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India is yet to decide on reopening Kartarpur Corridor: MEA

Entrance of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from side of Indian border (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): India today said it is yet to decide on opening its part of the Kartarpur Corridor, which allows Indian pilgrims visa-free access to Durbar Sahib Gurdwara, following Pakistan’s decision to open its side of the corridor.

On Pakistan’s proposal to reopen Kartarpur Corridor, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that the decision on re-opening of the corridor would be taken in accordance with the COVID-19 protocol and easing of restrictions.

Responding to queries from the media about Pakistan’s move, external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said movement of pilgrims through the corridor was suspended because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

“We remain in touch with all concerned authorities, including ministries of home affairs and health and family welfare. A decision on reopening of the corridor would be taken in accordance with the Covid-19 protocol and easing of restrictions,” he said.

Srivastava noted that at the time of opening of the Kartarpur Corridor last year and in the bilateral agreement signed in October 2019, it was decided both sides would “establish requisite infrastructure, including construction of a bridge at Budhi Ravi Channel at the earliest, for safe and hassle-free movement of pilgrims”.

He said, “One year hence, Pakistan is yet to construct the bridge while it is ready at our end. A technical meeting with Pakistan was also facilitated and two teams met on August 27, 2020. There is, however, no progress on [the] part of Pakistan.”

The 4.7-km Kartarpur Corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur district with Durbar Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan’s Kartarpur. The gurdwara stands on the site where Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, spent the last years of his life.

India had gone ahead with the opening of the corridor last year to respect the sentiments of the Sikh community despite strong misgivings about several steps taken by the Pakistani side, including the imposition of a service fee of $20 on every pilgrim, and security concerns.

Following the closure of the corridor in March, Pakistan had offered to reopen it in June. Pakistan has also opened its section of the corridor on the occasion of some Sikh festivals.

-RJV/CHK

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has crossed the 64 lakh-mark today and reached 64,73,545, with another huge surge of 79,476 positive cases in the last 24 hours, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 1,00,842 after 1,069 new fatalities were reported in the country during this period.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 14,16,513 coronavirus cases followed by Andhra Pradesh with 7,06,790 cases, Tamil Nadu with 6,08,885 positive cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 3,858

Andhra Pradesh- 7,06,790

Arunachal Pradesh- 10,220

Assam- 1,83,812

Bihar- 1,85,436

Chandigarh- 12,212

Chhattisgarh- 1,18,790

Dadra Nagar Haveli & Diu – 3,061

Delhi- 2,85,672

Gujarat- 1,39,893

Goa- 34,455

Haryana– 1,31,388

Himachal Pradesh- 15,454

Jammu and Kashmir- 77,253

Jharkhand- 85,400

Karnataka- 6,20,630

Kerala- 2,13,499

Ladakh- 4,429

Madhya Pradesh- 1,36,107

Maharashtra- 14,16,513

Manipur- 11,397

Meghalaya- 6,033

Mizoram- 2,103

Nagaland- 6,318

Odisha- 2,26,334

Puducherry- 28,534

Punjab- 1,16,213

Rajasthan- 1,39,696

Sikkim- 3,092

Tamil Nadu- 6,08,885

Telangana- 1,97,327

Tripura- 26,552

Uttarakhand- 49,559

Uttar Pradesh- 4,06,995

West Bengal– 2,63,634

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 53

Andhra Pradesh- 5,900

Arunachal Pradesh- 18

Assam- 721

Bihar- 910

Chandigarh- 169

Chhattisgarh- 1,002

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 5,438

Goa- 442

Gujarat- 3,475

Haryana- 1,425

Himachal Pradesh- 202

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,212

Jharkhand- 729

Karnataka- 9,119

Kerala- 791

Ladakh- 61

Madhya Pradesh- 2,372

Maharashtra- 37,480

Manipur- 69

Meghalaya- 52

Nagaland- 17

Odisha- 875

Puducherry- 532

Punjab- 3,501

Rajasthan- 1,516

Sikkim- 41

Tamil Nadu- 9,653

Telangana- 1,153

Tripura- 289

Uttarakhand- 636

Uttar Pradesh- 5,917

West Bengal- 5,070

There are 9,44,996 active cases in the country now and more than 54 lakh people have recovered.

-CHK

 

Atal Tunnel will give strength to India’s border infrastructure, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the strategically important all-weather Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh and said the tunnel will give new strength to India’s border infrastructure and it is an example of world-class border connectivity.

PM Modi made the comments after he inaugurated the 9.02km long Atal Tunnel in Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh which will connect Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley in the state.

Describing the inauguration as a “historic day”, the Prime Minister said that the Atal Tunnel has not only made the BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s dream come true but has also ended the decades-long wait of the people of Himachal Pradesh.

