahal. He also won the seat in 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013.
However, in 2015, Shoaib was defeated by Asim Ahmed Khan of Aam Aadmi Party.
Iqbal joined AAP in 2020 just on the eve of elections.
On April 27, a two-member bench of the Delhi High Court had taken exception to city government's failure to respond adequately on Covid crisis and had said, "Enough is enough. If you can’t do it, tell us...."
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