X-RAYING CHINA
   Date :11-Sep-2020

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THE demand of more than 300 Human Rights groups the world over to establish an international mechanism to subject China to a stricter scrutiny on the issue of violation of human rights, has it own merit. It is a reality that China’s record as regards human rights is often suspect, thanks to the manner in which it has handled issues like Tibet, Hong Kong, Xinjiang. Traditionally, the Chinese authorities have believed that suppression of human rights is the usual practice they must follow so that they do not allow unnecessary dissent to disturb their scheme of things.
 
 
This historical reality has led 300-plus groups to urge the United Nations to establish a specific mechanism to put the Chinese record to a stricter examination so that Beijing can be restrained in its brazen trampling of human rights. Given the total disregard of the Chinese to world opinion and global human rights concerns, this demand has its own significance. It is necessary to build pressure against China so that it may learn to conduct itself as per international ethos, a point so aptly put forward by Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar some time back.
 
RETURN OF PRODIGAL
 
THE decision of the legendary Yuvraj Singh to come out of retirement from all forms of cricket and devote his energies to helping cricket in Punjab to spruce up its act, has it own importance in the current scheme of things. Whatever his style -- swashbuckling that even looked brazen at times -- Yuvraj Singh represents certain classicism in cricket, so critical to retaining the game’s overall charm. Responding positively to the request of Punjab Cricket Association, Yuvraj Singh, therefore, has written a letter to Mr. Saurav Ganguly, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking permission to stage a comeback. If that permission is granted, domestic cricket in India will have one fine star to look up to.
 
He may play for Punjab all right, but whatever he does would be a treat to watch and learn from for other players. Yuvraj Singh’s speciality is his approach to the game -- almost eagle-like. Whenever things got tough, he often chose to leap over problems rather than crawl through, as the eagle does; he flies over the clouds when it starts raining, without seeking shelter as other birds generally do. His example will be truly inspiring for others to emulate.