India

New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Saturday ruled that even in the absence of a written complaint, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has the power to initiate suo motu disciplinary proceedings against its members.

A batch of petitions were filed by chartered accountants wanting to cancel the disciplinary proceedings initiated against them by the ICAI.

A single-bench judge of Justice Yashwant Varma said: "A written complaint or allegation in writing cannot, in any manner, be understood to be a pre-requisite or a sine qua non for the initiation of action under Section 21.

"That material need not necessarily be in the written or be interpreted as being confined to something which an individual may choose to bring to the notice of the institute. Acceptance of a submission to the contrary would amount to restricting the width and amplitude of the power conferred by Section 21 which enables the institute to proceed on the basis of 'any information'."

However, the court said that a news article cannot be counted as an evidence.

"A newspaper report, as is well settled, cannot and does not constitute evidence per se. A report that may appear in the print media or on a visual news platform, can at best be understood as being an external source from which the institute may gather or derive knowledge of a particular fact or incident," the judge said.

These petitioners were employed with firms which were appointed as joint statutory auditors of the Punjab National Bank to conduct a limited review of its financial statements.

ICAI issued show cause notices to the petitioners for allegedly not complying with various auditing standards in the money laundering case involving Nirav Modi, who had defrauded banks to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore.

The CAs had said that the ICAI cannot initiate suo motu proceedings as they were based merely on news reports.

In response, the court said: "The court is of the firm opinion that the Institute did have the requisite information as contemplated by Section 21 and which justified the initiation of the enquiry against the petitioners in the facts of the present case."

"The answer to the question whether a particular power stands conferred under statute must necessarily be answered on a reading of the statute and on discernment of its scope. The meaning to be conferred upon a statute cannot rest merely on the fact that the power though being found to exist was never invoked earlier," the court added.A

Justice Varma further dismissed the petitions and said that the ICAI is entitled to proceed in the matter.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) With over 4 crore digital health records linked to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) of individuals, the scheme has crossed a significant milestone. More than 29 crore citizens have generated their unique Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) so far, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.

The flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is making steady progress in building a comprehensive digital health ecosystem for the country, it added.

With their health records linked to their ABHA accounts digitally, citizens will be able to access and manage these records as per convenience.

Elaborating on ABDM's role in digitising health records, R.S. Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority (NHA) said: "As the implementing agency for ABDM, National Health Authority is working closely with different stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of digital health services can be availed by more citizens.

"We're planning to launch an incentive scheme for health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs etc. to further promote digitisation of health records. We're also encouraging different health locker applications to integrate with ABDM so that citizens get more choice for storing and managing their digital records."

He further said: "With continuous focus on digitisation of health records, we aim to achieve paperless medical consultations and thereby more accuracy in each transaction between the patient and healthcare service provider."

--IANS
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Bhopal, Dec 17 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Saturday even smaller nations were threatening India when Rajiv Gandhi was the country's Prime Minister.

Referring to the recent clash at LAC between the Indian and Chinese army, Chouhan said India's soldiers have given a befitting reply to the Chinese troops. He also accused Rahul Gandhi of "insulting Indian Army's efforts".

"I would advice Rahul Gandhi not to such things. When Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister, the smaller countries of the world used to threaten us. A glorious and powerful India is being built under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi," the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said.

He went on to say that Rahul Gandhi should recall the 1962 India-China war (when India under Jawaharlal Nehru's leadership faced unfavourable outcomes in the border conflict with China) before speaking in such a manner.

Reacting to Chouhan's remarks on former Rajiv Gandhi, Madhya Pradesh unit Congress chief Kamal Nath demanded an apology from the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister.

Slamming Chouhan, Kamal Nath said such language does not suit the person holding the chair of a Chief Minister.

"Rajiv Gandhi who sacrificed everything for the pride of India, will always be the ideal of this country," Kamal Nath said, adding Chouhan must study the history to find out about the military's valour when Rajiv Gandhi was PM.

"As part of political vendetta, Chouhan is not only insulting Rajiv Gandhi but also the military of the country, for which he must apologise," Nath further asserted.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) A Delhi court on Saturday sent three accused allegedly involved in an acid attack on Wednesday on a 17-year-old school girl to 14 days of judicial custody.

The three individuals were presented in the court after their police custody ended on Saturday. They were arrested on December 14 after the incident had taken place earlier in the day.

