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Nepal summons Indian envoy over Lipulekh border issue

New Delhi (NVI): The Nepal government today summoned India’s ambassador over the construction of a new link road being built through Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand that will cut down travel time for Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims.

Nepal’s foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali met Indian envoy Vinay Mohan Kwatra today and handed over a diplomatic note in this regard.

“Foreign Minister Hon. @PradeepgyawaliK conveyed Government of Nepal’s position on boundary issues to Ambassador of India to Nepal H.E. Mr. Vinay Mohan Kwatra at a meeting held at MoFA today and handed over a diplomatic note in this regard,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) tweeted.

Nepal has expressed its protest over the matter since Friday when India inaugurated the 80-kilometer road along the border with China in Uttarakhand with Dharchula.

However, in a response on Saturday, India’s External Affairs Ministry had said the road “lies completely within the territory of India”.

“The recently inaugurated road section in Pithoragarh district in the State of Uttarakhand lies completely within the territory of India. The road follows the pre-existing route used by the pilgrims of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Under the present project, the same road has been made pliable for the ease and convenience of pilgrims, locals and traders,” MEA had said in a statement.

On May 8 (Friday), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had inaugurated a new 80-km road from Dharchula in Uttarakhand to Lipulekh (China Border). The Ministry of Defence in a statement said that the new road link will significantly curtail Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage time from 2-3 weeks earlier to 1 week.

The road originates from Ghatiabagarh and terminates at Lipulekh Pass, the gateway to Kailash-Mansarovar. In this 80 kilometer road, the altitude rises from 6,000 to 17,060 feet.

Bangladesh ramps up makeshift quarantine facilities as COVID-19 cases spike

New Delhi (NVI): As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the Bangladesh government has begun ramping up makeshift quarantine facilities in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.

As part of their efforts, authorities in Dhaka have converted a newly constructed market building into a makeshift quarantine zone with a bed capacity of about 1,400.

The total number of deaths from coronavirus continues to rise in Bangladesh as 11 more people died during the period, taking the total casualties in the country to 239.

Besides, a record number of 1,034 new cases of coronavirus infection were reported during this period, raising the number of such cases in the country to 15,691, according to United News of Bangladesh.

In hospitals across the country, 252 patients made recovery in the last 24 hours.

Carry own food, linen, reach 90 mins before travel: Rlys’ new guidelines

(Representational Image)

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Railways today issued new guidelines regarding travel in 15 special trains from tomorrow that will leave from New Delhi station to 15 cities across the country.

In its fresh set of guidelines, Railways has asked passengers to reach the station 90 minutes in advance to facilitate thermal screening.

Apart from that, no linen, blankets and curtains shall be provided inside the train. “Passengers are advised to carry their own linen,” the Ministry said in a statement.

“Passengers are advised to carry their own food and drinking water,” the Rail Ministry added.

Fifteen pairs of special trains shall be operated tomorrow, in addition to the Shramik specials that are operational currently to ferry migrants across the country.

The special trains will have only Air-conditioned classes i.e., First, Second and Third AC, the ministry said.

Only E-Ticketing will be done through IRCTC website and maximum Advance Reservation Period (ARP) will be of maximum 7 days.

In addition to this, for movement of the passenger(s) as well as the driver of the vehicle transporting the passenger(s) to and fro the Railways Station shall be allowed on the basis of the confirmed e-ticket, the Ministry said.

The special trains are being operated after the Rail Ministry, in consultation with the Health Ministry and MHA, decided that train services on Indian Railways shall be partially restored with effect from May 12 (tomorrow). IRCTC online ticket booking for these special trains began at 6 pm today, the Ministry said in a tweet.

The Rail Ministry has also announced timings of 15 pair of special trains:

Increasing number of Pakistan health professionals testing COVID-19 positive

New Delhi (NVI): An increasing number of healthcare professionals in Pakistan have started testing positive for the novel coronavirus in the past few days, with at least 257 confirmed infections among doctors and paramedics between May 5 and May 9, according to The News.

Meanwhile, the total number of positive cases of coronavirus increased by more than 1,500, taking the total cases to 31,478 with at least 678 fatalities being recorded so far.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh province has reported 12,017 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 11,568 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 4,669 cases, Balochistan is at 2,017, Gilgit-Baltistan at 442, Islamabad at 679 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 86 cases so far, according to Geo News.

Nearly 7,500 patients have recovered from the deadly virus so far.

