Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that this is the golden period of agriculture happening in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"This is the golden period of agriculture happening in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and technological interventions, research and innovation in agriculture under his leadership will double the farmer's income by 2022," Singh said, as per the release by the Ministry of Science &amp; Technology.

The Minister said this while attending the concluding ceremony of the five-day-long Northern India Regional Agriculture Fair 2021 as chief guest at SKUAST Jammu.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said that PM Modi is seriously towards agriculture development in India that can be judged from the fact that two new Ministries, Jal Shakti and Skill Development &amp; Entrepreneurship have been created only to promote agriculture and doubling the farmer's&nbsp;income by 2022.

He also remarked that the Modi government is giving special impetus to Agriculture Start-Ups.

Singh said that the agriculture and farm production has been revolutionised in India under the current government which is evident from the various initiatives taken by the government for the welfare of farmers like the Soil Health Card, Neem Coated Urea, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, PM Kissan Sammaan, e-Nam,PM Kissan Maandhan Yojana, which have empowered the Agriculture sector financially and resourcefully.

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Enumerating the development initiatives taken in J&amp;K vis-a-vis agriculture &amp; innovation, Dr Singh said the establishment of north India's first biotechnology park, two high seed processing plants at Kathua, the launch of India's first Aroma Mission will open new vistas of growth, opportunities and innovation in agriculture in Jammu, read the release.

Speaking to the farmers present on the occasion, he emphasised that a farmer can now engage himself in multiple activities depending upon his capacity, resources so as to become integrated as the working in silos is over now.

Giving examples of the entrepreneurs involved in various innovative agricultural practices &amp; who are earning in lakhs, Singh stressed upon the students present there to become job providers and not job seekers, become agricultural technocrats through start-ups &amp; be the architects of innovative India as the agriculture in India is no longer the traditional farming of 19th Century.

Dr&nbsp;Jitendra Singh also urged SKUAST administration to promote 75 agricultural Startups from this university on 75 years of India's independence on the lines of his Ministry which is also promoting start-ups as 75 young start-ups in science, 75 women start-ups in science, 75 SIT hubs dedicated to SCs and STs.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-7-civilians-killed-in-10-days-sikh-leaders-urge-people-to-not-go-to-work-until-situation-normalises-418925">J&amp;K: 7 civilians killed in 10 days, sikh leaders urge people to not go to work until situation normalises</a>

Singh further said, "A proactive outreach for the start-ups is the need of the hour to get the best minds for the promotion of our products at national and international level be that the basmati rice, rajmash or other products.

"For the promotion of the products and the start-ups, the Minister emphasised the creation of a wider media space accompanied by the latest technology and social media boom so as to promote the local products and start-ups.

During his address, the Minister asserted sustainable agricultural practices and organic farming which is being promoted by the current government.&nbsp;

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that this is the golden period of agriculture happening in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that this is the golden period of agriculture happening in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "This is the golden period of agriculture happening in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and technological interventions, research and innovation in agriculture under his leadership will double the farmer's income by 2022," Singh said, as per the release by the Ministry of Science & Technology. The Minister said this while attending the concluding ceremony of the five-day-long Northern India Regional Agriculture Fair 2021 as chief guest at SKUAST Jammu. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said that PM Modi is seriously towards agriculture development in India that can be judged from the fact that two new Ministries, Jal Shakti and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship have been created only to promote agriculture and doubling the farmer's income by 2022. He also remarked that the Modi government is giving special impetus to Agriculture Start-Ups. Singh said that the agriculture and farm production has been revolutionised in India under the current government which is evident from the various initiatives taken by the government for the welfare of farmers like the Soil Health Card, Neem Coated Urea, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, PM Kissan Sammaan, e-Nam,PM Kissan Maandhan Yojana, which have empowered the Agriculture sector financially and resourcefully. Also Read | As special envoy of PM Modi, MoS Lekhi to visit Serbia to attend 60th anniversary of NAM Enumerating the development initiatives taken in J&K vis-a-vis agriculture & innovation, Dr Singh said the establishment of north India's first biotechnology park, two high seed processing plants at Kathua, the launch of India's first Aroma Mission will open new vistas of growth, opportunities and innovation in agriculture in Jammu, read the release. Speaking to the farmers present on the occasion, he emphasised that a farmer can now engage himself in multiple activities depending upon his capacity, resources so as to become integrated as the working in silos is over now. Giving examples of the entrepreneurs involved in various innovative agricultural practices & who are earning in lakhs, Singh stressed upon the students present there to become job providers and not job seekers, become agricultural technocrats through start-ups & be the architects of innovative India as the agriculture in India is no longer the traditional farming of 19th Century. Dr Jitendra Singh also urged SKUAST administration to promote 75 agricultural Startups from this university on 75 years of India's independence on the lines of his Ministry which is also promoting start-ups as 75 young start-ups in science, 75 women start-ups in science, 75 SIT hubs dedicated to SCs and STs. Also Read | J&K: 7 civilians killed in 10 days, sikh leaders urge people to not go to work until situation normalises Singh further said, "A proactive outreach for the start-ups is the need of the hour to get the best minds for the promotion of our products at national and international level be that the basmati rice, rajmash or other products. "For the promotion of the products and the start-ups, the Minister emphasised the creation of a wider media space accompanied by the latest technology and social media boom so as to promote the local products and start-ups. During his address, the Minister asserted sustainable agricultural practices and organic farming which is being promoted by the current government.

Indian agriculture witnessing golden period under PM Modi, says MoS Jitendra Singh

A tech body backed by the Australian units of Facebook, Google and Twitter said on Monday it has set up a special committee to adjudicate complaints over misinformation, a day after the government threatened tougher laws over false and defamatory online posts.

The issue of damaging online posts has emerged as a second battlefront between Big Tech and Australia, which last year passed a law to make platforms pay licence fees for content, sparking a temporary Facebook blackout in February.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week labelled social media "a coward's palace",&nbsp;while the government said on Sunday it was looking at measures to make social media companies more responsible, including forcing legal liability onto the platforms&nbsp;for the content published on them.

The Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI), which represents the Australian units of Facebook Inc, Alphabet's Google and Twitter Inc, said its new misinformation oversight subcommittee showed the industry was willing to self-regulate against damaging posts.

