Month: December 2020

As the ongoing farmers’ agitation at Burari, Singhu and Tikri borders entered day 12, the Delhi Traffic Police on Monday issued an advisory for commuters as multiple borders between Delhi and neighbouring states remained closed for traffic.

The Delhi Traffic Police today issued a traffic alert closing the National Highway (NH) 44 on both sides in the national capital region.

Commuters have been asked to take alternate routes via Lampur, Safiabad, Saboli borders and avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK road and NH-44.

“Singhu, Auchandi, Piao Maniyari, Mangesh borders are closed. NH-44 is closed on both sides. Take alternate routes via Lampur, Safiabad, Saboli borders. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. Avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK road, NH-44,” the Delhi Traffic Police tweeted.

The chilla border on Noida link road is closed for traffic from Noida to Delhi due to farmers’ protest and people are advised to avoid Noida link road for coming to the national capital.

The Gazipur border, where the protest by farmers entered day 10, on NH-24 is closed for traffic movement from Ghaziabad to Delhi.

“Traffic Alert: The Gazipur border on NH-24 is closed for traffic from Ghaziabad to Delhi due to farmers’ protests. People are advised to avoid NH-24 for coming to Delhi and use Apsara/ Bhopra/DND for coming to Delhi,” said Delhi Traffic Police.

Furthermore, Tikri and Jharoda borders are closed for any traffic movement. Meanwhile, Badusarai border is open only for light motor vehicles like cars and two-wheelers and Jhatikara border is open only for two-wheeler traffic.

The Haryana border areas that have been allowed to remain open are Dhansa, Daurala, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera.

Thousands of farmers have gathered in and around Delhi to protest against the three farm laws, passed in the Monsoon Session of Parliament in September.

The farmers are protesting against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (ANI)

Ultimately, Jammu and Kashmir got ‘azadi’ (freedom) from the dynasts, separatists and stone-throwers, said BJP senior leader and party spokesperson Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi while adding that peace is the gift of this freedom in the union territory.

“Jammu and Kashmir has got ‘azadi’ from the dynasts, separatists and the stone-throwers who had made our lives hell for decades now. This was a well-designed nexus to share illegal money acquired from the loot of public funds, misuse of government resources and assets and donations from foreign countries,” said Andrabi.

“Peace is the gift of this azadi in Jammu and Kashmir,” she added.

Continuing with her electioneering in South Kashmir, Andrabi on Sunday held many workers meetings in Anantnag.

Later she conversed with media fraternity in Anantnag. In her media interaction, Dr. Andrabi said that the political school of scandal in Jammu and Kashmir has been exposed after the constitutional change here.

She said that the indoctrination of the youth in Kashmir led to the killing of thousands of them for no achievement other than becoming a political feeder for some and the source of earning for others.

“Many of the separatist leaders are on video recording confirming the money deals for the upheavals in Kashmir. Our youth don’t deserve to be buried at a young age for some other’s political ideology but they deserve a bright future. We are creating new business opportunities and industries,” said Andrabi.

“We are establishing world-class educational institutions and universities where our youth can get specialized degrees, training, skill-specialization and jobs too. We are transforming this society into a positive peaceful, developed place to live in,” she added.

She said that people have started understanding the reality of the situation and the futuristic gains of the change in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)

The opposition parties, including People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP), All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), National Congress Party (NCP) and Congress party, have extended their support December 8 ‘Bharat Bandh’ call by farmers who are protesting against the farm laws.

The leaders of the opposition parties issued a joint statement while extending solidarity with farmers call for a Bharat Bandh on December 8 demanding the withdrawal of “retrograde Agri-laws” and the Electricity Amendment Bill.

“These new Agri-Laws passed in the Parliament in a brazen anti-democratic manner preventing a structured discussion and voting, threaten India’s food security, destroy Indian agriculture and our farmers, lay the basis for the abolishment of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and mortgage Indian agriculture and our markets to the caprices of multi-national agri-business corporates and domestic corporates,” the statement reads.

“The central government must adhere to the democratic process and norms and meet the legitimate demands of our Kisan-Annadatas,” it added.

The statement released from CPI (M) office is signed by Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi, DMK chief M K Stalin, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, PAGD chairman Farooq Abdullah, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, CPI (M) General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury, CPI General Secretary D Raja, CPI (ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, AIFB General Secretary Debartata Biswas and RSP General Secretary Manoj Bhattacharya.

