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Ahead of next week's 2+2 dialogue between US and India, US State Department said that situation at Line of Actual Control between India and China will be discussed. The 2+ 2 meeting is due to take place on 26th and 27th October. This the third such dialogue between India and the US. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and US Defence secretary Mark Esper will be visiting India to meet their Indian counterparts.

"Certainly, I think the situation on the Line of Actual Control will be – will probably be discussed at some point, and we’re watching the situation closely. &nbsp;I think both sides have expressed a desire to de-escalate violence," said Dean Thompson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. He was speaking with reporters in Washington.

"The Third India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue will entail a comprehensive discussion on cross-cutting bilateral issues of mutual interest. In addition, both sides will also exchange views on salient regional and global issues," said MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastav on Thursday during the weekly virtual press conference.

India and China are engaged in a tensed standoff at LAC in eastern Ladakh, which started in the month of April. The situation got worse in June after 20 Indian soldiers died in Galwan valley due to Chinese aggressiveness, and even though Chinese also suffered casualties, they never came out with any number.

On Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) a military pact, Thompson said, "We’re in the process of finalizing a lot of the discussions right now, and so I know that BECA and other agreements are in the works. &nbsp;I’m not going to, I think, commit to anything right this minute, but we do expect to have several items highlighted as we go through the trip."

BECA will be the last of the 4 foundational military pacts that will be signed to increase interoperability and share information. India and US have already signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in 2002.

Asked about the 2+2 happening just a week before the US goes to the election, the state department official said, "the 2+2 had previously been scheduled, has been delayed, and this was an opportunity where schedules worked out to get together, so that’s really what’s driving the opportunity for this trip right now."

"There’s a lot happening in the relationship with India and with our other partners in the region, and so the fact that we could go now, that we could have this discussion, is driven by the situation in the region and what – where we’re headed," the official added.

The previous two dialogues were held in New Delhi in September 2018 and in Washington DC in December 2019. US Secretary of state will be on a four-country tour next week, starting with India, followed by Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia.

Ahead of next week's 2+2 dialogue between US and India, US State Department said that situation at Line of Actual Control between India and China will be discussed.

Ahead of next week's 2+2 dialogue between US and India, US State Department said that situation at Line of Actual Control between India and China will be discussed. The 2+ 2 meeting is due to take place on 26th and 27th October. This the third such dialogue between India and the US. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and US Defence secretary Mark Esper will be visiting India to meet their Indian counterparts. "Certainly, I think the situation on the Line of Actual Control will be – will probably be discussed at some point, and we’re watching the situation closely. I think both sides have expressed a desire to de-escalate violence," said Dean Thompson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. He was speaking with reporters in Washington. "The Third India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue will entail a comprehensive discussion on cross-cutting bilateral issues of mutual interest. In addition, both sides will also exchange views on salient regional and global issues," said MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastav on Thursday during the weekly virtual press conference. India and China are engaged in a tensed standoff at LAC in eastern Ladakh, which started in the month of April. The situation got worse in June after 20 Indian soldiers died in Galwan valley due to Chinese aggressiveness, and even though Chinese also suffered casualties, they never came out with any number. On Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) a military pact, Thompson said, "We’re in the process of finalizing a lot of the discussions right now, and so I know that BECA and other agreements are in the works. I’m not going to, I think, commit to anything right this minute, but we do expect to have several items highlighted as we go through the trip." BECA will be the last of the 4 foundational military pacts that will be signed to increase interoperability and share information. India and US have already signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in 2002. Asked about the 2+2 happening just a week before the US goes to the election, the state department official said, "the 2+2 had previously been scheduled, has been delayed, and this was an opportunity where schedules worked out to get together, so that’s really what’s driving the opportunity for this trip right now." "There’s a lot happening in the relationship with India and with our other partners in the region, and so the fact that we could go now, that we could have this discussion, is driven by the situation in the region and what – where we’re headed," the official added. The previous two dialogues were held in New Delhi in September 2018 and in Washington DC in December 2019. US Secretary of state will be on a four-country tour next week, starting with India, followed by Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia.

Situation at LAC will be discussed during 2+2 dialogue with India: US State Department

The number of coronavirus cases in India remained below the level of 60,000 for the fourth successive day as India reported 55,839 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the data released by the health ministry on Thursday.

As per the latest data by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India's total coronavirus cases mounted to 7,706,946 and death toll climbed to 116,616 with 702 new deaths in the previous 24 hours.&nbsp;

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The nation's recovery rate jumped to 89.20 per cent as 6,874,518 people have recuperated from the deadly virus so far.&nbsp;

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Also, 7,15,812 active cases are present in the country, which is 9.29 per cent of the total caseload.

The western state of Maharashtra is the worst-hit region with over 1.6 million cases and the death toll standing at 42,633.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the health ministry emphasised that over 70 per cent deaths across the country are due to comorbidities.&nbsp;

In other parts, Spain became the first country in the European nations to surpass one million Covid-19 infections&nbsp;

There are 40,856,217 cases worldwide and the global death toll stands at 1,126,471, according to an AFP tally.&nbsp;

The United States is the worst-hit nation with 221,083 fatalities and is followed by Brazil with 154,837 deaths.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The number of coronavirus cases in India remained below the level of 60,000 for the fourth successive day as India reported 55,839 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the data released by the health ministry on Thursday.

The number of coronavirus cases in India remained below the level of 60,000 for the fourth successive day as India reported 55,839 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the data released by the health ministry on Thursday. As per the latest data by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India's total coronavirus cases mounted to 7,706,946 and death toll climbed to 116,616 with 702 new deaths in the previous 24 hours. Also read | Will coronavirus ever be eradicated? Top British scientist says it's unlikely The nation's recovery rate jumped to 89.20 per cent as 6,874,518 people have recuperated from the deadly virus so far. Also read | How insurance companies are profiting off the coronavirus pandemic Also, 7,15,812 active cases are present in the country, which is 9.29 per cent of the total caseload. The western state of Maharashtra is the worst-hit region with over 1.6 million cases and the death toll standing at 42,633. Meanwhile, the health ministry emphasised that over 70 per cent deaths across the country are due to comorbidities. In other parts, Spain became the first country in the European nations to surpass one million Covid-19 infections There are 40,856,217 cases worldwide and the global death toll stands at 1,126,471, according to an AFP tally. The United States is the worst-hit nation with 221,083 fatalities and is followed by Brazil with 154,837 deaths.

Coronavirus: India sees over 55,000 cases; total infections surpass 7.7 million

Covaxin, the vaccine candidate developed by Bharat Biotech India Limited (BBIL) in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has received approvals from India’s drug control authority, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI's) Expert Committee for the initiation of the final and Phase III clinical trials.

The expert committee met on October 20 to give its nod to Phase III trials and suggested some 'minor amendments' in the protocol.

"In continuation of the SEC meeting dated 05.10.2020, the firm presented their data from Phase I and II along with animal challenge data in two species including NHP on the Inactivated Corona Virus Vaccine (BBV152) along with the proposal to conduct event-driven Phase III clinical trial to assess the efficacy of the vaccine," the expert panel said in a statement on Tuesday.

Earlier in September, Bharat Biotech had informed that Covaxin had proved to be effective in inducing immunity against COVID-19 in animals. The firm had stated that the two-dose vaccination regimen of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates was administered in 20 rhesus macaques which were divided into four groups equally.

Bharat Biotech, along with Zydus Cadila and Serum Institute of India, which is conducting clinical trials on Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine, are some of the frontrunners in Covid-19 vaccine development in India.

(With inputs from agencies)

Covaxin, the vaccine candidate developed by Bharat Biotech India Limited (BBIL) in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has received approvals from India’s drug control authority, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI's) Expert Committee for the initiation of the final and Phase III clinical trials.

Covaxin, the vaccine candidate developed by Bharat Biotech India Limited (BBIL) in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has received approvals from India’s drug control authority, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI's) Expert Committee for the initiation of the final and Phase III clinical trials. The expert committee met on October 20 to give its nod to Phase III trials and suggested some 'minor amendments' in the protocol. "In continuation of the SEC meeting dated 05.10.2020, the firm presented their data from Phase I and II along with animal challenge data in two species including NHP on the Inactivated Corona Virus Vaccine (BBV152) along with the proposal to conduct event-driven Phase III clinical trial to assess the efficacy of the vaccine," the expert panel said in a statement on Tuesday. Earlier in September, Bharat Biotech had informed that Covaxin had proved to be effective in inducing immunity against COVID-19 in animals. The firm had stated that the two-dose vaccination regimen of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates was administered in 20 rhesus macaques which were divided into four groups equally. Bharat Biotech, along with Zydus Cadila and Serum Institute of India, which is conducting clinical trials on Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine, are some of the frontrunners in Covid-19 vaccine development in India. (With inputs from agencies)

Bharat Biotech's Covaxin receives approval for Phase III trials: Reports

Ahead of the announcement by the financial action task force (FATF) on Pakistan's continued listing or delisting, India has said that Islamabad has not taken any action on terrorist it has been providing safe haven to.

Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said," As is well known, Pakistan continues to provide safe havens to terrorist entities and individuals and has also not yet taken any action against several terrorist entities and individuals including those proscribed by the UNSC such as Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim, Zakir-ur-Rahman Lakhvi etc."

The terrorist listed by India are responsible for a number of terror attacks in India like the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan has addressed only 21 action items so far out of total 27 point FATF Action Plan and "6 important action items are yet to be addressed", the MEA spokesperson highlighted.&nbsp;

FATF's 3-day virtual meet is underway with an announcement due on Friday. Pakistan was put on FATF's grey-list in 2018 and given an action plan to it so that money in the country is not used in terror financing. If Pakistan fails to act on the plan it could be blacklisted or continues to remain on the grey list, something that impacts the economy of the country.&nbsp;

MEA also pointed out increased "unprovoked ceasefire violations, often from civilian areas" by Pakistani forces at the Line of Control "to support infiltration of terrorists".

Till now, this year, Pakistani forces have carried out more than 3800 unprovoked ceasefire violations. It has also been observed that Pakistan has been trying to drop arms and ammunition close to the LoC and smuggling of arms and narcotic substances have spilt over to the International Boundary.

Ahead of the announcement by the financial action task force (FATF) on Pakistan's continued listing or delisting, India has said that Islamabad has not taken any action on terrorist it has been providing safe haven to.

Ahead of the announcement by the financial action task force (FATF) on Pakistan's continued listing or delisting, India has said that Islamabad has not taken any action on terrorist it has been providing safe haven to. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said," As is well known, Pakistan continues to provide safe havens to terrorist entities and individuals and has also not yet taken any action against several terrorist entities and individuals including those proscribed by the UNSC such as Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim, Zakir-ur-Rahman Lakhvi etc." The terrorist listed by India are responsible for a number of terror attacks in India like the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan has addressed only 21 action items so far out of total 27 point FATF Action Plan and "6 important action items are yet to be addressed", the MEA spokesperson highlighted. FATF's 3-day virtual meet is underway with an announcement due on Friday. Pakistan was put on FATF's grey-list in 2018 and given an action plan to it so that money in the country is not used in terror financing. If Pakistan fails to act on the plan it could be blacklisted or continues to remain on the grey list, something that impacts the economy of the country. MEA also pointed out increased "unprovoked ceasefire violations, often from civilian areas" by Pakistani forces at the Line of Control "to support infiltration of terrorists". Till now, this year, Pakistani forces have carried out more than 3800 unprovoked ceasefire violations. It has also been observed that Pakistan has been trying to drop arms and ammunition close to the LoC and smuggling of arms and narcotic substances have spilt over to the International Boundary.

