Month: June 2022

Bollywood actor Bipasha Basu aced the vintage look in her latest Instagram post by unleashing her ‘old world charm’ looking like a Retro Queen.

‘Old world charm’ captioned the ‘Raaz’ actor.

In the vintage, monochrome picture, Bipasha donned a pretty floral gown accessorizing it with a pearl neckpiece and pearl bracelet. She kept her hair short and curly, having a ‘finger wave’ cut, while striking a shy pose, looking down. Bipasha looked quite elegant in the picture as if she actually belonged in the past era.

Along with the retro post, the ‘Jism’ actor also shared a story on her social media, having the same retro vibes.

The picture portrayed Bipasha’s close-up look, her big and beautiful eyes sparkled like a star while her gentle yet bold expressions accentuated her looks further. Bipasha could be seen wearing a silver ring accompanied by long silver-studded earrings.

Bipasha was last seen in the web series ‘Dangerous’ in 2020, which also starred her husband Karan Singh Grover. For the unversed, Bipasha and Karan met on the sets of the film ‘Alone’ and tied the knot in 2016.

Meanwhile, in the previous year, Bipasha completed 20 years in the Bollywood film industry. Taking to Instagram, Bipasha took a stroll down memory lane and recalled working on her first film ‘Ajnabee’ as well.

Bipasha has acted in many films since her debut in 2001. Her popular films include ‘Raaz’, ‘Jism’, ‘Dhoom’ and ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ among others. (ANI)

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has instructed officials to restore the glory of the historic Roshanara Bagh within three months.

LG on Saturday visited 400-year-old Roshanara Bagh under MCD in North Delhi and officials to develop a world-class nursery of rare and exotic plants and flowers amongst others, on an identified 8.5-acre piece of land within the next three months.

He instructed for works to be started for the same today itself by removing the dead foliage, debris and C&D waste.

This nursery will, apart from providing about 3 lakh plants and saplings annually for plantation across the city, also provide the people of Delhi with the same at nominal prices.

Starting the works of rejuvenating a silt and wild undergrowth-filled dead lake spread over 3.8 acres today in the complex, the LG directed officials to put in all efforts to restore the lake to its past glory.

Saxena directed to dredge and clean it to a depth of at least 4 meters and ensure that it develops as a natural water body that not only evolves as a place of visitors attraction but also develops as an eco-system that sustains varied flora and fauna with a fully restored existing island in the lake.

Underlining that rainwater in itself will not be sufficient to fill the lake, the LG issued instructions to ensure that water from the neighbouring areas prone to flooding, water logging and overflows, like Roshanara Road, Kamla Nagar, Shakti Nagar, Malkaganj and Andha Mughal that fell in the catchment, be channelized into the lake through dedicated channels and pipelines.

The soil being de-silted from the bed of the lake is getting used to build a four-meter-high bund around the lake.

The LG asked for the embankment thus created to be secured and paved by utilizing the C&D waste dumped at the Bhalaswa landfill site. While this would help reduce the burden on the landfill site, on one hand, it will also ensure that the soil on the bund does not flow back into the lake.

These works should be completed within a month, he said.

On a walk through this large space, the Saxena gave on-site instructions to officials to aesthetically restore, revamp and redevelop the greens spread over 57 acres of Roshanara Bagh into an ecologically rich and landscaped garden and bring it at par with the Lodhi Garden or the Nehru Park.

Describing the hitherto neglected Roashanara Bagh situated in the middle of Katras, by-lanes and overcrowded concretized areas like Sabzi Mandi, Ghantaghar, Shakti Nagar, Kamla Nagar and Malkaganj etc. as an asset.

Saxena ordered that walkways be developed, trees are pruned and shaped, a scientific plantation in congruence with the soil and climate and landscaping be ensured so that the expanse comes up as a visitor’s site of choice for not only the people of the neighbouring areas but the entire city.

The redeveloped gardens should be replete with eco-friendly public utilities, eateries and recreational spaces, he said.

