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New Year, New Goals: Trains along the Golden Quadrilateral & Golden Diagonal sections will now touch a speed of 130 kmph

By
The Commune
-
indian railways

Indian Railway has started the New Year by achieving a landmark achievement by drastically enhancing the maximum speed to 130 kmph for 1,280 km length out of 1,612 Km in Golden Quadrilateral – Golden Diagonal (GQ-GD) route.This covers the entire GQ-GD route over South Central Railway, except Vijayawada – Duvvada section, where signaling up-gradation work is in progress.

The enhanced speed limits could be achieved due to the systematic and planned strengthening of track & its infrastructure by removing bottlenecks in these sections on a fast pace. This included heavier rails, laying of 260 meters Long welded rail panels, improvement of curves and gradients among others.

Railways has utilized the opportunity of the Lockdown period and low train movement last year (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) to complete all necessary infrastructure up-gradation works. Based on these improvements done by the Zone, the RDSO/Lucknow conducted oscillation trials through Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) consisting of instrumented coaches of all classes at 130 Kmph speed during July and October last year. During this check, in addition to track parameters, other areas like Signaling aspect, Traction distribution equipment, Locomotive& coach fitness were also checked and recorded.

Accordingly, the South Central Railway zone has received sanction to enhance the maximum speed limits to 130 kmph along the following routes:

1. Golden Diagonal (Grand Trunk) Route: 744 Route Km

i. Ballarshah to Kazipet              – 234 Rkm

ii. Kazipet-Vijayawada-Gudur   – 510 Rkm

2. Golden Quadrilateral Route (Chennai -Mumbai section): 536 Route Km

i. Renigunta to Gooty    – 281 Rkm

ii. Gooty to Wadi            –  255Rkm

Already, the maximum speed limits in the High-Density Network (HDN) between Secunderabad – Kazipet (132 Kms distance) had been enhanced to 130 kmph.

As such, including both the Up and Down lines in these sections, a total of 2,824 kms (1412Rkms)has now been made fit to run at a speed of 130 kmph. This covers the entire GQ-GD route over SCR, except Vijayawada – Duvvada section, where signaling up-gradation work is in progress.

It is noteworthy that despite COVID pandemic, Indian Railways has witnessed an unprecedented growth in development of infrastructure, innovation, capacity expansion of network, freight diversification. Railways has used covid challenge as an opportunity to lay the foundation for future development and next level of traveling experience for passengers.

(Published from PIB)

High Level Committee headed by the PM Modi constituted to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

By
The Commune
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A High Level Committee, headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been constituted to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in a befitting manner. A gazette notification to this effect was issued today.

The High Level Committee will decide on the activities for a one year long commemoration, beginning 23rdJanuary 2021. The Members of the Committee include distinguished citizens, historians, authors, experts, family members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as well as eminent persons associated with Azad Hind Fauj (INA). The Committee will lend guidance to the commemoration activities in Delhi, Kolkata and other places associated with Netaji and Azad Hind Fauj, both in India as well as overseas.

The Commemoration is being held as a tribute and as a mark of gratitude to the colossal contribution Netaji made to India’s freedom struggle.

In the recent past, Government of India has taken several steps towards preserving and conserving the precious heritage of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. A museum has been set up on Netaji at Red Fort, New Delhi, which was inaugurated by the  Prime Minister on 23.01.2019. A permanent exhibition and a Light and Sound show on Netaji has been planned to be set up at Kolkata in the historic Victoria Memorial building.

In 2015, Government of India decided to declassify the files relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and make them accessible to public. The first lot of 33 files were declassified on 4 December 2015. Digital copies of 100 files relating to   Netaji were released by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23rd January 2016 to meet the long-standing demand of the people.

During his visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 2018, the Prime Minister  joined the programme to mark 75th anniversary of hoisting Tricolour by Netaji Bose. He paid tributes to Subhas Chandra Bose’s Provisional Government of Azad Hind, which administered the Islands during World War II. The Prime Minister renamed 3 islands in Andaman and Nicobar. The Ross Island was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep; the Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep; and the Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep.