Islamabad has not taken action on terrorists, says India ahead of FATF's decision on Pakistan’s listing

The Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project in Bhutan, constructed by India has been awarded the Brunel Medal-2020, an award conferred by UK's top engineering body -- Institute of Civil Engineers. The award, named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel--known as 19th century's engineering giants was announced on 5th October.&nbsp;

Indian and the Bhutanese PM had jointly inaugurated the 720MW Project on 17 August last year. Indian Prime Minister had called the project a "crucial milestone celebrating India-Bhutan ties" and "this project shows how the two nations working together can bring immense positivity in the lives of people,"&nbsp;

Expressing her appreciation at the development, India's Ambassador to Bhutan Ruchira Kamboj said, “I am delighted that the Mangdechhu Award jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi and Dr. Lotay Tshering in Bhutan last year, has been conferred the prestigious Brunel Medal. A rightful recognition of its excellence, as well as an outstanding example of our two countries working together towards a shared goal”

The construction began in 2012 and was completed in a record time of seven years with the approximate cost of Rs/Nu 5000 crores. India funded the project through a 70 per cent loan and a 30 per cent grant to Bhutan.&nbsp;

The Mangdechhu Project has earned a revenue of Rs/Nu 1300 crores within one year of commissioning, which has exceeded the projected target of Rs/Nu 1200 crores. All four units of the Project are running at full capacity and generating 18.7 Million Units/day at 779 MW since 2 August 2020. The Project is a run of the river project located in the Trongsa district of Bhutan.

So far, Government of India has constructed four Hydroelectric Projects in Bhutan inclusive of the 1020 MW Tala Hydroelectric project (HEP), the 336 MW Chukha HEP, the 60 MW Kurichhu HEP and the 720 MW Mangdechhu HEP. Three Hydroelectric projects the 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I, the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II and the 600 MW Kholongchhu are under construction.

The Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project in Bhutan, constructed by India has been awarded the Brunel Medal-2020, an award conferred by UK's top engineering body -- Institute of Civil Engineers.

The Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project in Bhutan, constructed by India has been awarded the Brunel Medal-2020, an award conferred by UK's top engineering body -- Institute of Civil Engineers. The award, named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel--known as 19th century's engineering giants was announced on 5th October. Indian and the Bhutanese PM had jointly inaugurated the 720MW Project on 17 August last year. Indian Prime Minister had called the project a "crucial milestone celebrating India-Bhutan ties" and "this project shows how the two nations working together can bring immense positivity in the lives of people," Expressing her appreciation at the development, India's Ambassador to Bhutan Ruchira Kamboj said, “I am delighted that the Mangdechhu Award jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi and Dr. Lotay Tshering in Bhutan last year, has been conferred the prestigious Brunel Medal. A rightful recognition of its excellence, as well as an outstanding example of our two countries working together towards a shared goal” The construction began in 2012 and was completed in a record time of seven years with the approximate cost of Rs/Nu 5000 crores. India funded the project through a 70 per cent loan and a 30 per cent grant to Bhutan. The Mangdechhu Project has earned a revenue of Rs/Nu 1300 crores within one year of commissioning, which has exceeded the projected target of Rs/Nu 1200 crores. All four units of the Project are running at full capacity and generating 18.7 Million Units/day at 779 MW since 2 August 2020. The Project is a run of the river project located in the Trongsa district of Bhutan. So far, Government of India has constructed four Hydroelectric Projects in Bhutan inclusive of the 1020 MW Tala Hydroelectric project (HEP), the 336 MW Chukha HEP, the 60 MW Kurichhu HEP and the 720 MW Mangdechhu HEP. Three Hydroelectric projects the 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I, the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II and the 600 MW Kholongchhu are under construction.

India constructed Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan get top UK engineers’ body award 

India-born judge Amit Mehta has been assigned US Justice Department's lawsuit against Google. Amit Mehta is an Obama appointee and is a district judge. US Justice Department has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google to stop it from unlawfully maintaining monopolies through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets and to remedy the competitive harms.

"As one of the wealthiest companies on the planet with a market value of $1 trillion, Google is the monopoly gatekeeper to the internet for billions of users and countless advertisers worldwide. For years, Google has accounted for almost 90 percent of all search queries in the United States and has used anti-competitive tactics to maintain and extend its monopolies in search and search advertising," the Justice Department said.

More on Amit Mehta

Mehta was appointed to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on December 22, 2014. 
Born in Patan, Gujarat, Mehta received his BA in Political Science and Economics from Georgetown University in 1993 and his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997. After law school, Mehta worked in a law firm in San Francisco before clerking for Susan Graber of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.&nbsp;

Following his clerkship, Mehta worked at a Washington, DC-based law firm. In 2002, Mehta joined the District of Columbia Public Defender Service as a staff attorney.

Mehta served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project and is the former co-chair of the District of Columbia Bar's Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section Steering Committee.&nbsp;

He is also a former Director of Facilitating Leadership in Youth, a non-profit organization dedicated to after-school activities and mentoring for at-risk youth, according to his profile on the website of US District Court, District of Columbia.

US Justice Department has filed lawsuit against Google alongwith 11 Attorney Generals of various US states.

The participating state Attorneys General offices represent Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, and Texas.

(With PTI inputs)

India-born judge Amit Mehta has been assigned US Justice Department's lawsuit against Google. Amit Mehta is an Obama appointee and is a district judge. US Justice Department has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google to stop it from unlawfully maintaining monopolies through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets and to remedy the competitive harms.

India-born judge Amit Mehta has been assigned US Justice Department's lawsuit against Google. Amit Mehta is an Obama appointee and is a district judge. US Justice Department has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google to stop it from unlawfully maintaining monopolies through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets and to remedy the competitive harms. "As one of the wealthiest companies on the planet with a market value of $1 trillion, Google is the monopoly gatekeeper to the internet for billions of users and countless advertisers worldwide. For years, Google has accounted for almost 90 percent of all search queries in the United States and has used anti-competitive tactics to maintain and extend its monopolies in search and search advertising," the Justice Department said. More on Amit Mehta Mehta was appointed to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on December 22, 2014. Born in Patan, Gujarat, Mehta received his BA in Political Science and Economics from Georgetown University in 1993 and his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997. After law school, Mehta worked in a law firm in San Francisco before clerking for Susan Graber of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Following his clerkship, Mehta worked at a Washington, DC-based law firm. In 2002, Mehta joined the District of Columbia Public Defender Service as a staff attorney. Mehta served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project and is the former co-chair of the District of Columbia Bar's Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section Steering Committee. He is also a former Director of Facilitating Leadership in Youth, a non-profit organization dedicated to after-school activities and mentoring for at-risk youth, according to his profile on the website of US District Court, District of Columbia. US Justice Department has filed lawsuit against Google alongwith 11 Attorney Generals of various US states. The participating state Attorneys General offices represent Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, and Texas. (With PTI inputs)

India-born Judge Amit Mehta to decide on lawsuit against Google

The present generation needs to be educated about proxy wars and Pakistan's ulterior motives, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday, citing former chief minister Sheikh Abdullah's remarks on the loot and massacre done by Pakistani Army and its raiders on this day in 1947.

Addressing a symposium, organised for the first time to mark October 22 as a 'Black Day', Sinha also referred to Maqbool Sherwani, a National Conference worker, who delayed the march of the Pakistan-Army supported tribals from Baramulla by four days so that the Indian Army could reach there.

"When this barbarity was going on, our Kashmiri brother Maqbool Sherwani raised his voice, but he was fired upon.

The martyrdom of the hero of Baramulla, Maqbool Sherwani, busts the years-long propaganda of Pakistan's holy war.

"The people of Kashmir that time raised the slogans of hamlawar khabardar, hum Kashmiri hain tayar (Beware attackers, we Kashmiris are ready).

They had no guns, but used sticks in guise of guns to threaten the Pakistan Army," Sinha said while appealing to the people not to forget the sacrifices of the soldiers and civilians who laid down their lives.

This is for the first time since Independence in 1947 that an official function is being held in Jammu and Kashmir to mark October 22 when Pakistani tribals raided the then princely state ruled by Maharajah Hari Singh.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration along with the Culture Department is holding a two-day exhibition and symposium here highlighting the atrocities committed by the Pakistani invaders in Kashmir under Operation Gulmarg.

"The leader of terror in the world, our neighbouring country, has not only lied in the Kargil war of 1999, but 73 years ago as well when it put the clothes of Pakhtoon people on its army personnel.

"We should not forget that the Pakistani establishment was fully behind the wounds inflicted on Kashmir and Kashmiriyat on October 22," Sinha said, adding generations have passed, but the pain has not gone away as "the wounds inflicted on the hearts are still raw".

"The youth of the new generation of Jammu and Kashmir may perhaps not know how Pakistani rulers and their army mercilessly killed our innocent brothers, burnt our houses, raped our sisters and daughters under operation Gulmarg..."We want to remind our new and old generation how this soil of Sarv Dharm Sambhaw (communal harmony), unlimited love and Sufism was painted with the blood of innocents by Pakistani army leaders, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his Army on the Black Day of October 22 that turned the centuries-old brotherhood into animosity," he added.

He said continued atrocities were a "reality of Pakistan".

"...But today, some people say several types of things. I want to tell them that they should remember what Sheikh Abdullah had said in 1948. He said that Pakistani attackers had killed thousands of innocents on our soil, kidnapped girls of all religions and destroyed properties. So, there is a need to break the lies being spread over the years," he said.

Sinha said time had come to lift the veil from Pakistan and its sympathisers.

"I think we should do it with promptness. The stories of Pakistan's betrayal, the bravery of the people of Jammu and Kashmir against the Pakistani Army and its proxies, and the sacrifice of our brave jawans should reach everyone. That is the aim and objective of this symposium and exhibition," he said.

The LG said the world has understood the reality behind Pakistan's lie and propaganda that the attackers were just Pakhtoon tribals.

"We have to fully understand this nefarious act of Pakistan that the f army which killed the people of Kashmir consisted of people from the Pakistani government and its army. I have read documents in which it is written that every tribal contingent was commanded by the officers of the Pakistani Army," he added.

The LG said while October 22 is a black day, it is also a moment in the history of which the new generation has to be made aware.

"Terror is the biggest enemy of humanity. You all know who the nourisher of terror is since 1947. If you see the reports of any intelligence or security agency of the world, you will get the answer in clear terms," he said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

"We will face challenges on the way of development and trust which we are treading, but I want to assure you that we will stand up to them and rest only when we make Jammu and Kashmir, which is the crown of India, the most developed region," he added.

The present generation needs to be educated about proxy wars and Pakistan's ulterior motives, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday, citing former chief minister Sheikh Abdullah's remarks on the loot and massacre done by Pakistani Army and its raiders on this day in 1947.

