Month: March 2023

China has yet again tried to assert its control on the social media space with its “anti-self-media” propaganda which means news is independently created and posted on social media or the Web by independent netizens who are not registered as journalists, Bitter Winter reported.

Chinese administration said that these “self-media” producers copied the mainline media presentations and style to deceive the audience to enhance their credibility. And according to the Chinese Communist Party, the “self-media” targets the administration which is against their policies.

CCP directed to clean up such formats of media in a period of two months. The Internet Information Offices of the CCP Committees of each province, autonomous region, and municipality are directly under the Central Government and the Internet Information Office of the CCP Committee of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (a state within the state of Xinjiang).

Quoting Xi Jinping, who is obsessed with the CCP’s lack of success in controlling the web and often sees “chaos” there, the directive calls for these offices to “rectify the chaos of self-media, solve deep-seated problems such as the distortion of information content by self-media and … maintain a good order in the dissemination of online information content.” Social media and other platforms are expected to cooperate through preventive and successive control of what is posted. The aim is to “resolutely crack down on prominent issues such as self-media spreading rumours,” “harmful information and fake news.”

The CCP claimed that ‘self-media’ fabricate the false events, and bizarre stories, falsify the causes, details, progress or results of certain incidents, and create rumours out of nothing.” Other “self-media” may subtly spread prohibited content by fabricating false “Chinese classics or texts by early revolutionaries,” reported Bitter Winter.

Sectors where information should not escape control, the directive says, include “public policy, the macroeconomic situation, major disasters, hotly debated incidents, etc., taking them out of context, distorting their interpretation, distorting right and wrong to launch attacks, exaggerating tragedy and inciting confrontation, creating harmful information that damages the image of the CCP and the government and interferes with the economic and social development.”

Even when the information is true, “malicious hype’ may still be used to criticize or damage the Party and the government. And even when the “self-media” simply reproduce information officially approved by the CCP, they may still cause harm by including “improper comments, non-approved interpretations, or one-sided misinterpretations of government policies or hotly debated events.”

The repeated references to “hotly debated events” show that the CCP is aware of the damage caused by hundreds of thousands of “self-media” reports. And of course “self-media” also offered non-official information about the COVID quarantines and related protests, according to Bitter Winter. (ANI)

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Veteran singer Suman Kalyanpur was awarded India’s third highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan, by President Droupadi Murmu at a gilded ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were in attendance during the presentation ceremony.

Suman Kalyanpur lent her vocals to timeless classics such as ‘Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche’ and ‘Naa Naa Karte Pyar Tumhin Se Kar Baithe’. Her voice was often mistaken to be that of Lata Mangeshkar’s.

She also sang two duets with Mangeshkar before charting a successful career as a playback singer.

Pandwani singer Usha Barle also received a Padma Award during the presentation ceremony on Wednesday. She was conferred with the Padma Shri, the third highest civilian honour.

Usha Barle has received training in Pandwani from renowned Pandwani singer and Padma Vibhushan Teejanbai. She has performed Pandwani in various states of India and beyond, including London and New York. She also won the gold medal six times in Girodhpuri Tapobhoomi.

Bhanubhai Chitara, a 7th-generation Kalamkari artist from the Chunara community carrying forward the legacy of the 400-year-old traditional craft of Mata ni Pachedi, also received Padma Shri from President Murmu.

Earlier, in January, the Central government announced a total of 106 Padma Awards across categories. The categories included art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service, among others. (ANI)

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As Delhi Budget for fiscal 2023-24 was presented on Wednesday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the national capital is estimated to grow at 9 percent, more than the country’s estimated growth rate of 7 percent.

Addressing a press conference after the presentation of the Budget on Wednesday, the Delhi CM said, “This year’s budget focuses on clean, beautiful, and a modern Delhi. The budget has given a huge infrastructure push, with a total outlay of about Rs 21,000 crores towards this sector. Delhi’s GSDP in fiscal 2022-23 is likely to be 9.18 per cent, significantly higher than the estimated national growth rate of 7.0 per cent.”
Earlier, a Budget for the financial year 2023-24, worth Rs 78,800 crores, was presented by Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot. The total budgetary outlay is two and a half times the expenditure of Rs 30,940 crore in 2014-15, and 8.69 per cent higher than the revised estimates for 2022-23. CM Arvind Kejriwal also assured that the three landfills in Okhla, Bhalaswa, and Ghazipur will be cleared by 2024.

