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Aung San Suu Kyi’s party wins majority in Myanmar elections

Aung San Suu KI
Aung San Suu Kyi (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): Myanmar’s ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party has secured enough seats in parliament to form the next government, according to the latest election results.

According to the latest batch of results from Sunday’s vote, Aung San Suu Kyi’s party has secured 322 seats in the bicameral legislature needed to form a government.

The NLD has taken 346 seats of the 412 seats that have been declared, with results from 64 more yet to be announced. Myanmar voters went to the polls on Sunday.

Confirmation of the comfortable win will be a welcome boost for Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace laureate who has had a turbulent first term marked by a brutal 2017 crackdown on the ethnic Rohingya that is now the subject of a genocide investigation, a failure to make significant headway on the country’s myriad ethnic conflicts and now the coronavirus.

India, Japan and Singapore had earlier congratulated the NLD on their win.

The main opposition party, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), had won 24 seats, according to the partial official results.

The USDP raised objections to the poll on Wednesday and demanded a new vote as soon as possible “in order to have an election that is free, fair, unbiased and free from unfair campaigning”.

-CHK

India’s COVID active caseload drops below 4.85 lakh

COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): India’s active COVID-19 cases remained below five lakh for the third consecutive day at 4,84,547, which comprise 5.55 per cent of the total caseload, the Union Health Ministry said.

This has been made possible by the trend of COVID-19 recoveries exceeding new cases, which has ensured a total net reduction of the active caseload, it underlined.

In contrast to 44,879 new infections reported in a span of 24 hours, 49,079 cases have recovered in the last 24 hours, which continues India’s trend of having daily high recoveries that outnumber the daily new cases.

This trend has been observed for the 41st day today, the ministry highlighted.

The total recovered cases have surged to 81,15,580, which translates to a national recovery rate of 92.97 per cent, according to the Health Ministry data.

“The gap between recovered cases and active cases continues to grow and presently stands at 76,31,033,” the ministry said. It said that 77.83 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and union territories.

Maharashtra reported the maximum number of single-day recoveries. A total of 7,809 new recoveries have pushed the state’s total recoveries to 16,05,064.

Furthermore, about 76.25 per cent of the new coronavirus infections are concentrated in 10 states and union territories, the ministry said.

Delhi reported the maximum daily new cases numbering 7,053 in the last 24 hours. Kerala recorded 5,537 new cases while Maharashtra reported 4,496 new cases in a span of 24 hours, it said.

Ten states and union territories account for about 80 per cent (79.34 per cent) of the 547 case fatalities reported in a span of 24 hours with 22.3 per cent of them being reported from Maharashtra which reported 122 deaths.

-CHK

Vice Prez greets people on Diwali eve

Vice President greets people on Diwali eve
M Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi (NVI): Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today extended his greetings to the nation on the eve of Deepawali.

In a message for the festival, Naidu said, “I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad on the auspicious occasion of Deepawali or Diwali – the festival of lights.”

“Celebrated with traditional fervour and zeal, Deepawali signifies the victory of good over evil and reaffirms our belief in the noble ideals and morals of Lord Rama’s life. It is the day when Shri Rama returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Laxmana from exile of 14 years after defeating the demon King Ravana,” he said.

Naidu also said that it is also a celebration of the pious and principled path exemplified in the life and deeds of Lord Rama. The festival reminds us that we need to constantly quell the demonic forces and foster goodness and harmony in our society.

“Deepawali’s celebrations transcend the boundaries of India. One can say it is one of the biggest celebrated festivals of the world. Indians living abroad celebrate Deepawali with much fanfare and love. Also, worshiping of Lakshmi Devi, the Goddess of prosperity in the night of Deepawali is also one of the main rituals of this festival, “he added.

“Deepawali is always an occasion for family and friends to come together and celebrate,” Naidu said, adding that, this year, given the unprecedented health emergency due to COVID-19, I urge my fellow citizens to celebrate Deepawali by adhering to COVID health and hygiene protocols.

“May this festival dispel the darkness of ignorance and kindle the light of knowledge and enlightenment. May it bring peace, harmony, prosperity and happiness in our lives,” Vice President said in his message.

-RJV

J&K: 2 porters among 7 injured in Poonch as Pak shells forward areas

Narco smuggling
Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir (File Pic)

Poonch (NVI): As Pakistan resorted to intense shelling along LoC (Line of Control) in forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir today, two porters were injured in an unprovoked ceasefire violation in Saujiyan sector of Poonch district, while five civilians were also wounded.

According to police officials, at around 2 PM, three civilians were injured after an intense shelling from across the LoC at Saujiyan bus stand.

A senior police official in Poonch said that after initial injury to three civilians, four more injuries took place. These four included two porters and two civilians. Total seven injuries have taken place so far, he said.

The official added that heavy firing and shelling are underway in the area.

Pakistani troops violated ceasefire at multiple places in J&K today after the Indian Army foiled yet another infiltration bid along LoC in J&K’s Keran sector.

According to a statement released by the Army earlier today, suspicious movement was observed by Indian troops at forward posts along LoC in Keran sector and the infiltration bid was foiled.