The entire revamp, redevelopment and rejuvenation work of the Roshanara Bagh complex should be completed by the end of October this year, Saxena emphasized. (ANI)

Telegu star Mahesh Babu is enjoying his vacation with his wife Namrata Shirodkar and kids Sitara and Gautam and treats his fans with some glimpses from their vacay.

The 46-year-old took to his Instagram handle and posted a lovey-dovey selfie with Namrata. The lovebirds were twinning in black.
He captioned the post, “Summer air, freedom and us! #MomentsInMilan.”

Namrata replied to the post by dropping kiss emojis in the comment section.

Earlier, Namrata posted a family picture. She wrote, “Last dinner in Milano! Museums meals with phenomenal food and taste!! These kids have graduated Michelin meals…I must say no more spaghetti and pasta.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Mahesh Babu will next collaborate with filmmaker Trivikam Srinivas for the yet-to-be-titled movie. (ANI)

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has called for increased global support to stem spiralling hunger in Afghanistan as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises threatens millions.

Intense summer heat and a weak spring rainy season have effectively spelt doom for a meaningful harvest in the country, the IFRC said in a statement.

Amidst mounting poverty, 70 per cent of households are unable to meet basic food and non-food needs, with particularly devastating effects for homes headed by widows, the elderly, people with disabilities, and children. An estimated 3 million children are at risk of malnutrition and susceptible to diseases such as acute watery diarrhoea and measles due to weakened immunity.

According to the IFRC, thousands of people have resorted to begging in the streets, with prices of essential items soaring in the face of declining remittances, a crumbling economy and rising poverty.

Dr Mohammad Nabi Burhan, Secretary-General of Afghan Red Crescent, said: “This is one of the worst humanitarian crises I have seen in Afghanistan, in more than 30 years as a humanitarian aid worker. It is horrifying to see the extent of hunger and resurgence of poverty that we have fought so hard to eradicate.”

“It is particularly worrying for Afghans in rural and remote areas, where some of the country’s poorest communities face widespread destitution and very high levels of malnutrition after their crops failed or livestock perished,” Burhan added.

In a statement on Friday, the Afghan Red Crescent said it is ramping up its response operation using available funds, giving immediate priority to food and cash distributions as well as providing health services via more than 140 health facilities across Afghanistan. However, the latest reports show much more assistance will be needed.

Necephor Mghendi, IFRC’s Head of Delegation for Afghanistan, said: “The increasing economic hardship is a bitter blow for families in Afghanistan who are trying to cope with one of the worst droughts and food crises they have ever faced, leaving children malnourished and far more vulnerable to preventable disease.”

“As well as providing critical relief to people struggling in the face of severe drought and hunger, livelihood interventions should be supported to enable people to restore means of earning an income,” Mghendi added. (ANI)

Hours after explosions and gunfire were reported from Gurudwara Karte Parwan in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Saturday morning, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Harmeet Singh Kalka said that the Centre has assured to help people stuck in Afghanistan with their visas to come back to India.

“A gurudwara was attacked in Kabul and people were made hostage, one Granthi was killed. Blasts and firing happened there. We appeal to Government to take care of minorities in Afghanistan. GoI assured to help people with their visa to come to India,” the DSGMC president said while addressing a media conference.
Condemning the attack on Gurudwara, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged the Central government to summon the Afghan ambassador and ensure the safety of Sikhs in the region. He also requested the Centre to take up the matter with the Afghanistan government and evacuate all the Sikhs trapped in Kabul’s Gurudwara due to explosions.

Meanwhile, the President of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Harjinder Singh Dhami, also appealed to the Punjab government and the Centre to provide security to the Sikhs there.

“I appeal to Punjab government and Central government to provide security to Sikhs who are present there or bring them here (to India),” Harjinder Singh Dhami said.

At least two civilians, including a Sikh man and a Muslim security guard, died after unidentified assailants attacked a Gurudwara in Afghanistan’s Kabul city on Saturday.

Initial inputs suggested that an explosion took place outside the gate of the Gurdwara early this morning killing at least two people. Another explosion was later heard from inside the complex and some shops attached to the gurdwara caught fire. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, so far.

