January 2023 - Page 18 of 60 - Lokmarg

The Department of Agriculture Kashmir in collaboration with an international marketing group (Lulu) has sent this year's second consignment of Kashmir-specific vegetables to UAE

Kashmiri Vegetable Consignment Leaves For Emirates

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

The Department of Agriculture Kashmir in collaboration with an international marketing group (Lulu) has sent this year’s second consignment of Kashmir-specific vegetables to UAE.

The vegetable consignment sent on Monday was from the Dal area of Srinagar and from Lalgam of Sub-division Budgam.

It was procured by Fair exports private limited from a Farmers Producer Organisation (FPO), Dal Lake Stem Producer Company Ltd., and a progressive farmer of a nearby village. The consignment was flagged off by the Director of Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal.

Speaking on the occasion Director of Agriculture said, “Receiving new orders for our vegetables from the markets like Dubai, is encouraging”.

“The department is working on a long-term ambitious plan to strengthen the export promotion policy of UT of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

He said that the department is endeavouring to get more and more farmers, agri-preneurs attracted towards the international trade of Kashmir-specific agriculture produce with the aim to fetch high returns for their produce.

The Director of Agriculture said that under the holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors, the proper marketing of Kashmir-specific vegetables, spices, and other agricultural products at the international level is one of the top priorities and different strategies have been devised in this direction by the department.

Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs) Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Director Raksha and Farms Iqbal Singh, Chief Technical Officer Sheikh Imran, Divisional Seed Certification Officer Abdul Hamid Shah, Water use specialist Neelofar Qureshi were also present on the occasion.

Last year also, a large number of vegetable consignments were sent to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and other Gulf markets. (ANI)

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Pakistan Suffers Nation-wide Power Outage For Over 12 Hrs

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

A major power breakdown in Pakistan at around 7:34 am on Monday left many cities including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Islamabad without electricity, AAJ News reported. Even after 12 hours of outage, the power supply was not restored.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy in a statement said that the frequency of the national grid went down at 7:34 am which caused a “widespread breakdown” in the power system. It further said that the restoration of grid stations has been started from Warsak.

The Ministry of Energy tweeted, “According to initial reports, the system frequency of the National Grid went down at 7:34 this morning, causing a widespread breakdown in the power system. System maintenance work is progressing rapidly.”

In another tweet, it said, “The restoration of grid stations has been started from Warsak and in the last one hour limited number of grids of Islamabad Supply Company and Peshawar Supply Company have been restored.”

The power outage occurred after a technical fault was reported in the transmission line from Guddu to Quetta, causing the reduction of the power frequency from the optimum level, AAJ News reported citing sources.

Sources revealed that Sindh, Punjab, and Islamabad regions were impacted by the power breakdown. According to sources, the complete restoration of electricity might take time. It is the second power outage reported over the past four months in Pakistan which is currently dealing with the energy crisis and high energy costs.

Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (IESCO), which provides electricity to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) said that the power supply to 117 grid stations of its company has been suspended, as per the news report.

IESCO tweeted, “Power supply to 117 grid stations of ISCO has been suspended yet no clear reason has been given by the Region Control Center. ISCO management is in constant communication with the concerned authorities.”

Power outage in Lahore occurred at around 7:25 am, as per the news report. The Orange Line train also stopped, which made it difficult for people to reach their workplaces. Around 90% of Pakistan’s economic hub was reported to be hit by the breakdown, AAJ News reported citing sources.

No electricity has been reported in North Nazimabad, Safoora, Saddar, DHA, Bahadurabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gurumandir, Jamshed Town, Clifton, Nazimabad, Gulshan-e-Maymar, and other parts, as per the news report.

At least 22 districts of Balochistan were affected by the power outage, according to the Quetta Electricity Supply Company officials. The officials were trying to find details regarding the technical fault. They further said that National Transmission and Despatch Company were trying to restore electricity.

Citing spokespersons, the report said that the three major health facilities in Peshawar, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Lady Reading Hospital, and Hayatabad Medical Complex, were operating on generators after the electricity disruption. (ANI)

Athiya-KL Rahul’s First Appearance As Newly Wed

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

Newly married couple Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul made their first appearance in front of the paparazzi just a while ago and they looked extraordinarily charming and mesmerizing!

