The Ravan Amongst Us

 

The age-old tradition of burning the Ravan effigy on Dussehra will be practised this year as well at the Ram Leela Maidan. However, the Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee has announced that it will also burn a 30-foot Cockroach effigy alongside Ravan, Kumbhakaran, and Meghnad. So, here are some contextually relatable characters that actually deserve a worse fate than what was handed to them by the honourable courts.

 

• Bilkis Bano Rapists and Murderers (2002)

During the Gujarat riots in 2002, a then 19-year-old Bilkis Bano, her mother, and her cousin were gang-raped, and 14 members of her family were murdered while she was 5 months pregnant. The Special Court in Mumbai sentenced 11 men to life imprisonment in 2008. They were released early from Godhra Jail on 15^th August 2022 and were welcomed with garlands and sweets while being called Brahmins with good Sanskar by an MLA of the ruling party. However, the public outrage and the plea filed to challenge the release led to the Supreme Court overturning the ruling and ordering the 11 men to surrender within 15 days in January 2024. 

• Kandhamal Nun Rapists (2008)

A 28-year-old Catholic nun, Meena Barwa, was gang-raped and paraded half-naked by Hindu nationalists after communal riots broke out in Kandhamal with anti-Christian sentiments following the murder of a VHP leader. Even though 9 people were arrested, only 1 was convicted of rape, 2 were convicted of outraging a woman’s modesty, and 6 were acquitted due to lack of evidence in 2014.

• Asaram Bapu and his Son, Narayan (2013)

Asaram Bapu was accused of raping a 16-year-old at his Jodhpur ashram in 2013, and he was also tried for raping multiple women between 2001 and 2006 in Gujarat. Both courts found him guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2018. However, he has been out on bail and parole for over 450 days in total. His son, Narayan, was also accused in December 2013 and found guilty of raping the younger sister of one of his father’s accusers in April 2019. 

• Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh (1999-2002)

The head of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect was accused of raping 2 of his disciples between 1999 and 2002. He was sentenced to two consecutive 10-year prison terms in August 2017. The lawyer for one of the victims allegedly claimed that there might be up to 50 other women who were victims of his atrocities but were killed or too scared to speak up. However, he too has been granted multiple paroles totalling over 436 days.

• Badaun Rapists (2014)

In May 2014, two girls aged 14 and 15 were found hanging from a mango tree. The post-mortem report suggested that the girls were raped and suffocated to death before hanging. However, the CBI investigation ruled that there was NO RAPE, and instead claimed that one of the girls was having an affair with one of the 20-year-old accused.

• Ariyalur Rapists (2016)

A 17-year-old Dalit girl was brutally gang-raped, her genitalia were slashed open, and the fetus was pulled out by her boyfriend and his two friends and died on the spot. Her body was found a week after she was reported missing by her family on 29^th December 2016. The case remains pending a verdict because of repeated delays and legal challenges.

• Unnao Rapist (2017)

The former BJP member, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, was found guilty of the kidnapping and rape of a 17-year-old girl in December 2019 and was sentenced to life imprisonment and an additional 10-year jail term for the custodial death of the girl’s father in March 2020. However, the High Court granted him bail in December 2023; this ruling was stayed by the Supreme Court just 6 days later.

• Bishop Franco Mulakkal (2018)

In June 2018, a catholic nun accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal of raping her multiple times between 2014 and 2016. He was acquitted due to a lack of evidence. However, the 5 other nuns who supported the victim had to face administrative backlash and chose to leave the congregation altogether. Father Kuriakose, who gave a witness statement, was subjected to death threats and was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his room shortly after the accused was released on bail in 2018.

• Ankita Bhandari Murderers (2022)

Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old Receptionist at Vanantara Resort, went missing in September 2022. Her body was found 6 days later in a canal, and the resort owner, manager, and assistant manager were charged with her murder.  The resort owner, Pulkit Arya, happens to be the son of BJP MLA Vinod Arya. The chargesheet claimed that Pulkit had asked Ankita to provide “Special Services” for VIP clients and was murdered for refusing to do so. They were handed a verdict of life imprisonment in May 2025. The victim's family have accused BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam of being the alleged VIP. Her family and the LOP have been protesting after the BJP leader was appointed as Governor of Sikkim on October 12^th, 2026.

