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NVI Impact: J&K govt starts building disabled-friendly infrastructure

BY Sameer Ahmad

Srinagar(NVI): The Social Welfare Department of Jammu and Kashmir has swung into action and started utilizing the funds to make ramps in government offices for the benefit of physically-handicapped people.

On, December 14, NVI had carried a news that most of Social Welfare Department buildings, offices are unfriendly for the physically-handicapped people.

After NVI carried the news, the Social Welfare Department swung into action and started utilizing the funds to make ramps in government offices for the benefit of physically-handicapped people.

While talking to NVI , Directoral General of Social Welfare Department Rukhsana G said, “We have started utilizing these funds to make ramps in under construction buildings”.

“Several buildings are under construction in the Union Territory and ramps are being built in these buildings,” she added

The Social Welfare Department had not utilized funds on ground level which was released in March 2018 through Accessible India Campaign (ACI).

Notably, the Accessible India campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi on December 3, 2015.

The motive of the campaign was to renovate old building infrastructure to create accessibility for personal disabled persons and to innovate 25 buildings in every state capital to make ramps in building instead of stairs.

Government has released funds of Rs 1 crore 44 lakhs on an account of social welfare department in March 2018 to create accessibility for disabled persons in Kashmir.

In December 2018, the government had completed access audit in Jammu and Kashmir but till date the department has not utilized funds on ground level.

India, Russia bilateral tri-services drill concludes

Indian and Russian armed forces at the 2nd edition of Joint Tri-Services Exercise INDRA 2019.

New Delhi (NVI): The second edition of bilateral tri-services exercise ‘INDRA-2019’ between India and Russia concluded today at Babina, Pune and Goa.

As part of validation exercise, troops of both the countries carried out specialised joint counter terrorist operations which was witnessed by dignitaries of services of both countries, an official statement said here.

The drill included joint training in counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations under the United Nations mandate.

Moreover, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter terrorism operations were rehearsed and executed jointly. Both the contingent shared their expertise and experience.

The validation exercise was reviewed by Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik in presence of Lieutenant General SK Saini, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command and other senior officers of both the participating countries.

The Russian side was represented by Lieutenant General Sergei Serukov, Deputy Commander, Eastern Military District.

Exercise INDRA-2019 was very successful in increasing the bonhomie and camaraderie amongst both the participating nations.

The exercise provided an opportunity to both the Armies for greater understanding and strengthening of mutual trust and cooperation, the statement added.

FM holds pre-Budget meet with trade unions, labour organisations

New Delhi (NVI): As part of her pre-Budget consultations, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today heard views and suggestions of various trade unions and labour organisations regarding labour and employment issues.

During the meeting, suggestions and views related to provision of social security to labour, skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling of existing labour force were shared. Besides, quality of job creation and ensuring minimum wages of workers, labour concerns were also discussed.

Sitharaman welcomed the suggestions made by experts and representatives of various trade unions and labour organisations, an official statement said here.

The experts also gave suggestions for allocation of more funds to MGNREGA scheme, increase of number of days of work under MGNREGA, legislation for various welfare schemes for permanent benefits, separate fund for revival of job creation through MSMEs, increase in social sector spending, unorganised sector workers benefits including land less farm labourers, strengthening of tripartite and bipartite mechanisms, consultations with TUs for finalising Code on Safety , industrial relations .

The meeting was part of a series of confabulations that the Union Finance Minister is holding with various trade unions and labour organisations to ascertain their views regarding the Budget which is expected to be presented by her on February 1.

Shah to SSB: Ensure borders with friendly neighbours not misused

Home Minister Amit Shah presiding over the 56th Raising Day Parade of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on December 19.

New Delhi (NVI): Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) must ensure that India’s borders with friendly neighbours are not misused for activities against the country, while seeing to it that people living in border areas are not adversely affected, Home Minister Amit Shah said today.

“India has an open border of around 2,450 km with Nepal and Bhutan and the SSB has performed a good job in ensuring that not a single infiltrator sneaked into our country,” the Home Minister said while presiding over the 56th Raising Day Parade of the SSB.

