Daily Briefing: National capital chokes; AFSPA under review in Manipur; and more

While these numbers present an India-China comparison, the pressing question remains: Will they add up to tell a bolder story for India in the future?

With that, let’s move on to today’s edition:

• Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother detained
• AFSPA under review in Manipur
• Dhruv Jurel as Team India’s solid batting option

🚨 Big Story

Breathing in Delhi is now injurious to health!

It’s yet another smog-filled day in the national Capital as we write to you this morning, with the average air quality index (AQI) hitting 492 as of 7 am. In view of the deteriorating weather conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for moderate-to-dense fog conditions in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Delhi’s air, which was already toxic, turned worse since Monday, recording an AQI of 494 — it’s worst-ever — on a par with the city’s most polluted day recorded in 2019.

Back to square one: Taking note of the worsening situation, the Supreme Court has directed that curbs under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to deal with the situation will remain in force until further orders. The Court asked states in the Delhi-NCR area to decide immediately on stopping physical classes of all standards up to 12 in schools.

It all begins at home! Experts have suggested Delhiites to reduce outdoor activities, minimise exposure, wear N95 masks when outside, and decrease vehicular emissions — to control the impact of the pollution in their everyday lives. In addition to holding policymakers accountable, people, back in their homes, can also adopt better waste management practices to avoid burning waste, and consume electricity wisely.

😶‍🌫️What’s the larger solution? While GRAP IV measures are in place, a host of preventive steps need to be taken to control the rising air pollution in the region. According to a 2016 report, ‘Comprehensive Study on Air Pollution and Green House Gases (GHGs) in Delhi,’ stopping the use of coal in food outlets; access to LPG; use of electric, BS-VI vehicles, are among the few measures that could be implemented.

⚡Only in Express

“The absence of strong ideological stances undermines the voters’ ability to make informed choices, instead leaving them to navigate a landscape dominated by temporary alliances and shifting loyalties.”

Nature of work: As Maharashtra goes to vote on Wednesday, columnists Rajan Welukar and Mridul Nile highlight a striking parallel between a “gig” economy and the state’s current political landscape.They also tell us why politicians who seem to operate like gig workers are bad news.

Deep dive: The latest episode of our 3 Things podcast explores what makes the state’s single-phase Assembly elections unprecedented, the strategies parties have used to, and how an overcrowded field is causing confusion among voters.

📰 From the Front Page

Caught: Anmol Bishnoi, younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was detained in California by the US Immigration Department last week. He was held after one of the reference letters attached to his travel documents were found to be forged. Officials of the FBI’s New Delhi office met Indian security officials and discussed the possibility of his deportation/extradition, The Indian Express has learnt.

Passed: As tensions continue to escalate in Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh passed a resolution Monday, urging the Centre to “review the imposition” of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police stations areas of the valley. The state’s ruling MLAs also demanded “mass operations against Kuki militants responsible for” the November 11 abduction and killing of six Meitei women and children from Jiribam.

📌 Must Read

Dream cut short: Anil Methaniya, hailing from one of the last villages along the Little Rann of Kutch had joined college on October 14, barely a month before his death. He died after he was allegedly ragged by his seniors in his hostel. Now, 15 of his seniors have been suspended and booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. But the first year student who had scored 550 in NEET without taking any coaching classes just had one dream – “to make his family proud”.

Challenged: The Global Forest Watch (GFW) project monitoring data that said India had lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover is “devoid of facts, ground reality and internationally accepted norms”, the Union Environment Ministry and the Forest Survey of India (FSI) have told the National Green Tribunal. This comes after the NGT took suo motu cognisance of a report by The Indian Express on the GFW’s data.

⏳ And Finally…

“He batted with the knowhow of a veteran, as though he already had a thousand runs in his ledger.”

Solid option: Dhruv Jurel’s two impressive knocks (80 and 68) for India against Australia A have not only spurred excitement but come as a relief for a form-torn batting group, still picking up pieces after the shellacking at the hands of New Zealand. With an unflappable temperament and an array of back-foot strokes, Jurel has the sort of texture one requires to thrive in the rigorous climes Down Under.

That’s all for today.

Until next time,
Ariba and Vibha B Madhava

Business As Usual by E P Unny