UNICEF and experts are helping run 12 Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) consultation centres in Bihar – eight in medical colleges and four in district hospitals. These centres focus on malnutrition and importance of breastfeeding. Here is a show telecast on the programme.
Jan Aushadhi kendras helped people save money due to cheaper drugs
New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that Jan Aushadhi kendras across the country have helped over one crore families by providing access to medicines, irrespective of their economical status.
The prime minister interacting with the beneficiaries and owners of Jan Aushadhi kendras across the country through video conferencing here, on the occasion of Jan Aushadhi Diwas.
He said that medicines at these centres are available at cheaper rates, around 50 to 90 percent less than the market price.
The PM added that the medicines available at these centres are safe as they are tested at the highest standards. He said that the government is committed to maintain best health standards for every citizen.
PM Modi also expressed his concern over the coronavirus outbreak, saying that there is no need to panic. He urged the people to not believe in rumors over the spread of infection. He suggested people to greet with tradition Indian way of saying Namaste instead of shaking hands, to reduce chanced of infection.
Jan Aushadhi Kendras operate under Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme that was announced on July 1, 2015, by PM Modi. The dedicated medicine centres are considered to be the biggest retail pharma chain in the world with around 6,200 outlets in 700 districts.
Coronavirus cases surpass 1,00,000 globally; Italy death toll at 197
New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus outbreak continues to spread and has infected more than 1,00,000 people globally till date with at least 3,300 deaths worldwide.
The death toll from the new coronavirus in Italy has risen to 197 after the largest daily increase in fatalities were marked at 49 since the outbreak began, with more than 4,600 positive cases being reported.
In South Korea, authorities reported 483 new cases of infections today, bringing the total close to 7,000, according to media reports.
The number of people in New York State who have tested positive for the coronavirus has increased by 11 to 33, Governor Andrew Cuomo said.
The number of coronavirus cases in India has increased sharply to 31 this week, according to the health ministry. Authorities in New Delhi have also ordered the closure of primary schools until March 31 to prevent local transmission.
WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the spread of the virus “deeply concerning” and urged all countries to make containment “their highest priority”.
Meanwhile, the Vatican, Serbia, Slovakia, Peru and Togo also reported their first cases of the virus.
North, East India brace for more rains; chilly morning in Delhi
New Delhi (NVI): There was a significant drop in temperature as Delhiites woke up to a chilly morning with cloudy weather even as parts in North and East India brace for more showers.
Punjab and Haryana districts are expected to witness moderate showers today as well, including the western parts of Uttar Pradesh, according to SkymetWeather.
However, North Rajasthan and Delhi NCR may receive isolated patches of rains and thundershowers by late afternoon, according to the weather monitor.
During the last 24 hours, Northwest India received fairly widespread rains and thundershowers while a few places also received hailstorms.
Temperatures have dropped by three to four degrees at many places over Northern Plains.
Rains are also expected to continue over eastern parts of the country especially Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal which have been receiving good rainfall activities for the last two to three days.
The maximum temperature in Delhi today is expected to be around 25 degrees celsius and the minimum temperature is expected to be around 13 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Meanwhile, the overall air quality in the national capital today improved from “poor” to “good” category.
According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 38 which falls in the “good” category.
J&K: 2 Coronavirus suspects in Jammu; biometric attendance suspended
Jammu (NVI): Two persons have been suspected of Coronavirus infection from Jammu and they have high chances of testing positive for COVID-19, J&K Govt spokesperson said today.
“Test reports of two suspected patients from Jammu received. Both have high viral load cases. High probability of testing positive,” the spokesperson said.
Both suspected cases have been kept at isolation at GMC, Jammu, he said, adding that they are stable and all protocols are being followed.
Both cases had left hospital against medical advice and they had to be brought back, the spokesperson said.
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.
Also, all primary schools in Jammu and Samba districts will remain closed till March 31 with immediate effect.
“It is hereby ordered that there shall be no class work for primary classes in both Government as well as Private schools (JKBOSE/CBSE/ICSE etc) of Jammu and Samba districts, till 31st March 2020. However teachers shall continue to attend the schools. In case of any examination in respect of primary classes rescheduled during this period, the same shall stand postponed and the schools shall notify fresh dates separately,” read an official notice by Directorate of School Education, Jammu.
