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PM greets people on the start of Chingam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today extend greetings to the people of Malayali community at the start of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam new year.

Taking to twitter, PM Modi wrote, “As the month of Chingam commences, my greetings to everyone, especially my Malayali sisters and brothers. I pray that the coming year brings with it success, good health and prosperity for all.”

The first day of the Chingam month is considered auspicious for weddings, moving into a new house, buying a new vehicle and to start new ventures.

Although Vishu (first of Medam month) is the astronomical new year day in Kerala, the official Malayalam new year falls on the first day of Chingam.

Most of the temples across the state witness a huge rush as Hindus began the day by visiting temples. This year, due to COVID-19 pandemic large number of people won’t be seen visiting temples.

-RJV

MLA Samaresh Das dies of Covid-19

Samaresh Das

New Delhi (NVI): Trinamool Congress MLA Samaresh Das passed away at a Kolkata hospital this morning, who recently tested positive for coronavirus.

Das, 76, had tested positive for coronavirus at the AMRI hospital. He became the second Trinamool MLA to die of COVID-19 in West Bengal.

In a tweet today morning, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the death of Samaresh Das.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of East Midnapore MLA Samaresh Das. Samaresh Das’ demise leaves an irreparable void in Bengal politics. I express my solidarity with the family of Samaresh Das,” Banerjee tweeted in Bengali.

Samaresh Das was an MLA from Egra Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district of West Bengal.

Earlier, Trinamool leader Tamanash Ghosh had also succumbed to the virus. Both were suffering from comorbidities along with coronavirus and were taken to hospital for further treatment.

West Bengal now has over 1.16 lakh coronavirus cases while 2,428 people died due to pandemic in the state.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases surge past 21.6 million worldwide

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): Worldwide coronavirus cases have surpassed 21.6 million, according to Johns Hopkins University, while more than 13.6 million people have recovered. Almost 7,75,000 people have died.

The United States has surpassed 1,70,000 coronavirus deaths, as health officials express concerns about COVID-19 complicating the fall flu season. More than 5.4 million people in the US have been infected, while 1.8 million have recovered.

In Brazil, more than 3.3 million infections have been reported while the number of fatalities have surpassed 1,07,000 in the country.

Mexico’s health ministry has reported 4,448 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections and 214 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 522,162 cases and 56,757 deaths as of the end of Sunday.

Australia reported the deadliest day of the pandemic with 25 fatalities from the coronavirus in the last 24 hours and 282 new cases in the state of Victoria.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday postponed the general election by four weeks to October 17 but ruled out delaying it any further, as the country tackles a new outbreak of the coronavirus.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 561 to 2,24,014. The reported death toll rose by one to 9,232, the tally showed.

Bolivia has surpassed 1,00,000 coronavirus cases, the country’s Ministry of Health reported, predicting that the virus would reach its peak in September. There have been 4,058 deaths since the virus first emerged in the country in early March.

South Korea reported 197 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday as it battles sporadic outbreaks in densely populated Seoul and its neighbouring area.

China reported 22 new coronavirus cases in the mainland, compared with 19 cases a day earlier.

-CHK

India deploys Dhruv helicopter in Mauritius to tackle oil spill

New Delhi (NVI): As the world celebrates World Helicopter Day, Indian-made Dhruv advanced light helicopter has been deployed in Mauritius to tackle oil spill near the country’s south-east coast, and deal with the environmental crisis the incident has posed.

The chopper has been deployed to extricate skimmed oil from a merchant vessel to a tug.

Mauritius has requested assistance from India to deal with the oil spill on its south-east coast after a Japanese ship ran aground on a coral reef.

Yesterday, India dispatched over 30 tonnes of technical equipment and materials on board an IAF Aircraft to Mauritius.

Apart from that, a 10-member Technical Response Team, consisting of Indian Coast Guards (ICG), personnel trained for dealing with oil spill containment measures, have also been deployed to Mauritius to extend necessary technical and operational assistance at the site.

Furthermore, the Indian assistance follows recent support provided by India to Mauritius in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government of Mauritius declared a state of environmental emergency late Friday as coastal areas including an island nature reserve face an ecological disaster.

-RJV/ARK

J&K: 2 CRPF men, cop killed in terror attack in Baramulla

2 LeT militants surrender after gunfight in J&K's Kulgam
(Representational/file image)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Two CRPF personnel and a J&K policeman were killed today after terrorists attacked a joint patrolling party at Tindim village of Kreeri area in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said.

