Month: May 2022

At least 13 passengers have sustained serious injuries after a SpiceJet flight operating from Mumbai to Durgapur in West Bengal encountered severe turbulence while landing on Sunday evening, sources said.

The Boeing B737 aircraft operating as SpiceJet flight SG-945 were provided with immediate medical assistance upon arrival in Durgapur, and the airline said that it is “providing all possible medical help to the injured”.
According to sources,, passengers sustained injuries as cabin baggage fell on many of them, leading to head injuries to several flyers. However, the flight landed safely at Durgapur airport. The injured passengers were rushed to the hospital.

Speaking to ANI, an injured passenger Akbar Ansari said that the mid-air turbulence was a result of extremely bad weather.

“The flight was about to land at Durgapur airport when the aircraft began to hobble as the flight experienced massive turbulence following extreme bad weather. A Few passengers were severely injured during this major mid-air turbulence,” Ansari said.

SpiceJet has expressed its regret in a statement.

“SpiceJet Boeing B737 aircraft operating flight SG-945 from Mumbai to Durgapur encountered severe turbulence during descent which unfortunately resulted in injuries to a few passengers. Immediate medical assistance was provided upon arrival in Durgapur,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said.

The matter has been reported to the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and a probe has begun. (ANI)

The Supreme Court on Monday while saying that bodily autonomy and integrity are constitutional rights and no individual can be forced to get vaccinated against COVID also affirmed the Central government’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.

A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and BR Gavai also held that the vaccine mandates imposed by various state governments and other authorities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic are “not proportionate”.
Saying that restrictions on unvaccinated individuals in relation to public places and access to resources are unreasonable, the bench suggested the states remove such restrictions.

The bench said it is satisfied that the current vaccine policy cannot be said to be unreasonable and manifestly arbitrary.

It further held that no substantial data has been produced on record by the Centre to show that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 virus from the unvaccinated persons is higher than from the vaccinated persons.

The top court also directed the Centre to make public the data on the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination.

On COVID-19 vaccination for children, the apex court said that it is not possible for it to second guess the opinion of experts and the vaccination indeed follows the global standards and practices.

The judgement of the apex court came on a PIL filed by Dr Jacob Puliyel alleging coercive vaccination of citizens and seeking disclosure of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial data and post-vaccination data.

It sought public disclosure of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial data and post-vaccination data, claiming that it is mandatory and required that the government must publish the data as per the international medical norms.

Dr Puliyel had also sought a stay on the COVID-19 vaccine mandates that are being issued by authorities in various parts of the country.

He had also said that the Helsinki and World Health Organization (WHO) mandated that all COVID-19 vaccine data and trials be made in a transparent manner, which, in this case, was not made.

The plea sought direction to the Centre to disclose the reasoned decision of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granting approval or rejecting an application for emergency use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines and to also disclose the post-vaccination data regarding the adverse impact of vaccines — who got infected, who needed hospitalization and those who died after such infection post-COVID-19 vaccination. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India’s first deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s statue at Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre (SMCC) in Ontario is a symbol of relation between India-Canada.

PM Modi made these remarks at a programme in Canada’s Markham where a statue of Sardar Patel is being unveiled at the Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre. “Sardar Vallabhbhai’s statue at Sanatan Mandir will not only strengthen our cultural values but also become a symbol of relation between the two countries,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the role played by the Ontario-based Sanatan Mandir Cultural Center in keeping Indian culture and values alive in Canada.

PM Modi praised Indians living in Canada for being devoted to India. “An Indian may live anywhere in the world for generations but his devotion to India does not decrease even a little. Whatever nation he resides in, he serves it honestly. Democratic values and sense of duty carried by his ancestors from India live in a corner of his heart,” the Prime Minister added.

Stressing on the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world as one family), PM Modi said, “India talks about ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. India does not dream of its own uplift at the cost of another’s loss. India wishes for the welfare of entire humanity, the whole world.”

PM Modi during the programme said that as India is marking 75 years of independence or Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav we are taking a pledge to make a new India. “We are reiterating our resolve to fulfil that dream of Sardar Saheb,” he added.

“After independence, Sardar Saheb restored the Somnath temple to remind India of its thousands of years of heritage. Gujarat was a witness to that cultural Mahayagya”, noted the PM.

SMCC is a temple and a cultural centre serving the Hindu Community of the Greater Toronto Area. The SMCC Project was initiated by the Gujarat Samaj of Toronto in 1985 to help, promote and preserve Gujarati and culture, according to SMCC’s website.

