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PM calls for making India an exporter of products it is currently forced to import

PM expresses happiness over rise in India's leopard population
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called upon the industry leaders to make India an exporter of all products which it is currently forced to import, reiterating his ‘Make in India’ mantra for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).

The PM was delivering the inaugural address of the 95th annual plenary session of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) via video conferencing. “We must all work towards making India an exporter of all products which it is currently forced to import,” he said.

Appreciating the efforts of small traders, he said that when we buy local produce from them, we are not just paying them for their goods and services, but are rewarding their contributions.

“Now it is time to make each village, district of the country self-reliant.” he said and called for pulling the Indian economy out of ‘command and control’ mode and taking it towards ‘plug and play’ mode.

He said it is time for bold decisions and bold investments, to prepare a globally competitive domestic supply chain and not for conservative approaches.

“Goal of self-reliance has been paramount in the policy and practice of the country and now the Corona pandemic has taught us a lesson on how to speed it up. “It is from this lesson – Aatma Nirbhar Bharat campaign has started,” he said.

Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he said, “the simplest method to be worked upon at present is to induce Indians to use their own produce and get markets for Indian products in other countries”, adding that the path shown by the monk is an inspiration for India in post-COVID world.

The PM also listed the major reforms announced under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat campaign like expanding the scope of definition of MSMEs, arranging special funds to support MSMEs, decisions related to IBC, creation of Project Development Cells for fast-tracking of investments.

Apart from that, Modi also said that India should convert the COVID-19 crisis into a “turning point” towards becoming a self-reliant nation.

He further said that he has immense confidence in India’s crisis management capability and in the talent of the country’s farmers, entrepreneurs and the many MSMEs.

In his address, the PM also congratulated the ICC for successfully completing 95 years. “You all have served the nation for 95 years… that in itself is a tremendous achievement for any institution. Over the decades, whoever has been a part of, and contributed to the nation through the ICC, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to you all.”

Narco-militant module busted in J&K’s Handwara, 3 LeT associates held

The seized currency ad drugs worth crores (Photo via arrangement)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir police today busted a huge narco-militant module of Lashkar-e-Toiba in the Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district and recovered Rs 1.34 crore cash and heroin worth Rs 100 crore from the possession of three Lashkar associates.

J&K police has constituted a Special Investigating Team (SIT) headed by an SSP to reach out to the bottom of the case and find out for whom the money and drugs were meant to be supplied. Police said more arrests are likely to be made in the case soon.

Addressing a press conference in Handwara, Senior superintendent of police (SSP)  Handwara  Dr GV Sundeep said that a narco-militant module was busted and a huge recovery of 21 kgs of heroin (Market value Rs 100 Crore) and Rs  1.24 crore cash (Indian currency) were covered from three associates of Lashkar.

“Specific inputs about the module were developed and the module was under our radar. Our special team successfully arrested the three Lashkar associates who were key members of this module,” the SSP said. “All the three Lashkar associates were in touch with Pakistan and their main aim was to strengthen the Lashkar roots in Kashmir besides supplying drugs across Kashmir.”

The SSP said that after the recovery of a huge quantity of heroine and other drugs, it is clear that militants are promoting drug trade in Kashmir besides violence.

The SSP identified the arrested persons as Iftikhar Indrabi, a resident of Rajwar, Handwara, a notorious drug peddler and already involved in many other cases; Abdul Moomin Peer of Waskura, Handwara, and Islam ul Haq peer of Waskura, Handwara. The SSP said that many other people involved in the racket are absconding and will be arrested as soon as they are identified.

He said that Pakistan based outfits cultivate the narcotics there and send it through illegal routes into the valley. “These consignments are received by handlers including the Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and they sell it in other parts of the country and distribute the money to promote militant activities,” the police officer said.

He said that investigations so far have revealed that these drugs were on the way to Punjab. “Further probe is on to identify other links,” the SSP said. The Police officer said that all the arrested persons were recently set free on bail after they were arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for their involvement in drug trade.

Terming Iftikhar’s arrest as a “big achievement”, the SSP said that he is a big kingpin of the drug chain in Handwara. “We are hopeful the drug trade will come to an end with Iftikhar’s arrest,” he said, adding that the arrested trio had widened their network not only in Handwara but in the entire Kupwara district.

J&K: 1 suspect held after brief gunfight in Budgam, ammunition recovered

A security force jawan at an encounter site in Kashmir (File pic)

(Updating earlier copy)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): One person was apprehended after an early morning exchange of fire with security forces at Pathanpora area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, in which at least two terrorists managed to flee, leaving behind some ammunition, police said.

Indian Army’s Chinar Corps said in a tweet that a joint operation was launched earlier in the area after getting intelligence inputs. He said that terrorists fired on security forces during the operation and one suspect was apprehended later, who is reportedly the house owner where the ultras were hiding.