They walked hand-in-hand towards the paparazzi, with beaming smiles as the photographers congratulated them on their wedding.
They drooled into each other’s eyes, made playful and cute gestures towards each other and smiled for the cameras exuding charm and grace.

Check out the photos here:

A while ago, Athiya also shared some photos from the intimate wedding ceremony on her Instagram account. Athiya also penned a beautiful caption along with the photos. She wrote, “In your light, I learn how to love…”

She continued, “Today, with our most loved ones, we got married in the home that’s given us immense joy and serenity. With a heart full of gratitude and love, we seek your blessings on this journey of togetherness.”

Check out the photos here:

The couple tied the knot in Suniel Shetty’s Khandala farmhouse on Monday. Talking about the new bride and groom’s outfit, Athiya opted for a neutral-toned lehenga with a heavy polki embellished neckpiece and earrings. She kept her hair tied back in a high bun and opted for a neutral, nude shade palate for her makeup.

KL Rahul complimented his bride in an off-white sherwani. (ANI)

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Pak Gas Crisis To Worsen In Feb, Supplying Company Backs Out

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

The gas crisis in Pakistan is set to worsen in February as ENI, a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trading company in Pakistan, has backed out of the LNG cargo which was scheduled to arrive on February 6-7, 2023, a senior official of the Energy Ministry confirmed, The News International reported.

The Petroleum Division’s top officials are worried about the development as Pakistan is already facing a gas crisis. In some of the main pockets of the city, gas has become a rare commodity even at the time of cooking.
The government under its gas load management plan promised gas supply to domestic consumers for cooking times in winter, three hours in the morning from 6 am to 9 am, two hours from 12 noon to 2 pm, and three hours from 6 pm to 9 pm. The ground realities, however, speak otherwise, The News International reported.

According to the relevant authorities, the impact of ENI backing out will come in the shape of reduced supplies to the power sector and the projected supply of 325 MMcfd to the sector next month will not be available.

As a result of the crisis, the reliance on furnace oil-based electricity will increase and end consumers will get costly electricity. The Petroleum division had earlier claimed that the ENI from January 2023 onwards, will not default but that is not the case.

ENI spokesperson when contacted, confirmed the development, saying: “February delivery disruption is beyond the reasonable control of ENI and due to an event of Force Majeure (unforeseeable circumstances). ENI does not benefit in any way from the situation.”

According to the senior official, ENI defaulted five times in 2022; it failed to provide LNG cargoes in the months of March, May, July, September, and November, The News International reported.

Recently, it was reported that Pakistan has failed to procure Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at an “affordable” price.

The highest-ever bid that Pakistan accepted since it started LNG imports in 2015 was at USD 30.65 per mm Btu in November 2021. The state-run Pakistan LNG Ltd (PLL) floated a tender on June 16 for four LNG cargos, one each in the first and second weeks, and two in the last week, of July.

No bidder came up for July 2-3, July 8-9, and July 25-26 delivery windows. This was PLL’s ‘third’ failed attempt to have an LNG cargo in the first week of July.

Qatar Energy, a state-owned petroleum company of Qatar, had offered an LNG shipment at USD 39.8 per million British Thermal Units (mmBtu), which would have been the “priciest” purchase for Pakistan had it not rejected the offer. (ANI)

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R-Day 2023: Aerial Platforms Prohibited Over NCT Threats

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

In the light of some reports on threats from anti-social and terrorist elements to the Republic Day celebrations, flying of sub-conventional and aerial platforms in the National Capital Territory of Delhi has been prohibited until further notice, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora informed on Monday.

The Delhi Police Commissioner, through an order issued on Monday, said some criminal and anti-social elements inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries, and vital installations.
“It has been reported that certain criminal or anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries, and vital Installations by the use of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), micro-light aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or even by para-jumping from aircraft etc,” the Commissioner said.

Arora said in view of such reports, the flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms over the National Capital Territory of Delhi is prohibited and punishable.

“In pursuance of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification and under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, I do hereby prohibit the flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVs, UASS, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft etc. over the jurisdiction of the National Capital Territory of Delhi on the occasion of Republic Day Function-2023 and doing so shall be punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code,” he further said.

He also said the order is passed ‘ex-parte’ and the notice will be published through the press and affixing copies on the notice boards of government offices.

