Delhi : Despite the receding water level of the Yamuna river after reaching a a historic high, several areas in Delhi remained flooded on Friday.
In the wake of the overflowing water, the Delhi government had closed schools, colleges, crematoriums and water treatment plants in the affected areas.
As of 6 a.m. on Friday morning, the water level of the river stood at at 208.46 meters, slightly lower than the previous night’s measurement of 208.66 meters.
The Central Water Commission has forecasted a further decrease in the water leves, estimating it to reach 208.30 meters by 1 p.m. in the afternoon.
However, the floodwaters from the Yamuna have affected certain parts of the national capital and on Friday it also reached the ITO, resulting in a significant traffic jam.
Commuters experienced delays of approximately 30 minutes due to the congestion caused by the flooding.
“Traffic movement is affected on Vikas Marg towards ITO due to overflow of flood water. Commuters are advised to avoid this stretch and take route of NH 24 via Akshardham-Nizamuddin-ITO, ” the Delhi Traffic Police said in a tweet on Friday morning.
“Traffic movement is closed on Bhairon Road due to overflow of drain water near Railway Under Bridge. Commuters are advised to avoid the stretch, ” it addedt.
Apart from the Supreme Court vicinity, various other areas including the Outer Ring Road near the Red Fort, Vishwakarma Colony, Yamuna Bazar, ISBT bus terminus, Kashmere Gate, Shankaracharya Road, Majnu Ka Tila, Batla House, Kirari, and Kingsway Camp were also impacted by the flooding.
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest award, by French President Emmanuel Macron.
He is the first Indian Prime Minister to receive the honour.
The award ceremony took place at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday night.
“Thank President @EmmanuelMacron and Mrs. Macron for hosting me at the Elysee Palace this evening, ” Modi tweeted after his meeting with the French President.
The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour is the highest French honour in military or civilian orders.
In the past, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor has been received by select prominent leaders and eminent personalities from across the world.
These include late South African President Nelson Mandela, King Charles III, former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and many others.
Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation launched its third lunar mission–Chandrayaan 3 on-board the heavylift LVM3-M4 rocket here on Friday.
At the end of the 25.30 hour countdown, the LVM3-M4 rocket, the largest and heaviest in its class and dubbed as ‘Fat Boy’ lifted off majestically at a prefixed time at 2.35 pm from the second launch pad, discharging thick plumes of smoke.
Thousands of spectators who had converged to witness the historic launch cheered the rocket as it made its ascent into the skies.
With the Chandrayaan-3 mission, scientists are aiming at mastering soft-landing on the lunar surface, a challenging technical aspect which is planned for late August. A successful mission would make India only the fourth country to achieve the rare feat after the United States, China and the former Soviet Union.
Chandrayaan 3 follows the Chandrayaan 2 mission which did not achieve the desired soft landing on the surface of the moon in 2019, disappointing the scientists.
According to ISRO officials, around 16 minutes after lift-off, the propulsion module will separate from the rocket and would orbit the earth for about 5-6 times in an elliptical cycle with 170 km closest and 36,500 km farthest from earth moving towards the lunar orbit.
The propulsion module along with the lander, after gaining speed would proceed for an over a month long journey towards reaching the orbit of the moon until it goes 100 km above the lunar surface.
After reaching the desired altitude, the lander module would begin its descent for a soft landing on the south pole region of the moon and this action is expected to take place on August 23 or 24, scientists at ISRO said.
Ningthoujam Gojendro Singh, the Director of Agriculture in Manipur, shares insights with Tehelka about the government’s current initiatives and steps aimed at addressing the concerns of farmers.
Imphal: The agriculture sector in Manipur is facing a severe blow due to the ongoing violence, which could result in a staggering loss of 1543.23 metric tons of rice next year if the main crop cannot be cultivated.
N Gojendro, the director of the Department of Agriculture, reported that as of June, the violence had already impacted around 5127 hectares of agricultural land in Manipur. He expressed concern, stating, “If we cannot cultivate in these areas, Manipur will face a loss of 15,437.23 metric tonnes of rice next year.”
Gojendro explained that Manipur has a total of 195,000 hectares of land dedicated to the cultivation of rice during the Kharif season. However, due to the ongoing conflict, an inquiry was conducted to identify the areas where agricultural activities cannot be carried out. The report revealed that as of June, 5127 hectares of land had been affected.
The unrest in Manipur has had a detrimental impact on farming and agricultural activities across various districts of the state. Bishnupur District has been the most severely affected, with 2191 hectares of land impacted, while Jiribam District has experienced the least impact, with only 37 hectares affected, Gojendro said.
The current situation has prevented agricultural activities in sensitive areas, and this will undoubtedly have an adverse effect on rice production. Gojendro emphasized, “If the agricultural activities cannot be carried out in these 5127 hectares of land, we estimate a loss of approximately 1543.23 metric tons of rice next year. In monetary terms, this would amount to a loss of around 39 crores.”
