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Emphasising the economic importance of the Indian Ocean, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday said nurturing a climate of peace and stability in this region is an important priority for India's foreign policy.&nbsp

Swaraj's comments assume significance in the wake of China increasing its footprints in the Indian Ocean, which figures prominently in President Xi Jinping's ambitious 'One Belt, One Road' initiative to build a new Silk Route.

India is opposed to the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative as it includes the China Pakistan-Economic Corridor (CPEC) which transverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.&nbsp

China has stepped up activities in the Indian Ocean where it is building ports and other infrastructure in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan.&nbsp

"There can be no doubt that the Indian Ocean is at the centre of the emerging 'Age of Asia'...This region is host to the world's busiest waterways and three-quarters of that traffic is headed for destinations beyond our region," Swaraj said while addressing the Third Indian Ocean Conference here.

"As an important trade and energy waterway, carrying half the world's container shipment, one-third of its bulk cargo traffic and two-thirds of oil shipments, the Indian Ocean clearly assumes importance well beyond its immediate shores and its littorals," she said.&nbsp

"Nurturing a climate of peace and stability in this region is, therefore, an important priority for our foreign policy," Swaraj added.&nbsp

Emphasising that India and Vietnam are connected not only by the common waters but also by a shared vision for peace and prosperity, she said, "Hanoi is, therefore, a particularly appropriate setting for us to discuss developments in the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region."&nbsp

The Indian Ocean, which borders Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, is home to major sea lanes and choke points that are crucial to global trade. Nearly 40 per cent of the world's offshore petroleum is produced in the Indian Ocean, which also has rich mineral deposits and fisheries.

Swaraj said in an inter-dependent world characterised by enhanced economic and trade linkages, the importance of sustainable use of our ocean resources cannot be overstated.&nbsp

"For us in India, the seas around us have nurtured our links of commerce and culture with our extended neighbourhood over millennia," she said.&nbsp

Swaraj said though there is diversity within the region, the challenges within it are "quite similar".

"Our vision for the region is one of cooperation and collective action," she said.

"We cannot tap the bounty of the Indian Ocean without ensuring maritime peace and stability. Economic prosperity and maritime security go hand-in-hand," she said.&nbsp

Swaraj said those who live in this region bear the primary responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean.&nbsp

She further said India sees the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as central to the regional maritime architecture.&nbsp

Swaraj is in Vietnam on the first leg of her four-day two-nation tour which aims at deepening India's strategic cooperation with Vietnam and Cambodia -- the key countries in the ASEAN region.&nbsp

Swaraj's comments assume significance in the wake of China increasing its footprints in the Indian Ocean.

Emphasising the economic importance of the Indian Ocean, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday said nurturing a climate of peace and stability in this region is an important priority for India's foreign policy. Swaraj's comments assume significance in the wake of China increasing its footprints in the Indian Ocean, which figures prominently in President Xi Jinping's ambitious 'One Belt, One Road' initiative to build a new Silk Route. India is opposed to the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative as it includes the China Pakistan-Economic Corridor (CPEC) which transverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. China has stepped up activities in the Indian Ocean where it is building ports and other infrastructure in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. "There can be no doubt that the Indian Ocean is at the centre of the emerging 'Age of Asia'...This region is host to the world's busiest waterways and three-quarters of that traffic is headed for destinations beyond our region," Swaraj said while addressing the Third Indian Ocean Conference here. "As an important trade and energy waterway, carrying half the world's container shipment, one-third of its bulk cargo traffic and two-thirds of oil shipments, the Indian Ocean clearly assumes importance well beyond its immediate shores and its littorals," she said. "Nurturing a climate of peace and stability in this region is, therefore, an important priority for our foreign policy," Swaraj added. Emphasising that India and Vietnam are connected not only by the common waters but also by a shared vision for peace and prosperity, she said, "Hanoi is, therefore, a particularly appropriate setting for us to discuss developments in the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region." The Indian Ocean, which borders Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, is home to major sea lanes and choke points that are crucial to global trade. Nearly 40 per cent of the world's offshore petroleum is produced in the Indian Ocean, which also has rich mineral deposits and fisheries. Swaraj said in an inter-dependent world characterised by enhanced economic and trade linkages, the importance of sustainable use of our ocean resources cannot be overstated. "For us in India, the seas around us have nurtured our links of commerce and culture with our extended neighbourhood over millennia," she said. Swaraj said though there is diversity within the region, the challenges within it are "quite similar". "Our vision for the region is one of cooperation and collective action," she said. "We cannot tap the bounty of the Indian Ocean without ensuring maritime peace and stability. Economic prosperity and maritime security go hand-in-hand," she said. Swaraj said those who live in this region bear the primary responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean. She further said India sees the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as central to the regional maritime architecture. Swaraj is in Vietnam on the first leg of her four-day two-nation tour which aims at deepening India's strategic cooperation with Vietnam and Cambodia -- the key countries in the ASEAN region.

Nurturing peace, stability in Indian Ocean priority for India's foreign policy: Sushma Swaraj

Cochin International Airport will resume full-scale operations on August 29 after over two weeks. The airport was first closed on August 9, for a few hours, and then on August 15 in the wake of a deluge in Kerala.&nbsp

Earlier the airport was scheduled to resume services on August 26 but further suspension of operations came over concerns expressed by stakeholders of airlines and ground staff, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp

According to reports, nearly 90 per cent of ground staff of various airlines, as well as those at the CIAL, has been affected by the floods. The authorities have therefore decided to suspend the operations at the airport for three more days.

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Kochi Airport to resume full scale operations (both international and domestic) from 2 pm on August 29: Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL). <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Keralafloods?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Keralafloods</a> (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/Vh7OgMOwUS">pic.twitter.com/Vh7OgMOwUS</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1034246109172879360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, floodwaters across Kerala have been receding as there was a let up in heavy rains last Monday onwards.

The disastrous floods claimed as many as 373 lives across the state taking a devastating turn earlier this month.

The shutters of nearly 33 dangerously full dams and reservoirs were opened for the first time in the history of Kerala in nearly a century.&nbsp

State authorities have estimated a cumulative loss worth over Rs 21,000 crore in the catastrophe that was announced as 'calamity of severe nature' by the central government.&nbsp

Earlier the airport was scheduled to resume services on August 26.

Cochin International Airport will resume full-scale operations on August 29 after over two weeks. The airport was first closed on August 9, for a few hours, and then on August 15 in the wake of a deluge in Kerala. Earlier the airport was scheduled to resume services on August 26 but further suspension of operations came over concerns expressed by stakeholders of airlines and ground staff, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, nearly 90 per cent of ground staff of various airlines, as well as those at the CIAL, has been affected by the floods. The authorities have therefore decided to suspend the operations at the airport for three more days. Kochi Airport to resume full scale operations (both international and domestic) from 2 pm on August 29: Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL). #Keralafloods (file pic) pic.twitter.com/Vh7OgMOwUS — ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2018 × Meanwhile, floodwaters across Kerala have been receding as there was a let up in heavy rains last Monday onwards. The disastrous floods claimed as many as 373 lives across the state taking a devastating turn earlier this month. The shutters of nearly 33 dangerously full dams and reservoirs were opened for the first time in the history of Kerala in nearly a century. State authorities have estimated a cumulative loss worth over Rs 21,000 crore in the catastrophe that was announced as 'calamity of severe nature' by the central government.

Kerala floods: Cochin International airport to resume operations tomorrow  

In the first bilateral engagement between India and Pakistan after Imran Khan took to the office, India on Tuesday sent a delegation of the Indian Water Commission for&nbsp;holding crucial talks with Pakistan in connection with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indus-treaty-provided-framework-for-resolving-disputes-on-water-use-un-deputy-secretary-general---162008">Indus Waters Treaty</a>.

Indian Water Commission will hold bilateral talks with its counterpart Syed Mehr Ali Shah&nbsp;on Wednesday and Thursday in Lahore.

The nine members Indian delegation was received by Pakistan Water Commissioner&nbsp;and additional commissioner Sheraz Jamil at Wagah border.

The last meeting of the Pakistan-India Permanent Indus Commission was held in New Delhi in March during which both the sides had shared details of the water flow and the quantum of water being used under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.

India and Pakistan signed the treaty in 1960 after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory.

The treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers. However, there have been disagreements and differences between India and Pakistan over the treaty.

Pakistan Water Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah said Pakistan has raised objections on 1000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai hydroelectric projects on River Chenab and a detailed discussion will be held during the talks.

He further added that Pakistan also raised concerns over the construction of dams on Pakistani rivers.

According to an official of Pakistan Water Commission, Pakistan has been raising reservations over the designs of the two projects - 1000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai hydroelectric projects on River Chenab - and would like India to either modify the designs to make them compliant to 1960 Indus Waters Treaty or put the projects on hold until Delhi satisfies Islamabad.&nbsp;

Pakistan has also challenged the discharge series of River Lower Kalnai at Dunadi for winter months and estimated permissible pondage of 0.38 cubic megametres compared to Indian design pondage of 2.74 cubic megametres. The Lower Kalnai project is on a left bank tributary of Chenab and can have gross storage of about 1,508-acre-feet of water.

(With inputs from PTI)

Indian Water Commission will hold bilateral talks with its counterpart Syed Mehr Ali Shah on Wednesday and Thursday in Lahore.

In the first bilateral engagement between India and Pakistan after Imran Khan took to the office, India on Tuesday sent a delegation of the Indian Water Commission for holding crucial talks with Pakistan in connection with the Indus Waters Treaty. Indian Water Commission will hold bilateral talks with its counterpart Syed Mehr Ali Shah on Wednesday and Thursday in Lahore. The nine members Indian delegation was received by Pakistan Water Commissioner and additional commissioner Sheraz Jamil at Wagah border. The last meeting of the Pakistan-India Permanent Indus Commission was held in New Delhi in March during which both the sides had shared details of the water flow and the quantum of water being used under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. India and Pakistan signed the treaty in 1960 after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory. The treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers. However, there have been disagreements and differences between India and Pakistan over the treaty. Pakistan Water Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah said Pakistan has raised objections on 1000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai hydroelectric projects on River Chenab and a detailed discussion will be held during the talks. He further added that Pakistan also raised concerns over the construction of dams on Pakistani rivers. According to an official of Pakistan Water Commission, Pakistan has been raising reservations over the designs of the two projects - 1000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai hydroelectric projects on River Chenab - and would like India to either modify the designs to make them compliant to 1960 Indus Waters Treaty or put the projects on hold until Delhi satisfies Islamabad. Pakistan has also challenged the discharge series of River Lower Kalnai at Dunadi for winter months and estimated permissible pondage of 0.38 cubic megametres compared to Indian design pondage of 2.74 cubic megametres. The Lower Kalnai project is on a left bank tributary of Chenab and can have gross storage of about 1,508-acre-feet of water. (With inputs from PTI)

Indian delegation arrives in Pakistan to hold talks on Indus Waters Treaty

Former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has been indicted in the Justice Ranjit Singh (Retired) Commission Report, which was tabled in the Assembly on Monday.

Justice Ranjit Singh Commission was formed to probe the 2015 case of Bargari Guru Granth Sahib Sacrilege and Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing that followed it.

A portion of the report, pertaining to the indictment of former Punjab chief minister, reads, "There is sufficient material available on record in the form of telephone calls between the Deputy Commissioner and Mantar Singh Brar, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) with Gangandeep Brar.

It is on record that contact was established with Gagandeep Brar who made the Chief Minister speak to Mantar Brar. Soon Thereafter Mantar Brar had spoken to DGP Sumedh Singh Saini that too on the asking of Gagandeep Brar.

