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Tuesday, September 1, 2020
PCOS Awareness Month 2020 dedicated to a common hormonal disorder that affects 10% of women worldwide
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कमरे को बंद कर रोया करते थे सुशांत, रात में उठ हनुमान जी की प्रतिमा को लगाते थे गले; फाइनेंस को लेकर थे चिंतित
सुशांत सिंह राजपूत मामले में हर दिन नए खुलासे हो रहे हैं। सूत्रों के मुताबिक, पूछताछ में पूर्व हाउस मैनेजर सैमुअल मिरांडा ने सीबीआई को बताया कि सुशांत अक्सर बहुत रोया करते थे। मिरांडा ने यह भी बताया कि सुशांत कई बार रात में उठ कर हनुमान जी की प्रतिमा को अपने गले से लगाते थे।
मिरांडा को बहन प्रियंका और उनके पति सिद्धार्थ ने नौकरी पर रखा था। सैमुअल का काम सुशांत के स्टाफ को हैंडल करना और सैलरी देना था। मिरांडा ने सीबीआई को बताया कि एक दिन प्रियंका की सुशांत के घर पर काम करने वाले अब्बास से लड़ाई हो गई थी, जिसके बाद अब्बास ने नौकरी छोड़ दी थी। उसी दौरान दिपेश ने भी जॉब छोड़ दी थी। सैमुअल ने कहा कि सुशांत का अपनी बहन से झगड़ा हो गया था इसके बाद प्रियंका और सिद्धार्थ दिल्ली चले गए।
सुशांत को बीजी रखने के लिए रिया घर पर आयोजित करती थीं पार्टी
सैमुअल के मुताबिक, मई 2019 से रिया चक्रवर्ती का सुशांत के घर काफी आना-जाना शुरू हो गया था। रिया का भाई शौविक और उनके पिता भी सुशांत के घर अक्सर आया करते थे। रिया ने भी सुशांत के साथ रहना शुरू कर दिया था। रिया चक्रवर्ती हफ्ते में एक या दो बार पार्टी रखती थीं ताकि सुशांत को व्यस्त रख सकें। लेकिन कई बार सुशांत इन पार्टियों में शामिल नहीं हुआ करते थे। वो अपने कमरे से बाहर नहीं निकलते थे और खुद को कमरे में लॉक कर लिया करते थे। इस दौरान उनके कई बार सिसकते हुए सुना गया था।
रात में कमरे से बाहर आकर हनुमान जी की मूर्ति को लगाते थे गले
मिरांडा ने यह भी बताया कि रिया और कई वर्कर्स ने सुशांत के पुराने घर यानी कैप्री हाइट्स को भूतिया बताया था। जिसके बाद सुशांत ने उसे छोड़ बांद्रा शिफ्ट होने का निर्णय लिया था। बांद्रा आने के बाद कई बार सुशांत रात में अपने कमरे से बाहर आ जाते थे और हनुमान की मूर्ति को गले लगाकर वापस कमरे में चले जाते थे। यह सब उनके यूरोप से लौटने के बाद हुआ था। सुशांत, रिया और शौविक के साथ यूरोप की ट्रिप से वापस लौटे थे।
फाइनेंस को लेकर परेशान रहते थे सुशांत
सुशांत अपने आर्थिक पहलुओं को लेकर परेशान रहते थे। उन्हें लगता था कि बहुत फालतू खर्च हो रहा है। जिसके बाद वे अक्सर मीटिंग बुलाकर अकाउंट्स की डिटेल लेते थे। मिरांडा ने यह भी बताया कि सुशांत पहले पैसों को लेकर ज्यादा सजग नहीं रहते थे।
श्रुति मोदी के कहने पर वाटर स्टोन गए थे सुशांत
सैमुअल ने यह भी बताया कि सुशांत की पूर्व मैनेजर श्रुति मोदी और रिया ने उन्हें वॉटरस्टोन क्लब में जाने की सलाह दी थी। लेकिन वहां सुशांत की तबीयत में कोई खास सुधार नहीं हुआ और वह बहुत बार रोते रहते थे। सैमुअल ने यह भी दावा किया है कि इस क्लब में सुशांत की बहनें भी उनसे मिलने के लिए आई थीं।
सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हुईं थी सैमुअल की मौत की अफवाह
कुछ दिन पहले सैमुअल के मरने की खबर भी सोशल मीडिया पर सर्कुलेट हुई थी, जिसके बाद खुद सैमुअल ने अपने स्वस्थ होने की जानकारी दी थी। इस बारे में उन्होंने अपने इंस्टाग्राम पर लिखा था, 'हैलो दोस्तों, सहयोग के लिए शुक्रिया, मैं ठीक हूं और जिंदा हूं। मेरा अकाउंट कोई और इस्तेमाल नहीं कर रहा है'।
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Chandrayaan 3: To test and prepare for successful landing, ISRO to recreate lunar craters in village near Bangalore
The Indian Space Research Organisation is planning on creating replicas of the craters on the moon in a small village called Ullarthi Kavalu, Challakere, located around 215 km from Bengaluru city. The work to re-create these artificial craters will begin later this year, with the agency already having sent out tenders seeking companies that can work on the project.
