THE HEADLINES,
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In our special series on the occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, we begin this bulletin with Bapu Ki Baat. In his speech, Mahatma Gandhi had talked about striving for other’s welfare even while facing difficulties.
“अगर मुझको ज़्यादा दिनों तक जिंदा रहने की तमन्ना होनी चाहिए तो इसी शर्त से हो सकती है कि हां मैं जो कुछ भी काम कर रहा हूं वह लोगों को भाता है, लोगों को उसमें से शक नहीं पैदा होता है और समझते हैं कि यह गांधी जी हमकों यह काम कराने को कहते हैं तो उसमें हम ऊंचे जाने वाले हैं, हम कभी नीचे नहीं जाएंगे। अगर यह किया तो हिन्दुस्तान का तो भला होता ही है तब आप जगत का भला कर सकते हैं।“
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate six mega projects in Uttarakhand under the Namami Gange Mission today through video conference.
In all, 30 projects are now complete in Uttarakhand for taking care of pollution from 17 towns near the river Ganga. This is a landmark achievement.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate “Ganga Avalokan”. A museum located at Chandi Ghat, Haridwar.
A book, ‘Rowing down the Ganges’, co-published by the National Mission for Clean Ganga and Wildlife Institute of India and the logo of Jal Jeevan Mission and ‘Margdarshika for Gram Panchayats and Paani Samitis will also be unveiled by the Prime Minister.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Denmark counterpart Mette Frederiksen held a virtual bilateral summit yesterday. In his opening remarks during the Summit, Prime Minister Modi said that the virtual summit will not only prove to be useful for India-Denmark relations, but will also help in creating a common approach towards global challenges.
He said, collaboration among like-minded countries in vaccine development will help in dealing with the Corona pandemic. Prime Minister Modi said that during the pandemic, India’s pharma production capability has been useful to the entire world.
“पिछले कई महीने की घटनाओं ने यह स्पष्ट कर दिया है कि हमारे जैसे लाइक–माइंडेड देशों का जो एक रूल्स–बेस्ट ट्रांस्पेरेंट, ह्यूमैनिटेरियन और डेमोक्रेटिक वैल्यू सिस्टम शेयर करते हैं साथ मिलकर काम करना कितना आवश्यक है। वैक्सीन डेवलेपमेंट में भी लाइक माइंडेड कंट्रीज़ के बीच कोलैबोरेशन से इस पैनडैमिक से निपटने में मदद मिलेगी। इस महामारी के दौरान भारत की फार्मा उत्पादन क्षमताएं पूरे विश्व के लिये उपयोगी रही हैं। हम यही प्रयास वैक्सीन के क्षेत्र में भी कर रहे हैं। हमारे आत्मनिर्भर भारत अभियान का भी यही प्रयास है कि प्रमुख आर्थिक क्षेत्रों में भारत की क्षमताएं बढ़ें और वे विश्व के भी काम आएं।“
In her opening remarks, Denmark Prime Minister said that the Summit is a milestone in their bilateral relations, and their forward-looking agreement on green strategic partnership. She said, COVID-19 has posed a challenge to all which the world has to deal with unitedly.
In a Joint Statement for India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership, the two Prime Ministers confirmed the close partnership in addressing global challenges and solutions on green energy transition and climate change. India and Denmark also agreed to be at the forefront in the global fight against climate change. Both countries have set very ambitious national targets on climate and energy that will contribute to an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement.
The two Prime Ministers also agreed to join efforts and initiatives to support and promote a rule-based multilateral system.
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The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved proposals for capital acquisition of various equipment required by the Indian Armed Forces at an approximate cost of 2,290 crore rupees. These include procurement from Domestic Industry as well as Foreign vendors. The DAC meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday.
Under the Buy Indian category, the DAC approved procurement of Static HF Trans-receiver sets and Smart Anti Airfield Weapon. The HF radio sets will enable seamless communication for the field units of Army and Air Force and are being procured at an approximate cost of 540 crore rupees. The Smart Anti Airfield Weapon being procured at an approximate cost of 970 crore rupees will add to the fire power of Navy and Airforce.
