“All addictions are rendered powerless in front of kindness and self-forgiveness”, says Kartik Naidu, Transpersonal Therapist and Trainer, Green Aura Holistic

 Drug Abuse and Addiction is a recurring condition that compels the urge of the consumption of drugs. It is compulsive and/or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial phase of drug consumption can be voluntary for some people. The pattern of drug abuse in India has changed over the years. The current scenario is even worse. 

Drug addiction can be defined as a progressive condition that compels people to lose control over themselves despite the consequences of that use. It can be life-threatening. Addictions is not necessarily based on will-power or one's morality. Addiction is a compelling and complicated disease. People who have an addiction to drugs cannot simply quit even if they are willing to. The drugs change the dynamics of the brain in a way that makes quitting physically and mentally challenging. Treating addiction often necessitates lifelong supervision and therapy.

When asked about the drug abuse and how one can control it, Mr. Kartik Naidu, Transpersonal Therapist, and Trainer, Green Aura Holistic, said, "I believe addiction problems happen because of a massive emotional gap amongst people, something that they want to fix through a pleasure reward strategy. Substances give a temporary euphoria and gush of hormones as the dopamine, endorphin, glutamate which make one feel on top of the world for a while but it is temporary and soon the degree of pleasure derived from the same quantity will reduce further soon the pleasure will disappear and all that will be strange mathematics; if you take it, you will have no pleasure, if you don't take there will be misery and pain.”

He further added, “By making your emotional immunity stronger & healing your traumatic experience is key. All addictions are rendered powerless in front of kindness and self-forgiveness. Self-forgiveness and forgiving others must become a daily practice. If you have addiction problems then it would be only wise to not focus on addiction but to continue the corrective practices. The positive and healing practices will create new neural pathways which will overpower the habits of addiction."

About Green Aura Holistic:

Green Aura is a holistic healing facility that offers complete transformation of Mind Emotions and Body. It was founded by Mr. Kartik Naidu, who is a Transpersonal Therapist & Trainer, a Clinical hypnotherapist, and a Holistic Healer. He specializes in Cognitive Therapy, Past Life Regression, and Spiritual Regression between Lives.

At Green Aura Holistic, we believe that each individual has infinite possibilities within themselves. Once they create an actionable intention to change, we take them through a series of process which enables them to reinvent their mindset and design the life that they desire.. 

Jindal Public School Appreciates Students on Winning in Project Gurukul

Project Gurukul hosted a Virtual Public Speaking Competition for the students of Classes 6th to 10th on the occasion of Independence Day. Project Gurukul is an initiative to promote and establish Indian culture, values ​​and Hindi language through new progressive medium. Schools from all over India and other foreign countries participated in the competition. Jindal Public School feels immense proud on its students for securing positions in the competition. Students of Jindal Public School not only have made everyone proud in academics but also in co-curricular activities. 

 

The students of Jindal Public School, Dwarka actively participated in this online competition and the following students secured the top positions:

1. Ms. Rahini, 2nd Position (Class 6);
2. Master Mangeshwar Pandey, 3rd Position (Class 7);
3. Ms. Shruti, 2nd Position (Class 8); and
4. Ms. Tamanna Kumari, 2nd Position (Class 10).

 

Tejinder- Daisy, Founder & CEO, Project Gurukul, said, “We are very happy to inform that the children of Jindal Public School participated extensively in the program organized by Project Gurukul to celebrate Independence Day. The presentation of all the children was appreciated and the credit goes to Principal & Teachers and the education given by the school.

We hope that the children of Jindal Public School will participate extensively in the upcoming events of Project Gurukul and we will continue to receive the guidance and support from the school”.

 

Sh. Uttam Singh, Principal, Jindal Public School, Dwarka heartily congratulates the students for making the school and their parents proud. He says, "We heartily congratulate our gifted and talented students for their hard work and perseverance. I am thankful to the parents and the teachers for their continuous guidance and motivation to the students. They have made us extremely proud." The school is impressed and appreciates the efforts put in by all the students, teachers, and parents during these times. 

 

About Jindal Public School –

The school is flourishing under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Pratik Jindal, Chairman, Jindal

Public School. Each milestone of the school project is achieved under his guidance. Jindal

Public School is the realization of the dreams of visionary Padmashree Late Dr. Debi Sahai

Jindal, a noted steel industrialist & businessman of world repute. The enormous

contribution of Padmashree Late Dr. Debi Sahai Jindal to the cause of education can be best

appreciated with the fact that he started this institution with a mission to uplift the quality

of education and no doubt that the school is doing wonders in the same.

The Silent Hero- A warrior in crisis

COVID-19 didn’t stop him from doing his bit for the society. IB Group's MD, Mr. Bahadur Ali has been supporting the Government and the administration to fight against and control the rampant by helping them with essential but scarce resources.