A source told Times of India, "We’ve already called for tenders and the process of identifying a firm for all the civil works will be complete by month-end or early September. The craters will be created in our Challakere campus."
Craters on the moon. Image credit: NASA
The project will cost at least Rs 24.2 lakhs, the source added.
The craters will be about 10 metres in diameter and three metres deep, a second source added.
Why will these specially-built craters come in handy, one might ask. The craters are meant to simulate the moon's surface, and gives the Chandrayaan 3 landing module some room to practice its descent and landing in a simulated, terrestrial setting before attempting the same on the Moon.
Its predecessor, the Chandrayaan 2 lander, lost contact during its unsuccessful landing attempt on 7 September 2019. The next Indian moon lander could learn from the incident, and ISRO doesn't want to leave any stones unturned this time around.
An illustration of Chandrayaan 2's lander Vikram. Image: ISRO
Thorough testing of Chandrayaan 3 lander
The Chandrayaan 3 mission is similar to the second lunar mission and will fully autonomous, as per a Defence News report. It will feature multiple sensors, including a few dedicated to helping the lander scan the area and make a smooth descent to its chosen landing spot. It will also help the lander scan and adjust the velocity needed to land and touchdown, all the while keeping the lander away from boulders and uneven surfaces.
A scientist told TOI that “The lander’s sensors will undergo a crucial test — Lander Sensor Performance Test (LSPT) — which will involve us flying the sensors on an aircraft over the artificial lunar site and see how efficient they are in guiding the lander,” a scientist said.
During this sensor readiness test, an ISRO spacecraft will descend from heights of two kilometres and then seven kilometres over the artificial crater site in Challakere. Its sensors will be tested in the simulation to guide the craft to a safe landing location.
While the LSPT will only see the sensor being flown to Challakere, another scientist said, “The focus on thorough testing is higher than Chandrayaan-2 this time. We are even looking at testing a full-fledged lander at ISITE (ISRO Satellite Integration and Test Establishment) in Bengaluru. As of today, we are not sure how feasible that would be, but the thinking is there.”
Like Chandrayaan 2, the third mission to the moon will feature a lander and rover to land on the South Pole of the moon by 2021.
ISRO will use the fully-functional orbiter successfully placed in lunar orbiter via Chandrayaan 2 since August last year. The orbiter has a mission life of one year, but is supposed to work for the next seven years.
The ISRO chief had said earlier that the cost of the mission including the lander and rover would come to approximately Rs 250 crore. The entire cost of the mission including the launch vehicle and fuel, however, could reach up to Rs 365 crores.
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India's preemptive moves aimed at fending off China's continued effort at establishing fait accompli along LAC
There is something extremely curious about the latest — and by all accounts, serious — escalation in tensions over the ongoing standoff between India and China along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. Certain incidents reportedly took place on and since the intervening night of 29 and 30 August to shatter the uneasy calm that followed the deadly 15 June clash at Galwan, bringing both sides again precariously close to a military conflict. The situation remains edgy and volatile.
