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Gun sales surge in US amid fears of social unrest due to coronavirus

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New Delhi (NVI): Sales of guns and ammunition are soaring across the US, especially in places hit hardest by coronavirus like California, New York and Washington, as fears of possible social unrest are prompting some Americans to turn to firearms as a form of self-protection.

Gun shops nationwide are reporting an increase in sales, particularly from first-time gun buyers, according to a 9News channel report.

As people are stockpiling groceries and toilet papers in case they’re quarantined, it’s also causing many to worry about a shortage of gun supplies, which is driving up demand and leading to long lines at suppliers.

Sales were especially pronounced in North Carolina and Georgia, which experienced a leap of 179% and 169% respectively. Other states with large increases included Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, Illinois and New York.

Apart from general anxiety surrounding coronavirus, some gun sale spikes appeared to have specific causes. Media reported in Washington and California, gun sales increased acutely propelled by Asian Americans who feared that they could face xenophobic and racist violence against their families given that the original source of coronavirus was China.

The death toll in the United States has also reached 100, after spreading to all the 50 states.

Globally, the death toll has crossed 7,500, with nearly 2,00,000 people testing positive for the virus, according to World Health Organization (WHO).

Ban on foreign tourists may affect Kashmir’s tourism this summer

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Already on crutches after the abrogation of article 370, Kashmir tourism may witness a tough summer this time as the J&K government has now banned foreign tourists’ entry amid coronavirus scare.

The UT administration on Tuesday barred foreign tourists from entering the Union Territory as a precautionary measure in view of COVID-19 outbreak. Besides, all the gardens and parks in Srinagar too have been closed.

The Coronavirus scare is now giving sleepless nights to the travel agents and people associated with tourism industry, who fear that their business will be the worst hit.

Most of the tourist destinations in Kashmir wear deserted look, while as famous Dal Lake in Srinagar sans visitors

The stakeholders associated with tourism feel that coronavirus could spell doom on their businesses. “Spring season is considered to be one of the peak seasons for Kashmir tourism as tourists from all over the world throng valley. But now with the spread of this virus and travel advisory, spell of doom is looming over us,” said Waheed Ahmad, a travel agent from Srinagar.

Last year, tourists from China, Thailand, Korea, Hong Kong, United States and Indonesia formed the biggest chunk of foreign arrivals in Kashmir last year.  Last year, 4572 tourists from Thailand visited the valley followed by 543, 731, 2918 arrivals from China, the US, and Indonesia.

Secretary Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) Farooq Kuthoo said that people throughout the world are skeptical to travel to Kashmir because of coronavirus outbreak.

The coronavirus impact is also going to affect the flow at Asia’s largest tulip garden in Srinagar, which is thrown open every year after March 25.

Keeping in view the current situation, the tulip garden is unlikely to be opened for the public

Director, Floriculture department Farooq Ahmad Rather said that date for reopening the garden has not been notified now.

Last year, tulip garden was opened on March 31 and 2.58 lakh visitors visited the garden.

President Travel Agents Association of Kashmir Ashfaq Ahmad Dugg said that Coronavirus scare has affected their business. “People are cancelling booking, like last year, our businesses are running in loses,” he said.

There has been a drop in tourist arrivals to Kashmir with only 6954 tourist arriving in December last year. Mere 3792 visited Kashmir in January this year.

Sanitiser without harmful chemicals developed by CSIR scientists

New Delhi (NVI): Amid the coronavirus outbreak, demand for products such as hand sanitisers has increased in the market. However, many counterfeit products in the market are being sold to benefit from the situation.

Scientists at CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT) in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh have developed a new hand-sanitizer that is free from harmful chemicals.

Natural flavors, active tea constituents and alcohol content have been used in this hand-sanitizer as per the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr Sanjay Kumar, Director of IHBT said, “One of the special things is that chemicals like parabens, triclosan, synthetic fragrance and phthalates have not been used in this product.”

The technology was transferred to Palampur based company M/s A.B. Scientific Solutions for the commercial production of this newly developed hand-sanitizer and an agreement has also been signed between CSIR-IHBT and the company.

The company, which has a strong nationwide marketing network of its own, will be establishing a facility in Palampur for the commercial production of hand-sanitizer and will also market these hand-sanitizers and other disinfectants in major cities across the country.

Dr Sanjay Kumar also said that due to the sudden increase in demand for sanitizer in the market, its irrational prices are being charged.

