January 2023 - Page 20 of 60 - Lokmarg

5th Kalvari-Class Submarine ‘INS Vagir’ Commissioned Into Navy

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Vagir’ the fifth submarine of Project 75 Kalvari class at the naval dockyard in Mumbai in presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.

Launched and named ‘Vagir’ on November 12, 2020, the submarine in its new avatar has the distinction of having the lowest build time among all indigenously manufactured submarines to date.
‘Vagir’ undertook her maiden sea sortie in February 2022, marking the commencement of sea trials and has gone through a series of comprehensive acceptance checks and stringent and demanding sea trials prior to being commissioned, according to the defence ministry.

The submarine was delivered to Indian Navy by MDL on December 20, 2022.

‘Vagir’ will boost the Indian Navy’s capability to further India’s maritime interests and is capable of undertaking diverse missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and surveillance missions.

“Vagir is a lethal platform with a formidable weapon package. Vagir is the third submarine inducted into the Navy in a span of 24 months. It is also a shining testimony to the expertise of our shipyards to construct complex and complicated platforms,” said Admiral R Hari Kumar.

Coxswain of the fifth Kalvari submarine ‘INS Vagir’ Daljinder Singh on Saturday said that the submarine is ready to face any threat if war breaks out between India and China.

While talking to ANI, Singh said, “This submarine is the latest technology of the Indian Navy. It is a silent submarine. It has good anti-submarine weapons like the advanced version of mines. It has advanced versions of combat and advanced version of sonar, and radar systems.”

“All the technology used in the submarine is Indian. If there is a war between India and China, then we are ready to face it,” Singh added.

While Commanding Officer CDR Divakar S told ANI, “INS Vagir can be deployed both closer to the shore as well as mid-ocean. It will be ready to meet all the requirements of the Navy and the country. It is a big step towards becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat. This is the fifth Kalvari class submarine.”

Four of the Kalvari class of submarines have already been commissioned into the Indian Navy.

The erstwhile ‘Vagir’ was commissioned on November 1, 1973, and undertook numerous operational missions including deterrent patrols.

The submarine was decommissioned on January 7, 2001, after serving the nation for about three decades.

‘The Sand Shark’ (Vagir) represents ‘Stealth and Fearlessness’, two qualities that are synonymous with the ethos of a submariner.

The induction of Vagir is another step towards the Indian Navy consolidating its position as a builder’s Navy, and also reflects MDL’s capabilities as a premier ship and submarine building yard. (ANI)

Read more: http://13.232.95.176/

Delhi Police Release Traffic Advisory On R-Day Rehearsal Parade

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

The Delhi Traffic Police on Monday issued a traffic advisory in view of the Republic Day parade full dress rehearsal today.

As the country has geared up for the 76th Republic Day on Thursday, a total of 23 tableaux, including 17 from states and Union Territories, and six from ministries and departments will roll down the Kartavya Path during the Republic Day parade on January 26.
In the issued advisory, the Delhi Police said that the full dress rehearsal parade in the national capital will start from Vijay Chowk at 10.30 am and will later move towards the Red Fort.

For the smooth flow of traffic in Delhi, the police have elaborated traffic arrangements and restrictions for the smooth conduct of parade.

According to the Delhi Police’s issued guideline, the march would move from Vijay Chowk to Kartavyapath to ‘C’ Hexagon to the Statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to Tilak Marg to Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg to Netaji Subhash Marg for reaching the Red Fort.

The Traffic Police has barred the movement of traffic on Kartavyapath from Vijay Chowk to Indian Gate from 6 pm on Sunday (January 22) till the end of the parade and the cross traffic on Kartavyapath from at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road from yesterday’s 11 pm till Parade is over.

“‘C-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for traffic from 9.15 am today till it crosses a Tilak marg,” it said adding that vehicular movement will not be allowed in either direction on the Tilak Marg, BSZ Marg, and Subhash Marg

“Road users are requested to plan their journey in advance accordingly and avoid the route of Parade, from 0930 hours to 1300 hours, for their own convenience. Commuters are advised to make maximum use of the Metro service while planning their journey in and around New Delhi.,” it read. (ANI)

Germany Ready To Let Poland Send Leopard Tanks To Ukraine

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

Germany is ready to authorize Poland to send German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine to help Kyiv fight the Russian invasion if Warsaw makes such a request, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told French Television LCI on Sunday, reported CNN.