• IIT-BHU Rapists (2023)

A 22-year-old IIT-BHU B.Tech student and her male friend were stopped by 3 men on a motorcycle. They gagged and stripped her before raping her and filming the entire act on 1^st November 2023. The 3 men then travelled to Madhya Pradesh for a state election campaign for the BJP. The cops had tracked the 3 men; however, they were unable to arrest them due to orders from higher-ups. During the state elections two months later, the police finally caught the accused, and they confessed to their crime. However, two were granted bail in July 2024, and the third was granted bail in November 2024.

 

For a country that worships women as goddesses, the leniency shown towards rapists and murderers is jarring. Instead, the active use of state mechanisms to commit atrocities against the citizens who exercise their democratic rights shows the real face of Ravan that exists within our country. 

Lessons of Precautions for a Protest from World's Largest Democracy

The CJP and INDIA alliance have called for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on 10th October with the demand that the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, resigns. This was in lieu of vote chori allegations with the final straw being the Indian Express exposé by Ritika Chopra regarding the 14 objections filed in 10 months by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi on decisions taken without their knowledge on voter list revisions. As we inch closer to the hour of the protest, here are some of the steps taken by the Government of the largest democracy that would go down in history:

1. Section 163 BNSS has been imposed. This allows the magistrate office to issue orders to maintain public safety and peace, including dispersing the crowd and even making arrests.

2. 23,000 CAPF and 7,000 CRPF have been deployed. They will be equipped with anti-riot gear, tear gas canisters, operational-scale weapons, prescribed ammunition, and water cannons.

3. 57 metro stations have been closed and many trains to Delhi have been cancelled. Common people travelling to Delhi for the protest are offboarded from trains by cops.

4. Police of multiple states have visited the houses of CJP members at odd hours threatening and behaving rudely with the family members. This move comes after directives from Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, who instructed state police chiefs to take preventive measures against the CJP's mass mobilization, based on intelligence that the group intended to defy prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS in the national capital.

4. While SC reminds the Government that peaceful protests are fundamental rights of the citizens, maximum 1000 people are allowed at Jantar Mantar. SC requests the organizers to find alternate sites for protest to avoid overcrowding.

5. The independent media has been reporting of heavy barricading and redirection of traffic in and around the area. The cops are not allowing general public to make videos. You are expected to have a press card to move freely and make videos.

6. Delhi Police have denied permission to protest at Jantar Mantar, due to short notice, traffic and safety concerns, and alleged breaches of conditions or involvement of individuals from prior events. However, the apex court has reminded Delhi Police to be fair in its decisions.

These so-called preventive measures taken by the Government makes you wonder if they truly care to protect the rights of the people of this country using such weaponry or are they now scrambling to save their seats.

Stephen Colbert Show to be Cancelled Next Spring; An End to a Legacy Thanks to President Trump?

Stephen Colbert announcing the end of Late Show in May of 2026 on his 17th July 2025 monologue

The host of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' announced during his monologue that the show was being cancelled by next spring, leading many to believe that the $16 million settlement with President Trump came with a necessary clause.

The audience and the viewers of the highest-rated Late Show were shocked at the statement by Colbert on Wednesday night's monologue, "next year will be our last season. It's the end of the Late Show on CBS. I am not being replaced, this is all just going away."

The host expressed his disappointment with his parent company Paramount, over the settlement of what Colbert called a "nuisance" lawsuit filed by President Trump to delay the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media. 

The President of the US had filed a lawsuit against Paramount Global for editing the Presidential candidate Kamala Harris's interview with the 60 Minutes show to portray her in a positive light. The lawsuit was originally for $10 billion, which was later increased to $20 billion.

The hate-hate relationship between President Trump and the host was a common matter, as Colbert had called out the President over his illogical comments and actions even during Trump's first presidency. This settlement was called out as a "big fat bribe" by the show host in a previous monologue. 

The Late Show hosted at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York heard echoes of booing at the declaration, with the audience sharing their displeasure at the network's action. The host added that he shared their feelings.

The comedian left no stone unturned when he said, " I don't know if anything - anything - will repair my trust in this company. But, just taking a stab at it, I'd say $16 million would help."

The executives at CBS and Paramount called it a "Purely financial decision" and "not related in any way to the show's performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount." Many have come forward to call it another step taken to silence the voices in the media that speak against President Trump. 

