Pakistani Student Thanks India For Safe Evacuation

Asma Shafique, a Pakistani student of Sumy State Medical College on Wednesday thanked the Indian Government for her safe evacuation amid the Russia-Ukraine war which entered the fourteenth day today.

“Hi, my name is Asma Shafique from Pakistan. I am really grateful and thankful to the Red Cross Society, the Indian Government and the Indian Embassy for safely evacuating us from our places and letting us go to the borders and reach our destinations safely. Thank You,” she said.

Pakistani student of Sumy State Medical College is en route western Ukraine with fellow batchmates for further evacuation from the country.

“We are Indian students from Sumy State University, Ukraine. We have been evacuated yesterday from Sumy safely with full security and currently, we are moving towards Lviv border along my friend from Pakistan,” said an Indian student.

The evacuation process of Indian students from Ukraine under ‘Operation Ganga’ has brought about 18 thousand Indians through special flights so far.

This comes against the backdrop of Russian forces launching military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine’s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities. (ANI)

MoU Signed For Distribution Of LPG Cylinders In Nepal With India’s Aid

An Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and the Nepal-India Women Friendship Society (NIWFS) for the distribution of LPG gas stoves, gas cylinders and accessories to underprivileged households in three districts under the financial assistance of NR 20.49 million of the Government of India.

The MoU was signed on the occasion of women’s international day, under India-Nepal Development Cooperation in districts — Sarlahi, Rautahat and Saptari of Madhesh Pradesh. 3000 LPG gas stoves, gas cylinders and accessories are being given through NIWFS in these three districts with the grant assistance of NR 20.49 million, said the Embassy in its statement.

This scheme is one of the 75 projects being inaugurated this year in Nepal as part of “India@75 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” which celebrates 75 years of India’s independence. The project is inspired by Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) which is a flagship scheme with an objective to make clean cooking fuel such as LPG available to the rural and deprived households that were otherwise using traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes among others.

Since 2003, India has taken up over 523 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors health, education, drinking water & irrigation, electrification, etc., and has completed 467 projects. Amongst these, 81 projects have been undertaken in Province 2, including 19 projects in Sarlahi; 5 projects in Rautahat and 9 projects in Saptari Districts. In addition to these, 87 ambulances to various health posts and 3 school buses have been gifted in these three districts by the Government of India.

As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging & multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of this project reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal’s upliftment of its people, said the Embassy in its statement. (ANI)

Youngest Ukrainian MP Praises India For Humanitarian Efforts

Sviatoslav Yurash, Ukraine’s youngest Member of Parliament praised India for the humanitarian measures taken to help those affected by the Russian military operation against Ukraine and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for speaking with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the current situation in Ukraine.

“India is one of those countries which will decide the fate of this century. As far as the Indian position on the Russian relationship is concerned, thankful for the call PM Modi made to our President. We’re thankful for the humanitarian steps that India has been making,” said the MP in an interview with ANI.

The Ukrainian MP also asserted that India has a strategic partnership with Russia however, India needs to reconsider that position amid the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.

“As far as India-Russia is concerned, you have a treaty on strategic friendship and partnership,I think that needs to be reconsidered in light of not just Ukraine but all misdeeds that Putin’s regime has been doing for the last 20 years. Russia needs to be punished by India,” he added.

Replying to a question whether the MP sees peace returning soon in Ukraine, he noted, “Depends on Kremlin. If Kremlin decides to continue pushing, we’ll continue fighting. Fighting for fundamental rights that we want to safeguard as our ancestors had safeguarded. Not going to abandon all that we won.”

Earlier, the Ukrainian MP was also seen guarding the post and carrying a gun. Commenting on that picture, the MP asserted, “Fact of the matter is, with Kyiv besieged and Ukraine needs to mobilize and try to defend against Russian invasion, everybody is a soldier now. Everybody needs to find their place.”

The MP also appreciated the steps that Western nations are taking amid the war between Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian MP, when asked whether Ukraine feels that it is betrayed by its partner (Western nations), said, “We understand the West does the right thing after exhausting other options. The reality is, it takes time for those institutions to spring into action. We don’t have time, so we’re fighting Russian invaders.”

“As far as the West is concerned, we have received a lot of aid, we have received a lot of help and we are thankful for that. But again nothing is enough, nothing is too much and all are welcome,” he added.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after recognizing the Ukrainian breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics.

Russia continues to maintain that it started the “military operations” in Ukraine to save the residents of eastern Ukraine and “demilitarise” and “denazify” the political leadership of the country. (ANI)

Baghel Carries Briefcase Made Of Cow Dung To Present State Budget

In a first, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday presented the state budget 2022-23 at the Legislative Assembly in a briefcase which was made of cow dung.

The briefcase has been made by applying layer by layer mixture of cow dung powder, chuna powder, maida wood and guar gum in 10 days. Specially designed for budget, the handle and corner of this briefcase are crafted from Bastar Art Artisans by Kondagaon City Group.

Notably, Godhan Nyay Yojana of Chhattisgarh has made a different identity in the country and also received praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the past.

