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Curbs imposed in parts of Kashmir to prevent Muharram processions

J&K: People returning to libraries in Srinagar for reading amid Covid restrictions
Lal Chowk (City center/File)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The J&K administration today imposed restrictions parts of Kashmir, especially Srinagar where the city centre (Lal Chowk) was sealed early this morning to prevent people from taking out Muharram processions to mark the eighth day of the 10-day mourning period.

Officials said that strict restrictions on the movement of people and vehicular traffic were imposed in almost a dozen areas of Srinagar including Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of Srinagar. “Deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF men was made in these areas in large numbers while roads were sealed with the reams of concertina wires,” they said.

As per the tradition, on the 8th day of Muharram, Shia mourners would take out a massive procession that would pass through traditional routes and reach Lal Chowk before culminating at Imam Bara Zadibal, in Srinagar.

It is pertinent to mention that before 1990, on the 8th day of Muharram, the procession would commence from Shaheed Gunj area, pass through MA Road and later culminate at Imam Bara Dalgate. In the past 30 years, authorities have not allowed the processions, citing security and law and order issues.

However, mourners have been defying the restrictions and trying to reach Lal Chowk through lanes and bylanes, all these years.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang K Pole yesterday said that restrictions shall continue on all religious processions and gatherings in all districts in the wake of Covid-19.

He urged the heads of these Shia bodies to use their influence and make people aware of the importance of following Covid-19 related SOPs including social distancing protocols and use of face masks while commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain.

Sources in the administration said that restrictions will remain in force till the 10th day of Muharram and all major religious processions should be restricted in a particular area. They said that a limited number of people can participate in mourning processions while following Covid-19 protocols.

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. On 10th Muharram, Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was martyred in the battle of Karbala in Iraq, some 1400 years ago. Shia community observers first 10 days of Muharram as mourning and would take processions while beating chests and reciting hymns to praise Imam Hussain to pay him tributes. Imam Hussain was martyred on 10th Muharram along with his family members in Karbala, Iraq. The 10th Muharram is known as “Youm-e-Ashura” among the Muslim community across the globe.

-ARK

PM Modi praises achievements of Jan Dhan Yojana as it completes 6 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): On the sixth anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the initiative served as the foundation for many poverty alleviation initiatives.

Taking to twitter, PM Modi wrote, “Today, six years ago, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was launched with an ambitious aim of banking the unbanked. This initiative has been a game-changer, serving as the foundation for many poverty alleviation initiatives, benefitting crores of people.”

The Prime Minister added that the high number of beneficiaries of this scheme are from rural areas and are mostly women.

In another tweet, PM Modi said, “Thanks to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, the future of several families has become secure. A high proportion of beneficiaries are from rural areas and are women. I also applaud all those who have worked tirelessly to make PM-JDY a success. 6Years Of JanDhan Yojana.”

He also shared some infographics which stated that till August 2015, 17.90 crore PM-JDY bank accounts were opened whereas till August 2020, as many as 40.35 crore bank accounts have been opened.

Another infographic showed over 63.6 per cent of the PM-JDY account holders are from rural areas while 36.4 per cent are from urban areas. Over 55 per cent PM-JDY account holders are women.

On this occasion, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also took to twitter and said, “Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has brought in financial inclusion in India in an unprecedented scale. It was on this day six years ago.”

The Jan Dhan Yojana, was announced by PM Modi in his Independence Day address on August 15, 2014, and was launched on August 28, in the same year. However, the scheme aims to expand and make affordable access to financial services such as bank accounts, remittances, credit, insurance and pensions.

-RJV

SC upholds UGC decision, final year students will not be promoted without exams

New Delhi (NVI): The Supreme Court today rejected petitioners’ demand that online/offline examinations be scrapped in the view of Covid-19 crisis. The examinations will be held as directed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), said the apex court.

A 3-judge bench headed by justice Ashok Bhushan pronounced the verdict.

The apex court ruled that states must hold examinations to promote final year students.

However, the court said that states can postpone examinations under the Disaster Management Act, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they can consult the UGC to fix fresh dates.

On July 6, the UGC had directed universities across the country to hold final year examinations by September 30.

