Malivia

[Aquinas]

September 4914

Malivia denounces Kalistan at World Congress


Mrs. Kamala Ghoshal, whose release Malivia is demanding

Foreign Minister Vishnu Satavelekar has delivered a stirring speech at the World Congress General Assembly, condemning Kalistan for its treatment of Kamala Ghoshal and its plans to encourage pirates to attack Malivian shipping.



Deltarians lose key court battle over asset seizures

Over the last year, the government has controversially used the Zamindari Reform Act to seize assets from several wealthy Deltarians resident in Malivia, following a deterioration in the relationship between Malivia and its traditional key ally. Yesterday, the Deltarians attempted to persuade a court in Modalin that the seizures were illegal, because seizures under the Zamindari Reform Act are only supposed to involve assets which were acquired as a historical consequence of the activities of the East Artania Company. However, the judge rejected this argument, claiming the Act could cover "all forms of colonialism and neo-colonialism" and that the Deltarian acquisitions "came about very much as a result of Deltaria's economic domination over the Malivian people".

Some of the Deltarians involved in this case are said to be considering launching an appeal to the Supreme Court.



Ministry of Cows tries to flog cow dung to Endralon



Minister for Cows Chatur Upadhyay has been in talks with the Endralonian government and various Endralonian corporations, trying frantically to persuade them to purchase the contents of Malivia's cow dung mountain in north-west Washebar, reputed to be the largest pile of cow dung in the world at the moment.

The Ministry of Cows has a long-standing policy of protecting and stabilising the price of cow dung in Maliva by intervening in the market to buy it up when prices look like they are going down, and then slowly releasing it back on the market when prices are high. However, this does mean that during more challenging economic times, such as at present, when international economic sanctions and boycotts (and now the potential threat of Kalistan privateers) have been denting the economy, the size of the cow dung mountain tends to expand exponentially.

The Ministry for Cows, facing a budget squeeze due to the economic situation, is desperate to make some rupees out of the cow dung, but would prefer to offload it somewhere abroad, so the price of cow dung in Malivia itself will not be too much affected.

Malisindu (OOC: Afro-Caribbean) campaigners are urging potential buyers not to hand over any money to the Ministry of Cows until the descendants of the victims of the Trysee tragedy have been awarded financial compensation for the terrible accident which occurred there back in 4778, when the cow dung mountain cascaded in to the local village.



Malivia applies to World Congress Green Department for biogas generator subsidies





Minister for Cows Chatur Upadhyay has applied to the World Congress Green Department, newly established under Security Council Resolution 117, for subsidies to develop Malivia's network of biogas electricity generators run on cow manure. "This technology is more advanced in Malivia than anywhere else in the world, and it is very promising with much potential, much potential indeed," he said, adding that "Holy Mother Cow is a gift to humanity that just keeps giving and giving and giving" and that "I have no words to express the depth of my gratitude to her".


Lower castes demand quotas

A growing campaign in the Raktavani (OOC: Indian) community is calling for public sector job quotas and public sector higher education quotas, which are currently only allotted to Untouchable and Adivasis (OOC: Indian tribals) to be extended to members of other disadvantaged Raktavani castes. 92 members of the Lok Sabya have signed a motion calling for the government to set up a commission to examine this issue.

Malisindu groups are arguing their community is at least as disadvantaged and discriminated against as the Untouchables and Adivasis, and are calling for quotas to be allotted to them as well. However, there appears to be scant sympathy for this position within the ruling Raktavani National Party.

[Aquinas]

April 4915

Prince Hasan killed in yacht explosion

Prince Hasan, son of the former Emperor Changragupta I and cousin of the reigning Emperor Chandragupta II, has lost his life following an explosion on a small luxury yacht, where he was entertaining members of the international business community, trying to drum up investment for Maliva. He was one of four people on board who were killed; there were 11 survivors.