They were presented before a Metropolitan Magistrate in Dwarka court, who had sent Sachin Arora, Harshit Aggarwal a.k.a. Honey and Virender Singh a.k.a. Sonu to two days' police remand.

A day after the shocking incident of an acid attack on a 17-year-old schoolgirl, the Delhi Police on Thursday also issued notice to Flipkart, from where the accused had bought the acid.

"The acid has been procured online through Flipkart. A notice has been sent to Flipkart to provide information regarding the seller and the particular transaction. They have also been asked regarding compliance of regulations related to sale of acid," said M Harsha Vardhan, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka).

The sale of acid is banned in the market but the accused Sachin had bought it online from the e-commerce platform.

The 17-year-old school girl was attacked with acid on Wednesday morning near Dwarka Mor while she was on her way to school along with her sister.

Arora, along with Harshit and Virender had planned and hatched the conspiracy a few days ago to throw acid on the girl after their friendship ended in September this year, an official said.

All the three accused are residents of the same locality where the girl resides.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Two members of an inter-state drug syndicate, who had been supplying drugs for the last 8 years, were nabbed by the Delhi Police's Special Cell, said an official on Saturday.

The police have also recovered 2,36,080 Tramadol and 2,23,800 Alprazolam tablets along with 150 bottles of Codeine worth Rs 1.5 crores in the international market from the accused. They were identified as Rishi Kumar Singh, 29, a resident of Sant Nagar, Burari, Kuldeep Kumar, 26, a resident of Loni, Ghaziabad and Anurag Kumar Sinha, 48, a resident of Timarpur.

According to Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), on December 13 specific inputs were received that Rishi would supply a big consignment of contraband drugs to Kuldeep near the Wazirabad flyover.

"Acting on the inputs, a trap was laid and the police team observed Rishi and an e-rickshaw carrying several cardboard boxes, containing contraband, reaching the spot. Two cardboard boxes were also on his scooty," said the official.

"In the meantime, Kuldeep also arrived at the spot on a bike. Both the accused met and started loading the cardboard boxes from the scooty and the e-rickshaw into a van. They were surrounded and apprehended by the police team. After compliance with provisions of the NDPS Act contraband, including Tramadol and Alprazolam tablets, was recovered from the accused," said the official.

All the contraband recovered from the possession of the duo is manufactured by Pure & Cure Healthcare Private Ltd (a subsidiary of Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd) near Ranipur in Haridwar.

"During further investigation, the source of the recovered contraband Anurag Kumar Sinha was also apprehended from Nehru Vihar. At his instance a raid was conducted at his shop cum godown near Mukherjee Nagar with officials from the Drugs Control Department, Karkardooma, said the official.

"Several Tramadol capsules and Alprazolam tablets were seized from his shop cum office. The wholesale drug license of accused Anurag Kumar Sinha had expired and renewal was pending with the concerned department," said the official.

"Rishi had started supplying the contraband drugs to Kuldeep after procuring the same from Anurag. He has supplied the contraband drugs to Kuldeep more than 25 times during the period August 2022 till date. The present recovered consignment of Tramadol and Alprazolam was also procured by him from Anurag," said the official.

--IANS
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By Shekhar Singh
New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Cannabis or ganja, 'babaji ki booti' or 'maal' (what peddlers call it) has spread its roots across the national capital, which is evident as it is being openly sold at some places across the city.


Easily available at various hotspots, which include JJ clusters and parks, at prices ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 5,000, anyone can get ganja in the quantities that they require.

An IANS team visited several places across the city, including JJ clusters and found that these drugs and illicit liquor are sold openly in these colonies without any fear of authorities.

The team first visited the JJ cluster built on both sides of the railway lines near Jal Vihar area in Lajpat Nagar. The team asked about the 'maal' from one of the men sitting outside the one of the shanties, who then said to go in third alley, and ask for 'Anna'.

The team then reached the third alley and after entering it just left, and the second single room shanty was Anna's 'office', where he was sitting on a chair watching a movie on TV. The correspondent asked him about the cannabis to which he said you can buy Rs 100, 500 and Rs 1,000 packets from here.

He kept the cannabis rolled in newspapers and all the rooms were filled with those packets. He calls it his 'office'.

