- 1 year ago
In this episode of 5ive Live, watch India Today’s in-depth ground report from Harsil and Dharali in Uttarakhand, where flash floods on August 5th devastated villages and infrastructure, demolishing an army camp and leaving hundreds missing.
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00:00For the first time on your screens, watch the Uttarakhand flood deluge.
00:11Only on India Today, Disaster Zone Report.
00:15Most detailed report from Ground Zero.
00:33No other channel has come this far.
00:39Unparalleled India Today Reportage.
00:45And now, there is a lot of communication happening here.
00:49There is a lot of communication coming from the helicopter.
01:09What you are about to see, no other channel has access.
01:12And that's because our reporters on the ground, especially Manjeet Negi,
01:16has been able to trek and use all methods possible to reach that final destination in Dharali,
01:22where the flash floods have wiped off swept villages.
01:26To help you understand what exactly unfolded in Uttarakhand barely about two days ago.
01:31So, first things first, there is some relief that has come in in Uttarakhand because rains have begun to ease.
01:51Crucial highway to the flood, Dharali, has reopened, which means rescue efforts will be able to pick up pace.
01:56But it's the road access that is severely still disrupted in several areas, including Batwari, Linchigat, Gangrani, Harsil and Dharali.
02:04The main areas were the landslide and the disaster that unfolded.
02:08Restoration work is also in the progress.
02:11These are visuals on your screen coming from Dharali,
02:13especially because a civil helipad at the Nalong area has been made operational.
02:17But it's the Dharali helipad where the incident happened that's still unusable due to the landslide.
02:23225 army personnel, including engineers, medics, rescue units, are on the ground.
02:28300 civilians, according to our reports, have been rescued.
02:31Critical patients are being airlifted to Dehradun and Ames Rishikej.
02:35Meanwhile, there are 200 stranded tourists in Gamgothri, also receiving medical assistance, food, shelter.
02:41So whether it's the Indian Armed Forces, the civil administration, the government and, of course, volunteers on the ground consistently helping.
02:48Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, cut shot his visit to Therupati, is on the ground right now, personally monitoring the rescue ops.
02:55He's also met some of the victims in the hospital as well.
02:58While all of this is happening, remember, we are not depending on secondary sources or social media to get you this coverage.
03:05India Today has taken all effort possible and has become the only channel on the ground right now.
03:11And I say that because it takes a lot of effort to be able to reach areas which are completely inaccessible.
03:17Our team is on the ground so that you, the viewer, know exactly what is happening.
03:22India Today's Manjeet Nagy with these ground reports from herself specifically, where that massive landslide took place.
03:29Let's cut across to that.
03:35India Today's Manjeet Nagy with these ground reports from Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati.
04:05India's Manjeet Nagy with these ground reports from Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati.
04:35India's Manjeet Nagy with these ground reports from Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati.
04:37India's Manjeet Nagy with these ground reports from Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati.
04:39India's Manjeet Nagy with these ground reports from Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati.
04:41India's Manjeet Nagy with these ground reports from Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati and Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati to Therupati.
04:53who were eight young people and a JCO,
04:56they came here to this bar in the car,
05:02and now they are missing.
05:04They are working to find them.
05:10Look at that.
05:12This is a great-great-great car.
05:14This is a civil car.
05:16This is a great truck.
05:21This truck is working today,
05:32which shared music.
05:34Everyone is doing this.
05:37You have to see here.
05:39This truck ecosystem is being launched.
05:41It's still there.
05:46This truck is Mounted to get used.
05:49This is a huge infrastructure for all the people who are interested in this area.
06:19This is a kitchen, it was 12 feet high kitchen and now this is the height of the kitchen.
06:34This is the kitchen.
06:38This is the kitchen.
06:43Here you can see this fridge. This fridge is coming from the kitchen. This mix is coming from here.
06:50There were the army members of the army and the rest of the army.
06:54There was a food for the kitchen.
06:57In the kitchen, the mix is coming from inside.
07:00This dish is coming from here.
07:03This is the structure of the kitchen.
07:08This is the one.
07:15This is this one.
07:16The food for the kitchen is coming from here.
07:19With the other agencies, either from India or SDR, or local processing,
07:23we are working on this right to save the food.
07:27We are waiting to see that if some people are stuck in this area,
07:32they're working to stop them.
07:35foreign
07:49foreign
07:55foreign
08:05This is the highway of 500 meters, and now there is no communication from road here.
08:12Helicopter is coming from the helicopter.
08:15This is why SENA is also using the drone.
08:18This is why you can see people in the region.
08:22Some people are tired.
08:24Yeah.
08:29Yeah, I think it's 15 feet.
08:33Yeah.
08:34I'm going to have to buy it and give it a new life for me.
08:39It was good, which was a big army.
08:41The market was hit by our Harsil.
08:44It was hit, unlike it was there.
08:48So, whether we talk about Harsil or Harsil,
08:54the first two days ago,
08:56the Harsil had to leave 200 people.