Presenting the state Budget 2022-23, Baghel announced the increase in annual assistance under the Rajiv Gandhi Bhumihin Krishi Majdur Nyay Yojana from Rs 6,000 to 7,000 per annum from the next year.

“In this Budget, I propose the restoration of the old pension scheme for govt employees. Rs 2 crore proposed for Chhattisgarh Rojgaar Mission to work on the possibilities of creating new jobs by coordinating the skill development programs,” Baghel said.

The annual assistance under the Rajiv Gandhi Bhumihin Krishi Majdur Nyay Yojana has been increased from 6,000 to 7,000 per annum from the next year.

In the Budget, the government made the provision of Rs 600 crore to provide basic amenities like improved infrastructure and basic services like electricity, water in industrial parks.

The Chief Minister also proposed the provision of Rs 2 crore for Chhattisgarh Rojgaar Mission to work on the possibilities of creating new jobs by coordinating the skill development programme run in urban and rural areas.

Baghel also announced the provision of Rs 123 crore in The Krishak Samagra Vikas Yojana to ensure the availability of high-quality certified seeds to the farmers. (ANI)

Russian Forces Did Not Stop Us After Seeing The Tricolor

Students evacuated from war-battered Ukraine expressed their gratitude towards the Indian Flag in helping them seek safe passage to home.

The Centre launched ‘Operation Ganga’ to bring back the stranded students in Ukraine and neighboring countries following the Russian military attack in Ukraine. The evacuated students shared their mixed experiences and thanked the Indian Embassy and the Centre for their safe return.

The Centre had arranged flights for the Indian nationals once they crossed the Romania border. But the journey to the borders was not easy for the students. The embassy had advised the students to paste Indian Flags on buses on their way to borders to get easy clearance.

“Seeking a way out to Romania was difficult, there was less help from the Indian Embassy. We had to arrange transport on our own to move out of the city. As the war started, we were in contact with the Embassy but they did not issue any advisory regarding evacuation. Once we reached the borders, the Indian Embassy helped us to get back home safely. We were told to put the Indian Flag on our buses to avoid facing problems on the way. It’s a matter of pride for us that Russian Forces did not stop us seeing the Tricolor Flag and we got easy clearance,” told a second-year medical student, Neyam Rashid, who has returned from Ukraine.

Syed Rashid Alam, Neyam’s father had tears of happiness and relief to have her daughter return home safely. He thanked the Indian government for the immediate evacuation of the students.

“I am happy to see my daughter return safely. More than 35 students from Aligarh were studying in Ukraine and I am grateful to the Indian government that it has safely and successfully brought our children back home. There is one student from Aligarh who is stuck, I pray to God for his safe return,” said Rashid Alam.

More than 18,000 Indians have returned to India under ‘Operation Ganga’ launched by the Centre on February 22, 2022. (ANI)

Jadeja Becomes No.1 All-Rounder In Tests

Ravindra Jadeja’s performance at India’s recent Test home win against Sri Lanka in Mohali has catapulted him to the no. 1 position in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings.

His unbeaten 175 lifted him up to 17 places from 54th to 37th with the bat and he added nine wickets to move up to 17th with the ball. His all-round contribution was enough for him to regain the top all-rounder spot from Jason Holder, who had held it since February 2021. Jadeja’s only previous time on top was in August 2017, when he spent a week at number one.

The Rawalpindi Test between host Pakistan and Australia was a batting feast, and Imam-ul-Haq celebrated by striking a century in each innings to move to a career-best 63rd with 477 points.

His teammate Azhar Ali struck 185 and moved up ten places to 12 whilst Abdullah Shafique added a second-innings century to gain 27 places to 67. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne missed out on a century, being dismissed for 90, but that was enough to gain a point up to 936 and 12th position on his own in the list of highest-ever batting ratings. Usman Khawaja also fell in the 90s but continued his renaissance, moving up six places to 24 with the bat, his highest position for three years.

In bowlers, Nauman Ali of Pakistan impressed with figures of 6-107 in Australia’s first innings and saw him gain 19 places to 51.

In T20I cricket, whilst the top 12 batters are unchanged, at joint thirteenth position is Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai, who’s unbeaten 59 in the second match against Bangladesh at Mirpur ensured a shared series win.

For the hosts, Liton Das starred in the first match with 60, which helped him to gain 26 places to 49th over the course of the series. With the ball, Nasum Ahmed has made his first appearance in the top 10 bowlers, thanks to his ‘Player of the Match’ performance of 4-10 in the first match. (ANI)

Pakistani Student Thanks India For Her Safe Evacuation

Asma Shafique, a Pakistani student of Sumy State Medical College on Wednesday thanked the Indian Government for her safe evacuation amid the Russia-Ukraine war which entered the fourteenth day today.

“Hi, my name is Asma Shafique from Pakistan. I am really grateful and thankful to the Red Cross Society, the Indian Government and the Indian Embassy for safely evacuating us from our places and letting us go to the borders and reach our destinations safely. Thank You,” she said.

Pakistani student of Sumy State Medical College is enroute to western Ukraine with fellow batchmates for further evacuation from the country.