Taking to Twitter, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also condemned the “cowardly attack” on Gurudwara and said that India is closely monitoring developments in the Afghan capital.

“The cowardly attack on Gurudwara Karte Parwan should be condemned in the strongest terms by all. We have been closely monitoring developments since the news of the attack was received. Our first and foremost concern is for the welfare of the community,” he tweeted. (ANI)

The train services of the East Coast Railway zone were affected amid the protests in various parts of the country against the new recruitment scheme in the Armed Forces, informed the railways’ officials on Saturday.

The train services had cancellations, partial cancellations and a few diversions of trains.
The move comes in wake of the agitations in Bihar that continued for the second consecutive day as protestors on Friday disrupted the movement of trains in various districts of Bihar. In the Begusarai district, the agitated youth blocked the Rajbara Gumti road.

Students created a huge ruckus at Sahebpurkamal railway station in the district as well as arson and stone-pelting.

Lakhisarai district witnessed a similar furore. A huge group of protestors jointly marched in the district against the scheme by the Central government. During the protest, slogans were also raised against the Central government

A total of 30 trains were cancelled in wake of the situation and as many as 21 trains were diverted from the agitation-affected spot.

The schedule of the following trains has been affected:

Cancellation of Train from ECoR

1. 08439 Puri-Patna Express from Puri on 18.06.2022
2. 20823 Puri-Ajmer Express from Puri on 20.06.2022
3. 08522 Visakhapatnam-Gunupur Special from Visakhapatnam on 18.06.2022.
4. 08521 Gunupur-Visakhapatnam Special from Guntur on 18.06.2022.
5. 18551 Visakhapatnam-Kirandul Express from Visakhapatnam on 18.06.2022.
6. 18551 Kirandul-Visakhapatnam Express from Kirandul on 19.06.2022.
7. 17240 Visakhapatnam-Guntur Simhadri Express from Visakhapatnam on 18.06.2022.
8. 12807 Visakhapatnam-Nizamuddin Samata Express from Visakhapatnam on 18.06.2022.
9. 22819 Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar Inter City Express from Bhubaneswar on 18.06.2022.
10. 22820 Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar Inter City Express from Visakhapatnam on 18.06.2022.
11. 17015 Bhubaneswar-Secunderabad Visakha Express from Bhubaneswar on 18.05.2022.
12. 17015 Bhubaneswar-Secunderabad Visakha Express from Bhubaneswar on 19.06.2022.
13. 17240 Visakhapatnam-Guntur Express from Visakhapatnam on 18.06.2022.
14. 17268 Visakhapatnam-Kakinada Port Express from Visakhapatnam on 18.06.2022.
15. 22805 Bhubaneswar-Anand Vihar Super Fast via Sambalpur City from Bhubaneswar on 18.06.2022.
16. 18309 Sambalpur-Jammu Tawi Express from Sambalpur on 18.06.2022
17. 12815 Puri-Anand Vihar Nandankanan Express from Puri on 18.06.2022.
18. 12801 Puri-New Delhi Purusottam Express from Puri on 18.06.2022. Cancellation of Train towards ECoR
19. 08440 Patna-Puri Express from Patna on 19.06.2022
20. 20824 Ajmer-Puri Express from Ajmer on 23.06.2022
21. 17239 Guntur-Visakhapatnam Simhadri Express from Guntur on 19.06.2022.
22. 12808 Nizamuddin-Visakhapatnam Samata Express from Nizamuddin on 20.06.2022
23. 12816 Anand Vihar-Puri Nandankanan Express from Anand Vihar on 18.06.2022
24. 18420 Jay Nagar-Puri Express from Jay Nagar on 18.06.2022
25. 17239 Guntur-Visakhapatnam Express from Guntur on 19.06.2022
26. 17267 Kakinada Port-Visakhapatnam Express from Kakinada Port on 18.06.2022