“The question has not been asked. If we were asked the question, we would not stand in the way,” Baerbock said in an interview on the sides of a French-German cabinet meeting celebrating 60 years of the Elysee treaty.
When asked for clarification by the interviewer if she meant Germany would not stop Poland from sending battle tanks to Ukraine, Baerbock said, “You have understood me correctly.”

Her comments come as Berlin resists pressure from Kyiv to send some of its own stocks of the Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

Poland has announced it is ready to deliver 14 Leopard tanks to Kyiv but Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he was waiting for “a clear statement” from Berlin whether countries that have the Leopards can transfer them to Ukraine, reported RFI.

“We have rules, the so-called end-use controls,” Baerbock said of Germany’s hesitancy to send combat tanks into the war zone.

According to Germany’s basic law, “weapons intended for warfare may be manufactured, transported, and marketed only with the authorization of the federal government,” reported CNN.

Under the “War Weapons Control Act” the German government must consent to any delivery of German-made weapons to a war zone.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz must consent and the final decision rests with him, according to German law.

Scholz has been heavily criticized by his liberal coalition partner and many others for his stance on sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said that there was “no alternative” but for the West to give Ukraine heavy tanks.

Meanwhile, a Russian politician warned that the continued delivery of weapons to Ukraine “will lead to a global catastrophe,” reported CNN.

“Delivery of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime will lead to a global catastrophe,” Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, wrote on his Telegram channel Sunday.

Volodin said the delivery of weapons will lead to Russian retaliation “using more powerful weapons.”

Volodin comments come after NATO partners met at Ramstein air base in Germany Friday to discuss more military aid for Ukraine.

However, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the availability of modern weapons in the Ukrainian army will not lead to an escalation of war with Russia, in a Sunday address to students and professors at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, reported CNN.

“Do not listen to the arguments of those who talk about escalation. People worry in the west that things are going to escalate if we give Ukraine the weapons,” Johnson said. “I was in Bucha. How can we escalate the confrontation, where one side is already using the most advanced modern aircraft to bomb residential areas? Ukraine deserves all the help possible.”

Johnson went on to say that Ukraine should “seek its destiny in NATO” because it not being in NATO “has led to the worst war in Europe in the past 80 years.”

Johnson said the whole world “owes Ukraine a debt,” because it is fighting for everybody who can potentially become “a victim of Vladimir Putin’s aggression.” He said Ukraine “fights for freedom around the world” and that the British people support Ukraine “a 100 pc.” (ANI)

Read more: http://13.232.95.176/

Digital Payments Ecosystem Transformed Governance: Modi

Netaji Will Be Remembered For His Fierce Resistance To Colonial Rule: Modi

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

Recalling Netaji’s “unparalleled contribution to India’s history”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid homage to Subhas Chandra Bose on his 126th birth anniversary today.

“Today, on Parakram Diwas, I pay homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose & recall his unparalleled contribution to India’s history. He will be remembered for his fierce resistance to colonial rule. We are working to realise his vision for India,” PM Modi wrote in his tweet.
The Government had declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Modi is also scheduled to virtually participate in an event to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees on the Parakram Diwas today.

According to an official release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi will also unveil the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep.

Keeping in mind the historical significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and to honor the memory of Netaji, Ross Islands was renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep by the prime minister during his visit to the Island in 2018. Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed as Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep.

“Giving due respect to the real-life heroes of the country has always been accorded the highest priority by the Prime Minister. Going ahead with this spirit, it has now been decided to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of the island group after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees,” the statement from the PMO read.

The largest unnamed island will be named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, the second largest unnamed island will be named after the second Param Vir Chakra awardee, and so on.

This step will be an everlasting tribute to our heroes, several of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

Born on January 23, 1897, Netaji played a crucial role in India’s freedom movement.

Subhash Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Fauj. While there is a controversy over Bose’s death in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945, the Central government had in an RTI (Right to Information) in 2017 confirmed that he had died in the incident. (ANI)

Read more: http://13.232.95.176/

Major Electricity Breakdown Across Pakistan

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

A major power breakdown hit Pakistan leaving major cities without electricity due to a fault in transmission lines.

