Assam Flood: Over 33L Still Affected In 28 Districts

The overall flood situation in Assam has improved but over 33.03 lakh people in 28 districts continue to remain affected due to the natural calamity in the state, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) informed on Saturday.

According to ASDMA, a total of 117 people have lost their lives so far in the flood and landslides in the state this year; of which 100 people died in flood alone, while the remaining 17 died due to landslides.
As per the reports, at least 10 people, including four children died after drowning in the flood water in the last 24 hours.

The report also stated that 8.76 lakh people have been affected in Barpeta district alone, followed by 5.08 lakh people in Nagaon, 4.01 lakh in Kamrup, 2.76 lakh people in Cachar, 2.16 in Karimganj, 1.84 lakh in Dhubri, and 1.70 lakh people have been affected in the Darrang district of Assam.

Notably, 3,510 villages under 93 revenue circles of the state and nearly 91,700 hectares of cropland is still reeling under the flood water.

2,65,788 people affected by flood water are still lodged in 717 relief camps set up by the administration of 22 districts in the state, ASDMA reported.

Two drones have been deployed in Silchar of Cachar district for carrying out the flood inundation mapping as well as to provide the relief materials in the inaccessible areas.

85.2 MT of GR items including packaged drinking water, rice, etc. have been air transported from Guwahati and Jorhat to Silchar.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel along with SDRF, Fire and Emergency personnel, Police Force and AAPDA MITRA Volunteers are helping the district administrations in the rescue operation and relief distributions.

However, the ASDMA earlier reported that many areas under the Raha revenue circle in the Nagaon district are still under flood waters.

Nearly 1.42 lakh people of 155 villages under the Raha revenue circle have been affected by the current wave of floods.

In the Nagaon district, children have participated in preschool activities in the relief camp itself. “We’re making children participate in preschool activities in relief camp (Nagaon) itself, with morning prayers, physical exercises, drawings. Union Min Sarbananda Sonowal visited this camp earlier,” NP Doley, Integrated Child Development Services supervisor told ANI.

The flood situation in Kampur area in Assam’s Nagaon district has slightly improved, but many areas under Kampur revenue circle are still under flood waters.

The devastating flood damaged many houses, roads, bridges, and embankments in Kampur revenue circle areas. (ANI)

‘Agnipath Has Burnt Down My Dreams, Career Preparation’

Anshu Mishra, who was preparing hard to join Indian Army, says the Govt decision on Tour of Duty has destroyed the ambitions of millions of youth. His views:

Wake up at 3.30 every morning. Hit the ground for training around 4.30 AM. Run for around 45 minutes. Exercise for another hour. Attend coaching classes and prepare for the written exam during the day. Repeat the running and exercise routine in the evening. Do it every day, without fail. No Sunday, no rest, no break.

This is not the Army training session, but a usual day of an army aspirant like me. I have been following this routine for the last four years and I am not the only one to do so. There are lakhs of such aspirants all across the country who also follow the same routine every day.

Joining the army and donning the uniform is a passion. There are people in the Indian Army from my family, relatives and friends. Since I turned 18, I have been training hard to join the force. I have also appeared in physical tests during the recruitment drive of the Army. Sadly, I missed being qualified twice in the running test by a whisker. I am 21 years and 9 months old now and I had committed to myself to pass the physical test of Army this time. The government’s Tour of Duty (TOD) or Agnipath announcement consigned all my dreams to flames.

Even If I pass the physical, medical and written test this year, I will be out of the Army after four years. Imagine the irony: I trained for four year to get a job that will retire me after four years! All the effort, practice and commitment have blown up in my face. What will I do after the completion of my four-year tenure in the Army? Back to square one. Does the country have that many private jobs?

ALSO READ: ‘Armed Forces In 21st Century Must Be Lean & Mean’

Most Army aspirants come from humble backgrounds. We also have a lot of pressure from the family to start earning. I recently moved from Bihar to Chhattisgarh in search of a job. Along with my army preparation, I was also doing a job of data operator at a private company there. Last month, I quit the job and came back to my hometown so that I could fully focus on my preparation. Now, this Agnipath decision of the government has burnt down all my dreams. Swaha!

