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President Kovind, PM Modi to address Governors’ Conference on NEP-2020

New Delhi (NVI) President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the inaugural session of the Governors’ Conference on National Education Policy (NEP) tomorrow through video conference.

The virtual conference will be telecast live on DD News at 10.30 am tomorrow. The Conference titled “Role of NEP-2020 in Transforming Higher Education” is being organized by the Ministry of Education, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

NEP-2020 is the first education policy of the twenty-first century which was announced after 34 years of the previous National Policy on Education 1986. NEP-2020 is directed towards major reforms in both school and higher education level, according to a PMO statement.

The new National Education Policy strives for making India into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society. It envisions an India-centred education system that contributes directly to transforming India into a Global Superpower, PMO said.

The comprehensive transformation aimed the NEP will bring about a paradigm shift in the country’s education system and create an enabling and reinvigorated educational ecosystem for a new Atmanirbhar Bharat envisaged by PM Modi.

Webinars, virtual conferences, and conclaves on various aspects of National Education Policy-2020 are being organised across the country.

The Ministry of Education and University Grants Commission earlier organized a “Conclave on Transformational Reforms in Higher Education under National Education Policy-2020” which was addressed by the PM Modi.

The Governors’ Conference tomorrow is also being attended by Education Ministers of all States, Vice-Chancellors of State Universities and other senior officials, the PMO said in a statement.

-ARK

India records biggest single-day surge of 90,632 corona cases, tally over 41 lakh

New Delhi (NVI): Over 90,632 positive coronavirus cases have been recorded in India in the past 24 hours, in the biggest single-day surge, taking the overall tally to 41,23,811.

There are 8,62,320 active cases in the country now while 31,80,865 have been discharged so far. The death toll has reached 70,626 with 1065 fresh deaths in the past 24 hours.

Maharashtra continues to have the highest number of confirmed cases at 8,83,862 cases per the latest Health Ministry data. The state saw a rise of 9,687 positive cases since yesterday, taking the total number of active cases at 2,21,012.

The total number of coronavirus cases in National Capital Delhi stands at 1,88,193 with 4,538 deaths recorded so far. There have been 25 fresh deaths in the capital in the past 24 hours. In addition to that, the total number of active cases in Delhi stands at 19,870 with 1028 fresh cases since yesterday. 1,63,785 patients have been discharged so far.

Apart from that, Maharashtra’s corona death toll has reached 26,276 with 312 fresh deaths since yesterday. 6,36,574 patients have been discharged in the state so far.

With this, India is closing in on Brazil for the second-highest caseload in the world. Brazil has 41.23 lakh cases. The United States, which has the highest infections globally, has reported over 6 million cases. This is the first time that India has reported over 90,000 new cases.

Meanwhile, 26.6 million Covid cases have been recorded globally so far, with the overall tally reaching 2,66,22,706. There have been 8,74,708 deaths due to corona worldwide while 1,77,17, 911 recoveries so far. Cases per 1 million people stand at 3,424.

-ARK

COVID-19: Record spike since pandemic outbreak in J&K; 1,251 fresh cases

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded the highest ever spike in Covid positive cases since the pandemic outbreak as 1,251 people tested positive for the deadly contagion including 86 travelers, taking the total number of cases to 42,241 in the Union Territory.

Of the total 42,241 cases, 31,091 are from Kashmir division and 11,150 from Jammu division.

Officials said that among 1,251 new cases, 512 belong to Kashmir division while 739 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached to 31,091  including 24,840 recoveries while the total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached 11,150 including 7,084 recoveries and 91 deaths.

The officials said that total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 9,547 including 5,572 from Kashmir division and 3,975 from Jammu division.

With 489 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached 31,924 which is 75.57 per cent of the total cases.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 181 from Srinagar, 51 from Baramulla, 40 from Pulwama, 69 from Budgam, 35 from Anantnag, 12 from Bandipora, 54 from Kupwara, 03 from Kulgam, 04 from Shopian and 63 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 739 from Jammu division include 520 from Jammu, 22 from Rajouri, 27 from Kuthua, 72 from Udhampur, 23 from Samba, 19 from Ramban, 27 from Doda, 11 from Poonch, 02 from Reasi and 16 from Kishtiwar,” officials disclosed.

