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‘Namaste’ goes global amid Corona scare

New Delhi (NVI): With coronavirus spreading through human contact, India’s traditional way of greeting each other with folded hands has gained relevance in the developed countries, particularly among their leaders.

Be it US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or even Prince Charles, everyone is adopting ‘Namaste’ to greet others, instead of a handshake, to avoid human contact and possible contraction of coronavirus.

Netanyahu, who is greatly appreciative of India and it’s culture, was the first world leader to publicly appeal for adoption of ‘Namaste’ as a way of greeting.

Subsequently, Macron decided to meet other leaders and officials with folded hands and by saying ‘Namaste’, instead of shaking hands.

The French President’s resolve was seen when he greeted Spain’s King and Queen on March 11. He replaced the traditional handshake with an Indian-style namaste, pressing his palms together and bowing slightly.

French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain tweeted those visuals and said Macron has decided to meet his counterparts with Namaste.

The French President has retained the “graceful gesture” since his India visit in 2018, the Ambassador wrote.

Trump, after his meeting with the Irish Prime Minister at White House recently, also told journalists that he resorted to Namaste to greet the visiting leader as it was a good way to avoid human contact.

He didn’t forget to mention that he had been to India in the recent past and it was here that such a way is used to greet.

Prince Charles was also seen in visuals doing Namaste to greet another leader after almost shaking hands.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked people to avoid handshakes and greet with ‘namaste’.

As the deadly virus keeps spreading, with the WHO declaring it a pandemic, people are worried about social contact including gestures of meeting like a handshake, hugging and kissing on the cheek, as it might spread the virus.

Not only in India, but public health authorities in Europe have also said that people should avoid shaking hands to curb the spread of coronavirus. The COVID-19 infection could be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

UNICEF warns of misinformation about COVID-19 on social media

New York (NVI): Misinformation during times of a health crisis can spread paranoia, fear, and stigmatization, the UNICEF has said in a statement while warning people about fake information on COVID-19 being spread on social media.

The organisation released the statement after a fake online message purporting to be a UNICEF communication was doing rounds on social media. The message appears to indicate that avoiding ice cream can prevent the virus.

“A recent erroneous online message circulating in several languages around the world and purporting to be a UNICEF communication appears to indicate, among other things, that avoiding ice cream and other cold foods can help prevent the onset of the disease. This is, of course, wholly untrue,” read a statement by Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Partnerships.

She said that sound preparation, based on scientific evidence, is what is needed at this time.

In her statement on coronavirus misinformation, Charlotte stated that while many people are sharing information about the virus and how to protect against it, only some of that information is useful or reliable.

She also warned those behind the misinformation.“To the creators of such falsehoods, we offer a simple message: STOP. Sharing inaccurate information and attempting to imbue it with authority by misappropriating the names of those in a position of trust is dangerous and wrong,” she said.

The UNICEF Deputy Executive Director also urged the people to seek accurate information about how to keep themself and their family safe from verified sources, such as UNICEF or WHO, government health officials and trusted healthcare professionals. She appealed to the public to refrain from sharing information from untrustworthy or unverified sources.

“It can be difficult in today’s information-rich society to know exactly where to go for knowledge about how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. But it is critical that we remain as diligent about the accuracy of the information we share as we are about every other precaution we take to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe,” she added.

Charlotte asserted that UNICEF is actively taking steps to provide accurate information about the virus by working with the World Health Organization, government authorities and with online partners like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok to make sure that accurate information and advice is available, as well as taking steps to inform the public when inaccurate information emerges.

J&K Apni Party delegation meets Amit Shah

New Delhi (NVI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah today chaired a meeting with members of the newly-floated J&K Apni Party here and discussed issued like concerns on demographic changes in the erstwhile state, delimitation exercise and grant of state domicile there.

A delegation-led by Apni Party president, Altaf Bukhari met the Home Minister at his North Block office. The meeting was also attended by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and other senior Home Ministry officials.