The tech giants had already agreed a code of conduct against misinformation, "and we wanted to further strengthen it with independent oversight from experts, and public accountability," DIGI Managing Director Sunita Bose said in a statement.

A three-person "independent complaints sub-committee" would seek to resolve complaints about possible breaches of the code conduct via a public website, DIGI said, but would not take complaints about individual posts.

The industry's code of conduct includes items such as taking action against misinformation affecting public health, which would include the novel coronavirus.

DIGI, which also counts Apple Inc and TikTok as signatories, said it could issue a public statement if a company was found to have violated the code of conduct or revoke its signatory status with the group.

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Australian communications minister Paul Fletcher, who has been among senior lawmakers promising tougher action against platforms hosting misleading and defamatory content, welcomed the measure.

"I'm pleased that DIGI is announcing an important development to strengthen the way the code will protect Australians from misinformation and disinformation," he said in a statement.

But Reset Australia, an advocate group focused on the influence of technology on democracy, said the oversight panel was "laughable" as it involved no penalties and the code of conduct was optional.

"DIGI's code is not much more than a PR stunt given the negative PR surrounding Facebook in recent weeks," said Reset Australia Director of tech policy Dhakshayini Sooriyakumaran in a statement, urging regulation for the industry.

A tech body backed by the Australian units of Facebook, Google and Twitter said on Monday it has set up a special committee to adjudicate complaints over misinformation, a day after the government threatened tougher laws over false and defamatory online posts.

A tech body backed by the Australian units of Facebook, Google and Twitter said on Monday it has set up a special committee to adjudicate complaints over misinformation, a day after the government threatened tougher laws over false and defamatory online posts. The issue of damaging online posts has emerged as a second battlefront between Big Tech and Australia, which last year passed a law to make platforms pay licence fees for content, sparking a temporary Facebook blackout in February. Also Read | Facebook makes an attempt to stop the illegal sale of Amazon rainforest Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week labelled social media "a coward's palace", while the government said on Sunday it was looking at measures to make social media companies more responsible, including forcing legal liability onto the platforms for the content published on them. The Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI), which represents the Australian units of Facebook Inc, Alphabet's Google and Twitter Inc, said its new misinformation oversight subcommittee showed the industry was willing to self-regulate against damaging posts. The tech giants had already agreed a code of conduct against misinformation, "and we wanted to further strengthen it with independent oversight from experts, and public accountability," DIGI Managing Director Sunita Bose said in a statement. A three-person "independent complaints sub-committee" would seek to resolve complaints about possible breaches of the code conduct via a public website, DIGI said, but would not take complaints about individual posts. The industry's code of conduct includes items such as taking action against misinformation affecting public health, which would include the novel coronavirus. DIGI, which also counts Apple Inc and TikTok as signatories, said it could issue a public statement if a company was found to have violated the code of conduct or revoke its signatory status with the group. Also Read | Facebook, Instagram stop working yet again; Twitterati open bag of memes Australian communications minister Paul Fletcher, who has been among senior lawmakers promising tougher action against platforms hosting misleading and defamatory content, welcomed the measure. "I'm pleased that DIGI is announcing an important development to strengthen the way the code will protect Australians from misinformation and disinformation," he said in a statement. But Reset Australia, an advocate group focused on the influence of technology on democracy, said the oversight panel was "laughable" as it involved no penalties and the code of conduct was optional. "DIGI's code is not much more than a PR stunt given the negative PR surrounding Facebook in recent weeks," said Reset Australia Director of tech policy Dhakshayini Sooriyakumaran in a statement, urging regulation for the industry.

Facebook-backed group launches misinformation adjudication panel in Australia

For attempting to sell 'restricted data' on the design of nuclear-powered warships, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a Maryland couple on Saturday, reported Justice Department. &nbsp;

According to the Department of Justice, 42-year-old Jonathan Toebbe, who is a nuclear engineer at the Department of the Navy and his 45-year-old wife, Diana, sold information to a person they believed was a representative for another nation for a year. The representative turned out to be an undercover FBI agent.

The couple used to place&nbsp;an SD card concealed within half a peanut butter sandwich at the “dead drop” location for the "representative" to recover.&nbsp;

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Attorney General Merrick B Garland, said, “The complaint charges a plot to transmit information relating to the design of our nuclear submarines to a foreign nation. The work of the FBI, Department of Justice prosecutors, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Department of Energy was critical in thwarting the plot charged in the complaint and taking this first step in bringing the perpetrators to justice.” &nbsp;

The Toebbes will be produced in a federal court in Martinsburg, West Virginia on October 12, as per the DOJ. They have been charged with criminal offences under Atomic Energy Act. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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In April 2020, Jonathan Toebbe sent a package to the undercover FBI agent containing a sample of "restricted data". The package also included instructions for establishing a covert relationship to purchase more information. Believing that FBI agent was a foreign representative, Toebbe began corresponding with him through encrypted email, reported the DOJ. &nbsp;

For several months, Toebbe continued correspondence and made an agreement to sell "restricted data" in exchange for money in cryptocurrency. &nbsp;

As a “good faith” payment, the undercover agent sent $10,000 in cryptocurrency to Toebbe on June 8.&nbsp;The couple travelled to a location in West Virginia a couple of times to deliver an encrypted SD card in exchange of money.

The FBI arrested the couple on their third visit, the DOJ reported. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

For attempting to sell 'restricted data' on the design of nuclear-powered warships, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a Maryland couple on Saturday, reported Justice Department.

