Wednesday, February 4, 2026
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Coronavirus: 324 Indians brought back; another AI flight to be sent today

New Delhi (NVI): An Air India flight carrying 324 Indians evacuated from Wuhan arrived in Delhi this morning and they were taken to two quarantine facilities where they will be monitored for any signs of the deadly coronavirus.

The evacuated Indian nationals, most of them students, were taken to Indo-Tibetan Border Police Chhawla camp in Delhi and an army facility at Manesar in Haryana for medical observation.

“Relieved to see AI 1349 return safely to #Delhi with 324 of our fellow citizens from #Wuhan in #China | Grateful to @MFA_China for their assistance as well as local authorities in #Hubei and @Wuhan | Thank you also to #AirIndia and our team in @EOIBeijing | Now for second flight,” said Indian ambassador to China Vikram Misri in a tweet today.

The government officials today said that another flight is being sent today to evacuate more Indians from the hot zone.

With respect to the second evacuation flight, the Indian Embassy also urged all Indian citizens from Hubei who intend to avail the facility, to urgently contact them on hotlines (+8618610952903 and +8618612083629) or mail at [email protected] before 0800 hours today.

The Air Indian flight which departed from Delhi yesterday took off from Wuhan in the early hours of February 1, the Indian Embassy in China said in a tweet, adding that majority of passengers were Indian students.

The first Air India flight departed for Wuhan yesterday, carrying a team of five doctors from Health Ministry and one paramedical staff.

At least 259 people have died and 11,791 people have been infected in China by the new coronavirus, according to new figures from China’s health officials.

Temperature dips in national capital

New Delhi (NVI): Minimum temperature in Delhi today dropped to 5.7 degree celsius from 7.1 degree celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 22.0 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weatherman stated that the temperature is expected to dip further over the next few days.

Meanwhile, the overall air quality in national capital today worsened, sliding into “poor” category 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 215 which falls in the  “poor” category.

Coronavirus: Army sets up quarantine facility in Manesar

New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Army has created a facility near Haryana’s Manesar, on the outskirts of Delhi, where around 300 Indian students will be quarantined after their arrival from Wuhan, the epicenter of coronavirus outbreak in China.

A 423-seater special Air India aircraft has been sent to bring the Indians, especially students, from Wuhan.

At the Manesar facility, the students will be monitored for a duration of two weeks by a qualified team of doctors and staff members to watch for any signs of infection.

The students to be brought back from Chinese city Wuhan will be first screened at Delhi airport and then quarantined at Manesar.

If any individual is suspected to be infected, he/she will be shifted to the isolation ward at Base Hospital Delhi Cantonment (BHDC).

Screening at the airport will be done by a joint team of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and Airport Health Authority (APHO).

During the screening, they will be classified into three groups:

  1. Suspect Case: Individuals with any signs of fever and/or cough and/or respiratory distress will be directly transferred to BHDC.
  2. Close Contact: Any individual without symptoms but having visited a seafood/animal market or a health facility or having come into contact with a Chinese person with symptoms in the last 14 days will be escorted in an earmarked vehicle directly to the quarantine facility.
  3. Non Contact Case: Any individual without any symptom(s) or contact or who does not fit into either (a) or (b) will also be clubbed along with the close contact category and sent to the quarantine facility.

The facility at Manesar consists of accommodation barracks for the students, administrative areas and medical facility area. To prevent mass outbreak, the facility has been divided into sectors, each with a maximum capacity of 50 students. Each barrack has been further subdivided into barracks. The population of sectors will not be allowed to intermingle with each other.

Daily medical examination of all students will be done at the medical facility area and all the staff, health care workers and housekeeping staff must wear their personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.

PPE consists of mask, eye shield, shoe cover, gown and gloves. Rest of the visitors and all students will wear a three layered mask at all times.

