With the addition of 2,539 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the total active cases in India further declined to 30,799 constituting 0.07 per cent of the country’s total positive cases, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday.
The overall COVID-19 cases in the country stand at 4,30,01,477. According to the health ministry, the daily positivity rate has fallen to 0.35 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate is 0.42 per cent.
With 4,491 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the cumulative recovery in the country stands at 4,24,54,546. While death count rose to 5,16,132 with 60 fresh COVID-related fatalities.
The recovery rate in India has increased to 98.72 per cent and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.20 per cent.
“India has so far conducted 78.12 crore COVID-19 tests including 7,17,330 tests conducted in the last 24 hours,” it added.
Under Nationwide Vaccination Drive, the country’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 180.80 crore (1,80,80,24,147) as per provisional reports till 7 am today.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on Wednesday and in the last 24 hours, more than 3 lakhs (3,00,405) adolescents have been administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (ANI)
A seven-storey building whose construction has been completed in 45 days for the homegrown fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme would be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Bengaluru on Thursday.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has built the seven-storey building in the record 45 days using In-House Developed Hybrid Technology which would be used as the R&D facilities for the indigenous development of fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) in Bengaluru.
The Flight Control System (FCS) Complex at Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) is a seven-storeyed building with a plinth area of 1.3 lakh square feet.
DRDO has completed the construction of a multi-storeyed (G+6) infrastructure for Flight Control System at ADE Bengaluru with in-house developed Hybrid technology consisting of conventional, pre-engineered and precast methodology.
“The building would be used for the development of Avionics for Fighter Aircrafts and Flight Control System (FCS) for AMCA being undertaken by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) Bengaluru. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to be given a presentation on the project inside the building itself,” said the DRDO officials.
He said that to support the R&D activities of developing Avionics for Fighter Aircrafts and Flight Control System (FCS) for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) being undertaken by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) Bengaluru, it was decided to provide necessary state of the art infrastructure through composite construction technology in the shortest time frame of just 45 days.
The foundation stone for this project was laid on November 22, 2021, and actual construction began on February 1, 2022. “It is a unique record of completing a permanent building of seven stories with Hybrid construction technology that too in ready to move condition for the first time ever in the history of the construction industry in the country,” the Official added.
In Hybrid Construction Technology, the column and beam elements of the structural frame are built with steel plates, the columns are of hollow steel tubular section. These Columns are concrete-filled steel hollow cross-sections.
The slabs are partially precast and all these structural members are assembled at site. Concreting is done simultaneously to make the structure monolithically cast thus eliminating any dry joints as in the case of precast construction.
In this case of concrete-filled hollow sections, the steel provides a permanent framework to the concrete core which reduces the time and effort drastically as compared to conventional construction.
The state-of-the-art building is also provided with VRF air-conditioning system along with an electrical system and fire protection as per the standard National building code.
All structural design norms as per relevant IS Codes and relevant codes have been adhered to. Design check and technical support were provided by IIT Madras and IIT Roorkee teams. (ANI)
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval led the second India-Indonesia security dialogue with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs of Indonesia Mohammad Mahfud on Thursday, where they discussed cooperation on different issues.
Taking to Twitter, Indian Embassy in Indonesia informed, “National Security Adviser Ajit Doval co-chaired the 2nd India-Indonesia Security Dialogue with Mohammad Mahfud, Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs. They discussed issues including cooperation in counter-terrorism, maritime, defence and cyber.”
Two years ago, India-Indonesia hold their first security dialogue during which both the nations agreed on operational cooperation in security and counter-terrorism.
These dialogues are seen as a tool to strengthen the diplomatic relation between the two countries.
Earlier, in January, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar exchanged views on the present situation of Myanmar and Afghanistan with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.
Jaishankar also agreed to take forward the bilateral ties between the two nations and to work closely in the G-20 Troika.
The G20 Troika refers to the top grouping within the G20 that consists of the current, previous and incoming presidencies — Indonesia, Italy and India.
India will assume the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022, from Indonesia and will convene the G20 Leaders’ Summit for the first time in India in 2023. (ANI)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi may visit India soon, a first high profile visit from China since border stand-off in Galwan Valley in Ladakh.
