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Re-deployment of troops at LAC possible through ‘mutually agreed actions’: MEA on China

India-China face-off: Core issue is to 'strictly' follow bilateral border pacts, says MEA

New Delhi (NVI): Amid the ongoing military and diplomatic level talks to ease tensions at India-China border in Ladakh, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today said that re-deployment of troops at their regular posts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) can be done only through “mutually agreed reciprocal actions”.

External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, while addressing a media briefing here said that although some progress had been made towards disengagement of troops at disputed points along LAC in Ladakh, the complete normalisation of positioning of troops at the border is a “complex process” and “requires re-deployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC”.

“It is natural that this can be done only through mutually agreed reciprocal actions,” he added.

The MEA spokesman further added that India expects China to sincerely help in complete disengagement and de-escalation of troops to manitain peace and tranquility in the border areas as agreed by the Special Representatives.

“While we would like the ongoing disengagement process to be completed at the earliest, it is important to bear in mind that achieving this requires agreed actions by both sides. We therefore expect that the Chinese side to sincerely work with us towards the objective of complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas as agreed by the Special Representatives,” he said.

Srivastava added that the normalisation process is also necessary and essential in the context of overall development of bilateral relationship between India and China.

As External Affairs Minister had noted in a recent interview “the state of the border and the future of our ties, cannot be separated,” he added.

India and China remain have engaged through both diplomatic and military channels to ensure complete disengagement along the India-China border areas, following the June 15 violent face-off between the Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley, Eastern Ladakh.

At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the clashes with China’s PLA. The Chinese side also suffered casualties but Beijing didn’t disclose the figures.

The India-China engagement on diplomatic and military level talks is in accordance with the agreement of the Special Representatives of the two countries, the MEA spokesman said while referring to the conversation between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Several meetings of WMCC and also of Senior Commanders have taken place wherein both sides have discussed the implementation of the ongoing disengagement process and further steps to ensure it is completed at the earliest. Further meetings are likely to happen in the near future, Srivastava added.

-ARK

Israel tests Arrow-2 missile defence system

New Delhi (NVI): Israel, with the help of the US, has carried out a successful test of Arrow-2 missile defence system, which is part of a shield created to protect the country from attacks.

During the test, an Arrow-2 missile intercepted a Sparrow missile that simulated a long-range surface-to-surface missile similar to Iran’s Shahab 3 medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with an explosive warhead, according to the Israeli Defence Ministry. The Arrow-2 missile is capable of neutralising even a missile with nuclear warhead.

“The target simulated what our main enemy would fire,” said Moshe Patel, head of Israel Missile Defence Organization (IMDO), clearly referring to Iran.

The Arrow–2 is part of Israel’s multi-layered defence system to provide the country with a protective umbrella that can shield it from threats posed by Iran’s long-range missiles along with short and mid-range missiles used by terror groups of Hezbollah and in Gaza.

Giving details of the test, officials told the Israeli media that the radar locked the target (a simulated incoming missile), which had been launched from the West, and followed it the entire time before it being intercepted and completely destroyed, as planned.

Hailing the test, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We have once again proven that the State of Israel has the strongest and most advanced defence and attack capabilities in the world… Our enemies and those who seek our evil know that the State of Israel is prepared against any threat.”

He expressed gratitude to the US for helping in the endeavour.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz said Israel will always be one step ahead of its enemies and ensure protection from any threat.

The Arrow-2 is a joint programme of Israel and the US.

“The joint Israeli-American test reflects the partnership and friendship between the two countries, as well as the deep commitment of the United States to the safety of the citizens of Israel,” the Defence Ministry said.

“We will continue to work together to strengthen the capabilities of the defence establishment in the air, land and sea, as well as in cyberspace,” it added.

India welcomes UAE-Israel deal, Palestine slams it

New Delhi (NVI): India today welcomed the historic deal between its strategic partners United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel to fully normalise their relations and reiterated its support to peace, stability and development in West Asia.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said the Foreign Minister of UAE called up External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar this afternoon regarding the announcement.

Referring to the “recent development of great interest”, Srivastava said, “India has consistently supported peace, stability and development in West Asia, which is its extended neighbourhood. In that context, we welcome the full normalization of ties between UAE and Israel. Both nations are key strategic partners of India.”

He added that India continues its traditional support for the Palestinian cause. “We hope to see early resumption of direct negotiations to find an acceptable two-state solution,” the spokesman said.

After decades of animosity, Israel and UAE, an influential Arab country, have agreed to establish normal diplomatic relations.

The historic development was announced after trilateral talks, via video conference, between US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed.

