Month: January 2021

By Ajit K Dubey

With over 50,000 Indian troops are deployed in Eastern Ladakh to fight against China, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed multiple products such the Him-Taapak heating devices and snow melters to help the soldiers fight the enemy in form of the extremely low temperatures.

The Him Tapak space heating device (Bukhari) has been developed for the Indian Army deployed in Eastern Ladakh, Siachen and high altitude areas and it has placed an order of more than Rs 420 crores for these appliances, DRDO’s Defence Institute for Physiology and Allied Sciences Director Dr Rajeev Varshney told ANI here.He said device will ensure that there are no deaths of jawans due to backblast and carbon monoxide poisoning.

DIPAS, which conducts physiological and biomedical research to improve human performance in extreme and wartime environment has also developed ‘Alocal cream’ that helps in preventing frostbite chilblains and other cold injuries to soldiers deployed in extremely cold areas. It has also developed a ‘flexible water bottle’ and ‘Solar Snow Melter’ to address the issue of drinking water problems in freezing temperatures.

Dr Varshney said that the Army has placed orders worth Rs 420 crores to the manufacturers of ‘Him Taapak’.

“The Indian Army has placed orders worth Rs 420 crores to the manufacturers of this device and they would be deployed in all new habitats of Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), where the temperature is low,” Varshney said.

He said the new heating device has three improvements from the earlier devices developed by DIPAS.

“We have developed one improved space heating device named Bukhari. It has three improvements. First is oil consumption in this device is almost half and as per our calculation, we will be able to save almost Rs 3,650 crore in a year. Very soon it will be deployed all the deployment point of Army,” he said.

“Second, at high altitude, the speed of the wind is also high. With that speed, there is a backblast. With this design, there is no backblast. Even if some air is coming to this, the device has three horizontal double-layered plates which can cut the air, so there be no blast. It is a blast-proof Bukhari. The third is that the device is 6 litres capacity device, and combustion is 100 per cent. So, there is no chance that it will produce carbon monoxide and other hazardous gas,” he added.

Commenting upon the ‘Alocal cream’, Dr Varshney said, “DRDO-developed ‘Alocal cream’ that helps in preventing frostbite, chilblains and other cold injuries to soldiers deployed in extremely cold areas. Every year, Indian Army orders 3 to 3.5 lakh jars of this cream for troops in Eastern Ladakh, Siachen and other areas. Recently we got order of 2 crore jars from Northern command.”

Varshney said the ‘flexible water bottle’ developed by DIPAS can withstand temperature from minus 50 to 100 degree and the water inside the bottle won’t freeze due to cold, if it is stored in liquid form.

“We have developed a flexible water bottle which has integrated detachable water filter into this. This can withstand temperature from minus 50 to 100-degree. The water in it will not freeze. You can remove the filter and you can use the bottle simply. It would not freeze. We have received an order for 400 bottles from CRPF,” he said.

Satish Chouhan, a scientist at DRDO explained about the functioning of ‘Solar Snow Melter’.

“To address the issue of drinking water problems in freezing temperatures in Eastern Ladakh and other similar areas, we provided Solar Snow Melter for trials at Siachen, Khardungla and Tawang areas. Equipment can provide 5-7 ltr of drinking water every hour,” he said.

“It works on solar energy. The device tracking solar energy and use the energy to melt the snow and water is stored up to minus 40-degree centigrade in a five-litre water tank attached with the device. They can take water by using the tap attached in the tank. It is cost-effective,” he added. (ANI)

With 1,00,75,950 recoveries, the COVID-19 recovery rate in India now stands at 96.42 per cent, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting informed on Sunday.

There are currently 2,23,335 active cases in the country, 2.14 per cent of the total positive cases (1,04,50,284).

As many as 1,50,999 lives have been claimed so far, taking the Death rate to 1.44 per cent.

India on Saturday reported 18,645 new COVID-19 cases and 201 deaths, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Sunday.

At present, there are 64,516 active cases in Kerala, the highest in the country, followed by Maharashtra with 54,129.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 18,10,96,622 samples were tested for Covid-19 up to January 9. Of these, 8,43,307 samples were tested yesterday.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare earlier announced that the coronavirus vaccination drive in the country will start from January 16.

