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No lockdown in 7 cities where JEE, NEET exams will be held: Odisha govt

JKBOSE results: Girls Outperform Boys in Class 10 Results in Jammu Division
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The Odisha government said there will be no lockdown or shutdown in seven cities where the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) examination will be held in the state.

The announcement of lifting shutdown in seven cities was made after Chief Secretary AK Tripathy yesterday announced that the state government will provide free transport and accommodation to students appearing in the JEE (Mains) and NEET.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) will be conducted from August 30 to September 7 and from September 12 and September 14 respectively. Both the exams are for undergraduate medical and engineering aspirants.

At present, bi-weekly lockdown is in force in four districts Cuttack, Khurdha, Ganjam and Gajapati – and in Rourkela town to stem the spread of COVID-19 cases.

Moreover, the Odisha government released a fresh set of guidelines for smooth conduct of the examinations in the state. The office of Special Relief Commissioner released the order in addition to previous regulations.

“No lockdown or shutdown will be in force in the seven examination cities from August 30-September 7 (JEE) and from September 9-14 (NEET),” the order said.

The order also said physical distancing, personal hygiene, mask wearing etc have to be followed inside the examination centres in view of the COVID-19 pandemic adding that the district authority will ensure the implementation of these norms outside the premises.

Meanwhile, the chief secretary, as many as 37,000 candidates are likely to appear in the examination in 26 centres spread across seven different towns including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

The state government will provide free transport and accommodation arrangement for candidates and their guardians appearing for both exams in the state, he added

Odisha logged 3,252 new coronavirus cases and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours, which have taken the state’s tally to 97,920.

-RJV

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

COVID-19
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has reached 34,63,973, after 76,472 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 62,550 after 1,021 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 7,47,995 coronavirus cases followed by Tamil Nadu with 4,09,238 cases, Andhra Pradesh with 4,03,616 positive cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 3,050

Andhra Pradesh- 4,03,616

Arunachal Pradesh- 3,745

Assam- 1,01,367

Bihar- 1,31,057

Chandigarh- 3,724

Chhattisgarh- 27,233

Dadra Nagar Haveli & Diu – 2,290

Delhi- 1,69,412

Gujarat- 92,452

Goa- 16,006

Haryana– 60,596

Himachal Pradesh- 5,637

Jammu and Kashmir- 35,831

Jharkhand- 35,321

Karnataka- 3,18,752

Kerala- 69,304

Ladakh- 2,540

Madhya Pradesh- 59,433

Maharashtra- 7,47,995

Manipur- 5,843

Meghalaya- 2,240

Mizoram- 1,003

Nagaland- 3,805

Odisha- 94,688

Puducherry- 13,024

Punjab- 49,378

Rajasthan- 77,370

Sikkim- 1,576

Tamil Nadu- 4,09,238

Telangana- 1,20,166

Tripura- 10,857

Uttarakhand- 17,865

Uttar Pradesh- 2,13,824

West Bengal – 1,53,754

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 42

Andhra Pradesh- 3,714

Arunachal Pradesh- 5

Assam- 286

Bihar- 558

Chandigarh- 45

Chhattisgarh- 251

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 4,389

Goa- 175

Gujarat- 2,976

Haryana- 661

Himachal Pradesh- 33

Jammu and Kashmir- 678

Jharkhand- 381

Karnataka- 5,368

Kerala- 274

Ladakh- 28

Madhya Pradesh- 1,323

Maharashtra- 23,775

Manipur- 27

Meghalaya- 10

Nagaland- 9

Odisha- 456

Puducherry- 199

Punjab- 1,307

Rajasthan- 1,017

Sikkim- 3

Tamil Nadu- 7,050

Telangana- 808

Tripura- 94

Uttar Pradesh- 3,294

Uttarakhand- 239

West Bengal- 3,073

However, a total of 26,48,998 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 7,52,424.

-CHK

Heavy rainfall crosses 3,000mm mark in Mumbai

Many areas in Mumbai flooded after extremely heavy rain. (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): With average rainfall received yesterday, Mumbai city crossed the 3,000mm mark this monsoon season, the Indian Meteorological Department said.

The Met Department also issued a yellow alert (heavy rain at isolated places) for Mumbai and Thane, after light to moderate showers continued this morning.

The Colaba weather observatory, representative of south Mumbai, between 8.30 am Friday and 8.30 am Saturday, recorded 108 mm rain, while the Santacruz observatory, representative of the suburbs, recorded 85.4 mm rain, IMD said.

However, Mumbai crossed the 3,000 mm-rain mark on Friday. The city has currently recorded 3,038.5 mm rain throughout the season. Both the suburbs and south Mumbai have recorded 61 per cent excess rain. There is over a month before the monsoon season ends, as the withdrawal date is October 8.

