<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">A Kashmiri woman walks through an empty street during restrictions in Srinagar, Kashmir, on September 20, 2019.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>India announced plans to separate Jammu and Kashmir state and downgrade them to two territories directly controlled by New Delhi back in August, prompting widespread protests.</strong></li><li><strong>India also imposed a huge internet and phone blackout on the region. There are also multiple reports of violent protests and midnight raids, which the Indian government has denied.</strong></li><li><strong>Critics fear that Indian Hindus will now move into the mostly-Muslim region and alter its religious and ethnic makeup.</strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</strong></li></ul><p>India has officially eliminated the flag and constitution of the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir as the total internet blackout on Kashmir goes into its 13th week.</p><p>The Indian government formally passed legislation on Thursday to remove the region's semi-autonomous status, which involves eliminating its own flag and constitution.</p><p>The legislation also divided Jammu and Kashmir state and downgraded them into two federally-governed territories under New Delhi's direct control. India said earlier this year that the states would eventually be able to hold their own elections.</p><p>Indian authorities on Thursday changed the name of the state-run radio station, Radio Kashmir Srinagar, to All India Radio Srinagar, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/no-kashmiri-flag-constitution-under-indian-imposed-changes-2019-10">the Associated Press (AP) reported</a>. Srinagar is the largest city in Kashmir.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Dar Yasin/AP</span></p><p class="caption">The Indian national flag flying next to a Jammu and Kashmir state flag on a government building in Srinagar on August 9, 2019.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>India announced the removal of Jammu and Kashmir's semi-autonomous status, which was enshrined in the country's 72-year-old constitution, in early August.</p><p>The announcement was coupled with a total communications blackout in Jammu and Kashmir, with internet and phone lines cut off, as well as a massive troop increase, severe curfews, and detentions. The region was already the most highly-militarized area in the world.</p><p>Since then, thousands of Kashmiris have protested and violently clashed with Indian security forces, with journalists and researchers reporting citizens being <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-villagers-allege-beatings-abuse-electric-shock-india-denies-2019-8">tortured</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-man-blinded-pellets-police-insist-no-major-injuries-2019-8">shot by police pellets</a>, and even <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-forces-detaining-kids-molesting-girls-amid-blackout-report-2019-8">molested in midnight raids</a>.</p><p>The Indian government has denied all these reports. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-crisis-india-accuses-media-fake-news-using-trump-playbook-2019-9">It has also accused the media of fabricating news in Kashmir.</a></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-49481180">BBC</a></span></p><p class="caption">Stills from a BBC video, published in August, of two Kashmiri brothers showing injuries from what they said were beatings by Indian army officers.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Authorities have lifted some roadblocks and restored some phone lines in the region since August, the AP reported. Internet in Jammu has also returned, but the 12.5 million people living in Kashmir remain totally offline.</p><p>The Indian government <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-internet-shutdown-statistics-2019-6">cut off Kashmir's internet 134 times last year</a> in an attempt to prevent anti-government protests.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Dar Yasin/AP</span></p><p class="caption">A protest on the outskirts of Srinagar on August 23, 2019. The sign says: "We dream of an independent Kashmir."</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Before India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's semi-autonomous status, people in the mostly-Muslim state lived politically insular lives.</p><p>Under that special status, people from outside Jammu and Kashmir were not allowed to run for political office or buy property in the region, and daughters lost their land inheritance if they married people from outside the state.</p><p>Critics now fear that Indian Hindus will be able to move into Kashmir and alter its ethnic and religious makeup. Most people in the region either want independence or to be ruled by Pakistan.</p><p>India's Supreme Court is scheduled to begin hearings in early November on challenges to the constitutional change, the AP said. A decision will likely to take months.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Google Maps</span></p><p class="caption">A map showing Kashmir and the countries that control it.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed states, both claim Kashmir in its entirety but rule other parts of the region.</p><p>Pakistan, which has previously funded insurgencies in the region, cut off all trade with India over the current crisis. He has also likened Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's actions in Kashmir to Nazi ideology.</p><p>China, which also rules part of the region, has opposed India's move.</p><p><a href="https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/wjdt_674879/fyrbt_674889/t1712346.shtml">In a Wednesday press conference</a>, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang called the demotion of Jammu and Kashmir state to India-controlled territories "illegal and ineffective."</p><p>India's Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday told China to stay out of its internal affairs, saying that it should "respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/government-hits-back-at-china-for-calling-jammu-and-kashmir-move-unlawful-says-it-shouldnt-comment-o-2125263?pfrom=home-topscroll">NDTV reported</a>.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-crisis-india-accuses-media-fake-news-using-trump-playbook-2019-9" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">India is replaying Trump's favorite strategy by accusing the media of fake news in Kashmir, where it cut off the internet and tried to silence journalists</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pakistan-india-threat-war-kashmir-2019-9" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">Pakistan issued its most explicit threat of war against India yet as the 2 nuclear powers clash over Kashmir</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-pakistan-nuclear-war-death-famine-2019-10" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">If India and Pakistan have a nuclear war, scientists say it could trigger Ice-Age temperatures, cause global famine, and kill 125 million people</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-man-blinded-pellets-police-insist-no-major-injuries-2019-8" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">A man in Kashmir says he was blinded in one eye after being shot by police pellets. Police insist there have been 'no major injuries.'</a></li></ul>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/marine-corps-boot-camp-military-basic-training-parris-island-2019-10">We went inside the US Marine Corps' 13-week boot camp where recruits endure extreme physical and psychological tests</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

