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Gujarat CM flags off Ahmedabad-Mumbai Tejas Express

Ahmedabad-Mumbai Tejas Express was flagged off by Gujarat CM. (Source: @vijayrupanibjp)

Ahmedabad (NVI): Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani today flagged off the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Tejas Express. This is the second semi high-speed train to be run by Railway subsidiary IRCTC. The regular commercial run of the train will begin from January 19, 2020.

CM Vijay Rupani said, “It is an honour that Tejas Express is starting from Gujarat. This will further strengthen the economic ties between the two states.”

“Work on bullet train is also going on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route,” Rupani said.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who was to attend the flagging off could not arrive here due to bad weather, BJP MP Kirit Solanki said.

The Tejas Express will run six days a week with Thursday as an off-day for maintenance work.

The train will halt at Nadiad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi and Borivali stations in both directions.

There will be no tatkal quota or premium tatkal quota in the train. There will be only General Quota and Foreign Tourist Quota. Foreign Tourist Quota of six seats in EC (Executive Chair Car) and 12 seats in CC (AC Chair Car) will be available for Foreign Tourists.

Hit by internet shutdown, Kashmiri handicraft exports see 62% decline

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Due to internet shutdown post abolition of article 370, the exports of Kashmiri handicrafts including famed silken carpets and pashmina shawls have plummeted by 62 per cent in the second quarter of 2019, official data has revealed.

Handicrafts including carpets, shawls, paper mache, wood carving and others worth Rs 298.28 crore were exported in the first quarter of 2019 starting April. The second quarter starting July recorded a drop in the exports up to Rs 187.47 crore.

Data reveals that Kashmiri carpets, which were exported for Rs 122.65 crore in the first quarter, saw a sale of only Rs 76.26 crore in the second quarter. Similarly, the export of pashmina and other shawls dropped from Rs 88.70 crores in the first quarter to Rs 57.23 crore in the second quarter.

Exports of paper mache, chain stitch/crewel and wood carving dropped to Rs 1.26, Rs 51.03 and Rs 21.69 crore respectively in the second quarter from Rs 2.05, Rs 82.17 and Rs 2.72 crore, respectively in the first quarter.

As compared to the previous year, exports of handicrafts in the second quarter witnessed a fall of up to Rs 48.99 crore.

In 2018, handicrafts worth Rs 917.66 crore were exported, of which handicrafts worth Rs 238.82 and Rs 236.46 crore were exported in first and second quarter respectively. Similarly, handicrafts worth Rs 180.45 and Rs 261.93 crores were exported in the third and fourth quarter, respectively.

Officials said that internet gag has rendered lakhs of artisans jobless. Of whom 60,000 alone are associated with carpet sector.

Assistant Director, Handicraft Department Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah said that lack of internet has affected the delivery of orders.

“In the second quarter, there were fewer realisations reported. We are trying to figure out how much internet blockade has affected the exports in the third quarter,” he said.

Shah claimed that there was an increase in the production in the cottage industry this year. “Production this year so far has been good. Kashmir’s cottage sector comprises indoors units only,” he said.

Dealers said lack of internet facility resulted in massive cancellation of orders in the second quarter of 2019. “We receive maximum orders in July, August and September. Lack of internet has cost us a fortune. Non-availability of mobile internet and broadband may also hit sales during Christmas and New year,” said Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad, Director of Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) and President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

 

Israeli defence company tests portable guided missiles; range up to 2 km

(Image source: Rafael)

New Delhi (NVI): Israeli defence manufacturer Rafael recently tested its newly-designed SPIKE SR (Short Range), a lightweight, more manoeuvrable precision-guided missile system for infantry forces, that can hit targets located 2 km away, a range formerly covered only by heavier ATGMs.

The weapon system was demonstrated in a recent series of tests in southern Israel’s Negev Desert, where it proved its unique lethal capability, Israel Defense magazine reported.

SPIKE SR is an electro-optical guided missile designed for shoulder launch by infantry. It is the smallest and lightest variant of the SPIKE Missile family, weighing only 10 kg, in use today by several nations, including within NATO.

Spike SR was designed for manoeuvring forces, allowing standoff engagement ranges of 2 kilometres, formerly covered only by heavier ATGMs (Anti Tank Guided Missiles). Designed as a portable, fully disposable munition, the Spike SR carries a powerful High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead, as well as a frontal precursor for clearing of ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) tiles.

Gal Papier, director of marketing and business development at Rafael’s Precision Tactical Weapon Systems directorate told Israel Defence Magazine, “We are very proud of this small missile, which proved to be as lethal as other large calibre missiles, with great agility for the warfighter due to its lightweight, as well as its ability to act rapidly within six seconds from cold start, engaging fast-moving targets – highly-demanded capabilities in today’s warfare”.