PM Modi also said, “Atal tunnel will give new strength to India’s border infrastructure. It is an example of world-class border connectivity. There have been demands to improve border infrastructure but for a long time, such projects either couldn’t get out of planning stage or got stuck midway.”

The Prime Minister further said that emphasis has been put on the development of border infrastructure. Its benefits are being extended to the common people as well as our armed forces personnel.

Moreover, the tunnel, which the Prime Minister said will also become the lifeline for Leh-Ladakh, will remain open throughout the year as opposed to the valley being cut off for about six months every year amid heavy snowfall.

Atal Tunnel

Atal Tunnel, named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee, reduces the road distance by 46km between Manali and Leh and the travel time by about four to five hours. The tunnel has been built with ultra-modern specifications in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas at an altitude of 3,000 metres from the mean sea level.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office, the single tube double lane tunnel with a roadway of 8 metres and an overhead clearance of 5.525 metres is horse-shoe shaped and has been designed for a traffic density of 3,000 cars per day and 1,500 trucks per day.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane, as well as Himachal Chief Minister Jairam Thakur at the inauguration ceremony.

-RJV

UP Deputy CM tests COVID positive

New Delhi (NVI): Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has tested positive for COVID-19.

After testing positive for the infection, the minister urged everyone, who came in his contact in the last few days, get themselves tested for COVID-19 and quarantine themselves.

Maurya, 51, who holds the portfolio of PWD ministry, said in a tweet, “After the initial symptoms of corona infection, I got myself tested. My report has come positive today.”

“I request you all who came in my contact in the last few days to go to the nearest health centre and get yourself tested and follow the COVID rules,” he said.

Several ministers of the UP government have tested positive for the infection in the past few weeks and months. Two UP ministers — Kamal Rani Varun and Chetan Chauhan — have died of COVID-19.

-CHK

Coronavirus cases surpass 34.4 million worldwide

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): More than 34.4 million people have been confirmed to have the coronavirus around the world, while the deaths were nearing 1,026,700, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

Over 23.9 million patients have been cured and recovered from the deadly disease globally.

In the US, the total number of coronavirus cases stand around 7.33 million, while 2,08,693 people have lost their lives due to the deadly virus.

US President Donald Trump has been admitted to Walter Reed hospital after testing COVID-19 positive, where the White House says he will remain hospitalized for the next few days.

Brazil, remains number one COVID-19 affected country in Latin America, recorded 33,431 cases within 24-hours and surpassed 4.8 million. The country’s death toll stands at 1,45,388

Argentina added 14,687 new COVID-19 cases, taking the country’s total to 779,689, according to the government’s report. There were 312 deaths in the last 24 hours, total the death toll stands at 20,599.

Spain’s capital, Madrid, began a partial lockdown to try to curb a rise in coronavirus cases. The country has had more than 32,000 COVID-19 deaths, the fourth-highest tally in Europe behind Britain, Italy and France and the total caseload stands at 7,89,932.

Meanwhile, Indonesia aims to vaccinate 160 million people against COVID-19 by the end of 2021, an ambitious plan targeting more than half the population in a nation made up of thousands of islands.

-RJV

India’s Covid-19 death toll surpasses 1 lakh; tally at 64.7 lakh

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): The death toll due to coronavirus in India have crossed 1 lakh mark today while 64,73,545 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

In addition to this, India now accounts for nearly 10 per cent of the world’s COVID-19 deaths, the country has registered 1,00,842 fatalities so far.

Also, the country has reported at least, 79,476 new cases of coronavirus and 1,069 deaths in the last 24 hours.

So far, 54,27,707 patients have recovered all over the country, while active cases stands at 9,44,996. With this, India has occupied the number one position in terms of recovered coronavirus cases followed by Brazil and the US.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 14,16,513 coronavirus cases followed by Andhra Pradesh with 7,06,790 cases, Tamil Nadu with 6,08,885 positive cases.

The other worst affected states includes Karnataka (6,20,630), Uttar Pradesh (4,06,995) and Delhi (2,85,672).

In terms of fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 37,480 deaths followed by Tamil Nadu 9,653, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 5,438 while another 2,53,784 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

According to the Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 7,78,50,403 samples tested for COVID-19 up to October 2. Of these, 11,32,675 samples were tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, with the UP government allowing programmes in the open outside containment zones in the next phase of coronavirus lockdown, decks have been cleared for holding religious events in the upcoming festival season.