Along with providing cars with drivers, fuel, and food packets for Corona Warriors on-duty from 24th March 2020 as soon as the lockdown started, he also arranged food packets and packaged RO water bottles for migrant laborers in the Baghanadi border twice every day. Every day several buses and vans with fuel and drivers were provided to drop the laborers from Rajnandgaon to various districts of Chhattisgarh. A special sanitizer tractor was also provided to the municipal corporation continuously from 28th March. He also extended all possible help to the surrounding cities of Kawardha, Bhilai, Raipur, and Mungeli. Food arrangements were made for the laborers who stayed in night shelters since 11th May 2020. 

Under Mr. Ali’s guidance, IB Group distributed essential commodities of over 20 million to the underprivileged. Farm fresh ABIS buttermilk pouches to the police on duty, chicken birds, eggs, ABIS Star Soya Chunks, masks, sanitizer bottles, hand gloves, ABIS edible oil pouches along with ABIS Soyabean oil were distributed to the people in need across various locations. Villages such as Moondgaon were completely sanitized apart from the distribution of essential commodities. Passenger vehicles including fuel and driver for food supply were provided and these services continue to date.

In the most critical phase of the Coronavirus, IB Group's MD Mr. Bahadur Ali acted quietly as a 'Silent Hero' and provided a new life to the thousands in need. 

Jindal Public School Congratulates the Students of Class X and XII for the Excellent CBSE Results

Jindal Public School, Dwarka, New Delhi feels immense proud on its students for giving such an excellent result in class X and XII CBSE examinations.

Sahil Goyal from commerce stream has topped the school with a percentage of 96.6%. Tapolabdh Chakraborty has topped in the Science stream with a percentage of 95.4% followed by Aditya Tiwari with 95.2% and Dheeraj Gururani with 94%. While in the stream of Humanities Sanskriti Pun has scored the highest percentage. Prateek Singh Negi has scored the highest with a percentage of 92% in CBSE Class X examination.

On 15^th July, CBSE declared Class 10^th results while the results of Class 12^th were declared on 13^th of July. PM Modi also congratulated the students and gave a special message to each one of them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Congratulations to all my young friends who have successfully passed their Class X and XII CBSE examinations. Wishing them the very best for their future endeavours.” He also shared a message for those who are not happy with their results. In a tweet on Wednesday, he wrote, “For those who aren’t happy with their CBSE Class X and XII results, I want to tell them- one exam doesn’t define who you are. Each of you is blessed with numerous talents. Live life to the fullest. Never lose hope, always look ahead. You will do wonders!”

Sh. Uttam Singh, Principal, Jindal Public School, Dwarka also congratulated the students and teachers for the excellent result. He said, “I am really proud of my students and teachers for giving such a wonderful result. It is all their hard work and dedication that paid off. The students not only made their parents proud but also the school and its teachers. I and the whole faculty of Jindal Public School are looking forward to continue with the same spirit and to give such an excellent result in future as well.”

About Jindal Public School –

The school is flourishing under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Pratik Jindal, Chairman, Jindal Public School. Each milestone of the school project is achieved under his guidance. Jindal Public School is the realization of the dreams of visionary Padmashree Late Dr. Debi Sahai Jindal, a noted steel industrialist & businessman of world repute. The enormous contribution of Padmashree Late Dr. Debi Sahai Jindal to the cause of education can be best appreciated with the fact that he started this institution with a mission to uplift the quality of education.

Jindal Public School Congratulates the Students of Class X and XII for the Excellent CBSE Results

Jindal Public School, Dwarka, New Delhi feels immense proud on its students for giving such an excellent result in class X and XII CBSE examinations.

Sahil Goyal from commerce stream has topped the school with a percentage of 96.6%. Tapolabdh Chakraborty has topped in the Science stream with a percentage of 95.4% followed by Aditya Tiwari with 95.2% and Dheeraj Gururani with 94%. While in the stream of Humanities Sanskriti Pun has scored the highest percentage. Prateek Singh Negi has scored the highest with a percentage of 92% in CBSE Class X examination.

 

On 15^th July, CBSE declared Class 10^th results while the results of Class 12^th were declared on 13^th of July. PM Modi also congratulated the students and gave a special message to each one of them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Congratulations to all my young friends who have successfully passed their Class X and XII CBSE examinations. Wishing them the very best for their future endeavours.” He also shared a message for those who are not happy with their results. In a tweet on Wednesday, he wrote, “For those who aren’t happy with their CBSE Class X and XII results, I want to tell them- one exam doesn’t define who you are. Each of you is blessed with numerous talents. Live life to the fullest. Never lose hope, always look ahead. You will do wonders!”

Sh. Uttam Singh, Principal, Jindal Public School, Dwarka also congratulated the students and teachers for the excellent result. He said, “I am really proud of my students and teachers for giving such a wonderful result. It is all their hard work and dedication that paid off. The students not only made their parents proud but also the school and its teachers. I and the whole faculty of Jindal Public School are looking forward to continue with the same spirit and to give such an excellent result in future as well.”

About Jindal Public School –

The school is flourishing under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Pratik Jindal, Chairman, Jindal Public School. Each milestone of the school project is achieved under his guidance. Jindal Public School is the realization of the dreams of visionary Padmashree Late Dr. Debi Sahai Jindal, a noted steel industrialist & businessman of world repute. The enormous contribution of Padmashree Late Dr. Debi Sahai Jindal to the cause of education can be best appreciated with the fact that he started this institution with a mission to uplift the quality of education.

