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Coronavirus: J&K Foreigners Registration Office issues advisory

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Jammu (NVI): In the wake of the deadly coronavirus outbreak and one positive COVID-19 case reported in Jammu, the J&K Foreigners Registration office here today asked all foreigners to visit the Union Territory to follow some instructions in view of the epidemic.

Late today, two persons were also tested positive for coronavirus in Ladakh.

According to the FRO, foreigners from China, Iran, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong should follow some necessary steps with regard to their travel history.

For travelers from these countries, it is mandatory for them to fill-up a self-declaration that they have not visited any Coronavirus affected Country in the recent past. Forms are available at the Health Counter established at all entry points — Lakhanpur, Jammu Airport, Railway Station and Hotels, FRO has directed.

Besides, a medical checkup is mandatory for all those who have visited the above-mentioned countries if there is past history or symptoms of coronavirus at the nearest medical centers.

The advisory further states that if someone feels sick or having symptoms of coronavirus while de-boarding a flight or train or any vehicle while coming to Jammu, they may immediately report the matter to Airport Health office and disseminate the information immediately to Helpline Numbers 01912520982 (Control Room, Directorate of Health Services), 01912582621 (CID SB C/R Jammu), 01912582634 (FRO Jammu) and 0191254967 (UT call for MK).

Other instructions to be followed are:

• Avoid close contact with fellow travelers, if you see someone who is visibly coughing/sneezing/sick, you may keep a safe distance from that person.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap or sanitizer and wear a mask in case of fever, coughing/sneezing.

• Follow the advice of the Airport health officer or as conveyed by the official at the helpline.

• Maintain effective self-isolation at your place of lodgment/Home.

• Cover your mouth while coughing/sneezing.

• Report your illness to the nearest health facility and also inform the treating doctor of your traveling history.

• Avoid visiting crowded/ mass gatherings etc, because COVID-19 has a pattern of transmission. You are requested to follow the above advisory to safeguard your own health and the health of the people in your close contact

J&K: First ever Khelo India Winter Games inaugurated at Gulmarg

Gulmarg (NVI): The maiden Khelo India Winter Games kickstarted at Gulmarg in Kashmir today as Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the mega event here.

On the occasion, Rijiju said that the Centre was mulling to bolster sports ecology of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that Kashmir would be a hub of winter games.

Inaugurating the maiden Khelo India Winter Games here, Rijiju said that the Union territory has a huge potential in sports sector and Government would do everything possible to upgrade the sports infrastructure and sports ecology of the Himalayan region. He said that with an aim to promote winter sports in India, the Government of India would setup National Excellence Center of Winter Sports in Gulmarg.

“It will be a residential facility funded by GoI where professional winter games athletes will be trained for world class competitions,” he added.

The Union Minister said that Government would encourage interested athletes or retired sports veterans for setting up sports centers across Jammu and Kashmir. “Coaches of different sports categories will be given Rs 5 Lakh for setting up sports centers across J&K,” he assured, adding “It will not only help us to identify talent and hone their skills in various sports but will be a source of employment as well.”

Saying that J&K has a huge talent, the Union Minister complimented the local players for bagging medals in various national and international events. He said that this is a historic event not only for J&K but whole country. “Those who are here today at this place are lucky. This is the beginning of mega sports events in Gulmarg. More mega events are in pipeline for this place,” he said.

The Union Minister said he is hopeful that with the culmination of the event footfall of tourists will increase. He said he was impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the athletes in today’s event.

Extending invitation to sports and nature lovers, the Union Minister said the travellers should come and feel the natural wonder here. “Only then they can realise what paradise on Earth is,” he said. He said the winter games will give a big fillip to tourism industry here. He said tourists don’t need to go to Europe when Kashmir is just in the country. “Travellers should come here and enjoy the beauty and also fun-filled winter activities.”

Notably, there are about 30 events including snowboarding, snow skiing, cross country and snow show in which players from across India are participating. Besides this, snow cycling and other games are also held for the local children.

Pertinently, the world-famous ski destination Gulmarg is abuzz with the several activities held under five- day national winter games event starting from today under Khelo India- a national programme for development of sports.

On the occasion, Rijiju was presented memento by Advisor to Lt Governor, Farooq Khan.

Artists from Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages enthralled the audience with their performances.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan; DG Sports Authority of India, Sandeep Pradhan; Principal, High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), Major General Atul Kaushik; Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez; DG Youth Services and Sports, Dr Saleem ul Rehman; Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr Ghulam Nabi Itoo; Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Dr Naseem Javid Choudhary besides other senior officers of civil and police administration.

Two tested positive for Coronavirus in Ladakh

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): After Jammu, two persons from Ladakh with recent travel history to Iran have been tested positive for novel coronavirus today.

They have been admitted to Sonam Norboo Memorial Hospital (SNM) hospital Leh.

