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Rajnath holds meeting with Russian counterpart to take ahead defence ties

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Russia to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), had a meeting with his counterpart Gen. Sergei Shoigu today and the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, especially how to deepen defence and strategic cooperation.

The meeting took place at the Russian Ministry of Defence in Moscow. Rajnath had arrived here yesterday to attend the crucial SCO meeting.

During his meeting with the Russian Defence Minister, Rajnath pressed for expediting supply of a number of weapons systems, ammunition and spares to India by Russia under contracts which were concluded earlier.

Taking to Twitter, Rajnath said he had an “excellent” meeting with the Russian Defence Minister in Moscow today.

“Excellent meeting with the Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu in Moscow today. We talked about a wide range of issues, particularly how to deepen defence and strategic cooperation between both the countries,” he tweeted.


Interestingly, Gen. Sergei’s meeting with Rajnath was the first meeting he was having with visiting Defence Ministers.

During the meeting, both sides welcomed the advance stage of discussions for the establishment in India of an India-Russian Joint Venture for the production of AK203 assault rifles which are considered one of the most modern weapons available for infantry forces, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

“This provides very positive basis for further engagement of Russian defence industry in ‘Make in India’ programme,” MoD said.

General Shoigu also reiterated commitment of the Russian side to engage actively with the Indian Defence Ministry to ensure the success of ‘Make in India’ programme including substantial participation in the forthcoming Aero India Exhibition to be held in February next year.

Apart from that, the meeting covered a broad range of areas of cooperation between the two countries, the Defence Ministry said. “It was noted that this meeting coincides with the Indra Naval Exercises to be conducted by the Indian and Russia navies off the Straits of Malacca over the next two days,” it said.

Rajnath Singh noted that these exercises demonstrated the common interests of both countries in maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

During the meeting, Rajnath also extended an invitation for General Shoigu to visit India for the next meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission for Technical & Military Cooperation which is expected to be held towards the end of this year, MoD said.

-ARK

IFJ condemns burning down of TV headquarters in Iraq by religious fanatics

New Delhi (NVI): The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly condemned an incident in which some religious fanatics stormed and burned down Iraqi broadcaster Dijlah TV’s headquarters in Baghdad on Tuesday.

The protesters who indulged in the whole rampage had accused the station of broadcasting musical content on a religious day of mourning and “insulting religion.”

“On Sunday 30 August, Shi’ites – the majority in Iraq – celebrated Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom in 680 of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, a founding event of Shi’ite Islam,” the IFJ said in a statement, adding that a mob damaged the TV’s headquarters two days later on September 1 (Tuesday).

On the same day (of Ashura- August 30), Diljah TV aired its regular programming, including content featuring music and dancing. The broadcasts provoked the anger of dozens of demonstrators who considered it inappropriate and an “insult to religion,” according to the Federation.

Even as Dijlah TV quickly apologized and claimed it was an unintentional error, several dozen demonstrators, angry at the festive program, assaulted the TV’s premises the following day.

According to reports, the mob torched the office, injuring four media workers and destroying virtually all the bureau’s equipment.

On top of that, a Baghdad court also issued an arrest warrant against the station’s director, Jamal al-Karbuli, accusing him of deliberately insulting religion, a charge which can be publishable with up to three years in prison under the Iraqi penal code.

However, this is not the first time that Diljah’s TV offices have been attacked. In October 2019, armed masked men stormed the station’s premises in Baghdad and burned them down, the IFJ said in a release.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: “Violence against media workers in Iraq is on the rise. It’s the Iraqi government’s responsibility to protect media workers and guarantee their safety”.

-ARK

Covid-19 a big disaster, but it has failed to impact India’s aspirations: PM

PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe, impacting many things, but it has failed to impact the aspirations and ambitions of 1.3 billion Indians.

While delivering keynote address to the third leadership summit of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), PM Modi said that the pandemic is testing the world’s collective resilience and the present situation demands a fresh mindset.

Talking about the way ahead the Prime Minister said that the country is focussing on ramping up capacities, securing the poor and future proofing the citizens.

Referring to various steps taken to ramp up facilities for fighting COVID and to increase awareness amongst the citizens, the Prime Minister said all such early measures ensured that the country with 1.3 billion people and limited resources has one of the lowest death rates per million in the World.

He expressed his happiness that India’s business community, especially the small business has been proactive. Starting from almost nothing, they made us the second largest PPE kits manufacturer in the World, he said.

He said there have been far-reaching reforms in the country in recent times which have made the business easier and red-tapism lesser.