For attempting to sell 'restricted data' on the design of nuclear-powered warships, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a Maryland couple on Saturday, reported Justice Department. According to the Department of Justice, 42-year-old Jonathan Toebbe, who is a nuclear engineer at the Department of the Navy and his 45-year-old wife, Diana, sold information to a person they believed was a representative for another nation for a year. The representative turned out to be an undercover FBI agent. The couple used to place an SD card concealed within half a peanut butter sandwich at the “dead drop” location for the "representative" to recover. Also Read | Doha talks 'candid', Taliban to be judged based on its actions: US Attorney General Merrick B Garland, said, “The complaint charges a plot to transmit information relating to the design of our nuclear submarines to a foreign nation. The work of the FBI, Department of Justice prosecutors, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Department of Energy was critical in thwarting the plot charged in the complaint and taking this first step in bringing the perpetrators to justice.” The Toebbes will be produced in a federal court in Martinsburg, West Virginia on October 12, as per the DOJ. They have been charged with criminal offences under Atomic Energy Act. Also Read: After calling homosexuality 'filth', US leader faces calls for resignation In April 2020, Jonathan Toebbe sent a package to the undercover FBI agent containing a sample of "restricted data". The package also included instructions for establishing a covert relationship to purchase more information. Believing that FBI agent was a foreign representative, Toebbe began corresponding with him through encrypted email, reported the DOJ. For several months, Toebbe continued correspondence and made an agreement to sell "restricted data" in exchange for money in cryptocurrency. As a “good faith” payment, the undercover agent sent $10,000 in cryptocurrency to Toebbe on June 8. The couple travelled to a location in West Virginia a couple of times to deliver an encrypted SD card in exchange of money. The FBI arrested the couple on their third visit, the DOJ reported. (With inputs from agencies)

FBI arrests Navy engineer, wife for selling restricted nuke info in peanut butter sandwich in US

Oct 11 in history: Alexander Miles patents elevator in US and more

India has reported a total of 18,132 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest in over seven months (215 days), the Union Health Ministry informed on Monday.

In the last 24 hours, 193 deaths were recorded in the country due to which the death toll mounted to 4,50,782.

Kerala still has the largest Covid-19 tally with 10,691 cases and 85 deaths. In Kerala, weekly cases dipped by 17.4 per cent from the previous seven days.

The state recorded less than 75,000 cases in the week for the first time since April 11-18.As per the ministry, India's active caseload now stands at 2,27,347, the lowest in 209 days.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-covid-19-update-high-infection-rate-in-0-19-age-group-in-india-globally-new-cases-fall-by-9-419214">&nbsp;WHO COVID-19 Update: High infection rate in 0-19 age group in India, globally new cases fall by 9%</a>

The active cases account for less than 1 per cent of total cases. Currently, it is at 0.67 per cent, the lowest since March 2020. With 21,563 recoveries reported in the last 24 hours, the cumulative recoveries reached 3,32,93,478.

Consequently, India's current recovery rate is at 98 per cent, which is the highest since March 2020.

The weekly positivity rate stood at 1.53 per cent. It remained less than 3 per cent for over three months (108 days) now. A daily positivity rate of 1.75 per cent was recorded, which remained below 3 per cent for the last 42 days.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-covid-19-caseload-tops-2367-million-419033">Global Covid-19 caseload tops 236.7 million</a>

A total of 58.36 crore tests have been conducted so far to detect the presence of the virus in the population.

Meanwhile, in the ongoing nationwide COVID-19 vaccination driven, India's cumulative vaccination coverage crossed 95.19 crore. A total of 95,19,84,373 vaccine doses have been administered to eligible beneficiaries since the onset of the vaccination drive in January.

According to the Union Health Ministry, over 96.75 crore (96,75,07,995) vaccine doses have been provided to States and union territories (UTs) so far by the Centre, free of cost, and through direct state procurement category.

Watch | India's drug regulator all set to take call on Bharat Biotech’s pediatric COVID vaccine

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-drug-regulator-all-set-to-take-call-on-bharat-biotechs-pediatric-covid-vaccine-419943/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

More than 8.43 crore (8,43,17,810) balance and unutilized COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the States and union territories to be administered, the ministry said.

"The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs," said the ministry.&nbsp;

India has reported a total of 18,132 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest in over seven months (215 days), the Union Health Ministry informed on Monday.

India has reported a total of 18,132 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest in over seven months (215 days), the Union Health Ministry informed on Monday. In the last 24 hours, 193 deaths were recorded in the country due to which the death toll mounted to 4,50,782. Kerala still has the largest Covid-19 tally with 10,691 cases and 85 deaths. In Kerala, weekly cases dipped by 17.4 per cent from the previous seven days. The state recorded less than 75,000 cases in the week for the first time since April 11-18.As per the ministry, India's active caseload now stands at 2,27,347, the lowest in 209 days. Also Read | WHO COVID-19 Update: High infection rate in 0-19 age group in India, globally new cases fall by 9% The active cases account for less than 1 per cent of total cases. Currently, it is at 0.67 per cent, the lowest since March 2020. With 21,563 recoveries reported in the last 24 hours, the cumulative recoveries reached 3,32,93,478. Consequently, India's current recovery rate is at 98 per cent, which is the highest since March 2020. The weekly positivity rate stood at 1.53 per cent. It remained less than 3 per cent for over three months (108 days) now. A daily positivity rate of 1.75 per cent was recorded, which remained below 3 per cent for the last 42 days. Also Read | Global Covid-19 caseload tops 236.7 million A total of 58.36 crore tests have been conducted so far to detect the presence of the virus in the population. Meanwhile, in the ongoing nationwide COVID-19 vaccination driven, India's cumulative vaccination coverage crossed 95.19 crore. A total of 95,19,84,373 vaccine doses have been administered to eligible beneficiaries since the onset of the vaccination drive in January. According to the Union Health Ministry, over 96.75 crore (96,75,07,995) vaccine doses have been provided to States and union territories (UTs) so far by the Centre, free of cost, and through direct state procurement category. Watch | India's drug regulator all set to take call on Bharat Biotech’s pediatric COVID vaccine More than 8.43 crore (8,43,17,810) balance and unutilized COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the States and union territories to be administered, the ministry said. "The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs," said the ministry.

India adds 18,132 new COVID-19 cases, tally lowest in over 7 months

After the 13th round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting failed to resolve issues at the LAC, the Chinese looked to pin the blame on the Indians over the impasse. &nbsp;

People's Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command spokesperson Senior Colonel Long Shaohua said, “The Indian side still persisted in its unreasonable and unrealistic demands, which added difficulties to the negotiations.” &nbsp;

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The talks were held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on Sunday. The spokesperson said, “Instead of misjudging the situation, the Indian side should cherish the hard-won situation in China-India border areas.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

China also reiterated its long-standing rhetoric. “During the meeting, the Chinese side made great efforts to promote the easing and cooling of the border situation and fully demonstrated China’s sincerity of maintaining overall interests of bilateral military relations,” the spokesperson added. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-taiwan-tensions-tsai-ing-wens-remarks-incite-confrontation-distort-facts-says-beijing-spokesperson-419777">China-Taiwan tensions: Beijing denounces Tsai’s national day speech</a>

Pointing out that China is firm in its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, the spokesperson looked to again justify its aggressive actions at the LAC. &nbsp;

Watch | Indian Army accuses Chinese PLA of violating protocols

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-army-accuses-chinese-pla-of-violating-protocols-419837/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Putting the entire onus on India over the issue, the spokesperson added, the Indian side should abide by the relevant agreements and consensus reached between the two countries and two militaries, show sincerity and take concrete actions to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the border areas with China. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;&nbsp;

After the 13th round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting failed to resolve issues at the LAC, the Chinese looked to pin the blame on the Indians over the impasse.

