Annoyed over the frequent power outages in Jammu and Kashmir The National Democratic Party Indian (NDPI) J&K UT Chief Rajesh Gupta expressing concern over the dwindling situation of electricity supply in the Jammu region, on Tuesday urged Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha to take all possible steps for providing 24X7 power to bail out industry and common households from the crisis. Gupta said National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, which transmits most of it outside Jammu and Kashmir, leaving the state with frequent power cuts, especially in winter when the demand nears 1,900 megawatts.
NDPI president said that the current scenario in the Jammu region as far as electricity supply is concerned is quite unfortunate because even the areas having the latest smart meters are not being spared from unscheduled power cuts leaving aside the situation of consumers having old meters. He said despite the installation of smart meters people of Jammu are not getting a regular power supply.
NDPI leader said, Jammu and Kashmir has been able to produce only 3500 megawatts of electricity under various governments during the past 75 years. With the energy crises in J&K worsening every winter, the impact of which is most severely felt in Kashmir valley, there is a perception among the common man that the energy generated by the NHPC owned hydro projects in the State was being sold to other States while J&K was being starved. Gupta further appealed for free electricity and water to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that free
electricity and water was the fundamental right of the people of J&K. He said that what has been given to Jammu and Kashmir for the last seven decades was openly publicized, but what was being taken from here was
never mentioned.
Gupta said that there was a stock of resources in Jammu and Kashmir. Throwing light on water resources of Jammu and Kashmir, He said that Union Territory can produce that much electricity, which can meet half the country’s consumption, including J&K. “J&K Union Territory despite being rich in resources, we are being sold at expensive prices,” Gupta said.
Power-starved J&K needs to stop transmitting outside the UT: NDPI
Elections our right but won’t beg for it: Omar Abdullah
SRINAGAR: National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said election is the right of the people but Kashmiris will not beg before the Centre to hold polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
“If elections are not held this year, so be it! We are not beggars. I have said it time and again, Kashmiris are not beggars. Election is our right but we will not beg before them for this right. They want to restore the elections to us, good. But if they don’t want to do it, so be it,” Omar told reporters in Anantnag district.
Asked about the eviction of people from properties and state lands, Omar claimed it was one of the reasons why elections were not being held in Jammu and Kashmir.
“That’s why they are not holding elections. They want to ‘harass’ the people. Instead of applying balm to the wounds of people, they seem to have a penchant to aggravate the hurt,” he said.
The former chief minister said the BJP government knows that an elected government will try to heal the wounds of the people while they only allegedly rub salt and chilli into them.
Asked about the government’s decision to arm the village defence guards following the Rajouri attack, Omar said this was an admission by the government that its claims to the nation at the time of abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 had fallen flat.
“On 5 August 2019, the nation was told that the gun in Kashmir is because of Article 370 and with repealing of Article 370, the gun culture will start to subside. However, as is clear, that is not the case on ground. The kind of attack we saw in Rajouri and the situation in Kashmir, the numbers of security forces personnel are being increased all this points to the fact that the situation is not under control. The government is now compelled to take these steps,” he added.
Seven persons were killed and 14 others injured in the terrorist attack on January 1 in Rajouri district’s Dhangri village.
Members of LFO-BHF received Pride of Young Hindustan National Award 2023.
Social worker Ms. Vishal Singh & Mr. Shah Amir from Jammu and Kashmir received Pride of Young Hindustan Award 2023.
They are active social workers and did tremendous work in Covid-19 and lockdown period.
Mr. Vishal Singh is from Jammu region and is COO/CO-FOUNDER of LFO-BHF & Mr. Shah Amir is from Kashmir region and is President of Kashmir Province of LFO-BHF.
They work for the welfare of society on various issues like including Volunteer Blood Donations drives, Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, Plantation drives, Menstural hygiene, creating awareness for improvement of the status of women, free coaching classes to poor kids, environmental awareness programmes etc. They all were active NSS volunteers and have represented J&K at different national level camps as well as at state level camps.
In the pandemic time of COVID-19, they did an excellent humanitarian service for the welfare of society by volunteer work in the field.
