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Delhi bans Chhath puja at public places

Delhi bans Chhath puja at public places
Chhath Puja involves worship of the Sun God at a water body (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The Delhi government today decided to ban Chhath Puja celebrations at Ghats, to contain the further spread of COVID-19 pandemic, said Health Minister Satyendar Jain.

The Minister said, “In the view of safety and to avoid crowd gathering amid the pandemic, the government have decided to ban community Chhath Puja celebrations near the ghats this year.”

This announcement comes a day after the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) asked officials to ensure that Chhath Puja was not to be performed at public places, river banks and temples in Delhi due to increasing COVID-19 cases.

As per the DDMA order issued to all district magistrates (DMs) and deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) to encourage people to observe puja at their homes as ensure strict compliance of the ban.

The festival of Chhath Puja is celebrated as a two-day long festival which involves worship of the Sun God at a water body like a river, pond or a tank. This year the festival is observed on November 20-21.

Chhath Puja in Delhi is celebrated in a big way by the natives of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded its biggest single-day jump of 8,593 COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours, which took tally to over 4.59 lakh, while 85 new fatalities pushed the death toll to 7,228.

-RJV

Google Photos to end free unlimited storage by June 2021

Google Photos to end free unlimited storage by June 2021

New Delhi (NVI): Google Photos is ending its free unlimited storage benefit and will start charging for the storage space the photos and videos take over the 15GB quota. The new change will come into effect on June 1, 2021.

It is aimed to help Google convince more people to get a paid Google One subscription that brings cloud storage for Google Photos, along with Google Drive and Gmail, of up to 30TB space.

Google is additionally bringing a policy to delete data from inactive accounts that have not been signed in for at least two years.

Google has, however, clearly mentioned in its blog post that any photos or videos you’ve uploaded in ‘high quality’ — and not the ‘original quality’ — before June 1 will not count against the 15GB cap. Thus, the change will be effective for the uploads taking place after June 1.

As a result of the latest update, any new photos and videos you upload on Google Photos starting June 1 will count toward the free 15GB storage limit as part of your Google Account.

In addition to this, Google has also given an advantage to Pixel phone users as they will be exempted from the latest change and will continue to be able to upload their photos and videos in ‘high quality’ from their devices even after June 1.

But unlike before, they will also not be able to access unlimited storage for their content in its original file size.

Launched in 2015, Google Photos gained huge popularity among smartphone users, thanks to the free storage benefit it offered.

Google highlights in its blog post that over four trillion photos are stored on Google Photos, with 28 billion new photos and videos uploaded every week.

The extensive adoption of the service also provided Google a native way to enhance its machine learning algorithms. However, it has now decided to put the free storage benefit to an end.

However, Google says that the new update won’t bring any major change for most Google Photos users as over 80 percent of its userbase “should still be able to store roughly three more years’ worth of memories” using the free 15GB storage allocation. Some alerts and warnings will also be provided through the Google Photos app once a user reaches near the limit.

In addition to Google Photos, Google is also including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms, and Jamboard files to the 15GB storage cap. The company has also announced a policy to delete content of accounts inactive for more than two years starting June 1.

-CHK

Indian Navy’s 5th Scorepene class submarine ‘Vagir’ launched

India Navy 5th Scorepene class submarine 'Vagir' launched

New Delhi (NVI): In yet another boost to the Indian Navy amid the India China border tensions, the fifth Scorpene class submarine ‘Vazir’ was today launched at Mazagaon Dock in Mumbai.

Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik launched the indigenously built Scorpene class submarine of Project 75 through video conferencing.

The development, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, will further establish India as a Submarine buidling nation.

Vice Admiral R B Pandit, Western Naval Command Chief, was also present on the occasion.

Vagir is part of the six Kalvari-class submarines designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS. They are being built as part of Indian Navy’s Project-75.