COVID-19 Will Bring Most Awaited Revolution in Higher Education System

Across emerging and industrialized nations, the pandemic that has shuttered economies around the world has also devastated education systems. Some 1.5 billion students — nearly 90 percent of all primary, secondary, and tertiary learners worldwide — are no longer able to go to school physically. The effect has been dramatic and disruptive as educators scramble to put in place workable, short-term solutions for remote teaching and learning, particularly in emerging markets where students and schools face additional funding and infrastructure-related challenges.

While each level of education faces its unique challenges, it is the higher education segment which may eventually trigger a learning revolution by necessity. Universities are distinguishing in that their students are both mature enough to manage online job rigors and technically savvy enough to access new platforms. The real problem lies with the organizations they have registered to. Will conventional universities focused on a campus adapt by selecting the best technologies and strategies to educate and engage their students? The unfolding successes and defeats will give us all a clearer understanding of what's possible.

Video-conferencing tools such as Zoom and Webinars are throwing a lifeline on universities right now. However, lecturers are still struggling to maintain the same depth of engagement with the students in a classroom setting that they could have. We need to find solutions — and quickly — to prevent a dip in the standard of the education we offer. Online educational platforms like Coursera, an IFC client with a global reach, can play a valuable role by leveraging their online program design experience, software platform preference, and digital marketing to create the best content with or for traditional players.

Despite the online sector only comprising a tiny fraction of the global higher education market of $2.2 trillion — less than 2%, according to market research company HolonIQ — the industry is ripe for disruption. Since of COVID-19, students' demand for online services would undoubtedly increase. Just before the pandemic, decreases in enrolment for campus-based programs and related rises in the use of their online courses were seen by many universities. For COVID-19 we are seeing how disruptors of yesterday will become the lifeguards of today. Although traditional institutions once considered online education as a threat, they have come to rescue them.

Recent months have seen the adoption of online solutions unprecedented. Educators are introducing a 'first aid' approach in the short term by transitioning completely from in-person to remote teaching, a change that was forced upon them by abrupt compulsory closures of campuses. Yet they soon understand that remote learning in the long road is just a baby step experiment to providing online education that has been developed as such, including successful student engagement strategies and teacher preparation. Some of the collaborations that have sparked off between universities, online educational firms and technology providers can continue beyond the pandemic.

This will fashion a long overdue and welcome reconstruction of our educational systems as difficult and frustrating a period as it is. In a way, the pandemic has been a great leveller, offering a clearer understanding of the shortcomings and limitations in our existing education systems to all stakeholders (educators, learners, policy-makers and society at large) in developed and developing countries. It has underscored how indispensable it is for our populations to be digitally literate to function and progress in a world in which social distancing, greater digitalization of services and more digitally-centered communications may increasingly become the norm. More importantly, COVID-19 causes us to question deep-rooted conceptions of when, where, and how we deliver education, the position of universities and colleges, the importance of lifelong learning, and the distinction we draw between conventional and non-traditional learners.

This pandemic has also made people realize how dependent on so-called low-skilled workers we are to maintain our lives. It's these staff who are on the front lines through shutdowns, lockdowns, curfews, working several shifts to ensure production and provide for our basic needs. Automation will start eating into these workers over time. Although services will always be provided by low-skilled workers, higher skill levels will be required for most new jobs. In this rapidly changing world being able to reskill and upskill is not only a necessity but an economic imperative.

COVID-19 has struck our education system and shaken it to its core like a lightning bolt. Just as the First Industrial Revolution forged the education system of today, we can expect to emerge from COVID-19 with a new kind of educational model.

Prakash Kumar, Founder, Tech and Taught

Invocation of collective consciousness and public awareness is essential to save the rivers: Justice A.K Goel

New Delhi

06-06-2020

“To keep a nation and its people healthy we have to keep our rivers healthy. We have laws, orders, rules and regulations which ensure the protection and conservation of rivers of the nation but we lack in its proper implementation which can be achieved through the collective consciousness about the importance of rivers in human life” NGT Chairperson Hon’ble Justice A.K. Goel expressed the thought in the webinar organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi This webinar also chaired by him.

Emphasizing on the significance of rivers in for all forms of life, specially the human life and to pay a sincere homage to our lifeline rivers, the IGNCA had organised this webinar titled “Riverine Culture: Associating the Dissociated Communities to the River” on the occasion of World Environment Day, i.e. 5^th June, 2020. Several national and international scholars and environmentalists attended this webinar with great zeal and interest.

Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA asserted in his address, “A river is not a mere physical entity or a natural resource but we have emotional connection with our rivers and worship them as Goddesses.” He further emphasised on making sincere attempts to revive this connection with the river and offer a genuine gratitude to them. He opined that the Panch-shaktiyan (five sources of knowledge and potentials) i.e. Vidhi (law), Dharma (religion) Shaurya (valour), Sewa (service), and Jnyana (knowledge) must work in collaboration to protect the rivers.

Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati ji, President, Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, shared his views in the webinar and appealed to the nation to protect the rivers of the nation and keep them clean. He said, “River transverses without discrimination, therefore everyone should take a vow to ensure its continuity and cleanliness.” He also emphasized on green activities to protect the nature and requested the NGT to ensure the implementation of laws and orders formulated to protect the nature.

Retd. Col. Sh. Manoj Keshwar, Founder of Atulya Ganga foundation, raised the concern over the developmental activities and rapid industrialization that have brought the rivers on a backslide. He emphasized on making the young minds aware regarding the protection of rivers and nature and to ensure the continuous flow of the rivers as givers of life in future.

Sh. Gopal Arya, Thinker and environmentalist, mentioned the importance of the World Environment Day and said that the protection and conservation of rivers cannot be achieved without public awareness and public participation and this should get converted in a major public movement for the welfare of environment at the later stage.

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is a premier research centre under the Ministry of Culture, GoI, which is actively engaged in research, documentation, publication and

dissemination of knowledge in the field of arts and culture. In a sincere attempt to express a humble homage to the rivers which provide us with life and nourishment, the centre has initiated a major project on Riverine Culture, under its Janapada Sampada Division, focusing on the civilization and the culture around a river, which worships the river as a mother and acknowledges her contributions through prayers, sacrifices, fairs, and festivals, thus establishing a deep emotional connection with the river. So far, under this, the project Glory of Rivers has covered six important rivers of the country viz,. Kaveri, Krishna, Gomati, Yamuna, Ganga and Vyas.

 

The webinar was conducted/moderated by Prof. Molly Kaushal, HoD of the Janapada Sampada Division of the IGNCA. It concluded with the vote of thanks given by Sh, Abhay Mishra from Janapada Sampada Division, IGNCA.

Roadmap For Safe Reopening of Schools Post Lockdown

UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP & World Bank have issued new guidelines on the safe reopening of schools in the midst of ongoing closures affecting nearly 1.3 billion students worldwide and affecting approximately 32 Crores students in India, including those in schools and universities.

The Guidelines warn that the widespread closures of educational facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic pose an unprecedented risk to education and well-being of children, especially for the most marginalized children who rely on school for their education, health, safety and nutrition. The guidelines offer practical advice on how to keep children safe when they return to school for the national and local authorities.

The guidelines state that while there is still not enough evidence to assess the influence of school closures on rates of disease transmission, the negative effects of school closures on the health and learning of children are well known. Gains made in increasing access to education for children in recent decades are at risk of being lost and, in the worst cases, entirely reversed.

Based on an evaluation of the potential benefits and risks to education, public health and socio-economic factors, the best interests of children and overall public health concerns must be central to the decisions of the national and local authorities to reopen schools, the guidelines state.

Schools need to look at how they can reopen better, including health, nutrition, psychosocial support and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, with improved learning and more comprehensive support for school children.

As countries struggle to reopen schools, UNESCO, UNICEF and WFP, as part of the Global Education Alliance, encourage policymakers to consider the advantages of classroom-based teaching compared to remote learning, and the risk factors associated with reopening schools, acknowledging the inconclusive evidence on the risks associated with school attendance for infections.

Jointly discussed for the first time at a meeting of the ministers of education convened by UNESCO on preparing for the reopening of schools, the recommendations include:

Policy reform: policy consequences cover all facets of the guidelines, including consistent school opening and closing policies during crises in public safety, changes required to improve equal education for disadvantaged and out-of-school children, as well as improving and standardizing remote learning.

Financing requirements: Address COVID-19’s impact on education, and invest in strengthening recovery and resilience education systems.

Safe operations: ensuring conditions that reduce transmission of disease, safeguarding essential services and supplies and promoting healthy behavior. This requires access to soap and clean water for proper handwashing, guidelines for whether staff or students feel unwell, social distance protocols and good hygiene practices.

Compensating learning: Concentrate on activities that compensate for lost instructional time, reinforce pedagogy and draw on alternative learning models such as combining strategies in distance and remote education. This must include knowledge on the transmission and prevention of diseases.

Wellness and security: Increase the emphasis on the well-being of students and improve children’s safety through improved referral processes and the provision of critical school-based services including health care and school feeding.

To serve the most vulnerable: Change school opening policies and activities to increase access to disadvantaged communities such as children already out-of-school, children and minorities who are displaced and migrants. Diversify and extend critical communications by making them available in relevant languages and accessible formats.

Once schools start reopening, the priority is to reintegrate students into school settings safely and in ways that enable learning to recover again, especially for those who have suffered the greatest learning losses. This is a critical moment as it is the launch pad for a new normal that should be more effective and equitable. Schools will have to be logistically prepared with the teaching workforce ready to manage the reopening. And they will need to have plans specifically to help the most disadvantaged students recover from learning.

 Mr.Uttam Singh, Principal, Jindal Public School.

The Bloomsbury launches “Fate of Eight” a chronicle of Women’s life based on birth, marriage and death.

"Fate of the Eight" – written by Dhiraj highlights 4 strong female characters and gradually transitions to the agonizing tragedy that revolves around their lives.

