G20 Summit 2023 | Why did the leaders ignore the big tobacco debate?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The grand G20 Summit-2023 has been just concluded in the Indian Capital, participating nations discussed ways to handle the humongous crisis that wreaked havoc following the pandemic and why it was imperative to improve essential health services.

So what did the global leaders do? The health ministers met on 18-19 of August in Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat to discuss global priorities.

They committed to strengthen the foundation of the global health architecture, keeping the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the centre, to achieve what they claimed in their own words as Universal Health Coverage and implement One Health Approach.

Also Read: Need to build a resilient global health system: India at G20 Health Working Group meet

The basic idea was to improve pandemic preparedness and strengthen surveillance systems for infectious diseases. The members had a long list to display, saying they would be focussing on polio eradication, AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis and water-borne and other communicable diseases.

But there was no concrete statement on tobacco, one of the biggest menaces across the world and deaths related to tobacco. The leaders did not discuss if the world should scientifically discuss ways to control tobacco. An estimated 1.3 billion still use tobacco after decades of tobacco control. This is a huge number because tobacco kills up to half of its users. Let’s look at the figures. An estimated 8 million people die across the world each year due to tobacco-related causes, and 200 million years of life are lost. 

Let me get into the details of what the global leaders did while discussing the big bucks issue of health. Says a portion of the joint declaration: “Building on the lessons from COVID 19 pandemic, we arrived at a consensus to build more resilient, equitable, sustainable and inclusive health systems. We reaffirm the importance of strengthening national health systems by putting people at the centre of preparedness and equip them to respond effectively.”

Why did the nations not discuss tobacco, especially when the nations recognised the central and coordinating role of WHO in global health architecture? Didn’t the nations know the big global debate on tobacco was very important, almost imperative because the debate is fraught with many inconsistencies?

And let’s look at the flip side of it. Nations are working towards increasing the share of assessed contributions to 50 percent of WHO’s 2022-2023 base budget, which takes into account the importance of monitoring budgetary proposals as well as progress on reforms for efficient  operation.

So why should genuine debate on tobacco be left out? Why shouldn’t nations look at scientific reasons to control tobacco consumption? How can the global One Health approach work if tobacco is not included in the agenda? The G20 nations said they welcome research and development on health issues, has someone told them the debate on controlling tobacco consumption continues to be very lopsided because the tobacco lobby is too rich and powerful and crushes any arguments that float against its interests?

G20 nations have said in their declaration that they recognise the potential role of evidence-based Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) in health, and take note of WHO’s efforts in this direction including global and  collaborating centres, and clinical trial registries. 

But that has not happened in the tobacco debate, scientific evidence that helps control tobacco consumption has always been on the backstage. Worse, India has not seriously debated what should be done with the tobacco companies, bidi companies and other oral tobacco products for generations. State-owned companies own big shares in top tobacco companies in India. 

And look at India

An estimated 1.2 million Indians die from tobacco related diseases. And this is happening when the global public health has set as a goal a “smoke free” future by 2040 in countries where 5 percent or less of the adult population smoke tobacco. 

The Indian health ministry is struggling to keep the deaths low but its policies and decisions are not science-based. Repeated studies have highlighted the huge deficits in some of the most crucial decisions of the health ministry but that has not moved the decision makers. 

More importantly, India should have realised that some of the nations with a big smoking population continue to fall woefully short of the global public health targets. 

Ever since the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) treaty was signed 18 years ago, tobacco demand has declined. But what is worrying is that this is far too slow. Worse, the change has not taken place at all in many low and middle income countries (LMIC).

Global experts on tobacco are unanimous that nations with tobacco-problem need to take lessons from countries which have done wonders in controlling the menace of tobacco. These nations should have instantly picked up some of the projects initiated by the Swedish government and see how the Swedes have succeeded and where others have fallen short. 