He praised the force for nabbing more than 50 intruders, mostly Pakistanis, at the Indo-Nepal border in the last one year, besides seizing contraband items including drugs worth Rs 380 crores.

He also acknowledged that the nation cannot become a global economic power, if its borders are not secure, especially when the country has hostile neighbours that are constantly engaged in cross border terrorism, insurgency, illicit trafficking of humans, drugs, fake currency, cattle and others.

He complimented SSB for the dedicated and outstanding performance over the years in securing the borders of the country and giving supreme sacrifices to protect the citizens in Naxal-affected areas.

“The jawans of SSB have always kept their duty before their life. I bow my head to salute this fearless dedication and commitment towards the security of the nation,” Shah said.

The Minister informed that by the end of 2020, over 12,000 vacancies in both Gazetted and Non-Gazetted ranks would be filled to make SSB stronger, besides easing the work pressure.

The Home Minister while hailing the lady officers who marched shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts and earned accolades with their brilliant performance within the country as well as UN Missions abroad said said that at present 22 women jawans of the force are participating in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo.

He said that the Prime Minister Narendra-led Modi had initiated several welfare schemes for jawans. Adding that in near future, the government would ensure that jawans spend at least 100 days with their family.

He encouraged the officers and jawans of the force to scout for in-house talent in sports, who would represent the country at Olympics.

He also paid tributes by laying wreath at the Martyrs memorial, inspected the parade and awarded gallantry medals to officers and jawans.

CAA stir: Mobile services stopped in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI): Following a government directive, Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, Jio, MTNL have suspended mobile services in some parts of the National Capital in the wake of violent protests over Citizen Amendment Act (CAA).

According to a Delhi Police directive, communication of all types that is voice, SMS and internet were suspended today from 0900 hrs to 1300 hrs in walled city areas of North and Central districts, Mandi House, Seelampur, Jaffarbad and Mustafabad, Jamia Nagar and Shaheen Bagh and Bawana.

The Delhi Police in its directive said that “this should be treated as an absolute direction and compliance should be reported”.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro rail Corporation (DMRC) has also closed entry and exit gates of several stations.

The stations that have been closed were Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Munirka, Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Vishwavidyalaya, Patel Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg, Udyog Bhawan, ITO, Pragati Maidan, Khan Market, Mandi House, Barakhamba, Vasant Vihar and Janpath.

PM Modi congratulates Johnson on UK election win

File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his British counterpart Boris Johnson over telephone and congratulated him on his electoral victory in the recently concluded elections.

The Prime Minister while conveying good wishes on behalf of the people of India and on his own behalf, expressed confidence that under the able leadership of Johnson the strategic partnership between India and UK will strengthen further, an MEA statement said here today.

Modi said that the re-election of Johnson as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom reflected the faith reposed by the people of UK in him and the Conservative Party.

Boris Johnson thanked Modi for his good wishes and expressed his commitment to further strengthen India-UK ties.

Prime Minister extended an invitation to Johnson to visit India at his early convenience, which was accepted.

Govt’s priority to border areas has sent signals across border: Jitendra Singh

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has placed border areas on high priority and this approach has sent signals both ways– across the borders and to those living at the international borders, Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh said.

While delivering the keynote address on Border States and National Security, at an event organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), here yesterday, Dr Singh said that during the last five years, the government has taken many initiatives, such as constructing bunkers, toilets, Seema Bhawans and provision of cattle insurance, among others.

“This has been possible because of extreme sensitivity of the Government towards these people and this approach of the government has uplifted the morale of people living in bordering areas,” he added.

“We owe to pay tribute to the efforts of security forces deployed at the borders. At the same time, we need to understand the people living near the bordering areas and respect their courage, as they are the first ones to face the brunt in case of any disturbance,” the Minister said.

The Minister said that security forces are perpetually in the war mode now a days, as militancy and cross-border terrorism have become a serious challenge. Adding that the entire security dynamics have changed over the years, consequently the obligation of security forces has also changed.

Speaking about the North East region, the Minister said that NE states share a socio-cultural proximity with the bordering countries, but that does not obviate the importance of security.

