Due to farmers’ protest, Commuters are suffering near Delhi border

Traffic on Delhi borders & neighbouring states continues to remain affected as farmers’ protest enters ninth day

New Delhi [India]: Commuters in the national capital region continued to suffer as multiple borders between Delhi and neighbouring states remained closed with the ongoing farmers’ agitation entering the ninth day on Friday.

Delhi Traffic Police on Friday appealed to citizens to take alternative routes as along with Singhu and Tikri borders with Haryana, Jharoda, Lampur, Auchandi, Safiabad, Piao Maniyari, and Saboli borders were closed for all kinds of traffic movement. The traffic police said that NH-44 is closed from both sides.

Among the borders with Uttar Pradesh, the Gazipur border on NH-24 is closed for traffic, along with the Chilla border on Noida Link Road.
The traffic police have advised commuters to take alternative routes via National Highway (NH)-8/Bhopra/Apsara border/Peripheral expressway.
Commuters coming from Ghazipur to Delhi have been advised to avoid the NH-24 and use Apsara/Bhopra/DND instead.

People have also been advised to avoid the Noida Link Road for coming to Delhi and use DND instead. The police have also diverted the traffic coming from UP’s Ghaziabad towards Delhi from Mohan Nagar.

On the other hand, Badusarai border is open only for light motor vehicles like cars and two-wheelers, while Jhatikara border is open only for the two-wheeler traffic.

A large number of farmers, mostly from Punjab, have gathered in and around Delhi in protest against the three farm laws, passed in the Monsoon Session of Parliament in September

The Centre is scheduled to hold the fifth round of talks with the representatives of farmers on December 5.

On Thursday, the farmers held the fourth round of talks with the Centre, during which, they said the government talked of some amendments to the farm laws.

Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said the government has given assurance concerning minimum support price.
“It seems that their stand over MSP will be fine. The talks have made little progress,” Tikait said.

Meanwhile, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday said the government has no ego and it was discussing the issues raised by farmers with an open mind.

“The government will discuss points that emerged at the meeting on Friday and hopes that talks will move towards finality when the next round of discussions is held on Saturday,” the minister said.

The farmers are protesting against The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

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India might have the Covid-19 vaccine nod by end of Dec: AIIMS Director

India might have the Covid-19 vaccine nod by end of Dec: AIIMS Director

UK has also approved  the Covid-19 vaccine developed by American pharma giant Pfizer

New Delhi

Director of the All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Dr Randeep Guleria has said that he is hopeful of that by the end of this month or early next month, India will get emergency use authorisation for a coronavirus vaccine.

In an interview with ANI, Dr Guleria, who is also a member of the national task force on Covid-19 management stated: “In India, we now have a vaccine which is in the final phase of the trial. Both the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech vaccines are in their phase three trials. So we are very hopeful that by the end of this month or early next month, we should get the emergency use authorization from the Indian regulatory authorities to start giving the vaccine to the public.”

India might have the Covid-19 vaccine nod by end of Dec: AIIMS Director -Digpu

The Covid vaccine developed by American pharma giant Pfizer, was cleared by the United Kingdom on Wednesday and will be rolled out to the public early next week.

While stressing on Indian vaccines and their authorisation Dr Guleria stated that “this is great news that one vaccine has finally being floored and within the span of one year. This is a big boost to all the vaccine manufacturers. Now there are good chances of the vaccine being available.”

The AIIMS director said that there is good data available that the vaccines are safe. “70,000-80,000 volunteers were tested with the Covid-19 vaccine and apart from one case in Chennai, no significant adverse effects were seen on the volunteers. The data showed that in the short term, the vaccine is safe,” he said.

 On the distribution of vaccine, Dr Guleria said “work is going on at war-footing both at the centre and the state level for vaccine distribution plan in terms of maintaining the cold chain, having appropriate storehouses available, developing strategy, training vaccinators and availability of syringes.”

 Dr Guleria said that in the beginning as vaccines won’t be available in sufficient doses to give everyone, the Centre is working on adopting strategies to prioritise the list.

 “We need a priority list to see that we vaccinate those who have high chances of dying due to Covid-19. Elderly, people with comorbidities and front line workers should be vaccinated first.”

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has over the past week visited vaccine manufacturing facitilites in three cities and held multiple meetings with all stakeholders to review efforts to create and distribute a coronavirus vaccine.

 Covid-19 cases reached to 95,34,965, including 4,22,943 active cases and 89,73,373 recoveries. As many as 526 new fatalities were reported escalating the death toll to 1,38,648 on Thursday.

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Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa to return Padma Bhushan

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa to return Padma Bhushan

Dhindsa was presented the Padma Bhushan by President Ram Nath Kovind in March 2019

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India]: After former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) chief and rebel Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Thursday announced that he would be returning his Padma Bhushan award in solidarity with the farmers who are protesting central farm laws.