Medical Superintendent of the SNM hospital, Dr Tsering Samphel said that two individuals have tested positive for novel coronavirus on Saturday.

In a presser, Medical Superintendent Dr Samphel said that the two patients who have tested positive had travelled to Iran for pilgrimage for several days.

Dr Samphel said that one of the patients admitted to SNM hospital here had reached Delhi from Tehran on February 26 after which he landed in Ladakh on February 28.

The other patient, the MS said, had landed in Delhi on February 22 and arrived in Ladakh on February 27, and showed some early symptoms due to which he was admitted to SNM hospital on February 29.

After conducting the tests of suspects the samples were sent to Pune for final confirmation, the results received Saturday afternoon showed them as ‘positive for coronavirus’, Dr Tsering said.

Dr Samphel added that both the patients have been kept in isolation at SNM hospital Leh and the necessary treatment is being given to them.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to people to stay away from rumours, and greet people with a “namaste” instead of a handshake. He held a meeting with officials of various ministries in the evening to take stock of the situation.

The number of coronavirus-related deaths in China rose to 3,070 on Saturday, with the country reporting 28 new deaths due to the outbreak.

Prez’s message on Women’s day eve

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New Delhi (NVI): On the eve of International Women’s Day, President Ram Nath Kovind called for reaffirming the safety and respect of women while highlighting their role in building a better society.

“On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, I offer my hearty congratulations and best wishes to all women,” the president said.

“This day is an occasion to show respect to women for their crucial role and untiring efforts in building better society, nation and world,” he said.

President Kovind added that this is an occasion to highlight the exceptional accomplishments through which women have made a mark in every walk of life and displayed their efficiency, dedication and commitment.

“On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, let us reaffirm our pledge to ensure safety and respect for women, so that they can move forward unhindered according to their wish in the direction of fulfilling their hopes and aspirations,” he said.

International Women’s day is celebrated on March 8 every year.

#SheInspiresUs: 10 extraordinary women and their stories of courage

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New Delhi (NVI): Women, time and again have proven their mettle, with their grit and resilience, to shine and prosper in every field. Every year International Women’s Day in marked on March 8 worldwide.

To celebrate women’s day this year and to honour Indian women for their valorous and extraordinary acts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, earlier this week, announced that he would hand over his social media accounts “to women whose life and work inspire us”. PM Modi also asked his followers to share stories of such inspiring women using the hashtag #SheInspiresUs.

Since his appeal, Twitter has been flooded with tales of extraordinary women who are challenging gender stereotypes with their work.

Here are some of the amazing women who are shattering glass ceilings with their work:

– Sqn Ldr Minty Aggarwal  
Fighter controller Minty was the eyes & ears of Wg Cdr Abhinandan during successful Balakot operation. She’s the 1st woman IAF officer to be awarded Yudh Seva Medal for her effort.

– Captain Tanya Shergill
The first Indian Woman Parade Adjutant to lead an all-man contingent at an Army Day Parade.

– Sreeja Debnath
Overcame domestic violence, family abandonment and rejection by her family after she was rescued from a red light area. She went on to transform the lives of 5000 at-risk girls and women through Dance Movement Therapy.

– Disha Shah

A 19-year-old budding entrepreneur from Chennai is working towards improving the financial literacy rate among women.

– Vanlalruati
HIV Positive woman from Mizoram, has counselled over 1,000 young women and girls living with HIV, reached over 10,000 drug users to increase awareness and campaigned to bring India’s free antiretroviral therapy programme to Mizoram.

– Sushma Bhadu

Sarpanch of Dhani Miyan Khan village, Haryana, is a model when it comes to women’s rights. She’s also built a training centre for women and ensured that every village child went to school. Under her guidance, her village has won many awards.

– Amla Ruia
Also called ‘Water Mother’, is one reason why the driest villages of Rajasthan now have their open wells, bore wells, hand pumps replete with water. Her Trust builds traditional check dams (Khadin) for drought ridden villages.

– Tajamul Islam

Coming from Bandipora district, Kashmir, created history by winning a gold medal in the Under-8 category of the World Kickboxing Championship in Italy. Young Tajamul stole the show when she knocked down her rival from the US, to become the world champion.

– Sarita Devi
Transformed a vast tract of a barren, hilly region in Maoist-infested Lakhisarai district of Bihar into a “green zone” by planting over one lakh trees on her own. She has also opened her own nursery to donate plants to the local villagers.

– Chetna Gala Sinha
A social activist working to empower women in drought-prone areas of rural India by teaching them entrepreneurial skills. She also set up the Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank – India’s first bank for and by rural women.

Yes Bank’s Rana Kapoor questioned by ED over money laundering

Rana Kapoor

New Delhi (NVI): Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor was questioned by Enforcement Directorate in connection to a money laundering case.

ED has also issued a lookout notice against the veteran banker to keep him from leaving the country, according to media reports.