Apart from that, the PM said that work is actively underway on the world’s largest housing program and that the renewable energy infrastructure is being expanded.

He said India is creating a unique digital model to build a national digital health mission.

Modi said that the pandemic has shown the world that decision on developing global supply chains should be based not only on costs. “They should also be based on trust. Along with affordability of geography, companies are now also looking for reliability and policy stability. India is the location which has all of these qualities,” he said.

In addition to this, he said India is becoming one of the favourable destinations for Foreign Investment.

He said be it America, the Europe, Australia or the Gulf, the world believes in India. “We have received over 20 billion dollars of foreign investment flows during this year. Google, Amazon and Mubadala Investments have announced long-term plans for India,” the PM said in his speech.

The Prime Minister referred to the mandatory e- platform based ‘faceless assessment’ and said it will go a long way in helping citizens along with the Tax-payers charter. The continued regulatory reforms in bond markets ensure improved ease of access for investors, he said.

He said FDI into India rose by 20 percent in 2019, when the global FDI inflows fell by 1 Percent and that this shows the success of our FDI regime.

He also referred to Production Linked Incentive schemes launched for- mobile & electronics, medical devices, pharma sectors along with reforms in Agriculture.

While concluding his speech, the PM described India as a young country with 65% population less than 35 years old which is aspirational and decided to take the nation to new heights.

He said India is a country with political stability and political continuity and that it is committed to democracy and diversity.

-ARK

J&K: Highest single-day spike in Covid cases takes UT’s tally to 40k

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today witnessed highest single-day spike in coronavirus cases as 1,079 tested positive for the deadly virus with Jammu division alone registering 622 cases— first ever spurt of cases in the region since the pandemic outbreak in the Union Territory.

With this, the total number of cases in J&K has reached 39,943 cases- 30,025 from Kashmir and 9,918 from Jammu division.

The UT health officials said that out of 1,079 new cases, 457 belong to Kashmir division while 622 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division has reached 30,025 including 23,929 recoveries.

On the other hand, the total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 9,918 including 6,830 recoveries and 78 deaths.

The officials said that total number of active cases in J&K is 8,441 including 5,431 from Kashmir division and 3,010 from Jammu division.

With 680 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 30,759 which is 77.007 percent of the total cases, they said.

Pertinently, first time since the Covid-19 outbreak, Jammu division has reported more cases than Kashmir division in a single-day rise.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 139 from Srinagar, 14 from Baramulla, 33 from Pulwama, 63 from Budgam, 27 from Anantnag, 49 from Bandipora, 30 from Kupwara, 17 from Kulgam, 28 from Shopian and 57 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 622 from Jammu division include 484 from Jammu, 15 from Rajouri, 21 from Kathua, 16 from Udhampur, 26 from Samba, 06 from Ramban, 14 from Doda, 08 from Poonch, 10 from Reasi and 22 from Kishtwar,” as per the daily Covid bulletin.

Apart from that, 4,69,980 persons in the UT are under observation while 45,703 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 8,441 persons are in isolation.

According to the health bulletin, 3,68,449 persons have completed surveillance period and 46,644 persons are under home surveillance

So far, results of 10,12,892 samples are available out of which 9,72,949 tested negative while 39,943 have tested positive. Among positive cases 8,441 are active and 30,759 have recovered.

-ARK

New riverine trade route connecting India, Bangladesh launched: MEA

MEA

New Delhi (NVI): The trial run of a new riverine trade route between India and Bangladesh has commenced from Daukandi in the neighboring country and would conclude at Sonamura in Tripura on September 5 (Saturday), the Ministry of External Affairs said today.

While addressing the weekly media briefing here, MEA Spokesman Anurag Srivastava said that the trial run of the new trade route via Gomati river was launched in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das.

“This is yet another recent connectivity initiative with Bangladesh, which will greatly enhance connectivity with our North Eastern region and boost bilateral trade with Bangladesh,” Srivastava said.

He added that enhanced connectivity through inland waterways in the present Covid–19 scenario will provide an economical, faster, safer and cleaner mode of transportation for traders and business communities of both countries.

With the signing the 2nd addendum to PIWTT in May 2020, two new protocol routes have been added. Of particular significance is the Sonamura – Daukandi route as it connects Tripura with the National Waterways of India through Bangladesh for the first time, according to MEA.

The Protocol for Inland Water Trade & Transit (PIWTT) was signed between India and Bangladesh in 1972 to provide inland waterways connectivity between the two countries.