The present generation needs to be educated about proxy wars and Pakistan's ulterior motives, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday, citing former chief minister Sheikh Abdullah's remarks on the loot and massacre done by Pakistani Army and its raiders on this day in 1947. Addressing a symposium, organised for the first time to mark October 22 as a 'Black Day', Sinha also referred to Maqbool Sherwani, a National Conference worker, who delayed the march of the Pakistan-Army supported tribals from Baramulla by four days so that the Indian Army could reach there. "When this barbarity was going on, our Kashmiri brother Maqbool Sherwani raised his voice, but he was fired upon. The martyrdom of the hero of Baramulla, Maqbool Sherwani, busts the years-long propaganda of Pakistan's holy war. "The people of Kashmir that time raised the slogans of hamlawar khabardar, hum Kashmiri hain tayar (Beware attackers, we Kashmiris are ready). They had no guns, but used sticks in guise of guns to threaten the Pakistan Army," Sinha said while appealing to the people not to forget the sacrifices of the soldiers and civilians who laid down their lives. This is for the first time since Independence in 1947 that an official function is being held in Jammu and Kashmir to mark October 22 when Pakistani tribals raided the then princely state ruled by Maharajah Hari Singh. The Jammu and Kashmir administration along with the Culture Department is holding a two-day exhibition and symposium here highlighting the atrocities committed by the Pakistani invaders in Kashmir under Operation Gulmarg. "The leader of terror in the world, our neighbouring country, has not only lied in the Kargil war of 1999, but 73 years ago as well when it put the clothes of Pakhtoon people on its army personnel. "We should not forget that the Pakistani establishment was fully behind the wounds inflicted on Kashmir and Kashmiriyat on October 22," Sinha said, adding generations have passed, but the pain has not gone away as "the wounds inflicted on the hearts are still raw". "The youth of the new generation of Jammu and Kashmir may perhaps not know how Pakistani rulers and their army mercilessly killed our innocent brothers, burnt our houses, raped our sisters and daughters under operation Gulmarg..."We want to remind our new and old generation how this soil of Sarv Dharm Sambhaw (communal harmony), unlimited love and Sufism was painted with the blood of innocents by Pakistani army leaders, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his Army on the Black Day of October 22 that turned the centuries-old brotherhood into animosity," he added. He said continued atrocities were a "reality of Pakistan". "...But today, some people say several types of things. I want to tell them that they should remember what Sheikh Abdullah had said in 1948. He said that Pakistani attackers had killed thousands of innocents on our soil, kidnapped girls of all religions and destroyed properties. So, there is a need to break the lies being spread over the years," he said. Sinha said time had come to lift the veil from Pakistan and its sympathisers. "I think we should do it with promptness. The stories of Pakistan's betrayal, the bravery of the people of Jammu and Kashmir against the Pakistani Army and its proxies, and the sacrifice of our brave jawans should reach everyone. That is the aim and objective of this symposium and exhibition," he said. The LG said the world has understood the reality behind Pakistan's lie and propaganda that the attackers were just Pakhtoon tribals. "We have to fully understand this nefarious act of Pakistan that the f army which killed the people of Kashmir consisted of people from the Pakistani government and its army. I have read documents in which it is written that every tribal contingent was commanded by the officers of the Pakistani Army," he added. The LG said while October 22 is a black day, it is also a moment in the history of which the new generation has to be made aware. "Terror is the biggest enemy of humanity. You all know who the nourisher of terror is since 1947. If you see the reports of any intelligence or security agency of the world, you will get the answer in clear terms," he said in an apparent reference to Pakistan. "We will face challenges on the way of development and trust which we are treading, but I want to assure you that we will stand up to them and rest only when we make Jammu and Kashmir, which is the crown of India, the most developed region," he added.

Present generation needs to know about proxy wars, Pakistan's ulterior motives: J&K L-G Manoj Sinha

The Indian Navy operationalized the first batch of women pilots of Dornier Aircraft by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) at Kochi. The three women pilots were part of the six pilots belonging to the 27th Dornier Operational Flying Training (DOFT) Course, who graduated as ‘Fully operational Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) Pilots at a passing out ceremony held at INS Garuda, on Thursday.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/women-pilots-take-to-the-skies-on-indian-navy-dornier-aircraft-337185/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Lieutenants Divya Sharma, from New Delhi, Shubhangi Swaroop from Uttar Pradesh and Shivangi from Bihar are the three women pilots of the first batch. They had initially undergone basic flying training partly with Indian Air Force and partly with the Navy prior to DOFT course. Amongst the three women pilots operationalized for MR flying, Lt Shivangi was the first to qualify as a naval pilot on 02 Dec 2019.

Their course comprised of one month of the ground training phase, which was conducted at various professional schools of SNC and eight months of flying training at the Dornier Squadron of SNC, INAS 550.&nbsp;

Rear Admiral Antony George, VSM, NM, Chief Staff Officer (Training) of SNC was the chief guest of the event and presented awards to the pilots who are now fully qualified on Dornier aircraft for all operational missions.

Lt Divya Sharma &amp; Lt Shivam Pandey were adjudged ‘First in Flying’ and ‘First in Ground’ subjects, respectively. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (South) rolling trophy in memory of late Lt Simon George Pynomootil for the ‘Most spirited trainee’ was presented to Lt Kumar Vikram. This trophy was instituted on 18 Jun 2019 during the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of INAS 550 to immortalize the spirit of the officer who was a qualified Islander pilot and lost his life in a fatal air crash whilst serving the squadron on 17 May 1985.

The Indian Navy operationalized the first batch of women pilots of Dornier Aircraft by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) at Kochi. The three women pilots were part of the six pilots belonging to the 27th Dornier Operational Flying Training (DOFT) Course, who graduated as ‘Fully operational Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) Pilots at a passing out ceremony held at INS Garuda, on Thursday.

The Indian Navy operationalized the first batch of women pilots of Dornier Aircraft by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) at Kochi. The three women pilots were part of the six pilots belonging to the 27th Dornier Operational Flying Training (DOFT) Course, who graduated as ‘Fully operational Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) Pilots at a passing out ceremony held at INS Garuda, on Thursday. Lieutenants Divya Sharma, from New Delhi, Shubhangi Swaroop from Uttar Pradesh and Shivangi from Bihar are the three women pilots of the first batch. They had initially undergone basic flying training partly with Indian Air Force and partly with the Navy prior to DOFT course. Amongst the three women pilots operationalized for MR flying, Lt Shivangi was the first to qualify as a naval pilot on 02 Dec 2019. Their course comprised of one month of the ground training phase, which was conducted at various professional schools of SNC and eight months of flying training at the Dornier Squadron of SNC, INAS 550. Rear Admiral Antony George, VSM, NM, Chief Staff Officer (Training) of SNC was the chief guest of the event and presented awards to the pilots who are now fully qualified on Dornier aircraft for all operational missions. Lt Divya Sharma & Lt Shivam Pandey were adjudged ‘First in Flying’ and ‘First in Ground’ subjects, respectively. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (South) rolling trophy in memory of late Lt Simon George Pynomootil for the ‘Most spirited trainee’ was presented to Lt Kumar Vikram. This trophy was instituted on 18 Jun 2019 during the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of INAS 550 to immortalize the spirit of the officer who was a qualified Islander pilot and lost his life in a fatal air crash whilst serving the squadron on 17 May 1985.

Indian Navy's first batch of women pilots soar high on Dornier aircraft

India and USA on Wednesday announced the dates of upcoming 2+2 dialogue between the two countries. The dialogue will take place next week on October 26 and 27 in New Delhi. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper will be visiting India for 2+2 dialogue and meet Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

"This Sunday I will depart for India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives then on to Indonesia and at every stop will discuss a broad range of the bilateral topics and also work with each of the countries what is the best way to cooperate to preserve free and open Indo Pacific," said Pompeo.

"Especially looking forward with Secretary Espar at 2+2 ministerial dialogue with our Indian friend... the meeting will also include how free nations can work on threats posed by Chinese Communist Party," he added.

This is the third 2+2 dialogue that's taking place between India and the US. &nbsp;The first two 2+2 Ministerial dialogues were held in New Delhi in September 2018 and in Washington DC in 2019.&nbsp;

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-standoff-china-putting-military-pressure-on-india-says-us-defence-secretary-mark-esper-336848">India-China standoff: China putting military pressure on India, says US defence secretary Mark Esper</a>

"Agenda for the third Dialogue will cover all bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest," said the MEA while it made announcement about the dialogue.

This 2+2 dialogue between India and US will take place as both countries face an increasingly aggressive China. Both India and the US, are part of Quad grouping of countries which include Australia and Japan.

Pompeo will visit India just a week before US Presidential elections.

India and USA on Wednesday announced the dates of upcoming 2+2 dialogue between the two countries. The dialogue will take place next week on October 26 and 27 in New Delhi.

India and USA on Wednesday announced the dates of upcoming 2+2 dialogue between the two countries. The dialogue will take place next week on October 26 and 27 in New Delhi. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper will be visiting India for 2+2 dialogue and meet Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. "This Sunday I will depart for India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives then on to Indonesia and at every stop will discuss a broad range of the bilateral topics and also work with each of the countries what is the best way to cooperate to preserve free and open Indo Pacific," said Pompeo. "Especially looking forward with Secretary Espar at 2+2 ministerial dialogue with our Indian friend... the meeting will also include how free nations can work on threats posed by Chinese Communist Party," he added. This is the third 2+2 dialogue that's taking place between India and the US. The first two 2+2 Ministerial dialogues were held in New Delhi in September 2018 and in Washington DC in 2019. Also Read: India-China standoff: China putting military pressure on India, says US defence secretary Mark Esper "Agenda for the third Dialogue will cover all bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest," said the MEA while it made announcement about the dialogue. This 2+2 dialogue between India and US will take place as both countries face an increasingly aggressive China. Both India and the US, are part of Quad grouping of countries which include Australia and Japan. Pompeo will visit India just a week before US Presidential elections.

It's official: India and USA will hold 2+2 dialogue next week

Women Pilots take to the skies on Indian Navy Dornier Aircraft

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday released the BJPs manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls which promised free COVID-19 vaccine once it has been cleared by the ICMR.

It also sought to reach out to the youth with the promise of 19 lakh jobs in the next five years and farmers with the assurance of bringing lentils under the MSP regime.

"The NDA government in Bihar has set an example before the country in the fight against corona. It's our resolve that once the vaccine against the coronavirus has been cleared by the ICMR, we will make it available to the people of Bihar free of cost," said the manifesto. The promise figured at the top of the BJP's election document.

Carrying the tagline 'BJP hai to bharosa hai', the party drew heavily upon the trust enjoyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the masses by virtue of pro-people measures like the Jan Dhan scheme and the Ujjwala Yojana.

"Bihar is a politically sensitive state. Here people cannot be fobbed off with empty promises. Claims made by parties are likely to be weighed against their past track record. This is where the BJP scores," Sitharaman told a press conference where she released the manifesto.

"We have the confidence that we can deliver on our promises. In the last six years, all the programmes announced by the prime minister have been implemented, be it electrification of villages, gas cylinders for poor women or financial inclusion of all citizens by getting accounts opened in their name in banks," she asserted.

Speaking about the coronavirus vaccine, the minister said India has reached a point where it is on the verge of producing three vaccines after different stages of trial.

"When we reach the stage where scientists give clearance for large-scale production of the vaccine, we will make it available to the people of Bihar free of cost," she said.

The highlights of the party's vision document, displayed through a power point presentation, include recruitment of three lakh teachers in primary, secondary and higher educational institutions.

The party also proposed to develop the state, which has so far remained largely untouched by the boom in information technology, into an IT hub holding out the promise of five lakh jobs in the sector.

The manifesto also said a large number of people will be provided employment in the health sector which is in for a major facelift through projects like the AIIMS at Darbhanga.

Other attractive promises include self-reliance for one crore women through micro finance, pucca houses for 30 lakh people, and a boost to fisheries making Bihar number one in the sector.

It also promised a fresh impetus to the dairy sector with setting up of 15 milk processing units.

A boost to production of maize, fruits, vegetables, betel leaves, honey and makhana etc. Has been promised, and to facilitate these a conglomerate of 1,000 farm producer organisations has also been proposed.

Yet another promise made in the manifesto which is likely to find resonance among students is introducing Hindi as a medium of instruction for medical, engineering and other technical courses.

"Our promises are backed by credibility. Compare the situation in Bihar between 1990 and 2005 (when the RJD was in power) with the changes that occurred after we took over. You will get a clear picture," Sitharaman said.