From what we know so far, notwithstanding the ongoing military-diplomatic engagement and the consensus arrived at of gradual de-escalation and disengagement, the Chinese side under the cover of night on Saturday tried to execute another land grab to again shift the status quo. The site of the PLA's operation this time was some heights on the southern bank of Pangong Tso.
According to national security analyst Nitin Gokhale, Chinese troops were targeting the Chushul/Spanggur gap, south of Pangong Tso.
Chinese attempts at changing existing arrangements (status quo) around the Chushul/Spanggur gap, south of Pangong Tso thwarted by alert Indian troops. For the first time India has pro-actively preempted Chinese move. Currently no face off but situation dangerously tense
— Nitin A. Gokhale (@nitingokhale) August 31, 2020
According to a report in The Print, the Chinese were trying to dominate some heights that would have given them operational advantage. Worth noting that unlike the northern bank that remains contentious and hotly contested, there has been no dispute in the past over the southern bank of Pangong Tso over which India exercises strong sovereign control. The latest incident, therefore, is China’s attempt to open yet another front against India and change facts on the ground in a new, previously uncontested sector.
China’s land-grab tactics in violation of all mutual agreements and understandings is consistent with its deceptive policy of keeping up the pretence of talks and committing to dialogue mechanism only to buy time for its troops to launch more stealth operations and push the LAC further into India’s territory. This time, however, the PLA’s designs seem to have been foiled.
On Monday, a press statement released by the Indian army said China has escalated the border standoff with fresh provocations, forcing India to take appropriate countermeasures.
“On the Night of 29/30 August 2020, PLA troops violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in Eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo. Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground,” read the statement.
It underlined that “Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility through dialogue, but is also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity”. We were informed that a brigade commander-level flag meeting to resolve the latest issue is under way at Chushul.
At this stage, the narrative seemed pretty straightforward. Alert Indian troops had noticed some activities on southern bank of Pangong Tso on Saturday night and took preemptive steps to strengthen its position and foil China’s latest misadventure. On Monday afternoon, Beijing denied that PLA had crossed the LAC and claimed that Chinese troops “always strictly abide by the LAC. They never cross the line.”
As ridiculous as the claim may sound, it indicates Beijing’s devious strategy. If the ‘line’ itself can be shifted at will, there is no need to cross the line. The army statement refrained from releasing more details and the speculation remained restricted to the events of 29 August.
What make matters curious are the next set of leaks by the Indian establishment and China’s reaction. Whereas an early briefing by China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian did not release any details of the latest clash and merely claimed that Chinese troops “did not cross the LAC” to refute India’s charge, by Monday evening, China came up with its own set of accusations.
Chinese media quoted Zhang Shuili, spokesperson of PLA’s Western Theatre Command, to claim that “Indian troops intruded in the China-controlled Galwan Valley on 31 August” and “broke the promises and consensus reached by two sides after rounds of dialogue.”
Zhang accused India of doing exactly the same thing that India accused China of, except that the dates didn’t match. According to the Indian Army’s statement, Chinese “provocations” occurred on the intervening night of August 29 and 30, while PLA claimed that “Indian troops have broken their promises and again crossed the LAC in the Galwan Valley region and provocatively attacked Chinese soldiers” on 31 August. Also, for the first time since the current conflict broke out in April-May when the PLA unilaterally occupied Indian territory at several areas in the border regions of Ladakh, China sounded like the proverbial cat on a hot tin roof.
“Indian troops are responsible for the latest escalation,” Zhang said in the statement, adding, “We demand India immediately withdraw troops that had illegally intruded the Chinese border, and urge the Indian side to stop all provocative actions and strictly control frontline troops to avoid further escalation… The Chinese army is taking all necessary measures to cope with the situation and it will firmly defend China's sovereignty and territory.”
Something does not add up. The Indian Army did not mention anything about 31 August, whereas the Chinese troops remained silent about Saturday night and breathed fire over what happened the next day. To add to the mismatch in timeline, there were contrasting claims over what happened between 29 and 31 August.
