The Subcontinent: 8 March 2021
Indian World War Pilot Hardit Singh Malik's Statue at Southampton
Celebrating Women's Day with Aurat March
Delhi Among Top 3 States With Most Contaminated Sites
Bhutan Conspiracy Trial to Begin
Vogue Selection of Children's Books that Reinforce Gender Equality
1. Indian World War Pilot Hardit Singh Malik's Statue at Southampton
The valor of Indian World War (I) pilot Hardit Singh Malik will be honored with a statue installation in Southampton (UK). The statue will honor the role of black and ethnic minority personnel who served in the two World Wars (BBC).
The Flying Hobgoblin
Hardit Singh Malik was the first Indian to fly as a pilot in the Royal Air Force (then Royal Flying Corps). He earned the sobriquet of "The Flying Hobgoblin" and "The Flying Sikh of Biggin Hill" when he donned a specially designed helmet that fitted over his turban. He was only one of the two Indian pilots who survived the war (NDTV). Since he was unlikely to get a permanent commission in the air force, he decided to join the civil service (Daily Mail).
He served as India's First High Commissioner to Canada and India's ambassador to France. Malik also played first-class cricket.
What About the Statue?
Five meters high, the statue has been designed by West Midlands-based artist and sculptor Luke Perry. It will be installed near the city's Sea City Museum by April 2023 (Daily Echo).
Autobiography
His autobiography A Little Work, A Little Play, was published posthumously. Read a book review here.
2. Celebrating Women's Day with Aurat March
Aurat March is an annual event in Pakistan that began in 2018 in Karachi. Since then, it has spread to all major cities in the country, including Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Multan, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana, among others. Organizers and participants have faced violent threats in the past.
The Karachi march has a very catchy slogan that is appropriate in times of COVID
6 foot ki doori,
Magar inqilab zaruri
(A six-feet distancing is essential, but a revolution is a must).
3. Delhi Among Top 3 States With Most Contaminated Sites
One-hundred-and-twelve sites in India are contaminated with toxic and hazardous substances. Besides, 168 may be polluted but require investigation and confirmation.
Odisha with 23, Uttar Pradesh with 21, and Delhi with 11 are the three top homes to these sites (The Hindustan Times).
Download the Report:
The report has been prepared by the Central Pollution Control Board, Report here.
4. Bhutan Conspiracy Trial Begins
The Bhutan Conspiracy trial involving four officials accused of plotting to usurp tops jobs in the Army and the Supreme Court has begun (Kuensel). Earlier, in February 2021, a top general and two judges were detained by the police for involvement in the case (The Indian Express).
5. Vogue Selection of Children's Books that Reinforce Gender Equality
Vogue has published a selection of "11 lesser-known children's books that reinforce gender equality" that narrate stories of feminist fathers to self-empowerment by young girls.
Read here: Vogue India.