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India grew at the fastest pace of any major economy in the July-September quarter but economists said disruptions from the emerging Omicron coronavirus variant risked slowing the recovery, especially given India`s low vaccination rates.

Asia`s third-largest economy has rebounded strongly from last year`s deep pandemic-induced slump, boosted by vaccinations and stronger government spending, economists said. But new COVID-19 variants, a global slowdown and rising manufacturing prices all pose risks to growth.

Gross domestic product expanded 8.4% in the September quarter from a year earlier, statistics ministry data showed on Tuesday, in line with 8.4% growth predicted in a Reuters poll and compared with a 20.1% expansion in the previous quarter.

"Data clearly shows that corporate income and profit are above the pre-pandemic level," K.V. Subramanian, chief economist at the finance ministry told reporters after the data release.

He said double-digit growth was expected in the current fiscal year, which ends in April 2022, with growth of 6.5% to 7% predicted for the following fiscal year.

The International Monetary Fund has forecast 2021 economic growth of 9.5% in India compared to a forecast for China of 8%.

The Reserve Bank of India`s (RBI) monetary policy committee meets on Dec. 6-8. With households increasingly worried about inflation, policymakers are expected to speed up measures to suck up excess liquidity before normalising interest rates.

"With growth revival and sticky core inflation, we expect RBI to undertake phased withdrawal of liquidity and start raising the policy rates soon," said Sujan Hajra, chief economist at Anand Rathi Securities, Mumbai.

Consumer spending - the main driver of the economy - rose 8.6% from a year earlier in July-September following 19.3% growth in previous quarter, Tuesday`s data showed.

Manufacturing expanded 5.5% and farm output rose 4.5% during the three months to September, which bolstered the recovery as lower interest rates lifted consumer spending and investments.

Investments rose 11% compared with growth of 55.3% in the previous quarter, while state spending jumped 8.7% after contracting nearly 5% in the April-June period.

<h2>Risks to growth&nbsp;</h2>

Modi has rolled back three farm laws aimed at cutting subsidies and attracting investments while putting planned labour reforms on hold as his party faces growing criticism over rising distress among workers during the pandemic.

Rising prices and falling rural wages risk denting consumer demand, analysts say. Real rural wages have contracted 3% so far in the current fiscal year, according to estimates, leading to declines in two-wheeler and tractor sales.

Supply bottlenecks including chip shortages have also hit production of vehicles and other electronic goods.

The emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant has led health authorities to tighten testing at Indian airports while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered a review of plans to ease travel curbs.

Private economists said the new COVID-19 variant could dampen hopes of recovery in tourism and other services, as only around 32% of the population has been fully vaccinated.

"We need to watch out for any risks from the Omicron COVID variant and any escalation in supply disruptions due to stricter lockdowns across the globe," said Sakshi Gupta, senior economist at HDFC Bank.

India grew at the fastest pace of any major economy in the July-September quarter but economists said disruptions from the emerging Omicron coronavirus variant risked slowing the recovery, especially given India`s low vaccination rates.

India grew at the fastest pace of any major economy in the July-September quarter but economists said disruptions from the emerging Omicron coronavirus variant risked slowing the recovery, especially given India`s low vaccination rates. Asia`s third-largest economy has rebounded strongly from last year`s deep pandemic-induced slump, boosted by vaccinations and stronger government spending, economists said. But new COVID-19 variants, a global slowdown and rising manufacturing prices all pose risks to growth. Gross domestic product expanded 8.4% in the September quarter from a year earlier, statistics ministry data showed on Tuesday, in line with 8.4% growth predicted in a Reuters poll and compared with a 20.1% expansion in the previous quarter. "Data clearly shows that corporate income and profit are above the pre-pandemic level," K.V. Subramanian, chief economist at the finance ministry told reporters after the data release. He said double-digit growth was expected in the current fiscal year, which ends in April 2022, with growth of 6.5% to 7% predicted for the following fiscal year. The International Monetary Fund has forecast 2021 economic growth of 9.5% in India compared to a forecast for China of 8%. The Reserve Bank of India`s (RBI) monetary policy committee meets on Dec. 6-8. With households increasingly worried about inflation, policymakers are expected to speed up measures to suck up excess liquidity before normalising interest rates. "With growth revival and sticky core inflation, we expect RBI to undertake phased withdrawal of liquidity and start raising the policy rates soon," said Sujan Hajra, chief economist at Anand Rathi Securities, Mumbai. Consumer spending - the main driver of the economy - rose 8.6% from a year earlier in July-September following 19.3% growth in previous quarter, Tuesday`s data showed. Manufacturing expanded 5.5% and farm output rose 4.5% during the three months to September, which bolstered the recovery as lower interest rates lifted consumer spending and investments. Investments rose 11% compared with growth of 55.3% in the previous quarter, while state spending jumped 8.7% after contracting nearly 5% in the April-June period. Risks to growth Modi has rolled back three farm laws aimed at cutting subsidies and attracting investments while putting planned labour reforms on hold as his party faces growing criticism over rising distress among workers during the pandemic. Rising prices and falling rural wages risk denting consumer demand, analysts say. Real rural wages have contracted 3% so far in the current fiscal year, according to estimates, leading to declines in two-wheeler and tractor sales. Supply bottlenecks including chip shortages have also hit production of vehicles and other electronic goods. The emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant has led health authorities to tighten testing at Indian airports while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered a review of plans to ease travel curbs. Private economists said the new COVID-19 variant could dampen hopes of recovery in tourism and other services, as only around 32% of the population has been fully vaccinated. "We need to watch out for any risks from the Omicron COVID variant and any escalation in supply disruptions due to stricter lockdowns across the globe," said Sakshi Gupta, senior economist at HDFC Bank.

India grows fastest among major economies, GDP expands 8.4 per cent in second quarter

Bharat Biotech, the maker of India's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, said on Tuesday that it was studying whether the vaccine would work against Omicron variant. The&nbsp;development follows&nbsp;warning from Moderna CEO about&nbsp;existing vaccines potentially being&nbsp;less effective against Omicron which is feared to be more transmissible and dangerous than previous coronavirus variants.

"Covaxin was developed against the original Wuhan variant," a Bharat Biotech spokesperson was quoted by Reuters.

"It has shown that it can work against other variants, including the Delta variant. We continue to research on new variants."

Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech has resumed export of Covaxin. It has executed long-pending orders in November.

The company also said exports to additional countries will commence from December, according to a statement it shared on Twitter.

It was not immediately clear whether or not these exports were made under the global vaccine-sharing facility COVAX.

Covaxin, which is 78% effective against severe cases of COVID-19, was approved for emergency use listing by the World Health Organization earlier this month.

It is the only homegrown vaccine being used in India's vaccination programme, although it accounts for only about 11% of the nearly 1.23 billion doses administered so far.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bharat Biotech, the maker of India's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, said on Tuesday that it was studying whether the vaccine would work against Omicron variant. The development follows warning from Moderna CEO about existing vaccines potentially being less effective against Omicron which is feared to be more transmissible and dangerous than previous coronavirus variants.

Bharat Biotech, the maker of India's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, said on Tuesday that it was studying whether the vaccine would work against Omicron variant. The development follows warning from Moderna CEO about existing vaccines potentially being less effective against Omicron which is feared to be more transmissible and dangerous than previous coronavirus variants. "Covaxin was developed against the original Wuhan variant," a Bharat Biotech spokesperson was quoted by Reuters. "It has shown that it can work against other variants, including the Delta variant. We continue to research on new variants." Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech has resumed export of Covaxin. It has executed long-pending orders in November. The company also said exports to additional countries will commence from December, according to a statement it shared on Twitter. It was not immediately clear whether or not these exports were made under the global vaccine-sharing facility COVAX. Covaxin, which is 78% effective against severe cases of COVID-19, was approved for emergency use listing by the World Health Organization earlier this month. It is the only homegrown vaccine being used in India's vaccination programme, although it accounts for only about 11% of the nearly 1.23 billion doses administered so far. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron threat: Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech studying if vaccine works against variant

The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, was passed by the Lok Sabha amid a disturbance by opposition MPs on Monday.&nbsp;

The Leader of the Congress Party in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has demanded that the Bill be discussed in the House.&nbsp;

On Friday, the three 'Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021' was distributed to Rajya Sabha members.

In a speech on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of three central farm laws in a speech to the country.

The government has stated that a bill repealing three agriculture legislation would be taken up as soon as possible.

Last Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved the bill.

The winter season is set to end on December 23.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, was passed by the Lok Sabha amid a disturbance by opposition MPs on Monday. The Leader of the Congress Party in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has demanded that the Bill be discussed in the House.

The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, was passed by the Lok Sabha amid a disturbance by opposition MPs on Monday. The Leader of the Congress Party in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has demanded that the Bill be discussed in the House. On Friday, the three 'Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021' was distributed to Rajya Sabha members. In a speech on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of three central farm laws in a speech to the country. The government has stated that a bill repealing three agriculture legislation would be taken up as soon as possible. Last Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved the bill. The winter season is set to end on December 23. (With inputs from agencies)

Parliament Winter Session 2021: Farm Laws Repeal Bill passed in Lok Sabha

Foreign officers were among over 230 naval officers who passed out at the Indian naval academy. WION's Sidharth MP in an exclusive conversation with a top Navy official, MA Hampiholi, commandant, Indian naval academy.

Vice admiral MA Hampiholi shares vision of Indian Naval Academy

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday that there were no plans to recognise Bitcoin as currency in the country. She was replying to a question in Indian Parliament. She also told the House that the government does not collect data on Bitcoin transactions.

Bitcoin, the digital currency allows people to buy goods and services and exchange money without involving banks, credit card issuers or other third parties.

Bitcoin was introduced in 2008 by an unidentified group of programmers as a cryptocurrency as well as an electronic payment system. It is reportedly the first decentralised digital currency where peer-to-peer transactions take place without any intermediary.

Meanwhile, the government plans to introduce the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill 2021 in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. The Bill seeks to ban all but a few private cryptocurrencies to promote underlying technologies while allowing an official digital currency by RBI.

In reply to another question, Sitharaman said, ministries and departments have spent Rs 2.29 lakh crore as capital expenditure during the April-September period of the current fiscal.

This is 41 per cent of the Budget Estimate (BE) of Rs 5.54 lakh crore for 2021-22. The actual expenditure during current fiscal is about 38 per cent higher than the corresponding expenditure in FY 2020-21, she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday that there were no plans to recognise Bitcoin as currency in the country. She was replying to a question in Indian Parliament.

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday that there were no plans to recognise Bitcoin as currency in the country. She was replying to a question in Indian Parliament. She also told the House that the government does not collect data on Bitcoin transactions. Bitcoin, the digital currency allows people to buy goods and services and exchange money without involving banks, credit card issuers or other third parties. Bitcoin was introduced in 2008 by an unidentified group of programmers as a cryptocurrency as well as an electronic payment system. It is reportedly the first decentralised digital currency where peer-to-peer transactions take place without any intermediary. Meanwhile, the government plans to introduce the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill 2021 in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. The Bill seeks to ban all but a few private cryptocurrencies to promote underlying technologies while allowing an official digital currency by RBI. In reply to another question, Sitharaman said, ministries and departments have spent Rs 2.29 lakh crore as capital expenditure during the April-September period of the current fiscal. This is 41 per cent of the Budget Estimate (BE) of Rs 5.54 lakh crore for 2021-22. The actual expenditure during current fiscal is about 38 per cent higher than the corresponding expenditure in FY 2020-21, she said. (With inputs from agencies)

No proposal to recognise Bitcoin as currency: Indian finance minister

In an event, marking the constitution day, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind called for judicial reforms, calling for the creation of an All- India Judicial Service for the recruitment and appointment of judges.

