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Hindustan Unilever extends partnership with UNICEF to support Assam tea workers

(Source: Twitter @jayanta_malla)

Assam (NVI): Hindustan Unilever Limited today said that it is extending its partnership with UNICEF to support the delivery of essential hygiene products to tea-plantation workers in Assam, in the response to COVID 19.

HUL’s announcement also comes on the occasion of International Tea Day today. Assam is the leading tea producer in India. However, the livelihood of thousands of tea workers in the state has been affected due to Covid-19 crisis.

The collaboration will benefit families residing in the tea-estates of the region and will facilitate the reach of key communication assets and the availability of essentials such as soaps and toilet cleaners for tea-plantation workers, the HUL said in a statement.

The initiative focuses on enhancing awareness related to COVID-19, amongst the tea-plantation workers and local communities and helps them take necessary precautions to stay safe during the pandemic, the statement read.

To train frontline healthcare workers in tea estates on response and containment measures related to COVID 19, training modules and short videos created by HUL will be developed.

Sharing details on the initiative, Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman and MD, Hindustan UnileverLimited said, “The tea industry is one of the oldest industries in India – a mainstream industry of the north-east region and one of the largest employers in India’s organised sector. As India’s largest tea company, we are committed to help keep those working in tea plantations safe and our partnership with UNICEF aims to do just that.”

UNICEF has been playing a key role in the tea plantations since 2010 through various interventions and the primary focus has been on the well being of children and women.

Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, India Representative, UNICEF, India said, “Around two million people work in the Indian tea industry, most of them residing in the tea estates. UNICEF has been working in tea gardens since 2010 through Indian tea association to improve working and living conditions of plantation workers Protecting this population from the Covid-19 infection is one of our highest priority. With HUL’s support, we are confident of improving awareness levels and capacity building of healthcare workers across tea estates helping them fight this pandemic.”

In early April 2020, HUL committed INR 100 crore towards helping India fight the Covid-19 pandemic. As a part of this effort, HUL has rolled out many initiatives to ensure that citizens of India, across all walks of life have access to essential products such as soaps, sanitizers and toilet cleaners, and understand the causes and implications of the virus through simple and direct communication.

Hindustan Unilever’s collaboration with UNICEF is yet another measure to effectively and promptly identify communities affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and jointly guard their interests, while also driving widespread awareness campaigns around myths and facts related to it.

India says China hindering its normal patrolling along LAC

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New Delhi (NVI): India today rejected allegations by the Chinese side that Indian troops had crossed Line of Actual Control in Western Sector or the Sikkim sector, saying that its Army is fully familiar with the alignment of the LAC in the India-China border areas and “abide by it scrupulously”.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava rubbished any claims that Indian troops had undertaken activity across the LAC on these two frontiers.

“Any suggestion that Indian troops had undertaken activity across the LAC in the Western Sector or the Sikkim sector is not accurate,” he said.

“In fact, it is Chinese side that has recently undertaken activity hindering India’s normal patrolling patterns,” he said adding that the Indian side has always taken a very responsible approach towards border management.

He was speaking with regard to the recent face-offs between the Indian and Chinese soldiers along the Indo-China border in north Sikkim and Ladakh.

The Line of Actual Control is the de-facto border between the two countries.

The MEA spokesperson said that all Indian activities are entirely on the Indian side of the LAC.

“At the same time, we are deeply committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and security,” he said.

Srivastava further added that the Indian troops strictly follow the procedures laid down in various bilateral agreements and protocols to resolve any situations which may arise due to difference in perception of LAC.

He said the two sides have established mechanisms to resolve such situations peacefully through dialogue. “Both sides remain engaged with each other to address any immediate issues,” he added.

The MEA spokesperson said that in accordance with the consensus reached in Chennai, Indian side remains firmly committed to work for the common objective of maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas. “This is an essential prerequisite to the further development of Indian-China bilateral relations,” he said.

Envoys of 7 nations present credentials to President Kovind via video link

New Delhi (NVI): In a first, President Ram Nath Kovind today accepted credentials of Ambassadors and High Commissioners from 7 countries at Rashtrapati Bhawan here digitally.

The envoys were from North Korea, Senegal, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Australia, Cote d’Ivoire and Rwanda.

“This was the first time in the history of Rashtrapati Bhavan that credentials were presented through the digital medium,” said an official statement.

While addressing the envoys, the President said that the coronavirus pandemic posed an unprecedented challenge to the global community, and the crisis called for greater global co-operation. He also pointed out that India has been in the forefront of extending support to fellow nations in fighting the pandemic.

The President called the digitally-enabled credentials ceremony a special day in India’s engagement with the diplomatic community.

The President remarked that digital technology has enabled the world to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19 and carry out its functions in an innovative manner.

He further added that India remains committed to harnessing the limitless possibilities of the digital pathway for the advancement of its people and the world at large.

531 new Covid cases in Afghanistan, total 8,676

New Delhi (NVI): Afghanistan authorities have recorded 531 new positive cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total in the country to 8,676, according to Afghan media reports.

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health said, the number of total known active cases stands at 7,547 in the country.

Among the new cases, 274 cases were reported in Kabul, the country’s hardest-hit area.

In addition, 69 cases were reported in Herat, 55 in Balkh, 35 in Nangarhar, 26 in Wardak, 15 in Sar-e-Pul, 12 in Paktika, 12 in Khost, 7 in Paktia, 1 in Badghis, 5 in Laghman, 13 in Parwan, 2 in Jawzjan, 2 in Farah and 3 in Faryab.

