New Delhi, Aug 9: The Congress on Tuesday announced it will launch from September 7 a Kanyakumari to Kashmir ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in which party workers and leaders including Rahul Gandhi will participate.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that on this day, 80 years ago the Indian National Congress under the leadership and inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement that won the country freedom five years later.
Today the Indian National Congress announces the launch of its Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra from September 7, 2022,” he said in a statement.
This is a padayatra (foot march)covering 12 states and two Union Territories, Ramesh said, adding it will be about 3,500-km long and will be completed in about 150 days.
Congress workers and leaders including Rahul Gandhi will participate in the yatra, Ramesh said.
The Congress appeals to all wanting to be part of an gigantic national endeavour to provide an alternative to the politics of fear, bigotry and prejudice and to the economics of livelihood destruction, increasing unemployment and growing inequalities, to participate in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, he said.
In a tweet, Ramesh attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, asking questions about the role it played when Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India movement.
It was on the sidelines dissociating itself from the mass movement. Shyama Prasad Mookherjee took no part while Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Azad, Prasad, Pant and many others were jailed,” he said. (Agencies)
Congress to launch ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Sept 7
Weather to remain dry in Jammu and Kashmir
JAMMU, Aug 9: Dry weather is likely to prevail in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours, said the Meteorological (MeT) department on Tuesday.
The weather was inclement in the union territory during the last 24 hours.
Jammu had 27, Katra 24.6, Batote 19.5, Banihal 19 and Bhaderwah 18.8 as the minimum temperature.
Srinagar had 20, Pahalgam 16 and Gulmarg 11 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
In the Ladakh region, Drass town had 10.9, Leh 13.9 and Kargil 16.6 as the minimum temperature. (Agencies)
3.10 lakh pilgrims perform Amarnath Yatra
The Amarnath Yatra 2022 is inching to the conclusion as sages are carrying Chadi Mubarak to the Amarnath Cave while no fresh batches of yatris left for Kashmir from Jammu in the last three days.
So far 3.10 lakh yatris have visited the Amarnath cave shrine, much less than the J&K administration had expected.
Officials said that the yatra departure from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp remained suspended for the third day on Monday due to a sharp decline in the arrival of Amarnath yatris.
An official of the Amarnath Shrine Board said that if there would have been yatris, they could send another batch before the end of the yatra but no yatri was coming here now so no convoy could leave Jammu during the past three days.
Bhagwati Nagar base camp has been looking deserted for the past few days, forcing the operators to end their services.
According to officials, it is likely that counters at Bhagwati Nagar would be closed from Tuesday.
On August 2, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha appealed to the yatris to visit the Amarnath Cave before August 5.
He said that the authorities were forced to take such a decision due to bad weather.
Officials said the yatra, which started on June 30 this year, witnessed 3. 10 lakh yatris besides while 51 yatris died during the yatra including 15 yatris who died in the cloudburst incident near Baltal on July 8.
The 43-day yatra would officially end on August 11 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
Officials said that a group of sages led by the custodian of the holy mace Mahant Dipendra Giri was carrying Chadi Mubarak, the holy mace of lord Shiva to the Amarnath Cave.
The Chaddi Mubarak has to reach the Amarnath Cave on August 11 on the Sharvan Purnima.
The 145 km Chaddi Mubarak Yatra starts from Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar.
During the yatra route, sages perform Hawans at Pampore, Bijbehara, Anantnag, Mattan, Aishmuqam, and finally at Pahalgam where the procession takes rest for two days before proceeding to Amarnath Cave.
They said sages along with Chaddi Mubarak would spend the night at Pahalgam on August 7 and 8, at Chandanwari on August 9, Sheshnag on August 10, and Panchtarani on August 11.
CAG red flags railways’ waste management system
The Comptroller and Auditor General has criticised the railways over its waste management system in almost all sectors from stations, coaching depots, maintenance and production units as well as bio-medical waste generated in its hospitals.
The CAG report on Waste Management in Indian Railways was presented in Parliament on Monday.
It also pointed out that there is no single body or agency in the Indian Railways solely responsible for handling waste management related issues, adding that there is no system of dedicated fund allocation specifically for waste management.
Despite an assurance to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for setting up Engineering and Health Management directorate at the zonal and at the divisional level, compliance by the Indian Railways (IR) was partial.
