Miscellaneous Facebook posts & comments in Jan. 2020

By -
When author of post or comment is not mentioned, it should be assumed that it is me (Ravi S. Iyer).

To save time, I am usually not providing my FB post links but only contents. I am also not hyperlinking links. So readers will have to copy-paste links from this post onto a browser link box and then browse to that link.
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I think that is a very valid question raised by Shri Rahul Gandhi. As per a report I had read earlier, the Union Home minister, Amit Shah, has condemned the incident and promised strict action against the shooter who is now under arrest. The police should conduct an investigation into how the shooter was motivated to do this horrific act against protesters, and share that with the country at large. Then the country can decide/opine about what to do, to prevent recurrence of such horrific and violent acts against protesters.

Peaceful protest is an important right to safeguard in a democracy. Whether one agrees with the protesters or not is a different matter - the right to peacefully protest is the vital thing to protect in our (Indian) democracy.

Shared article: Rahul Gandhi: 'Who paid Jamia shooter?', https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rahul-gandhi-who-paid-jamia-shooter/articleshow/73793592.cms
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John Denver singing his love for country roads (in West Virginia, USA) live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUmnTfsY3hI, around 3 mins.
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Fans of Otis Redding's classic song - Sitting on the dock of the bay - may enjoy this rendition done by a group of great performers on the 50th anniversary of the song which was released in 1967. I just loved this rendition.

(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay | Otis Redding 50th Anniversary | Song Around The World, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ca5QoXSe18, 3 min. 46 secs, 17th Dec. 2018
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Wonderful to know of this nice contribution from Dutch software entrepreneur Jan Baan, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Baan, to Hyderabad, India. As an Indian, I thank Jan Baan for this contribution to needy sections of Hyderabad. ... In late 1980s as an employee of Datamatics Ltd. Bombay (Mumbai), I had visited Baan Netherlands in Barnavelde for a couple of months for study of a Window Manager related project (which eventually did not work out). I recall one short meeting with Jan Baan then. Great to see that the same person now is contributing to Telugu needy society as I have now been living in Andhra Pradesh (neighbouring Telugu state to Telangana where Hyderabad lies) for over 17 years.

Here's a recent article on LinkedIn by Jan Baan which seems to be a public access article (and so people not on LinkedIn can also access it), on the matter: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6626954969289379840/

The article talks about "Jan Peter Memorial School" in Hyderabad and a recent alumni meet where 240 alumni showed up. This school seems to be a charitable school funded from the proceeds of Baan's India software factory. The article says Jan Peter, son of Jan Baan, died in Nigeria in 2003 and that this school is in his memory.

The article states that the school was started in 2003 with 32 students and grew to 640 students in 6 years. In 2009, they decided to focus on after-school training. Two years ago the last students left.

Jan Baan says that the alumni of this school refer to him as "Thathaiah" (Grandpa in Telugu)! I was absolutely fascinated to know this.

I think the IT connect between India and Netherlands has had a very interesting cultural connect between the people of the two nations too!
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Interesting Feb. 2017 article: Chhatrapati Shivaji's Bengaluru days, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/57229947.cms.

I did not know that Shivaji seems to have spent two years in Bengaluru (Bangalore) during his boyhood (at age of 12 to 14 years) from around 1640 to 1642. Shivaji's father Shahaji Raje ruled Bengaluru then. I find this info. to be very interesting.
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1959 movie. Geeta Dutt is the singer of this hauntingly beautiful song about the "beautiful outrage (haseen sitam)" done by time (waqt). Around 4 mins.
Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam - Waheeda, Geeta Dutt, Kaagaz Ke Phool Song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JqBqHXODlc
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Very popular Hindi film oldie song about the sorrow of romantic love - Jaane kyon log mohabbat kiya karte hai from movie 'Mehboob Ki Mehandi(1971)', sung by Lata Mangeshkar. On screen star - Leena Chandavarkar. Music - Laxmikant -Pyarelal, lyrics - Anand Bakshi. The lyrics of the song are just awesome! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N40fWVY0F50, 6 min. 37 secs.
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Itna to yaad hai mujhe ke unse mulaqaat hui, from movie 'Mehboob Ki Mehandi(1971)', sung by Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar. On screen stars - Rajesh Khanna and Leena Chandavarkar. Music - Laxmikant -Pyarelal, lyrics - Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEMlo1H9wX8, 7 min. 47 secs.
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Hindi film oldie goldie song: From movie Do Raaste (1969) - Yeh Reshmi Zulfein Yeh Sharbati Aankhein - sung by Mohd Rafi. On screen stars - Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9aMSJGAkeY, 4 mins.
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Close to 7 mins.

