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Running low on vaccine, EU asks India for 10 million doses to meet shortfall

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The Commune
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India COVID-19 vaccine EU vaccines

As COVID-19 cases across the world are on the rise, the European Union (EU) is facing a serious shortage of vaccine doses. The EU has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking India to supply 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India (SII) for emergency use.

The Pune-based Serum Institute is the world’s largest manufacturing centre of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. Serum was originally supposed to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine only for low and medium-income countries. But due to production glitches, the EU has requested for a purchase of 10 million doses.

Right now the EU is facing a huge challenge wherein 450 million people from the 27 nations of this Union need to be vaccinated. However, due to problems in the production of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the EU is running short of vaccines in the ongoing inoculation process.

India has already exported more than 70 million doses to about 83 countries, but last week the government decided to stop the export as the number of cases in India have also shot up.

If the EU needs to vaccinate 450 million people, India has the great challenge of vaccinating nearly one billion of its citizens. This makes it difficult for the Government of India to make any export commitments.

Britain, which is not part of the EU, is also requesting for its supply of the remaining order of the 10 million doses it had purchased.

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Saudi Gazette praises PM Modi for his development initiatives in post-abrogation J&K

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Saudi Arabia Modi
Featured Image: In 2016, PM Narendra Modi was conferred with Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour,
the King Abdulaziz Sash, named after the founder of the modern Saudi state, Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Image credits: PTI

One of the leading newspapers in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Gazette, has appreciated the Narendra Modi government for taking various development initiatives in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

An article in the Saudi daily mentions that after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, those local leaders of the erstwhile state, who were critical of the Modi government, have been proved wrong. “The Indian Government has remained firm in its decisions to ensure that the region is pulled from the quagmire of uncertainty”, it noted.

The news article has also acknowledged the decline in violence and also the decrease in the number of stone-pelting incidents.

The Gazette went on to say that the Modi government has taken serious initiatives for opening employment opportunities for the Kashmiri youth who were “misguided to take up arms in a proxy war against a welfare state”.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to arrive in India on April 5

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The Commune
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Sergey Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit New Delhi from April 5-6, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said on Thursday.

“On April 5-6, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a working visit to New Delhi, during which he will hold talks with his counterpart (External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar),” the spokesperson said at a briefing, according to a Sputnik report.

“The heads of the foreign affairs agencies will discuss the current state of bilateral relations, the preparation of the upcoming high-level meeting this year, including cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, will consider key topics on the regional, global agenda, assess approaches to the interaction between Russia and India on the international arena, including at the UN, BRICS,” Zakharova added.

Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla visited Russia in February this year where he met Foreign Minister Lavrov and discussed wide-ranging Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries and ways to further strengthen it.

Shringla said they discussed some regional and international issues of interest including cooperation in the UN and UNSC where India is a non-permanent member. “We also spoke about issues like Afghanistan, which both countries have a direct interest,” he said.

The Russian foreign minister’s visit to India comes at the heels of a three-day visit from US Defence Secretary Llyod J Austin III last month. During his visit, Austin had hinted that buying the S-400 missile system from Russia may invite sanctions on India.

The focus of Lavrov’s visit is going to be on pending defence ventures including the S-400 Air Defence System, the manufacturing of the AK-47 203 rifles locally in India, production of helicopters in India, the long pending P-75i submarine project and other related projects.

Also on the agenda of talks would be the forthcoming BRICS summit, the Indo-Pacific Region, the US-led Quad initiative, peace talks in Afghanistan, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

After visiting India, Lavrov will reportedly travel to Pakistan on a two-day visit from April 6-7.

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Idol theft reported in ASI-managed temple in Karnataka

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Rameshvara temple Sagar idol

Thieves took away a Ganesha idol kept at the Rameshwara Temple, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) monument, at Nadakalasi in Sagar taluk recently. The incident took place on March 23, following which a complaint was registered by the Sagar Rural Police.

According to reports, there is apparently no provision allowing for security staff to stay during the night at the monument. This lapse in security is believed to have given the thieves the opportunity to steal the idol.

K. Goutham, Conservation Assistant of Shivamogga Sub-Circle (ASI), said that a complaint had been filed with the police and the investigation was on.

“The idol stolen is not an ancient one, but a modern idol. A person, who had received it from a donor, gave it to us and we placed it at the temple”, he said.

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Skoda shelves its electric car plans for India, says “economics of electric doesn’t work just yet”

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The Commune
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Skoda electric car India

Czech automobile manufacturer Skoda will not be launching its electric car in India anytime soon, as it thinks the market is not yet ready for such vehicles, a top company official has said.

