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Justice has prevailed: PM

(Pic courtesy: DD News)

New Delhi (NVI): Hours after all the four convicts in Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case faced gallows today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it is important to ensure the dignity and safety of women in the country.

“Justice has prevailed. It is of utmost importance to ensure dignity and safety of women. Our Nari Shakti has excelled in every field. Together, we have to build a nation where the focus is on women empowerment, where there is emphasis on equality and opportunity,” he said in a tweet.

Mukesh Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31) were executed at 5.30 am. They were sentenced to death for the rape and brutal assault of a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus in the national capital on December 16, 2012.

International Day of Happiness 2020

New Delhi (NVI): Even as the coronavirus outbreak casts a long shadow over the well-being of people worldwide, the International Day of Happiness aims at recognizing the need to celebrate life and remain calm in times of crisis.

March 20 is observed as International Day for Happiness every year globally. The day was initially founded and carried by United Nations New World Order project.

The campaign theme of International Day of Happiness 2020 is “Happiness For All, For Ever”. It mainly focuses on what we have in common, rather than what divides us.

On the occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla tweeted extended his greeting to the people and said the world is facing a grave health challenge in the coronavirus today.

“Greetings & best wishes on World Happiness Day. Today, when humanity globally is facing a grave challenge to health & well being, let us commit ourselves to spreading happiness, a healthy lifestyle & public hygiene,” he tweeted.

The very first International Happiness Day was celebrated on March 20 in the year 2013 and since then, it is being celebrated every year worldwide.

The International Day of Happiness was founded by Jayme Illien, CEO of the United Nations New World Order project in 2006.

The UN in 2015 launched 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet.

There are many ways in which you can lift up your spirits and celebrate the happiness on your very own, like getting good sleep, eating healthy, physical activity, reading a book, etc.

Italy’s coronavirus death toll surpasses China’s 

New Delhi (NVI): It seems like the pandemic that originated in China has now engulfed other parts of the world with several countries in Europe facing the devastating effect.

The death toll due to the coronavirus in Italy has surpassed that of China after deaths in the European country rose by 427 in a day.

The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Italy now stands at 3,405, while China has reported 3,245 deaths to date.

However, Italy has reached its bleak milestone of recording no new infections, just like Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus first emerged three months ago. This is a sign that the efforts put in place are working.

Meanwhile, officials reported deaths had jumped by more than a third in Spain to 767, while the number of cases rose by a quarter to 17,149, making Spain the second worst-hit country in Europe after Italy.

Washington in the US reported eight more deaths from the coronavirus, bringing the death toll there to 74, the most of in any American state, according to the media reports.

In another development, David Beasley, UN world food programme director, had tested positive for coronavirus after a trip to Canada. The former governor of South Carolina said his symptoms were mild and he was in good spirits.

At the United Nations in New York, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the world is “at war with a virus” and warned that “a global recession, perhaps of record dimensions, is a near certainty.”

“If we let the virus spread like wildfire – especially in the most vulnerable regions of the world – it would kill millions of people,” he said.

The number of global deaths due to the pandemic has cross 10,000 while at least 2,44,500 people have been infected.

COVID-19: 195 cases in India, four dead so far

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has climbed to 195 after 35 new cases were reported from various parts of the country.

Several new cases were reported from Punjab, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh, according to reports.

In another case, 69-year-old Italian tourism has died in Jaipur. As per some news reports, the elderly tourist had recovered from COVID-19 and tested positive. He died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital later. However, an official word in this regard is still awaited.

At present, there are 171 active coronavirus patients in the country, according to the data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation yesterday and urged people to stay indoors and called for a ‘janata curfew’ on March 22, asking citizens to voluntarily stay indoors from 7 am to 9 pm.

In another development, as India continues to reel under the threat of COVID-19, the government yesterday decided to not allow any international commercial passenger aircraft to land during March 22-29.

The number of global deaths due to the pandemic has cross 10,000 while at least 2,44,500 people have been infected. The most deaths have been reported from Italy, where more than 3,400 people have died, followed by China with 3,132 fatalities.