This facilitates bilateral trade as well improves connectivity to the North Eastern Region of India. In 2019-2020, approx. 3.5 million MT of cargo was transported between India and Bangladesh on the protocol routes, the MEA spokesperson informed.

-ARK

Indian Coast Guard ships deployed for firefighting off Sri Lankan Coast

New Delhi (NVI): Indian Coast Guard (ICG) today deployed three ships and an aircraft for a Search & Rescue (SAR) and firefighting mission, after the Sri Lankan Navy sought assistance to control a fire onboard an oil tanker off the east coast of the island nation.

The Coast Guard diverted ICG Ships Shaurya, Sarang and Samudra Paheredar, besides a Dornier aircraft for firefighting and rescuing 23 merchant crew onboard oil tanker MT New Diamond.

ICG received intimation of fire and explosion while Sri Lankan Navy sought its assistance particularly in the light of the likely Oil Spill.

The vessel is reportedly carrying around 3 lakh tonnes of crude oil (Kuwait export) and was on passage from Kuwait to Paradip.

In a joint effort the 22 crew of the ill fated ship have been evacuated.

Meanwhile, ICG has diverted its ships Shaurya and Sarang on patrol, for firefighting and other assistance for the distressed vessel.

Furthermore, ICG Pollution Response Vessel, Samudra Paheradar, has been sailed out of Vishakapatnam for oil spill response. CG Dornier aircraft has been deployed from Chennai for aerial recce.

In addition to this, ICG formations have been alerted for immediate assistance towards Pollution Response. ICG is in constant communication and maintaining coordination with Sri Lankan authorities for the operation.

-CHK

Tense situation at LAC over past 4 months ‘direct result’ of Chinese actions: MEA

New Delhi (NVI): India today slammed China over prevailing tensions at the Line of Actual Control in the Ladakh, saying that the volatile situation at LAC over the past four months is a “direct result” of the actions taken by the Chinese side “that sought to effect unilateral change of status quo” in the region.

“These actions resulted in violation of the bilateral agreements and protocol which ensured peace and tranquility in the border areas for close to three decades,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said here.

The MEA statement comes amid fresh incursion attempts by the Chinese troops at LAC in Ladakh that were foiled by the Indian Army.

According to the External Affairs Ministry, Chinese troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo in the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake in Eastern Ladakh on the night of August 29 and early morning on August 30.

The Chinese troops again engaged in “provocative action” along the LAC on Monday, even as the ground commanders of the two sides were in discussions to de-escalate the situation. That brazen attempt too was thwarted by the alert Indian troops.

While addressing the weekly media briefing, Srivastava said that now the way ahead is negotiations, both through the diplomatic and military channels. “The Indian side is firmly committed to resolving all outstanding issues through peaceful dialogue,” he added.

The MEA has strongly urged the Chinese side to “sincerely engage the Indian side with the objective of expeditiously restoring the peace and tranquility in the border areas through complete disengagement and de-escalation in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols.”

Regarding the fresh incursion attempts by the Chinese troops at LAC in Eastern Ladakh, Srivastava said that the ground commanders are still holding discussions to resolve the situation.

“We reiterate the consensus reached between the two Foreign Ministers and SRs that the situation in the border should be handled in a responsible manner and either side should not take any provocative action or escalate matters,” he said.

-ARK

Haryana govt issues guidelines for film shooting

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The Haryana government today issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for shooting of films in the state after the country has entered its fourth stage of Unlock amid COVID-19.

The government in a statement said, “All applications seeking permission for the shooting of films would be received on the online portal and initial approval will be granted by the Director General of Information, Public Relations and Languages Department.”

The approval will then be forwarded to the Deputy Commissioners concerned in which the proposed locations for shooting are mentioned in the application, it added.

According to the guidelines, all applications will include full details of locations, number of days and timing for which such permission is required on the online portal.

The statement also said, the deputy commissioner’s in consultation with the police will consider granting permission and a copy of the permit will be endorsed to the police authorities for information and necessary action.

The duration of shooting should be restricted to the minimum possible and not more than 50 people should be present.

Moreover, shooting would commence only after all the people involved are thermally scanned and are found asymptomatic.

All non-acting crew members, including supporting staff, will wear masks during the shooting and will be instructed to maintain social distancing norms as applicable, as per the guidelines.

The shooting venues should have sanitizers, soaps and water, furthermore, the members present should frequently wash their hands and social distancing norms will have to be maintained, except for the ones who are being filmed.