See how it is working in Sweden

India, in comparison, is 630 percent bigger than Sweden. So what would work in Sweden may not necessarily work in India. But what is stopping the health officials in India to pick up lessons from Stockholm?

The Swedish government’s decision to make alternative smoke-free nicotine products widely accessible, acceptable, and affordable, has produced great results. Sweden’s smoking prevalence has fallen to nearly 6 percent. Has it helped the smoking population of Sweden? It has. Very effectively, Sweden has been able to successfully combine tobacco control and harm reduction strategies.

Now, India and other high tobacco consumption nations should have effectively studied the Swedish formula and effectively implemented it in the billion-plus nation. And one needs to remember that this is exactly what is called for in the WHO-FCTC, where Article 1(d) calls for: ‘tobacco control’ which means a range of supply, demand and harm reduction strategies that aim to improve the health of a population by eliminating or reducing their consumption of tobacco products and exposure to tobacco smoke.

So, effectively, there should be a big call to the WHO and global public health to study the harm reduction strategies so successfully employed by Sweden. Nations with a huge population of smokers must work diligently to curate updated databases of tobacco-attributable deaths and epidemiologically sound methods to calculate the “size of the prize for public health”. 

Has it happened? The answer is a big No

Countries like China and India must work towards this mission and ensure some million life years are saved. These nations must impress upon world health bodies like the WHO why it is important to share authentic data on tobacco-related deaths and how key health metrics can be set (like it happened in Sweden). There should be global debates on tobacco control and there should be more accurate databases and methods. 

The world, and also WHO, must take note that Sweden is about to become the first WHO member state to become “smoke free” and its tobacco control and harm reduction strategies deserve to be studied and replicated.

Only then, millions of lives can be saved around the planet.

—The author, Shantanu Guha Ray, is a senior journalist based in New Delhi. The views are personal.

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Tech this week: Apple launches iPhone 15 series, Fire Boltt unveils Solaris smart watch and more

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Tech enthusiasts were up for a treat this week as Apple launched the much awaited iPhone 15 series at its Wonderlust event. Amid all the excitement around the Apple event, many other brands like Skyball, Honor and Fire Boltt launched their new products in India.

Here are the top picks of the tech launches that took place in the past week in India.

Apple iPhone 15 series

At the Apple ‘Wondelust’ event, organised at the tech giant’s Campus in California on September 12, iPhone 15 series including iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max has been launched. Reportedly, all the latest models of Apple iPhone have now been launched with a USB Type-C charging port which replaces the 12-year-old Lightning port.

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus has been launched with an upgraded body design that is made up of aluminium along with a ceramic shield on the front side while colour infused glass on the back. The iPhone 15 is expected to be available at Rs 79,900 while the iPhone 15 Plus starts at Rs 89,900 in India.

On the other hand, iPhone 15 Pro starting price will be Rs 1,34,900 for the 256GB of internal storage while iPhone 15 Pro Max will be priced at Rs 1,59,900 for the 1TB of internal storage variant.

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Honor 90 5G

The Chinese tech brand, HONOR has made its comeback in the Indian market with its recent launch of HONOR 90 5G. Although the handset was launched in May globally, it made its debut in India on September 14.

HONOR 90 5G houses a 200-MP primary sensor on the rear camera setup, while on the front it features a 50MP lens. The battery on the device boasts a 5,000 mAh capacity, along with 66W fast charging support. It comes with 8 GB and 12 GB of RAM options and has up to 512GB of storage.

On Amazon, the HONOR 90 5G is available in silver, black and green colours. It has been priced between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000.

Also read: HONOR 90 5G to launch in India on September 14 — specifications, expected price and more here

Apple Watch Series 9

Apart from the launches of iPhone 15 series at the Apple launch event, Apple launched its flagship Watch Series 9. The iWatch features the Retina LTPO OLED display with 2000 nits of brightness along with a screen size of 1.9 inches.