PRO CRPF (Kashmir) for operations Junaid Khan said, “Two CRPF men and a special police officer (SPO) were killed in militant attack at Kreeri.”

The slain security personnel have been identified as Lokas Sharma, driver Khursheed Khan and SPO Muzaffar Ahmad.

Kashmir Zone Police took to Twitter and said, “#Terrorists fired upon joint naka party of Police and CRPF near Kreeri area of #Baramulla. Two CRPF and one JKP #personnel sustained critical gunshot injuries who later on succumbed at hospital and attained #martyrdom. Area cordoned off, search ops on. @JmuKmrPolice”

A police official said that terrorists fired at the patrolling party at Tindim village of Kreeri. “Two CRPF men and a police man sustained serious injuries. They were rushed to the hospital for treatment, where they succumbed to their injuries,” officials added.

The officials said that terrorists managed to flee from the spot. Meanwhile, joint teams of Army, CRPF and Special Operation Group (SoG) of police cordoned off the area and have launched a massive manhunt.

-CHK/ARK

India’s COVID tally crosses 26 lakh; death toll tops 50,000 mark

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus cases in India saw the single-day jump of 57,982 in the last 24 hours, taking the total number to 26,47,663, Union Health Ministry said.

The country’s death toll now stands at 50,921 with 941 new fatalities being reported during this period.

So far, 19,19,843 patients have recovered all over the country. With this, the recovery rate stands at 75 per cent in India.

Maharashtra, with, 5,95,865 positive cases, remains the worst affected state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu (3,38,055), Andhra Pradesh (2,89,829) and Delhi (1,52,580).

The other states with high virus cases are Karnataka (2,26,966), Uttar Pradesh (1,54,418), West Bengal (1,16,498) and Gujarat (78,680).

In terms of deaths, Maharashtra again tops the tally with 20,037 fatalities, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 4,196 while another 1,37,561 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as on August 16, the cumulative number of 3,00,41,400 samples have been tested so far and 7,31,697 samples were tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that the process of lifting the lockdown in the state would be done stepwise. The threat of COVID-19 still persists, Thackeray said, adding that he does not want a second wave of infections in the state.

-RJV

J&K: 4G internet restored in Ganderbal, Udhampur districts on trial basis

Srinagar (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir administration has restored high-speed internet data services in Ganderbal and Udhampur districts in the Union Territory on a trial basis till September 8. The 4G internet services were restored at 9 pm, a day after the culmination of the Independence Day celebrations in the UT.

High-speed internet and voice services were snapped by the J&K government on August 5 last year after Centre abrogated Article 370 that have a special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. J&K has been bifurcated into two Union Territories – Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh’s after the historic to merge the region with the mainstream.

However, internet speed will continue to be restricted to 2G only in rest of the districts, according to the order issued by the J&K government’s Home Department.

“The high speed mobile services in the districts of Ganderbal and Udhampur shall be restored forthwith, on trial basis, while in the rest of the districts, the internet speed shall continue to be restricted to 2G only,” read the order.

“While the post paid sim card holders shall continue to be provided access to the internet, these services shall not be made available on pre-paid sim cards unless verified as per the norms applicable for post-paid connections,” the order read.

On August 11, the Centre told Supreme Court that 4G internet services will be allowed in one district each in Kashmir and Jammu divisions on a trial basis after Independence Day i.e., August 15.

Attorney General KK Venugopal, representing Centre had said that carefully calibrated easing of internet restrictions subject to strict monitoring in certain areas could be done on a trial basis in selected areas.

However, it will not be in any area adjoining the international border or the Line of Control (LoC). 4G internet restoration will only be done in areas that have a low intensity of terrorist activities, he said.

-ARK

J&K Covid tally mounts to 28,470 with 449 fresh cases

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 449 fresh coronavirus cases, including 76 travellers, taking the total number of positive cases in the UT to 28,470.

With 449 new cases, the tally of positive cases in J&K has reached 28,470 including 22,093 from Kashmir and 6,377 from Jammu division.

Officials said that among 449 new cases, 349 belong to Kashmir division while 100 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 22,093 including 16,201 recoveries. The total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 6,377 including 4,742 recoveries and 41 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 6,985 including 5,391 from Kashmir and 1,594 from Jammu division.

