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India reports first confirmed coronavirus case in Kerala

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New Delhi (NVI) A Kerala student studying at Wuhan University in China has been tested positive for Coronavirus, becoming the first confirmed case affected by the deadly virus in India.

“One positive case of Novel Coronavirus patient, of a student studying in Wuhan University, has been reported in Kerala,” the Ministry of Health today said in a release.

The patient has been kept in isolation at a hospital where his condition is stated to be stable, the ministry added.

The infections disease known as novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has claimed around 170 lives so far while wreaking havoc on Chinese Province Hubei, the epicentre of its outbreak.

Yesterday, Indian government has requested China for permission to operate two flights to bring back its nationals from Hubei Province, the epicenter of the deadly disease.

Citizens trying to make pollution a poll issue in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI): With Delhi set for Assembly elections, some citizen groups are making the political parties and their candidates commit to work for clean air in the national capital which has been witnessing spells of severe pollution.

The #DilliDhadakneDo campaign, led by My Right to Breathe (MRTB), is organising town hall meetings to raise the issue of poor air quality and hold the political leaders or legislators accountable for it.

Citizens groups in Delhi, including MRTB and United residents Joint Action (URJA), have released a Clean Air Public Manifesto ahead of the February 8 Assembly elections and are making political parties and candidates to commit to it.

MRTB, the organisation behind the movement, has also asked the citizens to sign an online petition to demand clean air from the leading political parties in Delhi this election.

With the spike in health problems due to degraded air in the city in the last two years, the seasonal debates on the matter have transformed into a matter of huge concern among general public.

Now, for the first time, political leaders and candidates in the city are talking about possible solutions for air pollution, thanks to the citizens’ movement that has led to thousands gathering across Delhi and raising the issue.

The ongoing campaign started on January 27, with a series of town halls in 15 different constituencies across the city. Representatives of various political parties such as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC) attended the three town hall meetings on January 27 which were held at Karawal Nagar, Delhi Cantonment, and RK Puram.

At another such town hall organised in Dwarka, representatives from AAP and BJP pledged their support to Clean Air Manifesto 2020.

Coronavirus: Centre issues advisory for those who visited China

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New Delhi (NVI): The Union Health Ministry today issued an advisory and guidance for those who might have recently travelled to China, which is the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus.

The government said those who have recently travelled to China or had possible contact with nCoV infected person are highly advised to stay in home isolation for 14 days after the return, avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu like symptoms and cover their nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing.

The ministry asked people to use 24×7 helpline (011-23978046) for queries related to respiratory infection.

Sanjeeva Kumar, Special Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, chaired a video conference with health secretaries of states with 21 identified airports along with the Airport Health Organization Officers (APHOs).

He reviewed their preparedness for prevention and management of coronavirus. Rajiv Garg, DGHS and senior officials from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and NCDC were also present during the video conference.

Sanjeeva Kumar said pro-active preventive measures are to be taken by creating awareness among the people through local media. Adequate in-flight announcements need to be undertaken to make passengers aware about the symptoms and equipping them to “Help you to help us”.

PM pays tribute to Mahatma

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narenda Modi today paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary. The father of the nation will continue to inspire people to build a strong, capable and prosperous country, he said.

“I salute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his Martyrdom Day. The Personality, Ideas and Ideals of the Mahatma shall continue to inspire us to build a strong, able and prosperous New India,” he said.

President Ram Nath Kovind, along with other senior leaders also paid tributes to Mahatma on his 72nd death anniversary.

Every year, January 30 is observed as Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom day.This year, India is observing the 72nd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Nathuram Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on the evening of January 30,1948.

HAL gears-up for dazzling display at DefExpo 2020

The HAL will display the models of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Do-228 and Hawk.

New Delhi (NVI): Bengaluru-based defence aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which has taken the lead role in organising the 11th biennial edition of DefExpo-2020, is planning to showcase its prowess in defence and aerospace. DefExpo-2020 is being held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, from February 5 to 9, 2020, and HAL is the lead co-ordinator along with Ministry of Defence (MoD) in organising the event.

Besides providing huge logistical support, HAL is expected to showcase its prowess in defence and aerospace around the theme ‘Digital Transformation of Defence’.

“HAL is instrumental in organizing major defence expos in the last couple of years including this edition of DefExpo 2020.  HAL’s indigenously designed and developed fixed and rotary wing platforms will steal the show,” R Madhavan, CMD, HAL, said.

The HAL will display the models of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Do-228 and Hawk at its indoor Stall (R-46, Hall 5).

Some of the avionics, accessories, assemblies, products such as Indigenous Digital Map Generator (i-DMG), Engine & Flight Display Unit, Gas Turbine Electrical Generator (GTEG)-60, Air Producer Engine, Glass Cockpit for Do-228, Automatic  Target Recognition (ATR), Digital Sand Rapid Prototyping Technology etc. will be put up for display. An upgraded Sukhoi-30 MKI cockpit simulator will be an added attraction at the HAL stall.

The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) will be showcased at the outdoor static display area and ALH Mk IV Rudra, LCH, LUH, Do-228 civil, LCA Tejas will dazzle in flying display.

During the course of DefExpo 2020, HAL plans to hold MoU signing programme, meetings with foreign delegations, seminars and conferences on diverse aerospace topic.

Mercury dips as Delhi witness cold weather due to rains

New Delhi (NVI): The National Capital witnessed further chill in weather today as the minimum temperature dropped to 8.0 degrees Celsius from 10.2 degrees recorded yesterday.
The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 21.0 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The weatherman stated that the temperature is expected to dip further over the next few days.
Meanwhile, the overall air quality in the national capital today remained in the “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  125 which falls in the  “moderate” category.