As per the officials figures, 9,985 positive cases including 233 deaths and 8,352 recoveries are from Srinagar, 2,988 including 104 deaths and 2,352 recoveries are from Baramulla, 2,807 including 2,278 recoveries and 56 deaths are from Pulwama, 2,797 including 2,036 recoveries and 64 deaths are from Budgam, 2,499 including 52 deaths and 1,945 recoveries are from Anantnag, 2,330 including 1,615 recoveries and 26 deaths are from Bandipora, 2,289 cases including 1,596 and 54 deaths are from Kupwara, 1,986 including 1,825 recoveries and 37 deaths are from Kulgam, 1,739 including 1,611 recoveries and 28 deaths are from Shopian and 1,671 including 1,230 recoveries and 25 deaths are from Ganderbal.

In Jammu division, 4,902 including 2,279 recoveries and 59 deaths are from Jammu district, 989 including 797 recoveries and 05 deaths are from Rajouri, 1,039 including 756 recoveries and 08 deaths are from Kuthua, 981 including 734 recoveries and 04 deaths are from Udhampur, 800 including 572 recoveries and 03 deaths are from Samba, 692 including 648 recoveries and 01 death are from Ramban, 493 including 370 recoveries and 05 deaths are from Doda, 480 including 369 recoveries and 05 deaths are from Poonch, 439 including 338 recoveries are from Reasi and 335 including 208 recoveries and 01 death are from Kishtwar.

As per the daily information bulletin, 4,76,330 people in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 43,668 people have been kept under home quarantine, besides that 9,547 people are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 3,73,511 people have completed surveillance period and 48,834 people are under home surveillance. So far, results of 1,051,826 samples have been made available.

-CHK

Centre asks Maharashtra, Andhra, Karnataka to break chain of transmission

COVID-19
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The Centre today asked Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to focus on undertaking aggressive measures to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission and to ensure that mortality is kept below 1 per cent.

The states have been advised to proactively ensure higher testing, effective clinical management to lower fatality, and save lives along with efficient monitoring at various levels, according to a Health Ministry statement.

“Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka account for about 46 per cent of active cases reported nationally in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra alone accounts for 22 per cent of all active cases reported in the last 24 hours,” it added.

The statement said that these three states account for 52 per cent of all COVID-19 deaths reported across the country in the last 24 hours with Maharashtra alone accounting for 35 per cent of all deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

“In Maharashtra, Pune, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Raigad, Jalgaon, Solapur, Satara and Palghar were highlighted on need for effective containment and contact tracing,” said the Ministry.

Districts — Prakasam and Chittoor in A.P., and Koppal, Mysuru, Davangere and Bellari in Karnataka — were highlighted as districts of concern.

According to the release in cumulative terms, five states account for more than 60 per cent of the total active cases in the country. Maharashtra contributes maximum to the active case load amounting to almost 25 per cent, followed by Andhra Pradesh (12.06 per cent), Karnataka (11.71 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (6.92 per cent) and Tamil Nadu which stands at 6.10 per cent.

Of these, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka account for nearly 49 per cent of the active case and more than 57 per cent of COVID-19 deaths.

“Of the total deaths in the country, 70 per cent are recorded in just five states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra alone accounts for 37.33 per cent of the total deaths,” said the Ministry release.

-CHK

J&K: Soldier killed, two others injured in CVF along LoC in Kupwara

Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A soldier was killed while two others received injuries in a ceasefire violation (CFV) at Hardul sector in Nowgam area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said, “Pakistan initiated an unprovoked Ceasefire Violation (CFV) along the Line of Control in Naugam Sector, Baramulla in the morning of September 5, 2020, by firing mortars and other weapons.”

“Befitting response was given. One soldier laid down his life in the line of duty. Two soldiers sustained injuries and have been evacuated to 92 Base Hospital. Their condition is stable,” he added.

Pakistan resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations and targeted the posts of Indian Army with small arms and mortar shells, official said.

Till late evening, heavy exchange of firing between Indian and Pakistan was going on in Nowgam area.

-CHK

Journalist shot dead in Balochistan’s Turbat

Shaheena Shaheen (Image credits: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): A female journalist, artist and social activist, Shaheena Shaheen Baloch, was allegedly shot in Tehsil Turbat of district Kech in Balochistan today.

The victim was shifted to the Civil Hospital Turbat, where she succumbed to her injuries, according to The Balochistan Post.

The deceased had received two bullets, however, the motive behind her murder could not be ascertained.

She was the host of a morning show on PTV Bolan, Chief-in-editor of the Baloch magazine ‘Dasgohar’ and an artist. She believed in gender equality and had also campaigned for women rights in Balochistan.

Several journalists, social activists and social media users expressed sympathy and condemned the heinous act.

-CHK

74% adults ready to get COVID-19 vaccine when available: Survey

New Delhi (NVI): Around 74 per cent of adults in 27 countries are willing to get vaccinated against the coronavirus if a vaccine becomes available, according to a new survey.