"During the NDA rule, the state's growth rate in the industrial sector has been 17 per cent. In contrast, we are unable to find the figures for the preceding 15 years, apparently because industries were never on the radar of the previous government," she remarked with a smirk.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday released the BJPs manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls which promised free COVID-19 vaccine once it has been cleared by the ICMR.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday released the BJPs manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls which promised free COVID-19 vaccine once it has been cleared by the ICMR. It also sought to reach out to the youth with the promise of 19 lakh jobs in the next five years and farmers with the assurance of bringing lentils under the MSP regime. "The NDA government in Bihar has set an example before the country in the fight against corona. It's our resolve that once the vaccine against the coronavirus has been cleared by the ICMR, we will make it available to the people of Bihar free of cost," said the manifesto. The promise figured at the top of the BJP's election document. Carrying the tagline 'BJP hai to bharosa hai', the party drew heavily upon the trust enjoyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the masses by virtue of pro-people measures like the Jan Dhan scheme and the Ujjwala Yojana. "Bihar is a politically sensitive state. Here people cannot be fobbed off with empty promises. Claims made by parties are likely to be weighed against their past track record. This is where the BJP scores," Sitharaman told a press conference where she released the manifesto. "We have the confidence that we can deliver on our promises. In the last six years, all the programmes announced by the prime minister have been implemented, be it electrification of villages, gas cylinders for poor women or financial inclusion of all citizens by getting accounts opened in their name in banks," she asserted. Speaking about the coronavirus vaccine, the minister said India has reached a point where it is on the verge of producing three vaccines after different stages of trial. "When we reach the stage where scientists give clearance for large-scale production of the vaccine, we will make it available to the people of Bihar free of cost," she said. The highlights of the party's vision document, displayed through a power point presentation, include recruitment of three lakh teachers in primary, secondary and higher educational institutions. The party also proposed to develop the state, which has so far remained largely untouched by the boom in information technology, into an IT hub holding out the promise of five lakh jobs in the sector. The manifesto also said a large number of people will be provided employment in the health sector which is in for a major facelift through projects like the AIIMS at Darbhanga. Other attractive promises include self-reliance for one crore women through micro finance, pucca houses for 30 lakh people, and a boost to fisheries making Bihar number one in the sector. It also promised a fresh impetus to the dairy sector with setting up of 15 milk processing units. A boost to production of maize, fruits, vegetables, betel leaves, honey and makhana etc. Has been promised, and to facilitate these a conglomerate of 1,000 farm producer organisations has also been proposed. Yet another promise made in the manifesto which is likely to find resonance among students is introducing Hindi as a medium of instruction for medical, engineering and other technical courses. "Our promises are backed by credibility. Compare the situation in Bihar between 1990 and 2005 (when the RJD was in power) with the changes that occurred after we took over. You will get a clear picture," Sitharaman said. "During the NDA rule, the state's growth rate in the industrial sector has been 17 per cent. In contrast, we are unable to find the figures for the preceding 15 years, apparently because industries were never on the radar of the previous government," she remarked with a smirk.

BJP's Bihar poll manifesto promises free COVID vaccine, 19L jobs

Atta Mohammad&nbsp;Noor, an influential Afghan politician, once a key leader of the Northern Alliance that fought against the Taliban in the 1990s has said India should engage with the Taliban.

Speaking to WION's&nbsp;diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Atta Noor said, "India has the right and engages the Taliban and in line with their national interests".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-ata-mohammad-noor-meets-eam-foreign-secretary-in-delhi-briefs-about-the-afghan-peace-process-336971">Afghanistan's Ata Mohammad Noor meets EAM, Foreign Secretary in Delhi; briefs about the Afghan peace process</a>

Noor who is in Delhi and met with India's External Affairs Minister and&nbsp;Foreign Secretary in 2016 took up arms himself to save the Indian consulate in Mazar E Sharif. On ties with India, Mohammad Noor explained, "India has got a good relationship with its old and traditional friends, who stood against the imposed war in the past.". He is the 3rd top Afghan leader to visit India in the last one month as peace talks gain pace. In the current situation in his country, Noor said, "If we have active diplomacy ....there is justice in the talks, we won’t get back but other wise we have to prepare ourselves for a second resistance". He also spoke on Pakistan, Hekmatyar's Islamabad visit.

WION: Big focus of your India Visit?

Atta Noor: Thanks, in the name of God. I am very happy to be in India on an official invitation from our friends, our brotherly and friendly country. It is the old friend of the Afghan government and the Afghan people. Our people have affection for this country. I&nbsp;am happy and have met with the leadership. We discussed issues of mutual interest. Regarding peace, the talks are going on. people of Afghanistan want peace, this is one of the desires of the Afghan people. We have been suffering for the last 42 years. Our country has been burning. The talks are going on, but with no results. Regarding the talks and the regional issues, India as an influential and big country with a big economy and capacity, it should engage in the peace talks in Afghanistan. It should be amongst the countries facilitating the talks and also it should be a member of the regional countries in consensus. India has got a good relationship with the Afghan government and we appreciate it. India has got a good relationship with its old and traditional friends, who stood against the imposed war in the past.&nbsp;

WION: You met with the Indian leadership, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and&nbsp;FS Shringla. What were the talks like?

Atta Noor: I have had a good meeting with FS Shingla, a seasoned diplomat. I have also had insightful meetings with MEA Jaishankar, who is a scholar too. I talked about the common concerns we have, the common enemies we have. We also discussed the peace talks. We have common values, trade, and cultural values with India. I am satisfied with the messages I have received. India has reiterated to stand by the Republic and by gains we have made and by the Afghan people.&nbsp;

WION: Do you think India should engage with the Taliban?

Atta Noor: India as one of the biggest regional and Asian countries has its own interests and I appreciate and respect their plans. But regarding the peace process in Afghanistan, they have to have a pro-active policy and engage the ongoing talks. When China has the right to meet the Taliban and meet their interests, but when the Russians and Iran and other countries, so India has the right and engage the Taliban and in line with their national interests and helping the Afghanistan people.

WION: Do you think the repetition of what happened in the 1990s, the Taliban coming?

Atta Noor: we are hopeful that the 90s will not repeat again. I hope that the US will not repeat what the Russians did. I hope the peace process will yield results and our strategic friends care for Afghanistan. If there is no active diplomacy and the gains of the 19 years are not preserved and if the former resistance leaders and prominent leaders are not supported, the situation will get worst. If we have active diplomacy and the results of the peace deal will be in line with what our people want, and there is justice in the talks, we won’t get back but otherwise, we have to prepare ourselves for a second resistance&nbsp;

WION: How do you see Pakistan's role?

Atta Noor: There is no doubt that Pakistan is our neighbour and shares a border of 2500km. We share culture. There have to be good relations between the two countries. Pakistan is the mother of the Taliban, supporters of the Taliban, and sending them to Afghanistan,. no one can ignore this. If Pakistan believes that peace in Afghanistan is peace in the region, we will work towards building good relations. If Pakistan thinks they can support insurgents in northern Waziristan and they send it to Kashmir as well, it will be repetition that will burn both countries. Pakistan says that they support the peace process led by Afghanistan, I hope they really mean it. Time will reveal it.

WION: While you are in Delhi, Hekmatyar is in Islamabad. How do you see him, and his ties with you?

Atta Noor: Respecting Hekmatyar who is a jihadi leader and leader of&nbsp;Hezbi Islami, but over the last 20 years who he has been in a hideout, I don’t see any changes in his character. when he surrendered to the Afghanistan government, we thought his attitude would have been charged, but nothing changed. We are living in the 21st century, we have a new generation that is equipped with new equipment and are connected with the world, but his mindset has frozen 50 years ago. He still has discrimination, he has an ego. maybe it is a coincidence that I am here and he is there, I have also been to Pakistan for a peace conference, his invitation to Pakistan is against the former resistance. we have seen that the Afghan government wants peace, it had loyal jirga, made the negotiation team, it even gave privileges to the Taliban, the government to make peace released 5000 Taliban prisoners. But Hekmatyar’s first word was that the Afghan government doesn’t want peace. In short, Hekmatyar is waiting for the opportunity to spread his venom to the former resistance group and to the regional friends.

Atta Mohammad Noor, an influential Afghan politician, once a key leader of the Northern Alliance that fought against the Taliban in the 1990s has said India should engage with the Taliban.

Atta Mohammad Noor, an influential Afghan politician, once a key leader of the Northern Alliance that fought against the Taliban in the 1990s has said India should engage with the Taliban. Speaking to WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Atta Noor said, "India has the right and engages the Taliban and in line with their national interests". Also read: Afghanistan's Ata Mohammad Noor meets EAM, Foreign Secretary in Delhi; briefs about the Afghan peace process Noor who is in Delhi and met with India's External Affairs Minister and Foreign Secretary in 2016 took up arms himself to save the Indian consulate in Mazar E Sharif. On ties with India, Mohammad Noor explained, "India has got a good relationship with its old and traditional friends, who stood against the imposed war in the past.". He is the 3rd top Afghan leader to visit India in the last one month as peace talks gain pace. In the current situation in his country, Noor said, "If we have active diplomacy ....there is justice in the talks, we won’t get back but other wise we have to prepare ourselves for a second resistance". He also spoke on Pakistan, Hekmatyar's Islamabad visit. WION: Big focus of your India Visit? Atta Noor: Thanks, in the name of God. I am very happy to be in India on an official invitation from our friends, our brotherly and friendly country. It is the old friend of the Afghan government and the Afghan people. Our people have affection for this country. I am happy and have met with the leadership. We discussed issues of mutual interest. Regarding peace, the talks are going on. people of Afghanistan want peace, this is one of the desires of the Afghan people. We have been suffering for the last 42 years. Our country has been burning. The talks are going on, but with no results. Regarding the talks and the regional issues, India as an influential and big country with a big economy and capacity, it should engage in the peace talks in Afghanistan. It should be amongst the countries facilitating the talks and also it should be a member of the regional countries in consensus. India has got a good relationship with the Afghan government and we appreciate it. India has got a good relationship with its old and traditional friends, who stood against the imposed war in the past. WION: You met with the Indian leadership, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and FS Shringla. What were the talks like? Atta Noor: I have had a good meeting with FS Shingla, a seasoned diplomat. I have also had insightful meetings with MEA Jaishankar, who is a scholar too. I talked about the common concerns we have, the common enemies we have. We also discussed the peace talks. We have common values, trade, and cultural values with India. I am satisfied with the messages I have received. India has reiterated to stand by the Republic and by gains we have made and by the Afghan people. WION: Do you think India should engage with the Taliban? Atta Noor: India as one of the biggest regional and Asian countries has its own interests and I appreciate and respect their plans. But regarding the peace process in Afghanistan, they have to have a pro-active policy and engage the ongoing talks. When China has the right to meet the Taliban and meet their interests, but when the Russians and Iran and other countries, so India has the right and engage the Taliban and in line with their national interests and helping the Afghanistan people. WION: Do you think the repetition of what happened in the 1990s, the Taliban coming? Atta Noor: we are hopeful that the 90s will not repeat again. I hope that the US will not repeat what the Russians did. I hope the peace process will yield results and our strategic friends care for Afghanistan. If there is no active diplomacy and the gains of the 19 years are not preserved and if the former resistance leaders and prominent leaders are not supported, the situation will get worst. If we have active diplomacy and the results of the peace deal will be in line with what our people want, and there is justice in the talks, we won’t get back but otherwise, we have to prepare ourselves for a second resistance WION: How do you see Pakistan's role? Atta Noor: There is no doubt that Pakistan is our neighbour and shares a border of 2500km. We share culture. There have to be good relations between the two countries. Pakistan is the mother of the Taliban, supporters of the Taliban, and sending them to Afghanistan,. no one can ignore this. If Pakistan believes that peace in Afghanistan is peace in the region, we will work towards building good relations. If Pakistan thinks they can support insurgents in northern Waziristan and they send it to Kashmir as well, it will be repetition that will burn both countries. Pakistan says that they support the peace process led by Afghanistan, I hope they really mean it. Time will reveal it. WION: While you are in Delhi, Hekmatyar is in Islamabad. How do you see him, and his ties with you? Atta Noor: Respecting Hekmatyar who is a jihadi leader and leader of Hezbi Islami, but over the last 20 years who he has been in a hideout, I don’t see any changes in his character. when he surrendered to the Afghanistan government, we thought his attitude would have been charged, but nothing changed. We are living in the 21st century, we have a new generation that is equipped with new equipment and are connected with the world, but his mindset has frozen 50 years ago. He still has discrimination, he has an ego. maybe it is a coincidence that I am here and he is there, I have also been to Pakistan for a peace conference, his invitation to Pakistan is against the former resistance. we have seen that the Afghan government wants peace, it had loyal jirga, made the negotiation team, it even gave privileges to the Taliban, the government to make peace released 5000 Taliban prisoners. But Hekmatyar’s first word was that the Afghan government doesn’t want peace. In short, Hekmatyar is waiting for the opportunity to spread his venom to the former resistance group and to the regional friends.