India officially eliminated Kashmir's flag and constitution as its internet blackout goes into 13th week

Bengaluru, April 14 () The death of two elderlypersons on Tuesday shot up the COVID-19 related fatalities todouble digit in Karnataka, where 13 new positive cases wereconfirmed, taking the total number of infections in the stateto 260, the health department said.<p>Expectedly, the state government welcomed Prime MinisterNarendra Modi's announcement extending the COVID-19 lockdowntill May 3 and said it would be strictly implement theCentre's guidelines which will be issued on Wednesday.</p><p>A total of ten coronavirus deaths have been reported sofar in the state with two men, aged 76 and 69,  becoming thelatest fatalities to the disease in Bengaluru and Vijayapurarespectively.</p><p>The city man, who was tested positive on April 12, hada history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) anddied at a designated hospital here while the other, husband ofa positive patient, at a hospital in Vijayapura.</p><p>Two patients, a 55-year-old man from Kalaburagi and a 65-year-old man from Bengaluru urban had passed away last night.</p><p>As of 5 PM on Tuesday, cumulatively 260 COVID-19 positivecases have been confirmed in the state and it included tendeaths and 71 discharges, a health department bulletin said.</p><p>Out of 179 active cases, 175 patients (including 1pregnant woman) are in isolation at designated hospitals andare stable, while four are in ICU.</p><p>Thirteen new positive cases, including the two people whodied in Bengaluru on Monday night and Vijayapura on Tuesday.</p><p>The eleven others are three each from Bagalkote andKalaburagi, two each from Bengaluru Urban, one each fromChikkaballapura, Belagavi and Bhatkal in Uttara Kannadadistrict.</p><p>Among the 13, nine are contacts of patients alreadytested positive, two are with Severe Acute RespiratoryInfection (SARI), one with travel history to Delhi and theother is with a history of travel from Hindupur by a two-wheeler.</p><p>Contact tracing was in progress for all the cases, thedepartment said.</p><p>Nine out of total 260 cases detected and confirmed inthe state so far, are transit passengers of Kerala.</p><p>From across the state most number of infections have beenreported in Bengaluru with 69 cases, followed by Mysuru 48 andBelagavi 18.</p><p>Among those dead are three from Kalaburagi, two fromBengaluru urban, and one each from Chikkaballapura, Bagalkote,Vijapura, Gadag and Tumakuru.</p><p>A total of 11,107 samples were collected for testing sofar, out of which 1,090 on Tuesday alone.</p><p>So far 10,554 samples have reported as negative, and outof them 982 reported negative on Tuesday, the bulletin said.</p><p>Welcoming the lockdown extension, Chief Minister B SYediyurappa appealed to the people to voluntarily co-operatewith the government to contain the spread of coronavirus.</p><p>The lockdown came into effect on March 25 and was to endon Tuesday midnight and Karnataka was among those states whichsought extension.</p><p>State Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the lockdownwould be tightened further by imposing more restrictions onunnecessary movement of people, erecting more barricades andintensified  checks among others.</p><p>He said the Centre, in the days to come, would micromanage things aimed at controlling the spread of the virus byeffectively implementing the lockdown.</p><p>He pointed out that Modi had said that after April 20,the situation at taluk at district level would be analysed,based on which a decision on easing curbs would be taken areawise.</p><p>Bommai said orders have been issued through the DGP toensure that an ADGP rank official is sent to monitor andsupervise measures in districts like Bidar, Gulbarga,Vijayapura, Belagavi, Chikkaballapura, Mysuru, DakshinaKannada, where there are more coronavirus cases.</p>The Karnataka labour department has directed privatesector employers in the state not to lay off workers and paythem wages on the due date without any deduction during thelock down.  KSUVS   VS

