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Dear Mr Kher,

You played a villain and a buffoon rolled into one in many a Bollywood film. Unlike those roles, your role as a writer of the piece, No time for partisanship (IE May 1) has nothing funny about it it is that of a pure villain. Actually, that of a henchman of the villains who have been instrumental in facilitating the biggest disaster that India has ever faced.

In your opening paragraph, you mention the success of Indias efforts in fighting Covid-19 from February 2020 to February 2021. Let me take you back to February 2020. The first case of Covid-19 in India was reported on 30 January. Rahul Gandhis impassioned appeal on February 12 to pay attention to the pandemic fell, as usual, on deaf ears. On February 24-25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an event for the then US President Donald Trump, attended by over a lakh of people. Later, riots took place in Delhi, and the hate speeches by BJP union ministers and spokespersons were not exactly a help in avoiding the carnage.

As late as mid-March 2020, the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said there was no health emergency. However, the Tablighi Jamat members, including foreign delegates with valid visas, were detained and held responsible for spreading the disease. A section of the media went to town with unsubstantiated allegations being presented as facts. The great peaceful Shaheen Bagh protest was killed on the pretext of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the government in MP was toppled by BJP and Covid-19 protocol was thrown to the winds. Then there were taalis and thaalis before a brutal lockdown was announced absolutely thoughtless, sudden, and without any expert advice or consultations. It all but killed the migrant labourer.

You go on to say that unity is different from accountability. In your opinion, opaqueness of the PM Cares Fund, unclear vaccination policy including vaccine exports, no communication or sharing of facts with the people unlike every other country in the world, no consultations with the stakeholders, all these actually inspire unity! And when you advise the Opposition to offer constructive feedback, it would be nice if you would let us know whether anyone out there is even listening to any voice other than their own?

Apart from those who love and engineer riots and organise lynchings, let me assure you, Mr Kher, that the naked death of dance is not a source of joy for anyone. What has caused it? Lack of infrastructure and complete apathy mainly of the central government which has centralised all resources and decisions and whose methods are, to say the least, whimsical and undemocratic. I wonder if you find that the methods adopted by the BJP to suppress facts and data and substitute them with brazen lies is more acceptable than their dissemination to people at large. And what about the Kumbh, the incessant election unmasked rallies?

Nobody is marketing Indias misery. The contrast between the situation on the ground and official statements and a clueless administration is so great that it speaks volumes loud and clear. The real situation, despite official obfuscation, has come to be known nationally and internationally and it has been helpful. The international community has extended help and thereby shaken the complacent and insensitive government. Also, the common people of India are coming forward to help the miserable fellow citizens.

And then you come to turning points. All the assertions you have made in this section have one thing in common: Ends justify the means. BJP won the elections after forcing these reforms and therefore, they were right. Now, the BJP the richest political party in the world doubtless has abundant resources and has a very brutal and efficient election machine, with a master communicator at the helm. He has the power to sway the unsuspecting voter even though he has not been known to be truthful and correct. The Opposition, on the other hand is divided, shorn of funds and leadership.

Demonetisation struck a huge blow at the informal sector which accounts for over 80 per cent of the economy, led to deaths at the ATM machines and to a permanent hole in the lives of many. The BJP continued to shift the goals and till today has not been able to exactly substantiate the exact advantage. Yes, it was able to corner a lot of money which helped them win an important election and unleash Yogi on the people. GST as a reform was planned by UPA and was opposed by BJP when it was in the Opposition. The BJPs execution of GST led to many complications and irregularities, which continue to affect the industry till date.

As for the CAA and NRC, their very constitutionality is suspect. Besides, it does not leave any doubt about the intention of BJP: the party does not consider the Muslims as equal citizens of the country, which of course is itself against the Preamble of the Constitution. To discriminate against the hapless refugee on the basis of religion is nothing to be proud of for a country which professes Vasudev Kutumbakam. Whether or not the Opposition succeeds in making it into a winnable election issue is not the point.

It is impossible to really even start talking about what you consider great handling of the migrant crisis by the Narendra Modi government. There is only one thing that is undebatable in this context: The migrant crisis was created by it. As far as you are concerned, you seemed quite convinced by the BJPs assertions and advertisements of its schemes. One does not have enough space here to give all the related data and the continuing hardships of the migrant labour force and its unwillingness to come back to big towns to help them become bigger. Do take the trouble of going beyond the official proclamations.