The chain is thus complete and clear that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was not only in touch with district administration but was in touch with DGP as well and was quite aware about the situation developing at Kot Kapura and also about the proposed action by the police."

The report further states, "Sufficient material is available with the commission that when the district administration was asked to speak to the then DGP, he (DGP) had stately conveyed in no uncertain terms that they (district MLA including local MLA) should not bother much and that he will get the dharna site cleared within ten minutes."

The Commission's report also mentioned that an opportunity was given to the then chief minister to explain his side about the exact nature of his talks with the District administration and the DGP. He was also given the opportunity to clarify whether any such talk was exchanged or not, however, the chief minister did not co-operate, according to the report.

Citing his alleged non-cooperation, the report reads that "it would, therefore, be reasonable to infer that the DGP had either discussed or apprised the chief minister about the proposed action in getting the dharna site cleared."

On July 30, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had announced that the 2015 Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing that followed the Bargari Guru Granth Sahib Sacrilege will be probed by Central Bureau of Investigation

Justice Ranjit Singh Commission was formed to probe the 2015 case of Bargari Guru Granth Sahib Sacrilege and Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing that followed it.

Former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has been indicted in the Justice Ranjit Singh (Retired) Commission Report, which was tabled in the Assembly on Monday. Justice Ranjit Singh Commission was formed to probe the 2015 case of Bargari Guru Granth Sahib Sacrilege and Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing that followed it. A portion of the report, pertaining to the indictment of former Punjab chief minister, reads, "There is sufficient material available on record in the form of telephone calls between the Deputy Commissioner and Mantar Singh Brar, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) with Gangandeep Brar. It is on record that contact was established with Gagandeep Brar who made the Chief Minister speak to Mantar Brar. Soon Thereafter Mantar Brar had spoken to DGP Sumedh Singh Saini that too on the asking of Gagandeep Brar. The chain is thus complete and clear that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was not only in touch with district administration but was in touch with DGP as well and was quite aware about the situation developing at Kot Kapura and also about the proposed action by the police." The report further states, "Sufficient material is available with the commission that when the district administration was asked to speak to the then DGP, he (DGP) had stately conveyed in no uncertain terms that they (district MLA including local MLA) should not bother much and that he will get the dharna site cleared within ten minutes." The Commission's report also mentioned that an opportunity was given to the then chief minister to explain his side about the exact nature of his talks with the District administration and the DGP. He was also given the opportunity to clarify whether any such talk was exchanged or not, however, the chief minister did not co-operate, according to the report. Citing his alleged non-cooperation, the report reads that "it would, therefore, be reasonable to infer that the DGP had either discussed or apprised the chief minister about the proposed action in getting the dharna site cleared." On July 30, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had announced that the 2015 Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing that followed the Bargari Guru Granth Sahib Sacrilege will be probed by Central Bureau of Investigation

Former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal indicted in sacrilege case

The Centre has come to the rescue of law enforcement agencies like tax department and Enforcement Directorate, which are faced with a unique situation of holding confiscated currency notes beyond specified limits, by making changes in the law.

A notification in this regard has been issued by the Ministry of Finance allowing agencies such as the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Enforcement Directorate to hold banned currency notes.

Under the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017, banned currency notes beyond a certain limit could be held only by the Reserve Bank, its agencies, or other person authorized by it, and in pursuance of the court order. An individual is not allowed to hold more than 10 banned notes. Besides, not more than 25 such notes could be kept for study, research or numismatics.

According to the Finance Ministry’s notification, law enforcement agencies had seized or confiscated the Rs 500/1,000 notes on or before December 30, 2016 (the last day to exchange the banned notes) without specific directions from the court and need to deposit or exchange those on production of the documents authorising the seizure or confiscation.

However, there is no provision in the Act to authorise such deposit of the specified bank notes seized or confiscated by the enforcement agencies. To deal with the difficulty, the government has come out with an order ‘Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Removal of Difficulties Order, 2018’ using its power under Section 12 of the Act.

Now, besides others, “the law enforcement agencies, such as the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Enforcement Directorate on production of the documents authorising such seizure or confiscation, as the case may be” can hold the banned currency notes.

In an order to check blackmoney and terror financing, the government had banned the Rs 500/1000 notes in November 2016 and people were given time up till December 30, 2016 to exchange or deposit such notes with them. There was also a grace period to exchange/deposit the notes for people who were not in India during that period. The move had led to huge cash shortage currency notes, which eventually eased with following introduction of Rs 2,000 notes and new Rs 500 notes.

The Centre has come to the rescue of law enforcement agencies like tax department and Enforcement Directorate, which are faced with a unique situation of holding confiscated currency notes beyond specified limits, by making changes in the law.

The Centre has come to the rescue of law enforcement agencies like tax department and Enforcement Directorate, which are faced with a unique situation of holding confiscated currency notes beyond specified limits, by making changes in the law. A notification in this regard has been issued by the Ministry of Finance allowing agencies such as the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Enforcement Directorate to hold banned currency notes. Under the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017, banned currency notes beyond a certain limit could be held only by the Reserve Bank, its agencies, or other person authorized by it, and in pursuance of the court order. An individual is not allowed to hold more than 10 banned notes. Besides, not more than 25 such notes could be kept for study, research or numismatics. According to the Finance Ministry’s notification, law enforcement agencies had seized or confiscated the Rs 500/1,000 notes on or before December 30, 2016 (the last day to exchange the banned notes) without specific directions from the court and need to deposit or exchange those on production of the documents authorising the seizure or confiscation. However, there is no provision in the Act to authorise such deposit of the specified bank notes seized or confiscated by the enforcement agencies. To deal with the difficulty, the government has come out with an order ‘Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Removal of Difficulties Order, 2018’ using its power under Section 12 of the Act. Now, besides others, “the law enforcement agencies, such as the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Enforcement Directorate on production of the documents authorising such seizure or confiscation, as the case may be” can hold the banned currency notes. In an order to check blackmoney and terror financing, the government had banned the Rs 500/1000 notes in November 2016 and people were given time up till December 30, 2016 to exchange or deposit such notes with them. There was also a grace period to exchange/deposit the notes for people who were not in India during that period. The move had led to huge cash shortage currency notes, which eventually eased with following introduction of Rs 2,000 notes and new Rs 500 notes.

Government rectifies anomaly, allows law enforcement agencies to hold banned notes

The commercial use of drones (unmanned aircraft) across sectors such as agriculture, health and disaster relief under new regulations will come into force from December 1, but the delivery of payload, including food items, would not be allowed as of now, the government said on Monday.&nbsp

All civilian drone operations will be restricted only during daytime and flying will be restricted within visual line of sight which usually would be 450 metres, the regulation says.

Except for nano drones and those owned by the National Technical Research Organisation and central intelligence agencies, the rest would be registered and issued Unique Identification Number (UIN).&nbsp

The regulation prevents the drones from flying around airports, near international borders, near coastlines, state secretariat complexes. Besides, they cannot operate in strategic locations, vital and military installations and Vijay Chowk in the capital.

Unveiling the regulations, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said, "Our progressive regulations will encourage a vast Made in India drone industry."&nbsp

He said the relief efforts in Kerala would have been much more effective had the regulation been in place by now. He said the drone market is expected to touch USD 1 trillion in the coming years.

"We are likely to go from travelling in auto rickshaws to air rickshaws. There is a wide range of application of drones, from disaster relief, surveillance, security monitoring, precision agriculture, precision logistics," said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha.&nbsp

According to the regulations, drones can be used for taking wedding photographs.

The registration of the drones, permission to fly will be done digitally through the 'digital sky platform', connected to local police, which will implement "no permission, no take off".&nbsp

Users of the nano-drone, which weighs less than 250 gram and flies up to 50 feet, are exempted from securing permission, including from local police. But micro drones flying up to 200 feet and small drones flying over 450 feet and above will have to require police permission.

"Users will be required to do a one-time registration of their drones, pilots and owners. For every flight (exempted for the nano category), users will be required to ask for permission to fly on a mobile app and an automated process permits or denies the request instantly.&nbsp

"To prevent unauthorized flights and to ensure public safety, any drone without a digital permit to fly will simply not be able to take off," said a government statement.

Asked about the delivery of food items, Sinha indicated the second set of regulations may allow their delivery based on the outcome of tests.

While drones can be used for agricultural purpose, they cannot be used for spraying pesticides until specifically cleared. Besides, carriage of explosives, animals and human payload are not allowed.&nbsp

Suspension and cancellation of a license have been provided in the regulations besides slapping of various sections of the Indian Penal Code for violation and falsification of documents.

A drone task force under his chairmanship will provide draft recommendations for drone Regulations 2.0.

According to the regulations, drones can be used for taking wedding photographs.

The commercial use of drones (unmanned aircraft) across sectors such as agriculture, health and disaster relief under new regulations will come into force from December 1, but the delivery of payload, including food items, would not be allowed as of now, the government said on Monday. All civilian drone operations will be restricted only during daytime and flying will be restricted within visual line of sight which usually would be 450 metres, the regulation says. Except for nano drones and those owned by the National Technical Research Organisation and central intelligence agencies, the rest would be registered and issued Unique Identification Number (UIN). The regulation prevents the drones from flying around airports, near international borders, near coastlines, state secretariat complexes. Besides, they cannot operate in strategic locations, vital and military installations and Vijay Chowk in the capital. Unveiling the regulations, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said, "Our progressive regulations will encourage a vast Made in India drone industry." He said the relief efforts in Kerala would have been much more effective had the regulation been in place by now. He said the drone market is expected to touch USD 1 trillion in the coming years. "We are likely to go from travelling in auto rickshaws to air rickshaws. There is a wide range of application of drones, from disaster relief, surveillance, security monitoring, precision agriculture, precision logistics," said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha. According to the regulations, drones can be used for taking wedding photographs. The registration of the drones, permission to fly will be done digitally through the 'digital sky platform', connected to local police, which will implement "no permission, no take off". Users of the nano-drone, which weighs less than 250 gram and flies up to 50 feet, are exempted from securing permission, including from local police. But micro drones flying up to 200 feet and small drones flying over 450 feet and above will have to require police permission. "Users will be required to do a one-time registration of their drones, pilots and owners. For every flight (exempted for the nano category), users will be required to ask for permission to fly on a mobile app and an automated process permits or denies the request instantly. "To prevent unauthorized flights and to ensure public safety, any drone without a digital permit to fly will simply not be able to take off," said a government statement. Asked about the delivery of food items, Sinha indicated the second set of regulations may allow their delivery based on the outcome of tests. While drones can be used for agricultural purpose, they cannot be used for spraying pesticides until specifically cleared. Besides, carriage of explosives, animals and human payload are not allowed. Suspension and cancellation of a license have been provided in the regulations besides slapping of various sections of the Indian Penal Code for violation and falsification of documents. A drone task force under his chairmanship will provide draft recommendations for drone Regulations 2.0.

Drone regulation unveiled; delivery of food not allowed as of now

Ruchi Ghanashyam, an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1982 batch, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom.&nbsp

She is presently Secretary at the External Affairs Ministry headquarters in the Capital. She is expected to take up the assignment shortly, an official release said here on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry, Ghanashyam is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

She will replace Y.K. Sinha who is presently India's High Commissioner to UK. During a career spanning 37 years, Mr Sinha handled several important assignments at the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi and in Indian diplomatic missions in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, South America and the Permanent Mission of India at the United Nations in New York.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ruchi Ghanashyam, a 1982-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, was on Tuesday appointed as India's next High Commissioner to Britain.

