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Pak shells forward areas in J&K’s Poonch

Ceasefire
Representational image

Jammu (NVI): Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing with small and heavy weapons along Line of Control (LoC) in Shahpur, Kirni and Qasba sectors of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, this evening, defence officials said.

Pakistan violated the ceasefire at around 6.50 pm, they said.

“At about 1850 hours, Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with Small Arms & shelling with Mortars along LoC in Shahpur, Kirni & Qasba sectors in District Poonch (J&K),” they said, adding that the Indian Army gave a befitting response.

Earlier on Monday, the Pakistani army had violated ceasefire along LoC in the Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district in J&K.

-ARK

Phase II trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine begins in Pune

Argentina first in Latin America to approve Russian Sputnik V vaccine

New Delhi (NVI): The much awaited Phase II clinical trials of the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine, being manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) began today.

Serum Institute of India (SII) partnered with AstraZeneca to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine candidate for India and low-and-middle income countries.

Five volunteers enrolled to get for the Phase II trial of Covishield vaccine at Bharti Vidyapeeth’s Medical College and Hospital in Pune.

The doctors conducted COVID-19 and antibodies tests on all of them. Three volunteers had tested positive for coronavirus antibodies test, hence they became ineligible for the trial. Two of them were administered the vaccine and are being monitored, according to media reports.

In all, 25 candidates will be given the vaccine in the next seven days.

SII, the world’s largest vaccine maker, selected 17 sites in India to conduct the Phase II trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 1,600 candidates will take part in the study.

The other hospitals where trials are to be conducted include B J Medical College Hospital in Pune, AIIMS Delhi, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, Nehru Hospital in Gorakhpur and Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam.

-CHK

J&K: 2 booked for raising ‘Azadi’ slogans in Muharram procession in Srinagar

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Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir police today said that it has booked two persons in Srinagar under sedition law after they were found involved in raising pro-freedom slogans during a Muharram procession here.

The search for a few others is underway who will also be booked under the same charges, police said.

They said that after assessing the contents of a video on social media, some Shia mourners were found raising pro-Azadi slogans in a mourning procession taken out in connection with Muharram at Parimpora area of Srinagar.

“The police station Parimpora took cognizance and identified the location near Hokersar, Nowpora Bund. The area is isolated and there was no history of organising any such unlawful gathering before, neither was there input of any gathering/procession nor was there any police presence, as the area is far from main Imambara,” a police spokesman said.

“It has been revealed that some boys from the adjoining area of Budgam led by three persons- Sajad Hussain Parray, Arif Ahmad Dar and Raja Mehboob took advantage of the area and assembled here and raised pro Azadi slogans.”

The police spokesman said that in this regard, a formal case has been registered against the above accused.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Haseeb Mughal said that midnight raids were conducted in which two persons have been arrested and further arrests are expected in the case while the investigation is going on. “Other persons have been identified and they will be arrested soon,” Mughal added.

It is pertinent to mention here that major Muharram processions in Srinagar are banned since 1989 as the authorities fear that allowing such activities may turn into a massive law and order situation.

The authorities have, however, allowed Muharram processions in the Shia majority areas that remain confined to a particular area only. This year, a major Shia body, Anjuman-e-Shar-e-Shian had announced that there would be no Muharram procession in view of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

-ARK

Himachal Pradesh relaxes restrictions for tourists to enter state

New Delhi (NVI): The government of Himachal Pradesh has relaxed lockdown norms, entry restrictions for tourists and people coming from other states.

The decision to ease out travel restrictions has been taken according to the central government’s latest guidelines, to revive the tourism sector in the state which is largely dependent on tourism for revenue.

The tourism sector which come to a standstill ever since the coronavirus-induced lockdown was announced in March. In an attempt to revive the tourism industry, the state cabinet relaxed the restrictions and guidelines on stay of tourists put in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the hill state.

However, the state government will continue to enforce the stipulation of interstate e-movement passes; only its issuance will be streamlined to make it hassle-free for visitors.

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, he decided to reduce the minimum stay of the tourists to two days from five days.

Meanwhile, the existing norms in regard to COVID-19 negative certificates, which are mandatory for the tourists to enter Himachal Pradesh, have also been relaxed.

In addition, Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that unlike earlier, tourists can now show a COVID-19 negative test report of the test which was done 96 hours before entering the state.

He also said that no one will be given entry without an e-pass. All interstate movement will be monitored via the ongoing registration process. “Any person keen to visit Himachal can enter his particulars on this software and he will get permission on priority,” Bhardwaj added.

Himachal Pradesh’s coronavirus tally stands at 5,154 after 53 more people tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours, while 2 new fatalities pushed it’s COVID-19 death toll to 30.