SC asks Centre to form committee to consider demands for restoration of 4G in J&K

New Delhi (NVI): The Supreme Court today asked Centre to set up a committee to look into the demands for restoration of 4G in Jammu and Kashmir while seeking to strike a balance between national security interests and needs of common people in the Union Territory.

The Apex court was hearing a bunch of petitions demanding restoration of 4G internet services in J&K. The pleas have claimed that the 2G internet services being provided in Jammu and Kashmir are not sufficient.

Meanwhile, even 2G is suspended in J&K since Wednesday when an operation to nab Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo was launched in Beighpora, Pulwama. Naikoo was killed along with his aide in the ensuing encounter with security forces on the same day. Following his death, authorities had forced a massive communication blockade across Kashmir to prevent any law and order situation.

While hearing the petitions today, a bench headed by Justices N V Ramana said the committee would also include the Chief Secretary of the UT and the secretary of the Ministry of Communications to look into the demands by petitioners seeking restoration of 4G internet speed there.

The bench also asked the special committee to examine the relief sought by journalists, doctors and lawyers from J&K and explore an alternative mechanism to solve the problem arising from slow internet speed in the UT.

The petitioners have claimed that the absence of 4G internet is seriously hindering education, healthcare and business in J&K.

No proposal to cut salary of Central Govt employees: Finance Ministry

New Delhi (NVI): The Finance Ministry today denied reports that the Central government is planning to deduct salaries of its employees amid coronavirus pandemic.

The Finance Ministry’s clarification in this regard came after a TV news channel claimed that the government was planning to cut salaries by 30 per cent.

“There is no proposal under consideration of Govt for any cut whatsoever in the existing salary of any category of central government employees. The reports in some section of media are false and have no basis whatsoever,” the Ministry of Finance said in a tweet.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh also asked people to ignore fake news. “There is no proposal by the Government to carry out deduction in the salary of its employees,” he said in a tweet.

The Finance Ministry has earlier also warned people to stay away from rumours and fake news which can create a situation of panic among the people.

More passengers allowed in Shramik special trains; 3 halts in destination states

(Source: Twitter @IRTSassociation)

New Delhi (NVI): In order to accommodate more passengers in Shramik special trains, the Ministry of Railways in its revised guidelines has said that around 1700 passengers will be allowed to travel in these trains now.

The Shramik trains, being operated to ferry migrants stuck across the country amid Covid-19 lockdown, have been carrying 1200 passengers.

As per the revised guidelines, the capacity of these trains should be equal to the number of sleeper berths. The Ministry said that the middle berth will also be allowed to use by the passengers now.

Apart from that, the railway zones have also been asked to provide three stoppages in the destination state other than the final stop, at the request of the state governments.

Indian Railways had decided to operate “Shramik Special” trains after the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order regarding the movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places by special trains.

Yesterday, the Union Rail Minister Piyush Goyal said that Railways is fully geared up to run 300 Shramik special trains for migrants daily while appealing to States to give permission to evacuate stranded migrants.

In another big announcement, Railways yesterday said that it will gradually restart passenger train services from May 12, initially with 15 pairs of trains and booking for reservation in these trains will start at 4 pm today.

A total of 468 “Shramik Special” trains have been operationalised from various states across the country, in which 363 trains had reached its destination and 105 trains are in transit, the Rail Ministry said in a statement today.

These 363 trains were terminated in various states like Andhra Pradesh (1 Train), Bihar (100 Trains), Himachal Pradesh (1 Train), Jharkhand (22 Trains), Madhya Pradesh (30 Trains), Maharashtra (3 Trains), Odisha (25 Trains), Rajasthan(4 Trains), Telangana(2 Trains), Uttar Pradesh (172 Trains), West Bengal(2 Trains), Tamil Nadu (1 Train).

These trains have ferried migrants to cities like Tiruchchirappalli, Titlagarh, Barauni, Khandwa, Jagannathpur, Khurda Road, Prayagraj, Chhapra, Balia, Gaya, Purnia, Varanasi, Darbhanga, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Jaunpur, Hatia, Basti, Katihar, Danapur, Muzzaffarpur, Saharsa etc, the Ministry said.

Proper screening of passengers is ensured before boarding the train. During the journey, passengers are given free meals and water.

PM remembers Pokhran tests, Vajpayee on National Technology Day

File photo (Source- Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of National Technology day today, remembered the scientists behind the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests for their “exceptional achievement” and the “remarkable leadership” of the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee which made India a nuclear power.

