Hasdeo Arand mining issue, cornea donation, and digital arrest frauds
Oct 29, 2024
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Jayprakash S. Naidu, a seasoned reporter at The Indian Express, provides an incisive look into the turmoil surrounding the Hasdeo forest mining conflict, detailing the villagers' protests and the clashes with police. Anonna Dutt, also from The Indian Express, discusses the pressing issue of corneal blindness in India, highlighting the need for increased awareness and procedures for cornea donation. The conversation wraps up with alarming statistics on the rise of digital arrest frauds, showcasing the financial impact on victims across the nation.
The conflict in Hasdeo Forest reveals villagers' deep connection to their land and their strong opposition to government-led mining initiatives.
Corneal donation efforts are being revitalized in India following a significant drop during the pandemic, addressing a critical health issue of blindness.
Deep dives
Violence in Hasdeo Forest
Violence erupted in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo Forest when policemen were injured during clashes with villagers opposing tree cutting for coal mining. The local populace reacted strongly as the government's decision to proceed with logging not only threatens their environment but also their livelihoods, heavily reliant on the forest. Reports indicate that the forest is one of the largest unfragmented areas in central India and is vital for numerous species, including elephants and tigers. The ongoing conflict highlights deep-seated fears regarding compensation, loss of land, and the cultural ties villagers have with their natural surroundings.
Corneal Blindness and Donation
Corneal blindness represents a significant health issue in India, particularly among those under 50, where it accounts for a substantial portion of cases. The government has identified cornea donation as a key solution, with a startling decline in donations observed post-pandemic, leading to a push for increased awareness and donation efforts. Innovative proposals, such as shifting from an opt-in to an opt-out system for cornea donations, aim to alleviate the scarcity of available corneas for transplantation. Furthermore, measures are being taken to compile comprehensive waiting lists to ensure better allocation and utilization of donated corneas.
Cybercrime Surge in India
Cybercrime is on the rise in India, with staggering losses reported, particularly from digital arrests, which resulted in significant financial harm to victims in the first quarter of the year. Such scams often involve sophisticated tactics where criminals impersonate law enforcement, creating a false sense of urgency to extort money from targets. A significant number of these scams are traced back to operations in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and protective measures against such fraudulent activities. The data indicates a worrying trend, with many victims falling prey to a variety of cyber fraud schemes, necessitating a comprehensive approach to combat this emerging threat.
First, The Indian Express' Jayprakash S. Naidu explains the situation in Hasdeo forest, Chhattisgarh. He talks about the mining issue, the violence that broke out in the area last week, the villagers' protest, the reasons behind it and the government and opposition's response on the same.
Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about one of the major causes behind blindness in India - corneal damage. She explains how frequently the cases of corneal damage come up and how the government is working towards pushing cornea donation. (8:14)
Finally, we talk about the amount of money that Indians lost to cyber crime during the first quarter of this year. (18:23)
Written, produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda. Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
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