After 14 days, persons with no symptoms will be allowed to go home with their detailed documentation sent to the District/State surveillance units for further surveillance. Those found infected will be shifted to BHDC’s isolation ward for further medical exams and recovery.

Samples for viral confirmation will be sent to NCDC, Delhi and patients will be discharged only after clinical recovery and two successive negative samples tested for n-COV. Apart from playing games, watching TV and having meals together within a barrack, no one will be allowed to interact with the members of another barrack and definitely not another sector.

The facility will be administered by a nominated Officer In Charge (OIC) who will have under his command a Community Medicine Specialist, two Nursing Officers, a Lady Medical Officer and one Nursing Assistant. No civilian or serving personnel detailed to work inside the facility will be allowed to go outside unless compelled by extreme emergency situation.

The death toll due to coronavirus outbreak has mounted to 213 with the number of confirmed cases adding up to 9,692, China’s national authorities announced on Friday.

Nirbhaya: Court stays Feb 1 hangings  

New Delhi (NVI): A Delhi Court today stayed the execution of four convicts in the December 16, 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case until further orders.

The execution of four convicts– Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur, Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta– was scheduled to take place at 6 am tomorrow. Multiple petitions have been filed by the four men in their attempts to stall their execution.

The Delhi court’s stay on the execution of convicts comes hours after the Supreme Court dismissed a plea filed by one of the convicts seeking a review of its order dismissing his juvenility claim. The review was filed earlier in the day by Pawan Gupta.

Of the four convicts, Mukesh Kumar Singh has exhausted all his legal remedies, including the clemency plea which was dismissed by President Ram Nath Kovind on January 17 and the appeal against the rejection was thrown out by Supreme Court on Wednesday.

On December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old woman was gang-raped and assaulted inside a moving bus in South Delhi by six persons, before being thrown out on the road. She later died on December 29, 2012, at a hospital in Singapore.

Coronavirus outbreak likely to affect Indian exports to China

New Delhi (NVI) As the Chinese novel coronavirus epidemic spreads to a number of countries in the world, the global health concern has raised business anxieties, with a likely effect on exports and imports around the globe, including India.

Trade Finance firm Drip Capital believes that in the present case scenario the virus outbreak may have a snowball effect on Indian exports to China which have been growing in recent years.

“The country is among the top three countries India exports to. Indian exports to China grew 25.6% to $ 16.75 billion in FY 2018-19 from a year ago and were projected to grow around 4% for FY 2019-20. However, if the spread of the new Wuhan coronavirus 2019-nCoV forces a prolonged lockdown in China, retail consumption and raw material demand are expected to fall,” says Pushkar Mukewar, CO-CEO, Drip Capital.

Seafood exporters in Kerala are already feeling the pinch, and prices of commodities like soybean and cotton are also facing uncertainty, says the Finance firm Drip Capital CEO.

“China is a huge driver of international trade, and an extended lockdown of the country because of the outbreak is likely to cause trouble for exporters in India and elsewhere,” says Pushkar Mukewar.

However, the CEO hopes that this scare is short-lived and business returns to normal with flourishing trade in the long term.

On Thursday, exporters urged the government to review the possible impact of deadly Coronavirus on trade as China is one of the top trading partners for India.
The situation is also likely to impact domestic mobile manufacturers as they import certain components from China.

UNCCD to welcome countries for new Peace Forest Initiative

Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): Cooperation in the management of natural resources can offer countries recovering from violent conflict an opportunity to achieve stability and trust while re-building livelihoods and economies. To meet this need, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Korea Forest Service (KFS) have signed a unique global initiative to promote peace through land restoration.

This initiative will promote cooperation between countries to rehabilitate degraded land and forest in fragile and post-conflict locations while promoting peace and confidence.

Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD and Chong-Ho Park, Minister of KFS, Republic of Korea, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the framework for the new initiative.

Bridging the goals of peace-building and land restoration, KFS and UNCCD have joined forces to realize the common sustainable development targets, including Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).