Ruchi Ghanashyam, an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1982 batch, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. She is presently Secretary at the External Affairs Ministry headquarters in the Capital. She is expected to take up the assignment shortly, an official release said here on Tuesday. According to a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry, Ghanashyam is expected to take up the assignment shortly. She will replace Y.K. Sinha who is presently India's High Commissioner to UK. During a career spanning 37 years, Mr Sinha handled several important assignments at the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi and in Indian diplomatic missions in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, South America and the Permanent Mission of India at the United Nations in New York. (With inputs from agencies)

Ruchi Ghanshyam to be India's next High Commissioner to the United Kingdom

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is on a two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, held bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Thailand General Prawit Wongsuwan in Bangkok on Monday.

Sitharaman also called on Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayuth Chan-o-cha.

During the meetings, both sides discussed issues relating to defence cooperation between the two countries. The Ministers welcomed the positive momentum and substantive content of ongoing bilateral defence engagement and discussed measures to further enhance and deepen defence cooperation between India and Thailand.

It was decided to step up military-to-military engagement by commencing bilateral navy exercises.

In addition, both countries will explore enhancement of ongoing joint exercises, the MAITREE counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism Army Exercise, as well as their SIAM BHARAT Air Force exercise.

The two countries will also expand cooperation on maritime security, focusing on greater sharing of information to develop Maritime Domain Awareness.

The Defense Minister offered additional training opportunities for the Royal Thai Army in India, including through tailor made courses in specialised areas, which was welcomed by Thailand.

The Ministers also discussed stepping up defence industry and R&D cooperation. The two sides identified specific areas for such engagement and would discuss this further through institutionalised dialogue mechanisms.

Defense Minister and the Thai leadership also discussed regional security developments. Both sides noted complementarities in their approaches to the Indo-Pacific region and decided to hold regular consultations on issues of mutual interest.

Sitharaman welcomed Thailand's forthcoming Chairmanship of ASEAN and as the ASEAN country coordinator for India, which would create additional pathways for engagement between India and Thailand, including under the ADMM Plus framework.

In this context, the Defence Minister of Thailand welcomed India's initiative to host the inaugural BIMSTEC Army Exercise and Conclave of Chiefs in India in September 2018 and confirmed Thailand's participation.

Sitharaman is on an official visit to Thailand from August 27 to August 28.

Sitharaman is on an official visit to Thailand from August 27 to August 28.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is on a two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, held bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Thailand General Prawit Wongsuwan in Bangkok on Monday. Sitharaman also called on Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayuth Chan-o-cha. During the meetings, both sides discussed issues relating to defence cooperation between the two countries. The Ministers welcomed the positive momentum and substantive content of ongoing bilateral defence engagement and discussed measures to further enhance and deepen defence cooperation between India and Thailand. It was decided to step up military-to-military engagement by commencing bilateral navy exercises. In addition, both countries will explore enhancement of ongoing joint exercises, the MAITREE counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism Army Exercise, as well as their SIAM BHARAT Air Force exercise. The two countries will also expand cooperation on maritime security, focusing on greater sharing of information to develop Maritime Domain Awareness. The Defense Minister offered additional training opportunities for the Royal Thai Army in India, including through tailor made courses in specialised areas, which was welcomed by Thailand. The Ministers also discussed stepping up defence industry and R&D cooperation. The two sides identified specific areas for such engagement and would discuss this further through institutionalised dialogue mechanisms. Defense Minister and the Thai leadership also discussed regional security developments. Both sides noted complementarities in their approaches to the Indo-Pacific region and decided to hold regular consultations on issues of mutual interest. Sitharaman welcomed Thailand's forthcoming Chairmanship of ASEAN and as the ASEAN country coordinator for India, which would create additional pathways for engagement between India and Thailand, including under the ADMM Plus framework. In this context, the Defence Minister of Thailand welcomed India's initiative to host the inaugural BIMSTEC Army Exercise and Conclave of Chiefs in India in September 2018 and confirmed Thailand's participation. Sitharaman is on an official visit to Thailand from August 27 to August 28.

Defence Minister holds bilateral talks with Thai leadership

A large number of heavily-armed terrorists are waiting across the Line of Control and the International Border for an opportunity to sneak into the state, Jammu and Kashmir police chief S P Vaid said today. The state director general of police, however, added that the Army and the Border Security Force personnel are keeping a tight vigil on the borders and have been largely successful to scuttle their attempts to infiltrate into the state.

Vaid also said a big campaign was underway on social media from Pakistan to trick youths into militancy on the basis of false propaganda but the police have taken effective measures to counter it and have managed to block many such accounts.

Talking to media persons after attestation-cum-passing out parade of 215 recruits at the Police Technical Training Institute here, Vaid said the intelligence reports suggest a huge presence of heavily-armed terrorists on launching pads across the LoC and the IB, awaiting an opportunity to sneak into the state.

“Our BSF and Army personnel, however, are fully alert to the challenge and it is because of their efforts that the terrorists are unable to succeed in their designs,” he said. He said the terrorists’ attempts are being successfully foiled by the security forces but “sometimes some of them do manage to infiltrate”.

Addressing the recruits earlier after inspecting the parade and taking the salute at the march past, Vaid said, “Our neighbouring country has launched a major campaign on social media to lure youths into terrorism and violence through wrong information.”

“We have taken measures to cover it and, accordingly, media cells have been created at the range, district and zonal levels. We have opened 26 Facebook pages at the district level, 189 at the police station and zonal levels and 31 twitter handles and have occupied the social media space to counter the malicious campaign,” the DGP said. He said many accounts feeding wrong information to mislead the youths have been successfully blocked.

Asked about the reports of local militants giving up violence, he said, “It is good that the local boys are giving up the path of terrorism and returning to the mainstream on appeals of their families. They are saving not only themselves and their families but are also saving the people of Kashmir from terrorism”.

“Some agencies and groups are misusing the social media to mislead the youths,” he said.

Vaid said the police also countered the rumours about Article 35A through social media yesterday which helped in stopping the agitation.

The protests and clashes rocked different parts of the Kashmir valley recently after rumours spread that the Supreme &nbspCourt has scrapped the Article 35A of the Constitution which guarantees special privileges and rights to the people of the state.

On the separatists’ call for a two-day strike in support of the Article 35A on August 30 and 31, he said, “We will deal with it effectively as we have been doing.”

The separatists and civil societies have launched a drive to retain the constitutional provision, the validity of which has been challenged in the Supreme court by an NGO.

On the sudden spurt of attacks on policemen, Vaid said various steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the policemen during their visits to their families. “Last time when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited the state and met the police personnel at Anantnag police lines (in south Kashmir), we made a request to him to sanction residential quarters for the cops and he asked us to submit a proposal,” he said.

The DGP said the proposal has been submitted to the Union Home Ministry through the state government for construction of 5000 quarters for policemen. “It is under consideration of the government and we are hopeful that it will be sanctioned,” he added.

On the sanction of two battalions to help people living within 10 km of the LoC and the IB, Vaid said the state government has given its approval and a board was being set up for making recruitment shortly.

Vaid said the police are also formulating a scheme for the special police officers (SPO) who have served the force for the last two decades. “We have taken up the matter with the government and I am hopeful of a positive response”.

The state director general of police, however, added that the Army and the Border Security Force personnel are keeping a tight vigil on the borders and have been largely successful to scuttle their attempts to infiltrate into the state.

A large number of heavily-armed terrorists are waiting across the Line of Control and the International Border for an opportunity to sneak into the state, Jammu and Kashmir police chief S P Vaid said today. The state director general of police, however, added that the Army and the Border Security Force personnel are keeping a tight vigil on the borders and have been largely successful to scuttle their attempts to infiltrate into the state. Vaid also said a big campaign was underway on social media from Pakistan to trick youths into militancy on the basis of false propaganda but the police have taken effective measures to counter it and have managed to block many such accounts. Talking to media persons after attestation-cum-passing out parade of 215 recruits at the Police Technical Training Institute here, Vaid said the intelligence reports suggest a huge presence of heavily-armed terrorists on launching pads across the LoC and the IB, awaiting an opportunity to sneak into the state. “Our BSF and Army personnel, however, are fully alert to the challenge and it is because of their efforts that the terrorists are unable to succeed in their designs,” he said. He said the terrorists’ attempts are being successfully foiled by the security forces but “sometimes some of them do manage to infiltrate”. Addressing the recruits earlier after inspecting the parade and taking the salute at the march past, Vaid said, “Our neighbouring country has launched a major campaign on social media to lure youths into terrorism and violence through wrong information.” “We have taken measures to cover it and, accordingly, media cells have been created at the range, district and zonal levels. We have opened 26 Facebook pages at the district level, 189 at the police station and zonal levels and 31 twitter handles and have occupied the social media space to counter the malicious campaign,” the DGP said. He said many accounts feeding wrong information to mislead the youths have been successfully blocked. Asked about the reports of local militants giving up violence, he said, “It is good that the local boys are giving up the path of terrorism and returning to the mainstream on appeals of their families. They are saving not only themselves and their families but are also saving the people of Kashmir from terrorism”. “Some agencies and groups are misusing the social media to mislead the youths,” he said. Vaid said the police also countered the rumours about Article 35A through social media yesterday which helped in stopping the agitation. The protests and clashes rocked different parts of the Kashmir valley recently after rumours spread that the Supreme &nbspCourt has scrapped the Article 35A of the Constitution which guarantees special privileges and rights to the people of the state. On the separatists’ call for a two-day strike in support of the Article 35A on August 30 and 31, he said, “We will deal with it effectively as we have been doing.” The separatists and civil societies have launched a drive to retain the constitutional provision, the validity of which has been challenged in the Supreme court by an NGO. On the sudden spurt of attacks on policemen, Vaid said various steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the policemen during their visits to their families. “Last time when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited the state and met the police personnel at Anantnag police lines (in south Kashmir), we made a request to him to sanction residential quarters for the cops and he asked us to submit a proposal,” he said. The DGP said the proposal has been submitted to the Union Home Ministry through the state government for construction of 5000 quarters for policemen. “It is under consideration of the government and we are hopeful that it will be sanctioned,” he added. On the sanction of two battalions to help people living within 10 km of the LoC and the IB, Vaid said the state government has given its approval and a board was being set up for making recruitment shortly. Vaid said the police are also formulating a scheme for the special police officers (SPO) who have served the force for the last two decades. “We have taken up the matter with the government and I am hopeful of a positive response”.

Large number of terrorists waiting at border to sneak into J&K: Police chief

Parts of Delhi received heavy rainfall during the early hours of Tuesday morning triggering waterlogging in many areas.&nbsp

Torrential rain accompanied by lightning was reported around Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, parts of South Delhi, Teen Murti Bhavan, Dhaula Kuan and RK Puram among other areas.

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Delhi: Visuals of waterlogged streets in Palam Mod area following heavy rainfall which lashed parts of the city last night. <a href="https://t.co/XfNE68MIhX">pic.twitter.com/XfNE68MIhX</a>
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted heavy rain at isolated places over Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Sub­Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Konkan, Goa, Telangana and Coastal Karnataka for Tuesday.

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Delhi: Streets in Dhaula Kuan area are waterlogged following heavy rain which lashed parts of the city tonight. <a href="https://t.co/9oGJGU6syg">pic.twitter.com/9oGJGU6syg</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1034225992040992769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, flood-ravaged Kerala got a respite from unabated rainfall last Monday. floodwaters across the state are on a decline.

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Rain and thunderstorm lashes parts of Delhi. Visuals from the area around Teen Murti Bhavan. <a href="https://t.co/mct4MGvWZY">pic.twitter.com/mct4MGvWZY</a>
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According to reports, nearly 400 people lost their lives in the deluge that hit Kerala this monsoon season. Over 10 lakh people were rendered homeless, taking shelter in over 5,000 relief camps put up across the state.&nbsp

While rehabilitation work is in full swing, the state struggles to get back to recovery. Cochin International Airport is expected to resume operations on August 29 after over two weeks.&nbsp

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted heavy rain at isolated places over Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh for Tuesday.

Parts of Delhi received heavy rainfall during the early hours of Tuesday morning triggering waterlogging in many areas. Torrential rain accompanied by lightning was reported around Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, parts of South Delhi, Teen Murti Bhavan, Dhaula Kuan and RK Puram among other areas. Delhi: Visuals of waterlogged streets in Palam Mod area following heavy rainfall which lashed parts of the city last night. pic.twitter.com/XfNE68MIhX — ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2018 × The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted heavy rain at isolated places over Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, SubHimalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Konkan, Goa, Telangana and Coastal Karnataka for Tuesday. Delhi: Streets in Dhaula Kuan area are waterlogged following heavy rain which lashed parts of the city tonight. pic.twitter.com/9oGJGU6syg — ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2018 × Meanwhile, flood-ravaged Kerala got a respite from unabated rainfall last Monday. floodwaters across the state are on a decline. Rain and thunderstorm lashes parts of Delhi. Visuals from the area around Teen Murti Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/mct4MGvWZY — ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2018 × According to reports, nearly 400 people lost their lives in the deluge that hit Kerala this monsoon season. Over 10 lakh people were rendered homeless, taking shelter in over 5,000 relief camps put up across the state. While rehabilitation work is in full swing, the state struggles to get back to recovery. Cochin International Airport is expected to resume operations on August 29 after over two weeks.

Heavy rain lash parts of Delhi, waterlogging in many areas

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhima-koregaon-violence-police-carry-out-raids-in-5-states-activists-arrested-162113">Bhima-Koregaon violence: Police carry out raids in 5 states, activists arrested</a>

Pune Police raided the homes and offices of activists in five states on Tuesday, arresting five. The arrests were made over the violence in Bhima Koregaon earlier this year.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-orders-reverification-of-10-of-people-excluded-from-assams-nrc-162106">Supreme Court orders </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-orders-reverification-of-10-of-people-excluded-from-assams-nrc-162106">reverification</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-orders-reverification-of-10-of-people-excluded-from-assams-nrc-162106"> of 10% of people excluded from Assam's NRC</a>

The Supreme Court today ordered reverification of 10 per cent of the people who were&nbspexcluded from Assam's&nbspdraft National Register of Citizens&nbsp(NRC) which was published recently.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-rejects-un-court-jurisdiction-in-iran-sanctions-case-162119">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-rejects-un-court-jurisdiction-in-iran-sanctions-case-162119"> rejects </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-rejects-un-court-jurisdiction-in-iran-sanctions-case-162119">International</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-rejects-un-court-jurisdiction-in-iran-sanctions-case-162119"> Court of Justice's jurisdiction in Iran sanctions case</a>

The United States told UN judges Tuesday they had no jurisdiction to rule on Tehran's demand for them to order the&nbspsuspension of debilitating nuclear-related sanctions against Iran.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/air-pollution-is-making-us-dumber-study-162096">Air pollution is making us dumber: Study</a>

The study was conducted by Xin Zhang of Beijing's School of Statistics, Xi Chen of the Yale School of Public Health, and Xiaobo Zhang of Peking University.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-demand-justice-after-un-probe-calls-for-genocide-prosecution-162118">Rohingya demand justice after UN probe calls for genocide prosecution</a>

Rohingya leaders in Bangladesh on Tuesday challenged the United Nations to ensure Myanmar's generals stand trial after investigators called for top military commanders to be prosecuted for genocide against the minority.

Bhima-Koregaon violence: Police carry out raids in 5 states, activists arrested Pune Police raided the homes and offices of activists in five states on Tuesday, arresting five. The arrests were made over the violence in Bhima Koregaon earlier this year. Supreme Court orders reverification of 10% of people excluded from Assam's NRC The Supreme Court today ordered reverification of 10 per cent of the people who were&nbspexcluded from Assam's&nbspdraft National Register of Citizens (NRC) which was published recently. US rejects International Court of Justice's jurisdiction in Iran sanctions case The United States told UN judges Tuesday they had no jurisdiction to rule on Tehran's demand for them to order the&nbspsuspension of debilitating nuclear-related sanctions against Iran. Air pollution is making us dumber: Study The study was conducted by Xin Zhang of Beijing's School of Statistics, Xi Chen of the Yale School of Public Health, and Xiaobo Zhang of Peking University. Rohingya demand justice after UN probe calls for genocide prosecution Rohingya leaders in Bangladesh on Tuesday challenged the United Nations to ensure Myanmar's generals stand trial after investigators called for top military commanders to be prosecuted for genocide against the minority.

News brief: Big stories of the day

India may probably become the fifth largest economy next year, asserted Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Arun Jaitley on Monday.

Jaitley's comments came while addressing the 71st Annual General Meeting of the Indian Banks Association, held in Mumbai on Monday. He addressed the meeting through video conferencing.

Emphasizing the vital role of the banking industry, Jaitley said, "Given the kind of economic activity happening in India, industries role will be vital in strengthening the economy itself".

He urged the industry to use the occasion of AGM to introspect and prepare a blueprint for the long-term."The sector should do this by upholding professionalism, credibility and expansion," Jaitley added.

Talking about the necessity of growth with fiscal prudence, the Finance Minister said, "The desire to have a high growth rate must be accompanied by strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

He said that sacrificing the fundamentals for the temporary spurt in growth is not desirable."

Jaitley further stated that the creation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has redefined the creditor-lender relationship in India and emphasized on the need to expedite the process.

He also said, "Indiscriminate lending done in the past created funding of projects which were not able to service those debts."

He observed that this was followed by the subsequent error of dressing up the bad loans. He noted that excessive fear of consequences in the old regime led to a situation where this problem could not be resolved.

Talking about the amendment to Section 29A of Prevention of Corruption Act and how it would prevent defaulting promoters from bidding, he said, "A pre-liberalization Prevention of Corruption Act could not attract the penal provisions for corruption the new law empowers civil servants, bankers and other decision makers."

Jaitley also highlighted the growth of the banking sector and its role in the growth of the economy and said, "The achievements of Jan Dhan Yojana, MUDRA Yojana and the low-cost insurance schemes are commendable. It is no small achievement for the banking sector to have reached every household."

Terming banking institution as the heart and soul of the economy, he added, "The contribution of the banking sector towards nation-building, especially in terms of support to industry, is invaluable. India is continuing its run as a fast-growing economy, and that it will continue to be in this sweet spot."

He also touched upon the subject of challenges to the economy and said, "Challenges are primarily external such as unpredictable oil prices, trade wars and sporadic political issues. Therefore it is all the more imperative that the domestic sector is equipped to deal with these external factors."

Jaitley said that the ability of the Government to spend on infrastructure has improved, due to increase in assessee base as well as tax collections.

He also asserted that banks play a vital role in job creation, infrastructure development, agricultural credit and others, making it the lifeline of the economy hence it becomes imperative to strengthen the credibility of the sector.

Jaitley also said that the onus is on banks to avoid even stray incidents of frauds.

Jaitley's comments came while addressing the 71st Annual General Meeting of the Indian Banks Association, held in Mumbai today.

India may probably become the fifth largest economy next year, asserted Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Arun Jaitley on Monday. Jaitley's comments came while addressing the 71st Annual General Meeting of the Indian Banks Association, held in Mumbai on Monday. He addressed the meeting through video conferencing. Emphasizing the vital role of the banking industry, Jaitley said, "Given the kind of economic activity happening in India, industries role will be vital in strengthening the economy itself". He urged the industry to use the occasion of AGM to introspect and prepare a blueprint for the long-term."The sector should do this by upholding professionalism, credibility and expansion," Jaitley added. Talking about the necessity of growth with fiscal prudence, the Finance Minister said, "The desire to have a high growth rate must be accompanied by strong macroeconomic fundamentals. He said that sacrificing the fundamentals for the temporary spurt in growth is not desirable." Jaitley further stated that the creation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has redefined the creditor-lender relationship in India and emphasized on the need to expedite the process. He also said, "Indiscriminate lending done in the past created funding of projects which were not able to service those debts." He observed that this was followed by the subsequent error of dressing up the bad loans. He noted that excessive fear of consequences in the old regime led to a situation where this problem could not be resolved. Talking about the amendment to Section 29A of Prevention of Corruption Act and how it would prevent defaulting promoters from bidding, he said, "A pre-liberalization Prevention of Corruption Act could not attract the penal provisions for corruption the new law empowers civil servants, bankers and other decision makers." Jaitley also highlighted the growth of the banking sector and its role in the growth of the economy and said, "The achievements of Jan Dhan Yojana, MUDRA Yojana and the low-cost insurance schemes are commendable. It is no small achievement for the banking sector to have reached every household." Terming banking institution as the heart and soul of the economy, he added, "The contribution of the banking sector towards nation-building, especially in terms of support to industry, is invaluable. India is continuing its run as a fast-growing economy, and that it will continue to be in this sweet spot." He also touched upon the subject of challenges to the economy and said, "Challenges are primarily external such as unpredictable oil prices, trade wars and sporadic political issues. Therefore it is all the more imperative that the domestic sector is equipped to deal with these external factors." Jaitley said that the ability of the Government to spend on infrastructure has improved, due to increase in assessee base as well as tax collections. He also asserted that banks play a vital role in job creation, infrastructure development, agricultural credit and others, making it the lifeline of the economy hence it becomes imperative to strengthen the credibility of the sector. Jaitley also said that the onus is on banks to avoid even stray incidents of frauds.

India may become fifth largest economy in 2018: Arun Jaitley

The Supreme Court today ordered reverification of 10 per cent of the people who were <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assam-nrc-former-president-fakhruddin-ali-ahmeds-family-not-on-the-list-156091">excluded from Assam's&nbsp;draft National Register of Citizens</a> (NRC) which was published recently.

A bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and RF Nariman said the reverification of those excluded from NRC was a "sample survey" for the satisfaction of the court and its schedule would be decided later.

The apex court also deferred the scheduled date of August 30 for receipt of claims and objections to the draft NRC, as it pointed out certain contradictions in the Centre's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the filing them.

The top court raised doubts over the Centre's proposal to allow a claimant to change his legacy document for inclusion in the draft.

The second draft NRC list was published on July 30 in which out of 3.29 crore people, the names of 2.89 crore were included. The names of 40,70,707 people do not figure in the list. Of these, 37,59,630 names have been rejected and the remaining 2,48,077 are on hold.

On July 31, the apex court had made it clear that there will be no coercive action by authorities against over 40 lakh people, whose names do not figure in the NRC while observing that it was merely a draft.

It had then asked the Centre to formulate modalities and the SOPs including timelines for deciding claims and objections arising out of the publication of the draft.

Earlier, the apex court had asked the Assam NRC coordinator to place before it the data of district-wise percentage of population excluded from the draft in the state.

On August 14, the Centre had told the apex court that distinct IDs will be created by collecting biometric details of 40 lakh people filing claims and objections with respect to the NRC.

It had said that after the publication of the final list of NRC, those people whose names will figure in it will be given usual Aadhaar number as applicable to legal residents in the country.

The first draft of the NRC for Assam was published on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 in accordance with the top court's direction. Names of 1.9 crore people out of the 3.29 crore applicants were incorporated then.

Assam, which had faced influx of people from Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only state having an NRC which was first prepared in 1951.&nbsp;

A bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and RF Nariman said the reverification of those excluded from the NRC was a 'sample survey' for the satisfaction of the court, and that the NRC's schedule would be decided later.

