News Analysis India

Tag: wake

  • Air India Says ‘no Decision’ Made On Flights To UK As New COVID-19 Strain Spreads Rapidly

    Following the drastic spread of COVID-19 variant in the UK, Air India official on December 21 said that “no decision has been made” regarding the flights from the foreign nation as several European nations, Canada among others have banned flights from Britain in the wake of the “out of control” situation. France has halted all travels from the UK where the new virus strain can be found across the nation except Northern Ireland. Most recently, a traveller from the UK led Italy to detect the first case of the COVID-19 variant. Germany has also banned the trave from the foreign nation and is slated to last until December 31.

    As the recent surge of cases of new coronavirus strain in UK has caused a stir across the world, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on December 21 informed that “the government is alert” and that “there is no need to panic”. Over 1,000 cases of the coronavirus variant have been discovered in the past few days in England and majorly in the south of the country where British Health Secretary Matt Hancock had said can be connected to a surge in the cases.

  • Sonia Gandhi turns 74, PM Modi wishes her ‘long life, good health’

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended birthday greetings to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and wished her a healthy life.

    Taking to Twitter, Modi said, “Birthday greetings to Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji. May God bless her with a long and healthy life.”

    Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday extended greetings to Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on her birthday.

    Gadkari took to Twitter and wished for her long life and good health. “Birthday greetings to the President of the Indian National Congress party Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji. May you be blessed with good health and long life,” Gadkari said in a tweet.

    Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi has decided not to celebrate her birthday in support of farmers’ agitation against the farm laws and COVID-19 situation in the country.

    According to top sources in the party, Congress General Secretary Organisation has communicated to all the in-charges and PCC Presidents of the states that in view of the distress caused by Covid-19 pandemic across the country and amid the ongoing farmer’s agitation against the “draconian” agriculture bills Sonia Gandhi has decided not to celebrate her birthday this year.

  • HM Shah speaks to CMs of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, assures help from Centre

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday informed that he has spoken to Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Edappadi K Palaniswami and V Narayanasamy respectively and assured them all possible help from the Centre in the wake of Cyclone Nivar.

    “We are closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. Have spoken to CM Edappadi K Palaniswami and Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy and assured all possible help from the centre. NDRF teams already on ground to help people in need,” Shah tweeted.

    The Cyclonic storm ‘Nivar’ is likely to continue to move northwestwards and weaken further into a cyclonic storm in the next six hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), informed earlier in the day.

    The storm crossed the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from 11:30 pm on Wednesday night to 2:30 on Thursday and moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 9 kmph in the last six hours. 00000Meanwhile, the cyclone continued to wreak havoc in several parts of Tamil Nadu with Chennai witnessing waterlogging and fallen trees in may parts.

    According to officials, over one lakh people have been evacuated across Tamil Nadu and more than 1,000 people shifted to safer places in Puducherry. The Indian Navy on Wednesday put ships, aircraft, helicopters, diving, and disaster relief teams on standby. An Indian Coast Guard vessel has also been deployed off Chennai’s coast with disaster relief items.

    The Indian Army has also deployed eight rescue teams by “Dakhshin Bharat Area”, following requisition by Puducherry civil authorities to undertake rescue operations.

  • PM Modi speaks to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry CMs, assures all possible support

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Chief Ministers Edappadi Karuppa Palaniswami and V Narayanasamy respectively regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar and assured all possible support from the Centre.

    “Spoke to Tamil Nadu CM @EPSTamilNadu and Puducherry CM @VNarayanasami regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

    Nivar cyclone is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the south-western Bay of Bengal coastal area of the country during the evening of November 25 as India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Tuesday that the deep depression has intensified into a cyclonic storm.Wind speeds are likely to be 100-110 km per hour gusting to 120 km per hour.

    “Deep depression has intensified into a cyclonic storm — NIVAR over south-west Bay of Bengal — (Cyclone alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts – Yellow Message) “Deep depression has weakened into a depression over Gulf of Aden and adjoining Somalia,” IMD said in a tweet.

    However, rainfall is expected to start from November 24 in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and will remain till November 26. Extremely heavy rainfall is expected at north coastal districts and delta districts on November 24 and 25.

    Regional Meteorological Centre has advised fishermen to avoid the sea. Officials asked people to keep food materials with them and avoid unnecessary travel.

    In the wake of the IMD warning for cyclone Nivar, counseling for admission to MBBS/BDS course 2020-21 scheduled for November 24 has been postponed to November 30, Directorate of Medical Education, Tamil Nadu informed.

  • Maharashtra mulls freeze on flights, trains from Delhi as Covid-19 cases spike in Capital

    The Maharashtra government is considering halting flight operations and train services between cities, including Mumbai, in the state and Delhi owing to a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in the national capital. Maharashtra chief secretary Sanjay Kumar said a final decision was yet to be taken on implementing the curbs. “We have been reviewing the situation. In the wake of surge in Covid-19 cases in Delhi, we need to take precautionary measures to ensure that Maharashtra is not affected. There are limited trains and flights operating between Delhi and Mumbai and other cities in Maharashtra. The decision to either curtail them further or stop them entirely will be taken in due course,” said Kumar.

    The issue was discussed at a recent review meeting, convened by Kumar, and the state government, according to officials, is also deliberating measures to ensure the infection does not spread through people entering Maharashtra from other cities and states that have high cases.

    Maharashtra government officials, however, said implementing a completing ban on flights and trains between Mumbai and Delhi will be difficult. “Central government will not concede to our proposal of entirely banning flights between Mumbai and Delhi, which is the busiest route in India. Even in May, when we had tried to push the resumption of flight services [between the two cities] by a few weeks, the Centre was firm on starting it immediately. In such a scenario, we will have to go for stricter screening of passengers at airports if we are not allowed to completely stop operations,” said a state government official, on condition of anonymity.