27. 22806 Anand Vihar-Bhubaneswar Super Fast Express via Sambalpur City from Anand Vihar on 20.06.2022. Cancellation of Trains across ECoR
28. 12253 Yesvantpur-Bhagalpur Express from Yesvantpur on 18.06.2022
29. 22643 Ernakulam-Patna Express from Ernakulam on 20.06.2022
30. 18045 Shalimar-Secunderabad Express from Shalimar o 19.06.2022 PARTIAL CANCELLATION OF ECoR ORIGINATING TRAINS:
31. 17220 Visakhapatnam- Machelipatnam Express from Visakhapatnam on 18.06.2022 will originate from Anakapalli instead of Visakhapatnam and will remain cancelled from Visakhapatnam to Anakapalli.
32. 17268 Visakhapatnam- Kakinada Port Express from Visakhapatnam on 18.06.2022 will originate from Anakapalli instead of Visakhapatnam and will remain cancelled from Visakhapatnam to Anakapalli
33. 22707 Visakhapatnam-Tirupati Double Decker Express from Visakhapatnam on 18.06.2022 will originate from Anakapalli instead of Visakhapatnam and will remain cancelled from Visakhapatnam to Anakapalli. PARTIAL CANCELLATION OF ECoR BOUND TRAINS:
34. 12728 Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam Godavari Express from Hyderabad on 17.06.2022 will end its journey at Duvvada instead of Visakhapatnam.
35. 18517 Korba-Visakhapatnam Express from Korba on 17.06.2022 ill run up to Kottavalasa and will remain cancelled from Kottavalasa to Visakhapatnam.
36. 12862 Kacheguda-Visakhapatnam Express from Kacheguda on 17.06.2022 will end its journey at Duvvada.
37. 12740 Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Garib Rath Express from Secunderabad on 17.06.2022 will run up to Duvvada.
38. 22873 Digha-Visakhapatnam Express from Digha on 17.06.2022 will run up to Kottavalasa and will remain cancelled from Kottavalasa to Visakhapatnam.
39. 17219 Machelipatnam-Visakhapatnam Express from Machelipatnam on 17.06.2022 will run up to Anakapalli and will remain cancelled from Anakapalli to Visakhapatnam.
40. 17267 Kakinada Port-Visakhapatnam Express from Kakinada Port on 17.06.2022 will run up to Anakapalli and will remain cancelled from Anakapalli to Visakhapatnam.
41. 22708 Tirupati-Visakhapatnam Double Decker Express from Tirupati on 17.06.2022 will run up to Anakapalli and will remain cancelled from Anakapalli to Visakhapatnam.
42. 18520 LTT-Visakhapatnam Express from LTT on 17.06.2022 will end its journey at Duvvada instead of Visakhapatnam.
43. 17487 Cuddapah-Visakhapatnam Tirumala Express from Cuddapah on 17.06.2022 will end its journey at Duvvada instead of Visakhapatnam. TRAINS TO AVOID at VISAKHAPATNAM AND RUN VIA SIMHACHALAM NORTH AND DUVVADA.
44. 22807 Santragachhi-Chennai AC Super Fast Express from Santragachhi on 17.06.2022.
45. 12840 Chennai-Howrah Mail from Chennai on 17.06.2022.
46. 13351 Dhanbad-Alleppey Express from Dhanbad on 17.06.2022.
47. 18048 Vasco-da-gama-Howrah Amaravati Express from Vasco-da-gama on 17.06.2022.
48. 12889 Tata-Yesvantpur Express from Tata on 17.06.2022.
49. 17243 Guntur-Rayagada Express from Guntur on 17.06.2022.
50. 12664 Tiruchchirapalli-Howrah Express from Tiruchchirapalli on 17.06.2022.
51. 18464 Bangalore-Bhubaneswar Prashanti Express from Bangalore on 17.06.2022. (ANI)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday directed the Water Resources Department (WRD) to expedite the construction of a new alignment for improving fortification at the breached LB embankment near Bor Athiabari.

CM Sarma visited the Darrang district of Assam to inspect the breached LB embankment, caused due to the surging Saktola river.
“Directed Water Resources Department (WRD) to plug the breached portion. Also assured local people that the embankment with new alignment will be made to improve fortification,” the Chief Minister tweeted.

