Month: July 2022

Three Dead, Two Injured In Univ Campus Shooting In Manila

By LokMarg

Three people were killed and two others injured in a shooting incident Sunday afternoon on a university campus in Manila.

The Metro Manila Development Authority confirmed that the shooting took place at 14:55 local time (0655 GMT) at the gate of Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

“A guard was killed,” Xinhua reported, quoting Quezon City Police District Director Remus Medina as saying.

The shooter seized a car and attempted to escape, but was caught up by the police, and the National Bureau of Investigation agents were also dispatched to the field to investigate and extend assistance to the victims and school authorities,” the Philippine National Police said.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Alexander Gesmundo was supposed to attend the law school’s graduation ceremony Sunday afternoon which ultimately got canceled after the shooting incident, reported Xinhua.

The campus is “currently on lockdown,” said the university.

Notably, Supreme Court spokesperson Brian Hosaka said, Chief Justice of the Philippines, Gesmundo was “in transit when the shooting happened and was advised to turn back.” (ANI)

Arvind and VK saxena meeting for DERC Chairperson

Kejriwal Vs LG: Fresh Round Of Friction Begins

By LokMarg

Amid the ongoing tussle between Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, fresh friction between the two began again after the Chief Minister skipped a pre-decided combined program of Tree Plantation drive at Asola Bhatti Mines.

“After absenting from the scheduled weekly meeting with Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Friday citing ill health, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday again skipped a pre-decided combined program of Tree Plantation at Asola Bhatti Mines in the national capital gain due to ill health,” informed LG office sources.
The said program of Tree Plantation corresponding with the ‘Van Mahotsav’, was to be undertaken jointly by the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister.

A mutual decision in this regard had been taken on July 4, 2022. A total of 1,00,000 trees are planted as a part of the program, and the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister were to launch the same together today.

“One is left to wonder if recommending a CBI inquiry into an apparently illegal Excise Policy is taking the focus of the CM away from Delhi’s environmental concerns,” said LG sources.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government sources have claimed that because the government programme was turned into a political BJP programme the Chief Minister and other ministers decided not to attend the event after Delhi Police forcefully took over the stage of Van Mohatsav before the programme.

“Delhi Police forcefully took over the stage of Van Mohatsav before the programme. It is a Delhi government event, CM and LG were to attend jointly. Posters showcasing Prime Minister Narendra Modi were put and the government programme is turned into a political BJP programme. This is the reason Delhi CM and ministers decided not to attend the event,” said Delhi government sources.

Delhi Chief Minister on Friday skipped the weekly meeting called by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, according to sources.

Aam Aadmi Party sources alleged that the LG had “skipped” a similar meeting on July 8.

Responding to the claims by the party, the LG office sources said that Saxena had not “skipped” the meeting on the said date, rather he was in Jaipur to attend the Northern Zonal Council Meeting.

This comes amid simmering tensions between the Delhi Chief Minister and the LG over some issues including the delay in holding MCD elections arrest of Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain in connection with 4.8 money laundering case.

Recently, after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor denied permission for Kejriwal’s Singapore visit to attend the World Cities Summit, the AAP convener said he differs with the LG’s advice and would go ahead with the visit.

Notably, Saxena also recommended a CBI probe into the alleged violations of the Arvind Kejriwal-led government’s contentious new excise policy including “deliberate and gross procedural lapses” made by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to “provide post tender undue benefits to liquor licensees.”

The LG office said that Sisodia also extended “undue financial favours” to the liquor licensees much after the tenders had been awarded and thus caused huge losses to the exchequer.

Sisodia’s role is under the scanner for alleged deliberate and gross procedural lapses which provided undue benefits to the tender process for liquor licensees for the year 2021-22, officials in the Lieutenant-Governor’s office told ANI.

The excise policy was passed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Cabinet in the middle of the deadly Delta wave of Covid pandemic in 2021.

However, the Delhi CM dismissed the allegations and said that the Centre “cannot” see AAP rising to the national level and thus is “resorting to such measures”.

A report on July 8 by the Chief Secretary established prima facie violations of GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR) 1993, Delhi Excise Act 2009, and Delhi Excise Rules 2010. (ANI)

How Stressed-Out Plants Produce Their Aspirin

By LokMarg

Plants produce salicylic acid, popularly known as aspirin, to protect themselves against environmental dangers like insects, thirst, and heat. A better understanding of this procedure could aid plants in surviving the increased stress brought on by climate change.

UC Riverside scientists recently published a seminal paper in the journal Science Advances reporting how plants regulate the production of salicylic acid.

The researchers studied a model plant called Arabidopsis, but they hope to apply their understanding of stress responses in the cells of this plant to many other kinds of plants, including those grown for food.