The cause of the explosion has not yet been established. One theory is that is that the yacht was attacked by a Kalistani privateer. Another is that a bomb was planted by hardline Gerajatva (OOC: Hindutva) elements which resent Prince Hasan for marrying an Ahmadi (OOC: Muslim) Kafuri and converting to Ahmadism. It is also being speculated there may have been a mechanical fault with the yacht's engine.



We've poisoned your beef supply, Gau Raksha Paltan tells Kalistan


Cows are considered a sacred animal in Malivia

The cow terrorist group Gau Raksha Paltan (Cow Protection Army) claims it has infiltrated Kalistan's beef industry and poisoned its beef supply. This follows reports of an attack on a Gau Raksha Paltan ship by a Kalistani privateer. Gau Raksha Paltan also appealed to the Kalistani people to stop eating beef, treat cows with dignity, convert to Geraja and "find inner peace".



Ministry of Defence denies selling ship to Kalistani privateer

The Ministry of Defence has described as "inaccurate" reports that that it accidentally sold a small decommissioned ship to a gentleman called Luis Miguel Carnicer, who is believed to be a Kalistani privateer targeting Malivian shipping. However, the parliamentary Defence Select Committee is investigating evidence submitted by internal whistleblowers which may suggest this did indeed occur.

Due to the economic situation brought about by international sanctions and boycotts, the Ministry of Defence has been tight for funds, and has been trying to raise extra cash by selling off old ships.



Stubble burning blamed for rising pollution levels



A report just released by the Ministry of the Environment & Tourism highlights stubble burning as "a decisive factor in the decline in air quality in many cities over the last 3 years". Stubble burning is the practice where farmers set fire to the straw remains of harvests in order to prepare the way for sowing in the next season.

Environment Minister Nagini Misra is said to be lobbying hard for restrictions to be placed on stubble burning, although this is being resisted by Agriculture Minister Madri Panja and others, who are fearful of alienating farmers, who represent a powerful and well-organised political constituency in Malivia.

There are also reports that pollution generated by stubble burning in the northern part of Bhulkandra Pradesh is being carried by wind across the border in to the Kozarian region of Narikaton-Darnussia, causing issues there.



Unificationists discover "ancient Malivian beach" in Hobrazian capital

Unity TV, the Modalin-based television station founded to "bring the culture and history of Greater Malivia to all parts of Greater Malivia", is running a story which claims an ancient Malivian beach has been discovered under the streets of central Astoria K’alak’i, the Hobrazian capital.

Unificationists say they have discovered sand under dislodged pavement stones, which they believe is the remains of a man-made beach constructed there in the distant past by the Greater Mlaivian Emperor Yudhishthira for his wife, Empress Anushree. According to the old legend, Empress Anushree missed the beaches of Washebar, and wanted a Washebarian beach to be recreated for her in Hobrazia, where she was touring at the time.

However, a former employee of Astoria K’alak’i City Council is reported to have claimed the dusty substance found under the pavement stones is "merely grit imported from Suyy Llaqta 27 years ago".



Employ humans to pick coconuts, urges Agriculture Minister



Agriculture Minister Madri Panja has urged the coconut industry to "rely less on monkeys to pick coconuts, and employ Malivian workers instead", warning "we will consider legislating on this unless the industry can address this problem by itself".

Concerns have been mounting that coconut picker jobs are being lost to monkeys, and that the monkeys being used are not being treated humanely enough.



Cricket hero enters the government

Daya Thakre, the former Malivian cricket captain who was found guilty of corruption but remained wildly popular and went on to win election to the Lok Sabya, has become a junior minister in the Ministry for Food & Agriculture, with special responsibility for onions. This is a politically sensitive role, since ordinary Malivians have a long history of ranking the performance of the government according to the price and availability of onions.

[jellybean]

Hobrazian President Abram Giorgadze seeks audience with Malivian government

[Aquinas]

October 4915

Malivian territorial claims to be dropped after dramatic RNP conference showdown

Following a turbulent conference of the Raktavani National Party (RNP), held in Modalin, Malivia's position in relation to its territorial claims is set to be reformulated for the first time in over a century.

