The government noted on Wednesday (August 3) that temperatures in India have increased during the monsoon season and the country might see more frequent heatwaves in the coming days, though the deaths related to heatwaves have certainly decreased recently. India experienced its hottest March in more than a century. Extreme high temperatures also occurred in April and May; climate change is the primary reason for it. According to India’s minister of science, technology, and earth sciences, Jitendra Singh, "The average temperature during the monsoon season is found to be rising in the last two decades," Reuters reported.

India reported 24 fatalities caused by heatwaves up to July, compared to none for the entire previous year and 25 deaths in the year 2020. A multi-year high, 505 deaths, occurred in the year 2019.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-faced-over-200-days-of-heatwaves-in-2022-up-five-times-from-last-year-502832/amp">India faced over 200 days of heatwaves in 2022; up five-times from last year</a>

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The minister further added that the temperature in the country has been increasing during the monsoon since&nbsp;the last two decades. According to Singh, India’s temperature during the month of June to September monsoon season increased from less than 28 degrees Celsius in 2001 to nearly 28.4 degrees Celsius last year. However, as per the data presented by Singh to MPs, the number of deaths from heatwaves has decreased recently.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/heatwaves-in-pakistan-and-india-30-times-more-likely-due-to-climate-change-study-501687">Heatwaves in Pakistan and India '30 times more likely' due to climate change: Study</a>

The minister didn’t explain why there have been fewer fatalities in recent years, but the government earlier changed timings for schools and offices in an effort to decrease exposure to heat.

In Asia and east Africa, it brings on sweltering temperatures, causing torrential rains and flooding in South America.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The government noted on Wednesday (August 3) that temperatures in India have increased during the monsoon season and the country might see more frequent heatwaves in the coming days, though the deaths related to heatwaves have certainly decreased recently.

The government noted on Wednesday (August 3) that temperatures in India have increased during the monsoon season and the country might see more frequent heatwaves in the coming days, though the deaths related to heatwaves have certainly decreased recently. India experienced its hottest March in more than a century. Extreme high temperatures also occurred in April and May; climate change is the primary reason for it. According to India’s minister of science, technology, and earth sciences, Jitendra Singh, "The average temperature during the monsoon season is found to be rising in the last two decades," Reuters reported. India reported 24 fatalities caused by heatwaves up to July, compared to none for the entire previous year and 25 deaths in the year 2020. A multi-year high, 505 deaths, occurred in the year 2019. Also read | India faced over 200 days of heatwaves in 2022; up five-times from last year The minister further added that the temperature in the country has been increasing during the monsoon since the last two decades. According to Singh, India’s temperature during the month of June to September monsoon season increased from less than 28 degrees Celsius in 2001 to nearly 28.4 degrees Celsius last year. However, as per the data presented by Singh to MPs, the number of deaths from heatwaves has decreased recently. Also read | Heatwaves in Pakistan and India '30 times more likely' due to climate change: Study The minister didn’t explain why there have been fewer fatalities in recent years, but the government earlier changed timings for schools and offices in an effort to decrease exposure to heat. In Asia and east Africa, it brings on sweltering temperatures, causing torrential rains and flooding in South America. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Heatwaves increasing in India during monsoon season but related fatalities fall

The buzz around the ongoing 44th FIDE International Chess Olympiad being hosted by India has reached far and wide, literally even touching the skies. From the host city of Chennai being decked up to welcome the players, to having a popular bridge painted like a chess board, even an aircraft was painted with the Chess Olympiad Livery. However, a team of scuba divers from the host city has now taken Chess to never-seen-before depths.

You read that right. The team played chess on the seabed, 5kms away from the coast and at a depth of 18 metres. A seven-member team from the organisation Temple Adventures carried out this feat, to add to the buzz around chess and also create awareness about marine pollution and how it has impacted the ocean floor.

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How about a game of underwater <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chess?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#chess</a> ? 
 
Team of 7 scuba divers from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chennai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chennai</a> spent nearly 2.5hrs underwater, 5kms offshore, at 18m depth, to give a unique twist &amp; add to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChennaiChess2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChennaiChess2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChessOlympiad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChessOlympiad</a> buzz, create awareness on Marine <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pollution?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pollution</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChessOlympiad22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChessOlympiad22</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIDE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIDE</a> <a href="https://t.co/0F0Tvg9fU9">pic.twitter.com/0F0Tvg9fU9</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1554761467958009858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pm-modi-inaugurates-44th-chess-olympiad-team-us-top-seed-india-second-501527">PM Modi inaugurates 44th Chess Olympiad: Team US top seed, India second</a>

"We had six players and made use of three specially-made chess boards, pieces, and tables that could be used underwater." The chess pieces and board had to be made extra-heavy for them to be used on the sea bed, "Aravind Tharunsri, Director, Temple Adventures," told WION. A certified scuba diving instructor, Aravind adds that he has been carrying out such unique scuba diving concepts for more than a decade.

While Aravind took the dive wearing the traditional dhoti and shirt and donning the headgear of the Chess Olympiad mascot 'Thambi', the other team members wore the typical scuba gear. After the initial 40 minutes that it took to set up the underwater game, the teams spent a little over two hours underwater, enjoying the game amid the depths.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india/pakistan-pulls-out-of-chess-olympiad-in-chennai-501630">Pakistan pulls out of Chess Olympiad in Chennai over torch rally via Kashmir</a>

While the inaugural event for the games took place in Chennai, the Olympiad is being held in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Town almost 50km away from the capital city. Taking place between August&nbsp;29th and July 10th, the Olympiad has brought more than 2,000 visitors from 180 countries. However, teams from China and Russia will not be taking part in this edition of the event.&nbsp;Notably, Mamallapuram, the host town, is also the one that witnessed a bilateral summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October 2019.

Originally planned to be hosted in Russia, the 44th FIDE&nbsp;Chess&nbsp;Olympiad was moved to India due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;The Indian city of Chennai is&nbsp;the third in Asia, after Dubai and Manila, to host an International&nbsp;Chess&nbsp;Olympiad organised by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (French for International&nbsp;Chess&nbsp;Federation).

The buzz around the ongoing 44th FIDE International Chess Olympiad being hosted by India has reached far and wide, literally even touching the skies. From the host city of Chennai being decked up to welcome the players, to having a popular bridge painted like a chess board, even an aircraft was painted with the Chess Olympiad Livery.