“As the notice cannot be served individually on all concerned, the order is, hereby, passed ex-parte. It shall be published for the information of the public through press and affixing copies on the Notice Boards of the offices of all DCSP, Addl. DCSP, ACSP, Tehsils, all Police Stations and offices of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi & New Delhi Municipal Corporation, Public Works Department, Delhi Development Authority and Delhi Cantonment Board,” he said.

“This order shall come into force with effect from January 18 and shall remain in force for a period of 29 days, upto February 15 (both days Inclusive) unless withdrawn earlier,” the Delhi Police Commissioner added. (ANI)

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Munda Slams Owaisi Remarks On BBC Doc, Says SC’s Decision To Be Respected

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

Union Minister Arjun Munda on Monday slammed AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over UK’s British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)’s documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he should respect the Supreme Court which gave a clean chit to the then Gujarat Chief Minister.

Hitting out at PM Modi over the Centre’s move to block the BBC documentary about the 2002 Gujarat riots, Owaisi questioned whether the Prime Minister would also block the upcoming movie on Godse, who assassinated MK Gandhi.
“Modi government has banned BBC interviews on Twitter and YouTube in India. We ask PM Modi whether someone from outside the earth or from the sky killed the people in the Gujarat riots?” he said.

Slamming Owaisi’s statement on PM Modi regarding the documentary, Munda said, “The country is growing under the leadership of PM Modi. But it is sad to see that people pelt more stones at the tree which bears more fruits. The country is in a stable condition and is moving forward just because of our Prime Minister.”

Citing the Supreme Court judgement on the Gujarat riots, the Minister said that the decision of the top court should be accepted by all.

“In many cases, the Supreme Court has made it clear, taking into account all the factors in its decision, it has explained what kind of people were responsible for the Gujarat riots. The Supreme Court has also clearly stated those who are innocent. What the Supreme Court has said should be respected because all things that happen in this country, the courts interpret them and give justice,” Munda said.

UK’s British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired a two-part series attacking PM Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms.

In a strong rebuttal to the BBC documentary on Modi, more than 300 eminent Indians including retired judges, retired bureaucrats, and retired armed forces veterans signed a statement slamming the British national broadcaster for showing “unrelenting prejudice” toward India and its leader. (ANI)

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SpiceJet Passenger Offloaded After Misbehaving With Cabin Crew

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

A passenger on a SpiceJet flight was “offloaded” because of his misbehaviour with one of the female cabin crew members, on Monday, the airline informed in a statement.

In the video accessed by ANI, the flight crew and passengers are seen involved in a verbal spat after a male passenger allegedly behaved inappropriately with a female crew member. The passenger was later de-boarded off the flight.

“On January 23, 2023, SpiceJet wet-leased Corendon aircraft was scheduled to operate SG-8133 (Delhi – Hyderabad). During boarding at Delhi, one passenger behaved in an unruly and inappropriate manner, harassing and causing disturbance to the cabin crew. The crew informed the PIC and security staff of the same. The said passenger and a co-passenger, who were travelling together, were offloaded and handed over to the security team,” the airline released a statement.

The crew alleged that the passenger had touched one of the crew members inappropriately. On the other hand, fellow passengers claimed that it was an accident due to the confined area on the flight.

The passenger later gave a written apology, but he was offloaded to avoid any further conflicts.

Earlier this month on January 9, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to the Accountable Manager of Air India after two incidents of passenger misbehaviour occurring on the airline’s flight AI-142 from Paris to New Delhi on December 6 last year came to the notice of the regulator.

The show cause notice said why enforcement action “should not be taken against them for dereliction of their regulatory obligations”.

One passenger was caught smoking in the toilet, was drunk and not listening to the crew.

Another passenger allegedly relieved himself on a vacant seat and blanket of a fellow female passenger when she went to the lavatory.

In another similar incident, an altercation incident between two intoxicated passengers was reported on January 9 on a Patna-bound flight of IndiGo airlines.

The airlines had refuted any such reported incident of two drunk passengers causing havoc on a Patna-bound flight from the national capital and said that no such altercation had taken place.

“With reference to the incident that took place onboard 6E 6383 from Delhi to Patna, the matter is under investigation by the authorities. We would like to clarify that there was no altercation onboard the aircraft, as what is being reported in some sections of social media,” IndiGo Airlines had said in a tweet.