Powerful military force is an absolute must to ensure self-defence of the country, especially in these uncertain times.

Great to see Indian armed forces might on display on Republic Day!

[Video: https://www.facebook.com/TimesofIndia/videos/225243741809225/?t=0]
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Welcome to India to President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro. May ties between India and Brazil grow and flourish. Wonderful that the President of Brazil is the chief guest of tomorrow's (Indian) Republic Day function.
[Video: https://www.facebook.com/PresidentOfIndia/videos/2600079696899400/?t=0 ]

I made a similar comment on above video (link: https://www.facebook.com/PresidentOfIndia/videos/2600079696899400/?comment_id=2492369177758280 ) (which got 30 reactions - Like etc.). In response to a comment there, I wrote: I welcome President Bolsonaro of Brazil as the representative of Brazilian people as a whole, irrespective of whether they politically support Mr. Bolsonaro or not. My welcome is for the ***position*** of president of Brazil and the current holder of that position. Regarding internal politics of Brazil, please note that I have a PUBLICLY (POLITICALLY) NEUTRAL role. Of course, as I am an Indian citizen living in India, there is no question of me having voted in Brazil elections.

I wish all people of Brazil, irrespective of their political affiliation, all the very best!
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Deer shedding antlers caught (from behind) on camera (tweet has the video) -
https://twitter.com/DeerAlliance/status/1217903863103213568
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USA democracy contests can be fun, at times.

A push-up challenge is discussed: https://twitter.com/DackRouleau/status/1217967232468340736

It is followed by a push-up contest: https://twitter.com/JeanWMUR/status/1217975768208347136. I think the guy could have lasted longer but did a small drama-act of losing out :-). Nonetheless, Tulsi Gabbard showed her fitness level.

Hats off to those USA political leaders who stay physically fit with such exercises.
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"How Dare Indira Jaising Suggest...": Nirbhaya's Mother Slams Lawyer, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nirbhaya-case-asha-devi-slams-indira-jaising-over-death-penalty-suggestion-2165929, 18th Jan. 2020

I fully support Nirbhaya's mother Smt. Asha Devi in this matter. I think the leading lawyer Ms. Indira Jaising is just plain wrong in being against the death penalty for all cases. 

Perhaps some countries in Western Europe and some states in USA may have societies where death penalty being done away even for the most heinous crimes, works. As a voting citizen of India, my considered view is that in India with a varied and diverse population of 1.3 billion people some of whom live very difficult and challenging lives and so may not fear jail time as much as they fear death, that will NOT work.

In most of Indian society including in ashram townships, it is fear of bad consequences for bad actions that results in lesser number of bad actions happening. Deterrence is absolutely key in India to keep society functioning in a reasonable way.

Indira Jaising is entitled to her view of being against the death penalty and she has the freedom to argue for that in India even if I think the majority of Indians (including me) would reject her argument, but I think it was quite insensitive of her and quite unjust of her to make such a request to Nirbhaya's mother. Good to see such a strong rebuttal by Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi of Indira Jaising's request.

I think the brutal reality of India today is that only the hanging of these four rapists and murderers who brutally, I repeat brutally, raped and murdered Nirbhaya in 2012, will send the message of deterrence to future potential rapists & murderers like these convicts that no mercy will be shown to them and no lawyer no matter how senior, will be able to save them from being executed for committing such horrific and heinous crimes. That deterrence message will save some girls and women in India from the horrors that Nirbhaya and so many others have suffered at the hands of rapists & murderers in India. We have to face up to this truth and act with that understanding and courage.
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As a resident and citizen of India, I am fully supportive of this quick action of concerned government ministries and President of India in refusing mercy plea of one of the four 2012 Delhi gang rape convicts who are on death sentence. 

As per the article given below, Delhi govt. Dy. Chief Minister (AAP) Manish Sisodia rejected it in around a day or two's time, forwarding it (with rejection recommendation I presume) to Central govt. Home Minister Amit Shah (BJP) who acted with the similar speed in rejecting it and forwarding it (with rejection recommendation I presume) to President Ram Nath Kovind's office who received it on Thursday evening. Friday morning, the President's order rejecting the mercy petition had been conveyed to the (Union) Home minister's office!

The article states, "Officials who had handled mercy petitions in earlier roles indicate that the decision within four days was a record.

The previous record of 42 days in the last 40 years was on a request for presidential pardon filed by a Rajasthan farmer Ram Chander in 1996."