The drama unfolded on day 3 of the 5 day conference. For the Prime Minister, the day began badly, with the leadership's motion to replace the claims to sovereignty with an "aspiration for reunification" heavily rejected by 438 to 62 votes. The leadership then attempted a second motion, calling for the work of the Claims Committee to be suspended. The Claims Committee had been established in February 4911 to examine whether Malivia's territorial claims should be extended to Pontesi, Beluzia, Luthori, Rutania, Ikradon, Kundrati, Endralon, Likaton and the Telamonese island of Suðureyja. This motion was rejected by 557 votes 443.

Party hardliners were emboldened by this victory, and sought to propose a motion to extend Malivia's territorial claims to all of the nations the Claims Committee had been asked to investigate. For a while it looked as though such a motion might be carried, but the tide of the debate began to turn when the Foreign Minister, Vishnu Satavelekar, made an impassioned speech, denouncing the proposal and threatening to resign if it was passed. Several other Cabinet Ministers joined Satavelekar in his position, and even the Prime Minister, Ravi Ranganekary, began to drop hints he would be unwilling to continue in office if the party did not support him on this issue.

At this point, Chanda Dongerkerry, a leading backbencher on the more dovish wing of the party, gathered together the senior figures on each side of the debate in his hotel room, and hashed out a compromise which has now become known as "the Dongerkerry Formula". Under this proposal, the Claims Committee would be disbanded, and the former formulation involving the claims to sovereignty, would be dropped, and replaced by this:

The Greater Malivian Empire, whilst recognising and accepting its current borders, aspires to restore its full historical territory, with the free consent of the peoples now living in those lands and through the free co-operation of their established governments.

The beauty of this fudge is that it allows the doves to claim - correctly - that the territorial claims are being dropped, whilst also allowing the hawks to claim the extent of the "full historical territory" is as wide as they wish it to be, since the formulation does not specifically spell out what the "full historical territory" actually comprises.

At the end of the day, after hours of debate, the Dongerkerry Formula was passed by 289 votes to 211 votes. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, in particular, were visibly relieved.

Legislation reflecting the party's new position is now being debated in the Lok Sabha, and by all current indications, seems likely to be passed.

In the aftermath of the party conference, it has become clear different groups within the party have different ideas about what the new position means to them. One group never cared for the territorial claims in the first place and is hoping Malivia is now finally rid of the main obstacle to relations with its neighbours. Another group sees the "full historical territory" as comprising Malivia and Selucia, and no further. A third group is strongly wedded to the Greater Malivia Act and sees the "full historical territory" as including Selucia, Darnussia-Narikaton, Hobrazia and Keymon. A fourth group, strong in the grassroots party, but weaker in the Lok Sabha and weaker still at Cabinet level, sees the "full historical territory" as going beyond - and in some cases way, way beyond - that set out in the Greater Malivia Act.

Realism surely played a part in persuading the conference delegates to accept the Dongerkerry formula. International sanctions and boycotts have been seriously hurting the economy, and now with the conflict with Kalistan, it was becoming clear Malivia could no longer afford to alienate potential international allies. However, how well Malivia's international partners respond to the latest development remains to be seen. Doubts will remain as to Malivia's long-term intentions, and there can be no doubt that some of those who voted for Dongerkerry's motion did not do so enthusiastically. Nevertheless, it does seem like a new chapter may have opened in Malivia's history of international relations. Dreams of empire are by no means vanquished, but they are perhaps, at least for the moment, not to be allowed to get so much in the way of other important objectives.



Kalistani pirates face the noose



Seven Kalistani pirates have been captured by the Malivian navy and executed by hanging under fast-track procedures authorised by the Ministry for Justice.

Foreign Minister Vishnu Satavelekar has denounced Kalistan's actions at the World Congress General Assembly, and called for an international response against Kalistan.

Optimists are hoping that with the disbandment of the Claims Committee, the way might now be open for Kalistan and Malivia to resolve their differences diplomatically.



