Dec 8: India logged 241 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases further declined to 4,244, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
The total tally of Covid cases stands at 4.46 crore (4,46,74,190).
The death toll has climbed to 5,30,647 with nine fatalities which includes six deaths reconciled by Kerala. While two deaths were reported from Karnataka, one was from Kerala in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases 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 website.
A decrease of 11 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,39,299, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.
According to the ministry’s website, 219.95 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide 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 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year. (Agencies)
Active Covid cases in country decline to 4,244
Sub-zero temperatures ease slightly as Kashmir braces for snowfall
Dec 8 : Amid slight ease in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday, Kashmir Valley is bracing up for two approaching wet weather systems which are expected to bring light to moderate snowfall intermittently from December 9 to 13.
Quoting a meteorological department official, news agency GNS reported that Srinagar recorded a minimum of minus 2.8°C against minus 3.0°C on the previous night. So far, the coldest night this season in the summer capital was recorded on December 5 at minus 3.4°C.
While there was mist this morning, the MeT official said, today’s temperature was 2.2°C below the normal for this time of the year in Srinagar.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 3.0°C against minus 3.6°C on the previous night. The temperature was 2.2°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.
Pahalgam recorded a low of 3.6°C against season’s coldest night at minus 5.6°C on previous night and it was 0.4°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, he said.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 1.8°C against minus 1.9°C on the previous night and it was 1.1°C below normal for the place, he said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 2.8°C against minus 4.0°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 0.9°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the official said.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 2.5°C against 3.1°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 0.7°C below normal for the north Kashmir place, he said.
Jammu recorded a low of 7.6°C against 6.9°C on the previous night. It was 2.4°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.2°C (below normal by 2.3°C), Batote 4.2°C (0.2°C above normal), Katra 8.0°C (0.6°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 1.8°C (0.5°C above normal).
In Ladakh, Leh recorded minus 8.2°C, Kargil minus 12.1°C and details regarding mercury in Drass, the world’s second coldest place after Siberia, were not immediately available, the official said.
Gujarat assembly Trends show BJP headed for a sweeping victory
Dec 8: Counting of votes for a new assembly in Gujarat got underway Thursday, with early trends pointing to a sweeping victory for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has not lost an election in the state since 1995.
The BJP was leading in 42 seats, while Congress was ahead in six and the AAP was winning four seats, according to early trends reported by the Election Commission. Television channels, however, reported that BJP was ahead in more than 100 seats, the Congress in about 50 and the AAP was struggling to take its tally into double digits.
The results of the two-phase elections, held earlier this month, will be watched more for the performance of the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that seem to be locked in a battle to grab the status of the main opposition party in the state.
While the Congress was not expected to replicate its creditable performance of the last Assembly elections in 2017, a good showing by AAP would have helped its leader Arvind Kejriwal cement his place as a key challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in parliamentary elections due in 2024.
The Modi government is struggling with rising inflation, slowing growth and joblessness, but economic troubles are unlikely to dent BJP’s popularity in Gujarat that has been a bastion of the party for decades and where Modi was chief minister from 2001 to 2014.
Gujarat has 182 Assembly seats and the majority mark is 92. Exit polls have predicted that the BJP will comfortably win a seventh straight term — an outcome that will equal the Left Front’s feat in West Bengal.
If the BJP wins big in Gujarat and gets a majority in Himachal Pradesh, where votes were to be counted for elections held on Nov 12, it will be a huge morale boost for the party, said Sanjay Kumar at the New Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. It will enthuse BJP’s rank and file, and reinforce the impression that the party will win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Kumar said.
For the Congress, its role as the main challenger to the BJP is at stake. Thursday’s results will reveal if the party’s silent campaign has cut ice with people. The party’s campaign, mostly shouldered by local leaders, has leaned on door-to-door canvassing for votes as its leader Rahul Gandhi, who had aggressively campaign in the 2017 elections, chose to stay away to focus on the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
For the AAP, which carried out a high-decibel campaign, the elections in Gujarat are an opportunity to establish itself as a pan-national party and a challenger to BJP at the national level. Emboldened by the victory in the Delhi municipal elections, the AAP hopes its politics of welfarism will be accepted by the people in Gujarat.
That said, the BJP has had to battle anti-incumbency after being in power for 25 years. It is banking on Modi’s charisma and appeal to contain anti-incumbency. Modi addressed as many as 30 election rallies.
Unemployment, price rise, water not reaching certain pockets of the state, land acquisition for big projects and farmers not getting proper compensation for crop damage due to excess rains were among key issues that the campaign this time.
Voter turnout this time dropped 4 per cent compared to 2017, signalling fatigue and possible disillusionment among some supporters of BJP.
While the contest in Gujarat has traditionally been between the BJP and Congress, it turned three-cornered this time with the entry of the AAP.
The counting of votes will start at 8 am at 37 counting centres covering the 182 Assembly seats, Chief Electoral Officer P Bharathi said.
There will be three centres in Ahmedabad, two in Surat and Anand, and one in each of the remaining 30 districts. All necessary preparations for the counting have been done, Bharathi told reporters in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
Altogether 182 counting observers and as many election officers along with 494 assistant election officers will be on duty for the entire counting process, the official said.
A three-tier security system has been ensured at all the counting centres with local police and personnel of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), the CEO said.
The fate of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s chief ministerial candidate Isudan Gadhvi, youth leaders Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor, among a total 1,621 candidates will be decided on Thursday.
A total of 70 political parties and 624 independents were in the fray.
Apart from the main rivals BJP, Congress and AAP, 101 candidates from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and 26 from Bharatiya Tribal party (BTP) also contested.
In the 2017 Assembly polls, BJP won 99 seats and Congress 77 seats, while two seats went to BTP, one to NCP, and three to independents.
Ahead of this month’s elections, the BJP’s number in the House stood at 110 and Congress at 60 after 20 MLAs who won on Congress seats switched over to the BJP in the last five years, three of them quitting just ahead of the elections. (Agencies)
Pak Rangers capture BSF jawan who crossed over IB inadvertently; handing over awaited
Dec 8: A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, who inadvertently crossed over to the Pakistani side on Wednesday in the Punjab sector, has been captured by Pak Rangers and his handing back is awaited, officials said Thursday.
This is the second such incident in the Abohar sector of Punjab after a jawan crossed over to the other side while undertaking zero line checking along the India-Pakistan International Border (IB) last week on December 1.
The jawan was handed back by the Pakistan Rangers to the BSF the same day, after a flag meeting.
In the latest case, the officials said, the jawan crossed over to the other side accidentally due to dense fog and resulting “extremely poor visibilty” on Wednesday morning and was apprehended by the Pakistan Rangers.
“The BSF and Rangers are in touch and an update on the release is awaited,” a senior BSF officer said. (Agencies)
Series of events Mark My College, My Pride Ride Celebrations at GCOE Jammu
A series of events marked the celebration of My College, My Pride event. In the morning, the students of GCOE Jammu did yoga asana under the guidance of Yogaacharyas from AYUSH, Directorate of J&K who are mentoring a group of students under the Value Added Course, Arogya Vidhya. The students learnt the importance of yoga, Pranayam and asanas. Later on in the day, a team of eleven students participated in the tug-of-war, sports event at GGM ScienceCollege, Jammu. GCOE students won the tug –of-war competition.
In the afternoon, a cultural event marked the celebration of My College, My Pride.The girls from cultural committee presented colorful Folk dance to celebrate the cultural diversity of Jammu and Kashmir.The students presented Kashmiri,Dogri and Gojri Songs and folk dances and mesmerized the audience with their performance. Mr. Pradeep Sing Bali presented a skit on Unity in Diversity on the occasion. Faculty members who presented Bhaderwahi songs and Gojri Songs were Dr Jyoti Parihar, Prof Rubina and Prof Shapia Shameem. Ms Tripta from DIET and Ms Neelam Raina also presented melodious Dogri songs. All the teams participated in the various events enthusiastically. Prof.Aekta Gupta, Principal of the college appreciated the efforts of Sports committee and cultural committee. She lauded the efforts of the students in exploring their hidden talents. Prof Shalini Rana, Cultural Convener conducted the event. Members of advisory, sports, cultural committee and faculty members from DIET were present to witness the event.
Govt only giving false hopes to KP employees serving in Valley: Rajesh Kesri
Jammu: Shiv Sena Hindustan today expressed serious concern over threats to Kashmiri Pandit employees. Addressing media persons in a press conference, President Shiv Sena Hindustan J&K Pt Rajesh Kesri alleged that administration has failed in protecting them and that over the years they have been only given false hopes and promises while seeking immediate relocation to safer places. He said that they were feeling dismayed and are living a life full of threats and humiliation. PM package employees appointed for various supernumerary posts under CBMs in 2010 and onwards, are still living as deportees, unsettled, unsecured; now almost 13 years in a row,” Kesri said. Kesri also expressed serious concern over suspected blast near the Sidhra bridge checking point in Jammu on Tuesday evening few meters away from Lt Governor House.He demanded immediate thorough search and high level investigation to punish whosoever is involved in this
Kesri further said that PM package employment policy has completely failed as a policy at all levels and has only multiplied their woes and vulnerabilities. They are doing their job at the cost of their lives even as we recently witnessed the killing of PM package employees,” he said.He demanded repealing of the “unconstitutional bond” which, he said, were forced to sign at the time of joining their services for the survival apart from relocation to the safest, terror-free places outside the Kashmir division.He said that he believes it is a complete failure of administration which has resulted in the toll on the lives of the innocent PM package employees. He appealed to the J&K Lieutenant Governor to prioritize the security of Kashmir Pandits over their service location and relocate them to Jammu division until the situation becomes normal.The killings have shown that security breach is a reality and thus accepting this reality, KP employees need to be relocated to Jammu,” he said.
“With a lot of false assurances, lip service that these package employees received from every government, politician and administrators for last 13 years, they are now highly disappointed and engulfed with uncertainties and continuous life threats,” Kesri said.They will not be able to work in the present circumstances and Government should take necessary steps regarding our safety.He said KP employees feeling vulnerable and are not sure about their safety. “Who knows who will end up killing them; it is just not safe here,” he said.He said KP employees feel trapped rather than in a job due to wrong and inhumane policies of the Government where, he said, there is no special flexibility in norms so to give it a humanitarian touch and thought which in turn could render some relief to hapless PM package employees who saw 33 year-long gloom full life post-migration.
