The Subcontinent: 9 March 2021
India: 42,000 Armed Personnel Affected by COVID
From Dera Baba Nanak to NBA: Princepal Singh
Pakistan: Aurat March Against the Pandemic of Patriarchy
COVID Fallout: Increase in Child Marriages
Myanmar: 5 Media Outlets Closed
1. India: Over 42,000 Armed Personnel Affected by COVID
42,848 personnel of the Indian armed forces have so far tested positive for COVID-19. The Indian Army had 32,690 infections, followed by the Air Force with 6,554 and the Navy with 3,604 (India Today).
Air Force has Max Fatality Rate
Fatalities rates were the highest in the Air Force (0.39%), followed by the Army (0.24%) and Navy (0.05%).
Compare it With the US
The armed forces in the US reported 110,018 infections with 14 deaths. The US Department of Defense (DoD) also tracked infections of dependents, contractors, and civilians associated with DoD, bringing the cumulative number to 169,914 (Air Force Mag).
Also Read
Indian Army has only 1,672 women officers, and only 85 women are permanent commissioned officers in the Indian Army (India Today).
2. From Dera Baba Nanak to NBA: Principal Singh
Meet Princepal Singh, the 6-foot-9 basketball player from Dera Baba Nanak, who is now eying the National Basketball Association (NBA) league.
With NBA focusing on making inroads into the world's two most populous nations, China and India, the Washington Post traces the journey of Princepal from Punjab (The Washington Post) to an NBA aspirant.
3rd Indian to play G-League
Three weeks ago, Principal became the third Indian to play in NBA's G-League after Satnam Singh and Amjyot Singh. G-league is the minor league organization, and so far, no Indian-born player has played an NBA game.
Sim Bhullar, an Indo-Canadian, is the only player of Indian heritage to appear in an NBA game (Olympic Channel).
Can Princepal be the 1st Indian-born to play an NBA game?
3. Pakistan: Aurat March Rallies Against the Pandemic of Patriarchy
Challenging the pandemic of patriarchy, the 2021 Aurat March had women, men, and allies participating in Aurat Marches in all major Pakistani cities.
Manifestos
Different chapters brought out their respective manifestos. The Karachi chapter focused on patriarchal violence, Lahore on health, and Islamabad on the crisis of care (Dawn).
Since 2018
The first Aurat March in Pakistan was held in 2018 in Karachi, and since then, it has spread to all major cities in Pakistan.
Also Read
Dawn: Women march in major cities across Pakistan against 'pandemic of patriarchy'
The News: The placards are back again to challenge patriarch
Daily Times: Ali Gul Pir's new song is a response to Aurat March detractors
International Media
Deutsche Welle: Pakistani women protest 'patriarchy pandemic'
The New Indian Express: Women protest for their rights in Pakistan
South China Morning Post: Pakistan's women want sexual rights. Do its men feel threatened?
4. COVID Fallout: Increase in Underage Marriages
Underage marriages are set to rise following the COVID-19 pandemic arising out of factors including a decline in education, economic hardship, parental death, and teen pregnancy, which could be amplified by disruptions in getting contraception (Deccan Herald).
Implications for the Subcontinent
Child marriages are the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by South Asia.
UNICEF Fears 10 million additional Child Marriages
UNICEF fears that an additional 10 million child marriages may occur before the end of the decade (UNICEF Press Release).
A report titled "Covid-19: A threat to progress against child marriage" was released yesterday. Download the Report here.
Read Also
Nepal child marriages spike during pandemic: Nepali Times
In Nepal and across the world, Child Marriages are Rising: Deccan Herald
In Nepal and Across the World, Child Marriage Is Rising: ($ The New York Times)
5. Myanmar: 5 Media Outlets Closed
Licenses of five media outlets in Myanmar have been revoked, and they have been ordered to cease operations. The five outlets are:
Mizzima (Mizzima)
Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB)
Khit Thit Media (Khit Thit News)
Myanmar Now (Myanmar Now)
7Day News (7Day News)
The state broadcaster said that they "no longer allowed to broadcast or write or give information by using any kind of media platform or using any media technology" (The Guardian).
Meanwhile
Myanmar's ambassador in London rejects junta (Financial Times)
UN calls for safe release of trapped protesters in Yangon (UN News)
.