NEW DELHI, Dec 27: On the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remain cautious and prepared to deal with any eventuality related to COVID-19, mock drills are being conducted on Tuesday in various hospitals across the country in view of rising covid-19 cases in some countries including China, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.
This comes after four international travellers from Myanmar tested positive for the Coronavirus infection at the Delhi airport.
“To make sure there isn’t a Covid surge in the country, PM Modi has asked us to be careful. The government is also preparing if at the covid cases increase. Today mock drills are conducted across covid hospitals in the country to make sure people get proper treatment,” Mansukh Mandaviya said.
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.
BK Mohapatra, Director of Health Services in Odisha said, “Mock drill is being 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 state. If any shortcoming is found (during mock drill),it will be addressed.”
Mock drills are conducted at (MCH) Hospital at Gandhi Nagar in Jammu, Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited Safdarjung Hospital to review Covid Mock drill while Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian visited Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital in Chennai to review Covid Mock drill.
Four international travellers from Myanmar tested positive for the Coronavirus infection at the Delhi airport on Monday. The Genome sequencing of their samples is being done, the sources said.
“Four of the 690 Covid-19 sample tests of the International travellers from Myanmar at Delhi Airport have tested positive for the infection. The infected persons have been admitted at the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML) hospital in Delhi and their samples have been taken for genome sequencing,” people aware of the matter said.
Following the advisory ‘Guidelines for International Arrivals’, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has commenced random post-arrival testing for International arrivals at Delhi Airport, said Dr Gauri Agarwal, Founder of Genestrings Diagnostic Center on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, four foreign nationals who came to attend the religious preaching of Tibetan Spiritual Leader Dalai Lama at Bihar’s Gaya have been found to be Covid positive raising fears of a surge in the number of Covid cases at the religious place. The foreigners have currently been isolated at a hotel in Bodh Gaya, said Civil surgeon Dr Ranjan Kumar Singh.
Recently, the IMA also issued an advisory and appealed to the public to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour with immediate effect.
“In view of the sudden surge of COVID cases in different countries, the Indian Medical Association alerts and appeals to the public to follow COVID appropriate behaviour with immediate effect.”
“As per available reports, nearly 5.37 lakhs new cases have been reported in last 24 hours from major countries like USA, Japan, South as per the available reports, nearly 5.37 lakhs new cases have been reported in last 24 hours from major countries like USA, Japan, South Korea, France and Brazil,” read the statement of IMA.
“Indian Medical Association appeals to the Government to upscale the preparedness for any such situation as seen in 2021 by issuing necessary instructions to the concerned Ministries and Departments to make available emergency medicines, oxygen supply and ambulance services,” it said.
The Indian Medical Association has also issued an advisory to its state and local branches to take necessary steps in case of a Covid outbreak in their areas. The IMA also appealed to all its members to work proactively as done in the past to combat the future outbreak.
The entire country is gearing up for a possible fourth wave of Covid-19, with the new Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which is said to be the reason behind the surge in Covid cases in China, being detected in India. (Agencies)
States, UTs Conduct Mock Drills To Check Covid Preparedness
Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute: CM Shinde to move resolution in state Assembly today
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will move a resolution in the State Assembly on Tuesday over the border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra, said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Speaking to media persons today, the Deputy Chief Minister hoped that the resolution will be passed by the majority.
“Today Chief Minister will move a resolution in the state assembly on the border dispute. I hope the resolution will be passed by the majority,” he said.
Targeting the former CM and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Uddhav Thackeray for requesting the central government to declare “the disputed areas” as a Union Territory, Fadnavis said, “I was surprised that those who spoke yesterday, he did nothing for 2.5 years as CM. The border dispute did not start after our government came to power.”
He further said that the previous governments in the State is making the Eknath Shidne government responsible for the border dispute which is going on for years.
“It started with the creation of Maharashtra and the language-wise formation of provinces. It is going on for years. Since then, for years those who have governments are showing that the border dispute started after our government came.
He further urged other parties not to do politics on this.
“We never did politics on this issue and we hope that no one does politics on this. People of border areas should feel that entire Maharashtra is with them,” he added.
Earlier on Monday, Uddhav in the state Legislative Council said, “It is not just a case of language and border, but of ‘humanity’.
Till the issue is pending before the Supreme Court, the Karnataka-occupied Maharashtra should be declared as a Union Territory by the central government.”
Uddhav further said that Marathi people residing in the border villages have faced “injustice”.
“Marathi-speaking people have been residing in the border villages for generations. Their daily life, language and lifestyle are Marathi. They do not understand Kannad,” he said speaking in the Upper House.
Hitting out at the Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Uddhav said that he is showing any “calm” towards the matter.
Shiv Sena leader also stated that at the present, the states need to pass a resolution declaring “these areas” a union territory.
Notably, the border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka goes back to the implementation of the State Reorganization Act, of 1956. The then Maharashtra government had demanded the readjustment of its border with Karnataka.
Following this, a four-member committee was formed by both states.
The Maharashtra government had expressed willingness to transfer 260 predominantly Kannada-speaking villages, but the proposal was turned down by Karnataka.
Both governments later approached the Supreme Court to expedite the matter.
Several families turn homeless as fire damages six residential houses in Srinagar
At least six residential houses were damaged in an overnight blaze in the Dalgate area of Srinagar.
Locals told The Kashmiriyat that on Tuesday massive flames broke out from a residential house in the Kunrache area of Srinagar’s Dalgate which spread to the nearby houses.
The fire soon spread to the nearby houses in the congested locality, causing damage to at least six residential houses.
The fire tenders along with locals rushed to the spot and prevented the fire from spreading further, they said.
The fire incident has left at least six families homeless during the harsh winter which include the residences of Ghulam Mohammed Matta, Zahoor Ahmed Dar, Mohammed Sidiq Matta and Tabasum Mehnaz.
The Fire and Emergency Services Department said that 956 structures were damaged in different fire incidents from January to June this year.
These include 160 shops and 14 shopping complexes as well. The official added that 20 vehicles and 73 electric transformers were damaged in the fire incidents also.
Among the 24 casualties reported in the first half of this year, 3 victims were from South Kashmir’s Anantnag, 6 from Pulwama, 4 from Shopian, one from Ganderbal, 4 from Baramulla, and 6 from Kulgam district.
Viral video: Budgam police says 2 accused persons evading arrest since May arrested
BUDGAM: A video has been posted on a social media platform that a lady alongwith others was arrested by Police in Budgam during late at night.
In this connection, Budgam police has clarified that no lady has been arrested. The fact is that 02 accused persons who were evading their arrest since May 2022 in case FIR number 69/2022 u/s 354, 506, 341 IPC of Police Station Khansahib and were not attending Police station/cooperating with police were arrested from their home yesterday late night.
They have been identified as Syed Farhat son of Mohammed Hussain Shah resident of Surasyar Chadoora. Tahir Ahmad Shah son of Mohammad Maqbool Shah, resident of Panzan Chadoora.
However, while affecting their arrest, some of the family members resisted their arrest, creating a ruckus on the spot, including a lady who was forcibly trying to board a police vehicle to avoid the arrest of the accused. Later, some locals and relatives of the lady persuaded and motivated the lady to deboard the vehicle, police said.
Cong Leaders Meet J&K LG Manoj Sinha To Discuss Security Arrangements For Bharat Jodo Yatra
JAMMU, Dec 27: Senior Congress leaders met Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday to discuss security arrangements for the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra which will enter the Union territory next month.
Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal, AICC in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir Rajani Patil, and party leaders Vikar Rasool Wani and Ghulam Ahmad Mir met Sinha and sought the administration’s cooperation for the yatra.
The Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir yatra, which has so far traversed more than 2,800 km through 10 states, is on a nine-day winter break and will resume on January 3. It started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7 and is likely to conclude in Srinagar by January-end.
”Bharat Jodo Yatra is marching towards its final destination – J&K. Held a meeting today with the Lt. Governor of J&K Shri Manoj Sinha ji along with senior party leaders. Discussed the security arrangements and sought the cooperation of the administration,” Venugopal tweeted after the meeting with Sinha.
He also shared a picture of the Congress leaders meeting with Sinha.
Jammu and Kashmir Congress working president Raman Bhalla was also present during the meeting.
Delhi wakes up to dense fog as cold wave continues in national capital
Cold wave continued in the national capital as the minimum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 7 degrees Celcius on early Tuesday morning.
Dense fog was spotted as the cold wave continued in Delhi. Earlier on Monday, the India Meteorological Department predicted cold day/severe cold day conditions in Delhi.
“Cold Day/Severe Cold Day Conditions very likely in some parts over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and West Rajasthan and cold day conditions in isolated pockets over Uttarakhand on 26th and 27th December 2022,” IMD had said in a bulletin at 3.30 pm on Monday.
The weather department had also predicted dense to very dense fog in Delhi and nearby regions.
“Due to prevailing light wind and high moisture in lower tropospheric levels, Dense to Very Dense Fog very likely to continue over some parts of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi and West Rajasthan during the next 48 hours,” the IMD said on Monday.
Earlier on Monday, the national capital New Delhi reeled under a cold wave and foggy conditions. Delhi on Sunday recorded a minimum temperature of 5.3 degrees celsius while most parts of northern India, witnessed temperatures in a range between 3 to 7 degrees Celsius said India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday.
India Logs 157 New Covid Infections, Active Cases Tally At 3,421
New Delhi, Dec 27: India recorded a single-day rise of 157 new COVID-19 cases, while the count of active cases of the disease has marginally decreased to 3,421, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.
The tally of Covid cases in the country has now gone up to 4.46 crore (4,46,77,459).
The death toll due to the disease stands at 5,30,696 with one fatality being reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.32 per cent, while the weekly positivity was pegged at 0.18 per cent, the health ministry said.
It said 49,464 tests for detection of COVID-19 were conducted in the last 24 hours.
Active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.80 per cent, according to the ministry.
A decrease of seven cases was recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 4,41,43,342 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.
According to the ministry’s website, 220.06 crore doses of vaccines have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5, 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and the one-crore mark on December 19, 2020.
The country crossed the grim milestones of two crore cases on May 4, 2021, three crore on June 23, 2021 and four crore on January 25 this year. (Agencies)
At 2.5 degrees, Jammu records season’s coldest night so far
Jammu, Dec 27: At 2.5 degrees Celsius, Jammu recorded the coldest night of the season so far on the intervening night of Monday-Tuesday as intense cold wave continued to sweep Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
Dense fog affected visibility in Jammu in the morning leading to subdued surface transport and delayed air transport.
MeT office forecast on Tuesday that dry weather with isolated snow at higher reaches is likely during next 24 hours.
“Mainly dry and cold weather likely in J&K during next 24 hours with isolated snow on higher reaches”, an official of the MeT department said.
Tourist resort of Pahalgam received fresh snowfall on Monday evening.
Srinagar recorded minus 4.8 degree Celsius, Pahalgam minus 6.7 degree and Gulmarg minus 5.9 degreel Celsius as the minimum temperature.
In Ladakh region, Kargil had minus 10 degree and Leh minus 11 degree as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 2.5 degrees, Katra 6.9 degrees, Batote 2.2 degrees, Banihal 1.9 degrees and Bhaderwah minus 0.2 degree as the minimum temperature.
Double, triple shift works will start again if DAP comes to power: Ghulam Nabi Azad
“Govt must ensure no commoner is harassed”
Anantnag Dec 26: Democratic Azad Party Chief Ghulam Nabi Azad said that double shift works across Jammu and Kashmir will start again if his party is elected to power after elections. Mr Azad, however urged government to ensure all migrant Pandit employees are shifted to Jammu temporarily.
The DAP chief said that the government shall also consider to bring the local militants to mainstream and have tough stance at the same time against foreign terrorists operating in Kashmir. “ During my tenure as Chief Minister we had a record of surrenders by militants. I think the government shall have same policy and encourage local militants to surrender. Alongside, the common people shall not feel harassed and frisked by security forces, it will usher peace and development in Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir,” he said. Mr Azad expressed his concern over the targeted killings in Kashmir and said all migrant Kashmir employees should be temporarily shifted to Jammu.
“Since last one year, we had targeted killings by militants in Kashmir. By the time situation improves in Kashmir all the employees shall be shifted to Jammu. After all life is more important,” he said.
Mr Azad said that if he gets an opportunity to serve the people once again, he will bring back the golden era of development for Jammu Kashmir. “When I was the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, we had a record for meeting deadlines for all developmental works. Even most of the projects started during my tenure were completed in a given deadlines after I directed authorities to start work in double shifts,” he said, adding “ This time most of those projects are benefiting all people.” Alongside peace, development of UT is my priority, he said. Meanwhile, hundreds of workers from South Kashmir joined the political rally of Azad despite harsh cold wave in Kashmir. The rally was organised by DAP leader Mir Altaf. Among others present in the rally were Peerzada Syed, G.M.Saroori, Mohd Amin Bhatt, Gulzar Wani, Inayat Rathar, Sujada Bashir, Gulzar Khatana, Nisar Ahmed Wani, Ab Gani Bhat, Mohd Amir Dar, Amir Rasool & others.
Students Skill Development Workshop on Industrial Automation Began at SMVDU
Skill Development based five-day hands on workshop on Industrial Automation started at SMVDU by the Automation & Emerging Technologies Club (AET Club SMVDU_ to impart skills to students in the emerging technologies.Mr Himanshu Kumar, Director, Indwell Automation collaborated with AET Club for technical sessions and imparted hands-on training to the students. Chief Guest, Mr. Taranvir Singh, Managing Director, T.V. Super Filters Industries, Jammu, inaugurated the workshop and motivated the students. Mr. Singh urged students to work for Jammu and represent this state at a national level for there is a huge potential market base in Jammu. Prof. M. Eswharamurty, Head, School of Mechanical Engineering, SMVDU, congratulated AET Club for organizing the workshop and stressed upon skill development to meet the Industry 4.0 requirement. Dr. Balbir Singh, Faculty Advisor, highlighted the activities of AET Club and its objectives for the students in the emerging technologies. Mr. Mir Irfan Ul- Haq, Faculty Advisor; Mr. B.K. Bhatia, Training &
Placement Officer and Dr. Amit Sinha motivated students for skill up-gradation and practical exposure. Mr. Yatheshth Anand, Faculty Advisor, congratulated the AET club for this initiative. Mr. Agam Balotra, Club President and Mr. Ankit Pattnaik, Club Vice President contributed to make this workshop a success. Mr. Hriday Vasudeva, student coordinator, delivered the vote of thanks.