China Claims ‘Trespassing’ By India In Aksai Chin Area

Chinese border troops have “enhanced control measures” after India’s “illegal construction” of defence facilities in Galwan Valley region of the disputed Aksai Chin area, Chinese state media reported.

A report published in Global Times has accused India of crossing the “boundary line in the Galwan Valley region and entering Chinese territory.”

“The actions by the Indian side have seriously violated China and India’s agreements on border issues, violated China’s territorial sovereignty and harmed military relations between the two countries, according to the source,” the report stated.

The report comes days after two incidents of skirmishes between Indian and Chinese soldiers.

Troops of India and China were engaged in two face-offs in Eastern Ladakh and North Sikkim along the disputed Line of Actual Control where troops from both sides suffered injuries.

Aksai Chin is an Indian territory that is controlled by China. It has been a flashpoint of aggression since 1962.

The report said the region belongs to China. “The Galwan Valley region is Chinese territory, and the local border control situation was very clear,” it said

“In view of the current situation, China’s border defence troops have taken necessary measures to strengthen an on-the-spot response and control of border areas, resolutely safeguarding China’s sovereignty and security and maintaining peace and stability in border areas,” the report added. (ANI)

IAF To Acquire 450 Aircraft For Western, Northern Fronts

Ajit K Dubey

In future, the Indian Air Force is planning to acquire 450 fighter aircraft for deployment on the northern and western frontiers of the country, Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria said on Monday.

The list of aircraft planned to be inducted by the Air Force include 36 Rafales, 114 Multirole Fighter Aircraft, 100 Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and over 200 variants of the Light Combat Aircraft.

“In the next 15 years, 83 LCAs are our primary focus, after that LCA Mark 2 will come in we are looking at close to 100 of those, that makes it near 200 of LCA class,” Bhadauria told ANI in an interview.

“AMCA, we are looking at six squadrons, so that puts it close to 100 (aircraft). So, in the indigenous domain areas which are already frozen in terms of our requirement, in terms of our understanding with DRDO in the fighter (segment),” said the Air Force Chief.

He added that the induction of these fighters would take place over a period of the next 35 years as the inductions have to be planned to keep in mind the future requirements.

The Air Force Chief said: “In the trainer aircraft segment, we are looking at 70 HTT-40 as a support aircraft to the Pilatus fleet. So, we are looking at 370 odd indigenous aircraft.”

The IAF chief said that currently it was the best time from the point of view for indigenous production and said, “It is now the perfect time for industries to respond and come up with solutions which are rapidly put in place and come up to the challenge of delivering these aircraft.”

On plans to acquire 114 multirole fighter aircraft, he said, “this project is in the middle-weight and is in the Rafale class, in this issue, we will deal with it in the Make in India region, with an increase in FDI, with support to the private sector. I think in future this will bring in technology which is required to support the aviation sector. I think it is important to have another generation of aircraft in terms of capability, technology as we go along.”

A few months ago, the Indian Air Force was facing a shortage of around 10 squadrons of Combat Aircraft in view of phasing out of the MiG-21 and MiG-27 fighters planes.

(ANI)

Learning In Lockdown

‘Lockdown Has Turned My Children Into Prospective Chefs’

Anjali G Sharma, a South Delhi-based social activist, is happy that her young children have taken to cooking with much enthusiasm and even share recipes with their cousins

Coronavirus has brought about multiple changes in our lives, but one change that makes me really happy is how easily my children have taken to learning basic cooking skills. It all started when the maid stopped coming to work due to lockdown.

My children, Anisha (10) and Aryan (6), saw me spending longer hours in the kitchen for long time and they wanted to help. What started as helping, soon turned into inquisitiveness and curiosity, something I was too happy to attend to. Between my work and my children’s online classes, a lot of time would be spent discussing food. I slowly started teaching them flameless cooking and then moved on to preparing sandwiches, about ingredients and portioning.

Let me share a cute-yet-hilarious story with you. One of these days I thought of making samosas for the kids. It turned out to be super tasty and my six-year-old son shared this fact with his five-year-old cousin over the phone. The cousin then asked for the samosa’s recipe and duly noted down. Next, he showed it to his mother and asked for the same fare. The young cousin was moved enough to write a thank-you note to my son, which we have saved with us.