Given the current situation, the state government has been taking measures to address the situation and provide relief to farmers. Gojendra highlighted the state government’s efforts, stating, “Several meetings have already been convened in the department, minor irrigation department, water resource department, and many other departments.”
To mitigate the expected loss, the government seems to have initiated the distribution of high-yielding varieties of rice to affected farmers. Gojendro explained, “We have distributed a certain quantity of rice mainly to the affected areas through district agriculture officers. I hope that they have already received it.”
He further added: “Additionally, the agriculture department has made efforts to ensure timely access to fertilizers for farmers to properly harvest their crops A substantial quantity of fertilizer has been stored for distribution, with Gojendro himself recently distributing 62,000 bags. District agriculture officers are also distributing fertilizers in their respective districts.”
To ensure fair distribution of fertilizers, the government has implemented a standard operating procedure (SOP). Gojendro stated, “We have already issued an SOP for issuing urea. Farmers can visit the District Agriculture office, get the urea fertilizer, and it will be entered into the system to prevent duplication.”
Taking into account the increased fertilizer requirements from farmers, Gojendro issued a sincere plea, urging them to refrain from succumbing to panic buying and advised them to make judicious fertilizer purchases based on their actual needs. He assured farmers that there would be an ample supply of fertilizers, alleviating any concerns about shortages.
Ambala : Former Chief Minister and leader of opposition in Haryana Vidhan Sabha Bhupinder Singh Hooda visited all flood affected areas in twin city Ambala City as well as nearly a dozen severely flood affected villages in the districts, caused suffering and loses to the people including traders, industry owners, farmers and residents in affected areas . Talking to media persons Hooda said that the situation could have been avoided in case timely cleaning of drains would have been done prior to rainy season and the present disaster resulted due to utter neglect by the ruling state government. Hooda said, government should take action to rescue flood affected people with the assistance of police, army and air force and also provide necessary compensation to the affected people including people in trade & industry, farmers suffered crop losses and whose properties were damaged through Flood Control Board.
Hooda reminded of the flood situation in 1995-96 when then ruling state government had witnessed flood situation in the state and then government ruling in Haryana state had given suitable compensation to the flood affected victims. Hooda said that during his visit to affected rural areas, he has observed farmers have suffered huge crop loss since water was seen standing in their agriculture field up to five to six feet height, as a result their standing crops have been completely damaged. He said, at the same time people in trade and industry are worst affected, besides he observed large number of properties have been damaged and their owners should be suitably compensated with financial help. Hooda made an appeal to Congress workers in flood affected areas in Ambala and surrounding districts to extend full help to flood affected people as well as to the ruling government. Among those accompanied former chief minister were Varun Choudhary MLA Mullana, Jasbir Mallour former MLA, Karan Dalal and Jai Parkash JP both former Union Ministers.
Top politicians from Jammu and Kashmir have accused the administration of barring them for imposing restrictions on Martyr’s Day to prevent them from going to Martyrs’ Graveyard in the middle of Srinagar.
The day is being observed every year since 1948 in memory of those who revolted against the then Dogra rule on July 13, 1931.
“Despite the restrictions placed on JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah, which denied him security vehicles and ITBP cover, he chose to walk from his home to the Nawai Subh office. His purpose was to address the party workers who had gathered there to pay their heartfelt tributes to the 1931 Martyrs,” National Conference, tweeted.
Omar, while tagging the twitter handle of Jammu and Kashmir police said: “Don’t think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. I’ll walk to where I have to get to & that’s exactly what I’m doing now.”
“Now that I’ve got to the office & will go ahead with my programme you will send everything. The fact is @JmuKmrPolice has stopped a lot of my senior colleagues from coming to the @JKNC_ office today by adopting the same tactics of stopping them in their homes. Notable amongst those stopped are Abdul Rahim Rather Sb, Ali Mohammad Sagar Sb, Ali Mohd Dar Sb and others, he said in another tweet.
Peoples Democratic Party president and former Chief Minister of erstwhile state, Mehbooba Mufti was also barred by authorities to pay homage to 1931 Martyrs.
“President Mehbooba Mufti has been put under house arrest & curbs imposed on the movement of senior leaders. Sad the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for democracy are being dishonoured. Vehemently condemn the action of admin preventing us from commemorating the martyr’s,” PDP said.
Peoples Conference led by Sajjad Lone tweeted: “Disturbed by the authorities’ decision to restrict the JKPC Provincial President Kashmir Khurshid Alam movement from paying homage to the martyrs of Kashmir at Mazhar-e-Shohada in Khanyar today.”
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a trip to France on Thursday, he said interests between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region were vast and deep.
He made the remarks to French newspaper Les Echos ahead of his trip, which will also take him to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Our (India AND France) interests in the Indo-Pacific region are vast, and our engagement is deep. I have described our vision for this region in one word, ‘SAGAR’, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region, ” Modi told the newspaper.
“While peace is necessary for the future we seek to build, it is far from assured. India has always stood for peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy, and for respecting sovereignty of all nations, international law and the rules-based international order.”
On 25 years of strategic partnership between India and France, Modi told Les Echos that “I feel we are now at a turning point. If we look at the post-pandemic global order and the shape that it is taking, I think the positive experience of our strategic partnership is an important step ahead”.
“So, we look forward to working on a roadmap for the next 25 years of the strategic partnership, which I think is very important for the relationship. The relationship is in excellent shape. It is strong, trusted and consistent. It has been steady and resilient in the darkest storms. It has been bold and ambitious in looking for opportunities.”
Highlighting the significance of India in promoting issues of the Global South, the Prime Minister said: “I see India being that strong shoulder that if Global South has to make that high jump, India can be that shoulder to propel it ahead. For the Global South, India can also build its linkages with Global North.
“So, in that sense, this shoulder can become this bridge of sorts. So, I feel that what we need is to strengthen this shoulder, this bridge so that linkages between the North and South can become stronger and the Global South can itself become stronger.”
On being asked as to why the Indo-US relationship has seen a phenomenal rise in the last few years, Modi said: “It is true that the relationship has been growing positively since the turn of the century. It has accelerated and reached new levels in the past nine years.
“There is widespread support for deepening our ties, from all stakeholders, in both countries — be it government, parliament, industry, academia and of course the people. The US Congress has consistently extended bipartisan support for elevating our relationship.”
He further said that he personally enjoyed an excellent rapport with the US leadership, across different administrations, over the last nine years.
“During my state visit to the US in June, President Joe Biden and I agreed that the partnership between the world’s two largest democracies with exceptionally strong people- to-people ties could be the defining partnership of this century.
“This is because this partnership is perfectly placed in terms of interests, vision, commitments and complementarities to address the challenges of our times and contribute in a significant way to shaping the global order, ” he noted.
Modi’s two-day visit to Paris comes at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Prime Minister will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade on Friday, where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent will be participating.
According to the External Affairs Ministry, Modi will also hold formal talks with Macron and meet his French counterpart, as well as the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly.
He will also separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent personalities.
Chandigarh-In view of the situation caused by rains and floods in the state, the Punjab government has decided to extend holidays in all government, aided, recognized and private schools in the state till July 16, 2023.
Giving information in this regard, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Mann, the School Education Department has decided to extend holiday till July 16 to avoid any untoward situation due to rain and flood like situation in the state. He said that all the schools will be reopened on July 17, 2023 as per earlier schedule.
New Delhi : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday is learnt to have cleared the Amendment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957, which will allow the private sector to bid for mining critical minerals like lithium.
Sources aware of developments said that out of the list of critical minerals, a few of them have been brought under the proposed amendment, which will allow their mining by the private entities.
In addition to this, the proposed amendment will also allow the Central government to auction these minerals while the royalty will go to states.The government is bullish on procuring critical minerals, especially lithium, which is useful for batteries, especially for electric vehicles.
Lithium is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element.
The element’s high electrochemical potential makes it a valuable component of high energy-density rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
New Delhi : Even as the Tamil Nadu BJP state president and former IPS officer, K. Annamalai has time and again been making unruly comments against the AIADMK and its leaders, the central leadership of the BJP is keen that the party is in its fold.
The invitation extended to AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) to attend the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting on July 18 at New Delhi is a clear indicator to this.
There were reports of the BJP trying to go it alone in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Tamil Nadu. However, sources in the BJP told to media that the national leadership had conducted a detailed survey on the prospects of the party and found that without the AIADMK it would not stand a chance to win any seat on its own.
It may be noted that for the past five decades, politics in Tamil Nadu revolved around the Dravidian majors, and the Congress, which had once ruled Tamil Nadu, is relegated to political oblivion without the support of a Dravidian major. If the Congress which had once ruled Tamil Nadu is relegated to a minor party status, then the BJP, which had never got proper recognition in the state, will not be able to do anything without the support of a Dravidian major.
R. Kalayanasundaram, political analyst and retired Professor of Political science from Madurai while speaking to media , “The BJP state president was doing political suicide by speaking out against AIADMK as any political student can understand that the only solution to reap benefit in Tamil Nadu is to piggy ride one of the Dravidian majors.
“Fortunately for the BJP, it already has an alliance with the AIADMK, but the unnecessary uttering of its state president was creating problems for its fortunes in the state. The national leadership of the party will be willing to accept the formula of seat sharing pushed forward by the AIADMK and the saffron party will have to be satisfied with the seats the AIADMK offers it.”