Ranganekary asks for Hobrazia to join Lusitan talks

Following an offer of talks from Hobrazia's President Abram Giorgadze, Prime Minister Ravi Ranganekary has proposed Hobrazia send a delegation to join Malivia and Narikaton-Darnussia at the Lusitan talks.

Now that it looks like there will be a shift in position in relation to Malivia's claim to sovereignty over its neighbours, observers are hoping a diplomatic breakthrough may now at last be possible.

[Aquinas]

October 4916

Malivia declares dharma-yuddha on pirates/drugs/Kalistan

Prime Minister Ravi Ranganekary has dismissed as "fanciful" Kalistan's demands for prosecutions, compensation and apologies following the execution of Kalistani pirates by Malivia. "The Greater Malivian Empire will continue to hang every pirate she catches," he said, adding "the only good pirate is a dead pirate".

Defence Minister Daksha Roychaudhuri later described Malivia's conflict with Kalistan as "a dharma-yuddha", or Gerajan (OOC: Hindu) righteous or holy war, and "a war on drugs, terrorism and piracy". He added that Malivia would "blow every Kalistani pirate ship out of the sea and hang every Kalistani pirate by the noose".



Two Kalistani pirates lose lives in controversial police incident

Two alleged Kalistani pirates caught at sea were shot by police after allegedly attempting to escape arrest whilst being detained at a port on the coast of southern Idhaghra. Social media has been inundated with posts from Raktavani National Party supporters, praising the police for their actions. Ajatasatru Marwah tweeted an image of the Idhaghra Police Force's emblem, along with the words "Proud of our men and women in uniform, keeping us safe".

The Malivian Civil Liberties Association is demanding a judicial investigation in to the circumstances in which the two Kalistani men were killed.



Pirate executions unlawful, rules Supreme Court


Malivian Supreme Court

By a verdict of 6 to 3, the Supreme Court has ruled that Justice Minister Waazir Devdhar "did not follow correct procedure" by instituting a rushed trial of seven Kalistani pirates which ended with them being executed by hanging, without their families members being granted an opportunity to be present at the execution. However, it declined to grant any compensation to the families of the executed individuals, on the grounds they are not Malivian citizens.

The Malivian Civil Liberties Association has slammed the Supreme Court for not heeding its earlier call to suspend the executions whilst the seven prisoners were still alive.



Embarrassment as "ancient Malivia explorers" call for help in Kalistani forest

Three explorers, all Kalistan citizens, have contacted the Kalistani authorities asking to be rescued after getting lost in a deep forest. According to reports, they had previously been working for the Claims Committee of Malivia's ruling Raktavani National Party, tasked with uncovering evidence that Kalistan may once have belonged to the ancient Greater Malivian Empire. The reports say they were searching for the remains of an ancient Malivan palace and an ancient Gerajan (OOC: Hindu) temple in the forest, and were so excited about their work they continued to engage in it long after the Claims Committee was disbanded and stopped funding them. Apparently they failed to find any evidence of the temple or the palace, although they violated forest rules by carrying out a series of small excavation digs without official permission.


Radio Malivia bans Kalistani music

Following pressure from the government, Radio Malivia, Malivia's national state-owned radio station, has announced it will no longer allow Kalistani music to be played on air. However, after much haggling with the Ministry of Education & Culture, Radio Malivia's bosses did negotiate a small concession allowing them to play 20 second highlights of Kalistan's FOMAT entries on FOMAT nights.



Traffic police complain about being replaced by cardboard cut-outs



The Malivian Traffic Police Union is complaining about a new scheme in Kajpur City to replace traffic cops with deceptive cardboard cut-out replicas "This is not a long-term solution," they said.

Police authorities across the country are struggling to trim their budgets, as the economic situation has been challenging and funding is being reduced.



Modalin tourists warned against scamsters



Police in Modalin have put out a warning to foreign wealthy tourists about a gang of Malivian criminals who try to give them free food and drink that is drugged, and then go on to rob them. However, the Tourism Ministry, wary of the effect this might have on potential visitors, has issued another statement, claiming "Modalin is the safest city in the world" and that "so long as you follow basic safety precautions and common sense in Modalin, there is no need to worry".

