News round up.

It's the news round up of the day, the ones that need to be keenly observed.

1. A Global Meet on Disarmament

The surprise of Kerala's budget presented in the Assembly yesterday, has been the setting aside of Rs.2 crores for organising a global meet on nuclear disarmament and world peace. Prominent peace workers and thinkers across the world will be brought together for seminars and discussions. 

It's a sure case where the state is stepping into the domain of foreign policy, which is strictly a central subject. Is there a hidden objective? The CPM's actions, in due course, will bring out its intentions clear. Or is it to finance its plenary session come up in Kannur shortly?

2. The Lancet Study Seems to Know it All

The Lancet - an international journal - study (On Covid-19 mortalities) has claimed that the mortality in India is higher than the official count. It has taken a relatively small sample and extrapolated the result to the entire population.

The study estimates that 4.1 million more deaths were reported , accounting for 22% of the total global Covid casualties from 01 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2021. India's official count at the end of 2021 is over 4,81,000. 

It's clear that the study is biased and has an anti-India mindset. Why doesn't it do a realistic estimate of the fatalities, for the same reason, in China? Or for that matter, the real count of the fatalities in the US? 

3. The Russian Forces Are 20 Km away from Kyev

The Russia-Ukraine war is raging since 24 Feb. There has been very heavy casualties in all the major cities of Ukraine and the Russian forces have bolstered its strength, further, at the Belarus border and is about 20 kms from Kyev.

After having encountered stiff resistance, the Russian forces seem to be poised to take over the Ukrainian capital over the next few days after which a ceasefire will be brought to bear.

Incidentally, Russia has warned Sweden and Finland, today, against joining the NATO.

Tailpiece.

Got up around a 10' past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. 

Fixed up Lekha's dental appointment for 0930 hrs on Tuesday.

Earlier, the well in Raj Nivas was cleaned by a team, overseen by the caretaker.

Participated in the 559th episode of Aazhchakkoottam. Since the scheduled speaker wasn't able to connect up, we'd an in-house discussion on "Literature's inherent human values" from 1600 - 1715 hrs. Was interesting.