The Series 9 supports a new gesture of controlling the watch by double-tapping by fingertips. Double tap feature can also be used to answer calls and control other features on the Watch as well. It has been priced between Rs 41,900 to Rs 80,900 in India.

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Skyball’s Elevate and Rigor

Following Skyball’s announcement to step into the wearable section soon, it has launched its first set of ‘Made in India’ smartwatches, Elevate and Rigor in India.

Rigor features a 1.46-inch AMOLED display in a high-quality metal case with dual Digital Crown controls. The screen of Rigor comes with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels and a brightness of 1000 nits. On the other hand, Elevate smartwatch has a stylish metal body with a rotary crown and has water and dust resistance of IP67. It offers features like Bluetooth connectivity, voice calls, and compatibility with both Android and iOS devices.

While Rigor is available in two colour variants such as Silver and Black and priced at Rs 3,599; Elevate is available at Rs 2,999 and comes in Black, Teal, and Moon Light Grey variant.

Fire-boltt Solaris smartwatch

Fire-Boltt Solaris smartwatch is a premium looking watch which has a rugged stainless-steel body and rectangular dial shape along with the digital crown. It uses a 1.78-inch AMOLED display. Apart from the sporty features Solaris also has a digital voice assistant support that will allow hands-free operations. For monitoring health stats, it keeps a track of heart rate, sleep, and also blood oxygen levels (SpO2).

The Fire Boltt Solaris smartwatch will be available to purchase from September 16 at Rs 2.499 in India.

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Happy Birthday Nick Jonas: Take a look at the net worth of the American singer

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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American singer, songwriter and actor Nicholas Jerry Jonas, better known as Nick Jonas, will be turning 31 on Saturday (September 16). Known for his multi-faceted career that spans music, acting and television, Nick Jonas has carved a niche for himself that’s nothing short of spectacular.

Nick Jonas rose to fame as one-third of the chart-topping boy band – Jonas Brothers, a Grammy-nominated band that has achieved remarkable success. The band has released five studio albums and sold over 17 million copies worldwide. Their journey, though marked by occasional hiatuses as each brother explored solo endeavours, has been punctuated by iconic tracks such as ‘Burnin’ Up’ and the ‘2019 hit Sucker’.

When it comes to the financial status of the Jonas siblings, the spotlight often falls on Nick, who despite being the youngest, boasts the most substantial net worth. According to reports, Nick Jonas and his wife, actress Priyanka Chopra, together command a combined net worth of more than $100 million. Nick’s individual net worth is estimated at $50 million, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.

Nick’s financial success extends far beyond his collaborations with his brothers. He has successfully ventured into solo artistry, recently releasing his fourth studio album titled Spaceman.

Curious minds often wonder how much Nick Jonas earns from his musical shows. The answer lies primarily in the revenue generated from the Jonas Brothers’ concerts. According to Forbes, their reunion tour, which concluded in February 2020, saw them collectively amassing an impressive $1.5 million per tour stop. If we were to split this evenly among the three brothers, it would mean Nick was raking in approximately $5,00,000 per appearance.

Beyond live performances, Nick Jonas enjoyed a successful stint as a coach on NBC’s The Voice. During his time on the show, Nick’s earnings were estimated to be between a staggering $8 and $10 million per season.

Nick Jonas’ penchant for luxury extends to his car collection, enough to make any classic car aficionado envious. Among the treasures in his garage are a 1968 Ford Mustang, a 1960 Ford Thunderbird, a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible, and a 2018 Dodge Challenger R/T. However, the true gems of his collection include a Fisker Karma, a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S650, a Ferrari Testarossa and a 2022 Land Rover Range Rover SV Autobiography. Topping it off, Nick owns the crown jewels of the automotive world: a 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed and a 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost.

While Nick Jonas’ cars are undoubtedly impressive, his residence is no less extravagant. Located in the heart of Hollywood, Nick and his wife Priyanka Chopra reside in a palatial $20 million Encino Mansion. This sprawling estate spans more than 20,000 square feet and rests on five acres in an exclusive Los Angeles neighbourhood.