“There are reports of multiple outages from different parts of the city. We are investigating the issue and will keep this space posted,” said Imran Rana, Spokesperson, K-Electric in a Twitter post.
Confirming the development, Pakistan’s Geo News reported that several areas in Karachi and Lahore were without electricity.

“#BREAKING: Countrywide power break down since 7:30am in #Pakistan,” Pakistan journalist Asad Ali Toor tweeted.

The two transmission lines from Guddu to Quetta tripped, according to Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO). The company added that 22 districts of Balochistan, including Quetta, are without power, Geo News reported.

Pakistan this month announced a new energy conservation plan as its fragile economy continues to struggle with multiple challenges including the country’s foreign exchange reserves have dwindled to alarmingly low levels.

Earlier in October last year, Pakistan experienced a major power breakdown that deprived large swathes of the country, including provincial capitals Karachi and Lahore, of electricity, for more than 12 hours. (ANI)

Read more: http://13.232.95.176/

Modi To Name 21 Islands After Param Vir Chakra Awardees

By LokMarg 22nd January 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating in an event via video conferencing to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees on the occasion of Parakram Diwas on Monday.

January 23rd is marked as Parakram Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

“Tomorrow, on the day of bravery, there will be a special program in honor of the heroic children of Mother India. Will be a part of it through video conferencing at 11 am. During this, 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman-Nicobar will be named after 21 Param Vir Chakra winners,” PM Modi said in a tweet.

The PMO further informed that PM Modi will also unveil the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep.

Keeping in mind the historical significance of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and to honour the memory of Netaji, Ross Islands was renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep by the Prime Minister during his visit to the Island in 2018. Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed as Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep.

The largest unnamed island will be named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, the second largest unnamed island will be named after the second Param Vir Chakra awardee, and so on.

This step will be an everlasting tribute to our heroes, several of whom had made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

“These islands have been named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, viz. Major Somnath Sharma; Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, MM; 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane; Nayak Jadunath Singh; Company Havildar Major Piru Singh; Capt GS Salaria; Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Dhan Singh Thapa; Subedar Joginder Singh; Major Shaitan Singh; CQMH. Abdul Hamid; Lt Col Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore; Lance Naik Albert Ekka; Major Hoshiar Singh; 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal; Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon; Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran; Naib Subedar Bana Singh; Captain Vikram Batra; Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey; Subedar Major (then Rifleman) Sanjay Kumar; and Subedar Major Retd (Hony Captain) Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav,” PMO further stated. (ANI)

Read more: http://13.232.95.176/

US Embassy Announces Initiative To Cut Visa Wait For Indians

By LokMarg 22nd January 2023

The United States on Sunday announced new visa initiatives for Indians including special interviews for first-time applicants and greater strength of visa staff across the country to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants.

As part of this initiative, the United States opened consular operations across the country to accommodate applicants who require in-person visa interviews.

“On January 21, the U.S. Mission in India launched the first in a series of special Saturday interview days, as part of a larger effort to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants. The United States Embassy in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad all opened consular operations on Saturday to accommodate applicants who require in-person visa interviews,” the US embassy said in a statement.

“In the coming months, the Mission will continue to open additional slots for appointments to take place on select Saturdays,” the statement added.

The embassy said that the US government has implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous U.S. visas. “Between January and March 2023, dozens of temporary consular officers from Washington and other embassies will arrive in India to increase processing capacity,” the statement added.

It also said the US State Department is also increasing the number of consular officers permanently assigned to the Embassy and Consulates.

“The U.S. Mission in India released more than 250,000 additional B1/B2 appointments. Consulate General Mumbai also extended its weekday operating hours to make space for additional appointments,” the statement added.

Consulate General Mumbai currently adjudicates the most visa applications in India and is one of the largest visa operations in the world, the embassy said.

“Our consular teams across India are putting in the extra hours to meet the needs of international travelers and bring down wait times,” said Mumbai Consular Chief John Ballard. “This is part of a Mission wide effort to find innovative solutions to facilitate travel to the United States.”

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in profound reductions in the Department’s visa processing capacity, and many of its embassies and consulates were at times only able to offer emergency services.