Some reports in Indian media claimed there were no physical clashes. According to The Hindu, “around 25 PLA soldiers intruding across the LAC and were blocked by Indian troops. Around 100 PLA soldiers were also seen below Black Top hill just across the LAC. There was no physical clash.”
The NDTV report notes that “Chinese troops came in ‘sufficient numbers’. But the Indian army was aware of the Chinese move and established themselves in a move to block the Chinese advance. No physical clashes took place and there is no face-off situation at present”
However, a report in The Telegraph claims that Indian troops fought off an attempt by the PLA to occupy more Indian territory on Saturday night and then captured Chinese camps in a retaliatory procedure. And there were violent clashes. According to the report, “on Saturday evening, around 500 Chinese troops had tried to cross into Spanggur, a narrow valley near the village of Chushul and three hours of hand-to-hand combat ensued.” The report quoted “a senior Indian police source” to claim that “the attack had been repulsed and a retaliatory special operations battalion seized a Chinese camp in the surrounding hills of Pangong Tso Lake in the early hours of this morning.”
This “special operations battalion” of the Indian Army mentioned in this report seems to be commandoes from the Special Frontier Force (SFF). Ajai Shukla writes in Business Standard that the Indian counter-operation, launched on Sunday night by ‘Vikas battalion’, a part of the secretive SFF detachment that consists of soldiers recruited from the Tibetan refugee community in India, “clashed with Chinese troops and inflicted significant casualties on them. One Tibetan SFF officer was reportedly killed and at least two injured in the operation.”
Tweets also seem to confirm such a development.
Well, it seems SFF (7 Vikas) suffered some casualties in the operation. Below details from @TibetPeople pic.twitter.com/pNP0pQ18pJ
— VatsRohit (@KesariDhwaj) August 31, 2020
Special Frontier Force (SFF) special force created on 14 Nov 62. Main role originally- Conduct covert operations behind Chinese lines in event of another Sino-Indian War. Vikas part of SFF, manned by sons of soil, Tibetans with offrs from Army.
— Lt Gen K J Singh (@kayjay34350) August 31, 2020
Reqin, one of the areas identified by the Chinese as being under Indian Army control is a valley. By dominating the feature along its side and traversing the ridge, Indian Army soldiers could dominate the Chinese posts in Spanggur. We would be nearly 4 kms inside.
— Vishnu Som (@VishnuNDTV) August 31, 2020
On details about the military post that India seems to have captured in a “measure to strengthen its position”, ANI reports that “height occupied by Indian army troops including a special operations battalion is south of Southern bank of Pangong Tso near Thakung. Height was lying dormant and can give strategic advantage to the side which holds it for controlling the southern bank of the lake and areas around it.”
Thakung referred to in the report is the Indian Army’s company operating base (COB). Amid the fog of war and despite the differing accounts of what may have transpired, it seems reasonably clear that for the first time in the current standoff, Indian army has taken a proactive stance and created a fait accompli of its own, leaving the Chinese terribly upset and threatening military action. Having got a taste of its own medicine, China is feigning outrage and issuing incoherent threats.
China's Global Times says India’s “reckless intention is a very dangerous miscalculation” and warned that “Indian side has not fully realised the gap of military capabilities between two countries, and how severe the consequences would be if India continues instigating border conflicts.” Quoting “analysts”, the Global Times report says “India should have a clear understanding that China is much stronger militarily than India. If New Delhi continues such provocative rhetoric, or launches large-scale attacks at the border region, it would face severe consequences.”
Indian troops again pulled a stunt at border. They always think China will make concessions to provocative actions in consideration of overall situation. Don't misjudge the situation anymore. If there is a conflict in Pangong Lake, it will only end in new defeat of Indian army. pic.twitter.com/u3RyV7Slh8
— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) August 31, 2020
China’s verbal virulence is not new. We saw it during the Doka La standoff when such threats were issued on a daily basis. In contrast, China had been preaching “peace and tranquility” during the current standoff as its troops remained in occupation of Indian territory, threatening India’s territorial and sovereign integrity. It indicates that as long as China perceives to be enjoying the territorial advantage over India, it wants to lock in that gain and create a new normal. The ‘new normal’ consists of not only India accepting the loss of territory, but also normalising the possibility that China will conduct such operations from time to time.