(Published from PIB)

 

Bolsanaro writes to Modi; asks India to expedite vaccine shipment as Brazil’s vaccine rollout is hit with delays

By
The Commune
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President Jair Bolsanaro on Friday asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite a shipment of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, according to a letter released by the Brazilian President’s press office.

President Bolsonaro’s letter comes amid growing pressure in his country to fast-track Brazil’s vaccine rollout, as Brazil reels under the coronavirus outbreak. Bolsanaro’s critics say the immunization campaign in Brazil is running behind its regional peers, and they question why the government has not moved more quickly.

“To enable the immediate implementation of our National Immunization Program, I would appreciate … the supply to Brazil, with the possible urgency and without jeopardizing the Indian vaccination program, of 2 million doses,” Bolsonaro wrote in the letter, shared by his press office.

His message to PM Modi comes amid broader delays to the vaccine’s arrival in Brazil. On Friday the federally funded Fiocruz biomedical center said that the active ingredients necessary to fill and finish millions of doses of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine in Brazil, previously slated to arrive in the country on Saturday, may not land until the end of the month. The delay in the shipment of the active ingredient is attributed to the wait for an export license from China, where it is produced.

Fiocruz was depending on Saturday’s shipment to supply the government with doses this month. The biological sciences research institution added that it was in talks to import more finished doses of the vaccine, likely from India on top of the 2 million it has already ordered. Earlier, Fiocruz requested an emergency use authorization for AstraZeneca vaccines coming from India, which are expected to arrive in Brazil mid-January.

Vice President says representing people in legislatures can’t be part-time

By
The Commune
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Elaborating on the importance of legislatures, Vice President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu has asserted that the legitimacy of legislators and lawmaking bodies is critical for effective functioning of parliamentary democracy backed by the much-neededtrust and confidence of the people. Noting that legislatures are the instruments of according legitimacy for the decisions of both the executive and the judiciary, he raised the prospect of the very legitimacy of legislatures coming into question if they are dysfunctional and law makers do not enjoy the respect of the people they represent.

Speaking to the present and former legislators of Goa on the occasion of the ‘Legislators Day’ in Panaji today, the Vice President urged the law makers to ensure the legitimacy of the law making bodies through ideal behavior and effective functioning both within and outside the Houses. He suggested to the law makers to do so by equipping them with six attributes that would make a significant difference.

The Vice President said; “It is the functioning of legislatures and law making bodies that can either make or mar any democracy. Their effective functioning forms the basis of people’s trust and confidence in parliamentary institutions. Unfortunately, there is a certain trust deficit with people’s perceptions about the legislators and legislatures being in the negative based on what they get to see and hear. This deficit needs to be addressed at the earliest.”

Urging the law makers to accord priority for the good and welfare of the people instead of being preoccupied with personal vocations and interests and empowerment of self, the Vice President stressed that “Representing people is not a part-time activity and it shall be the prime responsibility if not fulltime. Proper commitment to the cause of the people flows from getting priorities right. Those who have no time for people better not enter the legislatures.”

Outlining the other positive attributes expected of law makers, the Vice President Naidu urged them to develop strong connect with the people they represent to properly assess and understand their difficulties and aspirations; right conduct both in public and inside the legislatures; character based on moral integrity; capacity to understand the emerging complexities and deliver and communication skills for effective communication with the people and all other stakeholders.

The Vice President said; “Any legislature is as good as its members. Legitimacy of both of them are interdependent as each of them draw sustenance from the other.” He further noted that any legislator modelled on these six positive attributes would most certainly like the House to ‘Discuss, Debate and Decide’ so that she/he can make useful contribution rather than being disrupted and that is the difference that able legislators can make to the functioning of legislatures.

The Vice President observed; “Any legislator has the option of either supporting the government or opposing it. Informed opposition to the government’s proposals in fact does a certain good but opposing for the sake of doing it does harm.”

The Vice President complimented the people and successive governments of Goa for the emergence of the State as the most developed in the country with the highest Per Capita Income in the country and the best human development indicators since it’s liberation from the colonial rule 60 years back after a long drawn struggle. However, referring to Goa having had as many as 30 governments during the 57 years since the first elections in 1963, the Vice President said that it is a huge number by any reckoning and it is difficult to justify such a political flux which results in negative perception. He raised the question of “Would Goa have done much better with more political stability. I expect all stakeholders and in particular, the legislators to deeply reflect on this issue as you have to find answers to the challenges that the State has to overcome if it is to retain its frontline position.”

