New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the countrymen as India successfully vaccinated 75 per cent of its adult population against Covid-19.

“Seventy five per cent of all adults are fully vaccinated. Congratulations to our fellow citizens for this momentous feat. “Proud of all those who are making our vaccination drive a success,” the PM said, in response to a tweet of Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on the same.

Earlier, the Health Minister in a tweet wrote, “Over 75 per cent of the adult population fully vaccinated. With everyone’s effort, we will defeat Covid-19.”

As per the latest bulletin issued by the Union Health Ministry on Sunday, India has administered 165.70 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine so far under the ongoing nationwide vaccination drive. (UNI)

By: Aabid Hameed

Pulwama: A group of local Muslims in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday helped perform the last rites of an 80-year-old Kashmiri Pandit, who died on Saturday evening.

The local Muslims in Tumlahal village of Lassipora hamlet in Pulwama came together to help perform the last rites of their 80-year-old Pandit neighbour.

Makhan Lal Raina (80), resident of Tumlahal village about 10 kilometers from Pulwama town, was a retired teacher and a known figure in the village.

As only a few of his family members were around, Raina’s local friends and neighbours from the Muslim community took it upon themselves to help perform his last rites.

The local Muslims organized and performed his last rites and mourned his death as one of their own. They shouldered his coffin and arranged wood for the cremation in the village.

“He was one of us. We never thought of him as a KP. We arranged everything needed for the cremation,” said Mohammad Akbar, a local from the locality.

“He has been living here among us for many years. We have lived alongside each other and done everything together,” said Bilal Ahmad another local.

“We share a bond that goes back hundreds of years. When we heard about the sad news, all of us rushed to console the family members and arrange the last rites,” he said.

Locals said that this family has never left Kashmir despite facing many problems and it was their duty to help them. “Once we heard about her sad demise, we rushed to the spot and arranged everything and took part in his last rites,” they said.

“More than a neighbour, he was our teacher and presently I am gazetted officer but upto middle level, I was taught by Makhan Lal in the locality,” said Abdul Rashid, one of his students, adding that his students are in thousands and most of them were part of the last rites.

Panaji: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday recalled surgical strike conducted by India against militant launch pads across the line of control in Pakistan and claimed that it was possible only because of Narendra Modi government.

“Alia Malia Jamlia would enter the country, behead our soliders and Delhi Darbar (Congress-led UPA government) would not bother due to vote bank politics. But when Modi ji came to power and terrorists strike happened, within 10 days surgical strike was carried out and the terrorists were finished,” he said while addressing a public meeting at Ponda in South Goa.

He also said abrogation of Article 370 too was possible only due to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre.

”Had anyone imagined that Article 370 would be abrogated. People of Kashmir were suffering for 70 years but the Modi government took a historical decision and Article 370 and 35 A were abrogated. And nobody dared to resort to stone pelting,” he said.

Shah also praised former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and said he was such a leader who made Goa’s name famous not only in India, but in the world as well. (UNI)

Jammu: The Administrative Council (AC), which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved establishment of 5000 MT Multi Chambered Modern Cold Storage and Ripening Project for storing fresh fruits & vegetables, by J&K State Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd.

Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.

The project will be first of its kind cold storage facility for fresh fruits and vegetables in Jammu district and will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 2646.73 lac at Talab Tiloo, Jammu in next eight months. It will reduce the post-harvest losses by increasing the shelf life of various agriculture/horticulture products, besides addressing the issue of distress sales of the crops by the farmers.

During the last two years, an enabling environment has been created for transforming J&K Agriculture and allied sector to increase the income of farmers, ensure food security and speed up the economic growth of J&K. The Government has taken several concrete steps for increasing the Agriculture/Horticulture production and enhancing the quality of the crop, while laying special focus on the post harvesting management infrastructure especially in private sector.

So far, around 1.98 LMT of CA Storage has been established in the private sector which has mostly focused on one crop only. The upcoming project is a step towards diversifying the cold storage facility for multiple fruits and vegetables in Jammu division.

Jammu: To streamline the GI tagging of Jammu and Kashmir’s art and craft through the Craft Development Institute, the Administrative Council (AC), which met under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the transfer of administrative control of the Craft Development Institute (CDI) to the Industries and Commerce Department for promoting GI tagging of J&K arts and crafts.

Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.

The decision is aimed at promoting and developing the traditional, contemporary, modern and diversified crafts in Jammu and Kashmir through targeted and strategic planning.

The Craft Development Institute plays a pivotal role in identifying and promoting varied crafts and obtaining the coveted Geographical Indicator (GI) tag to further boost awareness and sales of authentic products. The Institute has so far assisted Pashmina, Sozni, Kani, Khatamband, Papermachie, Walnut carving, and Carpet art in achieving the GI tag, whereas, Namdha, Shikara, and Waguv are in the process of obtaining the same.

Earlier, to facilitate the Pashmina artisans and weavers to avail testing, certification, and labelling facilities for authentication of pashmina products, the Government had transferred the administrative control of Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre from the Skill Development Department to the Industries Department. The step has successfully protected the interests of artisans through authentic trade of genuine pashmina based handicrafts and handloom products in the market.

Jammu: The recently concluded Dubai Expo has opened the gateway for industrial investments for the entire Jammu and Kashmir which will be the ‘Dawn of New Era’ for the industrial development here.

While participating in the Expo, the Jammu and Kashmir government received an encouraging response from Dubai based industrialists for investment. Several Global investors are now eyeing the untapped market and industrial potential of Jammu and Kashmir.

During the Expo, J&K Government signed at least six agreements in potential sectors real estate, infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, food processing and others, generating large amount of investments which will be remarkable for the industrial growth of J&K.

While participating in Expo, several known UAE based companies like Al Maya group, MATU investments LLC, Century Financial, Noon e-commerce and others signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the government of Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from this, Letter of Intent (LoI) was also signed with Magna Waves private limited, Emaar group and Lulu international.

During the Expo, Emaar Group signed an agreement with the Jammu and Kashmir government to develop a 500,000 square feet shopping mall in Srinagar. Emaar is UAE’s biggest real estate developer and the investment is expected to pave the way for further investments. Lulu Group has also pledged Rs. 600 million to develop a food processing unit in J&K.

Moreover, UAE’s Century- Financial, whose owner is a son of soil and hails from Doda District, will also be investing $100m to build three hotels and one commercial-residential complex in the UT of J&K. Dubai ports giant DP World is set to build an inland port in J&K and the 250-acre site for the project will be finalized shortly.

Interestingly, these projects will not only give considerable employment opportunities to the local youth will also benefit the Agriculture sector and uplift the economic conditions of farmers.

Under the J&K-Dubai partnership, world famous GI-tagged Kashmiri saffron has been launched at Lulu hypermarket in Dubai.

While participating in the investors summit at Dubai, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha un his address highlighted the strong business potential of J&K. He said that J&K has moved from a sleeping business destination to the land of opportunities and investment adding that J&K has the capability to provide opportunity to the industries to compete, correct and collaborate with readily available abundant resources.

In the recent months, the proactive approach taken by the UT government in attracting the investors is testimony of the fact that J&K has ushered on the path of development with investments clocking around 60000 crores and in real terms coming years will be the ‘DAWN OF A NEW ERA’ for Jammu and Kashmir.

 New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary, also observed as Martyrs’ Day.

The President paid floral tributes to the ‘Father of the nation’ at Raj Ghat in Delhi on the occasion.

In a series of tweets, the Vice President wrote, “My respectful tributes to ‘Father of the Nation’ Mahatma Gandhi Ji on his death anniversary today. An apostle of peace and non-violence, Gandhi Ji played a colossal role in India’s freedom struggle and in shaping the destiny of India.”