Is this the beginning of Trump's plans to bring the fourth pillar of democracy under his leash is to be seen in the days to come, with big networks like ABC and CBS already bowing to his baseless lawsuits by agreeing to settle.

Some of the reactions to the news of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert going off-air next May:

John Oliver, the host of ‘Last Week Tonight’ at HBO:

“I love Stephen, I love his staff. I love that show. It’s incredibly sad. I am partly excited to see what they’re going to do for the next 10 months. It’s terrible, terrible news for the world of comedy. Late-night shows mean a lot to me, not just because I work in them, but because even growing up in England, I would watch Letterman’s show, which of course was Stephen’s show, and think about what a glamorous world that was. So to have got to be on Letterman’s show and Stephen’s show has been always one of the most fun things, so it’s very, very, very sad news. I look forward to seeing what he’s going to do next because that man will not stop.”

 Jimmy Fallon, the host of ‘Tonight Show’ at NBC:

“I’m just as shocked as everyone. Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come. I’m sad that my family and friends will need a new show to watch every night at 11:30.”

 Seth Meyers, the host of ‘Late Night’ at NBC:

“For as great a comedian and host (as) he is, @stephenathome is an even better person. I’m going to miss having him on TV every night but I’m excited he can no longer use the excuse that he’s ‘too busy to hang out’ with me.”

 Andy Cohen, the host of ‘Watch What Happens Live’ at Bravo:

“It is a very sad day for CBS that they are getting out of the late-night race. I mean, they are turning off the lights after the news.”

 Jimmy Kimmel, the host of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ at ABC:

“Love you, Stephen. F*** you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”

 Donald J. Trump, President of the United States:

“I absolutely love that Colbert’ got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I heard Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert! Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show.”

P.S.: All images are screen grabs from their respective shows as listed in the article. All credits are due to the original owners of the scene. 

Giles Kristian's Raven series

I don't think we have had a book review in this blog before now. While I have read through enough books to be this close to getting kicked out of my house, I have not come across a fellowship like these Norsemen since the LOTR series. And I had to write about it!

How I found Raven: Blood Eye book:

I think it is only right to start at the beginning. I go to these once-a-year book sale, where they try to find new homes for already used books. I have come back from these sales with hoards as big as 9 to 14 kgs... all in books. I mostly delved into Stephen King or war or crime-based books, and that was the plan when I went to the November 2023 sale. However, nothing felt interesting to me. I had 3 books in my hand and I had no conviction to spend my limited budget on them. Then, my wandering eyes fell on a book called Pirata by Simon Scarrow. I was like, I anyway like Black Sails and Pirates of the Caribbean, might as well give it a try. And before I knew, I had picked up a bunch of books from a genre that I wasn't familiar with in terms of reading. And that was how the first book of the series, Raven: Blood Eye came home with me.

How I went on to read it:

I read Pirata first based on the thinking that if I don't like this one, I will not like any of them. I know. I know. They are not all the same authors, nor are the stories the same. I fully agree. But when you plan on diving head-first into something unfamiliar, you have to start at a place where your heart feels right, and that was what I did. To my surprise, I went page by page with growing eagerness, such that I didn't want to see Telemachus end his journey. However, every book has a last page. And when that day came, I had to follow the high I was feeling with another voyage. 

Into the journey of Raven and the Norsemen in search of Silver and Fame:

When the author was explaining Abbotsend before Abbotsend's literal end, I thought this was a lost cause. I love reading through lines detailing the minutest of information required to complete the picture in the reader's mind (as any Stephen King enthusiasts would approve), but I felt it to be too slow of a start. That was until Sigurd (my second favorite character) landed with Serpent and Fjord Elk in the wee hours. 

As I read on hooked tooth and nail in the voyage that the blood eye boy was making, I was wagering for him to be the death of the Norse Jarl. However, the author has a way with the characters presented that you have to either love them enough to enjoy their company (Sigurd, Olaf, Bram Bear, Svein the Red) or you have to despise them to the core (Asgot the Godi, Glum, and Ealdormen Eldred). To my surprise, Father Egrifth surely added to the pun. There are also mentions of ancient Norwegian Gods like Aesir, Frejya, and Odin (of course). Most of the time, they are used in battle cries or in moments when man knows that he would need the hand of God to take the next breath. Nonetheless, they are also slickly thrown around in jokes.