Prez Kovind’s rejection of Mukesh Singh’s mercy petition in 4 days is a record, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/prez-kovind-s-rejection-of-mukesh-singh-s-mercy-petition-in-4-days-is-a-record/story-1bPW7Poa84B7lSGxLX42cP.html, 18th Jan. 2020
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I read a report somewhere that great amount of construction in some Chinese cities makes them more prone to sinkholes - don't know how valid that view is.

But this video of a recent sinkhole tragedy where some died and some may have been injured, tells us how scary it can be. Readers who prefer not to see such stuff may please skip seeing the video.

Sinkhole swallows bus in China, leaving at least 6 dead and 4 missing, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofsGW7Azi7I, 1 min. 37 secs, published by South China Morning Post on 14th Jan. 2020.
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Not sure whether it is right for a Doctor to overwork himself (herself) to this point, as then he may mess up treatment/surgical procedures performed on his (her) patients. ... Nonetheless his commitment to work is appreciable. And yes, medical work is noble work and high-risk work - done by not only doctors but also nurses and other staff in hospitals who directly handle patients.

The video-post is about a Doc in China. .. But I would like to mention about nurses in India based on some info. I have from a young nurse in Andhra Pradesh. Nurses in India tend to get overworked, have to work night shifts at times (or most of the times for some), but their sacrifices are seldom highlighted. And small private hospitals in India don't pay much to their nurses.

[Shared video: https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/215703862791541/?t=0 , text: What happened to an overworked doctor at a hospital in China.]
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Interesting set of two videos mainly about events in the year 1979, even if the perspective is mainly a Western perspective, published by German media house DW in Dec. 2019:

The Big Bang that created today’s world (1/2) | DW Documentary, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyz1cy6VeqA, 42 min. 25 secs.

The Big Bang that created today’s world (2/2) | DW Documentary, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW7hqgVbMqM, 42 min. 25 secs.
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Nice message from Jeff Bezos about Mahatma Gandhi along with video of him paying respects at Mahatma Gandhi memorial in Delhi

'Just landed in India and spent a beautiful afternoon paying my respects to someone who truly changed the world. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi.', https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/1217100229993881600 [Tweet has embedded video.]

My tweet response to above tweet: "Welcome to India Mr. Bezos! Hope your trip is a good and fruitful one. Wonderful to see your words of praise for Mahatma Gandhi."
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Debated a little about whether I should share this CNN video report. I decided to, as I think it shows how even the most militarily powerful country in the world - USA - had its armed forces base in Iraq pounded by Iranian ballistic missiles with the USA forces being lucky to not have suffered any casualties (as reported by them). And that in turn is a message about how bad war between ballistic missile armed nations can be.

This is non-nuclear attack - just ballistic non-nuclear missiles attack. The video shows the damage that these Iranian ballistic missiles caused.

War between ballistic missile armed nations today can be horrific. There is no need for fighter jets piloted by human pilots which can be counter-attacked by anti-aircraft fire or other fighter jets. Countering a ballistic missile does not seem to be easy though I believe there are anti ballistic missile systems but they are very expensive and may not be 100% effective in stopping ballistic missile attacks.

Disputes between ballistic missile equipped nations today ***must*** be resolved by talks and not war, as such war would have a horrific human cost even for the victorious side, if one side does achieve victory.

See how US troops survived Iran missile attack, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzXpNxAeCck, 7 min. 11 secs.

My prayers to Almighty God for peace on earth, and especially for peace between Iran and USA.
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Western Europe is producing women political leaders who are so articulate. That is really very nice to see and I think it is a sign of the maturity of Western Europe when it comes to treating women well, as compared to many other parts of the world.

I think this is the first time I am seeing an interview of now candidate for (UK) Labour party leadership, and MP and shadow (UK) Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey. I am really impressed by how well she expresses herself and how calm she is.

Note that I am publicly politically neutral in my posts on politics (including UK politics) and so I am not saying anything positive or negative about her policies and political stands.

Here's the interview: Rebecca Long-Bailey: I do want to abolish the House Of Lords, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iqoJFxVkFU, around 20 mins.
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This appeared in the print edition of The Hindu today.

Fascinating pics and story of how one family's bird-feeding service of migratory birds in a Rajasthan village from the 1970s has led to around 25,000 migratory birds (from as far as Mongolia) arriving at the village every year. Now, of course, more families would be involved in catering to the birds. The village has a 'birds first' policy making the migratory birds feel welcome :-).