CWG 2022: Indian boxers get warm welcome at Delhi airport after successful campaign
Indian boxers Amit Panghal, Rohit Tokas, Jasmine Lamboria and Sagar Ahlawat received a warm welcome from their family and supporters at the Delhi Airport after a successful campaign at the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.
The sounds of drums and cheers reverberated at the airport as fans and family welcomed the medal-winning athletes, garlanded them and distributed sweets. Amit Panghal was extremely delighted with his performance.
“I am really happy. After so many days, I have won a medal. I would like to keep this happiness intact and I would keep raising my country’s name and honour in future,” said Panghal.
Amit Panghal captured gold for the country after defeating England’s Kiaran Macdonald in the final of 48-51 kg (Flyweight) at the recently-concluded CWG 2022 on Sunday. Panghal was extremely dominant in the match and won it by 5-0. He won it on basis of points.
Nitu Ghangas, who also won a gold medal received a warm welcome at the airport.
“This is my best performance. I will train even harder and keep winning gold for my country,” she said.
Boxer Nitu Ghangas clinched a gold medal after defeating England’s Demie-Jade Resztan in the final of the women’s 48 kg category. She won on basis of points by 5-0 over her English opponent.
Rohit Tokas also expressed happiness at the welcome he received from the people at the airport. “I am really happy. People from my village have come here to welcome me and I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
Tokas clinched the bronze medal in the Men’s 67kg Welterweight category after losing to Zambia’s Stephen Zimba.
The 29-year-old was involved in a thrilling clash against Zambia’s Stephen Zimba and both boxers had their moments in the match, but ultimately, it was the latter who came up with the victory to secure a 3-2 win on points.
Jaismine Lamboria also expressed happiness at the welcome received on the airport and dedicated her medal to her coach.
“I am really happy. It was because of my coach that I won the medal. I will start preparing for Asian Games now,” she added.
Jaismine Lamboriya clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 60 kg Lightweight category after losing to England’s Gemma Paige. The English boxer won the match as a split decision worked in the Brit’s favour as she won by 3-2 win against the Indian.
Sagar Ahlawat also received a great welcome from his people.
Sagar Ahlawat captured the silver medal in the final of the Men’s Over 92kg category. Sagar settled for a silver medal after suffering a defeat against Delicious Orie of England by 0-5 on basis of points.
India finished 4th in the medal tally with 22 Gold, 15 Silver and 23 Bronze medals and with a total of 61 medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022 held in Birmingham.
The Commonwealth Games 2022 came to an end with a stunning closing ceremony at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Monday.
The Commonwealth Games flag was presented to the Governor of Victoria. The state of Victoria, Australia will be the next host of the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
J&K logs 452 fresh cases
Jammu and Kashmir recorded 452 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours while the number of active cases witnessed a decline, the government said Monday.
An official spokesman said that of all the cases, 79 percent had been reported from Kashmir.
Of the 452 cases, 358 cases were reported from Kashmir and 94 from the Jammu division, taking the overall tally to 4,70,201.
The daily count of cases in Kashmir has witnessed a major spike during the past few weeks, raising concern over the strict implementation of COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB).
However, there was a considerable decrease in the active cases during the last 24 hours as the number of active cases decreased to 5045 compared to 5304 on Sunday.
The number of active cases in the Kashmir division is 3902 and 1143 in the Jammu division.
The death toll has remained static at 4776 – 2430 in the Kashmir division and 2346 in the Jammu division.
Meanwhile, 711 more COVID-19 infected persons recovered and were discharged from various hospitals including 485 from the Kashmir division and 226 from the Jammu division, taking the total recoveries to 4,60,380.
Over the past few weeks, the Kashmir region is showing a spike in the daily count of cases despite the government directives in place to combat the spread of infection.
SED to shift academic session to March
The School Education Department (SED) is likely to shift the academic session to March from the current 2022-23 session.
The move comes in the wake of high-level deliberations held by the Administrative Department and the “operational mechanism” suggested by an expert committee earlier this year.
A top official privy to the developments told Greater Kashmir that the School Education Department (SED) was likely to make an official announcement about shifting to the March session of examination.
“The department has decided that it will switch to the March session from the current year and the official order is expected in the coming days,” the official said.
The SED is determined to shift the academic session to March and was working out the modalities and overcoming the hiccups in adopting the uniform academic calendar.
The Higher Education Department (HED) has already shifted the academic session to July in line with the National Academic Calendar.
Chief Secretary (CS) Arun Kumar Mehta in April this year said that J&K would fully implement the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) from the current academic session and move to a uniform academic calendar which in turn would be synchronised to the national academic calendar.
