January 2023 - Page 34 of 60 - Lokmarg

Modi Congratulates Agniveers On Being Pioneers Of Path-Breaking Scheme

By LokMarg 16th January 2023

Addressing the first batch of Agniveers of the three Services, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated them on being the “pioneers of the path-breaking Agnipath Scheme.”

The prime minister highlighted that this transformative policy will be a game changer in strengthening our Armed Forces and making them future-ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
Under the Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14 last year, the three services are

recruiting youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years and 21 years for four years with a provision to retain 25 percent of them for 15 more years. For 2022, the upper age limit was extended to 23 years.

Addressing, through video conferencing, the first batch who have commenced their basic training, PM Modi affirmed that the young Agniveers will make the Armed Forces more youthful and tech-savvy.

Hailing the potential of Agniveers, he said that their spirit is reflective of the bravery of the armed forces which has always kept the flag of the nation flying high.

He said that the experience they will acquire through this opportunity will be a source of pride for life.

Prime Minister said, “New India is filled with renewed vigor, and efforts are underway to modernize our armed forces as well as make them Aatmanirbhar.”

He said that in the 21st century, the way wars are fought is changing. Discussing the new fronts of contactless warfare and challenges of cyber warfare, he said technologically-advanced soldiers will play a key role in our armed forces.

“The current generation of youth especially have this potential, and so the Agniveers will play a leading role in our armed forces in the times to come,” he said.

The prime minister also spoke about how the Agnipath scheme will further empower women. He expressed happiness at how women Agniveers are adding pride to the Naval forces and said that he looks forward to seeing women Agniveers in all three forces.

He also recalled how women are leading armed forces on various fronts, citing examples of women soldiers posted in Siachen and women driving modern fighter planes.

Modi said that getting posted in different regions will give Agniveers an opportunity to get diverse experiences and that they should try to learn different languages and also about different cultures and ways of living.

“Teamwork and honing of leadership skills will add a new dimension to their personality. He exhorted Agniveers to remain curious about learning new things while simultaneously working on bettering their skills in the fields of their choice,” the PM said.

Hailing the potential of the youth and Agniveers, Prime Minister concluded by saying that they are the ones who are going to provide leadership to the nation in the 21st century. (ANI)

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I Am Aware Of The Issues Of Middle Class: Sitharaman

By LokMarg 16th January 2023

Ahead of the Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she “identifies” herself as middle class and also understands the problems faced by that section of the people.

“I belong to a middle class and identify myself as a middle class so I can understand them. Modi govt has not levied any new tax on the middle class in any budget so far. No tax levied on people who earn a salary up to Rs 5 lakhs,” Sitharaman said, in an interaction with RSS publication ‘Panchjanya’ on the theme ‘Baat Bharat ki’ on Sunday.
These remarks came days before the Union Budget for 2023-24. The government is in the process of finalizing the Budget document to be presented on February 1.

“I can understand the pressures of the middle-class section of people. I identify myself with the middle class so I know. The government has ensured no new tax is imposed on them, launched metro services in 27 cities (for better mobility),” she said.

In addition, she noted that requisite funds were being released for the development of 100 smart cities, which she said will help people who migrate to big cities for business and employment.

“Will these initiatives not improve the standard of living? Yes, I have not directly transferred money into the pockets of the middle class but these facilities (are helping them),” she added.

Moreover, on the matter of freebies by political parties, she said parties should make provision in their Budget for the freebie they wish to promise, taking into account the financial condition of their state.

“The question is not what is a freebie? The question is whether the promises made by political parties before elections can be fulfilled considering the financial condition of the state. Political parties should allocate in their budget for the freebie they promise,” she said in Hindi.

Moreover, speaking about how India came out of Fragile 5 economies, she said India’s economy has undergone significant changes since 2014, which has led it now become the fastest-growing economy in the world.

The term Fragile 5 was coined by a Morgan Stanley analyst in 2013 and refers to a set of five emerging countries, including India, whose economy was not doing well then. The other four countries were Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, and Turkey.

“In 2013, India was among the ‘Fragile Five’ economies of the world. However, since Modi govt came to power in 2014, India’s economy has undergone significant changes that have led to it now being the fastest growing economy in the world,” she said.