After the 13th round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting failed to resolve issues at the LAC, the Chinese looked to pin the blame on the Indians over the impasse. People's Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command spokesperson Senior Colonel Long Shaohua said, “The Indian side still persisted in its unreasonable and unrealistic demands, which added difficulties to the negotiations.” Also Read: 'Chinese not agreeable to suggestions', says India after talks fail again The talks were held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on Sunday. The spokesperson said, “Instead of misjudging the situation, the Indian side should cherish the hard-won situation in China-India border areas.” China also reiterated its long-standing rhetoric. “During the meeting, the Chinese side made great efforts to promote the easing and cooling of the border situation and fully demonstrated China’s sincerity of maintaining overall interests of bilateral military relations,” the spokesperson added. Also Read: China-Taiwan tensions: Beijing denounces Tsai’s national day speech Pointing out that China is firm in its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, the spokesperson looked to again justify its aggressive actions at the LAC. Watch | Indian Army accuses Chinese PLA of violating protocols Putting the entire onus on India over the issue, the spokesperson added, the Indian side should abide by the relevant agreements and consensus reached between the two countries and two militaries, show sincerity and take concrete actions to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the border areas with China. (With inputs from agencies)

After talks fail to resolve issues at LAC, China pins blame on India

The Saudi royal family showered Donald Trump and his entourage on his first trip abroad as president with dozens of presents, including three robes made with white tiger and cheetah fur, and a dagger with a handle that appeared to be ivory.

Little that followed went right.

A White House lawyer determined that possession of the furs and dagger most likely violated the Endangered Species Act, but the Trump administration held onto them and failed to disclose them as gifts received from a foreign government.

On the last full day of Trump’s presidency, the White House handed them over to the General Services Administration — the wrong agency — rather than the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which seized the gifts this summer.

At that point, there was a surprise.

The furs, from an oil-rich family worth billions of dollars, were fake.

“Wildlife inspectors and special agents determined the linings of the robes were dyed to mimic tiger and cheetah patterns and were not comprised of protected species,” said Tyler Cherry, a spokesperson for the Interior Department, which oversees the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Officials at the Saudi Embassy in Washington declined to comment.

The tale of the furs is but one example of how gift exchanges between the United States and foreign leaders — a highly regulated process intended to shield administrations from questions of impropriety — devolved into sometimes risible shambles during the Trump administration.

The State Department’s inspector general is investigating allegations that Trump’s political appointees walked off with gift bags worth thousands of dollars that were meant for foreign leaders at the Group of 7 summit planned for Camp David in Maryland in 2020, which was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The bags contained dozens of items purchased with government funds, including leather portfolios, pewter trays and marble trinket boxes emblazoned with the presidential seal or the signatures of Trump and his wife, Melania.

The inspector general continues to pursue the whereabouts of a $5,800 bottle of Japanese whiskey given to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — Pompeo said he never received it — and a 22-karat gold coin given to another State Department official.

There is also a question about whether former second lady Karen Pence wrongly took two gold-toned place-card holders from the prime minister of Singapore without paying for them.

In addition, the Trump administration never disclosed that Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a top White House adviser, received two swords and a dagger from the Saudis, although he paid $47,920 for them along with three other gifts in February, after he left office.

To be sure, Trump’s handling of foreign gifts is not at the top of his critics’ list of administration offenses. And there is no evidence that he or Melania took any gifts to which they were not entitled.

But ethics experts said the problems reflected larger issues with the Trump presidency.

“Whether this was indifference, sloppiness or the Great Train Robbery, it shows such a cavalier attitude to the law and the regular process of government,” said Stanley Brand, a criminal defense lawyer, ethics expert and former top lawyer for the House of Representatives.

The State Department declined to address the specifics of how the Trump administration handled gifts but said in a statement that it “takes seriously its role in reporting the disposition of certain gifts received by U.S. government employees” and that it was “investigating the whereabouts of gifts that are unaccounted for and the circumstances that led to their disappearance.”

This article is based on public documents and others produced by the federal government under the Freedom of Information Act, interviews with current and former government officials, and on-the-record responses to questions from several government departments and agencies. The documents include an index of gifts that Trump and his family received in Saudi Arabia in 2017 that the National Archives provided to two Democratic senators, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

The details about the missing gifts and the other widespread problems with them have not been previously reported. Politico reported in August that the State Department’s inspector general was investigating about 20 types of missing gifts.

82 Gifts From the Saudis

The nation’s founders were so concerned that European nobility could co-opt U.S. officials with lavish gifts that they included in the Constitution a clause making it illegal for an official to take anything of worth from a foreigner.

In 1966, Congress passed a law detailing how a U.S. official could keep a gift of only relatively minimal value, now capped at $415. Subsequent amendments defined gifts as government property and created a standardized process for how officials were to deal with them.

To add transparency, provisions require administrations to annually disclose the gifts given to U.S. officials by foreigners and their appraised value. The laws have no criminal penalties, although legal experts said that anyone caught taking government property could be prosecuted for theft.

The Trump administration’s gift problems date from the president’s trip in May 2017 to Saudi Arabia, whose leaders were jubilant that Trump had chosen the kingdom for his first visit abroad and was embracing them after years of tensions with the Obama administration. The Saudis have a history of giving lavish gifts to American presidents, and Trump and his aides appeared to receive a generous bounty.

The State Department disclosed a list of 82 gifts from the Saudis to Trump administration officials on the May 2017 trip in response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed shortly after Trump returned home. The gifts ranged from ordinary ones such as sandals and scarves to expensive ones such as furs and daggers.

Nine of the most expensive presents — the three furs, three swords and three daggers — were sent to the White House gifts unit to be assessed and appraised but never appeared on any of the Trump State Department’s legally required annual filings for foreign gifts, according to a review of government documents.