UAE is the first Gulf country to normalise relations with Israel.

The agreement sets stage for the two countries to work together in various fields, including security and trade and investment.

Under the deal, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world, according to a Joint Statement issued after the talks brokered by Trump.

In the coming weeks, delegations from Israel and UAE will meet to sign agreements in a number of areas, including security, energy, investment, tourism, aviation and technology, it said.

The Joint Statement said Israel and UAE will also work with the US to push its Strategic Agenda for the Middle East.

After the announcement, Bin Zayed said Israel will stop further annexation of Palestinian territories and UAE and Israel agreed to cooperation and setting a roadmap towards establishing a bilateral relationship.

Netanyahu later told journalists that he agreed to “delay” the annexation as part of the deal with the UAE, but the plans remain “on the table”. He said the agreement ushers in a new era of peace between Israel and the Arab world. He described it as the greatest advancement towards peace between Israel and the Arab world in the last 26 years.

However, the deal has been slammed by Palestinian leadership, terming it as betrayal.

The right-wing Jewish settlers in West Bank also expressed anger over the deal, saying they had been deceived as Netanyahu had promised to apply Israeli sovereignty over the areas they are in.

However, some Arab countries like Egypt, Jordan and Oman welcomed the development.

J&K’s Covid tally mounts to 27,489 with 540 fresh cases

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 540 fresh cases of Covid-19 including 60 travelers, taking the total number of positive cases in the Union Territory to 27,489.

Of the total 27,489 positive cases, 21,320 are from Kashmir and 6,169 from Jammu division.

Officials said that among 540 new cases, 421 belong to Kashmir while 119 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 21,320 including 15,427 recoveries. The total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 6,169 including 4,515 recoveries and 39 deaths.

They said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 7,027 including 5,412 from Kashmir and 1,615 from Jammu division.

With 640 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 19,942, which is 72.54 percent of the total cases.

Pertinently, Srinagar district alone has 6,680 positive cases, which is more than the total number of positive cases in Jammu division where total cases are 6,169.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 108 from Srinagar, 47 from Baramulla, 31 from Pulwama, 12 from Kulgam, 08 from Shopian, 31 from Anantnag, 37 from Budgam, 65 from Kupwara, 50 from Bandipora and 32 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 119 from Jammu division include 67 from Jammu, 04 from Rajouri, 04  from Ramban, 09  from Kathua, 08 from Udhampur, 05 from Samba, 04 from Doda, 06 from Poonch, 08 from Reasi and 04 from Kishtwar,” read the daily bulletin.

As per the daily information bulletin, 4,09,414 persons in J&K are under observation while 41,737 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 7,027 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 3,12,599 persons have completed the surveillance period and 47,531 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 7,75,333 samples are available out of which 747,844 stand negative while 27,489 have been tested positive. Among positive cases, 7,027 are active and 19,942 persons have recovered.

-ARK

India will give befitting reply if attacked: Rajnath amid border row with China

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (File pic)

New Delhi (NVI): Amid border tensions with China at Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a veiled attack on Beijing said that India will give a befitting reply to “enemy nation” if it tries to capture even an inch of the Indian land.

While addressing the armed forces on the eve of Independence Day, the Defence Minister said that whatever India does in the realm of security is always for self-defence and not to attack other countries.

“Whatever we do in the realm of national security, it is for our own self-defence, not to attack others. If enemy country ever attacks us, we will give a befitting reply, like every time,” he said in his address.

“The history is evident that India has never attacked any other country to capture its land. India doesn’t believe in winning lands but hearts,” he said, adding that this doesn’t mean we will allow our self-respect to be harmed.

Tensions between India and China simmered after the violent June 15 Galwan valley face-off with Chinese troops in Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives. The Chinese side also suffered casualties but Beijing didn’t disclose the figure.

-ARK

Handmade ‘Pankhas’ by tribals to be offered to eminent guests this I-day

New Delhi (NVI): As a part of its continued endeavour to support and sustain tribal incomes and livelihoods, TRIFED has once again collaborated with Ministry of Defence to supply handmade Pankhas to eminent dignitaries and guests who will participate in the Independence Day celebrations.

The handmade fans, sourced from tribal artisans across the country from states such as Rajasthan, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat and Jharkhand, are eco-friendly and have been made out of natural, organic materials.

Furthermore, this is the third year of collaboration between TRIFED and Defence Ministry aimed toward supporting tribal livelihoods.

TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs’s mission is to empower the downtrodden tribal people, by promoting the economic welfare of their communities across India.

The past few months have seen TRIFED treble its efforts to bring the affected tribal people (artisans and forest dwellers) who have lost their livelihoods and jobs. This initiative of gifting handcrafted Pankhas sourced from tribal artisans is one such example of its efforts.

