Hasty approval to projects in Great Nicobar will prove to be dangerous: Congress
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress alleged on Friday that the government's hasty approval to projects worth crores in an ecologically-sensitive area like Great Nicobar will prove to be dangerous for the entire region.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said these projects will not only inflict irreparable damage on the fragile ecology there, but will also systematically push the survival of indigenous communities to the margins.
"The government's hasty approval of aggressive projects worth thousands of crores in the name of development in an ecologically extremely sensitive area like Great Nicobar, driven by greed and shortsightedness, will prove to be dangerous and long-term tragedy for the entire region.
"This entire area is already highly vulnerable to climate disasters, where even the slightest tampering with the natural balance can bring devastating consequences. Despite this, the government has ignored warnings, scientific assessments, and local realities to push these projects forward in the greed for profits of a few corporates," Ramesh said in a post on X.
The former Union environment minister also highlighted a book, titled "Great Nicobar: The Story of a Betrayal", claiming that it conducts an incisive examination of the government's role in the entire matter, policy negligence and the compromises being made with tribal rights through several research-based, factual and relevant articles.
"This compilation is a living documentary evidence of how, in the name of development, the future of an entire region and its people has been put at stake," he said.
The Congress has been against the Great Nicobar Development Project, claiming that it will ruin the fragile ecology of the area.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