09:01I think there are still 9-8 and a JCO missing.
09:07foreign
09:13foreign
09:19foreign
09:25foreign
09:31foreign
09:35building money was the whole camp this whole camp was built in this camp
09:39less than 15 to 20 feet our camp is down to us
09:42something is down to us something is down to us
09:51the most important part of this army is the lower camp
09:55where the army was a great infrastructure here
09:58there was a mess of 10-12 buildings there were VIP mess
10:03میرے تھی اور میں خود یہاں پر کئی بار رکھا ہوں اب یہاں پر کچھ
10:07بھی نظر نہیں آ رہا ہے بھاگیر ندی کے ساتھ یہ پورا جو
10:13علاقہ ہے سپار ہو چکا ہے کئی میٹر آ جو ملوہ حافظ آپ دیکھیں
10:18بڑے بڑے پتھر بولڈر اور بے سے پڑے علاقہ دب وجہ نظر آ رہا ہے
10:24چیزیل کے بارہ نظر نہیں ہے ایسا نہیں لگ رہا ہے کہ یہاں پر
10:27So, it's such a big army.
10:57foreign
11:27foreign
11:29foreign
11:33foreign
11:39foreign
11:43foreign
11:57And with this report, you know now finally what exactly has happened on the 5th of August in parts of Uttarkashi and the region of Uttarakhand.
12:07And not just Manjeet Negi, our other colleagues as well, Anjali Eastwal and Ashutosh Mishra are also joining us from different parts, remember, locations, wherever they can possibly reach.
12:17And I must add here, both Anjali and Ashutosh have trekked for hours.
12:21Viewer, it's an exhaustive assignment to be on and they've been able to get you some very significant first-hand reports.
12:27Anjali, first to you, you're in Bhatwari, I hear.
12:30That also has witnessed extensive damage.
12:32What is the situation looking like around you?
12:34What are people saying?
12:39So, Pooja, it was in the morning that we brought the news, the good news from Bhatwari.
12:45And that was the fixing of those road sinks that were delinking Uttarkashi from Harshal.
12:53Now, I'm standing at one of those points.
12:56I'm going to quickly step back for you to see.
12:59Now, the road is mended.
13:01Although, you know, by the usual standards, you may not think so.
13:04But this is enough for the BRO trucks to carry the material all the way to Gangwani, where is the bridge, that concrete bridge that got washed off.
13:16Now, it is important that this link is completely fixed.
13:22There are three to four major slide points and two were fixed today in front of us, in front of our eyes.
13:29And the bridge, it is expected, all the material and manpower will be taken over there by tonight.
13:35And hopefully, if there is illumination, if they manage to use a generator, which is also being moved over there, then they can work through the night.
13:43If that happens, then tomorrow the work of building the bridge begins.
13:47And that bridge is crucial.
13:49Ashutosh Mishra had earlier reported from there.
13:52It was a concrete bridge that completely got washed off.
13:56And now, while the two ends are concrete and they still stand there, they're going to put a belly bridge, which is basically,
14:02BRO is going to put a metal bridge by raising a tar and then quickly trying to put iron bars and extending it into a bridge.
14:12So, this is going to happen, but we can expect it only to be functional by tomorrow afternoon, afternoon or tomorrow evening.
14:19So, we shouldn't really hasten this process, but hopes are up.
14:23Anjali, stay on with me, please.
14:26Ashutosh also is joining us.
14:27Ashutosh, the weather looks slightly better now behind you.
14:31Do you think that's in many ways a relief and hope in itself?
14:34What have you seen while you were driving, trekking, walking in Uttarakhand in the past two days?
14:40Well, only for this broadcast, Pooja, I had to come back from Gangwani because I'll be, you know, camping exactly in Gangwani.
14:50Somehow, the areas are still not connected with the communication and with the electricity.
14:55So, this is the last city.
14:56The Bhattwadi is the last city because we had the highway washed away.
14:59You just saw the report by Anjali.
15:01So, in those areas, now the connectivity has been restored and this is very essential when you talk about rescue and relief operations.
15:07So, once Gangwani, the valley bridge which is restored will be very close to Dharali and Harshal.
15:12So, by tomorrow evening, we are expecting and positively that, you know, more booths will be on the ground as far as rescue teams are concerned.
15:20Because, for now, the number of people that are already there in Dharali and Harshal, that still remain inadequate because you need more and more resources including generators, heavy voltage, electricity, communication networks, restoration.
15:33And, of course, so far, as you rightly said, the weather is clear.
15:36But, now, we just heard from the NDMA that there is a heavy rain warning predicted, moderate rain warning predicted including in the district of Uttarakashi.
15:44So, as long as weather is clear, the sky operations, you know, the air operations, heli operations will continue with the logistical challenges that remain unless you have the road connectivity restored.
15:55And, subsequently, the network, communication, electricity, there are many people, hundreds of these people who are looking for their loved ones who are still missing.
