Friday, March 27, 2026
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Temperature rises in North India 

New Delhi (NVI): Temperatures are steadily on a rise in many cities in the north even as the weatherman has predicted isolated rainfall in the coming week.

Churu in Rajasthan is the coldest city in the plains where the minimum temperature was recorded at 5.8 degrees  Celsius, according to Skymet weather.

Amritsar in Punjab and Betul in Madhya Pradesh recorded minimum temperature at 6.8 and 7.2 degrees Celsius.

Ludhiana in Punjab and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh recorded minimum temperature at 7.9 and 8.0 degrees Celsius.

Ambala in Haryana recorded a minimum temperature of 8.9 degrees Celsius.

Haryana’s Hisar and Narnaul and Raisen in Madhya Pradesh  recorded a minimum temperature at 9.0 degree celcius.

Delhi and NCR region also saw a slight decrease in minimum temperature to 11.5 degrees Celsius from 13.7 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 26 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 131 which falls in the “moderate” category.

The IMD said that some isolated rainfall is expected in North India during next four days.

The weatherman has forecast that in Central and East India there will be no significant change in temperature during next three days. In Northwest India there will be a fall in temperature by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius during next 48 hours.

“In West India there will be a no significant change in temperature during next 24 hours,”  weatherman said.

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

 

Foodgrain research should reach farm: Naidu

Venkaiah Naidu launched six new varieties of wheat during the 58th Convocation of IARI. (Source: @VPSecretariat)

New Delhi (NVI):  Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today called upon institutions like  the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) to utilize technological advancements to improve the life of farmers and ensure that their research reaches the farm.

Speaking at the 58th Convocation of the IARI here, Naidu lauded the Institute’s achievements as truly remarkable in post-green revolution phase, considering the quantum jump in the country’s foodgrain production from 50.82 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 283.37 million tonnes in 2018-19.

He added that the small and marginal farmers are the most vulnerable and their welfare must be accorded the highest priority.

The Vice President lauded the institution for developing several bio-fortified maize hybrids rich in lysine, tryptophan and pro-vitamin A and pearl millet, lentil varieties rich in iron and zinc and said that it was indeed a step in the right direction for making India nutritionally secure.

Stating that all efforts must be made to double the income of the farmers in the next few years, the Vice President called for concerted efforts to improve agricultural productivity. He also stressed the need for diversifying traditional cropping systems as it would reduce economic risk while increasing the scope for higher profitability.

Bengaluru musician collected soil from 40 Pulwama martyrs’ homes to build memorial

Umesh Gopinath Jadhav

 

 

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Moved by the pain of the families of Pulwama martyrs, a musician from Bangalore travelled 61,000 km to meet the kin of the 40 slain CRPF personnel and collected soil from their hometowns to pay his unique homage.

As the nation marked the first anniversary of the attack, an urn containing the soil was kept at the memorial built in the memory of the martyrs at the CRPF campus in Lethpora today.
Umesh Gopinath Jadhav says the main aim of his road trip was to pay respect and homage to the jawans who lost their lives in the attack.
“My trip is a tribute to all the security personnel who sacrifice their lives for this country. I showed to the people of the country, that without using Tiktok or any webpage we can do something for these men,” he said while making it clear that his travel was neither sponsored by anyone nor did he receive any donation for it.
“I am proud that I met all the families of Pulwama martyrs and sought their blessings. Parents lost their son, wives lost their husbands, children lost their fathers, friends lost their friends,” Jadhav said.
He said he covered 16 states to meet with each of the families of the CRPF men killed in the Pulwama attack.
“My mission will not stop here. On April 2020, when the CRPF commemorates the defence of the Sardar post in the Rann of Kutch , my journey will end there,” Jadhav said.
The 40-year-old pharmacist-turned-musician, said that he began his journey to meet the families of the Pulwama martyrs after he saw the news of the attack being flashed at the airport in Ajmer.

Portugal, India sign MoU to develop Maritime Heritage

President Kovind accords ceremonial welcome to Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. (Source: @rashtrapatibhvn)

New Delhi (NVI): Portugal and India will join hands to facilitate development of a world class National Maritime Heritage Complex (NHMC) at Lothal in Gujarat.

An MoU in this regard was signed between the Ministry of Shipping of Government of India and Ministry of National Defence, Republic of Portugal.

The MoU will pave the way for cooperation between the two countries for showcasing common Maritime Heritage. NMHC will consolidate all diverse and rich artefacts from ancient to modern times.

In addition, a Cooperation Agreement was also signed between the two countries in the field of Maritime Transport and Ports.

The agreement will open avenues for cooperation to promote Maritime Transport between the two countries for better operation of their merchant fleets, cooperation to harmonize and unified their position with International Organization Institution, forums and conferences related to Maritime and Port activities.

