Author: LokMarg

After sizzling under the severe heatwave for the past few weeks, parts of Delhi on Wednesday evening received rainfall providing much-needed relief to the people from the unrelenting heat.

The India Meteorological Department has further predicted thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with a speed of 30 to 40 Km per hour in adjoining areas of a few places of Delhi, NCR areas, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
“Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 30-40 Km/h would occur over & adjoining areas of most places of Delhi ( ), NCR ( Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Bahadurgarh, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Manesar) Kaithal, Narwana, Karnal, Rajaund, Assandh, Jind, Panipat, Gohana, Gannaur, Meham, Sonipat, Rohtak, Kharkhoda, Bhiwani, Mattanhail, Jhajjar, Farukhnagar, Kosali, Sohana, Rewari, Palwal, Nuh, Hodal (Haryana) Deoband, Nazibabad, Shamli, Kandhla, Bijnaur, Khatauli, Sakoti Tanda, Hastinapur, Chandpur, Bagpat, Billari, Milak, Chandausi, Bareilly, Badayun, Meerut, Modinagar, Hapur (U.P.) Bhiwari (Rajasthan) during next 2 hours,” IMD said in a tweet.

However, the monsoon will commence by May 15 as per the latest predictions by the weather office.

Parts of the country have been reeling under intense heatwaves for the past few weeks with temperatures soaring high with average maximum temperatures reaching 35.9 and 37.78 degrees Celsius in the northwest and central India respectively. Both the regions of the country experienced the hottest April in 122 years.

The intense heatwave in the past few weeks across several parts of northwest and central India has led to increased power demand.

Earlier on Monday, the IMD had issued a yellow warning for Northwest India due to a Western Disturbance, soon after the heatwave spell subsided across the country. It also predicted thunderstorm activity over Northwest and East India till May 4 and over Northeast India till May 3. (ANI)

Actor Kangana Ranaut, on Wednesday, treated the audience to her scintillating performance in the teaser of ‘She’s on Fire’ song from her upcoming film ‘Dhaakad’.

The song has been composed and written by rapper Badshah and sung by him and Nikita Gandhi.
In the teaser clip, Kangana is seen grooving to the catchy tunes of the track.

Sharing her experience shooting for the song, Kangana said, “I had a blast shooting for the song as I love the way Badshah composes them. They are full of life and the tempo gets you grooving. She’s On Fire showcases Agent’s Agni’s power, how she is on this mission and how nothing can stop her from achieving her goal.”

Badshah, too, spoke about the making of the ‘Fire’ track.

“The brief for the song was to compose a tune which would be catchy but would also capture the essence of the film and reflect the spirit of its main characters. The title of the song is based on Agent Agni and the way she powers through her mission in the film. Rampal plays the menacing antagonist and the song pits the two of them against each another,” he shared.

Helmed by Razneesh Ghai, ‘Dhaakad’ also stars Arjun Rampal and Divya Dutta. It will hit the theatres on May 20. (ANI)

In a significant move to bring critical research and development capabilities under one roof, pharmaceutical company Pfizer has set up a global drug development centre at the IIT Madras Research Park in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai.
The centre’s capabilities will include the development of both, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished dosage forms (FDFs) of differentiated products such as complex/value-added formulations, controlled-release dosage forms, device-combination products, lyophilized injections, powder-fill products, and ready-to-use formulations. It will develop and support products in global markets and Pfizer’s manufacturing centres worldwide.

“Pfizer’s drug development centre in the IIT Madras Research Park is a positive opportunity to establish truly one of the most advanced laboratories that Pfizer is setting up for R&D in the aforementioned disciplines anywhere in Chennai and in the world,” said S Sridhar, Country Manager, Pfizer India.

“We are confident that it will allow for synergistic co-development of cutting-edge API and FDF processes under the same roof. The world-class scientific, technology and innovation-driven Research Park campus provide an ideal setting for our work. We are hopeful that the proximity to IIT Madras and other technology Research Park start-ups will also improve academia and industry partnerships and encourage greater collaboration to drive innovation,” he added.

Pfizer has invested USD 20 million (INR 150+ crore) in the 61,000 sq ft research and technology centre at the IIT Madras Research Park. While this centre will be a part of a network of 12 global centres set up worldwide, it is the first and only one at present being set up by Pfizer in Asia.

Speaking at the launch, S Aparna, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India said there is a growing need for pharma companies to provide innovative solutions that address the new challenges that healthcare providers and patients are facing.

“This new centre by Pfizer in Chennai is a step in that direction. Such efforts to strengthen and expand global work through this centre will allow for knowledge sharing that we hope will improve patient outcomes in the years to come. It will also allow Pfizer to leverage and showcase the large talent pool in India as well as the best-in-class infrastructure available at the IIT Madras Research Park,” Aparna said.