Even as UGC maintained that degree cannot be conferred on graduating students without holding final year examinations, states including Delhi, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have cancelled final year University exams.

To this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of UGC, said that only the statutory body had power to cancel examinations and not the state governments.

-CHK

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

Covid variant
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has reached 33,87,501, after 77,266 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, biggest single-day rise, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 61,529 after 1,057 new fatalities were reported in the country during this period.

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the coronavirus cases climbed to 7,33,568, followed by Tamil Nadu with 4,03,242 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 3,93,090 cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 3,018

Andhra Pradesh- 3,93,090

Arunachal Pradesh- 3,633

Assam- 98,807

Bihar- 1,28,780

Chandigarh- 3,564

Chhattisgarh- 25,988

Dadra Nagar Haveli & Diu – 2,266

Delhi- 1,67,604

Gujarat- 91,179

Goa- 15,483

Haryana– 59,298

Himachal Pradesh- 5,501

Jammu and Kashmir- 35,135

Jharkhand- 34,396

Karnataka- 3,09,792

Kerala- 66,761

Ladakh- 2,492

Madhya Pradesh- 58,181

Maharashtra- 7,33,568

Manipur- 5,725

Meghalaya- 2,129

Mizoram- 974

Nagaland- 3,784

Odisha- 90,986

Puducherry- 12,434

Punjab- 47,836

Rajasthan- 76,015

Sikkim- 1,542

Tamil Nadu- 4,03,242

Telangana- 1,17,415

Tripura- 10,414

Uttarakhand- 17,277

Uttar Pradesh- 2,08,419

West Bengal – 1,50,772

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 42

Andhra Pradesh- 3,633

Arunachal Pradesh- 5

Assam- 278

Bihar- 538

Chandigarh- 43

Chhattisgarh- 245

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 4,369

Goa- 171

Gujarat- 2,962

Haryana- 646

Himachal Pradesh- 33

Jammu and Kashmir- 671

Jharkhand- 373

Karnataka- 5,232

Kerala- 267

Ladakh- 27

Madhya Pradesh- 1,306

Maharashtra- 23,444

Manipur- 25

Meghalaya- 8

Nagaland- 9

Odisha- 448

Puducherry- 190

Punjab- 1,256

Rajasthan- 1,005

Sikkim- 3

Tamil Nadu- 6,948

Telangana- 799

Tripura- 89

Uttar Pradesh- 3,217

Uttarakhand- 228

West Bengal- 3,017

However, a total of 25,83,948 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 7,42,023.

-CHK

Govt advises all tuberculosis patients to be tested for COVID-19

sero survey
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Health Ministry has issued a guidance note stating that the COVID screening for all diagnosed Tuberculosis (TB) patients and TB screening for all COVID-19 positive patients should be conducted.

“Tuberculosis is associated with a 2.1-fold increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease. In addition, TB patients also tend to have co-morbid or living conditions (malnutrition, diabetes, smoking, HIV etc) that increase their vulnerability,” the guidance note said.

It further added that prevalence of tuberculosis among COVID-19 patients has been found to be 0.37–4.47 per cent, according to different studies.

“There has been an overall decline in tuberculosis notification by 26 per cent during January to June this year as compared to the previous year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.

Meanwhile, the guidance note suggested Bi-directional TB-COVID screening to address dual morbidity of Tuberculosis and COVID-19, tuberculosis analysis of all influenza-like illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases has also been advised.

The guidance note stated that both Tuberculosis and COVID-19 are infectious diseases which primarily attack the lungs. “They present with similar symptoms of cough, fever and difficulty breathing, although TB has a longer incubation period and a slower onset of disease,” it added.

Whereas, for COVID-19 screening, the ministry has advised that all newly diagnosed TB patients or those currently on treatment should be tested for coronavirus.

“Based on the result of COVID-19 test, further management would be undertaken as per the ministry guidelines. Even upon diagnosis of COVID, treatment of TB should continue uninterrupted,” the note added.

