The Subcontinent: 7 March 2021
New Rules for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)
1st High-Level US visit: Defence Secretary to Visit India
Midnight Raids in Myanmar
Stolen Art Returned to Nepal
Book: Murder at the Mushaira
1. New Rules for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)
A fresh set of benefits and restrictions have been announced for India's Overseas Citizens (OCI).
Special Permissions
Special permission is now required for OCIs to undertake research, journalism, missionary activities, mountaineering, and assuming employment in foreign missions, as well as visiting restricted areas.
What Does it Mean?
For all practical purposes, OCIs will be treated like foreign citizens, rather than as NRIs, in the field of education, finance, and economy (Scroll).
Benefits
However, some benefits have been extended to OCIs.
OCIs will get parity with Indian nationals for airfares in domestic sectors, entry fees for visiting national parks, national monuments, and museums in India.
They will also be exempt from registration at the Foreigners Registration Office.
Easier Inter-country adoption of Indian children
Appearing in All India entrance tests
Purchase or sale of immovable properties other than agricultural land, and pursuing professions like doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists (The Tribune).
Read the Notification here : (Gazette of India)
Difference Between NRI, OCI and PIO
NRI: Non Resident Indian. The person holds an Indian passport but has been living abroad for over 183 days in a year. This category is beneficial for taxation since earnings of NRIs outside India are not taxed within India.
OCI: Overseas Citizen of India is a foreign passport holder and a person of Indian origin. By virtue of being an OCI, the person is granted certain rights and privileges to live and work in India. Currently, seven types of individuals are eligible to be an OCI. (Ministry of Home Affairs). The category of Person of Indian Origin (PIO) is largely subsumed under OCI.
No Dual Nationality
Indian constitution does not permit dual citizenship.
2. First High-Level US Visit: Defence Secretary to Visit India
The US Defence Secretary General Lloyd J Austin will visit India in March, making it the first visit by a top official of the Joe Biden administration (The Tribune). The visit will come shortly after the first meeting of Quad leaders, which is expected on March 12. Gen Austin had previously spoken to Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in January, shortly after assuming office (The Indian Express).
Gen Austin's India visit is a part of a larger visit to Indo-Pacific countries (The Times of India).
3. Midnight Raids in Myanmar
After breaking up protests during the daytime, security forces in Myanmar have conducted midnight raids. UN officials stated that 50 people had been killed so far by security forces (The Straits Times).
Other Developments
Scores of Myanmar Trying to Flee to India: Hindustan Times
Myanmar Asks India to hand over cops who have sought refuge in India: The Times of India
Body of Protesters Wearing "Everything will be OK" T-shirt Exhumed: Channel News Asia
Defiant anti-coup movement returns to streets: Deutsche Welle
Attempt to US$1billion account blocked by US: Reuters
4. Stolen Art Returned to Nepal
A statue of Vasudeva-Kamalaja, which was stolen from Nepal, has now been returned. The bronze statue was made between the 12th and 15th century (The Himalaya Times).
Stolen in 1984
The statue disappeared in 1984 from Nepal, and it was sold six years later. It was subsequently loaned to the Dallas Museum. ($ The New York Times).
Half-Male, Half-Female
The statue's right side is male, depicting Narayana, while the left side is female, depicting Laxmi. The figure is also called the Laxmi-Narayana statue. Deities with gynandromorph features are known in the subcontinent as 'Ardhanarishvara.'
FBI Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated along with the Dallas Museum of Art. Artist and researcher Joy Lyn Davis traced the statue to the Museum (US Embassy).
5. Book: Murder at the Mushaira
Against the backdrop of the mutiny of 1857, a murder in a haveli in Delhi leads to an investigation by the East India Company. The investigator named Chainsukh seeks the help of poet Mirza Ghalib.
This detective tale by Raza Mir, a New Jersey-based management professor, is aptly titled "Murder at the Mushiara."
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