[Aquinas]

April 4917

New commission to examine Adivasi situation

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has set up a new commission, chaired by backbench Raktavani National Party parliamentarian Sandracottos Mirchandani, a retired army officer, to investigate the situation of the Adivasis (OOC: Indian tribals) in Malivia, and in particular the workings of the controversial Criminal Tribes Act.



Parents in rural areas to be paid to send girls to school

Education Minister Sita Kamath has unveiled a new scheme to pay financial bonuses to parents in certain parts of the country for sending their girls to school. Whilst education is technically compulsory in Malivia, in practice, in the more isolated parts of the country, parents often prefer to keep female children at home, and the education authorities lack either the means or the will to enforce attendance.



Fake caste certificates on the rise



The Prime Minister admitted in the Lok Sabha today that "the rise in use of fake caste certificates is becoming a problem".

In Malivia, 5% of public sector jobs and 5% of public sector higher education placements are reserved for Untouchables and Adivasis. Citizens from outside these groups sometimes seek to acquire certificates claiming they belong to them, believing this will increase their chances of getting jobs or college places.



Mamora Temple asks Deltaria for Mamors rock


Mamora Temple in Hitam City


Mamora, god of Mamors

The elders of Mamora (OOC: Mangala) Temple in Hitam City have written to Deltaria's Federal Space Agency, asking if it would be possible for them to be granted a piece of rock from Mamors (OOC: Mars).

Mamora has a reputation as an angry god who pours his wrath on those who displease him, but the elders say he "has a soft side too", and suggest giving him a piece of Mamors rock would "bring blessings to the Deltarians, and indeed the whole world, for many, many years".

[Aquinas]

October 4917

Leaked letter reveals discussion of "Raktavani Bomb"

A short letter has been leaked, reputedly written by Defence Minister Daksha Roychaudhuri to his Vascanian counterpart, broaching the subject of whether Malivia and Vascania should embark on a joint project to build a "Raktavani (OOC: Indian) bomb", in what appears to be a suggestion of acquiring nuclear weapons. The Ministry of Defence has denied the letter's authenticity, although rumours are swirling that something indeed might be up.



Are communists taking over the Adivasi rebellion?

The Adivasi rebellion, which had been fizzling out, seems to be on the rise again, with a series of clashes between Adivasis (OOC: Indian tribals) and police taking place in central Washebar and on the outskirts of Kubir City. It has been noticed that many of the rebels are espousing radical communist ideas, demanding the overthrow of the state, the abolition of capitalism and the redistribution of wealth.



Health Ministry denies cholera cases

The Ministry of Health has denied reports that four patients in Verana City have been taken to hospital and isolated on suspicion of having contracted cholera. "These are false reports and there is no need to panic," they said.



Emperor Chandragupta II writes to Teera Clan in Sekoko

In a surprise move, Emperor Changragupta II has written to senior figures in the Teera Clan in Sekoko, offering his friendship, and sending various gifts as well. His wife, Empress Minakshi, is reported to be furious at the Emperor for giving away several antique vases, and sources say she is already plotting to try to get them back at some point in the future.

The Teera Clan appears to have a good chance of taking the throne at the moment, and the Malivian government is keen to establish good relations with the next regime.



Malivian turmeric is safe, says Agriculture Minister



Agriculture Minister Madri Panja has strongly denied suggestions Malivian turmeric is unsafe, after campaigners put out a claim 50% of Malivian turmeric is adulterated, in many cases with potentially toxic substances such as lead. However, consumer panic is growing, and there is a fear that the overseas market, in particular, might start shunning Maliva's turmeric.



Princess Lavanya opens car door

Princess Lavanya, youngest daughter of the previous Emperor and niece of the reigning one, has invoked the ire of traditionalists by opening a car door all by herself whilst travelling to a cinema in Modalin to watch the new Aldegarian film, Bashekewh.