-RJV

India’s Covid-19 tally nears 34 lakh; death toll 61,529

New Delhi (NVI): India’s coronavirus tally now stands at 33,87,501, with the confirmation of biggest single-day jump of 77,266 positive cases in the last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry said.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 61,529 with 1,057 new fatalities being reported during this period.

So far, 25,83,948 patients have been cured and recovered all over the country while active cases stands at 7,42,023.

However, in the past 5 months, more than 75 percent of the cases have recovered and less than 25 percent are active now.

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the coronavirus cases climbed to 7,33,568, followed by Tamil Nadu with 4,03,242 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 3,93,090 cases.

The other worst high virus hit states are Karnataka (3,09,792), Uttar Pradesh (2,08,419), Delhi (1,67,604) and West Bengal (1,50,772).

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 23,444 followed by 6,948 deaths in Tamil Nadu.

The death toll in the national capital rose to 4,369, while 1,59,027 patients in Delhi have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the total number of samples tested up to August 27 is 3,94,77,848 including 9,01,338 samples tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, a night curfew has been imposed in Punjab from 7 pm to 5 am on all days to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state.

-RJV

 

Coronavirus cases exceed 24.3 million worldwide; death toll tops 8.30 lakh

Coronavirus cases
(Representational/file photo)

New Delhi (NVI): More than 24.3 million people around the world have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, and 15.8 million have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 8,30,000 people have died due to the deadly contagion so far.

In the US, the total number of coronavirus cases crossed 5.8 million while the death toll surpassed 1,80,000 in the country.

Brazil has reported 44,235 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 984 deaths from the disease caused by the virus. Brazil has registered 3,761,391 cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll from Covid-19 has risen to 1,18,649.

French Health authorities have reported 6,111 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the highest since March 31, at the height of the pandemic. There have been 30,576 deaths in France since beginning of the pandemic.

South Korea reported 371 new Covid-19 cases, including 359 local infections in the last 24 hours. This is down from the nearly six-month high on Thursday of 441. However, the country has reported triple digit figures of new cases for more than two weeks.

Germany has banned large gatherings until the end of this year, amid rising coronavirus cases in Europe.

Lebanon reported 689 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest daily number of infections recorded since the beginning of the pandemic. The latest recorded cases bring the country’s total case count to 14,935.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), has announced that a team of international experts will travel to the Chinese city of Wuhan to begin a study into the origin of the coronavirus.

-CHK

J&K’s Covid tally crosses 35,000 mark with 655 new cases

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 655 fresh corona cases, including 71 travelers, taking the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Union Territory to 35,135.

Of the total 35,135 cases, 27,369 are from Kashmir and 7,766 from Jammu division. UT Officials said that among 655 new cases, 497 belong to Kashmir while 158 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division has reached 27,369 including 20,730 recoveries.

The total positive cases in Jammu division has reached 7,766 including 5,991 recoveries and 57 deaths.

The officials said that total number of active cases in J&K is 7,743 including 6,025 from Kashmir division and 1,718 from Jammu division.

With 528 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 26,721 which is 76.05 percent of the total cases.

Srinagar district alone has 8,735 positive cases which is more than the total number of positive cases in Jammu division where total cases are 7,766, they said.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 182 from Srinagar, 33 from Baramulla, 42 from Pulwama, 60 from Budgam, 27 from Anantnag, 08 from Kulgam, 23 from Shopian, 46 from Kupwara, 51 from Bandipora and 25 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 158 from Jammu division include 87 from Jammu, 07 from Rajouri, 25 from Kathua, 08 from Udhampur, 11 from Samba, 10 from Doda, 05 from Poonch, 02 from Reasi and 03 from Kishtwar,” as per the daily Covid bulletin.

As per the daily information bulletin, 4,48,697 persons in J&K are under observation while 44,537 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 7,743 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 3,52,018 persons have completed the surveillance period and 43,728 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 9,15,226 samples are available out of which 880,091 have been tested negative while 35,135 have tested positive. Among positive cases, 7,743 are active and 26,721 persons have recovered.

-ARK

Self-reliance in defence sector will pave way for a modern, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’: PM

New Delhi (NVI): In a self-reliance push towards making India capable of major producing defence equipment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that self-confidence in this sector will pave the way for a modern and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in the near future.