The buzz around the ongoing 44th FIDE International Chess Olympiad being hosted by India has reached far and wide, literally even touching the skies. From the host city of Chennai being decked up to welcome the players, to having a popular bridge painted like a chess board, even an aircraft was painted with the Chess Olympiad Livery. However, a team of scuba divers from the host city has now taken Chess to never-seen-before depths. You read that right. The team played chess on the seabed, 5kms away from the coast and at a depth of 18 metres. A seven-member team from the organisation Temple Adventures carried out this feat, to add to the buzz around chess and also create awareness about marine pollution and how it has impacted the ocean floor. How about a game of underwater #chess ? Team of 7 scuba divers from #Chennai spent nearly 2.5hrs underwater, 5kms offshore, at 18m depth, to give a unique twist & add to the #ChennaiChess2022 #ChessOlympiad buzz, create awareness on Marine #pollution #ChessOlympiad22 #FIDE pic.twitter.com/0F0Tvg9fU9 — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) August 3, 2022 × Also read | PM Modi inaugurates 44th Chess Olympiad: Team US top seed, India second "We had six players and made use of three specially-made chess boards, pieces, and tables that could be used underwater." The chess pieces and board had to be made extra-heavy for them to be used on the sea bed, "Aravind Tharunsri, Director, Temple Adventures," told WION. A certified scuba diving instructor, Aravind adds that he has been carrying out such unique scuba diving concepts for more than a decade. While Aravind took the dive wearing the traditional dhoti and shirt and donning the headgear of the Chess Olympiad mascot 'Thambi', the other team members wore the typical scuba gear. After the initial 40 minutes that it took to set up the underwater game, the teams spent a little over two hours underwater, enjoying the game amid the depths. Also read | Pakistan pulls out of Chess Olympiad in Chennai over torch rally via Kashmir While the inaugural event for the games took place in Chennai, the Olympiad is being held in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Town almost 50km away from the capital city. Taking place between August 29th and July 10th, the Olympiad has brought more than 2,000 visitors from 180 countries. However, teams from China and Russia will not be taking part in this edition of the event. Notably, Mamallapuram, the host town, is also the one that witnessed a bilateral summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October 2019. Originally planned to be hosted in Russia, the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad was moved to India due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The Indian city of Chennai is the third in Asia, after Dubai and Manila, to host an International Chess Olympiad organised by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (French for International Chess Federation).

Scuba divers play a game of 'Underwater Chess', as India hosts 44th Int'l Chess Olympiad

The World Health Organization has raised a new alarm this time for Monkeypox. Thousands of cases have been reported across the world, some US states have also declared a public health emergency.

Monkeypox Outbreak: US declares health emergency, India reports its first death

Antonio Guterres received the credentials from senior diplomat Ruchira Kamboj, who on Tuesday assumed responsibility as India's new permanent representative to the UN. She described it as a privilege to be the first Indian woman to hold this post in a tweet. For the girls out there, she tweeted, "To the girls out there, we all can make it!"&nbsp;

Kamboj, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from the 1987 batch, had been representing India in Bhutan. She takes up T S Tirumurti's position as India's UN ambassador. She is also the nation's first female envoy working at the global organization's New York headquarters.

Congratulation messages flowed in as she assumed responsibility as India's UN representative. The late Ambassador T. S. Tirumurti congratulated Ruchira Kamboj and said, "@IndiaUNNewYork, best wishes for your success." Kamboj was both the top female candidate in all of India for the 1987 Civil Services batch and the top candidate for the foreign service batch.&nbsp;

She started her career in diplomacy in Paris, where she served as the Indian Embassy's representative to France from 1989 until 1991. But Kamboj eventually went back to Delhi, where she worked from 1991 to 1996 as an undersecretary in the ministry of external affairs' Europe West Division. She worked for the Indian High Commission in Port Louis, Mauritius, from 1996 to 1999 as First Secretary (Economic and Commercial) and Head of Chancery.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-russian-oligarchs-and-putins-girlfriend-for-involvement-in-ukraine-war-503057">US sanctions Russian oligarchs and Putin's 'girlfriend' for involvement in Ukraine war</a>

From July 2017 until March 2019, Kamboj served as the high commissioner of India to South Africa while also holding dual accreditation with the Kingdom of Lesotho. On May 17, 2019, she took over as the Indian envoy to Bhutan.&nbsp;

Other female ambassadors to the Council include Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, Barbara Woodward of the United Kingdom, and Mona Juul of Norway, who serves as the country's permanent representative to the UN in New York.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Antonio Guterres received the credentials from senior diplomat Ruchira Kamboj, who on Tuesday assumed responsibility as India's new permanent representative to the UN.

Antonio Guterres received the credentials from senior diplomat Ruchira Kamboj, who on Tuesday assumed responsibility as India's new permanent representative to the UN. She described it as a privilege to be the first Indian woman to hold this post in a tweet. For the girls out there, she tweeted, "To the girls out there, we all can make it!" Kamboj, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from the 1987 batch, had been representing India in Bhutan. She takes up T S Tirumurti's position as India's UN ambassador. She is also the nation's first female envoy working at the global organization's New York headquarters. Congratulation messages flowed in as she assumed responsibility as India's UN representative. The late Ambassador T. S. Tirumurti congratulated Ruchira Kamboj and said, "@IndiaUNNewYork, best wishes for your success." Kamboj was both the top female candidate in all of India for the 1987 Civil Services batch and the top candidate for the foreign service batch. She started her career in diplomacy in Paris, where she served as the Indian Embassy's representative to France from 1989 until 1991. But Kamboj eventually went back to Delhi, where she worked from 1991 to 1996 as an undersecretary in the ministry of external affairs' Europe West Division. She worked for the Indian High Commission in Port Louis, Mauritius, from 1996 to 1999 as First Secretary (Economic and Commercial) and Head of Chancery. Also Read: US sanctions Russian oligarchs and Putin's 'girlfriend' for involvement in Ukraine war From July 2017 until March 2019, Kamboj served as the high commissioner of India to South Africa while also holding dual accreditation with the Kingdom of Lesotho. On May 17, 2019, she took over as the Indian envoy to Bhutan. Other female ambassadors to the Council include Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, Barbara Woodward of the United Kingdom, and Mona Juul of Norway, who serves as the country's permanent representative to the UN in New York. (with inputs from agencies)

India's first woman UN envoy takes charge, tweets, "to the girls out there, we all can make it!"