The team then visited JJ cluster in Chattarpur near 100 ft road where narrow lanes led to a woman who was sitting on a cot and used to openly sell ganja and illicit liquor. The ganja is sold in packets starting from Rs 100 per pack whereas alcohol quarter is sold for Rs 50.

"We don't have any other business to do. This is easy earning and once a buyer is here, he will come again to buy the stuff," said the woman on anonymity, adding that most of the people who come to buy drugs are youngsters.

She also said that whenever there is a shortage of ganja, other peddlers in the area specifically reduce quantity and sell drugs by mixing 'Avil' tablet and other chemicals. "The salt is available easily. Some peddlers mix this salt, so that the drug can leave a positive effect on buyers that the quality is good, but I don't sell that way," she said.

The team then visited Neb Sarai, Freedom Fighter Colony, gate no-4, where the correspondent spoke to people who pointed out towards a general store which sells these drugs. Posing as a buyer, the correspondent asked the shop owner to give a packet of ganja. The shopkeeper pointed towards a street near his shop and asked to wait there.

As the peddler returned, he asked what would we like to buy - ganja or heroin, adding: "Heroin would cost you Rs 300 for 1 gram and a small packet of ganja would cost Rs 100 while a quarter of illicit liquor is sold for Rs 100."

Madan Giri, Subhash Nagar, RK Puram, INA, Khirki Extension, Malviya Nagar, Munirka and JJ clusters in Jahangirpuri, Dwarka, Uttam Nagar and Rohini are also the hotspots for drug peddlers and distributors.

Most peddlers and distributors also operate in areas close to North Campus such as Majnu Ka Tila, Kashmere Gate, Indra Vikas opposite Nirankari colony and Shastri Park.

According to a senior police official, interrogation reports of the arrested men indicate that a majority of the drug users are school and college students, apart from criminals, who are into smack and other cheap stuff.

"Most of the robbers and snatchers caught by Delhi Police are addicted to drugs and are youngsters. Just to fulfil the need for drugs, these youngsters commit crimes. They stole items and sold them at throwaway
rates to people," said the senior police official.

On December 5, Delhi Police said that they have arrested two drug peddlers and recovered over 100 kgs of cannabis from their possession. On interrogation of the accused, it was revealed that the said consignment was procured from Tripura, a North East state.

"The accused used to procure consignment from Tripura at a cost of Rs 5,000-6,000 per kg and supplied it at a cost of Rs 10,000-12,000 per kg in Delhi and its peripherals," said the official.

On December 12, with the arrest of three people, the Delhi Police claimed to have busted an interstate drug syndicate involved in supplying narcotics contrabands in Delhi and its peripherals. A total of 22.400 kg of cannabis was recovered from them.

The accused were identified as Veer Singh, a resident of Bharatpur in Rajasthan; Rajendra and Rajkumar- both residents of Bhim Basti in South Delhi.

"Rajkumar after getting influenced by one of the drug peddlers active in South Delhi along with his brother-in-law of Veer did drug peddling from Orissa and Andhra Pradesh," said the official.

On September 8, the South Delhi Police arrested two drug peddlers and recovered 259.607 kg ganja from their possession. The accused said that they were handed over ganja in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) to supply in the NCR.

"They disclosed that farming of cannabis is being conducted in remote areas of Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh. From there, it was transported by road to Vijaynagaram in a mini truck. At Vijaynagaram, it was packed in black coloured keyboards, so that the consignment cannot be detected by scanners installed at railway stations. Then, it was taken to the Hyderabad Railway Station to be parcelled to Delhi by train. Thus it reached Delhi and was being supplied in different areas by road in private vehicle," said the police official.

In March this year, an interstate drug peddler was nabbed with 109.7 kg ganja worth Rs 1.02 crore packed in 51 small cartoons in a vehicle which was intercepted by the police near Mahipalpur in South Delhi.

--IANS
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By Quaid Najmi
Mumbai, Dec 17 (IANS) The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), like-minded parties and other organisations and groups took out a huge 'halla-bol' procession in south Mumbai to protest the repeated insults to icons and demanded the ouster of the state governor, here on Saturday.


The procession, with estimates ranging between 2.5-3 lakh participants, started from Byculla and terminated after around 5 km near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, where it converted into a public rally that was addressed by top leaders.

Amid tight police bandobast en route, the processionists marched peacefully with their respective party or group flags, plus banners, posters, and placards condemning the non-stop vilification of eminent historical personalities by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar said that the turnout should serve as a warning to the government that if they still don't heed the peoples' sentiments, then the people will teach them a lesson and overthrow them in a democratic manner.