  • UP Govt Issues Advisory Urging All To ‘celebrate At Home’ In Wake Of COVID

    In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday issued advisory for the festival of Chhath Puja. The government in its latest order urged people to perform festival rituals at their homes or near their homes. In the notification, the state government also directed the local administration to make necessary arrangements at the traditional spots near rivers and ponds. 

    Seeking cooperation from the devotees, the UP government appealed people to follow all COVID-19 protocols including maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks. Highlighting the changes in the arrangements, the government asked the local administration to ensure hygiene and cleanliness near river bodies and ghats. The district administration have also been asked to arrange for changing rooms and toilets for women.

    In its advisory, the state government mentioned that ambulances will be stationed near ghats to ferry people in case of an emergency. Apart from this, the district officials have also been asked to ensure proper barricading near the water bodies. In order to monitor the movement of people, CCTV cameras will also be installed. The advisory also instructed the administration to arrange for drinking water and sanitization facilities as well.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday praised the Uttar Pradesh government for its COVID-19 management strategy by terming it as a ‘good example’ for other states to follow. WHO Country Representative Roderico Ofrin said, “The UP government’s strategic response to COVID-19 by stepping up contact tracing efforts is exemplary and can serve as a good example for other states.” WHO also appreciated the efforts made by CM Yogi Adityanath and his government for the management of COVID-19, especially in tracking high-risk contacts. 

    As the world continues to grapple with the Coronavirus pandemic, Uttar Pradesh so far has recorded over 5,14,270 positive COVID-19 cases, out of which, 4,84,692 have successfully been recovered while 7,412 have died. As per the latest updates from MoHFW, in the past 24 hours,1,420 new cases, 19 deaths and 1,838 recoveries have been reported. Currently, the total number of active cases in the state is 22,166. As per the latest updates from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), total samples tested up to November 17 are 12,74,80, 186. While samples tested on November 17 are 9,37,279. 

  • Nitish Kumar can swear in as CM on this date

    After the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) got a majority in the Bihar Election 2020, all eyes are on the formation of the next government. There is a possibility that a new government may be formed next week after Diwali. Informed sources gave this information on Wednesday and said that JDU President Nitish Kumar (NItish Kumar) will once again become the Chief Minister. Growing on the path of being the Chief Minister for the longest time in Bihar, Nitish Kumar may take oath on Monday, November 16 or after next week.

    Earlier, at the end of November, he can send the resignation to the Governor in view of the term of the current government. The record of the longest Chief Minister in Bihar till date is in the name of Shri Krishna Singh, who held this post for 17 years and 52 days. Nitish Kumar has so far lived in this post for 14 years and 82 days. After taking oath as Chief Minister, Kumar’s name would fall into the distinct category of being sworn in as Chief Minister seven times in the last two decades.

    Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister for the first time in the year 2000 but had to resign due to lack of support from the MLAs required for majority. Kumar became the Chief Minister in 2005 when the NDA got an absolute majority. In 2014, in view of the poor performance of JDU in the Lok Sabha elections, Kumar resigned as the Chief Minister on moral grounds. However, in less than a year, he returned to power.

  • Chhath Puja will be celebrated from home, Collector issued orders in view of Corona epidemic

    According to the instructions of the state government, an order has been issued by Collector Shri Ranbir Sharma to conduct Chhath Puja houses this year. It has been stated in the issued order that 3487 corona virus positive patients have been identified in the district till 06 November 2020 and about 30 to 40 corona positive patients are being received every day. Keeping in view the continuous increase of Corona positive cases, instructions have been issued to organize Chhath Puja to prevent and control it so that common citizens do not gather in one place and the prayers can be completed with full faith and respect. In this regard, a meeting of Chhath Puja committees has been held on 07 November in the district, in which it has been decided that the common people will perform Chhath Puja in their homes. Will not go to any river, water stream, pond, pokhari to pay. The president or secretary of the Chhath Puja Committee will place a banner before any worship at the Chhat Ghat, so that common citizens can know in advance. Apart from this, we will promote through Facebook, WhatsApp and other media. Chhath Puja will not be permitted under any circumstances. During Chhath Puja, it should be said that special care should be taken not to gather crowds in any situation in shops for selling pooja material. The Chief Municipal Officer, Nagar Panchayat Officer has been instructed to propagate the restrictions through loudspeaker mic. In addition to all these instructions, the Government of India Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued the SOP issued on 04 June 2020. Will have to be compulsorily followed.
    It has been told that in violation of the order, strict action will be taken under the Epidemic Disease Act and other law-friendly sections.

  • Ban on sale and use of firecrackers across the country from midnight to November 30: NGT

    Burning and selling of firecrackers has been banned in the entire NCR since midnight of November 9. This ban will continue till the night of 30 November. Explain that in view of the increasing pollution, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a ban in NCR since Monday.

    Know that the Delhi government has already banned the sale and use of firecrackers in the capital. The decision will apply to all cities of NCR including Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Gurugram, Faridabad, Baghpat.

    In this regard, a bench headed by NGT chief Justice AK Goel has directed to ban the sale and use of firecrackers in all the cities of the country where the air quality has been very poor in November last year.

    However, people of those cities can use green firecrackers on Diwali, Chhath, Christmas, New Year and other festivals where the air quality is in the middle category. But only two hours will be allowed to burn green firecrackers.

    The NGT has directed the Pollution Control Committees / Boards of all states and union territories to conduct special campaigns for pollution control in the wake of the Karona epidemic. At the same time, the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police, Commissioners of all the states and union territories have been directed to issue circulars and ensure compliance with the ban on the use of firecrackers.