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the transcontinental relocation of cheetahs from Africa to India was signed on Tuesday by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Indian Oil Corporation. According to the MoU, the IOC would fund Rs 50.22 crore over four years for the project. The project now costs Rs 75 crore in total.

In a statement from the Union Environment Ministry, the MoU is a continuation of the agreement on wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity exploitation that the governments of India and Namibia signed on July 20 in order to rehabilitate&nbsp;the cheetah to its former range in India.

The money donated by Indian Oil as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme will be utilised to restore the cheetah's habitat and reintroduce it to its former range.

In the presence of Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IOC Chairman SM Vaidya and NTCA Member Secretary and Additional Director General (Project Tiger), Dr. S P Yadav.

“Indian Oil is the first corporate which has come forward to support the ‘Project Cheetah’ under CSR, as the project has not only national importance but is also essential for balancing the ecosystem. Cheetah has a very special significance for the national conservation ethic and ethos. Cheetah restoration will be part of a prototype for restoration of original cheetah habitats and their biodiversity, helping to stem the degradation and rapid loss of biodiversity,’’ said the ministry statement.

The Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), a subspecies of the cheetah, went extinct in India, and the African Cheetah has since been imported (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus). These two subspecies have the same genes, according to studies.

A 500-hectare predator-proof enclosure is being built as part of the cheetah introduction project in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh in preparation for the cat's "soft release." There will be several phases to the introduction. A small number of people will be released at first following the creation of the "soft-release enclosure" and improvement of security.

It should be emphasised that Indian Oil has supported rhino conservation efforts and last year chose the Indian single-horned rhino as its emblem.

(With inputs from agencies)

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the transcontinental relocation of cheetahs from Africa to India was signed on Tuesday by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Indian Oil Corporation.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the transcontinental relocation of cheetahs from Africa to India was signed on Tuesday by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Indian Oil Corporation. According to the MoU, the IOC would fund Rs 50.22 crore over four years for the project. The project now costs Rs 75 crore in total. In a statement from the Union Environment Ministry, the MoU is a continuation of the agreement on wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity exploitation that the governments of India and Namibia signed on July 20 in order to rehabilitate the cheetah to its former range in India. The money donated by Indian Oil as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme will be utilised to restore the cheetah's habitat and reintroduce it to its former range. In the presence of Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IOC Chairman SM Vaidya and NTCA Member Secretary and Additional Director General (Project Tiger), Dr. S P Yadav. “Indian Oil is the first corporate which has come forward to support the ‘Project Cheetah’ under CSR, as the project has not only national importance but is also essential for balancing the ecosystem. Cheetah has a very special significance for the national conservation ethic and ethos. Cheetah restoration will be part of a prototype for restoration of original cheetah habitats and their biodiversity, helping to stem the degradation and rapid loss of biodiversity,’’ said the ministry statement. The Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), a subspecies of the cheetah, went extinct in India, and the African Cheetah has since been imported (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus). These two subspecies have the same genes, according to studies. A 500-hectare predator-proof enclosure is being built as part of the cheetah introduction project in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh in preparation for the cat's "soft release." There will be several phases to the introduction. A small number of people will be released at first following the creation of the "soft-release enclosure" and improvement of security. It should be emphasised that Indian Oil has supported rhino conservation efforts and last year chose the Indian single-horned rhino as its emblem. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Oil Corporation to give Rs 50 crore for Cheetah relocation from Africa

Researchers have observed part of the formation of a dwarf galaxy, a recent study stated. The observation will help explain how a galaxy evolves from a dwarf state to maturity.

Researchers have observed part of the formation of a dwarf galaxy, a recent study stated. The observation will help explain how a galaxy evolves from a dwarf state to maturity. Scientists described finding evidence of maturation in such galaxies, in their published paper in the journal Nature. Astronomers and cosmologists have remained intrigued by the concept of dwarf galaxies, which are made up of a few billion stars at most. It is said that mature galaxies, such as the Milky Way, have 200 to 400 billion stars. Previously, some research suggested that some dwarf galaxies might evolve to become more mature galaxies, however, there wasn't enough concrete information about the process. ALSO READ | Cartwheel Galaxy's new image reveals spinning ring of colour in unprecedented clarity Meanwhile, in a new effort, the researchers focused the AstroSat, which is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, on several blue compact dwarf galaxies. The dwarf galaxies being observed were said to be approximately 1.5 to 3.9 billion light-years from Earth. AstroSat has now witnessed star-forming complexes on the outskirts of a dwarf galaxy. The team then used the ultraviolet imaging telescope aboard AstroSat, which is India's first multi-wavelength space telescope, to look for evidence of star formation activity. ALSO READ | NASA posts beautiful martian image showing 'blue' region of the red planet As a result, the researchers found evidence of material moving from the outer edges of eleven dwarf galaxies inward toward the centre. The findings were generated after analysing 17 hours' worth of data from AstroSat. As quoted by The Weather Channel, Anshuman Borgohain, an astronomer from Tezpur University, Assam, said: Capturing the assembly process in dwarf galaxies is considered important because the diversity in their physical properties observed today challenge the current theoretical models of galaxy evolution." "AstroSat/UVIT has been a remarkable addition to the list of UV observatories to date and has opened up promising windows to probe the understanding of the galaxy assembly process," explained Borgohain, who is the lead author of the study. The study was conceived by Professor Kanak Saha at Pune's Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), with astronomers from India, the US and France. Prof Saha said as quoted by the website, "We are witnessing the ‘live’ formation of these far-way dwarf galaxies! AstroSat's resolving power, and deep field imaging techniques have been the key to spotting some very young, large star-forming clumps. These form on the periphery and then spiral into the visible (optical) boundary of their galaxy within a billion years timescale, thus adding to the growth of the galaxy." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India’s AstroSat telescope helps observe formation of dwarf galaxy

Summer 2022 was especially hard for Indians. Temperature records were getting shattered. Fans, air conditioners, coolers seemed to be less effective this year. The Government has released some data that the heatwave days in India have been nearly 6 times more than last year.

WION Climate Tracker | India suffered 6x heatwave days in 2022 | Mercury broke previous records

In a bit to strengthen ties, India and the Maldives have now signed 6 agreements to expand cooperation in several key areas ranging from terrorism to cyber security. Maldives President Solih further asserted on strong India - Maldives ties.