Mr. Vishal Singh, COO/CO-FOUNDER said, “We have pledged! And taken responsibility to calm hearts and souls, protect the vulnerable, respond to the problems of the people, the families, the communities and institutions, and to quickly intervene in order to restrain the repercussion.”
Mr. Shah Amir, President of Kashmir Province, LFO-BHF said that he will continue his work for the welfare of the society till his last breathe and try to work in all those sectors where the society need us.
Now for their great contribution in the field Social work, the Youngistan Foundation has also honoured them with the Pride of Young Hindustan Award 2023 at Ulhasnagar Mumbai.
Indian-American space expert named NASA’s new chief technologist
Washington, Jan 10 (PTI) An Indian-American aerospace industry expert has been appointed as NASA’s new chief technologist to serve as principal advisor to Administrator Bill Nelson on technology policy and programmes at the space agency’s headquarters here.
In his position, AC Charania will align NASA’s agencywide technology investments with mission needs across six mission directorates and oversee technology collaboration with other federal agencies, the private sector, and external stakeholders, NASA said in a statement on Monday.
The position works within NASA’s Office for Technology, Policy, and Strategy.
“Technology plays a vital role in every NASA mission. Making sure that we’re pursuing the best policy objectives allows this agency to continue to serve as a global leader in innovation,” Bhavya Lal, NASA associate administrator for technology, policy, and strategy, was quoted as saying in the statement.
“Charania is an experienced leader in managing large, rapidly shifting technology portfolios. I am eager for him to apply his knowledge and enthusiasm at NASA,” Lal said.
Lal served as acting chief technologist prior to the appointment of Charania, whose first day working at NASA Headquarters was January 3.
“The rate of advancement we seek in the 21st century is dependent upon selecting and maturing a portfolio of technologies into systems to execute our missions,” Charania said in the statement.
“With this in mind, there are incredible opportunities in partnerships within and outside of NASA. I now look forward to the opportunity to work with the entire community to increase the rate of space and aviation progress,” he added.
Prior to joining NASA, he served as vice president of product strategy at Reliable Robotics, a firm that works to bring certified autonomous vehicles to commercial aviation.
His previous experience also includes working at Blue Origin to mature its lunar permanence strategy, Blue Moon lunar lander program, and multiple technology initiatives with NASA.
Charania has also worked in strategy and business development for the Virgin Galactic (now Virgin Orbit) LauncherOne small satellite launch vehicle programme.
Charania led the formation of the FastForward industry group focused on high-speed point-to-point transportation, was a NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts fellow, and served on the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Commercial Advisory Board, according to the release.
He received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s in economics from Emory University.
Search operation continues in J-K’s Rajouri, over 50 detained for questioning
Rajouri/Jammu, Jan 10 (PTI) Over 50 people have been detained so far for questioning in connection with the attack on the minority community in Jammu and Kashmir’s Dhangri village even as a massive search operation to track down the terrorists behind the strike continued on the ninth day on Tuesday, officials said.
Seven persons were killed and 14 others injured in the terrorist attack on January 1.
Following the attack, the administration strengthened Village Defence Guards (VDGs) comprising local volunteers and the border grid to keep a tight vigil on possible infiltration routes, the officials said.
Ronaldo likely to make his Al Nassr debut in friendly against Messi
Rudi Garcia, the coach of Al Nassr, has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo will make his debut for the Saudi Arabian club as part of an exhibition team in a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which could pit him against Lionel Messi, reported Skysports.
The star forward has been suspended by the Football Association for knocking a phone out of the hand of a young supporter following Manchester United’s defeat at Everton in April.
It has pushed back Ronaldo’s much-anticipated debut, which is now expected to take place in a showcase match against PSG in Riyadh on January 19, complicating Garcia’s domestic planning.
“It won’t be with the Al Nassr jersey. It will be a mix between Al Hilal and Al Nassr. As the coach of Al Nassr, I cannot be happy with this match. For development, to see PSG, to see the great Parisian players, indeed it is a good thing. But we have a championship game three days later,” Skysports quoted Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia as saying.
“In terms of scheduling, it could have been better thought out. But it’s not a big deal… We are in the lead, we are happy. It is a difficult championship to win, but we intend to do it,” Garcia added.