Rains, thundershowers expected in Pb, Hry, Delhi-NCR

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): With the western disturbance reaching northern parts of Jammu and Kashmir, rains and thundershowers may occur in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR over the next 24 hours.

Apart from this, light to medium rains are also expected in some parts in J&K and Himachal Pradesh. This has also raised hopes for light snowfall in some higher areas in the region.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, the maximum temperature today was recorded at 31 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 16 degrees Celsius. The national capital witnessed light to medium rains late last night as Delhiites woke up to a cool breezy morning.

However, the maximum and minimum temperature is expected to rise over the next few days, according to IMD. rain activities may see another surge from March 22 in Delhi-NCR.

Apart from that, many parts of east Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will continue to witness rains and thundershowers today while isolated pockets of the Vidarbha region may also observe similar weather activities.

The phenomenon is expected to continue till tomorrow in the region. Thereafter, the rainfall activities will subside from the Vidarbha region but East Madhya Pradesh will continue to receive isolated rains.

Since last 24 hours, the eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh and South Chhattisgarh have been experiencing intense showers.

According to SkymetWeather, the reason for these rains can be attributed to the strengthening of an anti cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal that is feeding moisture towards the central and eastern parts of the country so far.

Meanwhile, the state of Chhattisgarh will continue with light to moderate rain and thundershowers.

The unseasonal rains that started at the beginning of winters are still continuing in the month of March.

For now, rains are expected to continue for the next 24 to 48 hours in many parts of Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, and East Madhya Pradesh.

Nirbhaya case: All 4 convicts hanged in Tihar jail

New Delhi (NVI): The four convicts in Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case were finally hanged to death today. They were hanged just before the crack of the dawn at Tihar Jail in New Delhi after their petitions filed before a lower court, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court were rejected in late-night hearings.

Mukesh Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31) were executed at 5.30 am. They were sentenced to death for the rape and brutal assault of a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus in the national capital on December 16, 2012.

This is also the first time that four convicts have been simultaneously executed in the history of Tihar jail. It is South Asia’s largest prison complex that houses more than 16,000 inmates.

The horrific crime shocked the nation as many people, including Nirbhaya’s parents waited for justice for the past seven years. The incident had sparked massive nation-wide protests, calling for stricter laws for crimes against women and tighter security.

After the execution today, Nirbhaya’s mother said the justice was delayed but finally delivered. As per media reports, she has also said the top court must lay guidelines for dealing with delaying tactics in such cases and ensure speedy trial and justice.

10 earth imaging satellites among ISRO’s 36 missions for FY21

Gyanganga Mission

New Delhi (NVI): Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has planned to launch 36 missions including 10 earth observation satellites by 2020-21, MoS PMO Jitendra Singh said today.

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Singh said, ”ISRO has planned 36 missions including satellites and launch vehicles for the fiscal year 2020-21.”

The missions launching by ISRO will include 10 earth observation satellites, 3 communication satellites, 2 navigation satellites, 3 space science satellite, 1 technology demonstration, 10 PSLV, 3 GSLV MK II, 1 GSLV MK III, 1 Small Satellite Launch Vehicle and 2 Gaganyaan ( Unmanned).

During the current fiscal year of 2019-20 till date, 11 out of the total targeted missions have been completed, Singh said in a written statement.

”Indian Space Programme is focused on peaceful uses of Outer Space,” Singh said adding that Space Technology should be used for benefit of the country and society, provide solutions for developmental activities and address problems of the society at large.

Rlys suspends concessional bookings to avoid unnecessary travel

New Delhi (NVI): In an effort to combat novel coronavirus, Indian Railways today suspended concessional booking of all tickets till further orders.

”To discourage unnecessary travel and to prevent the vulnerable category of Senior Citizens from undertaking unnecessary travels, concessional booking of all tickets except Patients, students and Divyangjan category for Unreserved & Reserved segment are being suspended from 00:00 hrs of 20th March till further advisory, ” the Railways said in an advisory.