Dhindsa was presented the Padma Bhushan by President Ram Nath Kovind in March 2019. Earlier in the day, SAD patriarch Badal, former Union Minister and five-time Chief Minister of Punjab returned the Padma Vibhushan award “in protest” against the “betrayal of the farmers by the Government of India” and for the “shocking indifference and contempt” with which the government is treating the ongoing peaceful and democratic agitation of the farmers.

“I am who I am because of the people, especially the common farmer. Today when he has lost more than his honour, I see no point in holding on to the Padma Vibhushan honour,” said the Akali stalwart in his letter to President Ram Nath Kovind.

Badal, in his letter to the President, further described the “the black laws now implemented by the government” as “the proverbial last nail in the coffin of the country’s annadata.”

This comes as thousands of farmers, primarily from Punjab and Haryana, are protesting at the borders of Delhi against the recent farm laws passed by the Central government. The farmer leaders and the Centre are engaged in talks to resolve the differences over the laws.

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Farmer have boycotted government-served food at Vigyan Bhawan

Farmer have boycotted government-served food at Vigyan Bhawan

The fourth round of talks commenced between the Centre and representatives of farmers

New Delhi –

Amid the fourth round of discussion between the Centre and the farmers over the three farm laws at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhavan on Thursday, farmer unions decided to boycott government-served food and beverages.

 “We are not accepting food or tea offered by the government. We have brought our own food, we will eat that,” a farmer leader said during lunch break.

The fourth round of talks commenced between the Centre and representatives of farmers‘ today afternoon at Vigyan Bhawan, with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union Minister Piyush Goyal representing the Central government.

Farmer have boycotted government-served food at Vigyan Bhawan

Before the meeting, the Union Agriculture Minister while talking to the media hoped that the fourth round of dialogue will bring some positive outcome to the farmers’ issues.

“Government is constantly discussing issues with farmers. Today is the fourth round of talks and I’m hoping for a positive outcome,” said Tomar while talking to media.

The government had held the third round of talks with farmer representatives on Tuesday. During the talks, the Centre offered to set up a committee, which the farmers’ unions rejected, and instead demanded a special session of Parliament to repeal what they have called “black laws” made to favour corporate bodies. Farmers said they will continue their protest till their issues are resolved.

 Notably, farmers have warned that Thursday’s talks are the “last chance” for the government to take a decision on the laws.

“Thursday is the last chance for the government to take a decision to repeal the laws. Otherwise, this movement will become huge and the government will fall,” Pratibha Shinde of the Lok Sangharsh Morcha said.

 Meanwhile, two farmers, who were participating in the agitation died on Wednesday. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs each to the families of the farmers, hailing from districts Mansa and Moga respectively.

 The farmers are protesting against The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.  

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Piramal Realty has been awarded Luxury Project of the Year

Piramal Realty has been awarded Luxury Project of the Year

Piramal Mahalaxmi bestowed with Luxury Project of the Year at 12th Realty+Conclave & Excellence Awards 2020

Mumbai, Maharashtra, [India]: Piramal Mahalaxmi, the luxurious South Mumbai project by Piramal Realty has been awarded Luxury Project of the Year at 12th Realty+ Conclave & Excellence Awards 2020, West for its uber-luxury project that is an epitome of impeccable design, flamboyance and lavish lifestyle.

The event focused on bestowing accolades to notable projects in the western region, including Piramal Mahalaxmi. Additionally, the virtual evening delivered insightful discussions between esteemed real estate leaders on the revival of the sector, urban planning, Mumbai commercial realty and the housing market. Piramal Mahalaxmi is a landmark development which embodies the spirit of Mahalaxmi and mirrors the essence of South Mumbai. It offers luxurious private residences with lifetime views of the 225 acres Mahalaxmi Racecourse and the Arabian Sea.
The luxury residences are designed to create a healthy lifestyle and are an ultimate physical manifestation of the signature ‘framed window’ concept, which doubles up as a viewing observatory deck.

The apartments are outlined keeping in mind the philosophy of biophilia which seamlessly integrates natural light, space, ventilation and greenery to create a harmonious environment that promotes wellbeing and community living. Spread across 4 acres, Piramal Mahalaxmi is set to be one of the largest premium residential developments in South Mumbai.

“Piramal Mahalaxmi is our flagship project and is designed to provide customers with luxury residences. This development offers a home with lifetime views Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Arabian Sea and a locality rich with heritage and culture. It is our commitment to offering the best conveniences and luxuries to our residents. At Piramal Realty, we aim to enrich lives by setting gold standards for customer centricity, architectural designs, quality and safety,” said Gaurav Sawhney, Chief Operating Officer, Piramal Realty, on this achievement.

