Month: January 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that one of the ways to save our planet from becoming barren is organic farming, urging farmers to switch to the chemical-free method of cultivation.

Speaking at the release of the 10th installment of financial benefit under PM-KISAN, the Prime Minister said, “One big way to save our earth from becoming barren is chemical-free farming. Therefore, in the last year, the country has launched yet another visionary effort- Natural Farming. I urge my farmer friends to switch to chemical-free farming. Today, as we enter 2022, this is the year to involve ourselves in new challenges.”

He further said that an initiative has also been launched for farmers where they will get money from crop residues, stubble, etc.

“Efforts have also been started for farmers to get money from crop residues, stubble, etc. Hundreds of new units are being set up across the country to make biofuel from agricultural residues,” he said.

PM Modi said over Rs 1.8 lakh crore has been transferred directly to accounts of farmers under PM-KISAN scheme. Today, this Samman Nidhi is very useful for their small expenses, he added.

“Today, the Gobardhan scheme is going on in the country, through this incentive are being given to make biogas in the villages. Plants are being set up across the country to increase the use of biogas. Millions of tonnes of quality organic manure will also be produced every year from these plants, which will be available to the farmers at a low cost,” added PM Modi.

He further said that our Farmer Product Organizations (FPO) have a big role to play in mobilizing the growing potential of small farmers of the country.

During the event, the Prime Minister also released an equity grant of more than Rs 14 crores to about 351 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which will benefit more than 1.24 lakh farmers.

As per an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, this is in line with the government’s continued commitment and resolve to empower grassroots-level farmers.

This will enable the transfer of an amount of more than Rs 20,000 crore to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families, said PMO.

Under the PM-KISAN scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year is provided to the eligible beneficiary farmer families, payable in three equal four-monthly installments of Rs 2,000 each. The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. In this scheme, Samman Rashi of over Rs 1.6 lakh crore has been transferred to farmer families so far. (ANI)

With the Co-WIN portal opening its registration slot for COVID-19 vaccination for children aged between 15 to 18 years from today onward, the parents are breathing a sigh of relief.

Children whose birth year is 2007 or before are eligible to register themselves on Co-WIN. To book the vaccination slot the beneficiaries can either self-register or use an existing account on Co-WIN.

ANI spoke to some teenagers in this specific age group and their parents. All of them expressed satisfaction and welcomed the decision saying that it was necessary with the new variant Omicron infecting the population at a rapid rate.

Vikrant Bhagi, whose daughter studies in class 12 said, “It is the safety of my child which is most important and we have been waiting for children under 18 years to get vaccinated. They are studying at home and are facing a different kind of stress altogether. Moreover, we are afraid to send them outside fearing they might get infected. Hence, we are registering on the very first day on Co-WIN.”

“We continued with the online education primarily as we do not know the impact of this new variant (Omicron) yet. At this time, keeping our daughter safe is our first priority. For us as parents, it is also a big relief as this forced isolation would also end,” said Bhagi.

Stating that vaccination of everyone is necessary for a protective bubble, another parent, Vijaynt Kaur said, “We have been vaccinated but that itself is not enough as the antibodies die too. In this scenario, my daughter who is 17 years old and never had COVID is in a vulnerable position. Vaccination of this age group is crucial. In fact, I wish the government would shortly come with similar measures for children below 15 years of age.”

Mahika Bhagi, 18, who registered on Co-WIN told ANI, “My parents, my grandmother got vaccinated pretty early and I do know that vaccines are here to protect us, they are safe and build antibodies in us. I am not going to school but I do go outside my house for many other things and here I know that till I’m not vaccinated, I am at risk.”

“I have friends who got infected with COVID earlier. Many of my friends have also registered for the first slot. We all need to be safe,” said Mahika.

Health experts have stated that this vaccination was much needed and should have come earlier and now those who are eligible should be vaccinated as much as possible.

While speaking to ANI Dr Sisir Paul, Senior Consultant, Paediatrician, Madhukar Rainbow Hospital said, “Vaccination is the best way to protect from the disease and stop the spread also. Hence, more and more people need to get vaccinated.”

“I hope very soon the age bar will be lowered further and more and more children will get vaccinated. We have eradicated so many diseases just by vaccination. I am also sure that the vaccine will get modified along with time just to be more and more effective,” Dr Paul said.

Taking to Twitter earlier today, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya urged the parents of children, who are eligible to take the vaccination, to get them registered on the CoWIN portal. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Vidya Balan turned a year older on Saturday and several friends and co-stars from B-town poured in wishes on social media.

Anushka Sharma took to her Instagram Story and posted a stunning picture of Vidya in a red saree.
She added, “Happy birthday Vidya! Wishing you love and light always.”

Taapsee Pannu posted a picture in which she can be seen sharing smiles with the birthday girl.

She wrote, “To the woman who makes me her fan not just on screen but equally off-screen! She will always be the hero I look up to!”

Pratik Gandhi, with whom Vidya will soon be seen in an untitled romantic comedy, took to his Instagram Story and posted a video comprising of pictures of them laughing together.

He inserted a happy birthday song in the background.

Vidya Balan is known for pioneering a change in the portrayal of women with her roles in female-led films.

Born in Mumbai to a Tamil Brahmin family, Vidya’s acting journey started from a young age and she had her Bollywood debut in 2005 with the critically-acclaimed romantic film ‘Parineeta’, co-starring Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt in the lead roles.

For the uninformed, the recipient of several awards, including a National Film Award and six Filmfare Awards, Vidya had her first acting role in the 1995 hit sitcom ‘Hum Paanch’, which also starred veteran actor Shoma Anand. (ANI)

Actor Kareena Kapoor on Saturday paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary actor-comedian Betty White, who passed away on Friday.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Kareena shared a still of the late actor from her 1985 much-loved sitcom ‘The Golden Girls’. The picture also captures White’s late co-actors Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan. Sharing the picture, Bebo wrote, “The Golden Girl Forever. Betty White,” with a red heart emoticon.