However, it is learnt that Wang’s visit to India is being worked out. Meanwhile, neither the Chinese embassy in Delhi nor the Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed the proposed visit formally.
This will be the first high profile and physical meeting between the leaders of both countries after Galwan clash and the beginning of the border stand-off that started in May 2020.
The key objective of Wang’s visit is to restart physical engagement and also invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for BRICS meet to be hosted by Beijing later this year.
It is pertinent to mention that India-China stand-off at border is still continuing as multiple rounds of military and diplomatic discussions did not reap results. India has called for complete disengagement in eastern Ladakh at all friction points.
Earlier, the 15th round of Corps Commander level talks between India and China was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on March 11, 2022.
India and China agreed to maintain the security and stability along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector during the 15th round China-India Corps Commander Level talks, said the Indian Army Spokesperson.
The two countries carried forward their discussions from the previous round held on January 12, 2022, for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector.
India and China have been holding talks on the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Ladakh area to resolve the standoff.
The talks held till now have resulted in the resolution of the North and South Bank of Pangong Tso, Galwan and Gogra Hot Spring areas.
According to the sources, both sides will now focus to achieve a resolution of balance at friction areas.
Recent statements by both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution have been encouraging and positive in nature.
India also highlighted that India-China relationship are going through a very difficult phase and made it clear to Beijing that peace and tranquillity at border are the basis for good bilateral relations. (ANI)
On the first day of vaccination for children, more than two lakh vaccine doses were administered with the first dose, said the Ministry of Health and family welfare in an official statement on Thursday.
On the first day, 2,60,136 children between the age group of 12-14 with the first dose of COVID -19 vaccines were administered. More than 2.15 Crore (2,15,44,283) precaution doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries (HCWs, FLWs and Over 60 years) for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. (ANI)
Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi held a meeting with the MPs of Punjab at the party’s office in the national capital on Wednesday.
The meeting comes hours after, Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from the post of Punjab Congress chief. Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday sought the resignations of state party chiefs of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur to put in their resignations in order to facilitate the reorganization of the Pradesh Congress Committees.
Congress high command’s move comes after Congress Working Committee’s meeting on Sunday.
The meeting was held after the party’s crushing defeat in the recently concluded Assembly elections in five states.
The results of five assembly polls came as a shock to the Congress which was hoping to do well to revive its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and to fend off the emerging challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress to replace it as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday termed The Kashmir Files “a bold representation of truth” in which the Kashmiri Pandit community was forced to leave their own homes in the country.
The Home Minister met with The Kashmir Files casting team today and said that the truth of sacrifice, unbearable pain and struggle of Kashmiri Pandits have come to the notice of the whole world through this film.
Taking to Twitter, Shah said, “#TheKashmirFiles is a bold representation of truth. It will work to make the society and the country aware in this direction that such historical mistakes are not repeated.
“Met with today’s #TheKashmirFiles team. The truth of the sacrifice, unbearable pain and struggle of Kashmiri Pandits who were forced to leave their home in their own country has come to the notice of the whole world through this film, which is a very commendable effort,” Shah said in a tweet.
Shah further congratulated the entire team for making this film. “I congratulate the entire team for making this film. @AnupamPKher @vivekagnihotri,” the Home Minister tweeted.
The movie, which had released in theatres on March 11, stars Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar, and others.
It revolves around the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 and has been directed by Vivek Agnihotri, known for films like ‘Tashkent Files’, ‘Hate Story’ and ‘Buddha in a Traffic Jam’.
The film has been declared tax-free in several states including Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Goa, Haryana and Uttarakhand.
Vivek Agnihotri’s directorial has entered the Rs 50 crore club after minting Rs 18 crore on day five of its release. (ANI)
Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) or jet fuel price was increased by 18.32 per cent to Rs 110,666.29 per kilolitre (kl) in the national capital on Wednesday, the steepest hike ever, according to a price notification issued by the government-owned fuel retailers.
With the increase, the price of jet fuel has hit an all-time high. Jet fuel, which makes up for almost 40 per cent of the running cost of an airline, soared past Rs 1 lakh per kilolitre mark for the first time.