For the last 12 years, the Realty+ Conclave & Excellence Awards have been evaluating exemplary work in design and architecture, project development, brand development and acknowledges the growing significance of corporate brands as a treasured business asset.
The 12th Realty+ Conclave & Excellence Awards 2020 focused on ‘Building Resilience’ featuring live-streaming knowledge sessions on the road ahead for Real Estate, and a virtual awards evening felicitating the top performers in Indian Real Estate.

Piramal Mahalaxmi is a testament to Piramal Realty‘s aim to make a positive impact on the lives of customers. Last year, Piramal Mahalaxmi added a feather to its cap where it won the title of ‘Asia’s Best Property Brand’ at Transform MENA Awards in Dubai. Piramal Mahalaxmi is a joint development project between Piramal Realty and Omkar Realtors.
Founded in 2012, Piramal Realty, the real estate development arm of Piramal Group is one of India’s leading developers with 17 million square feet of residential and commercial under development in and around Mumbai. In 2015, Warburg Pincus and Goldman Sachs two of the world’s most respected private equity investors invested USD 235 million dollars for a minority stake in the company.

Piramal Realty aims to be the gold standard in design, quality, safety and customer centricity in both residential and commercial real estate. Piramal Realty’s developments, while being cutting edge and contemporary, focus on embracing a more intuitive definition of luxury, which celebrates nature, greenery, space, light, ventilation, art, culture and community living.

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In Pics: Security Forces Stand Guard During DDC Polls Phase 2

In Pics: Security Forces Stand Guard During DDC Polls Phase 2

Official DDC Polls figures available with Digpu revealed that voting percentage in Kashmir was 33.34 and that in Jammu was 65.54.

SRINAGAR 

  1. In the second phase of the ongoing eight-phased District Development Council (DDC) polls, over 48 per cent voting was recorded across Jammu and Kashmir UT on Tuesday, as per official data.
Security Forces Stand Guard During DDC Polls Phase 2 - Digpu News
(Photo Credits: Aasif Ganaie/Digpu News Network)

2. Official figures available with Digpu News revealed that 33.34 per cent voting was recorded in Kashmir division while 65.54 per cent polling was recorded in Jammu division.

Security Forces Stand Guard During DDC Polls Phase 2 - Digpu News
(Photo Credits: Aasif Ganaie/Digpu News Network)

3. The 2014 J&K Assembly polls had seen one of the highest polling percentages — 56 per cent — while the 2019 Lok Sabha elections saw a turnout of only 19 per cent, the lowest in two decades.

Security Forces Stand Guard During DDC Polls Phase 2 - Digpu News
(Photo Credits: Aasif Ganaie/Digpu News Network)

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NDRF teams deployed in TN

14 NDRF teams located in TN ahead of cyclone Burevi, IMD has issued a cyclone warning for south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala coasts

New Delhi [India]: A total of 14 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in various parts of Tamil Nadu, in light of anticipated cyclonic storm Burevi.

As per the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TN-SDMA), two teams have been deployed at Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Nagapattinam, three teams each at Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli and one team each at Madurai and Cuddalore. NDRF workers too have reached designated areas and are facilitating administration and helping local citizens.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cyclone warning for south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala coasts.

“Cyclone Burevi will emerge into the Gulf of Mannar in the next 3 hours. It will reach near Pamban and Kanniyakumari around noon and cross the south Tamilnadu coast on 3rd night to 4th early morning,” the IMD said on Twitter. 

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Rafer Johnson First Black captain of US Olympic Team passes away

Rafer Johnson First Black captain of US Olympic Team passes away

Rafer Johnson, USA flagbearer and decathlon gold medalist at the Olympic Games Rome 1960 have passed away at the age of 86.

No cause of death was given. A statement from the school said he died at his Sherman Oaks, California, home surrounded by family, CNN reported. According to USA Track and Field (USATF) Rafer Johnson, who was a native of Texas, was born in Hillsboro on August 18, 1934, and moved to California when he was in middle school. The family settled near Fresno in Kingsburg, where Rafer Johnson was an excellent athlete in football, baseball, basketball, and track.

An outstanding sprinter and long jumper, he gravitated to the decathlon after seeing two-time Olympic champion Bob Mathias compete in 1948 and ’52.

Rafer Johnson, who was the first Black captain of the US Olympic Team, had won two California high school decathlon titles and by 1955, in his fourth attempt at the event, he scored 7,608 points, displacing Mathias as the world record holder.

That same year, he won the decathlon at the Pan-American Games. In 1956, he qualified for the Olympic team in both the long jump and decathlon, but because of a knee injury, he limited himself to the 10-event competition. At Melbourne, he finished second to fellow American and Hall of Famer Milt Campbell.

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India’s spice king Dharampal Gulati passes away

Founder of MDH Dharampal Gulati passed away due to cardiac arrest at 97

New Delhi [India] : Spice king Dharampal Gulati, the founder of MDH, passed away following a cardiac arrest in the wee hours of Thursday. He was 97.