The Defence public sector undertaking (PSU) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDSL) was assigned the task to build six Scorpene-class submarines. Before this, INS Kalvari- India’s deadliest Scorpene class submarine- the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines, was launched in 2015 and commissioned into the Navy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017.

Vagir’s launch takes place amid India-China border tensions and China’s growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean region.

-ARK

PM to inaugurate 2 Ayurveda institutes

PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the country two future-ready Ayurveda institutions in Gujarat and Rajasthan tomorrow at the 5th Ayurveda Day.

PM Modi will inaugurate the Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur through video conferencing.

“Both the Institutes are premier institutions of Ayurveda in the country. The former has been conferred the status of an Institution of National Importance (INI) by an Act of the Parliament, and the latter that of an Institution Deemed to be University by the University Grants Commission,” the Ministry of Ayush said in a statement

The Ayurveda Day is being observed every year since 2016, on the occasion of Dhanwantari Jayanti (Dhanteras). This year, it falls on November 13.

Meanwhile, considering the prevailing situation of COVID-19, the 5th Ayurveda Day this year is being observed largely on virtual platforms at the national as well as international levels.

ITRA at Jamnagar, is poised to emerge as a world class healthcare institution. It is the first Institute in Ayush Sector having the Institution of National Importance (INI) status, the ministry further said.

With this status, ITRA will provide autonomy to upgrade the standard of Ayurveda education as it would offer courses as per modern, international standards and excel in modern research to generate more and more evidence, it added.

Furthermore, NIA at Jaipur is an Ayurveda institution with country wide repute. It got a shot in the arm with Deemed to be University (De novo Category) status. The National Institute is set to reach new heights by achieving highest standards in tertiary health care, education and research.

However, the event of dedication of the above two institutions to the nation by PM Modi will be streamed on MyGov platform from 10.30 am on November 13, the statement added.

-RJV

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

Covid cases
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has crossed the 86 lakh-mark and stands at 86,83,917 after 47,905 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll stands at 1,28,121 after 550 new fatalities were reported during the same period.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the coronavirus cases climbed to 17,31,833 followed by Karnataka with 8,53,796 cases and Andhra Pradesh with 8,47,977 positive cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 4,494

Andhra Pradesh- 8,47,977

Arunachal Pradesh- 15,657

Assam- 2,09,633

Bihar- 2,23,917

Chandigarh- 15,424

Chhattisgarh- 2,05,923

Dadra and Nagar Haveli– 3,275

Delhi- 4,59,975

Gujarat- 1,83,682

Goa- 45,498

Haryana– 1,90,323

Himachal Pradesh- 27,418

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,00,351

Jharkhand- 1,05,224

Karnataka- 8,53,796

Kerala- 5,02,719

Ladakh- 7,134

Madhya Pradesh- 1,79,951

Maharashtra- 17,31,833

Manipur- 20,950

Meghalaya- 10,368

Mizoram- 3,242

Nagaland- 9,536

Odisha- 3,05,000

Puducherry- 36,114

Punjab- 1,39,184

Rajasthan- 2,17,151

Sikkim- 4,344

Tamil Nadu- 7,50,409

Telangana- 2,54,666

Tripura- 31,765

Uttarakhand- 66,788

Uttar Pradesh- 5,03,159

West Bengal – 4,16,984

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 60

Andhra Pradesh- 6,828

Arunachal Pradesh- 46

Assam- 954

Bihar- 1,162

Chandigarh- 243

Chhattisgarh- 2,507

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 7,228

Goa- 656

Gujarat- 3,776

Haryana- 1,960

Himachal Pradesh- 405

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,558

Jharkhand- 913

Karnataka- 11,453

Kerala- 1,771

Ladakh- 86

Madhya Pradesh- 3,055

Maharashtra- 45,560

Manipur- 202

Meghalaya- 94

Mizoram- 2

Nagaland- 50

Odisha- 1,469

Puducherry- 605

Punjab- 4,389

Rajasthan- 2,019

Sikkim- 82

Tamil Nadu- 11,415

Telangana- 1,393

Tripura- 359

Uttar Pradesh- 7,281

Uttarakhand- 1,086

West Bengal- 7,452

However, a total of 80,66,501 people have been cured and discharged. The total active cases stands at 4,89,294 in the country.

