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Coronavirus: DGCA asks airlines to waive off cancellation charges

Representative photo.

New Delhi (NVI): Amid the coronavirus outbreak and travel advisories issued by several countries, DGCA today advised the airlines to waive ticket cancellation and reschedule charges. The civil aviation regulator has also asked airlines to look at providing any other incentive.

In a statement, the DGCA said that at this time aviation industry is facing serious challenges as the flights are being curtailed, cancelled and disrupted almost on a daily basis in the view of the unfolding severe impact of COVID-19.

The passengers are also facing the brunt as their travel plans are also getting hit and disturbed, the aviation regulator said in a circular adding, “It would be appropriate if airlines support their passengers in this tough time by waiving off cancellation, reschedule charges or by providing any other incentive.”  

“In light of hardship faced by passengers, airlines may like to consider and take an appropriate call, accordingly,” the statement added.  

J&K: Freed Abdullah wants others to be released too

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Hours after the Jammu and Kashmir administration revoked the Public Safety Act (PSA) against former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, he said he would not speak on political matters until everyone else is released.

In his first address to media here since his detention under the PSA in August last year, Abdulah said, “Today I don’t have words. I am free. Now, I will be able to go to Delhi and attend Parliament and speak for all.”

Abdullah, the leader of National Conference, addressed Kashmir as a ‘state’ repeatedly in his first address. “I am free, I am free, I hope my people will also be free,” he said in a brief address from the rooftop of his residence here.

“Freedom is not complete until leaders, including Omar, Mehbooba Mufti and other detained in the state or other parts of the country are released,” he said.

Abdullah walked out of his Gupkar residence today, seven months after he was put under preventive detention following the abrogation of Article 370 by the Central Government, in August last year.

Activist who ran across the US for plastic pollution awareness

Sam Bencheghib concluding his run by jumping into the Pacific Ocean.

New Delhi (NVI): Step by step, 22-year-old Sam Bencheghib is on a journey to spread awareness on ocean plastic pollution. The young activist recently ran over 3,000 miles across the United States recently to make people believe in how small steps taken in the right direction can rid the world of plastic waste

On July 26, 2019, Sam asked a crowd of friends, supporters and media gathered around him, to take two deep breaths as a reminder of the importance that the oceans have in giving life, says a report by UN environment programme.

Freshly graduated from college, Sam Bencheghib, embarked on a cross country trek to raise awareness on the major environmental issue.

Bencheghib embarked upon a 3,100-mile run across the United States of America from coast to coast. He ran on an average 20 miles per day for six months, running from New York City to Los Angeles. The journey took him across 13 states, through mountains, fields, dirt roads and highways. He withstood scorching heat at some points and icy air at others.

Growing up in Bali, Bencheghib and his siblings Gary and Kelly were directly confronted with the impact that plastic pollution has on the environment. According to Gary Bencheghib, “It was everywhere and you could not look away from it.”

Barely, teenagers, they founded Make a Change Bali (now Make a Change World)—a youth-led environmental organization with the goal of cleaning the coastlines.

Bencheghib’s Make a Change World project is in line with the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Clean Seas campaign, whose goal is to galvanize change amongst all stakeholders.

The campaign encourages people to reduce plastic consumption by reusing existing plastics, pushing for innovation in the plastic supply chain and moving towards circularity.

The Ocean2Ocean run was designed to raise awareness about the prevalence of plastic pollution, to instigate action and to learn about the challenges that the United States faces in reducing its plastic footprint.

Bencheghib ensured that his challenge was not contributing to the plastic problem by running with shoes made from upcycled plastic trash. He also shopped with zero-waste packaging along the journey, bringing refillable containers to stores and eating from recyclable tins instead of single-use plastic containers. He also collected plastic trash as he ran, keeping it with him until he found somewhere to recycle it in his support campervan (whom he affectionately referred to as Jenny).

Along his journey, he met with over 9,000 people to discuss the issue. He visited universities, schools, recycling facilities, environmental activists and governments. He learned that the plastic pollution problem is not visible to all, but it is everyone’s problem.

If we are to solve the issue, we need a change from all—policymakers, producers, consumers, educators and youth.

UNEP’s Head of Public Advocacy and Communication Atif Butt said, “Sam Bencheghib’s epic run through 13 states, mobilizing governments, young people and the general public to fight against plastic pollution, is an inspiring feat. If Sam can run for 3,055 miles for a healthier ocean, each of us can certainly make small efforts to challenge ourselves to do more for the environment in our day-to-day lives. From using a reusable bottle to refusing plastic straws, there are so many things that we could and should be doing that don’t require us to break a sweat!”

On February 1, 2020, after running 117 marathons, Sam Bencheghib concluded his run by jumping into the Pacific Ocean. “It’s hard to put into words what finishing this 3,055-mile journey across America and jumping into the Pacific Ocean feels like,” he said. “Although there were so many obstacles along the way, this run has taught me so much about the plastic industry in this country and the lack of awareness, education and action going on when it comes to plastic.”