Exclusive: Former northern alliance leader Atta Noor says India should engage with Taliban

An international report on the&nbsp;Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) compared and estimated the&nbsp;major economic costs and its benefits associated with sanitation improvement during the three years of this mission.

The report has been authored by&nbsp;Guy Huttona, Sumeet Patilb, Avni Kumar, Nicolas Osbert and Francis Odhiambo, and is titled 'Comparison of the costs and benefits of the Clean India Mission'.

"On 2nd October 2014, the Indian Prime Minister, Hon Narendra Modi, launched the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM - Clean India Mission) and announced that India aimed to be open defecation free (ODF) by October 2019; an objective whose fulfilment has been reported by the Government of India," the report said.

As per the study, the annual economic gains from household sanitation are worth $727 per household which stem mainly out of the savings associated with reduced diarrhoea incidence (55 per cent) and from sanitation access time savings (45 per cent).

The authors of the report believe that the enormity of the task cannot be underestimated, considering the size and diversity of the country.

"In the year 2015, 59 per cent of rural households and 12 per cent of urban households in India did not have a sanitary toilet despite more than a decade of sanitation programs such as the Total Sanitation Campaign and later Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (sanitized India campaign), leaving 522 million people still practicing open defecation nationally," the paper said.

The authors studied how the government not only had to simply build toilets but also bring widescale changes "in social norms and behaviours to ensure proper usage and maintenance of these facilities."

As per the report, the annual benefits of sanitation under SBM–Gramin (SBM-G) are $727 plus $294 one-off property value benefit.

An interesting thing here is that majority of the annual benefits (which are 55 per cent)&nbsp;are health-related ($402).

"The average medical cost per episode of diarrheal diseases at any type of health facility was $63, which is saved when an episode is averted," the report continued.

The average duration of an illness episode was 1.8 days with an average 1.34 health facility visits. "Of the savings in lost time in illness and caretaking, 52 per cent of the value accrued to the patient and 48 per cent the caregiver.&nbsp;Substantial health benefits were due to the reductions in premature death, valued at US$ 249 per year per household. Significant time is spent in accessing sanitation outside the house by those who do not have or use a household toilet," the report states.

It also stated that the value of time savings of a household in India where all members are using a toilet is nearly&nbsp;US$ 325 per household per year.

The investment in building a toilet, too, therefore, is being perceived as a positive step, as the value of the property has seen an average increase of&nbsp;US$ 294.

Indian government provided subsidies to more than two-thirds (69.5 per cent) of households with an average US$ 183 support, and "of these households, 63.8 per cent made their own investment to supplement the government subsidy, which averaged an additional US$ 154."

An international report on the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) compared and estimated the major economic costs and its benefits associated with sanitation improvement during the three years of this mission.

An international report on the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) compared and estimated the major economic costs and its benefits associated with sanitation improvement during the three years of this mission. The report has been authored by Guy Huttona, Sumeet Patilb, Avni Kumar, Nicolas Osbert and Francis Odhiambo, and is titled 'Comparison of the costs and benefits of the Clean India Mission'. "On 2nd October 2014, the Indian Prime Minister, Hon Narendra Modi, launched the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM - Clean India Mission) and announced that India aimed to be open defecation free (ODF) by October 2019; an objective whose fulfilment has been reported by the Government of India," the report said. As per the study, the annual economic gains from household sanitation are worth $727 per household which stem mainly out of the savings associated with reduced diarrhoea incidence (55 per cent) and from sanitation access time savings (45 per cent). The authors of the report believe that the enormity of the task cannot be underestimated, considering the size and diversity of the country. "In the year 2015, 59 per cent of rural households and 12 per cent of urban households in India did not have a sanitary toilet despite more than a decade of sanitation programs such as the Total Sanitation Campaign and later Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (sanitized India campaign), leaving 522 million people still practicing open defecation nationally," the paper said. The authors studied how the government not only had to simply build toilets but also bring widescale changes "in social norms and behaviours to ensure proper usage and maintenance of these facilities." As per the report, the annual benefits of sanitation under SBM–Gramin (SBM-G) are $727 plus $294 one-off property value benefit. An interesting thing here is that majority of the annual benefits (which are 55 per cent) are health-related ($402). "The average medical cost per episode of diarrheal diseases at any type of health facility was $63, which is saved when an episode is averted," the report continued. The average duration of an illness episode was 1.8 days with an average 1.34 health facility visits. "Of the savings in lost time in illness and caretaking, 52 per cent of the value accrued to the patient and 48 per cent the caregiver. Substantial health benefits were due to the reductions in premature death, valued at US$ 249 per year per household. Significant time is spent in accessing sanitation outside the house by those who do not have or use a household toilet," the report states. It also stated that the value of time savings of a household in India where all members are using a toilet is nearly US$ 325 per household per year. The investment in building a toilet, too, therefore, is being perceived as a positive step, as the value of the property has seen an average increase of US$ 294. Indian government provided subsidies to more than two-thirds (69.5 per cent) of households with an average US$ 183 support, and "of these households, 63.8 per cent made their own investment to supplement the government subsidy, which averaged an additional US$ 154."

Swachh Bharat Mission brings annual economic gains of $727 per household: International report

The State Department has proposed not to issue temporary business visas for H-1B speciality occupations which allowed companies to send their technology professionals for a short stay to complete jobs on-site in the US, a move which could affect hundreds of Indians.

The proposal, if finalised, will eliminate any misconception that the "B-1 in lieu of H policy" provides an alternative avenue for foreign professionals to enter the US for skilled labour that allows, and potentially even encourages them and their employers, to circumvent the restrictions and requirements relating to the "H" non-immigrant classification established by the Congress to protect US workers, the State Department said.

The move, made public on Wednesday, less than two weeks ahead of the November 3 presidential election, is likely to affect several Indian companies which send their technology professionals on B-1 visas for a short stay to complete jobs on-site in the US.

In December 2019, the Attorney General of California announced a $800,000 settlement against Infosys Ltd to resolve allegations that approximately 500 Infosys employees worked in the state on company-sponsored B-1 visas rather than H-1B visas, the State Department said.

"The proposed changes and the resulting transparency would reduce the impact of foreign labour on the US workforce of aliens performing activities in a speciality occupation without the procedural protections attendant to the H-1B classification," it said.

In its notification issued on Wednesday, the State Department said US architecture firms seeking protection from rising labour costs in the country might believe they could lay off US architects and contracts for the same services to be provided by a foreign architecture firm.

If a foreign firm sought H-1B visas for its architects, it would be required to pay the prevailing wage for architects in the area of intended employment in the US, presumably the same wage the US architects had been paid, and meet the other requirements enacted by the Congress to protect US workers.

But under the B-1 in lieu of H policy, the foreign architects could ostensibly seek B-1 visas and travel to the US to fill a temporary need for architecture services, as long as they retained a residence in the foreign country and continued to receive a salary, perhaps significantly lower than what is customary for US architects, dispersed abroad by the foreign firm (or under the auspices of a foreign parent or subsidiary), the State Department said.

"If the architects who intended to perform skilled labour were 'of distinguished merit and ability… seeking to perform (temporary architectural services) of an exceptional nature requiring such merit and ability, one might argue the current regulatory language suggests this type of labour is a permissible basis for B-1 non-immigrant visa issuance," the State Department said.

This potential outcome is harmful to US workers and contrary to the policies of the Trump administration, it said. The State Department said the application process for a B-1 visa does not include similar procedural requirements to protect the US workers like that of H-1B visas. Also, the fees for the B-1 visas are far less than that of H-1B visas.

The State Department has proposed not to issue temporary business visas for H-1B speciality occupations which allowed companies to send their technology professionals for a short stay to complete jobs on-site in the US, a move which could affect hundreds of Indians.

The State Department has proposed not to issue temporary business visas for H-1B speciality occupations which allowed companies to send their technology professionals for a short stay to complete jobs on-site in the US, a move which could affect hundreds of Indians. The proposal, if finalised, will eliminate any misconception that the "B-1 in lieu of H policy" provides an alternative avenue for foreign professionals to enter the US for skilled labour that allows, and potentially even encourages them and their employers, to circumvent the restrictions and requirements relating to the "H" non-immigrant classification established by the Congress to protect US workers, the State Department said. The move, made public on Wednesday, less than two weeks ahead of the November 3 presidential election, is likely to affect several Indian companies which send their technology professionals on B-1 visas for a short stay to complete jobs on-site in the US. In December 2019, the Attorney General of California announced a $800,000 settlement against Infosys Ltd to resolve allegations that approximately 500 Infosys employees worked in the state on company-sponsored B-1 visas rather than H-1B visas, the State Department said. "The proposed changes and the resulting transparency would reduce the impact of foreign labour on the US workforce of aliens performing activities in a speciality occupation without the procedural protections attendant to the H-1B classification," it said. In its notification issued on Wednesday, the State Department said US architecture firms seeking protection from rising labour costs in the country might believe they could lay off US architects and contracts for the same services to be provided by a foreign architecture firm. If a foreign firm sought H-1B visas for its architects, it would be required to pay the prevailing wage for architects in the area of intended employment in the US, presumably the same wage the US architects had been paid, and meet the other requirements enacted by the Congress to protect US workers. But under the B-1 in lieu of H policy, the foreign architects could ostensibly seek B-1 visas and travel to the US to fill a temporary need for architecture services, as long as they retained a residence in the foreign country and continued to receive a salary, perhaps significantly lower than what is customary for US architects, dispersed abroad by the foreign firm (or under the auspices of a foreign parent or subsidiary), the State Department said. "If the architects who intended to perform skilled labour were 'of distinguished merit and ability… seeking to perform (temporary architectural services) of an exceptional nature requiring such merit and ability, one might argue the current regulatory language suggests this type of labour is a permissible basis for B-1 non-immigrant visa issuance," the State Department said. This potential outcome is harmful to US workers and contrary to the policies of the Trump administration, it said. The State Department said the application process for a B-1 visa does not include similar procedural requirements to protect the US workers like that of H-1B visas. Also, the fees for the B-1 visas are far less than that of H-1B visas.

US proposal on H-1B for speciality jobs may affect hundreds of Indians

India successfully carried out the final trial of anti-tank guided missile -- Nag -- on Thursday. The missile will be inducted soon in the India Army. In 2008, Ministry of Defence approved procurement of 300 Nag missiles and 25 missile carriers for Army.

The test was carried out at 6.45 a.m. at the Pokhran field firing ranges in Rajasthan, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said.

The missile was integrated with the actual warhead and a tank target was kept at designated range. This was launched from Nag Missile Carrier NAMICA.

The missile hit the target accurately defeating the armour.

Anti-tank guided missile has been developed by DRDO to engage highly fortified enemy tanks in day and night conditions.

The missile has "Fire &amp; Forget" "Top Attack" capabilities with passive homing guidance to defeat all main battle tanks equipped with composite and reactive armour.

The NAG missile carrier NAMICA is an Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP2 II based system with amphibious capability. With this final user trial, NAG will enter into production phase.

The missile will be produced by Defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), whereas Ordinance Factory Medak will produce the NAMICA.

