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Regular train services to remain suspended till further notice: Rlys

PRS counter tickets
(Representational Image)

New Delhi (NVI): Regular passenger and suburban train services which were suspended till August 12 in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic in the country, will continue to remain suspended till further notice, the Ministry of Railways said today.

Yesterday, the Railway Board clarified that no new circular has been issued regarding the resumption of services and all regular trains and suburban trains run before lockdown, will remain suspended for the time being.

The Railways, in a statement issued today, said that 230 Special Trains, which are running at present, will continue to operate. Local trains in Mumbai, which are presently being run on limited basis only on the requisition of state government, will also continue to run, it said.

The occupancy of special trains is being monitored on regular basis. Additional special trains may be run based on the requirement, it added.

It is pertinent to mention here that all regular train services were cancelled since 25 March when lockdown was imposed in the country in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. The IRCTC has suspended advance reservation for regular train services from 15 April.

-ARK

J&K Covid tally mounts to 25,931 after 564 fresh cases

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 564 fresh coronavirus cases, including 88 travelers, taking the total number of positive cases in the Union Territory to 25,931.

The total 25,931 cases include 20,085 from Kashmir and 5,846 from the Jammu division. Officials said among 564 new cases, 431 belong to Kashmir division while 133 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 20,085 including 13,974 recoveries while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 5,846 including 4,005 recoveries and 37 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 7,462 including 5,658 from Kashmir and 1,804 from Jammu division.

With 604 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 17,979 which is 69.33 percent of the total cases. Pertinently, Srinagar district alone has 6,350 positive cases which is more than the total number of positive cases in the Jammu division where total cases are 5,846.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 90 from Srinagar, 53 from Baramulla, 37 from Pulwama, 23 from Kulgam, 02 from Shopian, 42 from Anantnag, 39 from Budgam, 33 from Kupwara, 67 from Bandipora and 45 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 133 from Jammu division include 72 from Jammu, 10 from Kathua, 04 from Rajouri, 06 from Ramban, 06 from Udhampur, 07 from Samba, 02 from Doda, 14 from Kishtwar, 07 from Reasi and 05 from Kishtwar,” officials disclosed.

As per the daily information bulletin, 3,98,400 persons in J&K are under observation while 40,902 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 7,462 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 3,00,191 persons have completed surveillance period and 49,355 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 7,38,203 samples are available out of which 7,12,272 stand negative while 25,367 have been tested positive. Among positive cases, 7,462 are active and 17,979 have recovered.

-ARK

WHO announces Pan-European Commission on Health & Sustainable Development

WHO

New Delhi (NVI): To rethink policy priorities in the light of pandemics, the WHO Regional Office for Europe is convening a Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development.

After identifying and reviewing the relevant evidence, the Commission will draw lessons from the ways in which different countries‘ health systems have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and will make recommendations on investments and reforms to improve the resilience of health and social care systems, WHO’s Europe office said in a statement today.

The Commission will also seek to build consensus on these recommendations and to elevate health and social care as societal and political priorities, recognized as being critical to both sustainable development and social cohesion, it said.

The Commission will be chaired by Professor Mario Monti, President of Bocconi University and former Prime Minister of Italy and a former European Commissioner. The Commission will be composed of former heads of states and governments, distinguished life scientists and economists, heads of health and social care institutions, and leaders of the business community and financial institutions.

Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said, “Our goal is to position health at the top of the political agenda within the Sustainable Development Goals, and to strengthen the resilience of health and social care systems in the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region. We are proud that Professor Mario Monti, highly respected for his leadership shown as Prime Minister of Italy at a critical time, as European Commissioner and as President of Bocconi University, has accepted to chair the Commission.

“This new Pan-European Commission collectively pools the knowledge and wisdom of a continent-wide network of leaders, policy-makers, scientists and civil society to identify, formulate and address key questions about the future of health and social care systems in the WHO European Region.”

On the occasion, Professor Monti said that he is honoured to chair the new Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development. “This pandemic has compounded the inequalities and divisions that are paralysing our societies and preventing progress on sustainable development. I regard WHO‘s decision to set up this high-level independent Commission as a progressive step towards shaping a more effective, integrated approach to health and well-being, as a bedrock for sustainable development.

“I am delighted that the Commission will be able to count on a Scientific Coordinator of the caliber of Professor Elias Mossialos, Founder and Director of the LSE Department of Health Policy,” he said.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P Kluge will jointly launch the Commission when it holds its inaugural meeting on 26 August 2020. A press briefing will also be held at this time – 16:30 CEST on Wednesday 26 August 2020. The WHO Regional Office for Europe will convene and act as secretariat to the Commission and support the production of the Commission report, WHO said.