Adding further, he tweeted, “As the flood water recedes, Ministers of Water Resources and Irrigation Department will come to expedite construction of new alignment of the embankment.”

According to his tweet, MP Dilip Saikia, MLAs Bhabesh Kalita, Paramananda Rajbongshi, Basanta Das, and the former MLA Gurujyoti Das had also accompanied him during his visit to Darrang.

Earlier in the day, Sarma told ANI that he was humbled by the reassuring generosity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he enquired about the flood situation in Assam.

“At 6 am today, PM Modi called me to enquire about the flood situation in Assam. While expressing his concerns over hardships being faced by people due to this natural calamity, PM assured all help from Central Government. Humbled by his reassuring generosity,” he said.

According to a report from Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), following torrential rains in the past couple of days, the water level of several rivers in the district is rising up and has submerged 1891.80 hectares of cropland.

As per the reports, more than 1.23 lakh people in the Nalbari district of lower Assam have been affected by the current wave of the deluge. The flood waters have destroyed several embankments, and roads and washed away many houses in the district.

The flood has devastated Paschim Nalbari, Ghograpar, Barbhag, Nalbari, Tihu, Banekuchi, and the Barkhetri revenue circles of the district and has inundated as many as 203 villages.

The district administration has set up 54 relief camps in the district and nearly 16,000 flood-affected people of the district are currently lodged in these camps.

In the last 24 hours, two people in the district lost their lives after drowning in flood waters.

In the current wave of floods, nearly 1.61 lakh domestic animals in the district have also been affected.

On Friday, the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF and Fire and Emergency Services had rescued 557 people from flood-hit areas of the district. (ANI)

In the backdrop of protests against the newly launched Agnipath Scheme for military recruitments, the Centre has announced several beneficial measures to ensure support to Agniveers, said government sources.

Protests turned violent in several parts of the country including Bihar and Telangana in which the trains were set ablaze at some places.
Notably, ever since the scheme was launched by the government, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and several state governments have announced that Agniveers, after serving the armed forces for 4 years, will be given preference in filling of vacancies in police forces. Several other departments have also announced support to the Agnipath scheme.

Meanwhile, states like Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Karnataka have already announced supportive measures for the Agniveers post-retirement from services after four years in the Armed Forces.

Here is a list of some supportive measures announced by the government.

Reservation in posts of Coast Guard and Defence PSUs:

Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday approved a proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the job vacancies in the Ministry of Defence for Agniveers meeting requisite eligibility criteria.

The 10 per cent reservation will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard and defence posts, and all the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (HAL, BEL, BEML, BDL, GRSE, GSL, HSL, MDL, Midhani, AVNL, AWEIL, MIL, YIL, GIL, IOL, TCL).

Necessary age relaxation provision will also be made to enable recruitment of Agniveers to the above posts.

Age relaxation for first-year recruitment:

A day after the launch of the scheme, the government announced that it has decided to increase the upper age limit for the recruitment of Agniveers from 21 years to 23 years for the recruitment cycle of 2022.

“The decision was taken in view of the fact that recruitment was not possible for the last two years,” said government sources.

In a statement, Rajnath Singh said that the Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the Services are committed to commencing the recruitment process at the earliest.

Recruitment in CAPFs:

Earlier today, the Home Ministry decided to reserve 10 per cent vacancies for recruitment in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles for Agniveers. Home Ministry has further announced that it will give three years of age relaxation to Agniveers beyond the prescribed upper age limit to recruitments in CAPFs and Assam Rifles. For the first batch of Agniveers, the age relaxation will be of 5 years.

Recruitment in Merchant Navy:

Directorate General of Shipping under the Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) along with the Indian Navy announced a system for the smooth induction of the Agniveers into the Merchant Navy.

Under this, MoPSW announced six attractive service avenues for a smooth transition of Agniveers in various roles of the Merchant navy, post their stint with the Indian Navy.