-CHK

South Africa allows travel from all countries, extends state of emergency till Dec 15

South Africa allows travel from all countries, extends state of emergency till Dec 15

New Delhi (NVI): South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the state of emergency in the country by a month to December 15, but has eased restrictions and allowed travel from all countries, subject to the necessary health protocols and the presentation of a negative Covid-19 certificate.

Amid attempts to resuscitate the economy, Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening, “We expect that these measures will greatly assist businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors.”

The president said he was aware that South Africans were “suffering from coronavirus fatigue”.

Despite having the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the continent, the President further stated, “Normal trading hours of alcohol would be restored too, after sales were restricted on weekends in an effort to reduce pressure on hospitals due to alcohol-related accidents.”

“We are also opening up international travel to all countries subject to the necessary health protocols and the presentation of a negative COVID-19 certificate,” he said.

“By using rapid tests and strict monitoring we intend to limit the spread of the infection through importation,” he added. “We expect that these measures will greatly assist businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors.”

However, the President did not give further details, or a specific date for the reopening.

South Africa opened its borders to some international travellers at the beginning of October after a six-month ban, but restricted entry from high-risk countries, with the latest list including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Brazil and India.

So far, the country has reported 7,42,394 coronavirus infections and over 20,000 deaths due to the deadly contagion.

-CHK

COVID cases surpass 52 mn globally; US reports record 1.36 lakh infections

Coronavirus cases surpass 52 mn globally; US reports record 1.36 lakh infections

New Delhi (NVI): More than 52 million people around the world have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, while the death toll is nearing 12,83,510, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. Over 33.8 million patients have recovered from the deadly disease globally.

US confirmed its highest 24 hours total to date – with a world record of 1,36,000 cases confirmed in one day.

With this, the number of coronavirus cases in the US are nearing 10.4 million while the number of fatalities have surpassed 2.41 lakh in the country.

Furthermore, Texas became the first US state with more than 1 million confirmed Covid-19 cases. California is also closing in on that mark as a surge of coronavirus infections engulfs the country from coast to coast.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s coronavirus infections have surged past 5.74 million while the number of deaths have exceeded 1,63,000.

The department of health has asked all New Zealanders who live or work in Auckland central city to stay home tomorrow after further details emerged of the mystery case of Covid-19, whose point of infection is as yet unknown.

Mainland China reported 15 new Covid-19 cases for November 11, down from 17 cases a day earlier, the country’s national health authority said on Thursday.

Spain’s coronavirus death toll surged to over 40,000 with infections passing the 1.4 million mark, while the rate of new cases continued to grow, health ministry data showed.

The total number of coronavirus cases registered in Italy since the start of the pandemic surpassed the one million mark, the health ministry said.

Despite having the highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases on the continent, South Africa will open up travel to all countries and restore normal trading hours of alcohol in an effort to boost the tourism and hospitality sectors, the president Cyril Ramaphosa said.

-CHK

World Pneumonia Day 2020: History, significance and theme

Pneumonia Day
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death among children under five years old, which claimed lives of at least 6,72,000 children last year.

World Pneumonia Day is observed on November 12 worldwide every year, to promote interventions in protecting against the disease as well as preventing and treating pneumonia.

The day was first celebrated in the year 2009 by the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia. Since then the day has provided an annual forum for the world in standing together against the disease.

Pneumonia – an infection of the lungs caused by various classes of viruses, bacteria and fungi, a contagious infection that inflames the air sacs present in the lungs with fluid or pus which leads to cough, fever, chills, and difficulty in breathing. It affects people in all age groups but it is particularly life-threatening for kids and person above age of 65 years.