The Supreme Court today ordered reverification of 10 per cent of the people who were excluded from Assam's draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) which was published recently. A bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and RF Nariman said the reverification of those excluded from NRC was a "sample survey" for the satisfaction of the court and its schedule would be decided later. The apex court also deferred the scheduled date of August 30 for receipt of claims and objections to the draft NRC, as it pointed out certain contradictions in the Centre's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the filing them. The top court raised doubts over the Centre's proposal to allow a claimant to change his legacy document for inclusion in the draft. The second draft NRC list was published on July 30 in which out of 3.29 crore people, the names of 2.89 crore were included. The names of 40,70,707 people do not figure in the list. Of these, 37,59,630 names have been rejected and the remaining 2,48,077 are on hold. On July 31, the apex court had made it clear that there will be no coercive action by authorities against over 40 lakh people, whose names do not figure in the NRC while observing that it was merely a draft. It had then asked the Centre to formulate modalities and the SOPs including timelines for deciding claims and objections arising out of the publication of the draft. Earlier, the apex court had asked the Assam NRC coordinator to place before it the data of district-wise percentage of population excluded from the draft in the state. On August 14, the Centre had told the apex court that distinct IDs will be created by collecting biometric details of 40 lakh people filing claims and objections with respect to the NRC. It had said that after the publication of the final list of NRC, those people whose names will figure in it will be given usual Aadhaar number as applicable to legal residents in the country. The first draft of the NRC for Assam was published on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 in accordance with the top court's direction. Names of 1.9 crore people out of the 3.29 crore applicants were incorporated then. Assam, which had faced influx of people from Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only state having an NRC which was first prepared in 1951.

Supreme Court orders reverification of 10% of people excluded from Assam's NRC

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Tuesday passed a resolution at party's general council meeting urging the Union government to confer Bharat Ratna on late former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

This comes on a day when Karunanidhi's younger son MK Stalin was elected DMK's chief on Tuesday at party headquarters in Chennai. Stalin <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mk-stalin-has-taken-rebirth-today-claims-newly-appointed-dmk-chief-162074">later took oath</a> as the party chief.

The position of DMK president had been lying vacant after Karunanidhi's demise on August 7. He was 94.

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Karunanidhi was rushed to hospital from Gopalapuram residence in Chennai last month following a sudden drop in blood pressure.

The DMK chief was admitted to Kauvery hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was there since then.

The nonagenarian leader was suffering from fever and infection for the past few days and was being treated round-the-clock by a team of hospitals and nursing professionals at his house prior to being admitted to the hospital.

Late ex-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief and five-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu Muthuvel Karunanidhi breathed his last on August 7 in Chennai's Kauvery Hospital.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Tuesday passed a resolution at party's general council meeting urging the Union government to confer Bharat Ratna on late former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. This comes on a day when Karunanidhi's younger son MK Stalin was elected DMK's chief on Tuesday at party headquarters in Chennai. Stalin later took oath as the party chief. The position of DMK president had been lying vacant after Karunanidhi's demise on August 7. He was 94. Chennai: DMK passes a resolution at party's General Council meeting urging the Union government to confer Bharat Ratna to former Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/gUyaCcD9Kf — ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2018 × Karunanidhi was rushed to hospital from Gopalapuram residence in Chennai last month following a sudden drop in blood pressure. The DMK chief was admitted to Kauvery hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was there since then. The nonagenarian leader was suffering from fever and infection for the past few days and was being treated round-the-clock by a team of hospitals and nursing professionals at his house prior to being admitted to the hospital.

DMK wants Centre to confer Bharat Ratna on M Karunanidhi, passes resolution 

The Delhi Police has recently inducted an all-woman Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team comprising 36 elite women commandos, trained for anti-terrorist operations. The three wings of the military also have Special Forces which include MARCOS, Para Commandos, the Ghatak, the Garud Commando Force and the National Security Guards. In addition, the CRPF has the specialised COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) force and has trained women commandos to deal with difficult situations.

The members of these forces are equipped with body armours, communication systems, devices to enhance vision, and the best possible weapon systems.

The issue that is emerging is whether neuroscience, biotechnology, nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence could be used to enhance the capabilities of the Special Forces to help them complete missions more safely, effectively and economically. In a number of war-like situations, the human brain is faster than a computer in perceiving threats, yet a computer is faster than a human being in calculating countermeasures. Therefore, the forces that are able to combine the two will gain an advantage over those that do not. Enhancing the capability of security personnel with the help of neuroscience is another area that is being explored. For instance, currently one operator is needed to pilot a single drone. If the cognitive capabilities of a drone operator can be enhanced, a single operator may be able to pilot a swarm of drones in future.

The medical enhancement of the capabilities of troops is not new. Throughout history, Armies have used risky enhancements such as addictive drugs to improve soldiers’ performance. For example, caffeine, modanifil, and amphetamines have been shown to be highly effective in temporarily reversing the degradation of the mental performance of sleep-deprived soldiers. The US military and other armies gave amphetamines to soldiers to overcome battle fatigue during World War II.&nbsp;

The German military provided a stimulant called Pervitin to soldiers in combat. During the Vietnam War, the level of psychoactive substances consumption by military personnel was unprecedented in American history. David Grossman in On Killing, writes, “Vietnam was the first war in which the forces of modern pharmacology were directed to empower the battlefield soldier.” Even today, military personnel are prescribed such drugs however, this is treated as classified information.

In a few developed countries, neurological research is directed towards developing military applications for human enhancement—to reduce the need for sleep, to increase the brain’s capacity to retrieve information pertinent to a specific mission, to assist in decision-making under extreme battlefield stress. This may have serious ethical, legal, social, and operational implications.

The ethical issues which emerge are: If an “enhanced soldier” went out of control and violated the laws of war, who would be at fault? Would it be the soldier, the combat leader, or the medical team that created him? Wars are governed by international humanitarian law (IHL), which is a set of legal principles designed to protect those affected by conflict and to regulate the means of warfare. Under the IHL, military action must meet military necessity, use force that is proportional to the objective obtained, treat combatants and prisoners of war humanely, and not target civilians.&nbsp;

Would we have to modify IHL to deal with enhanced soldiers? Could an enhanced soldier who is taken a prisoner of war be subjected to reverse engineering, biological or neural implants? Would it be permissible to overload an implanted chip such that it may cause brain damage through an electrical overload of neural circuits in a soldier? What would be the ethics of fighting an enhanced soldier? Would the Geneva Conventions apply?

The human rights issues relating to enhanced soldiers are more complex. Despite their enhanced status such soldiers would remain fundamentally human. The preamble of all the universal human rights instruments refer to “all members of the human family” and address the rights contained therein to “all human beings”.&nbsp;

Soldiers have the right to life, except in respect of deaths resulting from lawful acts of war. Enhancement technologies may adversely affect the right to life where the use of a particular technology poses a risk to a soldier and may result in his death. On the other hand, enhanced soldiers may infringe on the right to life by causing the wrongful death of civilians while under the influence of their enhancement. While an enhanced soldier who can withstand pain and operate effectively under stress may benefit a State, the opponent may be forced to develop weapons that cause excruciating pain or suffering to neutralise such a soldier.&nbsp;

While the enhancement of soldiers sounds tempting, genetic engineering has a serious downside. Its unpredictable nature generates questions of safety and the potential side-effects of modifying genetic pathways. We must not forget that athletes are forbidden to use illegal substances to increase their performance. Governments must consider all the pros and cons of genetic engineering before deciding whether its use in the military and other forces would be truly advantageous. 
 
(The author is a Wing Commander Retd) 
 
(This article was first published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-creating-super-soldiers-through-enhancement-technologies-2655612">original article.</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The members of these forces are equipped with body armours, communication systems, devices to enhance vision, and the best possible weapon systems.

The Delhi Police has recently inducted an all-woman Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team comprising 36 elite women commandos, trained for anti-terrorist operations. The three wings of the military also have Special Forces which include MARCOS, Para Commandos, the Ghatak, the Garud Commando Force and the National Security Guards. In addition, the CRPF has the specialised COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) force and has trained women commandos to deal with difficult situations. The members of these forces are equipped with body armours, communication systems, devices to enhance vision, and the best possible weapon systems. The issue that is emerging is whether neuroscience, biotechnology, nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence could be used to enhance the capabilities of the Special Forces to help them complete missions more safely, effectively and economically. In a number of war-like situations, the human brain is faster than a computer in perceiving threats, yet a computer is faster than a human being in calculating countermeasures. Therefore, the forces that are able to combine the two will gain an advantage over those that do not. Enhancing the capability of security personnel with the help of neuroscience is another area that is being explored. For instance, currently one operator is needed to pilot a single drone. If the cognitive capabilities of a drone operator can be enhanced, a single operator may be able to pilot a swarm of drones in future. The medical enhancement of the capabilities of troops is not new. Throughout history, Armies have used risky enhancements such as addictive drugs to improve soldiers’ performance. For example, caffeine, modanifil, and amphetamines have been shown to be highly effective in temporarily reversing the degradation of the mental performance of sleep-deprived soldiers. The US military and other armies gave amphetamines to soldiers to overcome battle fatigue during World War II. The German military provided a stimulant called Pervitin to soldiers in combat. During the Vietnam War, the level of psychoactive substances consumption by military personnel was unprecedented in American history. David Grossman in On Killing, writes, “Vietnam was the first war in which the forces of modern pharmacology were directed to empower the battlefield soldier.” Even today, military personnel are prescribed such drugs however, this is treated as classified information. In a few developed countries, neurological research is directed towards developing military applications for human enhancement—to reduce the need for sleep, to increase the brain’s capacity to retrieve information pertinent to a specific mission, to assist in decision-making under extreme battlefield stress. This may have serious ethical, legal, social, and operational implications. The ethical issues which emerge are: If an “enhanced soldier” went out of control and violated the laws of war, who would be at fault? Would it be the soldier, the combat leader, or the medical team that created him? Wars are governed by international humanitarian law (IHL), which is a set of legal principles designed to protect those affected by conflict and to regulate the means of warfare. Under the IHL, military action must meet military necessity, use force that is proportional to the objective obtained, treat combatants and prisoners of war humanely, and not target civilians. Would we have to modify IHL to deal with enhanced soldiers? Could an enhanced soldier who is taken a prisoner of war be subjected to reverse engineering, biological or neural implants? Would it be permissible to overload an implanted chip such that it may cause brain damage through an electrical overload of neural circuits in a soldier? What would be the ethics of fighting an enhanced soldier? Would the Geneva Conventions apply? The human rights issues relating to enhanced soldiers are more complex. Despite their enhanced status such soldiers would remain fundamentally human. The preamble of all the universal human rights instruments refer to “all members of the human family” and address the rights contained therein to “all human beings”. Soldiers have the right to life, except in respect of deaths resulting from lawful acts of war. Enhancement technologies may adversely affect the right to life where the use of a particular technology poses a risk to a soldier and may result in his death. On the other hand, enhanced soldiers may infringe on the right to life by causing the wrongful death of civilians while under the influence of their enhancement. While an enhanced soldier who can withstand pain and operate effectively under stress may benefit a State, the opponent may be forced to develop weapons that cause excruciating pain or suffering to neutralise such a soldier. While the enhancement of soldiers sounds tempting, genetic engineering has a serious downside. Its unpredictable nature generates questions of safety and the potential side-effects of modifying genetic pathways. We must not forget that athletes are forbidden to use illegal substances to increase their performance. Governments must consider all the pros and cons of genetic engineering before deciding whether its use in the military and other forces would be truly advantageous. (The author is a Wing Commander Retd) (This article was first published on The DNA. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Creating ‘super soldiers’ through enhancement technologies

India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru has been dead for the last fifty&nbsp;four years. He passed away on May 27, 1964 at his official residence in Delhi. A doyen of the independence movement, Nehru served as the Prime Minister of India for the first 17 years of the Republic. 
 