Yes, Mr Kher, a strong and healthy India is vital, not only for global good but for the country itself. The country should not cooperate in the killing of its hard-earned and yet nascent democracy and the institutions that make democracy possible. The BJPs hate politics and the governments systematic demolition of the institutions of democracy are bound to have a long-term impact. Politics should not wait until its too late.

Lal is a playwright and poet; his play,Ek Mamooli Aadmi, won the Nemichand Jain award recently

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Not funny, Mr Kher! - The Indian Express

Vice President Kamala Harrison Tuesday said she has spoken to leaders of countries such asJapan, Finland and Ireland about helping Northern Triangle countries,as part of the response to the migration crisis at the southern U.S. border.

Harris, speaking at the Washington Conference on the Americas, was outlining the investments the U.S. was making to tackle what she described as the "root causes" of the migration crisis.

HARRIS CLAIMS LACK OF 'CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE' PART OF ROOT CAUSES OF MIGRANT CRISIS

She said the Biden administration was engaging in a "comprehensive strategy" with other governments, communities and the private sector. The U.S. has announced a $310 million investment in the region, as part of a broader $4 billion plan for the area.

"There is a role for governments outside of the region and international institutions," she said, citing the U.S. efforts at the U.N. in coordinating a humanitarian response.

"I have spoken with world leaders from Canada, Finland, Ireland and Japan about partnering with us to help the Northern Triangle," she said.

Harris spoke with Finnish President Sauli Niinist last week. A readout from the call said that the two spoke about "the need for more coordinated international action to address the root causes of migration from the Northern Triangle."

HARRIS SAYS SHE TAKES MIGRANT CRISIS ROLE 'VERY SERIOUSLY' AHEAD OF GUATEMALA NEXT VISIT NEXT MONTH

The Biden administration has been emphasizing the role that "root causes" play in the migrant surge toward the border, which has overwhelmed authorities and seen historic spikes on unaccompanied children in particular.

In the same speech, Harris made a distinction between "acute causes" like drought, food insecurity and COVID-19 and "long-standing" root causes.

"Im thinking of corruption, violence andpoverty, the lack of economic opportunity, the lack of climate adaptation and climate resilience, the lack of good governance," she said.

While she didnt go into details immediately, later she spoke of delivering food, shelter and water to the people of Honduras, and in Guatemala working with farmers to plant drought-resistant crops and help women farmers increase their crops.

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Critics have said that instead, the focus should be on the Biden administrations border and immigration policies, which has rolled back a number of Trump-era security measures -- including the wall, asylum agreements and the application of Title 42 expulsions.

Harris has held "virtual meetings" with the leaders of Guatemala and Mexicoand is planning a trip to Guatemala next month.

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Harris says she spoke to leaders of Japan, Finland about combating migrant crisis - Fox News

The crisis on our southern border is a self-inflicted disaster that the White House and congressional Democrats refuse to acknowledge. While they may not take this catastrophe seriously, my Republican colleagues on the House Oversight Committee do. Thats why we visited the border last month to see the situation for ourselves.

Our experience evoked a wide range of emotions: Heart breaking instances of young, unaccompanied children abandoned at the border. The fear and trauma of our citizens living along the border who are confronted with the drug and human trafficking operations of murderous cartels. The frustration of American citizens who feel their government has betrayed them.

Whats happening on our border is unprecedented. We are on track for more illegal border crossings in 2021 than any time in the past 15 years perhaps ever. Illegal drug seizures this year are already up 600 percent compared to all of 2020. Migrant holding facilities are at several times their capacity, requiring the government to construct new facilities on military bases like Fort Bliss.

Border agents are being taken off patrols to address the exploding number of children, leaving huge swaths of the border unguarded. They still monitor large groups of so-called get-aways illegal immigrants who swarm remote parts of the border but cant be stopped due to a lack of manpower. When confronted, agents are required to report large groups as 20+.

This January and February, there were over 61,000 reported get-aways. A staggering figure, but agents confirmed these groups are often much larger than just 20+. Some number 40, 60, many are as high as 80, but because theyre logged as 20+, the reported totals are lower. Agents estimate the real number in January and February was probably closer to 120,000.