“Gandhi Ji was a visionary leader, social emancipator, messiah for farmers, crusader of the downtrodden and the voice of rural India. He was an epitome of kindness, compassion and selfless service. His glorious life, noble ideas and selflessness continue to inspire humanity,” Naidu said.

Let us resolve to build an India that is united, harmonious, self-reliant, clean and healthy, and free our country from poverty, hunger, social evils, illiteracy and discrimination, he appealed.

Taking to twitter, the PM Modi wrote, “Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi. It is our collective endeavour to further popularise his noble ideals.” Modi also paid homage to those who courageously safeguard our nation and said their service and bravery will always be remembered.

Later, the PM also paid floral tributes to Gandhi at Raj Ghat.

“Mahatma Gandhi ji instilled the spirit of ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Swaraj’ in the heart of every Indian. His thoughts and principles will always inspire us to serve the nation,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a tweet wrote, “I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on his ‘punyatithi’. On Martyrs’ Day, I pay my heartfelt tributes to all freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country.” BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda took to twitter and paid homage to ‘Father of the nation’. “Gandhi Ji’s life and his welfare ideas will always inspire us to serve the nation,” Nadda said.

In a tweet, former Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Hindutvavadis believe that Gandhi ji is no more. Where there is truth, Bapu is still alive there.” The Congress MP also paid floral tributes to Gandhi at Raj Ghat. (UNI)

New Delhi: The Budget Session of Parliament will start on Monday, with restrictions in place in view of the Covid-19 pandemic situation. The first half of the session, which starts Monday, will conclude on February 8.

In view of Covid-19 related protocols, sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will be held alternately, and arrangements will be made for members to sit in galleries of both Houses to maintain social distancing.

From February 2 to February 11, the Rajya Sabha will sit from 10 am to 3 pm, and Lok Sabha is scheduled to sit from 4.00 pm. to 9.00 pm. Thus, five hours have been scheduled per Sitting instead of normal 6 hours during the First Part of the Budget Session. There will be 10 sitting in the first half of budget session.

The President will address both Houses of Parliament assembled together at 1 am on Monday. Half-an-hour after President’s Address, the Lok Sabha will sit for transaction of Business, and the Economic Survey 2021-22 will be laid by Union Finance Minister.

The Budget will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 at 11 am.

There will be two major items of Business during the First Part of the Budget Session – Discussion on Motion of Thanks on President’s Address and General Discussion on Budget. During 2020, 12 hours were allotted for Discussion on Motion of Thanks while the discussions took 15 hours and 21 minutes.

Similarly, during 2021, 10 hours were allotted for the discussion on Motion of Thanks, while it took 16 hours and 58 minutes, the Lok Sabha secretariat said. The second half of the session will start on March 13 and end on April 8. (UNI)

Srinagar: As ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day long harshest period of winter, ends, the minimum temperature recorded a drop at most places in Kashmir Valley on Sunday.

A meteorological department official here said that Srinagar, the summer capital of the J&K recorded a low of minus 2.3°C against last night’s minus 1.0°C on the previous night.

While the ‘Chillai Kalan’, which started from December 21, ends, it is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 7.4°C against minus 7.5°C on the previous night, he said.

The temperature is 0.1°C above normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.2C against minus 3.1°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.8°C against minus 3.3°C on the previous night, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 7.0°C against minus 2.8°C on the last night, he said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 2.4°C against 1.5°C on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu recorded a low of 6.6°C against previous night’s 6.9°C. The temperature was 2.1°C below normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.6°C, Katra had a minimum of 7.6°C while Bhaderwah recorded a low of minus 0.6°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 11.7°C against last night’s minus 14.6°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 17.6°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 21.7°C against last night’s minus 14.4°C, official said.  Weatherman has forecast cloudy weather in J&K.

“Currently, weather is partly to generally cloudy at most places of  J&K. There is possibility of light rain or snow on January 31-February 1 at scattered places and on Feb 3,” the official said. “Overall, weather likely to remain partly to generally cloudy next week starting tomorrow. There’s no forecast of any major weather till 1st week of February.” (GNS)