Many students are protesting on the streets and venting out their frustration, but a majority of the aspirants are still in total shock. Our brains are numb. We don’t know what to do, how to react.

I think this is the worst decision of the Modi government and they will have to roll it back. The model of other countries can’t be copied and pasted in India. This policy might have serious repercussions in future. I read some posts on social media that raise concerns about the military-trained youth and unemployment will be a lethal combination. Such a posse of men will be susceptible to and can be recruited by criminal gangs for unlawful activities. Those concerns are right. In search of gainful employment, some youths can take the wrong path.

As told to Md Tausif Alam

Delhi HC Against EC Decision To Freeze Sena

Facing Rebellion, Shiv Sena Calls National Executive Meet On Saturday

After addressing the district chiefs of Shiv Sena on Friday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of the party’s national executive committee tomorrow at 1 pm.

The meeting will be held in Shiv Sena Bhavan in which the Chief Minister will join virtually.
Earlier today, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to “break the party”.

“I have said it earlier also that I don’t have anything to do with power. The people who used to say that they would rather die than leave Shiv Sena have fled today,” the Shiv Sena chief said during his virtual address at the meeting.

“The rebel MLAs want to break the party. I had never thought in dreams that I would become the chief minister. I have left Varsha Bungalow but not the will to fight,” he added.

Targetting Shinde, Thackeray said that he did everything for the rebel leader and yet a lot of allegations are levelled against him.

Notably, the Chief Minister had vacated the official residence of the CM on Wednesday night and moved to his family residence ‘Matoshree’ along with his family.

“I did everything for Eknath Shinde. I gave him the department which I held. His own son is an MP and comments are being made regarding my son. A lot of allegations are levelled against me,” he said.

“If they have courage, they should go among people without taking Balasaheb & Shiv Sena’s names,” he added.

Thackeray, who underwent a cervical spine surgery last year, said, “I had pain in my neck and head, I was not able to work properly, I could not open my eyes but I did not care about it. Shivaji Maharaj was defeated but people were always with him.”

Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar arrived at Matoshree, the residence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai.

The leaders were accompanied by state minister Jayant Patil and NCP leader Praful Patel.

The leaders are expected to discuss ways to prevent the fall of the MVA government, which also includes Congress.

Ajit Pawar said earlier in the day that the NCP stands with the Chief Minister and will try to “keep the government stable”.

The crisis continued to plague Shiv Sena with rebel leader Eknath Shinde claiming support of 38 party MLAs. (ANI)

Storm Of People Will Join Cong: Telangana PCC Chief Revanth Reddy

TRS leader and Aswaraopet former MLA Tati Varnakateshwarlu and TRS sitting ZPTC Kantarao joined the Congress party in the presence of TPCC president Revant Reddy on Friday.

MLA Sitakka, Working President Mahesh Kumar Yadav, Anil, and others were present on the occassion.
“There will be a storm of people joining the Congress party in the coming days”, said Telangana Congress chief Revanth reddy.

Revanth Reddy TPCC Chief said, “KCR won the election saying that he will give ‘pattas’ to the farmlands, but KCR forgot about the farmers of Podu lands. The TRS government has filed cases against hundreds of tribals, The TRS government doesn’t care about the tribals. The pensions are not given on time and salaries are not being paid to the police department said Congress leader.”

In the joint Khammam district, along with two parliamentary seats, the entire assembly seats belong to Congress. With Tati Venkateshwar and Kantarao joining Congress, the party will be further strengthened.

Congress will come to power in 11 months. The problem of podu lands will be solved. When the farmer declaration is implemented, the lives of the farmers will change.

TRS government should go and the government for the poor should come. Soon the party is going to hold a meeting in Aswaraopeta. Many people will join the party, there will be a storm of joinings into Congress. (ANI)

Gujarat: 45th Jagannath Rath Yatra In Ahmedabad

The Gujarat government has given its nod for the 145th rath yatra of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad on July 1 with restricted participation and strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.

In this regard, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Sanjay Shrivastava held a press conference and given information about the security arrangements.
He said that the police would announce a proper schedule of security arrangements to maintain law and order. “More than 25,000 police personnel with high technology will be deployed. SRP and Chetak commandos, including paramilitary, will also be deployed in the area to manage the procession,” he said.