May 11 marks the anniversary of Pokhran Nuclear Tests (Operation Shakti) of 1998, which gave the country the status of a nuclear-powered state.

On this day in 1998, India successfully conducted the first of its five nuclear tests at Pokhran, Rajasthan. The tests were conducted under the leadership of Vajpayee.

PM Modi took to Twitter on Pokhran II anniversary and wrote: “On National Technology Day, our nation salutes all those who are leveraging technology to bring a positive difference in the lives of others. We remember the exceptional achievement of our scientists on this day in 1998. It was a landmark moment in India’s history.”

“The tests in Pokhran in 1998 also showed the difference a strong political leadership can make,” PM said in another tweet while remembering the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He also posted a video from one of his ‘Mann ki Baat’ sessions in which he spoke about Pokhran, Indian scientists and Atal Bihari’s leadership.

The Prime Minister also lauded those at the forefront of research and innovation, using technology against Covid-19 pandemic.

“Today, technology is helping many in the efforts to make the world free from COVID-19. I salute all those at the forefront of research and innovation on ways to defeat Coronavirus. May we keep harnessing technology in order to create a healthier and better planet,” he said in a series of tweets.


The day also marks the flight of Hansa-3, India’s first indigenous aircraft, which was flown in Bengaluru when the nuclear tests were being organised in Rajasthan.

Hansa-3 was India’s first indigenously built aircraft and showcased the might of the engineers who built this personal 2-seater flying plane.

Every year on this day, the Technology Development Board organizes events on behalf of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The day represents the technological development that India has achieved in the fields of science and technology.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): After the first confirmed coronavirus case in India, which was reported in the state of Kerala on January 30, the virus has tightened its grip across the country, with Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh being the most affected states.

The country has now entered the last week of the third phase of the nationwide lockdown that is slated to end on May 17. The total number of confirmed cases have been reported at 67,152 with 2,206 deaths so far, according to the Union Health Ministry.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 33

Andhra Pradesh- 1,980

Arunachal Pradesh- 1

Assam- 63

Bihar- 696

Chandigarh- 169

Chhattisgarh- 59

Dadar Nagar Haveli- 1

Delhi- 6,923

Gujarat- 8,194

Haryana– 703

Himachal Pradesh- 55

Jammu and Kashmir- 861

Jharkhand- 157

Karnataka- 848

Kerala- 512

Ladakh- 42

Madhya Pradesh- 3,614

Maharashtra- 22,171

Meghalaya- 13

Mizoram- 1

Odisha- 377

Puducherry- 9

Punjab- 1,823

Rajasthan- 3,814

Tamil Nadu- 7,204

Telangana- 1,196

Tripura- 150

Uttarakhand- 68

Uttar Pradesh- 3,467

West Bengal – 1,939

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 45

Assam- 1

Bihar- 6

Chandigarh- 1

Delhi- 73

Gujarat- 493

Haryana- 10

Himachal Pradesh- 2

Jammu and Kashmir- 9

Jharkhand- 3

Karnataka- 30

Kerala- 4

Madhya Pradesh- 215

Maharashtra- 832

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 3

Punjab- 31

Rajasthan- 107

Tamil Nadu- 47

Telangana- 29

Uttar Pradesh- 74

Uttarakhand- 1

West Bengal- 185

A total of 20,917 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 44,029 active cases currently, according to the Health Ministry.

Coronavirus cases surpass 4.1 mn worldwide, 1.4 mn recovered

Coronavirus cases
(Representational/file photo)

New Delhi (NVI): More than 4.1 million cases of the coronavirus have now been confirmed across the world, while 1.4 million people have recovered from the disease so far, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

More than 2,82,500 people have died worldwide due to contagion.

Meanwhile, Britain has announced a cautious easing of the country’s lockdown, encouraging those who cannot work from home to go back to their workplaces and allowing people to go out for unlimited exercise.

China and South Korea are battling renewed spikes in coronavirus cases. South Korea has started testing thousands of people suspected of infection after being exposed to the virus at a number of Seoul nightclubs and bars.

China has reported 17 new cases of coronavirus, including five in Wuhan, the city where the virus first emerged late last year.

New Zealand plans to ease nearly all the coronavirus restrictions from Thursday and will allow restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and shopping centers to reopen, as well as travel within the country to resume.

In the US, more than 1.3 million cases and at least 79,500 deaths have been reported.

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