With 267 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 20,943  which is 73.56 percent of the total cases.

Pertinently, Srinagar district alone has 6,915 positive cases which is more than the total number of positive cases in Jammu division where total cases are 6,377.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 129 from Srinagar, 42 from Baramulla, 24 from Pulwama, 31 from Budgam, 23 from Anantnag, 00 from Kulgam, 05 from Shopian, 27 from Kupwara, 43 from Bandipora and 25 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 100 from Jammu division include 58 from Jammu, 06 from Rajouri, 08 from Kathua, 03 from Udhampur, 00 from Ramban, 08 from Samba, 03 from Doda, 07 from Poonch and 07 from Reasi,” the daily Covid bulletin read.

As per the daily information bulletin, 4,13,305 persons in J&K are under observation while 41,723 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 6,985 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 3,17,675 persons have completed the surveillance period and 46,380 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 7,93,537 samples are available out of which 765,067 stand negative while 28,470 have been tested positive. Among positve cases, 6,985 are active and 20,943 persons have recovered.

-ARK

India raises misuse of darknet for drug trafficking at BRICS meet

New Delhi (NVI): The fourth session of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group comprising of Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and India was held this week where New Delhi discussed misuse of darknet and other advanced technologies for drug trafficking.

This year’s session, held over video conference on August 12, was chaired by Russia, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

The common points emerged during the discussions include need for real time information sharing among the member states and need to curb increased drug trafficking through maritime routes.

Apart from that, fruitful exchange of opinions concerning the drug situation in the BRICS states, the international and regional trends of illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, as well as the impact of various internal and external factors on the situation took place during the summit.

BRICS is an informal group of states comprising the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa.

The growing economic might of BRICS countries, their significance as one of the main driving forces of global economic development, their substantial population and abundant natural resources form the foundation of their influence on the international scene and are the driving forces behind the grouping, the Home Ministry said in a statement.

Among other areas of collaboration, matters pertaining to drug trafficking is an important area of cooperation among the BRICS member states.

The Indian delegation was led by Rakesh Asthana, Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau and comprised of B. Radhika, Deputy Director General (Ops), NCB, Vrindaba Gohil, First Secretary (Trade), Embassy of India, Moscow, Dr. Vaibhav Tandale, Under Secretary (Multilateral Economic Relations), MEA and Shri KPS Malhotra, Deputy Director (Ops), NCB.

-ARK

Centre to assist J&K to establish Grievances Portal in each district

New Delhi (NVI): In a significant drive to strengthen the ongoing good governance initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre will now assist the Union Territory Government to establish Grievance Portal in each of the 20 districts of the UT, Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced today.

The minister held a telephonic discussion with J&K LG Manoj Sinha on the plan for next phase of expansion of the online Public Grievance Redressal portal in the Union Territory, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions said in a statement.

Following the discussion, Jitendra Singh immediately convened a meeting of senior officers dealing with Public Grievances, including Secretary ARPG Dr. ChhatrapatiShivaji and Additional Secretary V. Srinivas.

A plan was finalised to extend and establish a Portal in each of District Headquarters in Jammu & Kashmir for addressing the grievances of citizens and for providing services seamlessly at their doorstep.

To implement this initiative, it has been decided that Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (ARPG), Government of India will further enhance the ongoing collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Government to revamp the “Awaaz e-Awam” Portal with mapping of last mile grievance officers for improved quality of grievance redressal and reduced timelines in effective disposal of cases.

Jitendra Singh informed that in pursuance of this endeavour, a focused team of officials from DARPG would be constituted to work with Jammu & Kashmir Government in the coming days.

This initiative is a continuation of a series of sustained efforts by the Union Government to create a transparent, accountable and citizen-friendly effective administration in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in line with the vision outlined by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry said.

After the conversion of Jammu & Kashmir into a Union Territory, the DARPG had organized two important Conferences there on Good Governance. These include Regional Conference on Replication of Good Governance Practices in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on November 15-16, 2019 and Conference on Ek Bharat-Shresht Bharat with focus on Jal Shakti and Disaster Management on November 30- December 1, 2019

Above two Conferences convened by the DARPG represented the first important events by the Government of India in the newly created Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and laid down a roadmap for good governance in the Union Territories.

-ARK

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