Africa recycles only 4% of its total waste: Report

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New Delhi (NVI): Africa only recycles 4 per cent of its waste. About 90 per cent is disposed of on land, often in uncontrolled dumpsites, while the rest is being unaccounted for, according to the UNEP’s Africa Waste Management Outlook report.

The report urges African countries to find innovative solutions to address its waste management challenges and to prepare for the expected growth in waste generation on the continent, expected to double by 2025.

In order to turn environmental challenges into opportunities based on the understanding of an inclusive green economy, Switch Africa Green Programme has been implemented.

This programme supports seven African countries—Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda—to achieve sustainable development by engaging in transition towards an inclusive green economy based on sustainable consumption and production patterns. 

In a regional forum – Switch Green Africa – State Minister for Environment of Uganda Beatrice Anywar addressed over 300 African entrepreneurs and policymakers in February 2020, in Kampala city in Uganda.

Anywar said, “Echoing the main lesson learned from phase 1 of Switch Africa Green, a project led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and supported by the European Union to assist Africa’s transition into green economy, that the transition to a green economy requires actions and significant technological, behavioural and systemic change at all levels of the society, including citizens, public and the private sector.”

Anywar further added, “It has been established that more radical innovations come from micro, small and medium enterprises. These enterprises play a key role in the transition to green economies and sustainable development in general by greening the existing business models and creating new business models that are not only economically profitable but also create environmental and social inclusiveness.”

Implementation of the Switch Africa Green programme is guided by both global and regional settings and priorities. During the 17th Ministerial session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment in Durban, South Africa in 2019, a regional framework on circular economy was proposed, to focus on contextualizing the circular economy to the needs of African countries.

“Circular Economy approach is a part of Africa’s transformative efforts to sustainable development. Switch Africa Green programme already promotes circularity approaches such as the promotion of biogas technology, e-waste management, promoting organic agriculture, green manufacturing and eco-industrial park and standards and labelling in the hotel industry, among others,” said Patrick Mwesigye, UNEP Africa Office Regional Coordinator on Resource Efficiency.

CRPF comes to rescue of 6 Kashmiri students

Srinagar (NVI): Six Kashmiri students got their money back they had paid for getting admissions in colleges abroad after CRPF helpline Madadgaar came to their rescue and helped them recover the amount.

The students got back Rs 2 lakh fee they had paid last year through a Srinagar based education consultancy which had tie-ups with another Indore-based firm for sending students abroad.

In a video shared by CRPF Madadgaar, the Srinagar consultant has claimed that the Indore-based firm was not returning the money of six students, who had applied for abroad colleges last year.

“I have been sending students abroad for the past 2-3 years but they were not returning money taken from these six students for the past two months. I had to inform CRPF Madadgaar and they helped in recovering the whole money,” he said.

The CRPF had launched a 24/7 helpline Madadgaar on June 16, 2017, to aid any Kashmiri resident who is in distress or requires any kind of assistance.

COVID-19: Positive cases reach 147 in India; 1st Army jawan infected

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India rose to 147 today, according to the Health Ministry.

In addition to this, first positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indian Army, a jawan from Ladakh Scout. The jawan’s father has a travel history to Iran, according to media reports.

S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, tweeted, “Appreciate the difficult situation of Indian students and other passengers waiting in transit at Kuala Lumpur airport. We have now approved AirAsia flights for you to Delhi and Vizag. These are tough times and you should understand the precautions. Please contact the airline.”


The country has by far reported three deaths due to novel coronavirus one each in Maharashtra, Delhi and Karnataka.

Meanwhile, states across the country have shut down all schools, colleges, gyms, night clubs and spas until March 31.

Globally, the death toll has crossed 7,500, with nearly 2,00,000 people testing positive for the virus. China continues to lead the pack with 82,000 cases, followed by Italy at 27,980 and Iran at 16,169 cases.

Soldier, his wife, child test positive for Coronavirus in Ladakh

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): An army soldier, his wife and child  have been tested positive for coronavirus in Leh.

Confirming the development, Medical Superintendent, Sonam Norboo Memorial (SNM) Hospital, Tsering Samphel said that an army man along with his wife and child have tested positive and have been quarantined.

The soldier was on leave from Feb 25 to March 1. During his leave period the soldier was staying with his family and helping out as his father, who returned from a pilgrimage in Iran, had been quarantined since February 29.