“We’d like to be able to use the gained knowledge to improve crop resistance,” said Jin-Zheng Wang, UCR plant geneticist and co-first author on the new study. “That will be crucial for the food supply in our increasingly hot, bright world.”

Environmental stresses result in the formation of reactive oxygen species or ROS in all living organisms. Without sunscreen on a sunny day, human skin produces ROS, which causes freckles and burns. High levels of ROS in plants are lethal.

As with many substances, the poison is in the amount. At low levels, ROS have an important function in plant cells.

“At non-lethal levels, ROS are like an emergency call to action, enabling the production of protective hormones such as salicylic acid,” Wang said. “ROS are a double-edged sword.”

The research team discovered that heat, unabated sunshine, or drought cause the sugar-making apparatus in plant cells to generate an initial alarm molecule known as MEcPP.

Going forward, the researchers want to learn more about MEcPP, which is also produced in organisms such as bacteria and malaria parasites. Accumulation of MEcPP in plants triggers the production of salicylic acid, which in turn begins a chain of protective actions in the cells.

“It’s like plants use a painkiller for aches and pains, just like we do,” said Wilhelmina van de Ven, UCR plant biologist and co-first study author.

The acid protects plants’ chloroplasts, which are the site of photosynthesis, a process of using light to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars for energy.

“Because salicylic acid helps plants withstand stresses becoming more prevalent with climate change, being able to increase plants’ ability to produce it represents a step forward in challenging the impacts of climate change on everyday life,” said Katayoon Dehesh, senior paper author and UCR distinguished professor of molecular biochemistry.

“Those impacts go beyond our food. Plants clean our air by sequestering carbon dioxide, offer us shade, and provide habitat for numerous animals. The benefits of boosting their survival are exponential,” she said. (ANI)

‘Service Charge Is What Sets Apart A Dine-In From A Takeaway’

By LokMarg

Sushant Rathi, 30, is an entrepreneur who runs high-end ‘World O Kitchen’ restaurant at Crossings Republik in Delhi-NCR, is critical of the government’s decision to scrap service charge

I studied hotel management in Australia and with all the learning I decided to start an upscale restaurant in India. I put all the potential and learning I had to make World O Kitchen a delightful dine-in experience, with the food as tasty and authentic as one can imagine. Such a set-up requires experienced hospitality professionals, chefs and security to operate apart from the investment in its ambience and decoration.

Now I ask a simple question: What will be the difference left between a high-end classic restaurant and a takeaway if we can’t take service charge? People who are ordering food at home will never get the ambience they get in a good restaurant. I believe what sets apart a dine-in experience is the service and ambience of the place. Otherwise, you can have food from a roadside setup too.

Millennials love to hang out and eat out, that’s why good restaurants are there. How can the government scrap the service charge when we are actually charging for what we are providing? It takes a lot of effort and expenses to provide the right ambience to the patrons. This is what a service charge is all about.

The business of restaurants is not easy since we have to undergo a string of permissions and there is no single-window system to clear all legal norms. We face all the hiccups to start a restaurant and if we can’t charge for the service then how are we supposed to pay the waiters, chef, housekeeping and security?

ALSO READ: Gourmet Fare – The Return Of The Thali

If this is going to continue, the restaurant business will not survive. For a classic dine-in, people look for a good restaurant. Families and couples look for places that have ambience, hygienic preparations, good security and much more; and these require a good amount of investment every month.

The scrapping of service charge is actually erasing the line between a dine-in and a takeaway. Nobody who is ordering from home cares about how the ambience of the takeaway is or how the etiquette the waiters is. Or how hygienically the chef is preparing the food. But dine-in restaurants must pass the muster, as all customers keep an eye on these standards.

Service charge was already optional, some people often refused to pay it but many regular customers continued paying it as they were pleased with the food and the ambience. Now this move the government will promote people not to pay service charges which is not good for the industry.

Give me one reason why a restaurateur would continue the business if he or she is not getting adequate returns from the investment. The government should think about the investments and efforts we have put in; they should think about the salaries of our staff and our vendors. Food business is a long chain that are part of the economic wheels. The service charge is what helps us keep our heads above the water. The industry is still recovering from the pandemic blues; instead of leeching away our profits, the government must help us thrive and contribute to the economy.

As told to Deepti Sharma

Mumbai: AAP, Social Workers Hold Protest Against Shinde Govt Over Aarey Metro Car Shed

By LokMarg

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) along with some social workers on Sunday held demonstrations in the Aarey area of Mumbai on Sunday against Eknath Shinde government’s decision to resume the construction of the metro car shed at the green belt in suburban Goregaon.