Many other celebrities from across the globe and political leaders mourned the demise of the icon, who passed away at the age of 99.

White “died peacefully in her sleep at her home early this morning,” her agent and close friend Jeff Witjas told People magazine on Friday afternoon.

The Emmy Award-winning actor, who was born in 1922, would have turned 100 on January 17 this year.

She was widely known for her lead role as Rose Nylund in ‘The Golden Girls’, which ran from 1985 to 1992.

Moreover, White won five primetime Emmy Awards — including two for ‘Mary Tyler Moore,’ one for ‘Golden Girls’ and one for her 1975 ‘SNL’ appearance — along with Screen Actors Guild Awards, American Comedy Awards and even a 2012 Grammy. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday released the 10th installment of financial benefit under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme via video conferencing in the national capital.

During the event, the Prime Minister also released an equity grant of more than Rs 14 crores to about 351 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which will benefit more than 1.24 lakh farmers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 10th instalment of financial benefit under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on Saturday via video conferencing.

As per an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, this is in line with the government’s continued commitment and resolve to empower grassroots-level farmers.

This will enable the transfer of an amount of more than Rs 20,000 crore to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families, said PMO.

Meanwhile, addressing the event, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, “Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, effective from 1st December 2018, the Central Government has so far sent more than Rs 1.61 lakh crore to more than 11.5 beneficiary farmer families in the accounts of farmer families.”

“In the current financial year 2021-22, an amount of more than Rs 65,800 crore has been transferred to the beneficiary farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi PM Kisan Yojana,” added Tomar.

Under the PM-KISAN scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year is provided to the eligible beneficiary farmer families, payable in three equal four-monthly installments of Rs 2,000 each. The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. In this scheme, Samman Rashi of over Rs 1.6 lakh crore has been transferred to farmer families so far. (ANI)

In some relief for consumers on New Year, National Oil Marketing companies have slashed the prices of 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder cost by Rs 102.50 effective from January 1, 2022.

The 19 kg commercial cylinder will cost Rs 1998.50 in Delhi from today, sources told ANI. It will provide some relief to restaurants, eateries and tea stalls etc which constitute the largest user segment of the 19 kg cylinder.

Last month on December 1, prices of 19 Kg LPG cylinders were increased by Rs 100 bringing the prices of 19 kg commercial cylinders to Rs 2,101 in Delhi which was the second-highest price of 19 kg commercial cylinder after 2012-13 when it cost around Rs 2,200 per cylinder.

However, there is no decrease in prices of other domestic cylinders weighing 14.2 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg composite or 5 kg composite cylinders and their prices remain the same.

Earlier on November 1, prices of 19 kg Commercial cylinder saw a steep rise of Rs 266, increasing the prices to Rs 2,000.50.

A 19-kg cylinder, following the new rate cut, will cost Rs 1,998.50 as against Rs 2,101 in Delhi.

LPG Cylinder rate is revised monthly for all the states and union territories in India. Earlier on October 1, prices of 19kg cylinders were increased by Rs 43 and on October 6, Rs 2.50 decrease in 19 kg commercial cylinder. On September 1, prices of 19kg cylinder were increased by Rs 75. (ANI)

As many as 12 people were killed and 13 others injured after a stampede occurred at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Saturday morning, Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh said.

“12 dead, 13 injured in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra. The incident occurred around 2:45 am, and as per initial reports, an argument broke out which resulted in people pushing each other, followed by the stampede,” Singh said to ANI.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede that took place early this morning.

Shah tweeted in Hindi, “Deeply pained by the tragic accident at Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. I have spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The administration is working continuously to provide treatment to the injured people. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident.”

Singh tweeted, “The tragedy due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Bhawan is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it. My condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

The Prime Minister also condoled the deaths in the stampede and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of those who lost their lives. The injured will be given Rs 50,000.

Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that 12 people have died in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra in the morning.

The injured have been taken to Naraina Hospital after the rescue.

Speaking to ANI, Block Medical Officer of Community Health Centre, Gopal Dutt said, “12 people have died in the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. Casualties are from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and one from Jammu and Kashmir. More details are awaited. Injured are being taken to Naraina Hospital after rescue.”

A stampede occurred at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan here on Saturday morning.

An official from the police control room in Reasi town said in a brief communication that a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan has occurred.

(ANI)

The rise in militant attacks in Pakistan reached the highest point in August 2021, according to a study which stated that this spike coincided with the Taliban’s offensive that started in May last year.

This research, conducted by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Study (PICSS), said that the highest number of attacks in a single month in 2021 was recorded in August when 45 attacks were carried out by militants. The institute said in its report said the overall number of militant attacks could not drop despite a one-month ceasefire from November 10 to December 10, Dawn newspaper reported.

The Pakistan publication said that the average number of militant attacks per month in Pakistan rose from 16 in 2020 to 25 in 2021, which was the highest after 2017.

The database highlighted that Balochistan is the most turbulent province where 170 deaths were recorded in 103 attacks. According to the report, the highest number of injured were also reported from Balochistan where more than 50 per cent of the total injured were recorded.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the second most affected region next to Balochistan, the report said.

A total of 15 militant attacks were recorded in Sindh province in which 23 people were killed and 29 injured. Meanwhile, in Punjab province, militants carried out 10 attacks in which 10 people were killed and 87 injured.

Experts are wary of Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan, publicly supporting an end to the regional conflict but ultimately undermining any kind of peace that interferes with the self-interest of its leaders.

They warn that such an act could backfire on Pakistan, especially on its military and intelligence establishment. (ANI)