It was not until last Jan. 19 that the White House sent the nine gifts to the General Services Administration, according to a statement from the agency.

After The New York Times this past summer inquired about why the agency was in possession of items in violation of the Endangered Species Act, the General Services Administration alerted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which in July sent an agent to collect the furs at a government warehouse in Springfield, Virginia. The agent also took the dagger, which a visiting Qatari official had given to the Trump White House in Saudi Arabia.

Inspectors examined the items, discovering more problems as they determined that the furs had been dyed and were fake. The dagger’s handle “appears to possibly contain tooth or bone of some variety” — the materials of elephant tusk — “although additional laboratory analysis would be required to identify the species,” the Interior Department said.

It is unclear if the Saudis knew about the fake furs or were deceived by a supplier, but Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and an expert on Saudi-U. S. relations, called the gifts highly embarrassing.

“The two most important things for them is to look like they’re aboveboard world actors, and are rich and show their wealth,” he said.

A spokesperson for Trump did not return several messages seeking comment.

Disappearing Gift Bags

As Trump political appointees in the State Department’s protocol office packed up their belongings in January, career officers saw their departing colleagues leave with the gift bags meant for foreign leaders at the G-7 summit the previous year, the inspector general has learned. The bags had been in storage in a large room at the State Department known as the vault.

Once the Biden administration took over, career officials began to examine the accounting of foreign gifts without Trump officials looking over their shoulders.

At that point, career officials discovered that many of the gift bags were missing, as were more than a dozen additional presents given to Trump officials. The number was unusual: Government documents from the Obama and George W. Bush administrations show no unaccounted gifts given to White House officials, Cabinet members or members of the first families.

In the months that followed, the Times located many of the gifts, including a bottle of perfume and a Persian silk carpet that the Qataris had given to Steven Mnuchin, the former Treasury secretary. (His gifts were supposed to have been sent to the General Services Administration for disposal, but they were sitting in storage at the Treasury Department.)

The bottle of whiskey for Pompeo remains unaccounted for, as does the 22-karat gold coin and a porcelain bowl from Vietnam for John Bolton, Trump’s third national security adviser, who sent the Times an email exchange with the Trump White House showing that he never took it and did not want it.

One mystery has been solved: When the Times reached out to Karen Pence, a lawyer for the family said that she had taken the gold-toned place-card holders after a White House ethics lawyer told her she could keep them because they had been appraised at less than the minimal threshold, which was $390 at the time.

But according to the information provided to the State Department by the Trump White House, she should have paid for the place-card holders. Under federal guidelines, if a U.S. official is given multiple gifts in a meeting with a foreign official, the American must pay for them if the total exceeds the minimal threshold. The State Department said the Trump White House reported that Karen Pence had received the card holders along with a framed print and a clutch purse, which totaled $1,200.

Richard Cullen, the lawyer for the Pence family, said the State Department was wrong — that the gifts had been given at different meetings, and Karen Pence had declined to keep the print and clutch. In response to Cullen’s explanation, a State Department spokesperson said it stood by its characterization of Karen Pence’s gifts.

The Saudi royal family showered Donald Trump and his entourage on his first trip abroad as president with dozens of presents, including three robes made with white tiger and cheetah fur, and a dagger with a handle that appeared to be ivory.