To preserve our values and traditions for generations to come, SMCC provides facilities for education, religious worship, and social functions for all ages, the website read. (ANI)

Child Protection Bureau highlights the harrowing trend in Pakistan’s Punjab province where the families, because of the severe financial crisis, disown their daughters and leave them at the doorsteps of the Bureau for want of a son.

In common practice, families in Punjab disown their daughters and it is even more common for parents to leave their female offspring at the doorsteps of centres like Edhi, Kashana, and the provincial Child Protection Bureau for the want of a son, reported The Express Tribune.
An official of the Child Protection Bureau narrated that a few months ago, a newborn baby girl was handed over to the bureau from a government hospital in Lahore.

“The mother who gave birth to the baby had left her in the hospital, the reason being that she already had three daughters and her in-laws threatened to evict her if she had another daughter,” the official informed on the condition of anonymity.

According to the provincial bureau, the bureau currently has nine such newborn baby girls in their custody. Hafza Latif, who also lives in the centre, was left here by her mother as she could not spend money on her education or upbringing. “I was four years old when my father died. Now my brother and mother live together but they left me here over a year ago,” she said.

“I only get to see them on Eid days,” a distraught Hafza said as tears rolled down her cheeks. Unlike Hafza, Mahim has become numb to grief as she has been in the centre for three years now. Mahim, who is in the eighth grade, is content with her life for now and hopes to become a gynaecologist one day.

“My sister and I get food and shelter over here which our family refuses to provide for us. My plan is to live here until I can start earning,” Mahim said while putting up a brave face. The 12-year-old, Mahim, was left at Kashana Markaz along with her younger sister by their father, as per the media portal.

“She wants to join the Pakistan Army one day and I will make sure she does,” Kashana’s social welfare officer, Saima Rafique said. When asked how does the Kashana Markaz deal with the psychological problems the young girls go through, Saima stated, “We realize that being left by their families has an impact on their mental health and affects their personality and therefore, we bring in psychologists to counsel them and help them adjust at the centre so that they can forget their troubled past.” (ANI)

Families of victims, including national Kung Fu champion and national team member, Ahmad Seyar Ahmadi, who were killed in a recent blast on Friday at Khalifa Sahib Mosque in Kabul demand justice as violence increased after Taliban seized power in Afghanistan.

The blast took place on Friday in the evening at Khalifa Sahib mosque in the Darul Aman area of Kabul.
Families of victims of the blast called for the perpetrators to be held accountable, TOLOnews reported.

Afghan national Kung Fu champion and national team member, Ahmad Seyar Ahmadi, was among those killed, according to media reports.

According to the Ministry of Interior, at least ten people were killed and more than 20 others were wounded. However, eyewitnesses estimated the number of casualties to be higher.

On being asked about the death of his father, Ahmad’s son Seyawash spoke to TOLOnews and said, “What can I say?”

“He told me that if I didn’t come back, the car and everything else belong to you. Take care of your father,” said Obaidullah, the brother of Ahmadi in another statement, quoting Ahmadi’s last words.

The relatives of Ahmadi called on the current Afghan government to ensure justice. Ahmadi left four children behind, said local media reports.

“It was a similar situation in the previous government and it is the same in this government, the situation is very critical. We call on the current government to prevent such incidents,” said Naseer Ahmad Nizazai, a relative of Ahmadi.

Ahmadi was a student in his last semester at an engineering school, TOLOnews quoted, citing reports.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Saturday (local time) condemned the “continued heinous terrorist attacks targeting civilians in Afghanistan” while underlining the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism accountable.

UNSC member countries also reaffirmed that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” while also saying that “any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres too condemned the blast in Kabul on Friday, extending his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a swift recovery to those injured according to Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq.

Eight months after the Taliban reclaimed Afghanistan, there’s been increased violence and a resurgence of extremist groups. The attacks in the country do not seem to die down since the Taliban took control and their regime has rocked a new wave of violence. (ANI)

The crescent moon for the Islamic month of Shawwal was not sighted on Sunday evening, therefore clerics across the country announced that the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in India on May 3.

Lucknow’s Markazi Chand Committee said that the Shawwal crescent was not sighted on Sunday evening hence, May 2 will be observed as the last day of Ramzan and Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated on May 3.

“Marzaki Chand Committee Farangi Mahal, Qazi-e-Shahar Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli Imam Idgah Lucknow has announced that today is the date 29 Ramzan-ul-Mubarak 1443 H. There is no moon of Shawwal on May 1, 2022. So tomorrow is 30th roza and Eid-ul-Fitr will be on May 3, 2022. Eid-ul-Fitr namaz at Indgah Lucknow will be held on 03 May 2022 at 10 am,” Marzaki Chand Committee said in a statment.