The Apni-Party delegation in a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah.

Yesterday, a 24-member delegation of the newly formed Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, led by its leader Altaf Bukhari, called on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence here as the PM engaged with them on various issues like concerns on demographic changes, the delimitation exercise, and grant of state domicile, officials said.

PM Modi met the Apni Party delegation yesterday.

“Referring to his statement in Parliament, the Prime Minister underlined that the government will work with all sections of the population to realize the hopes of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir at an early opportunity,” an official statement said.

During an interactive session with the delegation, the Prime Minister also called for ‘Janbhagidari’ (people’s participation) in transforming Jammu and Kashmir and emphasized on the importance of an administration that gives voice to the people.

Modi also noted that democracy in the region could be strengthened through a fast-moving process of political integration.

J&K: Four militants killed in south Kashmir gunfight

Representational Image

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Four militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district today, while one was arrested in Baramulla, police said.

A joint team of Army’s 19 RR SOG Anantnag cordoned off the area at Dar Mohalla Watergam area of Anantnag district.

As the forces intensified searches, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.

“In an encounter with Police, security forces at Watrigam Anantnag four militants were killed. More details being collected,” the police said.

The identification of militants is being done.

Meanwhile, a militant was arrested during a cordon and search operation in Baramulla district.

The militant was identified as Danish Kakroo, resident of Chesti Colony in Baramulla, a police official said.

In another development, the police apprehended two persons from Alstop Mirbazar in district Kulgam of South Kashmir.

One of them has been identified as Parveez Ahmad Mantoo, resident of Khudwani Kulgam, while the identity of the other one is being ascertained, the official said.

He said police recovered a pistol, three grenades and some cash from them.

Third batch of 234 Indians evacuated from corona-hit Iran

Jaisalmer (NVI): The third batch of 234 Indians stranded in coronavirus-hit Iran was brought back today. Those evacuated include 131 students and 103 pilgrims. All have been taken to a quarantine facility of the Indian Army in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer.

“234 Indians stranded in #Iran have arrived in India; including 131 students and 103 pilgrims. Thank you Ambassador @dhamugaddam and @India_in_Iran team for your efforts. Thank Iranian authorities,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a tweet.

Col Sombit Ghosh, PRO Defence Rajasthan, said, “236 Indian nationals being evacuated from Iran on 15 Mar 2020, are being quarantined at the Indian Army Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer.”

He added that as a precautionary measure, these evacuated persons are to be kept under quarantine for a period of fourteen days.

The Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer is an initiative of the Indian Army to support the nation’s fight against COVID-19.

“The operationalization of these facilities demonstrates Indian Army’s commitment to the nation to handle multiple challenges. The Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer is fully equipped and functional facility to help Indian citizens undertake the mandatory quarantine period under the supervision of skilled medical authorities,” the PRO said in a statement.

Before this, the second batch of 44 Indians was brought back from Iran via a special Air India flight on Friday.

The first batch of Indians from the virus-hit country was evacuated on Tuesday.

Apart from this, 218 people including 211 students from Milan landed in Delhi today, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs V Muraleedharan said.

Yesterday, an Air India flight was sent to Milan in Italy to evacuate stranded Indian students.

Iran is one of the worst coronavirus-hit countries where even some of the top government officials have been affected by the virus.

Highest-ever rainfall recorded in Delhi in March

New Delhi (NVI): The national capital has broken record for highest-ever rainfall recorded in the month of March. The Safdarjung Meteorological station has received 101.9 mm of rain, according to SkymetWeather.

This comes after the Delhi witnessed a chilly winter season in years. The earlier record of highest rainfall was 97.4 mm in 2015. Meanwhile, there are still 16 days left and another spell of rains maybe around March 22.

Yesterday, temperatures dipped in the national capital and parts of NCR after rain and hailstorm hit the area, with reports of traffic jam from several parts.