The Saudi royal family showered Donald Trump and his entourage on his first trip abroad as president with dozens of presents, including three robes made with white tiger and cheetah fur, and a dagger with a handle that appeared to be ivory. Little that followed went right. A White House lawyer determined that possession of the furs and dagger most likely violated the Endangered Species Act, but the Trump administration held onto them and failed to disclose them as gifts received from a foreign government. On the last full day of Trump’s presidency, the White House handed them over to the General Services Administration — the wrong agency — rather than the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which seized the gifts this summer. At that point, there was a surprise. The furs, from an oil-rich family worth billions of dollars, were fake. “Wildlife inspectors and special agents determined the linings of the robes were dyed to mimic tiger and cheetah patterns and were not comprised of protected species,” said Tyler Cherry, a spokesperson for the Interior Department, which oversees the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Officials at the Saudi Embassy in Washington declined to comment. The tale of the furs is but one example of how gift exchanges between the United States and foreign leaders — a highly regulated process intended to shield administrations from questions of impropriety — devolved into sometimes risible shambles during the Trump administration. The State Department’s inspector general is investigating allegations that Trump’s political appointees walked off with gift bags worth thousands of dollars that were meant for foreign leaders at the Group of 7 summit planned for Camp David in Maryland in 2020, which was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The bags contained dozens of items purchased with government funds, including leather portfolios, pewter trays and marble trinket boxes emblazoned with the presidential seal or the signatures of Trump and his wife, Melania. The inspector general continues to pursue the whereabouts of a $5,800 bottle of Japanese whiskey given to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — Pompeo said he never received it — and a 22-karat gold coin given to another State Department official. There is also a question about whether former second lady Karen Pence wrongly took two gold-toned place-card holders from the prime minister of Singapore without paying for them. In addition, the Trump administration never disclosed that Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a top White House adviser, received two swords and a dagger from the Saudis, although he paid $47,920 for them along with three other gifts in February, after he left office. To be sure, Trump’s handling of foreign gifts is not at the top of his critics’ list of administration offenses. And there is no evidence that he or Melania took any gifts to which they were not entitled. But ethics experts said the problems reflected larger issues with the Trump presidency. “Whether this was indifference, sloppiness or the Great Train Robbery, it shows such a cavalier attitude to the law and the regular process of government,” said Stanley Brand, a criminal defense lawyer, ethics expert and former top lawyer for the House of Representatives. The State Department declined to address the specifics of how the Trump administration handled gifts but said in a statement that it “takes seriously its role in reporting the disposition of certain gifts received by U.S. government employees” and that it was “investigating the whereabouts of gifts that are unaccounted for and the circumstances that led to their disappearance.” This article is based on public documents and others produced by the federal government under the Freedom of Information Act, interviews with current and former government officials, and on-the-record responses to questions from several government departments and agencies. The documents include an index of gifts that Trump and his family received in Saudi Arabia in 2017 that the National Archives provided to two Democratic senators, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The details about the missing gifts and the other widespread problems with them have not been previously reported. Politico reported in August that the State Department’s inspector general was investigating about 20 types of missing gifts. 82 Gifts From the Saudis The nation’s founders were so concerned that European nobility could co-opt U.S. officials with lavish gifts that they included in the Constitution a clause making it illegal for an official to take anything of worth from a foreigner. In 1966, Congress passed a law detailing how a U.S. official could keep a gift of only relatively minimal value, now capped at $415. Subsequent amendments defined gifts as government property and created a standardized process for how officials were to deal with them. To add transparency, provisions require administrations to annually disclose the gifts given to U.S. officials by foreigners and their appraised value. The laws have no criminal penalties, although legal experts said that anyone caught taking government property could be prosecuted for theft. The Trump administration’s gift problems date from the president’s trip in May 2017 to Saudi Arabia, whose leaders were jubilant that Trump had chosen the kingdom for his first visit abroad and was embracing them after years of tensions with the Obama administration. The Saudis have a history of giving lavish gifts to American presidents, and Trump and his aides appeared to receive a generous bounty. The State Department disclosed a list of 82 gifts from the Saudis to Trump administration officials on the May 2017 trip in response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed shortly after Trump returned home. The gifts ranged from ordinary ones such as sandals and scarves to expensive ones such as furs and daggers. Nine of the most expensive presents — the three furs, three swords and three daggers — were sent to the White House gifts unit to be assessed and appraised but never appeared on any of the Trump State Department’s legally required annual filings for foreign gifts, according to a review of government documents. It was not until last Jan. 19 that the White House sent the nine gifts to the General Services Administration, according to a statement from the agency. After The New York Times this past summer inquired about why the agency was in possession of items in violation of the Endangered Species Act, the General Services Administration alerted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which in July sent an agent to collect the furs at a government warehouse in Springfield, Virginia. The agent also took the dagger, which a visiting Qatari official had given to the Trump White House in Saudi Arabia. Inspectors examined the items, discovering more problems as they determined that the furs had been dyed and were fake. The dagger’s handle “appears to possibly contain tooth or bone of some variety” — the materials of elephant tusk — “although additional laboratory analysis would be required to identify the species,” the Interior Department said. It is unclear if the Saudis knew about the fake furs or were deceived by a supplier, but Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and an expert on Saudi-U. S. relations, called the gifts highly embarrassing. “The two most important things for them is to look like they’re aboveboard world actors, and are rich and show their wealth,” he said. A spokesperson for Trump did not return several messages seeking comment. Disappearing Gift Bags As Trump political appointees in the State Department’s protocol office packed up their belongings in January, career officers saw their departing colleagues leave with the gift bags meant for foreign leaders at the G-7 summit the previous year, the inspector general has learned. The bags had been in storage in a large room at the State Department known as the vault. Once the Biden administration took over, career officials began to examine the accounting of foreign gifts without Trump officials looking over their shoulders. At that point, career officials discovered that many of the gift bags were missing, as were more than a dozen additional presents given to Trump officials. The number was unusual: Government documents from the Obama and George W. Bush administrations show no unaccounted gifts given to White House officials, Cabinet members or members of the first families. In the months that followed, the Times located many of the gifts, including a bottle of perfume and a Persian silk carpet that the Qataris had given to Steven Mnuchin, the former Treasury secretary. (His gifts were supposed to have been sent to the General Services Administration for disposal, but they were sitting in storage at the Treasury Department.) The bottle of whiskey for Pompeo remains unaccounted for, as does the 22-karat gold coin and a porcelain bowl from Vietnam for John Bolton, Trump’s third national security adviser, who sent the Times an email exchange with the Trump White House showing that he never took it and did not want it. One mystery has been solved: When the Times reached out to Karen Pence, a lawyer for the family said that she had taken the gold-toned place-card holders after a White House ethics lawyer told her she could keep them because they had been appraised at less than the minimal threshold, which was $390 at the time. But according to the information provided to the State Department by the Trump White House, she should have paid for the place-card holders. Under federal guidelines, if a U.S. official is given multiple gifts in a meeting with a foreign official, the American must pay for them if the total exceeds the minimal threshold. The State Department said the Trump White House reported that Karen Pence had received the card holders along with a framed print and a clutch purse, which totaled $1,200. Richard Cullen, the lawyer for the Pence family, said the State Department was wrong — that the gifts had been given at different meetings, and Karen Pence had declined to keep the print and clutch. In response to Cullen’s explanation, a State Department spokesperson said it stood by its characterization of Karen Pence’s gifts.

White tiger and cheetah furs: A mess of Trump gift exchanges

In a phone call, US President Joe Biden joked that putting Senators Bernie Sanders and Joe Manchin in a room together to discuss the $2 trillion difference in their visions of the social safety net expansions may end in a "homicide".&nbsp;

Earlier this week, a Democrat from California, Rep Ro Khanna, suggested on the call that the only way to reach a deal on the bill is to put the West Virginia Democrat in a room with Sanders, whose agenda comprises much of the bill, reported CNN. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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But the only issue is that their differences are too big that Biden didn't think they would be able to reach consensus. &nbsp;

Other Democrats also agreed with the idea. Montana Senator Joe Tester said, "Yes," when was asked about whether he is concerned about the duo's disagreements. &nbsp;

"I just think it's a matter of getting them in the same room," Tester said. &nbsp;

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The party's frustration with Manchin and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema is "off the charts" as the two hamper their colleagues' plans, a source said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Manchin and Sinema are the only two Democratic senators, who are not on board with the proposed $3.5 trillion spending bill as both have said that it is an irresponsibly large sum. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a phone call, US President Joe Biden joked that putting Senators Bernie Sanders and Joe Manchin in a room together to discuss the $2 trillion difference in their visions of the social safety net expansions may end in a "homicide".

