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

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The Commune
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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

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The Commune
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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.

K’taka CM BS Yediyurappa lays foundation stone for “first of its kind” toy manufacturing cluster in Koppal

By
The Commune
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Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa in a bhumi puja on January 9 laid the foundation-stone for what is publicised as a “first of its kind” toy manufacturing cluster in the country. The manufacturing cluster near Bhanapur in Koppal district is expected to draw in investments of up to ₹5,000 crore and generate employment, directly and indirectly, for  an estimated one lakh people. He also announced that the project was expected to be completed in a year and that he would invite PM Narendra Modi for the project’s inauguration.

“Koppal is known for traditional Kinnal crafts. I feel proud to establish a toy cluster in this place. The cluster is expected to generate a large number of direct and indirect jobs in the area. It would provide ample employment opportunities to women in the region,” he said. The Chief Minister also announced a slew of development projects for Koppal district, which included the establishment of a university and a mini-Vidhana Soudha at Kukanur.

“Karnataka is one of the leading States in the country in attracting investments. An industry-friendly environment has been created in the State. The simplification of industry-related regulations and liberalisation of land purchase legislations have helped us to do it. Now, we are planning to move from Bengaluru-centric development to distribution of industries in rural areas across the State so that we can stop large-scale migration from rural areas to megacities,” the Chief Minister said.

Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries Jagdish Shettar said the Koppal toy cluster would house tens of toy-making companies to generate 25,000 direct jobs and over 1 lakh indirect jobs.

“Toys could be sold in all countries. Once the toy cluster is ready in Koppal, many companies would come and invest here. The toys manufactured here would be exported. As per our new industrial policy, local people would get priority while offering jobs in the cluster. After the new industrial policy came into force, the Bengaluru-centric industrialisation has stopped to pave the way for the expansion of industries in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. North Karnataka is a major beneficiary in this regard,” Mr. Shettar said.

Koppal MP Sanganna Karadi requested the CM to sanction an airport for Koppal and provide funds to the district court complex.

Former Industry Minister R.V. Deshpande, Forest Minister Anand Singh, Mines and Geology Minister C.C. Patil, Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil, former Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi, and legislators representing different constituencies were present.

The Aequs Manufacturing Cluster is part of the state government’s endeavor to secure Karnataka’s position as an attractive destination for investment towards the setting up of manufacturing industries, and to establish Karnataka as a toy manufacturing hub. Karnataka is the third-largest market for toys in India, and amounts to 9.1% of the national market worth $159 million. India’s toy industry has grown at a CAGR of 15.9% during 2011-19 to $1.75 billion in 2019, compared to the global toy industry valued at $90.7 billion in 2019.

Stray dogs bite 6 people in the same area in a single day in Madurai

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The Commune
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stray dogs ahmedabad

Rabid stray dogs have become a menace in the Muthupatti area of Madurai with many of them charging at those passing by.

People in the Pudukulam area near Muthupatti in Madurai are having a hard time with many rabid stray dogs roaming around.

These dogs charge at those passing by the area and bite them leading to serious injuries. Recently, a boy named Sanjeev Kumar was chased and bitten by one stray dog. He was later admitted to the Government Hospital in Madurai.

In just one day, these dogs have bitten close to 6 people in the same area.

Despite the people in the Pudukulam area petitioning the civic authorities to take action, the stray dog menace remains unresolved.

(With inputs from Dhinasari)

School kids from Telangana come up with natural substitute for regular chalk

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The Commune
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Image source: ANI

Since the harmful effects of using gypsum chalk have been gaining awareness in recent years, there have been several new innovations that have been coming up from various sources. One of the recent innovations in that regard is by two school students from Telangana. P Harshit Verma and K Rudra, two students from a government school in Hyderabad’s Adilabad have come up with an innovative organic replacement for gypsum chalks.

“The regular chalks used to write on boards by teachers are generally made using chemicals. These chalks are made from gypsum powder and the dust generated from it may lead to many health issues especially in the lungs and causes eye irritation as well. We have come up with organic chalks that can be replaced with the regular gypsum chalks,” Verma told ANI.

“We have used rice flour and natural clay for the preparation of these chalks. Along with these two, we also mixed neem oil, lemon oil, camphor, and many other naturally extracted substances. Further, to create a natural aroma in the classroom, we have added natural fragrances like rose water, extracts of Jasmine and sandal, and many other natural aromatic substances,” Harshit said.