Ayurveda, Homeopathy may help in preventing coronavirus: AYUSH

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New Delhi (NVI): The Ayush ministry today recommended use of Ayurveda, Homoeopathy and Unani medicines as possible protection against coronavirus infection.

The Ayush ministry, in a statement, clarified that the recommendation was only an advisory and it was not claiming the same to be a treatment advice for the coronavirus infection.

The traditional healthcare system of the country provides lifestyle advocacies to boost immunity which helps the prevention of various kinds of infectious diseases.

The advisory has recommended that homeopathy medicine Arsenicum album 30 could be taken as prophylactic medicine against possible coronavirus infections, which has also been advised for prevention of ILI.

It has recommended one dose of Arsenicum album 30, daily in empty stomach for three days. The dose should be repeated after one month by following the same schedule in case, coronavirus infections prevail in the community.

It also suggested some Ayurvedic medicines, Unani decoctions and home remedies, saying these can be useful in the symptomatic management of nCoV infections.

The advisory suggests maintenance of personal hygiene by washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, drink shadang paniya (Musta, Parpat, Usheer, Chandan, Udeechya & Nagar) processed water (10 gm powder boiled in 1-liter water, until it reduces to half).

It further suggested avoiding touching of eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and to stay home when sick.

It has also advised covering face while coughing or sneezing and preferably using an N95 mask while traveling or working in public places to avoid droplet transmissions.

“If you suspect Corona Viral infection, wear a mask and contact your nearest hospital immediately,” it said.

It has also recommended prophylactic measures and immunomodulatory drugs as per the Ayurvedic practices.

Beating retreat ceremony held

New Delhi (NVI): The Beating Retreat ceremony, which marks the culmination of four-day-long Republic day celebrations, took place today amidst traditional grandeur at Delhi’s Vijay Chowk.

‘Beating Retreat’ marks a centuries-old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat.

The Beating Retreat ceremony is organised every year on January 29 at Raisina Hills and includes performances by the bands of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force.

Personnel of bands of three wings of armed forces display synchronised march to the tunes played.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and several other dignitaries attended the ceremony held today.

Plans for 2,000 fueling stations on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: Gadkari

New Delhi (NVI): Urging industry players to exploit a number of opportunities coming up with 22 express highway projects, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that the government plans to allot land for 2,000 fueling stations on the Delhi Mumbai express highway.

While hinting towards opportunities in alternative fuel, electric highway and charging stations that the upcoming express highways hold, the union minister said that priority would be given to LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) stations.

Gadkari, also the Union Minister for MSME, was speaking at ‘Conference on Future Fuels for Transportation’, organised by FICCI in Delhi today. He said LNG is the fuel for future while adding that “the cost economics compared with diesel works to a saving of at least 50-60 per cent.”

Earlier this week, the Union minister had said that the cost of the proposed highway from Delhi to Mumbai that is under work, is Rs 1,03,000 crore and already 60 per cent of the contracts have been awarded and the target is to complete this highway before January 26, 2024.

As part of the Climate Change resolutions, the government has been pushing for clean fuel and zero emissions. In line with the government’s initiative, Nitin Gadkari has been pitching for use of alternative fuels.

Highlighting another huge opportunity for private players to invest in rolling stocks, Gadkari said broad gauge metro, which the Indian Railways has approved, can connecting nearby cities like Amritsar to Delhi and districts in backward areas.

Rolling stock in the rail transport industry refers to railway vehicles, including both powered and unpowered vehicles, for example, locomotives, railroad cars, coaches, private railroad cars and wagons.

“With less than Rs 5 crore (per km) cost you can make this broad gauge metro everywhere in India using the existing network of broad gauge. We can at least start 500-600 projects in the country,” he said, adding the first project will be in Nagpur.

The minister further said the government wants to convert the proposed 22 Express Highways, seven of which are under construction, and the existing NHAI network into electric highways, and sought investors and appropriate technology for it.

He also said that the country can produce bio aviation fuel in tribal and rural areas and reduce the import burden that currently is Rs 40,000 crore.

Also present on the occasion, FICCI President Dr Sangita Reddy said that there are growing concerns around the rising oil imports and carbon emissions and that alternative fuels must be used for sustainable development.

Dr OP Agarwal, Chairman, FICCI Task Force on Future Mobility and CEO, WRI India, said that there is a huge disruption in the transportation sector. Considering the energy security risk facing India, there is an urgent need for alternative fuels, he said.

Palash Roy Chowdhury, Co-Chairman, FICCI Task Force on Future Mobility and CMD, SmartE, said, “If India can put together a world-class shared electric mobility ecosystem in the coming years, we can address both issues of vehicular traffic as well as vehicular pollution.”

The conference was attended by organisations operating in alternative fuel and electric vehicle space and was addressed by senior officials from Maruti, JBM, GAIL Gas, SmartE, Praj, Indian Oil, Indian Institute of Petrology and IIT, Delhi.

PM condoles Maha accident deaths

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed grief over the death of 26 people in a bus accident in Maharashtra’s Nashik and hoped for speedy recovery of the injured.

Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, PM Modi said in a tweet, “The accident in Maharashtra’s Nashik district is unfortunate. In this hour of sadness, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest.”

At least 26 people were killed and several got injured in a road accident in Maharashtra’s Nashik last evening.

The accident occurred when a speeding Maharashtra state transport bus collided with an auto-rickshaw leading to both the vehicles falling into a roadside well at Meshi Ghat near Deola in the north Maharashtra district.

According to the reports, around 32 people were injured in the accident who have been admitted to various hospitals in the district.

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