In photos | Dancing with the demoiselles in Khichan, Rajasthan, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/in-photos-dancing-with-the-demoiselles-in-khichan-rajasthan/article30543920.ece/photo/1/
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Chupke Chupke Raat Din By Manjari l Doha Musical-Notes Episode 6 l Ghazals, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zTckmJWptM, 8 min. 4 secs.
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I enjoyed this home rendition of Chupke Chupke Raat Din (song made famous by Ghulam Ali in the 1980s): Chupke chupke raat din by Sarbjeet singh Laddi & Manjit singh Goldy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8HXaccAEWg, 6 min. 21 secs.
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Ghulam Ali singing it live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5DVLNgHx0k, around 8 mins. Note that Ghulam Ali is (not active now) a Pakistani singer and this mehfil (gathering) seems to be in Pakistan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghulam_Ali_(singer)
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Ukrainian Boeing Plane Shot Down Due To "Human Error", Says Iran, https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-says-ukrainian-plane-shot-down-due-to-human-error-after-it-flew-close-to-military-site-news-age-2162290.

Tragic! But it is good that Iran has admitted that it shot down the plane due to human error. I think the kin of those who died in this tragedy, and indeed even those who died, deserve at least this truth being known.

Prayers for the souls of those that died and for strength for their kin & friends to bear this grief.
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Poverty in India can be utterly horrifying! Now I have some decent idea about how tough life is for the very poor in rural Anantapur district (which is where Puttaparthi lies). Debt is inescapable for many rural Indian poor - and debt usually borrowed at high interest from informal money lenders (the banks won't loan them money).

The particularly difficult cases are of poor single mothers with children. I have great respect bordering on reverence for poor single mothers of rural India who struggle to somehow survive and raise their children. Theirs is a great tapas (penance)!

The lifeline for these poor in current times are the welfare programs from the government. But having all the paperwork to successfully qualify and getting the money regularly can be a big challenge. Very good to know that this lady (from Salem in Tamil Nadu, a state in South India) is now getting her monthly widow pension from the government.

Shared article: Salem: Widow sells her hair for Rs 150 to feed 3 kids, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/salem/woman-sells-off-hair-for-rs-150-to-feed-her-three-children/articleshow/73179771.cms
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The damage that just war-like tension and not real war, between missile equipped nations, seems to have resulted in - an accident surely and not intentional, but something that would not have happened if there was no war-like tension.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb7h0pTAO9U, 1 min. 44 secs.

The power of arms (destruction technology) today in 2020 is just horrendous. World War II horror would be nothing in comparison to what destruction could happen if a world war breaks out now. Fortunately, the current picture is that both the missile equipped nations which launched recent attacks against each other's people or bases, have stepped back.

And missile tech. today along with drones and satellite enabled guidance, seems to be so advanced that no country, I repeat, no country, no matter how powerful in arms and defense tech. it may be, can be sure that it can prevent significant damage to its land and people, if major war breaks out between nations that have reasonable levels of arms technology.

Anti-missile systems may not be all that good to take out each and every missile in a barrage of missiles. Some will hit their targets. That I think is the reality today, irrespective of whatever hype there may be of protective 'domes' against missile attacks.

And civilians will become 'collateral damage' in such wars!

My prayers to Almighty God for peace on earth. My prayers to Almighty God for Grace on the souls of those who died in this Ukrainian plane tragedy in Tehran as well as in the recent missile attacks between two countries, and for giving strength to the injured and to the kin and friends of those killed and injured to bear the pain and grief.
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Very interesting to see this slightly over 2 min video of Hon'ble President of India's visit to Lakshadweep (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshadweep - a group of Indian islands off the southwestern coast of mainland India). The natural beauty of the place seems awesome!
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Fascinating rendition of old Mohd. Rafi hit songs by Afghan singer Masih Raihan, Masih Raihan - Teri Galiyon Mein Na Rakheinge (Cover) OFFICIAL VIDEO, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oAE2bOB28k, 4 min. 38 secs., published in Jan. 2018.
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Aane Se Uske Aaye Bahar (I) | Mohammed Rafi | Jeene Ki Raah 1969 Songs | Jeetendra, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ode9h3g3xrE, 3 min. 39 secs.
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Hawas - Teri Galiyon Mein Na Rakheinge Kadam - Mohd Rafi, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0weRgdk8_do, 3 min. 41 secs.
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The Hindi film song title line goes:
Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi ban jayein hum dono
"Come, let us both become strangers again!"

It is from the movie Gumrah (1963) and the lyrics were composed by Sahir Ludhianvi.

A terrific set of lines in the song:
Woh afsaana jissey anjaam tak laana na ho mumkin
Ussey ek khoobsurat moud de ker chodna acha

English: "That romance/story which cannot be taken to fruition,
it is better to give it a beautiful twist and then leave it".