SMVDU Students Visit Microsoft Office, Gurugram
Microsoft, Gurugram hosted a technical session for students of Engineering of Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi University.The event was conducted by Sarthak Jain, Head of Community
Rekill, and Microsoft Employees which provided sixty students with an opportunity to
explore the latest technologies and get hands-on experience. Microsoft employees provided
students an in-depth understanding of the industry, the latest trends and best practices.
The students were also visited Microsoft Office and interacted with the employees. The
students gained industry knowledge and explored the possibilities of internships and job
opportunities.They were also provided with the $100 Credits of Microsoft Azure and Goodies
each.The trip was organized by Dr. Manish Sabraj (Head, SoECE), coordinated by Mr.
Sanjay Kumar Sharma (Assistant Professor, SoCSE ). Also, student coordinators: Jatin
Sharma, Sudeep Kumar,vAman Raj, Aman Kumar, Ritik Sharma, Nischay, and Rithik Kasera
helped to make this event a success.This trip would help students learn beyond the
boundaries of books.
Kejriwal seeks PM Modi’s “blessings” to make Delhi better, says “will make MCD corruption-free”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who led Aam Aadmi Party to astounding victory in the civic body polls on Wednesday, thanked the people for “believing” in him and also sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “blessings” for making the city better.
Kejriwal was addressing the party workers and candidates after registering a win in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi polls as AAP won 134 seats out of 250 wards in the polls, and the BJP won 104 wards.
“I congratulate the people of Delhi for this win and thank them for bringing change. We have fulfilled the responsibilities that the people of Delhi gave us. I am indebted to you for believing in me and giving me love. We all have to work together. I appeal to all the candidates and parties that politics was only till today, we all have to work for the betterment of Delhi,” Kejriwal said.
The Chief Minister sought cooperation from the BJP and Congress in working “together” for the city.
“I want cooperation from the BJP and the Congress. I expect their cooperation. I appeal to the Centre and ask for the Prime Minister’s blessings to make Delhi better. We have to make MCD corruption-free. Today, the people of Delhi have given a message to the entire nation,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann were also present on the occasion.
Sisodia said that the mandate by the people of Delhi was to oust the BJP from power.
“The people of Delhi have not only given the mandate to make Kejriwal win, but also to oust the BJP from the MCD. It is not just a victory but a big responsibility to clean the city,” he said.
The Aam Aadmi Party crossed the halfway mark gaining a majority in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections on Wednesday, thus uprooting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) 15-year-long rule in the city’s civic body.
Way earlier than the final results were declared, celebrations started at the Aam Aadmi Party office in the national capital after the trends showed that the party is set to take over the MCD from the BJP.
The party workers gathered in front of the office and rejoiced, danced and chanted slogans praising party chief Arvind Kejriwal.
In a fiercely fought battle, the BJP began the day by leading in the initial trends for nearly one and a half hour initially, however, the trends started shifting as the AAP gained the lead and maintained thereafter until the final results were declared.
Both the parties held on to hope as the counting began at 8 am, with the BJP claiming to win the elections for the fourth time, while the AAP exuded confidence in winning the elections.
“The BJP has got the answer today that the people of Delhi vote for those who work, and not for the ones who defame. The BJP fielded its MPs, Ministers, CBI and ED, but the people of Delhi still voted for the AAP. The people have given a befitting reply to the BJP for the allegations that it levelled against Kejriwal. We will make Delhi the most beautiful city in the world,” Raghav Chadha said earlier.
The high-decibel battle which was fought in the election campaign ahead of the polling on December 4, witnessed the claims and counter-claims by both parties (BJP, AAP) of winning the elections, however, it all boiled down to December 7 when the outcome of the election was revealed.
Minor girl drowns in Jhelum in Bandipora village
Hajin, Dec 07: A 4-year-old girl died after drowning in river Jhelum in Banyari village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Wednesday.
Quoting an official, news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reported that the girl identified as Zehrish Tariq daughter of Tariq Ahmad Dar of Jadalpora Banyari drowned in the river Jhelum.
He said after completing medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to her family for last rites.
Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident.
CBI filed 56 cases against legislators; charge sheet in 22
NEW DELHI, Dec 7: The CBI has filed 56 cases against MPs and MLAs during the last five years and charge sheet has been filed in 22 cases, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
In a written response to a question, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh gave state-wise data of cases registered against legislators, which showed 10 cases were registered in Andhra Pradesh between 2017 and 2022, the highest during the period.
It was followed by six cases each in Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, five each in West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh, four in Tamil Nadu, three each in Manipur, Delhi and Bihar, two each in Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka and one each in Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep.
The conviction rate for the premier agency during the last five years ranged from 66.90 per cent in 2017 to 67.56 per cent in 2021.
The agency recorded a conviction rate of 69.83 per cent in 2020, the highest during the five years, the data showed. (Agencies)