Supported by a Scientific Advisory Board, the Commission will oversee and direct the collection and review of relevant evidence by a network of researchers, practitioners and scientists from across the Region. The Commission is to complete its work and present its final report by September 2021.

Dr Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, concluded, “the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development embodies the political imperative of the WHO European Programme of Work: namely, to support countries in meeting citizens’ expectations towards their health authorities.

“This programme of work will be put to the 53 Member States for their endorsement at WHO’s annual governance meeting, the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, in September this year.”

-ARK

COVID-19 fatality rate falls below 2% in India; recovery rate nears 70%

New Delhi (NVI): For the first time in the country, the case fatality rate (CFR) has fallen below 2 per cent and the recovery rate has risen to nearly 70 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said today.

Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while addressing a media briefing said that the country’s case fatality rate stands at 1.99 per cent and the recovery rate has risen to 69.80 per cent.

The Health Ministry attributed the rise in recovery rate to the ‘successful implementation of containment strategy, aggressive testing coupled with the standardised clinical management of critical patients’.

With more patients recuperating and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation (in case of mild and moderate cases), the total recoveries have jumped to 15,83,489 with 47,746 patients getting discharged in a span of 24 hours.

“Focus on improved and effective clinical treatment in hospitals, use of non-invasive, improved and coordinated services of the ambulances for ferrying patients for prompt and timely treatment have resulted in seamless efficient patient management of COVID-19 patients,” Health Ministry said.

Bhushan further said that a record 2.5 crore coronavirus tests were done this week.

The actual caseload of the country is the active cases (6,39,929) which is only 28.21 per cent of the total positive cases. They are under active medical supervision.

-CHK

Prez greets people on Janmashtami eve

President
President Ram Nath Kovind

New Delhi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today extended his greetings to the people on the eve of Janmashtami and said Lord Krishna inspires us to establish a society that is just, sensitive and compassionate.

“On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad,” President Kovind said in his message.

“Lord Shri Krishna inspires us to establish a society that is just, sensitive and compassionate,” he said.

“His message of Karmayoga is a call to focus on our responsibilities rather than caring for rewards. This spirit has been evident in the working of all our corona warriors who act at the forefront of our fight against COVID-19,” Kovind added.

The President further stated, as we celebrate this festival, let us all resolve to follow the timeless and universal teachings of Lord Krishna for the betterment of our lives and humanity.

-RJV/ARK

COVID returns to New Zealand after over 100 days

Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern

New Delhi (NVI): New Zealand, which declared itself free of coronavirus over 100 days back, has reported the return of the deadly pandemic.

The detection of four cases in a single-family was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who had earned global praise for the country’s success in containing the virus.

In a televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister said the cases had been detected in the country’s largest city Auckland from an unknown source, outside of managed isolation or quarantine facilities.

“After 102 days, we have our first cases of COVID-19 outside of managed isolation or quarantine facilities… we have all worked incredibly hard to prevent this scenario,” she said.

Accordingly, she issued a stay-at-home lockdown order for Auckland.

Auckland will be put on Alert Level 3 and will be locked down for at least three days from Wednesday and some social distancing restrictions will be reintroduced in the rest of the country.

The rest of the country would move to Alert Level 2 on Wednesday, with social distancing rules in place and mass gatherings limited to 100 people, according to media reports.

Bhutan announces first nationwide lockdown to curb COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): The Bhutan government has announced a nationwide lockdown starting from today, following the report of a COVID-19 positive case in Gelephu town.

The lockdown was imposed after a 27-year-old Bhutanese woman, who returned from Kuwait and was discharged after testing negative, tested positive at a clinic yesterday.

The female patient had come in contact with many people in Thimphu and other major districts of Gelephu, Paro, etc., in the last couple of days.

In the past 24 hours, the health authorities managed to trace 71 contacts who came in close contact with the patient.

Taking to twitter, Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said, “Following report of a COVID-19 positive case in Gelephu, who has come in close contact with people in Thimphu, Gelephu and those along the way, the government announces national lockdown starting today.”

However, the government has imposed restrictions on movement of people and vehicles within the Dzongkhags (districts) and beyond.

The government also requested everyone to strictly follow essential information, as nationwide lockdown aims to identify and isolate all positive cases and breaking the chain of transmission.

All schools, institutions, offices and commercial establishments will remain closed during this period.

Apart from this, the government urged people not to panic, as food supplies will be available at their doorsteps, adding that, the lockdown is expected to last between five days to a maximum of three weeks.

So far, Bhutan has recorded a total of 113 positive coronavirus cases.

-RJV

Daughters entitled to equal property rights under Hindu Succession Act, SC rules

New Delhi (NVI): Delivering yet another landmark judgement, the Supreme Court (SC) today held that daughters will have coparcenary rights on father’s property even if he died before the Hindu Succession (amendment) Act, 2005, came into force.