The formal exercise to prepare the annual Budget for the next financial year commenced on October 10.

Budget 2023 is likely to be the last full budget of the Modi government in its second term with the next Lok Sabha elections due in April-May of 2024. (ANI)

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Black Box Of Crashed Nepal Plane Recovered

By LokMarg 16th January 2023

The black box of the Yeti Airlines aircraft, which crashed a day ago with 72 people on board has been recovered, Nepal airport authorities said on Monday.

The twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft from Kathmandu crashed in Pokhara minutes before landing on Sunday. A total of 68 bodies have been recovered so far from the site of the crash.
“The black box of the crashed plane has been found”, Kathmandu airport official Sher Bahadur Thakur told ANI.

A black box is a flight data recorder that records all flight information through a special algorithm.

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations at the crash site resumed this morning.

Rescue operations resumed this morning to trace four people who are still missing, DIG of the Nepal Armed Police Force, Shambhu Subedi told ANI.

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Severe Cold Wave To Grip North India For Next 3 Days

By LokMarg 16th January 2023

Cold wave to severe cold waves are very likely to hold their sway over parts of North India including the national capital till Wednesday, the weather department said on Sunday.

As per the India Meteorological Department, the mercury will continue to settle at 3 degrees Celcius, today and tomorrow in Delhi-NCR.
On January 18, the temperature will record 4 degrees Celcius, failing to give even marginal respite to Delhiites from the cold wave conditions, the Met office said.

The Indian Railways informed on Monday that as many as 13 trains are running late in the Northern Railway region due to fog.

Meanwhile, over North India, cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are very likely over many parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi till January 17 and thereafter in isolated pockets on January 18.

In view of the severe cold, the district administration in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur decided to shut schools till January 17, and the district administration in Meerut ordered passed the same order but till class 8.

And the Union Territory of Chandigarh has also extended the winter break for students up to eighth standard keeping in view the stern cold and fog spell in the region.

Notably, IMD has predicted dense fog and low visibility over the northwestern part of the country for the next five days.

On Saturday, the weather department predicted dense to very dense fog over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar during the next five days.

Due to northwesterly winds from the Himalayas over the plains of northwest India, minimum temperatures are very likely to fall by 2-4 degree Celsius over the northwest and adjoining central India during the next two days, the IMD predicted. (ANI)

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TN: 60 Injured During Jallikattu At Madurai

By LokMarg 16th January 2023

Around 60 people were hurt, with 20 suffering serious injuries, in a Jallikattu event at Avaniyapuram here, a senior district official said on Monday.

“Yesterday, we had around 60 injured people, 20 were a little serious and were referred to Rajaji Hospital. 40 others with minor injuries were given first aid. There has been no casualty,” said Madurai District Collector Aneesh Sekhar.
However, he said that all arrangements were done to ensure the safety of participants as well as spectators.

Out of the 20 injured sent to Madurai’s Government Rajaji Hospital, 11 were still undergoing treatment there, a revenue department official said.

Despite the incident, the ongoing Jallikattu event continued till 4 pm, yesterday, the official added.

“We expect no injuries. If injuries happen, we want to ensure that they are given the best medical care. So, all arrangements are in place. We expect smooth conduct of Jallikattu,” the Madurai Collector had earlier said.

Also known as ‘Eru Thazhuvuthal’ and ‘Mancuvirattu’, Jallikattu started in full swing in three villages of Tamil Nadu’s Madurai on Sunday.

The event coincides with the Pongal celebrations and is stated on the day of Mattu Pongal. It is a local bull-taming sport where a participant is supposed to grab the bull by the horns and tame it as it tries to shrug him off.

Further Jallikattu events are scheduled to be held in Palamedu and Alanganallur on Monday and Tuesday. Only 300 bull tamers and 150 spectators are allowed in a Jallikattu event. (ANI)

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Delhi Assembly: BJP MLAs Sport Oxygen Cylinders, Gas Masks

By LokMarg 16th January 2023

MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday turned up to participate in the Delhi Assembly session carrying oxygen cylinders and wearing oxygen masks to highlight the issue of air pollution in the national capital.