In addition to this, due to the suddenness of the pandemic overtaking our lives and the immediate lockdown, stocks by tribal artisans worth Rs 100 crore were lying unsold. In order to ensure that these stocks of tribal artisans are sold, TRIFED has launched an aggressive drive to sell these goods online through its Tribes India website and other retail platforms.

TRIFED is in the process of onboarding approximately 5 lakh tribal producers across the country and sourcing their natural produce, handcrafted goods. The Pankhas being supplied to Ministry of Defence will also be available at this e-marketplace.

-CHK

India ranks first in number of organic farmers: Min of Agriculture

Representational/file image

New Delhi (NVI): India ranks first in number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming, with major organic exports from the country including flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses, the Ministry of Agriculture has said.

“The growth story of organic farming is unfolding with increasing demand not only in India but also globally. In a world battered by the COVID pandemic, the demand for healthy and safe food is already showing an upward trend and hence this is an opportune moment to be captured for a win-win situation for our farmers, consumers and the environment,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic and other States including Tripura and Uttarakhand have set similar targets, it said.

North East India has traditionally been organic and the consumption of chemicals is far less than rest of the country. Similarly. the tribal and island territories are being nurtured to continue their organic story.

In 2015, two dedicated programs namely Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) were launched to encourage chemical free farming, with the aim of assisting farmers to adopt organic farming and improve remunerations due to premium prices.

The Agriculture ministry further states that with the simultaneous thrust given by the Agri-export Policy 2018, India can emerge as a major player in global organic markets.

“The major organic exports from India have been flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses, which were instrumental in driving an increase of nearly 50% in organic exports in 2018-19, touching Rs 5151 crore. Modest commencement of exports from Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland to UK, USA, Swaziland and Italy have proved the potential by increasing volumes and expanding to new destinations as the demand for health foods increases,” read an official statement by the ministry.

Since certification is an important element of organic produce to instill customer confidence, both PKVY and MOVCD are promoting certification under Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) respectively targeting domestic and exports markets.

The Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017 are based on the standards of NPOP and PGS. The consumer should look for the logos of FSSAI, Jaivik Bharat/PGS Organic India on the produce to establish the organic authenticity of the produce. PGS Green is given to chemical free produce under transition to ‘organic’ which takes 3 years, the Ministry said.

About 40,000 clusters are being assisted under PKVY covering an area of about 7 lakh ha. MOVCD has brought in its fold 160 FPOs cultivating about 80,000 ha. For these clusters to become sustainable, it is important that henceforth market led production starts in a contract farming mode, so that there is a ready market for the produce and industry also gets the desired quality and quantity when required.

This is being pursued in right earnest with bulk buyers including the phtyo extracts industries. The commodities with highest potential include ginger, turmeric, black rice, spices, nutri cereals, pineapples, medicinal plants, buckwheat, bamboo shoots, etc.

When the pandemic struck India, access to quality food was as high on priority for the country as much as health. Advisories to States on supporting direct marketing in order to decongest mandis led to number of States issuing orders and amending legislations, thereby opening up market options to farmers.

Natural farming is not a new concept in India, with farmers having tilled their land without the use of chemicals – largely relying on organic residues, cow dung, composts, etc since time immemorial.

The philosophy underlying organic farming of integration of the elements – soil, water, microbes and ‘waste’ products, forestry and agriculture is the correct recipe for sustainable use of natural resources, which are coming under severe stress due to ever increasing requirement of food and feedstock for agri based industry.

This is also in sync with the Sustainable Development Goal 2 targeting ‘end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture’.

-RJV/ARK

Singer SP Balasubrahmanyam critical, on life support; tested positive for Covid

SP Balasubrahmanyam

New Delhi (NVI): Veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, who was diagnosed with COVID-19, is currently on life support and his condition is said to be critical, according to a statement by a Chennai hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

The 74-year-old vocalist was admitted to MGM Healthcare in Chennai with mild COVID-19 symptoms on August 5. The hospital, in a statement, said that there has been a setback in the health of Balasubramanyam.

“In a late night development on August 13, his condition deteriorated, and he is moved to ICU and has been put on life support,” the bulletin said. It said his condition was critical and his vital parameters are being monitored.

He is currently under observation by the team of experts from critical care and his hemodynamic and clinical parameters are being closely monitored.

On August 5, the singer posted a video on his Facebook page stating that he had tested positive for COVID-19 after showing mild symptoms.

He said although doctors had advised him home isolation but he decided to get himself admitted to hospital as he was concerned about the health of his family members.

