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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.

Cabinet nod for allocating 30% funds of NE Council for new projects

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar

New Delhi (NVI): With an aim to trigger growth in deprived and backward areas in north-east states, the Union Cabinet today approved the allocation of 30 per cent of funds of the North-Eastern Council (NEC) for new projects.

The marginalised and vulnerable groups of people in backward and neglected areas of north-eastern states are expected to get socio-economic benefits from the fresh Cabinet move. The decision will also lead to faster decision making and quick implementation of the projects in the north-east region.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a decision regarding allocation of funds in this direction today.

“Allocation of 30 per cent of North Eastern Council’s (NEC’s) allocation for new projects under the existing “Schemes of North Eastern Council” for focussed development of deprived areas; deprived/neglected sections of society and emerging priority sectors in the North eastern States,” the government mentioned in a statement after the high-level meeting.

“The balance allocation shall be bifurcated in the existing two components (State component-60% and Central component-40%),” the Cabinet announced.

Apart from this, the Cabinet has also taken a decision on revising the NEC guidelines for simplification of appraisal and approval mechanism.

Shringla takes charge as FS

India, Maldives sign 4 MoUs including Greater Male Connectivity Project
Harsh Vardhan Shringla (File)

New Delhi (NVI): Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla took charge as the country’s new foreign secretary today.

A seasoned diplomat, Shringla succeeded Vijay Gokhale, the former Indian foreign secretary. He has been appointed for a fixed two-year term.

After assuming the charge the new foreign secretary said, “I am as committed to Ministry of External affairs role in nation building as I was almost 36 years ago when I first entered these very portals as a young probationer.”

Shringla had played an important role in successful hosting of the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston in September where US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly addressed the Indian diaspora.

The diplomat has also served as High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh and Ambassador of India to Thailand. He has also served in France, Vietnam, Israel and South Africa.

Cabinet approves proposal for amendments in NCIM Bill, 2019

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of official amendments in the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2019 (NCIM) which is pending in the Rajya Sabha.

In another decision, the Cabinet approved the official amendments to National Commission for Homeopathy Bill, 2019 for amending the Homeopathy Central Council (HCC) Act, 2973.

This Bill is also pending in Rajya Sabha.

The proposed legislation will ensure necessary regulatory reforms in the field of Indian System of Medicine education and Homoeopathy education.

The proposed regulatory structure will enable transparency and accountability for protecting the interest of the general public.

The Commission will promote availability of affordable healthcare services in all parts of the country.

The Commission has been structured to streamline the functions related to academic standards, evaluation, assessment and accreditation of educational institutions pertaining to Indian System of Medicine.

Coronavirus: India seeks China’s permission to operate 2 flights to bring back nationals

New Delhi (NVI): With coronavirus affliction spreading dangerously in China, the Indian government today requested China for permission to operate two flights to bring back its nationals from Hubei Province, the epicenter of the deadly disease.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet that the Indian Embassy in Beijing is in touch with Chinese officials to work out necessary logistics in this regard.

“Chinese Government requested for permission to operate two flights to bring back our nationals from Hubei Province of China. @EOIBeijing in touch with Chinese authorities on the ground to work out necessary logistics. We will share regular updates,” the tweet read.

Earlier, the Indian Embassy said that it is “working hard to ensure smooth evacuation of our citizens from Hubei province.

“We are already in touch with many sections of Indian community in Hubei, including our students,” it said in a tweet, also shared by MEA handle.

In another tweet, the embassy urged all Indian citizens from Hubei who have yet not contacted it to do so urgently on the hotline numbers shared by it.

Earlier today, the Indian Government advised its citizens against travel to China even as the state-carrier Air India and private airline Indigo announced suspension of flights to various cities in that country.

Coronavirus, a new kind of virus, has already claimed over 130 lives and nearly 1500 new cases of the infectious disease have been reported, with Chinese officials confirming nearly 6,000 total cases of the mysterious illness.

“In view of the spurt of cases bring reported from China and travel-related cases appearing in many countries, the travellers to China are advised the following: PLEASE REFRAIN FROM TRAVELLING TO CHINA,” the Health Ministry said in a fresh advisory today.

“All travellers from China to monitor their health closely,” the ministry added.

Shortly after the advisory was issued, Air India said it was cancelling flights to Shanghai and Hong Kong.

“Cancellation charges for travel to/from Shanghai & Hong Kong on Air India flights is waived off with immediate effect till further notice,” it tweeted.

The airline has taken the decision in a bid to encourage travellers from restraining from travelling to China.

Indigo said it was going to suspend Delhi-Chengdu and Bengaluru-Hong Kong flights from February 1 to 20 while monitoring on a daily basis the Kolkata-Guangzhou flights which will continue to operate for the time being.

There were reports that Air India has kept a Boeing 747 plane on standby for the evacuation of Indians from Wuhan in Chinese province of Hubei.

Meanwhile, according to media reports, Japan and the US are evacuating their nationals from Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly virus outbreak.

Saina Nehwal joins BJP

New Delhi (NVI): Ace shuttler and former world number one badminton player Saina Nehwal today joined BJP, while praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having done “so much for sports” in the country with “initiatives like Khelo India”.

The badminton star player joined the saffron party at its headquarters here in the presence of BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh.

“Today, I am joining a party that performs well for the country,” she was quoted as saying by BJP’s official Twitter handle.

“Modi Ji has done so much for sports in India with initiatives like Khelo India. Looking forward to work hard for the country and the people,” she was quoted in another tweet.

Saina has been honoured with awards like Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award. She is also the first Indian badminton player to have won an Olympic medal.

Last year, cricket player Gautam Gambhir and wrestler Babita Phogat had joined BJP.

Cabinet approves Bill to raise abortion limit to 24 weeks

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Cabinet today  approved the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 to increase the upper limit for legal termination of pregnancy from 20 to 24 weeks.

The move will ensure reproductive rights to women and is aimed at discouraging informal termination of pregnancies and reducing the maternal mortality rate.

The Bill will be introduced in the ensuing session of the Parliament.

Enhancing the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women which will be defined in the amendments to the MTP Rules and would include ‘vulnerable women including survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women (like differently-abled women, Minors) etc.

Upper gestation limit not to apply in cases of substantial fetal abnormalities diagnosed by Medical Board.

The composition, functions and other details of Medical Board to be prescribed subsequently in Rules under the Act.

Name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed except to a person authorised in any law for the time being in force.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is for expanding access of women to safe and legal abortion services on therapeutic, eugenic, humanitarian or social grounds.

 

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