The fourth part of the Assembly Session began today at 11 am.
The BJP and the ruling Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had recently faced off during the mayoral election of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Air pollution in the city has often been a source of friction between the two parties and had cropped up as a major issue during the recently held civic polls in the city.

The BJP has been blaming the AAP government for its failure to control the pollution in the national capital.

“With a gas cylinder in tow, I would raise the voice of Delhi’s two crore people who have been forced to live in a gas chamber, in the Delhi assembly. The AAP government must come clean on what they have done to make Delhi pollution free,” MLA Vijender Gupta said in a tweet.

Along with Gupta Leader of Opposition of the Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidguri along with OP Sharma and Abhay Verma arrive for the session carrying oxygen cylinders and donning oxygen masks.

The air quality in Delhi continued to be in the “very poor” category with the overall air quality index (AQI) at 337 on Monday morning.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas, following its meeting on January 15, has decided to revoke its January 6 order where it had imposed several restrictions under stage III of GRAP, under which all non-essential construction and demolition activities were banned in the national capital territory.

However, considering the current scenario, actions under Stage I and Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan will remain invoked, said the commission. These restrictions will be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all concerned agencies in the NCR to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further to the severe category.

The commission said that the sub-committee will be keeping a close watch on the air quality scenario and would review the situation depending on the air quality and the forecast made by the India Meteorological Department from time to time.

Meanwhile, in view of the tussle between the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor in the past days regarding the powers of the government in Delhi, it is believed that the MLAs of the ruling party may come up with a proposal to discuss this issue in the assembly today.

There is a possibility of discussion on the issue that the elected government should retain the right to give orders to the officials for development works in Delhi.

It is worth mentioning that several times in the past, the Privilege Committee of the Delhi Assembly, has summoned officers on various issues and reprimanded them. The Privilege Committee has also questioned the officials, especially in the matters of the Delhi Jal Board fund and the non-supply of medicines to Mohalla Clinics and hospitals.

It is to be noted that even before the commencement of the session, the BJP is besieging the government on this issue. On Friday itself, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Rambir Singh Bidhuri raised questions about the government by holding a press conference. He said that the government is evading accountability. Bidhuri has alleged that the Question Hour is not kept in the current session, he also demanded that instead of three days, the session should be of at least ten days.

In view of all these, it can be assumed that due to allegations and counter-allegations between BJP and AAP, the current session could be stormy.

Although, according to the list of businesses, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is to lay copies of the following on the Table of the House are, 7 Annual Report of Delhi Technological University for the year 2020-2023; CAG Audit Report on Annual Accounts of the Netaji Subhas University of Technology for the year 2009-10 to 2017-18 along with Action Taken Report; 19′ Annual Report of Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited for the Financial Year 2019 -20 (Hindi and English Version); 19th Annual Report of Pragati Power Corporation Limited for the Financial Year 2019 -20; Annual Report of Delhi Transco Limited for the Financial Year 2019-20.

As per the list of businesses, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia will also introduce ‘The Delhi Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023’. (ANI)

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‘I Get Jitters When I Hear Covid-19 Is Not Over Yet’

By LokMarg 16th January 2023

Satya Priya Shankar, 39, a Mumbai-based school teacher, says Govt must be mindful of the long-term implications of the pandemic which deepened the poverty pit

The covid-19 pandemic has been the first of its kind of health calamity the world witnessed in the 21st century. The cyclical slowdown that set in the Indian economy before the outbreak of the pandemic got intensified on the back of cliff effects and setbacks generated by the pandemic.

It is obvious that the pandemic has had a deep, searing impact on the Indian economy, in terms of both total monetary activity and livelihoods. The financial well-being of the masses had been struggling for several years before then too, with falling investment and employment. Covid gave it a fatal push, raising inequalities and challenging health and nutrition. We are constantly hearing that contagion is not over yet and the next wave is expected very soon. This news is giving us jitters, as we have to start saving a certain amount of our earnings to deal with lockdowns and pay cuts.

For the migrant working class in the informal sector, the loss of livelihood and the inability to meet the basic necessities of everyday living, such as housing and food, were the major concerns. Consequently, waves of workers and their families were forced into long treks to their faraway homes along roads and railway tracks crisscrossing the country. The middle class like us, in contrast, remained cloistered in their homes, with their health risk perceptions and economic insecurities.