The mansion comprises seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and all the lavish amenities one would expect, including finesse interiors, an infinity pool, a wine cellar, a sprawling backyard, and more. To sweeten the deal, there’s also a home theatre and an indoor basketball court, making it a truly enviable Hollywood haven.

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International Red Panda Day 2023: All you need to know about endangered species

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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International Red Panda Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about the endangered red panda species. It is observed on the third Saturday of every September, which this year falls on September 16.

International Red Panda Day was initially established by the Red Panda Network in 2010 to raise the alarm about the significant decrease in the population of this enigmatic creature found in dense forests of Asia. The red pandas are also known as the first categories among pandas as they were spotted 50 years prior to the black and white ones.

Red pandas were found in the southwest region of China and the eastern Himalayas. However, since the past few years, the population of the red panda has been steadily declining. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the red panda has been marked as an endangered species.

According to the IUCN’s list, India cumulatively accommodates around 5,000-6,000 red pandas. In India, the endangered red pandas are mostly found in the sanctuaries in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. These endangered animals are also found in West Bengal’s Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.

International Red Panda Day 2023: History

The International Red Panda Day was initially established by the Red Panda Network in the year 2010, when there was a noticeable decline in the population of the species. After the establishment of the day, it was then celebrated on September 18, 2010.

The Red Panda Network is an NGO which is headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, United States. The organisation works in the betterment of the red pandas’. The NGO also trains the forest guards to raise awareness and empathy for the red panda.

International Red Panda Day 2023: Significance

The primary aim of International Red Panda Day is to educate about the importance of red pandas in the ecosystem. Red Pandas are usually found in Bhutan, Nepal, India, Myanmar and China. Unfortunately, the population of Red Pandas is declining to an alarming level. Hence, the day aims to raise awareness about the threats that red pandas are facing due to various factors like poaching, climate change and hunting.

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International Ozone Day — you too can help preserve this natural sunscreen

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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International Ozone Day, observed on September 16, and recognised by the United Nations, aims to raise awareness about the depletion of the ozone layer and explore ways to protect it. But what exactly is the ozone layer? The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere approximately 9-22 miles above the Earth’s surface, is a critical shield against harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

This protective layer primarily safeguards life on Earth by shielding us from the adverse effects of UV-B radiation, known for causing sunburns and posing a long-term health threat to humans.

The ozone layer contains a concentrated amount of ozone, a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms (O3), making it particularly effective at absorbing UV-B radiation. By actively absorbing UV-B radiation high up in the stratosphere, the ozone layer functions as a barrier, preventing harmful levels of this radiation from reaching the Earth’s surface. This makes the preservation of the ozone layer critical to human health.

History of World Ozone Day

Certain chemicals that we commonly use are damaging for the protective ozone layer in our atmosphere. These chemicals are called halocarbons, and they have elements like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine mixed with carbon.

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The ones with bromine, in particular, are super harmful to the ozone layer. The chemicals causing this problem are mostly human-made. Some of the big reasons are methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, as well as a group of chemicals known as halons, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

During the 1970s, scientists realised that there was something wrong about the ozone layer. They quickly deduced that certain gases, like chlorine and bromine, were building up in the atmosphere and putting the ozone layer at risk.

In the 1980s, scientists made another startling discovery — there was a hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica. This hole was a particularly severe depletion of the ozone layer in that part of Earth’s atmosphere. It was a clear sign that our natural sunscreen was in trouble.

To address this issue, back in 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. This date marks the signing of the Montreal Protocol — an important agreement to stop the use of these harmful chemicals — in 1987.

What are some ways to protect ozone depletion?