The MGM Healthcare yesterday released a statement saying the SP Balasubrahmanyam was stable and his oxygen levels are normal. However, his health conditioned worsened yesterday night.

-RJV/ARK

Shipping Ministry cuts port tariff to boost cruise industry hit amid COVID-19

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Ministry of Shipping today reduced tariff rates for cruise ships, leading to a 60-70 per cent cut in port charges to support cruise industry hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said it would be a huge boost to cruise tourism in India in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of putting the country on the global cruise map.

The Ministry said in a statement that it has rationalised tariff rates for cruise vessels plying on the rivers and oceanic waters of India.

The move is also aimed at boosting the pandemic-hit economy.

The port charges for a cruise ship will be charged at USD 0.085 per GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) instead of USD 0.35 of current rate, for first 12 hours stay (‘Fixed Rate’) and USD 5 per passenger (‘Head Tax’). The ports will not charge any other rate like berth hire, port dues, pilotage, passenger fee, among others.

For the period exceeding 12 hours stay, the fixed charges on cruise ships will be equal to the berth hire charges payable as per SOR (Schedule of Rates), with 40 percent discount as applicable for cruise ships.

In addition, cruise ships making 1-50 calls per year will get 10 percent rebate, those making 51-100 calls per year to get 20 percent rebate and above 100 calls per year to get 30 percent rebate.

The rationalised tariff will come into effect immediately for a period of one year. The number of call made by cruise ships in India has increased from 128 in 2015-16 to 593 in 2019-20. “This rationalisation would also help to ensure that cruise calls at Indian Ports do not dry up completely,” the shipping ministry said in a statement.

“It will provide the opportunity to earn huge amount of foreign exchange and generate sizeable direct and indirect onshore employment in cruise tourism sector,” Mandaviya said.

-CHK

Indigenous AUM Photonic system developed to monitor air quality

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): An indigenous photonic system has been developed by a team of Indian researchers for real-time remote monitoring of air quality parameters, the Ministry of Science and Technology has said.

The system titled AUM (Air Unique-quality Monitoring) had CATS Eco-Systems, Nashik as the technology transfer partner for commercialization, the Ministry said in a statement.

Photonics is an area of study that involves the use of radiant energy (such as light), whose fundamental element is the photon. Photonic applications use the photon in the same way that electronic applications use the electron. Devices that run on light have a number of advantages over those that use electricity.

The Air Unique-quality Monitoring (AUM) device

The AUM system (patent pending) is an innovative application of the principles of laser backscattering, statistical mechanics, optoelectronics, artificial intelligence, machine/deep learning, and Internet of Things. It can identify, classify, and quantify various pollutants simultaneously (of orders of less than one part per billion) and meteorological parameters, with very high precision, sensitivity and accuracy.

The system has been developed by Prof. Rao Tatavarti, Director of Gayatri Vidya Parishad-Scientific and Industrial Research Centre (GVP-SIRC) & GVP College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam, with the support from Department of Science and Technology’s Clean Air Research Initiative. Prof Tatavarti was supported by Prof. P. Arulmozhivarman from the School of Electrical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, and other team members.

AUM was successfully evaluated during laboratory trials with gold standards (in collaboration with EffecTech, UK), and also compared in the field with imported systems from France, and Australia and operated by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board under the aegis of the Central Pollution Control Board of India.

It has been found to be highly sensitive and accurate and capable of simultaneous detection and quantification of all air quality parameters and offers a number of merits over any of the currently available conventional systems.

It is portable, compact, low powered and economical, works on plug and play system, requires no setting uptime, and no additional civil infrastructure for housing. It provides information on all gases and meteorological parameters simultaneously. It is a non-intrusive remote, real-time monitoring system with very high sensitivities and accuracies and is capable of monitoring in both spatial and temporal domains, with very high sampling frequencies, the Ministry said.

Also, the data from spatially separated sensors can be seamlessly streamed to a cloud server, from where digestible real-time encrypted information on dashboard is made available to user at any part of the world.

The Ministry of Science & Technology said that this system can boost the nation’s efforts towards self-reliance in high-end technologies and can additionally be instrumental in supporting the endeavours in improving the nation’s health and economy.

World Health Organisation (WHO)’s reports show that the worsening state of poor air quality is responsible for more than 7.5 million fatalities worldwide annually. This highlights the necessity for accurate, yet cost-effective monitoring of air quality parameters as monitoring is critical to solution.

The current systems and technologies used for air quality monitoring are prohibitively expensive for wider deployment. This underlines the need for development of systems for real-time remote monitoring of relevant air quality parameters.

-RJV/ARK

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