The Vice President further noted that 11 of these 30 governments had tenure of less than one year each ranging from 6 days to 334 days and another three governments lasted for less than two years each. Only three governments ran full term. Alongside, Goa was placed under President’s Rule five times for as many as a total of 639 days which was about two years.

Noting that mining, the main growth driver of Goa reaching saturation, limited availability of land for industrialization and mounting ecological concerns as the major hurdles for sustained economic development, the Vice President underlined the need for the State to prepare for harnessing the opportunities offered by the ‘new economy’ in Information Technology, Biotechnology, Start Up entrepreneurship etc by promoting required skilled manpower resources.

Governor of Goa Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Speaker, Goa Assembly, Rajesh Patnekar, Deputy Speaker Isidore Fernandes, Minister for Legislative Affairs, Govt of Goa, MawinGodinho, Leader of Opposition in Goa Assembly, Digambar Kamat, Secretary of Goa Legislators Forum Mohan Amshekar, Secretary Goa Legislative Assembly Smt. Namrata Ulman, Ministers and Members of the Goa Legislative Assembly were among the dignitaries who attended the event.

(Published from PIB)

India says “We follow an independent foreign policy”, as US Congressional report warns of sanctions over S-400 deal with Russia

By
The Commune
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As India runs the risk of triggering US sanctions over the impending purchase of the S-400 Surface-to-Air-Missile (SAM) system from Russia, the government on Friday reminded the United States that India has always followed an independent foreign policy.

A recent US Congressional report — prepared for members of the US Congress so as to help them make ‘informed decisions” — had cautioned that India’s acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 air defence system may provoke American sanctions. “India’s multi-billion dollar deal to purchase the Russian-made S-400 air defence system may trigger US sanctions on India under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)”, the report had said.

America recently imposed sanctions on Turkey under the provisions of CAATSA for “knowingly engaging in a significant transaction” with Rosoboronexport, a prominent Russian arms export entity, by procuring the same S-400 system. This sanction, the US had said, was a clear signal that it will not tolerate “significant transactions” with Russia’s defence and intelligence sectors.

The Indian foreign ministry has said that while the USA and India have a comprehensive global strategic partnership, India has a special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia.

“India has always pursued an independent foreign policy. This also applies to our defence acquisitions and supplies which are guided by our national security interests,” Anurag Srivastava, a spokesman for the MEA, told reporters.

Nikolai Kudashev, Russian ambassador to India, had earlier said that both India and Russia saw all sanctions as illegal, unless they had been imposed by the UN Security Council.

Child rights body directs Bhopal Police to register FIR against Persecution Relief head Shibu Thomas

By
The Commune
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‘Persecution Relief’ and its head Shibu Thomas who were recently exposed for indulging in anti-India activities find themselves in trouble again, with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) directing the DIG of Bhopal to register an FIR against Shibu Thomas, the founder head of the organization.

The NCPCR in its letter to DIG Irshad Wali, drew attention to the report of Persecution Relief in which it had alleged persecution of Christians and had recommended the Centre/State Governments to instruct the Child Welfare Committees to ‘not harass’ Christian orphanages and institutions. Persecution Relief had claimed in the report that children were evacuated in the middle of the night against the wishes of their parents and many false POCSO cases were registered against those running the institutions with many being in jail.

In page number 116 of their report, Persecution Relief states that “Christian schools, Children Homes and Orphanages are being attacked by Hindu extremists in India”.

To verify the veracity of these claims, the NCPCR had written to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh to initiate an inquiry into the allegations made by Persecution Relief. The Government of Madhya Pradesh informed that the said NGO failed to provide any factual information to substantiate the claims made in the report.

Taking serious view of the NGO’s evasion in providing facts and evidences to substantiate its claims of persecution of Christian child care institutions and filing of POCSO cases, the NCPCR has called for taking necessary action as per law for maligning child rights institutions and mechanisms in the country and has asked the DIG to submit an action taken report within 7 days of receiving the letter.

Earlier, Legal Rights Protection Forum had written to the NCPCR to initiate an enquiry into the matter of Children Homes run by ‘Abundant Life Society’ and the condition of children of those homes.