COVID-19 vaccines of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech have been granted permission for restricted use in an emergency situation by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). (ANI)

The Chilla and Gazipur Borders (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh) are closed for traffic coming from Noida and Ghaziabad to Delhi because, in the wake of ongoing farmer protests, the Delhi Traffic Police informed on Sunday, asking people to take alternate routes via Anand Vihar, Delhi Noida Direct Flyway, Bhopra and Loni Borders.

The Tikri and Dhansa Borders are closed for any traffic movement, while the Jhatikara Borders is open only for light motor vehicles, two-wheelers, and pedestrians, the Police tweeted.

It also informed about open borders to Haryana.

“Available Open Borders to Haryana are following- Jharoda (Only Single Carriageway/Road), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera Borders,” it said.

The Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Saboli, and Mangesh borders continued to remain closed.

“Please take alternate routes via Lampur Safiabad, Palla and Singhu school toll tax borders,” it advised, adding that traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road and commuters should avoid the Outer Ring Road, GTK Road and NH-44.

With concerns that farm laws would weaken the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and mandi systems and leave the farmers at the mercy of big corporates, farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital for over a month 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)

As Pakistan was plunged into darkness due to a massive power blackout, the incident has evoked humourous reactions from social media users in the country. Soon after the breakdown, the term #blackout became a top trend on Twitter with over 52,800 tweets till 2:18 am.

“So finally Pakistan showed unity in something that sounds good. 2021 game strong,” said a Twitter user.

Another user on Twitter commented: “Finally Imran khan introduces Night mode in Naya Pakistan.”

“Everyone in Pakistan on Twitter will be an electrical engineer till morning,” said another Twitterati.

Another person said: “Pakistanis: Bhai Pakistan sahi nhi chal raha @ImranKhanPTI have you tried turning it off and on?”

Meanwhile, some users also expressed concerns for the residents in Pakistan affected by the blackout.

“Meanwhile, please pray for all those who are currently on ventilators. I hope every hospital in Pakistan has adequate power supply during this time,” said one person on Twitter.

Earlier in a tweet, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat said the blackout was caused by the National Transmission & Despatch Company (NTDC) system tripping.

“NTDC system tripped. It will take sometime before everything gets back to normal,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Energy Minister Omar Ayub on Twitter said that the “frequency in the power distribution system suddenly dropped from 50 to 0 which caused the blackout”.

“We are trying to ascertain what caused the drop in frequency,” he said while requesting the nation to exercise patience.

“All of our teams have reached their respective stations. As the Minister for Power, I am personally overseeing the work for the restoration of power. We will keep you updated periodically over the progress in power restoration,” he added. (ANI)

Sharing a video featuring her actor husband with their two children, Hrithik Roshan’s ex-wife Sussanne Khan on Sunday extended birthday greetings to the actor.

Khan who had called it quits with Roshan in 2014 after a 14-year-long marriage posted a special video capturing several memorable moments between Hrithik and their children Hridhaan Roshan, Hrehaan Roshan.

Using the hashtags of “best dad in the world,” Sussanne wished her ex-husband a “meaningful blessed” year ahead.

“Happy happiest birthday Rye..wish you the warmest and most beautiful parts of life to look forward to.. have a meaningful blessed 2021 #bestdadintheworld #love #prosperity #joy #bigsmiles #manylaughoutlouds,” she wrote in the caption.

Six years after parting ways, Khan and Roshan continue to be good friends and co-parents. Earlier last year, Khan had also moved to Roshan’s house during the Covid-induced lockdown to take better care of their children during the tough times of the pandemic. (ANI)

Actor Kangana Ranaut has said that those who commit crimes against women should be hanged to death at intersections as is done in Saudi Arabia.

“Our laws are old. It takes many years to get justice. The legal system and police harass victims. Whenever you level any allegations, the burden of proof is on you. Many people don’t report cases to police as it took several years to get final justice. Some accused get free while some get minor punishment,” Ranaut said when asked about the solution to atrocities against women here on Saturday.