AAP warned the government against the project.
According to the present Maharashtra government, the project was being developed at the expense of the forest area.

The Aarey forest is a 1,800-acre area which is often termed the city’s “green lung”.

Soon after Eknath Shinde was sworn in as the new Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as the Deputy Chief Minister, the state government directed the Advocate General that the metro car shed be built in Mumbai’s Aarey colony itself.

Last Sunday, Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thakeray participated in a protest against the construction of the metro car sheds in the Aarey colony forest saying that this is a fight for Mumbai and its forest life.

“Under our government, we had declared 808 acres of land as forests. We fought for forests to protect our tribals. When we were here, no trees were uprooted,” he said.

Claiming that metro cars go for maintenance every three-four months and not every night, the government can afford to build sheds in Kanjurmarg.

“If sheds are built in Kanjurmarg, forest life will be preserved, along with tribal life and money,” he said.

Earlier on July 3, Aaditya Thackeray had urged the newly inducted Eknath Shinde government to scrap the re-proposed Aarey metro project, which has been a fraught issue in the city for several years.

In September 2019, then Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said the government is bound to cut trees in Mumbai’s Aarey forest area as “development is important”.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) announced its plan to cut down over 2,700 trees from the Aarey colony in order to build a car shed for the metro. The colony, spread over 13,000 hectares, is home to over 27 Adivasi villages and inhabits various animal species.

The Bombay High Court in September 2019, verbally directed the MMRCL and the state government not to cut any trees in the Aarey forest area for the construction of a metro car shed, to which they agreed.

Later in October 2019, the Bombay High Court had dismissed all petitions against the proposed cutting down of over 2,500 trees in Aarey Colony of Mumbai to make way for a metro car shed.

However, the Maharashtra government stayed the order for the Aarey metro car shed project following massive public agitation in the city.

In 2020, then Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced that the state government had withdrawn cases registered against people who were protesting against the proposed metro car shed in Aarey. He had said the proposed car shed has been shifted from Aarey to Kanjurmarg.

The new Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra has proposed to move back the metro car shed project to Mumbai’s Aarey forest. (ANI)

Modi Congratulates Neeraj On Winning Silver At World Athletics C’ships

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lavished praise on Neeraj Chopra after he clinched the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw final at the prestigious World Athletics Championships in Eugene.

Neeraj recorded a distance of 88.13m in his fourth attempt in the men’s javelin throw final and secured the second position.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “A great accomplishment by one of our most distinguished athletes! Congratulations to @Neeraj_chopra1 on winning a historic Silver medal at the #WorldChampionships. This is a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes to Neeraj for his upcoming endeavours.”

“In today’s #WorldAthleticsChampionships Neeraj Chopra Ji created history by winning silver medal in Javelin throw event. Hearty congratulations and best wishes to you for this unforgettable achievement that is bringing glory to India. We are proud of you. Jai Hind! @Neeraj_chopra1,” tweeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath.

Meanwhile, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur wrote, “Neeraj Chopra continues his winning streak! Wins in Men’s javelin throw at @WCHoregon22 with his best throw of 88.13m, becoming the 1st Indian male and 2nd Indian to win a medal at the #WorldChampionships! Neeraj has now won medal at every Global event!”

“Historic Silver Medal for #India Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra wins historic Silver Medal at World Athletics Championship after Olympics. Congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1. Your hard work has paid off & you’ve given India yet another reason to celebrate after Tokyo Olympics,” tweeted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda.

The Olympic medallist started the proceedings with a foul throw, which was followed by 82.39m and 86.37m. It was finally in the fourth attempt when he recorded the distance of 88.13m, which put him in contention for the silver medal.

The last two attempts by Neeraj went foul throws, and thus, he ended up in the second position. The first position was held by defending champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who recorded a distance of 90.54m.

Neeraj also became India’s first ever track and field athlete to take the silver medal in the World Championships, and second to bag a podium finish after the legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George had finished third in the Paris Worlds in 2003.

On the other hand, World Championships debutant Rohit Yadav finished at the 10th position after making attempts of 78.72m, 78.05m and 77.95m. (ANI)

New Experiment Of PM’s Lab: Rahul On Agnipath

By LokMarg

As the aspiring Agniveers sat for the IAF Agneepath Recruitment 2022 exam on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Central Scheme saying “new experiment of Prime Minister’s laboratory” will put “security of the country and the future of the youth in danger”.

“60,000 soldiers retire every year, out of which only 3000 are getting government jobs. What will be the future of thousands of Agniveers retiring on 4-year contracts? With this new experiment of the Prime Minister’s laboratory, both the security of the country and the future of the youth are in danger,” Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

The Union Cabinet on June 14 approved a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the three services of the Armed Forces called Agnipath and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.

