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Passport Power Ranking Records Widest Ever Gap in Travel Freedom

LONDON, Oct. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The latest results and research from the Henley Passport Index show how proliferating barriers to entry over the past 18 months of the pandemic have resulted in the widest global mobility gap in its 16-year history, with passport holders from top ranking Japan and Singapore able to travel visa free to 166 more destinations than Afghan nationals, who sit at the bottom of the index with access to just 26 countries without requiring a visa in advance.
Based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the index, which ranks all of the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, shows that countries in the global north with high-ranking passports have enforced some of the most stringent inbound Covid-19-related travel restrictions, while many countries with lower-ranking passports in the global south have relaxed their borders without seeing this openness reciprocated. This has created an ever-widening gap in travel freedom even for fully vaccinated travelers from countries at the lower end of the passport power ranking who remain locked out of most of the world.
Unique research and expert analysis commissioned by leading international residence and citizenship by investment advisory firm Henley & Partners indicates that this gap is likely to increase, as pandemic-related restrictions become entrenched and amplify the already significant global mobility divide between advanced and developing economies. Japan, which shares top spot on the index with Singapore due to their visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 192, currently bars almost all foreign nationals from entry. Germany, which sits alongside South Korea in joint-2nd place with a visa-free/visa-on arrival score of 190, currently restricts nearly 100 countries from entry.
At the lower end of the index, Egypt, ranked 97th, currently has no travel restrictions in place, yet its citizens can access just 51 destinations around the world without acquiring a visa in advance. Similarly, Kenya, which ranks 77th, has no travel bans in place, yet its passport holders can access just 72 destinations visa-free.
Covid an excuse for curbing visitors from global south?
Commenting in Henley & Partners’ Global Mobility Report 2021 Q4, Prof. Mehari Taddele Maru from the United Nations University Institute says “the global north has been enforcing aggressive migration containment strategies for some time now through the rigid application of border controls, undermining the movement of persons in various ways. Covid-19-associated travel restrictions are new additions to the toolbox of migration containment instruments employed by the global north to curb mobility from the global south.” 
Recent adjustments to the Covid-ban policies of the UK and the US, which share 7th place on the index with a visa-free score of 185, have done little to alter what experts perceive to be growing inequalities when it comes to travel freedom and access. Nor has their refusal to recognize vaccines administered across Africa, South America, and South Asia. Although the US has now opened its borders to all fully vaccinated travelers, the UK’s recent revision of its ‘red list’ still excludes fully vaccinated travelers from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, India, and South Africa.
Commenting on these latest developments, Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, insists that “if want to restart the global economy, it is critical that developed nations encourage inward migration flows, as opposed to persisting with their outmoded restrictions and exclusive approach to the rest of the world.”
Read the Full Press Release
 
 
 

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Vikram Vedha to open its advance bookings in 1250 multiplexes from 24th September

Having received an amazing response from the masses for its amazing trailer, the makers of Hrithik
Roshan and Saif Ali Khan starrer Vikram Vedha are currently creating a buzz all around for its electrifying
dance number ‘Alcoholia’. While the audience is eagerly waiting for the film to hit the theaters, the
makers are all set to open the advance booking windows for the Audience.

Undoubtedly Vikram Vedha is one of the most anticipated movies of the year and the craze for the film
among the audience is constantly rising as the film is inching toward its release date. Putting an end to
the audience’s wait, the makers are all set to start the advance bookings of the film today.

Moreover, Vikram Vedha will have the largest international distribution for a Hindi film, with a record-
breaking 100+ countries worldwide. Before its release, the film has sparked worldwide interest and
appeal, and many countries have already begun advance bookings.

Vikram Vedha is presented by Gulshan Kumar, T-Series, and Reliance Entertainment in association with
Friday Filmworks and Jio Studios and a YNOT Studios Production. The film is directed by Pushkar and
Gayatri and produced by Bhushan Kumar, S. Sashikanth and Reliance Entertainment. Vikram Vedha will hit the big screens globally on 30th September 2022.