Further, to equip the Frontline Troops of the Army the DAC also accorded approval for procurement of SIG SAUER Assault Rifles at a cost of approximately 780 crore rupees.
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The COVID-19 recovery rate in the country has reached 82.58 per cent. The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in India yesterday crossed the landmark milestone of 50 lakh. The Health Ministry said, over 50 lakh 16 thousand people have been cured so far. The Ministry said, 10 lakh recoveries were added in just 11 days. It said, India is continuously witnessing a very high level of more than 90 thousand recoveries every day recently. Recovered cases have outpaced active cases by more than five times.
During the last 24 hours, more than 74 thousand people have recovered. India’s COVID-19 tally has crossed 60 lakh with 82 thousand 170 new infections being reported in a day.
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India has witnessed close to 100 per cent increase in recoveries in the past month. More than 82 per cent of total cases, exceeding 50 lakhs, have recovered and have been discharged. The Health Ministry today said, active cases are a small proportion and less than one fifth of total cases.
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In a discussion with AIR News, Dr. Rajendra K Dhameeja Neurologist, Lady Hardinge Medical College, clarified the misconception about wearing a mask. He said that wearing a mask is the best social vaccine to stay safe from the Coronavirus infection.
A total of one thousand 84 new confirmed cases of Corona virus infection were reported in Delhi in the last 24 hours taking the total number of cases to over two lakh 73 thousand. The Delhi Government said that over two lakh 40 thousand people affected with Corona virus have been cured so far. In the last 24 hours, four thousand 52 people recovered and 37 deaths were reported in the National Capital taking the toll to five thousand 272.
Presently, the total number of active cases in the National Capital is over 27 thousand.
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In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed to prepare a special strategy for COVID control in Lucknow, Kanpur city and Meerut districts. These districts have seen a surge in the number of new COVID cases recently. The Chief Minister said the state has been able to control the spread of the pandemic to a great extent. This is a good sign that the number of active cases has come down during the last one week. It clearly shows that the strategy with regard to Corona control has been effective. More from our correspondent:
“The strategy of UP Government for curbing the spread of infection is providing positive results now. Despite having the highest number of COVID tests per day in the country which is more than 1. 5 lakh per day positivity rate is coming down and the recovery rate has reached 84.75 per cent. From 18th of this month, the number of new COVID cases is less than the patients recovered per day. The Chief Minister has appointed special officers in those 16 districts which have more than 100 new cases per day. One Principal Secretary, one Special Secretary, one health specialist and one medical education expert are camping in these districts. State currently has 53,953 active COVID patients and with 60 new deaths the toll has reached 5,652. SUSHIL CHANDRA TIWARI, AIR NEWS, LUCKNOW”.
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In Madhya Pradesh, the number of patients recovering from Corona virus infection has crossedthe one lakh mark. More in this report:
“The number of infected patients has come down to less than two thousand in Madhya Pradesh after several days. The positivity rate has also come down to nine per cent. With more than 21 thousand tests conducted in the state yesterday, the total number of tests in the state has exceeded 20 lakhs. Meanwhile, the numbers of COVID-19 cases in the state climbed up to around one lakh 24 thousand after one thousand 957 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours. With 35 patients succumbing to the infection, the death toll rose to two thousand 242. Maximum 23 thousand people have been infected in Indore. Sanjeev Sharma, AIR News, Bhopal”.
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The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday reported 824 fresh cases of Corona Virus taking the total number of positive cases due to the dreaded virus to 73,014. AIR Correspondent reports that 14 people also died of the deadly Novel Corona virus across the UT, taking the death toll to 1,146, including 320 in Jammu and 826 in Kashmir division.