The police official said that senior and experienced police officers will be used for reconnaissance. “Drones will also be used. Security is still being monitored by drones,” he said.

The police commissioner said that vigilance is being kept on social media for the last two months to ensure that no objectionable posts are posted on social media by anti-social elements.

In 2020, only a symbolic rath yatra was organised in the premises of the Lord Jagannath temple in the Jamalpur area here after the Gujarat High Court denied permission for the usual public procession in the wake of the pandemic.

Traditionally, the procession, led by chariots, would start early at around 7 am from the 400-year-old temple and return by 8 pm.

Meanwhile, Gujarat reported 416 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, taking the overall tally to 12,28,909, while no fresh death due to the infection was registered in the state, said the Health Department. (ANI)

India Hands Over Quake-Related Humanitarian Aid To Afghanistan

In the wake of the tragic earthquake that struck Afghanistan on June 22, Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (PAI), JP Singh handed over India’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan on Friday in the presence of Taliban officials.

The first consignment of India’s earthquake relief assistance reached Kabul on Thursday followed by the second consignment of relief assistance that reached Friday morning to support the people of Afghanistan in quake-affected regions.

The relief assistance consists of essential items including family ridge tents, sleeping bags, blankets, sleeping mats, etc.

The Taliban have welcomed India’s decision to return its technical team to continue humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.

“Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (lEA) welcomes decision by India to return diplomats and technical team to their embassy in Kabul to continue their relations with the Afghan people and their humanitarian assistance,” Taliban spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said in a statement on Thursday.

Major relief efforts are ongoing following a major magnitude earthquake which struck Paktika province in the early hours of Wednesday morning. To date, around 1000 people are estimated to have been killed across Barmal and Giyan districts in Paktika province, and Spera district in Khost province.

In addition, at least 1,455 people have been injured across three of the six most affected districts of Barmal, Giyan, and Spera – many of them seriously.

Further, nearly 1,500 homes have now been verified as destroyed and damaged in Giyan district, Paktika province.

Over this incident, India expressed condolences to the victims and their families impacted by the tragic earthquake in Afghanistan. India said it remains committed to providing assistance and support in this hour of need.

The disaster comes as Afghanistan continues to struggle with a severe economic crisis since the Taliban took over, as US-led international forces withdrew following two decades of war.

A UN agency said Afghanistan had asked humanitarian agencies to help with rescue efforts, and teams were being dispatched to the quake-hit area. (ANI)

Rashmika Wraps Up ‘Goodbye’ Shoot With An Emotional Note

Actor Rashmika Mandanna penned a heartfelt message after wrapping up the shoot of her Bollywood movie ‘Goodbye’, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan and Neena Gupta.

The ‘Pushpa: The Rise’ actor took to her Instagram handle on Friday and posted happy pictures with the crew and cast of the film.

Along with the post, she penned a beautiful message for the crew and cast of the movie which read, “Goodbye. Hate to say goodbye to my baby ‘Goodbye’…but guys it’s a wrap for me for Goodbye! It’s been 2 years since we began this journey amidst covid waves and everything (it was literally like the vows- through sickness and in health) but nothing could stop us from partying our way through it all and now I can’t wait for you guys to see what Goodbye is really all about.. this is going to be funnnnnnn! Get ready to do some serious laughing!”

Talking about the cast and crew of the film, she wrote, “Everyone you see here .. everyone I’ve worked with in this team will always and forever be super special to me.. (Guys! Let’s work again soon.. like super soon.. I dunno how you’ll make it happen but make it happen!) I love you guys! You are the bestest! @amitabhbachchan sir.. I am so so glad and so so grateful I got to do this film with you…. you are the world’s bestest man ever! #vikasbahl… thankyou for this… god knows what made you believe in me to make me a part of such a special film, I just hope I’ve made you feel proud so far. @neena_gupta .. you are the cutest!I miss you.”