While the main use of substances harmful to the ozone layer happens in industries and businesses, individuals can also play a part by taking these actions:

• When buying air-conditioners and refrigerators, opt for those that don’t use harmful substances like HCFCs as coolants.
• When buying aerosol products like sprays, make sure they don’t contain HCFCs or CFCs as propellants.
• If you have air-conditioning or refrigeration appliances, make sure to have them inspected and maintained regularly. This prevents and minimises leaks of harmful refrigerants.
• When it’s time to overhaul or replace older appliances that use HCFCs or CFCs, ensure that the refrigerants are recovered or recycled. You should also consider upgrading to appliances that use more environmentally-friendly refrigerants.
• When your car’s air-conditioning system needs servicing, make sure the refrigerants are handled correctly. They should be recovered and recycled, not released into the atmosphere. This way, you’re doing your part to protect the ozone layer.

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Significance of World Ozone Day

World Ozone Day is meant to remind everyone about the risks linked to a shrinking ozone layer and for encouraging creative ideas to safeguard it. It’s also a celebration of one of the most effective worldwide efforts to protect our environment. It shows how countries from all over the world could come together to make a real difference in preserving the ozone layer.

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India defends GDP numbers with 10-point response amid data credibility concerns

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Finance Ministry on Friday dismissed the criticism of inflated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) saying it has followed the consistent practice of using the income side estimates to compute economic growth, and stressed many international agencies have revised upwards their forecast after seeing the first quarter data.

The critics, the ministry said, should have looked at other data like purchasing managers’ indices, bank credit growth, increase in capital expenditure and consumption pattern to assess the growth.

India’s real GDP growth was 7.8 percent on year-on-year (y/y) basis in Q1 FY24 as per the Income or Production Approach. Former Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian, in an article, argued that India’s GDP is not measured from the expenditure side rather than productivity side.

Here’s what the government have said in its 10-point response:

-India’s real GDP growth was 7.8 percent (year on year) in Q1 FY24 (first Quarter of FY 2023-24). This is as per the Income or Production Approach. As per the expenditure approach, it would have been lower. So, a balancing figure – statistical discrepancy – is added to the expenditure approach estimate. These discrepancies are both positive and negative. Over time, they wash out. In fact, in FY23 and FY22, the ‘statistical discrepancy’ was negative. In other words, growth as per the income approach was lower. Using the expenditure approach, it would have been higher than the 7.2 percent reported for FY23 and higher than the 9.1 percent reported for FY22.

– India consistently uses the income side approach for calculating GDP growth for various reasons. It does not switch between the two approaches depending on which one is favourable.

-As for nominal GDP growth being lower than real GDP growth, this is a new bogey being spread to discredit the GDP numbers and indicate that underlying economic activity is quite weak. Both do not stand up to scrutiny.

-India’s GDP deflator is dominated by the Wholesale Price Index. Wholesale Price Index peaked in the first quarter of 2022-23 due to the oil and food price increases in the wake of the war in Ukraine and supply-side disruptions. Prices began to come down from August 2022 onwards. Hence, WPI is now contracting year-on-year. It will soon pass once the statistical base effect disappears.

-If inflation were higher, critics would argue that nominal GDP growth is much higher because of inflation and that there was little underlying activity. MoSPI calculates quarterly GVA in real terms first, and then, using the deflator, nominal values are obtained. No wonder nominal growth rates have slowed, with WPI contracting in recent months. This will normalise in the coming months.

-So, arguing that nominal GDP growth is more reliable because India has issues with its calculation of GDP deflator is to invent an argument where none exists. This is just to justify the liking for nominal GDP growth because it has been moderating in recent quarters after the high growth in the first fiscal quarter of FY23. In other words, critics want to latch on to anything that does not paint the Indian economy in a good light.

-Ideally, critics would have done well to look at several other growth indicators to see if other data match their conclusions. Purchasing Managers’ Indices indicate that the manufacturing and services sectors are growing. Bank credit growth is in double digits. Consumption is improving, and the government has vigorously ramped up capital expenditure.