Defence Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and Indian Army for the successful trial of NAG Missile.

Chairman DRDO, G. Satheesh Reddy appreciated the efforts of DRDO, Indian Army and Industry in bringing the missile up to the production phase.

India successfully carried out the final trial of anti-tank guided missile -- Nag -- on Thursday. The missile will be inducted soon in the India Army. In 2008, Ministry of Defence approved procurement of 300 Nag missiles and 25 missile carriers for Army.

India successfully carried out the final trial of anti-tank guided missile -- Nag -- on Thursday. The missile will be inducted soon in the India Army. In 2008, Ministry of Defence approved procurement of 300 Nag missiles and 25 missile carriers for Army. The test was carried out at 6.45 a.m. at the Pokhran field firing ranges in Rajasthan, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said. The missile was integrated with the actual warhead and a tank target was kept at designated range. This was launched from Nag Missile Carrier NAMICA. The missile hit the target accurately defeating the armour. Anti-tank guided missile has been developed by DRDO to engage highly fortified enemy tanks in day and night conditions. The missile has "Fire & Forget" "Top Attack" capabilities with passive homing guidance to defeat all main battle tanks equipped with composite and reactive armour. The NAG missile carrier NAMICA is an Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP2 II based system with amphibious capability. With this final user trial, NAG will enter into production phase. The missile will be produced by Defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), whereas Ordinance Factory Medak will produce the NAMICA. Defence Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and Indian Army for the successful trial of NAG Missile. Chairman DRDO, G. Satheesh Reddy appreciated the efforts of DRDO, Indian Army and Industry in bringing the missile up to the production phase.

India successfully tests anti-tank guided missile Nag, ready for induction in Army

Invoking Goddess Durga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reaffirmed his government's irrevocable commitment to women's empowerment.

Reaching out to the people of West Bengal during the state's biggest festival, the prime minister said though it was being celebrated on a limited scale due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the "enthusiasm is still unlimited".

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/30-lakh-central-government-employees-to-get-rs3737-crore-bonus-by-next-week-336904">30 lakh Central government employees to get ₹3,737 crore bonus by next week</a>

Noting that Goddess Durga was worshipped as a symbol of 'Shakti' (strength), Modi said his government was consistently working for the empowerment of women.

"From opening Jan Dhan accounts for 22 crore women, giving soft loans to them under the Mudra Yojana, to launching Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao initiative, granting permanent commission to women in the armed forces and extending maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks, we have taken a number of steps for their empowerment," he told a gathering at Durga Puja celebration organised by the BJP.

He also said anti-rape laws were made more stringent to include death penalty.

"We are alert towards the security of women," he said.

The prime minister's remark came in the backdrop of a string of incidents of rape and murder of women, including the Hathras incident that shocked the nation and triggered outrage against the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.

The prime minister recalled the contributions of reformers from Bengal like Ram Mohun Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, spiritual leaders Ramkrishna Paramhans and Swami Vivekananda, cultural giant Rabindranath Tagore, and revolutionaries like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Khudiram Bose in shaping India's national identity.

Durga Puja, he said, was the epitome of pluralism and reflected the collective strength of India.

The BJP had made elaborate arrangements for live viewing of the prime minister's virtual address from the national capital.

The event was televised live at over 78,000 polling booths across the state's 294 assembly constituencies.

Assembly polls are likely in West Bengal around April-May next year.&nbsp;

Invoking Goddess Durga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reaffirmed his government's irrevocable commitment to women's empowerment. Reaching out to the people of West Bengal during the state's biggest festival, the prime minister said though it was being celebrated on a limited scale due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the "enthusiasm is still unlimited".

Invoking Goddess Durga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reaffirmed his government's irrevocable commitment to women's empowerment. Reaching out to the people of West Bengal during the state's biggest festival, the prime minister said though it was being celebrated on a limited scale due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the "enthusiasm is still unlimited". Also read | 30 lakh Central government employees to get ₹3,737 crore bonus by next week Noting that Goddess Durga was worshipped as a symbol of 'Shakti' (strength), Modi said his government was consistently working for the empowerment of women. "From opening Jan Dhan accounts for 22 crore women, giving soft loans to them under the Mudra Yojana, to launching Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao initiative, granting permanent commission to women in the armed forces and extending maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks, we have taken a number of steps for their empowerment," he told a gathering at Durga Puja celebration organised by the BJP. He also said anti-rape laws were made more stringent to include death penalty. "We are alert towards the security of women," he said. The prime minister's remark came in the backdrop of a string of incidents of rape and murder of women, including the Hathras incident that shocked the nation and triggered outrage against the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. The prime minister recalled the contributions of reformers from Bengal like Ram Mohun Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, spiritual leaders Ramkrishna Paramhans and Swami Vivekananda, cultural giant Rabindranath Tagore, and revolutionaries like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Khudiram Bose in shaping India's national identity. Durga Puja, he said, was the epitome of pluralism and reflected the collective strength of India. The BJP had made elaborate arrangements for live viewing of the prime minister's virtual address from the national capital. The event was televised live at over 78,000 polling booths across the state's 294 assembly constituencies. Assembly polls are likely in West Bengal around April-May next year.

PM Modi invokes Durga to reaffirm commitment to women's empowerment

In a strongly-worded letter to Twitter CEO, the Indian government has expressed its dismay over the social media giants' act of misrepresentation of the Indian map and asserted any attempts to disrespect the country's sovereignty and integrity would not be accepted.&nbsp;

IT Secretary Ajay Sawhney has penned a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey after Twitter in a recent post showed geo-location of Leh in Jammu and Kashmir as a Chinese region.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/twitter-under-fire-as-it-shows-jk-as-part-of-china-336260">Twitter issues clarification following backlash for showing J&amp;K in China</a>

Such acts bring not only disrepute to Twitter but also raises the question about its neutrality and fairness as an intermediary, the letter said.&nbsp;

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/twitter-under-fire-as-it-shows-jk-as-part-of-china-336260">Twitter under fire as it shows J&amp;K as part of China</a>

Sawhney has also reminded the social media giant that Leh is the headquarter of Union Territory of Ladakh and both Ladakh as well as Jammu and Kashmir are India's integral and inalienable parts of India, governed by the Indian constitution.

The Indian government had asked Twitter to respect the sensitivities of Indians and has also firmly said that any effort to disrespect sovereignty and integrity of India, which is also reflected through its maps, is completely unacceptable and unlawful.

Earlier, the incident happened Nitin Gokhale’s was conducting a live broadcast from Leh’s Hall of Fame, a war memorial for martyred soldiers, and Twitter's geotagging feature showed Leh in Jammu and Kashmir, People's Republic of China.

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We became aware of this technical issue on Sunday, &amp; understand &amp; respect the sensitivities around it. Teams have worked swiftly to investigate &amp; resolve the concerned geotag issue: Twitter Spokesperson on location tag in a live broadcast showing Jammu &amp; Kashmir as part of China. <a href="https://t.co/UqpCCgma1q">pic.twitter.com/UqpCCgma1q</a>
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Twitter called the issue "technical" and said it has been resolved swiftly.&nbsp;

In a strongly-worded letter to Twitter CEO, the Indian government has expressed its dismay over the social media giants' act of misrepresentation of the Indian map and asserted any attempts to disrespect the country's sovereignty and integrity would not be accepted.

In a strongly-worded letter to Twitter CEO, the Indian government has expressed its dismay over the social media giants' act of misrepresentation of the Indian map and asserted any attempts to disrespect the country's sovereignty and integrity would not be accepted. IT Secretary Ajay Sawhney has penned a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey after Twitter in a recent post showed geo-location of Leh in Jammu and Kashmir as a Chinese region. Also read | Twitter issues clarification following backlash for showing J&K in China Such acts bring not only disrepute to Twitter but also raises the question about its neutrality and fairness as an intermediary, the letter said. Also read | Twitter under fire as it shows J&K as part of China Sawhney has also reminded the social media giant that Leh is the headquarter of Union Territory of Ladakh and both Ladakh as well as Jammu and Kashmir are India's integral and inalienable parts of India, governed by the Indian constitution. The Indian government had asked Twitter to respect the sensitivities of Indians and has also firmly said that any effort to disrespect sovereignty and integrity of India, which is also reflected through its maps, is completely unacceptable and unlawful. Earlier, the incident happened Nitin Gokhale’s was conducting a live broadcast from Leh’s Hall of Fame, a war memorial for martyred soldiers, and Twitter's geotagging feature showed Leh in Jammu and Kashmir, People's Republic of China. We became aware of this technical issue on Sunday, & understand & respect the sensitivities around it. Teams have worked swiftly to investigate & resolve the concerned geotag issue: Twitter Spokesperson on location tag in a live broadcast showing Jammu & Kashmir as part of China. pic.twitter.com/UqpCCgma1q — ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2020 × Twitter called the issue "technical" and said it has been resolved swiftly.

Indian govt issues stern warning to Twitter over settings showing Leh in China

India's ministry of home affairs today announced graded relaxation of travel restrictions on Thursday after it had curtailed inward and outward movement of international passengers since February amid the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-govt-announces-new-relaxations-in-line-with-unlock-40-to-resume-economic-activity-324142"> coronavirus</a> pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unlock-40-news-government-announces-reopening-schools-colleges-326397">Also Read - Unlock 4.0: Government announces reopening schools, colleges</a>

According to the new guidelines, the government will restore all existing visas except electronic visa, tourist visa and medical visa with immediate effect.

"Foreign nationals intending to visit <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unlock-50-news-after-uttar-pradesh-sikkim-gujarat-government-contemplates-reopening-schools-colleges-336844">India</a> for medical treatment can apply for a medical visa including for medical attendants," the MHA said. &nbsp;"If the validity of visas has expired, fresh visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from Indian missions," the MHA informed.&nbsp;

All OCI and PIO card-holders and other foreign nationals waiting to visit India except on a tourist visa will be permitted to enter the country through air and water routes from airports and seaport immigration check posts, the government announced.

It includes flights operated under the "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nearly-900000-indians-have-returned-from-abroad-under-vande-bharat-mission-mea-317099">Vande Bharat</a>" mission, air transport bubble arrangements and commercial flights as allowed by the ministry of civil aviation.&nbsp;

"All travellers will however have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the ministry of health and family welfare regarding quarantine and other COVID-19 related issues," it said.

India's ministry of home affairs today announced graded relaxation of travel restrictions on Thursday after it had curtailed inward and outward movement of international passengers since February amid the coronavirus pandemic.

India's ministry of home affairs today announced graded relaxation of travel restrictions on Thursday after it had curtailed inward and outward movement of international passengers since February amid the coronavirus pandemic. Also Read - Unlock 4.0: Government announces reopening schools, colleges According to the new guidelines, the government will restore all existing visas except electronic visa, tourist visa and medical visa with immediate effect. "Foreign nationals intending to visit India for medical treatment can apply for a medical visa including for medical attendants," the MHA said. "If the validity of visas has expired, fresh visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from Indian missions," the MHA informed. All OCI and PIO card-holders and other foreign nationals waiting to visit India except on a tourist visa will be permitted to enter the country through air and water routes from airports and seaport immigration check posts, the government announced. It includes flights operated under the "Vande Bharat" mission, air transport bubble arrangements and commercial flights as allowed by the ministry of civil aviation. "All travellers will however have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the ministry of health and family welfare regarding quarantine and other COVID-19 related issues," it said.