The infiltration bid was accompanied by an unprovoked ceasefire violation (CFV) by Pakistan in Keran. While the Pakistan army resorted to firing mortars and other weapons, the Indian Army was also giving a befitting response, as per the statement.

The CFVs spread to larger areas from Keran to Uri sectors, Army said, adding that this was the second infiltration attempt within a week.

While the heavy firing was going on in Dildar area of Tangdhar sector in Kupwara, cross LoC shelling took place in Haji Peer sector of Uri in Baramulla, defence officials said.

At around 1.45 pm, Pakistan initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms along LoC in Saujiyan sector of Poonch district in J&K, they said.

An earlier infiltration bid in Machil sector was foiled on the intervening night of November 7 and 8 in which three terrorists were killed.

Four defence personnel including an Army officer and a BSF jawan also lost their lives in the action.

Yesterday, the Pakistani army violated ceasefire twice in Poonch district by resorting to small and heavy arms fire while targeting Shahpur, Kirni and Qasba sectors.

Pakistan has resorted to intense shelling post abrogation of Article 370 last year and continues with frequent unprovoked CFVs in both Kashmir and Jammu regions along LoC since then.

Pakistan has been trying to push infiltrators to this side of the LoC by unprovoked firing including heavy shelling.

-ARK

MNRE scales up goal of PM-KUSUM scheme to 30.8 GW of solar capacity by 2022

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had issued an order for the scale-up and expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme. The new target is to achieve enhanced solar capacity of 30.8 Gigawatt (GW) by 2022 with revised Central financial support of Rs 34,035 crore.

PM-KUSUM scheme has been launched for the farmers by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for the installation of grid-connected solar, solar pumps, and other renewable power plants all over India. It aims to promote renewable energy in the agricultural area along with providing financial support to the farmers.

In a statement, MNRE said that after the scheme expansion, solar power plants can be installed on pasture land and marshy land of farmers besides barren, fallow and agricultural land.

The size of solar plants has also been reduced to enable participation of small farmers.

MNRE had amended and clarified the implementation guidelines of the PM-KUSUM Scheme based on the learnings from the implementation of the scheme during the first year.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved the PM-KUSUM scheme in its meeting held on February 19, 2019.

The scheme consists of three components. Component-A includes installation of decentralised ground-mounted grid-connected renewable power plants, Component-B includes installation of standalone solar-powered agriculture pumps and Component-C includes solarisation of grid-connected agriculture pumps.

The scheme aims at providing financial and water security to farmers. The scheme aimed to add a solar capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022. The total Central financial support then supposed to be provided under the scheme was Rs 34,422 crore.

-CHK

Govt approves Rs 4,381 crore aid to 6 states affected by cyclones, floods

Govt approves Rs 4,381 crore financial aid to 6 states affected by cyclones, floods
The aftermath of cyclone ‘Amphan’ (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The high level committee (HLC), led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, today approved additional assistance of Rs 4,381.88 crore to six states, which were affected by cyclone, floods and landslides this year.

The committee will release fund to Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

“For cyclone ‘Amphan’, Rs 2,707.77 crore has been approved for West Bengal and Rs 128.23 crore for Odisha and for cyclone ‘Nisarga’ Rs 268.59 crore has been approved for Maharashtra,” said a statement by Ministry of Home Affairs.

“For floods and landslides during the monsoon, Rs 577.84 crore has also been approved for Karnataka, Rs 611.61 crore for Madhya Pradesh, and Rs 87.84 crore for Sikkim, “it added.

In addition to this, the government said that it has released Rs 15,524.43 crore to 28 states from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) till date this financial year.

Earlier on May 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the affected states of West Bengal and Odisha, in the aftermath of cyclone ‘Amphan’.

As announced by PM Modi financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore to West Bengal and Rs 500 crore to Odisha were released in advance on May 23, for immediate relief activities in these states.

“In addition, the Prime Minister had also announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured, which was over and above the ex-gratia provided through the SDRF and the NDRF,” the statement further said.

Meanwhile, the central government had deputed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) immediately after the calamities, without waiting for the receipt of memorandum from the affected State governments.

-RJV

Security forces launch search op in South Kashmir’s Pulwama

Security forces launch search op in South Kashmir's Pulwama
(File/Representational Image)

Lubna Fayaz

Pulwama (NVI): Security forces today launched a joint Cordon and Search Operation in Rohumu village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police officials said.

The joint search operation was launched in Wani Mohalla of Rohumu, they said.

According to police sources, the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF and soldiers from 53 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint search operation and conducted searches.

House to house search is going on here and all exit points have been sealed by the forces, they said, adding that the operation is still going on.

-ARK

On Ayurveda Day, PM dedicates two future-ready institutions to the nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): On the occasion of 5th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated two future-ready Ayurveda institutions to the nation. He inaugurated both institutions via video conferencing.

He inaugurated Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar, Gujarat, and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The former has been conferred the status of an Institution of National Importance (INI) by an Act of the Parliament, and the latter is an Institution Deemed to be University by the University Grants Commission.