16:02They also want to reach and perhaps once the road connectivity is restored, we will, you know, rather mobilize more human efforts and machineries to the rescue, to the side.
16:12Yeah, only if convenient to both of you, please continue to stay with us because I want to come back to you for more perspective on what exactly do you see around you.
16:20Meanwhile, I want to take the viewer to the latest visuals that have come in from Uttarakhand, especially from the belt where this incident has taken place.
16:27Let's begin one by one.
16:28Now, the visuals on your screen show the aftermath.
16:31The massive destruction.
16:32This is Harshal, where India today has also been reporting from.
16:35The visual shows clearly an early truck broken.
16:38The infrastructure completely demolished.
16:40Even a military truck, which, remember, is extremely heavy, turned upside down because of the sludge and the mudslide.
16:47Army personnel making efforts to clear the debris.
16:49This is India Today exclusive.
16:50In a major logistical push to speed up the restoration effort in flood ravaged Harsil, the Indian Air Force has deployed Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter to airlift heavy machinery from Dehradun to have a ground connectivity as well that's been crippled by the collapse of the Bailey bridges and flash floods.
17:09Look at this.
17:12Look at this.
17:14This is the Dev Bhoomi, as we call Uttarakhand.
17:16But currently, with the disaster, it's broken roots.
17:19Connectivity disrupted.
17:21Life thrown out of gear.
17:22Many who have been missing for the past three days.
17:26But the round-the-clock restoration work is underway, at least to connect the roots.
17:30Army Cheetah helicopter conducting wrecking in Batwali on the disrupted connectivity area due to the impact of the flash floods that battered the region.
17:41Rescue ops are underway, whether it's NDRF, SDRF or the Indian Armed Forces, showing how stranded tourists and local residents are being evacuated to safety.
17:58This, remember, is again the contribution of whether it's men or women in uniform of local or local volunteers, how they are helping to rescue.
18:06Eventually, it's the rescue ops that are of prime importance right now.
18:09It is important for you to understand what the region looks like, what is the distance from top tourist or religious destinations.
18:30Our open-source intelligence team, the OSINT team of India today, is bringing you this map illustration.
18:35As you look at the locations, you will understand further.
18:39Look at that.
18:40So, Uttarkashi, which is usually a more known zone, whether it comes to tourist or religious destination.
18:45When you start going up, that's Batwari.
18:47That's where our reporters have been able to reach primarily to get you the background.
18:51Above this, a lot of area has been completely disrupted, especially because of the road access.
18:57Gangunani, where also India today has been reporting from.
19:00These are areas, this belt that you see marked in red, has been the area that has completely been washed away in most of its parts, especially near Harsil.
19:11Dharali is the prime spot in many ways, as we use the term epicenter sometimes, where the landslide, the cloudburst and the flash floods have swept away villages.
19:20While there are those who have died, many, many are missing, whether tourists, devotees or local residents.
19:27So, that map is to help you understand, especially with regard to the health state.
19:31So, I want to go back and return to Anjali now and Ashutosh as well.
19:35Anjali, what are people and administration around you telling you?
19:40I'm sure many are missing right now.
19:42What is being done to ensure rescue operations are in time?
19:45How much work is needed?
19:47How much time will it take?
19:50Pooja, it all depends on two things.
19:56The rescue operations can be conducted, but how do you ensure that the people and the, you know, people that you manage to take out,
20:06who are stranded in case, or for that matter, people who are not with us anymore, how are their bodies also brought back?
20:12So, the issue is, unless and until these road links, which are disrupted right now, they are mended.
20:18The SDRF and the NDRF teams cannot go to the point, the point zero where it all happened.
20:26So, very importantly, this link needs to be fixed.
20:30After that, they can talk about, you know, bringing people back.
20:33Although, there is another team from the other side, Harshal, which is trying to build a road connectivity.
20:38So, the expectation is that they'll meet somewhere in between and Gangotri, all the way to Gangotri, it can be connected.
20:45But, meanwhile, air operations are continuing, as we've heard, and they are continuing to bring people outside those zones,
20:53which are still considered dangerous, and bringing them to safety and safer zones.
20:58So, what Anjali is also telling us, remember, time is of essence here.
21:05Ashutosh, tell me this, for the viewer watching right now, the kind of effort, hours that it takes,
21:11and has taken even for you to be able to reach these destinations,
21:14where otherwise, there's absolutely no connectivity and access.
21:17And I'm sure similar is the case for the local residents, the tourists stranded, the devotees.
21:22The number of people have been evacuated so far, because before the relief and rescue,
21:32the primary is the evacuation for those who are still visible, stranded, alive.
21:37And that's exactly why we see 300 people have been evacuated from Gangotri, around 274,
21:42from Harshal, because they were all stranded areas.
21:46Looks like primarily the evacuation process has been completed.
21:49It is now time to rescue those who could be potentially trapped, and there is no information about them.
21:54So, those who are visible, there is some information about people, possibly be trapped, that this will be rescued.