“Delhi Government to join hands with MCD and provide financial assistance to get rid of Delhi’s three garbage mountains of shame in next two years – Okhla landfill by December 2023, Bhalaswa landfill by March 2024, and Ghazipur landfill by December 2024,” the Budget Document said.

Of the budgeted estimate of Rs 78,800 crore for 2023-24, Rs 56,983 crore is for the purpose of revenue expenditure and an outlay of Rs 21,817 crore under capital expenditure.

Notably, the share of capital expenditure as part of the overall budget has been raised by 27.68 percent in this year’s budget. The proposed capital expenditure of Rs 21,817 crore is almost three times the capital outlay of Rs 7,430 crore in 2014-15.

Through this budget, the Arvind Kejriwal-led administration aims to launch what it said is one of the most ambitious and comprehensive plans in Delhi’s history to transform it into a ‘clean, beautiful and modern city’.

Nine major schemes are proposed under the ambitious theme.

Delhi seeks to upgradation and beautify 1,400 km of the entire PWD road network with a 10-year estimated expenditure of nearly Rs 20,000 crore – the biggest such effort in Delhi’s history.

The Budget document said a total of 28 flyovers were completed in the last eight years, and construction of another 26 new flyovers is underway. These include projects like Barapullah Phase 3 flyover from Sarai Kale Khan to Mayur Vihar and the elevated road at Najafgarh Phirni.

It will construct three double-decker flyovers in collaboration with DMRC at Bhajanpura to Yamuna Vihar, Azadpur to Rani Jhansi intersections, and from Saket to Pul Prahaladpur. Vehicles will run on the lower deck of these double-decker flyovers, while the Metro rail will run on the upper deck.

The Budget proposes to introduce 1,600 new zero-emission electric buses next year, as part of a massive plan to induct a total of 8,280 electric buses (80 percent of the total fleet) by 2025 with a financial outlay of Rs 28,500 crore in 12 years.

First, a dedicated last-mile connectivity scheme called the ‘mohalla bus’ scheme will be launched in Delhi next year with 100 smaller (nine-meter length) electric buses, scaling up to 2,180 ‘mohalla buses’ by 2025.

Also, the electrification of all 57 existing bus depots in Delhi will be done so that they are ready for the induction of electric buses. The estimated cost would be about Rs 1,500 crore.

For the modernization of transport infrastructure, three modern Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) with airport-like amenities at Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, and Dwarka will be set up. These will be called “Bus Ports”.

In addition, two multi-level bus depots with parking up to six levels, two modern bus terminals, and nine new bus depots will also be constructed.

Further, 1,400 new and modern bus queue shelters in Delhi with digital screens with modern Passenger Information System (PIS) that will display the arrival time of buses will be erected.

Six-point action plan for a Clean Yamuna

The Delhi government said in the Budget it will rapidly expand the reach of the sewer network to all the colonies and clusters.

The total number of unauthorised colonies connected to the sewer network will almost double from 747 to 1,317 colonies next year. The people of Delhi will continue to receive the benefit of free household sewer connections.

Education and Health

Education and health are set to continue to get the highest allocation for 2023-24. Allocation to education is pegged at Rs 16,575 crore (21 percent) and health is Rs 9,742 crore (12 percent).

The Budget proposes to provide new tablets to all teachers (including regular, guest, and contractual), vice principals, principals, and DDEs of Delhi government schools.

Major proposals under Health department

Free test facilities at Mohalla Clinics are to be increased from 250 to 450.

“New Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics to come up at Metro stations. A number of Mahila Mohalla Clinics to expand from 4 to 100 in the coming year,” it said.

Regarding GDP size, the survey said the Advance Estimate of GSDP of Delhi at current prices during 2022-23 is likely to attain a level of Rs 1,043,759 crore which is at a growth of 15.38 percent over 2021-22.

With the economy returning to normalcy brought closer by the successful mega vaccination drive in Delhi, hopes of a robust recovery in the services sector, consumption, and investment have been rekindled.

Coming to the Outcome Budget 2022-23, it covered 23 major departments under which, major programs and schemes were identified and key output and progress indicators were defined against each of them.

“Our government is the first to start the outcome budget. We keep our report card in front of the public and we track each flagship scheme through two indicators, the Output Indicator and the Outcome Indicator,” Delhi NCT finance minister Kailash Gahlot had said. (ANI)

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An earthquake of magnitude 2.7 on the Richter scale struck 17 km west-northwest of Delhi on Wednesday, the National Center for Seismology reported.