Dhiraj has achieved a unique modern diction in his fifth book, "Fate of Eight," published by Bloomsbury, with a perfect melodrama with the little but intellectual flavor of politics, spirituality, romance, action, revenge. Dhiraj's differentiation is part of his ability to link all the dots at the end in a way that produces a real-life experience and leaves the readers spellbound again.

Riveting suspense, "Fate of Eight" tells the story of eight people whose lives are interwoven through one's life's three main milestones: birth, marriage, and death. Birth, marriage, and death are the three most important milestones of one's life and Dhiraj celebrated them in style! All right, until the very end! Diya, Mira, Pratima, and Radhika are four powerful women who each embody a trait designed by God. Their destinies are tied to four other men-Venkat, Guru, Jagdambe, and Rahim 's unique personalities. The common destiny points for this chosen group of eight are birth, marriage, and death, the only condition God sets for their souls. What's happening in between is a saga of choice and destiny. In the course of their lives, they all cross each other's path-as lovers, spouses, siblings, friends, sworn enemies. There are some relationships that last for life and some break in between. And not all of them survive fate tests.

Description and visualization are such that a film like an experience is created. For the first time, at the beginning of the book itself Dhiraj introduced God as a character and that too as a woman! God produces billions of amazing tales of real-life and that must be one of her most thrilling ones!

Who among the eight will be linked to one another in death's final destination? Who is going to get the true love that lasts forever? Where ends up leading to the plan of God? Dhiraj leads us into a nail-biting, absolute experience of "page-turning" while discovering the answers to those questions. To sum up, "Fate of Eight" is a gripping story of human relationships and destiny, of success and failure, culminating in a murder and a thrilling search for the killer!

Children to Paint their Imagination of Clean Ganga this Environment Day

We have chosen the themes of the competition in a way that the children are made aware of the changing situations of the river: Atulya Ganga

We are into the mid of Lockdown 4 making our best efforts to fight this nasty disease. Lockdown is not only a new word for all of us but all together with a new and the first-of-its-kind experience in all our lives, undoubtedly posing a lot of challenges onto our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Therefore, Atulya Ganga, keeping in mind the utmost efforts we are making to keep it together it is launching an online drawing completion for children as well as elders, and what better event to choose than World Environment Day to organize the competition and bring everyone together if not physically at least virtually. Atulya Ganga is an organization of retired Army Veterans who have made it their life mission to make our very own natural treasure Ganga clean. Now that the competition is about to set afloat everyone at Atulya Ganga is buried in preparations. All of the participants are expected to enroll themselves in the online form issued by Atulya Ganga. The results will be announced on the 5^th of June, next month and the winners will be awarded assorted gifts and prizes.

The competition has been named as “Meri Rango Se Meri Ganga” and they have devised several themes keeping in mind age groups and attempting to provide all, the freedom of imagination along with it making them aware of the Ganga we had then and now, also trying to probe their hearts with it as Ganga has always been special to every individual one way or another. We all have witnessed how our river Ganga has rejuvenated during lockdown since there was no one around to disturb its free flow. This is one sense will also somewhere ignite the desire to protect the river and try to bring it to the state it originally was and has always deserved. Retired Colonel-General Manoj Keshwar of Atulya Ganga shared that, "We have chosen the themes of the competition in a way that the children are made aware of the changing situations of the river. Through this online competition, children will be able to use their imaginations to the fullest and we are confident that we will get the art composed by the children, which we will display in front of people on our official online portal so that there will be increased awareness about Ganga amongst the masses.”

This initiative is as unique as it has been widely appreciated by esteemed schools like Jindal Public School. The Principal of Dwarka-based Jindal Public School expressed, "We are very impressed by the initiative of online competition, and ‘Meri Rango Se Meri Ganga’ being organized by the Atulya Ganga and our school children are excited to participate in this competition. Ganga is an integral part of the country and if children get a chance to contribute to this great river by any means, then they must join. This competition will increase awareness about the river between older people and children ". Anu Bajaj of St. Mary School also shared, “This online art competition being organized for children will increase awareness among children to save Ganga. We know how impressionable minds children have and it will be amazing to see what all their unbridled imagination can do. They can leave a long-lasting impression on people and society about Ganga with their painting. I can’t wait to see them all.”    

Being an exceptional competition as it is so is the organization Atulya Ganga who brainchild this idea. It is the only organization that is run by the dedicated army veterans of the country, who aim to protect Ganga from industrialization and pollution. The institution is always trying to connect school children with Ganga’s heritage because the institution believes that the future of Mahanadi Ganga rests with the country as well as the children, who will be our future. We wish people will continue to introspect and do the best that they can as humans, as citizens, and as an individual.

ANALYZING IN AND OUT OF COVID IMPACT ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING SECTOR

Seeing that the coronavirus pandemic outbreak has slackened economic growth across the globe, India is most likely to take a significant toll on various sectors. That will have a multiplier impact on the real estate market that has been seeking revival in the coming years. However, both the industrial and residential segments will face the repercussions of the virus outbreak, and affordable housing will be the worst-hit.