"I remember how 70 years ago, hundreds of demonstrations took place on the issue of a unified Maharashtra, many came to be martyred for the Marathi speaking, and their sacrifices bore fruit. Today, people from every corner of the state have again come forward for the pride and honour of the state, which is under attack," said Pawar amidst applause.

Attacking Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Pawar said people like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao and Savitri Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil enjoy the highest honour and respect of the masses.

"I have seen many Governors in the past over five decades, including eminent ones like Dr. S. D. Sharma, many worked to enhance the image of the statea But I have never seen such a Governor (Koshyari) who is bringing disrepute to the legacy of the state. He mocks persons who have contributed huge to the state and the Governor has forfeited the right to hold his position," thundered Pawar.

In a scathing attack, Shiv Sena (UBT) President and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that "this Governor is unacceptable" to the people for his slurs on idols of the state whom the masses revere.

Targeting the ruling Bahasahebanchi Shiv Sena (BSS)-BJP, he said that all the groups, parties and people of the state who adore the icons have turned up for the 'halla-bol' processions barring the 'traitors' (referring to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his supporters).

"Consider the dignity of the office of the Governor... the person represents the President and must behave accordingly... if any person is made Governor and he keeps making such remarks, we will not tolerate it. A minister makes derogatory remarks against (NCP) MP Supriya Sule and such people utter the name of the Chhatrapati. These scoundrels have no right to take the Maharaj's name, they are just here to loot the state," declared Thackeray.

Slamming the BSS-BJP regime, Congress state President Nana Patole said that after the Shinde-Fadnavis took over the border issue has cropped up and villages are clamouring to merge with Karnataka.

"This is a processions against the traitors who are trying to ruin the efforts of the great leaders of the past like Y. B. Chavan, and are now trying to ruin the state's unitya This ED government is attempting to divide the state and we shall never allow it," roared Patole.

Taking on the Governor, Patole said that the scheme to insult the idols of Maharashtra started with Bhagat Singh Koshyari and later BJP leaders continued the same work, which is highly condemnable and people will not forgive them.

Nana Patole further said that the work of insulting the gods of Maharashtra started with Koshyari from Raj Bhavan and later BJP leaders continued the same work and don't deserve to remain in office.

Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar pointed out how ever since the Shinde-Fadnavis government took power, they have sowed treason and disunity in the state, but this mega-march has showed that whenever there is a crisis, the entire population will arise to protect the dignity of the state.

He said that when a person errs, it's the culture of the state to apologise and forgive, but it is not happening with the current rulers, who have forgotten the laws and Constitutional niceties, and demanded the removal of Koshyari.

Ajit Pawar also took objections to allowing the payment of government staffers salaries through the Karnataka Bank when the neighbouring state is needling Maharashtra continuously.

Other prominent speakers included Leader of Opposition (Council) Ambadas Danve, Samajwadi Party state President Abu Asim Azmi, Amita A. Chavan, NCP state President Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, Balasaheb Thorat, Aditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Vidya Chavan, Vinayak Raut, Chhagan Bhujbal, PWP President Jayant Patil, Sunil Tatkare, Chandrakant Khaire, Bhai Jagtap, Kapil Patil and others.

Among important leaders joining the march included the Thackerays, Arif Naseem Khan, ex-CM Prithviraj Chavan, Manikrao Thakre, Jitendra Awhad, Dilip Walse-Patil, Varsha Gaikwad, Aslam Shaikh, Raghunath Kuchik, Atul Londhe, Sambhaji Brigade and other Shiv Premi organisations, the Mumbai Dabbawalas, etc.

As the processions wended its way through the Muslim-dominated, some Muslim families showered flower petals on the marchers and thousands stood in verandahs, building terraces or rooftops and on the Sir J.J. Flyover to view the multi-party marchers going briskly to their destination.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday commended the Indian Army for showing unmatched bravery during the Galwan and Tawang incidents.

Addressing the 95th Annual Convention of Federation of Indian Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi, Singh asserted that India has no intention to capture the land of other countries, but will always be ready if anyone tries to cast an evil eye. India aims to become a superpower which works for the welfare of the world, he said.

