I write to you in reference to Jack Dutton's article India's former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj dies (August 6).
Swaraj was the most effective Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs in the history of India. She could find a solution for any issue, however big or small.
I was lucky enough to have interacted with her before she died as I have met all the past ministers for the overseas office during my career. I can firmly state that she was the best among them all.
When I said this to a large crowd in a speech at one of the Pravasi Bharathiya Divas sessions to celebrate overseas Indians, I got a standing ovation.
This is how much Swaraj was appreciated among her peers.
When I met her at one of these sessions, she assured me that the Aadhaar biometric identity card system would also be made available to non-residents.
She managed to achieve this goal during her lifetime. She was able to convince our leaders to add the expense of this new measure to their current budget.
Overseas Indians will never forget Swaraj’s valuable contributions.
I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.
KV Shamsudheen, Sharjah
Swaraj’s death is a huge loss to all of us. She was the best external affairs minister we could ever dream for.
She was also an approachable person. During her visit to address the Indian community in the UAE at an event held in the Indian Social and Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi, she let each and every attendee who wanted to take a photograph with her do so without so much as a murmur.
Her death has left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Revocation of Article 370 leaves an uncertain future
I refer to the report India abolishes special status for Kashmir (August 5).
We Kashmiris are deeply worried about India’s unilateral decision to revoke article 370.
Since 1947, we have been subject to harassment and violence. We simply wish to live in peace.
We need support from other Muslim countries and leaders but who will stand with us?
Sahil Ahmad, Kashmir
Justice must be seen to be done in Uttar Pradesh case
I write to you in reference to your powerful article India's top court moves politician's rape trial over intimidation fears (August 1).
The National has covered this alleged scandal very thoroughly. The rape case has been brought against Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a powerful politician in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, who is affiliated with India’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
The fact that the trial will now take place in New Delhi is a good development.
I hope the truth will come out soon.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
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Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Jawan
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The specs
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Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
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GAC GS8 Specs
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Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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