Meanwhile, K. Chandrashekar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena have also supported the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by farmers on December 8.

Sukhbir Singh Badal led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which left the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to protest against farm laws, has also announced to lend its support to Bharat Bandh.

The Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), an ally of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan has also extended its support to the call for ‘Bharat Bandh by farmers’ on December 8. Demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdraw the farm laws, party chief Hanuman Beniwal on Sunday announced that the party will take a decision on whether or not to stay in National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after December 8.

A team of actor Kamal Haasan-led political party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) on Sunday joined the agitating farmers at Singhu border in New Delhi.

It may be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 30 addressing an event at Varanasi said Opposition is “using tricks to oppose historic agriculture reforms laws and farmers are being misled”. He also asserted that his government’s new agricultural reforms have empowered the farmers and given them new options and legal protection. He said that the benefits of these new laws will be experienced in the coming days.

The farmers have been protesting on different borders of the national capital since November 26.

After the fifth round of talks remained inconclusive with farmers’ leaders, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has called another meeting on December 9.

Thousands of farmers are protesting against the three newly enacted farm laws–Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (ANI)

The made in India howitzer Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System underwent trials at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra on Sunday.

The howitzer has been developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). The howitzer is being readied for the Indian Army requirements and has a striking range of around 50 kms.

The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) project was started in 2013 by DRDO to replace older guns in service in the Indian Army with a modern 155mm artillery gun.

The DRDO laboratory Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) partnered with private players Bharat Forge Limited, Mahindra Defence Naval System, Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division and public sector unit Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for this purpose.

The ATAGS howitzer was first publicly showcased at 68th Republic Day parade in 2017. (ANI)

Channelling her Sunday ‘state of mind’, actor Sonakshi Sinha treated her fans with a stunning picture of herself swimming.

The ‘Dabangg’ star hopped on to Instagram and shared a mesmerising picture from her past vacation.

In the picture, which captures a clear blue sky with clouds and the seashore meeting the horizon, Sinha is seen dressed in a black swimsuit and enjoying swimming.

In the post, she called herself Sona and replaced the word ‘machli (fish)’ with her own name in the nursery rhyme. “Sona jal ki rani hai jeevan uska paani hai (Sona is the queen of water, water is her life),” she wrote.

Meanwhile, she also posted a picture with fashion designer Manish Malhotra, whose birthday was on November 5.

Sonakshi has been sharing pictures and clips from her Maldives holiday, which ended only last week. The Maldives has been the favourite choice of celebrities from the Indian film fraternity. On Saturday, the ‘Rowdy Rathore’ star channelled her weekend mood by sharing a stunning no-makeup selfie. (ANI)

The phase 2 human trial of Russian vaccine Sputnik V began at a Pune hospital with 17 volunteers being administered the first dose of vaccine.

The first dose of the vaccine was given between December 3 and 5 at Pune’s Noble Hospital.

All of them underwent various tests including COVID-19 and anti-body before the vaccination process. Russia became the first country to register the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine on August 11.

Sputnik V, named after Russia’s first satellite, is developed by the Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology (GNRCEM) of the Russian Healthcare Ministry.

Speaking to ANI, Dr S K Raut of the Noble Hospital said: “These 17 volunteers were selected and they were given the first dose of vaccine now. They will be put under observation and then they will be given another dose of vaccine after 21 days.”

“This is part of phase 2 trial of Sputnik vaccine and all the volunteers underwent various tests before they undergo vaccination. Their consent was taken before vaccinating them,” he added.

The volunteers have been given a mobile application where they have to update their health status on daily basis and they have been asked to contact doctors from Noble Hospital immediately if they face any health issues during this period.

After completion of phase 2 trials, Noble Hospital will also be conducting phase 3 trials of the same vaccine where about 1,500 volunteers will participate.

Last month, Russia agreed to produce over 100 million doses per year of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India. (ANI)

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra Jonas on Sunday reacted to the ongoing farmers’ protest against the farm laws, and said that “as a thriving democracy, we must ensure that this crisis is resolved sooner than later.”

The ‘Baywatch’ star posted her reaction on Twitter in response to a tweet by Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh.

“Our farmers are India’s Food Soldiers. Their fears need to be allayed. Their hopes need to be met. As a thriving democracy, we must ensure that this crises is resolved sooner than later,” tweeted Chopra

The ‘Bajirao Mastani’ star posted her tweet by sharing pictures put out by Dosanjh featuring the peaceful protests. In the pictures, farmers are seen serving meals to the police officials, while on the other hand, the second one shows vice versa.