“We are confident that this research centre would be aligned with our larger national objective to improve the availability, affordability and access to drugs throughout the world from India by building on the convergence with digital solutions available here, and leveraging academic collaborations,” she added.

The centre integrates two essential functions under the export-oriented undertaking of Pfizer: Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmSci) and Global Technology and Engineering (GT&E) Center of Excellence.

PharmSci is dedicated to the development of anti-infectives, oncolytics, sterile injectables, anaesthesia products, CNS products, and uniquely differentiated hospital products. GT&E pioneers next-generation API process and manufacturing technology to supply medicines to patients around the globe.

“We are pleased to welcome the Pfizer global drug development centre to IIT Madras Research Park. We believe that the proximity of Pfizer to IITM, scientists and students, the Tech corridor, and other leading industry start-ups will foster greater collaboration between industry and academia. We are also sure that the academicians at IITM will benefit from having access to Pfizer’s center,” said Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, President, IITM Research Park.

This 61,000 sq ft facility employs 250+ scientists and professionals from a range of scientific disciplines including Formulation Scientists and Pharmacists, Analytical Scientists with expertise in process, analytical and formulation medicinal sciences, Life Science specialists such as Microbiologists and Biotechnologists, Chemical Engineers, Data Scientists, and Program Managers. (ANI)

Indian Coast Guard chief VS Pathania on Wednesday commissioned the second made in India ALH Mk III Squadron at Coast Guard Air Enclave (CGAE) in Kochi, the ICG officials said.

The second squadron of these choppers will further boost the security of the western seaboard and enhance India’s search and rescue capability, Pathania said.
The commissioning of the Squadron by Director General VS Pathania, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard at Kochi has provided a major boost to the maritime security and safety on the Western Seaboard. The commissioning ceremony was graced by various civil and military dignitaries also.

The commissioning of this squadron earmarked a considerable leap towards self-reliance in the field of helicopter-mounted SAR and long-range maritime surveillance, in line with the government’s push towards “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. (ANI)

Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell on Wednesday called on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and divulged his keen interest to forge collaboration, especially in the field of Agriculture and Skill Development with Punjab on the pattern of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Responding to O’Farrell’s proposal, Mann assured him of all cooperation and support in this regard so as to propel Punjab in the high growth trajectory by concretizing these plans of mutual interest.
In a bid to boost the bilateral trade, a three-member Australian delegation led by O’Farrell including Member of Parliament Gurmesh Singh and Second Secretary Political Jack Taylor called on the Chief Minister here at his official residence on Wednesday this afternoon.

O’Farrell apprised Mann of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA). He said, “IndAus ECTA is India’s first bilateral trade agreement with a large, developed economy in 10 years, which aims to double two-way trade.”

He also mentioned that Australia’s goal is to lift India into their top three export markets by 2035 and make it 3rd largest outward investment destination in Asia.

O’Farrell further said that Punjab could be immensely benefitted by forging collaboration with Australia, especially in the field of agriculture and agro-industry as its progressive farmers have a proven track record of vast experience and expertise in food production.

Taking part in the deliberations, Bhagwant Mann said that Punjabis due to their enterprising and resilient nature have fairly contributed to the overall socio-economic development of all the major countries across the globe including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK, USA, Italy etc.

The chief minister said that Punjab has several franchises in the different parts of the world viz. “There is a big Punjab in Vancouver, Toronto, Sydney, Auckland besides a mini Punjab in the UK.”

The Chief Minister asked the visiting delegation to be in touch with his team of officers headed by his Additional Chief Secretary, A. Venu Prasad, who was also present in the meeting, to fructify these proposals of mutual interest between both sides on the ground.

O’Farrell expressed his gratitude to the CM and emphasized the much-needed synergy to boost bilateral ties for the promotion of trade and business with Punjab.

He assured Bhagwant Mann that their team would also proactively engage with Punjab to further strengthen their economic cooperation. (ANI)

Enthralling admirers with her new summer appearance, Bollywood actor Fatima Sana Shaikh on Wednesday posted a couple of photos on her social media handle.

The ‘Dangal’ actor dropped images on her Instagram account, in which she was seen donning an off-shoulder lilac-coloured little dress, paired with small golden hooped earrings.

Requesting her fans to suggest some caption for the post, Fatima wrote, “Now help me again with a caption.”

Fans bombarded the post’s comment section with heart and fire emoticons. They were so fascinated and bewitched by her beauty that one of the users commented, “I am damn sure, You can beat any actress in beauty.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Fatima will be seen starring alongside the father-son duo of Harshvardhan Kapoor and Anil Kapoor in the upcoming film ‘Thar’, which will be directly released on Netflix on May 6, 2022. (ANI)

Some of the terrorists in the Kashmir valley used American armour piercing bullets in encounters with Indian security forces and were successful in breaching the bulletproof jackets of soldiers.

