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Mughal Gardens to open for public from Feb 5

New Delhi (NVI): The iconic Mughal Garden at the heart of the President’s Estate will be opened for general public from February 5.

President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the annual “Udyanotsav” of Rashtrapati Bhavan tomorrow.

The gardens will remain open for the general public from February 5 to March 08 between 10 PM to 04, except on Mondays which are maintenance days.

The main attraction of this year’s Udyanotsav, beside Tulips and exotic flowers, are Bulbous flowerings. Around 10,000 Tulips specially cultivated in Mughal Gardens are expected to bloom during February.

They are in vivid colors of red, white, orange and yellow mixed with red and pink.

Flower carpets in magnificent designs will also be on display in the central lawns revealing the skill and craft of the gardeners at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The dominant color scheme of this year’s ornamental flowers is white, yellow, red and orange.

As in previous years, a small beautified cactus corner with interesting varieties of cactus and succulents has been landscaped. Air purifying plants have also been showcased at the gardens.

Coronavirus: Govt revises travel advisory on China

New Delhi (NVI): Anyone with travel history in China since January 15 could be quarantined, the government said today in its revised travel advisory to the coronavirus-hit country. The government has also maintained its appeal to the Indian citizens to refrain from travelling to China.

“As already communicated yesterday, Travel Advisory further revised informing the public to refrain from travel to China and that anyone with travel history in China since 15th January 2020 and from now on could be quarantined,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement today.

The decision was taken by the cabinet secretary in another high-level review meeting on the preparedness for novel coronavirus in the country. The Cabinet Secretary has held six review meetings so far.

In another development today, the Indian Embassy in Beijing said that due to the prevailing situation of coronavirus outbreak, travel to India on E-visas stands temporarily suspended with immediate effect. “This applies to holders of Chinese passports and applicants of other nationalities residing in the People’s Republic of China,” the embassy tweeted.

Yesterday, the embassy had said that already issued E-visas will no longer be valid. “Holders of already issued E-visas may note that these are no longer valid. All those who have a compelling reason to visit India may contact the Embassy of India in Beijing or the Indian consulates in Shanghai or Guangzhou, and the Indian Visa Application Centres in these cities,” it said in a tweet.

As on February 2 (Sunday), 58,658 passengers from 445 flights have been screened at several airports in the country. A total of 142 symptomatic travellers picked up by the
Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) have been referred to the isolation facilities.

As many as 130 samples have been tested of which 128 have been found to be negative. The two positive cases found in Kerala are being monitored and are clinically stable.

The second batch of 330 passengers (including 7 Maldivan citizens) from Wuhan arrived in India yesterday. Of these, 300 (including 7 Maldivan citizens) are housed at ITBP Chawla Camp and 30 are in Manesar. They are also being effectively monitored.

Himalayan glaciers in Kashmir lost 23% area in last 60 years

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): An environmental crisis looms large over Kashmir as a study has found that the Himalayan glaciers in the Valley have lost 23 per cent area in the last 60 years, posing serious threats like water shortage and decrease in agriculture productivity in the region.

“The shrinking of glaciers and the depleting stream flows, if continues in the future, will adversely affect the availability of water in the valley, especially during summers when it is needed the most. This will lead to decline in hydropower generation, decrease in agriculture productivity, fall in winter tourism and drinking water scarcity,” says Professor Shakil Romshoo, a national award-winning scientist who conducted the study in 2018 with Asif Marazi, one of his fellows at the Department of Earth Sciences at Kashmir University.

The study was aimed at accessing the impact of streamflow to the shrinking glacial mass by selecting a total of 37 glaciers from the Lidder valley in the south-eastern part of Kashmir, which hosts many glaciers including the largest glacier — the Kolahoi.

According to a glacier research report by India Climate Dialogue, the famed fertility of the Kashmir Valley owes a lot to the meltwater of the Kolahoi Glacier. It is one of the most famous glaciers in Kashmir but is slowly losing its crown due to climate change.

The study by Romshoo and Marazi investigated the streamflow response to the shrinking cryosphere under changing climate in the Lidder valley, Upper Indus Basin (UIB), Kashmir Himalayas. They used a combination of multitemporal satellite data and topographic maps to evaluate the changes in area, length and volume of the glaciers from 1962 to 2013. A total of 37 glaciers from the Lidder valley, with an area of 39.76 square km in 1962 were selected for research in the study.