He stated that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is touching newer heights of success and has entered the category of 'fabulous five' from 'fragile five', coined by investment firm Morgan Stanley, in 2014. "India is now among the top five economies of the world. It took us 31 years from 1991 to become a three trillion USD economy. I am confident that the next three trillion dollars are going to be added in the next seven years," he said.

India has now become an agenda setter on the world stage due to the Prime Minister's credibility and decision making, he said, adding that India's G-20 presidency is proof of India's growing stature. "The theme of G-20 is 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' through which an inclusive and decisive road map of development will be decided. Inspired by the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam and world welfare, our Prime Minister has decided to share India's resolve for economic and human development with countries that have not yet recovered from COVID-19," he said.

Singh highlighted the procedural and structural reforms made by the Government which has prepared ground for a big leap towards a strong, prosperous & a self-reliant 'New India'. He made special mention of the creation of a digital financial infrastructure, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer & Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, which have proved to be a boon for the people, especially the poor.

Singh listed out a number of reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence to strengthen the Indian defence sector, including simplifying FDI norms and increasing the limit to 74 per cent under automatic route and 100 per cent under government route. He added that 68 per cent of the capital procurement budget has been earmarked for domestic industry in 2022-23 to promote the participation of the private sector.

"All efforts are being made to increase defence production from $US 12 billion to $US 22 billion by 2025. It is a golden period for the defence sector as it has demonstrated its capabilities by manufacturing fighter aircraft, aircraft carriers, main battle tanks and attack helicopters. Indian defence industry is growing by leaps and bounds and is making its global presence felt. It is attracting not only big corporates, but also start-ups and MSMEs", said the Defence Minister.

---IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Saturday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the latter's remarks that China is prepping for war against India.

Addressing a press conference here, Bhatia said: "Indians and the BJP are proud of the Indian Army. The soldiers who are beating the Chinese army on the border are showing their strength. Why is 'Jaichand' Rahul Gandhi doing the work of breaking the moral of our army?

"Let me tell Rahul Gandhi that this is not the India of 1962. Not a single inch of India's land is under anyone's control and no one has the courage to take it. We have the bravest army in the world, we are diplomatically capable. In such a situation, it is not possible for anyone to occupy even an inch of our land."

"It is because of the army that every Indian's chest is 56 inches, while only Rahul Gandhi's is 6 inches."

On Friday, Rahul Gandhi had said that China is preparing for war, and he accused the Centre of playing down the threat from Beijing.

The troops of two countries had clashed at the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh on December 9.

"The threat from China is clear. They are making offensive preparations for war, not incursions. I have been saying this for the last two years, but the government is trying to hide this or is ignoring it. However, this threat can neither be hidden nor ignored," the senior Congress leader said at a press conference in Jaipur on the 100th day of his Bharat Jodo Yatra.

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANSlife) In addition to being a world-renowned musician, Anoushka Shankar is also an activist, producer, and film composer. Nikita Gill, a well-known British-Indian poet, playwright, writer, and illustrator, will be featured in Shankar's new song, "In Her Name", released soon on December 16, 2022, 10 years after the horrific event that served as its inspiration--the gang-rape of Jyoti Singh in New Delhi in 2012, which left her injured and dead 13 days later.


The song was debuted live for the first time on December 16, 2022, in Mumbai as part of Shankar's first multi-city tour of India since the pandemic. This release follows Shankar's nomination for Best Global Album at the Grammy Awards for "Between Us," a live album featuring Manu Delago, Jules Buckley, and the Metropole Orchestra that was released by LEITER earlier this year. For their joint song, "Udhero Na," from the Deluxe Edition of Arooj Aftab's album "Vulture Prince," Shankar and Aftab were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Global Performance. Now, Shankar has an astounding total of nine nominations during her career.

'In Her Name' is a newly recorded -- and substantially developed -- version of a track originally released in 2013 as 'In Jyoti's Name', included on Shankar's 'Traces Of You' album. The new title reflects its significantly expanded horizons, and acknowledges how little has changed in the decade since the atrocity that first provoked the song as well as headlines across the world. Six months afterwards, in July 2013, the UN estimated that one in three women would be beaten or raped in her lifetime. Almost 10 years on, that harrowing figure remains constant. 'In Her Name' now bears witness to the global ubiquity of violence and sexual violence against women, the policing of women's bodies, and the increasing erosion of women's rights in more insidious but no less dangerous manners throughout the world.

"One of the reasons I've come back to this song," Shankar says, "is because of this endless wave of horrifying story after horrifying story, and each time there's this wave of pain and grief: 'When is it going to stop? When is enough enough?' What happened to Jyoti should have been the last time anything like that ever happened. The song was about her, but now it's also about everyone else like her."

This, sadly, is a theme acutely close to Shankar's heart. In 2013, in the wake of Jyoti's tragic death, she recorded a message of support for 'One Billion Rising', a campaign whose very name highlights the number of women who will suffer sexual violence in their lifetime. The organisation's founder, V (formerly known as Eve Ensler), asked her to tape a gesture of solidarity, and in her video Shankar chose to reveal that she, too, is a victim of abuse.

"There's been a real change over the last decade," she explains of her decision to open up, "but at that time there were very few people talking about this, especially where I come from. So it felt important to universalise it, to say it's not a one-off, it's not only in a certain demographic, to say that 'If I'm not safe, no one's safe'."

This time, Shankar turned to Nikita Gill to help articulate her feelings, inviting her to contribute a text for the song's middle section which could communicate the all-encompassing nature of this ongoing threat.

"She's like a sister to me," Shankar confides. "She's one of the people I would have wept on the phone to when, for example, Sarah Everard died. She speaks from a very particular place culturally, as a modern, female, Indian-heritage poet, and that chimes with me, while sisterhood is also a very strong theme in her work. It was a very natural, obvious connection, and when I said 'Would you please write something?' she didn't even wait for me to finish my sentence."

Shankar delivers Gill's lines in calm, collected fashion during a meditative musical passage midway through the song, enabling these powerful sentiments to strike with more force before its ultimate climax.

"Let our fury echo through the pages of history," she recites firmly. "Do not let this death be quiet like all the thousands before it. Time cannot devour what we will not allow to be forgotten."

Her accompaniment, meanwhile, conveys her anger in a similarly eloquent manner, especially in its repeated, syncopated phrases.

"There are different stages to the song," Shankar elaborates, "but, though it's not overtly raging, fury is a driving factor. Anger can often be stifled, especially in women, and yet it's such a propelling force, a fire that generates an energy to create change, especially that feeling of collective fury that starts in my belly, that I feel in other women's bellies too."

Shankar selected additional partners with whom she shares a similar cultural background and aesthetic sensibility when it came to the song's artwork and video. The cover image and bronze sculptures in the remarkable video, which was shot in London and Los Angeles and stars Indian-American Bharatanatyam dancer Mythili Prakash, were created by contemporary Indian artist Shilo Shiv Suleman, who co-founded the activist art collective Fearless Collective in 2012.

"Mythili and I have been close since childhood and have an ongoing artistic relationship. I trust her artistry implicitly, and I knew she could embody the song in a suitably sensitive but still striking manner," Shankar adds.

"She brings forth unbelievable power, depth and nuance through her choreography and performance. Shilo and I connected more recently through other like-minded artists. Her work is deeply passionate and poetic and I'm so grateful to feature her powerful sculptures in the video. Crucially, Nikita, Mythili, Shilo and I all have a shared experience as women and particularly as Indian women, in how we were affected by what happened to Jyoti, whilst as artists, we speak a common language across our mediums that goes beyond our cultural roots but carries them at the core."

Shankar recorded 'In Her Name' this autumn at London's Guildhall, with regular collaborators Pirashanna Thevarajah adding mridangam, the south Indian double-headed drum, and Tom Farmer on bass.

"It's a really interesting sonic space," Shankar says.

"Having upright bass pulls the sitar out of a certain sound world that people are used to hearing it in, and yet the Indian percussion gives me the intricacy that I feel like I can really fly with. Both instruments add a primal and driving quality that feels essential to the song."

The track represents the first studio music from Shankar since 2020's 'Love Letters', though she's currently working on a new album too. For the time being, however, she's focussing her attention on 'In Her Name'.

"Marking 10 years is very personal," Shankar concludes.

"My life changed, indirectly but profoundly, as a result of what happened to Jyoti. She was the catalyst for me telling my story, setting me on a different tangent, publicly and privately. But this is more than that: it's a remembrance. It's about not forgetting, and about hope for change. Every time there's a news cycle we talk about these stories, then put them down again, but change comes from truly remembering, and I am unwilling to ever let this go quiet again..."

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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