The Subcontinent: 6 March 2021
100 Days of Farm Protest in India
Imran Khan secures vote of confidence amidst opposition boycott
Nepal for 5G Rollout
Bangladesh Celebrates National Jute Day
Delhi Book Fair Goes Virtual
1. 100 Days of Farm Protest in India
The farmers' protest in India near the national capital of New Delhi entered its 100th day today. They had reached the outskirts of Delhi on November 25, 2020, to demand the repealing of the three farm laws and implementation of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) (The Indian Express).
The Second Phase After Punjab
The 100 days at the Delhi border is the second phase of their protest when after their initial agitation in Punjab, they decided to shift their protest to Delhi.
Time's International Cover
The story made it to the cover of Time's International Edition. Titled 'I Cannot Be Intimidated. I Cannot Be Bought.' The story speaks about "The women leading India's farmers' protests" (Time).
2. Imran Khan secures vote of confidence amidst opposition boycott
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan secured a vote of confidence from the National Assembly. Coming within days of his Finance Minister losing an election in the Senate to the joint opposition candidate, the vote of confidence reaffirms his position (Geo TV).
Boycott by the Opposition
Yesterday, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, Fazal-ur-Rehman, had announced that the combined opposition would not participate in the vote of confidence (Geo TV).
178 Votes?
The PM won 178 votes, six votes more than needed.
Apart from 155 members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (7), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (5), Balochistan Awami Party (5), Grand Democratic Alliance (3), Awami Muslim League (1), and Jamhoori Watan Party (1) voted for the PM (Dawn).
However, the lone opposition parliamentarian Mohsin Dawar who attended teh house, claimed that 178 parliamentarians were not present in the house (Twitter).
PTI to Approach Election Commission
The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) will approach the Election Commision to stop the notification of Yusuf Raza Gilani's election, who defeated Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh (The News).
Opposition Leaders Attacked
Opposition leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) leaders alleged they had been manhandled by PTI supporters outside the Parliament House (Dawn).
3. Nepal Plans 5G Rollout
Nepal hopes to be the first country in South Asia to roll out 5G mobile connectivity. 4G networks were established in Nepal in 2017, and it now covers all districts and 70 percent of the population (The Kathmandu Post).
Also Read
Nepal Telecom initiates process for 5G service: The Himalayan Times.
4. Bangladesh Celebrates National Jute Day
Described as the golden fibre in Bangladesh, the country is now celebrating March 6 as National Jute Day (Dhaka Tribune).
Why is Jute Important?
Bangladesh produces one-third of the world's jute, and the global market has been affected by the arrival of plastic and hemp substitutes. However, Bangladesh continues to produce over 280 different jute products (The Independent). India is the largest producer of jute, closely followed by Bangladesh.
But, Why Jute?
Natural jute is 100 percent biodegradable, recyclable, and eco-friendly.
5. Delhi Book Fair Goes Virtual
The New Delhi Book Fair has now gone live. This is the 29th edition of the fair that is organized by the National Book Trust (NBT) in association with the International Trade Organization of India (IPPO) (The Indian Express).
How to Join?
Go to World Book Fair Virtual (WBF Virtual) and follow the instructions: