Under the able guidance of respected Principal cum Dean, Prof. (Dr.) Shashi Sudan Sharma , the Department of Prasuti tantra and stri roga, GAMC Akhnoor, organised a seminar on the topic, Spreading General awareness on Garbhini paricharya and The occasion was graced by Hon’ble DDC member Sh. Suresh Kumar, Principal GNM Nursing College Akhnoor and SDPO Akhnoor Sh. Mohan Lal. Associate professor Dr. Sheetal and Assistant professor Dr Swati Bala did presentations along with students, women from sanghani village, Asha worker. Dr Narendar Sharma, Nodal Officer, delivered the vote of thanks.
Situation peaceful in J-K does Rahul want to create disturbance asks Anurag Thakur
New Delhi, Dec 28 : Does Rahul Gandhi want to vitiate the atmosphere in Kashmir, Union minister Anurag Thakur asked on Wednesday about the Congress’ plans to unfurl the tricolour in the Valley and stressed that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved significantly under the Modi government.
An estimated 1.6 crore tourists have visited Jammu and Kashmir in one year, which is a record in itself, the minister told reporters.
“Now tourists can visit every corner of Jammu and Kashmir. This shows that the situation has improved in Jammu and Kashmir. There are no stone pelting incidents. Does Rahul Gandhi want to go there to spoil the atmosphere?”
“Today, anyone can unfurl the tricolour in any part of Jammu and Kashmir because the Narendra Modi government has ended Article 370 and Article 35A in J&K,” he added. Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started in Kanyakumari in September, is scheduled to end in Kashmir next month.
Thakur reminded him of the Ekta Yatra undertaken in 1992 by then BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi and Narendra Modi, who had unfurled the national tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar.
“There was a lot of opposition back then to the yatra. There were terrorist attacks, firing incidents. This was because there was a Congress government,” he said.
The BJP leader also recalled the Tiranga Yatra undertaken by him as president of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha in 2011.
“The then leaders of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley — and myself were jailed as the Congress-National Conference government had opposed the Tiranga Yatra,” Thakur said.
“Things were difficult back then when Article 370 and 35A were still in force,” he said, adding that the situation in the Kashmir Valley had improved significantly under the Modi government. PTI
4 Terrorists Killed In Jammu Encounter, Truck Driver Absconding: ADGP Mukesh Singh
JAMMU, Dec 28: As many as four terrorists travelling in a truck to Srinagar were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Sidhra area of Jammu on Wednesday morning, said police.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh said that the truck driver is yet to be identified, who managed to flee when the security forces stopped the truck in the Sidhra area of Jammu.
The police also recovered seven AK-47 rifles and three pistols along with other ammunition from the truck.
“Four terrorists have been killed in an encounter in Sidhra area in Jammu. 7 AK-47 rifles, 3 pistols along with other ammunition were recovered. The truck driver is yet to be identified, the truck was going from Jammu to Srinagar. Search still on,” said ADGP Singh.
Talking about the operation, the ADGP had earlier said that in view of Republic Day, the Border Security Force is on alert and today in the morning they noticed an unusual movement of a truck.
“We noticed an unusual movement of a truck and followed it. The truck was stopped at Sidhra in Jammu where the driver managed to flee. When the truck was searched terrorists were hiding inside and fired on the personnel. The retaliatory firing was done. The truck is still on fire,” added ADGP.
The search operation is on.
Mother, 3 minor children found dead in Banihal
RAMBAN: Four persons of a family were found dead under mysterious circumstances in Banihal area of Ramban district on Wednesday morning.
An official said that four bodies of a family including a woman and three of her minor children were found inside their house in Checknarwa Chopan Pora area of Banihal. They have been identified as Noor Jahan (35), wife of Abdul Rashid, and three children Zaffer Ahmad (12), Shazia Bano (08) and Asiya Bano (05).
SSP Ramban, Mohita Sharma, confirmed the death of a four family members and said that the Ramban Police was ascertaining the facts.
SHO Banihal, Mohammad Afzal told that four bodies have been recovered and have been shifted to hospital for legal formalities.
Congress Foundation Day: Kharge attacks govt, says society being divided by hate
New Delhi, Dec 28: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday attacked the government, saying the fundamentals of India are being constantly attacked and the society is being “divided by hate”.
Addressing party leaders and workers at the 138th foundation day of the Congress at the AICC headquarters here, he said the people of the country are being hit by price rise and unemployment but the government is not bothered.
He also said that India progressed due to Congress’ approach of inclusion and taking everyone along.
India not only emerged as a successful and strong democracy but within few decades it became a super power in economic, nuclear and strategic areas, Kharge said, adding, it is among the top nations of the world in agriculture, education, medical, IT and services sector.
“This did not happen on its own. This happened due to Congress’ faith in democracy and our inclusive ideology of taking everyone along and due to our full faith in the Constitution that gives equal rights and opportunities to all,” he told the gathering.
“The fundamentals of India are being constantly attacked. The society is being divided by hate, people are hit by price rise and unemployment but the government is not bothered,” he charged.
Kharge also unfurled the party’s flag at the AICC headquarters in the presence of former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and top Congress leaders and workers.
Amit Shah To Hold 2 Meetings On Leh-Ladakh, J&K, Say Sources
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be holding two meetings on Leh-Ladakh at 3 pm and J&K at 4pm respectively, sources said.
India Covid: Experts say people don’t need to panic over China coronavirus surge
India has stepped up surveillance after a spike in cases in neighbouring China.
People travelling from China and four other Asian countries now have to produce a Covid-19 negative test report before entering India.
On Tuesday, drills were held to check if hospitals could handle a surge.
According to government data, India currently has only around 3,400 active coronavirus cases. But reports of the surge in China and the memories of two deadly Covid waves in 2020 and 2021 in India have made many people fearful.
But experts say there is no reason to worry right now.
“The infection surge in China is on expected lines. If you have a susceptible population that is not exposed to the virus, cases will rise. Nothing has changed for the rest of the world, including India,” says Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, an epidemiologist and health systems specialist.
China has been struggling with a rush of Covid cases after it started moving away from its so-called zero-Covid approach which mandated strict lockdowns, quarantining and closed borders. The country is now trying to ramp up vaccinations for its vulnerable elderly population as the case surge strains healthcare systems.
The surge has also led some experts raising doubts over whether the main vaccines used in China – Sinovac and Sinopharm – can provide long-term immunity.
“People are getting infected because BF.7 [the Omicron subvariant that reports say is driving the surge in China] is highly infectious and escapes all previous immunity. If you don’t have immunity, you get more diseases which will affect the elderly and immunosuppressed populations,” says virologist Dr Jacob John.
Over the past few months, India reported four Covid-19 cases caused by BF.7 – all the patients have recovered, health officials say.
“Covid is still around, people are still getting infected and getting admitted to hospitals. So it’s not that we’re free of Covid, but it’s become like another upper respiratory tract infection, like influenza,” says epidemiologist Dr Lalit Kant.
The low caseload in India can be largely attributed to the immunity Indians have already gained over the past three years.
Dr A Fathahudeen, a prominent critical care expert who has treated thousands of Covid patients, says that India’s “hybrid immunity wall” against Covid-19 is “satisfactory” as a majority of people have either taken two doses of the vaccine or gained natural immunity from contracting the disease earlier.
He also points out that the vaccines used in India are “more efficacious than the ones used in China”.
India has administered more than 2.2 billion doses of the Covid vaccine so far, including for both doses and the booster shot, which India calls a “precaution dose”.
He says people should take the booster dose if they haven’t already – only around 27% of the population have got it so far.
It’s an appeal that other experts broadly agree with.
“With time, the level of antibodies go down. So a third shot is always beneficial and will increase the level of antibodies,” Dr Lahariya says, adding that it’s good for people above 60 years of age.
“Among the 18-59 year age group, those who are high-risk can get boosters. For others, it’s a personal call,” he adds.
Experts also agree with the government’s decision to step up genome sequencing which allows scientists to identify new strains.
“The current testing strategy of random genome sequencing of 2% of international travellers is enough to pick up any new variant,” says Dr Fathahudeen.
Dr John says that the best mantra for the government and ordinary people to follow is “expect the best and prepare for the worst”.
“Make it a habit to wear masks in crowded places – watching a football or cricket match, or on a crowded bus or train,” he says, adding that he recommends creating “long-term, sustainable behavioural changes”.
India had relaxed its mask-wearing rules earlier this year after a drop in infection levels, and it’s now common to see people in crowded areas without any precautions.
The bottom-line is “be cautious, wear a mask and watch the news”, Dr John says.
Dr Fathahudeen agrees, saying unnecessary crowding should be discouraged and people should wear masks if large gatherings can’t be avoided.
Ukraine wants to end war, says Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said that Kyiv wanted to hold a “peace summit” in February, which marks one year since the conflict began, to end the war with Russia, according to NHK World.
During an interview with Associated Press, Kuleba said that Ukraine is seeking cooperation from the United Nations to hold the “peace summit” in February, which marks one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already proposed a 10-point peace plan that includes Russia’s withdrawal from all Ukrainian territory. Zelenskyy hopes his plan will be on the peace summit agenda.
During the interview, Kuleba suggested the training of Ukrainian soldiers outside the country to learn how to use the US Patriot air defense system, NHK World reported.
He said that the Patriot missile battery will be operational in less than six months and that Ukraine will do whatever it can to win the war next year.
On Monday, in a video, the Ukrainian president said he spoke by phone with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought India’s help in the implementation of a peace formula with Russia.
“I had a phone call with PM Modi and wished a successful G20 presidency. It was on this platform that I announced the peace formula and now I count on India’s participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN,” tweeted the Ukrainian President.
Meanwhile, PM Modi strongly reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, saying that both sides should revert to dialogue and diplomacy to find a lasting solution to their differences, read a Prime Minister’s Office press release.
He also conveyed India’s support for any peace efforts and assured India’s commitment to continue providing humanitarian assistance for the affected civilian population, added the release.
The two leaders discussed opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation. PM Modi requested the Ukraine authorities to facilitate arrangements for the continued education of Indian students, who had to return from Ukraine earlier this year.
Earlier on Monday, Ukraine called for Russia to be removed from the United Nations, where Moscow can veto any resolution as a permanent member of the Security Council.
“Ukraine calls on the member states of the UN… to deprive the Russian Federation of its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and to exclude it from the UN as a whole,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The Ukrainian president appears to be trying to lay the groundwork for peace talks with Russia, according to NHK World.
But the war shows no sign of ending as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, and the Ukrainian military is thought to be responsible for explosions at a military base in Russia.
Intense cold grips Kashmir, fog envelops Jammu
Srinagar, Dec 28 (IANS) Intense cold gripped Ladakh and Kashmir Valley and dense fog covered Jammu city in the morning on Wednesday.
The Meteorological (MeT) office said mainly a clear sky with cold and dry weather is likely to continue in Ladakh and J&K during the next 24 hours.
The intense cold gripped Ladakh and Kashmir Valley while dense fog affected the normal life in Jammu.
Srinagar had minus 5.6, Pahalgam minus 7.4 and Gulmarg minus 6 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
In Ladakh region, Kargil had minus 11.8 and Leh minus 13.4 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 2.7, Katra 6.2, Batote 1.5, Banihal 3.3 and Bhaderwah minus 0.8 as the minimum temperature.
Mock Drill on Covid-19 preparedness held in Bhadarwah
Bhadarwah Hospital ready to tackle any situation-BMO Bhadarwah
By King RJ
Bhadarwah, Dec 26: After directions from Health Ministry to remain cautious and prepared to deal with any eventuality related to COVID-19, a mock drills on Covid-19 preparedness was also conducted in Bhadarwah on Tuesday in view of rising covid-19 cases in some countries.
BMO Bhadarwah Dr Varsha Kotwal along with Dr Sandeep Kotwal (Physician Specialist) and others conducted mock drill on Covid-19 preparedness in SDH Bhadarwah and reviewed the functioning of all sections of Hospital including Oxygen Generation Plant, ICU Wards, Covid Wards, Medicine Store and other important factors to consider in view of surge in Covid cases.
BMO Bhadarwah said that as of now, there is no case of Covid in Bhadarwah, but on the directions of higher authorities, we are conducting mock drill on covid to get prepared for any situation and to make sure people get proper treatment if required.
“Mock drill is conducted today to see how prepared we are. We need to have full monitoring & keep all the logistics ready. There is excess oxygen in our Hospital and other requirements,” BMO informed, saying that we are fully equipped to tackle any situation.
Dr Varsha also appealed to the public to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour with immediate effect.
It is notable that as there have been reports of a surge in Covid cases in some countries, the operational readiness of health facilities is being reviewed in all States and Union Territories in case of another wave.