The automaker, which sells models like Rapid and Superb in the market right now and is gearing up to drive in SUV Kushaq in July, said that due to higher acquisition cost as compared with internal combustion cars, the economics of electric vehicles does not work out. The auto manufacturer has also decided to stay away from diesel powertrains for now and bring in only petrol-powered cars.

“The economics of electric (vehicles) doesn’t work in the mass segments just yet. The battery prices have come down but not to an extent where they could compete with internal combustion engine cars and that is some years away,” Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Managing Director Gurpratap Boparai said.

The electric vehicle business is not viable currently as the economics do not work, he added.

Boparai was responding to a query whether the company is looking to launch electric vehicles in the country.

“Having said that the group is the one that has committed the most to electrification globally, and great steps have been taken in other markets. Those steps will get replicated here when either incentives are sufficient or the costs have come down,” Boparai noted.

As part of its strategy to enhance its presence in India, German automotive group Volkswagen had announced in 2018 that it would invest 1 billion euro between 2019 and 2021 under the India 2.0 Project. Skoda is responsible for pressing ahead with the India 2.0 project on behalf of Volkswagen Group since June 2018.

Boparai said that the Volkswagen group would have its representation in the electric segment with a premium offering from group firm Audi.

“We will of course start this year with some of the luxury or premium offerings from the group, not Skoda or Volkswagen but other brands. There are a couple of launches lined up this year. It is no secret that we will have Audi e-tron and the e-tron GT launch this year and then we are looking at Porsche Macan,” he added.

Speaking on the shift towards petrol engines, Boparai said that with the transition to BS-VI emission norms last year, it did not make sense to go in for diesel technology. He noted that the company’s BS-VI petrol engines were extremely fun to drive with enough torque and power.

Skoda aims to drive in four new products, including Kushaq and new Octavia, over the next 12 months.

It is also looking to expand its sales network in the country as it looks to garner 5 per cent market share in the domestic passenger vehicle segment by 2025.

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Tirupati temple board gets 40 year land lease in J&K to build spiritual centre

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The Commune
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The Temple board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has leased nearly 25 hectares of land in Jammu and Kashmir to build a spiritual centre, for a 40 year period. This centre is said to have a pilgrim amenities complex, a ‘vedapatasala’, a meditation centre, an office and residential quarters. It is also touted to get educational and medical facilities in the future.

A proposal had been submitted regarding this by the TTD board for the construction of a spiritual centre in Jammu and Kashmir to the Administrative Council (AC), which is headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. This was approved on Thursday.

The TTD was originally established in 1932 by the Tamilnadu government, and is a charitable organisation that carries out activities in the spiritual, cultural, social, and educational sphere.

According to a spokesperson, the arrival of the TTD in Jammu and Kashmir could tap the tourism potential, particularly pilgrim tourism in Jammu, which is known as the city of temples, and also enhance economic activities. “Once developed, the TTD infrastructure will be an attraction for the pilgrims and tourists in addition to the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and Amarnathji Shrine,” he said. “The future development on the campus will also contribute to the economic growth of the region,” he added.

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Udhayanidhi stoops to new low: Does politics over Sushma Swaraj’s death, Swaraj’s daughter lashes out

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The Commune
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udhayanidhi stalin

Adding to the list of unsavory remarks coming from the DMK, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the party’s youth wing secretary hit the pinnacle of indecency by talking about the death of  two late BJP leaders – Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley.

The DMK chief’s son while campaigning at Dharapuram said that later former Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and late former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley died due of torture from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“There was someone called Sushma Swaraj. Because of Modi’s torture, she died. There was another person called Arun Jaitley. He also died due to pressure and torture from Modi.

Reacting to this, Sushma Swaraj’s daughter Bansuri Swaraj, who is an advocate at the Supreme Court of India lashed out at the DMK chief’s son for stooping low and doing politics over her mother’s death. She said that the statements made by him have hurt them.

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11 states get special allocation for financial recovery

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The Commune
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The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has released an amount of ₹ 11,830 crore to States under the scheme “Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure”.

The scheme of “Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure was announced by the Finance Minister on 12th October, 2020 as part of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat package. The Scheme is aimed at boosting capital expenditure by the State Governments who were facing difficult financial environment in the year 2020-21 due to a shortfall in tax revenue arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Capital Expenditure has a higher multiplier effect, enhancing the future productive capacity of the economy, and results in a higher rate of economy growth.  Therefore, despite the adverse financial position of the Central Government, it was decided to extend a special assistance to the State Governments in respect of capital expenditure, in financial year 2020-21.  The scheme has been continued in the year 2021-22 as well.