21:59But the search operation will be essential, because so far, we do not have a correct death toll,
22:04other than the official number, which is somewhere between 5 to 6.
22:07But looking at the number of potential that people, those who have come from that region,
22:11who were saved and rescued, they claim that this could be the number of people who were already there,
22:15because there were local festivals happening, it was a Chardham pilgrimage going on,
22:19subsequently, you know, tourists too often visit to Harshal, Gangotri or for other tricks.
22:24So, clearly, that number, that will only depend upon when the search operations begin.
22:28And because of these hurdles, when we see the number of people, remember, every day, almost twice a day,
22:33twice a day, I have been going to different access, different areas, different pockets,
22:39but it has only, you know, ended with disappointment.
22:42I always ended up at some dead end, where there was no possibly other way to cross over that bridge,
22:49or any, not even a narrow scape is possible.
22:52And had there been any possible chance of a narrow scape, people would have crossed this area,
22:56and have gone by walk by themselves to find out their loved ones.
22:59And we see here, many of these people who are waiting for their loved ones,
23:02and there is no information, again, there is no electricity, there is no communication.
23:05So, there are primarily challenges for the rescuers, for the authorities, for the administration.
23:10And they are meeting with all the challenges.
23:12The one day has been lucky that because of the weather were clear,
23:14we carried out several air operations, the heli services.
23:18But what will happen tomorrow, again, it all depends on the weather.
23:20If the weather is clear, the air operation will continue.
23:22In fact, Chinook also today provided multiple generators from Dehradun, Jowli Grant Airport,
23:27and several other logistics.
23:29But a mass level of logistics that will be required for the search operations, relief operations,
23:33and again, rebuilding that structure will take a lot of things, including that making of that bridge,
23:38which is essentially army engineering team going to complete in 24 hours, Pooja.
23:42Alright, Ashutosh and Anjali Ishtwal, Manjeet Negi are on the ground.
23:47It's going to be a long night the next few days as well for both of you.
23:50Thank you for joining us with your ground reports and your perspective as well,
23:53because I want to play what Anjali and Ashutosh have sent.
23:56And here's now a special report about how our colleagues are trying to bring you all perspectives possible from Uttarakhand.
24:02And a question, therefore, I ask.
24:05It's not the first time, possibly not the last, that Uttarakhand, our Hill State, our Dev Bhoomi, is facing this.
24:11Is this construction, is this development, which without your thought,
24:16is leading to such disasters year after year for Uttarakhand especially.
24:22Here's a report.
24:23After devastation and deluge, there was finally a glimmer of hope in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand as the relentless rains began to ease.
24:40And with that, the crucial highway to Dharali, which was cut off, was finally reopened.
24:48And through that battered stretch, Team India Today was among the first to pass.
24:53A vehicle, first vehicle to cross on this patch since it had fallen.
25:00First team is of India Today and Ashutosh that is going over this road,
25:04which the BRO team has fixed right in front of our eyes,
25:07connecting right now a certain patch, which was one of the biggest deterrent ever
25:13to the ground zero, to taking the relief to the ground zero.
25:18We've managed to cross it and we've become the first team.
25:21We're the first team today and today's team, which has crossed this road.
25:24I was first here, when the road was closed.
25:26Let's open the road, the whole kapila started.
25:29But the scars remain.
25:32Road's axis is still broken in Batwari, Harsil and parts of Dharali.
25:36Restoration is ongoing, but the clock is ticking.
25:40The Dharali helipad lies buried in mud.
25:43While operations continue via the Harsil military and Nilong civil helipads.
25:49India Today reached the very heart of the disaster zone.
25:52It is the only channel reporting live from ground zero,
25:55from the same shattered village, where nature's fury turned homes to rubble.
26:02We're showing you exclusive pictures of the road here.
26:06The road is running on the road.
26:10With the rest of the agencies, whether India or SDR or local procession,
26:14we're working on the road here.
26:17We're working on the road.
26:19We're working on the road.
26:20We're working on the road.
26:22On the ground, over 225 army personnel, rescue dogs, medics and engineers are racing against time,
26:31searching for those still missing.
26:33Chinook helicopters are rescuing hundreds of civilians.
26:36Critically injured victims are being airlifted to Dehradun and AIM's Rishikesh.
26:53And in the middle of this human tragedy, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met victims,
26:58reviewed efforts and reminded survivors that they are not alone.
27:02As rescue efforts continue, there is still no clue on how many actually perished,
27:06days after the tragedy.
27:25As rescue efforts continue, there is still no clue on how many actually perished, days after the tragedy.
27:33With Anjali Stewal, Manjeet Negi and Ashutosh Mishra in Uttarkashi, Bureau Report, India Today.
27:55Tourist, religious destination, home for so many people in Uttarakhand.
28:01And then this is what it has become.
28:02When the landslide happened after the cloud burst,
28:05the river water that was usually on a high number as well of the depth,
28:10but suddenly increased.
28:11And remember, this gave barely few minutes to the people on the ground.