It will also help both the countries to coordinate accession to international conventions so that the objectives of this agreement can be strengthened.

12-km stretch of Pune metro to be completed by March 2020: Javadekar

New Delhi (NVI): The 12-km long stretch of first and second phases of the Pune Metro Rail Project will be completed by March 2020, Union Minister  Prakash Javadekar said today.

During the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting,the Information and Broadcasting minister reviewed the progress of Pune Metro Rail Project, Mula Mutha River Rejuvenation Project and the implementation of Mid Day Meal Scheme in Pune district.

Speaking at press conference in Pune after the fifth DISHA meeting, Javadekar said DISHA is a commendable initiative of the central government, under which central sector schemes for improvement of infrastructure and human development are reviewed and a report card presented to the people.

The Minister informed that the foundation stone for Hinjawadi Line will also be laid by next month.

Citing the importance of waste disposal in all gram panchayats, Javadekar said that a decision has been taken to prepare a master plan for waste disposal in Pune district, which would benefit more than 300 localities.

While commenting about the progress of Mid-Day Meal Scheme in the district, he said that provision of supplementary foods to lactating mothers has resulted in the reduction of malnourished and under-nourished children by more than half, in a short span of three years.

Stating that this is a significant achievement, he added that all children receiving Mid-Day Meal Scheme have registered improvement in both height and weight.

“This is a sound investment for the future of the nation,” he added.

The Mula Mutha River Cleaning Project is going to be expedited and that meetings at both central and state levels have been planned,” he said.

He said the loan given by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for Mula Mutha River Cleaning Project will be repaid neither by the Government of Maharashtra nor by the PMC but by the Government of India, and thatthe project is government of India’s gift to Pune.

Chronic workplace stress is now a syndrome: Study

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): Stress and more chronic exhaustion such as burnout is commonplace and now studies show this results in a decline in productivity.

Presenteeist culture, which see employees working longer hours, have been linked to higher rates of burnout. This is the opposite of absenteeism. People attend work when sick, or even overwork, and it is a habit that is more common than we think. Employees feel they’re unable to challenge this culture because they see everyone else doing the same thing.

People that go to work when ill or work longer hours than expected often work at less than their full capacity.

One study in the Netherlands looking at a variety of jobs found that presenteeism may appear to be profitable for companies at first because of the reduced absence of employees. But in the long term, presenteeism resulted in higher levels of sickness and absenteeism later on.

Other studies have found that presenteeism can cause a decline in productivity in the individual employee by at least one third and is more costly to the employer than its counterpart, absenteeism. It is also what makes employees sick.

The World Health Organisation officially classifies burnout as an “occupational phenomenon”. It is defined as “a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed”. And it is characterised by feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, negative and cynical feelings towards your job, and a decline in performance.

Tackling burnout is the responsibility of both organisations and their employees. If improving your health is a priority for you, your work health plays a crucial part in this – both physically and mentally.

Sleep deprivation increases risk of Alzheimer’s: Study

Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI):  can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other health issues including diabetes, depression and heart disease and is known to impact life expectancy, a study said.

According to the World Economic Forum report based on a recent study from Boston University researchers “our bodies use the non-REM (rapid eye movement) period of sleep – deep and dreamless – to wash our brain of toxins”.

By monitoring sleeping patients, scientists were able to show that during non-REM sleep neurons in the brain synchronize, firing on and off together at the same time.

When all the neurons are momentarily quiet, they need less oxygen, so less blood flows to the brain.

At that point, cerebrospinal fluid – a clear liquid which surrounds the brain – floods into the space left.

These waves of fluid help purge the brain of potentially toxic chemical byproducts.

This cerebrospinal fluid washing doesn’t occur when we are awake because our neurons are constantly firing and don’t synchronize in the same way.

The study also throws up other possibilities, including new potential research avenues for Alzheimer’s treatments.

The washing effect of the cerebrospinal fluid could also help clear away molecules associated with the disease.

This more general flush-out could have broader benefits than the current drugs being researched, which tend to focus on eliminating the effects of particular molecules.

UC Berkeley neuroscientist professor Matthew Walker argues increasing numbers of us are sleep-deprived and society does not pay enough attention to the problems this creates.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared insufficient sleep a public health problem, with a third of Americans saying they slept for less than six hours a night.

A 2017 study which attempted to quantify the economic impact of our sleepless society found a worker sleeping less than six hours a night loses around six working days a year to absenteeism or presenteeism when compared with a worker getting seven to nine hours a night.

Other studies suggest developed countries lose about 2 per cent of GDP through lack of sleep.