-If anything, India’s growth numbers might understate the reality because manufacturing growth indicated by the Index of Industrial Production is far lower than what manufacturing companies are reporting.

-Indian GDP data are not seasonally adjusted, and they are also revised multiple times before they are finalised three years after the close of the relevant financial year. It is wrong to look at the underlying economic activity based on GDP indicators alone. Higher frequency data must be relied upon to form a view of the strength of the economic activity.

-Many International agencies have revised up their growth forecast for FY24 after the first quarter data for FY24 was released. They would not have done so if the underlying economic activity was weak.

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Zooom Airlines plans to return to Indian skies after regulator renews certification

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Gurugram-based Zooom Airlines (earlier spelled as Zoom) Air, which has not flown since the emergence of the pandemic in 2020 may soon take to skies again.

A brand under Zexus Air Services, the airline on Friday (September 15) announced the renewal of its air operator certificate by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation ( DGCA). The AOC is a crucial and mandatory document for an air carrier to launch its air services.

“Zooom Airlines has received the official clearance for commercial passenger operations in India. It has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the DGCA,” the airline said.

Zoom Airlines (earlier name) commenced operations on domestic routes in February 2017. However, after a year of operations in July 2018, the DGCA suspended it’s flying permit citing safety concerns but renewed the license after five months in December.

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It however could restart services only in October 2019 and suspended all operations in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline then reportedly went into insolvency proceedings in March 2022.

Zooom Airlines in its latest statement today did not mention any details about the insolvency proceedings or its outcome and whether the airline will be operated by the same promoter.

The renewal of the AOC of Zooom Airlines comes at a time when India’s aviation market is heading towards a sort of duopoly with IndiGo controlling 63 percent market share and Tata Group consolidating all its airline business under one umbrella.

While Vistara, in which Tata Group holds a 51 percent stake, along with Singapore Airlines which holds the remaining 49 percent, with Air India, the group’s domestic subsidiary AIX Connect ( earlier AirAsia India) is getting merged with Air India’s international budget arm Air India Express.

Moreover, Zooom Airlines’ re-entry also comes amid budget carrier Go First opting for voluntary insolvency proceedings after shutting operations in early May, and another carrier SpiceJet facing multiple headwinds.

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With this, Zooom Airlines is now officially cleared to commence commercial passenger operations in India, the airline stated in the statement. “With our AOC in hand, we are looking forward to providing passengers with a top-notch travel experience,” said Zooom Atul Gambhir, CEO at Zooom Air.

He also said the airline wishes to cater to the growing number of domestic travellers who take frequent flights.

“Indian domestic aviation is growing, and customers are looking for the most cost-effective, safe, and convenient solutions. We are confident in our ability to carve out a niche,” he added.

According to him, the airline has ambitious plans for expansion and introducing new routes, ensuring that travelers have more options and seamless connectivity.

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ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra’s tenure ends, Rahul Navin appointed in-charge chief

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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IRS officer Rahul Navin was appointed as in-charge director of the Enforcement Directorate on Friday on the completion of tenure of the incumbent Sanjay Kumar Mishra, officials said.

According to an official order, Navin, a 1993-batch IRS officer, will hold the charge till the appointment of a regular director or until further orders. Navin is currently the ED’s special director.

The order stated that the President “is pleased to order the cessation of tenure of Sanjay Kumar Mishra…as Director of Enforcement in the Enforcement Directorate on 15.09.2023.” On July 26, the Supreme Court granted an extension of tenure to ED chief Mishra till September 15 but made it clear there would be no further extension.

The SC order came days after it had held as “illegal” two successive extensions of one year each granted to ED director Mishra, an IRS officer of 1984 cadre, saying these were in ”breach” of its mandamus in the 2021 verdict that the IRS officer should not be given further term.

The 1984-batch IRS officer was otherwise to remain in office till November 18, 2023, according to the notification issued by the government.