In the national capital, ATF price has been increased by Rs 17,135.63 per kl to Rs 110,666.29 per kl.
In Mumbai, the jet fuel price has been increased to Rs 109,119.83 per kl. In Kolkata it has increased to Rs 114,979.70 per kl and in Chennai it costs Rs 114,133.73 per kl.
The record increase in ATF price comes after a sharp jump in crude oil prices and other petroleum products due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Though the oil marketing companies have increased jet fuel prices to a record high level, prices of petrol and diesel have remained unchanged for over four months. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday took oath as the Chief Minister of Punjab.
Mann was administered the oath by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit. A grand ceremony of the swearing-in has been organized in Khatkar Kalan, the anscestral village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
Mann in a video message released earlier invited the people of the state for his oath-taking ceremony, urging men to wear ‘basanti (yellow)’ turbans and women yellow ‘dupatta (stole)’ for the ceremony.
Notably, Mann has been wearing yellow turbans, which is identified with Bhagat Singh.
The AAP registered a landslide victory in recently concluded Punjab Assembly polls, winning 92 seats, pushing most of its rivals to the margins. Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly.
Mann, who was contesting from Dhuri Assembly constituency in Sangrur district, won by a margin of 58,206 votes over Congress’ Dalvir Singh Goldy.
As AAP wins Punjab, it will be the party’s maiden victory in the state and a vast improvement from its performance in the 2017 elections when the party had finished behind Congress. (ANI)
Anu Mann, an AAP supporter in Chandigarh, says the party leaders are grounded and have a connect with the people, unlike its erstwhile rulers
At 54 years of age, my generation has grown up with Punjab. I have witnessed Punjab at its peak during the Green Revolution and then at its lowest during the turbulent 80s. Things started looking somewhat bright during the 1990s but by mid-2000s they took a turn for the worse again.
From being the breadbasket of the country, we the Punjabis gradually began losing our identity as a prosperous state to ‘Udta Punjab’. Drug abuse began taking hold in almost every family. Villages after village lost their youth and men to the drug menace with women left behind to pick up the pieces, industries slowed down, corruption rose up, education took a hit, and Punjabis began leaving for greener pastures like Canada.
With Aam Aadmi Party’s electoral sweep, a hope has been rekindled that we have turned the corner. Punjab will reclaim its glory; we shall flourish again.
Personally, I feel liberated. I have travelled and lived around the country, but one always wants to come back to the roots. I used to feel sad at the sheer level of corruption, lack of jobs and good education, the lazy leadership, especially that of Captain Amarinder Singh who never mingled much with people. Sidhu has been and remains a crass leader.
Mann says she has grown up with Punjab and seen both its low point and high point
I had given up all hopes of a good leadership taking root in Punjab until AAP brought in its refreshing governance style. Of course the road for the Bhagwant Mann-led government is going to be long and difficult but given how they have managed Delhi, I have high hopes for Punjab in the coming years. I have myself worked at a summer teaching programme of AAP in Delhi government schools and I was impressed how AAP involves ordinary people in their governance apparatus.
This election result saw seasoned political personalities humiliated by common, first-time contestants (like mobile shop owner Labh Singh who defeated Channi). I feel the happiest about the victory of Jeevan Jyot Kaur who defeated Majithia and Navjot Sidhu because women’s issues will now get the spotlight. There are 13 doctors who have been elected as MLAs; they will definitely feel the pulse of the people, both literally and metaphorically.
Bhagwant Mann’s passionate involvement, unlike Amarinder Singh’s ivory tower life, in everyday matters of the state is a refreshing change. AAP ke sare candidates dharti se jude hue log hain, samaj se jude hue log hain (AAP leaders have an ear to the ground, they have a connect with the masses).
All in all, the victory of AAP in Punjab is truly the victory of ordinary people. AAP’s campaigning was also totally fuss-free, they neither disturbed nor bribed voters, maybe other parties would do well to learn from them.
Mann in a celebratory mood after AAP victory
I was so happy and excited on the day of election results that I distributed mithais, made a celebratory dance video and sent it to my loved ones. And I couldn’t stop talking to my friends about how happy I was. Mann needs a lot of cooperation from people and I hope the janta will give it to him.
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