In a phone call, US President Joe Biden joked that putting Senators Bernie Sanders and Joe Manchin in a room together to discuss the $2 trillion difference in their visions of the social safety net expansions may end in a "homicide". Earlier this week, a Democrat from California, Rep Ro Khanna, suggested on the call that the only way to reach a deal on the bill is to put the West Virginia Democrat in a room with Sanders, whose agenda comprises much of the bill, reported CNN. Also Read: FBI arrests Navy engineer, wife for selling restricted nuke info in peanut butter sandwich in US But the only issue is that their differences are too big that Biden didn't think they would be able to reach consensus. Other Democrats also agreed with the idea. Montana Senator Joe Tester said, "Yes," when was asked about whether he is concerned about the duo's disagreements. "I just think it's a matter of getting them in the same room," Tester said. Also Read: Richest 1 per cent of Americans now own more wealth than the entire middle class The party's frustration with Manchin and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema is "off the charts" as the two hamper their colleagues' plans, a source said. Manchin and Sinema are the only two Democratic senators, who are not on board with the proposed $3.5 trillion spending bill as both have said that it is an irresponsibly large sum. (With inputs from agencies)

Putting Manchin, Sanders in a room together may end in 'homicide', jokes Biden

The 13th round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on Sunday failed to result in a conclusive resolution. &nbsp;&nbsp;

During the meeting, the discussions were held between the two sides to find resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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In the statement issued by the Indian government, it pointed out that the situation along the LAC had been caused by unilateral attempts of Chinese side to alter the status quo in violation of the bilateral agreements. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“It was, therefore, necessary that the Chinese side take appropriate steps in the remaining areas so as to restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the western sector,” it said. &nbsp; &nbsp;

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The resolution of the remaining areas would facilitate progress in the bilateral relations. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“In the meeting, the Indian side made constructive suggestions for resolving the remaining areas but the Chinese were not agreeable and also could not provide any forward-looking proposals. The meeting, thus, did not result in resolution of the remaining areas,” read the statement. &nbsp;

Watch | Thirteenth round of India-China corps commander talks end

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thirteenth-round-of-india-china-corps-commander-talks-end-419717/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The two sides have agreed to maintain communications and also to maintain stability on the ground. "It is our expectation that the Chinese side will take into account the overall perspective of bilateral relations and will work towards early resolution of the remaining issues while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols,” the statement added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The 13th round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on Sunday failed to result in a conclusive resolution. During the meeting, the discussions were held between the two sides to find resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

The 13th round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on Sunday failed to result in a conclusive resolution. During the meeting, the discussions were held between the two sides to find resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. Also Read: US' Kashmiri Pandits condemn targetted killings by militants in valley In the statement issued by the Indian government, it pointed out that the situation along the LAC had been caused by unilateral attempts of Chinese side to alter the status quo in violation of the bilateral agreements. “It was, therefore, necessary that the Chinese side take appropriate steps in the remaining areas so as to restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the western sector,” it said. Also Read: To avert power crisis, Indian govt scrambles all resources as coal shortage looms The resolution of the remaining areas would facilitate progress in the bilateral relations. “In the meeting, the Indian side made constructive suggestions for resolving the remaining areas but the Chinese were not agreeable and also could not provide any forward-looking proposals. The meeting, thus, did not result in resolution of the remaining areas,” read the statement. Watch | Thirteenth round of India-China corps commander talks end The two sides have agreed to maintain communications and also to maintain stability on the ground. "It is our expectation that the Chinese side will take into account the overall perspective of bilateral relations and will work towards early resolution of the remaining issues while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols,” the statement added. (With inputs from agencies)

'Chinese not agreeable to suggestions', says India after military talks fail again

Lava used to flow on the surface of the Moon around 1.97 billion years ago. This can be proved easily as there are rocks to support the claim, findings of a study said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The study, which was published in the journal ‘Science’, has been done by an international collaboration of planetary scientists. &nbsp;

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Several researchers from countries, such as China, Australia, Sweden and the US, have been studying samples collected from the Moon by the Chinese National Space Agency during the Chang'e-5 mission. &nbsp;

An uncrewed mission, which included a robotic lander, Chang'e-5 was carried out in December 2020. It landed on the near side of the Moon (the Earth-facing side). &nbsp;&nbsp;

The mission had returned with 1.7 kilograms (3.7 pounds) of lunar rocks to Earth. These were the first samples collected from the Moon since 1976 during Soviet Union's Luna 24 mission. &nbsp;

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The Chang'e-5 mission’s one of the goals were to find evidence of some youngest volcanic eruptions on the Moon. &nbsp;

Although the scientists earlier have been able to predict volcanic rocks of this age on the Moon by studying the number of impact craters on the lunar surface, it was impossible to confirm it without any samples. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;&nbsp;

Lava used to flow on the surface of the Moon around 1.97 billion years ago. This can be proved easily as there are rocks to support the claim, findings of a study said.

Lava used to flow on the surface of the Moon around 1.97 billion years ago. This can be proved easily as there are rocks to support the claim, findings of a study said. The study, which was published in the journal ‘Science’, has been done by an international collaboration of planetary scientists. Also Read: The hot new back-to-school accessory? An air quality monitor. Several researchers from countries, such as China, Australia, Sweden and the US, have been studying samples collected from the Moon by the Chinese National Space Agency during the Chang'e-5 mission. An uncrewed mission, which included a robotic lander, Chang'e-5 was carried out in December 2020. It landed on the near side of the Moon (the Earth-facing side). The mission had returned with 1.7 kilograms (3.7 pounds) of lunar rocks to Earth. These were the first samples collected from the Moon since 1976 during Soviet Union's Luna 24 mission. Also Read: Astronomers unearth secret of no star formation in some early galaxies The Chang'e-5 mission’s one of the goals were to find evidence of some youngest volcanic eruptions on the Moon. Although the scientists earlier have been able to predict volcanic rocks of this age on the Moon by studying the number of impact craters on the lunar surface, it was impossible to confirm it without any samples. (With inputs from agencies)

1.97 billion years old Moon rocks set new record for youngest lunar material

Before being rescued off the coast of Papua New Guinea, two men were stranded at sea for around 29 days. The men survived only on oranges, coconuts and rainwater. &nbsp;

The two men, Junior Qoloni and Livae Nanjikana, were travelling between islands in the Solomon Sea when their motorboat got caught in rough weather on September 3, reported the Guardian.

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In the bad weather, the coastline they were following for guidance got lost and their vessel was swept out to sea. &nbsp;

“I look forward to going back home but I guess it was a nice break from everything. When the bad weather came, it was bad, but it got worse and became scary when the GPS died. We couldn’t see where we were going and so, we just decided to stop the engine and wait, to save fuel,” Nanjikana told the Guardian.

