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Nirbhaya case: Convict files mercy plea

New Delhi (NVI): Akshay Kumar, one of the convicts in 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape case has moved a fresh mercy petition, claiming that his earlier petition to the President that was dismissed did not have “all the facts.”

On Friday, another convict, Pawan Kumar Gupta filed a curative petition before the Supreme Court seeking his death sentence be changed to life imprisonment.

Akshay Kumar and the three other convicts including Vinay Sharma, Pawan Kumar and Mukesh Singh are scheduled to be hanged on March 3 in Tihar Jail.

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.

Railways launches its first “Restaurant on Wheels”

Asansol (NVI): Indian Railways has launched its first ‘Restaurant on Wheels’ by transforming old train coaches into eating joints at the circulating area of Asansol railway station in West Bengal.

The eating joints have been refurbished from two overaged MEMU coaches and have been converted into signature restaurants, an official statement said.

This unique effort will not only improve the facilities at Asansol station but also generate non-fare revenue earnings approximately Rs 50 lakhs in the next five years.

The restaurant was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Member from Asansol Babul Supriyo  for the use of Railway passengers as well as general public of the area.

He also inaugurated two new air-conditioned retiring rooms and electronic reservation chart display system (through MPLAD fund) and a Battery operated car here.

The electronic reservation chart display system (through MPLAD fund) will provide easy access to information about the reservation status in different trains, which will be very helpful for the railway passengers.

The two new air-conditioned retiring rooms equipped with the state-of-the-art furniture and other equipment will provide much comfort to the passengers. The battery operated car will be very helpful for the Divyangjan and senior citizen passengers for their comfortable movement at the station area.

 

Tributes paid to Morarji Desai

New Delhi (NVI): Tributes were paid to former Prime Minister of India Morarji Desai on his 124th birth anniversary today.

Born in Bulsar district of Gujarat in 1896, Desai was the Prime Minister between March 1977 and July 1979. The Janata Party leader had succeeded Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister.

“Salutations to former prime minister Morarji Bhai Desai on his birth anniversary. He always did politics based on discipline and principles, for which he will always be remembered,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted in Hindi along with a brief video today.

Former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, Members of Parliament, former Members of Parliament and Secretary-General of Lok Sabha Snehlata Shrivastava paid floral tributes to Morarji Desai, at the Central Hall of Parliament House here.

A booklet containing the profile of Morarji Desai, brought out in Hindi and English by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, was presented to the dignitaries who attended the function.

Aamir voices concern over coronavirus, Chinese envoy praises him

Aamir Khan
New Delhi (NVI): Indian actor and director Aamir Khan has earned praise from Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong after he voiced his concern, in a video message, over the coronavirus outbreak and the deaths caused by it in China.

Aamir interacted with his Chinese fans through Weibo social media, which is the Chinese version of Twitter.

The actor, who is popular in China, expressed concern over the coronavirus outbreak and advised people to take precautions and follow government’s instructions in “this time of crisis”.

“A very warm hello to all my friends in China. Since I read about the outbreak of coronavirus over there, I have been extremely concerned,” he said in a video message.

“I have been in touch with a few of my friends and I have been following this tragedy with a lot of pain in my heart. My heartfelt condolences to those who have lost somebody close,” Aamir said.

Chinese Ambassador Sun expressed gratitude towards Aamir for his love and support towards the people of China.
https://twitter.com/China_Amb_India/status/1233367393121910784?s=19
“Deeply touched by emotional message from Aamir Khan, movie star & ambassador of love. His support is full of hope, well received in China & reflect our friendship. Believe we will eventually embrace brighter future when Spring flowers bloom across China,” the Ambassador tweeted.

Off-grid solar market industry reaches USD 1.75 bn annual market: Report

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Representative pic of a solar plant

New Delhi (NVI): The off-grid solar industry has grown into a USD 1.75 billion annual market, providing lighting and other energy services to 420 million users and remains on a solid growth curve, a new report said.

According to ‘2020 Off-Grid Solar Market Trends’ report, which was published by World Bank Group’s Lighting Global Program in cooperation with Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA), finds that the industry has made tremendous strides in the past decade.

“Since 2017, revenues from the off-grid solar industry continue to rapidly grow, increasing by 30 percent annually. To date, more than 180 million off-grid solar units have been sold worldwide and the sector saw USD 1.5 billion in investments since 2012,” it said.

With 840 million people still lacking access to electricity, the growth of the off-grid solar industry is critical to meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG7) for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030.

World Bank Africa, Energy and Extractive Industries and Regional Director, Infrastructure Global Director Riccardo Puliti said the off-grid solar industry is instrumental for achieving universal electricity access.

“We are scaling up our support to client countries by helping them leverage this potential through innovative and financially sustainable solutions,” he added.

According to the report, the sector would need an additional boost of up to USD 11 billion in financing. More specifically, the sector would need to grow at an accelerated rate of 13 percent, with up to USD 7.7 billion in external investment to companies and up to USD 3.4 billion of public funding to bridge the affordability gap.

Global Financial Institutions Group for IFC Senior Director Paulo de Bolle said that only by crowding in commercial finance at scale can we reach the target of achieving universal access by 2030

“We are eager to work with our local bank partners in the more mature off-grid markets where commercial debt can drive the next stage of market growth,” he said.