ALSO READ: ‘Lockdown Has Changed My Routine Much’

Can you imagine five- and six-year old discussing food over the phone! I am glad that this has happened, for everyone should know basic cooking skills. The coronavirus induced lockdown has proved to be easier for people who were equipped with basic cooking skills.

My daughter has literally turned a ‘pro’ at baking. She can now do end-to-end baking on her own after nearly two months of lockdown and I only help her when it comes to putting the baked item in the cooker. She is one proud, smart and meticulous baker.

The children now also watch quite a lot of food videos. And sometimes they are open-eyed with wonder as to just how many amazing things can be prepared in the kitchen. I think more than teaching kids cooking, it’s about igniting the fire of enthusiasm inside them and letting them know that as parents we trust them with important tasks.

ALSO READ: ‘Iftar Without Friends Is Dull, But Safety Comes First’

One thing I admire about my kids is that don’t waste a single item even while learning. Even before the lockdown, we as a family took care to not waste anything on the plate, plus recycle anything that we can. But post-lockdown they understand that grocery items aren’t as easy to come by. Plus, they like letting their imagination run free about the various food combinations that can be had and aren’t as choosy about they eat anymore.

During my children’s online classes, their teachers keep sending them videos related to one subject or another. So one day my son received a video wherein there was an ad for Rajma Burger. And guess what the young man wants to make now? Yes, Rajma Burger!

Before lockdown, I wasn’t much into cooking. But I must admit now that I have begun to enjoy it and find it relaxing and therapeutic. There is a sense of pride and delight running through our house these days because we have all begun to enjoy one common activity and thus get a lot of time to bond with each other.

Lockdown Extended Till May 31 With No Extra Relaxations

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday asked Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, State Governments and State Authorities to continue the lockdown measures up to May 31 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The NDMA directed the National Executive Committee (NEC) to issue modifications in the guidelines as necessary, keeping in view with the need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of COVID-19.

Maharashtra, Telangana and Punjab have already announced the extension of the lockdown till May 31.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday had announced that the nationwide coronavirus lockdown will be extended to a fourth phase with “totally different” rules, which will be announced before the current one expiring on May 17.

The nationwide lockdown that the Prime Minister had first announced on March 24 was slated to end on May 17. Modi had on March 24 announced the nationwide lockdown for 21 days. On May 14, he extended the lockdown till May 3.

On 1 May, the MHA further extended the lockdown period to two weeks beyond 4 May, with some relaxations. The Central government recently announced Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package to combat COVID-19. (ANI)

Two Chinese Choppers Fly 15 Km Into Himachal Pradesh

Two Chinese helicopters entered 12 to 15 kilometres into India in Samdho region twice in April following which CID and other intelligence agencies have submitted their reports to the concerned authorities, said Rajesh Dharmani, Superintendent of Police, Lahaul-Spiti District.

“On April 11, a Chinese helicopter entered 12-15 km into India in Samdho region, Lahaul-Spiti district. On April 20, another Chinese helicopter entered the same location. CID and other intelligence agencies have submitted reports to the concerned authorities,” added Dharmani. (ANI)

Centre To Increase Expenditure On Healthcare

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced that public expenditure on health will be increased and a dedicated hospital block for treatment of infectious diseases will be set up in each district across the nation.

“All districts will have an Infectious Disease Hospital Blocks, Public health labs will be set up in every block (not just in district), to bridge inadequacy of lab network in rural areas. The Prime Minister has said that we need to be ready and self-reliant, in the face of challenges posed by any pandemic such as COVID-19. Hence, there is a big emphasis on setting up hospitals and labs, with both public and private funding,” Sitharaman said while announcing the last tranche of the economic package announced by the government.

“The public expenditure on health will be increased. Investment at grass root levels will be ramped up for health and wellness centres, both in rural and urban areas,” she added.

The announcements came after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package for the country to become ‘self-reliant’ and deal with COVID-19 crisis.

Further speaking about changes being made in the Education sector in the wake of COVID-19, the Finance Minister said that the PM eVidya programme for multi-mode access to digital/online education will be launched immediately.

“This will consist of DIKSHA, a one-nation, one-digital platform facility for school education (one nation, one digital platform). One earmarked TV channel for each class (one class, one channel) will also be a part of this. There will be extensive use of radio, community radio stations and podcasts,” she said.

The Finance Minister also announced a special e-content for visually and hearing-impaired children which will be made available in the coming days, she also lauded the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for coming up with this plan.