One of the most visible faces and easily recognisable figures in India, no one can forget Gulati’s image with his iconic white moustache and red turban, which pops up in one’s mind as soon as one hears the catchy jingle “asli masale sach sach”. He started MDH spices, which is now almost a staple in nearly every Indian household, as a family business from a small wooden shop in Delhi’s Karol Bagh under the name, Mahashian Di Hatti (MDH) of Sialkot “Deggi Mirch Wale”.

With time and hard work, he established his company Mahashian Di Hatti Private Limited, which does business as MDH.

But the journey was not easy. Born on March 27, 1923, in Sialkot, now Pakistan, Gulati tried his luck in several businesses. He started working at a very young age of 10 in 1933, after he dropped out of Class 5. In 1937, he set up a small business of mirrors with the help of his father, thereafter a soap business and then he went on to take a carpentry job. He also tried his hands as a cloth merchant, and in hardware and rice trading.

But he ended up joining hands with his father in his family business of spices under the name of MDH, popularly known as “Deggi Mirch Wale”.
After the partition, he came to India and reached Delhi on September 27, 1947, with just Rs 1,500.

Once in India, he started his small business in Delhi, which grew into one of the biggest spice empires of the country over time.
As the business grew bigger, he started his philanthropic activities as well with the establishment of a hospital at Subhash Nagar in 1975. What started out as a humble 10-bed establishment, now covers about five acres and boasts of MRI, CT scan, heart, neurosciences, and IVF wing, and often gives free services to the poor.

He also established over 20 schools for underprivileged children.
Gulati was conferred the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award, in 2019 for his contributions in the field of food processing trade and industry.

On Thursday, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted a photo of him conferring the honour to Gulati and wrote: “Saddened by the demise of Mahashiyan Di Hatti (MDH) owner Shri Dharampal Gulati ji . He was a well-known industrialist. His social service is also commendable. My condolences to his family and well-wishers.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia were among several other eminent leaders who expressed their grief over his demise.
Shah called him a kind-hearted gentleman who “was a wonderful symbol of struggle and hard work”. “The life of Dharampal ji , who attained the pinnacle of success through his hard work, inspires every person. May God grant salvation to the departed soul and give his family the power to bear this sorrow. Om Shanti,” the home minister tweeted in Hindi.

Union Minister Singh tweeted that he was “saddened by the passing away of one of India’s most respected businessmen, Mahasri Dharampal ji”. “He started small but made a mark for himself. He was very involved in social work and remained active till the last moment. I express my condolences to his family.” (roughly translated from Hindi).

Kejriwal said that Dharampal ji was an inspiring personality. “He dedicated his life to society. God bless his soul,” he tweeted, retweeting his deputy’s post.

“India’s most inspiring entrepreneur, MDH owner Dharampal mahashay passed away this morning. I have never met such an inspiring and lively soul. May his soul rest in peace,” Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia tweeted with pictures of the two together. 

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Govt aiming for a successful meeting with farmers

Minister Som Prakash said Govt hopes a meeting with farmers will be successful

New Delhi [India]: The government is hopeful that the meeting with representatives of protesting farmers, scheduled for later today, will be successful, said Som Prakash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry on Thursday.

“We are hopeful that the meeting will be successful. The aim of holding a dialogue is to find a solution,” Prakash. The MoS said the Government will hold “point by point discussion” with the farmers to reach a solution.

“Government will hold talks with farmers with an open heart in the interest of the nation,” he stated further.

Notably, farmers have warned that Thursday’s talks are the “last chance” for the government to take a decision on the laws.

“Tomorrow is the last chance for the government to take a decision to repeal the laws, otherwise this movement will become huge and the government will fall,” Pratibha Shinde of the Lok Sangharsh Morcha said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, farmers’ leaders have departed from the Singhu border for their meeting the government on farm laws.
“35 leaders are going to meet the government. We have educated farmers; we know what is good for us. We want these laws to be withdrawn,” said a farmer.

The government had held the third round of talks with farmer representatives on Tuesday. During the talks, the Centre has offered to set up a committee, which the farmers’ unions rejected, and instead demanded a special session of parliament to repeal what they have called “black laws” made to favour corporate bodies. Farmers said they’ll continue their protest till their issues are resolved.

Tomar said after the meeting on Tuesday that it was good and the farmer unions have been urged to share specific issues related to farm Acts which will be discussed during the fourth round of meeting on December 3 and added that “it remains to be seen to what extent issues can be resolved”.
Apart from Tomar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash were also present in the meeting held with farmer leaders on Tuesday.

Several farmers from different parts of the country like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are also marching towards Delhi to join the protest against new farm laws.

The farmers are protesting against The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. 

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