India: President Ram Nath Kovind  bats for All- India Judicial Service | Latest English News

In January, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the United Arab Emirates for his first visit of the year 2022.

His visit will be centred on the Dubai Expo in the United Arab Emirates, where the India Pavilion has attracted a lot of attention and foot traffic.&nbsp;

As part of the 75th anniversary of India's independence, the country's achievements are showcased in a gigantic four-story pavilion.

So far, around 4 lakh people have visited the pavilion, with approximately 8000 of them visiting on Friday.

The four-story building is divided into two halves.

Climate and Biodiversity, Space, Urban and Rural Development, Tolerance and Inclusivity, Golden Jubilee, Knowledge and Learning, Travel and Connectivity, Global Goals, Health and Wellness, Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods, and Water are the 11 basic topics that the zones are founded on.&nbsp;

The PM will meet with the country's top leadership during his visit.

In August 2015, February 2018, and August 2019, Prime Minister Modi visited the UAE.

He has also been awarded the UAE's highest honour, the Order of the Zayed.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar visited the India Pavilion at the Dubai Expo earlier this month and interacted with the top leadership of the UAE.

Engagement between individuals is the bedrock of bonds.

The Indian expatriate community in the UAE, which numbers over 3.3 million people and accounts for 30% of the country's population, is the biggest ethnic group.

In January, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the United Arab Emirates for his first visit of the year 2022. His visit will be centred on the Dubai Expo in the United Arab Emirates, where the India Pavilion has attracted a lot of attention and foot traffic.

In January, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the United Arab Emirates for his first visit of the year 2022. His visit will be centred on the Dubai Expo in the United Arab Emirates, where the India Pavilion has attracted a lot of attention and foot traffic. As part of the 75th anniversary of India's independence, the country's achievements are showcased in a gigantic four-story pavilion. So far, around 4 lakh people have visited the pavilion, with approximately 8000 of them visiting on Friday. The four-story building is divided into two halves. Climate and Biodiversity, Space, Urban and Rural Development, Tolerance and Inclusivity, Golden Jubilee, Knowledge and Learning, Travel and Connectivity, Global Goals, Health and Wellness, Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods, and Water are the 11 basic topics that the zones are founded on. The PM will meet with the country's top leadership during his visit. In August 2015, February 2018, and August 2019, Prime Minister Modi visited the UAE. He has also been awarded the UAE's highest honour, the Order of the Zayed. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar visited the India Pavilion at the Dubai Expo earlier this month and interacted with the top leadership of the UAE. Engagement between individuals is the bedrock of bonds. The Indian expatriate community in the UAE, which numbers over 3.3 million people and accounts for 30% of the country's population, is the biggest ethnic group.

UAE to be first foreign destination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022

Visiting India has been more like visiting a close relative’s home, for Maldivian Defence Minister Mariya Didi, who was recently in the subcontinent for the Official Engagements.

In a first for the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala, she was the first Foreign Defence Minister to review the Passing Out Parade, at the academy that is stepping into its 13th year.&nbsp;

Addressing the media following the passing out parade, she emphasised on the strong India-Maldives ties and recalled her college education in India’s Bengaluru. “During my student days, we used to travel from Bangalore to Trivandrum and then take a flight to Male. We could get our local Maldivian food in Trivandrum and even some signboards would be in our ‘Divehi’ language” she recalled about her time in India, as a student.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-exclusive-maldivian-defence-min-mariya-didi-speaks-on-narco-trafficking-maritime-terrorism-432443/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Speaking of India, she said India was Maldives’ biggest development partner after President Ibrahim Solih’s government came to power. “India helped us a lot- 250mn USD budget support during Covid-19, India provided us Covishield vaccines, helped us in our economic recovery(which the world ban terms as remarkable” and our highest tourists arrivals are also from India”.&nbsp;

Queried about the benefits of the Greater Male Connectivity Project, a 7km-long bridge, that is India’s largest infrastructure project in Maldives, she told WION that it helped connect several crowded localities in and around Male.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-maldives-hits-out-at-malicious-india-out-campaign-says-propaganda-by-corrupt-people-432448" hreflang="en">Exclusive: Maldives hits out at malicious ‘India out’ campaign</a>

She said that such projects were necessary in a congested city. “I would like to thank India for all you do, surely there will be many more projects such as an airport and Police academy” she added, when asked about the plans for further developmental projects.

Lauding India’s vibrant democracy, she said that democracy was hard work and also touched upon how Maldives also sees democracy as the best way forward. “Civil oversight over military is appreciable in India... We need to learn that it is the power of the ballot box, citizen is the ruler of the country... They are the taxpayers” she said in respect to her own nation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trained-hard-blended-with-indian-culture-learnt-hindi-foreign-trainees-tell-wion-at-indian-naval-academy-432743" hreflang="en">Foreign trainees at Indian Naval Academy talk to WION about their experience</a>

She also emphasised that President Solih aims to make Maldivian forces fighting-fit and professional, given how their own citizens had been disappointed with the Maldivian Police and the Armed forces.

On Indian defence institutions training personnel from friendly-foreign countries and particularly those from Maldives, she said that lessons and bonds from the academy would lead to a life-long friendship. She also referred to how top officials in the Maldivian forces were alumnus of Indian defence institutions and that Maldivian personnel would continue to train in India in larger numbers.&nbsp;

231 trainees had passed out as Naval Officers from the Indian Naval Academy, over the weekend. These cadets(commissioned as Naval Officer) had pursued different technical courses at the INA, spanning between six months, one year and four years. While the Indian Officers will go on to serve the Indian Navy, the foreign personnel will return to their respective countries.&nbsp;

As a part of Military diplomacy and in order to build stronger bridges of friendship, India’s Defence Institutions train military personnel from friendly-foreign countries. This helps develop trust, bonding and camaraderie and interoperability, between the forces. In the recent decades, the Indian Navy alone has trained over 15,000 foreign personnel from over 46 countries.&nbsp;

Visiting India has been more like visiting a close relative’s home, for Maldivian Defence Minister Mariya Didi, who was recently in the subcontinent for the Official Engagements.

Visiting India has been more like visiting a close relative’s home, for Maldivian Defence Minister Mariya Didi, who was recently in the subcontinent for the Official Engagements. In a first for the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala, she was the first Foreign Defence Minister to review the Passing Out Parade, at the academy that is stepping into its 13th year. Addressing the media following the passing out parade, she emphasised on the strong India-Maldives ties and recalled her college education in India’s Bengaluru. “During my student days, we used to travel from Bangalore to Trivandrum and then take a flight to Male. We could get our local Maldivian food in Trivandrum and even some signboards would be in our ‘Divehi’ language” she recalled about her time in India, as a student. Speaking of India, she said India was Maldives’ biggest development partner after President Ibrahim Solih’s government came to power. “India helped us a lot- 250mn USD budget support during Covid-19, India provided us Covishield vaccines, helped us in our economic recovery(which the world ban terms as remarkable” and our highest tourists arrivals are also from India”. Queried about the benefits of the Greater Male Connectivity Project, a 7km-long bridge, that is India’s largest infrastructure project in Maldives, she told WION that it helped connect several crowded localities in and around Male. Also read | Exclusive: Maldives hits out at malicious ‘India out’ campaign She said that such projects were necessary in a congested city. “I would like to thank India for all you do, surely there will be many more projects such as an airport and Police academy” she added, when asked about the plans for further developmental projects. Lauding India’s vibrant democracy, she said that democracy was hard work and also touched upon how Maldives also sees democracy as the best way forward. “Civil oversight over military is appreciable in India... We need to learn that it is the power of the ballot box, citizen is the ruler of the country... They are the taxpayers” she said in respect to her own nation. Also read | Foreign trainees at Indian Naval Academy talk to WION about their experience She also emphasised that President Solih aims to make Maldivian forces fighting-fit and professional, given how their own citizens had been disappointed with the Maldivian Police and the Armed forces. On Indian defence institutions training personnel from friendly-foreign countries and particularly those from Maldives, she said that lessons and bonds from the academy would lead to a life-long friendship. She also referred to how top officials in the Maldivian forces were alumnus of Indian defence institutions and that Maldivian personnel would continue to train in India in larger numbers. 231 trainees had passed out as Naval Officers from the Indian Naval Academy, over the weekend. These cadets(commissioned as Naval Officer) had pursued different technical courses at the INA, spanning between six months, one year and four years. While the Indian Officers will go on to serve the Indian Navy, the foreign personnel will return to their respective countries. As a part of Military diplomacy and in order to build stronger bridges of friendship, India’s Defence Institutions train military personnel from friendly-foreign countries. This helps develop trust, bonding and camaraderie and interoperability, between the forces. In the recent decades, the Indian Navy alone has trained over 15,000 foreign personnel from over 46 countries.

'Would like to thank India for being our greatest development partner,' Maldivian defence minister tells WION

The famous Apple Orchards of Kashmir Valley might soon vanish due to the erratic climatic changes in the region. The valley in the last decade has seen major climatic changes&nbsp;like early snowfall due to which farmers have lost around 40 percent of the crop every year.&nbsp;

In 2021, the first snowfall of the season in the Kashmir valley happened in the month of October. At that time the majority of farmers had not harvested the produce. Researchers say the damage to the apple orchards and produce was between 4-40 percent.

A new research done by Dr. Irfan Rashid suggests that the apple orchards of the valley might not sustain if these climatic conditions&nbsp;prevail.&nbsp;

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''We have a substantial number of farmers all across the Kashmir valley who are doing apple farming. What has happened over the last two or three decades is we are experiencing changes in many meteorological&nbsp;parameters. We have very instrumental evidence with us that is temperature and precipitation patterns. If you look at precipitation patterns, we used to receive substantial precipitation in winters, there were some sporadic events in springs also but Autumn&nbsp;used to be dry but what we are seeing now is erratic snowfall during autumn,''&nbsp;said Dr. Irfan Rashid, Coordinator, Department of GeoInformatics, Kashmir University.&nbsp;

''If we look at Met History we experienced very heavy snowfall in the first week of November in 2018 and in 2019. We received snowfall in the month of October which is very early. There are many varieties of apples that are harvested in November so obviously when we have erratic snowfalls, the crop will suffer and also damage the trees. In 2018 we did a survey, which suggested that 4-50 percent damage, some orchards were damaged up to 50 percent. On an average around 35 percent of our crop got damaged,'' he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uae-to-be-first-foreign-destination-of-prime-minister-narendra-modi-in-2022-432653" hreflang="en">UAE to be first foreign destination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022</a>

He also said that if we don't&nbsp;bring in the required changes, the horticulture industry which is the backbone of Kashmir's GDP will be majorly impacted.

''If we do not take into consideration the erratic snowfall patterns that Kashmir has been experiencing, this promulgation of horticulture as an economic savior of Jammu and Kashmir will not be sustainable in the long run,'' added Dr. Irfan Rashid, Coordinator, Department of GeoInformatics, Kashmir University.&nbsp;

Researchers believe that the last two decades have seen major climatic changes in the Kashmir Valley, but In the last five years, the apple orchard farmers had to bear the maximum brunt. This year was the third consecutive harvest destroyed by the early snowfall.

2019 saw the maximum damage as Kashmir witnessed the heaviest snowfall during that year damaging crops and trees worth millions.&nbsp;

The Horticulture department has been promoting High-Density Apple orchards to the farmers. A huge number of farms have been converted from traditional apple orchards to High-Density ones. The horticulture&nbsp;department as well as the researchers also believe shifting to High density could save the industry.&nbsp;

''In my research also, we basically vouched for High-density apple orchards, but we have to take into consideration the harvest season and timing has to not be October and November it has to be early. if we receive snowfall in October like this year, it might be likely in years to come October may see snowfall again, &nbsp;so if we have apple varieties where apples are harvested in the month of October, it will be unsustainable, but if we have varieties that can be harvested by mid-September or late September that could be a good way to sustain and channelise horticulture,'' said Dr. Irfan Rashid, Coordinator, Department of GeoInformatics, Kashmir University

The farmers on the other hand say it would be extremely difficult to shift to High-Density Orchards. The existing traditional Apple orchards would need to be completely taken off to plant new trees, which means huge losses to the farmers.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The famous Apple Orchards of Kashmir Valley might soon vanish due to the erratic climatic changes in the region. The valley in the last decade has seen major climatic changes like early snowfall due to which farmers have lost around 40 percent of the crop every year.

The famous Apple Orchards of Kashmir Valley might soon vanish due to the erratic climatic changes in the region. The valley in the last decade has seen major climatic changes like early snowfall due to which farmers have lost around 40 percent of the crop every year. In 2021, the first snowfall of the season in the Kashmir valley happened in the month of October. At that time the majority of farmers had not harvested the produce. Researchers say the damage to the apple orchards and produce was between 4-40 percent. A new research done by Dr. Irfan Rashid suggests that the apple orchards of the valley might not sustain if these climatic conditions prevail. Also read | Quarantine, genome sequencing for South African passengers, says Mumbai mayor ''We have a substantial number of farmers all across the Kashmir valley who are doing apple farming. What has happened over the last two or three decades is we are experiencing changes in many meteorological parameters. We have very instrumental evidence with us that is temperature and precipitation patterns. If you look at precipitation patterns, we used to receive substantial precipitation in winters, there were some sporadic events in springs also but Autumn used to be dry but what we are seeing now is erratic snowfall during autumn,'' said Dr. Irfan Rashid, Coordinator, Department of GeoInformatics, Kashmir University. ''If we look at Met History we experienced very heavy snowfall in the first week of November in 2018 and in 2019. We received snowfall in the month of October which is very early. There are many varieties of apples that are harvested in November so obviously when we have erratic snowfalls, the crop will suffer and also damage the trees. In 2018 we did a survey, which suggested that 4-50 percent damage, some orchards were damaged up to 50 percent. On an average around 35 percent of our crop got damaged,'' he added. Also read | UAE to be first foreign destination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022 He also said that if we don't bring in the required changes, the horticulture industry which is the backbone of Kashmir's GDP will be majorly impacted. ''If we do not take into consideration the erratic snowfall patterns that Kashmir has been experiencing, this promulgation of horticulture as an economic savior of Jammu and Kashmir will not be sustainable in the long run,'' added Dr. Irfan Rashid, Coordinator, Department of GeoInformatics, Kashmir University. Researchers believe that the last two decades have seen major climatic changes in the Kashmir Valley, but In the last five years, the apple orchard farmers had to bear the maximum brunt. This year was the third consecutive harvest destroyed by the early snowfall. 2019 saw the maximum damage as Kashmir witnessed the heaviest snowfall during that year damaging crops and trees worth millions. The Horticulture department has been promoting High-Density Apple orchards to the farmers. A huge number of farms have been converted from traditional apple orchards to High-Density ones. The horticulture department as well as the researchers also believe shifting to High density could save the industry. ''In my research also, we basically vouched for High-density apple orchards, but we have to take into consideration the harvest season and timing has to not be October and November it has to be early. if we receive snowfall in October like this year, it might be likely in years to come October may see snowfall again, so if we have apple varieties where apples are harvested in the month of October, it will be unsustainable, but if we have varieties that can be harvested by mid-September or late September that could be a good way to sustain and channelise horticulture,'' said Dr. Irfan Rashid, Coordinator, Department of GeoInformatics, Kashmir University The farmers on the other hand say it would be extremely difficult to shift to High-Density Orchards. The existing traditional Apple orchards would need to be completely taken off to plant new trees, which means huge losses to the farmers.

Kashmir: Apple orchards might not sustain climatic changes, farmers losing upto 40 percent crop every year

Omicron variant of coronavirus has governments across the world on alert. The variant, which was first found in South Africa has now spread to many other countries and nations all over the world are releasing guidelines or restricting air travel to try and ensure that the virus doesn't cross their borders.

India's health ministry on Sunday revised guidelines for international arrivals in India.

From December 1, passengers will have to submit the self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha Portal before the scheduled travel. They will have to submit details of journeys made in last 14 days.

It will also be mandatory to upload negative RT-PCR test reports on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey. The test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey.&nbsp;

Health ministry has said that travellers from `countries at-risk` will need to take the COVID-19 test post-arrival and wait for results at the airport.If tested negative they will follow, home quarantine for seven days.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-man-returning-from-south-africa-tests-positive-in-maharashtra-strain-not-confirmed-432726">Indian man returning from South Africa tests positive in Maharashtra; strain not confirmed</a>

They will have to take a re-test on eight-day and if negative, further self-monitor for the next seven days. A sub-section (5 percent of the total flight passengers) shall undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on the arrival.&nbsp;

These are the countries-at-risk as per Indian health ministry

<ul>
	<li>United Kingdom</li>
	<li>South Africa</li>
	<li>Brazil</li>
	<li>Bangladesh</li>
	<li>Botswana</li>
	<li>China</li>
	<li>Mauritius</li>
	<li>New Zealand</li>
	<li>Zimbabwe</li>
	<li>Singapore</li>
	<li>Hong Kong</li>
	<li>Israel</li>
</ul>

The health ministry has revised the existing guidelines with a view to tackle the Omicron variant. The variant has already been described as a 'variant of concern' by World Health Organisation.

(With inputs from agencies)

Omicron variant of coronavirus has governments across the world on alert. The variant, which was first found in South Africa has now spread to many other countries and nations all over the world are releasing guidelines or restricting air travel to try and ensure that the virus doesn't cross their borders.

Omicron variant of coronavirus has governments across the world on alert. The variant, which was first found in South Africa has now spread to many other countries and nations all over the world are releasing guidelines or restricting air travel to try and ensure that the virus doesn't cross their borders. India's health ministry on Sunday revised guidelines for international arrivals in India. From December 1, passengers will have to submit the self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha Portal before the scheduled travel. They will have to submit details of journeys made in last 14 days. It will also be mandatory to upload negative RT-PCR test reports on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey. The test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey. Health ministry has said that travellers from `countries at-risk` will need to take the COVID-19 test post-arrival and wait for results at the airport.If tested negative they will follow, home quarantine for seven days. Also Read | Indian man returning from South Africa tests positive in Maharashtra; strain not confirmed They will have to take a re-test on eight-day and if negative, further self-monitor for the next seven days. A sub-section (5 percent of the total flight passengers) shall undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on the arrival. These are the countries-at-risk as per Indian health ministry United Kingdom South Africa Brazil Bangladesh Botswana China Mauritius New Zealand Zimbabwe Singapore Hong Kong Israel The health ministry has revised the existing guidelines with a view to tackle the Omicron variant. The variant has already been described as a 'variant of concern' by World Health Organisation. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron threat: Here is 'countries-at-risk' list released by India

A man who returned from South Africa to Dombivali in Thane district of Maharashtra recently has tested positive for coronavirus, a Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) official said on Sunday.

It is not confirmed whether the patient was carrying the Omicron variant of coronavirus, which was identified as the variant of concern by the WHO, the official said.

The man had travelled from Cape Town to Dombivali on November 24.

"He underwent a COVID-19 test which returned positive," the official added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-new-variant-spreads-rapidly-india-revises-guidelines-for-international-travellers-432700">Also read |&nbsp;As new variant spreads rapidly, India revises guidelines for international travellers</a>

The man didn't come in contact with anyone after returning from South Africa, Dr Pratiba Panpatil, Medical Officer, KDMC, told reporters.

The patient is currently admitted at the Art Gallery isolation centre of the KDMC, the official said.

"The KDMC health department is on alert. We are prepared to deal with the new variant," Dr Panpail added.

A man who returned from South Africa to Dombivali in Thane district of Maharashtra recently has tested positive for coronavirus, a Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) official said on Sunday.

A man who returned from South Africa to Dombivali in Thane district of Maharashtra recently has tested positive for coronavirus, a Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) official said on Sunday. It is not confirmed whether the patient was carrying the Omicron variant of coronavirus, which was identified as the variant of concern by the WHO, the official said. The man had travelled from Cape Town to Dombivali on November 24. "He underwent a COVID-19 test which returned positive," the official added. Also read | As new variant spreads rapidly, India revises guidelines for international travellers The man didn't come in contact with anyone after returning from South Africa, Dr Pratiba Panpatil, Medical Officer, KDMC, told reporters. The patient is currently admitted at the Art Gallery isolation centre of the KDMC, the official said. "The KDMC health department is on alert. We are prepared to deal with the new variant," Dr Panpail added.

Indian man returning from South Africa tests positive in Maharashtra; strain not confirmed

As fears of the new variant continue to grow, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday issued new guidelines for international travellers arriving in India.

As fears of the new variant continue to grow, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday issued new guidelines for international travellers arriving in India. These will come into effect starting from December 1. The new guidelines mandate submitting travel details of 14 days. Also, the travellers will be required to upload their negative RT-PCR test report on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey. Along with the report, every international traveller needs to fill a self-declaration form. #Unite2FightCorona 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 ➡️ India issues Revised Guidelines for International Travelers in view of reported cases of new SARS-CoV-2 variant (#Omicron) across the world.https://t.co/kuIjXN6qMD pic.twitter.com/U92IOgMX23 — Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) November 29, 2021 × People arriving from "at-risk" nations need to provide samples of RT-PCR testing and those who test positive will have to quarantine. Those who have been infected with the new Covid strain will need to follow stricter isolation rules. The "at-risk" countries are - several countries in Europe including The United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel. Even if people from this category test negative, a 7-day home quarantine is mandatory. Also read | Those who had COVID-19 may be reinfected more easily with Omicron: WHO For people arriving from the no-risk areas, there will be random sampling for RT-PCR tests. If tested positive, the sample will be further sent for genome sequencing. Those who test negative will be advised to monitor themselves for at least two weeks. The announcement comes after a meeting was held with various experts including Dr VK Paul, member of NITI Aayog, Dr Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and senior officers from Health, Civil Aviation and other ministries. As the new virus variant B.1.1.529 gripped the world on Friday, the World Health Organisation moved to name it Omicron and designated it as a "variant of concern". The new variant has created panic as countries have banned flights from South Africa where it was first discovered including other African countries. Apart from South Africa, the new variant was also discovered in Botswana, Israel and Hong Kong. As of now, it. has spread to 15 different countries worldwide.