“Top 100 universities will be permitted to automatically start online courses by May 30, 2020,” she said.

She further spoke about ‘Manodarpan’, an initiative for psychological support of students, teachers and families for mental health and emotional well being to be launched in the next few days.

Earlier today, the Union Finance Minister had announced that the Centre has allocated an additional amount of Rs 40 thousand crores under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). (ANI)

China’s Ambassador To Israel Found Dead At Home

Chinese Ambassador to Israel, Du Wei, was found dead inside his official residence on Sunday morning, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told CNN.

The death of the 57-year-old diplomat is not being treated as suspicious.

Police are outside the ambassador’s residence in Herzliya as a part of the standard procedure, the ministry’s spokesperson said.

The Chinese embassy has not issued any statement on the diplomat’s death so far.

Ambassador Du assumed his current role in Israel in February this year.

In mid-March, he wrote in an article in The Jerusalem Post that he immediately had to enter two weeks of mandatory self-quarantine on his arrival. (ANI)

Azeem Khan

‘Iftar Without Friends Is Dull, But Safety Comes First’

Azeem Khan lives near a Covid-19 hot spot in Greater Noida, UP. Khan says Iftar is no longer a cheerful event but one must follow social distancing. He prays for Covid-19 warriors this Ramzan

Ramzan, the holy month of Muslims around the world, is about praying, reflecting and breaking fast with one’s social circle, close friends and extended family. This year has been an unprecedented one though. While we have been fasting as usual, praying at the mosque and social gathering are prohibited due to the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic. Clearly, these restrictions have taken off the festive spirit of the holy month.

During Ramzan, every Muslim fast throughout the day and look forward to organise a grand Iftar (breaking of fast) and invite friends and our extended family home in the evening. The Iftari we had last year was an awesome gathering. With so many friends and family around, we enjoyed the family feast. Many of my non-Muslim friends also routinely organised iftar parties where we broke bread together over light banter and catching up with one another.

ALSO READ: Get Ready For New Normal In Post-Corona Times

However, this Ramzan is different. We stay at an area which is very close to a Coronavirus hotspot. The pandemic has triggered a sense of fear among all the residents. From Sehari (the morning meal, before the day-long fast) to Iftari, we keep inside our houses. Since I have a young daughter at home, we are not inviting friends from within gated housing society either. Family safety always comes first. Besides, it is for general good. All of us need to practise the laid-down guidelines to defeat the pandemic.

No matter how dull the celebrations are going to be, we are not taking any risks. We are praying at home. I consider that one good thing from this lockdown is that we are getting to spend all the time in the world with our family. We stay inside, cook food at home to keep minimal contact with other people. We are playing indoor games and watching movies together. The lockdown has given us plenty of time to think and reflect in this holy month.

ALSO READ: ‘Docs Are Giving Their Best, Public Support Vital’

I have made it a rule to keep Corona-warriors in my daily prayers. Every day we watch news channels to stay updated and read online news as well. We hope that this trying times will end soon. Till then, there is little else than enjoying lockdown with our family. The entire world, irrespective of nationality and community, has come together in the fight against this pandemic. And this collective spirit will defeat the disease. Insha Allah!

‘I Sold My Phone To Buy A Rickshaw, Will Pedal To Bihar’

Having exhausted all options and resources, migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, who are headed home on foot, share their ordeals

Pramod Kamat: “I lived in Rohini area of Delhi. We I heard that my 30-year-old brother died due to hunger at our village in Madhubani district during this lockdown, we decided to move. We went to the police station, seeking permission to go to our village. Police did not give us any permission. I was heavily beaten up by the police because they do not allow us to go in groups.

“I have purchased rickshaw at the cost of Rs 3,000 after selling my mobile phone. Along with my 65-year-old father and other members of my village, I have decided to pedal to the village. It is a tough journey but we will reach in three to four days. We do not have the money to purchase train tickets.”

Pramod’s father, Ganga Kamat: “I am pained for not being able to see my son for the last time. We were waiting for the lockdown to be lifted. It was extended again and again. We all became jobless. The landlord has asked us to vacate the rooms. We do not have money and food. Police spared me from the beating. However, they have severely beaten up my son and other people, who are going with us.”