In a tweet, the National Center for Seismology stated, “Earthquake of Magnitude:2.7, Occurred on 22-03-2023, 16:42:35 IST, Lat: 28.66 & Long: 77.03, Depth: 5 Km, Location: 17km WNW of New Delhi, India.”
Earlier, strong tremors from a 6.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Afghanistan’s remote Hindu Kush mountains, jangled nerves and triggered panic across states in the North Indian belt on Tuesday evening.

In Delhi and adjoining areas of the national capital, panicked locals came out on the streets as the tremors struck.

The NCS said an earthquake of magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter Scale hit 133km SSE of Fayzabad, Afghanistan on Tuesday at 10:17 pm.

Following the tremours, Delhi Fire Services received calls about tilted buildings and cracks appearing in buildings from Jamia Nagar, Kalkaji and Shahdara areas.

Fire services teams rushed to these areas to take stock of the situation. However, authorities later confirmed that the buildings did not title post the earthquake.

“A PCR call regarding the tilting of a building due to the earthquake was received from the Shakarpur area. Police, PCR, Fire brigade and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) reached the spot. Apparently, no crack or tilt was observed in the building. The caller said he called as he suspected a tilt,” said Delhi Police. (ANI)

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On the occasion of Gudi Padwa and Ugadi, several Bollywood celebs took to their social media accounts and extended heartfelt wishes to their fans and followers.

Taking to Twitter, actor Amitabh Bachchan wrote, “T 4593 – Happy Gudi Padwa greetings and may there be peace fulfilment and prosperity ever.”

Actor Anil Kapoor took to his Instagram account and shared a picture on his stories which reads, “Happy Gudi Padwa.”

Vidya Balan took to her Instagram and shared a string of beautiful pictures which they captioned, “Happy Gudipadwa.”

Abhishek Bachchan tweeted, “Aapko aur apke pariwaar ko gudi padwa ki haardik shubhkamnayein.”

Bollywood diva Malaika Arora shared a picture and wrote, “Happy Gudi Padwa.”

Rajkumar Rao’s post reads, “Happy Gudi Padwa.”

Actor Manoj Bajpayee also shared a post that reads, “Happy Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Cheti Chand, Chaitra Sukhladi and Ramadan Kareem. Wishing you all joy, health and prosperity.”

Neetu Kapoor wrote, ” Happy Gudi Padva.”

Marking the beginning of the traditional new year, Gudi Padwa is primarily celebrated by the people in Maharashtra and Goa. The auspicious festival derives its name from two words — ‘gudi’ which is the flag of Lord Brahma and ‘padwa’ which signifies the first day of the phase of the moon.

The occasion signals the onset of the warmer days and the spring season.

The festival is observed with colourful floor decorations, a special Gudhi flag garlanded with flowers, mango and neem leaves, and topped with upturned silver or copper vessels, street processions, dancing and festive foods like shrikhand puri.

Gudi Padwa coincides with the first day of the Chaitra Navaratri and festivals like Sajibu Cheiraoba, Navreh, Cheti Chand and Ugadi that are celebrated in different parts of the country.

Ugadi’ the traditional new year day is being celebrated in Andhra Pradesh today. Telugu new year day is observed on ‘Chaitra Suddha Padyami’ according to the lunar calendar. On this occasion, devotees throng temples to offer prayers. (ANI)

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart and fellow Aam Aadmi Party leader Bhagwant Mann will jointly address a public meeting at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Thursday.

The public meeting is being organised in the backdrop of the arrest of several people by Delhi Police earlier on Wednesday for allegedly putting up posters against Prime Minister Narendra Modi across the national capital.
It was alleged that some of the posters were inscribed with the slogan ‘Modi Hatao Desh Bachao’.

More than 100 FIRs have been registered, so far, in connection with the posters, and six people have been arrested.

Sharing more details about the meeting on Thursday, senior AAP leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai, at a press briefing on Wednesday said the AAP was undeterred by the Delhi Police crackdown and will raise the slogan ‘Modi Hatao Desh Bachao’ from the stage.

The meeting in Jantar Mantar will coincide with Shaheed Diwas, the day Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged.

“Considering the prevailing scenario in the country, the AAP will raise the slogan ‘Modi Hatao Desh Bachao’ from the stage at the Jantar Mantar tomorrow. We will carry forward this slogan into the Lok Sabha elections next year. All our MLAs, MPs, workers, and national office bearers of the party will participate in the meeting,” Rai said at the press briefing on Wednesday.

“Remembering Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will address the meeting along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann,” Rai added. (ANI)

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In view of the recent surge in COVID cases in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a high-level meeting today to review the Covid-related situation and public health preparedness.