Delhi received 37 mm rainfall which is the second-highest to March 2, 2015, when the capital had witnessed 56.8 mm rains, highest ever on a day in March, according to IMD.

In Delhi, the maximum temperature today was recorded at 25 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 15 degrees Celsius.

According to IMD, the maximum and minimum temperature is now expected to increase over the next few days.

Another fresh western disturbance is expected after March 19, which could also bring rainfall over the region.

PM talks about restoring J&K’s statehood

New Delhi (NVI): The Government will work with all sections of Jammu and Kashmir to realize the hopes of its statehood at an early opportunity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today as he met a delegation from a newly-floated J&K Apni Party here.

The 24-member delegation from Apni Party was led by its chief Altaf Bukhari.

J&K was converted into a Union Territory from a state in August last year when its special status, granted under Article 370 of Indian Constitution, was abolished.

There have been demands for restoration of statehood.

During the interactive session, the Prime Minister called for ‘janbhagidari’ (people’s participation) in transforming Jammu & Kashmir and emphasized on the importance of an administration that gives voice to the people, an official statement said.

Modi also noted that the democracy in the region could be strengthened through a fast moving process of political integration.

Speaking on youth empowerment, the Prime Minister said that youth should act as catalytic agents for the development of Jammu & Kashmir.

He highlighted the importance of skill development and creating new employment opportunities for the youth to bring in an overall transformation of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Prime Minister assured the delegation that the government is committed to economic development of the region through extensive focus on infrastructure development and creating new investment opportunities in sectors like tourism.

He assured full support by the government to resolve all the issues being faced by Jammu & Kashmir.

Prime Minister engaged with the delegation on various issues like concerns on demographic changes, delimitation exercise and grant of state domicile.

Bukhari stated that August 5, 2019, when the decision to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35-A was taken, was a watershed moment in the history of Jammu & Kashmir, the statement said.

The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for his unstinted support and untiring efforts towards the development of Jammu & Kashmir.

They also appreciated the efforts of the government, security agencies and the people of Jammu and Kashmir towards maintaining peace and security in the region.

Aviation Min meets top CEOs

Hyderabad (NVI):  Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today interacted with captains of aviation industry at the Global CEO meet here and heard suggestions to further strengthen India’s civil aviation sector.

He met the CEOs during the ongoing Wings India 2020 Summit, India’s annual civil aviation show.

“Interacted with captains of the aviation industry at the Global CEO Meet during the ongoing #WingsIndia2020 Summit.

We had a free flow of ideas & suggestions to further strengthen India’s civil aviation sector in coming years,” Puri tweeted later.

He also visited the aviation exhibition and watched the Air show.

COVID-19: 2 test positive, 164 people complete surveillance period in J&K

Jammu (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir government today said 164 people have completed their 28-day surveillance period in the Union Territory and only two cases have tested positive for coronavirus.

It said 1,878 travellers and people in contact with suspected cases of coronavirus have been put under surveillance while 1,567 people are placed under home quarantine while 24 are in hospital quarantine.

A medical bulletin issued by the government said 89 samples have been sent for testing, of which 78 tested as negative and only two cases have tested positive, whereas reports of 9 cases are awaited.

The public in general has been requested to lend its support to the government to strengthen surveillance mechanism by making self-declaration about their foreign travel history to the health authorities.

The government urged that all social, religious and political should be avoided.

People of the valley are requested to rely only on the information released by the government and there is no need to panic.

The media bulletin further advised public to maintain social distancing, avoid unnecessary travel and use of public transport. “If anyone has fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical care at the earliest,” the bulletin reads.

CDS visits Navy Command

Mumbai (NVI): Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat today paid his maiden visit to the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy here.

Gen Rawat held discussions with Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar.

He was briefed on the Navy’s activities, including the ongoing Maritime Operations, deployments and assets of the Command, the Navy spokesman said.

Gen Rawat took over as the country’s first CDS on December 31 last year after retiring as Army Chief.

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