 

Workshop on encouraging steel use in Railways, Defence Sector

New Delhi (NVI): A workshop on encouraging use of steel in railways and defence sector will be held here next week.

The Ministry of Steel in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is organizing the workshop on February 17.

The workshop will discuss gaps and opportunities available in the supply of Steel and steel products.

Among the issues to be discussed at the workshop are capacities of Indian iron and steel industry in fulfilling the present need, future extension plans, assembling and R&D abilities.

The workshop will also discuss present and future prerequisite of Steel and Steel products across Railways, Army, Navy and Air Force .

Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan, will be the Chief Guest and Minister of State for Steel , Faggan Singh Kulaste will be the Guest of Honour. Mr. V. K. Yadav, Chairman, Railway Board, Mr. Ajay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Mr. Binoy Kumar, Secretary (Steel) will be present on the occasion.

India electricity consumption expected to reach 1,280 TWh by 2040: Report

Power Ministry

New Delhi (NVI): India’s electricity consumption is projected to reach 1,280 Terawatt-hour (TWh) by 2040, a report said.

According to Invest India report based on Strategic Investment Research Unit (SIRU), with a growing industry, population and subsequent infrastructure demands, India’s need for renewable and on-demand energy supply is also increasing.

India has also committed to generating a growth of 40% in non-fossil fuel-based energy sources by 2030.

To top it, recent developments such as the government’s ambitious plans to introduce and promote electronic vehicles (EVs) are significantly dependent on energy storage systems.

As of September 2019, India had 82.58GW capacity in installed renewables.

Its aims for renewable energy installation are high, with over 200 such installations expected by 2022– a goal sometimes deemed overly ambitious as it is much more than the numbers agreed upon under the Paris Agreement- 175.

As part of government’s push for such expansions, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) recently unveiled tenders for 1.2GW of PV projects and 1.2GW of solar-wind hybrid projects while the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) also decided to provide custom and excise duty benefits to the solar rooftop sector, which in turn will lower the cost of setting up as well as generating power, thus considerably boosting growth.

These tenders are in line to help India move towards its ambitious 225GW renewable energy target.

In this context, it is significant that major renewable producers Greenko Group and ReNew Power won the bid to supply 1200 MW of energy.

This flourishing sector is also a major contributor in creating employment. For instance, in nine years of its operation, ReNew projects have generated nearly 75,000 direct and indirect jobs.

One of the biggest challenge arising with renewable energy in India has been the ‘must-run’ status of renewable energy, which means that power distribution companies are compelled to use solar or wind energy whenever generated and reduce the same amount of power generation from non-renewable sources.

This becomes a problem because no mechanism exists to reduce non-renewable sources in sync with fluctuating renewable energy sources like wind and solar energy.

However, there has been a positive shift lately with the growing usage of storage systems such as lithium-ion batteries or pumped-storage hydro plants, as a result of which, India might soon become capable of providing renewable energy on-demand by fully embracing the new technologies.

Due to this, energy companies can buy renewable power on a systematic schedule and thus, better regulate their non-renewable sources.

This further ties in with the national agenda to increase dependency on renewables by allowing renewable power to be used in meeting energy demands at peak hours.

In terms of cost, the per unit renewable energy supplied by Greenko and ReNew Power is around Rs 4.03 and Rs. 4.30 respectively, which is already lower than the Rs. 4.87 that the National Thermal and Power Corporation currently offers.

Further, the usage of renewables as an alternative to coal is estimated to save USD 8.43 billion annually.

In the conclusion, the renewables sector in India is set to expand and supply electricity to an increasingly large number of people.

From public transport to infrastructure for industry and societal development, renewable energy and the technological capability to store power for on-demand usage creates a new dynamic within the country to further explore green opportunities for future.

Pulwama attack anniversary: CRPF pays homage

Officials paid homage

 

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): A memorial with the names of 40 martyred CRPF personnel engraved on it was inaugurated at the Lethpora camp of the force today on the anniversary of the Pulwama attack.

The Army further paid homage and maintained a two-minute silence in order to pay respects. Floral tributes were also paid to martyrs.

CRPF Special Director, Zulfikhar Hassan, said, that we paid homage to all those brave men who were killed in the attack.

“All the outfits operating in Kashmir have since been decimated. Militants are on the backfoot, we hope the coming days will be peaceful,” Hassan said.

He said that Indian security forces had made concerted efforts against militancy after the Pulwama attack. The main militants involved were neutralised and those who supported them to carry out the attack were arrested, Hassan said.

“Investigations into the terror attack are on in the right direction. We have made huge progress,” the officer said.

A blood bank was also organized in which as 50 security personnel men donated blood on the occasion.

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