Indian government announces graded relaxation on international travel

At a time when Chennai’s daily Covid-19 cases are dipping below the 1,000-mark consistently, the findings of a second serosurvey has revealed that 32.3 per cent of the city’s population has developed IgG anti-bodies to Covid-19. As per the Chennai Corporation, 6,389 samples were collected on a random basis from streets and households across the city, of which 2,062 tested positive for IgG antibodies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/coronavirus-india-sees-over-55000-cases-total-infections-surpass-77-million-337045">Coronavirus: India sees over 55,000 cases; total infections surpass 7.7 million</a>

Population-based serosurveys are performed to measure the spread of infection in the community. Such surveys are done by performing blood tests on individuals to check if they have developed antibodies to the infection. The second serosurvey was started on October 8 and the detailed results with ward-wise figures and findings are awaited. An official told WION that the results would be available in a couple of days and that the methodology of the survey was similar to the earlier one.

An earlier serosurvey conducted by the government authorities in between mid-July and early-August has indicated that one-fifth of Chennai’s population has been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the disease - Covid-19. The study which was conducted by the National Institute of Epidemiology of the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Greater Chennai Corporation was based on the analysis of blood samples from 12,405 individuals from all zones of the city. &nbsp;

The methodology adopted for the first survey involved collecting blood samples at random from individuals aged above 10, from the streets in the highly populated areas of the city. The field data collection is said to have happened between 18th and 28th July, whereas the testing the collected samples was completed by August 6th.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu had recorded 3,086 new cases and 39 deaths, with the total case count at 697,116. As many as 4,301 persons were discharged, thus taking the total number of recoveries to 650,856, a recovery rate of 93%.

As cases are decreasing steadily and the festive season is fast approaching, the Tamil Nadu government announced new relaxations to aid economic activity. The chief minister said that all shops, hotels, tea stalls, restaurants, commercial complexes located in non-containment zones can remain open till 10 pm onwards, effective from Thursday. However, he also emphasized the Covid-19 protocols be followed in a strict manner.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

At a time when Chennai’s daily Covid-19 cases are dipping below the 1,000-mark consistently, the findings of a second serosurvey has revealed that 32.3 per cent of the city’s population has developed IgG anti-bodies to Covid-19.

At a time when Chennai’s daily Covid-19 cases are dipping below the 1,000-mark consistently, the findings of a second serosurvey has revealed that 32.3 per cent of the city’s population has developed IgG anti-bodies to Covid-19. As per the Chennai Corporation, 6,389 samples were collected on a random basis from streets and households across the city, of which 2,062 tested positive for IgG antibodies. Also read | Coronavirus: India sees over 55,000 cases; total infections surpass 7.7 million Population-based serosurveys are performed to measure the spread of infection in the community. Such surveys are done by performing blood tests on individuals to check if they have developed antibodies to the infection. The second serosurvey was started on October 8 and the detailed results with ward-wise figures and findings are awaited. An official told WION that the results would be available in a couple of days and that the methodology of the survey was similar to the earlier one. An earlier serosurvey conducted by the government authorities in between mid-July and early-August has indicated that one-fifth of Chennai’s population has been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the disease - Covid-19. The study which was conducted by the National Institute of Epidemiology of the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Greater Chennai Corporation was based on the analysis of blood samples from 12,405 individuals from all zones of the city. The methodology adopted for the first survey involved collecting blood samples at random from individuals aged above 10, from the streets in the highly populated areas of the city. The field data collection is said to have happened between 18th and 28th July, whereas the testing the collected samples was completed by August 6th. On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu had recorded 3,086 new cases and 39 deaths, with the total case count at 697,116. As many as 4,301 persons were discharged, thus taking the total number of recoveries to 650,856, a recovery rate of 93%. As cases are decreasing steadily and the festive season is fast approaching, the Tamil Nadu government announced new relaxations to aid economic activity. The chief minister said that all shops, hotels, tea stalls, restaurants, commercial complexes located in non-containment zones can remain open till 10 pm onwards, effective from Thursday. However, he also emphasized the Covid-19 protocols be followed in a strict manner.

One-third of Chennai's population has Covid-19 antibodies: Serosurvey

392 new festival special trains -&nbsp;&nbsp;The festive season is just around the corner and number of people intending to travel to their hometowns and other places within the country is expected to rise. Keeping this massive demand in mind, Indian Railways has decided to run 392 special trains during the festive season.

These special trains will be operated from October 20 to November 30.

"To clear the festive rush, Ministry of Railways has approved 196 pairs (392 trains) of “Festival Special” services over Indian Railways to be operated from 20th October 2020 and 30th November 2020. Zonal Railways will notify their schedule in advance," The railways announced on October 13.

Check out the full list of&nbsp;392 new festival special trains -&nbsp;&nbsp;

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392 new festival special trains list-&nbsp;&nbsp;

The trains will mainly be run for destinations such as Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow among others to facilitate travel during festivals such as Durga Puja, Diwali, Chath Puja and more

Ticket price for these trains will be at par with the special trains. These trains will mostly have third AC coaches.

392 new festival special trains - The festive season is just around the corner and number of people intending to travel to their hometowns and other places within the country is expected to rise.

392 new festival special trains - The festive season is just around the corner and number of people intending to travel to their hometowns and other places within the country is expected to rise. Keeping this massive demand in mind, Indian Railways has decided to run 392 special trains during the festive season. These special trains will be operated from October 20 to November 30. "To clear the festive rush, Ministry of Railways has approved 196 pairs (392 trains) of “Festival Special” services over Indian Railways to be operated from 20th October 2020 and 30th November 2020. Zonal Railways will notify their schedule in advance," The railways announced on October 13. Check out the full list of 392 new festival special trains - pic.twitter.com/QdBjR3JufV — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) October 13, 2020 × pic.twitter.com/QdBjR3JufV — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) October 13, 2020 × 392 new festival special trains list- The trains will mainly be run for destinations such as Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow among others to facilitate travel during festivals such as Durga Puja, Diwali, Chath Puja and more Ticket price for these trains will be at par with the special trains. These trains will mostly have third AC coaches.

Indian Railways to run 392 special trains during festive season

United States defense secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-mark-esper-stresses-on-closer-ties-with-like-minded-democracies-such-as-india-amid-china-tensions-336772">Mark Esper </a>has said that China has been putting "military pressure" on India, a remark that comes days before his New Delhi visit for the 2+2 India-US foreign and defence secretary meet.

Speaking at an event, Esper said, "they(Indians) face-off every day Chinese aggression in the Himalayas, especially along the Line of Actual Control. So like so many countries in that region...they all recognise what China is doing, some places it is very overt, in many more cases it is opaque. They are putting political pressure, diplomatic pressure and in some cases like India, they are putting military pressure on countries to bend."

Earlier, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo had said that China had amassed 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control(LAC).

Confirming his India visit, &nbsp;Espar said, "Secretary Pompeo and I will be there in India next week, this is our second 2+2 with Indians, third ever for US and India", calling India to be the "most consequential partner for US, in the Indo-Pacfic for sure in this century".

United States defense secretary Mark Esper has said that China has been putting "military pressure" on India, a remark that comes days before his New Delhi visit for the 2+2 India-US foreign and defence secretary meet.

United States defense secretary Mark Esper has said that China has been putting "military pressure" on India, a remark that comes days before his New Delhi visit for the 2+2 India-US foreign and defence secretary meet. Speaking at an event, Esper said, "they(Indians) face-off every day Chinese aggression in the Himalayas, especially along the Line of Actual Control. So like so many countries in that region...they all recognise what China is doing, some places it is very overt, in many more cases it is opaque. They are putting political pressure, diplomatic pressure and in some cases like India, they are putting military pressure on countries to bend." Earlier, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo had said that China had amassed 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control(LAC). Confirming his India visit, Espar said, "Secretary Pompeo and I will be there in India next week, this is our second 2+2 with Indians, third ever for US and India", calling India to be the "most consequential partner for US, in the Indo-Pacfic for sure in this century".

India-China standoff: China putting military pressure on India, says US defence secretary Mark Esper

After Taiwan's National Day trended on Indian Twitter a few days back,&nbsp;Joseph Wu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of China (Taiwan) spoke to WION about the growing friendship between the two countries.

Talking about the relationship he said the Taiwan government, since 2016,&nbsp;is looking forward to improving the friendship between the two countries&nbsp;— be it people-to-people relations or trade policies.&nbsp;

In the area of healthcare, agriculture, technical and education exchanges with each other, he has seen "tremendous progress".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-protecting-freedom-and-democracy-from-authoritarianism-taiwans-foreign-minister-to-wion-336978">Also read|&nbsp;We are protecting freedom and democracy from authoritarianism: Taiwan's foreign minister to WION</a>

He also talked about the increasing Taiwanese investment in India since 2016. "In 2018, we sealed an agreement with India — a bilateral investment — and that is very important for the bilateral economic relations. And we have seen, Taiwan's investment in India has been increasing."

"The total amount of Taiwanese investment in India now stands around USD2.3 billion and our investment in India has employed roughly 65,000 Indian people; these are good quality jobs and we will continue to do that," he continued.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-we-have-no-doubt-covid-19-originated-in-china-taiwans-foreign-minister-joseph-wu-336973">Also read|&nbsp;We have no doubt COVID-19 originated in China: Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu</a>

Talking about how can the relationship between the two countries be further improved, he said, "If the Indian government is interested in improving the economic and trade relations with Taiwan even further, an FTA or similar to FTA type of arrangement between Taiwan and India will certainly improve our economic relations", hinting towards the world's economic distancing from China.

He also added that many of the Taiwanese investors are now shifting from China to India.

Specifically talking about the increasing semi-conductors industry in Taiwan, he said India is one of the most preferred locations for Taiwan's manufacturers of semi-conductors, "I think there is a natural philosophy that they will go to the places which are the most friendly to them. So, for Taiwan's high-tech industries, to make an investment in the United States or South East Asia or in India as long as they feel that these (countries) are friends and that they can make their investment in a friendly environment, they will go to (those countries). ANd to me, India is a very friendly place where we have the same philosophy and we have the same values."

He also assured that the Taiwanese government will encourage and provide help to the local manufacturers who would want to invest in India. "The government will try to help them to make sure that they can make a profit in India, by speaking with the Indian government about the investment cases."

After Taiwan's National Day trended on Indian Twitter a few days back, Joseph Wu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of China (Taiwan) spoke to WION about the growing friendship between the two countries.

After Taiwan's National Day trended on Indian Twitter a few days back, Joseph Wu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of China (Taiwan) spoke to WION about the growing friendship between the two countries. Talking about the relationship he said the Taiwan government, since 2016, is looking forward to improving the friendship between the two countries — be it people-to-people relations or trade policies. In the area of healthcare, agriculture, technical and education exchanges with each other, he has seen "tremendous progress". Also read| We are protecting freedom and democracy from authoritarianism: Taiwan's foreign minister to WION He also talked about the increasing Taiwanese investment in India since 2016. "In 2018, we sealed an agreement with India — a bilateral investment — and that is very important for the bilateral economic relations. And we have seen, Taiwan's investment in India has been increasing." "The total amount of Taiwanese investment in India now stands around USD2.3 billion and our investment in India has employed roughly 65,000 Indian people; these are good quality jobs and we will continue to do that," he continued. Also read| We have no doubt COVID-19 originated in China: Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu Talking about how can the relationship between the two countries be further improved, he said, "If the Indian government is interested in improving the economic and trade relations with Taiwan even further, an FTA or similar to FTA type of arrangement between Taiwan and India will certainly improve our economic relations", hinting towards the world's economic distancing from China. He also added that many of the Taiwanese investors are now shifting from China to India. Specifically talking about the increasing semi-conductors industry in Taiwan, he said India is one of the most preferred locations for Taiwan's manufacturers of semi-conductors, "I think there is a natural philosophy that they will go to the places which are the most friendly to them. So, for Taiwan's high-tech industries, to make an investment in the United States or South East Asia or in India as long as they feel that these (countries) are friends and that they can make their investment in a friendly environment, they will go to (those countries). ANd to me, India is a very friendly place where we have the same philosophy and we have the same values." He also assured that the Taiwanese government will encourage and provide help to the local manufacturers who would want to invest in India. "The government will try to help them to make sure that they can make a profit in India, by speaking with the Indian government about the investment cases."