ALSO READ: ‘Lockdown Has Turned Me Into A Beggar’

Bablu Kumar: “We had struck a deal for Rs 25,000 with a group of truck drivers to take us from here. We deposited Rs 15, 000 first. But he had cautioned us that he will only take us to as much as distance as the police will allow. At Noida border, police stopped the truck and asked us to come down. Truck drivers did not return the money.”

ALSO READ: ‘It Is Humiliating But I Accept Food For Kids’

Vishwanath: “I was living in Noida. The landlord has asked me to pay the rent or vacate the room. I do not have money as I became jobless after the lockdown. The company I was working with asked me not to come to work during the lockdown period.

“I get to know that the government has started a train for us, but we do not have any money to purchase the train tickets. If I get any job in my village, I will not come here. However, I doubt that I will get any work there in Bihar.”

Javed Ali: “I am a truck driver. I am going to Aligarh. Some of the migrants stuck in Yamuna Expressway are also going in the same direction. I have told them that I would drop them at Tappal. I am not charging any money from them. I am helping them on a humanitarian ground. ANI

Stimulus: Govt Offers Ration For Migrants, Poor, Farmers

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced the second tranche of Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package with a focus on migrant workers, street vendors, small traders, self-employed people and small farmers.

During his address to the nation on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a stimulus totalling 10 per cent of India’s GDP to rescue the economy reeling under the impact of coronavirus-led lockdown.

A day later, Sitharaman announced Rs 3 lakh crore collateral-free automatic loans for businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises, besides Rs 30,000 crore liquidity facility for non-banking finance companies.

“The government will supply free foodgrain for migrants for the next two months,” she said on Thursday. Migrants who are neither covered under the National Food Security Act or state card beneficiaries will be provided five kg of wheat or rice and one kg chana per family for two months.

“About 8 crore migrants are expected to benefit under the scheme. Rs 3,500 crore will be spent on this intervention for two months. The cost will be fully borne by the government,” said the Finance Minister.

She also announced the introduction of ‘One Nation, One Ration Card,’ enabling migrant workers to access foodgrains through the Public Distribution System (PDS) from any fair price shop in India by March 2021.

Nearly 67 crore beneficiaries in 23 states covering 83 per cent of PDS population will be covered by national portability by August 2020, By 2021, 100 per cent will be covered.

Sitharaman said the Centre will soon launch a scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojna for migrant labour and urban poor to provide ease of living at an affordable rent. This will be done by converting government-funded housing in the cities into affordable rental housing complexes under public-private partnership mode through a concessionaire.

Migrant workers are being actively enrolled for work in their states, ensuring that they are not sitting idle. States have been advised to provide them with work under the MNREGA Act. Plans are afoot to make minimum wages universal for all workers, she said.

Sitharaman said the portability of welfare benefits is being considered. There is a plan to extend Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) benefits to workplaces with less than 10 workers. They will be made mandatory for workers in hazardous jobs.

Besides, there is a plan to re-skill retrenched workers. All units should be opened to women workers in every shift with proper safeguards in place

For street vendors, a liquidity provision of Rs 5,000 crore will be made to provide credit facility to 50 lakh street vendors. Initial working capital will be of up to Rs 10,000 per person. This will be launched within a month. Digital payments will be rewarded by further liquidity.

For the lower-middle-income group with an annual income of Rs 6 lakh to 18 lakh, a credit-linked subsidy scheme was introduced in May 2017 which was to last till March 31, 2020. This is being extended to March 31, 2021.

“Over 3.3 lakh families previously benefited, and an additional 2.5 lakh middle income families will join in. Jobs creation, steel, cement and heavy-duty material will improve,” said Sitharaman.

To create jobs for tribals or adivasis for forestry-related work, nearly Rs 6,000 crore of funds under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) lying in various states are being given a push. They are going to be approved shortly and will create jobs for tribals, said the Finance Minister.

She said Rs 30,000 crore additional emergency working capital fund through NABARD (over the annual Rs 90,000 crore provision) will be immediately released for small and marginal farmers.

This will support post-harvest rabi produce and preparatory work for kharif crops. State cooperative banks, district cooperative banks and regional rural banks have been roped in. The initiative will directly reach and benefit three crore rural farmers.

In addition, Rs 2 lakh crore will be made available to 2.5 crore farmers under the Kisan Credit Scheme, giving them access to concessional institutional credit. Fishermen and animal husbandry farmers will be considered under this scheme. (ANI)