India, of course, does not accept Chinese hierarchy in Asia, nor can Beijing expect India to normalise loss of territorial integrity. What we are seeing in the latest instance is a shift in India’s strategy. Instead of relying exclusively on talks and dialogue mechanism that seems to be going nowhere except presenting Beijing with more time to launch further offensives, India has evidently decided to create facts on the ground of its own, wrecking China’s smugness.
What remains to be seen is whether China restricts itself to rhetorical flapping of wings, or escalates military conflict. India should be ready.
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Final year varsity exams in Maharashtra may be held in October, says state minister Uday Samant
Mumbai: Most of the non-agriculture universities in Maharashtra have asked the state government to request the UGC to allow holding off final year examinations and announcing results by 31 October, state minister Uday Samant said on Monday.
There are 13 non-agriculture universities in the state.
Of them, Amravati University and Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) have suggested holding of examinations and declaring of results by 10 November, said Samant, who heads the Higher and Technical Education department.
All universities have also agreed that it was not possible for students to step out of their homes to give examination given the COVID-19 threat, Samant said.
He said the mode of examination will be declared on Wednesday.
The examinations may be held in the first week of October and will be of lesser marks, the minister said.
A total of 7,62,962 students will appear for the final year exams across universities, he said.
"Amravati University and Yashwantrao Chavan Open University have said that a request be made to the UGC (University Grants Commission) for holding the examinations and announcing results by 10 November.
"The remaining varsities, including that of Mumbai, Pune, and others, have demanded the state government to propose to the UGC to hold the exams and announce results by 31 October," Samant told reporters.
The universities have requested the state government to hold the meeting of state disaster management authority (SDMA) under Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to send a request to the UGC in this regard, the minister said, adding that the SDMA meeting is expected on Wednesday.
On the mode of conducting exams, the minister said, "Vice-chancellors have suggested three ways of holding the examinations with an online or open book or assignment options. They have sought a day's time on how these examinations will be held".
Upholding the UGC guidelines, the Supreme Court had last week held that no state and university can promote students in the final year/terminal semester without holding examinations, observing performance in such exams is a "reflection of competence" of the students.
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Pranab Mukherjee State funeral LATEST updates: Body of ex-president taken to Delhi residence from army hospital; last rites to be performed at 2 pm
09:44 (IST)
Pranab Mukherjee State funeral LATEST updates
Bangladesh declares one-day national mourning
As former President Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday, the Bangladesh government declared a one-day national mourning on Wednesday — 2 September. The Bangladesh national flag will be flown half-mast that day. There are plans for a high-level participation from Bangladesh as well, especially since Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina had a personal rapport with Mukherjee.
Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed sorrow over the demise of former president Pranab Mukherjee, describing him as a "true friend" and recalling his "outstanding and unforgettable" contributions to the country's 1971 Liberation War. "His demise has caused an irreparable loss to the political arena of the sub-continent," Hamid said.
09:20 (IST)
Pranab Mukherjee State funeral LATEST updates
Ex-president's mortal remains taken to his Delhi residence
Delhi: The mortal remains of former President #PranabMukherjee being taken to his residence at 10 Rajaji Marg.
— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2020
He passed away at Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt yesterday. Seven-day state mourning being observed across India from 31 Aug to 6 Sept, both days inclusive. pic.twitter.com/2USc170kU8
09:16 (IST)
Pranab Mukherjee State funeral LATEST updates
Sonia Gandhi says former president was integral part of Congress, national life
Congress President Sonia Gandhi said Pranab Mukherjee, who died on Monday, was an “integral part” of the party, national life and the central government for over five decades, Indian Express reported.
"It is hard to imagine how we can do without his wisdom, experience, sage advice and deep understanding of so many subjects," Sonia added.