In effect, SC has ruled that the 2005 amendment would have retrospective effect in conferring rights on daughters who were alive at the time of the amendment, even if they were born prior to it.

A three-Judge Bench of Justices Arun Mishra, S Abdul Nazeer and MR Shah was answering a reference based on conflicting decisions given by past verdicts of the top court.

Answering the reference, the bench said, “Daughters cannot be deprived of their right to equality conferred by Section 6 of the Act.”

The bench further said that daughters will have the right over parental property even if the coparcenor had died prior to the coming into force of the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005.

The apex court’s clarification is significant since it sets aside a clutch of previous decisions by the top court that a daughter would have the coparcenary right only if both the father and the daughter were alive as on September 9, 2005, when the amendment was notified to the Hindu Succession Act.

“Daughter is always a loving daughter for the rest of their life,” Justice Mishra said.

The bench further directed that matters pending in trial courts on this issue be decided in six months.

-CHK

Balochistan’s struggle for freedom from Pak continues as it celebrates I-day

Flag of Independent Balochistan (File pic)

New Delhi (NVI): For almost 73 years now, Balochistan’s struggle for freedom has continued as the troubled province in Pakistan suffers from human rights violations, enforced disappearances and exploitation of its natural resources by Islamabad.

11 August is celebrated as independence day in Balochistan every year. It was on this day in 1947 that the British government gave independence to Balochistan.

It was then not part of Pakistan, which got independence three days later, on August 14. It was only on March 27, 1948, that the Pakistani Army forcibly occupied Balochistan, and declared it as one of its parts.

Since then, Pakistan has exploited the region for its rich mineral resources and the people of Balochistan have been protesting against the ever-increasing human rights violations.

However, marred by years of violence and suppression at the hands of Pakistan military and security forces, the resilience and fighting spirit of Baloch people is remarkable.

Recently, Baloch armed groups and Sindhi revolutionaries have decided to form a joint front to fight against Pakistan’s occupation and the atrocities inflicted by the Pakistani army on their people in the region.

Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS) an umbrella group of Baloch armed groups announced the formation of an alliance with Sindhi Armed group Sindhdesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) on July 26.

Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan occupying about 45 per cent of the territory and bordering Iran. The province is rich in natural resources. It is for this reason that Pakistan is dependent on the province in the wake of its dwindling economy.

Media reports claim that within 24 hours of the declaration of Independence in 1947, the Khan of Kalat formed Balochistan’s House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Khan of Kalat called a meeting of both houses of Balochistan On 16th December 1947 to discuss the possibility of joining Pakistan.

Reports suggest members from both Houses rejected the idea of joining Pakistan. However, Pakistan invaded Balochistan and took control by imprisoning the Khan and his family members within the palace.

The Pakistan government has always denied this and claimed that Balochistan consisted of four provinces of Makran, Las Bela, Kharan and Kalat. It has claimed that all were willing to join Pakistan except Kalat, but due to a past treaty, it was also incorporated into the country.

However, there have been several allegations of human rights violations that have been raised by international bodies including Human Rights Watch (HRW) which has appealed the Pakistan government to stop these transgressions. But Pakistan has done nothing to address the situation and rather treated Baloch people as separatists.

Families of several Baloch people have approached the high offices in the country, requesting the release of their loved ones, many of whom have been tortured or imprisoned in inhuman conditions. Extra-judicial killings, mysterious disappearance is the fate of those who oppose the Pakistan military there.

-ARK

Russia becomes first country to register COVID-19 vaccine: Putin

Russia not unhappy; Putin sends New Year greetings to Kovind, Modi
Russian President Vladimir Putin

New Delhi (NVI): Russian President Vladimir Putin today announced that Russia has become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against COVID-19.

Speaking at a government meeting, Putin said that Russia has successfully registered coronavirus vaccine after the approval of Russia’s Health Ministry.

Russian President said, ” I hope we will be able to start mass production of this medication in the near future, which is very important, “reported Sputnik. He also called it as “a very important step for the world”.

Putin further stated that one of his daughters has been vaccinated against coronavirus, Sputnik quoted.

“One of my daughters got vaccinated. In fact, she took part in the experiment. After the first vaccination, she had a body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, while the following day it was slightly over 37 degrees Celsius, that’s all,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Russia’s Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko also informed that the COVID-19 vaccine of Russian Microbiology Research Center Gamaleya has been registered. The vaccine proved to be safe and effective, he added.

Russia is also hoping to start mass production of the vaccine soon, said the president. However, the vaccine is expected to go into civilian circulation on January 1, 2021, according to the registration certificate.

The clinical human trials of the Russian vaccine kicked off on June 18 which included 38 volunteers. All of the participants developed immunity. The first group was discharged on July 15 and the second group on July 20.

-RJV

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