ALSO READ: ‘I Lost My Partner To Covid, And I Blame Govt For It’

There is a section of the middle class that comprises shopkeepers, small transporters, catering, hospitality, entertainment; lawyers, self-employed professionals, teachers in private schools & colleges, running coaching centers, etc. Two waves of the virus have left this section as vulnerable as it experienced great financial stress due to restrictions and lockdowns.

It was this section that bore the brunt of the two coronavirus waves the most. With lockdowns and closures, their earnings completely dried up, and the expenses in the form of the family running cost, ongoing EMI, home and personal loans, fees of school and college-going children, rent, electricity bills, etc kept on piling on top of that we faced salary deductions too in the name of COVID. As a result, apart from financial stress, we had mental as well as physical stress too. We slogged for years to graduate from the lower to the middle class but these two waves of coronavirus pushed one-third of us back to the lower class with earnings of less than ₹700 per day.

The growing inequalities can create more consumption by the super-rich, but that will not be enough to dig the economy out of its current hole. A government in denial of this obvious fact can only make things worse.

In a nutshell, the government needs to take cognizance of this vulnerable section of the middle class which is meek, has no voice, is helpless, and lives under tremendous stress. They are prepared to do anything to fill their belly even after acquiring degrees like MBA, LLB, B.tech, B.Ed, etc. It will be most befitting if some attention is paid to this class too.

As told to Deepti Sharma

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CBI Seized Computer To Implant Files In CPU: Sisodia

By LokMarg 15th January 2023

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday issued an official statement on the CBI raid on his office, terming the whole exercise to be an act of malice.

In his statement, the Deputy CM has termed the whole exercise to be an act of malice detailing how the CBI raided his office on a Second Saturday (an official holiday) and gave a handwritten notice to the Secretary to seize a computer from the conference room.
He said, “CBI is trying to maliciously frame me, seized a computer without providing Hash Value.”

The official statement reads, “Yesterday was a Second Saturday, so my office was closed when some CBI Official telephonically informed my PS to come to the office and open the same. When my PS reached the office at around 3:00 pm, he saw that a team of CBI officials was already present at my office. The CBI Officials asked him to open the Office and to take them to the conference room.”

“As they reached the conference room, they saw a computer installed therein, asked my PS to switch it on, assessed the same, and, forthwith, handed over a Notice under Section 91 CrPc to the Secretary, Dy. CM (GNCTD) with reference to the investigation of RC0032022A0053” the statement reads.

The statement further reads that as per the Notice, the Secretary was requested to produce the CPU of the system installed in my conference room.

“Thereafter, the CPU from the conference room of my office was seized without following the due procedure laid down. From the perusal of the said notice, it was perceived that the notice was hand-written to the Secretary, and immediately the property (CPU) was seized which shows the mala-fide of the Officer,” it read.

“The said conduct/ act of the CBI Officials also shows their malice whereby the Notice was given and immediately the said property was seized that too without following the guidelines as laid down in Chapter XVI: Cyber Crimes, CBI (Crime) Manual 2020. As it is explicitly mentioned in the said CBI Manual in Chapter XVI, 16.19:”

Sisodia said that CBI seized the computer without providing ‘Hash Value’.

The official statement reads, “Hash value is essentially an electronic fingerprint. The data within a file is represented through the cryptographic algorithm as a value known as hash-value. It is a string of data variables. Hash Value is the key to determining and validating the integrity of the data in question. As the integrity of the seized electronic device/digital device is quintessential to establishing the case, it is important to ensure the hash value of the data record is taken by the Investigating Officer at the time of seizure. The use of Hashing to authenticate electronic records is detailed in section 3(2) of the IT Act, 2000.”

“CBI Manual also mandates that at the time of the seizure of electronic document itself- an image of the same shall also be created and the said image shall also be hashed and tally with the hashing of the seized data to ensure data integrity. It is, therefore, a matter of record, as per the Seizure Memo provided to us by the CBI after the seizure that no ‘HASH VALUE was taken and mentioned by the Officer in the seizure memo who had seized the CPU’, nor CBI made an image of the seized document and hashed it” the statement reads further.