Left unchecked, were looking at 750,000 get-aways this year alone. These are not asylum-seekers surrendering at a crossing station. These are dangerous criminals, drug smugglers, human traffickers, and terrorists willing to do anything to get into America and do harm. This isnt a border state problem its an unfolding national disaster of unprecedented scope with terrible implications for years to come.

Yet the Biden administration and my colleagues across the aisle refuse to even acknowledge the problem. So far, neither the president nor vice president have bothered to visit the border.

We can stop this manufactured crisis.

First, we need to complete the border wall with the construction materials laying idle in the desert. President BidenJoe BidenCensus results show White House doubling down on failure Poll: Americans back new spending, tax hikes on wealthy, but remain wary of economic impact True immigration reform requires compromise from both sides of the aisle MORE used to think the border wall was a good idea. Its time he stops cowing to the radical elements within his party and do what he knows is right.

Second, end the practice of Catch and Release, and reimplement the Migrant Protection Protocols that proved so successful in reducing the numbers of border incursions. Officials shared with us that only 10-12 percent of people who come here seeking asylum have legitimate cases and the rest are sent back. By requiring them to remain in Mexico while their asylum requests are adjudicated, the roughly 90 percent who know their cases are bogus wont risk the journey. And those with legitimate cause to seek asylum will have it granted more expeditiously. That would be the humane course of action.

We are, indeed, a nation of immigrants. Many industries in Florida including agriculture, hospitality and construction, depend on a steady flow of legal immigrants in order to function. But for us to remain the worlds brightest beacon of hope, we must acknowledge that a fundamental part of what makes America so attractive is our adherence to the rule of law.

Honest, law abiding citizens like the Johnsons, the Coopers, and others we met at the border asked us to tell their story. But they also want our government to know they arent looking for special consideration. These are tough people who simply want the opportunity to live and work their land in peace and security without living in fear. They want to know we will not forget about them. We promised to share their story. We must not let them down.

Scott Franklin represents Floridas 15th District and is a member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform.

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The Biden border crisis is a self-inflicted disaster that can be solved | TheHill - The Hill

Two stories in Yasmin Khans cookbook Ripe Figs tell of the power of food.

In the first, Khan recounts how Greek volunteers started bringing containers of food for migrants who were sleeping in a park but insisted on the food being homemade. We wanted to convey the message that somebody cares about you. Cares enough to spend their afternoon baking a cake that smells or feels like home, said Nadina Christopoulou, one of the founders of the initiative.

Second is the story of Home for All, a restaurant on the banks of a fishing port on the edge of the Gulf of Yera in Lesbos, where, every day, 40 immigrants are brought from some of the most violent refugee camps to eat at a restaurant that is bright, communal, and full of life. Being able to eat in this comfort, at a table, with proper cutlery it restores peoples dignity, it reminds them who they are. It makes them feel like home, said Katerina Katsouris, who co-owns Home for All with her husband.

Those acts of care are what inspired Khan, the chef and author of Zaitoon, to take a trip to Greece, Turkey and Cyprus to cook in refugee camps. She saw how ones humanity can be restored over a plate of food, a glass of wine, a conversation at a shared table. The cookbook focuses on the similarities between the foods from each place. That way, writes Khan, you can begin to see similarities where political borders insist upon division and difference.

You say you want this book to open peoples eyes to the migrant crisis. Why did you think a cookbook would be a good place to bring this topic alive?

Food is an incredibly powerful vehicle for helping us understand ourselves, and the world around us. When you learn about food, you dont just learn about a set of ingredients. You learn about history, geography, migration. For many years I was a human rights campaigner, working on issues ranging from police shootings to the blockade of Gaza. What I learned was when youre trying to raise awareness of quite heavy political issues, the most important thing to do is to try and build a connection. Food is such a wonderful way of connecting people, because its so visceral, something we can all relate to.

In the US and the UK, theres often an attitude around migration that We dont have enough. You find people who really dont have much opening their arms and not just saying, Were going to give you a sandwich, but Were going to make sure every single thing we give you is homemade. Talk to me about that difference.

