Month: November 2020

Alleging that the state has become a hub of “terrorists and anti-nationals”, West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh on Sunday said that the situation here is worse than Kashmir.

“The other day six Al-Qaeda terrorists were arrested from Aipurduar (in North Bengal). A network has been formed in several places of the state. Even Bangladesh leader Khaleda Zia has said the terrorists are being trained in India and sent to Bangladesh to create disturbance. This state has become a centre of terrorists, and anti-nationals. They are coming here from other places and taking shelter. The situation of Bengal is now worse than Kashmir,” Ghosh alleged while talking to reporters after a BJP event at Baranagar in North 24 Parganas district on Sunday.

He added the people of Bengal are living in a state of fear.

“Even my name was included in the hit list of the anti-nationals. I have been attacked in Jaygaon in Alipurduar district where Rohingya Muslims were placed. If you watch the video of the incident carefully, you can identify them through their appearances that they are not from Bengal,” said Ghosh, adding West Bengal has abundant Rohingyas, and other infiltrators who caste their vote to Chief Minsiter Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC).

“It is very alarming that a few political parties are giving shelter to the terrorists and anti-social elements.”

The BJP leader, however, expressed confidence in the people of the state who know “which party to vote for” even if all other parties collectively contest against the BJP.

On AIMIM’s President Asaduddin Owaisi’s announcement to contest the next election in West Bengal, Ghosh said, “Many things can happen. Several political parties cane come here and contest. That doesn’t matter to the BJP. Our party has created a good atmosphere to conduct polls. Around 45 per cent people of Bengal cast their votes for the BJP.

“They have full faith in us. The TMC, CPI(M), Congress, AIMIM, all the parties can merge together. The party, which wants development, will be on one side and which want to create unrest will be on another.”

Before meeting the media persons, he attended the “Cha Chakra” — an event on lines of tea adda — on Tobin Road. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to tribal leader Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary on Sunday and said his contribution to the freedom movement and social harmony will always inspire the countrymen.

“I pay tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary. He was a true saviour of the poor and worked for the welfare of deprived and exploited section of the society. His contribution to freedom movement and efforts for social harmony will always inspire us,” PM Modi tweeted (roughly translated from Hindi).

Birsa Munda, who belonged to the Munda tribe, was born on November 15 in 1875. During the British rule in the late 19th century, he spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement across the tribal belt of modern-day Bihar and Jharkhand.

His birth anniversary is celebrated as Birsa Munda Jayanti in the country and coincides with the Jharkhand Foundation Day.

Earlier, PM Modi wished the people of Jharkhand on the foundation day of the state on Sunday.In a tweet in Hindi, the Prime Minister congratulated the people of Jharkhand and wished them prosperity and good health.

Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in the year 2000. (ANI)

To suppress the impact of lung fibrosis, concerning COVID patients, scientists have been developing new treatment therapies, targeting the complications developed by the mutual relationship between the two.

Philip S. Low, the Purdue Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery, has led a team to develop two targeted therapies for people with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The two different therapeutic approaches are published in Science Translational Medicine and EMBO Molecular Medicine.

According to the study, people with IPF have a life expectancy of fewer than five years. Fibrotic diseases cause organ failure that leads to about 45% of all deaths in the United States. Existing therapies do little to slow progression. The results of the research were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

“This is a horrible disease that claimed the lives of my next-door neighbour and a good friend’s wife,” Low said. “We developed two targeted therapies that allow us to use powerful drugs with high toxicities because we specifically deliver them to diseased cells without harming healthy ones,” he added.

The first of the Purdue team’s novel targeted molecules are designed to slow fibrosis and extend life. The second IPF therapy suppresses fibrosis-inducing cytokine production. The two therapies will be moving into human clinical trials within the next several months.

The developments come as a number of people with COVID-19 or who have recovered from COVID-19 experience, lung fibrosis, or other related conditions. (ANI)

Sending love and light to all his fans, actor Shahid Kapoor on Sunday shared an adorable Diwali selfie with wife Mira Kapoor.

The ‘Jab We Met’ star posted a picture on Instagram in which the lovely couple can be seen twinning in black traditional ensembles for Diwali festivity.