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In Gujarat, total one lakh 14 thousand 476 patients have recovered from COVID-19 so far. The state recovery rate has crossed 85 per cent. More from our correspondent:
“The total cases detected so far in Gujarat have gone up to one lakh 34 thousand 631. In all, 1,336 patients recovered during the last 24 hours. More than 61 thousand 300 tests were carried out yesterday. Maximum 299 new cases were reported from Surat. At present, total active cases in the state are 16,716. Twelve patients died yesterday taking the total deaths due to COVID-19 up to 3,431. A complete close down has been imposed in 27 areas of Ahmedabad after 10 p.m. to contain the infection. Medical shops will be exempted during this overnight close down. Yogesh Pandya, AIR News, Ahmedabad”.
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In Maharashtra, the State Government is soon expected to come up with a decision to open hotels and restaurants which have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic since the last six months. More from our correspondent:
“The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India, HRAWI, President Sherry Bhatia said, the CM has assured them that restaurants will be allowed to re-open in the first week of October. However, the CM has reiterated on the restaurants’ responsibility towards their customers’ health and safety. Bhatia said, the Chief Minister has also agreed to consider the industry association’s petition for the waiver of excise licence fees for a period of six months, the duration for which establishments were required to be kept shut. The Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association, AHAR said, the announcement will bring in a huge relief to the industry that is reeling under a financial mess because of the lockdown. DEVAPRIYO BHATTACHARJEE, AIR NEWS, MUMBAI”.
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In Tamil Nadu, the rank list for Engineering Admissions has been released by the State Department of Higher Education last evening, overcoming the hurdles of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the total caseload of COVID-19 infection in the state has crossed the five lakh eighty six thousand mark. More from our correspondent:
“Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the State Higher Education Department has released the rank list of undergraduate engineering aspirants. It is a crucial step just before the process of the counselling for the admission. This year, most of the processes like submission of applications, paying the registration fees and uploading of certificates were done through online mode. Out of the nearly 1.61 lakh applications received this year for Engineering Admissions in government-run institutions and for the government quota seats in private colleges, over 1.12 lakh were found eligible. Among the top ten rank-holders, except one student each from Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore, all others are from small towns and remote villages. Jayasingh, AIR News, Chennai”.
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In Karnataka, 6,892 new COVID-19 active cases were reported yesterday taking the tally to 5,82,458. On the other hand, 7,509 people recovered from the disease and were discharged from the hospitals and the total discharged people have gone up to 4,69,750. The state recovery rate is 80.65 per cent. At present, 1,04,048 active patients are taking treatment across the state.
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In Mizoram, 50 more Corona virus cases have been detected in the past 24 hours. With this, the total number of COVID-19 cases has reached 1,958 in the state.
According to the official statement, so far 1,459 patients have been discharged after recovery while 499 patients are presently undergoing treatment.
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In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Army troops initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing with small arms and heavy mortar shelling along the Line of Control in Mankote sector of district Poonch in the wee hours today. Public Relations Officer (Defence) Colonel Davinder Anand said, Pakistan Army troops initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing with small arms and thereafter heavy mortar shelling along the LoC in yet another ceasefire violation at 0430 hours. There are no reports of damage to property or loss of any on the Indian side so far.
The exchange of fire continued till reports last came in. More details are awaited.
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In Gujarat, three people including a woman died in a building collapse incident in the Bawamanpura area of Vadodara city. The incident occurred late midnight. According to sources, the three-storey building was about three decades old and under renovation. Several vehicles parked near the building were also damaged in the incident.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot and began rescue operations. Several others are feared trapped in the debris. Two injured persons have been admitted to the SSG hospital in the city. More details are awaited.
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Following the withdrawal of the call to boycott the ensuing election of Leh Hill Council, the Minister of state for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy visited Leh yesterday.
In a joint Press Conference with the Apex body, he personally conveyed the assurances given to the veteran leaders of Ladakh by Home Minister Amit Shah about the constitutional safeguards to Ladakh and other development plans.
Mr. Reddy said that the Union Government will not only consult, but also take consent of people of Ladakh. He also said, the Union Government will soon announce development package for Ladakh.
The Apex Body leader and former Member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang said that the talks with Home Minister Amit Shah were conducive and friendly.