He said that in the absence of recording “HASH VALUE” during the seizure, the CBI can change the record in the seized CPU at its convenience.

According to the statement, “It appears that there is a scope for implanting, deleting and editing the record in the seized CPU by the team of CBI for making a frivolous case against me. In the absence of recording “HASH VALUE” during the seizure, the CBI can change the record in the seized CPU as per its convenience to maliciously frame me.”

Sisodia said in a statement, “I have clear apprehension that CBI has seized the CPU to destroy the confidential files/documents stored therein and will implant/edit files in the CPU and use the same to falsely implicate me as my name is not in the CBI chargesheet as an accused with respect to the afore-mention case.”

“Though the CBI/ED investigation in the Excise matter has been going on since last August 2022, it has not led to the discovery of any material against me. However, CBI is still continuing with its fishing and roving inquiry into the matter even after the chargesheet has been filed. This act clearly demonstrates that no procedural safeguards complied which would have ensured the integrity of electronic documents as mandated under the CBI Manual & IT Act. Therefore, the seizure of the electronic evidence yesterday has lost its authenticity and integrity in the eyes of law” Sisodia added in his statement. (ANI)

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India Registers Biggest Win In ODI, Victorious By Margin Of 300 Runs

By LokMarg 15th January 2023

Team India became the first-ever team in ODI cricket to register a win by 300 runs or more, becoming the team with the biggest victory margin in terms of runs in the history of 50-over format on Sunday.

The Men in Blue accomplished this during their third and final ODI against Sri Lanka at Thiruvananthapuram.
Centuries from Virat Kohli (166*) and opener Shubman Gill (116) powered India to 390/5 in their 50 overs. In their chase of 391, Lanka did not put up even an inch of fight and the match appeared to be over after Mohammed Siraj (4/32) delivered a brutal powerplay spell. The visitors were bundled out for 73 runs and India won the match by 317 runs.

Previously, the biggest win by runs in ODI cricket was recorded by New Zealand. Back in July 2008 at Aberdeen, they defeated Ireland by 290 runs after setting up for them a target of 403 runs.

Coming to the match, a destructive powerplay spell from Mohammed Siraj continued Sri Lanka’s downfall for the third straight ODI, helping the hosts clinch a massive 317-run win in the final ODI at Kerala on Sunday.

With this, India has won the ODI series 3-0.

Chasing 391, Sri Lanka once again experienced troubles in tackling Mohammed Siraj with the new ball. The pacer wasted no time and dismissed opener Avishka Fernando (1) and Kusal Mendis (4), reducing SL to 22/2 in four overs.

Sri Lanka was looking forward to build a partnership after this. However, Siraj did not let the visitors catch a break. After his senior pace partner Mohammed Shami sent back Charith Asalanka for just one run, the 28-year-old pacer continued his powerplay exploits, dismissing Nuwanidu Fernando (19), who was the only double-digit scorer for SL till yet and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva (1). At the end of the first mandatory powerplay, SL was 39/5, with Chamika Karunaratne (1) joined by skipper Dasun Shanaka (4). Siraj could simply do no wrong as he ran out Karunaratne for just one. The alarms sounded wildly for the Asian champions, who were reduced to 39/6.

SL managed to cross the 50-run mark in 14.2 overs. But it was Kuldeep Yadav, which gave India spin its first success of the match, dismissing skipper Shanaka for 11 off 26 balls.

Shami dismissed Dunith Wellalage for just three runs, continuing SL’s downward spiral. The visitors were left reeling at 51/8.

Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Lahiru Kumara for nine off 19 balls, ending the first 20-run plus stand of SL’s innings. Kuldeep got his second wicket of the match. With the last batter Ashen Bandara retired hurt, SL was deemed all out at 73 and India registered a massive 317-run win to clean sweep the series.

Siraj was the pick of the bowlers for India, taking 4/32. Kuldeep and Shami also took two wickets each.