Although, the disease is easily preventable and treatable, the number of deaths by the disease is huge.

The day holds great significance as Pneumonia is the world’s leading infectious killer of children, claiming one child every 39 seconds. This day calls for action including donor investment to combat pneumonia, which is observed around the world through various events and activities related to the disease.

This year the World Pneumonia Day 2020 will be conducting amid a global pandemic that is dramatically increasing pneumonia deaths from COVID-19 and other causes.

According to the Stop Pneumonia Initiative, COVID-19 could add 1.9 million to the death toll this year. It could increase all-cause pneumonia deaths by more than 75 per cent.

This Pneumonia Day has called for governments and stakeholders in ensuring a massive effort to control the pandemic and reducing the respiratory infections and deaths among both children and adults, it said.

Apart from this, global health agencies including Save the Children and UNICEF call for governments and donors to build on the investment and efforts made to respond to COVID-19 to strengthen health systems that can tackle childhood pneumonia.

-RJV

India’s COVID tally nears 87 lakh, death toll tops 1.28 lakh

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): India’s coronavirus tally stands at 86,83,917 with a single-day jump of 47,905 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 1,28,121 with 550 fatalities reported within past 24 hours.

So far, 80,66,502 patients have been cured and recovered all over the country, while active COVID-19 cases remained below 5-lakh mark and currently stands at 4,89,294.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the coronavirus cases climbed to 17,31,833 followed by Karnataka with 8,53,796 cases and Andhra Pradesh with 8,47,977 positive cases.

Other states with a high virus hit included Tamil Nadu (7,50,409), Uttar Pradesh (5,03,159) and Kerala (5,02,719).

Meanwhile, of the total deaths, Maharashtra again tops the tally with 45,560 fatalities, followed by 11,453 in Karnataka and 11,415 in Tamil Nadu.

The total coronavirus cases in Delhi reached to 4,59,975 with biggest single-day jump of 8,593 cases in past 24 hours. The death toll in the capital rose to 7,228, the healthy ministry data shows.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, more than 12.19 crore samples tested for COVID-19 up to November 11. Of these 11,93,358 samples were tested yesterday.

Furthermore, at least one in four of the 15,000 people tested in the latest serological survey in the national capital showed prevalence of antibodies against Sars-Cov-2, the Delhi government said.

-RJV

 

PM, WHO chief talk over phone

PM, WHO chief talk over phone

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today had a telephone conversation with WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the PM’s office said.

During the conversation, PM Modi expressed his appreciation for WHO’s important role in facilitating a coordinated global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also noted the need to not lose sight of the battle against other diseases, and appreciated the importance of WHO’s support to the health systems of developing countries, the PMO said in a statement.

WHO chief stressed the close and regular collaboration between the WHO and the Indian health authorities, and specially appreciated India’s domestic initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat scheme and India’s campaign against Tuberculosis. He said that India had an important role to play in global health issues.

In addition to this, PM Modi and Tedros had a productive discussion on the value of Traditional Medicinal Systems, especially for enhancing wellness and immunity of the global population. They agreed on the need for integrating traditional medicine solutions into modern medical practice through holistic protocols, and for careful scientific validation of time-tested traditional medicine products and practices.

The WHO Director General stressed that the potential of traditional medicine had not been adequately appreciated until now, and said that the WHO was actively working to encourage research, training and sharing of best practices in this area.

Prime Minister appreciated these efforts, and informed the Director General about the planned celebration of Ayurveda Day in India on 13 November, under the theme of ‘Ayurveda for COVID-19’, read the PMO statement.

PM Modi and the WHO chief also discussed the ongoing global collaboration for countering the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, the Director General strongly appreciated Prime Minister Modi’s unequivocal commitment to deploy India’s capacities as a leading manufacturer of vaccines and pharmaceuticals for the benefit of humanity.

-ARK

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