The railways has also raised the price of Platform Ticket to Rs. 50 wherever necessary, to avoid unnecessary crowding at Railway Stations in wake of spread of COVID 19. It also instructed DRMs to review the situation over railway stations.

As a precautionary measure and to discourage nonessential travel and overcrowding of trains, so far total 155 pairs of low occupancy trains are cancelled up to 31.03.20, the Rail authorities said.

”Trains are cancelled keeping in view the availability of alternate trains for passengers and ensuring that no passenger shall remain stranded. Full refund is being given to all the passengers whose train has been cancelled, ”it added.

Indian Railways has also facilitated return of students stranded in Northern part of country due to sudden closure of Educational Institutions to their homes in Southern, Northern-Eastern and Eastern regions of India.

The advisories have also been issued to passengers to avoid non-essential train journeys and to ensure that they do not have a running fever while they are commencing the journey. At any point of journey, if a passenger feels that he is having fever, he can contact the Railway Staff for medical attention and further assistance, the statement said.

Regular announcement are being done on PA System of Railway Stations & Trains to sensitize the public about various Do’s & Don’ts highlighting Keeping hands clean by frequent washing of hands; Maintain social distance & covering the mouth while sneezing and coughing, it added.

Coronavirus: PM appeals for ‘janata curfew’ on Mar 22

New Delhi (NVI): As the world battles coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation tonight, saying all citizens need to contribute to check the pandemic and in this direction, called for observing 14-hour “janata curfew (people’s curfew)” on March 22.

He said the pandemic was deadlier than even the two World Wars as it has impacted more countries and cautioned the countrymen against taking it lightly.

In his 30-minute televised address, the Prime Minister urged people to exercise all precautions necessary to contain the spread of coronavirus and implement all the directives issued by the governments, be it the state or central.

“You have always heeded to me whenever I asked for something… I want your ‘sankalp’ (commitment) and ‘sanyam’ (patience)…. I will need a few weeks of yours,” Modi said to the masses.

He asked people to limit their movements to necessary activities and work from home, if possible, except in the case of government departments and emergency services.

In this regard, Prime Minister urged the citizens to observe “janata curfew” on Sunday, March 22 from 7am to 9pm.

“This will prepare us for future circumstances. I urge all state governments to help comply with this janta curfew,” he said.

“By being safe yourself, you will make a huge contribution towards fight against coronavirus,” he told the public.

While stating this, Modi recalled how certain measures, like blackouts, used to be adopted during Wars for public safety.

Besides, the PM also gave a call to people express gratitude to medical staffers, media persons and all others working amid coronavirus outbreak. “You can do this by standing at your door, window or balcony for five minutes at 5 PM on Sunday, March 22,” he said.

He appreciated the initiative of social distancing being taken in the country as well as across the world to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

The Prime Minister said the pandemic is going to impact the economy also and announced formation of ‘COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force’ to see that economic situation doesn’t deteriorate due to coronavirus.

The Task Force, to be headed by Finance Minister, will be in touch with stakeholders and take decisions shortly in an effort to insulate the people, especially the poor ones, he said.

Sports entities advised to suspend all events till April 15

Ayush Minister Kiren Rijiju (file pic)

New Delhi (NVI): All sports organisations and their affiliate units in the country have been advised to suspend all sports events till April 15, as a precautionary measure to contain coronavirus spread.

Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry today advised sports authorities against holding any sports events, including competitions or selection trials till 15th April 2020.

However, the athletes who are preparing for the Olympics, which is scheduled to be held in Tokyo this year, are allowed to get trained within the campus following some preventive measures outlined by the Ministry.

”Training of athletes preparing for Olympics 2020 may outline subject to following restrictions such as no exposure to athlete be allowed from outside in the campus where training is underway,” the statement said.

”No coach, technical/support staff, athlete etc presently not in the training camp and not staying in the training campus be allowed to interact or mingle with trainee athletes without following the quarantine protocols, ” it added.

It further requested to communicate the above for compliance to all affiliate entities.

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