“Ahhhh ok I should stop.. I can go on but I really should stop. @parmarchaitally @pavailgulati @sahilmehta4 @elliavrram @sudhakaryakkanti I love you guys ya.. ok but I’ll shut up now. My loves.. I’ll see y’all soon with my baby ‘Goodbye’.. Get ready you guys…. I can’t waitttt!” she concluded.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Rashmika has several movies in her kitty include ‘Mission Majnu’ opposite Sidharth Malhotra, ‘Animal’ alongside Ranbir Kapoor, ‘Varisu’ alongside Vijay Thalapatty and the much-awaited ‘Pushpa 2’. (ANI)

Arjun Kapoor Malaika Pregnancy

Arjun Shares Malaika ‘Excitement’ Over His B’day

Actor Arjun Kapoor headed out from Mumbai to celebrate his 37th birthday, reportedly in Paris.

Arjun turns a year older on June 26. The couple were spotted at the airport on Thursday evening and Arjun also took to his Instagram Stories to post a quirky pic of Malaika.

In the snap, Malaika appeared to be sleepy and wasn’t aware of being clicked. She sported in a black and white comfy outfit and tied her hair in a pony with a mask as per COVID-19 guidelines.

Arjun captioned the image, “Loving her excitement”.

Malaika re-shared Arjun’s Insta Story on her Insta Story, “It’s called a power nap” and added laughing emojis.

Arjun and Malaika have been dating each other for a long time and are often seen sharing heartwarming posts.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Arjun will be seen in Mohit Suri’s much anticipated ‘Ek Villain Returns’, which also stars John Abraham, Disha Patani and Tara Sutaria. The film is a sequel to the 2014 film ‘Ek Villain’ starring Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor.

The cast wrapped up shooting last year and the film was earlier supposed to release on July 8, however makers earlier this month postponed the date to July 29.

Apart from ‘Ek Villain Returns’, Arjun will also be seen in Aasman Bhardwaj’s Kuttey and Ajay Bahl’s The Ladykiller. (ANI)

Kerala: Rahul’s Wayanad Office Vandalised

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s office in Kainatty near Kalpetta here was vandalized on Friday allegedly by the Students Federation of India (SFI) activists.

Indian Youth Congress, in a tweet, alleged that “goons held the flags of SFI” as they climbed the wall of Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad office and vandalized it.
A protest march of the SFI, the students’ wing of ruling CPI(M), against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi turned violent as a group of protestors allegedly entered the Lok Sabha member’s office and vandalized it.

The student organization were protesting against the creation of buffer zones around forests in the hilly areas of Kerala.

“This happened in the presence of the Police. It’s a clear conspiracy by CPM leadership. For the past five days, ED has questioning him (Rahul Gandhi) after that I don’t know why Kerala the CPI(M) is going in the way of Narendra Modi to attack him. I think Sitaram Yehcury will take necessary action,” said Congress leader KC Venugopal reacting to the vandalization of the party office.

“I think CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury will take necessary action,” added Venugopal.

Meanwhile, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the attack on Rahul Gandhi’s office in Wayanad.

CM Vijayan said, “There is freedom for democratic protests and expressing an opinion in our land. But going in the direction of attacks is the wrong tendency. The government will take strong action against the accused.” (ANI)

AIADMK Leaders Meet Droupadi Murmu

AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam and P Ravindhranath on Friday met National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate for the presidential polls Droupadi Murmu in the national capital.

Notably, AIADMK has conveyed its support to the presidential candidate of the NDA in the forthcoming elections slated to be held on July 18.
The meeting of the leaders comes soon after Murmu filed her nomination papers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders of the party.

Earlier today, according to the sources, Murmu spoke to leaders of Opposition parties including Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Trinamool Congress (TMC) seeking their party’s support for her candidature ahead of filing her nomination.

Murmu spoke with Congress interim-President Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

According to the sources, Mamata Banerjee did not make any commitment to Murmu but wished her all the best for the election.

Despite Yashwant Sinha being nominated as the presidential candidate of the joint opposition, Murmu sought the support of Opposition parties.

Meanwhile, Murmu filed her nomination papers at the Parliament Library Building in the national capital today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed her name for the nomination, which was seconded by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

She had met PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, a day ahead of her filing the nomination papers.

Notably, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday extended support to NDA presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu, who will be the first tribal woman to hold the position if she wins.

The presidential polls are slated to be held on July 18 and its counting will take place on July 21. (ANI)