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The Union Home Ministry has sanctioned three new National Investigation Agency (NIA) branches. They will be at Imphal, Chennai and Ranchi. The opening of new branches will help in ensuring quick response to any emergent situation in the concerned states by the premier anti-terror investigation agency. The decision will also strengthen the NIA’s capability in the investigation of terrorism-related cases and other national security-related matters.
Currently, the NIA has nine branches besides specialized units at Headquarters, New Delhi.
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In Maharashtra, a delegation of Congress leaders from the state met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai yesterday and demanded withdrawal of the Centre’s new laws related to the agriculture sector.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who was part of the delegation, alleged that these laws were passed in Parliament hurriedly without listening to views of parties opposing them.
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The Monsoon Session of the Odisha Assembly is beginning from today. The short duration session with a total of eight sittings will continue till the 7th of October including on Sunday.
“The session is going to be short, but will however be long enough for a number of live issues like COVID-19 management, hike in electricity tariff and the agriculture bills to make their presence felt on the floor. The session without any question-hour will have other customary provisions like the calling attention and adjournment motion. A number of ordinances are lined up to be tabled in the house for discussion. While the session is to be conducted with all COVID-19 protocols in place, some aged members including those who have tested positive for the virus may take to the virtual mode to participate in the deliberations. Girish Chandra Dash, Bhubaneswar”.
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Today is World Heart Day, aimed at drawing people’s attention to heart ailments and the whole range of associated health issues. This initiative was launched in 2000 by the World Heart Federation as an annual event and gets celebrated on the 29th day of September ever since. We have a report:
“World Heart Day is commemorated to promote different preventative steps and changes in lifestyle to avoid any cardiovascular diseases, like heart attack, stroke, heart failure and any other condition related to the same. On an average, more than 17 million people die from heart-related illnesses every year. Various organizations celebrate World Heart Day from all over the globe by organizing activities like marathons, walks, public talks, fitness sessions, exhibitions and science fairs. There are several ways one can be more attentive to their heart health, like partaking in physical exercises, stop smoking, quit alcohol and start eating a healthy diet. It is advisable for every individual to have their heart, blood pressure and cholesterol checked frequently. TANVI KHURANA, AIR NEWS, DELHI”.
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The Union Secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra yesterday chaired a meeting of the Empowered Committee for consideration of registration of manufacturing and service sector Units under Industrial Development Scheme-2017 of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
During the meeting, 29 cases of the Union Territory were placed before the Empowered Committee for consideration of registration under IDS-2017, of which 13 cases from Jammu and 16 from Kashmir Division were cleared. The total investment in the cases cleared by the Empowered Committee is to the tune of 79.62 crore rupees and these units will be able to generate employment for about 629 persons.
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In Indian Premier League cricket, Delhi Capitals will take on Sun Risers Hyderabad at Abu Dhabi this evening.
Earlier, Royal Challengers Bangalore Skipper Virat Kohli hailed young pacer Navdeep Saini’s brilliant Super Over that helped his side win the pulsating match against Mumbai Indians in Dubai last night.
RCB defeated Mumbai Indians via Super Over after the original game was tied. Saini bowled the Super Over for RCB conceding only seven runs and Kohli finished the game with a last ball boundary off Jasprit Bumrah.
Chasing the victory target of 202 runs set by RCB, Mumbai Indians made 201 for five wickets in 20 overs. For Mumbai, Ishan Kishan was the highest scorer with 99 runs off 58 balls.
Put in to bat, RCB had also scored 201 runs for three wickets in stipulated 20 overs. For Bangalore, A. B. De Villiers was the highest scorer with 55 runs off 24 balls coupled with two more fine half centuries by openers Devdutt Padikkal and Aaron Finch.
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In Tennis, Rafael Nadal started his quest for a record-extending 13th French Open with a straightforward 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 first-round win against Belarusian Egor Gerasimov last night. In another first round match of Men’s Singles, A. Bublic defeated G. Monfils 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.
In Women’s Singles, Serena Williams, G. Muguruza and Amanda Anisimova progressed to the second round.
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