28:16And like you're looking at the visuals on your screen, these are the satellite images.
28:20There were two, in fact, the flash floods that happened.
28:23Sukhi Top and, of course, in the Dharali village.
28:25And with that swept away, villages, local residents, devotees, tourists,
28:30Indian Armed Forces personnel have been missing as well.
28:33Of course, the rescue operations are on,
28:35whether it's disaster management team of Uttarakhand government on the ground,
28:39SDRF, NDRF or the Indian Army as always.
28:42But it's a reminder of nature's fury,
28:45adding on to perhaps this uninterrupted construction,
28:49thoughtless sometimes, that has led to loss of life.
28:52When will we wake up and take a decision to ensure this does not happen again?
28:57Meanwhile, alerts have been sent because the river and its alerts said that
29:01the level of the river water has increased as well.
29:05Our prayers with the families and we'll continue to get you all the latest reports.
29:09It's a story we're not forgetting.
29:10All right, big news coming on India today.
29:18The NDA will likely announce the vice president candidate pick for the NDA on 12th August.
29:24So in the next four days, stay tuned.
29:26Our sources are telling us that J.P. Nanda,
29:28who's, of course, the party chief, would also need to pass in the Rajya Sabha,
29:32and prime minister will pick the NDA vice president face.
29:36So the party appears to have given them a unanimous choice
29:40and the free will to decide on that NDA pick.
29:44Who is it going to be?
29:45There are, of course, several frontrunners, guesses,
29:48but when it comes to the Bhartia Janata party or even the NDA,
29:51we know that usually it's not the guess or the speculation,
29:55but a surprise pick.
29:57Aishwara Paliwal joins me for the latest on that.
29:59Aishwara, so it looks like that now the game would be decided,
30:02at least for the NDA.
30:03J.P. Nanda and prime minister Modi will take that pick.
30:07But I wonder who is it going to be?
30:08How about you?
30:11At the moment, this is something, you know, the means,
30:14there are some of the speculation of these companies that some of the,
30:17I'm not questioning, one thing is very, very clear.
30:19Especially after that,
30:21they have made sure that both of the FFHM,
30:23they've never had a komen predetermined
30:24that can get the opportunity to attend the protest.
30:26Making sure,
30:27on behalf of the entire NDA,
30:32they are the ones who will choose the candidate.
30:33The NDA has made sure that we have full support.
30:37The NDA picked, but the elections will take a few weeks to come.
30:40So do you think the name possibly has been decided already?
30:44Is there going to be deliberation on this?
30:46Because the party appears to have said it's going to be final decision by the Prime Minister and J.P. Nanda.
30:56Big statements coming in from the NDA.
30:58Very, very clearly they are saying at the moment that they are the ones who will be deciding.
31:02But yes, one thing which has been done in today's meeting, and this is very crucial and very important to note,
31:07is the fact that they have said that they all need to be on the same page.
31:10So voting that happens, that voting has to be very, very clear, very, very precise.
31:14Everyone needs to know for who they are voting.
31:17So those are the minor details that have today been ironed out.
31:20We will get the name from what we are understanding by the 12th of August,
31:24and then we will see the nomination process being done.
31:27The last year of filing the nomination is on the 21st of August.
31:30The last day when people can take that for nomination is on the 22nd of August.
31:34All right, Ashwarya will be tracking all the latest on that.
31:37Who is it that's going to be picked by the Prime Minister and J.P. Nanda for the NDA vice president pick?
31:43And of course, there will be their elections that follow.
31:45But remember, the NDA has the number in the Rajya Sabha and as much, of course, in the Lok Sabha.
31:51But this is going to be a very crucial decision after the kind of sudden resignation that came in from Jagdi Dhankar.
31:59So we'll be tracking more on that.
32:0112th August, NDA's pick.
32:03Another racist attack on Indians and Ireland.
32:16Six-year-old Indian origin girl assaulted.
32:23Kicked in a private parts, left injured and traumatized.
32:26Goon shout, go back to India.
32:35Gang who punched her, they were telling, go back to India.
32:39Something like that, dirty Indian, go back.
32:41You know, that was so upsetting.
32:43Like, I didn't realize I didn't belong here.
32:46Who's fueling the hate against Indians in Dublin is our top focus on Five Lives.
32:51Just imagine this for a second.
32:57You're a young parent.
32:58So am I.
32:59Your six-year-old child comes to you traumatized, panicked, and then later you realize also sore with injuries, even in her private parts.
33:09And she tells you that there were these teenagers outside who traumatized her, beat her up and said, go back to India.
33:17How would you react as a parent?
33:18And when you're not even in the country.
33:21There have been a disturbing series of racism attacks against Indian origin community in Ireland, in Dublin especially, in this past one month.
33:29About 80,000 Indians are residing in Ireland right now.
33:33The most shocking is the latest case with six-year-old girl child of Indian origin, who's now an Irish citizen though,
33:40brutally assaulted right outside her residence.