President Solih in India on a 4 - day visit signs 6 pacts with India

Chinese ship Yuan Wang 5 is expected to arrive in Hambantota around mid-August. The tracking vessel has the capacity to spy on atomic sites and ports in southern India. Palki Sharma tells you how India is responding.

Gravitas: Chinese ship to spy on India from Sri Lanka?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that India will extend an additional $100 million line of credit for the island nation of Maldives. The announcement was made after PM Modi held talks with&nbsp;Maldives President&nbsp;Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is on a four-day visit to India with the focus on inaugurating&nbsp;Maldives' biggest infrastructure project, the Greater Male Connectivity Project ​(GMCP).&nbsp;

Announcing the line of credit, PM Modi stated that India will always be the first responder for the Maldives.&nbsp;

"We have decided to provide an additional line of credit of USD 100 million to the Maldives so that all projects can be completed in a timely manner," said PM Modi.&nbsp;

Moreover, the two countries also signed six agreements to boost cooperation in areas such as affordable housing, disaster management and cyber security.&nbsp;

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A partnership that delivers tangible benefits for the people. 
 
Watch the progress in execution of these India-assisted projects in Maldives: 
 
1️⃣Addu Development Project (Roads &amp; Reclamation) 
2️⃣Water &amp; Sanitation projects in 34 islands 
3️⃣Restoration of the Malé Hukuru Miskiy <a href="https://t.co/VVrmftsWfh">pic.twitter.com/VVrmftsWfh</a>
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1554380150644428800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The&nbsp;Greater Male Connectivity Project

As reported by WION,&nbsp;the Indian government under PM Modi is already&nbsp;supporting 45 projects in the country with grant assistance of $16.88 million or 260 million Maldivian rufiyaas. Of these 45 projects, 17 have been completed and inaugurated already.

As for GMCP, the project&nbsp;has been supported by New Delhi from its inception. A&nbsp;grant of $100 million and a $400 million line of credit, totalling $500 million was extended for the project.&nbsp;

The project was first discussed during External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar's visit to the country in September 2019. The agreement for the project was signed between AFCONS and Maldives government last year and the mega infrastructure is expected to be completed within two years.

Under the project, a 6.74 kilometres long bridge and causeway link will be built that will connect the national capital Male with three adjoining islands viz. Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.

Read More: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/groundbreaking-ceremony-of-maldives-biggest-infra-project-to-be-done-during-prez-solihs-delhi-visit-502007">Groundbreaking ceremony of Maldives biggest infra project to be done during Prez Solih's Delhi visit</a>

After China ensnared the island nation into its debt trap with former President&nbsp;Abdulla Yameen being a pro-China voice, New Delhi stepped up and steered the island nation towards normalcy. It has helped that Solih has opted for a predominant 'India-first&nbsp;policy'.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that India will extend an additional $100 million line of credit for the island nation of Maldives. The announcement was made after PM Modi held talks with Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is on a four-day visit to India with the focus on inaugurating Maldives' biggest infrastructure project, the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that India will extend an additional $100 million line of credit for the island nation of Maldives. The announcement was made after PM Modi held talks with Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is on a four-day visit to India with the focus on inaugurating Maldives' biggest infrastructure project, the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP). Announcing the line of credit, PM Modi stated that India will always be the first responder for the Maldives. "We have decided to provide an additional line of credit of USD 100 million to the Maldives so that all projects can be completed in a timely manner," said PM Modi. Moreover, the two countries also signed six agreements to boost cooperation in areas such as affordable housing, disaster management and cyber security. A partnership that delivers tangible benefits for the people. Watch the progress in execution of these India-assisted projects in Maldives: 1️⃣Addu Development Project (Roads & Reclamation) 2️⃣Water & Sanitation projects in 34 islands 3️⃣Restoration of the Malé Hukuru Miskiy pic.twitter.com/VVrmftsWfh — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 2, 2022 × The Greater Male Connectivity Project As reported by WION, the Indian government under PM Modi is already supporting 45 projects in the country with grant assistance of $16.88 million or 260 million Maldivian rufiyaas. Of these 45 projects, 17 have been completed and inaugurated already. As for GMCP, the project has been supported by New Delhi from its inception. A grant of $100 million and a $400 million line of credit, totalling $500 million was extended for the project. The project was first discussed during External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar's visit to the country in September 2019. The agreement for the project was signed between AFCONS and Maldives government last year and the mega infrastructure is expected to be completed within two years. Under the project, a 6.74 kilometres long bridge and causeway link will be built that will connect the national capital Male with three adjoining islands viz. Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. Read More: Groundbreaking ceremony of Maldives biggest infra project to be done during Prez Solih's Delhi visit After China ensnared the island nation into its debt trap with former President Abdulla Yameen being a pro-China voice, New Delhi stepped up and steered the island nation towards normalcy. It has helped that Solih has opted for a predominant 'India-first policy'. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India extends another $100 million line of credit to Maldives

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih are scheduled to hold a joint press conference. In a major boost to strengthen ties between India and Maldives, the ground-breaking ceremony of the Maldives biggest infrastructure project will be held today in New Delhi. WION's principal correspondent Sidhant Sibal brings you more.

India and Maldives exchange MoUs on cybersecurity

The Election Commission of India (ECI) began a campaign on Monday, August 1st, to link citizens' Aadhaar Cards with their voter ID Cards. According to the ECI, voter ID cards are being linked with Aadhaar cards in order to establish the elector's identity.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) began a campaign on Monday, August 1st, to link citizens' Aadhaar Cards with their voter ID Cards. According to the ECI, voter ID cards are being linked with Aadhaar cards in order to establish the elector's identity. It will assist the commission in removing duplicate entries from the electoral roll, as well as the government in repairing system leaks. Aside from that, the ECI has set up camps in various Indian states to assist people in linking their Aadhaar cards with their voter cards. While some states, such as Maharashtra, have already begun the drive, many others have yet to begin the linking process. ALSO READ | Har Ghar Tiranga: Indian flag on your social media profile - join campaign and get certificate Is it mandatory to link your Aadhaar card to your voter ID card? Even though the government has stated that sharing Aadhaar information will be voluntary, voters will be required to provide a valid reason for not linking the unique identification number to their voter ID cards. Notably, the government amended the Registration of Electors Rules earlier this year to allow the linking of Aadhaar details with voter lists. The Lok Sabha passed the Election Laws (Amendment), Bill, by voice vote in December 2021, allowing the linking of Aadhaar with voter IDs. On August 1, the Registration of Electors (Amendment) Rules, 2022 went into effect. ALSO READ | India:13 NDRF teams deployed in Kerala & Tamil Nadu amid extremely heavy rainfall alert How do you link your Aadhaar Card to your Voter ID Card online? People can also link their Aadhaar cards to their voter ID cards online by submitting form 6B along with all required documents. The steps for linking your Aadhaar Card to your voter ID card are outlined below. Step 1: Go to the National Voter's Service Portal (NVSP) official website at nvsp.in. Step 2: Access the portal. Now, on the homepage, select the 'Search in Electoral Roll' option. Step 3: To search for voter ID, enter your personal information OR provide your EPIC number and state. Step 4: On the left side, an option that says "Feed Aadhar No." will appear. Select the option by clicking it. Step 5: A new window will open, prompting you to enter your Aadhar information. Step 6: Once you have entered your Aadhar details, you will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number or email address. After entering the OTP and authenticating, click Submit. Your voter ID card will be linked once you have completed the authentication process. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Aadhaar Card - Voter ID linking - Why should you link both documents?

A calligrapher from the remote area of North Kashmir's Gurez area has made it into the Lincoln Book of world records. Mustafa ibn-Jamil, 27, wrote the Islamic holy book "Quran" on 500-metre scroll paper in 7 months. The Lincoln Book of Records mentioned on its official website, "New world record for the first time in the world to write the Holy Quran on a 14.5 inch and 500-meter white scroll paper."

Jamil picked up calligraphy to improve his handwriting. And in the year 2017, he first started writing verses from the Holy Quran. Later, he decided to write the whole Quran in his calligraphy. Jamil first wrote a Quran in the year 2018, which weighed 21kgs and was completed in 11 months. And in December 2021, he started working on the 500-meter scroll and completed it in 7 months.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-arabic-calligraphy-inscribed-into-unesco-heritage-list-436970">Arabic calligraphy inscribed into UNESCO heritage list</a>

''I started in the year 2016, I wanted to improve my handwriting and when I saw that I could write calligraphy, I started writing the holy book of Quran. In 2018 I wrote a Quran which weighed 21 Kgs, In 2021 I thought of writing the longest Quran. And I think it was God's wish that I was able to write the Quran. It took me 7 months to complete the whole Quran. It was accepted by the Lincoln Book of World Records; I had applied with many other record-making organisations. I had less budget so couldn't do it at a much bigger level, '' said Mustafa-ibn-Jamil, calligrapher.

For this project, Jamil had to move to New Delhi, as the scroll paper was not available in the Kashmir Valley. He said that he couldn't have brought the raw material to Kashmir as it was too heavy to be carried from Delhi to Srinagar. He took 2 months to arrange the whole material. He worked 18 hours every day to finish the 500-metre scroll in 7 months.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/craftsman-uses-calligraphy-on-kashmiri-silk-carpets-demand-increases-417695">Craftsman uses calligraphy on Kashmiri silk carpets, demand increases</a>

''I used a special paper called 135 GSM, there are various types of papers on which we can write. The paper was not available in the valley in the roll form, so I went to Delhi, and I had to complete the whole project there. I couldn't have come with so much stuff to the valley, The pen also is different from what I have used for the writing of the Quran, The ink which we use is also special, "said Mustafa-ibn-Jamil, calligrapher.&nbsp;

The total cost of the project was about 2.5 lakh rupees. It took Jamil a month to laminate the whole 500-metre scroll. Jamil has also registered for the Asian Book of Records, the Indian Book of Records, and the International Book of Records for which documentation is under process.

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A calligrapher from the remote area of North Kashmir's Gurez area has made it into the Lincoln Book of world records. Mustafa ibn-Jamil, 27, wrote the Islamic holy book "Quran" on 500-metre scroll paper in 7 months.

A calligrapher from the remote area of North Kashmir's Gurez area has made it into the Lincoln Book of world records. Mustafa ibn-Jamil, 27, wrote the Islamic holy book "Quran" on 500-metre scroll paper in 7 months. The Lincoln Book of Records mentioned on its official website, "New world record for the first time in the world to write the Holy Quran on a 14.5 inch and 500-meter white scroll paper." Jamil picked up calligraphy to improve his handwriting. And in the year 2017, he first started writing verses from the Holy Quran. Later, he decided to write the whole Quran in his calligraphy. Jamil first wrote a Quran in the year 2018, which weighed 21kgs and was completed in 11 months. And in December 2021, he started working on the 500-meter scroll and completed it in 7 months. Also read | Arabic calligraphy inscribed into UNESCO heritage list ''I started in the year 2016, I wanted to improve my handwriting and when I saw that I could write calligraphy, I started writing the holy book of Quran. In 2018 I wrote a Quran which weighed 21 Kgs, In 2021 I thought of writing the longest Quran. And I think it was God's wish that I was able to write the Quran. It took me 7 months to complete the whole Quran. It was accepted by the Lincoln Book of World Records; I had applied with many other record-making organisations. I had less budget so couldn't do it at a much bigger level, '' said Mustafa-ibn-Jamil, calligrapher. For this project, Jamil had to move to New Delhi, as the scroll paper was not available in the Kashmir Valley. He said that he couldn't have brought the raw material to Kashmir as it was too heavy to be carried from Delhi to Srinagar. He took 2 months to arrange the whole material. He worked 18 hours every day to finish the 500-metre scroll in 7 months. Also read | Craftsman uses calligraphy on Kashmiri silk carpets, demand increases ''I used a special paper called 135 GSM, there are various types of papers on which we can write. The paper was not available in the valley in the roll form, so I went to Delhi, and I had to complete the whole project there. I couldn't have come with so much stuff to the valley, The pen also is different from what I have used for the writing of the Quran, The ink which we use is also special, "said Mustafa-ibn-Jamil, calligrapher. The total cost of the project was about 2.5 lakh rupees. It took Jamil a month to laminate the whole 500-metre scroll. Jamil has also registered for the Asian Book of Records, the Indian Book of Records, and the International Book of Records for which documentation is under process. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Kashmiri calligrapher writes Quran on 500 metres scroll, creates a record

As the southwest monsoon rains are lashing the Southern Indian state of Kerala, nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the state, while four teams have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, in districts adjoining Kerala. This mobilisation of NDRF teams comes at a time when an extremely heavy rainfall warning has been issued for parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

According to the 04 Battalion NDRF Arakkonam, teams have been deployed in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts of Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, two teams each have been deployed in Nilgiris district (hilly region) and Kanyakumari (coastal region), both of which are bordering Kerala.