Garcia has also stated that his task is to help Ronaldo rediscover his love for the game after a difficult year.
“The only thing I want is for him to enjoy playing football again and smile. In recent months, between Manchester United, the national team and also at a private level, he has not had easy moments. If he finds the pleasure of playing again, a good goal will be achieved,” he said.
Garcia compared Ronaldo’s arrival in Saudi Arabia to Pele’s game-changing partnership with the New York Cosmos in 1975, which sparked massive interest in football in the United States.
“It’s a bit like Pele’s arrival, especially for the development of football, sport and culture in Saudi Arabia,” Garcia said.
“It’s great. Great for us, for Al-Nassr. Great for Saudi Arabia. Cristiano Ronaldo is more than a player. He is one of the best players in the world. It’s amazing how much it’s put a spotlight on our club. Now everyone knows where our club is around the world. We must have gone from 800,000 to 10m [followers] in a few hours, a few days, because of Cristiano’s arrival,” the coach of Al Nassr said.
ICICI Bank-Videocon loan fraud case: Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar released from jail
NEW DELHI, Jan 10: Former ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak Kochhar were released from jail on Tuesday morning, a day after the Bombay High Court granted them interim bail in a loan fraud case, a police official said.
Chanda Kochhar walked out of the Byculla women’s prison in Mumbai, while her husband was released from the Arthur Road jail, the official said.
The CBI arrested Kochhars on December 23, 2022 in connection with the Videocon-ICICI Bank loan case.
The couple had filed petitions in the Bombay High Court challenging their arrest, terming it as illegal and arbitrary.
The HC on Monday granted them interim bail and came down heavily on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for making the arrest in a “casual and mechanical” manner and without application of mind.
The CBI named the Kochhars, Videocon group founder Venugopal Dhoot along with Nupower Renewables (NRL) – managed by Deepak Kochhar – Supreme Energy, Videocon International Electronics Ltd and Videocon Industries Ltd as accused in the FIR (first information report) linked to the case registered in 2019 under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The central agency has alleged that ICICI Bank, headed by Chanda Kochhar from 2009 to 2018, sanctioned credit facilities to the tune of Rs 3,250 crore to these companies in violation of norms.
It further claimed that as a part of quid pro quo (Latin expression literally meaning “something for something”), Dhoot made an investment of Rs 64 crore in Nupower Renewables through Supreme Energy Pvt Ltd (SEPL), and transferred SEPL to Pinnacle Energy Trust managed by Deepak Kochhar through a circuitous route between 2010 and 2012. (Agencies)
Saudi Arabia removes restrictions on Hajj pilgrim numbers, age limit
Saudi Arabia on Monday announced that there will be no limit on the number of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj, Arab News reported citing the country’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.
Speaking at the Hajj Expo 2023, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah stated that the number of people participating in this year’s Hajj will return to pre-pandemic levels and ther will ne no age limit for Hajj pilgrims this year.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah tweeted, “During the opening of #Hajj_Expo 2023, H.E. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq AlRabiah announces: ‘Number of Hajj pilgrims in 1444H will return to how it was before the Coronavirus pandemic without age restrictions’.”
About 2.5 million people took part in the pilgrimage in 2019, Arab News reported. However, the number of pilgrims was reduced for the next two years due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier on January 5, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that people living in the country wanting to perform Hajj this year can apply for pilgrimage, as per the Arab News report.
The ministry said that there would be four categories of Hajj packages available for local residents.
The people applying for pilgrimage must have national or resident identity valid until the middle of July, as per the Arab News report. Pilgrims need to have proof of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination.
In addition, they need to obtain a vaccination certificate for the ACYW quadruple meningitis vaccine at least 10 days prior to arriving at the holy sites.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah called on all applicants to register directly through its website and not to make use of the same mobile number for more than one application.
Fog engulfs Srinagar, Jammu as mercury records slight drop in J&K
Srinagar : The minimum temperature recorded a slight drop at most places but hovered above normal even as fog engulfed parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.