His contribution to India in the fields of industry, foreign affairs, arts and culture, education and institutional strengthening is so immense and enduring that even more than five decades after his death, Nehru continues to remain in news. Not so much for his achievements, which have increasingly become a topic of dispute between Nehru’s critics and the Congress party. 
 
Dr Manmohan Singh’s letter to Prime Minister Modi is one of the latest attempts by the Congress to emphasise that Nehru’s legacy is above party politics and that it belongs “not just to the Congress” but the “entire nation.”  On the one hand BJP government is building a multi-million dollar statue of Patel in Gujarat, on the other it is proposing to make Nehru’s memorial a shared space for all former Prime Ministers of India.&nbsp;

The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library located near the Parliament used to be residence of the Commander in Chief of the British army. Today its sprawling grounds that&nbsp;house the Nehru Memorial Museum, a medieval hinting lodge built in the reign of Firoz Shah Tuglaq, and the Planetarium. Abutting the old building that was the residence of Nehru is the Library that houses lakhs of books, microfilms, private papers, and photographs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The library is open to all kinds of bonafide researchers and remains a true safe and liberating space for those seeking to indulge in genuine research. The plan to build more memorials for all previous Prime Ministers of India stands to seriously jeopardise the scholarly environs of the Nehru library.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It’s a lose-lose for members of the library, many of whom seek refuge in the quietude afforded by the 30-acres campus that houses only three buildings.&nbsp; More memorials would mean more construction, and more construction would mean more noise and pollution.&nbsp;

The tender for the ‘New Museum’ itself says that “the Founders of the NMML decided that as an autonomous organisation it should have three main constituents: a Memorial Museum, a Library and a Centre for research relating to modern Indian History. The Nehru Memorial Museum at the Teen Murti House is a national memorial. Developed primarily as a personalia museum, it seeks to give a glimpse into the life and works of Jawaharlal Nehru, the ideals cherished by him, the great Independence movement of which he was an integral part and a record of the early years of independent India.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Despite this acknowledgement of the historical purpose of the Nehru Memorial the tender goes on to say that ‘Ministry of Culture, Government of India proposes to set up a modernistic and sui generis museum building dedicated to the ‘PRIME MINISTERS OF INDIA’ in the premises of Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi. The New Museum will celebrate, document and disseminate the lives and contributions of all the Prime Ministers of India.”.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By all means all PMs deserve to be commemorated. But, must that be done within the precincts of the memorial that was solely dedicated to Jawaharlal Nehru? &nbsp;

Surely, if there is space for new buildings to come up in the India Gate hexagon grounds, a memorial to all PMs could come up there. If it is to celebrate the legacy of these PMs it is indeed more sensible to make this memorial where there is&nbsp;more footfalls.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Visitors to Teen Murti house or the Nehru Memorial come from all across the country and in and around Delhi. They come as part of school trips and packaged tours. For many of them it’s their first trip to Delhi and perhaps the only for a long time to come. At the memorial they revise their knowledge about the independence moment and gawk at the spartan style of living of India’s first Prime Minister. &nbsp;

They express amazement at the number of books in his personal rooms, the long pens and ink-pots, Nehru’s shervanis and achkans, and hundreds of photos that show the very human side of &nbsp;the man who served as Prime Minister for the longest time. &nbsp;

NMML’s Director, Shakti Sinha has tried to allay fears expressed by former Prime Minster Dr Manmohan Singh about the government’s unstated policy of ‘obliteration’ of Nehru. Sinha says that they are only to trying to make the memorial ‘Nehru-plus’ and not trying to reduce his importance.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sinha’s assurances are welcome as it would be the greatest disservice to a Prime Minister who worked ceaselessly till his dying day to build a modern, inclusive and equal India.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Nehru's contribution to India in the fields of industry, foreign affairs, arts and culture, education and institutional strengthening is immense and enduring.

India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru has been dead for the last fifty four years. He passed away on May 27, 1964 at his official residence in Delhi. A doyen of the independence movement, Nehru served as the Prime Minister of India for the first 17 years of the Republic. His contribution to India in the fields of industry, foreign affairs, arts and culture, education and institutional strengthening is so immense and enduring that even more than five decades after his death, Nehru continues to remain in news. Not so much for his achievements, which have increasingly become a topic of dispute between Nehru’s critics and the Congress party. Dr Manmohan Singh’s letter to Prime Minister Modi is one of the latest attempts by the Congress to emphasise that Nehru’s legacy is above party politics and that it belongs “not just to the Congress” but the “entire nation.”  On the one hand BJP government is building a multi-million dollar statue of Patel in Gujarat, on the other it is proposing to make Nehru’s memorial a shared space for all former Prime Ministers of India. The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library located near the Parliament used to be residence of the Commander in Chief of the British army. Today its sprawling grounds that house the Nehru Memorial Museum, a medieval hinting lodge built in the reign of Firoz Shah Tuglaq, and the Planetarium. Abutting the old building that was the residence of Nehru is the Library that houses lakhs of books, microfilms, private papers, and photographs. The library is open to all kinds of bonafide researchers and remains a true safe and liberating space for those seeking to indulge in genuine research. The plan to build more memorials for all previous Prime Ministers of India stands to seriously jeopardise the scholarly environs of the Nehru library. It’s a lose-lose for members of the library, many of whom seek refuge in the quietude afforded by the 30-acres campus that houses only three buildings. More memorials would mean more construction, and more construction would mean more noise and pollution. The tender for the ‘New Museum’ itself says that “the Founders of the NMML decided that as an autonomous organisation it should have three main constituents: a Memorial Museum, a Library and a Centre for research relating to modern Indian History. The Nehru Memorial Museum at the Teen Murti House is a national memorial. Developed primarily as a personalia museum, it seeks to give a glimpse into the life and works of Jawaharlal Nehru, the ideals cherished by him, the great Independence movement of which he was an integral part and a record of the early years of independent India.” Despite this acknowledgement of the historical purpose of the Nehru Memorial the tender goes on to say that ‘Ministry of Culture, Government of India proposes to set up a modernistic and sui generis museum building dedicated to the ‘PRIME MINISTERS OF INDIA’ in the premises of Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi. The New Museum will celebrate, document and disseminate the lives and contributions of all the Prime Ministers of India.”. By all means all PMs deserve to be commemorated. But, must that be done within the precincts of the memorial that was solely dedicated to Jawaharlal Nehru? Surely, if there is space for new buildings to come up in the India Gate hexagon grounds, a memorial to all PMs could come up there. If it is to celebrate the legacy of these PMs it is indeed more sensible to make this memorial where there is more footfalls. Visitors to Teen Murti house or the Nehru Memorial come from all across the country and in and around Delhi. They come as part of school trips and packaged tours. For many of them it’s their first trip to Delhi and perhaps the only for a long time to come. At the memorial they revise their knowledge about the independence moment and gawk at the spartan style of living of India’s first Prime Minister. They express amazement at the number of books in his personal rooms, the long pens and ink-pots, Nehru’s shervanis and achkans, and hundreds of photos that show the very human side of the man who served as Prime Minister for the longest time. NMML’s Director, Shakti Sinha has tried to allay fears expressed by former Prime Minster Dr Manmohan Singh about the government’s unstated policy of ‘obliteration’ of Nehru. Sinha says that they are only to trying to make the memorial ‘Nehru-plus’ and not trying to reduce his importance. Sinha’s assurances are welcome as it would be the greatest disservice to a Prime Minister who worked ceaselessly till his dying day to build a modern, inclusive and equal India. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Politics over Nehru Memorial must stop

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi reached Trivandrum, Kerala this morning and headed Chengannur in a helicopter. Gandhi is on a two-day visit to flood-hit Kerala.&nbsp;

According to reports, Gandhi will&nbsp;visit Alappuzha and Angamaly later in the day.

After visiting flood-hit areas and relief camps, Gandhi will also meet with the "fishermen, volunteers and others who have been working tirelessly and selflessly to help those in need," Gandhi tweeted out on Monday.&nbsp;

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Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits a relief camp in Chengannur. He is on a 2-day visit to the flood-hit Kerala. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeralaFloods?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KeralaFloods</a> <a href="https://t.co/6G6pCqgBo5">pic.twitter.com/6G6pCqgBo5</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1034308980170993666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On Wednesday, the Congress president is scheduled to flag off trucks with relief materials collected by the Congress committee in the Ernakulam district.

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I will be in Kerala tomorrow & the day after, visiting flood hit areas & relief camps in the state. I will also meet with fishermen, volunteers & others who have been working tirelessly & selflessly to help those in need. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeralaFloods?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KeralaFloods</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1034023572123992064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rahul Gandhi, last week, on the occasion of Kerala's harvest festival, Onam, extended wishes to the people of the state and urged people to stay "united" to focus on the task of rebuilding Kerala.&nbsp;

"This is a difficult time for the people of Kerala. In relief camps & homes across the state, people are grieving for their loved ones. On this Onam let us pledge to put aside our differences, stand united together and focus on the task of #RebuildingKerala," read the tweet.&nbsp;

The devastating floods in Kerala have claimed as many as 373 lives this monsoon season in what has been described as the worst flood and rainfall to have hit the state in almost a century.&nbsp;

Unabated rainfall prompted state authorities to open shutters of nearly 33 dams and reservoirs in the state which led to severe flooding and destruction across the state.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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This is a difficult time for the people of Kerala. In relief camps & homes across the state, people are grieving for their loved ones. On this Onam let us pledge to put aside our differences, stand united together and focus on the task of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RebuildingKerala?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RebuildingKerala</a>.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1033205677458681856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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More than 10 lakh people were displaced and rendered homeless, with the majority still taking shelter in relief camps spread across the state. The rescue operation has trickled down with rehabilitation work and reconstruction mission in full swing.&nbsp;

Kerala government has stated a cumulative loss of worth over Rs 21,000 crore to the state.&nbsp;

According to reports, Gandhi will reach Kerala on Tuesday morning at 10 am and will head straight to Chengannur in a helicopter.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi reached Trivandrum, Kerala this morning and headed Chengannur in a helicopter. Gandhi is on a two-day visit to flood-hit Kerala. According to reports, Gandhi will visit Alappuzha and Angamaly later in the day. After visiting flood-hit areas and relief camps, Gandhi will also meet with the "fishermen, volunteers and others who have been working tirelessly and selflessly to help those in need," Gandhi tweeted out on Monday. Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits a relief camp in Chengannur. He is on a 2-day visit to the flood-hit Kerala. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/6G6pCqgBo5 — ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2018 × On Wednesday, the Congress president is scheduled to flag off trucks with relief materials collected by the Congress committee in the Ernakulam district. I will be in Kerala tomorrow & the day after, visiting flood hit areas & relief camps in the state. I will also meet with fishermen, volunteers & others who have been working tirelessly & selflessly to help those in need. #KeralaFloods — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 27, 2018 × Rahul Gandhi, last week, on the occasion of Kerala's harvest festival, Onam, extended wishes to the people of the state and urged people to stay "united" to focus on the task of rebuilding Kerala. "This is a difficult time for the people of Kerala. In relief camps & homes across the state, people are grieving for their loved ones. On this Onam let us pledge to put aside our differences, stand united together and focus on the task of #RebuildingKerala," read the tweet. The devastating floods in Kerala have claimed as many as 373 lives this monsoon season in what has been described as the worst flood and rainfall to have hit the state in almost a century. Unabated rainfall prompted state authorities to open shutters of nearly 33 dams and reservoirs in the state which led to severe flooding and destruction across the state. This is a difficult time for the people of Kerala. In relief camps & homes across the state, people are grieving for their loved ones. On this Onam let us pledge to put aside our differences, stand united together and focus on the task of #RebuildingKerala. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 25, 2018 × More than 10 lakh people were displaced and rendered homeless, with the majority still taking shelter in relief camps spread across the state. The rescue operation has trickled down with rehabilitation work and reconstruction mission in full swing. Kerala government has stated a cumulative loss of worth over Rs 21,000 crore to the state.