J&K: Civilian shot dead in south Kashmir
Mubashir Bukhari
Tral (NVI): A civilian was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Tral area of south Kashmir this evening.
The deceased has been identified as Shabir Ahmed Bhat, son of Mohammad Sideeq Bhat.
“Unknown gunmen shot at Bhat outside his residence. He was rushed to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead,” officials said.
Soon after the incident, security forces cordoned off the area to nab the culprits, they said.
Meanwhile, a civilian sustained injuries when suspected militants hurled a grenade on a police station at Maharaj Gunj in Srinagar this evening.
Suspected militants lobbed a grenade on police station but it missed the target and exploded nearby causing injuries to one civilian who was passing by.
J&K: Civilian killed, another injured in Srinagar grenade blast
Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): A civilian was killed while another sustained injuries in a grenade blast at Zainakadal area of Srinagar this evening.
The incident took place when suspected militants lobbed a grenade on a 23 bn CRPF bunker at Zainakadal in Old Srinagar in which two pedestrians suffered splinter injuries and were immediately shifted to SMHS hospital.
Among the injured, one person identified as Ghulam Nabi Ahanger succumbed to injuries.
Soon after the incident, SOG, police and CRPF cordoned off the area and started searches to nab the attackers.
Bhutan bars tourists after reporting 1st coronavirus case
New Delhi (NVI): Bhutan today reported its first coronavirus case after a US tourist was tested positive for COVID-19.
Following this, the country has imposed a temporary travel restriction of two weeks for incoming tourists.
“In order to reduce the risk and vulnerability for further spreading of virus within the country, the government has put a temporary restrictions on the tourist coming to Bhutan. The government has imposed two week restrictions on all the incoming tourists with immediate effect,” the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement.
“In accordance with government directives, the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority informs the airlines to impose the two week restriction on all incoming tourist with immediate effect,” it added.
PhonePe services hit by Yes Bank crisis
New Delhi (NVI): A day after Reserve Bank of India’s moratorium on Yes Bank, digital payments provider PhonePe has gone down as it depends on the cash-strapped lender for its transactions.
PhonePe users were unable to pay using the platform since yesterday even as the service provider said the problem will be fixed by the end of the day.
Sameer Nigam, PhonePe’s co-founder and CEO, confirmed the outage on Twitter today: “Dear @PhonePe_ customers. We sincerely regret the long outage. Our partner bank (Yes Bank) was placed under moratorium by RBI. Entire team’s been working all night to get services back up asap. We hope to be live in a few hours. Thanks for your patience. Stay tuned for updates!”
Yes Bank’s own net banking facilities have not been operational since last night.
Meanwhile, PhonePe’s app says it’s “temporarily unavailable” due to an “unscheduled maintenance activity” and said it “should not take more than 24 hours” to be running again.
PhonePay is a UPI-based payments system and digital wallet company based in Bengaluru.
Yesterday, RBI placed restrictions on cash withdrawal for Yes Bank customers at Rs 50,000 per month. The restriction came into effect at 6 pm yesterday and will continue till April 3.
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace launched in India at Rs 33.12 lakh
New Delhi (NVI): Volkswagen India today launched the new Tiguan Allspace with the starting price of Rs 33.12 Lakh.
The 7-seater Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace price in India is Rs 5 lakh more than that of the 5-seater Volkswagen Tiguan, which is currently available for a starting of 28.14 lakh.
The new Tiguan Allspace will enter India as a CBU (complete built up) unit.
The vehicle is powered by a BS6-compliant 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine that develops 190PS and 320Nm of maximum torque.
The motor is paired to a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The car also boasts of a 4Motion AWD (all-wheel drive) system.
Coming to dimensions, the premium SUV has a 2,787mm wheelbase and 340litres of boot, which can be extended up to 1,274 litres.
It also features a new hood. The front grille is flanked by LED headlamps with LED DRLs. The taillamps are LED units. Also available are features like roofrails, illuminated scuff plates and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The SUV will compete with the likes of Honda CR-V, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Mahindra Alturas G4.