Moreover, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies 15.6-64.4mm rain as moderate and 64.5-115.5mm rain as heavy.

“Due to the well-marked low pressure system over Madhya Pradesh and the lower-level wind convergence over the northwest region, north Konkan, including Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad is very likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places till Sunday morning. Thereafter the intensity is likely to reduce,” said KS Hosalikar, deputy director general, western region, IMD.

The Met department also stated location wise rain figures over the past 24 hours (8.30 am Friday to 8.30 am Saturday) showed 156 mm rain in Chembur, 129 mm rain in Bandra, 142 mm rain in Navi Mumbai, 122.4 mm rain in Panvel, and 84 mm rain in Thane.

Furthermore, IMD forecast for the next 48 hours generally cloudy skies in Mumbai and it’s suburbs with moderate to heavy rain throughout Saturday and light to moderate rain on Sunday.

-RJV

PM pays tributes to Major Dhyan Chand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tributes to Indian sporting icon Major Dhyan Chand on the occasion of National Sports Day.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “National Sports Day is a day to celebrate the remarkable achievements of all those exemplary sportspersons who have represented India in various sports and made our nation proud. Their tenacity and determination are outstanding.”

 

In another tweet, paying his tribute to the Indian hockey great, PM Modi said, “Today, on NationalSportsDay, we pay tributes to Major Dhyan Chand, whose magic with the hockey stick can never be forgotten.

“This is also a day to laud the outstanding support given by the families, coaches and support staff towards the success of our talented athletes,” he added.

 

The Prime Minister further wrote, “Government of India is making numerous efforts to popularise sports and support sporting talent in India. At the same time, I urge everyone to make sports and fitness exercises a part of their daily routine. There are many benefits of doing so. May everyone be happy and healthy!”

National Sports Day is observed on August 29, to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Dhyan Chand, who was an integral part of 1928, 1932, and 1936 Olympics Gold medal-winning squad.

On this day every year, the nation honours its sporting heroes with recognitions like the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dhyan Chand Award and the Dronacharya Award.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases exceed 24.6 million worldwide

Coronavirus cases surge past 85 million mark worldwide
(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): The global count of coronavirus cases has reached more than 24.6 million, while at least 8,35,000 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Over 16 million patients have recovered from the deadly disease globally.

In the US, the total number of cases stand around 5.91 million while more than 1,81,760 people have lost their lives due to the deadly virus.

Brazil, the second most affected country from COVID-19 after the US, recorded 43,412 cases within 24-hours and surpassed 3.80 million. The country’s death toll stands at 1,19,504.

French health authorities said the coronavirus epidemic is growing exponentially. They reported 7,379 new daily cases —the biggest increase since late March.

Moreover, the Latin American region breached the 7 million case mark despite some countries showing a slight decline in infections. In addition to this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has asked the countries in the region to increase testing, which remains low across the continent.

Argentina also logged 11,717 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, its highest daily jump, taking the total count of people infected with COVID-19 to 3,92,009, but the government moved ahead with its plans to ease lockdown measures.

South Korea extended social-distancing rules in the capital, Seoul, amid a triple-digit rise in cases.

Meanwhile, China is moving into its final weekend before they go for full reopening of schools amid continuing measures to prevent further spread of virus, as per the reports.

-RJV

COVID cases in India climb to 34.6 lakh, death toll at 62,550

India’s COVID tally tops 10.34 million with 16,505 new cases
(File/ Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): At least 76,472 new cases of coronavirus and 1,021 deaths have been reported in India in the last 24 hours.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India crosses 34 lakh-mark and now stands at 34,63,973, with 62,550 deaths due to the pandemic, Union Health Ministry said.

So far, 26,48,999 patients have recovered all over the country, while active cases stands at 7,52,424. With this, the recovery rate also improves further to 74.3 per cent.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 7,47,995 coronavirus cases followed by Tamil Nadu with 4,09,238 cases, Andhra Pradesh with 4,03,616 positive cases.

The other worst affected states includes Delhi (1,69,412), Karnataka (3,18,752), Uttar Pradesh (2,13,824), and West Bengal (1,53,754).

In terms of fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally again with 23,775 deaths followed by Tamil Nadu 7,050 ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 4,389 while another 1,51,473 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

Meanwhile, India has tested more than 9 lakh COVID-19 samples each day for the second consecutive day, keeping a sharp focus on “Test, Track and Treat”, the Health Ministry said.

Apart from this, there will be no lockdown or shutdown in force in the examination cities in Odisha for NEET exams from August 30 and September 7 and from September 12 and September 14.