As new variant spreads rapidly, India revises guidelines for international travellers

In an exclusive interview with WION, Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi hit out against the malicious “India out” campaign, saying that the perpetrators are just “social media bots” and “don’t represent the majority” of the island nation.

Didi, who is on a six-day visit to India to review the 'Passing Out Parade'&nbsp;of officer cadets at the Indian Naval Academy, was responding to a social media campaign in the Maldives called ‘#Indiaout’.

The campaign was critical of Maldives President’s Ibrahim Mohamed Solih administration’s ‘India first’ policy. They have in the past opposed to “any Indian military presence”, and the opening of an Indian consulate in its southern Addu atoll.

Speaking to WION’s Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay, Didi said, “These are just a handful of people and social media bots, trying to create a nuisance and propagating baseless rhetorics. They are people with vested interests and ulterior motives, who are uncomfortable with rules-based order and democracy, transparency, good governance and hate to see a corruption-free society because they themselves are so corrupt.”

The defence minister said that these “corrupt” people belong to the narco-trade network whose “spoils are being thwarted by the joint efforts of India and Maldives.”

“The surveillance and patrolling that have come as a result of cooperation (between India and Maldives) is understandably worrisome for the beneficiaries of narco trade, whose illicit spoils are being confiscated in unprecedently large quantities,” she added.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIONExclusive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONExclusive</a> | “Some social media bots are propagating baseless rhetoric. People with vested interests, ulterior motives are trying to destabilise ties between India &amp; Maldives”: Maldivian Defence Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/MariyaDidi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MariyaDidi</a> tells <a href="https://twitter.com/palkisu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@palkisu</a>, while speaking about the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaOut?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaOut</a> campaign. <a href="https://t.co/f6dBhj5NrB">pic.twitter.com/f6dBhj5NrB</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1464655456631083012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Didi said that such propaganda won’t have any impact on India-Maldives ties

“The fact that I am reviewing the passing out parade is the testimony to the close relationship that exists between our two nations,” she added.

The minister also gave details about her meeting with Vice Admiral Anil Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, and divulged the purpose of her visit to India.

“Southern Command is the training epicentre of the Indian Navy. I met with Southern Naval Commander, Admiral Chawla and the faculty. I saw the standard, and the kind of training they offered. Indian Navy is the cradle of leadership…The purpose (of the visit) is to increase training (of Maldives forces) so that we achieve the objectives of President Soleh’s government&nbsp;which seeks to professionalise the forces.

Talking about the recently held “Four Pillars” security cooperation meeting between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Didi said the purpose of such meet was to improve coordination against terrorism and trafficking.

“It is the longest-running exercise in the region. We started with India and Maldives and then Colombo joined. We had observers from Bangladesh and Seychelles. The four pillars, as agreed in the Colombo conclave, aims is to get rid of terrorism, radicalisation, maritime safety and security, trafficking, cybersecurity,” she said.

India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives&nbsp;agreed&nbsp;to work together on the “four pillars” of security cooperation during a National Security Adviser-level meeting, virtually hosted by Sri Lanka in August.

The meetings are a part of the “Colombo Security Conclave” established by Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2011 as the erstwhile Secretary to the Ministry of Defence. It aims to strengthen maritime security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.

In an exclusive interview with WION, Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi hit out against the malicious “India out” campaign, saying that the perpetrators are just “social media bots” and “don’t represent the majority” of the island nation.

In an exclusive interview with WION, Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi hit out against the malicious “India out” campaign, saying that the perpetrators are just “social media bots” and “don’t represent the majority” of the island nation. Didi, who is on a six-day visit to India to review the 'Passing Out Parade' of officer cadets at the Indian Naval Academy, was responding to a social media campaign in the Maldives called ‘#Indiaout’. The campaign was critical of Maldives President’s Ibrahim Mohamed Solih administration’s ‘India first’ policy. They have in the past opposed to “any Indian military presence”, and the opening of an Indian consulate in its southern Addu atoll. Speaking to WION’s Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay, Didi said, “These are just a handful of people and social media bots, trying to create a nuisance and propagating baseless rhetorics. They are people with vested interests and ulterior motives, who are uncomfortable with rules-based order and democracy, transparency, good governance and hate to see a corruption-free society because they themselves are so corrupt.” The defence minister said that these “corrupt” people belong to the narco-trade network whose “spoils are being thwarted by the joint efforts of India and Maldives.” “The surveillance and patrolling that have come as a result of cooperation (between India and Maldives) is understandably worrisome for the beneficiaries of narco trade, whose illicit spoils are being confiscated in unprecedently large quantities,” she added. #WIONExclusive | “Some social media bots are propagating baseless rhetoric. People with vested interests, ulterior motives are trying to destabilise ties between India & Maldives”: Maldivian Defence Minister @MariyaDidi tells @palkisu, while speaking about the #IndiaOut campaign. pic.twitter.com/f6dBhj5NrB — WION (@WIONews) November 27, 2021 × Didi said that such propaganda won’t have any impact on India-Maldives ties “The fact that I am reviewing the passing out parade is the testimony to the close relationship that exists between our two nations,” she added. The minister also gave details about her meeting with Vice Admiral Anil Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, and divulged the purpose of her visit to India. “Southern Command is the training epicentre of the Indian Navy. I met with Southern Naval Commander, Admiral Chawla and the faculty. I saw the standard, and the kind of training they offered. Indian Navy is the cradle of leadership…The purpose (of the visit) is to increase training (of Maldives forces) so that we achieve the objectives of President Soleh’s government which seeks to professionalise the forces. Talking about the recently held “Four Pillars” security cooperation meeting between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Didi said the purpose of such meet was to improve coordination against terrorism and trafficking. “It is the longest-running exercise in the region. We started with India and Maldives and then Colombo joined. We had observers from Bangladesh and Seychelles. The four pillars, as agreed in the Colombo conclave, aims is to get rid of terrorism, radicalisation, maritime safety and security, trafficking, cybersecurity,” she said. India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives agreed to work together on the “four pillars” of security cooperation during a National Security Adviser-level meeting, virtually hosted by Sri Lanka in August. The meetings are a part of the “Colombo Security Conclave” established by Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2011 as the erstwhile Secretary to the Ministry of Defence. It aims to strengthen maritime security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.

Exclusive: Maldives hits out at malicious ‘India out’ campaign, says propaganda by 'corrupt people'

At one of the cafes, to ask for chai is to invite a gaze of withering contempt from the turbaned waiter, as if blasphemy has been committed: It’s called the Indian Coffee House, stupid.

At the other cafe, exclusively chai is served, slow-cooked over coal fire in the same dark kitchen for 103 years with the silent care of performing an old ritual. The history of this place, the Favorite Cabin, is visible in the layers of soot covering the walls, in the arched windows that filter the light in a soft aura of a bygone time, in the little attic overhead that’s an open burial vault for all the chairs broken under some storied customer who got carried away during a passionate debate.

The two cafes, just a five-minute walk apart in central Kolkata, might be distinct in which caffeinated drink they offer. But they are bound by their shared role in fueling a century of political argument, revolutionary plotting and endless gossip in a city at the heart of India’s rich intellectual tradition.

Both are in the College Street area, the bustling neighbourhood that is home to some of Asia’s oldest universities. The alleys are jammed with small bookstores, the city’s enormous appetite for knowledge production spilling onto the pavement. On any given day, loudspeakers blare the sounds of protest — by a trade union, a student group or a political party.

Kolkata wears its past on its sleeve like few other cities, from its rotund yellow taxis to its antiquated trams. The two cafes are at once museums to nostalgia, and part of an indispensable, even addictive, daily routine for many.

“I arrange the times of operations in a way that I can make it here,” said Dr. Jayanta Ray, 70, a gynaecologist and dedicated Coffee House customer.

Zahid Hussain, the manager, has worked at the cafe for more than three decades. “I have done the A to Z here — everything from serving to cooking,” Hussain said. “Except for sweeping.”

When the cafe shut for months during India’s two COVID waves, customers like Ray, who has frequented it for 40 years, itched to get back in.

“His wife kept him under house arrest,” one of his friends joked, “until he got his second vaccine.”

The friends come to the Coffee House to celebrate birthdays, to dissect the latest soccer matches, and even to arrange an annual blood drive on the premises — “highly caffeinated blood,” Ray joked.

But on most days, customers at both cafes come just to talk for hours about everything and nothing. There is a word in Bengali for that unrestricted conversation: “adda.”

“Adda is something that goes unnoticed — because it’s so part of our every day and it’s so integral to the identity of being a Bengali,” said Dr. Nabamita Das, a professor of sociology at Presidency University in Kolkata who wrote her doctoral thesis on adda. “And when you think about adda you think about adda integrally tied to the space of adda — you talk about the Coffee House adda, the Favorite Cabin adda.”

Some of Bengal’s favourite icons would hold "adda" at the Coffee House, from legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray to Amartya Sen, who won the Nobel in economic science. Many of the city’s intellectual giants have spoken fondly of how the coffee and conversation shaped their worldview, likening each table to its own literary salon.

Among the dozens of paintings hanging crookedly on the Coffee House walls is a life-size portrait of a young Rabindranath Tagore, Bengal’s most famous poet, who overlooks the maroon plastic chairs arranged around the 40 tables. Interspersed among the paintings are “No Smoking Area” signs, which might as well be considered conceptual art in the smoke-filled hall.

“Formally and technically, it’s a no-smoking area, but you see cigarette butts all around the floor,” Das said. “There’s almost like a silent consent among those who serve and those who come to the House to not have ashtrays on the table and yet smoke.”

Balcony seating offers a little privacy for intimate conversations and a bird’s-eye of the scene below.

“I sometimes sat upstairs and could feel the conversations rise,” Partha Ghose, a physicist and author known for popularizing modern science, wrote in a collection of reflections on the Coffee House.

At the Favorite Cabin, customers pushed their way in even before Sanchay Barua had put away his lunch plate and opened the doors to the cafe started by his grandfather 103 years ago. Kanchan Das, a worker, was boiling the milk over a coal fire in the dark kitchen in the back — the way he has for 51 years.

Half a dozen people, including an author writing his sixth book and a retired economist, had already taken their seats in different corners of the cafe.

As conversation buzzed across the room, the main topic for the divided opinions was the fiercely contested state election, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, which governs India, doing all it can to unseat West Bengal’s incumbent leader, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Earlier in his life, Barua, 57, had tried his hand at selling stationery supplies but decided to join the family cafe two decades ago after his father died.

Repeated COVID lockdowns have taken a toll, reducing the operation to one shift a day after lunch. He can’t afford to pay the labour required for longer hours. So for now he and Das largely run things.