“These measures for Agniveers include transition from Ratings in Indian Navy to Certified Ratings in Merchant Navy, transition from Electrical Ratings in Indian Navy to Certified Electro-Technical Ratings in Merchant Navy, transition from Ratings in Indian Navy to Certified Class IV-NCV CoC holder in Merchant Navy, transition from Electrical Ratings in Indian Navy to Certified Electro-Technical Officers in Merchant Navy and transition from Cook in Indian Navy to Certified Cook Merchant Navy,” said the sources.

“The MoSPW will issue INDOS and CDC for those Agniveers who intend to explore in any of the said measures through Indian Navy. Some of the measures are devised for Agniveers with Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or ITI Trade Certificate in Electronic or Electrical stream – either joining with these qualifications or acquiring these during their tenure with the Indian Navy,” the sources added.

NIOS to facilitate 12th pass certificate for 10th pass Agniveers:

The Department of School Education and Literacy through its autonomous institution, the National Institute of Open Schooling, announced that it will institute a special programme in consultation with the Defence Authorities to enable those Agniveers who are 10th class pass to further their education and obtain a 12th class pass certificate by developing customized courses that are not only current but very relevant to their area of service.

“This certificate is recognised for both employment and higher education purposes in the whole country. This will benefit the Agniveers to gain adequate educational qualification and skills to take up the productive role in society later in life,” said the sources.

Degree programme by Education Ministry:

Ministry of Education has decided to launch a special, three-year skill-based bachelor’s degree programme for serving defence personnel that will recognize the skill training received by them during their tenure in the defence establishments to enhance the future career prospects of Agniveers and to equip them for various job roles in the civilian sector, said the sources.

The government sources further informed that the programme has been designed by IGNOU and will also be executed by them.

“50 per cent of the credits required for a graduate degree will come from the skill training — both technical and non-technical — received by the Agniveer, and the remaining 50% will come from a basket of courses that cover a wide variety of subjects like languages, Economics, History, Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, Mathematics, Education, Commerce, Tourism, Vocational Studies, Agriculture and Jyotish, as also Ability Enhancement Courses on Environmental Studies and Communication Skills in English,” the sources said.

It also has a provision for multiple exit points – Undergraduate Certificate on successful completion of the first-year courses, Undergraduate Diploma on successful completion of the first and second-year courses, and Degree on completion of all the courses in a three-year time frame.

Skill development for entrepreneurship and jobs:

Skill India and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) will work collaboratively with various wings of the Armed Forces to train the students in additional skills to make them better suited for civilian jobs.

“Agniveers will get Skill India certification while in service, which will enable them to pursue many diverse opportunities in entrepreneurship and job roles that are being created in our economy after completion of their tenure,” said the sources.

Credit facilities for Agniveers:

In order to identify ways in which the banks and financial institutions can support the Agniveers on completion of their tenure of duty, the Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS) held a meeting with Chief Executives of Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Public Sector Insurance Companies (PSICs) and Financial Institutions (FIs).

“In the meeting it was decided that PSBs, PSICs and FIs would explore employment opportunities for Agniveers in suitable capacities based on their educational qualifications and skills through suitable benefits/relaxations etc,” said the government sources.

It was also decided that banks would explore possibilities of supporting Agniveers through suitable credit facilities for skill upgradation, education for setting up businesses and to take up self-employment. The existing Government schemes such as MUDRA, Stand Up India etc would be leveraged for extending such support to Agniveers.

Preferential recruitment in state police forces:

Several state governments have announced that Agniveers, after serving the armed forces for 4 years, will be given preference in filling of vacancies in state police forces. The state police forces will greatly benefit from the training and discipline inculcated to Agniveers by the armed forces and their capabilities in tackling insurgency, Naxalism and natural disasters will be hugely augmented.

Corporate sector to utilize the training and skills of Agniveers:

Several corporate houses and industry bodies have welcomed the new and transformative recruitment process for the armed forces.

The well-trained, disciplined and technologically savvy youth who finish their service to the armed forces will be valuable assets to their organizations, they said. (ANI)

Amid the ongoing protests against the Agnipath Scheme across the country, including Bihar, an official in Patna on Saturday said that the role of coaching centres was found during questioning of those arrested for violence and arson in the city.

