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Homage paid to Parl attack martyrs

New Delhi (NVI): Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other dignitaries today paid homage to the martyrs of the terror attack on Parliament attack on this day in 2001.

Naidu, Modi and several MPs and officials of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha paid floral tributes to the martyrs at Parliament building.

Nine people, including security personnel and Watch-and-Ward staff members, were killed when five terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfits attacked the Parliament House complex on December 13, 2001.

All the five attackers were also eliminated in the gunfight between the terrorists and the security personnel.

Navy Chief says Indian armed forces on path of rapid modernisation

New Delhi (NVI): Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh has said the Indian armed forces are firmly set on the path of rapid modernisation and indigenisation and asked the industry to tap the opportunities existing in the maritime force, ranging from production to repair, maintenance and upgradation.

“The conditions are right to take us to the next level on Indigenous Defence – Industrial Base evolution chain,” he said while inaugurating a seminar-cum-exhibition on Naval Weapon Systems ‘NAVARMS – 2019’ with the theme ‘Make in India –  Fight Category: Opportunities and Imperatives’.

He said there was enough headroom in the defence sector that should be harnessed if India was to grow into a developed economy.

Admiral Singh said that since weapon system is a complex mix of subsystems with a large array of technologies that go into each one, ranging from metallurgy to composites, propellants and rocket technologies to microwaves, it allows diverse industry elements in a single weapon project.

He exhorted the industry to tap into the wide naval eco-system starting from production to repair, maintenance and upgradation.

The Navy Chief emphasised that rapid advancement of weapon technology is a key challenge which requires cutting edge R&D and speedy production.

The inaugural session of the seminar was attended by more than 300 delegates, including from three Services, Ministry of Defence, DRDO, Indian and international industries and representatives of foreign missions of friendly countries.

In his welcome address, Rear Admiral Sanjay Misra, Director General of Naval Armament Inspection, said he was hopeful of inherent competence of domestic industry and capability being leveraged in expediting indigenous weapon on indigenous platform.

Sensex rises over 250 points, Nifty above 12,000 mark

BSE

Mumbai (NVI): Sensex climbed over 250 points and Nifty traded higher at 12,038 during the early trade today.

The 30-share BSE Sensex after rising 284 points in early session was trading at 244.04 points or 0.60 per cent higher at 40,825.75.

The 50-scrip NSE Nifty trading 66.20 points or 0.55 per cent up at 12,038 in the morning trade session.

Tata Motors emerged as the top gainer with 3.78 per cent rise in the Sensex pack, followed by Vedanta, Yes Bank, Tata Steel, SBI, M&M, Axis Bank and RIL.

On the other hand, Bharti Airtel was the top loser, shedding up to 0.59 per cent. Asian Paints, Kotak Bank, Bajaj Auto and Sun Pharma were also trading in the red.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee appreciated by 33 paise to 70.50 against the US dollar in early trade.

On Thurday, the Sensex gauge ended 169.14 points, or 0.42 per cent, higher at 40,581.71, while the Nifty settled 61.65 points or 0.52 per cent, up at 11,971.80.

Delhi air quality improves after rain

New Delhi (NVI): Late evening showers yesterday in the National Capital improved the overall air quality in Delhi from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’ category today.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 308 which falls in the ‘very poor’ category.

Further improvement in the AQI is predicted. The AQI is expected in the lower end of the ‘poor’ to the ‘moderate’ category by December 14.

The AQI in the Delhi University was in the ‘very poor’ with the PM2.5 of 322, followed by Dhirpur, PUSA, Lodhi Road and Mathura Road with the recorded PM 2.5 count of 336, 314, 365 and 319 respectively which also falls in the ‘very poor’ category.

While, the AQI in Chandini Chowk was recorded in the ‘severe’ category with PM2.5 of 445.

The neighbouring Noida recorded a PM2.5 of 355 which also falls in the ‘very poor’ category, SAFAR added.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered “good”, 51-100 “satisfactory”, 101-200 “moderate”, 201-300 “poor”, 301-400 “very poor” and 401-500 “severe”. An AQI above 500 falls in the “severe plus” category.

Over 15,000 schools participated in the ongoing Fit India School Week

New Delhi (NVI): Over 15,000 schools from across the country have so far participated in the ongoing Fit India School Week.

The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju today informed the Lok Sabha that the Fit India School Weeks are being organised to create awareness about fitness among the school going children.

The School Week events in the schools across the country began in November last and will continue throughout December, the Minster said.

“So far 15,000 schools have participated in Fit India school week,” Rijiju, informed the lower house of the Parliament.

  According to the Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, the Government of India has also launched the Fit India School Certificate and a ranking system.

Rijiju informed that the Ministry is working with stakeholders to organise Fit India Cyclothon, Walkathon and Fit India Traditional Games at various places in the next few months.

Besides, the Government has also drawn a list of possible activities for different related ministries for encouraging and spreading Fit India Movement. Efforts are on for early completion of the consultation process, the Minister said.

J&K apple forms 83.50 percent of national produce

Jammu (NVI): Apple produce from Jammu and Kashmir contributes a huge 83.50 percent to the national produce while the contribution of Walnut and Almond is 92.69 percent and 93.63 percent, respectively.

This information was provided at a meeting chaired by Lt Governor G C Murmu here today to review the functioning of Agriculture, Horticulture and other allied sectors, an official spokesman said.

The meeting was informed that a total of 25 Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores with storage capacity of 1,17,284 MTs have come up in private sector and 447 nurseries have been established, including 138 in public sector.

It was further informed that 17 fruit and vegetable markets, comprising 3 terminal, 2 satellite and 2 ‘apni mandis’, are functional in J&K.

The meeting was told that the agriculture sector has a total gross cultivated area of 12.28 lac hectares with 11.93 lac farm operating families.