08:33 (IST)
Pranab Mukherjee State funeral LATEST updates
Pranab Mukherjee was a father figure for decades, says Bengal CM
For decades he was a father figure," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in her tweet on Monday to express her condolences at the death of former president Pranab Mukherjee. "It is with deep sorrow I write this. Bharat Ratna Pranab Mkherjee has left us. And era has ended."
Mamata Banerjee's association with Mukherjee began when she was in the Congress. "From my first win as MP to being my senior Cabinet colleague to his becoming President while I was CM," Ms Banerjee wrote in an emotional tweet.
It is with deep sorrow I write this. Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee has left us. An era has ended. For decades he was a father figure. From my first win as MP, to being my senior Cabinet colleague, to his becoming President while I was CM...(1/2)
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 31, 2020
08:29 (IST)
Pranab Mukherjee last rites NEWS updates
Wreath-laying schedule for official dignitaries will start from 9.15 am
The mortal remains of former President Pranab Mukherjee will be laid in State at Rajaji Marg in New Delhi. Official dignitaries will pay respects from 9.15 am to 10.15 am.
08:20 (IST)
Pranab Mukherjee State funeral LATEST updates
Joe Biden remembers Pranab Mukherjee as devout public servant
US Presidential candidate for the Democrats Joe Biden on Tuesday condoled the death of former president Pranab Mukherjee and said: "President Shri Pranab Mukherjee was a devout public servant who believed deeply in the importance of our two nations tackling global challenges together. Jill and I are saddened to hear of his passing — our prayers go out to his loved ones and the Indian people."
President Shri Pranab Mukherjee was a devout public servant who believed deeply in the importance of our two nations tackling global challenges together. Jill and I are saddened to hear of his passing — our prayers go out to his loved ones and the Indian people. pic.twitter.com/SJfaDEKjGi
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 1, 2020
08:04 (IST)
Pranab Mukherjee last rites NEWS updates
Former President's funeral to be held in Delhi's Lodhi Road crematorium
The last rites of former President Pranab Mukherjee is set to be conducted on Tuesday and his body will be laid in state at his official residence here in the National Capital to enable people to pay their last homage.
According to a note issued by the Ministry of Defence, the wreath-laying schedule for official dignitaries will be from 9.15 am to 10.15 am, and 45 minutes for other dignitaries.
08:01 (IST)
Pranab Mukherjee last rites NEWS updates
Centre declares 7-day national mourning in memory of former president
Flags at Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament fly at half-mast as seven-day state mourning is being observed in the country following the demise of former President Pranab Mukherjee.
India's 13th president, Mukherjee, one of India's most respected leaders across the political spectrum, died on Monday evening following a 21-day battle with multiple ailments. He was 84.
His death was condoled by leaders across political lines, as well as the sports and film fraternity.
Delhi: Flags at Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament fly at half-mast as 7-day State mourning is being observed in the country following the demise of former President #PranabMukherjee. pic.twitter.com/S9iCZciIVK
— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2020
Pranab Mukherjee State funeral LATEST updates: Central government on Monday announced seven-day state mourning on demise of former president Pranab Mukherjee.
Pranab Mukherjee's funeral will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday at the Lodhi Road crematorium, PTI quoted his family as saying.
The MHA on Monday said that during the national mourning period of 31 August to 6 September, the "National Flag will fly at half-mast on buildings across India and there will be no official entertainment". The move is as a tribute to former president Pranab Mukherjee, who passed away on Monday.
The Centre has declared a seven-day national mourning period as a tribute to former president Pranab Mukherjee, who passed away on Monday, reports said.
Pranab Mukherjee's daughter Sharmistha said that she felt "blessed to have been born his daughter" as she bid a "final goodbye" to the former president of India who passed away on Monday.
Home Minister Amit Shah said that Pranab Mukherjee's "life will always be cherished for his impeccable service and indelible contribution".
"His demise has left a huge void in Indian polity. My sincerest condolences are with his family and followers on this irreparable loss. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," Shah tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of former president Pranab Mukherjee and said that the Congress leader was "a scholar par excellence, a towering statesman, he was admired across the political spectrum and by all sections of society."