The airlines issued clarification hours after the media reported that the airport police have arrested two passengers for allegedly creating havoc in an inebriated state on Sunday night.

Patna Airport SHO Robert Peter said that the police took action after the manager of IndiGo filed a written complaint against the accused. (ANI)

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Parakram Diwas: Celebs Laud Modi’s Decision To Name Unnamed Islands

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

Several Bollywood celebrities on Monday lauded PM Narendra Modi’s decision to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees to mark Parakram Diwas.

Taking to Twitter, Ajay Devgn showered praises by writing, “The decision to name an island after Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey (Param Vir Chakra) is assuring that the example of supreme sacrifice for the motherland he left us with will continue to inspire generations to come. Thank you PM @narendramodi Ji. #IndiaHonoursParamveers”

Sidharth Malhotra, who played the role of Kargil war hero, Vikram Batra, in 2021’s ‘Shershaah’, wrote, “The very news that an island in Andaman & Nicobar is named after our hero Capt. Vikram Batra leaves me with goosebumps! My heart swells with pride that I was fortunate to live his role on screen. This step taken by PM @narendramodi ensures that Shershaah lives on forever.”

Suniel Shetty shared, “Thank you Hon. PM @narendramodi ji for renaming 21 islands of #AndamanNicobar in the names of the 21 #ParamVirChakra awardees, the true heroes of our Nation, on the 126th Birth Anniversary of the great #NetajiSubhasChandraBose. So proud! #JaiHind #ParakramDivas.”

Anupam Kher lauded the decision by tweeting, “On the occasion of 126 birth anniversary of Netaji #SubashChandraBose 21 islands of Andaman and Nicobar are being named after 21 #ParamvirChakra awardees! What a fitting tribute to the Warriors who made the supreme sacrifice! Jai Hind! @narendramodi”

Jackie Shroff wrote, “A tribute to the real heroes, by our Honourable PM @narendramodi ji. On the 126th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra ji Bose”

This step of naming the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be an everlasting tribute to our heroes, several of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

The largest unnamed island was named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, Major Somnath Sharma, who lost his life in action on November 3, 1947, while repulsing Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport.

The Government had declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. (ANI)

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Sara’s Saree-Clad Look From ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

The first look of actor Sara Ali Khan’s upcoming film, ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan,’ which is a thriller-drama inspired by true events, has been unveiled on Monday.

Sara took to her Instagram handle and shared the film’s teaser along with the caption, “An ode to the unsung heroes. an ode to India’s freedom struggle. So privileged, honoured and excited to be telling a story that we truly believe deserves to be heard. Jai Hind.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnvsh9QASA-/

The video transports viewers to a bygone era where a tense, yet extremely focused, young girl expertly assembling a radio-like device in a dimly lit room can be seen. The camera gradually reveals that the young girl is none other than Sara Ali Khan in a never-seen-before, non-glamorous avatar.

As she begins to speak on the radio, her voice is imbued with courage and determination; she shares the message of independence with the entire nation via her underground radio station, until she is interrupted by the incessant banging at the door.

A thriller-drama inspired by true events, Ae Watan Mere Watan, follows the intrepid journey of a college girl in Bombay who goes on to become a freedom fighter.

This fictional tale is set against the backdrop of the Quit India Movement in 1942. It is a story about the courage, patriotism, sacrifice and resourcefulness of the youth of the nation.

A Dharmatic Entertainment Production, the movie is being produced by Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta, with Somen Mishra serving as the co-producer.

Directed by Kannan Iyer and written jointly by Darab Farooqui and Kannan Iyer, the film will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. (ANI)

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Dhami Reviews Relief Work In Land Subsidence-Hit Joshimath

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday reviewed the relief and rescue works in land subsidence-hit Joshimath.

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary SS Sandhu and other top officials were present at the meeting held at the State Secretariat. CM Dhami was briefed about the ground zero situation in Joshimath.
Meanwhile, the authorities continued demolition work in areas affected by land subsidence in the Himalayan town.

So far, the district administration has identified 863 buildings that have developed cracks due to subsidence in the Joshimath city area.

According to Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana, out of this, 181 buildings have been placed in the unsafe zone.

Joshimath, on the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway (NH 7), is an overnight halt for the people visiting the holy shrines at Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib and tourist destinations Auli, and the Valley of Flowers. But the incident has hit tourism here. (ANI)

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