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Temperature dips in national capital as rains lash Delhi-NCR

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi today saw a slight decrease in minimum temperature to 10.2 degrees celsius from 10.5 degrees celsius recorded yesterday due to rain showers across the capital and NCR region.
The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 22.0 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The weatherman has forecast that temperature in Delhi is likely to dip in the next two to three days due to light rain.
Meanwhile, the overall air quality in the national capital today deteriorate again to“very 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 190
which falls in the  “moderate” category.
The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida.

Jammu and Kashmir Govt takes steps to tackle coronavirus

Jammu (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Government today announced a slew of measures to check suspected cases of coronavirus in the Union Territory while issuing orders regarding screening of people at airports arriving from China, Nepal, and other countries, that have confirmed cases of people infected by the virus.

As part of an action plan to prevent the spread of the deadly virus in J&K, control rooms will be set up in State Surveillance Offices in Srinagar and Jammu, suspected patients quarantined, and advisory will be issued to all the districts. In addition to this, announcements will be made on railways stations, airports, besides other measures.

The decisions in this regard was taken during a special meeting chaired by Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo at Civil Secretariat here to discuss the action plan to check the spread of nCoV (novel coronavirus)in the UT.

The newly identified coronavirus called 2019-nCoV has been spreading in China, and has now reached several other countries claiming many lives. As per reports, 106 people have died so far due to the infectious disease.

The Financial Commissioner said that adequate measures are being taken to identify passengers with symptoms of the disease and directed all concerned officers to make arrangements to isolate any suspected case to curb the spread of the virus.

He said that an advisory will be issued to all the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to step up their preparedness to tackle any suspected cases. The advisory includes designating rapid response teams, enhanced surveillance, capacity for laboratory diagnosis, and earmarking isolation wards.

It said that isolation wards will be established at Government Medical Colleges of Jammu and Srinagar, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura and other districts where a special team of doctors and paramedics will be constituted and trained accordingly.

In the meeting, directions were issued for activating Multi-disciplinary Research Units (MRUs) at Government Medical College Jammu and Srinagar and the samples of the suspected cases to be drawn immediately and sent to the National Institute of Biologicals, Pune for confirmation.

Emphasizing the need for adopting preventive measures, the FC directed for Information Education and Communication (IEC) strategy to be adopted so that people are educated about the preventive measures to be taken. He said that preventive measures are a key to success to contain the virus and asked for generating mass awareness through print and electronic media, hoardings at prominent places like hospital premises, airports and railway stations to detect the suspected cases with fever, cough, cold malaise etc.

The government also plans for distribution of pamphlets to be provided to the tourists coming from such destinations which are affected by the virus. It also said that awareness regarding personal hygiene, screening and detection cases at the community level will be started through ASHA workers.

The FC also directed the officers that sizable inventory of personal protection equipments, N-95 masks and other logistical arrangements be kept in place and buffer stock be also maintained.

Officer on Special Duty to FC, Dr Shafqat Khan has been designated as nodal officer to coordinate with the Government of India (GoI) and various health care institutions in J&K to monitor all the activities regarding the spread of the disease.

The meeting was attended by Director, Health Services, Jammu, Dr Renu Sharma; Director, New Medical Colleges J&K, Dr Yashpal Sharma; Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu, Dr Sunanda Raina; Joint Director (Planning) H&ME, Madan Lal; and other officers.

Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Samir Mattoo; Director SKIMS, Dr AG Ahangar; Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Dr Parvaiz Shah and other Kashmir based officers attended the meeting through video conferencing.

Investments need to be sustainable: FinMin official

New Delhi (NVI): India, which is aiming for $5 trillion economy by 2024-25 needs to ensure that investments made in the economy are sustainable in terms of low carbon emission, a top official of the Finance Ministry said today.

Rajasree Ray, Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance, said sustainable finance is no longer in the margins of discourse, but serious effort is being made to mainstream it.

Ray was speaking at the ‘India-UK Dialogue: Supercharging Sustainable Finance in India’, organised by FICCI in collaboration with UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office,l.

The first report of the India-UK Working Group on Sustainable Finance titled ‘Untapped Potential: Supercharging Green Finance in India’ was released during the event.

“The challenge is not only to mobilise resources and invest in various segments of the economy including infrastructure but to ensure that these investments are going to be sustainable particularly consistent with low carbon and sustainable development pathway,” Ray said.