The affordable housing sector has increase with significant growth rate with the help of Government initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), which was announced back in 2016, Housing for All by 2022, but this growth gradually decelerated due to various factors and will now fall further due to the COVID-19 woes.

As public-private partnership projects were initiated by the government, developers were reluctant to enter the sector for various reasons, such as land shortages, unrecognized bottlenecks on property records, market dynamism, unfavorable weather conditions, socio-political implications, and skilled labor supply work throughout the project lifecycle.

Recently, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs in Parliament said that a revised demand assessment had been made and now the demand is for 1,12 crore homes, and he was sure that it can be met in the next month or so in terms of approval. However, the recent a survey conducted by a real estate consultancy appears to contrast with the Minister's assertion that inventories of unsold goods in the affordable sector could slightly increase in 2020.

Despite the recent rise in demand for affordable housing, the lockdown came as a significant setback for the market, which was already reeling under crisis. This will further prevent developers from barring into the affordable segment as they already struggled with cost management to boost the bottom line in these projects.

COVID-19 crisis is all about changing the dynamics of the affordable housing segment in real estate. Let’s see how:

Developers need to weigh a variety of factors – such as preparation and design, research and development, raw materials, work, and time – when reducing costs. Of these, while meeting the cost, input materials, labor, and time will become a major challenge for the developers.

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, laborers fled to their respective native lands from the metro cities or major cities in fear of missing out on earnings. The lockdown has prolonged their stay further, which would now trigger a big labor-demand crisis that would have a significant effect on the sector that was already struggling for lack of skilled labor supply.

Secondly, developers will also face the problem of obtaining cheap raw material as the manufacturing units are closed and they will also feel the heat of laborers' shortage in time. Besides this, producers will still be looking to make up for the loss they experience during the lockout. Developers would, therefore, have yet another uphill challenge to get the material at cheap rates.

With a shortage of manpower, it will also become a big challenge to complete projects on time. Developers raise this problem and ideally, the government will consider offering relaxation for project delivery. Nevertheless, the production delay inevitably results in cost overruns.

In addition to all of these factors, poor buyer sentiment will also hit the segment as buyers will now wait to invest in some form of the housing project. With limited income and concerns of unemployment, affordable home buyers will postpone purchasing decisions, contributing to a rise in unsold inventories. This would result in rental accommodation and more delays in improving consumer feelings.

A Ray Of Hope For Affordable Housing Sector.

Currently, the level of economic uncertainty is at an all-time high with the recovery pace hard to foresee. Recently the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a fresh Rs 50,000 crore targeted long-term repo operation to resolve shadow banks and microfinance institutions' liquidity stress and indicated the possibility of further rate cuts in the future. RBI high the reverse repo rate to 3.75 percent by 25 basis points.  The cut in the reverse repo is a direct sign that RBI needs banks to step up lending, rather than park excess funds with the central bank. Loans provided to real estate companies by NBFCs will provide similar benefits as scheduled commercial banks would provide, thus ease the financial burden on developers.

It can be assumed that the Government will soon implement concrete fiscal steps to provide the sector with much-needed stimulus. Assuming that reducing the reverse repo rate to 3.75% from the recent 4% would make lending attractive to financial institutions, which would greatly benefit homebuyers and the real estate industry. In the current period when consumer expectations need to be strengthened, more interest rate cuts, GST, or a special home loan rate will help organized and established developers gain maximum leverage and drive sales in the upcoming period, and will also greatly influence buyers in making a purchase decision.

Such steps are necessary but it is also necessary not to be able to obstruct the recovery by government rules and policies. Insiders in the commercial real estate investment industry have expressed concern that a liquidity issue could emerge due to policies in place.

However, long-term real estate buyers will consider opportunities to pick up properties at depressed prices and less than most of us have seen in our long career with funding costs. Much as big funds came in to purchase land and homes when prices were low, we'll probably see similar trends take place in the crisis now taking shape. Those buyers will be sure to make all such purchases with diligent due diligence and studious eye.

Neh Srivastava,

Under Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs and President,

Central Secretariat Services Officers Society 

INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY LAWS: IMPACT OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY ARISE

Factoring in the outbreak of COVID-19, the fret of becoming NPA has been a pinnacle for small and medium-sized business industry. From the struggles in paying salaries to the employees to seeking deferment of repayment of loans & GST the same has been mirroring the effects of the pandemic over the industry. Consideration the prevailing an unprecedented scenario wherein the spread of pandemic has created a situation of hue and cry globally, the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary in order to mitigate its adverse consequences are consistently aiming to bring amendments in-laws, orders, notifications, and circulars.

Aiming protection to this business holder the MCA vide its notification dated 28.03.2020[1] has tried to relieve these entities by increasing the threshold limit for claim from INR 1 Lakh to INR 1 Crore i.e. now  insolvency proceedings cannot be triggered against the corporate debtor unless there is a minimum default of INR 1 Crore. With this in mind, the companies can now focus on stabilizing the business operations rather than being under the constant fear of inevitable insolvency.