However, all deputy commissioners, commissioners of police have been directed to take appropriate necessary action for the implementation of guidelines and strict compliance in the state.

Haryana’s coronavirus tally rose to 68,218 after 1,792 more people tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours, while 15 fresh fatalities pushed it’s COVID-19 death toll to 721.

-RJV

Cargo ship with 43 crew and almost 6,000 cattle missing in typhoon Maysak off Japan

Typhoon Maysak

New Delhi (NVI): A ship from New Zealand to China, having 43 crew and almost 6,000 cattle onboard, has capsized after losing one engine in stormy weather in the East China Sea.

The Japanese coast guard has rescued one crew member from the cargo ship, according to Japan Times.

The crew member, Sareno Edvarodo, a 45-year-old chief officer from the Philippines, was rescued on Wednesday night during the search for the cargo ship.

The Gulf Livestock 1 transmitted a distress signal early on Wednesday when it was about 185 kilometers (115 miles) west of Amami Oshima island as Typhoon Maysak headed through the region towards the Korean peninsula, bringing strong winds, heavy seas and drenching rains.

The search for the rest of the crew and ship continues but has so far failed to find any more survivors.

The crew of the freighter includes 39 seamen from the Philippines, two from New Zealand and two from Australia.

The Gulf Livestock 1 left New Zealand on August 14 headed for China, with the journey expected to take 17 days, according to New Zealand’s foreign ministry.

The Philippines government is coordinating with Japan’s coastguard as it searched for the missing crew members ahead of another typhoon expected to hit the area.

A second storm in the region, Typhoon Haishen, is expected to strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane by the end of the week. It’s expected to threaten Kyushu on Sunday, and potentially affect the Korean Peninsula Monday.

Japan’s meteorological agency is warning that the storm could be the third biggest to hit the country since records began almost 70 years ago.

The Japanese coast guard will launch a second search-and-rescue mission prior to the expected incoming typhoon, according to media reports.

-CHK

EESL to procure 250 electric vehicles from Hyundai, Tata Motors

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) today announced that it will procure 250 electric vehicles from Tata Motors and Hyundai Motor India.

Both the companies have emerged winners in a tender and were selected through an international competitive bidding process, which was aimed at increased participation.

Out of total procurement, Tata Motors will supply 150 Nexon electric compact SUVs while Hyundai will supply 100 Kona electric premium SUVs respectively for government use.

This procurement will utilize USD 5 million from the recent grant provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). EESL has received financing from ADB towards the cost of scaling up and financing high priority areas like Demand Side Energy Efficiency Sector Projects.

EESL will procure Tata Nexon at Rs 14.86 lakh each, just Rs 13,000 cheaper than its ex-showroom price of INR 14.99 lakh.

Whereas, Hyundai Kona, which offers a higher range, will be procured at an 11 per cent lower price band of Rs 21.36 lakh, with a standard three-year warranty.

These electric vehicles will replace the existing fleet of petrol and diesel vehicles of the Central and state governments. EESL has already received an order for 300 Long Range EVs from the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT), Kerala to be supplied in initial phase.

Saurabh Kumar, Executive Vice Chairperson, EESL said, “A shift to EVs, facilitated by our e-mobility programme will reduce dependence on oil imports and promote power capacity addition in India. This will greatly enhance the energy security of the country and will also lead to reduction in GHG emissions from the transport sector.”

“We’re also working on rapid establishment of EV charging stations, which will give a fillip to the electric vehicle sales, going forward,” Kumar added.

EESL is driven by the objective of facilitating faster adoption of disruptive technology solutions, while balancing economic development and environmental sustainability.

“The company seeks to create the market for electric vehicles, through its unique business model of aggregation of demand and bulk procurement. It is also seeking to leverage the immense potential of replacement of existing vehicles in the government departments for initial demand aggregation,” EESL said in a release.

“The company plans to leverage efficiencies of scale and drive down costs through its innovative business model, while supporting local manufacturing facilities, gaining technical competencies for the long-term growth of the EV industry and enabling Indian EV manufacturers to emerge as major global players,” it added.

Shailesh Chandra, President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors said, “Electric mobility is gaining ground in the country and partnerships such as these are pivotal for building the requisite momentum. We have been partnering EESL and are pleased to provide more EVs to them for government use, enabling a smooth and sustainable transition to a future-oriented mobility solution.”

“As the leader of the fast-growing EV segment, Tata Motors is committed to popularise their access and use across India,” he added.

-RJV/ARK

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