The searches at the Mumbai residence of Rana Kapoor began shortly after the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a press conference on the rescue plan for the lender. She had said that the central bank would investigate the reasons for the bank’s decline.

Rana Kapoor was chief executive officer of Yes Bank from its creation in 2004. However, he had to step down in 2018 after the RBI disapproved his request to extend his term.

The Enforcement Directorate began its probe after a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was initiated based on details from an investigation into Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL).

ED has alleged that Yes Bank granted loans to DHFL and, around the same period, crores of rupees were transferred to accounts linked to the family of Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor; these accounts included those belonging to his wife.

Action against Kapoor came shortly after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) presented a reconstruction scheme for YES Bank. The private sector lender has been placed under moratorium by the government on recommendations from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) till April 3.

The government has limited withdrawals to Rs 50,000 for a month. The action came due to deteriorating financial position, governance issues, false fundraising assurances, non-serious investors and outflow of liquidity.

2 banned news channels back on air

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry

New Delhi (NVI): Banned for their coverage of Delhi violence last week, two Malayalam news channels– Asianet News and MediaOne TY– are back on air.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had suspended the transmission of two Malayalam news channels for 48 hours yesterday, over their coverage of the recent violence in north-east Delhi.

In the order, the I&B Ministry said that both the channels – Asianet News and MediaOne TV had violated the provision of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 by broadcasting reports on “highlighted the attack on places of worship and siding towards a particular community”.

The Ministry stated that it had issued notice to both the channels on February 28, and took the decison to impose the ban after receiving their responses.

Coronavirus: Primary schools in 6 J&K districts closed till Mar 31

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir government today ordered closure of all the primary schools in six districts of the union territory till March 31.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan said that all private and government schools up to primary level shall remain closed in Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla and Bandipora districts till further orders.

Likewise, all primary schools in Jammu and Samba districts have been closed also till March 31.

The order comes after government spokesperson,Rohit Kansal tweeted that primary schools in Bandipora, Baramulla, Srinagar, and Budgam districts will remain closed till March 31.

The step has been taken as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Srinagar District Commissioner, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary also tweeted that all primary schools in the district shall remain closed till further orders.

On Wednesday, the government appointed Bhupinder Kumar, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), as in-charge of the coronavirus control efforts in the Union Territory. Kumar has been asked to work under the supervision of Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department.

Earlier, first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Jammu. The patient with Coronavirus is admitted at Government medical college in Jammu.

The government has been issuing advisories to inform people of the precautionary measures and symptoms associated with coronavirus.

First case of Coronavirus confirmed in Jammu

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Mubashir Bukhari

Jammu (NVI): First case of coronavirus was confirmed in Jammu today. The patient has been admitted at Government Medical College here.

Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir administration said that the test results of two persons indicate that there is a high probability of them being positive for the disease.

“Test reports of two suspected patients from Jammu received. Both have high viral load cases. High probability of testing positive,” the UT spokesperson had said.

In Kashmir, around 184 persons have been quarantined at their homes while as four patients with coronavirus-like symptoms have been isolated at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).

On Thursday, five suspected cases of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were isolated at the tertiary care center.

Kashmir continues to be officially coronavirus free till now.

The J&K administration has also appealed to public to fully cooperate fully wherever quarantine is advised.

Meanwhile, all biometric attendance has been suspended in the Union Territory till March 31, the government said.

In Srinagar, all primary schools shall remain closed till further orders by the administration, said DC Shahid Choudhary in a tweet.

20 vaccines under development for COVID: WHO

COVAX
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

New Delhi (NVI): Raising hopes of cure for the deadly novel coronavirus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said 20 vaccines are in development and many clinical trials of therapeutics are underway as part of research.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the global body has received applications for 40 diagnostic tests.

“Even as the therapeutics tests are being carried out, there is a need to ensure that supplies of those medicines are available if they prove effective. WHO has also been monitoring the potential risk of a disruption to medicines supplies as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic,” he said.

More than 1,00,000 positive cases of the coronavirus have been recorded around the world till date, with the total number of deaths surpassing 3,300 globally, according to media reports.

“WHO continues to recommend that all countries make containment their highest priority. Countries also continue to find, test, isolate and care for every case and to trace every contact,” Ghebreyesus said.

Earlier in the week, WHO called on all nations to “pull out all the stops” to fight COVID-19 as it continues to spread outside of China.

“This is not a drill. This is not the time to give up. This is not a time for excuses. This is a time to pull out all the stops,” Tedros said.

Tedros added that world health officials are “deeply concerned” about the increasing number of countries reporting cases, especially those with weaker health-care systems. He’s also worried that some countries aren’t taking this seriously enough or have decided that there’s nothing they can do to curb local outbreaks.

Whereas, WHO officials last week increased the risk assessment of the coronavirus from “high” to “very high” at a global level.

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