The character build-ups and different shieldwall moments surely had me excited and edged to see where things go. You promise your sword and accept the toils of a seafarer for silver and an opportunity to be in the tales of men long after you have joined your brothers at the mead table in Valholl, waiting for the day of Ragnarök. But most of all, the humor of the Norseman and the comparison of everything to hairy ball sacks and smelly farts were what lightened the mood of a difficult and ruff seafarer's life. You will feel as if you are there, sitting on the sea chest on the Serpent, listening to these men tossing around insults to humor the lashing of the sea.

What I loved the most in the Raven series:

As mentioned previously, LOTR holds a special place in my heart. For one major reason, the same reason why Frodo was able to complete his journey. The Loyalty of the men in the fellowship. The same could be observed amongst the Norsemen and their ever-growing oath brothers, who saw Wessexmen, Danes, Blumen, and then Greeks in them. A rather odd litter as if it wasn't already eye-catching to have a Man of cloth and a teenage girl travel with men who spoke the language of sword and spears. 

I often find myself drawn to the concept of Loyalty. If I had to mention a real-life event, I would say Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose correctly portrays the brotherhood amongst men who joined the 101st Airborne Division for an extra 50 bucks. For those of you who are not aware of this war-based literature, it is based on real-life paratroopers. There is an HBO series under the same name. 

Getting back to the topic of Loyalty, a trait that is rare in today's day and age, and people who live by this trait often find themselves falling into some shrewd man's cunny. Hence, I enjoy it more in books where the narrative can be controlled by the narrator. And I'm glad that Raven and Sigurd's wyrds were roped together by the norns, as that was one hell of a journey. 

Not me completely ignoring the one female character in the series:

Do not be mistaken, there are plenty of mentions of women. However, Cynethryth (I'm pretty sure even after finishing 3 books, I have never taken her name correctly even once), or as I called her Cynth was the one female character consistently present from book 1. However, her turn to the dark due to what the sisters did to her in Frankia kind of put me off from liking her character much. I wish she had a more powerful storyline since the men around her had storylines that outmuscled hers. Sköll was a nice touch, though. 

The character I liked the most:

Sigurd and Olaf are the duo holding second place, but the first place... I must say there is some dark seidr on me because every one of my favorite characters ends up dying in their storyline. Either the authors hate me, or I'm just ill-fated. There are a bunch of deaths ("a bunch" is a massive understatement) that really hurt. But when your favorite character dies, that sometimes makes me want to stop reading with my head yelling, "Is there no justice in the world?" And there isn't! Even after seeing the Golden City of Miklagard, Svein the Red had to die. Why sir? Please tell me, why? Couldn't he have made it through like Bjrani?

Ya, the big man who often got joked about how powerful his farts were and one of the first ones to warm up to Raven after Sigurd, was my favorite character. His character-building was so warm and funny. How could I not like him? Rest in Peace, Svein the Red.

I could go on writing about each character and every aspect that had me tied to this series, but that would be way too long. I would like to end by saying that this is a journey that every bookworm MUST make. As I still hear Bram Bear humoring others by pulling Svein's leg and sending roaring laughter amongst the oath brothers of Jarl Sigurd. 

Have You Heard of Non-Binary People?

The Non-Binary Flag

The umbrella of socially acceptable genders seems to be ever expanding, from the two basics of Male and Female. With the growing revolt of the once silently oppressed LGBTQ community, people are emboldened to speak out about their gender identity crisis. 

Singer-Song writer Demi Lovato

One such section are a group of people who are unable to associate to the either of the basic gender, even though they were born with a male or a female anatomy. They identify themselves as Non-Binary. Some of the famous faces to be part of this community include Demi Lovato, Ezra Miller, Tommy Dorfman, Janelle Monae and Grammy Award winner Sam Smith. 

The term 'Non-Binary' comes from binary being in two parts. This conforms to the masculine and Feminine genders that are pre-existent and the negation of the of this archaic notion. The individuals are not exclusive to either of the genders. Some non-binary people undergo surgery to transform their body to feel more acceptable to themselves. But not all find the need to undergo a physical altercating transformation.   