Rahul Gandhi's two-day visit to flood-ravaged Kerala begins

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president and son of late former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was elected as party's chief on Tuesday at party headquarters in Chennai.&nbsp;

DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan said that 1,307 party officials supported Stalin's candidature. Senior leader Duraimurugan was also elected unopposed as the party's Treasurer.

The position of DMK president had been lying vacant after the demise of M Karunanidhi on August 7.

Stalin was holding the post of working president in the party while Alagiri was expelled from the political outfit in March 2014 by Karunanidhi for slanderous attacks on senior party members and carrying out anti-party activities.

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MK Stalin elected as President of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) at party headquarters in Chennai. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> (Images source- Kalaignar TV) <a href="https://t.co/TWrlVXDyDF">pic.twitter.com/TWrlVXDyDF</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1034306382344798209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Stalin filed nomination for the post of president on Sunday. Hours later, Alagiri said he will decide the future course of action after the by-elections are announced.

The political battle between Alagiri and Stalin intensified after Alagiri on August 13 claimed, "All the supporters in Tamil Nadu are on my side and are encouraging me only. Only time will give the answers that is all I am willing to say now."

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Chennai: MK Stalin pays tribute to CN Annadurai and M Karunanidhi after being elected as the President of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) at party headquarters. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://t.co/3tJ1iBylho">pic.twitter.com/3tJ1iBylho</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1034308310110023680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Founded by CN Annadurai in 1949, DMK was a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam that was popularly known as the Justice Party until 1944.

Former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi headed the party from 1969 until his demise in August.&nbsp;

The position of DMK president had been lying vacant after the demise of M Karunanidhi on August 7.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president and son of late former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was elected as party's chief on Tuesday at party headquarters in Chennai. DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan said that 1,307 party officials supported Stalin's candidature. Senior leader Duraimurugan was also elected unopposed as the party's Treasurer. The position of DMK president had been lying vacant after the demise of M Karunanidhi on August 7. Stalin was holding the post of working president in the party while Alagiri was expelled from the political outfit in March 2014 by Karunanidhi for slanderous attacks on senior party members and carrying out anti-party activities. MK Stalin elected as President of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) at party headquarters in Chennai. #TamilNadu (Images source- Kalaignar TV) pic.twitter.com/TWrlVXDyDF — ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2018 × Stalin filed nomination for the post of president on Sunday. Hours later, Alagiri said he will decide the future course of action after the by-elections are announced. The political battle between Alagiri and Stalin intensified after Alagiri on August 13 claimed, "All the supporters in Tamil Nadu are on my side and are encouraging me only. Only time will give the answers that is all I am willing to say now." Chennai: MK Stalin pays tribute to CN Annadurai and M Karunanidhi after being elected as the President of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) at party headquarters. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/3tJ1iBylho — ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2018 × Founded by CN Annadurai in 1949, DMK was a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam that was popularly known as the Justice Party until 1944. Former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi headed the party from 1969 until his demise in August.

MK Stalin elected as DMK president, Duraimurugan becomes party treasurer

MK Stalin on Tuesday addressed the party members as the newly-elected DMK president.&nbsp;Stalin addressed DMK members at the party headquarters in Chennai.&nbsp;

"MK Stalin today has taken a rebirth," the newly-appointed chief noted.&nbsp;

He stated that the party is bigger than any individual entity and admitted that the only thing that worries him is the fact that his father, Tamil Nadu's Kalaignar M Karunanidhi, is not present to witness this day.&nbsp;

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Today's political situation has come as a grave challenge. Education, art, literature, religion are under attack by authoritative&communal forces. Union govt is trying to destabilise judiciary, selection of governors. All this has dealt a blow to the secular principles: MK Stalin <a href="https://t.co/0qC8NTWaN0">pic.twitter.com/0qC8NTWaN0</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1034350008080855040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Today's political situation has come as a grave challenge. Education, art, literature, religion are under an attack by authoritative and communal forces. Union government is trying to destabilise the&nbsp;judiciary, selection of governors. All this has dealt a blow to the secular principle," Stalin stated.&nbsp;

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president and son of late former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi was elected as party's chief on Tuesday at the party's General Council meeting.&nbsp;

DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan said that 1,307 party officials supported Stalin's candidature. Senior leader Duraimurugan was also elected unopposed as the party's Treasurer.

The position of DMK president had been lying vacant after the demise of M Karunanidhi on August 7.

Stalin was holding the post of working president in the party while Alagiri was expelled from the political outfit in March 2014 by Karunanidhi for slanderous attacks on senior party members and carrying out anti-party activities.

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Stalin addressed party members at DMK headquarters in Chennai today.

MK Stalin on Tuesday addressed the party members as the newly-elected DMK president. Stalin addressed DMK members at the party headquarters in Chennai. "MK Stalin today has taken a rebirth," the newly-appointed chief noted. He stated that the party is bigger than any individual entity and admitted that the only thing that worries him is the fact that his father, Tamil Nadu's Kalaignar M Karunanidhi, is not present to witness this day. Today's political situation has come as a grave challenge. Education, art, literature, religion are under attack by authoritative&communal forces. Union govt is trying to destabilise judiciary, selection of governors. All this has dealt a blow to the secular principles: MK Stalin pic.twitter.com/0qC8NTWaN0 — ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2018 × "Today's political situation has come as a grave challenge. Education, art, literature, religion are under an attack by authoritative and communal forces. Union government is trying to destabilise the judiciary, selection of governors. All this has dealt a blow to the secular principle," Stalin stated. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president and son of late former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi was elected as party's chief on Tuesday at the party's General Council meeting. DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan said that 1,307 party officials supported Stalin's candidature. Senior leader Duraimurugan was also elected unopposed as the party's Treasurer. The position of DMK president had been lying vacant after the demise of M Karunanidhi on August 7. Stalin was holding the post of working president in the party while Alagiri was expelled from the political outfit in March 2014 by Karunanidhi for slanderous attacks on senior party members and carrying out anti-party activities.

'MK Stalin has taken rebirth today,' says newly-appointed DMK chief 

Indian Space Research Organisation is set to launch country's second lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-2, in January 2019, ISRO chief Kailasavadivoo Sivan announced at a conference in Delhi today.&nbsp;

According to sources, space research organisation also plans to launch 19 missions by March next year.

During the conference, details were given out on various other ISRO missions that the organisation plans to undertake in the coming year which includes the much-awaited Indian Human Spaceflight programme -- Gaganyaan.

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Mass of Chandrayan 2 has increased to 3.8 ton which can't be launched by GSLV.We have redefined launch vehicle to GSLV-Mk-III.Window for launch is 03Jan-16Feb. It would be the first mission in world going near South Pole,i.e. 72 degree South is landing site: ISRO Chairman K Sivan <a href="https://t.co/63Y8vkjVEl">pic.twitter.com/63Y8vkjVEl</a>
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Gaganyaan will be lifted into space by launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III. Before sending humans into space, two unmanned Gaganyaan missions will be undertaken.&nbsp;

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Union Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/DrJitendraSingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrJitendraSingh</a> says that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISRO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISRO</a> is on the verge of launching the first Indian into space <a href="https://t.co/GnPwxOecSR">pic.twitter.com/GnPwxOecSR</a>
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Gaganyaan programme is expected to be completed before 2022 with the first unmanned flight to come within 30 months wherein India aims to send a three-person crew to space for a week. The programme is likely to cost around Rs 10,000 crore.

Gaganyaan is expected to weigh&nbsp;a whopping&nbsp;7 tons and will serve the primary purpose of carrying out a micro-gravity experiment, Sivan stated.&nbsp;

The Indian Human Spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech this month.

According to sources, space research organisation plans to launch 19 missions by March next year.

Indian Space Research Organisation is set to launch country's second lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-2, in January 2019, ISRO chief Kailasavadivoo Sivan announced at a conference in Delhi today. According to sources, space research organisation also plans to launch 19 missions by March next year. During the conference, details were given out on various other ISRO missions that the organisation plans to undertake in the coming year which includes the much-awaited Indian Human Spaceflight programme -- Gaganyaan. Mass of Chandrayan 2 has increased to 3.8 ton which can't be launched by GSLV.We have redefined launch vehicle to GSLV-Mk-III.Window for launch is 03Jan-16Feb. It would be the first mission in world going near South Pole,i.e. 72 degree South is landing site: ISRO Chairman K Sivan pic.twitter.com/63Y8vkjVEl — ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2018 × Gaganyaan will be lifted into space by launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III. Before sending humans into space, two unmanned Gaganyaan missions will be undertaken. Union Minister @DrJitendraSingh says that #ISRO is on the verge of launching the first Indian into space pic.twitter.com/GnPwxOecSR — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 28, 2018 × Gaganyaan programme is expected to be completed before 2022 with the first unmanned flight to come within 30 months wherein India aims to send a three-person crew to space for a week. The programme is likely to cost around Rs 10,000 crore. Gaganyaan is expected to weigh a whopping 7 tons and will serve the primary purpose of carrying out a micro-gravity experiment, Sivan stated. The Indian Human Spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech this month.

ISRO plans big for 2019: Human spacelift programme among 19 missions to launch by March

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is likely to meet her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi in New York next month, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA).

Both the foreign ministers will be present at the 73rd session of the UNGA which will begin on September 18.

The development comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Imran Khan on being sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Last week, Pakistan signalled that Imran Khan may not be able to attend the meet in order to cut down government expenses.

However, senior Pakistani diplomats urged him to reconsider the decision, saying that representing Pakistan was not a waste of funds, particularly on key issues like Kashmir and Afghanistan, Dawn reported.

Earlier on August 22, Khan expressed interest with regards to a meeting between Swaraj and Qureshi, stating that both the countries must engage in dialogue to resolve their differences.&nbsp

Last week, Pakistan signalled that Imran Khan may not be able to attend the meet in order to cut down government expenses.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is likely to meet her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi in New York next month, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA). Both the foreign ministers will be present at the 73rd session of the UNGA which will begin on September 18. The development comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Imran Khan on being sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan. Last week, Pakistan signalled that Imran Khan may not be able to attend the meet in order to cut down government expenses. However, senior Pakistani diplomats urged him to reconsider the decision, saying that representing Pakistan was not a waste of funds, particularly on key issues like Kashmir and Afghanistan, Dawn reported. Earlier on August 22, Khan expressed interest with regards to a meeting between Swaraj and Qureshi, stating that both the countries must engage in dialogue to resolve their differences.

Sushma Swaraj may meet Pak Foreign Minister Qureshi next month

India's investigating agency the <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/antigua-pm-promises-cooperation-in-mehul-choksi-fraud-case-155151">Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) </a>has asked the Antiguan government to arrest Mehul Choksi accused in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank(PNB) case.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/took-citizenship-of-antigua-last-year-to-expand-business-mehul-choksi-154989">Also Read:&nbsp;I have decided to reside in Antigua and Barbuda, says&nbsp;Mehul Choksi</a>

The Indian government has already submitted the extradition request for Mehul Choksi to the Antigua & Barbuda foreign ministry.