The Army’s Srinagar based 15 Corps added said that a Chinese pistol, 1 grenade and 6 AK magazines and 147 rounds were recovered from the spot, while a joint search operation is in progress to nab the terrorists who escaped in the morning.

Earlier, officials said that security forces had cordoned off the area early this morning, acting on specific information about the presence of terrorists in Pathanpora village of Budgam district.

“A contact with the hiding terrorists was established. However, the terrorists lobbed back to back grenades and managed to give a slip to the forces,” they said.

A police official had informed that the terrorists who were believed to be two in number, left behind a shoe, 3 Ak 47 magazines, a pistol, a grenade and a pouch.

J&K: Soldier dead, another injured in road mishap on Sgr-Leh highway

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A soldier died while another was seriously injured after a vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road on Srinagar-Leh highway, police officials said.

They said that an Army vehicle that was part of the convoy lost control at Ranga-Zojila near Sonmarg on Srinagar-Leh highway and turned turtle leaving two soldiers critically wounded. “One of the injured soldiers succumbed soon after being pulled out of the vehicle. The second one is critical and has been taken to the Army hospital for treatment,” police officials said.

The deceased soldier identified as Karan Singh of Nagrota, Jammu.

Defence sources said that the vehicle in which the soldiers were travelling skidded from the main road and overturned up to several kilometers causing serious injuries to the two soldiers of which one has succumbed and another is battling for life.

The deceased soldier has been identified as Karan Singh of Nagrota, Jammu.

Police and Army teams immediately rushed to the spot but found one of the injured soldiers already dead. “The second one was shifted to Army hospital Sonmarg where doctors have stated his condition as critical,” they said.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered at police station Sonmarg and investigations have been started to find out the cause of the accident.

123rd birth anniv of Ram Prasad Bismil

New Delhi (NVI): India had many freedom fighters during its fight for independence from the Britishers and one of them was Ram Prasad Bismil. Today, on his 123rd birth anniversary India salutes his contribution towards the struggle against British imperialism.

Ram Prasad Bismil was born on June 11, 1897, at Shahjahanpur, North-Western Provinces of British India. He was also a patriotic poet, who wrote in Hindi and Urdu under the pen names Ram, Agyat and Bismil.

The freedom fighter had also published a pamphlet titled ‘Deshvasiyon ke nam sandesh’. “Sarfarosh ki Tamanna ab hamare dil mein hai, dekhna ki zor kitna baazu-e-qatil mein hai” – these immortal lines were also popularised by Bismil.

In 1997, on Bismil’s birth centenary year, the government had issued a multicoloured commemorative postal stamp.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot paid tributes to the freedom fighter on twitter and wrote, “Humble tributes to #RamPrasadBismil, one of the bravest leaders of India’s struggle for independence on his birth anniversary.

“He was a poet & writer too, who sacrificed his life for the freedom of the motherland. His valour & strength of purpose would always be an inspiration,” he added.

Army soldier killed, civilian injured in Pak firing at J&K’s Rajouri

Representational Image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): An Indian Army soldier was killed and a civilian left injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said today.

They said that a soldier deployed on the LoC in Tarkundi Gali of Rajouri district was injured after he sustained bullet and splinter injuries during the ceasefire violation late last night.

“The Pakistani army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation which was given a befitting reply,” defence sources said.

They said the soldier succumbed to his injuries early this morning.

In a separate incident at Rajdhani village of Rajouri district, police said that in the intervening night of June 10 and 11, Pakistan resorted to indiscriminate firing followed by mortar shelling in Manjkote, Tarkundi, and Balakote in Rajouri district. “The Pakistani army fired 120 mm, mortal shells that fell on the civilian areas,” a police official said.

He said that a villager identified as Niamutllah, resident of Rajdhani village of Manjkote Tehsil was hit by a splinter in his arm. A team headed by Station House Officer Manjkote evacuated the injured man to Primary Health Centre (PHC) Manjkote for treatment.

However, later, the injured was shifted to Rajouri Government Medical College (GMC) for an advanced treatment.

Residents of Manjkote said that a few residential structures also suffered damage in the Pakistani shelling.

This year, a record number of 1600 ceasefire violations have been recorded in J&K on LoC where in Pakistan has used small arms to mortal shells, besides indiscriminate gunfire, as per security officials. “Every time Pakistan resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation, the army has given them a befitting reply by retaliating effectively,” an defence official said.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): India has become the fifth worst-affected country in the world index due to coronavirus pandemic, after it surpassed Spain in the total number of confirmed cases, as the country continues to witness huge spike in the infected cases.

Maharashtra is one of the worst affected states, while the capital city Mumbai is reporting over 52,000 cases and now has more cases than China’s Wuhan city, the epicentre of the virus outbreak.

Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country stands at 2,86,579 including 8,102 casualties, according to the Union Health Ministry.