“I am also aging, so I am not sure how long it will continue,” Barua said. “It’s a dilemma.”

The loss of the cafe would be a blow to the city’s cultural history. Regulars — from independence fighters to writers who shaped influential literary movements to trade union leaders — had their preferred seats and brought their quirks.

Poet and musician Kazi Nazrul Islam had his spot where, at random, he would get the inspiration for his latest composition and begin banging the table top and standing up to sing. Writer Shibram Chakraborty preferred to sit only at the low chairs by the cashier desk, opposite the window.

“If those chairs were taken, he would stand there and wait,” Barua said. “Or he would leave and come back.”

While many of the customers make their way leisurely between both cafes, some, like Jayanta Ray, are purists, their loyalty strictly to one of the cafes, and one of the drinks — even as they insist it is all about the conversation.

Ray said he had tried the newer, fancier coffee shops that have opened around Kolkata. Did he like their coffee?

“No! No! No!” he said.

There are some who don’t see what all the fuss is about.

Meghna Ghosh and Subrota De, both 20 and former high school classmates catching up after two years apart, decided to check out the Coffee House. They said that while they appreciated its history, the menu did not do much for them. Neither did the vibe.

Compared with the new coffee shops around town, which Ghosh said were “good for Instagram,” the Coffee House was — and here she struggled a bit to express her thoughts.

“This,” Ghosh said in English before switching to Hindi: “ye toh slow-walli cheez hai.” (“It’s a slow-moving thing.”)

Hussain, the manager, is just as sceptical of the young people who walk through his doors these days.

“In the past, the students would come to spend time with their books. Now they all come for love — for dates,” he said, his old-uncle energy coming out.

Then, he saw the bright side.

“A lot of love started here,” he smiled. “And they come back to us with sweets when they get married.”

At one of the cafes, to ask for chai is to invite a gaze of withering contempt from the turbaned waiter, as if blasphemy has been committed: It’s called the Indian Coffee House, stupid.

At one of the cafes, to ask for chai is to invite a gaze of withering contempt from the turbaned waiter, as if blasphemy has been committed: It’s called the Indian Coffee House, stupid. At the other cafe, exclusively chai is served, slow-cooked over coal fire in the same dark kitchen for 103 years with the silent care of performing an old ritual. The history of this place, the Favorite Cabin, is visible in the layers of soot covering the walls, in the arched windows that filter the light in a soft aura of a bygone time, in the little attic overhead that’s an open burial vault for all the chairs broken under some storied customer who got carried away during a passionate debate. The two cafes, just a five-minute walk apart in central Kolkata, might be distinct in which caffeinated drink they offer. But they are bound by their shared role in fueling a century of political argument, revolutionary plotting and endless gossip in a city at the heart of India’s rich intellectual tradition. Both are in the College Street area, the bustling neighbourhood that is home to some of Asia’s oldest universities. The alleys are jammed with small bookstores, the city’s enormous appetite for knowledge production spilling onto the pavement. On any given day, loudspeakers blare the sounds of protest — by a trade union, a student group or a political party. Kolkata wears its past on its sleeve like few other cities, from its rotund yellow taxis to its antiquated trams. The two cafes are at once museums to nostalgia, and part of an indispensable, even addictive, daily routine for many. “I arrange the times of operations in a way that I can make it here,” said Dr. Jayanta Ray, 70, a gynaecologist and dedicated Coffee House customer. Zahid Hussain, the manager, has worked at the cafe for more than three decades. “I have done the A to Z here — everything from serving to cooking,” Hussain said. “Except for sweeping.” When the cafe shut for months during India’s two COVID waves, customers like Ray, who has frequented it for 40 years, itched to get back in. “His wife kept him under house arrest,” one of his friends joked, “until he got his second vaccine.” The friends come to the Coffee House to celebrate birthdays, to dissect the latest soccer matches, and even to arrange an annual blood drive on the premises — “highly caffeinated blood,” Ray joked. But on most days, customers at both cafes come just to talk for hours about everything and nothing. There is a word in Bengali for that unrestricted conversation: “adda.” “Adda is something that goes unnoticed — because it’s so part of our every day and it’s so integral to the identity of being a Bengali,” said Dr. Nabamita Das, a professor of sociology at Presidency University in Kolkata who wrote her doctoral thesis on adda. “And when you think about adda you think about adda integrally tied to the space of adda — you talk about the Coffee House adda, the Favorite Cabin adda.” Some of Bengal’s favourite icons would hold "adda" at the Coffee House, from legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray to Amartya Sen, who won the Nobel in economic science. Many of the city’s intellectual giants have spoken fondly of how the coffee and conversation shaped their worldview, likening each table to its own literary salon. Among the dozens of paintings hanging crookedly on the Coffee House walls is a life-size portrait of a young Rabindranath Tagore, Bengal’s most famous poet, who overlooks the maroon plastic chairs arranged around the 40 tables. Interspersed among the paintings are “No Smoking Area” signs, which might as well be considered conceptual art in the smoke-filled hall. “Formally and technically, it’s a no-smoking area, but you see cigarette butts all around the floor,” Das said. “There’s almost like a silent consent among those who serve and those who come to the House to not have ashtrays on the table and yet smoke.” Balcony seating offers a little privacy for intimate conversations and a bird’s-eye of the scene below. “I sometimes sat upstairs and could feel the conversations rise,” Partha Ghose, a physicist and author known for popularizing modern science, wrote in a collection of reflections on the Coffee House. At the Favorite Cabin, customers pushed their way in even before Sanchay Barua had put away his lunch plate and opened the doors to the cafe started by his grandfather 103 years ago. Kanchan Das, a worker, was boiling the milk over a coal fire in the dark kitchen in the back — the way he has for 51 years. Half a dozen people, including an author writing his sixth book and a retired economist, had already taken their seats in different corners of the cafe. As conversation buzzed across the room, the main topic for the divided opinions was the fiercely contested state election, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, which governs India, doing all it can to unseat West Bengal’s incumbent leader, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Earlier in his life, Barua, 57, had tried his hand at selling stationery supplies but decided to join the family cafe two decades ago after his father died. Repeated COVID lockdowns have taken a toll, reducing the operation to one shift a day after lunch. He can’t afford to pay the labour required for longer hours. So for now he and Das largely run things. “I am also aging, so I am not sure how long it will continue,” Barua said. “It’s a dilemma.” The loss of the cafe would be a blow to the city’s cultural history. Regulars — from independence fighters to writers who shaped influential literary movements to trade union leaders — had their preferred seats and brought their quirks. Poet and musician Kazi Nazrul Islam had his spot where, at random, he would get the inspiration for his latest composition and begin banging the table top and standing up to sing. Writer Shibram Chakraborty preferred to sit only at the low chairs by the cashier desk, opposite the window. “If those chairs were taken, he would stand there and wait,” Barua said. “Or he would leave and come back.” While many of the customers make their way leisurely between both cafes, some, like Jayanta Ray, are purists, their loyalty strictly to one of the cafes, and one of the drinks — even as they insist it is all about the conversation. Ray said he had tried the newer, fancier coffee shops that have opened around Kolkata. Did he like their coffee? “No! No! No!” he said. There are some who don’t see what all the fuss is about. Meghna Ghosh and Subrota De, both 20 and former high school classmates catching up after two years apart, decided to check out the Coffee House. They said that while they appreciated its history, the menu did not do much for them. Neither did the vibe. Compared with the new coffee shops around town, which Ghosh said were “good for Instagram,” the Coffee House was — and here she struggled a bit to express her thoughts. “This,” Ghosh said in English before switching to Hindi: “ye toh slow-walli cheez hai.” (“It’s a slow-moving thing.”) Hussain, the manager, is just as sceptical of the young people who walk through his doors these days. “In the past, the students would come to spend time with their books. Now they all come for love — for dates,” he said, his old-uncle energy coming out. Then, he saw the bright side. “A lot of love started here,” he smiled. “And they come back to us with sweets when they get married.”

Coffee or chai? At two Kolkata cafes, ‘adda’ is what’s really on the menu

As concerns mounted over a potentially more contagious coronavirus variant spreading to many countries, the Centre on Sunday decided to review the resumption of international flights, introduced stricter guidelines for people travelling from or transiting through "at-risk"&nbsp;countries and issued a slew of directions to the states for ramping up testing-surveillance measures and health facilities.

Alert to the looming threat from the Omicron&nbsp;variant, states began to tighten curbs and urgently trace people who arrived from abroad in the last one month while demand to not allow flights from the affected countries was made by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tip-of-the-iceberg-dutch-authorities-confirm-13-omicron-variant-cases-in-south-african-flights-432595">Also Read:&nbsp;Dutch authorities confirm 13 Omicron variant cases in South African flights</a>

No cases of the variant&nbsp;which was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from South Africa on November 24, have been recorded in India.

Two South African returnees to Bengaluru, who tested positive for COVID-19, were found to be infected with the Delta variant, a Karnataka official said on Sunday.

The Centre has asked all states and UTs to focus on intensive containment, active surveillance, enhanced testing, monitoring of hotspots, increased coverage of vaccination and augmentation of health infrastructure.

The new variant has the potential of developing "immunoescape mechanisms" which may lead to a decreased efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, according to AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guelria who said the efficacy of vaccines including those in use in India needs to be evaluated "critically".

India, which battled the deadly second wave blamed on the Delta variant in April-May, faces the Omicron challenge after easing curbs to a large extent following an improvement in the situation.

The country saw a single-day rise of 8,774 new coronavirus infections and the active cases declined to 1,05,691, the lowest in 543 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 20,000 for 51 straight days.&nbsp;After a long hiatus of more than 20 months, the government had on November 26 announced the resumption of scheduled international commercial flights from December 15.

Flights are currently on under bilateral bubble arrangements with countries.

But on Sunday, the government said it will review the decision on the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services as per evolving global scenario.

Passengers travelling from or transiting through 'at-risk' countries will have to undergo RT-PCR test on arrival in India and will be required to wait for the results before leaving the airport or taking a connecting flight, according to revised guidelines issued by the Health Ministry.

Travellers coming from countries other than those listed as 'at-risk' will be allowed to leave the airport and shall self-monitor their health for 14 days after arrival, but five per cent of them will be randomly tested at the airport, it said.

After an urgent meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and attended by various stakeholders, an official spokesperson said the government will review Standard Operating Procedure(SOP)&nbsp;on testing and surveillance of incoming international passengers, especially for those countries identified 'at-risk' category".

The meeting was held a day after a high-level review by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of the concerns over 'Omicron'.

The government has also decided that the genomic surveillance for variants will be further strengthened and intensified and Airport Health Officials (APHOs) and Port Health Officials (PHOs) will be sensitised for strict supervision of testing protocol at airports and seaports.

A closer watch on the emerging pandemic situation within the country will be maintained, the spokesperson said.

The countries at-risk (updated as on November 26, 2021) from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India include European countries, the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.

Children under five years of age remain exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol 
&nbsp;

As concerns mounted over a potentially more contagious coronavirus variant spreading to many countries, the Centre on Sunday decided to review the resumption of international flights, introduced stricter guidelines for people travelling from or transiting through "at-risk" countries and issued a slew of directions to the states for ramping up testing-surveillance measures and health facilities.