In its complaint, LRPF noted that ‘Abundant Life Society’ is intentionally demotivating the children who are facing sexual harassment and restricting them from reporting such incidents of sexual harassment.

Abundant Life Society, a non-governmental organization (NGO) based out of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh has been found to be running illegal children homes. Mr. Shibu Thomas, who is reportedly an Indian-origin US citizen is the president of this NGO.

Nationwide COVID vaccination drive to start on 16th January

By
The Commune
-
modi assam west bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 9 announced that the COVID-19 vaccine rollout will begin starting January 16th.

Taking to social media, PM Modi said that India will take a landmark step in the fight against the disease and that priority will be given to ‘brave doctors, healthcare workers, frontline workers including Safai Karamcharis’.

Prime Minister Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of COVID-19 in the country along with the preparedness of the State/UTs for COVID vaccination on Saturday.

The Prime Minister took a detailed and comprehensive review of the status of COVID management covering various issues. Emergency Use Authorisation or Accelerated Approval has been granted by the National Regulator for two vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) which have established safety & immunogenicity. He was also briefed about the preparedness status of the Centre in close collaboration with the State and UT Governments for the rollout of the vaccine in the near future. The vaccination exercise is underpinned by the principles of people’s participation (Jan Bhagidari); utilizing the experience of elections (booth strategy) and Universal Immunization Program (UIP); no compromise of existing healthcare services, especially national programs and primary health care; no compromise on scientific and regulatory norms, other SOPs; and an orderly and smooth implementation driven by technology.

The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine will provide priority to the healthcare workers and the frontline workers who are estimated to be around 3 cr, followed by those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities numbering around 27 cr.

The Prime Minister was also apprised about the Co-WIN Vaccine Delivery Management System. The unique digital platform will provide real-time information of vaccine stocks, their storage temperature and individualized tracking of beneficiaries of the COVID-19 vaccine. This platform will assist the program managers across all levels through automated session allocation for pre-registered beneficiaries, their verification and for generating a digital certificate upon successful completion of the vaccine schedule. More than 79 lakh beneficiaries have been already registered on the platform.

As the vaccinators and vaccine administrators comprise a crucial pillar of the vaccination exercise, their training process was detailed out. 2,360 participants were trained during national level Training of Trainers which comprised state immunization officers, cold chain officers, IEC officials, development partners etc. More than 61,000 programme managers, 2 lakh vaccinators and 3.7 lakh other vaccination team members have been trained so far as part of training at States, Districts and Block levels.

The Prime Minister was also apprised on the three phases of dry runs having been conducted across the country. The third dry run was conducted yesterday across 615 districts covering 4895 session sites in 33 States/UTs. After the detailed review, it was decided that in view of the forthcoming festivals including Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu etc., the COVID19 vaccination will start from 16th January 2021.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya urges govt to regulate Big Tech, says they violate free speech

By
The Commune
-

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Saturday January 9 once again urged the Indian government to review the laws governing big social media firms in India. This was after social media giant Twitter permanently banned US President Donald Trump from its platform citing a ‘risk of incitement of violence’.

Using the same platform that banned President Trump, MP Surya said that the suspension of Trump’s Twitter account was a “wake-up call for democracies” on the threat posed by “unregulated” big-tech companies. “If they can do this to POTUS, they can do this to anyone”, he continued.

Tejasvi had urged the government to repeal the ‘IT Intermediaries Guidelines Rules’ during zero hour in the parliament. “They (the guidelines) are problematic because they empower private foreign enterprises performing essentially a public function to act as censors as free speech without government oversight, thus effectively and severely impacting safeguards of fundamental rights to free speech(sic),” Surya said.

Furthermore, Tejasvi Surya pointed out that he had earlier written to the Centre regarding the anomaly of the regulatory laws governing big-tech companies. “I had earlier written to govt to review the IT Intermediary Guidelines Rules on account of them being violative of #FoE guaranteed under the Constitution. The guidelines allow intermediaries to exercise wide powers that are beyond constitutional limits”, he tweeted.