Nominations for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2021 invited

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the awardees of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2020.

New Delhi (NVI): Ministry of Women and Child Development has invited nominations for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar-2021 from children, individuals and institutions.

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar was instituted to felicitate meritorious children and institutions of the country. These awards are given under two categories – Bal Shakti Puraskar and Bal Kalyan Puraskar.

While the Bal Shakti Puraskar aims to give recognition to children who have achieved extraordinarily in various fields including innovation, scholastic, sports, art & culture, social service and bravery, the Bal Kalyan Puraskar is given as recognition to Individuals and Institutions, who have made an outstanding contribution towards service for children in the field of child development, child protection and child welfare.

The awards are given by the President in Darbar Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan, in the week preceding Republic Day every year.

Prime Minister also felicitates the awardees. The awardees of Bal Shakti Puraskar also take part in Republic Day Parade on the January 26 on Rajpath, New Delhi.

The nominations can be done through online application forms submitted by applicants.

-CHK

COVID-19 recoveries 3.5 times more the active cases in India

COVID-19
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of Covid-19 recoveries in India have exceeded the the active cases of the infection by 3.5 times till date, pushing the coronavirus recovery rate to over 76 per cent, according to Union Health Ministry.

The record high recoveries have ensured that the number of active cases of Covid-19 which is the “actual caseload” of the country, comprises only 21.87 per cent of the total cases.

With the recovery of 63,173 COVID-19 patients in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recovered cases to 24,67,758 in the country.

There are currently 17,60,489 more recovered people than the active cases in India, as per the data released by the Ministry.

Meanwhile, there are 7,07,267 active cases of coronavirus infection presently

The coordinated efforts of Centre and state and UT governments of early detection through aggressive testing and efficient clinical management of hospitalized cases have shown results with continuously regressing case fatality rate. It stands at 1.84 pc as on date, and steadily declining, the ministry said in a statement.

India’s novel coronavirus tally rose to 32.34 lakh with 67,151 more people testing positive for the infection in a day, while the death toll from the disease climbed to 59,449 with 1,059 new fatalities being reported in a span of 24 hours.

-CHK

Centre makes FASTag mandatory to avail toll discounts

New Delhi (NVI): Centre has made it mandatory to allow only FASTag users to avail any discount on toll charges at highway toll plazas in a bid to promote the digital mode of payment, according to a notification issued by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.

FASTag is a radio frequency identification sticker typically fixed to a vehicle’s windscreen that allows for the deduction of toll wirelessly and automatically without requiring a vehicle to stop at plazas.

The tags were introduced to encourage digital payments and to end congestion and reduce waiting time at toll plazas.

The ministry amended the the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 to allow discount for users who make the return journey within 24 hours and all other local exemptions only if the vehicle carries a valid functional FASTag.

The fee payable towards discounts will be paid through pre-paid instruments, smart card or through FASTag or on board unit (transponder) or any other such device only, according to the statement.

The amendment would also enable that in cases where there is a discount available for a return journey within 24 hours, there is no need for a prior receipt or intimation and the citizen would get the discount automatically if return journey is made within 24 hours with a valid and a functional FASTag on the vehicle, it added.

-CHK

Heavy rains expected over northwest India for next 2-3 days

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New Delhi (NVI): Widespread and heavy rainfall are expected over different parts of north and northwest India for the next 2-3 days, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The Met department said, the convergence of lower-level easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal and south-westerlies from the Arabian Sea will increase the rainfall activity over northwest India, causing widespread showers with isolated heavy to very heavy falls until, August 28.

The wet conditions are expected to peak for today and tomorrow, IMD said.

Accordingly, the Met department has placed Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh under a yellow aler, thereby advising residents to be aware of the imminent isolated heavy rains.

The rainfall intensity rises today over the region, two states in particular—Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand—are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rain with moderate to severe thunderstorms from August 26 to 28, IMD said.

However, they were placed under orange alert, with the alert urging residents be prepared for rough weather.

The Met department also stated, the weather conditions over East Uttar Pradesh are expected to aggravate tomorrow, and therefore, the IMD has placed an orange alert over the subdivision for the day.

Moreover, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and West Rajasthan will remain under the yellow alert on August 26-27 due to the likelihood of heavy rains, thunderstorms, and lightning.

In the last 24 hours, rain and thundershowers occurred at most places over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, at many places over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and west Rajasthan, at a few places over east Rajasthan and at isolated places over rest of northwest India.

Whereas, the highest maximum temperature recorded over northwest India was 37degree Celsius at Ganganagar, Rajasthan.

Since the start of the week, wet conditions have been observed across north India, as rainfall were observed at many places across Rajasthan, a few places in Himachal Pradesh, and isolated places of Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh on August 24.