As concerns mounted over a potentially more contagious coronavirus variant spreading to many countries, the Centre on Sunday decided to review the resumption of international flights, introduced stricter guidelines for people travelling from or transiting through "at-risk" countries and issued a slew of directions to the states for ramping up testing-surveillance measures and health facilities. Alert to the looming threat from the Omicron variant, states began to tighten curbs and urgently trace people who arrived from abroad in the last one month while demand to not allow flights from the affected countries was made by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai. Also Read: Dutch authorities confirm 13 Omicron variant cases in South African flights No cases of the variant which was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from South Africa on November 24, have been recorded in India. Two South African returnees to Bengaluru, who tested positive for COVID-19, were found to be infected with the Delta variant, a Karnataka official said on Sunday. The Centre has asked all states and UTs to focus on intensive containment, active surveillance, enhanced testing, monitoring of hotspots, increased coverage of vaccination and augmentation of health infrastructure. The new variant has the potential of developing "immunoescape mechanisms" which may lead to a decreased efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, according to AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guelria who said the efficacy of vaccines including those in use in India needs to be evaluated "critically". India, which battled the deadly second wave blamed on the Delta variant in April-May, faces the Omicron challenge after easing curbs to a large extent following an improvement in the situation. The country saw a single-day rise of 8,774 new coronavirus infections and the active cases declined to 1,05,691, the lowest in 543 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 20,000 for 51 straight days. After a long hiatus of more than 20 months, the government had on November 26 announced the resumption of scheduled international commercial flights from December 15. Flights are currently on under bilateral bubble arrangements with countries. But on Sunday, the government said it will review the decision on the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services as per evolving global scenario. Passengers travelling from or transiting through 'at-risk' countries will have to undergo RT-PCR test on arrival in India and will be required to wait for the results before leaving the airport or taking a connecting flight, according to revised guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. Travellers coming from countries other than those listed as 'at-risk' will be allowed to leave the airport and shall self-monitor their health for 14 days after arrival, but five per cent of them will be randomly tested at the airport, it said. After an urgent meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and attended by various stakeholders, an official spokesperson said the government will review Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) on testing and surveillance of incoming international passengers, especially for those countries identified 'at-risk' category". The meeting was held a day after a high-level review by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of the concerns over 'Omicron'. The government has also decided that the genomic surveillance for variants will be further strengthened and intensified and Airport Health Officials (APHOs) and Port Health Officials (PHOs) will be sensitised for strict supervision of testing protocol at airports and seaports. A closer watch on the emerging pandemic situation within the country will be maintained, the spokesperson said. The countries at-risk (updated as on November 26, 2021) from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India include European countries, the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel. Children under five years of age remain exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol

Omicron alert: Government to review resumption of international flights

Rains continued in several parts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry on Sunday, inundating many areas, while several roads and subways were flooded. Inconveniencing people and affecting their routine.

Chief Minister M K Stalin inspected several flooded suburban areas like Tiruverkadu in Tiruvallur District and monitored work to bail out flood water and interacted with the local people while sipping tea at a roadside tea stall and also listened to their grievances.

Stalin gave away flood relief assistance, including essential commodities and blankets, to over 300 people housed in a suburban school and reviewed the flood situation with officials.

In a tweet, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that "we will come out of the aftermath of the heavy rains."

On Sunday, northern regions, including Chennai, Cuddalore and neighbouring Puducherry witnessed moderate to heavy rainfall and it was scattered, light to moderate in other areas of the state, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre.

Till 7.30 pm, Cuddalore-Puducherry belt recorded 7 cm&nbsp;rainfall. Chennai recorded 6 CM (Meenambakkam) and 1 cm&nbsp;(Nungambakkam) respectively, the RMC said.

In view of monsoon showers, most reservoirs in the state have received copious inflows and surplus water is being let out in many regions. People in low lying areas were evacuated and housed in shelters.

The government said 15,016 people have been housed in 188 camps in Tiruvallur, Chengelpet, Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Tuticorin, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Ranipettai, Tiruchirappali, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai and Vellore districts.

"In the past 24 hours, two people (one each in Cuddalore and Tuticorin) districts died in rain-related incidents," the government said in a statement.

Nearly a lakh packets of food were distributed to over 1,000 people housed in relief centres.&nbsp;In view of the rains, several areas in and around the coastal town of Cuddalore witnessed water-logging.

In Chennai and its suburbs, most roads were inundated and several subways were closed for traffic, while surplus water continued to be released from reservoirs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/schools-colleges-shut-after-non-stop-rain-inundates-chennai-427436">Also Read: Schools, colleges shut after non-stop rain inundates Chennai</a>

Traffic diversions were enforced at many places and barricades put up to caution road users.&nbsp;While there were disruptions in the state-run local bus services, suburban railway services were unhindered.

Vehicles, mostly two-wheelers, were found stranded here on several roads covered under sheets of water. Authorities deployed heavy duty motor pumps to drain stagnant water.

Reservoirs, including Poondi and Chembarambakkam here that cater to the drinking water needs of Chennai, released over 10,500 cusecs of surplus water in view of continuous showers in catchment areas, authorities said.

The release of surplus from Poondi dam in Tiruvallur district was stepped up (from an initial 4,253 cusecs to about 8,000 cusecs) in a phased manner upto about 12,000 cusecs by evening

An IMD bulletin said a low pressure area is likely to form over South Andaman sea around 30 November, 2021. It is likely to become more marked and move westnorthwestwards during subsequent 48 hours.

The bulletin pointed to scattered to broken, low and medium clouds with embedded intense to very intense convection over west central and south Bay of Bengal and south Andaman sea.&nbsp;

The North East monsson season (October to December) is Tamil Nadu's main rainy season. From October 1 till November 27, the state received about 60.33 cm rainfall, as against the usual 34.57 cm for the period, which is 75 per cent in excess.

Rains continued in several parts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry on Sunday, inundating many areas, while several roads and subways were flooded. Inconveniencing people and affecting their routine.

Rains continued in several parts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry on Sunday, inundating many areas, while several roads and subways were flooded. Inconveniencing people and affecting their routine. Chief Minister M K Stalin inspected several flooded suburban areas like Tiruverkadu in Tiruvallur District and monitored work to bail out flood water and interacted with the local people while sipping tea at a roadside tea stall and also listened to their grievances. Stalin gave away flood relief assistance, including essential commodities and blankets, to over 300 people housed in a suburban school and reviewed the flood situation with officials. In a tweet, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that "we will come out of the aftermath of the heavy rains." On Sunday, northern regions, including Chennai, Cuddalore and neighbouring Puducherry witnessed moderate to heavy rainfall and it was scattered, light to moderate in other areas of the state, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre. Till 7.30 pm, Cuddalore-Puducherry belt recorded 7 cm rainfall. Chennai recorded 6 CM (Meenambakkam) and 1 cm (Nungambakkam) respectively, the RMC said. In view of monsoon showers, most reservoirs in the state have received copious inflows and surplus water is being let out in many regions. People in low lying areas were evacuated and housed in shelters. The government said 15,016 people have been housed in 188 camps in Tiruvallur, Chengelpet, Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Tuticorin, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Ranipettai, Tiruchirappali, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai and Vellore districts. "In the past 24 hours, two people (one each in Cuddalore and Tuticorin) districts died in rain-related incidents," the government said in a statement. Nearly a lakh packets of food were distributed to over 1,000 people housed in relief centres. In view of the rains, several areas in and around the coastal town of Cuddalore witnessed water-logging. In Chennai and its suburbs, most roads were inundated and several subways were closed for traffic, while surplus water continued to be released from reservoirs. Also Read: Schools, colleges shut after non-stop rain inundates Chennai Traffic diversions were enforced at many places and barricades put up to caution road users. While there were disruptions in the state-run local bus services, suburban railway services were unhindered. Vehicles, mostly two-wheelers, were found stranded here on several roads covered under sheets of water. Authorities deployed heavy duty motor pumps to drain stagnant water. Reservoirs, including Poondi and Chembarambakkam here that cater to the drinking water needs of Chennai, released over 10,500 cusecs of surplus water in view of continuous showers in catchment areas, authorities said. The release of surplus from Poondi dam in Tiruvallur district was stepped up (from an initial 4,253 cusecs to about 8,000 cusecs) in a phased manner upto about 12,000 cusecs by evening An IMD bulletin said a low pressure area is likely to form over South Andaman sea around 30 November, 2021. It is likely to become more marked and move westnorthwestwards during subsequent 48 hours. The bulletin pointed to scattered to broken, low and medium clouds with embedded intense to very intense convection over west central and south Bay of Bengal and south Andaman sea. The North East monsson season (October to December) is Tamil Nadu's main rainy season. From October 1 till November 27, the state received about 60.33 cm rainfall, as against the usual 34.57 cm for the period, which is 75 per cent in excess.

Rains continue in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry; relief operations underway

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Petr Fiala over his appointment as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and said he looks forward to working with him for further enhancing ties between the two countries.

The Czech President on Sunday swore in Petr Fiala as the country's new prime minister following last month's parliamentary election.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/petr-fiala-named-new-czech-pm-by-covid-stricken-president-432562">Also read |&nbsp;Petr Fiala named new Czech PM by Covid-stricken president</a>

"Congratulations, Excellency Petr Fiala, on your appointment as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. I look forward to working with you for further enhancing India-Czech ties," Modi tweeted.

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Congratulations, Excellency Petr Fiala, on your appointment as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. I look forward to working with you for further enhancing India-Czech ties.<a href="https://twitter.com/P_Fiala?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@P_Fiala</a>
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Fiala teamed up his Civic Democratic Party with two smaller parties to form the Together alliance which came first in last month's general election.

He&nbsp;will face the urgent task of grappling with one of the world's highest Covid infection rates including a case of the new Omicron variant.

The 57-year-old&nbsp;has led the conservative Civic Democratic Party since 2014 and&nbsp;served as that country's Education Minister between 2012-13.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Petr Fiala over his appointment as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and said he looks forward to working with him for further enhancing ties between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Petr Fiala over his appointment as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and said he looks forward to working with him for further enhancing ties between the two countries. The Czech President on Sunday swore in Petr Fiala as the country's new prime minister following last month's parliamentary election. Also read | Petr Fiala named new Czech PM by Covid-stricken president "Congratulations, Excellency Petr Fiala, on your appointment as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. I look forward to working with you for further enhancing India-Czech ties," Modi tweeted. Congratulations, Excellency Petr Fiala, on your appointment as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. I look forward to working with you for further enhancing India-Czech ties.@P_Fiala — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2021 × Fiala teamed up his Civic Democratic Party with two smaller parties to form the Together alliance which came first in last month's general election. He will face the urgent task of grappling with one of the world's highest Covid infection rates including a case of the new Omicron variant. The 57-year-old has led the conservative Civic Democratic Party since 2014 and served as that country's Education Minister between 2012-13.

PM Modi congratulates Petr Fiala for appointment as Czech prime minister

With the IMD forecasting the formation of a low pressure area over south Andaman Sea in the next 48 hours and the possibility of its eventual build-up into a cyclone, the Odisha government on Sunday put all district collectors on alert asking them to closely monitor the situation.

Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena, in a letter to the district collectors, said that that the weatherman has forecast the formation of a low pressure area over south Andaman Sea around November 30, and it is likely to become more marked and move north-westwards in the subsequent 48 hours.

Jena also mentioned that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted rain over some places in Jagatsinghur, Kendrapara, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts from 8.30 am on December 2 to 8.30 am on December 3.

He asked the district collectors to ensure that fishermen return to the coast by December 2 as squally weather conditions with surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph and gusting up to 70 kmph will likely prevail over west-central Bay of Bengal from that date.

IMD director general Mrutunjay Mohapatra said that Odisha is likely to experience rainfall from December 2 to December 5 and did not rule out the possibility of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal in the first week of December.

"The low pressure area is likely to become more marked and the system will have the potential to take the shape of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. However, we can give more information, including on the intensity of rainfall and wind speed, after formation of the low pressure area on November 30," Mohapatra told a local news channel.

The IMD DG said that the north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal may be impacted if the low pressure area turns into a cyclonic storm.

"However, it is too early to predict more on this," he added.&nbsp;

With the IMD forecasting the formation of a low pressure area over south Andaman Sea in the next 48 hours and the possibility of its eventual build-up into a cyclone, the Odisha government on Sunday put all district collectors on alert asking them to closely monitor the situation.

With the IMD forecasting the formation of a low pressure area over south Andaman Sea in the next 48 hours and the possibility of its eventual build-up into a cyclone, the Odisha government on Sunday put all district collectors on alert asking them to closely monitor the situation. Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena, in a letter to the district collectors, said that that the weatherman has forecast the formation of a low pressure area over south Andaman Sea around November 30, and it is likely to become more marked and move north-westwards in the subsequent 48 hours. Jena also mentioned that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted rain over some places in Jagatsinghur, Kendrapara, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts from 8.30 am on December 2 to 8.30 am on December 3. He asked the district collectors to ensure that fishermen return to the coast by December 2 as squally weather conditions with surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph and gusting up to 70 kmph will likely prevail over west-central Bay of Bengal from that date. IMD director general Mrutunjay Mohapatra said that Odisha is likely to experience rainfall from December 2 to December 5 and did not rule out the possibility of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal in the first week of December. "The low pressure area is likely to become more marked and the system will have the potential to take the shape of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. However, we can give more information, including on the intensity of rainfall and wind speed, after formation of the low pressure area on November 30," Mohapatra told a local news channel. The IMD DG said that the north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal may be impacted if the low pressure area turns into a cyclonic storm. "However, it is too early to predict more on this," he added.

Odisha on cyclone alert; fishermen directed to return

Karnataka government took stringent precautionary measures in border districts of the state to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, informed the Chief Minister Office on Sunday.

Speaking to media persons today, Bommai said, "An increase in COVID-19 cases had been noticed among the paramedical staff and students who arrived from Kerala. So, stringent precautions were being taken in Dakshina Kannada, Madikeri, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts bordering Kerala."

"Those arriving from Kerala would be allowed only with RTPCR negative report. It is also mandatory for them to have a double dose of vaccination before entering Karnataka," the Chief Minister said.

Referring to the fear of the new COVID-19 variant `Omicron`, Bommai said, "the new variant has been reported in South Africa, Hongkong and Botswana. WHO has also issued an alert about the new strain of the virus."

He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also issued guidelines to prevent and control the new variant, however, no cases of the new strain have been reported in Karnataka.

Speaking about the spike in Covid cases reported in student hostels in Dharwad, Mysuru and Bengaluru districts, Bommai said that these hostels and colleges had been declared as containment zones and students along with doctors and nurses were being subjected to the Covid test.&nbsp;

"We have requested the Union Government to ban the arrival of passengers from the three countries which have reported the new strain," Bommai added.

Replying to a question about the proposal on booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination for frontline workers, the Chief Minister said, "the state government had already written to the Centre seeking permission for administering the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine."

"The state government had made double dose of vaccination compulsory for those working in government offices, malls, cinema halls and other public places. Testing has been intensified in border districts, students who have arrived in the last 16 days from Kerala would be tested again seven days after they get a negative report," Bommai added.

Meanwhile, the state Chief Minister said that a suitable decision would be taken on guidelines for New Year celebrations in the next few days depending on the situation.

"Instructions had been issued to follow covid guidelines in the campaign meetings of Legislative Council election. The state has 80 lakh doses of the vaccine and about 91 per cent of the eligible population has been covered for the first dose, a target of 70 per cent for the second dose by December end has been set," he added.

Karnataka government took stringent precautionary measures in border districts of the state to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, informed the Chief Minister Office on Sunday.

Karnataka government took stringent precautionary measures in border districts of the state to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, informed the Chief Minister Office on Sunday. Speaking to media persons today, Bommai said, "An increase in COVID-19 cases had been noticed among the paramedical staff and students who arrived from Kerala. So, stringent precautions were being taken in Dakshina Kannada, Madikeri, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts bordering Kerala." "Those arriving from Kerala would be allowed only with RTPCR negative report. It is also mandatory for them to have a double dose of vaccination before entering Karnataka," the Chief Minister said. Referring to the fear of the new COVID-19 variant `Omicron`, Bommai said, "the new variant has been reported in South Africa, Hongkong and Botswana. WHO has also issued an alert about the new strain of the virus." He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also issued guidelines to prevent and control the new variant, however, no cases of the new strain have been reported in Karnataka. Speaking about the spike in Covid cases reported in student hostels in Dharwad, Mysuru and Bengaluru districts, Bommai said that these hostels and colleges had been declared as containment zones and students along with doctors and nurses were being subjected to the Covid test. "We have requested the Union Government to ban the arrival of passengers from the three countries which have reported the new strain," Bommai added. Replying to a question about the proposal on booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination for frontline workers, the Chief Minister said, "the state government had already written to the Centre seeking permission for administering the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine." "The state government had made double dose of vaccination compulsory for those working in government offices, malls, cinema halls and other public places. Testing has been intensified in border districts, students who have arrived in the last 16 days from Kerala would be tested again seven days after they get a negative report," Bommai added. Meanwhile, the state Chief Minister said that a suitable decision would be taken on guidelines for New Year celebrations in the next few days depending on the situation. "Instructions had been issued to follow covid guidelines in the campaign meetings of Legislative Council election. The state has 80 lakh doses of the vaccine and about 91 per cent of the eligible population has been covered for the first dose, a target of 70 per cent for the second dose by December end has been set," he added.

Karnataka issues fresh curbs in districts bordering Kerala amid rise in Covid cases

India's naval leadership is the largest in Asia and also itis India's pride and beyond. WION's correspondent Sidharth MP reports from the Indian naval academy which not only trains the Indian cadets but also foreign ones.

Indian Naval Academy: Teenagers sculpted into future leaders of the Indian Navy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 83rd edition of his monthly radio program 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, November 28. 'Mann ki Baat' is broadcast generally on the last Sunday of every month. PM Modi hailed Indian startups and said they are providing solutions to global problems.

Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi remembers country's armed forces, our heroes

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said the functioning of democracy in the country conforms to the constitutional principles of ensuring equal rights and justice for all citizens and it needs no validation from any external agency.

He made this assertion while releasing the English and Hindi versions of a book titled "Democracy, Politics and Governance", written by veteran journalist A Surya Prakash, who is the vice-chairman of the executive council of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library and a leading commentator on parliamentary and constitutional issues.

The vice president said India is the most secular country in the world, while observing that there is a trend in the western media to run down India and its government over issues of secularism and freedom of press.

"We are seeing a trend, particularly in the western media, to run down India and the government. They portray India in a poor light. They are not able to digest the fact that India is on the move, India is being recognised and respected once again worldwide. They try to portray India in a negative sense. They do not digest our eminence," he said.

Naidu stressed that being an Indian citizen is all about adhering to the spirit and philosophy of the Constitution, which is aimed at promoting fraternity among all citizens as equals.

"They (western media) run down our country on freedom of expression, freedom of press and also on the issue of secularism. India, according to my own study, is the most secular country in the world. Here, irrespective of their sex, cast, creed or religion, all people are respected, apart from a few instances here and there. Secularism is in the blood, nerves and veins of the Indians irrespective of the government," he said.

Naidu said "sarva dharma sambhava" (respecting all religions) is an age-old practice in India and "sarva jana sukhino bhavantu", "vasudhaiva kutumbakam", "share and care" are in the core of the Indian philosophy.

"We are the largest parliamentary democracy. We have had democracy since ages in our system. We believe in peaceful coexistence. There is so much freedom of speech that one can even attack the prime minister. I do not think there is any parallel to this," he said.

Talking about the media's role, the vice president stressed the need for extensive research by journalists and keeping "news and views separate".

He said journalists and commentators should be imbued with "passion, purpose, perspective and perseverance".

Naidu's defence of India's democracy came in the backdrop of recent adverse reports on its functioning by some western agencies.

He lauded Prakash for coming out with effective evidence-based counter-narratives in this regard and for promoting this cause through his writing over the last 30 years.

The vice president also praised Prakash for upholding these norms throughout his 50-year-long career in the media and as a commentator Union ministers Pralhad Joshi, Anurag Thakur, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and the editor of Thuglak, S Gurumurthy, were present on the occasion.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said the functioning of democracy in the country conforms to the constitutional principles of ensuring equal rights and justice for all citizens and it needs no validation from any external agency.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said the functioning of democracy in the country conforms to the constitutional principles of ensuring equal rights and justice for all citizens and it needs no validation from any external agency. He made this assertion while releasing the English and Hindi versions of a book titled "Democracy, Politics and Governance", written by veteran journalist A Surya Prakash, who is the vice-chairman of the executive council of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library and a leading commentator on parliamentary and constitutional issues. The vice president said India is the most secular country in the world, while observing that there is a trend in the western media to run down India and its government over issues of secularism and freedom of press. "We are seeing a trend, particularly in the western media, to run down India and the government. They portray India in a poor light. They are not able to digest the fact that India is on the move, India is being recognised and respected once again worldwide. They try to portray India in a negative sense. They do not digest our eminence," he said. Naidu stressed that being an Indian citizen is all about adhering to the spirit and philosophy of the Constitution, which is aimed at promoting fraternity among all citizens as equals. "They (western media) run down our country on freedom of expression, freedom of press and also on the issue of secularism. India, according to my own study, is the most secular country in the world. Here, irrespective of their sex, cast, creed or religion, all people are respected, apart from a few instances here and there. Secularism is in the blood, nerves and veins of the Indians irrespective of the government," he said. Naidu said "sarva dharma sambhava" (respecting all religions) is an age-old practice in India and "sarva jana sukhino bhavantu", "vasudhaiva kutumbakam", "share and care" are in the core of the Indian philosophy. "We are the largest parliamentary democracy. We have had democracy since ages in our system. We believe in peaceful coexistence. There is so much freedom of speech that one can even attack the prime minister. I do not think there is any parallel to this," he said. Talking about the media's role, the vice president stressed the need for extensive research by journalists and keeping "news and views separate". He said journalists and commentators should be imbued with "passion, purpose, perspective and perseverance". Naidu's defence of India's democracy came in the backdrop of recent adverse reports on its functioning by some western agencies. He lauded Prakash for coming out with effective evidence-based counter-narratives in this regard and for promoting this cause through his writing over the last 30 years. The vice president also praised Prakash for upholding these norms throughout his 50-year-long career in the media and as a commentator Union ministers Pralhad Joshi, Anurag Thakur, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and the editor of Thuglak, S Gurumurthy, were present on the occasion.