33:43This was in Waterford.
33:44The child was playing right outside her house when a group of boys, and when I say boys, 12 to 14 years of age, came attacking her and shouting, go back to India.
33:55According to her mother, the attackers even hit her with their bicycle in her private parts, punching her in the face repeatedly.
34:02She's a six-year-old child, leaving her traumatized and in tears.
34:07The incident follows racist attacks that happened in Dublin, where Nakfi Singh, an Indian taxi driver in Ireland, for over 23 years, was brutally beaten with a bottle by two passengers.
34:17Again said, go back to your country.
34:19There have been physical attacks in the past few days as well.
34:22Indian embassy has given out an advisory as well, an helpline number.
34:27But the question to be asked is, who is fueling these attacks?
34:30First, I want you to listen in to the parents.
34:34We have, of course, blurred their visuals and identity, considering the sensitivity of the matter.
34:38But it's so gruesome, and the parents as much are scared.
34:43I'm not feeling safe even at my home.
34:46You know, I don't have any ways to explain.
34:48The only thing I can, I really didn't, I wasn't able to protect my daughter at that time.
34:53I am not getting much support.
34:55That's what I believe, yeah.
34:57And do you feel that your nationality was a factor in this incident?
35:01Yeah, I can't, that's the only thing scaring me now.
35:04I didn't realize that's my nationality, because my girl, she expressed at the night after the incident that, I mean, the guy who punched her,
35:14they were telling, go back to India, something like that, the Indian go back.
35:18You know, that was so upsetting.
35:19Like, I didn't realize I didn't belong here.
35:22That's so upsetting.
35:23Have you ever had any racial problems yourself?
35:27You've been in Ireland for, I think, eight years.
35:30Have you ever had any problems yourself?
35:31What I believe is that there will be good and bad people in and around.
35:34I had few incidents, like, it's not really upsetting, like, you know, I, I'm not a person who always taking things, you know, like that.
35:43But this is the first incident that happened to my family.
35:47And I know that, you know, I'm not the only person who is, you know, experiencing these kind of things.
35:53So are these random, isolated incidents, or is there a pattern?
35:59Why only Indian origin or Indians who are residing there in Ireland are being targeted?
36:05Even children are not being spared.
36:06What's happening?
36:07Let me just take you through the timeline of some of the incidents.
36:10The latest is, this is 4th August incident in Waterford, six-year-old.
36:15This Indian origin girl, though an Irish citizen, attacked by teenager boys, but very specifically because they kept shouting, go back to India.
36:22She was hit in her private parts.
36:24Who does that?
36:26Slurs were yelled at her.
36:28But the 1st of August, remember, Dublin taxi driver, Lakshir Singh, was hit with bottles.
36:32The attackers were actually the passengers of these taxi drivers, again shouting, go back to your country.
36:38He tried to ask for help, eventually had to call the police.
36:40Not much happened.
36:4219th July.
36:43It was in Dublin.
36:44An Indian tech worker, remember, brutally stripped, stabbed, beaten, targeted on face, arms, legs by, again, teenagers,
36:51was even branded a pedophile.
36:53But it was a local Irish woman who saved him.
36:56She was the hero.
36:57And she said there were no accusations against him.
36:59He was just being beaten randomly.
37:01Then 26th July, again in Dublin.
37:03This was an AI scientist contributing positively to the Irish economy and their development.
37:09Santosh Yadav was beaten, again by a teenager gang, assaulted right outside his apartment.
37:16And the thread here is, most of these attackers and accused are young men, barely teenagers, targeting specifically Indian origin.
37:25So I have some questions I ask here.
37:27When we begin with this incident, the latest one, how is an attack on six-year-old girl child in this brutal manner justified at all?
37:35Who thinks it's the right thing to do?
37:38But a bigger question.
37:39Who is fueling anti-Indian hate in Ireland?
37:43Is someone doing this deliberately?
37:45What action has been taken by their government after four attacks on Indians or Indian-origin Irish citizens?
37:52Is there a deliberate plan to target Indian-origin population?
37:57They have been contributing positively.
37:59About 80,000 residing there.
38:02They are only adding to the Irish economy.
38:04They are not a law and order concern.
38:06There have been legal immigrants who are, in many ways, an asset to Ireland.
38:11Who then wants them out and why?
38:13What is the government of Ireland's plan to protect the Indian immigrants, specifically in the country and immigrants at large?
38:21So let's try and understand that.
38:23Joining me in this telecast on Five Live right now is Supriya Singh.
38:26She's the Dublin city councillor, works with the government and the population on the ground as well.
38:31Supriya, thank you for joining me.
38:33What do you think can be done to ensure action is taken with this regard?
38:36As a councillor yourself, have you spoken to the family?
38:39How are you helping the family?
38:40How are you reaching out to the top politicians to be able to bring them some relief?
38:46So, Pooja, I met with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam, this morning.
38:51And I can confirm that he is taking these incidents extremely seriously.