Non-Binary gender has branch out of Transgender community, as transgenders are individuals who identify with the gender opposite to the ones they were born with. They also call themselves as gender fluid, gender queer, agender or bigender. While this might complicate a casual conversation, as the pronouns of "He/She" cannot be used to refer to such individuals. Rather they prefer the plural form "They/Them". 

Grammy Award winner Sam Smith

Most societies across the world are still reeling in the concepts of LGBTQ community. And finding it difficult to accept the existence of people who are unable to fall in to the gender roles and brackets created since time unknown. Nonetheless, as our minds keep on developing, such new discoveries of realms are inevitable. The very existence of human life and what is the real purpose of a person are questions that are passed on quietly as we try to fit in to the rules and norms laid down by the founders of societies in general. 

With the growing fight for gender roles to be abolished and equality amongst all, more and more individuals find themselves in the middle of a tug-of-war between what is socially acceptable versus what they find as acceptable. For now, the society needs to me open and accommodating of such individuals. Instead, of treating them as people who are sick or confused, we should try and understand where they are coming from and what battles they face within themselves. 

Some of the celebrities who identified themselves as non-binary:

The 'Fantastic Beast and Where To Find Them' actor Ezra Miller

Grammy Awards Nominee Janelle Monae

Model and actress Ruby Rose

The '13 Reasons Why' actor Tommy Dorfman

The 'Divine COVID-y' of India

The mismanagement of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, by the Indian Govt has led to offers of help from friendly countries. Rather than being an exemplary Govt by setting the right measures in place and utilizing the authority and treasure to recover the country's dire situation, this Govt is busy sweeping the situation under the fancy rug called 'SYSTEM'.

(Before we go any further with this article, I would like to inform the readers that this article is not intended to slander the elected Govt, but highlight the misgiving that are evident and undeniably visible to everyone.)

Progression of Virus

With the end of year 2020, it was believed that the world could reset and start fresh by breaking quarantine and stepping out to work with precautionary measures at hand. However, while life was getting back on track with work place and educational institutions opening their doors, COVID virus was creeping its way into our homes to make its presence visible again. 

By the month of March 2021, the second wave of the virus attack had already engulfed enough victims to be acknowledged again. Due to the financial aftermath of the previous full-fledged lockdown, the Govt of majority of the States declined the idea of another lockdown. Rather they hoped to see a significant drop in the scale of daily registered COVID +ve cases by implementing night curfews and fine upon not wearing mask in public. Besides, both the Govt and the general public knew that these measures would barely manage to scrape the last few on the count. 

By the beginning of April 2021, many prime cities in India were noting additions in 3-figure number to the already long list of COVID-19 patients. What was a scenario dreaded and faced last year was making its mark again, but what took everyone by surprise was the situation was only going to get far worst due to the lack of delegation by the Prime person in power.

Role of Media

The media, at first ,downplayed the second wave with the elections approaching in multiple states. Once the cup started to overflow and the citizens no longer could be kept in dark, then the media started to cover rising COVID cases. Even through this phase, what is called as the 'Godhi media', attempted to distract the attention of the viewers to issues of lesser significance. 

Nonetheless, the few distant voices made by those media platforms who were adamant at showcasing the helpless ground reality, were finally heard. Public outrage increased and the Godhi media along with their controllers of high places had to address the COVID-19 issue in their platforms too.

At first, the Centre blamed the States. But then these States asked all the right questions to the Centre regarding the lack of proper distribution of resources and the Govt making money by selling Oxygen and injections to other counties while creating a shortage in its own country. At this juncture, they could no longer pass the baton to anyone with a mouth, as it would comeback to bite them instead. So they decided to blame it all on the "SYSTEM". 

The news channels were using this term aggressively in order to change the perception of the public from the inefficiency of the Govt. If this so-called "SYSTEM" is not the authorities who hold the power to make laws and decisions, then what is is?

Allowing Super Spreader Events

The muddling of water didn't end at creating this fake entity to take the brunt, instead it went a step further by prohibiting the mention of the undeniable deaths of COVID patients. Even a cry for help on a social media platform became a heinous crime punishable with account suspension to having an FIR registered against you. 

All this, while the actual perpetrators are walking around freely without a mask while visiting COVID patients admitted in COVID wards. Not to mention, the 8-phase elections held in Bengal and the Kumbh Mela being super spreader events that could have been avoided or dealt with in a manner that was under controlled environment.