“Peace and development are reciprocal in relation. If peace is not there, the development cannot happen. Similarly, if development is not there, it gives a breeding ground for unrest,” he said.

He said the North East region had undergone huge transformation during the recent years which include connectivity through rail, air and road.

On the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Dr Singh said that the Act is going to preserve India’s vast resources, both natural and human and awareness needs to be generated about this aspect.

Indian markets open flat

Mumbai (NVI): Indian markets benchmark Sensex and Nifty opened marginally lower today as global investors turned cautious over US President Donald Trump’s impeachment.

The 30-share BSE Sensex after retreating from its record high, was trading 24.89 points or 0.06 per cent lower at 41,533.68 in the opening session.

Similarly, the 50-scrip NSE Nifty slipped 7.60 points or 0.06 per cent to 12,214.30.

Tata Motors was the top gainer in the Sensex pack rising up to 1.86 per cent, followed by Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, M&M, TCS, Vedanta and Infosys.

On the other hand, HUL was the top loser, shedding up to 1.45 per cent. Yes Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI and ONGC were also trading in the red.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee opened marginally lower at 70.99 against the US dollar in the early trade.

On Wednesday, the Sensex gauge settledat 206.40 points, or 0.50 per cent, up at its all-time closing high of 41,558.57.

While, the Nifty advanced 56.65 points, or 0.47 per cent, to its record closing peak of 12,221.65.

Delhi air quality “very poor”; to deteriorate further  

Delhi air quality
File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): The overall air quality in the National Capital plunged into the “very poor” category today and is likely to remain the same for the next two days.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the deterioration in the air quality is due to decrease in wind speed.

SAFAR said that the air quality will further deteriorate tomorrow and will remain in the higher end of the “very poor” category.

The minimum temperature is also likely to witness a fall in the next week, SAFAR added.

The AQI in Delhi University area was recorded at 327, while in Chandani Chowk it was 388, Lodhi Road recorded 301, IIT Delhi it was 366 while in the neighbouring Noida the air quality was was 344.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the minimum temperature is likely to be 5.2 degree Celsius, which is three degree below normal, while the maximum temperature will settle around 19 degree Celsius.

Sahitya Academi awards announced in 23 languages, Tharoor among awardees

New Delhi (NVI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has been honoured with Sahitya Akademi Award 2019 along with 22 other writers in various languages.

Among the awards announced in 23 languages today, seven are for poetry, four for novels, six for short stories, three for essays and one each for non-fiction, autobiography and biography.

Tharoor, a former Union Minister, won the prestigious award in ‘non-fiction’ category for his book ‘An Era of Darkness’. The book talks about the effect of British rule in India and how the colonizers exploited the country.

Seven awards in poetry category were awarded to Dr. Phukan Ch. Basumatary (Bodo), Dr. Nand Kishore Acharya (Hindi), Nilba A. Khandekar (Konkani), Kumar Manish Arvind (Maithili), V. Madhusoodanan Nair (Malayalam), Anuradha Patil (Marathi) and Prof. Penna Madhusudan (Sanskrit).

Awards in novel category were given to Dr. Joysree Goswami Mahanta (Assamese), L. Birmangol Singh (Beryl Thanga) (Manipuri), Cho. Dharman (Tamil) and Bandi Narayana Swamy (Telugu).

In the short stories category, the awardees are Abdul Ahad Hajini (Kashmiri), Tarun Kanti Mishra (Odia), Kirpal Kazak (Punjabi), Ramsawroop Kisan (Rajasthani), Kali Charan Hembram (Santali) and Ishwar Moorjani (Sindhi).

In the category of autography, the award was given to Dr. Vijaya (Kannada) while Prof. Shafey Kidwai (Urdu) got the honour in biography category.

Awards for books of essays were given to Dr. Chinmoy Guha (Bengali),  Om Sharma Jandriari (Dogri) and Ratilal Borisagar (Gujarati).

The awards relate to books first published during the five years immediately preceding the year of Award (i.e. between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017).

The Award in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and an amount of Rs. 1,00,000/- towards cash content will be presented to the authors of these books at a special function which is to be held on February 25, 2020 at New Delhi during the Festival of Letters organized by Sahitya Akademi.

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