38:55He has sought a meeting with the Garda Commissioner to address the issue at the highest level.
38:59And will also be reaching out to the Indian Ambassador personally to offer reassurance regarding the safety and protection of Indian nationals in Dublin.
39:06As a local representative, I am working closely with the affected families, offering support, lising with Garda and ensuring their concerns are taken seriously.
39:15I have also spoken to Tanisa Simon-Harris, who has condemned these attacks and has raised the matter with the Minister of Justice.
39:21And furthermore, I have also called for the urgent strengthening of Ireland's hate crime legislation.
39:26It is essential that young offenders understand the gravity of hate-based violence.
39:31No one, regardless of age, should be allowed to spread hatred and walk away without consequences.
39:36Justice must be served.
39:38And I am in contact with many affected families.
39:40I have been speaking to them.
39:42The rise of far-right extremism, especially online, is deeply alarming.
39:46We cannot allow hatred, misinformation or imported ideologies to take root in our communities.
39:53Ireland is and must remain a place of safety, inclusion and mutual respect.
39:58And Dublin is known around the world as a city of 100,000 welcomes.
40:02And what we are witnessing in recent times, the targeted racial attacks on Indian families does not represent the values of Dublin or of Ireland.
40:09And these actions are wild, unacceptable and entirely out of step with who we are as an Irish society.
40:15So, but that's what I'm wondering then.
40:18What is the reason, Supriya, you feel that what is fueling these attacks against Indians or Indian-origin Irish citizens,
40:24four in a month at least?
40:25Is there a deliberate push, do you think, by these far-right agitators?
40:29They are promoting this hate against Indian-origin families.
40:34Yes, it has been disappointing.
40:36But yes, indeed, it is a deliberate push by far-right.
40:40We are seeing disturbing rise lately by the far-right influence in Ireland.
40:44And see, these attacks, they do not happen in isolation.
40:47They are part of a broader narrative, which I feel is being pushed online and in certain social media circles to demean migrants,
40:55including the Indian-origin families.
40:57Far-right agitators, they are using platforms with little or no moderation to spread hate, misinformation, conspiracy theories.
41:05Unfortunately, vulnerable young people, particularly those from undersupervised or disadvantaged backgrounds,
41:12are being exposed to this content.
41:13They are being radicalized online and influenced by hyper-violent content,
41:18sometimes tied to the combat sports like UFC, which is also being misused to glorify dominance and aggression.
41:24What we are seeing is a toxic mix of online extremism, misinformation and misplaced anger,
41:30targeting peaceful and hard-working families who have contributed greatly to Irish society.
41:35So this online check also is needed, especially with regard to who is writing and what.
41:40You are in touch, I'm sure, with the Indian-origin families.
41:43What are they telling you?
41:44What is the sentiment on the ground?
41:46Because Indian Embassy also has given out an advisory and to take precautions.
41:49Is there tension in the area?
41:54There is a concern and fear among Indian-origin families in the community right now.
41:58What they expect is action against perpetrators, visible support from GARDY,
42:03and long-term safety measures and stronger legal protections.
42:07And I will emphasize again that Dublin is a city known for its 100,000 welcomes.
42:12And what we are seeing right now does not represent Dublin or Ireland.
42:16That message must be loud and clear.
42:18We cannot allow hate, especially online, to masquerade as free speech when it has such real-world consequences.
42:26So then let's talk solutions because I understand that India and Ireland have been friends-allies.
42:32There's no tension between the countries.
42:34So do you think there's awareness needed for the local Irish population, especially the youth there,
42:38to understand that Indians are contributing positively?
42:41This diversity isn't there to cause problems.
42:43So what can be done as an inter-community interaction by the leaders?
42:48Absolutely.
42:50The Indian community in Ireland plays a vital role in nearly every sector, healthcare, education, technology, small businesses.
42:59Indians are not just migrants.
43:00They are colleagues, neighbours and friends.
43:03Unfortunately, this truth is being drowned by extremist voices online,
43:07where platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter, under the ownership of Elon Musk,
43:13have become increasingly tolerant of hate speech, conspiracy theories and far-right propaganda.
43:18I mean, accounts spreading anti-immigrant hatred in Ireland, including targeted misinformation about Indian origin families,
43:26have received likes from Elon Musk's own account.
43:29And this is deeply alarming when one of the most influential figures engages with extremist content
43:35and it legitimizes hate and emboldens those who seek to divide society.
43:40So, I mean, I respectfully urge the government of India as well to raise this matter with Elon Musk
43:45and seek clarification on why his platform is enabling accounts that actively target the Indian community in Ireland and other countries.
43:52We cannot allow hate, especially online, to masquerade as free speech when it has such real-world consequences.
43:58All right.
43:59I appreciate you joining us, Supriya.
44:01And we put out that image where you've met also some of the senior leaders there in Ireland
44:05and we hope that some solution comes to it.
44:08This is absolutely unacceptable about what has been done.