Rather, the election commission allowed mass gathering at rallies and also, the thousands who converged at the Kumbh to dip in the same water of river Ganges. Post these events, a sharp spike in the number of COVID cases was observed. 

Where will the buck stop? 

With the Government turning down aid from the UN and the shortage of Oxygen supply constantly supplementing the death toll, India as a country needs to unite and act as one entity rather than picking favorites. Also, the Govt needs to wake up from its slumber and act dutifully towards its citizens who brought them to power. The combined efforts of both the Govt and the citizens is required in order to see even a slim chance of putting an halt to the spread of the virus and to heal the sick. This country needs to get its feet back on the ground or else we'll be drowning in tears with no one left to console.

(P.S. if anyone has any issues with this article then kindly keep it to yourself as this is my opinion and we live in a free country, or so I would like to believe.)

Capitals of Countries Series: Asian Edition

2. Jakarta, Indonesia

 

Capital: Jakarta

Country: Indonesia

Indonesia is a Southeast Asian country. Indonesia is the world's largest island country constituting seventeen thousand islands. It has 34 provinces, of which five have special statuses. The country's capital, Jakarta, is the second-most populous urban area in the world. Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support one of the world's highest level of bio-diversity. Indonesia is known for its natural beauty of volcanic mountains and oceanic beaches.

About Jakarta:

Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and located in the Java province. After Tokyo, Jakarta is the second most populated urban habitation. The name Jakarta is derived from the Devanagari word, Jayakruth, with the meaning ‘Complete Victory’. Jakarta is officially a province with special capital region status. Its provincial government consists of five administrative cities and one administrative regency. Jakarta is nicknamed as the "Big Durian", since Durian fruit is native to the region.

Jakarta became the capital in the year 1950. The city was thriving with political and economic support as it was chosen to host the 1962 Asian Games. However, a coup was attempted in 1965 which led to the death of six top rank Generals followed by an anti-communist purge which resulted in the death of 5,00,000 people including immigrants.

The following decade saw a boom in Jakarta’s growth as slum dwellers were moved to better housed and various projects were laid out for infrastructural development. Most of this was achieved through foreign investments. But the Asian Financial crisis of 1977 arrested this growth. Following this, the next decade saw rise in tension ultimately ending in violent riots and destruction of infrastructure. In August 2007, Jakarta held its first-ever election to choose a governor as part of a nationwide decentralisation program with the help of local elections, unlike the previous practice of being elected by the legislative body.  

Jakarta has grown at a fast pace in terms of economy and population. As any major city, Jakarta too is faced with congestion with population upto almost 36 million in 2020. The urban lifestyle has led to heavy traffic and air pollution. But the biggest worry of Jakarta is that the city is sinking in to the ocean with each passing day.

Jakarta sits on top of swamp land. Hence, it often faces flooding and drainage clogging during rainy season. But Jakarta is sinking about 5 to 10 centimeters (2.0 to 3.9 inches) each year, and up to 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) in the northern coastal regions. Most of the area next to the sea is flooded throughout the year.

Government has set a task of building a manmade dyke (a wall to control the level of water) with a pumping system and retention area to lower the inflow of seawater. Giant Sea Wall Jakarta, the name of this project, is expected to be completed in 2025. There are talks about moving the capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan.

Jakarta is a melting pot in terms of ethnicity, religion and language. The city is home to Javenese, Sundanese, Chinese, Malays, and many more natives and migrants alike. Indonesian being the regional ligua franca, English and Chinese are also widely used. As for religion, Jakarta, and Indonesia as a country, is mostly Islamic.

Transport in Jakarta is mostly done through private vehicle or privately owned public buses. They have an Odd-Even policy in place, where in, vehicle with either odd or even number plate could only run on a given day. This is in order to curb traffic congestions and control air pollution.

Jakarta is another modernised city that people often frequent. It has beautiful beaches, big shopping malls and many museums to preserve its cultural heritage. So here is a list of places you can visit in Jakarta on your trip:

• Istana Merdeka

• Thousand Islands

• Ragunan Zoo
• Taman Mini Indonesian Park
• Indonesian National Gallery
• Setu Babakan Batavian Cultural village
• Istiqlal Mosque
• National Monument of Indonesia
• Senayan City Shopping Mall
• Sea World Anchol

Taman Mini Indonesia

Shopping Mall

National Museum

Sea World Anchol