According to royal protocol, female members of the royal family are meant to have doors opened for them by their husbands or servants. Emperor Chandragupta II is particularly insistent on this point of etiquette, although his wife, Empress Minakshi, has been spotted a few times opening car doors by herself when travelling abroad without him.

[jellybean]

Hobrazian Agricultural Supply imports Malivian cow dung after receiving special permission from the government

[Aquinas]

July 4921

South Artanian Community negotiations picking up

In a development which has taken many Raktavani National Party backbencher by surprise, and some in the international community even more so, negotiations are moving forwards at Lusitan to create an economic pact, or "South Artanian Community", between Malivia, Hobrazia and Narikaton-Darnussia. Malivia's relationship with these neighbours, on which it previously had territorial claims, has been strained in the past. However, Prime Minister Ravi Ranganekary and Foreign Minister Vishnu Satavelekar, in particular, are keen to bring Malivia "in from the cold" in terms of its international isolation.



Families of Kalistani privateers offered compensation

Foreign Minister Vishnu Satavelekar has announced the Malivian government is offering "substantial financial compensation" to the families of the Kalistani privateers who were executed in controversial circumstances several years back. Campaigners are expressing disappointment than a formal apology or admission of responsibility for wrongdoing was not conceded. However, Satavelekar did say that "the Malivian government and the Malivian people want to help heal the wounds from these incidents".

The more hardline members of the Raktavani National Party are furious at this development, and angry speeches are being delivered against the Foreign Minister in the Lok Sabha.



Government asks Dolgava for Mundra Temple


Mundra, Gerajan moon god

Following the news of Dolgava's new moon project, Science & Technology Minister Parvati Shrivastava has written to his Dolgavan counterpart, trying to negotiate an agreement whereby, in return for funding and possibly certain forms of technical assistance, Dolgava would be prepared to construct a Mundra Temple on the moon on Malivia's behalf.

This has been an ambition of the Malivian government since 4548, when it tried but failed to bounce the Deltarians in to doing it.

Mundra, the Gerajan (OOC: Hindu) moon god, is an important deity who has a dedicated temple in western Kajpur. For centuries, the temple has been trying to get its hands on some moon rock, and this is another cause the Malivian government is petitioning Dolgava to assist with.



Malivian cow dung "perfectly safe", Ministry of Cows assures Hobrazia

Minister for Cows Chatur Upadhyay has described media reports regarding members of the scientific community expressing concerns about the cow dung exported to Hobrazia being teeming with E-Coli and Listeria as "complete nonsense", reassuring Hobrazia that "Malivian cow dung is the best cow dung anywhere in the world". He also posted images online of Malivians bathing in cow dung in order to enjoy its "unsurpassed health benefits".





Education officials convicted of lying about school attendance rates to claim bonuses

Eleven education authority bosses from eastern Dendhadrash have been found guilty of falsifying school attendance rates in order to claim salary bonuses for themselves. All have been ordered to repay substantial sums, and three have been jailed for 6 months.



Malivian GDP per capita and HDI rating overtakes Deltaria

The International Institute for Objective Economic & Military Comparisons, based in Modalin, has issued a new international league table demonstrating Malivia has now surpassed Deltaria in terms of Gross Domestic Product per capita and Human Development Index rating.

"The progress we are making here in Malivia has to be seen to be believed, and we are overtaking other nations every year now," said Finance Minister Mohun Haldar.

[Aquinas]

April 4922

Ranganekary invites Hobrazia and Narikaton-Darnussa to talks at Seredeki House



With the Lusitan talks coming to a close and with the concept of organising a South Artanian Community between Malivia, Hobrazia and Narikaton-Darnussia gathering momentum, Prime Minister Ravi Ranganekary has proposed to resume discussions between the three nations in the luxurious setting of Seredeki House, on the outskirts of Seredeki City in Malivia.

The Palace has denied rumours that, upon learning about a possible upcoming conference at Seredeki House, Empress Minakshi hurriedly returned a number of antiques she had "borrowed" from the stately home, out of a fear that the missing items might suddenly be noticed.