The official said India joined the international platform on Sustainable Finance in October 2019, acknowledging the fact that the global nature of financial markets has the potential to help finance the transition to a green, low carbon and climate resilient economy by linking financing needs to global sources of funding.

Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chair, City of London Corporation, said India is one of the few countries with commitment compatible with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.

HRW slams Pakistan for arresting Pashtun leader

London (NVI): The arrest of prominent Pashtun leader Manzoor Pashteen in Pakistan on charges of sedition has evoked severe condemnation, particularly from the global human rights bodies which slammed the Pakistan government.

The leader of the Pashtun Taffhuz Movement was arrested in Lahore yesterday morning, reportedly for a speech he delivered on January 18.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) slammed the Pakistan government and pressed for immediate release of Pashteen.
Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch said, “Pakistani authorities should stop arresting activists like Manzoor Pashteen who are critical of government actions or policies.”
Pashteen, 27-year-old activist, has been charged with criminal intimidation, promoting enmity between different groups, criminal conspiracy, and sedition. A court has sent him to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

“Using criminal laws to chill free expression and political opposition has no place in a democracy,” Adams said.

“The authorities should stop using abusive colonial-era laws criminalizing speech to clamp down on critics of the government,” the HRW said.

Delhi Polls: Pick & drop facility for…

Bengal elections
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): Differently-abled and elderly voters above 80 can avail pick and drop facility to easily cast their votes in the Delhi Assembly elections, the Election Commission has said.

The facility will be available for Divyang and senior electors (80+) on polling day (February 8), the office of Delhi Chief Electoral Office (CEO) said in a tweet.

Those voters who have opted for it through the CEO website can avail the facility. Last day of registration for pick and drop facility is January 31, election officials have said.

Electors can register themselves on ceodelhi.gov.in website, or by calling at 1950 helpline or sending SMS on 7738299899. They can also register themselves through a mobile application, which will soon be available on Play Store. They will be sent a text message a day before and on the day of the voting, informing about the time they will be picked up from their registered address.

The EC has said that district election offices in Delhi would arrange for cars, auto and e-rickshaws for the service.

Some tips to prevent coronavirus

New Delhi (NVI): As the deadly coronavirus keeps on spreading, triggering health concerns globally and keeping international airports on high alert, here are some tips to prevent the fatal virus that has claimed 106 lives so far.

According to WHO, people can take simple precautions to reduce the risk and transmission of the virus, for which there is no specific cure or vaccine. Even antibiotics can’t cure the virus, the global health body said in a tweet today. Here are some precautions to reduce exposure of NCoV:

1. Frequently wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or warm water and soap.

2. Cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when sneezing or coughing.

3. Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough.

4. Seek early medical help if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, and share your travel history with healthcare providers.

5. Avoid direct, unprotected contact with animals and surfaces in contact with animals when visiting markets in affected areas.

6. Avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products and exercise care when handling raw meat, milk or animal organs to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods.

Pak must take demonstrable steps against terror groups: Rajnath

New Delhi (NVI) Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today said that Pakistan must take demonstrable steps against terrorism and terror groups, while calling upon SAARC nations to be united in defeating the menace.

While addressing the 12th South Asian conference here, the defence minister reiterated the Indian government’s stand that talks and terror cannot go together.

Singh said that India is fully capable of giving a firm response to cross-border terrorism, and strikes against terrorist attacks in 2016 and 2019 have demonstrated the nation’s firm resolve to defeat terrorism.

The Union Minister said that India was engaged in conversations with its neighbour in order to develop joint approaches for regional peace and security. He also called upon the member countries of the regional outfit SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) to be united in efforts to defeat terrorism.

“With the exception of Pakistan, the SAARC countries have adhered to the principles of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and not supporting cross-border terrorism,” he said.

Tata Nexon EV launched in India at Rs 13. 99 lakh

New Delhi (NVI): Tata Motors today launched its new Nexon EV in India, the second electric vehicle after Tata Tigor EV.

The Tata Nexon EV will be available in three variants XM, XZ+ and XZ+ Lux trims with top-end variant priced at Rs 15.99 lakh.

The Nexon EV will also be the first electric vehicle of the automobile manufacturer to be powered with the in-house developed Ziptron technology, which is a modular electric powertrain platform comprising of a highly efficient permanent magnet AC motor, dust and water proof battery system meeting IP67 standards.