44:11I'll put out that image of the family again for you.
44:14The family where a little child especially has been targeted and how.
44:19And I'll leave you with this image to think for Ireland, for people back here, families back here in India as well,
44:27what this child must be going through and the family as well in fear.
44:30Let's hope that whether it's counselling, arrest, but some action is taken.
44:37Disgusting, perversion, use any term you want.
44:41But the fact is happening so close to the National Capital Region, the NCR specifically in Gurugram,
44:47this is what happened.
44:48And because it's caught on camera, at least there's evidence.
44:52This man, knowing fairly well what he's doing and where he's standing,
44:56unzips his trousers and starts to masturbate in front of a woman model.
45:00She was waiting for a cab at the Rajiv Chowk station.
45:03The model, who had come from Jaipur basically, managed to somehow capture the incident from a mobile phone,
45:08later posted the video online saying that this is the reality women face every day.
45:12It needs to stop.
45:13She claims she called the cab driver, police and the women helpline, which is 1090, but did not get any response.
45:20But she later declined to file a formal complaint.
45:23She says she's still in fear and shock from the traumatic incident,
45:26raising serious questions about women's safety and functional status and the safety mechanisms in Delhi NCR.
45:33But that visual in itself, it's not as much about the incident,
45:36but the audacity of the man and the fact that he's wearing a mask so that just in case he's caught,
45:42his identity wouldn't be revealed.
45:44Let's hope that the police are able to nab him soon.
45:47Here's what the woman speaking to India today said to my colleague, Suwesha Saab.
45:51If you could talk about it in detail, because it's important to put out your story.
45:57It's important that all women talk about how this is happening.
46:02Initially, he was telling me from a distance.
46:05Then he tried to come closer and closer and he just came in front of me and kept staring at me.
46:11Then I realized that his pants zip was unzipped and he took his penis outside and started masturbating in front of me.
46:19I initially froze. I didn't record. I didn't react it because I was scared.
46:26So I canceled the ride and I booked another ride.
46:29The another ride also took nearly 10 to 15 minutes to arrive because the traffic was really intense and crazy.
46:37And I noticed the man was masturbating.
46:40So I thought to record the video for the proof just in case something happens.
46:45Or maybe if I would have slapped him because, you know, people always come to take the videos to put this on social media.
46:56They really don't help people.
46:58So I so I recorded video for the evidence.
47:01I came back to my place.
47:03I tweeted everything on Twitter and I also tagged the Burugam police and the local authorities.
47:12But there was no automated message, no response.
47:16So the other day I recorded the whole incident and the video and the picture and put it on the social media.
47:23And not the exact same day, but the other day I got a call, like a message from the police station.
47:32And then they called me yesterday to file the complaint.
47:36And I went there.
47:37They they asked me to come to the Rajiv shop.
47:40So I went there and today they asked me to come to the court with the proof and pen drive.
47:44So, yeah, I'm ready to cooperate with them because I want to really want to take some really real action on this.
47:51All right.
47:52And our final report on Five Live.
47:54U.S. President Donald Trump is clearly talk of the town.
47:57He's hit India with a 50 percent tariff now over, for example, Russian oil imports.
48:01But Apple was notably exempted.
48:04This came just days after the CEO Tim Cook gave Trump a custom gold mounted gift.
48:10A coincidence or strategy, I leave it to you to decide.
48:14Thank you for watching Five Live.
48:15Here's the report.
48:20Even as President Trump hits India with a 50 percent total tariff penalty for its continued purchase of Russian oil,
48:28one company with substantial stakes in India seems to have walked free.
48:33Apple.
48:36Which is going out of its way to who Trump.
48:40It's a moment of high optics days before a sweeping economic order on semiconductors.
48:48Apple CEO Tim Cook handed over a custom-made gift to Trump.
48:52A glass statue mounted on 24-carat gold crafted by a U.S. Marine veteran.
48:58Cook called it a tribute, a token of American craftsmanship and innovation.
49:04But the timing raises eyebrows.
49:07Because right after that symbolic gesture, Trump's new tariff order exempted Apple from the fresh penalties.
49:15While most Indian imports now face a total 50 percent duty,
49:19Apple's flagship products often made in India have been given a clean pass, at least for the time being.
49:26Trump has meanwhile threatened a 100 percent tariff on imported chips and semiconductors.
49:34A move that could disrupt global tech supply chains.
49:37But Apple may already be ahead of that curve.
49:42Soon after the White House event, Cook announced Apple would invest an additional $100 billion into U.S. jobs and manufacturing,
49:51taking a total U.S. investment commitment to $600 billion.
49:55Today, Apple is announcing that it will invest $600 billion, that's with a B, in the United States over the next four years.
50:07That's $100 billion more than they were originally going to invest.
50:13And this is the largest investment Apple has ever made in America and anywhere else.
50:19And it's just an honor to have you.
50:20So, was it just a generous gift or a golden bribe wrapped in patriotism?
50:30Bureau Report, India Today.
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