Earlier, centuries from Virat Kohli and Shubhman Gill helped India post a mammoth total of 390 runs against Sri Lanka in the third ODI at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

Virat (166*) played a breathtaking knock while Gill (116) played a scintillating knock to present a strong case for himself as Rohit Sharma’s batting partner for the upcoming World Cup. The former India captain was also involved in two-century stands. Kasun Rajitha picked two wickets for the visitors. Opting to bat first, the opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill started steadily. But once they got their eyes set, the pair went ballistic and began to find boundaries regularly.

The hosts were 11/0 at the end of four overs but went hell for leather in the next six to take India to 75/0 at the end of 10 overs with the Indian captain batting at 36(32) and Gill 35(28). Rohit looked set for a big score after missing out in the first two ODIs but was dismissed in the 16th over by Chamika Karunaratne for 42(49). The right-hander’s downfall came off a short-pitched delivery, trying to send it over the fence but could only time it to find Avishka Fernando at deep backward square leg.

However, Gill continued his rich vein of form in ODIs and ensured that the hosts kept scoring at a brisk rate. Virat Kohli took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers right from the word go. Gill survived a close call in the 24th over against Wanindu Hasaranga after being struck on the pads while attempting a sweep. The right-hander then went on to score his second ODI hundred off just 89 balls in the 31st over. Virat too reached his half-century in the same over helping extend India’s dominance in the match.

The Indian opener struck four boundaries in the next over against Jeffrey Vandersay before being dismissed for 116(97) that included 14 boundaries and two massive sixes. Gill shared a massive 131-run partnership with the former India captain.

Virat had a stroke of luck when batting on 82(76), Vandersay misjudged a catch on the ropes and failed to grab the catch. The 34-year-old made the most of the reprieve and went on to smash his 46th ODI century.

Shreyas Iyer too made use of the excellent batting conditions on offer and kept striking boundaries regularly but was dismissed for 38(32) in the quest for more quick runs.

KL Rahul (7) and Suryakumar Yadav (4) perished while trying to end the Indian innings with a flourish. Both the batters were dismissed in deep extra cover while trying to send the ball over the ropes.

‘King Kohli’ as he is known by his fans, unleashed a flurry of strokes after reaching his hundred. The right-hander struck seven sixes after reaching his hundred and raced to 166* in the last over. He struck two sixes in the last over to help India end with 390/5 in the second ODI.

Brief score: India 390/5 (Virat Kohli 166, Shubhman Gill 116; Kasun Rajitha 2-81) defeated Sri Lanka 73 (Nuwanidu Fernando 19, Kasun Rajitha 13, Mohammed Siraj 4/32). (ANI)

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Nepal: 68 Dead In Yeti Airlines Crash

By LokMarg 15th January 2023

Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority on Sunday said that 68 passengers on board the ATR-72 Yeti Airlines flight, which crashed somewhere between the old airport of Pokhara region and the Pokhara International Airport, were confirmed dead.

The Kathmandu-Pokhara flight had 68 passengers, including five Indians, as well as four crew members.
The notice issued by Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority reads that around 10:30 am, the flight carrying 68 passengers including, 5 Indians, 4 Russians, and 1 Irish took off.

“Nepali Army, Police Force, Airport Rescue, and Fire Fighting and Nepal Police will be informed about the rescue operation. Total number 72 including crew female 25 male 30, standard, white. So far, the death toll is 68,” the statement reads.

Indian leaders also conveyed their condolences on the incident. Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed their grief.

The Indian embassy informed that it was in contact with the local authorities. “We are deeply saddened by the crash of a plane carrying 72 passengers and crew members, including some Indians in Pokhara. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. Our thoughts and prayers at this time are with all those affected by this tragedy,” Shankar P Sharma, the Nepal’s ambassador to India, tweeted.

The India embassy helpline numbers — Diwakar Sharma: +977-9851107021 for Kathmandu and Lt Col Shashank Tripathi: +977-9856037699 for the Pokhara region — to help the kin of the deceased Indian passengers.

Meanwhile, the Nepal government declared a day of national mourning tomorrow. The government has also announced that a five-member committee will be formed to investigate the crash.

Newly elected Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane were scheduled to visit Pokhara after the crash but now, the plans have been canceled according to Dahal’s Chief Personal Secretary Ramesh Malla.

Further, the Prime Minister directed Home Ministry, security personnel, and all the government agencies to carry out immediate rescue and relief operations. (ANI)

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