The Weekly Focus Edition 29
Farmers Protest Update:
With protests going on for a few weeks now farmers have been in Modi's spotlight. Recently, over 9 crore farmers got sums of money from the 18,000-crore instalment deposited by the government under the PM-KISAN bank scheme. PM-KISAN stands for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi which is sort of a PM to farmer trust. The instalment was also given because of Atal Bihari Vajpayee one of our ex-prime minister’s birthday on 25th December also known as good governance day. Some say that some of the money was a negotiation to calm the farmers.
The dispute has also gotten into state and national politics and started a fierce battle between Chief Minister of Bengal ‘Didi’ or Mamata Banerjee. Many say that she is a charismatic leader and is trusted by the public which gave her the nickname Didi or Big Sister. Mamata Banerjee has made it clear that she supports the farmers and that she is against the BJP and Modi. She has promised to back the farmers through thick and thin.
Modi and Didi have had many disputes such as during the Bengal election or National Prime Ministerial elections. In this one, both have made speeches hurting each other’s claims. Now it is clear that Mamata is with the farmers and PM is not against but opposing Didi. The PM has stated he is ready for talks with farmers. Let's hope this battle ends soon and our country unites.
By Arhaan Zaveri
End of the Year Special- Best Fiction Book of The Year!:
The Quiet at the End of The World
~ Lauren James
Genre: Dystopian Fiction, Apocalyptic Fiction
Age: 13/14+
Why this book: Not only does this fictional book run parallel to our current reality in 2020, but it also brings out myriad shocking statements, points of view, the importance of young adults and teenagers in this world, and most importantly the world facing a virus- one that in this novel, leads to an apocalypse. Moreover, 'The Quiet at the End of the World' has one various accolade during its recent launch and stood at its first position since the very beginning.
A little about the book: Lowrie and Shen are the youngest people on the planet after a virus caused global infertility. Closeted in a pocket of London and doted upon by a small, ageing community, the pair spend their days mudlarking and looking for treasure – until a secret is uncovered that threatens their entire existence.
Shortlist:
In Second Place: Deeplight by Frances Hardinge
In Third Place: The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
By Dia Makhecha
BCCI AGM
Some of the highlights of the event included-
The entry of 2 new IPL teams confirmed from the 2022 edition.
ICC’s bid for inclusion on T20 in Olympics(LA 2028)
Compensation will be given to all first-class cricketers for the curtailed season.
Rajiv Shukla has officially been appointed Vice President.
Sourav Ganguly continues to be the Director in the ICC board and Jay Shah to continue as the alternate board.
The ICA representative in IPL Governing Council is Pragyan Ojha.
There are all set to be 10 teams in IPL 2022 but not in 2021 because of the time and there is going to be a mini-auction somewhere in the middle of February. The Council will also take a call on whether to introduce both franchises together or not. The BCCI board has decided to send positives to the ICC board for the participation in the 2028 LA Olympics. In 1900 cricket was an Olympic sport. Domestic cricket will go forward as said but many precautions and protocols will be followed.
By Krishnav Bubna
~ Dilip Doshi, the Indian spinner, declares that he wouldn’t have returned home if he was Virat Kohli.
~ Pedro has earned his place in the Barcelona team, says Ronald Koeman.
~ The 2023 World Cup Games will be hosted in India’s biggest hockey stadium planned in Rourkela.
~ Messi breaks Pele's record by scoring the most goals for 1 club ever, as he netted his 644th goal for Barcelona this week.
~ India released its Playing XI for the Boxing day test, Gill and Siraj to make their test debut.
Tech News
~ Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro with a 28-hour battery will cost $199.
~ By next year, Zoom will have launched its email service and calendar app
~ Amazfit GTS 2 mini Smartwatch Price has been revealed in India and Pre-Bookings Start From December 26
~ Amazon announced 4 new calling features for Alexa
~ A report claims Google forced researchers to adopt a positive tone
Other News
~ A disabled man in Brazil dressed up as Santa Claus and raised money for needy children on Christmas.
~ According to Health Officials in Turkey, China's Sinovac vaccine is 91.25% effective against Covid-19.
~ UK and EU have agreed on a Post Brexit Trade Deal.
~ After South Africa and the UK, a new strain of the virus emerges in Nigeria
~ Covid-19 makes ground in Antarctica as 58 people test positive, now on every continent in the world.
On December 20th 1957, Elvis Presley was asked to join the US army.
On December 21st 1898, Marie Curie and Pierre discovered radium.
On December 22nd 1990, Lech Wałęsa became the first popularly elected president in Poland.
On December 23rd 1954, the first human kidney was transplanted.
On December 24th 1936, the first radioactive isotope medicine was administered.
On December 25th 1 AD, was marked as the first Christmas.
On December 26th 1982, a computer received the TIME's man of the year award
The probability of you drinking a molecule of water which went through a dinosaur is almost 100%.
By Vivaan Dharamshi
Edited by Nirvaan Zaveri