Office of Chief Kazi to the Government of Tamil Nadu said in a statment also said that the Eid-ul-Fitr will be on May 3.

“The new moon for the month of Shawwal 2022 (1443 H) was not sighted on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Therefore, Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid) will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 3, 2022,” it said.

The Executive members of Ruyat-E-Hilaal Committee of Karnataka announced that the crescent was not sighted anywhere across the country and hence the Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on May 3.

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims around the globe to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan.

Ramzan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, according to Islamic belief.

Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which involves rigorous fasting for about 30 days.

During this month, Muslims do not consume food or water from dawn to dusk. They eat Sehri (a pre-dawn meal) and break their day-long fast with ‘Iftar’ in the evening.

Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan. The festival is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

The festival is celebrated by sharing a delightful dish Seviyan (Vermicelli) that comes under different varieties like Hath Ka Seviyan, Nammak Ka Seviyan, Chakle Ka Seviyan and Laddu Seviyan. All these variants can be used in the dish called Sheerkurma, which is also made on Eid and distributed among friends and relatives. (ANI)

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board, VK Tripathi on Sunday said that the demand and consumption of coal this year have increased significantly in comparison to 2021.

Tripathi’s remarks came amid continued and increasing temperatures gripping Maharashtra thereby leading to an increase in demand for electricity and thus, coal. Many parts of the state reported temperatures over 41 degrees Celsius as part of ongoing heatwave, the India Meteorological Department informed in its daily bulletin.

Speaking on this development, Tripathi said told reporters today, “Demand and consumption for coal has gone up significantly in comparison to last year. So, we are transporting coal in higher quantities. We are operating extra coal rakes and on a higher priority than Mail and Express trains.”

“We can say there is a 20 per cent rise in the demand and consumption of coal from last year. In the month of April 2022, we have transported 15 per cent more coal than we did in April 2021,” Tripathi said.

On April 29, the national weather agency IMD issued an “orange alert” for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra for four days as a heatwave sweeps through parts of the country.

The IMD uses four colour codes for weather warnings wherein green means no action needed, yellow refers to watch and stay updated, orange means be prepared and red alert means take action.

In April, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Pralhad Joshi, said that the Centre is continuously taking many steps to increase coal production in the country, citing India’s coal production has increased to 777 MT and offtake of 818 MT in the financial year 2021-22.

“The country’s coal production was just 566 MT in the FY 2013-14, while it has increased to 777 MT and offtake 818 MT in the FY 2021-22 under the Modi-government. But Rahul Gandhi does not understand these figures, because he is a fool. If he is so fond of making predictions, then he should at least once tell the future of his own party!” Joshi further said.

Several states of India have been reeling from power outages due to the coal crisis in the country. Coal India Limited has reported an increase of 27.2 per cent in its output in April 2022, as compared to the year-ago period, the Ministry of Coal on Friday.

The demand for power has risen in April due to heatwave and people in different parts of the country are facing power cuts. The problem has been accentuated by a steep rise in prices of imported coal due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and some power plants not operating to their full capacity.

Amid reports of a dip in coal stocks with thermal plants, Joshi has said that the country’s thermal plants hold about 22 million tonnes of coal which is enough for 10 days and replenishment will be done continuously. (ANI)

Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Sunday suggested the narco-terror nexus was being pushed by country’s western adversary through dropping of drugs and weapons in Jammu and Kashmir and other states but the force was ready to answer these threats in a resolute manner.
In an exclusive interview with ANI today, the Army chief said, “As far as the situation with Pakistan is concerned, the DGMOs arrived at an understanding a year ago that helped us in improving the situation for the civilian population at the ground level on both sides of the LoC.”

“However, I must admit that in terms of reduction in terrorist infrastructure and terrorist training camps, neither is there any evidence nor are there any signs of that happening,” Army Chief General Manoj Pande said on Pakistan issue.

The new Indian Army chief said, “On the contrary, we find that the number of terrorists operating has increased. Whilst on the LoC, the infiltration and violence levels have gone down, in the hinterland, there is no indication to that effect.”

“Significantly, due to the success of our counter infiltration grid, from the other side, there is exploitation of the narco-terror nexus. In this nexus, you see cases of smuggling contraband items and weapons which is happening across the border in both Jammu Kashmir and further south,” he said.

The Army chief asserted, “We are clear that if we see any act of terror or any hybrid threat in terms of infiltration, radicalisation through social media, then we are resolute to counter these threats and we are sure that we will succeed.”

General Manoj Pande on Saturday took charge as India’s 29th Chief of Army Staff. (ANI)