The bullets are part of the American weaponry leftover in Afghanistan by the US forces who had to leave earlier than planned due to capturing of all important provinces and cities by the Taliban.
“The terrorists used armour piercing bullets against security forces and were able to breach the bulletproof jackets worn by some of the troops. The terrorists have also been found using advanced Made in Canada night sights which again is the leftover stock of the NATO troops there,” Government sources told ANI.

The matter was discussed by the top army brass during the Army Commanders’ Conference held in April, they said.

Armour-Piercing bullets or steel core bullets can breach protection provided against bullets by a certain level of jackets and create issues for troops carrying out operations.

The Indian Army has also started taking remedial measures to counter the threat from these bullets.

“The terrorists have used these bullets during the encounters and they breached the jackets in a few cases. We were using level 3 jackets till now and from now on, we would soon be getting the level 4 jackets which provide protection against these bullets,” the top officer from the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps told ANI.

It was estimated that the American leftover weaponry would be used by these terrorist groups to do violence in India.

According to reports, the American forces have leftover weapons and equipment worth around USD 7-8 billion including helicopters, infantry combat vehicles, communication equipment and other weaponry.

The majority of it has been taken over by the Taliban while small Islamist terrorist organisations have also gotten hold of this weaponry and are using them.

In the past also, the American origin M-16 assault rifles along with M-4A carbines have been found with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. It is estimated that the American troops have left behind over 6.5 of these types of rifles in Afghanistan during their hasty exit. (ANI)

Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai on Wednesday met Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan and discussed further strengthening ties between both countries.

Karzai said that both of them discussed the current situation and the need to strengthen bilateral ties, TOLOnews reported.
The meeting comes amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine’s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities.

Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised to help Ukraine with military aid to fight Russia.

Earlier, Hamid Karzai had raised concerns over the closure of schools for girls, above grade 6, by the Taliban regime, stating that the people of Afghanistan want their girls to return to schools.

“There is no way… that the country can live without our girls going to school. It can’t be. The Afghan people will not allow that and I am sure the schools for girls will reopen because that is what the Afghan people want and want clearly,” Karzai said as cited by Tolo News.

The Taliban has received constant backlash from other countries as well owing to its decision to shut schools for girls from grades 7 to 12 and it has been several months since Afghan girls have been barred from going to school.

Several Afghan clerics, notable politicians and members of the civil society have urged the Taliban to consider the reopening of schools for the female students and grant them access to education, reported Tolo News.

Meanwhile, the situation of human rights in Afghanistan has also worsened since the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban’s return to power in August last year.

Although the fighting in the country has ended, serious human rights violations continue unabated. (ANI)

Maharashtra has been put on a high alert on Wednesday as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s ultimatum for loudspeakers ends today.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta said that as many as 2,500 security personnel have been deployed across the city to maintain law and order.
He also informed that following Supreme Court orders, several mosques did not play the morning Azaan on the loudspeaker “voluntarily”.

Addressing a press conference, Gupta said, “Situation is under control. Many Mosques did not play morning Azaan on loudspeaker voluntarily, following Supreme Court guidelines. A total of 2,500 security personnel are deployed across the city to maintain law and order.”

As per the Maharashtra Home Department, in Mumbai, of the total of 1,140 Mosques, 135 used loudspeakers before 6 am today.

“Appropriate action should be taken against these 135 mosques that went against the orders of the Supreme Court of India,” Maharashtra Home Department said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday had ordered the police to take all measures to maintain law and order and not wait for anyone’s order. Uddhav Thackeray also held a telephonic conversation with the Maharashtra DGP Rajnish Seth.

Earlier on Tuesday, Maharashtra Police registered a case against Thackeray over his speech at a rally held in Aurangabad on May 1. Police registered the case after seeing the viral videos of his public rally. Following this heavy police deployment was made outside the MNS chief’s Shivaji Park residence.

Undeterred despite being booked by the state police, Raj Thackeray persisted with his anti-loudspeaker campaign, as he shared a video of the Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on Wednesday in which he is seen speaking against the use of loudspeakers and Muslims offering prayers on the roads.

Raj Thackeray had recently posed in Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s trademark attire in a social media post. Raj Thackeray is incidentally attempting an image makeover to revive his political fortunes in the state by embarking on hard Hindutva.

In the video, shared by Raj Thackeray, Bal Thackeray is heard saying that the Shiv Sena will not rest until it is successful in preventing people from offering namaz on roads when it comes to power in the state.

The loudspeakers row started when the MNS chief on April 12 gave an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3, failing which, he warned, MNS workers will play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers.

A case was filed against Raj Thackeray on Tuesday when he appealed to people to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers in the areas where loudspeakers are used for ‘Aazan’ from today.

He also announced that he will hold more rallies in Marathwada, Vidarbha and other cities as well.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police seized loudspeakers from the MNS office and detained the party’s Chandivali unit chief Mahendra Bhanushali and others on Tuesday. (ANI)