Turkey is the biggest recipient of refugees in the world: there are 3.6 million refugees in Turkey. In 2020, the US, settled just under 12,000. The way refugees and migrants have been used as scapegoats by political leaders on both sides of the Atlantic doesnt really reflect the numbers of people moving to these countries, nor the fact that migration is just an essential part of what it means to be human. Throughout our history, weve always moved for our survival.

You mention in the book that you chose recipes from Greek, Cyprus and Turkey to focus on similarities between places where governments insist on seeing difference.

Absolutely. Borders are completely a man-made construct. The very notion of nation states is a very recent one in human history were looking at a few hundred years, mostly. I just wanted to pull right back and look at the region, where we dont see artificial lines and try to, yes, celebrate the commonalities.

You believe in open borders.

We do have open borders for a section of society. The rich can move very easily. Cyprus is a classic example: on the one hand, youve got refugees making perilous journeys on choppy waters and small boats, trying to get to the island and then potentially being put in a camp. And then, for others, there are [investor citizenship schemes] where, if you invest 2m into Cyprus, you can buy a European passport.

In a lot of western democracies, especially in the US and the UK, theres often a presumption that good food is a luxurious or a middle-class preoccupation a rich people thing. What do you think of that mindset?

Im of mixed heritage: my moms from Iran, my dads from Pakistan. My family are small-scale farmers in the north of Iran. Food is such a huge occasion for celebration in my family. Every meal whether breakfast, lunch or dinner is one of the highlights of the day.

Sometimes people ask me, wasnt it difficult talking to people about food in this really challenging circumstance? No, of course it wasnt, it was really fun! In [some places], people live to eat and the concept of food is about a broader concept of community. Thats wonderful. Food is like a universal language that enables you to communicate feelings of empathy, of connection, of hope, of love.

What do you hope this book will open peoples eyes to?

That there isnt some kind of migration crisis this is just what happens when you put up fences and walls. It is the wrong response. As long as humans have existed, we have travelled, and migration has been an intrinsic part of survival. I just hope the book fosters greater understanding and empathy for refugees and migrants so that we can start co-existing in a shared planet, in the way we deserve to.

This is one of those punchy pantry recipes that is easy to whip up as a midweek meal and takes its inspiration from a traditional Greek dish of beans baked in a tomato sauce. What gives this dish its unique flavor is the paprika (I add both the smoked and sweet versions, not the hot and spicy type), which adds a richness and earthiness that I find irresistible. I alternate between sprinkling crumbled feta on top of this dish and having it plain, as its just as delicious without. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Prep 10 minCook 65 minServes 4 as part of a mezze or 2-3 as a main course

3 tbsp vegetable oil1 small onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed1 x 400g tin of diced plum tomatoes1 tsp granulated sugar1 tsp dried oregano1 tsp sweet paprika tsp smoked paprika tsp ground cinnamon2 x 425g tins of lima beans, drained and rinsed200ml just-boiled water3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil1 tbsp finely chopped dill, plus more to serve1 tbsp finely chopped parsley leaves, plus more to serve100g feta cheese, crumbled (optional)Salt Black pepper

Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and gently fry over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another few minutes, then add the tomatoes, sugar, oregano, both types of paprika, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt, and a generous grind of black pepper. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the beans to the tomato sauce with the hot water and another teaspoon salt. Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes.

Stir in the extra-virgin olive oil and herbs and cook for a final five minutes. Taste, adjust the seasoning, and sprinkle with more herbs, and crumbled feta if you fancy it, just before serving.

This is an easy chicken sheet pan recipe inspired by a Syrian meal I ate at Reem, a restaurant on the Greek island of Lesvos run by Mahmud Talli. A Syrian doctor who managed to escape the war, Mahmud found himself trapped on the island after seeking refuge there, and soon put all his efforts into helping to provide services for new arrivals to Lesvos volunteering at a local community kitchen and establishing his restaurant. This sticky roasted leg of chicken can be marinated ahead of time and just popped into the oven shortly before eating. If you dont want to use chicken thighs, this also works with a whole chicken, jointed into eight pieces.