While Addressing the webinar on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat – Defence Industry Outreach’, PM Modi called for investment in the defence sector while assuring the foreign players that his government is committed to creating a robust ecosystem for all manufacturers.

“We are witnessing a new mentality in the defence sector. For a modern and Atmanirbhar Bharat, self-confidence in the defence sector is very important,” the PM said while addressing the webinar organized by FICCI, jointly with the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Ministry of Defence.

The PM further mentioned that Atmanirbhar Bharat is not inward-looking but to make the global economy more stable, for global peace, and making India a self-reliant country. “This is also true for Atmanirbharta in the defence sector,” he said.

In addition to this, Modi also emphasized that India has the capability to become a trusted supplier of defence equipment for its friendly countries.

“We all collectively have to achieve the target of Atmanirbhar Bharat. It is a win-win situation for everyone including the public sector, private sector and foreign companies. The government is committed to providing a better eco-system,” he said.

In order to support the private sector, Modi said that the Ministry of Defence will allocate one portion of capital budget for promoting products manufactured within India.

Speaking on the recent reforms announced by the government, Modi emphasized that the process of the reforms will not stop but will continue.

Also present in the virtual event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India is committed to providing a level playing field to the industry and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat can only be achieved by this.

He further added that the government is working on the process of corporatization of the Ordinance Factory Boards in the country, which will further strengthen the defence sector.

Singh said that his ministry has allocated Rs 52,000 crore from the defence budget for the current financial year to boost and promote domestic defence industries. He also laid emphasis on simplifying the procurement procedures and reducing the timelines for approvals.

Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, who also participated in the webinar said that after consultation with the industry, there are a lot of items that they want to be added in the negative list.

“The list is going to increase, and we will have the next list by early next year. That will not be the end of the list. Gradually, as we see the private industry delivering, we will keep on adding more items to the list,” he said.

He further expressed hope that the Indian aerospace industry will find their feet in India and that this is one area where we are lagging. “Putting them in the negative list will be one of our greatest achievements,” he added.

Raj Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence said that the proof of Atmanirbharta lies in our ability to export our defence products.

“With the help of the defence attaché, we have developed country profiles of friendly nations. We propose that with due facilitation by defence attaché and Indian embassies will help us promote export of our indigenous products,” he added.

-ARK

India wants redeployment of troops at regular posts at LAC

Ladakh

New Delhi (NVI): Amid the ongoing border row with China in Ladakh, India today said that complete disengagement would require both sides to re-deploy their troops on each side of the border at their regular posts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“Complete disengagement requires re-deployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava today said, adding that this can be done only through mutually agreed reciprocal actions.

“Thus it is important to bear in mind that achieving this requires agreed actions by both sides,” he added.

India and China have engaged in diplomatic and military level talks to resolve the border issue for long now, since the tensions between the two countries started in May.

While addressing the weekly media briefing here, the MEA spokesperson said that in the last meeting of the WMCC, the two sides agreed to resolve the outstanding issues in an expeditious manner and in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols.

“Both sides also agree that full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas would be essential for the overall development of bilateral relations. The two sides had also agreed to continue their engagements both through diplomatic and military channels,” Srivastava said.

The 18th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) took place last week during which the two sides had a “candid” and “in-depth exchange” of views on the existing situation in the India-China border areas, he said.

Srivastava reiterated India’s commitment to resolve the matter through diplomatic and peaceful means and referred to the agreements reached between the foreign ministers and Special Representatives from the two countries recently.

“Both sides have reaffirmed that the two sides will continue to sincerely work towards complete disengagement of the troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector in accordance with the agreements reached between the two Foreign Ministers and the two Special Representatives (SRs) during their conversation on 5th July,” he said.

The MEA spokesman also referred to a recent interview of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in which he talked about various past border incidents between India and China and noted that what was common was that all borders situations were resolved through diplomacy.

“When it comes to finding a solution, this must be predicated on honouring all agreements and understandings. And not attempting to alter the status quo unilaterally,” EAM Jaishankar had told Rediff.com in an interview ahead of the release of his book ‘The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World’.

-ARK

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