Video: https://www.facebook.com/TimelessIndianMelodies/videos/320029478861516/?t=0
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The on-screen song: Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se Full Video Song | Gumrah | Sunil Dutt, Ashok Kumar, Mala Sinha |, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI-xOdqagxo, 4 min. 37 secs.
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In Court, Convict's Mother Walked To Nirbhaya's Mother And Begged, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nirbhaya-delhi-gangrape-case-2012-in-court-convicts-mother-walked-to-nirbhayas-mother-and-begged-2160248
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There seems to be some possibility of some "curative petition" which may delay it further.

I think the earlier these horrific killers and rapists are hanged the better. Death to such horrific killers and rapists will act as some strong deterrent to future such horrific crimes in India. I think that is just the brutal reality.

I forced myself to read some of the details of what was done to Nirbhaya by these monsters - I can't share that here as it was really gruesome. They deserve no mercy because of what they did to her.

Shared article: Nirbhaya Convicts to be Hanged on 22 January; Leaders Hail Verdict, https://www.thequint.com/news/india/nirbhaya-case-convicts-plea-death-penalty
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Comparison of large area devastating fires in 2018 and 2019; 2019 Australia fires are the biggest!

https://www.statista.com/chart/20387/recent-wildfire-events-by-acreage-burned/
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The young Sikh was based in Malaysia though his native place is Pakistan. His brother said that one of the assailants called him from his brother's phone saying that they had killed him!

Tragic and terrifying! Prayers for his soul and for his family to have strength to bear this loss.

Shared article: Young Pakistani Sikh shopping for his wedding shot dead in Peshawar, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/young-pakistan-sikh-shopping-for-his-wedding-shot-dead-in-peshawar/articleshow/73112775.cms
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Zindagi Pyar Ka Geet Hai | Padmini Kolhapure | Souten (1983) | Old Hindi Songs {HD} | Lata Mangeshkar, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9YGUkKphsg, 5 min. 10 secs
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(Australia) Bushfire emergency has claimed 1000 homes and razed an area the size of Belgium | 7.30, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf5szLjTIy8, 33 min. 40 secs, published on 1st Jan. 2020 by ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Around 1 min. 10 secs, the host says, "While an area as big as Belgium has been reduced to ash"! My God! I am not able to process this either (like the almost half a billion animals perishing statement in a previous post I put up). I have lived in Belgium for over a year! It is a small sized country as compared to major countries in the world but still it covers significant area. That sized area in Australia "reduced to ash"!!! That is just mind-boggling!
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Nearly 500,000,000 animals have been killed in Australia’s wildfires, https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/02/nearly-500000000-animals-killed-australias-wildfires-11989639/, 2nd Jan. 2020.

The almost half a billion (480 million) figure of animals (mammals, birds & reptiles) killed is reportedly from the University of Sydney. 

I just can't process this 480 million figure in this context.

Apocalyptic is the only word that comes to my mind.

The article has pics that tell the story in a way that words simply can't.

I think the recent past California fires seem to have been much smaller in terms of area destroyed and animals killed, as compared to this (but I am not sure).
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The awesome & very scary fury of fire and heat wave in some parts of Australia captured in pics.
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Some parts of Australia are going through horrific distress due to heat wave. Great to see this koala's thirst being quenched by the cyclist.
Video: Thirsty Koala Stops Cyclists In Australia To Drink Water, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cdaNKWXv4M
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This farm girl from Gujarat, India, saw shot put videos on youtube on her cell phone and learned from that. She practised shot put on her farm in the mornings and evenings!

And now she was won the top spot in a state level shot put competition!

What an awesome inspirational and transformational force, videos on the Internet can be for rural folks in India, as such videos can be watched on low-cost smart phones with phone/Internet service rates being quite affordable in India today (thanks to market disrupter Reliance Jio)!
Gujarat: Self-taught Porbandar girl wins first prize in shot put, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/73063875.cms
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About the chiefs heading air force, army and navy of India
Shared post: Not Just NDA Mates, The Three Service Chiefs Also Have an IAF Link, https://www.thequint.com/news/india/not-just-nda-mates-the-three-service-chiefs-also-have-an-iaf-link
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Good to see this. Indian armed forces personnel, irrespective of grade, should not get involved with Indian politics while they are in the armed forces. After they retire then if they want they can enter politics (like is the case with a few current Indian political leaders).

As a resident and citizen of India, I wish Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat all the very best for his new responsibilities.
Shared article: ‘We Keep Ourselves Away From Politics’: Rawat Takes Charge as CDS, https://www.thequint.com/news/india/general-bipin-rawat-takes-charge-as-the-chief-of-defence-staff
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