“In countries like Saudi Arabia, those who commit crimes against women are hanged to death at intersections. We need to set similar examples here like in cases of gangrapes and take strong action,” she added.

She arrived in Madhya Pradesh for the shooting of her film ‘Dhaakad’ and also met Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Terming the ‘love jihad’ law as a “much-needed step”, the Panga actor said that the law would ensure that girls will not be exploited in the future.

“This is a much-needed step. Over 3,000 daughters from Madhya Pradesh are missing. The accused people meet them on social media by hiding their identity… Girls are affected due to it for many years. I praise him for implementing such a law in the state. This would ensure that girls will not be exploited in the future. I praise this law,” she said.

The Madhya Pradesh government has proposed a maximum punishment of 10 years for so-called ‘love jihad’-related offences, in its new ordinance. With this, the state government has doubled the jail term in its proposed Freedom of Religion Bill 2020. It had earlier proposed a five-year jail term.

Under this new proposed ordinance, there will be a provision of punishment of up to 5 years for a religious leader who has performed religious conversion before submitting an application. The complaint of conversion and forced marriage can be made by the victim, parents, family or guardian. (ANI)

A massive power blackout has been reported in Pakistan before midnight on Saturday, which has plunged several cities into darkness, reported Dawn.

In a tweet, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat said the blackout was caused by the National Transmission & Despatch Company (NTDC) system tripping.

“NTDC system tripped. It will take sometime before everything gets back to normal,” he tweeted.

Dawn reported Special assistant to the prime minister Shahbaz Gill saying that the energy minister Omar Ayub and his entire team were working on the issue of the breakdown.

He also said citizens would be updated on the situation soon.

In the meantime, residents of Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Kasur, and other cities also highlighted the issue of the blackout on social media.

“Blackout in Major cities including Karachi, Multan, Lahore, and Islamabad,” said a Twitterati.

“Blackout all over Pakistan… No electricity… Don’t know the reason but we will know soon….,” said another Twitterati. (ANI)

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has urged the Union Government to set free Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana who was convicted in the former Chief Minister Beant Singh assassination case and has spent over two decades in jail.

Badal said, “This humanitarian gesture would be in conformation with civilized values and justice as Bhai Rajoana had already served more than the effective equivalent of a life sentence.”

Badal asked the Congress Party leaders to rise above political opportunism and back the release of Bhai Rajoana.

“It is so unfortunate that Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has always hunted with the hounds and run with the hare when it comes to dealing with emotional Sikh issues. He tries to please his masters in Delhi by opposing the release of Bhai Rajoana while opportunistically maintaining ‘personally he opposes capital punishment’ stand. He is so afraid to take a categorical stand for the release of someone who has already spent the best part of his life in jail”, Badal said.

Badal called upon both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind to personally expedite this gesture as a fulfilment of a national commitment made to Punjabis in general and the Sikh community in particular by the Government of India.

“In view of this commitment, there is no rationale behind keeping Bhai Rajoana behind bars for even a single day more as he has been in prison for over 26 years – much longer than the effective duration of a life term. His death sentence was changed to life imprisonment and Bhai Rajoana has served nearly twice as much time as a normal life term of 10 to 14 years,” he said.

Expressing similar views, Badal tweeted, “I request the Union Government to set Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana free as a humanitarian gesture. He has served nearly 2 life terms in prison. All Congress leaders including Punjab Chief Minister should also back the release of Bhai Rajoana.”

The tweet added, “Setting Bhai Rajoana free would also be in consonance with Government of India’s commitment to commute the former’s death sentence into life imprisonment as a special gesture to Sikh quom on the eve of the 550th Parkash Utsav of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji.”

On December 4, 2020, the Supreme Court asked the Central government when will it send a proposal to the President for the commutation of Balwant Singh Rajoana’s death sentence for killing then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.

A Chandigarh court had, on July 27, 2007, awarded death sentence to Rajoana which was upheld by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on October 12, 2010. Rajoana has not filed an appeal against the decision and instead filed a mercy petition before the President.

On August 31, 1995, 17 people, including the then chief minister Beant Singh, were killed in an explosion outside the Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh. (ANI)