It is imperative to understand the indispensable role played by the Apex Court and the NCLAT. The Apex Court vide its order dated 23.03.2020 in the “Suo moto writ petition(civil) 03/2020”[2] has taken the cognizance of the probable hurdles and extended the period of limitation for proceedings before all Courts/Tribunals in the country with effect from 15.03.2020 till further order(s) which is having a direct implication in the matters pertaining to the insolvency. Thereafter, the IBBI in a move relieving various stakeholders including the RP has amended the CIRP Regulations vide notification dated 29.03.2020 by inserting Regulation 40 C excluding the period of the lockdown for the purposes of calculating the time-line for any activity.

Furthermore, NCLAT in its order dated 30.03.2020 in “Suo Moto - Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 01 of 2020”[3]  taking reference of the dictum in “Quinn Logistics India Pvt. Ltd. vs. Mack Soft-Tech Pvt. Ltd”[4]  held that the period of lockdown shall be excluded for the purposes of CIRP and has ordered a continuance of the interim/stay order in any appeal under Companies Act, 2013 or Competition Act, 2002 passed by the Tribunal until the next hearing.

Similarly, the RBI in its notification dated 27.03.2020,[5]  mitigated the burden of debt by deferment of repayment of EMIs and Loan amount for a period of three months after the moratorium period from March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020, on their outstanding.

It is imperative to point out the predominant challenges in the domain of IBC which includes overburdened Tribunal adversely affecting the disposal of the cases, though the government, in order to mitigate, took an initiative to increase the benches by appointing more Judicial and Technical Members.  Despite these efforts, the harsh reality is that the number of pending cases is at zenith causing a delay in disposal, directly affecting the economy of the country.

Another challenge requiring utmost attention is the adjudication of the resolution plan approval applications filed before the Tribunal. In simple terms, once the resolution plan is approved by the CoC, an application is to be filed before the Tribunal seeking approval of the same resulting in the takeover of the stressed corporate debtor by the resolution applicant on the going concern basis. However, it is unfortunate that such applications that require expeditious disposal are kept pending for a very long time adversely affecting the resolution applicant. Another challenge which is faced by the RP is the non-cooperation from the suspended BOD, the CoC, difficulty in implementing the business decision and adherence/compliance of strict timelines and compliances amounting to the derailment, creating an opportunity for the competitors to be way ahead of the Corporate Debtor and deterioration in the value of assets.

The way forward

Undoubtedly, the orders passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, Hon’ble NCLAT along the notification passed by the IBBI unequivocally grant the much-needed reliefs to all the stakeholders by taking measures such as extending the period of limitation and excluding the period of lockdown and also it shall minimize the hardships which would have otherwise been faced by the Resolution Professional in complying with the various statutory requirements.

 if we look and analyze these measures it can be evidently deduced that increment in the threshold would be directly proportional to the reduction in filings before NCLT (Tribunal) and it would unburden the Tribunal substantially and thus it shall be taken as an opportunity by the Tribunal to focus on the speedy disposal of the pending cases so that the Corporate Debtor can run their business again. To an extent, it shall prevent the fall of the economy by increasing the employment rate since now it is highly probable that the pending cases pertaining to the approval of the resolution plan shall be dealt with expeditiously. Thus, if the NCLT gears up and decides on all pending resolution plans then there will be an opportunity for jobs for the people in the Indian market.

CA Ramchandra D. Choudhary, Founder, Sun Resolution Professionals Pvt Ltd and expert in the field of insolvency and bankruptcy laws

How Instituting a Two-Days Annual Session on Women in Parliament Can Help to Empower Women?

Women are an integral part of society and we must consider their best interests and protect them from any form of oppression. Unfortunately, since the last decade, India has developed its reputation as a nation that has failed to protect its women from its very own people. India is globally proclaimed as “Rape Capital of World” and one of the most dangerous countries for women.

Right from basic education to financial and personal freedom, Indian women are suppressed at each and every level. Our society throws numerous challenges in its path and creates multiple barriers. There is a need for a fundamental shift in mindsets, systems, and processes to remove misogyny and create an enabling environment for women.

Indian political hierarchy should be responsible to show the right direction in order to improve the poor reputation of India regarding women's rights. We can never make an ideal harmonious society if we overlook the prevailing women’s issues in our country. Despite some good initiatives by the political leadership, problems faced by women which debilitate them, still prevail.

Parliament of India should  take the first step towards the biggest social challenge of our nation that is “How to make India an ideal country for women”. Supreme democratic body of our country should take the lead in driving the social, economic and systemic transformation towards creating a country in which women can walk with their head held high without fear of crime, oppression, bias, and exclusion.

In order to bring women issues under the spotlight and restoring women’s trust in the political leadership, Parliament of India must organize two days annual session focused on the prevailing issues of Indian women. A focused discussion in the house, on the status and standards of women, women security, women's rights to education and politics, should do wonders to make women strong. This would be an innovative step taken in history and will go in the annals of parliamentary traditions as one of the most welfare-oriented step for women.