While Shahid looked stunning in an embroidered kurta, Mira decked up in a matching glamorous suit with floral print dupatta. She accessorised her look by wearing diamond earrings and a matching bracelet.

The ‘Kismat Konnection’ star captioned the post as, “Happy Diwali to you all. Love and light.”Mira also shared a picture of several lit diyas and wished everyone on Instagram on the festive occasions. Missing in both their posts were pictures of their kids – daughter Misha and son, Zain. On Diwali, the ‘Haider’ star shared a glimpse of the Diwali rangoli at his home and penned down a heart-warming post on the auspicious occasion.

“Happy Diwali to you all. Here’s to messy rangolis and priceless family time. Feed the heart with love. Everything else will come and go,” he wrote. (ANI)

At least 49 per cent of Pakistani people believe that the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is responsible for inflation in the country, reported Geo News.

According to a new survey by Ipsos, respondents stated that price hikes have impacted all classes in Pakistan, with the bottom end socio-economic classes suffering the most due to it.

The research conducted from October 28 to November 4 while interviewing over 1,000 respondents, revealed that half of the Pakistanis blame the federal government for inflation.

Geo News reported that only 15 per cent of the respondents said they blamed previous governments for it, a narrative the PTI and Prime Minister Imran Khan have been attempting to establish since day one in power.

Forty-nine per cent held the Centre responsible for the crisis, 17 per cent considered provincial governments responsible while only 8 per cent blamed an unknown mafia.

The ratio of those considering the federal government responsible for inflation was the highest (59 per cent) in Balochistan, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 58 per cent, 46 per cent in Punjab and 44 per cent in Sindh.

The survey also revealed that price hikes have affected a whopping 97 per cent of the respondents. Ipsos asked respondents whether they are worried about increasing prices to which 88 per cent of respondents said they were.

According to the survey, 4 in 5 Pakistanis (83 per cent) faced cuts in their income due to the coronavirus pandemic. (ANI)

Violence erupted on Saturday in Washington DC during the ‘Million MAGA March’ held in support of US President Donald Trump, as counterprotesters clashed with Trump supporters, shouting threats, throwing punches and launching projectiles.

Thousands of people had turned up in the US capital on Saturday to show support to Trump and protest against the results of the presidential elections.

Fox News reported that Antifa and Black Lives Matter (BLM) groups had counter-clashed with conservative group Proud Boys, said Daily Caller contributor Matthew Miller.

When darkness fell, counterprotesters triggered more mayhem as they harassed Trump advocates, stealing red hats and flags and lighting them ablaze. Scuffles continued well into the night as the provocateurs overturned the tables of vendors who had been selling pro-Trump gear and set off dozens of fireworks, reported Washington Post.

Violence broke out five blocks east of the White House between the President’s supporters and his detractors. The brawl went on for several minutes before the police arrived and cleared the intersection.

On both sides, people were injured, and at least 10 were arrested, including four on gun charges.

In the melee, a DC Fire official said, a man in his 20s was stabbed in the back and rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.

Meanwhile, as the left-wing protesters chased out Trump’s supporters and besieged a hotel, the police used pepper spray to forcefully scatter the crowd.

The conflict began when a small group holding bright orange “Refuse Fascism” posters arrived at the edge of Freedom Plaza and were almost immediately surrounded by Trump fans shouting “USA! USA!” into their faces, according to Washington Post.

Earlier, Trump’s supporters gathered in Freedom Plaza near the White House starting early Saturday morning, with a large crowd amassed by noon, when an event organised by Women for America First was set to kick-off, The Hill reported.

Since Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was declared as President-elect, Trump has refused to concede defeat and has promised to legally challenge the results of the elections. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the Indian army is engaged in military exercises and strategic partnerships with other big countries at present adding that they have the capability to strike on terrorist havens anywhere, anytime.

“If anyone casts an evil eye on us, our soldiers reply to them befittingly. This establishes the credibility of the Indian Army in the world. Today, the country’s Army is engaged in military exercises with other big countries. We are engaged in strategic partnerships to fight against terrorism. Indian Armed Forces have shown that they can strike on terrorist havens anywhere, anytime,” Prime Minister said, while addressing the security forces in Jaisalmer on the occasion of Diwali.