Adivasi Commission recommends scrapping Criminal Tribes Act

Amidst criticisms for being long over-due and spending too much money, the Adivasi Commission has finally presented its report on the situation of the Adivasis in Malivia, recommending that the draconian Criminal Tribes Act should be rescinded.

Sandracottos Mirchandani, the Commission's chairperson, along with most other members of the Commission, were not previously known to take comparatively liberal or sympathetic positions towards the Adivasis. However, they do, after having sifted acres of evidence and listened to endless hours of testimonies, appear to have come closer to meeting the demands of civil liberties campaigners than most observers expected them to. The report's conclusion spoke of "a lack of sensitivity towards the Adivasi community on the part of political decision makers and of agents of the state on the ground", and called for "more neutral law enforcement, the release of Adivasi political prisoners and consultation in an environment of mutual respect and trust".

The government has stated it will consider the Commission's report and publish its response "in due course".


Dhuleep Haradas, Adivasi holy man

Dhuleep Haradas, the charismatic Adivasi holy man who led the original Adivasi civil rights struggle, has been detained without trial under the Criminal Tribes Act since April 4912, a decade ago. Nobody else has been detained for such a long period of time, and the authorities are known to be particularly fearful of him because of his legendary ability to galvanise supporters. No photo or other image of him has appeared since he entered prison, and rumours abound about his state of health, which is said to be weak. Claims are also circulating that he may have died, or been executed, but that the government has kept this a secret in order to avoid the inevitable backlash this would create.

Adivasi leaders and civil rights campaigners have been calling for Haradas's release and demanding updates as to the conditions of his incarceration and state of health, which the government has so far refused to provide. Opinion towards Haradas does not seem positive within the ruling party, however. At their annual conference two months ago, a number of delegates could be seen wearing "Hang Dhuleep Haradas" baseball caps.

Sandracottos Mirchandani, who chaired the Adivasi Commission, has stated he requested permission to interview or write to Haradas as part of his research, and that this was denied by the Internal Affairs Ministry.



Minister for Onions set to join the Cabinet

Daya Thakre, the former Malivian cricket captain whose wild popularity survived a finding of bribery, is set to be promoted to the Cabinet.

"I love onions and I take them very, very seriously, as does the government," he said. "I am very proud the government has decided the Minister for Onions should have a place in the Cabinet, and I think this shows that onions are at the very heart of every decision we take".

Onions are a vital ingredient in the Raktavani (OOC: Indian) cuisine, and elections across Malivia have been won or lost in the past over the issue of who has the best policy on keeping the onion supply plentiful and affordable.



Didrai festival begins again

The Didrai (OOC: Lairai) festival in Didiphat is set to be held for the first time since the Bishop of Idhaghra cancelled it in 4907.

Aurorians in Malivia are notoriously syncretic, blending traditions from Hosianism (OOC: Christianity) and Geraja (OOC: Hinduism). Didiphat's Didrai festival involves Aurorians, accompanied by Gerajans, travelling to the nearby Gerajan Didrai Temple, collecting holy rice from the priests there, and then taking the rice to offer to the statue of the Virgin Sarahae (OOC: Virgin Mary) at the local Aurorian Church of the Virgin Sarahae. According to local tradition, the Gerajan goddess Didrai is the sister of the Virgin Sarahae, and likes to give her sister gifts on September 28th every year.

This tradition has long split and divided the Aurorian hierarchy. Some see it as simply a custom or tradition as opposed to a religious practice, arguing it should be quietly tolerated for fear of offending local sensibilities. Others, though, have always seen it as a blasphemous promotion of non-orthodox religious thinking. Over the centuries, the APC has several times stepped in to compel the Church of the Virgin Sarahae in Didiphat to close its doors to the Didrai pilgrims, although somehow it has always ended up eventually relenting to community demand.

The local panchayat (OOC: council) in Didiphat is said to have lobbied the regional Idhaghra Aurorian diocese to allow the festival to be restarted, on the grounds the local economy has been suffering, and the festival has always been good for attracting pilgrims and tourists.