“It was observed that the glaciers in the valley have lost 23 per cent of the area and 22 per cent of glacial mass in the last 60 years,” says Professor Romshoo, while commenting on the climate change effect on the glaciers till 2019-2020 period. Back in 2013, the study had compiled the data for 51 years.

The study notes that the depletion of glaciers has led to the significant depletion in the stream flows under the changing climate in the valley. “The shrinking of glaciers in the region is due to the increasing temperatures and the change in the form of precipitation (from snow to rain) observed in the region during winters, he says.

The streamflow shows an overall decreasing trend (of precipitation) in the peak summer months of June and July; however, an increasing trend in April and May, as per the study.

Professor Romshoo termed precipitation as an important climatic parameter that controls the overall health of a glacier in the Lidder valley.

The climate change due to global warming and other human factors has already been ringing alarm bells in Valley in the form of snow avalanches, snowstorms and low production of crops like saffron on which the lives of many farmers in Kashmir depend.

Minimum temperature dips in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI): Minimum temperature in Delhi today dropped to 5.4 degree celsius from 6.0 degree celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 21.0 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weatherman stated that the northwesterly winds to blow for next few days and no significant change in temperature is expected for another  three to four days.

Meanwhile, the overall air quality in the national capital today deteriorate again to“poor”from “moderate” category.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at  290 which falls in the  “poor” category.

US-India Strategic Partnership Forum hails elements of Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the budget 2020. (Source: @FinMinIndia)

New Delhi (NVI): The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) hailed certain aspects of the Budget 2020 but said the government could have gone further to liberalize some sectors, like insurance.

“USISPF is pleased to see a focus on inclusive growth, aspirational India, ease of living for all citizens, and digital technologies for economic growth in the 2020 Union Budget,” USISPF President and CEO Mukesh Aghi said.

“However, we believe the budget could have gone further to liberalize sectors such as insurance that are in need of capital. Despite a slowdown in growth, the global outlook for investment in India remains strong and therefore the budget was a great opportunity to convert the global sentiment into action,” he said.

He said that on corporate taxation, it is pleasing to see the elimination of the dividend distribution tax.

“On ease of doing business, measures such as simplified GST returns, no audit requirement for MSMEs with up to Rs 5 crore turnover, instant issuance of PAN by furnishing Aadhaar Card, pre-filing of tax returns, faceless appeals and assessments will further enhance India’s image from an ease of doing business perspective. Together, these steps show that India’s tax policy is moving in the right direction,” Aghi said

Aghi said provisions such as creation of an “Investment Clearance Cell” to facilitate investment advisory and continued focus on smart cities projects and electronics manufacturing is playing an important role in growing the Indian economy and creating much-needed jobs.

As the USISPF hi-tech manufacturing report has indicated, India’s hi-tech manufacturing sector has the potential to offer an additional investment of USD 21 billion and create 5,50,000 direct jobs and 14,00,000 indirect jobs over the next 5 years.

However, the USISPF also urged government to move away from further tariffs on ICT products in the budget.

The government is taking measures to boost infrastructure spending, creating a national logistics policy, and modernizing India’s connectivity. Improving India’s logistics and infrastructure build-out is one area where American companies can contribute significantly.

USISPF is encouraged to see a focus on digital infrastructure that will enable private sector to build data center parks throughout the country as well as public funding for the Bharatnet program. The government’s attempts to bolster public consumption through tax holidays on the profit earned on affordable housing projects, optional tax relief to middle income tax payers, rationalizing the tax rates and increasing the disposable income in the hands of the middle class are welcome moves.

Startups continue to be the engines of growth for the Indian economy— deferring the tax payment on ESOP granted to employees; and increasing the revenue threshold to Rs 100 crore for claiming profit exemption for a period of 3 years out of first 10 years will allow startups to create jobs and attract more skilled talent. USISPF will work with the government on additional steps it can take to further boost the startup ecosystem in India.

“E-commerce is a bright spot of the Indian economy and expected to touch $84 billion by 2021. We therefore, urge the government reconsider its decision to impose 1% TDS on e-commerce. This creates differential treatment of sellers on these platforms and the burden will be ultimately passed on to the consumer,” the statement read.