The father reported positive for Covid-19 on March 6 and he was isolated at Sonam Norbu Memorial Hospital, Leh.

The soldier was also quarantined on March 7 and detected to be positive on March 16.

On,Tuesday, three new cases were tested positive of Coronavirus in Ladakh division.

The administration has imposed section 144 in Kargil as a precautionary measure. All schools, colleges have already be shut.

The total number of positive case have climbed to eight in Union Territory of Ladakh while as three cases have been tested positive in J&K.

Rain and thunderstorm expected in North India plains

Light rains in Delhi
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New Delhi (NVI): Isolated rains and thunderstorm activities are expected in Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi from March 21

For the past two to three days, the weather is almost dry in the plains of North India.

The strong Western Disturbances are expected to approach the Western Himalayas from next week. This weather system will further induce a Cyclonic circulation in the plains of the North.

However, the intensity of these weather activities will be more on March 25. Also, at the same time, thundershowers expected along with strong gusty winds and hailstorm activities in the entire plains of North India.

In Delhi, the maximum temperature today was recorded at 29 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 13 degrees Celsius.

The maximum and minimum temperature is expected to rise over the next few days, according to IMD.

J&K: Govt bans entry of foreign tourists in UT

Srinagar (NVI): The Jammu & Kashmir Government has banned the entry of foreign tourists to the entire UT as a precautionary measure in view of the coronavirus outbreak around the world.

Advisor to J&K Lt Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan has issued necessary orders in this regard.

Secretary Tourism, Director Tourism, Kashmir and Jammu and all the DCs have been asked to ensure implementation of the order with immediate effect.

Jammu and Kashmir Budget crosses Rs 1 lakh crore mark

New Delhi (NVI): For the first time in history, the budget for Jammu and Kashmir has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore mark.

The maiden budget for Jammu and Kashmir UT was presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha, today.

The total budget estimate for the 2020-21 fiscal is Rs 1,01,428 crore. Of this, Rs 38,764 crore has been earmarked for infrastructure development.

The remaining Rs 62,664 crore would be utilized on salaries, pension, seventh pay commission and Leave Travel Concession commitments and other components of revenue expenditure.

In her budget speech, the Finance Minister said the creation of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on 31st of October, 2019 has created a lot of hope amongst the people of J&K.

“There is a need to fast-track development to meet the aspirations of the people. The Government is committed to peace, progress and prosperity of the people of J&K. We have already taken path-breaking steps after imposition of Governor’s/President’s rule in the J&K,” Sitharaman said.

Finance Minister said “while on one hand reforms are being implemented, there is equal focus on completion of projects. “The number of projects completed in State Sector is 2800, 1165 in District sector, 1930 under “Back to Village’’  Programme and 483 languishing projects under Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation. This bears a healthy comparison to the number of projects completed during last year,” she said.

She said the Government has also taken measures to avoid parking of funds and over ` 1,000 crore has been ploughed back in the Consolidated Fund of the Union Territory of J&K.  “Some other major reforms undertaken in J&K is implementation of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, constitution of District Planning and Development Boards, and unbundling of Power Sector. Abolition of Toll Tax has been one of the major reforms that have helped in creation of one nation, one market. Besides all the central laws as provided under Re-organisation Act, 2019 have been implemented across the Union Territory of the Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

She said the Government of India hopes to strengthen institutional mechanisms further for streamlining expenditure and make the UT a model of development.

“Notwithstanding some of the problems, the pace of development has shown a remarkable resilience both in terms of revenue and development expenditure. The overall expenditure has gone up by ` 5,600 crore by end of January, 2020 compared to last year. GST growth at end of February, 2020 was 13%.

Significantly, growth of GST cash for December, 2019 was 40% and GST growth for February, 2020 (cash and credit) was 31%, making J&K one of the better performers on this parameter,” she said.

The Finance Minister said economic resilience is also indicated by growth of over 60 % in stamp duty collections, 7.5 % growth in excise collections, and growth of 1.7% in toll tax at end of December 2019.

“Apple exports have been at par with last year, and export of handicrafts, crewel, shawls etc have been greater than last year. The ATM and Bank transactions have also shown positive trend as compared to last year. The macro-economic parameters show that J&K economy has risen up to the challenges of transition and continues to do so well,” she added.

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