In the last 24 hours, a record 9,996 new cases of coronavirus and 357 deaths have been reported in India, both being at a record high in a single day till now.Maharashtra tops the country with the maximum number of coronavirus cases and has reported nearly 90,000 confirmed cases so far.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 34

Andhra Pradesh- 5,269

Arunachal Pradesh- 57

Assam- 3,092

Bihar- 5,710

Chandigarh- 327

Chhattisgarh- 1,262

Dadar Nagar Haveli- 26

Delhi- 32,810

Gujarat- 21,521

Goa- 387

Haryana– 5,579

Himachal Pradesh- 451

Jammu and Kashmir- 4,507

Jharkhand- 1,489

Karnataka- 6,041

Kerala- 2,161

Ladakh- 115

Madhya Pradesh- 10,049

Maharashtra- 94,041

Manipur- 311

Meghalaya- 44

Mizoram- 93

Nagaland- 128

Odisha- 3,250

Puducherry- 127

Punjab- 2,805

Rajasthan- 11,600

Sikkim- 13

Tamil Nadu- 36,841

Telangana- 4,111

Tripura- 895

Uttarakhand- 1,562

Uttar Pradesh- 11,610

West Bengal – 9,328

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 78

Assam- 4

Bihar- 33

Chandigarh- 5

Chhattisgarh- 6

Delhi- 984

Gujarat- 1,347

Haryana- 52

Himachal Pradesh- 6

Jammu and Kashmir- 51

Jharkhand- 8

Karnataka- 69

Kerala- 18

Ladakh- 1

Madhya Pradesh- 427

Maharashtra- 3,438

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 9

Puducherry- 1

Punjab- 55

Rajasthan- 259

Tamil Nadu- 326

Telangana- 156

Tripura- 1

Uttar Pradesh- 321

Uttarakhand- 15

West Bengal- 432

A total of 1,37,448 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 1,41,029 active cases currently, according to the Health Ministry.

US coronavirus cases top 2 mn; more than 7.3 mn cases globally

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): The United States now has more than 2 million confirmed cases of novel coronavirus with more than 1,12,900 deaths, according to John Hopkins University tally.

Meanwhile, more than 7.36 million people have been infected with COVID-19 around the world while more than 4,16,000 people have died due to the deadly contagion.

In Latin America, COVID-19 pandemic deaths have passed 70,000, as Mexico hit a daily record for confirmed infections.

Brazil, with the largest economy in the region, remains Latin America’s most affected country with the world’s third highest death toll after the United States and Britain.

In Brazil, a spurt in positive coronavirus cases is being reported on a daily basis. The total number of infected cases in the country stands at 7,72,416 with nearly 40,000 fatalities.

Thailand today reported no new coronavirus infections or deaths, for the first time in three weeks, maintaining the total of 3,125 confirmed cases and 58 fatalities, according to media reports.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 555 to 185,416, while the death toll rose by 26 to 8,755.

COVID cases in India climb to over 2.86 lakh, death toll 8,102

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus cases in India saw a jump of 9,996 in the last 24 hours, raising the total number to 2,86,579.

The death toll due to the virus rose to 8,102, with 357 new fatalities being reported in the last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry said.

So far, 1,41,029 patients have recovered all over the country.

In the worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases increased to 94,041, followed by Tamil Nadu with 36,481 cases, and Delhi with 32,810 cases.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 3438, followed by 1,347 in Gujarat and 427 in Madhya Pradesh.

The death toll in the national capital rose to 984, while 12,245 patients in Delhi have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

The other worst affected states are Gujarat (21,521) Rajasthan (11,600), Uttar Pradesh (11,610) and Madhya Pradesh (10,049).

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday evening to discuss the coronavirus situation in Delhi. “Met Sh Amit Shah, Hon’ble HM. Discussed the situation on corona in Delhi in detail. He assured of all cooperation,” Kejriwal said in his tweet.

Modi, Netanyahu discuss ways to expand ties

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the two leaders assessed tremendous scope for expanding the already robust bilateral collaboration in areas like health technology, agricultural innovation, defence-cooperation and information technology.

The two leaders discussed the potential areas in which India and Israel could expand their cooperation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including research and development efforts in the fields of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, according to a statement issued by India’s External Affairs Ministry.

Modi and Netanyahu agreed to maintain the ongoing exchanges between expert teams of both countries, and also concurred that the fruits of such collaboration should be made available for the wider benefit of humanity.

The two Prime Ministers reviewed other important topics on the bilateral agenda, and agreed that the post-COVID world would create further avenues for mutually beneficial partnerships in many areas.

Both leaders agreed to remain in regular touch to share assessments and consult each other on the emerging opportunities and challenges in the changing global scenario.

Modi reiterated his warm congratulations for Netanyahu’s recent assumption of office, and expressed confidence that the India-Israel partnership would continue to flourish under PM Netanyahu’s leadership and guidance.

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