Furthermore, since the beginning of the monsoon season, i.e. between June 1 and August 24, most northern states, including Uttar Pradesh (547.6 mm), Uttarakhand (814.3 mm), Haryana (341.5 mm), Chandigarh (764.5 mm), Delhi (414.5 mm), Punjab (329.2 mm) and Rajasthan (313 mm) have all received normal rain as compared to their respective long-term average figures for this period.

Apart from this, Himachal Pradesh (472.6 mm) and Jammu & Kashmir (246.6 mm) have both recorded ‘deficient’ rainfall figures within this time frame.

-RJV

Massive protests in PoK’s Muzaffarabad against China-backed hydropower projects

New Delhi (NVI): Massive protests rocked Muzaffarabad city in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Monday night as local residents held a torch rally against the illegal construction of dams by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum River.

Over a thousand people from Muzaffarabad city and other parts of PoK attended the rally, shouting slogans against the illegal construction of dams. The protesters highlighted environmental impacts caused by the dams constructed by Pakistan and China.

The protesters shouted slogans like “Paani hamara kabja tumhara, namanjoor namanjoor,” (Our water, your occupancy); “Janglaat hamare, kabja tumhara” (our forests, your occupancy), “Bijli hamari, badmashi tumhari” (our electricity, your mischief).

A similar protest was witnessed last month in Muzaffarabad against the illegal construction of Dams on the Neelam and Jhelum rivers.

A Social media campaign on Twitter trend with Hashtag #SaveRiversSaveAJK was also launched to highlight the issue on global platform.

Pakistan and China had recently signed agreements to construct Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydropower Projects in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project of 700.7 megawatts of electricity as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was signed on July 6, 2020.

The $1.54 billion projects will be sponsored by the China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC).

For Kohala hydropower project in PoK, a tripartite agreement was signed between a Chinese company and the governments of Pakistan and China for construction of a 1,124 megawatt hydropower project costing 2.4 billion dollar.

While Kohala project was is still under construction, the Neelum Jhelum was completed more than a year ago.

The Kohala hydropower plant, being built on Jhelum river in PoK under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has been awarded to Kohala Hydropower Company Ltd (KHCL), which is a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC).

There has been a growing dissatisfaction among people and environmentalists in the region over these hydropower projects which has triggered mass protests and destruction of public property time and again.

Environmentalists say the big dams in the region are damaging water sources, causing an acute shortage of water for locals.

Pakistan is facing the problem of mismatch between energy supply and demand in the country and the situation is expected to worsen in the coming years.

But what has irked the locals in PoK is the presence of Chinese companies in the region. China and Pakistan have been trying to exploit the natural resources of PoK while ignoring environmental concerns.

Also, Pakistan has been grappling with a severe economic crisis, so it is seeing CPEC as a golden opportunity to revive its economy by providing China access to Middle East.

In 2015, Beijing announced the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of its intercontinental Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with an aim to expand its influence in Pakistan and across Central and South Asia. CPEC includes plans to create road, rail and oil pipeline links to improve connectivity between China and the Middle East via Pakistan.

-ARK

Four nations including India join hands for conservation of river dolphins

New Delhi (NVI): Paving the way for regional cooperation, experts from the four nations-India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, have come together to enhance the conservation of river dolphins in the region.

River Dolphins, a unique species found mainly in rivers of Asia and South America, are vanishing rapidly. While, the Gangetic Dolphin, the national aquatic animal of India, has been declared endangered by International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

The issue of river dolphin conservation was discussed during a webinar on “Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the ecosystem health of rivers and its dolphin population: Present status and future strategy for conservation in India-Bangladesh-Myanmar-Nepal” organised by Inland Fisheries Society of India (ICAR), a Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum (PFGF) and Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society.

The webinar began with a welcome address by BK Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI who gave a brief about the aim and objectives of this webinar. Das said that the webinar would enhance the dolphin conservation in the South East Asian Regional Countries.

JK Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, in his address emphasised that dolphins can thrive on their own with less disturbance and interference and that was visible during the lockdown. Jena said, “These animals do not realise boundaries and have tried to find habitat wherever possible. Hence, regional cooperation is very important in conserving them.”

Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director General, Namami Gange shared also his experiences on dolphin conservation linking its importance in the rejuvenation of Ganga. Continuous efforts of Namami Gange to bring dolphin conservation to national attention have resulted in the announcement of “Project Dolphin” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). This project will be in-line with “Project Tiger” which has successfully helped in increasing the tiger population.

The webinar was attended by more than 1,000 participants across the world.

The conference resolved to continue the regional and multi-sectoral collaboration. Experts say the discussion would be very helpful in developing contours of ‘Project Dolphin’ in India.

-CHK

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