“As travel restrictions have been lifted, the U.S. Mission to India has made it a priority to facilitate legitimate travel and adjudicated over 800,000 nonimmigrant visas in 2022, including record numbers of both student and employment visas. In every other visa category, interview wait times in India are at pre-pandemic levels or lower,” the US embassy said.

“By this summer, the U.S. Mission in India will be at full staffing, and we expect to be processing visas at levels from prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the embassy added. (ANI)

Read more: http://13.232.95.176/

Hockey World Cup: NZ Beat India In Penalty Shootout

By LokMarg 22nd January 2023

New Zealand held their nerves to edge India in the penalty shootout at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday, as the hosts crashed out of the 2023 Hockey World Cup.

Despite being ahead in the game, India missed the opportunity to build on a 3-1 lead in the third quarter, when New Zealand scored twice in the final quarter to tie the game at the end of the regular time, forcing a penalty shootout.

In regular time, India’s goals came from Lalit Upadhyay (17 minutes), Sukhjeet Singh (24 minutes), and Varun Kumar (40 minutes), whereas the Black Sticks’ goals came from Sam Lane (28 minutes), Kane Russell (43 minutes), and Sean Findlay (49 minutes).

India battled back to tie the score at 3-3 in the shootout thanks to a few outstanding saves from seasoned goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and had two chances in the sudden death as Shamsher Singh missed the final shootout attempt to lose 4-5 in front of the home crowd.

India started the crucial match aggressively as they stormed into New Zealand’s circle in the first minute. The hosts lost possession but looked determined to take the lead as they made another penetration in the third minute through India number 11 Mandeep Singh, who made an excellent run into the Kiwi circle.

New Zealand made their first attack in the sixth minute through a long aerial pass but the hosts counterattacked quickly, coming perilously close to scoring the first goal, but the New Zealand defence stayed alert to avert any danger.

Nic Woods was issued a green card in the eighth minute, forcing the Kiwi side to play with a 10-man team for two minutes. Manpreet Singh too was issued a green card for carrying on to play even after the referee’s whistle to stop play.

The hosts face a goal threat in the 11th minute but India’s resolute defence made sure the ball did not go past them. India earned their first penalty corner PC) in the 13th minute with Harmanpreet sending the ball to the left of the goalkeeper but failing to find the back of the net.

New Zealand survived another scare in the dying minutes as the first quarter ended goalless.

Thrilling action ensued in the second quarter, with both teams creating chances in the initial minutes. India finally made the breakthrough in the 17th minute of the game with Shamsher sending the ball across to Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, who blasted the ball into the New Zealand goalpost to put the hosts ahead.

India secured two consecutive PCs in the 22nd minute but failed to convert them. However, India did score a goal on the rebound but New Zealand used their referral for it to be denied by the third umpire.

The 23rd minute saw India earn another PC but yet again the hosts failed to score as the chance went begging.

Sukhjeet Singh extended India’s lead to two goals in the 24th minute, sending the rebound of Nixon into the goalpost.

New Zealand sprung into action in the final minutes of the second quarter as Sam Lane found the back of the net in the 28th minute to reduce India’s lead to one goal.

No goal was scored in the second quarter as the first half ended with India in the lead at 2-1.

The 40th minute saw India score its third goal through Varun Kumar on a PC. However, Kane Russell scored in the 43rd minute through a PC just before the end of the third quarter to keep New Zealand’s hopes alive.

The third quarter ended with New Zealand trailing two goals to three.

New Zealand sprung into action in the final quarter as they hovered around the Indian circle. Sean Findlay found the back of the net in the 49th minute to level the score and keep their hope of reaching the final eight alive.

The hosts kept fighting and captain Harmanpreet Singh had the opportunity to convert a PC and put the hosts in the lead but missed the opportunity to score.

He attempted a drag-flick, but his effort was lacklustre and the defenders were able to stop the ball before it could find the back of the net.

The final quarter ended with both teams tied at 3-3, with the result pushed to be decided by a penalty shootout.

Harmanpreet scored on the first attempt to put India ahead. Kane Russell took the Black Sticks’ first attempt and levelled the score.