To continue this mission, being a part of People Against Rapes in India and the chief of PARI Uttar Pradesh, I am trying to convince the various MPs of the state to stand in support of this cause. As few of them have given me positive feedback but still the majority of them think that it won’t be easy to implement. To be very honest, in India it’s not easy to live a life of women as well. So this matter becomes more critical and needed to be resolved soon.

If the Parliament and Vidhan Sabha of various states institute a two-day annual session exclusively for women only then there is a better chance that Indian women would be heard all around and their rights won’t be violated. Also, it will help them to empower their social standards while building their trust in the political leadership of India.

Women constitutes almost 50% of the population of India and we know that there are less than 15% of women representation in India. We are very far from achieving ideal gender parity in our political structure and hence instituting an annual two days session on women in Parliament and Vidhan Sabha will only be the first step towards improving women’s status in India.

Anu Bajaj - President, PARI, U. P.

50% tickets Should be given to women candidates, supported Congress and BJP at WATER’s Roundtable conference

50% tickets should be given to women candidates, supported Congress and BJP at WATER’s Roundtable conference

WATER launches nationwide the campaign ‘Ab Hai Meri Baari’ as a call for parity in electoral politics intensify.

Ahead of Delhi Elections, WATER wrote a letter to political parties for 50% ticket to be given to Women Candidates.

15^th January 2020, New Delhi. The long-drawn-out debate on the subject of Gender Equality and Electoral Politics in India has gained a rapid momentum with Ab Hai Meri Baari, an initiative launched by Women’s Association for Training Empowerment and Resettlement (WATER)  NGO, which organized around table discussion to spark a new national change and reshape the world of Indian Politics regarding women's participation. The initiative has been aimed to reduce the gender gap in electoral politics and ensure equal strength to women in decision making. Rajya Sabha MP & Former Minister of State for Tourism, Govt. of India, Mr. K.J. Alphons, Dr. Udit Raj, National Spokesperson, Indian National Congress, and Kirti Azad, Campaign committee chairman, Delhi Congress along with many other prominent attendees like famous political commentator Neerja Chaudhury, astrologer Jai Madaan, Industrialist Sanjay Dalmia, Social Activist Anu Bajaj discussed various political perspectives and claimed “Ab Hai Meri Baari” as the much needed and thoughtful action to empower women on political grounds.

The legislative participation of women in politics is minimal. Since its independence, India has had only one female prime minister and one female president. Out of 31 states, 18 states in India have never had a female chief minister. There are only 78 women members in Lok Sabha which is barely a 14.58 % of the total house strength. In the case of Rajya Sabha, there are 33 women members, constituting a total of 12.7% of total house strength. Globally, India stands at the measly 20th position from the bottom when ranked according to the political participation of women.

Shilpi Arora, President, Water NGO expressed her deep concern regarding the low women participation in Indian politics. She said, “As against this basic notion of democracy what is normally seen is that women are excluded from different walks of life, more visibly in Politics. The U.N. observes that women constitute "world's largest excluded category". For the attainment of true democratic spirit shall be ensured better political participation. "In the struggle for gender justice equal political participation constitutes the first and foremost step in that direction."

“We want 50-50 representation of both the genders in both the houses, this is how we can empower Indian women, not only psychologically but on real grounds where decision powers matter,” she further added.

Voices

Kirti Azad, Chairman, Campaign Committee, Delhi  Congress  – “In India we worship women as Goddess Durga, Parvati, and Saraswati. But the time has come when we need to see them as leaders capable of taking India to the next level. There is no doubt in my mind that this can happen.”

K.J. Alphons,  Rajya sabha MP & Former Minister of State for Tourism, Govt. of India – “Women are by nature compassionate, caring and nurturing. Their goodness does not end there. They also have extraordinary leadership qualities. India needs women leaders committed to the future of our country.”

Udit Raj, National Spokesperson, Indian National Congress – “It is important to talk about women’s rights when we talk about gender parity in electoral politics. Women need rights and power so that they can lead the change. Women are always made to be aware of their chastity and purity and this acts as a burden, a deterrent to their stepping out to take their places in the society, for which they have educated themselves like men. Men do not carry this burden and it is a severe handicap to women.”

Neerja Chaudhury, Political Commentator – “ Mere lip service has been paid to women’s reservation bill for decades. The truth is, women are systematically left out of competing in elections by political parties. Ab Hai Meri Bari is an idea whose time has come. This century will belong to women.”

Starting from the national capital, the campaign is aimed to be spread nationwide, as Delhi is the Centre of Indian polity, and to mark a political change Delhi is an ideal place to spread the notion nationwide. The campaign in its first step is aiming to reconstruct the gender gap in parliament and reduce it to a minimal extent. The organization will forward the findings of the round table discussion to various national and regional political parties and would appeal them to work and implement strategies which can be effective in deciding the fair share of women on decision-making fronts.

The omission of women from positions of power seriously affects their ability to challenge the subordination of women in all its manifestations. Women have to be in politics and power to be able to change the very nature of that power which excludes them. Women, who constitute half the population need to be represented significantly in decision making bodies. Otherwise, the goal of development cannot be achieved. Gender equity is very essential for the progress of any society.