The Ministry of AYUSH, since 2016, has been observing ‘Ayurveda Day’ every year on the occasion of Dhanwantari Jayanti (Dhanteras).

During the inauguration ceremony, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Shri Shripad Naik, Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri Ashok Gehlot, Governor of Rajasthan Shri Kalraj Mishra, Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat, were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said that Ayurveda is an Indian heritage and it is a matter of happiness that India’s traditional knowledge is enriching other countries also. He stressed on the need to bring the ayurveda knowledge out of books, scriptures and home remedies and develop this ancient knowledge as per modern needs.

The PM remarked that new research is being done in the country by combining the information received from the modern science of the 21st century with our ancient medical knowledge.

Congratulating the two institutes for their upgradation, the Prime Minister pointed out that they have more responsibility now and hoped that they will prepare Ayurveda syllabus which meets the international standard. He also called upon the Education Ministry and UGC to find new avenues in disciplines like Ayurveda Physics and Ayurveda Chemistry.

He also called upon the startups and private sector to study the global trends and demands and ensure their participation in the sector.

Furthermore, Director-General of World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also gave a video message on the occasion and praised the Prime Minister’s commitment to the universal coverage under Ayushman Bharat and evidence-based promotion of traditional medicines to achieve health-related objectives.

The Prime Minister thanked WHO and the DG for choosing India for the Global Centre of Traditional medicine.

-CHK

NTPC develops Geo-polymer aggregate from fly ash

NTPC

New Delhi (NVI): India’s largest power producer, NTPC Ltd, has successfully developed environment-friendly Geo-polymer coarse aggregate from fly ash, the Ministry of Power said today.

This development will help in replacing natural aggregates reducing the impact on the environment.

“NTPC’s research project on production of Geo-polymer coarse aggregate from fly ash has met the statutory parameters of Indian Standards and was confirmed by National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM),” the Ministry of Power said in a statement.

The technical parameters as per Indian standards for its suitability to use in concrete works were tested by NCCBM, Hyderabad and the results were in acceptable range, it added.

Moreover, this development is NTPC’s research and development (R&D) achievement in expanding the horizon in ash utilisation.

India’s demand for these aggregate touches close to 2,000 million metric tons (MMT) mark every year. So, the aggregate developed by NTPC Ltd from fly ash will help in meeting the demand to a great extent and also will reduce the impact on environment caused by natural aggregates which require quarrying of natural stone, the statement said.

“Every year, approximately 258 MMT of ash is produced by the coal fired thermal power plants in India. Out of this around 78 per cent of the ash is utilised and the balance remains unutilised which remain in ash dykes,” it added.

Furthermore, NTPC Ltd is also exploring alternate ways to utilise the remaining ash which includes the current research project to generate aggregates using more than 90 per cent ash.

The Geo-polymer aggregates finds its extensive usage in construction industry turning the ash eco-friendly. These aggregates are extremely environment friendly and does not require any cement for application in concrete where the fly ash based Geo-polymer mortar acts as the binding agent, the ministry further said.

However, the Geo-polymer aggregates will also help in reducing carbon emission and has great potential for reduction of water consumption.

-RJV

Pak shells forward areas along LoC after infiltration bid foiled in J&K’s Keran

Mankote sector

(Updating earlier copy)

Jammu/Srinagar (NVI): The Indian Army today foiled yet another infiltration bid along LoC (Line of Control) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Keran sector following which Pakistani troops violated ceasefire at multiple places in J&K, defence officials said.

According to a statement released by the Army, suspicious movement was observed by Indian troops at forward posts along LoC in Keran sector and the infiltration bid was foiled.

The infiltration bid was accompanied by an unprovoked ceasefire violation (CFV) by Pakistan in Keran. While the Pakistan army resorted to firing mortars and other weapons, the Indian Army was also giving befitting response, as per the statement.

The CFVs spread to larger areas from Keran to Uri sectors, Army said, adding that this was the second infiltration attempt within a week.

While the heavy firing was going on in Dildar area of Tangdhar sector in Kupwara, cross LoC shelling took place in Haji Peer sector of Uri in Baramulla, defence officials said.

At around 1.45 pm, Pakistan initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms along LoC in Sawjian sector of Poonch district in J&K.

“India Army is well poised to defeat all attempts by Pakistan to infiltrate terrorists into J&K,” the Army said in its statement.

An earlier infiltration bid in Machil sector was foiled on the intervening night of November 7 and 8 in which three terrorists were killed.

Four defence personnel including an Army officer and a BSF jawan also lost their lives in the action.

Yesterday, the Pakistani army violated ceasefire twice in Poonch district by resorting to small and heavy arms fire while targeting Shahpur, Kirni and Qasba sectors.

Pakistan has resorted to intense shelling post abrogation of Article 370 last year and continues with frequent unprovoked CFVs in both Kashmir and Jammu regions along LoC since then.

Pakistan has been trying to push infiltrators to this side of the LoC by unprovoked firing including heavy shelling.

-ARK

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