The Spike missile systems are now operational in 34 nations, with more than 33,000 rounds produced and supplied, and as many as 45 different platforms integrated, including attack helicopters, ground vehicles, marine vessels and more.

ISRO successfully launches GSAT-30 satellite

India's communication satellite GSAT-30 was successfully launched. (Source: @isro)

New Delhi (NVI): India’s latest ‘high power’ communication satellite GSAT-30, aimed at providing high-quality television, telecommunications and broadcasting services, was successfully launched from the Spaceport in French Guiana, in South America, in the early hours today.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the ‘flawless flight’ lasted about 38 minutes.

The European space consortium Arianespace’s Ariane 5 vehicle injected GSAT-30 into the orbit.

The 3,357 kg satellite, which was deployed from the lower passenger position of Ariane-5 launch vehicle (VA 251) into to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), is configured on ISRO’s enhanced I-3K Bus structure to provide communication services from Geostationary orbit in C and Ku bands.

GSAT-30 is to serve as replacement to the “aging” INSAT-4A spacecraft services with enhanced coverage, ISRO has said, adding the satellite provides Indian mainland and islands coverage in Ku band and extended coverage in C-band covering Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries and Australia.

With a mission life of 15 years, GSAT-30 is an operational communication satellite for DTH, television plink and VSAT services.

“GSAT-30  has  a  unique  configuration  of  providing  flexible  frequency  segments and  flexible  coverage. The  satellite will provide communication services to Indian  mainland and islands through Ku-band and wide coverage covering Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries and Australia through C-band,” ISRO Chairman K Sivan said.

P Kunhikrishnan, ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite Centre Director, who was present in Kourou, congratulated the ISRO community and Arianespace team on the successful launch.

Calling it an “excellent start” to 2020 for ISRO with the launch, he said, “The mission team at the master control facility have already acquired the satellite and they will immediately complete the post launch operations.”

Eminent politicians like Lok Sabha member Mahesh Sharma, and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu congratulated the success of the launch via twitter.

ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka took over the command and control of GSAT-30 immediately after its separation from the launch vehicle. Preliminary health checks of the satellite revealed its normal health.

In the days ahead, orbit-raising manoeuvres will be performed to place the satellite in Geostationary Orbit (36,000 km above the equator) by using its onboard propulsion system. During the final stages of its orbit raising operations, the two solar arrays and the antenna reflectors of GSAT-30 will be deployed.

Following  this,  the  satellite will be  put  in  its  final  orbital  configuration. The  satellite  will  be  operational  after  the successful  completion  of  all  in-orbit  tests.

Nirbhaya: President rejects mercy plea

kovind 3 b

New Delhi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today rejected the mercy plea of Mukesh Singh who is one of the convicts in the 2012 Delhi gangrape case.

The President has rejected the plea after Union Home Ministry reiterated the recommendation of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal in this regard.

Mukesh Singh and the three other convicts– Vinay Sharma, Akshay Kumar and Pawan Gupta– are scheduled to be hanged on January 22 at 7 am in Tihar Jail.

Nirbhaya, a 23-year-old girl, was brutally raped and murdered on the night of December 16, 2012, in a south Delhi area.

Temperature rises in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi witnessed further respite from chill today as the minimum temperature rose to 11.3 degrees celsius from 9.5 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 16.0 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weatherman has forecast cloudy skies with the possibility of very light rain for today.

Meanwhile, the overall air quality in the national capital today remained in the “poor” category.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 266 which falls in the “poor” category.

The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida.

J&K: Terror attack averted, 5 Jaish operatives held

The arrested Jaish operatives.

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police today said it has arrested five persons associated with Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit and recovered ammunition which suggested plot to carry out IED attack.

DIG Jammu and Kashmir Police (Central) V K Birdi told reporters here that the investigation by the police showed that these five persons worked for JeM to carry out grenade attacks to “enforce shutdown in Srinagar.”

“Recently, some grenade attacks were reported in Srinagar, particularly on January 8 at Habbak crossing which resulted injuries to few civilians. An FIR number 02/2020 under sections 307, IPC and 3/4 Explosives Act was registered at Police Station Nigeen,” he said.

Central Kashmir DIG VK Birdi addressing a press conference on Thursday.

“During investigation Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, a driver from Hazratbal, Umar Hameed Sheikh,  vendor from Hazratbal were arrested. Both these admitted their role in grenade attack as well as provide leads for similar attack at Sir Syed Gate of Kashmir University on November 26,” Birdi added.