India is the most secular country in the world: Vice President Naidu

With the emergence of a new Covid variant named as Omicron, which was first detected in southern Africa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing an important meeting to assess the situation of the pandemic and the vaccination drive in the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the meeting, the PM and top officials will discuss about the way ahead, said government sources on Saturday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-against-travel-curbs-due-to-new-variant-says-closely-monitoring-432286">WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring'</a>

The move comes as the world has been taking several kinds of steps to contain the spread of the new variant, which has already been found in Israel and some countries of Europe. &nbsp;

The new strain of the coronavirus has been classified as a highly transmissible virus of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). &nbsp;

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P K Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul among others will be present at the meeting. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-a-precautionary-measure-us-to-restrict-travel-over-fears-of-new-covid-19-variant-432251" hreflang="en">As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new variant</a>

Several countries have already imposed travel curbs and tightened border controls. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday, India has witnessed a single-day rise of 8,318 new coronavirus infections. It has taken the country's total tally of Covid cases to 3,45,63,749. The active cases have declined to 1,07,019, the lowest in 541 days. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With the emergence of a new Covid variant named as Omicron, which was first detected in southern Africa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing an important meeting to assess the situation of the pandemic and the vaccination drive in the country.

With the emergence of a new Covid variant named as Omicron, which was first detected in southern Africa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing an important meeting to assess the situation of the pandemic and the vaccination drive in the country. In the meeting, the PM and top officials will discuss about the way ahead, said government sources on Saturday. Also Read: WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring' The move comes as the world has been taking several kinds of steps to contain the spread of the new variant, which has already been found in Israel and some countries of Europe. The new strain of the coronavirus has been classified as a highly transmissible virus of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P K Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul among others will be present at the meeting. Also Read: As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new variant Several countries have already imposed travel curbs and tightened border controls. According to Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday, India has witnessed a single-day rise of 8,318 new coronavirus infections. It has taken the country's total tally of Covid cases to 3,45,63,749. The active cases have declined to 1,07,019, the lowest in 541 days. (With inputs from agencies)

As new Covid variant emerges, Indian PM Modi chairs vital meeting to assess situation

Fifteen more countries have recognised India's COVID-19 vaccination certificate, taking the total number of such nations that have approved India`s vaccine certificate to 21, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). 
 
"Mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates continues! Fifteen more recognitions for India's vaccination certificate," said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet. 
 
"Mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates with India: Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Palestine, Philippines, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine," MEA said in a statement.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-new-variant-emerges-india-to-tighten-covid-testing-for-international-tourists-432018">As new variant emerges, India to tighten Covid testing for international tourists &nbsp;&nbsp;</a> 
 
The Union ministry of health and family welfare said earlier that nearly 100 countries have agreed to the mutual acceptance of vaccination certificates of India's Covid&nbsp;vaccines and the vaccination process. 
 
The Minister in an event on Thursday said, "Mutual recognition of vaccinations increases ease of travel for tourism and business thereby boosting economic recovery the world so desperately needs,". 
 
Highlighting how India helped other countries throughout the Pandemic, he said, "Being the Pharmacy of the World, India has generously supplied HCQ tablets and other medical equipment to 27 countries. Under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, 6.63 crore doses were sent to 95 countries".

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-coronavirus-variant-having-large-number-of-mutations-detected-in-south-africa-431892" hreflang="en">New coronavirus variant, having large number of mutations, detected in South Africa</a>

Explaining India's strategy of curbing Covid pandemic, he said that six vaccines are approved in India, of which two are indigenously developed. Near 1.2 billion doses have been administered with 82 per cent Indians receiving at least one dose and 44 per cent being fully vaccinated. 
 
"India is willing to supply Covishield and Covaxin to all the countries", said Union Health Minister in a meeting with the ambassadors of Latin American and Caribbean nations on Thursday.

Fifteen more countries have recognised India's COVID-19 vaccination certificate, taking the total number of such nations that have approved India`s vaccine certificate to 21, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Fifteen more countries have recognised India's COVID-19 vaccination certificate, taking the total number of such nations that have approved India`s vaccine certificate to 21, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). "Mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates continues! Fifteen more recognitions for India's vaccination certificate," said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet. "Mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates with India: Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Palestine, Philippines, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine," MEA said in a statement. ALSO READ | As new variant emerges, India to tighten Covid testing for international tourists The Union ministry of health and family welfare said earlier that nearly 100 countries have agreed to the mutual acceptance of vaccination certificates of India's Covid vaccines and the vaccination process. The Minister in an event on Thursday said, "Mutual recognition of vaccinations increases ease of travel for tourism and business thereby boosting economic recovery the world so desperately needs,". Highlighting how India helped other countries throughout the Pandemic, he said, "Being the Pharmacy of the World, India has generously supplied HCQ tablets and other medical equipment to 27 countries. Under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, 6.63 crore doses were sent to 95 countries". Also Read: New coronavirus variant, having large number of mutations, detected in South Africa Explaining India's strategy of curbing Covid pandemic, he said that six vaccines are approved in India, of which two are indigenously developed. Near 1.2 billion doses have been administered with 82 per cent Indians receiving at least one dose and 44 per cent being fully vaccinated. "India is willing to supply Covishield and Covaxin to all the countries", said Union Health Minister in a meeting with the ambassadors of Latin American and Caribbean nations on Thursday.

Fifteen more countries recognise India's COVID-19 vaccination certificate: MEA

Srinagar city has made it to the list of creative city networks of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Srinagar made it to the list of 49 cities across the world.

Srinagar's intricate handicrafts recognized in the coveted list

In a major setback to Yes Bank, Allahabad High Court has refused to interfere in a case related to freezing of DishTV shares by the Gautam Budh Nagar police of Uttar Pradesh Police which have been mortgaged with Yes Bank.

A bench of Justices Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Subhash Vidyarthi wrote in its order, “We are of the opinion that the writ jurisdiction should not be exercised to stifle the legitimate investigation. It is well settled that the High Court should normally refrain from giving prima facie decision, in case, where the entire facts are incomplete and hazy, more so, when the evidence has not been collected and produced before the Court.”

HC further noted in its order that “the issues involved whether factual or legal are of magnitude and cannot be seen in their true perspective without sufficient material. In the present matter, we lack sufficient material. Therefore, we are of the opinion that disputed facts cannot be examined under Article 226 of Constitution of India and once efficacious statutory remedy is available to the petitioner against the notice impugned, then we decline to exercise our discretionary jurisdiction under Article 226 of Constitution of India. Accordingly, the writ petition fails and is dismissed on the ground of availability of statutory remedy”.

The crime branch Gautam Budh Nagar police had issued a notice on Nov 5 to Yes Bank and NSDL for freezing the shares of Dish TV, which were pledged to the bank and later invoked by the lender.

Yes Bank had challenged the freezing of shares by the crime branch in Allahabad HC, pleading that it has to exercise its voting rights in general body meeting to be held on November 30.

During the hearing, the prosecution labelled serious allegations of misleading by Yes Bank to the high court using manufactured documents.

The prosecution also blasted the plea of Yes Bank which was seeking quashing of FIR, saying that when the bank is not made an accused in the case, then on what basis is quashing being sought.&nbsp;

The prosecution also told to the court that freezing of the shares by the crime branch is based on 1.5 years of serious investigation into the various aspects of the case.

Dr Subhash Chandra, Mentor of Essel Group had filed a criminal complaint with the Gautam Buddh Nagar police, wherein he alleged that a conspiracy was hatched by Rana Kapoor, former chairman and CEO of Yes Bank, Venugopal Dhoot, former CMD of Videocon Group and others to cause loss by forcing the merger of Videocon D2H with Dish TV.

He alleged that Kapoor forced this deal so that the proceeds of the same can be transferred to Videocon and later to Yes Bank, as Videocon Group loans were on the verge of tagged as non-performing asset (NPA). He alleged that Kapoor has threatened if the deal is not done, then, he will recall all the loans given to the Essel Group companies.

In a major setback to Yes Bank, Allahabad High Court has refused to interfere in a case related to freezing of DishTV shares by the Gautam Budh Nagar police of Uttar Pradesh Police which have been mortgaged with Yes Bank.

In a major setback to Yes Bank, Allahabad High Court has refused to interfere in a case related to freezing of DishTV shares by the Gautam Budh Nagar police of Uttar Pradesh Police which have been mortgaged with Yes Bank. A bench of Justices Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Subhash Vidyarthi wrote in its order, “We are of the opinion that the writ jurisdiction should not be exercised to stifle the legitimate investigation. It is well settled that the High Court should normally refrain from giving prima facie decision, in case, where the entire facts are incomplete and hazy, more so, when the evidence has not been collected and produced before the Court.” HC further noted in its order that “the issues involved whether factual or legal are of magnitude and cannot be seen in their true perspective without sufficient material. In the present matter, we lack sufficient material. Therefore, we are of the opinion that disputed facts cannot be examined under Article 226 of Constitution of India and once efficacious statutory remedy is available to the petitioner against the notice impugned, then we decline to exercise our discretionary jurisdiction under Article 226 of Constitution of India. Accordingly, the writ petition fails and is dismissed on the ground of availability of statutory remedy”. The crime branch Gautam Budh Nagar police had issued a notice on Nov 5 to Yes Bank and NSDL for freezing the shares of Dish TV, which were pledged to the bank and later invoked by the lender. Yes Bank had challenged the freezing of shares by the crime branch in Allahabad HC, pleading that it has to exercise its voting rights in general body meeting to be held on November 30. During the hearing, the prosecution labelled serious allegations of misleading by Yes Bank to the high court using manufactured documents. The prosecution also blasted the plea of Yes Bank which was seeking quashing of FIR, saying that when the bank is not made an accused in the case, then on what basis is quashing being sought. The prosecution also told to the court that freezing of the shares by the crime branch is based on 1.5 years of serious investigation into the various aspects of the case. Dr Subhash Chandra, Mentor of Essel Group had filed a criminal complaint with the Gautam Buddh Nagar police, wherein he alleged that a conspiracy was hatched by Rana Kapoor, former chairman and CEO of Yes Bank, Venugopal Dhoot, former CMD of Videocon Group and others to cause loss by forcing the merger of Videocon D2H with Dish TV. He alleged that Kapoor forced this deal so that the proceeds of the same can be transferred to Videocon and later to Yes Bank, as Videocon Group loans were on the verge of tagged as non-performing asset (NPA). He alleged that Kapoor has threatened if the deal is not done, then, he will recall all the loans given to the Essel Group companies.

Major setback to Yes Bank: Allahabad High Court refuses to interfere in investigation on DishTV shares

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