World Sleep Day: Are you sleeping enough?

New Delhi (NVI): World Sleep Day is observed across the world every year on the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox of each year. This time, it is being celebrated on March 13, i.e., today.

The annual event, organised by the World Sleep Day Committee, is being observed since 2008, to promote the prevention and management of sleep disorders.

The goal of the day is to raise awareness of sleep disorders and their better understanding and prevention and aims to reduce the burden of sleep problems on society, which threaten the health or quality of life of as much as 45 per cent of the world’s population.

The theme for this year’s World Sleep Day is ‘better sleep, better lives, better planet’.

According to the 2019 Philips Global Sleep Survey, roughly 62 per cent of adults worldwide feel that they don’t sleep well when they go to bed.

Losing just one or two hours of sleep per night can have the same impact on motor and cognitive functions as going without sleep for a full day or two, as per the survey.

Experts have long emphasized that developing good sleeping habits can help to maintain our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Ongoing sleep deprivation can also cause severe, long-term health conditions like heart disease and heart failure, weak immune system, high blood pressure, kidney disease, depression, diabetes and obesity.

Drowsiness has been a significant factor in roughly 1,00,000 car accident every year, causing an estimated 1,500 deaths, the survey said.

Sleep deficiency has also been linked to a number of disasters, such as airplane and boat accidents, and even nuclear reactor meltdowns.

The survey said that the human body follows the circadian rhythm─a 24-hour repeating rhythm that operates as an internal clock.

This clock is controlled by two things: external cues such as light and darkness, and internal compounds that trigger and maintain our sleep.

These chemicals work together to keep our sleep and wake cycles in harmony.

While Adenosine slowly builds the desire for sleep throughout the day, Melatonin produces drowsy feelings that signal your body is now ready for sleep, and Cortisol naturally triggers your body to wake up.

While sleep duration can vary greatly around the world, most adults are still not getting enough shut-eye. An average person gets 6.8 hours of sleep on a weeknight, which is significantly lower than the recommended 8 hours.

Here are six factors which affect our sleep:

1. Worry and Stress: Job, family, health, financial, and a myriad of other concerns plague people from all walks of life. Adults living in Canada and Singapore tend to be the most worried.

2. Environment: The physical space where you sleep plays a large role in the quality and duration of your sleep. Nearly 35 per cent of adults fall asleep somewhere other than their bed. Interestingly, Chinese adults are the least comfortable when sleeping, while Japanese adults are the most comfortable, as per the study.

3. Work and School Schedules: Hectic careers and heavy school workloads have a direct and lasting impact on sleeping habits. Many forego sleep in favor of completing work, social, and household responsibilities.

4. Entertainment: In the age of technology, natural rhythms of daytime and nighttime perception have been skewed, especially from the effects of blue light emitted from our device screens.

5. Disruptors: Eating food, or drinking alcohol or caffeine within the last few hours before bedtime can prevent our brains from knowing it’s time to wind down and get ready for sleep. Adults living in the fast-paced developed nations of China, Canada, the United States, and Singapore are the most caffeinated.

6. Health Conditions: Over three-quarters of adults experience at least one health condition that impacts sleep. These include insomnia, sleep apnea─which affects roughly 22 million people in the US alone─snoring, restless leg syndrome (RLS), narcolepsy, and chronic pain.

Here are a few ways in which one can develop good sleeping habits

1. Routine: Wake up and go to bed at the same time each day─even on weekends─to establish a more ingrained rhythm for your body clock and help your brain better prepare for sleep.

2. Exercise: Pick a time of day that suits your schedule and energy levels, and be sure to stick with it. Exercise helps to balance melatonin and cortisol levels throughout the day.

3. Light: Get outside often during the day and reduce the time spent outside at night. Limit screen time at least 30-60 minutes before sleep.

4. Food and Drink: Avoid eating large meals or drinking alcohol or caffeine in the last couple of hours before you go to sleep. Caffeine effects can linger for up to 8 hours, which breaks natural sleep rhythms.

5. Meditation: Recent studies have shown that mind-body treatments for insomnia such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation had positive impacts on improving sleep quality.

6. Comfort: Set the bed for success—keep your room cool and dark, buy a high-quality mattress and comfortable bed linens and use a white-noise machine to help you fall asleep.

J&K: Army sets up isolation wards at Udhampur to combat COVID-19

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Army has set-up four isolation wards in different camps at Command Hospital, Udhampur to tackle the threat of deadly coronavirus, as COVID-19 cases have emerged in the Union Territory.

Lieutenant Colonel Abhinav Navneet, the Defence Spokesman at Northern Command Headquarters, said they have established four isolation wards in the command Hospital at Udhampur.