-RJV

Shopian encounter: Bodies of 3 slain youth exhumed, handed over to families

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): After a gap of over 70 days, the authorities today allowed the exhumation of bodies of three slain youth from Rajouri district who were killed in a fake encounter on July 18 at Amshipora, Shopian in South Kashmir. The bodies of the trio were handed over to the families in presence of a magistrate.

Officials privy to the development, told NVI that exhumation took place early this morning in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district where parents of three slain who had travelled from Rajouri to Srinagar in the night and a magistrate besides senior police officers.

“We travelled from Rajouri to Srinagar in the night and then were taken to an undisclosed location in Baramulla district early morning today. The bodies of our sons were exhumed and handed over to us. Now we are leaving back to Rajouri,” said Muhammad Yousuf, father of one of the slain youth killed in Amshipora, Shopian. He demanded compensation to all three families and stern punishment to the Army men involved in the killing of three innocent youth, who were dubbed as terrorist.

The exhumation took place soon after the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir stated that DNA samples of three Rajouri families had matched with the trio killed at Amshipora, Shopian on July 18.

On September 18, in a brief statement, the Army had stated that the Shopian operation contravened the “dos and don’ts of the Chief of Army Staff approved by the Supreme Court.”

“The inquiry has brought out certain prima facie evidence indicating that during the operation, powers vested under the AFSPA 1990 were exceeded and the Do’s and Don’ts of Chief of Army Staff as approved by the Supreme Court have been contravened.

Consequently, the competent disciplinary authority has directed to initiate disciplinary proceedings under the Army Act against those found prima-facie answerable,” the statement had said.

Soon after the Army’s statement, the families of slain youth had demanded immediate exhumation of the bodies of their loved ones for proper burial at Rajouri.

The three families from Rajouri had identified their sons through pictures that went viral on social media. The army had ordered a court of inquiry while police and the administration had been probing the case separately.

At the same time, police probe had found nothing adverse against the trio and that there was no militant connection established in the police probe, officials privy to the police investigations revealed.

-RJV

J&K LG urges militants to shun violence, promises jobs to youth

Manoj Sinha
File Photo: LG J&K Manoj Sinha

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today reached out to militants in the Valley and asked them to shun violence and said that the Union Territory government will provide jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities to the misled Kashmiri youth.

Addressing a gathering at Shirmal, Shopian in southern Kashmir on the eve of implementation of Phase 3 of ‘Back to Village’ program, the J&K LG said: “The occasion of 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, also celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence is an opportunity for the people of India to reflect upon his commitment to the principle of non-violence and I urge the misguided youth to shun violence and return to the mainstream.”

“The government is ready to help all with jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities’ said Sinha while launching the J&K government’s ambitious- Back to Village-3 programme from Shirmal, Shopian.

He added that the people of J&K, especially the youth want to tread the path of progress and development and the government is committed to making J&K a role model of development and prosperity. “We will empower youth and strengthen PRIs,” he said.

The LG remembered the bond that Mahatma Gandhi shared with villages and said that Back to Village 3 is a tribute to his bond and aspirations with respect to villages. Village development will add to the nation’s development, he said.

The LG termed villages as the lifeline of India and stressed on the need for their development.

Speaking on Back to Village-3, which starts from today, the Lt Governor called it a bridge between the public and the administration. Sharing his dream of making villages equally developed as the cities, he said that the government is persistently delivering services and helping them join the mainstream. “Efforts are being made to make villages Atmanirbhar,” he added.

Reiterating the government’s commitment for overall development of villages, the J&K LG said that nobody would need to leave one’s village to seek education or livelihood in the near future.

“I have been personally witnessing equitable change at village as well as sub-division level during my last 12 districts tours, and have conducted review meetings to gear up slow-paced incomplete works. After inspecting ground implementation of governmental initiatives, directions have been passed with respect to all essential services like power, cooking gas and ration, etc., Raj Bhavan helicopter has also been delegated for emergency cases, if needed. People’s cooperation is vital for development, peace and prosperity in the region,” he said.

Sinha informed that two candidates from every panchayat are to be identified and assisted by the Special Desk of Jammu & Kashmir Bank. With sufficient handholding, 8500 of such youth would be turned into entrepreneurs. Similarly, sports kits are also being provided to every panchayat under B2V3, he said.

A robust Industrial policy is in offing, which will be among one of the best in the country and will prove to be a new model of development, besides providing immense opportunity to youth with special focus on girl empowerment, the LG said.

“In a major step towards the overall welfare of residents of J&K and facilitating affordable healthcare facilities, the UT Government has recently announced the Jammu and Kashmir Health Scheme in order to provide universal health Insurance coverage to all the residents of the Union Territory,” the LG said.