The survey, conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Ipsos, shows that three-quarters of adults would get a vaccine for COVID-19 if it were available.

But nearly two-thirds (59 per cent) do not think one will be available by the end of 2020.

The survey, which covered nearly 20,000 adults in 27 countries over two weeks — between July 24 and August 7 this year – also reveals where in the world take-up would be strongest.

The majority of respondents from all the countries expressed their willingness to get a vaccine, the survey showed.

China was the most enthusiastic country with 97 per cent of respondents indicating they would want to be vaccinated, while Russia was the least willing with only 54 per cent interested to do so.

India is also not far behind, ranking third, with 75 per cent hopeful that a vaccine will be out this year.

Globally, the majority (56 per cent) of those who said they won’t get the vaccine have expressed concerns about its possible side-effects, 29 per cent had concerns about its effectiveness and 17 per cent said they were against vaccines in general, said the WEF.

Nearly 3 in 5 adults don’t think a vaccine will be available to them by the end of 2020.

According to the survey, there were six reasons people have given for the reluctance to get vaccinated — side-effects, doubts on its effectiveness, opposition to vaccines in general, lack of time, belief of not being susceptible to COVID-19 and other reasons.

Meanwhile, several pharmaceutical companies are working on vaccine trials, while organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi and CEPI are also working to develop a vaccine and ensure any future solution is available for those most in need.

-RJV

President Kovind confers awards to 47 teachers across India

New Delhi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today conferred the National Teachers’ Awards to 47 teachers from across the country for their contribution in developing innovative methods of teaching.

The national level awards are given on Teachers’ Day to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country and to honour those who, through their commitment, have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students.

“Good buildings, expensive equipment or facilities do not make a good school but teachers have a crucial role in building a good school. They are the ones who develop foundation of knowledge and character building in our students,” Mr. Kovind said at the virtual award ceremony.

The President observed that about 40 per cent of the winners of the National Awards were women and appreciated the role women have played as educators.

Emphasising on the importance of digital technology in the challenging times of COVID-19 pandemic, the President said that teachers are taking the help of this technology to reach out to children.

Applauding the skills of teachers in shifting to this new technology-driven teaching, he said that it is important for all teachers “to upgrade and update” their skills in the field of digital technology so as to make education more effective and also make students conversant with new techniques.

Pointing out at the digital divide, he also emphasized that steps should be taken so that children from tribal and far-flung areas are also benefitted.

Talking about the new National Education Policy, the president said that the newly introduced policy is an endeavour to prepare children for future needs and has been designed after considering the opinion of various stakeholders.

“It is now the teachers who will be at the centre-stage for making the policy successful and productive,” he added.

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said, “The selected awardees with their commitment and industry have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students and community through various activities like improving enrolment and reducing dropouts, adopting joyful and experiential teaching-learning practices.”

Along with the Union Minister for Education, Minister of State for Education, Sanjay Dhotre also graced the occasion.

-CHK

80 new special trains to start from Sept 12; bookings from Sept 10: Railways

A train in India (Representative Pic)

New Delhi (NVI): Indian Railways will start running 80 new special passenger trains from September 12. Reservation for these trains will begin from September 10, Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman of Railway Board said.

These 80 new trains will be in addition to 230 special trains already in operation, said Yadav while addressing a press conference, who was recently appointed as Indian Railways’ first CEO.

“We will run trains whenever there is request from state governments for exams and other such purposes,” said Yadav. “We will monitor special trains; wherever there is demand for a train or waiting list is long, we will run a clone train.”

Days after the Centre announced the guidelines for Unlock 4, Indian Railways said it was planning to run more special trains and the state governments are being consulted on this.

The Railways started to operate the Shramik Special trains from May 1 to help migrant workers, students, pilgrims and tourists stranded across the country amid lockdown. It also began operations of 15 pairs of Special Air Conditioned trains from May 12 and 100 pairs of scheduled trains from June 1.

The Indian Railways had suspended passenger, mail and express train services from March 25 in the wake of the nationwide lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

-CHK

Another encounter breaks out in J&K’s Kupwara

Personnel of security forces at an encounter site in Kashmir (File pic)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): An encounter has started between terrorists and security forces in Dana Behak, Warnow forest area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said today.

Officials said that joint teams of Police, Army’s RR 28 and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Dana Behak forests after specific inputs about presence of terrorists was received.

“As the joint team zeroed in on the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired upon them. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering an encounter,” the officials said.

A senior police officer told heavy exchange of fire between the joint team and the terrorists is on.

As per the sources, two to three terrorists are believed to be trapped. It is believed that a fresh group of terrorists have managed to sneak in but were intercepted by the troops in forest area.

-CHK

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