“The Initiative will help address some of the most challenging situations of transboundary management of shared natural resources while promoting peace and cooperation. UNCCD is excited to join forces with The Republic of Korea and other key partners to launch this promising new endeavor,” Thiaw said.

“We have now embarked on our journey. The PFI is an effective tool to promote cooperation on the restoration of degraded land and forest in conflict-affected areas. Republic of Korea is committed to making this endeavour a great success. Together with UNCCD and other partners, we will continue to work together for peace and prosperity,” said Chong-Ho Park.

Launched on September 10, 2019, during the 14th Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD in New Delhi, India, the PFI will function as a practical platform to facilitate collaboration on sustainable land and forest management in diverse environments.

The UNCCD Secretariat welcomes the expression of interest from countries willing to work together to make the Peace Forest Initiative a reality and contribute to LDN implementation through partnership building for peace and security.

About Peace Forest Initiative and Land Degradation Neutrality

Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) is a unique approach that balances the expected loss of productive land with the recovery of degraded areas. Today, over 120 countries with various economic and geographical conditions are successfully integrating voluntary LDN targets into their planning systems.

The PFI aims to forge a broad partnership engaging diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, local communities, donors, technical experts and international organizations. The UNCCD secretariat will collaborate with partners including UN agencies, institutions and think tanks to deliver the objectives of the new initiative.

Nirbhaya case: Dummy execution held

New Delhi (NVI): Pawan Jallad, a hangman from the Meerut prison, conducted a dummy execution of 2012 Nirbhaya case convivts in Tihar jail today.

The hangman reported to the Tihar jail administration yesterday and is staying at the jail premises. Pawan, a third-generation hangman, tested the strength of ropes which will be used in hanging the four convicts tomorrow (February 1).

The four convicts– Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur, Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta– were convicted and sentenced to death for brutally raping a 23-year-old girl Nirbhaya in a moving bus on the intervening night of December 16, 2012 in south Delhi area.

#LATheKapoorWay: Los Angeles tourism partners with the Kapoor siblings

Sonam and Rhea Kapoor in Los Angeles. (Source: Instagram: sonamkapoor)
New Delhi (NVI): From shopping on famed Abbot Kinney in Venice and at Downtown L.A., to dining at world class restaurants like MTN, Los Angeles Tourism’s latest digital marketing campaign showcases the city’s phenomenal cultural, culinary, shopping and wellness offerings through the eyes of power siblings Sonam and Rhea Kapoor.
Building on its successful partnership with Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja in early 2019, the siblings duo are featured in a new collaboration, teasers of which are live on Sonam and Rhea’s social channels.
The multi-part series follows the siblings as they explore the diverse neighborhoods of Los Angeles. The sisters experienced their favorite parts of the city together. The campaign also captures them taking in spectacular sights at Hotel Erwin’s rooftop, discovering the tastes of L.A. at the Original Farmers Market, and indulging themselves at the luxurious Ciel Spa at the SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills.
Content will run on Los Angeles Tourism’s owned channels, on Sonam and Rhea’s social media accounts, and through paid media partnerships.
“There is a natural affinity between Los Angeles and India thanks to our shared love of film. We wanted to utilize this campaign to build on that affinity and show prospective Indian travelers the diverse options they have to eat, play and shop in L.A. through the eyes of our mutual friends, Sonam and Rhea Kapoor,” stated Don Skeoch, Chief Marketing Officer for Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.
“LA’s become like a second home to us. It’s just everything that I like about the States rolled into one package with sunshine and good weather around it,” said Rhea Kapoor.

“There is an outdoor vibe and so much emphasis on health, fitness, and good food. There is something for everybody,” said Sonam Kapoor.

‘Thalinomics’: Veg, non-veg thalis more affordable now

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New Delhi (NVI): The affordability of vegetarian thalis has improved by 29 per cent from 2006-07 to 2019-20, and for non-vegetarian thalis, it has improved by 18 per cent in this period, as per the Economic Survey report tabled in the Parliament today.