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In 29 days at sea only, the two men say they survived on rainwater, coconuts and oranges they had packed. A fisherman found and rescued them off the coast of New Britain, Papua New Guinea, roughly 400 km from where they departed. &nbsp;

For treatment, both the men were taken to a health clinic. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Before being rescued off the coast of Papua New Guinea, two men were stranded at sea for around 29 days. The men survived only on oranges, coconuts and rainwater.

Before being rescued off the coast of Papua New Guinea, two men were stranded at sea for around 29 days. The men survived only on oranges, coconuts and rainwater. The two men, Junior Qoloni and Livae Nanjikana, were travelling between islands in the Solomon Sea when their motorboat got caught in rough weather on September 3, reported the Guardian. Also Read: Richest 1 per cent of Americans now own more wealth than the entire middle class In the bad weather, the coastline they were following for guidance got lost and their vessel was swept out to sea. “I look forward to going back home but I guess it was a nice break from everything. When the bad weather came, it was bad, but it got worse and became scary when the GPS died. We couldn’t see where we were going and so, we just decided to stop the engine and wait, to save fuel,” Nanjikana told the Guardian. Also Read: African regional bloc loses 92 per cent tourism earnings due to Covid In 29 days at sea only, the two men say they survived on rainwater, coconuts and oranges they had packed. A fisherman found and rescued them off the coast of New Britain, Papua New Guinea, roughly 400 km from where they departed. For treatment, both the men were taken to a health clinic. (With inputs from agencies)

After being stranded at sea, two islanders survive for 29 days on rainwater, oranges

Shri Ramlila Committee, which organises one of the oldest Ramlila in Delhi at a ground near Ajmeri Gate, will not be staging Ramlila this year, saying that authorities granted permission for the event too late.

Though the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has permitted to organise Ramlila at the ground, Shiv Kumar Gupta, the Joint Secretary of the Shri Ramlila Committee said that a temporary COVID-19 care centre is functioning at the ground, due to which the DDMA had given permission to stage the event in a restricted space of 40 metres.

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"The order has come just two days before the Ramlila celebration begins. We had not done the preparation and it was also not possible for us to demonstrate Ramlila in a 40-meter restricted area. Therefore, we decided that we will not stage Ramlila this year too," Gupta told ANI.

55-year-old Shiv Kumar Gupta said that he is associated with this Ramlila since the age of 13. He informed that the history of the Shri Ramlila Committee goes back to the times of Bahadur Shah Zafar who gave permission to stage Ramlila. "This committee has been there since the times of Bahadur Shah Zafar. He gave us permission to stage the Ramlila event.

A procession, known as the 'Ramlila Sawaari', used to be a big highlight of the committee. The procession used to start from Chandni Chowk in old Delhi passes through Chawri Bazar, Asaf Ali Road and used to end in Ajmeri gate.

"Politicians like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi also used to attend the Ramlila," he said.

Arjun Kumar, the General Secretary of Ramlila Mahasangh also said that the Shri Ramlila Committee has a rich history since the times of Bahadur Shah Zafar.

"During times of Bahadur Shah Zafar, this Ramlila used to take place at the banks of River Yamuna and queens used to watch the event from windows of the Red Fort. People near the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk helped this Ramlila to get started. A lot of Prime Ministers have seen this Ramlila," he said.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-logs-21257-new-covid-cases-271-deaths-419059">&nbsp;India logs 21,257 new Covid cases, 271 deaths</a>

Kumar claimed that Shri Ramlila Committee is the only Ramlila committee in Delhi that gets free water and electricity from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Earlier on September 30, the DDMA had permitted Ramlila celebration following certain COVID-19 conditions.

As per the DDMA order, permission will have to be taken from the District Magistrate of the area for any programme related to the festival. "In an event in a closed area, only 50 per cent of the people will be allowed, while in the open area this number cannot exceed 200," stated the DDMA.&nbsp;

Shri Ramlila Committee, which organises one of the oldest Ramlila in Delhi at a ground near Ajmeri Gate, will not be staging Ramlila this year, saying that authorities granted permission for the event too late.

Shri Ramlila Committee, which organises one of the oldest Ramlila in Delhi at a ground near Ajmeri Gate, will not be staging Ramlila this year, saying that authorities granted permission for the event too late. Though the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has permitted to organise Ramlila at the ground, Shiv Kumar Gupta, the Joint Secretary of the Shri Ramlila Committee said that a temporary COVID-19 care centre is functioning at the ground, due to which the DDMA had given permission to stage the event in a restricted space of 40 metres. Also Read | Dasara festivities begin in Mysuru amid COVID-19 restrictions "The order has come just two days before the Ramlila celebration begins. We had not done the preparation and it was also not possible for us to demonstrate Ramlila in a 40-meter restricted area. Therefore, we decided that we will not stage Ramlila this year too," Gupta told ANI. 55-year-old Shiv Kumar Gupta said that he is associated with this Ramlila since the age of 13. He informed that the history of the Shri Ramlila Committee goes back to the times of Bahadur Shah Zafar who gave permission to stage Ramlila. "This committee has been there since the times of Bahadur Shah Zafar. He gave us permission to stage the Ramlila event. A procession, known as the 'Ramlila Sawaari', used to be a big highlight of the committee. The procession used to start from Chandni Chowk in old Delhi passes through Chawri Bazar, Asaf Ali Road and used to end in Ajmeri gate. "Politicians like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi also used to attend the Ramlila," he said. Arjun Kumar, the General Secretary of Ramlila Mahasangh also said that the Shri Ramlila Committee has a rich history since the times of Bahadur Shah Zafar. "During times of Bahadur Shah Zafar, this Ramlila used to take place at the banks of River Yamuna and queens used to watch the event from windows of the Red Fort. People near the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk helped this Ramlila to get started. A lot of Prime Ministers have seen this Ramlila," he said. Also Read | India logs 21,257 new Covid cases, 271 deaths Kumar claimed that Shri Ramlila Committee is the only Ramlila committee in Delhi that gets free water and electricity from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Earlier on September 30, the DDMA had permitted Ramlila celebration following certain COVID-19 conditions. As per the DDMA order, permission will have to be taken from the District Magistrate of the area for any programme related to the festival. "In an event in a closed area, only 50 per cent of the people will be allowed, while in the open area this number cannot exceed 200," stated the DDMA.

Delhi: Over 150-year-old Ramlila will not take place this year

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