The meeting was briefed about the crop wise area, production and productivity under agriculture.

The meeting also reviewed the progress made under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for restoration of damaged area and development of Horticulture in J&K.

The Lt. Governor observed that horticulture and other allied sectors have immense potential to generate huge employment avenues and directed for mobilizing available resources in this regard.

He stressed on the need for taking reformative measures for the development and expansion of these sectors.

Stressing on promoting sustainable agriculture, the Lt. Governor asked the officers to put in extra efforts for making agriculture a sustainable and remunerative economic activity for farmers. He also laid emphasis on improving productivity and production of horticulture and agriculture crops to make the sectors more vibrant.

Murmu directed the officers to work out a plan to prepare 4 crore root stock for 10,000 Ha of land for developing high density apple orchards and set a timeline of 3 years for the same.

He underscored the importance of increasing productivity in the Horticulture sector, which has the potential to yield three times the income currently being generated.

To make the fruit mandis more vibrant, the Lt. Governor directed the officers to explore the possibility of converting the fruit mandis into entities under Sec.8 of the Companies Act.

He also directed the officers to establish new fruit-processing units which will increase the returns to growers and enhance employment.

Murmu asked the officers to come up with a proper plan for sprinkle and drip irrigation for the areas with no or limited irrigation sources. He also directed them to complete all the ongoing projects within the stipulated time.

Indo-US ‘2+2’ Dialogue on Dec 18

New Delhi (NVI): India and the US will hold their Second ‘2+2’ Ministerial Dialogue on December 18 to take stock of the growing bilateral relations and provide strategic guidance for their further development.

At the Dialogue to be held in Washington, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation.

“They will meet their U. S. counterparts for a comprehensive review of cross-cutting foreign policy and defence and security issues in our relations. In addition, both sides will exchange views on salient regional and global issues,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said here today.

He noted that the India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was initiated in September last year to provide a positive, forward-looking vision for the India-U.S. strategic partnership and to promote synergy in the bilateral diplomatic and security efforts.

“Since the inaugural edition of this Dialogue in September 2018, relations between India and the U.S. have further expanded. The 2+2 Dialogue will take stock of these growing relations and provide strategic guidance for their further development,” he added.

India slams Pak PM for comments on Citizenship Bill

New Delhi (NVI): India today slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for his “unwarranted and gratuitous comments” on the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and said he should ensure protection of the rights of that country’s minorities and co-religionists rather than casting aspersions on others.

Khan had tweeted two days back, alleging that the legislation “violates all norms of int (international) human rights law & bilateral agreements with Pak.”

“I am not going to respond to every unwarranted and gratuitous comments made by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on our internal affairs,” Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing here today.

“Such comments (by Khan) cannot absolve Pakistan of the blatant persecution of the religious minorities which flows, including from the discrimination imbibed in its Constitution, the draconian blasphemy laws; the apathy of the State institutions in protecting the girls belonging to minority community from rape, abduction, forced conversion and marriages; vandalism and destruction of religious places of worship,” Kumar added.

The spokesman went on to add that, “Instead of casting aspersions on others, Pakistan needs to look inwards and ensure protection and promotion of the rights of its minorities and co-religionists rather than compulsively comment on others in the breach of internationally recognized norms.”

Bangla Foreign Minister cancels India visit

New Delhi (NVI): Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen has cancelled his visit to India scheduled to begin  tomorrow, citing “some sudden pressing national events at home”.

The cancellation of the visit came against the backdrop of a major row over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill but the Indian government insisted that “any speculation that this development is connected with legislation adopted by Parliament yesterday” is “unwarranted”.

The bill,  which has been passed by both Houses of Parliament, provides for granting Indian citizenship to Hindus and members of some other minority communities of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The impending new law has triggered widespread protests in Assam and some other parts of North East.

Momen was scheduled to address the 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue besides attending some other programmes in New Delhi during this visit.

“The Foreign Minister (of Bangladesh) said he had to cancel the trip due to some sudden pressing national events at home,” Bangladesh High Commission here said in a statement today.

“He (Momen) said he has to participate in two important national events — the observance of Martyred Intellectuals Day on December 14  and the Victory Day on December 16. The events coincide with his planned visit to India,” the statement said.

Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar, while commenting on the matter, said, “The Bangladesh side have already informed us of the postponement of the visit” of the Foreign Minister Momen which was earlier scheduled from December 12-14, 2019.

“The Bangladesh side have conveyed that the Minister has changed his programme on account of domestic issues pertaining to the commemoration of the ‘Victory Day’ in Bangladesh on December 16,” Kumar said, adding, “Any speculation that this development is connected with legislation adopted by Parliament yesterday regarding the Citizenship Amendment Bill is unwarranted.”

Kumar, while making his point, also referred to the comments made by Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament.

“Sir, the current government in Bangladesh is also taking care of religious minorities. It is making arrangements also for religious minorities, but there has been a long period in the past in between, during which people came to India (from Bangladesh) on account of religious persecution.  This Bill is only to give citizenship to those people who came at that time,” Shah had said.

SC rejects Ayodhya review petitions

SC quashes plea seeking waiver of exam fees for CBSE Class 10, 12 students
File Photo of Supreme Court

New Delhi (NVI): The Supreme Court today rejected all 18 petitions seeking a review of its landmark verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute case.

A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde took these review pleas for consideration and rejected them after finding ‘no merits’.

The Bench also declined permission to those who were not parties to the Ayodhya land dispute case from filing review petitions

On November 9 this year, the Supreme Court had pronounced the Ayodhya verdict. In its judgement the Court gave the disputed land for the construction of Ram Temple and ordered that five acres land be allotted to the Sunni Waqf Board elsewhere in Ayodhya for the construction of the mosque.

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