Raj Kumar Pal scored for India while Findlay also found the goal to keep the score at 2-2.

Abhishek failed to put the ball into the net while Hayden put New Zealand ahead with a super goal on the third attempt with the hosts trailing 2-3.

The fourth attempt saw players from both teams failing to convert their chances with India trailing at 2-3.

In a dramatic turn of events, Shamsher scored for India while Sam Hiha missed levelling the score at the end of five attempts.

The teams once again lined up for another round of penalty shootouts with New Zealand taking the first attempt.

Nic Woods missed to give India the opportunity to lead but Harmanpreet could not get past the New Zealand goalkeeper, with the score still level at 3-3.

Findlay finally put the Black Sticks ahead in their seventh attempt but Raj Kumar Pal scored to tie the score at 4-4.

Hayden Phillips and Sukhjeet Singh both missed on the eighth attempt to make things more dramatic.

Lane scored the crucial goal to put New Zealand ahead at 5-4. All hopes hung on Shamsher but he failed to rally past the goalkeeper as India crashed out of the Hockey World Cup on home soil.

New Zeland will lock horns with defending champions Belgium on January 24 for a berth in the semifinals while India will face Japan on January 26 for the 9th-16th position in the tournament. (ANI)

Read more: http://13.232.95.176/

Huge Rush At Kashmiri Dry Fruit Stalls In Hyderabad ‘Numaish’

By LokMarg 22nd January 2023

The annual extravaganza, ‘Numaish’, which is hosted by Hyderabad every year, recently opened for visitors at Exhibition Grounds in Nampally.

The 82nd edition of All India Industrial Exhibition Numaish 2023 was organised from January 1 to February 15.

Among the numerous stalls installed in the exhibition was the famous Kashmiri Dry Fruit stall. It has been a special attention from visitors like previous years.

Asif Ali, from Srinagar, who has been selling dry fruits in the exhibition for the last 15 years, expressed happiness over the footfall at the event this year.

“We had a great crowd for the last three days because of the festival. We are hoping for good business this year,” he said.

“Earlier, we used to sell Kashmiri shawls here. This year, we are also selling original Kashmiri walnut, pistachio, almonds, saffron, and honey. The dry fruits in Hyderabad are mostly imported from California, but we have brought ours from Kashmir. The prices depend on the quality and we have products across all price ranges,” he added.

The food stalls at the Numaish cater to a variety of cuisines, while swings and rides have also been installed at the event this year to draw more children.

Urmila, a customer said, “All products here are very good, especially walnut and almonds. I will surely return to buy dry fruits.”

Another customer, Tirumal Kumar, appreciated the quality of the dry fruits on display, saying, “We get the same varieties here that we get in Kashmir. The variety of almonds available here is hard to find.”

Departments of state and central government, along with vendors across the nation, set up stalls at the exhibition every year. (ANI)

Read more: http://13.232.95.176/

Pak Imported Cars Worth $1.2bn In 6 Months Despite $ Crisis

By LokMarg 22nd January 2023

Even though Pakistan is on the verge of financial collapse, the cash-strapped country has spent USD 1.2 billion on the imports of transportation items, including luxury cars and high-end electric vehicles, during the last six months, reported The News International newspaper.

According to the report, Pakistan is facing an acute shortage of dollars and has less than USD 5 billion in its reserves with its State Bank. The report said this is hardly sufficient to finance three-week imports.

Last year, the imports of these transportation vehicles and other items were reduced. However, many Pakistani are still buying expensive luxury vehicles and unnecessary goods burdening the economy, the report said.

In the last six months, Pakistan imported completely built units (CBU), completely knocked down/semi knocked down (CKD/SKD) of USD 530.5 million equivalent to USD 118.2 billion, the daily added.

Pakistan daily stated further that hefty spending on cars and other vehicle imports raises many questions about the government’s policy of halting imports related to the industrial and commercial sectors.

This report comes as virtual talks between Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are likely to commence next week amid a severe economic crisis and falling foreign exchange reserves.

Pakistan has sent an official email to the IMF to look into the process and complete its ninth review, which is pending on its side, Geo News reported.

Experts believe Pakistan could sink deeper into a quagmire if the IMF program does not resume within the next few weeks. (ANI)

Read more: http://13.232.95.176/