 

Four leaders released from detention in Jammu and Kashmir

Pulwama
Representative picture of Kashmir

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir administration today released four politicians from detention. The leaders were in detention since August 5, 2019, from the time when Article 370 was abrogated in the valley.

The leaders who have been released are Abdul Majid Larmi, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Muhammad Shafi, and Muhammad Yusuf Bhat. All of them belong to the National Conference.

On January 16, 2020, five political leaders were released from detention.

A total of 35 leaders were under detention since August 5 which includes. Three former chief ministers– Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti continue to under detention.

Out of 35, 18 leaders have been released so far.

Farooq Abdullah has been detained in his home at Gupkar Road in Srinagar, which has been designated as a sub-jail.

Omar Abdullah is detained at Hari Niwas and Mehbooba Mufti has been kept in a government building on Maulana Azad Residency Road.

Srinagar: 2 CRPF men, 7 civilians injured in grenade attack

Representational Image

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men and seven civilians suffered injuries after a grenade attack by militants on CRPF deployment at Lal Chowk area of Srinagar today.

The grenade was lobbed at CRPF personnel posted near Pratap Park in Lal Chowk in which nine persons including two CRPF men suffered injuries. The injured civilians were shifted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital in Srinagar.

IG, CRPF Ravideep Sahi said, “Two CRPF men and few civilians have been suffered injuries in the blast. Today was Sunday market and they have taken an advantage of that. Both our injured men are recovering and are safe,” he said.

Medical Superintendent of SMHS, Nazir Choudhary said that seven civilians were brought to SMHS hospital. “All the injured civilians are safe and they will be discharged soon,” he said.

Soon after the incident, the security forces cordoned off the area.

‘Wage theft’ prevailing in Pakistan media; stress related deaths on a rise

Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): The practice of delaying salary payments has become increasingly common in Pakistan with some of the worst offending media companies delaying payments by as much as ten months, despite journalists continuing to work and provide professional services. The term “death by stress” is now well-known.

Journalists in Pakistan are facing a widespread crisis of unpaid salaries, causing financial instability, trauma and stress-related deaths in the industry.

The  International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) strongly condemns the ‘wage theft’ epidemic led by media companies and calls on Pakistan’s government to review the industry and ensure all outstanding salaries are paid immediately. The IFJ and PFUJ have documented more and more cases of the extreme repercussions of non-payment of wages on media workers in the country in the past year.

On January 21, 2020, Capital TV cameraman Fayyaz Ali died of a cardiac arrest, attributed to the severe mental and financial pressures he faced at work. Fayyaz had not been paid for more than ten months and was fired the evening of his death. On November 27, 2019, SM Ifran, a journalist for News One television, died from a stress-related heart attack related to stress. He had not been paid for seven months.

Approximately 3,105 of Pakistan’s media workers had employment terminated in 2019. In November 2019, BBC Pakistan unlawfully terminated four employees in Islamabad and Peshawar without cause. News outlets ARY News and AAJ News terminated 150 journalists in October 2019 as part of a “downsizing” strategy, as did Dunya News’ Lahore where 70 journalists were terminated in August 2019.

Journalists at Dawn had salaries cut by 10–40% in early 2019 resulting in country-wide protests. In 2018, Pakistan’s largest publication house, the Jang Group of Newspapers shut its operations, leaving more than 2,000 journalists unemployed.

 To date, calls to address withheld salaries and financial pressures being foisted upon media workers have gone unheard, according to the PFUJ. Last year, the PFUJ recognized July 16 as a “Black Day” for media in the country, protesting mass layoffs, wage cuts and unprecedented censorship in Pakistan. In February 2019, it also supported a protest with Geo News employees demanding withheld salaries be paid.

As well as large, documented cases of unpaid salaries to journalists, the PFUJ notes a rise in stress-related deaths in the industry. While both government and some companies are reported as offering some levels of compensation to families, there are cases where promised compensation is not given.

The IFJ said an urgent inquiry was needed in terms of the duties of media employers to pay staff as well as a review into labour laws and practice in the country.

The PFUJ said, “We express profound grief upon the tragic demise of Capital TV cameraman Fayyaz Ali and S.M Irfan, of News One, and urge the government of Pakistan to take stringent action to address the issue.”

The IFJ said, “We condemn the ongoing ‘wage theft’ crisis and unlawful terminations being led by media owners in Pakistan. The IFJ stands with Pakistan’s media workers, unionists and advocates to address the pervasive erosion of labour rights that has crippled Pakistan’s media industry.”