COVID-19: Toll raises to 10 in Karna; 13 new cases reported

Can a woman really do a man’s job and vice versa? Is it a man’s world or do women actually call the shots? What do men say about women behind their backs? Should a woman change the way she dresses in order to feel safe? You will get the answers sooner than you think. India’s first <keyword id="50691" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Digital">digital</keyword> <keyword id="30789" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="reality-series">reality series</keyword> is going to be launched and it targets one of the most sensitive issues of the Indian society, <keyword id="6358360" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="gender">gender</keyword>. <br /><br /> The series scheduled to be launched in January 2016 by <keyword id="3124412" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arr">Arré</keyword>, is based on the Israeli format <keyword id="3124410" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Re-gender">Re-Gender</keyword> which explores the relationship between sexes. The format is distributed by <keyword id="3124537" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Armoza">Armoza</keyword> Formats. <br /><br />

	“Arré is an expression. We are looking at gender as a mirror of the society. We believe that it is a courageous concept. It is an opportunity to go out with this in a manner that would bring out role playing issues, would tap on the empathy that most of the youngsters still feel for the opposite sex,” said B Saikumar, founder of Arré , the digital media brand under UDigital.
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	The show is a daring social experiment that breaks down the rules of gender perception and challenges society-defined gender stereotypes. Six people will change their sexual identity. The men will become women and the women, men. Through their assignments out in the real world as well as through dynamics with each other in the house, where they will live cut off from the world for a month, the contestants will discover certain not-so-obvious truths about the opposite sex.  The 6 participants will undergo intense gender training as well as emotional and physical transformations. Prosthetics, haircuts, styling and make-up; everything short of the knife. Each participant will make a personal journey on the show to better understand themselves and their relationships.
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	“The concept is to look at people from different stages, walks, geographies and socio-economic strata of India. We have gone through a three months process of filtering these people and through the lives of these people we hope to bring out the importance of empathising with roles. While half the time will be spent inside the house, most of the time will be spent playing the role of the opposite sex out in the open society, be it workplaces, corporate organisations, pub, call centres, pub, public transport,” he said.
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	Though he did not reveal the names of the participants chosen, he said they are as disparate as any six people of India.
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	Commenting on this partnership, Avi Armoza, Founder and CEO, Armoza Formats said, “The issues that the show deals with not only make for riveting viewing but also provoke important discussions in our society.”
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	While Arré is yet to announce what the series will be called in India, the team will begin shooting in 2-3 weeks at a farmhouse in Chhatarpur, Delhi.
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	When asked how the show would be received here, given the mindsets of the Indian society, Saikumar said, “Young people are increasingly empathetic to new challenges. I also believe that this currently is a part of public discourse and a lot of role models, celebrities would be interested in participating and also commenting on what’s happening on the show on a day to day basis.”
<br /><br />
(Image credits: medicaldaily)

What better way to understand the opposite sex than by being the opposite sex? India’s first ever digital reality series