The protests against the scheme turned violent in parts of the country including Bihar. At least three trains were set ablaze on Thursday.
Speaking to ANI, District Magistrate of Patna, Chandrashekhar Singh said that WhatsApp messages provocative in nature were found in the phones of the arrested people.

“We are on complete alert. The people are being identified through video footage. We have found out about the role of 7-8 coaching centres through WhatsApp messages from those arrested. These messages were of provocative nature,” he said.

Singh said an FIR was filed against 170 people, out of whom 46 were arrested for vandalism at Danapur railway station.

The Patna DM said security forces have been deployed at various places spots in Patna.

However, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad said that the situation is getting normal again and appealed to the protestors to maintain peace.

“Situation is getting normal again. Vandalism & arson incidents are unfortunate. The Centre has made a good scheme for youth, it’ll provide them many benefits. We appeal to the people of Bihar to maintain peace,” Prasad said.

Meanwhile, students’ organisations in Bihar, led by the All India Students’ Association, have called a 24-hour Bihar bandh today demanding an immediate rollback of the new recruitment scheme in the military launched this week by the government.

RJD has lent its support to the bandh call and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manji whose Hindustan Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) is an ally of the BJP said that while his party did not support the violence it would support the Bihar bandh call in the interest of the youth.

Protesters, earlier, allegedly attacked the houses of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi and Bihar BJP president and West Champaran MP Sanjay Jaiswal.

Apart from Bihar, railway traffic was also blocked and train coaches were set ablaze in several states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Telangana.

Train services were affected with the Railways cancelling over 200 trains so far. (ANI)

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) on Saturday announced six attractive service avenues for smooth transition induction of ‘Agniveers’ in various roles of the merchant navy, post their stint with the Indian navy.

The scheme will enable Agniveers, who have successfully completed their tour of duties with the Indian navy, to acquire the necessary training with rich naval experience and professional certification to join the remunerative merchant navy across the world.
The provisions were announced today by the Directorate General of Shipping, a Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways organisation in Mumbai.

These schemes for Agniveers include the transition from ratings in the Indian navy to certified ratings in the merchant navy, the transition from electrical ratings in the Indian navy to certified electro technical ratings in the merchant navy, the transition from ratings in the Indian navy to certified class IV-NCV CoC holder in the merchant navy, the transition from electrical ratings in Indian Navy to certified electro-technical officers in the merchant navy and transition from a cook in Indian Navy to the certified cook merchant navy, the Ministry said in a statement.

“The MoSPW will issue INDOS and CDC for those Agniveers who intend to explore in any of the said schemes through the Indian Navy. Some of the schemes are devised for Agniveers with Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or ITI Trade Certificate in Electronic or Electrical stream – either joining with these qualifications or acquiring these during their tenure with the Indian navy,” the Ministry said.

The release from the Ministry further stated that the Agnipath scheme – a transformative move to modernise India’s armed forces – will create opportunities for the youth of the nation to serve the country and, at the same time, earn rich professional experience and training enabling them to seize opportunities.

In order to provide global exposure via merchant navy, the MoPSW will work with the Indian navy to train and equip the Agniveers and facilitate to take up an alternate career in the merchant post four years stint with the navy.

Speaking on the scheme, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, said the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the transformative Agnipath scheme is an attempt that the profile of the Indian armed forces remains youthful.

“They will be adaptive to newer technologies and prepare them through their stint with our world-class Indian navy to secure a lucrative career in the global merchant navy. We are working with the Indian navy to bridge the gap of skilled man force in the merchant navy through these schemes,” he said.

“It will help our Agniveers to get absorbed transited in the shipping sector and build an enticing career in merchant navy by contributing immensely through their rich skills and experience to the Indian marine economy,” Sonowal said.

India is one of the fifth largest manpower suppliers to the world merchant fleet.

Indian seafarers are certified as per STCW Convention and are in great demand internationally.

The schemes are devised in a way to help the Agniveers for the smooth transition absorption of Agniveers in the shipping sector. The MoPSW and Indian Navy will work closely in this regard. (ANI)