The survey also shows that the affordability of thalis in relation to a day’s pay of a worker has improved over time, indicating improved welfare of the common person.

The conclusion has been drawn on the basis of “Thalinomics: the Economics of a plate of food in India” – an attempt to quantify what a common person pays for a Thali across India.

Using the dietary guidelines for Indians, the price of thalis are constructed.

The survey states that across India, including the four regions– North, South, East and West– it is found that the absolute prices of a vegetarian thali have decreased significantly since 2015-16 though the price has increased in 2019.

This is owing to the sharp downward trend in the prices of vegetables and dal in contrast to the previous trend of increasing prices. As a result, an average household of five individuals that eats two vegetarian thalis a day, gained around Rs 10,887, on average per year, while a non-vegetarian household gained Rs 11,787, on average per year.

The Survey also states that 2015-16 can be considered as a year when there was a shift in the dynamics of thali prices. Many reform measures were introduced since 2014-15 to enhance the productivity of the agricultural sector as well as efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural markets for better and more transparent price discovery.

The Economic Survey says that food is not just an end in itself but also an essential ingredient in the growth of human capital and therefore important for national wealth creation.

Kashmir saffron crop produce increased in 2019

-By Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): The saffron production in Kashmir increased to 4.07 kilogram per hectare in 2019 as compared to around past two years, when the crop suffered damage due to unfavourable climate conditions.

As per the figures compiled by Kashmir Agriculture department, the saffron production witnessed a decline of nearly 20 per cent in 2018-19.

But in 2019-2020, its production increased, for which the government gives credit to the favourable weather conditions and advanced farming practices adopted by the growers.

In 2017-18, the production of saffron couldn’t cross even 2.0 kg per hectare. In 2016, saffron production was at 4.42 kg per hectare.

Director, Agriculture Department Kashmir, Altaf Aijaz Andrabi said they are on a mission to increase the saffron yield to 7.5 kg per hectare from 4.07 kg per hectare, in the next three years.

Andrabi said, “The department has motivated growers to change their farming practices in order to increase production by three kg per hectare.”

“Farmers have agreed to adopt scientific methods. The department in coordination with farmers is on a mission to increase the production,” Andrabi said.

He said the advanced prophylactic (prevention of diseases) and soil health reclamation measures are being included in the farming this year.

“These measures will prove to be a game-changer in the saffron cultivation. Furthermore, using machines in saffron fields has brought down labour cost. The department also distributed mechanized weeders to the growers. Sprinkler system of irrigation is also being installed on priority,” Altaf added.

The government has also decided to rejig marketing strategy to promote Kashmiri saffron in the international markets. “We are waiting for the inauguration of the spice park. It will serve as a one-stop-shop for saffron export to various countries,” Andrabi said.

Saffron, which is cultivated mainly in four districts of Jammu and Kashmir — Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar and Kishtwar — is in great demand for its medicinal, cosmetic and aromatic properties. The blossoms appear during mid-October to early November.

Near about 32,000 farmers are directly associated with saffron production in Kashmir.

Bilal Ahmad, a saffron grower from south Kashmir said that lack of facilities has discouraged farmers to the extent that they are gradually giving up its cultivation.

“New generation is least interested in saffron cultivation. We hope department will take measures to give a fillip to the saffron cultivation,” he said.

To revive the traditional saffron cultivation in the Valley, the then government had also launched National Saffron Mission in 2010.

The project was aimed at improving the saffron production by providing quality seeds and uninterrupted water supply.

The Centre had initially sanctioned Rs 371.18 crore to help generate a good yield and prevent its decline. Under the scheme, every farmer was promised a sum of Rs 25,000 for each Kanal (unit) and would be encouraged to adopt new technologies like seed diversification and transformation.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government said that they are working on a mission mode to double the production of saffron in Kashmir.

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