“We are Indian students from Sumy State University, Ukraine. We have been evacuated yesterday from Sumy safely with full security and currently, we are moving towards Lviv border along my friend from Pakistan,” said an Indian student.

The evacuation process of Indian students from Ukraine under ‘Operation Ganga’ has brought about 18 thousand Indians through special flights so far.

This comes against the backdrop of Russian forces launching military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine’s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities. (ANI)

Universal Music Group Suspends Ops In Russia

The multinational music corporation Universal Music Group on Tuesday said it is suspending its operations in Russia in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

As per an official statement, the company announced the closing of Universal Music Group offices in Russia.

“Effective immediately, we are suspending all operations in Russia and closing our offices there. We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible. We are adhering to international sanctions and, along with our employees and artists, have been working with groups from a range of countries to support humanitarian relief efforts to bring urgent aid to refugees in the region,” said the statement.

Earlier, US beverage giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, along with fast food major McDonald’s and coffeehouse chain Starbucks all announced that they were temporarily suspending their business in Russia.

The slew of sanctions and suspensions of businesses come following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after recognising the Ukrainian breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics.

Russia continues to maintain that it started the “military operations” in Ukraine to save the residents of eastern Ukraine and “demilitarise” and “denazify” the political leadership of the country. (ANI)

Biological E Seeks EUA For COVID Vaccine Corbevax For 5-12 Age Group

Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company Biological E has applied for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax for the 5-12 year age group, official sources said on Wednesday.

The data has been submitted by the company to the Subject Expert Committee for beneficiaries between 5-12 years of age, the sources told ANI.

Recently, the Subject Expert Committee recommended Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Biological E’s COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax for the age group of 12 to 18 years under certain conditions.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is expected to give final EUA to Corbevax soon. The SEC recommended EUA only after seeing the safety and immunogenicity data amongst this group.

The expected cost of the vaccine is Rs 145 excluding taxes. It will be administered two times within prescribed intervals.

The sources told ANI that the Central government has already purchased about 5 crore Biological E vaccines Corbevax and also delivered them to some states.

Vaccine maker Biological E applied for the phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials during the month of September 2021 last year.

India reported 4,575 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed today, “More than 18.69 lakh doses (18,69,103) vaccine doses have been administered in the last 24 hours. With this, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 179.33 crore (1,79,33,99,555) as per provisional reports till 7 am today.” (ANI)

Peshawar Mosque Attack: Pak Unable To Protect Its Citizens

The recent attack at a Shia mosque in Peshawar bares the irony of Pakistan, which cannot protect its own citizens against terrorism, dreaming about Kashmir, said Noman Hossain, a freelance journalist, in an opinion piece.

Hossain argued that terrorists reared by Pakistan are out to devour their own master. He further opined that the Peshawar mosque attack, which accounted for deaths of over 60 Shia Muslims and injuries for 200 others, illustrates that Pakistan is a failed state, having utterly failed to act against terrorists.

The attack, claimed by the Islamic State, was a grim reminder of the fact that terror has no religion and it can hit anyone, he further argued.

Notably, the incident, that took place on the same day when international money laundering and terrorist funding watchdog Financial Action Task Force announced Pakistan’s retention on its grey list, left Pakistan rulers embarrassed.

Hossain, in the article, stated that Pakistan ministers sought to pass the buck by falling back on the conspiracy alibi behind the attack to counter the growth and stability of Pakistan.

“They tried to pass the buck by blaming external forces for the dastardly act that killed more than 60 innocent devotees, who had assembled in a mosque to offer congregational Friday prayers,” said the article.

The Peshawar mosque attack has also raised concerns in Kashmir, which is proceeding towards normalcy after the Central government abrogated Article 370, which ensured the special status for Jammu and Kashmir, on August 5, 2019.

The people in Kashmir have realized that Pakistan sponsored insurgency wreaked havoc in their lives, he said, adding that the people have rejected the idea of separatism and the so-called “Azadi”. Hossain further stated that the changed attitude of people has baffled the terrorist handlers sitting across the Line of Control (LoC), who are hell-bent upon ensuring that the common man in Kashmir doesn’t live in peace.

Thus, a grenade attack in a crowded flea market at Hari Singh High Street in Srinagar, just a day after the Peshawar attack, not only demonstrates how terrorists can go to any extent to fan disturbance in the Kashmir valley but also shows that the fear of the common man is not misplaced, argued Hossain.

Choosing crowded places like markets and places of worship could be part of the strategy to disrupt normal life, the article opined, adding that the terrorists in Kashmir follow the orders of their bosses sitting across the LoC and timings of both incidents, that is, Peshawar blast and Hari Singh High Street attack, are a matter of concern.

However, Pakistan can shrug off the responsibility for terror attacks by shifting the blame on external powers, but India knows how to deal with the elements inimical to peace as can be seen through its 24 by 7 operations to track down the terrorists, he added.

Hossain opined that the people in Kashmir, who have been misled by Pakistan for three decades, need to muster the courage to say no to violence and express their rejection of the idea of the merger of the valley with a country where even devotees are not spared. (ANI)