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Amid extremely heavy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rainfall?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rainfall</a> warning for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kerala</a> ,parts of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tamilnadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tamilnadu</a> , ⁦⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/NDRFHQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NDRFHQ</a>⁩ deploys 9 teams to south&amp;central KL; 3 teams to Nilgiris &amp; Kanyakumari, TN 
 
Teams are carrying flood rescue&amp; collapsed structure search&amp;rescue equipment, Comms etc. ⁦⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/04NDRF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@04NDRF</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/xf4npijJCJ">pic.twitter.com/xf4npijJCJ</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1554360312584843264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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All NDRF teams are self-contained and equipped with flood rescue equipment, collapsed structure search and rescue equipment, communications and personal protective gear. The NDRF Battalion control room in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, is monitoring the evolving situation round-the-clock, in close collaboration with the state administration in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Watch:&nbsp;How important is the monsoon for the Indian economy?

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As per reports, seven persons have died in Kerala as a result of landslides and minor flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in the hilly regions. Some houses were destroyed, while nearly 50 homes were damaged amid the rains.

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As the southwest monsoon rains are lashing the Southern Indian state of Kerala, nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the state, while four teams have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, in districts adjoining Kerala.

As the southwest monsoon rains are lashing the Southern Indian state of Kerala, nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the state, while four teams have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, in districts adjoining Kerala. This mobilisation of NDRF teams comes at a time when an extremely heavy rainfall warning has been issued for parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. According to the 04 Battalion NDRF Arakkonam, teams have been deployed in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts of Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, two teams each have been deployed in Nilgiris district (hilly region) and Kanyakumari (coastal region), both of which are bordering Kerala. Amid extremely heavy #rainfall warning for #kerala ,parts of #tamilnadu , ⁦⁦@NDRFHQ⁩ deploys 9 teams to south&central KL; 3 teams to Nilgiris & Kanyakumari, TN Teams are carrying flood rescue& collapsed structure search&rescue equipment, Comms etc. ⁦⁦@04NDRF⁩ pic.twitter.com/xf4npijJCJ — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) August 2, 2022 × All NDRF teams are self-contained and equipped with flood rescue equipment, collapsed structure search and rescue equipment, communications and personal protective gear. The NDRF Battalion control room in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, is monitoring the evolving situation round-the-clock, in close collaboration with the state administration in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Watch: How important is the monsoon for the Indian economy? × As per reports, seven persons have died in Kerala as a result of landslides and minor flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in the hilly regions. Some houses were destroyed, while nearly 50 homes were damaged amid the rains. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India:13 NDRF teams deployed in Kerala & Tamil Nadu amid extremely heavy rainfall alert

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih are scheduled to hold a joint press conference. In a major boost to strengthen ties between India and Maldives, the ground-breaking ceremony of the Maldives biggest infrastructure project will be held today in New Delhi.

Maldives President in India to strengthen bilateral ties | India & Maldives exchange MoUs

In a major boost to strengthen ties between India and Maldives, the ground-breaking ceremony of the Maldives biggest infrastructure project will be held today in New Delhi. Maldives President is in New Delhi on a four-day visit.

Male Connectivity Project: India-Maldives mega infrastructure push

The United Kingdom has proposed the return of Elgin marbles of Athens, Greece after almost 200 years. In this process, UK is also expected to initiate the return of a host of Indian artifacts which were captured from India during the colonial times.

Is UK finally returning the Kohinoor back to India?

A Chinese research vessel’s impending visit to Sri Lanka has sparked security alarm in India, with the officials raising concern that the ship might be used for spying on third countries.

On Sunday, Sri Lankan Navy said that it has allowed a Chinese research vessel— Yuan Wang 5—to dock at the country’s southern deep-sea Hambantota port this month. The port is located in the hometown of the Rajapaksa family and has been developed largely with Chinese loans.

According to PTI news agency, Yuan Wang 5 is expected to arrive on anywhere between August 11 and August 17 for replenishment. It is expected to conduct satellite control and research tracking in the north western part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September.

Economic Times newspaper reports that the ship has an aerial reach of more than 750 kilometres, theoretically extending its reach to India’s southern places such as Kalpakkam, Koodankulam, and the atomic research centre.

Apart from that, it can gather information about vital installations in southern India including the ports of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.

India’s concerns stem from the fact that the port was leased to China Merchant Port Holdings after Sri Lanka failed to repay the loans. This has sparked fears of the potential use of the port for military purposes, according to the Indian newspaper.

India has said that it carefully monitors any development having a bearing on its security and economic interests.

"We are aware of reports of a proposed visit by this vessel to Hambantota in August," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi in response to the reports of a proposed visit by a Chinese vessel.

"The government carefully monitors any development having a bearing on India's security and economic interests and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them," he said on Thursday.

Though there is no comment by the ruling establishment in Sri Lanka, The Hindu newspaper has reported that the Indian government has raised the matter with President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Citing an official source in Colombo, the Indian newspaper said that the matter “was raised at the highest level by the Indian side”.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Chinese research vessel’s impending visit to Sri Lanka has sparked security alarm in India, with the officials raising concern that the ship might be used for spying on third countries.