The meeting will convene at 4:30 pm in the national capital.
India recorded 1,134 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, with the active caseload currently at 7,026, stated the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Earlier on Tuesday, the national capital recorded one Covid death and 83 fresh cases amid the rising Covid-19 cases in neighbouring Maharashtra.

On March 19, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also issued revised guidelines for Covid-19 in the wake of the surge of cases.

“Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease,” revised guidelines said.

As per the revised Ccovid-19 guidelines, maintain “Physical distancing, indoor mask use, hand hygiene, Symptomatic management (hydration, antipyretics, antitussive) Monitor temperature and oxygen saturation (by applying a SpO probe to fingers) Stay in contact with treating physician.

“Seek immediate medical attention if difficulty breathing, High-grade fever/ severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than 5 days. A low threshold is to be kept for those with any of the high-risk features,” guidelines discussed and prepared in January said.

Additionally, in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression, the guidelines recommend, “Consider Remdesivir for up to 5 days (200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days)”.

Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry on Thursday wrote to the State governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka to follow a five-fold strategy of test, track, treat and vaccinations as these states witness a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Meanwhile, a new sub-variant H3N2 is increasing as the virus is fastly spreading across the country, and its cases are also coming to the fore. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a special app called ‘Call before u dig’, a tool to help prevent damage to underlying assets like optical fibre cables, that occurs because of uncoordinated digging and excavation, leading to loss of thousands of crores every year.

This application will enhance the goal of the prime minister’s vision of integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects under PM Gati Shakti national master plan. Gati Shati National Master Plan is an approach that enables integrated and synchronised implementation of projects.
The mobile app will connect excavators and asset owners through SMS/Email notifications and click-to-call so that there are planned excavations in the country while ensuring the safety of underground assets.

The launched app, according to the government illustrates the adoption of a ‘Whole-of-government approach’ in the governance and ease of doing business.

“It will save potential business loss and minimise discomfort to the citizens due to reduced disruption in essential services like road, telecom, water, gas and electricity,” Prime Minister’s Office said on Tuesday while announcing the app launch.

Further, Prime Minister Modi today inaugurated the new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) area office and innovation centre in India, besides unveiling the ‘Bharat 6G Vision Document’ and launching 6G R&D Test Bed.

“Within 6 months of 5G, we are already talking about 6G technology. This shows the confidence of India,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi said India will set up 100 5G labs in the coming years.

“For India, telecom technology is not just a mode of power but a mission to empower…India rolled out 5G connections in more than 125 cities within 120 days. India will set up 100 5G labs in the coming years,” PM Modi said at the event.

ITU is the United Nations’ specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). Headquartered in Geneva, it has a network of field offices, regional Offices and area offices.

India signed a host country agreement in March 2022 with ITU for the establishment of an area office. India ITU area office will serve India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan and Iran.

“India is a role model for countries that are looking to digital transformation. India is home to one of the biggest startup ecosystems, digital payments market and tech workforce in the world. Under the vision and leadership of PM Modi, Digital India has put the country on the forefront of tech innovation & adaption with game-changing initiatives like Aadhar, UPI and others,” Doreen Bogdan, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union.

“Innovation in India is happening fast and at a low cost and at a scale never seen before because at the centre is the core principle of inclusive growth which is captured in the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’,” Bogdan said.

Bharat 6G vision document launched today was prepared by the Technology Innovation Group on 6G (TIG-6G) that was constituted in November 2021 with members from various Ministries/Departments, research and development institutions, academia, standardisation bodies, Telecom Service Providers and industry to develop roadmap and action plans for 6G in India.

6G Test bed will provide academic institutions, industry, start-ups, MSMEs, industry, among others, a platform to test and validate the evolving ICT technologies. The Bharat 6G Vision Document and 6G Test bed will also provide an enabling environment for innovation, capacity building and faster technology adoption in the country.

In India, telecom service providers started providing high-speed 5G services in the country from October 2022 onwards.

The government had issued spectrum allocation letters to telecom service providers in August 2022, asking them to prepare for the rollout of 5G services in the country.

Department of Telecom had received total bids worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore from the 5G spectrum auction.

What is 5G, and how is it different from the current 3G and 4G services?

5G is the fifth-generation mobile network capable of transmitting a large data set at a very rapid speed.

In comparison to 3G and 4G, 5G has a very low latency which will enhance user experiences in various sectors. Low latency describes the efficiency of processing a very high volume of data messages with a minimal delay. (ANI)

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