This chalk doesn’t emit harmful gypsum fumes from the dust produced by the conventional chalk. These fumes irritate the lungs and eyes of students and teachers.

Karnataka: Youth Group cleans up nearly 20 tonnes of trash from Mangaluru’s Bengre Beach

By
The Commune
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Members of the youth-group BoskyOrb have been engaged in a community clean-up drive of the Thota Bengre beach at Mangaluru, Karnataka for the last 80 days. Mostly comprised of college students who consider themselves ‘nature healers’, the group has been doing the clean-up after launching a ‘Broom My Beach’ campaign. They have cleared up nearly 20 tonnes (20,000 kilograms) of trash from the beach. Of the waste that has been cleared up, roughly 80% was footwear and thermocol waste, while some 5% was medical waste.

This initiative was launched in October 2020 by Shreyas Holla, a CA student and his friend Harsha Kotian, a lecturer, along with Manisha, Harsha’s sister. What began as a three-member campaign, soo drew around twenty people, mostly students in the 18-23 age group.

“We selected this beach as it is one of the toughest to clean. It’s a delta point—where the river and sea meet, and the breakwater stops a lot of waste from coming into the sea, and thus a lot of trash gets accumulated on the shoreline,” said Shreyas. “We gradually plan to clean the entire stretch from the sunset point in Bengre to the Tannir Bhavi,” he added.

Sanket Bengre, a swimmer and businessman, who launched cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for fishermen and locals last year, also joined the ‘Broom My Beach’ campaign. He said that once the campaign was launched, there has not been a single day when the clean-up drive was halted.

The team cleans the beach everyday between 6.30 AM and 8.30 AM. “We were segregating the waste too, but since no one was interested in collecting thermocol for recycling, the waste is piled up in a corner, and then handed over to the Mangaluru City Corporation,’’ Sanket said. All biodegradable waste is segregated.

On January 17, the team will complete more than 90 days of work on the beach, and a programme is planned to mark the occasion.

Appointment of Christian ADGP-CID Sunil Kumar to investigate temple attacks in AP raises concerns

By
The Commune
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According to reports, PV Sunil Kumar, Additional Director of General Police of the Criminal Investigation Department, will be presiding over the committee formed to investigate the temple vandalization incidents that has seen a spurt in the past few days in Andhra Pradesh.

As soon as reports of Sunil Kumar’s appointment came in, many have raised concerns as the officer has in the past participated in events that casts doubts over his ability to conduct a fair investigation.

This apprehension comes in the light of a video of Sunil Kumar praising the British who enslaved India and promoting Christianity which has gone viral on social media.

In the above vide, Sunil Kumar can be seen proudly proclaiming his Christian faith and praising British rule saying: ““When we aren’t allowed into Temples, Britishers showed Gave us a Church, When we aren’t allowed to have one God , Britishers showed us a God, When we aren’t allowed to study, Britishers introduced education to us”.

Ramakrishna Raju, Narsapuram MP from the ruling YSRCP has himself flagged the appointment of Sunil Kumar saying that Christians should not be a part of the committee to inquire attacks on temples. The MP had questioned how Hindus could get justice when everyone including the Chief Minister, Home Minister, Investigation Officer, CID Chief are Christians. In this light, he has demanded that the inquiry committee comprise of both Christians and non-Christians.

 

There have been incidents of temple vandalization of at least five temples in the past one week.

Earlier, on December 29, locals visiting the 400 year-old Kodanda Rama Temple on the Bodi Konda hill were shocked to find a statue of Lord Ram beheaded.

Priests of the Vigneshwara temple in Sriramnagar in Rajahmundry found the two arms of the vigraha of Lord Subrahmanya severed when they come to open the temple on January 1.

In another incident, miscreants damaged the feet of the deity Komalamma at the Komalamma Temple near Vantlamamidi near Paderu, in Vishakhapatnam district. The temple is adjacent to the famous Modakondamma temple. Devotees who went there on Friday morning to have darshan of Komalamma’s padalu (feet) on the occasion of the New Year were shocked to find the feet damaged.

Unidentified people desecrated the idol of Goddess Sita at a temple situated in the Pandit Nehru Bus Station, which was reported on January 3.