A Chinese research vessel’s impending visit to Sri Lanka has sparked security alarm in India, with the officials raising concern that the ship might be used for spying on third countries. On Sunday, Sri Lankan Navy said that it has allowed a Chinese research vessel— Yuan Wang 5—to dock at the country’s southern deep-sea Hambantota port this month. The port is located in the hometown of the Rajapaksa family and has been developed largely with Chinese loans. According to PTI news agency, Yuan Wang 5 is expected to arrive on anywhere between August 11 and August 17 for replenishment. It is expected to conduct satellite control and research tracking in the north western part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September. Economic Times newspaper reports that the ship has an aerial reach of more than 750 kilometres, theoretically extending its reach to India’s southern places such as Kalpakkam, Koodankulam, and the atomic research centre. Apart from that, it can gather information about vital installations in southern India including the ports of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. India’s concerns stem from the fact that the port was leased to China Merchant Port Holdings after Sri Lanka failed to repay the loans. This has sparked fears of the potential use of the port for military purposes, according to the Indian newspaper. India has said that it carefully monitors any development having a bearing on its security and economic interests. "We are aware of reports of a proposed visit by this vessel to Hambantota in August," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi in response to the reports of a proposed visit by a Chinese vessel. "The government carefully monitors any development having a bearing on India's security and economic interests and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them," he said on Thursday. Though there is no comment by the ruling establishment in Sri Lanka, The Hindu newspaper has reported that the Indian government has raised the matter with President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Citing an official source in Colombo, the Indian newspaper said that the matter “was raised at the highest level by the Indian side”. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India raises concern over Chinese vessel’s proposed visit to Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port: Report

India is all set to celebrate its 75th Independence Day on August 15 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already started the festivities. Modi changed the profile pictures of all his social media handles to the Indian national flag and urged the citizens of the country to sport the ‘tiranga’ (referring to the three colours in the national flag) as their profile picture this month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/tattoo-as-health-monitoring-device-south-korean-scientists-develop-unique-technology-502791" hreflang="en">Tattoo as health monitoring device? South Korean scientists develop unique technology</a>

“It is a special 2nd August today! At a time when we are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, our nation is all set for #HarGharTiranga, a collective movement to celebrate our Tricolour. I have changed the DP on my social media pages and urge you all to do the same,” PM Modi tweeted.

During his monthly radio address known as ‘Mann ki baat’, Modi requested the citizens to take part in the campaign he called ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’. “Under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, from the 13th to the 15th of August, a special movement – ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is being organized. Let us further this movement by hoisting the National Flag at our homes,” he said according to PTI.

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It is a special 2nd August today! At a time when we are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, our nation is all set for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HarGharTiranga?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HarGharTiranga</a>, a collective movement to celebrate our Tricolour. I have changed the DP on my social media pages and urge you all to do the same. <a href="https://t.co/y9ljGmtZMk">pic.twitter.com/y9ljGmtZMk</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1554296310425358337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Prime Minister also pointed out that the starting date of the campaign (August 2) holds a special significance as it is the birth anniversary of Pingali Venkhaiya – the designer of India’s national flag.

“August 2 is the birth anniversary of Pingali Venkhaiya who designed the National Flag. I urge all to use ‘tiranga’ as profile picture in social media accounts between August 2 and August 15,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

India is all set to celebrate its 75th Independence Day on August 15 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already started the festivities. Modi changed the profile pictures of all his social media handles to the Indian national flag and urged the citizens of the country to sport the ‘tiranga’ (referring to the three colours in the national flag) as their profile picture this month.

India is all set to celebrate its 75th Independence Day on August 15 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already started the festivities. Modi changed the profile pictures of all his social media handles to the Indian national flag and urged the citizens of the country to sport the ‘tiranga’ (referring to the three colours in the national flag) as their profile picture this month. Also read | Tattoo as health monitoring device? South Korean scientists develop unique technology “It is a special 2nd August today! At a time when we are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, our nation is all set for #HarGharTiranga, a collective movement to celebrate our Tricolour. I have changed the DP on my social media pages and urge you all to do the same,” PM Modi tweeted. During his monthly radio address known as ‘Mann ki baat’, Modi requested the citizens to take part in the campaign he called ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’. “Under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, from the 13th to the 15th of August, a special movement – ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is being organized. Let us further this movement by hoisting the National Flag at our homes,” he said according to PTI. It is a special 2nd August today! At a time when we are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, our nation is all set for #HarGharTiranga, a collective movement to celebrate our Tricolour. I have changed the DP on my social media pages and urge you all to do the same. pic.twitter.com/y9ljGmtZMk — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 2, 2022 × The Prime Minister also pointed out that the starting date of the campaign (August 2) holds a special significance as it is the birth anniversary of Pingali Venkhaiya – the designer of India’s national flag. “August 2 is the birth anniversary of Pingali Venkhaiya who designed the National Flag. I urge all to use ‘tiranga’ as profile picture in social media accounts between August 2 and August 15,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Narendra Modi changes his social media profile picture to Indian flag ahead of Independence Day

As fears of Monkeypox virus continues to spread, India's southern state of Kerala has now ordered a high-level inquiry into the death of a youth who had tested positive for monkey pox earlier. According to media reports, the 22-year-old youth hail from Kerala's Thrissur district.

India: Kerala youth with Monkeypox symptoms dies, govt orders high-level inquiry

A 22-year-old man with Monkeypox-like symptoms dies in Kerala’s Thrissur. The state government has now ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter. Officials in the state also mentioned that the deceased came in contact with just 10 people including friends and family.

WION Dispatch | India: Kerala youth with Monkeypox-like symptoms dies

No point denying that the Taliban in Kabul has made India nervous just like there’s no doubt that India anticipated nothing less from the United States of America's tacit support to the Pakistan army who in turn sheltered Osama &amp; Haqqani under the Pentagon's complete knowledge. It’s hilarious how the democrats &amp; republicans both took turns, under each of their presidencies and made complete fools of the so-called righteous Americans, under the garb of war on Terror. All this while always being a non-nato ally of Pakistan who harboured UN-designated terrorists as their honoured guests.

Well, how the Americans get played by both their government parties is their fate and how the pentagon has gone all out to support many morally degraded armies and even terrorists in the past, could be a thesis in itself.

India always was aware of the corruption dipped Kabul government &amp; army wouldn’t stand against the Taliban, as was rightly mentioned in one of Ajit Doval's speeches in the US. Of course, the story would’ve been different, if the Afghan Tajik+Uzbek+ alliance was to be prepared against the Taliban terrorists. No prizes for guessing which country across the Atlantic didn’t let that be organized. All that’s now for the long history chapter of American shame from WW2, Vietnam etc

Taliban legitimacy desperation and volatile situation in Kabul have thrown many balls up in the air, apparently all over the world. For example, the right-wing Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party should use Merkel and her CDU party's inept handling of natos Afgan policy and show her the door in the upcoming 21 September elections. Closer home, we all know how Modi loves to make every challenge into an opportunity. Well, this just is one of them, provided they meticulously and strongly act on it.