Likewise, Afghanistan’s daily case count is now regularly around or above 500, with almost half of suspected patients testing positive every day, as per media reports.

At present, 26,707 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the country, ministry said.

So far, 193 people have died due to the COVID-19 and 938 others have recovered since the outbreak across the country.

AIIB approves $250 mn support to help Bangladesh combat COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a USD 250 million loan for Bangladesh as the country grapples with the fallout of the novel coronavirus.

The support is a part of a program to mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic on the country’s poor and most vulnerable, particularly those affected by job losses in small and medium enterprises and the informal sector, as well as strengthen social safety nets.

Meanwhile, the total number of deaths from coronavirus in Bangladesh has reached 408 after 22 more people lost their lives in the last 24 hours, according to United News of Bangladesh.

The total number of coronavirus infections rose to 28,511 after 1,773 new infections were reported during this period.

In different hospitals of the country including Dhaka City 395 people have recovered in the last 24 hours increasing the total number of recoveries to 5,602.

Pakistan coronavirus cases nearing 50,000-mark

COVID-19: Pakistan imposes mini-lockdown in Islamabad

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of positive coronavirus in Pakistan has increased by more than 2,500 cases, taking the overall tally to 49,051 with at least 1,037 fatalities recorded so far.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh province has reported 19,924 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 17,382 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 6,815 cases, Balochistan is at 2,968, Gilgit-Baltistan at 579, Islamabad at 1,138 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 133 cases so far, according to Geo News.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the religious leaders to play their role in creating awareness about adopting safety measures against coronavirus.

So far 13,101 patients have recovered from the virus, according to the country’s Health Ministry.

Pakistan has started easing in phases the coronavirus lockdown and partially resumed its domestic air services.

9 new COVID-19 cases reported in Nepal, tally at 453

New Delhi (NVI): Nine new coronavirus positive cases were reported in Nepal today, raising the number of such patients in the country to 453, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Population said, the new cases include, a 27-year-old man from Rupandehi and eight men from Jhapa, their ages ranging from 17-55 years, have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

All of them are in normal health conditions, ministry added.

Of the total infected people, 383 are male and 70 are female.

Earlier today, Nepal reported 17 new coronavirus cases, as per media reports.

Likewise, four COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at the Teku-based Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital have recovered. With this 49 people have been cured of virus and discharged.

Meanwhile, 3,413 sample tests were performed through the PCR method in the last 24 hours.

So far, three persons have died from coronavirus in the country.

PM assures help to those affected by cyclone in West Bengal, Odisha

New Delhi (NVI): Taking stock of the situation in Odisha in West Bengal in the wake of cyclone Amphan, Prime Minister Narendra today said that “no stone will be left unturned in helping the affected.”

After seeing visuals on devastation caused by Cyclone Amphan, PM wished that situation normalises in West Bengal and Odisha at the earliest, the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement.

In a series of tweets, PM said, “My thoughts are with the people of Odisha as the state bravely battles the effects of Cyclone Amphan. Authorities are working on the ground to ensure all possible assistance to those affected. I pray that the situation normalises at the earliest.”

72 people have died in West Bengal and thousands of homes were destroyed after the cyclone made landfall on the Bengal coast yesterday.

NDRF teams are working in the cyclone-affected parts. Top officials are closely monitoring the situation and also working in close coordination with the West Bengal government.

“Have been seeing visuals from West Bengal on the devastation caused by Cyclone Amphan. In this challenging hour, the entire nation stands in solidarity with West Bengal. Praying for the well-being of the people of the state. Efforts are on to ensure normalcy,” the PM said in another tweet.

Massive structural damage has been caused due to heavy rains and high winds, wherein airport hangars in Kolkata collapsed and runways were flooded.

Cop killed, another injured in terrorist attack in J&K’s Pulwama

Kashmir
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Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A policeman was killed and another was left injured after terrorists attacked a joint security party at a check post in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police officials said.

They said that the terrorists fired upon a joint naka party of Police and CRPF at Prichoo area of Pulwama, resulting in grievous injuries to two security personnel of whom one succumbed and another one is critical.

The slain cop has been identified as Anoop Singh of the 10th battalion of police. “The condition of second injured security forces personnel is stated as critical,” the official said.

Soon after the attack, the area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers. A police official said that a massive manhunt has been launched in the area and security forces personnel deployed at exit and entry points in the district have been alerted.

This is the second attack by militants on security forces in the last 24 hours. Yesterday at Pandach area of Srinagar outskirts, two BSF men were killed and their weapons were also snatched by the militants.

Cyclone Amphan: 72 dead in West Bengal, Kolkata airport hangar collapses

Water-logging at Kolkata airport due to Cyclone Amphan, (Source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): Cyclone Amphan, one of the worst storms over the Bay of Bengal in years, has wreaked havoc killing at least 72 people in West Bengal and destroying thousands of homes after it made landfall on the Bengal coast yesterday.

Massive structural damage has been caused due to heavy rains and high winds, wherein airport hangars in Kolkata collapsed and runways were flooded.

Various dilapidated buildings also crashed in Kolkata and in other parts of the state, whereas Odisha is assessing the damage caused by the cyclone, which has also impacted its coastal districts.

Road clearance and restoration work by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel are underway.

In addition to this, NDRF is moving additional teams in the state to speed up restoration work, especially in Kolkata.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has advised people against going out till further orders.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “We are closely monitoring the Cyclone Amphan situation and are in continuous touch with concerned authorities. Have spoken to the chief ministers of Odisha and West Bengal over the cyclone situation and assured them of all possible help from the Centre.”

The cyclone, which reduced in strength, has now further weakened into a depression, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

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