Earlier on Saturday, actor Riteish Deshmukh also stood in solidarity with farmers in protest. He tweeted, “If you eat today, thank a farmer. I stand in solidarity with every farmer in our country. #JaiKisaan”

Farmers have been protesting at the borders of the national capital for the past 11 days now against the three farm laws. The Centre is engaging with farmers to settle their differences. Next round of talks between farmer leaders and central government is scheduled on December 9.

The farmers are protesting against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (ANI)

A four-day long Khelo Kashmir martial arts sports competition commenced in Srinagar on Sunday. The event has been organised by Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in collaboration with local sports organisations at Indoor Sports Hall at Polo Ground in which hundreds of players are participating.

Due to government protocols for sports activities amid pandemic only three sports– Taekwondo, Karate and Kickboxing — are being played in this event.

The players who are participating in this event hailed this step taken by the NSNIS as it will help them to overcome the losses they suffered in sports activities.

“These types of tournaments need to take place as it would give experience to all the children. They will represent Kashmir in different tournaments. During the lockdown, we were at our homes, but now we have returned to action,” martial arts player Aimen Jan told ANI.

The players were happy as this was the first sports event in which they took part after almost one year. The organisers of this sports event said that they are happy with the response and the next sports event will be held at Gulmarg in the coming days.

“Stadium was closed because of coronavirus, this is the first time that an event is happening here since the stadium has been reopened. Almost 1,000 children are participating in this event. We are very happy that the event is going on. Coaches have done a remarkable job. All safety precautions have been taken care of,” another player Sabiya Mushtaq said.

Aquib Gulzar, coach-cum-referee of the event, added, “Due to lockdown everyone was at their homes. Now children are steadily approaching schools and training. In this Khelo Kashmir event, we have scheduled events in three sports.” (ANI)

A Christian woman was shot dead in Rawalpindi allegedly by a Muslim man whose marriage proposal was rejected by her parents recently, Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday, citing police.

Officers from Koral police station said on Sunday that they have arrested an accused named Faizan, whereas raids are being carried out to arrest the prime suspect, Shehzad.

The deceased, Sonia, and the accused were residents of Old Airport area in Rawalpindi.

Shehzad’s mother had reportedly sent the marriage proposal, but Sonia’s parents refused as she was to marry another man.

According to police, Shehzad opened fire on the woman while she was with her fiance on a highway.

Last month, a Christian girl, Arzoo Raja, was reportedly abducted, forced to convert to Islam and marry a 44-year-old Muslim man in Karachi.

In recent months, several such cases related to rape, abduction and forced marriage of Christian women with their rapists have emerged in Pakistan.

Often, the abducted girls are forced to convert to Islam, which makes their subsequent marriages legal under Pakistani law.

According to Legal Evangelical Association Development, a non-profit advocacy group providing aid to persecuted minorities, 28 Christian girls became victims of abduction, torture, sexual harassment, rape, forced conversion and marriages in Pakistan from November 2018 to June 2019. (ANI)

Reminiscing about the shooting of one of the peppy dancing numbers from their 2019 comedy-drama ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’, actor Kartik Aaryan, on Sunday got nostalgic and celebrated 1 year anniversary of the Bhumi Pednekar and Ananya Panday co-starrer.

The 30-year-old star Aaryan posted a clip on Instagram that featured the rehearsals for ‘Ankhiyon se goli marey’ song. In the video, Aaryan is seen shaking a leg with his glamorous co-stars Bhumi and Ananya as they perform the hook step of the song.

The ‘Pyar Ka Punchnama’ star also penned a note of thanks for his fans who showered love on the film which clocked one year of its release.

“One Year of #PatiPatniAurWoh.Thank you for showering so much love on us,” wrote the ‘Love Aaj Kal’ star.

Recalling the energy of the song, he added in the caption, “Missing this madness and all the energy of song shoots.”

Bhumi, too celebrated the one year mark of the film, by sharing some candid pictures of the trio on her Instagram story.

Ananya also recalled her character Tapasya Singh in the movie and shared captures of various fan pages that celebrated 1 year of ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’ on her Instagram Story.

‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’ is a remake of the 1978 film with the same name and also features Ayushman Khurrana’s brother Aparshakti Khurrana in a supporting role.

irected by Mudassar Aziz and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Renu Ravi Chopra, and Krishan Kumar. (ANI)