'Taiwanese investment generated nearly 65,000 employment in India': Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tells WION

Senior Afghan politician Ata Mohammad Noor is in Delhi for talks with the Indian leadership. CEO of Jamiat Party Ata Noor is India's close ally in Afghanistan and has in the past served as the governor of northern Balkh province in Afghanistan.

In 2016, he had personally taken up arms to repel a terrorist attack on the Indian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif and protected it. During the Taliban rein in the country in 1990s, Noor had served as a commander in Ahmad Shah Massoud's Nothern front.

Noor, an ethnic Tajik is the 3rd prominent Afghan leader to visit India in last one month. Earlier Abdul Rashid Dostum, former vice president of Afghanistan and Chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Dr Abdullah Abdullah had visited India.

Interestingly, Noor's son Khalid Noor is part of the Afghan government's negotiating team for intra-Afghan talks. In fact, at 25, Khalid Noor is the youngest member of the team negotiating with the Taliban.

Earlier this year, speaking to WION, Khalid said, his "vision for his country is peaceful, independent and democratic Afghanistan" and "even if the Taliban tries to come to Afghanistan by force, they will face the national army and people Afghanistan and it will unrealistic to say that the Taliban came to Afghanistan the way they came in 1996." 
&nbsp;

Senior Afghan politician Ata Mohammad Noor is in Delhi for talks with the Indian leadership. CEO of Jamiat Party Ata Noor is India's close ally in Afghanistan and has in the past served as the governor of northern Balkh province in Afghanistan.

Senior Afghan politician Ata Mohammad Noor is in Delhi for talks with the Indian leadership. CEO of Jamiat Party Ata Noor is India's close ally in Afghanistan and has in the past served as the governor of northern Balkh province in Afghanistan. In 2016, he had personally taken up arms to repel a terrorist attack on the Indian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif and protected it. During the Taliban rein in the country in 1990s, Noor had served as a commander in Ahmad Shah Massoud's Nothern front. Noor, an ethnic Tajik is the 3rd prominent Afghan leader to visit India in last one month. Earlier Abdul Rashid Dostum, former vice president of Afghanistan and Chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Dr Abdullah Abdullah had visited India. Interestingly, Noor's son Khalid Noor is part of the Afghan government's negotiating team for intra-Afghan talks. In fact, at 25, Khalid Noor is the youngest member of the team negotiating with the Taliban. Earlier this year, speaking to WION, Khalid said, his "vision for his country is peaceful, independent and democratic Afghanistan" and "even if the Taliban tries to come to Afghanistan by force, they will face the national army and people Afghanistan and it will unrealistic to say that the Taliban came to Afghanistan the way they came in 1996."

Senior Afghan politician Ata Mohammad Noor in Delhi for talks

The number of new coronavirus infections reported in India in a span of 24 hours remained below 60,000 for the third consecutive day, taking India's COVID-19 caseload to 76,51,107, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

A total of 54,044 fresh infections were reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 1,15,914?with 717 fatalities being registered in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

A total of 67,95,103 people have recuperated from the disease so far pushing the national recovery rate to 88.81 per cent while the case fatality rate due COVID-19 has dropped to 1.51 per cent.

The active cases of coronavirus infection remained below 8 lakh for the fifth consecutive day.

There are 7,40,090 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprises 9.67 per cent of the total caseload,?the data stated.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7,?30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5. It went past&nbsp;&nbsp;50 lakh on&nbsp;September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, and crossed 70 lakh on October 11.

According to the ICMR, a?cumulative total of 9,72,00,379 samples has been tested up to October 20 with 10,83,608 samples being tested on Tuesday.

The number of new coronavirus infections reported in India in a span of 24 hours remained below 60,000 for the third consecutive day, taking India's COVID-19 caseload to 76,51,107, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

The number of new coronavirus infections reported in India in a span of 24 hours remained below 60,000 for the third consecutive day, taking India's COVID-19 caseload to 76,51,107, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. A total of 54,044 fresh infections were reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 1,15,914?with 717 fatalities being registered in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed. A total of 67,95,103 people have recuperated from the disease so far pushing the national recovery rate to 88.81 per cent while the case fatality rate due COVID-19 has dropped to 1.51 per cent. The active cases of coronavirus infection remained below 8 lakh for the fifth consecutive day. There are 7,40,090 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprises 9.67 per cent of the total caseload,?the data stated. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7,?30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5. It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, and crossed 70 lakh on October 11. According to the ICMR, a?cumulative total of 9,72,00,379 samples has been tested up to October 20 with 10,83,608 samples being tested on Tuesday.

India reports 54,044  new COVID-19 cases; tally climbs to 7.65 million

As head of India's first dairy farm run by transgender women, Bhoomika has finally found security, having spent years as a beggar after fleeing parents who taunted their sari-wearing son.

The state-backed Transgenders' Milk Producers' Cooperative Society officially opened its doors in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu last month, providing 30 trans women each with an individual home, a cow and a shared business venture.

"I begged on the trains for five years. Life was difficult, everyone looked at us in a strange way," Bhoomika, who goes by one name, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/supreme-court-seeks-centres-reply-on-pil-for-equal-protection-of-law-to-transgenders-in-sexual-offences-334757" hreflang="en">Supreme Court seeks Centre's reply on PIL for equal protection of law to transgenders in sexual offences</a>

"We are still treated the same outside the dairy farm but inside I am able to lead a normal life, a life of dignity. I feel I belong," the 28-year-old said from the farm in Manthithoppu village, about 100km south of Madurai city.

The 1.5-acre farm, which sells 180 litres of milk a day, was the brainchild of local official Sandeep Nanduri, who tapped multiple state departments for housing, jobs, training and cash to realise the 17.5 million-rupee ($237,621) project.

It is rare for India's estimated 2 million trans population to find stable homes or incomes, with many forced to beg, dance at weddings or sell sex in the face of widespread discrimination that makes it hard to access education and jobs. [nL8N2FQ38I]

Since India's Supreme Court gave trans people "third gender" recognition in 2014, a growing number of companies have actively hired trans people and adopted more inclusive policies, such as unisex toilets.

Trans people have also received charity and local government funding to start businesses such as take-out biryani rice joints or tattoo parlours, according to local media.

But Nanduri had greater ambitions.

"In the last couple of years, we have helped some trans people with loans to set up small shops but the idea this time was to empower the community ... not just financially, but to make them entrepreneurs," he said.

"They face social exclusion so we kept the farm close to their residential space," said Nanduri, the administrative head of Thoothukudi district.

DIGNITY

Nanduri was spurred into action by a well-known trans activist Grace Banu who had been lobbying local officials for six years - without success - to provide housing for trans women in the port city of Thoothukudi, where she grew up.

Unlike most trans women in India, Banu earned an engineering degree and now works as a mobile app developer in Chennai, and is a leader in the trans community.

"Housing is our biggest problem. If we rent homes, the owners treat us poorly and if we speak up, they ask us to vacate the house with no notice," said Banu.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/transgender-mans-dream-of-joining-us-military-thwarted-for-now-334902" hreflang="en">Transgender man's dream of joining US military thwarted for now</a>

In just over a year, Nanduri arranged loans for the women to buy cows and enlisted government agencies that taught them how to farm and built cattle sheds on the site, along with neat rows of green and turquoise, one-room homes.

"He was the first person to treat us with respect... he put in all the effort to meet our demand," said Banu.

"That is why we named our housing colony after him. We call it Sandeep Nagar," she said. The term nagar is often used to denote a town in India.

The women are paid by the litre and earn about 8,000 rupees ($109) each per month supplying milk to Tamil Nadu's biggest milk producers' union Aavin, which buys from about 170 farms in Thoothukudi.

"They are doing well compared to other dairies as they work as a community ... they are attached emotionally and live together as a family," said Santha Kumar, manager with Aavin's procurement department.

"The fat content is 4.1%, better than the average fat content of 3.9% fat that we get, which means the cattle is being fed well and the quality of milk is good."

Bhoomika is confident the farm will continue to flourish, with plans afoot to add more cows and members.

When a local villager offered to buy her cow, she refused.

"This business has given us dignity," she said. "We have been trusted with this work and we don't want to break that."

As head of India's first dairy farm run by transgender women, Bhoomika has finally found security, having spent years as a beggar after fleeing parents who taunted their sari-wearing son.

As head of India's first dairy farm run by transgender women, Bhoomika has finally found security, having spent years as a beggar after fleeing parents who taunted their sari-wearing son. The state-backed Transgenders' Milk Producers' Cooperative Society officially opened its doors in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu last month, providing 30 trans women each with an individual home, a cow and a shared business venture. "I begged on the trains for five years. Life was difficult, everyone looked at us in a strange way," Bhoomika, who goes by one name, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. Also read: Supreme Court seeks Centre's reply on PIL for equal protection of law to transgenders in sexual offences "We are still treated the same outside the dairy farm but inside I am able to lead a normal life, a life of dignity. I feel I belong," the 28-year-old said from the farm in Manthithoppu village, about 100km south of Madurai city. The 1.5-acre farm, which sells 180 litres of milk a day, was the brainchild of local official Sandeep Nanduri, who tapped multiple state departments for housing, jobs, training and cash to realise the 17.5 million-rupee ($237,621) project. It is rare for India's estimated 2 million trans population to find stable homes or incomes, with many forced to beg, dance at weddings or sell sex in the face of widespread discrimination that makes it hard to access education and jobs. [nL8N2FQ38I] Since India's Supreme Court gave trans people "third gender" recognition in 2014, a growing number of companies have actively hired trans people and adopted more inclusive policies, such as unisex toilets. Trans people have also received charity and local government funding to start businesses such as take-out biryani rice joints or tattoo parlours, according to local media. But Nanduri had greater ambitions. "In the last couple of years, we have helped some trans people with loans to set up small shops but the idea this time was to empower the community ... not just financially, but to make them entrepreneurs," he said. "They face social exclusion so we kept the farm close to their residential space," said Nanduri, the administrative head of Thoothukudi district. DIGNITY Nanduri was spurred into action by a well-known trans activist Grace Banu who had been lobbying local officials for six years - without success - to provide housing for trans women in the port city of Thoothukudi, where she grew up. Unlike most trans women in India, Banu earned an engineering degree and now works as a mobile app developer in Chennai, and is a leader in the trans community. "Housing is our biggest problem. If we rent homes, the owners treat us poorly and if we speak up, they ask us to vacate the house with no notice," said Banu. Also read: Transgender man's dream of joining US military thwarted for now In just over a year, Nanduri arranged loans for the women to buy cows and enlisted government agencies that taught them how to farm and built cattle sheds on the site, along with neat rows of green and turquoise, one-room homes. "He was the first person to treat us with respect... he put in all the effort to meet our demand," said Banu. "That is why we named our housing colony after him. We call it Sandeep Nagar," she said. The term nagar is often used to denote a town in India. The women are paid by the litre and earn about 8,000 rupees ($109) each per month supplying milk to Tamil Nadu's biggest milk producers' union Aavin, which buys from about 170 farms in Thoothukudi. "They are doing well compared to other dairies as they work as a community ... they are attached emotionally and live together as a family," said Santha Kumar, manager with Aavin's procurement department. "The fat content is 4.1%, better than the average fat content of 3.9% fat that we get, which means the cattle is being fed well and the quality of milk is good." Bhoomika is confident the farm will continue to flourish, with plans afoot to add more cows and members. When a local villager offered to buy her cow, she refused. "This business has given us dignity," she said. "We have been trusted with this work and we don't want to break that."

'I feel I belong': India's first trans-run dairy farm brings jobs and respect

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'I feel I belong': India's first trans-run dairy farm brings jobs and respect