India, Bahrain make pharma a key area of cooperation
New Delhi, July 15 : In an important boost to the Indian healthcare industry, India and Bahrain on Sunday agreed to make pharmaceuticals a key area of cooperation following the second High Joint Commission meeting led by External Affairs Minister Susham Swaraj and Bahraini Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa in Manama.
"Bahrain and India agreed to explore opportunities healthcare industry and welcomed the signing of an MoU for cooperation in the field of healthcare, which would contribute in expanding the cooperation between the two countries making pharmaceuticals a key priority area in the bilateral relations," said a joint statement issued following the meeting.
The two sides also signed an MoU on renewable energy even as Bahrain congratulated Sushma Swaraj on launching of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Launched by Modi and then French President Francois Hollande at the Paris climate summit in 2015, the ISA was conceived as a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address their special energy needs and provide a platform to collaborate on dealing with the identified gaps through a common, agreed approach.
India and Bahrain also noted the existing potential for two-way investments and reaffirmed their desire to provide favourable environment for investments, both from public and private sectors, from the two countries, the statement said.
"Both sides agreed on the importance of regular and timely exchange of information on available investment opportunities," it said.
It said that both sides discussed in detail various aspects of bilateral relations including "ways and means to expand cooperation in the fields of education, health, housing, renewable energy, space cooperation, tourism, culture, youth and sports, women empowerment, customs, oil and gas and petrochemicals; security, defence and intelligence training and exchange of expertise, cooperation between universities in both countries and the possible exchange of researchers and faculty members in the fields of food security, cyber space and energy".
Both the countries also reiterated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called all states to reject and abandon the use of terrorism against other countries.
"The two sides agreed to work together for the early adoption of India's proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations," the statement said.
During the meeting, Bahrain Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalifa lauded the role of the Indian expatriate community's role in his country's development.
"FM Shaikh Khalifa praised the contribution of Indian community settled in Bahrain towards the economic development of Bahrain," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Bahrain is home to around 350,000 Indian nationals, the largest expatriate community in the Gulf Kingdom, and more than 3,000 Indian-owned or joint venture companies.
Bilateral trade between India and Bahrain stood at over $875 million as of February this year, according to figures provided by the External Affairs Ministry.
India's total capital investment into Bahrain between January 2003 and March 2018 has been estimated at $1.69 billion.
On Saturday, the first day of her two-day visit to Bahrain, Sushma Swaraj, along with Shaikh Khalifa, inaugurated the new Indian Embassy complex in Manama.
"The new developments that have taken place in the economic field in the two countries, will take economic relations to greater heights," she said in her address at the ceremony.
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Mount Carmel College dress code faces criticism from students, sparks debate
Bengaluru: A campaign opposing the dress code at Mount Carmel College has led to discussions over whether such regulations amount to moral policing and restrict students’ freedom of expression.
The campaign, shared on Instagram by Collective Bangalore, referred to the code as “new”. The college principal said the rules have existed for years, and the guidelines bar students from wearing flip-flops, cargo pants, round or V-neck T-shirts and sporting coloured hair. Male students are also required to maintain short and well-groomed hair.
Students have raised concerns not only about the dress code but also about restrictions on movement within the campus and the cancellation of student elections. Three students told Metrolife that they faced uncomfortable checks at the college gate. A first-year female student said she was once sent home for wearing pants with pockets and, on another occasion, for a sleeveless blouse despite a shirt worn over it. A male student said the rules created “unwanted fear among girls” and added that he has been repeatedly asked to cut his long hair.
Opinions from faculty and administrators across other institutions remain divided. Joshua Samuel, principal of Baldwin Methodist College, said dress codes ensure decency and equality. He added that his students generally accept them. Y C Kamala, associate professor at Government First Grade College, Malleswaram, said a dress code was “necessary” during college hours to keep the focus on academics. She also acknowledged that the idea of “decency” is subjective.
Venugopal K R, former principal of University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, supporting uniforms said that they help reduce visible disparities among students from different economic backgrounds. He compared moderate attire in classrooms to lab coats, which he said promote discipline and concentration.
In contrast, S Japhet, former vice-chancellor of Bengaluru Central University, opposed mandatory dress codes, particularly in women’s colleges. He said dress is “a form of self-expression.” He also argued that restrictions in the name of decency amount to moral policing. According to him such decision, should be made in consultation with students, parents and alumni.
Some academics described dress codes as a form of surveillance. A journalism professor said rules rooted in vague ideas of decency often lead to micromanagement, while Rolla Das, assistant professor at a private university, said arbitrary restrictions tend to reinforce veiled patriarchy and have a greater impact on students from marginalised groups.
Drawing parallels with the hijab ban controversy, critics of strict dress codes have warned that such rules could infringe on fundamental freedoms. Supporters of the dress code argue that the step encourage discipline, equality and academic focus.