-RJV

J&K: 3 terrorists, solider killed in Pulwama encounter

J&K Encounter
Security forces in Kashmir (File Pic)

Abid Bashir 

Srinagar (NVI): Three unidentified terrorists and a solider were killed in an encounter that broke out between terrorists and security forces this morning in Zadoora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, officials said.

A senior police official said that three unidentified terrorists have been killed while a solider who had sustained serious injuries in an exchange of fire between government forces and terrorist also succumbed.

Three terrorists have been killed whose identity is being ascertained, the official said adding that, solider was critically injured who was shifted to 92 base hospital Srinagar for treatment, breathed his last.

Earlier, an official said that a joint team of police, army’s 50 RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of terrorists in the area at around 5 am.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired upon them which was retaliated triggering an encounter.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia said three terrorists and a solider died in the encounter while as a joint operation was on in Zadoora area of Shopian. “One AK-47 and two pistols were recovered from the slain terrorists,” he added.

However, this is the second encounter in the last 24 hours in South Kashmir. Yesterday, four terrorists including a Al-Badr commander were killed in an encounter at southern Shopian district while as fifth terrorist was caught alive.

-RJV

Kanyakumari MP dies of Covid-19

New Delhi (NVI): H Vasanthakumar, Congress MP from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, who had tested positive for Covid-19 died of the infection this evening while undergoing treatment in Chennai’s Apollo Hospitals. He was 70.

He was admitted on August 10 with Covid symptoms and was in critical condition after contracting severe pneumonia. He had been placed on ventilator support.

Vasanthakumar is survived by his wife, who is also undergoing treatment for Covid-19, and son Vijay Vasanth who is an actor.

A first-time MP from Tamil Nadu, H Vasanthakumar had also been elected MLA twice in the past from the Nanguneri assembly constituency and was the working president of the state Congress committee.

-ARK

J&K’s Covid tally climbs to 35,831 with 696 fresh cases

Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 696 fresh cases of Covid-19, including 106 travelers, taking the total number of positive cases in the Union Territory to 35,831.

Of the total cases, 27,863 are from Kashmir and 7,968 from Jammu division.

UT health officials said that among 696 new cases, 494 belong to Kashmir while 202 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 27,863 including 21,186 recoveries.

On the other hand, the total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 7,968 including 6,186 recoveries and 57 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 7,781 including 6,056 from Kashmir and 1,725 from Jammu division.

With 651 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 27,372 which is 76.39 percent of the total cases.

Srinagar district alone has 8,924 positive cases which is more than the total number of positive cases in Jammu division, where total cases are 7,968.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 194 from Srinagar, 40 from Baramulla, 57 from Pulwama, 59 from Budgam, 31 from Anantnag, 30 from Bandipora, 25 from Kupwara, 11 from Kulgam, 09 from Shopian and 38 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while 202 cases from Jammu division include 109 from district Jammu, 08 from Rajouri, 27 from Kathua, 23 from Udhampur, 09 from Samba, 01 from Ramban, 06 from Doda, 08 from Poonch, 05 from Reasi and 06 from Kishtwar,” reads the daily Covid bulletin.

As per the bulletin, 4,50,979 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 44,423 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 7,781 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 3,55,763 persons have completed the surveillance period and 42,334 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 9,29,733 samples are available out of which 8,93,902 stand negative while 35,831 have tested positive. Among positive cases, 7,781 are active and 27,372 persons have recovered.

-ARK

Activist denounces PoK election Act, ‘clear violation of UNSC resolution on Kashmir’

New Delhi (NVI): A Kashmiri political activist has denounced ‘Azad Jammu & Kashmir Election Act’ that was passed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir assembly in May this year to hold elections in PoK, in brazen violations of the UN Security Council resolution on Kashmir.

Prof Sajjad Raja, Chairman, National Equality Party, JKGBL (Jammu Kashmir Gilgit Baltistan and Ladakh) has rejected the election Act that has been forcibly imposed by the Pakistan government on people of PoK.

“Azad Jammu & Kashmir Election Act (2020 LD/Legis-Act/275-86/2020; Dated 24 June 2020) is negation of the right of self determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and is a clear violation of the United Nations Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. Thus we denounce and reject it,” Prof Raja tweeted.

Rattled by the revocation of Article 370 by the Indian government in August last year, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has been desperately trying to gain complete control on PoK which is a disputed territory.

India considers PoK and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India.

Apart from PoK, the Pakistan Supreme court also allowed elections in the region of Gilgit-Baltistan in April this year, which faced a strong protest from India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had lodged a strong protest over the order by Pakistan Supreme Court allowing the Imran Khan government to hold elections in Gilgit-Baltistan region.

On April 30, a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court in Islamabad, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed, had allowed the government to organise general elections in G-B, and to set up a caretaker government there before that.

India has objected to elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and in parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which the Pakistan government refers to as “Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK)”.

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