Trends demonstrate that companies are moving into new geographies and underserved markets as established markets become more saturated. These companies are also shifting towards larger, higher-margin solar home system sales in response to growing consumer demand for appliances and back-up systems.

GOGLA Executive Director Koen Peters said that this report is another confirmation of the significant impact off-grid solar has already achieved, and the massive opportunity that remains going forward.

“The Market Trends Report shares details on where we stand, and where we should be heading next,” he added.

 

Prez wants univ to work for society

Ranchi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today said universities work for upliftment of the downtrodden sections of the society and asked students to spend some time in villages and help the inhabitants there in improving quality of life.

The students can create awareness among the villagers about various welfare initiatives of government, he said, addressing the first convocation of the Central University of Jharkhand here.

Kovind said understanding the importance of social service is necessary not only for nation-building but also for self-determination.

“Everyone should be prepared to repay the debt of society. The entire society contributes in the establishment and operation of a university,” he said.

The President was happy to note that the University has taken the initiative to adopt five nearby villages and has also taken the responsibility of teaching rural children.

He said that many such programs can be run for the people who are relatively left behind in the society.

Coronavirus: South Korea most affected, death toll rises above 2,800 worldwide

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New Delhi (NVI): South Korea is grappling with the largest outbreak of the virus outside China and has recorded its largest rise in coronavirus infections in a single day, with 594 new cases confirmed.

Seventeen people have died in the country so far. The increase brings the total number of infections in South Korea to 2,931, according to media reports.

More than 50 countries have reported cases of coronavirus around the world.

The risk of spread and impact of the coronavirus is now “very high” at a global level, the highest level of alarm, but containment is still possible, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

The National Health Commission in China has reported today at least 47 new coronavirus deaths, bringing to 2,835 the total number of fatalities nationwide.

There were also 427 new infections, up from 327 yesterday, pushing the confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 79,251, and more than 83,000 worldwide.

Delhi violence: Police asks public to share photos, videos

New Delhi(NVI): Days after violence in North-East Delhi, police today issued an appeal, requesting people to give their statements and share video footage in relation to the violence.

Around 40 people lost their lives in the violence after clashes broke out between supporters and anti-citizenship amendment act (CAA) in north-East Delhi on Sunday.

“Whereas incidents of clashes have taken place in the northeast district, Delhi since February 23. All those who are witnesses to the incidents or have captured any activity on their mobile phones or camera, are hereby requested to come forward and give their statements, footage and picture in their possession at DCP office, northeast district, Seelampur, Delhi, during office hours, on any working day within seven days,” the police said.

The identity of the witnesses will be kept secret, the police said in a tweet and advertisements.

The probe into the violence is being carried out by the Crime Branch.

Drowning second biggest cause of death in children: WHO report

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New Delhi (NVI): Drowning has become the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death, accounting for 7 per cent of all injury-related deaths, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report.

Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid; outcomes are classified as death, morbidity and no morbidity.

The global burden and death from drowning is found in all economies and regions, however low and middle-income countries account for over 90 per cent of unintentional drowning deaths.

According to the report, drowning takes thousands of lives each year – in fact it is one of the biggest causes of death for children aged between 5-14.

The Global report on drowning shows that age is one of the major risk factors for drowning. This relationship is often associated with a lapse in supervision.

Drowning can occur in any body of water. It’s crucial that parents stay vigilant and effectively supervise their children around water.

In 2016, an estimated 3,20,000 people died from drowning, making drowning a major public health problem worldwide. In 2015, injuries accounted for over 9% of total global mortality.

Drowning can be prevented through many actions like installing barriers (e.g. covering wells, using doorway barriers and playpens, fencing swimming pools etc.) to control access to water hazards.

Community-based, supervised child care for pre-school children can reduce drowning risk and has other proven health benefits. Teaching school-age children basic swimming, water safety and safe rescue skills is another approach.

But these efforts must be undertaken with an emphasis on safety, and an overall risk management that includes a safety-tested curricula, a safe training area, screening and student selection, and student-instructor ratios established for safety, according to WHO.

Spell of rain expected over North India 

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New Delhi (NVI): Spells of rain and thundershowers are expected over North India today due to a fresh western disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir.

Due to these western disturbance, scattered rains and thundershowers have already occurred over multiple parts of Punjab including Ludhiana, Amritsar and Chandigarh in the last 24 hours.

Now, Punjab and northern parts of Haryana will receive a few more spells of rain and thundershower activities today as well.

“Gradually, these rains will shift towards Delhi and NCR as well as Northwest and West Uttar Pradesh,” according to SkymetWeather.

It has also predicted isolated patchy over Delhi and not any significant rain activities over the national capital.

Meanwhile, Delhi and NCR region also saw a slight decrease in minimum temperature to 16.2 degree Celsius from 16.7 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 25 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The overall air quality in the national capital today is in “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 121 which falls in the “moderate” category.

The IMD has said that northwest,  West and Central India is expected to have a rise in minimum temperature by two to three degree Celsius during next 24 hours.

“No significant change temperature is expected in rest of the country,” it added.

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