In the coming days, said the Lt Governor, attention is to be given to animal husbandry and sheep husbandry which shall help generate around 50 thousand self-employments. Other areas of focus shall be Dairy, Poultry, Fisheries, Agriculture and allied sectors, he said.

He stressed on better road connectivity of all major roads with special focus on connectivity of Regional Head Quarters to District Head Quarters.

“Instructions have been passed for replacing damaged Transformers within 24 hours,” he said.

He also announced that winter preparedness stock will be ready by October 15. “Playground in every panchayat will be established to motive the youth to indulge in sports activities. Genuine demands and grievances shall be addressed on merit,” he added.

-ARK

India wants top quality research to help its farmers: PM at Vaibhav Summit

Fasal Bima Yojana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India wants top-quality research to help its farmers and praised Indian scientists for increasing the production of pulses and food grains.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came while inaugurating the Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit, a global virtual summit of overseas and resident Indian Researchers and Academicians.

PM’s observations came amid the Parliament passed two farm bills recently. The PM had congratulated farmers when the bills were cleared in Rajya Sabha amid huge protests from the Opposition, saying that it is a ‘watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture”.

Apart from that, he said the need of the hour is to ensure more youngsters develop interest in Science. “For that we must get well-versed with science of history and history of science”, the Prime Minister said in his introductory remarks at the summit.

He referred to India’s immense efforts towards development of vaccines and executing the vaccination programme, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said, the long break in vaccine production is broken. “In 2014, four new vaccines were introduced into our immunization programme. This includes indigenously developed rota vaccine,” he said in his inaugural address.

He also mentioned about ambitious mission to eliminate tuberculosis in India by 2025, which is five years before the global target.

In addition to this, Modi referred to the National Education Policy 2020 which was brought in after three decades and after nation-wide detailed consultations and deliberations. The policy aims to boost curiosity towards science and gives much needed boost to Scientific Research. It provides open and broadbased environment to nurture young talent.

Mentioning about Indian partnership in Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, CERN and International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), he highlighted the importance of scientific research and development efforts at global level.

He also referred to India’s major missions on supercomputing and cyber physical systems. Talking about fundamental research and applications in areas of artificial intelligence, robotics, sensors, and big data analysis, he said that this will boost the startup sectors and manufacturing in India.

He mentioned about the 25 innovation technological hubs already launched in India and how it would further boost the startup ecosystem.

More than 3,000 overseas Indian origin academicians and scientists from 55 countries and about 10,000 from India are taking part in the VAIBHAV summit and it is being organized by 200 Indian academic institutes and S&T departments, led by Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India.

Around 700 overseas panelists from 40 countries and 629 resident panelists from eminent Indian academia and S&T departments will deliberate on 18 different verticals with 80 sub-topics in 213 sessions, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

-ARK

14 more deaths, 1,090 fresh cases take J&K Covid tally to 77,253

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 14 fresh deaths, taking the death toll to 1,212 while 1,090 cases tested positive, pushing the tally to 77,253 in the Union Territory.

Of the total cases, 46,687 are from Kashmir and 30,566 from Jammu division. Officials said that among 1,090 new cases, 487 belong to Kashmir while 603 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 46,687 including 38,904 recoveries and 847 deaths.

On the other hand, total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 30,566 including 21,048 recoveries and 365 deaths.

The officials said that total number of active cases in J&K is 16,089 including 6,936 from Kashmir and 9,153 from Jammu division.

With 1,409 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached to 59,952 which is 77.60 percent of the total cases.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 181 from Srinagar, 54 from Budgam, 64 from Baramulla, 29 from Pulwama, 32 from Anantnag, 58 from Bandipora, 25 from Kupwara, 28 from Ganderbal, 06 from Kulgam and 10 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 603 from Jammu division include 354 from Jammu, 33 from Rajouri, 30 from Udhampur, 21 from Kathua, 27 from Doda, 20 from Samba, 22 from Poonch, 25 from Ramban, 46 from Reasi and 25 from Kishtwar,” as per the daily Covid bulletin.

Notably, in the last 24 hours, 14 persons who were tested positive for COVID-19 have died which include 4 from Kashmir division and 10 from Jammu division.

The Covid patients, who have died include three from Srinagar and one from Budgam in Kashmir division while 10 from Jammu division include four from Jammu district, two each from Udhampur and Kathua and one each from Doda and Samba.

As per the daily information bulletin, 5,81,282 persons in J&K are under observation while 15,129 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides, 16,089 persons are in isolation.

Apart from that, 4,99,404 persons have completed surveillance period and 49,448 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 16,67,587 samples are available of which 15,90,334 tested negative while 77,253 have tested positive. Among them, 16,089 are active, 59,952 persons have recovered and 1,212 persons have died.

-ARK

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