The Agnipath scheme allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years. The Agnipath Scheme has been designed to enable a youthful profile of the Armed Forces.

‘Agnipath’ is a pan India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen and sailors. The scheme provides an opportunity for youth to serve in the regular cadre of the armed forces. All those recruited under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme will be called ‘Agniveers’.

‘Agniveers’ will be enrolled for a service duration of 4 years including the training period. After four years, only 25 per cent of the Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre based on merit, willingness and medical fitness.

The Agnipath scheme has been brought to strengthen India’s security. The ‘Agniveers’ will be given a good pay package and an exit retirement package after a service of four years.

The first four years, served under a contract, are not likely to be taken into consideration for the fixation of the final pensionary benefits.

The other 75 per cent ‘Agniveers’ will be demobilized, with an exit or “Seva Nidhi” package of Rs 11-12 lakh, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans for help in their second careers.

Following the announcement of the scheme, there have been protests against it in some states. (ANI)

Large Number Of Devotees Reach Haridwar To Collect Ganga Water For Jalabhishek

By LokMarg

A large number of Shiva devotees are reaching Haridwar to collect water from the Ganges for the ‘Jalabhishek’ of Lord Shiva to be held on July 26.

Coming from different parts of the country, the devotees fetch Ganga water from sacred places in the country, including Gaumukh, Rishikesh, Haridwar and Gangotri in north India.
They will return to their hometowns to offer the holy water to Shivalingam.

Earlier Saturday, the atmosphere of Har Ki Pauri saw the devotees engrossed in the devotion to Lord Shiva–chanting Bam-Bam-Bam-Bhola, a chant dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The ‘Kanwar Yatra’ is an annual pilgrimage for Lord Shiva’s devotees. The Kanwariyas visit places like Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch the holy water of River Ganga and then worship the God with the same water.

Considering that Kanwar Yatra did not take place for the last two years, the administration in various areas has been adopting all the necessary measures to avoid any untoward incidents during the holy pilgrimage. (ANI)

Prez Murmu To Assume Office On July 25

By LokMarg

The ceremony of assumption of office by President-elect Droupadi Murmu will be held on Monday in the Central Hall of Parliament.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and members of the Council of Ministers, state Governors, Chief Ministers, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Members of Parliament and principal civil and military Officers of the government of India will assemble in the Central Hall for the ceremony on July 25.
President Ram Nath Kovind and President-elect Droupadi Murmu will arrive in the Central Hall in a ceremonial procession. The President-elect will take the Oath of Office in the presence of the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, followed by a 21-gun salute.

The President will then deliver an address. On the conclusion of the ceremony, the President will leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan where an Inter-Services Guard of Honour will be given to her in the forecourt and courtesies will be extended to the outgoing President.

The National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu was officially declared as the 15th President of the country after the conclusion of the counting of votes on Thursday.

The term of President Ram Nath Kovind comes to an end on Sunday.

Murmu will be the first member of the tribal community and the second woman to hold the top constitutional post in the country.

Murmu was the first woman governor of Jharkhand and served in the post from 2015 to 2021.

Born in a poor tribal family in a village of Mayurbhanj, a backward district in Odisha, Droupadi Murmu completed her studies despite challenging circumstances. She taught at Shri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, Rairangpur.

She has also served as a minister in Odisha. (ANI)

Twinkle’s Pet Dog Not Letting Her Exercise

By LokMarg

Star couple Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna’s pet dog is extremely mischievous.

On Friday, Twinkle took to Instagram Story and shared a cute video of her dog playing with her workout clothes.
https://www.instagram.com/stories/twinklerkhanna/2888728535778148257/

“Need a new excuse to not exercise? Try-my dog ate my tights,” she captioned the clip.

In the clip, Twinkle is seen trying to get her tights back from the dog.

In March 2022, Twinkle lost her other pet Cleo. Twinkle and Akshay shared emotional posts on social media while talking about the death of Cleo.

Twinkle said her heart felt heavy and empty at the same time after its death at the age of 12

“Our beautiful Cleo passed away. We had 12 wonderful years with her. I don’t know how the heart can feel heavy and empty at the same time, but it does,” she had posted, adding a few pictures and videos of Cleo.

The first video shows Twinkle brushing Cleo’s brown fur while the second one shows her rolling on the grass and playing by himself.

“They say dogs leave paw prints on our hearts. You took a part of our hearts with you today. Rest well up there, Cleo. Will miss you,” Akshay mourned the demise of Cleo on Twitter.

Cleo was a German Shepherd. (ANI)