He said other three associates were arrested during raids and searches were conducted by the police at various spots in the area. “Imtiyaz Ahmad Chikla, Naseer Ahmed Mir, both from Hazrtabal and Sahil Farooq Gojri from Souyra admitted their roles in November grenade attack at Sir Syed gate of Kashmir University,” Birdi said.

He said police recovered huge incriminating material including gelatine sticks, explosives, detonators, arms , explosive body vests , batteries and nitric acids during the investigation.“ They were active cadre of JeM.”

Birdi said the main motive of the arrested persons was “to enforce shutdown and cause IED type blasts in the city.”

“Shops in the market had opened and they wanted to shut them. Recovery also suggested that they were also planning some IED attack.  Further investigations are underway to unearth the module and its conspiracy,” he said.

India, Bangladesh meeting held on joint study for free trade pact

New Delhi (NVI) With a view to boost two-way commerce, India and Bangladesh today held discussions on a joint study for the proposed free trade agreement and harmonisation of standards.

The Commerce Secretary level meeting between India and Bangladesh was held in New Delhi on January 15-16.

“Both sides held extensive discussions on a variety of issues of mutual interest, like Border Haats, joint study for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), India-Bangladesh CEOs’ Forum, sharing of trade data, regional connectivity initiatives, harmonization of standards, upgradation of border trading infrastructure and facilitation of business visas,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

The meeting was preceded by the 12th meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade, at the level of Additional Secretaries of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India and Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh on January 13-14 in New Delhi.

The CEPA is a free trade agreement under which two trading partners significantly reduce or eliminate imports duties on maximum number of goods traded between them. They also liberalise norms to promote trade in services sector and boost investments.

Johns Hopkins Univ to host workshop on Delhi air pollution

Pradeep Multani, Vice President, PHD Chamber, along with Hugh Sullivian, Director International Programs, Johns Hopkins University

New Delhi (NVI): In a noble initiative, Johns Hopkins University will host a workshop in Jaipur, where faculties from different areas will brainstorm over the problem of air pollution in Delhi.

The University’s ‘Alliance for a Healthier World’, a signature initiative will be hosting the workshop in the pink city in collaboration with International Institute for Health Management Research.

This comes even as the Delhi-NCR region continues to breathe poor quality air due to smog and various factors adding to the pollution. The air pollution in Delhi or even any part of the world has been a major health concern as it affects small children and elderly people most.

Benjamin Link, Executive Manager at Johns Hopkins Alliance for a Healthier World talked about the plan at an interactive session held in New Delhi, which was attended by leading universities including JNU, IIFT and Shriram Institute for Industrial Research.

Also speaking on the occasion, Hugh Sullivan, Director International Programs, Johns Hopkins University said that the said University has also set up a foundation in India, in association with a private company, to facilitate research work in public health care sphere.

He also said that the university sees an increased engagement with India and Indian institutions in future to find solutions on health care issues.

“Cross-disciplinary initiatives and collaborations are the need of the hour as resources needed for such research useful for the humanity are so vast,” Sullivan said while inviting the Indian research and academic bodies and business entities to team up with the University for collaborations.

The Alliance for a Healthier World is a Johns Hopkins University signature initiative that integrates university-wide expertise and diverse perspectives to unlock groundbreaking knowledge in addressing unresolved global health challenges.

Farm sector growth may reach 3.1% in current fiscal: NITI Aayog

New Delhi (NVI): India’s farm sector growth for the current fiscal is expected to remain higher at 3.1 per cent compared to 2.9 per cent of the last year, a NITI Aayog official said here today.

While addressing a gathering after the inaugurating of the second national conference on food value chain partnerships at ASSOCHAM, NITI Aayog Member Ramesh Chand, said that the private sector has to play a big role in the Indian agriculture sector.

“I feel today we need more competition in agriculture, more investment and the face of agriculture from traditional to modern and movement of agriculture from present stage to higher evolution will not happen without active involvement of private sector,” he said.

“Unless we increase corporate sectors investment and involve them from seed and continuing it up to sale, it would be difficult to cause a breakthrough in growth of agriculture and doubling farmers income,” he added.

He also informed that NITI Aayog was trying to convince the central government to make up its mind in terms of Model Land Lease Act prepared.

Commenting on the APMC Act and Agriculture Produce Contract Farming Act, he said that “I think we need to persuade the states, we are already trying to do it that those two acts are adopted by the states.”

Stating that there is a big knowledge gap in the area of food value chain, he said that without bringing agriculture into picture and value chain kind of things, it will be very difficult to create more jobs in future.

“Agriculture is coming back into the development agenda. Food value chain is one very-very important element for economic development of emerging economies,” he added.

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