Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 15: In a first in J&K, and to cope with the dynamic challenges occurring in the environment, Government Medical College Srinagar, Monday announced the installation and commissioning of Virtulive “Everything in a Box” Smart class system here.
The Principal Govt. Medical College, Srinagar, Dr Samia Rashid said that they have implemented one of its kind solutions in the Radio Diagnosis and Imaging Department of the GMC.
She said that new concept offered by M/S Electronic Concepts and their innovative product has passed successfully in the demonstration session.
The Principal said that there is a great need for such innovative portable smart class systems in every organization and the key attributes that attract towards this new solution are, it has an in-build Public address system allowing organisations to save cost in purchasing extra speakers.
The other best attribute of this unique solution is that of Smart Capture where both teacher and student is captured while lecture is going on along with lecture recording allowing students to go through the lecture whenever there is a need. In the cases of Lockdown etc the system helps us to have online classes, she added.
GMC Sgr commissions Virtulive ‘Everything in a Box’ Smart class system
Police book notorious drug peddler in Srinagar under PSA
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 15: Police has booked a notorious drug peddler arrested in Srinagar under Public safety Act.
“Officers in Srinagar had earlier seized huge quantity of contraband substance from the possession of a notorious drug peddler identified as Shakeel Ahmad Bhat alias Vover R/o Matti Mohalla Shalimer. A Case FIR No 05/2019 under relevant sections of law stands registered in Police Station Harwan in this regard,” a police spokesman said.
Accordingly the case was duly processed and the arrested drug peddler was detained under Public Safety Act after obtaining sanctions from the concerned authorities and shifted to Kotbilwal Jail Jammu.
“Community members are requested to come forward with any information regarding drug peddlers in their neighbourhood. Persons found indulging in drug peddling will be dealt as per law,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, police arrested two drug peddlers in Srinagar and recovered contraband substance from their possession.
“Officers at a checkpoint established at Dhood Ganga bund Kakasarai Karanagar intercepted a Chassis passenger Auto with two persons on board. They have been identified as Umer Irshad Khan resident of Naid Kadal Srinagar and Adil Ameen Kanth resident of Zonimar Srinagar. During checking, officers were able to recover contraband substance from their possession. They have been arrested,” the police spokesman said.
Azad’s absence may make things difficult for new J&K Cong incharge
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Oct 14: Senior leader of the Congress Party Rajni Patil, who was recently appointed as J&K incharge, while winding up her 4-day maiden visit to the union territory batted for restoration of J&K’s statehood and expressed dismay over revocation of Article 370.
It’s in place to mention here that Patil replaced Ambika Soni as J&K incharge. Soni and former J&K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad were dropped from the list of national office bearers of the Congress after they signed a letter seeking change in party’s leadership.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “It seems that the Congress Party is confused. When Azad met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi a few months ago he didn’t talk about the abrogation of Article 370. Top Congress leaders too have maintained silence over this issue. But the new J&K incharge of the Congress Party Rajni Patil termed the Centre’s move as unilateral.”
He said, “The Congress, which ruled the country for so many years, stands at crossroads today. The old horses, who remained loyal to Nehru-Gandhi family throughout their lives, stand sidelined and it seems that the ones who have donned their mantles will take time to understand the politics of the regions they have been assigned.”
An observer said, “When the revocation of Article 370 was discussed in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, in August last year the Congress leaders had opposed the move, but after that they went in a silent mode. Patil by talking about Article 370 while addressing a press conference in Srinagar has tried to send a message that her party doesn’t support the Centre’s August 5, 2019 decision, but the Congress leaders maintaining silence over this issue in other parts of the country has revealed it all.”
The observer said, “The Congress Party, which shared power with PDP and National Conference for 12 consecutive years in J&K, as on date stands decimated in Jammu, its erstwhile bastion. The influential leaders, including former ministers have deserted the Congress in Jammu. In Kashmir party has got just few faces, who too are struggling to make their presence felt on the ground.”
He said, “The grand old party will have to look for different ways and means for re-entering into Jammu and Kashmir’s political arena. If Ghulam Nabi Azad stays aloof it will make the revival of the Congress Party in J&K very difficult. Since the day he has been dropped from the list of national office bearers of the party his loyalists have turned silent. Azad getting sidelined could prove to be a big setback for the party. The new J&K incharge will have to work very hard to revive the Congress in J&K. Mere statements won’t work.”
2 militants killed in Shopian gunfight
Srinagar, Oct 14: Two militants were killed in a brief encounter, which ensued after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday.
Official sources said that following specific information about presence of militants, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in orchards at Chakura, Shopian.
However, when the security forces were moving towards a particular area in the orchards after sealing all exit points, militants hiding there, opened fire. “Security forces retaliated ensuing in an encounter, ‘ he said.
Officials said that two militants were killed in brief exchange of fire when they tried to break the security cordon and flee. “The identity of the militants is being ascertained,” they said.
Officials said security forces have been deployed in strength in adjoining areas to prevent any law and order problem.
Troops foil BAT action in Kupwara: Army
Srinagar, Oct 14: Troops on Wednesday foiled suspect Pakistan Border Action Team (BAT) action and infiltration bid by militants at Line of Control (LoC) in the frontier district of Kupwara in north Kashmir, a Defence Ministry spokesman said this afternoon.
He said troops guarding the LoC noticed suspected BAT action in Tangdhar sector early this morning. Troops immediately swung into action and foiled BAT action, he said.
Early this morning, troops observed suspicious activity of three to four intruders near a forward post along the LoC. However, timely action by alert troops averted infiltration bid, he said adding a massive search operation has been launched and entire area is under surveillance.
He said operation is under progress. However, no contact was established with the militants.
SPO, SSB man desert units, go missing
Rehan Showkat
Srinagar, Oct 14: A Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) constable and a Special Police Officer (SPO) deserted their respective units along with two AK-47 rifles and one magazine in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, officials said on Wednesday.
Official sources told GNS that the SPO Altaf Hassan (Belt No. 1197 /SPO) son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat of Qazipora Chadoora, who was posted in SOG Camp Chadoora, went missing along with two AK-47 Rifles and three magazines.
A police officer said that a case has been registered and further investigations are underway.
SSB trooper ‘absconds’ in Chadoora
Meanwhile, a SSB trooper “absconded” along with a magazine of his service rifle from a camp at Nagam Chadoora, officials said.
They said Commandant of the 14th battalion of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has made a communication to police station Chadoora that the constable identified as Altaf Hussain (110734231) son of Alam Din of Rehan Koteranka Rajouri has absconded from the unit at Nagam at around 2115 hours on October 13.
The Commandant has sought registration of the FIR in connection with incident. A police officer said that a communication has been received for FIR regarding the incident. (GNS)
COVID-19: J&K reports 11 more deaths, 701 new cases
Causalities mount to 1354; 85409 test positive till date
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Oct 14: Jammu and Kashmir reported 11 more COVID-19 deaths and 701 positive cases on Wednesday, officials said.
They said that the fatality count in J&K has mounted to 1354, while 85409 people have tested positive for the virus till date.
Officials said that today five people died in Kashmir, while six casualties were from Jammu division.
As regards those who succumbed to the virus in Valley include four from Srinagar and one from Shopian district.
They said that a 65-year-old woman who was diagnosed with bilateral Community Acquired Pneumonia died six days after being admitted to the hospital.
A 65-year-old man from Safakadal Srinagar died 11 days after he was admitted to SKIMS Soura , officials said. Also, they said two more men—a 70-year-old and a 73-year-old from Lal Bazar died at the tertiary care hospital.
Regarding the 70-year-old man, they said, he was admitted on October 10 while the 73-year-old was admitted on October 8.
Regarding the deaths from Jammu, they said, three among the victims belonged to the winter capital of the J&K, two from Udhampur and one from Rajouri.
With these deaths, the fatality count has reached 911 in Valley and 443 in Jammu.
Srinagar district with 325 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (230), Baramulla (132), Budgam (90), Pulwama (75), Kupwara (71), Anantnag (70), Kulgam (43), Bandipora(42), Rajouri (45), Doda (40), Shopian (33), Ganderbal (30), Kathua (29), Udhampur (25), Samba (24), Poonch (22), Ramban (11), Kishtwar(11) and Reasi (6).
J&K reports 701 new cases, tally at 85409
Meanwhile, J&K reported 701 fresh COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours, taking the total count to 85409.
Among the fresh cases, 264 were reported from Jammu Division and 437 from Kashmir Division, officials said.
They said that Srinagar reported 163 cases, Budgam 43, Baramulla 70, Pulwama 26, Kupwara 23, Anantnag 28, Bandipora 32, Ganderbal 35, Kulgam 8 and Shopian.
Jammu reported 28 cases, Rajouri 22, Udhampur 21, Doda 11, Kathua 9, Poonch 18, Samba 13, Kishtwar 28, Ramban 9 and Reasi 5.
Moreover, they said, 816 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals— 401 from Jammu Division and 415 from Kashmir Valley.
They said out of the positive cases, 9739 are active positive, 74318 have recovered and 1354 have died 443 in Jammu division and 909 in Kashmir division.
Also, out of 1902884 test results available, 1817475 samples have tested as negative till October 14.
Till date 618854 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 24191 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 9739 in isolation and 49421 in home surveillance. Besides, 534151 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Meanhile, government said that there are 1306 COVID dedicated beds, 1170 Isolation beds with 1010 vacant beds and 136 ICU beds where 68 beds are vacant in Jammu division while there are 2358 COVID dedicated beds, 2214 Isolation beds where 1731 beds are vacant and 144 ICU beds where 124 are vacant beds in Kashmir division. There are a total of 3664 COVID dedicated beds, 3384 Isolation beds with 2741 beds vacant and 280 ICU beds with 192 vacant beds in Jammu and Kashmir. (GNS)
COVID-19: India records 63,509 new cases, tally crosses 72 lakh mark
New Delhi, Oct 14: India’s COVID-19 tally on Wednesday crossed 72 lakh-mark after a fresh spike of 63,509 cases was recorded in the past 24 hours, Union Health Ministry said in its daily update.
Country’s overall COVID case count now stands at 72,39,390.
Meanwhile, 74,632 coronavirus patients were cured/discharged during the same time-frame, pushing the total number of recoveries to 63,01,927.
With 730 deaths in one day, the death toll has spiked to 1,10,586 so far.
Active case-load on the country has further decreased by 11,853 since Tuesday and India is currently home to 8,26,876 active cases of the novel coronavirus.
In terms of percentage, the active cases are 11.42 per cent. Recovery rate stands at 87.05 per cent, while the death rate is at 1.53 per cent.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as many as 11,45,015 samples were tested in the past 24 hours, taking the total cumulative samples tested since the beginning of the pandemic till Tuesday to 9,00,90,122.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra continues to remain the worst affected state with maximum case count as well as in terms of maximum active cases.
Globally, the United States continues to remain the most-infected, followed by India and Brazil.
COVID-19 again? Reinfection cases raise concerns over immunity
London, Oct 14: The case of a man in the United States infected twice with Covid-19 shows there is much yet to learn about immune responses and also raises questions over vaccination, scientists said on Tuesday.
The 25-year old from Reno, Nevada, tested positive in April after showing mild symptoms, then got sick again in late May with a more serious bout, according to a case report in the Lancet Infectious Diseases medical journal.
The report was published just hours after US President Donald Trump, who was infected with Covid-19 and hospitalised earlier this month, said he believes he now has immunity and felt “so powerful”.
Scientists said that while known incidences of reinfection appear rare – and the Nevada man has now recovered – cases like his were worrying. Other isolated cases of reinfection have been reported around the world, including in Asia and Europe.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that reinfections are possible, but we can’t yet know how common this will be,” said Simon Clarke, a microbiology expert at Britain’s Reading University.
“If people can be reinfected easily, it could also have implications for vaccination programmes as well as our understanding of when and how the pandemic will end.”
The Nevada patient’s doctors, who first reported the case in a non peer-reviewed paper in August, said sophisticated testing showed that the virus strains associated with each bout of infection were genetically different.
“These findings reinforce the point that we still do not know enough about the immune response to this infection,” said Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at Britain’s University of East Anglia.
Brendan Wren, a professor of vaccinology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said the Nevada case was the fifth confirmed example of reinfection worldwide.
“The demonstration that it is possible to be reinfected by SARS-CoV-2 may suggest that a Covid-19 vaccine may not be totally protective,” he said. “However, given the (more than) 40 million cases worldwide, these small examples of reinfection are tiny and should not deter efforts to develop vaccines.”
COVID-19: Russia to bring vaccine production to 15mln doses monthly in spring
Sputnik
Skolkovo (Russia), Oct 14: Russia is expected to boost its monthly coronavirus vaccine production to 1.5 million doses in December, 3-3.5 million doses in January and up to 15 million doses in the spring, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said on Wednesday.
“We plan to produce 800,000 doses in November, 1.5 million doses in December, 3-3.5 million doses in January, and then the several-fold growth will follow. We will be capable of producing 15 million doses monthly in the spring of the next year,” Manturov said, specifying he was talking about the Sputnik V vaccine.
