I personally welcome activism of Disha Ravi, says US climate envoy John Kerry
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United States envoy for climate change John Kerry on Thursday said he personally welcomed the “kind of activism” displayed by Indian activist Disha Ravi, who was arrested on charges of sedition for her alleged role in creating an online document intended to help amplify the farmer protest, The Indian Express reported.
“Human rights are always a critical issue to the United States,” Kerry said during his four-day visit to India. “Climate Young people have been key to pushing a lot of adults to do what adults are supposed to do... I personally welcome that kind of activism.”
He was responding to a question about the role of young climate activists and how governments can safeguard their rights or encourage them, in the context of Ravi’s case.
Kerry said that in the United States, young activists like Ravi have led the movement against the climate change crisis, which had been one of the key factors for voters during the US presidential elections. “The first time that I can remember since 1970, probably, the environment, climate crisis were voting issues,” he said. “And young people have led the charge.”
Ravi, a 22-year-old climate activist, was arrested at her home in Bengaluru on February 13. The charges against her related to an online document connected to the ongoing farmer protests, which the police claimed was evidence of a co-ordinated international conspiracy against India. The authorities said this “toolkit” – first shared online by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg – led to violence during a protest in Delhi in February.
Ravi was granted bail on February 23, after a court in Delhi observed the evidence against her “was scanty and sketchy” and that and there was not “even an iota” of proof to support the claims of sedition, incitement, or conspiracy that have been levelled against her.
Thank you, @narendramodi, for the productive discussion. India has an ambitious 2030 climate agenda, having set a target of 450 GW of renewable energy. Looking for shared solutions to drive progress faster. https://t.co/X1mc1HBd6a
— Special Presidential Envoy John Kerry (@ClimateEnvoy) April 7, 2021
On India’s net-zero carbon requirement
During his visit, Kerry also held talks with government leaders on cutting carbon emissions faster to slow global warming.
India is the world’s third biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States, albeit with far lower emissions per capita than those countries. It is under pressure from the United States and Britain to commit itself to net zero emissions by 2050, in line with pledges made by several other countries.
However, Kerry said that India pledging to decarbonise its economy was not an “absolute requirement”, and that was not his message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to The Indian Express.
“Do I think it [a net-zero target] could be? Yes,” Kerry said. “Am I sitting here saying that’s what India surely has to do? No, that’s not my message in my meeting with the Prime Minister [Narendra Modi].”
He added that Modi understood the challenge of climate change, and “that’s better than a lot of nations”.
“India is getting the job done on climate, pushing the curve,” Kerry said, according to Reuters. “You [India] are indisputably a world leader already in the deployment of renewable energy.”
The US diplomat’s tour of India came ahead of a climate summit of 40 leaders on April 22 and April 23 called by President Joe Biden. On Wednesday, Kerry met Modi and discussed how the United States could help mobilise finance to reduce risks in producing alternative energy in the fight against global warming.
The special presidential envoy for climate said he spoke with Modi about bringing “concessionary finance” to the table to reduce India’s risks in dealing with first losses on the transition to clean energy. Concessionary finance typically involves loans on terms lower than market rates.
Courtesy: scroll.in
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Akeal Hosein bosses powerplay overs with 'skill and mental fortitude'
New Delhi (PTI): For a spinner who bowls majority of his overs in the powerplay, Chennai Super Kings' West Indian import Akeal Hosein relies as much on mental fortitude as his skills to excel in the most unforgiving phase of the game.
With just two fielders in the deep in the first six overs, the margin for error is miniscule and the pressure is sky high.
However, Hosein thrives in that tense environment. The left-arm spinner returned with frugal figures of 3-0-15-1 in the powerplay to play a crucial role in his team's eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in an IPL match here on Tuesday.
"You need both of them (skill and mental toughness). Especially when you come upon pitches that aren't conducive to spin and it's just about being disciplined as well," he said.
"Having two fielders out in the power play. It's not a job that you can go searching for wickets or you can be too greedy. It's just about sticking to the plan," he explained.
Hosein got the all-important wicket of an in-form K L Rahul, who was foxed by the West Indian as he stepped out to smash him for an inside out six.
Hosein's inclusion in the playing eleven after not being picked in the initial phase of the tournament has allowed CSK to win more games. On Tuesday, the pitch offered him a bit of help and he ended up dominating the batters.
After the win over DC, Hosein was asked about his recipe for success in the powerplay.
"...it's a bit scripted because you only have two guys out so it's just about being disciplined and trying to do the job for the team. At the end of the day if you don't get wickets and you bowl economically in the power play, that's a damn good job you've done for the team," said Hosein.
He has taken seven wickets in five games at an impressive economy rate of 7.25.
Fully aware that the batter is a mere couple of hits away from putting the pressure back on him, Hosein says practising for high-pressure situations helps him stay in the present.
"I think homework is very important. You want to have that head-start when you come up against whichever batter you're going to face. And like I say it's just about making assessments as quickly as possible.
"You might come up on a pitch that is spinning. You might come up against one that isn't spinning. Thankfully I can spin the ball. So it's just about picking which deliveries will give you the most success on a particular day and against a particular batter," said Hosein.
He got rid of Rahul first ball from the other end, something that was decided by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Post powerplay, Noor Ahmad took over the mantle from Hosein and maintained the pressure on DC batters.
"Getting the opportunity to bowl first for me is just about again making that assessment as quickly as possible and then passing on that information to Noor or even to the seamers as well if it was a bit of spin or if it's gripping or whatever the case is.
"So conversations with myself and Noor have been fantastic. Really happy for him that he's getting some success," he added.