Prep and marinate 3 hr 30 minCook 35 minServes 4

8 large chicken thighs, skin-on, bone-in3 tbsp olive oil3 tbsp pomegranate molasses1 tbsp tomato paste tsp ground allspice2 tsp pul biber (Aleppo pepper)1 tsp sumac tsp ground cumin2 big garlic cloves, crushedSalt Black pepper

Place the chicken in a large bowl and pour all the ingredients (except the olive oil) over it with 1 teaspoons salt and teaspoon black pepper. Using your hands, massage this into the chicken until it is evenly coated, then cover and place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 3 hours.

When you are ready to eat, take the chicken out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature (this will take about 20 minutes).

Preheat the oven to 200C/390F/gas 6.

Place the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Transfer the sheet to the oven and roast for about 35 minutes, or until the juices from the chicken run clear when it is pierced at the thickest part.

A zesty, herb-packed potato salad, perfect for serving alongside grilled meats or fish. Try to use kalamata olives here, but, if you cant find those, just aim for the olives to be oily rather than briny in these dishes. Be sure to toss the dressing in while the potatoes are still warm, as they absorb the flavors better.

Prep 10 minCook 12 minServes 4

1kg Cyprus or new potatoes1 medium unwaxed lemon, finely zested red onion, finely sliced60g black olives, pitted and roughly chopped2 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed

1 tsp dried oregano3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil2 tbsp lemon juicehandful of mint leaves, finely choppedhandful of cilantro, finely choppedSalt Black pepper

Cut the potatoes into large (5cm) chunks. I like to leave the skins on, but remove them if you prefer.

Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt and the potatoes to the pot and boil for about 12 minutes until they are soft. Drain and place in a serving bowl.

Add all the remaining ingredients along with teaspoon salt and a generous grind of black pepper.

Recipes reprinted from Ripe Figs: Recipes and Stories from Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus, published by W W Norton & Company

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Yasmin Khans new recipes: cooking in refugee camps from Greece, Turkey and Cyprus - The Guardian

Audio articles on Wilson County News made possible by Witte's Bar-B-Que Steaks & Catering in La Vernia, "home of the chicken fried ribeye!"

A dozen South Texas counties have declared a state of disaster due to the growing illegal immigration crisis. Announcing that health, life and property [are under] imminent threat, beleaguered officials say the influx of border crossers is cannibalizing their limited resources.

This is getting crazier and crazier and crazier, said Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Jr., who reported numerous chases had occurred in his town over a 15-minute span on a recent evening.

Even counties that have yet to declare emergencies encounter daily run-ins with daredevil coyotes and their illegal alien cargo. A high-speed chase in West Texas last month ended in the backyard of the Presidio County sheriffs home. As with most such pursuits, migrants bailed out and eluded authorities.

Motels in rural communities are filling up with asylum-seeking migrants. The federal government and social-service agencies like Endeavors pay for their transportation, room, and board. But local hospitals, schools, and law enforcement, left to fend for themselves, are straining to the breaking point. There has been no surge in assistance for border counties, Jackson County Sheriff A.J. Louderback told a congressional delegation in the Rio Grande Valley town of Edinburg last month.

Far beyond the border, 90-plus illegal aliens were found crammed inside a Houston home last week, apparent victims of a human-smuggling operation. Days before, 33 Guatemala nationals turned up in a stash house in Midland, a Permian Basin oil city. In San Antonio, unaccompanied minors from a migrant detention center were reportedly released to traffickers.

If, through its feckless and reckless policies, the U.S. government has become the logistics arm of the cartels, as Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., suggested in Edinburg, Texans and migrants are paying a terrible price.

Gov. Greg Abbott has not declared a statewide emergency and declined to activate National Guard units requested by the disaster-declaring jurisdictions. But the Republican did direct all 254 counties to submit an accounting of illegal alien-related costs, which he will forward to Washington for reimbursement. (Good luck with that.)

Before Joe Biden moved into the White House, FAIR [Federation for American Immigration Reform] estimated that illegal immigration cost the Lone Star State more than $11 billion a year. As Texas counties count their expenses from this ongoing border crisis, the tab has nowhere to go but up.

This article originally appeared at http://www.immigrationreform.com. Reprinted with permission.

reader@wcn-online.com

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Texas counties declare a disaster; governor will send Biden the bill for immigration costs - Wilson County News