The verdict on a batch of petitions, including those filed by Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala and Jaya Thakur, and TMC leaders Mahua Moitra and Saket Gokhale, challenging the extensions granted to Mishra.

Mishra was first appointed the ED director for two years on November 19, 2018. Later, by an order dated November 13, 2020, the central government modified the appointment letter retrospectively and his two-year term was changed to three years.

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‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ set to hit theatres — This western crime demands your attention

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Renowned director Martin Scorsese, celebrated for his classic crime films, is embarking on a thrilling new cinematic journey with his upcoming release, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” This compelling Western epic is an adaptation of journalist David Grann’s 2017 nonfiction book, “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and The Birth of the FBI,” which delves into the harrowing tale of Osage Tribe members’ murders during the tumultuous 1920s in Oklahoma.

The journey to bring this captivating story to the silver screen has been long and arduous. The film rights to Grann’s book were secured in 2016 when Imperative Entertainment won the film adaptation rights to the book, even before the book’s publication. However, it wasn’t until 2021 that the highly anticipated production officially commenced.

Several directors expressed interest in the project over the years, but it was Martin Scorsese who ultimately took the helm. Initial plans for filming in March 2020 were thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a delay until mid-2021.

Release date and premieres

“Killers of the Flower Moon” is slated for release in theatres across North America and in India on October 20, 2023. Notably, Apple is collaborating with Paramount to grant the film an exclusive theatrical release. Furthermore, the film will make its way to IMAX screens, promising an immersive viewing experience.

This partnership ensures that the movie will have a significant presence in theatres, distinguishing it from Scorsese’s previous collaboration with Netflix on “The Irishman,” which got a limited theatrical release before it was launched on the streaming platform.

The film also had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20.

Trailers offer a glimpse into the intensity

Teasing audiences with a captivating narrative, the first teaser trailer for “Killers of the Flower Moon” was released by Apple TV on May 18, 2023. Narrated by the incomparable Leonardo DiCaprio, the trailer introduces viewers to the origins of the Osage tribe with the enigmatic question,

“Can you find the wolves in this picture?”

A more dialogue-rich full trailer followed on July 5, 2023, which delves deeper into the plot, focusing on the conniving characters Ernest Burkhart and William Hale as they hatch a sinister plan involving murder to seize Osage Nation’s wealth.

The second full-length trailer provides even more insight into the film’s intricate plot, offering glimpses of the intense drama that unfolds.

A stellar cast brings the story to life

With Martin Scorsese at the helm, the film boasts a stellar ensemble cast. He has assembled a team of familiar faces, most notably his longstanding collaborators and Academy Award winners, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.

The partnership between Scorsese and De Niro is one of the most successful and renowned actor-director collaborations in cinematic history. “Killers of the Flower Moon” marks their tenth joint project (eleventh if you count the 2015 short film “The Audition”).

Their journey together began in 1973 with “Mean Streets,” and they’ve since joined forces on iconic films like “Taxi Driver,” “New York, New York,” “Raging Bull” (earning De Niro his second Best Actor Oscar), “The King of Comedy,” “Goodfellas,” “Cape Fear,” “Casino,” and “The Irishman.”

In “Killers of the Flower Moon,” De Niro portrays the nefarious cattle rancher, William Hale, suspected of orchestrating contract killings targeting wealthy Osage tribe members. This film solidifies their extraordinary track record of success.

DiCaprio’s collaborations with Scorsese began more recently in 2002 with “Gangs of New York.” Their chemistry has resulted in six films together, including “The Aviator” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” In this upcoming Western, DiCaprio takes on the role of Ernest Burkhart, Hale’s nephew, torn between loyalty to his Osage wife and his influential uncle.