The CBI said the Red Corner Notice(RCN) issued by the Interpol is not necessary as its a custodial matter with the location of the accused already verified by authorities.

The CBI has sent a letter to the Antigua government through Ministry of External Affairs(MEA). The CBI had earlier requested the Interpol to issue an RCN for Choksi when it was&nbsp;trying to ascertain his whereabouts.&nbsp;

Choksi had reportedly taken Antiguan citizenship last year and moved to the Caribbean country in July this year after leaving India.&nbsp;Mehul Choksi had said in a statement that he had moved to Antigua and Barbuda under the Citizenship by Investment program.

Choksi who owns Gitanjali Gems is under investigation for his role in the PNB scam along with his nephew Nirav Modi. The CBI had earlier arrested the vice-president of Gitanjali group Vipul Chitalia.

PNB had said the two jewellery groups headed by Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi had defrauded it of about $2.2 billion by raising credit from overseas branches of other Indian banks using illegal guarantees issued by rogue PNB staff at a Mumbai branch over several years.&nbsp; 
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The CBI said the Red Corner Notice issued by the Interpol is not necessary

India's investigating agency the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has asked the Antiguan government to arrest Mehul Choksi accused in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank(PNB) case. Also Read: I have decided to reside in Antigua and Barbuda, says Mehul Choksi The Indian government has already submitted the extradition request for Mehul Choksi to the Antigua & Barbuda foreign ministry. The CBI said the Red Corner Notice(RCN) issued by the Interpol is not necessary as its a custodial matter with the location of the accused already verified by authorities. The CBI has sent a letter to the Antigua government through Ministry of External Affairs(MEA). The CBI had earlier requested the Interpol to issue an RCN for Choksi when it was trying to ascertain his whereabouts. Choksi had reportedly taken Antiguan citizenship last year and moved to the Caribbean country in July this year after leaving India. Mehul Choksi had said in a statement that he had moved to Antigua and Barbuda under the Citizenship by Investment program. Choksi who owns Gitanjali Gems is under investigation for his role in the PNB scam along with his nephew Nirav Modi. The CBI had earlier arrested the vice-president of Gitanjali group Vipul Chitalia. PNB had said the two jewellery groups headed by Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi had defrauded it of about $2.2 billion by raising credit from overseas branches of other Indian banks using illegal guarantees issued by rogue PNB staff at a Mumbai branch over several years.

Arrest Mehul Choksi, no need for Red Corner Notice: CBI to Antiguan government

Three people were rescued even as some were feared trapped after two building blocks constructed under a government housing scheme nearly decades ago collapsed in Ahmedabad.

Many trapped after decades-old buildings collapse In Ahmedabad

The Supreme Court on Monday sought response of the Centre and WhatsApp on a plea alleging that the social media giant does not comply with the provision of appointing a grievance officer and other laws of India.

A bench of Justices R F Nariman and Indu Malhotra issued a notice to the Centre and the messaging platform on a plea filed by an organisation, Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change, to restrain the social media giant from proceeding with its payment systems unless it fully complies with provisions of the Reserve Bank of India.

The top court has asked the parties to file the reply within four weeks.

The bench issued notice to the Centre and the messaging platform on a plea filed by an organisation, to restrain the social media giant from proceeding with its payment systems unless it fully complies with provisions of the Reserve Bank of India.

The Supreme Court on Monday sought response of the Centre and WhatsApp on a plea alleging that the social media giant does not comply with the provision of appointing a grievance officer and other laws of India. A bench of Justices R F Nariman and Indu Malhotra issued a notice to the Centre and the messaging platform on a plea filed by an organisation, Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change, to restrain the social media giant from proceeding with its payment systems unless it fully complies with provisions of the Reserve Bank of India. The top court has asked the parties to file the reply within four weeks.

Appointment of grievance officer by WhatsApp: SC seeks Centre’s reply

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today inaugurated the ‘Jaipur Foot’ camp here and met with 500 Vietnamese beneficiaries of the free India-made prosthetic limb.&nbsp;

Swaraj is in Vietnam on the first leg of her four-day two-nation tour which aims at deepening India’s strategic cooperation with Vietnam and Cambodia — the key countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

The minister met with the beneficiaries and encouraged a girl to walk with the newly-fitted artificial limb.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar said in a tweet: “Together with you when you take those small steps! EAM @SushmaSwaraj inaugurated the Jaipur foot camp and encouraged a girl to walk with the newly fitted artificial limb. 500 Vietnamese beneficiaries were present at the Camp organised in the Phu Tho province of Vietnam”.

Meanwhile, Swaraj lauded the role played by the Indian community in Vietnam in consolidating cultural connection between the two countries. She praised the Indian diaspora in Vietnam for strengthening people to people connect between the two nations.

“Hailing the role played by the Indian community in Vietnam in consolidating cultural connect between India and Vietnam! EAM @SushmaSwaraj praised the Indian Diaspora in Vietnam for strengthening people to people bond between two nations,” Kumar said in another tweet.

Last month, it was announced in Jaipur that about 1,000 differently-abled people in Myanmar and Vietnam would be provided free Indian-made prosthetic ‘Jaipur Foot’.

The Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) has started an artificial limb fitment camp in association with the central government at Myanmar’s Yangon city.

The camp is being organised as per an agreement between BMVSS and the Ministry of External Affairs for providing 5,000 ‘Jaipur Foot’ to the needy amputees of various countries.

Last month, the BMVSS organised camps in Vietnam. “In both Myanmar and Vietnam, 1,000 disabled people will be provided with ‘Jaipur Foot’. This is a humanitarian effort of the Union government where BMVSS is the implementing agency,” an official statement said last month.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is in Vietnam on the first leg of her four-day two-nation tour which aims at deepening India's strategic cooperation with Vietnam and Cambodia -- the key countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today inaugurated the ‘Jaipur Foot’ camp here and met with 500 Vietnamese beneficiaries of the free India-made prosthetic limb. Swaraj is in Vietnam on the first leg of her four-day two-nation tour which aims at deepening India’s strategic cooperation with Vietnam and Cambodia — the key countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. The minister met with the beneficiaries and encouraged a girl to walk with the newly-fitted artificial limb. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar said in a tweet: “Together with you when you take those small steps! EAM @SushmaSwaraj inaugurated the Jaipur foot camp and encouraged a girl to walk with the newly fitted artificial limb. 500 Vietnamese beneficiaries were present at the Camp organised in the Phu Tho province of Vietnam”. Meanwhile, Swaraj lauded the role played by the Indian community in Vietnam in consolidating cultural connection between the two countries. She praised the Indian diaspora in Vietnam for strengthening people to people connect between the two nations. “Hailing the role played by the Indian community in Vietnam in consolidating cultural connect between India and Vietnam! EAM @SushmaSwaraj praised the Indian Diaspora in Vietnam for strengthening people to people bond between two nations,” Kumar said in another tweet. Last month, it was announced in Jaipur that about 1,000 differently-abled people in Myanmar and Vietnam would be provided free Indian-made prosthetic ‘Jaipur Foot’. The Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) has started an artificial limb fitment camp in association with the central government at Myanmar’s Yangon city. The camp is being organised as per an agreement between BMVSS and the Ministry of External Affairs for providing 5,000 ‘Jaipur Foot’ to the needy amputees of various countries. Last month, the BMVSS organised camps in Vietnam. “In both Myanmar and Vietnam, 1,000 disabled people will be provided with ‘Jaipur Foot’. This is a humanitarian effort of the Union government where BMVSS is the implementing agency,” an official statement said last month.

Sushma Swaraj opens ‘Jaipur Foot’ camp in Vietnam

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has again said there was "no Congress involvement" in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.&nbsp

He first made the statement on Sunday, reiterating what Congress President Rahul Gandhi had <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/support-punishment-for-those-involved-in-1984-anti-sikh-riots-rahul-gandhi-161430">said in London</a> last week.&nbsp

Some 11,000 Sikhs lost their lives in the riots which followed the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikhi bodyguards. The worst of the killing took place in Delhi where 3,000 Sikhs were killed.&nbsp

The involvement of Congress leaders in the riots is well documented.&nbsp

"The incident took place when Indiraji was killed. At that time, Rajiv Gandhi was at an airport in Bengal. There was no Congress involvement other than some people," Amarinder Singh said on Monday.&nbsp

"I have named few people. Sajjan Kumar, Dharamdas Shastri, Arjun Das and two more people," Singh added.&nbsp

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The incident took place when Indiraji was killed, at that time Rajiv Gandhi was at an airport in Bengal.There was no Congress involvement other than some people.I have named few people, Sajjan Kumar, Dharamdas Shastri ,Arjun Das& 2 more people: Punjab CM on 1984 Anti-Sikh riots <a href="https://t.co/ShXNiOoCOl">pic.twitter.com/ShXNiOoCOl</a>
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"To hold Rahul Gandhi responsible for an act which he wasn't even aware of at the time it happened was completely ridiculous. Congress, as a party was never involved in riots," Singh had said on Sunday.&nbsp

"I have no confusion in my mind about that. It was a tragedy, it was a painful experience. You say that the Congress party was involved in that, I don't agree with that. Certainly there was violence, certainly there was tragedy," Gandhi had said earlier in London.&nbsp

AAP leader and lawyer HS Phoolka, who has spearheaded the fight for justice for victims of the riots, had responded to Rahul Gandhi's statement, saying: "Rahul Gandhi's statement that Congress had no role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots is wrong. That's why I've challenged him for an open debate about Congress' and his father Rajiv Gandhi's involvement."

Phoolka added that "The massacre was organised by Congress on directions of Rajiv Gandhi."

'The incident took place when Indiraji was killed. At that time, Rajiv Gandhi was at an airport in Bengal. There was no Congress involvement other than some people,' Amarinder Singh said on Monday.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has again said there was "no Congress involvement" in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He first made the statement on Sunday, reiterating what Congress President Rahul Gandhi had said in London last week. Some 11,000 Sikhs lost their lives in the riots which followed the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikhi bodyguards. The worst of the killing took place in Delhi where 3,000 Sikhs were killed. The involvement of Congress leaders in the riots is well documented. "The incident took place when Indiraji was killed. At that time, Rajiv Gandhi was at an airport in Bengal. There was no Congress involvement other than some people," Amarinder Singh said on Monday. "I have named few people. Sajjan Kumar, Dharamdas Shastri, Arjun Das and two more people," Singh added. The incident took place when Indiraji was killed, at that time Rajiv Gandhi was at an airport in Bengal.There was no Congress involvement other than some people.I have named few people, Sajjan Kumar, Dharamdas Shastri ,Arjun Das& 2 more people: Punjab CM on 1984 Anti-Sikh riots pic.twitter.com/ShXNiOoCOl — ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2018 × "To hold Rahul Gandhi responsible for an act which he wasn't even aware of at the time it happened was completely ridiculous. Congress, as a party was never involved in riots," Singh had said on Sunday. "I have no confusion in my mind about that. It was a tragedy, it was a painful experience. You say that the Congress party was involved in that, I don't agree with that. Certainly there was violence, certainly there was tragedy," Gandhi had said earlier in London. AAP leader and lawyer HS Phoolka, who has spearheaded the fight for justice for victims of the riots, had responded to Rahul Gandhi's statement, saying: "Rahul Gandhi's statement that Congress had no role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots is wrong. That's why I've challenged him for an open debate about Congress' and his father Rajiv Gandhi's involvement." Phoolka added that "The massacre was organised by Congress on directions of Rajiv Gandhi."

Again, Amarinder says 'no Congress involvement' in 1984 anti-Sikh riots

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