The scheme has got very warm response from the State Governments. Capital expenditure proposals of  ₹11,912 crore of 27 States were approved under the scheme by the Department of Expenditure. The capital expenditure projects have been approved in diverse sectors of economy like, Health, Rural Development, Water Supply, Irrigation, Power, Transport, Education, Urban Development.

The Scheme has three parts.  Part–I of the scheme covers the north-eastern and hill States.  ₹2500 crore were allocated under this part to the 9 North East and Hill States under this part.  Part-II of the scheme is, for all other States not included in Part-I. An amount of ₹7,500 crore was earmarked for this part.  This amount has been allocated amongst these States in proportion to their share of central tax as per the interim award of the 15th Finance Commission for the year 2020-21.

Part-III of the Scheme is aimed at pushing various citizen-centric reforms in the States.  Under this Part, an amount of ₹2000 crore was earmarked.  This amount was available to those States who carry out at least 3 out of the 4 reforms specified by the Ministry of Finance in its letter dated 17th May, 2020.  The reforms were to be certified by the nodal ministry concerned.  The 4 reforms are – One Nation One Ration Card, Ease of doing Business Reform, Urban Local Body/ Utility Reform and Power Sector Reform.  11 States qualified under this part and were given enhanced allocation under Part-III of the scheme.

(Source: PIB)

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Man dies after violating sanctity of Hindu temple; scared, two others confess

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The Commune
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Mangaluru temples

Police on Thursday arrested two persons accused of violating the sanctity of the Sri Babbuswamy Daivasthana temple at Yemmekere in Mangaluru.

The arrested have been identified as Abdul Rahim and Abdul Taufeeq.

In recent months, several cases of vandals putting offensive messages and condoms in the hundis (donation boxes) of Hindu shrines had come to light in the coastal city.

Cases had been registered at Pandeshwar, Kadri and Ullal police stations in this regard.

Nawaz, one of the miscreants involved in the crime, took ill after the incident and died. Scared that it was a curse from the deity, the arrested arrived at the shrine and confessing to their crimes, begged forgiveness. The locals then handed them over to the police.

They admitted their crime out of fear, says police

Addressing a press meet, police commissioner N Shashi Kumar said, “In the last three months, five cases have been registered at Ullal, Kadri, and Pandeshwar police stations over miscreants dropping objectionable items into the offering boxes of temples. In Mangaluru, people believe in Koragajja and offer prayers.”

“Accused Raheem and Taufiq were in touch with the priest of a Koragajja Katte temple located at Yemmekere ground to confess their mistake. They were called during the ‘Nemotsava’ where they confessed about involving in the heinous act.”

“One more accused named Nawaz, who is the common friend of the other two accused, had come back from Dubai one and half years ago. In the last couple of months, he suffered severe health issues and passed away. Recently, the devotees carried out a walkathon from Kadri temple to Kutthar Koragajja Katte. Later, Taufiq also faced severe health issues like Nawaz. Out of fear, they decided to confess. Raheem and Taufiq used to accompany Nawaz to the Koragajja Katte to drop objectionable items in the offering box.”

“The objective behind the act is not yet known. We are probing it. As per the primary investigation, they have committed the act in three places. The modus operandi looks similar. We need to verify the hand written content as well. Both the accused voluntarily contacted the priest to confess,” he said.

The accused Taufiq and Rahim | Credits: Udayavani

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DRDO develops light weight bulletproof jacket

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The Commune
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DRDO bulletproof jacket

The Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE) lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a lightweight bulletproof jacket (BPJ) weighing 9.0 kilogrammes, meeting the qualitative requirements of Indian Army.

The Front Hard Armour Panel (FHAP) jacket, developed by the DMSRDE lab at Kanpur, was tested at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh and met relevant BIS standards.

According to a statement from the Defence Ministry, each gram of BPJ weight reduction is crucial in enhancing soldier comfort while ensuring the survivability. “This technology reduces the weight of the medium sized BPJ from 10.4 to 9.0 kilogrammes. Very specific materials and processing technologies have been developed in the laboratories for the purpose”, the statement said.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO scientists and the industry for developing the light weight bulletproof jacket to make the soldiers more comfortable. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated the DMSRDE team on the development.

(Source: PIB)

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