In this regard, the SED had constituted a high-level committee to suggest the modus operandi for shifting the November session of exams to March from the current academic session.
The committee was tasked to suggest ways and means how to go about it.
The committee has also suggested a certain mechanism by which the government could shift the academic session to March while considering the weather and climatic conditions of snow-bound inaccessible areas.
“Based on the recommendations of the committee and the pressure to adopt a national academic calendar, the department has decided to go ahead with the March session of examination from the current year,” the official said.
“The official announcement will take the students out from the dilemma and ease out parents who are anxious as well,” he said.
Principal Secretary SED Bishwajit Kumar Singh earlier said that the decision about shifting to the March session of the board examination would be announced within 15 days.
“Deliberations are going on in the department,” he had said.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajiv Rai Batnagar told Greater Kashmir that the department was examining the situation and working out probabilities about “how to go ahead with it”.
“But it is a good idea to have one academic calendar as it matches with the Higher Education Department and all other professional colleges as well,” Advisor Batnagar said. “We are looking at logistics in the hilly areas and making plans about what can be done in these areas.”
Shiv Khori Incident| LG announces Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to NoK of deceased
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the Next of Kin (NoK) of those who lost their lives in the tragic shooting stones incident at Shiv Khori in Reasi district.
“The injured will be given Rs 50,000 each and the J&K government will bear the cost of their treatment,” he said.
LG Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives during the incident and directed the district administration to provide all necessary assistance to the bereaved families and ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.
“I am deeply anguished at the loss of precious lives in a tragic incident at Shiv Khori. My heartfelt condolences are with the bereaved families who lost their loved ones. I pray for the early recovery of the injured,” he said.
DGP visits Machail, Kishtwar, Ramban; reviews security arrangements
Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh Monday visited Kishtwar to take stock of the arrangements and security of the ongoing Machil yatra and chaired officers meeting to review the security scenario of the districts of Kishtwar and Ramban.
A statement of J&K Police issued here said that he also took an aerial survey of the far-flung areas of the Kishtwar district.
It said that the DGP was accompanied by ADGP Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh.
The DGP first visited Machil and was joined by SSP Kistwar Shafqat Hussain.
Interacting with the Police, CISF officers, and soldiers deployed for the annual yatra, he emphasised upon them to work in tandem for the safe and secure yatra which was being held after two years.
The DGP stressed that the surveillance is maintained 24×7 enroute yatra and directed that security cover be spread over important places including the community kitchens.
He directed officers to ensure that all the basic amenities and assistance be provided to the yatris in need.
The DGP said that J&K Police in perfect synergy with all sister agencies had so far successfully conducted the ongoing Amarnath yatra which was in its last stage and stressed the same synergy among all stakeholders for the Machil yatra.
He directed that quick response be provided for immediate assistance to the yatris as and when required.
The officers of Police and CISF apprised the DGP about the measures taken for the smooth and secure yatra.
The DGP also interacted with the locals and heard their grievances. He congratulated them for their warm welcome and hospitality to the yatris.
Donald Trump says FBI agents raided his Florida home
FLORIDA (U.S), Aug 9: Former President Donald Trump said his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida was raided by FBI agents on Monday, August 8, 2022, which came amid a U.S. Justice Department investigation of Mr. Trump’s removal of official presidential records to the Palm Beach estate.
The Justice Department declined to comment on the raid, which Mr. Trump in a statement said involved a “large group of FBI agents.”
The FBI’s field office in Miami did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mr. Trump said the estate “is currently under siege, raided, and occupied.” He did not say why the raid took place.
“After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate,” Mr. Trump added.
CNN reported that Trump was not at the estate at the time of the raid, and that the FBI had executed a search warrant to enter the premises.
Mr. Trump, who has made his club in Palm Beach his home since leaving the White House in January 2021, has generally spent summers at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, because Mar-a-Lago typically closes in May for the summer.
The Justice Department launched an early-stage investigation into Mr. Trump’s removal of records to the Florida estate, a source familiar with the matter said in April.
The investigation comes after the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration in February notified Congress that it had recovered about 15 boxes of White House documents from Mr. Trump’s Florida home, some of which contained classified materials.
The U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee at that time announced it was expanding an investigation into Trump’s actions and asked the Archives to turn over additional information.
Mr. Trump previously confirmed that he had agreed to return certain records to the Archives, calling it “an ordinary and routine process.” (Agencies)