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in his defence has alleged that these attacks on temples are an act of conspiracy by political opponents to defame and brand it “anti-Hindu”. He also called likened these attacks to “guerrilla warfare tactics” by political opponents. On Monday (4 January), he gave an explanation to his theory that all attacks on Hindu temples occur only when some prestigious welfare programmes..

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya launches 4th round of ‘Sansad Udyoga Mitra’ job drive

By
The Commune
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Photo source: Facebook

The fourth round of the ‘Sansad Udyoga Mitra’ job drive was inaugurated in Banashankari Stage 2, Bengaluru on January 9. The job drive is an initiative undertaken by the BJP MP Tejavi Surya of Bengaluru South constituency to facilitate employment opportunities for the youth.

Fidelitus Corp, Shilpa Foundation, Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) and Act India Foundation are a few of of the firms that are hiring in the job fair. More than fifteen companies are offering positions to diploma-holders and graduates, both freshers and experienced individuals, in the event.

The inauguration event was attended by MP Tejasvi Surya, Achyut Gowda, Founder of Fidelitus Corp, KB Arasappa, President, KASSIA, Dr H Sundaramurthy, Ashok Nagori, P Ravindra Pai, JS Govindan and H Rohtagi, among others.

Dr Raj Iyer becomes the first Indian-American CIO of the US Army

By
The Commune
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Dr Raj Iyer has been appointed as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the US Army. He is an electronic engineer and is from Tamil Nadu. He is the first Indian American to hold a top command in the US Army. More than 15,000 civilians and soldiers will be serving under him in 100 countries. The Pentagon created this position in 2020. This makes him the first person to ever hold this position.

Announcing his departure from Deloitte where he was the managing director of Government and Public Services for nearly six years, he said, “This move was not one that I had planned, but the call for public service is my duty. It’s also an exciting opportunity to put technology front and centre to Army modernization leveraging cloud, AI and data analytics to achieve digital overmatch against our adversaries.”

Dr Iyer will now hold the rank equivalence of a 3-star General and will be heading and supervising an annual budget of $16 billion for the US Army’s IT operations.

Dr Iyer is originally from Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu, but he was raised in Bengaluru. He completed his undergraduate studies at National Institute of Technology Trichy. He holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Arlington along with multiple masters degrees, including a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Vaccine-maker Serum Institute of India among top donors of Sharad Pawar’s NCP; donated ₹3 crore in 2019

By
The Commune
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Pictured in feature image: Sharad Pawar and SII founder Cyrus Poonawalla at an event in Pune, August 2018

The Maharashtra-based Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar received funds worth ₹59.9 crore in 2019-20, the Lok Sabha election-year. Among its largest donors is the vaccine maker Serum Institute of India (SII). Founded by Cyrus Poonawalla, SII is a manufacturer of immunobiological drugs, including vaccines, in India. It is the world’s largest vaccine producer by number of doses produced.

According to the contribution report filed by the NCP with the Election Commission of India, COVID-19 vaccine maker Serum Institute Of India (SII) donated ₹3 crore to the party in a single transaction dated October 14, 2019, positioning it as one of the biggest donor of the Pawar-led party.

SII is in the news currently as it is at the vanguard of India’s vaccine development, spearheading efforts against the global COVID-19 pandemic. Oxford-AstraZeneca’s vaccine is being manufactured by SII in India as Covishield. In September of last year, SII received an additional funding of $150 million for the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccine doses for low and middle income countries from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, taking the total funding to $300 million.

Apart from the Pune-based biotechnology firm, the NCP has reported its biggest funding of ₹20 crore from B G Shirke Construction group. The Panchshil Corporate Bank is second on the list, with donations totaling ₹7.5 crores. Infrastructure firms Lodha developers and Modern Road makers chipped in with ₹5 crore each. The Harmony Electoral Trust added ₹1.5 crore to the pile. Sharad Pawar’s daughter and Member of Parliament Supriya Sule sent in about ₹7 lakh in several tranches.

Sharad Pawar had visited Serum Institute India, Pune in August 2020 after SII had signed an agreement to manufacture the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

In November 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited SII, Pune to review the development and manufacturing of the COVID-19 vaccine, and to get a first-hand perspective of the preparations, challenges and roadmap in India’s endeavour to vaccinate its citizens.

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