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Manoj Bajpayee will take 1 week off from his schedule to attend all the rituals on his fathers 1st death Anniversary day.

Three times National Film Awards and the Padma Shri winning actor Manoj Bajpayee who has completed three decades in the showbiz business and Juggling with multiple projects between different genres, characters and mediums. Manoj Bajpayee is a powerhouse actor when it comes to Indian cinema. Even if you haven’t seen many of his movies, you will have heard of talented actor Manoj Bajpayee’s name because of his brilliant performances in his films. The finest actor has become synonymous with content-driven subjects who also have been consistently working in multiple film industries.

The finest actor of Hindi cinema Manoj Bajpayee who has several movies lined up this year, will be taking 1 week off from his current project, which is directed by Apurva(Aspirant fame & produced by Vinod Bhanushali in mid september and will be leaving for his home town with his wife and daughter to attend all the puja rituals on his father’s 1st death anniversary day. Manoj Bajpayee’s father RK Bajpayee passed away at 83, last year in Delhi.

The actor believes that a family is a very important & priority in his life, in spite of his erratic schedules or no matter where he is, it is his first priority to always be with his family with all his support & spend time with them in any situations.After finishing all the rituals puja and family work,Manoj will immediately resume his shoot to finish his project on time without taking any time for himself.

Manoj Bajpayee has recently finished his 3 upcoming projects, one with Ram Reddy’s untitled film, which also has talented actor Deepika Dobriyal in the film. After that he finished RSVP’s Despatch, (A investigative thriller set in the world of crime journalism.) directed by Kanu Behl. Abhishek Chaubeys’s film which also has star cast like Konkana Sen, Sayaji Shinde,Naseer sir and some well known talented actors from south. Fox Stars Studios,Chalkboard Entertainment, Autonomous Works film, Gulmohar directed by Rahul Chittella ( who was assistant of Meena Nair) working with Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, and Amol Palekar along with Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi) and Simran Rishi Bagga in pivotal roles.

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Here comes the title of Jackky Bhagnani’s Jjust Music upcoming RVD’s soulful creation ‘Raaz’

Jackky Bhagnani’s Jjust Music has been coming up with some really amazing songs one after the other and now they are here with the title of their upcoming heart-touching melody by RVD, a soulful creation ‘Raaz’. It’s a melodious song by an Indie rap artist, RVD that evokes his potential lover to become his secret as that way she’ll go down to the grave with him and stay with him forever. 

The song captures a glimpse of feelings that brings a boy close to the emotions of his lover encapsulating his zest for involving her in his life a secret that will stay with him for life. Jotting down his deepest emotions learn from his life, RVD beautifully communicates through his art in music a feeling of true happiness that can only be appreciated and enjoyed in privacy as the unconditional bond they share is completely sacred which the world won’t understand as they’re not in our shoes. 

Moreover, the artist in a true sense, RVD is an artist who’s been given all the love by the world but battles and deals with his own loneliness by making music, he talks about how he has learned ‘you can’t be lonely if you’re comfortable being alone’ in the process, and through only music, he can express these thoughts. He is an artist who makes modernized music with a blend of cultural touches in Urdu and Punjabi languages, which makes him stand out from the general crowd.

RVD, is an Indie rap artist from Kolkata, West Bengal who’s been making much sound on the east side. Performed alongside pan India artists like Mohit Chauhan, Dino James, Zareen, Kayan, Gully Gang, etc. With tracks like ‘Riha’ and ‘Iteyhaas’ which have done extremely well, RVD has even caught a lot of attention and traction in the general crowd and the gaming world on a pan-India basis.

Meanwhile, Jjust Music made it to the headlines for it’s first PAN India music video Mashooka starring bold and quirky Rakul Preet. The song turned out to be a huge success and was received well by the audience.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ci2B4nfA-K6/?igshid=ODBkMDk1MTU=

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