“Intermediaries aren’t like media platforms. They’re exempt from liability via Sec 79 of IT Act, which bars them from meddling with content. Intermediary guidelines are in contrast to “Intermediary” under IT Act by giving them power to censor free speech without State oversight”, he continued in another tweet.

“Recently, the actions of social media giants have paved the way for introspection and consequential amendments in India’s tech laws. Actions of Intermediaries must be condemned and any law that provides such wide powers must be reviewed. Dissent is fundamental to democracy and government welcomes it. But only constitutional authorities can decide on its reasonability. Lately, we’ve witnessed a sea change in the actions of big-tech companies, which have themselves assumed this role”, he went on.

Calling for regulations on big-tech companies, Surya said that citizens decide what their opinions are and that they are free to express themselves. Facebook and Twitter serve as platforms of expression and should not curtail people’s will, he said.

Donald Trump’s Twitter ban came after pro-Trump protestors stormed the US Capitol on an eventful day. The ensuing violence led to the death of 4 protestors, including a female USAF veteran.

Twitter flagged Amit Malviya’s tweet in November

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya also commented on Trump’s Twitter account ban, saying “deplatforming Donald Trump, a sitting US president, sets a dangerous precedent. It has less to do with his views and more to do with intolerance for a differing point. Ironically, those who claim to champion free speech are celebrating. Big tech firms are now the new oligarchs.”

Earlier in November, Twitter had flagged a tweet by the BJP IT Cell chief as “manipulated media” after the BJP leader shared a video on farmers’ protest as a reply to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tweet on the farmers’ protests.

Retired Pakistan diplomat admits IAF killed 300 JeM terrorists in Balakot airstrike

By
The Commune
-

In a development that will embarrass the opposition parties in India, during a live debate on a Pakistani news program, Zafar Hilaly, a retired diplomat-turned-geopolitical analyst admitted that Pakistan lost 300 people in Balakot airstrike conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2019.

This was the first airstrike carried out by the Indian IAF inside Pakistan after 1971 war. Hilaly called the IAF’s surgical airstrike an “act of war” and came down heavily on the Pakistani government and the military for not taking decisive action.

https://twitter.com/Mave_Intel/status/1347858893137874944

After the airstrikes were successfully executed by the IAF, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) attacked our military installations, however, they could not inflict any damage.

During the debate, Hilaly made it very clear that the targets of PAF airstrike were non-military in nature saying and said, “Our target was their headquarters but we dropped the bomb on a football field. That’s why India is saying they will do it again. Our response was weak,”.

India had carried out a targetted airstrike on a terrorist camp that was run by the banned Islamic terrorist group, the Pakistan based Jaesh e Mohammad (JeM) after one of its jihadist suicide bombers, detonated a car bomb that killed 40 CRPF personnel.

The attack that happened on February 14 in Pulwma against the Indian security forces as seen by the Modi government as a force multiplier that required a response that would give Pakistan and its terror proxies a moment of pause.

In 2016, India had carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir, however, Balakot which is in the in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is deep inside Pakistan territory which sent out a clear signal that such acts of terror will receive a befitting response.

Ramana Dikshitalu asks Jagan Mohan Reddy to take steadfast steps to renovate temples

By
The Commune
-

Ramana Dikshitalu, in his tweets, said that it was time to renovate the temples that were left neglected and dilapidated during the tenure of Chandrababu Naidu in Telangana.

He beseeched Reddy to reconstruct the Thiru Mandapam, Veyyikalla Mandapam in Tirumala saying that it will provide happiness to the devotees. He went on to say that the 1000 pillar mandap in Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam was also due for a renovation and that proper steps had to be taken to refurbish it.

He added that the blessing of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy will be up on YS Jagan. He addressed his comments through social media to the Chief Minister as well as TTD trust board chairman Y V Subba Reddy.

It is to be noted that the Telangana Chief Minister had led the foundation stones for the rebuilding of nine temples that had been in a neglected condition on Friday. He performed the Bhumi Pujan for these temples on Friday, clad in traditional attire. These temples are Rahu-Kethu Temple, Sri Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Sri Seethamma Vari Paadaalu, Dakshinamukha Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Saneeswara Swamy Temple, Sri Daasaanjaneya Swamy Vaari Temple, Boddu Bomma, Sri Veera Babu Swamy Temple and Gosala Krishna Temple.

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