The cast also includes Academy Award nominee Jesse Plemons as FBI agent Tom White, who previously worked with Scorsese on “The Irishman.” Lily Gladstone portrays Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman and Ernest Burkhart’s wife, while Brendan Fraser continues his remarkable acting resurgence with his role as lawyer W.S. Hamilton. Academy Award nominee John Lithgow stars as Prosecutor Leaward, determined to convict Hale of murder.

Respecting history and collaboration with the Osage tribe

In a commendable effort to honor history and accurately depict the Osage Nation, Scorsese cast indigenous actors as Osage people and filmed scenes on Osage land with the tribe’s permission. The director collaborated closely with the Osage Tribe’s film ambassador Chad Renfro, and the Chief of the Osage Nation, Geoffrey Standing Bear, served as a consultant on the film.

Chief Standing Bear, in interviews, has expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, highlighting the film’s portrayal of the Osage tribe’s tragic history and its role in the birth of the FBI.

A tale of greed, betrayal, and grit

“Killers of the Flower Moon” unravels a dark and gripping narrative, recounting the conspiracy that led to the murder of nearly sixty Osage tribe members between 1921 and 1925.

The Osage Indian Tribe of Oklahoma had become incredibly wealthy due to oil deposits on their land, sparking envy and greed among other communities. The federal government appointed Caucasian guardians to oversee their finances, leading to sinister consequences.

The involvement of the FBI, led by Agent Tom White, exposes a complex plot orchestrated by local cattleman William Hale to gain control of the Osage oil. Hale even coerced his nephew, Ernest Burkhart, into marrying an Osage woman to strengthen his claim to the land. Scorsese’s direction promises a gritty and suspenseful exploration of racism, murder, betrayal, and avarice.

A western crime epic with a unique perspective

“Killers of the Flower Moon” is an adaptation of David Grann’s novel, offering a riveting account of a brutal conspiracy from the 1920s involving the Osage Nation and their newfound oil wealth.

Director Martin Scorsese’s vision promises to deliver a fresh perspective on the Western crime genre, inviting audiences to explore the story from the eyes of the Osage people.

As Scorsese aptly puts it, “It’s about land, it’s all about greed.”

The film delves deep into the lengths individuals will go to amass wealth, making it a must-watch for fans of thrilling and thought-provoking cinema.

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India increases windfall tax on domestic crude, cuts levy on export of diesel and ATF

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Indian government on Friday increased the windfall tax on crude petroleum to Rs 10,000 per tonne from Rs 6,700 per tonne, according to a government notification. The new rates would be effective from Saturday (September 16).

Also, the special additional excise duty (SAED) or duty on the export of diesel will be reduced to Rs 5.50 per litre, from Rs 6 per litre. The duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), commonly known as jet fuel, will be reduced to Rs 3.5 per litre from Rs 4 per litre. However, SAED on petrol will continue at nil.

The tax rates are reviewed every fortnight based on average oil prices in the previous two weeks. The government’s collection from the SAED, imposed on the production of crude oil and the export of petroleum products from July 1, 2022, is estimated at around Rs 40,000 crore in FY2023.

Notably, a windfall tax is a higher tax levied by the government on specific industries when they experience unexpected and above-average profits. So, as crude prices cross 90 dollars a barrel, the government has hiked windfall tax on oil companies to tax higher profits.

Crude oil pumped out of the ground and from below the seabed is refined and converted into fuels like petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).

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India first imposed windfall profit taxes on July 1 last year, joining a growing number of nations that tax super-normal profits of energy companies. At that time, export duties of Rs 6 per litre ($12 per barrel) each were levied on petrol and ATF and Rs 13 a litre ($26 a barrel) on diesel.

The government levies tax on windfall profits made by oil producers on any price they get above a threshold of $75 per barrel. The levy on fuel exports is based on cracks or margins that refiners earn on overseas shipments. These margins are primarily a difference between the international oil price realised and the cost.

s crude prices cross 90 dollars a barrel, Govt hikes windfall tax on oil companies to tax higher profits

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