If the past 75 years of analyzing Pakistani terrorism is anything to go by, it’s hogwash to pin it to an ideology. That’s a light bind a moving truck which everyone is running after. The modern-day terrorist is not only equipped with the best arms but now also has at its disposal an airforce, embassies around the world, a seat at the UN, an ecosystem in left media, etc. How? Just connect all dots and they would all lead to the NERVE CENTER of Terrorism i.e. GHQ, Rawalpindi.

Now, remember the mention of balls in the air? Let's catch them one by one and here comes the ‘Defining’ part.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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No point denying that the Taliban in Kabul has made India nervous just like there’s no doubt that India anticipated nothing less from the United States of America's tacit support to the Pakistan army who in turn sheltered Osama & Haqqani under the Pentagon's complete knowledge.

No point denying that the Taliban in Kabul has made India nervous just like there’s no doubt that India anticipated nothing less from the United States of America's tacit support to the Pakistan army who in turn sheltered Osama & Haqqani under the Pentagon's complete knowledge. It’s hilarious how the democrats & republicans both took turns, under each of their presidencies and made complete fools of the so-called righteous Americans, under the garb of war on Terror. All this while always being a non-nato ally of Pakistan who harboured UN-designated terrorists as their honoured guests. Well, how the Americans get played by both their government parties is their fate and how the pentagon has gone all out to support many morally degraded armies and even terrorists in the past, could be a thesis in itself. India always was aware of the corruption dipped Kabul government & army wouldn’t stand against the Taliban, as was rightly mentioned in one of Ajit Doval's speeches in the US. Of course, the story would’ve been different, if the Afghan Tajik+Uzbek+ alliance was to be prepared against the Taliban terrorists. No prizes for guessing which country across the Atlantic didn’t let that be organized. All that’s now for the long history chapter of American shame from WW2, Vietnam etc Taliban legitimacy desperation and volatile situation in Kabul have thrown many balls up in the air, apparently all over the world. For example, the right-wing Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party should use Merkel and her CDU party's inept handling of natos Afgan policy and show her the door in the upcoming 21 September elections. Closer home, we all know how Modi loves to make every challenge into an opportunity. Well, this just is one of them, provided they meticulously and strongly act on it. If the past 75 years of analyzing Pakistani terrorism is anything to go by, it’s hogwash to pin it to an ideology. That’s a light bind a moving truck which everyone is running after. The modern-day terrorist is not only equipped with the best arms but now also has at its disposal an airforce, embassies around the world, a seat at the UN, an ecosystem in left media, etc. How? Just connect all dots and they would all lead to the NERVE CENTER of Terrorism i.e. GHQ, Rawalpindi. Now, remember the mention of balls in the air? Let's catch them one by one and here comes the ‘Defining’ part. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India's defining moment

As Chinese naval vessel Yuan Wang 5 continues its journey to Sri Lanka's Hamabantota port. India has raised its concerns with the island nation. The Chinese ship is expected to reach the Sri Lankan port in mid-August and has New Delhi worrying that it may snoop on Indian ports and nuclear plants in southern India.

WION Dispatch: India raises concerns over presence of Chinese vessel in Indian ocean

Kanthamaneni Uma Maheshwari, daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at her upscale Jubilee Hills home on Monday (July 31). Rao’s other daughter, Deekshita, reportedly found her hanging in her bedroom in the afternoon and informed police shortly after. Maheshwari’s death&nbsp;was initially attributed to poor health. The cause of the death is still unknown. Police moved the body to a government hospital for an autopsy after filing a case under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The investigation is still going on, IANS reported.

She was the youngest child of Rao’s. Her well-known sisters include former Union Minister and BJP leader Baggubati Purandeswari, as well as TDP President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s spouse, Nara Bhuwaneswar.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-10-killed-after-fire-breaks-out-in-private-hospital-in-jabalpur-502650">India: 10 killed after fire breaks out in private hospital in Jabalpur</a>

Balakrishna, a well-known Tollywood actor and TDP lawmaker, Chandrababu Naidu and his son, and other family members flocked Uma's home.

NTR, the actor turned politician, was referred to as one of the tallest politicians. He founded the TDP in 1982 under the banner of Telugu pride and brought the party to power in nine months.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/enforcement-directorate-arrests-shiv-sena-mp-sanjay-raut-in-mumbai-land-scam-case-502430">Enforcement Directorate arrests Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in Mumbai land scam case</a>

He passed away at 72, a few months after being overthrown by a coup orchestrated by his son-in-law Chandrababu Naidu, IANS reported.NTR has eight sons and four daughters. Uma was&nbsp;the youngest of all of them.

At Uma Maheshwari’s wedding recently, a large number of family members attended. Three of NTR’s sons have already passed away, including actor and former minister N. Harikrishna.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Kanthamaneni Uma Maheshwari, daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at her upscale Jubilee Hills home on Monday (July 31).

Kanthamaneni Uma Maheshwari, daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at her upscale Jubilee Hills home on Monday (July 31). Rao’s other daughter, Deekshita, reportedly found her hanging in her bedroom in the afternoon and informed police shortly after. Maheshwari’s death was initially attributed to poor health. The cause of the death is still unknown. Police moved the body to a government hospital for an autopsy after filing a case under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The investigation is still going on, IANS reported. She was the youngest child of Rao’s. Her well-known sisters include former Union Minister and BJP leader Baggubati Purandeswari, as well as TDP President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s spouse, Nara Bhuwaneswar. Also read | India: 10 killed after fire breaks out in private hospital in Jabalpur Balakrishna, a well-known Tollywood actor and TDP lawmaker, Chandrababu Naidu and his son, and other family members flocked Uma's home. NTR, the actor turned politician, was referred to as one of the tallest politicians. He founded the TDP in 1982 under the banner of Telugu pride and brought the party to power in nine months. Also read | Enforcement Directorate arrests Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in Mumbai land scam case He passed away at 72, a few months after being overthrown by a coup orchestrated by his son-in-law Chandrababu Naidu, IANS reported.NTR has eight sons and four daughters. Uma was the youngest of all of them. At Uma Maheshwari’s wedding recently, a large number of family members attended. Three of NTR’s sons have already passed away, including actor and former minister N. Harikrishna. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Andhra's former chief minister's youngest daughter Uma Maheshwari found dead at her residence

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