PM Modi said the Chief of Defence Staff was recently inducted into the hierarchy of Armed Forces to coordinate modernisation and provision of equipment along with the soldiers.

Prime Minister also appreciated the efforts of the Air Force and Navy in rescuing stranded people in foreign countries due to COVID-19 pandemic. “While the Indian Armed Forces are capable of dealing with the enemies, they’re at the forefront to help people during disasters. The role played by Air Force and Navy in rescuing people who were stranded in other countries due to COVID-19 is praiseworthy,” PM Modi said.

Crediting the soldiers for the prosperity and good fortune of the nation, PM Modi praised the efforts of the Indian Army in securing the borders of the country.

“On the day of Diwali, there is a tradition of preparing a rangoli in front of the main gate of the house as a sign of good luck and prosperity. Similarly, the boundaries of the nation are the gateways of the country. Here, you (the army) are responsible for the prosperity and good fortune of the nation,” the Prime Minister said.

Earlier today, PM Modi addressed the security forces at Longewala in Jaisalmer and remarked that as long as the Indian soldiers were present, this country’s Diwali celebrations would continue in full swing and luminescence.

“With wearing masks these days due to COVID, people are facing the difficulty and think of the resilience it takes to don military gear in difficult terrain by the soldiers. This realisation is making our countrymen resolve to become more disciplined,” said PM Modi. (ANI)

As the country is celebrating its first Diwali amid the coronavirus pandemic, several Bollywood celebrities extended their warm greetings to fans on the joyous occasion.

In his Diwali wish, megastar Aamir Khan wished “positivity, hope, and enlightenment,” to his fans in his special Diwali tweet.

“Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali. May this Festival of Lights fill our being with positivity, hope and enlightenment. Love. a,” Khan wrote on Twitter.

Dhak Dhak girl Madhuri Dixit Nene, on the other hand, was seen sprinkling sparkle on social media with a video of herself that had the glittery festive filter.

“May the lamps of joy illuminate your life with bright sparkles of peace and prosperity #HappyDiwali,” she tweeted along with the video that sees her enjoying the sparkle that fills the screen in her video.

Several other Bollywood celebrities like megastar Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Hema Malini and others extended Diwali greetings to fan on the occasion.

‘Kabir Singh’ actor and the fittest father in Bollywood, Shahid Kapoor gave a glimpse of his “messy rangoli,” in an Instagram post and wished his fans on the occasion.

“Happy Diwali to you all. Here’s to messy rangolis and priceless family time. Feed the heart with love. Everything else will come and go,” he wrote in the caption.

Actor-turned-producer Ajay Devgn dedicated this year of Diwali to the Indian Army officials who keep the country safe.

“Deepavali, the Festival of Lights and cheer is here. Here’s wishing everyone a happy, peaceful and safe Diwali! This one is especially for the Indian Army, who make it possible for the rest of us to stay safe#HappyDiwali,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

The mom-to-be actor Kareena Kapoor Khan also extended Diwali greetings to everyone with a heart-warming video of herself, her actor husband Saif Ali Khan, and son Taimur Ali Khan seated by a bonfire.

“Happy Diwali to everyone… stay safe, stay happy,” she wrote. (ANI)

Pet owners in Chandigarh welcomed the decision of the Union Territory Administration to ban the sale and use of firecrackers during Diwali festivities.

“It’s a good decision. Dogs are really affected by the sound of firecrackers and it’s really painful for them. They keep barking as the firecrackers are busted in the surroundings. It troubles the animals and disturbs the neighbours too. This ban was an absolute necessity and we are very happy about it,” Manu Dubey, a pet owner, told ANI.

“Our pets get scared with the noise caused due to constant busting of firecrackers on Diwali. They get irritated but cannot run away either. Hence, it was of utmost importance to ban firecrackers considering the safety of animals,” Rajendra Kumar, another pet owner, said.

Many parts of north India are suffering from a pollution surge since last month due to stubble burning Punjab and Haryana and therefore the senior citizens are happy about the firecracker ban.

“The ban is very good for both the senior citizens and animals. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a rise in air pollution would further add to our breathing woes. Hence, the ban seems even more significant today,” Manu Dubey added. (ANI)