Coronavirus: 323 Indians, 7 Maldivians airlifted from Wuhan

New Delhi (NVI): Continuing with the process of evacuating its citizens from coronavirus-hit China, India today airlifted 323 people from Wuhan.

They were brought to Delhi early this morning by a special flight operated by Air India, in second such sortie in two days. Seven Maldivian citizens were also evacuated by the same flight.

The first Air India flight Boeing 747 brought back 324 Indians stranded in Wuhan yesterday. Among those who returned were three minors and 211 students.

Those brought by these two special flights have been taken to two quarantine facilities where they will be monitored for any signs of the deadly coronavirus, which has claimed hundreds of lives in China and some other countries.

The second Air India special flight departed at 3.10am (IST) from Wuhan today and landed at New Delhi airport around 9.45am.

“The 2nd AirIndia flight from Wuhan has just taken off for Delhi with 323 Indian citizens on board. 7 Maldives citizens are also being evacuated,” Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri tweeted.

“Deep gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and EM Dr S Jaishankar. Special thanks to Ambassadors Vikram Misri and Sunjay Sudhir and their teams,” Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahi tweeted.

The deadly virus has killed more than 300 people and infected over 9,000 in China while two people from Kerala have tested positive for the virus in India.

AI gives advantage to cyber attackers: Experts

Artificial Intelligence
Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has advanced in the recent years, gives cyber attackers an advantage as it allows them to strike at a large number of targets simultaneously, according to a top official of Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), which is responsible for all aspects of cyber defense in the civilian sphere.

Hudi Zack, Chief Executive Director of the Technology Unit at the Cyber Directorate, said AI can help attackers avoid cyber defense systems.

Zack, while addressing a Cybertech Global conference in Tel Aviv in Israel, predicted that AI will be able to affect how people make their decisions.

An example he gave was the deliberate injection of false information into AI-based cyber defense systems. Therefore, he favoured designing of defense systems that are less vulnerable to this kind of attack.

Regarding the structures used to teach AI new information and skills, Zack said developers and implementers would have to make them more robust.

He said most organizations probably won’t be able to develop these areas on their own, and so governments will have to help.

This is a new age in cyber, Zack said, in which governments would have to help out with AI-related infrastructure and all sorts of organizations will have to prepare themselves for AI attacks by designing and building more sturdy defensive cyber structures.

Yigal Unna, Director General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, revealed that the INCD received about 8,600 reports of cyber threats in the past year but Israel’s critical infrastructure was unharmed by cyber attacks in that time period.

Of the 8,600 reports, more than half (4,415) were reported by civilians and organizations, with the rest coming through automated detection systems, he said.

About two thirds (3,233) of the reports to the INCD’s hotline were verified as genuine attempted cyber attacks. These numbers do not include other avenues through which cyber threats might be reported to the INCD.

Of the reports that were confirmed as cyber threats, 48% were reports of attempted penetration of computer systems, 21% were reports of stolen information, and 15% were phishing scams.

The rest had to do with weaknesses in computer systems (7%); malware (5%); attacks on routine functioning, such as hacking and defacing websites (2%); and bypassing authentication protocols (2%).

Unna addressed the threats the INCD faces, saying that the impact of the attacks is rising, especially with wiper attacks. Due to this, Unna said, the INCD seeks fast action.

He claimed the INCD has managed to fix 60% of Citrix attacks within six days.

According to Unna, the Cybernet system lets the INCD share information with 1,400 consumers in Israel, and the directorate wants to build an international version.

Unna said the INCD is running several different programs to tackle new challenges, including initiatives to protect near-future 5G networks.

He emphasised the importance of cooperation between organizations, saying there is not one agency, or even one country, that can guard against cyber threats on its own.

Yuval Diskin, Chairman of Opora and former head of the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), also known as Shin Bet or Shabak, said many companies look at cyber dangers as an internal threat, and don’t focus enough on what’s outside their organization.

In addition, he said, people tend to forget about the human element: Every cyber attack has people at the other end, and people act in patterns that can be detected in the virtual world, he added.

The former ISA chief said the technological means used for early detection should be paired with an organization’s internal security means, not replace them. If an organization has the right kind of internal and external security, Diskin said, many cyber attacks can be foiled before they even reach their target.

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