A meteorological department official here told that fog significantly reduced visibility in Srinagar, Qazigund and Jammu. However he said that the visibility will be improved as the day progresses.
Meanwhile, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 1.8°C against last night’s 0.9°C. Today’s minimum temperature was 3.7°C above normal for the summer capital, he said.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of minus 0.8°C against 0.2°C. Today’s minimum temperature was 2.3°C above normal for the gateway town, he said.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 3.2°C against minus 0.7°C on the previous night. Today’s minimum temperature was .8°C above normal for the place, he said. The coldest night recorded this season in the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district was on January 2 when mercury plunged to minus 9.6°C.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 3.6°C against minus 0.5°C on the previous night, he said. It was 0.4°C above normal for the place.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 4.4°C against minus 2.5°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 3.4°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district that saw its coldest night this season on January 2 when minimum temperature plummeted to minus 10.0°C, the official said.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at 2.9°C against 0.7°C on the previous night in the north Kashmir area, he said. The official said that the temperature was 5.6°C above normal.
Jammu recorded a low of 6.6°C against 5.2°C on the previous night. It was 0.8°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal recorded a low of 0.8°C (above normal by 0.8°C), Batote recorded a low of 4.2°C (above normal by 2.7°C), Katra recorded 7.6°C (1.6°C above normal) while Bhadarwah recorded a low of 4.0°C (4.0°C above normal).
In Ladakh, Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 7.6°C and minus 9.4°C respectively, the official said.
“Under the influence of fresh western Disturbance, light to moderate rain/snow (rain in plains & light snow over higher reaches of Jammu division) most likely at most places of J&K with moderate snowfall intensity over higher reaches (isolated heavy over higher reaches of Kashmir especially Keran, Machil, Gurez, Tulail, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahlgam, higher reaches of Budgam, Higher reaches of Shopian and Kuligam),” the meteorological department official said, adding, “The main activity is during 11th late night to 12th Late night and gradual decrease thereafter.”
Kashmir is under the grip of Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21. It does not mean an end to the winter either. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.(GNS)
Bomb threat: Nothing suspicious found on Moscow-Goa charterted flight, says Jamnagar Airport director
The National Security Guard (NSG) found nothing suspicious onboard the Moscow-Goa chartered flight, which was diverted to Gujarat’s Jamnagar after Goa ATC followed an alleged bomb threat, Jamnagar Airport director informed on Tuesday.
According to the airport director, the flight will depart from Jamnagar to Goa between 10.30 am and 11 am. Meanwhile, security forces carried out an intensive search of the passengers onboard the Moscow-Goa chartered flight.
“NSG has not found anything suspicious. The flight is expected to leave from Jamnagar to Goa, sometime between 10.30 am and 11 am. All the cabin baggage has been thoroughly checked,” said Jamnagar Airport Director.
The Goa-bound international flight was diverted to Jamnagar, Gujarat on Monday evening after the crew received clearance for an emergency landing at Jamnagar airport in the wake of an alleged bomb threat, informed airport authorities.
Earlier, the security agencies cordoned off the airport for 9 hours. A total of 236 passengers and eight crew members were on the flight.
They said all passengers were safely evacuated and escorted to the lounge inside the terminal building.
The Russian Embassy issued a statement saying they were alerted by the Indian authorities about the alleged bomb scare on the Azur Air flight en route from Moscow to Goa.
“The Embassy was alerted by Indian authorities about an alleged bomb scare on Azur Air flight from Moscow to Goa. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Jamnagar Indian Air Force Base. Everyone on board is safe; authorities conducting an inspection of the aircraft,” said the Russian Embassy in a statement.
Jamnagar District Collector Saurabh Parghi told ANI, “An intensive search was carried out by security agencies from 9.50 pm (on Monday) till the morning hours.”
He said security agencies were also verifying the passenger details. “Checking is done through routine scanning of passengers. Non-stop work has been on for nine hours. The baggage was checked and details verified,” he said.
“We received information about a bomb threat in the Moscow-Goa flight, which was diverted. The flight had 236 passengers and 8 crew members. All passengers were escorted out safely and are in the airport lounge. Bomb detection and disposal work are underway,” the Jamnagar district collector had said earlier.