This SUV car also has promising zippy performance, an ARAI certified anxiety-free range of 312 km on a single charge, an efficient high voltage system, fast charging capability, extended battery life and class leading safety features.

Nexon EV is equipped with a powerful and high-efficiency 129 PS permanent-magnet AC motor powered by a high capacity 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery.

The motor produces 245 Nm of instant torque from a standstill, enabling Nexon EV to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in just 9.9 seconds.

The battery pack is placed underneath the vehicle body, giving the SUV a center of gravity more akin to that

Travellers from China urged to self-declare coronavirus symptoms

New Delhi (NVI): The health ministry today issued a travel advisory to passengers travelling from China, urging them to self-declare on symptoms of novel coronavirus that has claimed 106 lives so far.

The Ministry of Health, in a tweet today said, “Information sharing through your self-declaration on symptoms of Novel #Coronavirus will ‘Help Us to Help You’.”

“All passengers coming from China are urged to self-declare in case of cough, fever, symptoms of pneumonia,” the ministry added.

In case the passengers notice any of these symptoms, they may immediately report facts to Airport Health Office, Immigration Office, Land Check Posts, Port of Landing and local health facility. The Union Health Ministry has also set up a 24/7 helpline number (+91-11-23978046) for any technical query of nCoV (novel coronavirus).

Meanwhile, three people who have been suspected of being infected with the deadly virus have been kept under observation at an isolation ward of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi.

Airports across the country as well as all over the world have been kept on high alert in the wake of deadly epidemic spreading.

Unsung heroes who made it to Padma Award list

Padma Shri awardees Jagdish Lal Ahuja and Mohammed Sharif.

New Delhi (NVI): A number of unsung heroes were among the 118 people honoured with the coveted Padma Awards this year.

Let’s have a look at some of them, who got a place in the prestigious list for their contribution to the society.

The awardees included Javed Ahmad Tak, a specially-abled social worker from Jammu and Kashmir who has been working for specially-abled children for over two decades. He has been providing free education, material aid and motivation to over 100 children of 40 villages in Anantnag and Pulwama districts of Kashmir. In an exclusive interview with News Vibes of India (NVI) in December 2019, wheelchair-bound Tak talked about disabled people in Kashmir facing unfriendly infrastructure in govt offices.

Jagdish Lal Ahuja, who serves free food to patients and attendants outside PGI hospital in Chandigarh, Mohammed Sharif from Faizabad, who has performed last rites of over 25,000 unclaimed bodies, and elephant doctor from Assam Kushal Konwar Sarma are among unsung heroes awarded the Padma Shri this year, officials said.

Seventy-two-year-old Tulasi Gowda from Karnataka, who earned the epithet “encyclopedia of forests” because of her vast knowledge of diverse plants species in spite of lacking formal education, has also been given the award.

Sathyanarayan Mundayoor, known as Uncle Moosa of Arunachal Pradesh, who has been promoting education and reading culture in remote areas of Northeastern states for last four decades; Abdul Jabbar aka ‘voice of Bhopal’ (posthumously), known for fighting for the cause of victims and survivor of 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy; and Usha Chaumar, a Dalit social worker working in the field of sanitation in Rajasthan, were also in the list.

Poptarao Pawar of Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), known for reviving ground water in drought prone Hiware Bazar area; Harekala Hazabba, a 64-year-old social worker from Karnataka providing affordable education to poor children; Arunoday Mondal, a doctor from West Bengal who treats patients in remote Sunderbans; Radha Mohan and his daughter Sabarmatee, both Gandhians who have converted a piece of degraded land into a vast food forest in Odisha by using only organic techniques are also among the Padma Shri awardees.

A tribal farmer from Meghalaya, Trinity Saioo, who is spearheading a turmeric farming movement, Ravi Kannan, an oncologist from Chennai who is treating cancer patients in Assam’s Barak Valley, S Ramakrishnan, a specially-abled social worker who has rehabilitated more than 14,000 specially-abled people in over four decades in Tamil Nadu have also been given the coveted prize.

The government has also conferred Padma Shri to 68-year-old environmentalist Sundaram Verma, who planted 50,000 trees in Rajasthan; Munna Master, a Muslim bhajan singer from the state; Yogi Aeron, an 81-year-old doctor from Uttarakhand who has been treating burn and bite victims for free for last 35 years; and Rahibai Soma Popere, a self-taught tribal woman famous globally for her work in agro-biodiversity conservation.

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