One of the happiest moments for any couple is the arrival of a child. While revelling in the joy of the newborn baby, many forget the impact this event will have on their finances.<br />
<br /> Apart from a rise in the day-to-day expenses on various items like food and clothes, couples need to factor in a higher cash outgo in the form of doctor’s fees, vaccinations, and the like. The <keyword id="25450" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="savings">savings</keyword> kitty could even take a major hit if complications arise during delivery, which require the mother to undergo an operation.<br />
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Moreover, the monthly inflow of cash can be affected if the mother quits work after having the baby. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that couples plan their finances carefully before planning for a baby.<br />
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<strong>Before the baby comes</strong><br />
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Every couple must make some preparations before the child is born. If the wife has been working, the first thing to do would be to get ready to survive on a single income. If the mother takes a break from her job after the baby is born, then the family will be dependent only on the father’s income, the result of which would be increased expenses on a pared salary.<br />
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So it is important to test yourself for a few months before planning the baby to make sure you are not cash-strapped after the child’s birth.<br />
<br /> “Try living strictly on one income for a few months,” suggests <keyword id="135503" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="financial-planner">financial planner</keyword> Charul Shah of Greshma Wealth Advisors. One spouse’s income can be invested in a sweep-in fixed deposit or short-term debt fund. This exercise has two advantages. Firstly, you will be able to check if you can actually survive on a single income, and secondly, it will help create a corpus that can be used to deal with the expenses related to the delivery.<br />
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If you are not able to manage your expenses with a single income, in all probability, you are not ready to have a baby or need to cut down on frivolous expenses, such as outings, movies, etc. Ideally, you should not only be able to manage your expenses, but also have a surplus every month. This is because your monthly expense will naturally rise after the baby is born.<br />
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<strong>Find out about maternity benefits </strong><br />
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The next step you need to take is to figure out the maternity benefits that your employer offers. As per the Maternity Benefit Act, any woman who has been working with an organisation for at least 80 days during the 12 months preceding the date of her expected delivery is eligible for a paid maternity break of 12 weeks, either before or after delivery. However, she cannot take it for more than six weeks before her expected delivery.<br />
<br /> You can check with your human resources department if you can club your pending sick leave or other paid leave along with the maternity break. Some companies also offer <keyword id="624" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Women">women</keyword> unpaid sabbatical from work after the birth of the child. This works well if you plan to resume work after a slightly extended maternity break. Understand the company’s leave and maternity break policy before you go on leave. Violating the company’s leave policy can cost you heavily. You may lose your job or even end up owing the company money. This can be financially disastrous for the couple at a time when the expenses have shot up.<br />
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<strong>Managing expenses</strong><br />
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You may find those baby shoes you saw at the store irresistible, but it is best to avoid buying them as your baby is likely to outgrow them in a few weeks. Couples tend to spend a lot of money on items like baby clothes, shoes, toys and cribs. However, such expenditure is mostly a waste as it is of little use to babies who grow very fast. Typically, baby clothes and accessories are expensive, sometimes more than those for adults. A wiser approach would be to ask relatives or close friends to pass on used clothes. This would help you redirect the money to more important and useful items for the baby, such as food and diapers.<br />
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Also, avoid buying expensive toys for your newborn. Keep in mind that your child will not remember the stylish clothes you made him wear when he was three months old, but buying good quality baby food will certainly ensure that your child remains healthy.<br />
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<strong>Get life and health <keyword id="35450" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="insurance">insurance</keyword></strong><br />
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When 35-year-old Parameswar Biswal was expecting his first child with wife, Itishree, the first thing he did was to take a term plan of `1 crore. “As I am the sole earning member, I had to ensure that my wife and baby were protected against unforeseen calamities,” says the Delhi resident.<br />
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Like the Biswals, every expectant couple must ensure that they adequately protect themselves. If you already have a life cover, you may need to enhance it. Check with your insurer if it allows you to increase the existing cover. If you have no insurance at all, make sure you buy one immediately.<br />
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Apart from the life cover, you also need to have sufficient health insurance in place since a newborn is susceptible to disease. You can buy a family floater plan and include the child in it or also buy an individual plan for the child.<br />
<br /> Biswal went <keyword id="819383" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="a-step-ahead">a step ahead</keyword> while buying insurance plans. He also bought a Rs 15 lakh cover for preservation of stem cells. If the cells are destroyed before his son attains 21 years of age, he will get Rs 10 lakh as well as Rs 5 lakh for any treatment that is required. “As a doctor, I understand the importance of stem cells. Therefore, I have taken insurance for their preservation as well,” he says.<br />
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<strong>Formulate an investment strategy</strong><br />
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Raising a child is not a cakewalk and the cost involved can be tremendous for a middle class couple. Even an elementary college graduation and taking care of a child’s basic facilities like food and transportation can cost a couple close to Rs 50 lakh, after accounting for inflation. If your child is dreaming of a professional degree like engineering or medicine or plans to go abroad for higher studies, then the cost can skyrocket. To take care of such long-term expenses, you should start planning from the day the child is born. In fact, many young couples start planning even before the child is born.<br />
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<br /> Start by devising a long-term strategy keeping in mind the child’s future goals. You do not need to start investing massive amounts immediately. You can start with a small amount, and as you near the goal, you can increase your <keyword id="6362476" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="investments">investments</keyword> gradually. For instance, if you want to build an education fund of Rs 50 lakh after a period of 20 years for the child, a monthly amount of Rs 5,054 will suffice, given that it is <keyword id="47916" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="invest">invest</keyword>ed in an equity instrument that will yield 12% annually. If you can’t invest Rs 5,000 immediately, you can start with Rs 2,000 and increase the amount in the coming years.<br />
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Make sure you define your goals clearly and earmark investments for them as this gives you a clear base to build on. Once you have a clear idea of how much you need for each goal and the time period at hand, you can zero in on the appropriate investment products. Ideally, the product you choose should depend on four factors: tenure of the investment, the risk you are willing to take, the returns offered by the option, and the taxability of income.<br />
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“Typically, for a long-term goal, that is, a goal that is more than 10 years away, equity is the best option. Since the goal is several years away, it allows you to take risks,” says Sumeet Vaid, founder and CEO of financial planning firm, Ffreedom Financial Planners. If, however, you are not sure about investing in direct equity, you can opt for mutual funds. Take the help of a financial planner who can assist you in assessing your risk profile and choosing the right investment strategy.

You Searched For "woman shot Delhi" and got 4 results

India officially eliminated Kashmir's flag and constitution as its internet blackout goes into 13th week

Alexandra Ma

COVID-19: Toll raises to 10 in Karna; 13 new cases reported

PTI

What better way to understand the opposite sex than by being the opposite sex? India’s first ever digital reality series

Usha Rani Das

How To Ready Your Finances For A Child

Economic Times