“Four isolation wards with 100-bed capacity have been created using crisis expansion beds, life-saving medical equipment, and medicines. The hospital has procured hazard suits, N95 masks and protective equipment for the healthcare of personnel. All patients will be triaged for respiratory infections and suspected patients will be treated in dedicated COVID-19 OPD,” he said.

The spokesman said that Command Hospital has tied up with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for conducting tests under strict bio-safety protocols.

“Outreach programs have been designed for active surveillance, contact tracing, quarantine, home isolation, counselling and health intelligence. Intensive information-education-communication campaign is being carried out in Udhampur station to sensitize Army personnel & families about COVID-19 and its prevention,” he said.

The Security forces have been asked to perform hand hygiene with soap and water and/or hand sanitizer, avoid handshakes, avoid crowded places, maintain two feet distance and wear a medical mask if feeling sick.

“All possible medical care will be available to all patients and there is no need to panic,” Navneet said.

Militant killed in north Kashmir gunfight

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): A local militant was killed in a gunfight with security forces in north Kashmir’s Rafiabad area today, police said.

The slain militant has been identified as Mudasir Ahmad Bhat son of Sonullaha Bhat of Shutloo area of Rafiabad in north Kashmir.

According to police, he had joined militant ranks only a week ago.

Earlier, a joint team of 32 RR and SOG launched a search operation at Shutlo village of Rafiabad.

“After being intercepted, the exchange of firing took place between the militants and the forces,” a police official said.

“In the exchange of gunfight, one militant was killed and searches in the area are still ongoing,” the official added.

PM Modi calls on SAARC nations to fight coronavirus

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pitched for a united plan of action by SAARC nations to combat the deadly coronavirus outbreak and proposed that a strong strategy could be discussed via video conferencing on “ways to keep our citizens healthy.”

The prime minister also said that all SAARC countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka– can set an example to the world in their fight with COVID-19.

“I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet,” he tweeted.

In another tweet, the PM called for efforts to keep people away from the virus in South Asia which has a significant amount of the world’s population.

“Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it. South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population should leave no stone unturned to ensure our people are healthy,” he said in the tweet.

Moments after PM’s call for an action plan, Sri Lankan President  Gotabaya Rajapaksa thanked Modi for his initiative and said his country was ready to join in the discussion and share its learning in the matter.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also thanked PM Modi for this “important endeavor”.

Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli also welcomed the prime minister’s idea and said that his government was ready to work closely with SAARC members to protect people from this disease.

Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering also lauded PM Modi’s initiative, saying “this is what we call leadership”.

Later in the evening, Bangladesh state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam also
conveyed that Bangla Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has welcomed the proposal and looks forward to a constructive dialogue with PM Modi.

The PM’s initiative was welcomed by the Afghan Government as well.


The PM had yesterday also urged the people not to panic amid the coronavirus outbreak and rather take precautions to save themselves as well as others.

COVID-19: Second batch of 44 Indians brought back from Iran

Mumbai (NVI): The second batch of Indian pilgrims stranded in coronavirus hit Iran WAS brought back today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, adding that efforts are on to evacuate others as well.

 

An Air India flight carrying 44 Indians stranded in the virus affected country landed at the airport in Mumbai this afternoon. The Foreign minister tweeted: “Second batch of 44 Indian pilgrims has arrived today from #Iran. Our efforts to bring back the others continue. @India_in_Iran and our medical team – keep up the good work. Appreciate the support of Iranian authorities and their airlines.”

All those evacuated have been shifted to Indian Navy quarantine facility set up at Ghatkopar, Mumbai. All required facilities have been set up by Western Naval Command, Indian Navy.

The first batch of 58 Indian was brought back on Tuesday. A special Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft brought back the stranded pilgrims from Tehran and landed at Hindon airbase.

Jaishankar, in his reply to Opposition members in the Lok Sabha yesterday said that the Government was committed towards safety and security of Indian citizens in Iran, including fishermen, students and pilgrims.

No IPL in Delhi this year, says Sisodia amid coronavirus scare

New Delhi (NVI): All sporting activities, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), attracting a large crowd have been banned in Delhi amid the coronavirus outbreak, Delhi government announced today.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, “We have decided to ban any sports activity where people will gather in huge numbers like the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the city. Social distancing is important to curb the breakout of coronavirus.”

Manish Sisodia also tweeted in Hindi and announced the ban on all sporting activities.

The Delhi government’s order comes after India reported it’s first death due to coronavirus last night, with the total number of cases rising to 75 in the country. The National Capital has reported 6 cases of coronavirus till now

Unnao rape: Sengar gets 10 yrs in jail

Kuldeep Sengar (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): Expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar has been jailed for 10 years in connection with the death of the father of Unnao rape victim, by a Delhi court here.

The rape victim’s father had died in judicial custody after sustaining severe injuries from an assault carried out by Sengar’s brother Atul and his supporters.

Along with Kuldeep Singh, six others have also been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

He’s already been jailed for life for raping the Unnao victim in 2017 when she was a minor.

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