He also said that Mukherjee had guided him in his first term as the prime minister in 2014.
Former president Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi.
Mukherjee's health deteriorated earlier Monday after suffering a septic shock due to his lung infection.
A powerful orator and scholar, Mukherjee was a Congress stalwart before being elected as India's 13th President and serving from July 2012 to 2017 in the top post.
Mukherjee's health deteriorated earlier Monday after suffering a septic shock due to his lung infection.
The 84-year-old was admitted to the military hospital on 10 August and also tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the surgery. He later developed a lung infection.
It earlier said the former president was admitted to the hospital at 12.07 hours on 10 August, 2020 in a critical condition.
"Workup at the hospital revealed a large brain clot for which he underwent emergency life saving surgery," the hospital earlier said.
A multidisciplinary team of doctors is constantly monitoring the health of the former president.
Mukherjee tweeted on Monday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and urged people who had come in contact with him in the last week to isolate themselves and get tested for the novel coronavirus.
Soon after the news of his hospitalisation, wishes poured in from various quarters for his early recovery and a number of leaders sent their wishes on Twitter.
President Ram Nath Kovind also spoke to Mukherjee's daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee and enquired about his health.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh had visited the R&R Hospital and asked after about the former president's health.
Singh spent around 20 minutes at the hospital.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also sent in his best to the former president and wished him early recovery.
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Jammu and Kashmir police set to review security of panchayati raj institutions, urban local bodies
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Police are all set to review the security setup of functionaries of panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies in view of intelligence inputs about threat perception in the Union Territory, officials said on Monday.
Several panch and sarpanch have been attacked and killed by militants during the past two months in Jammu and Kashmir.
"In view of the intelligence inputs received from sister agencies, the district chiefs were advised to have a fresh security review of panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies functionaries and also take care of the security of vital installations as well as other protected persons," said Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh.
He said that district police chiefs were also advised to maintain close coordination with all the sister agencies as well as the force deployed in their respective districts, especially in the border districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch to prevent infiltration.
Singh said that they should foil the nefarious designs of anti-national elements and their mentors operating across the Indo-Pakistan border.
The IGP said district chiefs were directed to brief their supervisory officers and station house officers (SHOs) to focus on over-ground workers, surrendered and released terrorists and their activities should be kept under close surveillance.
Singh chaired a meeting through video conferencing with Range Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) and district Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Jammu Zone in order to review the security of panchayati raj institutions and urban local body functionaries, law and order and security scenario of Jammu region.
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IMD predicts heavy rainfall in north, north-east, south India over next three days
New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted heavy rainfall in parts of north, northeast and south India for the next three days.
It also said that heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places on Tuesday over west Rajasthan.
Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in Punjab, east Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, the IMD said.
The forecast is same for Tuesday for Rayalaseema (Andhra Pradesh), coastal and south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and Kerala and Mahe.
The MeT department said strong winds with speeds reaching 45-55 kilometres per hour are very likely over southwest Arabian Sea.
Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph is likely over south Andaman Sea and the adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean, it said. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas, the IMD said.
On Wednesday, heavy to very heavy precipitation is expected at isolated places over Odisha, south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and Kerala and Mahe.
The IMD said heavy rainfall is also likely to take place at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh for the same day.
The forecast for Wednesday is also same for Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, coastal Karnataka and Lakshadweep, it said.
In its flood advisory, the Central Water Commission (CWC) said that the water level of the Chambal river and its tributaries, and the Mahi river in Madhya Pradesh and east Rajasthan are expected to rise rapidly due to the forecast of continuous rainfall for the next 24 hours.
The Gandhisagar dam, Som Kamala Amba dam, Kalisindh dam, Mahi Bajaj Sagar dam, Panchana dam in Madhya Pradesh and the Rana Pratap Sagar dam and Kota barrage in Rajasthan are expected to get heavy inflows, it said.
Close watch should be kept in districts of Dhar and Mandasour in Madhya Pradesh; Tonk, Banswara, Udaipur, Jhalawar, Baran, Chittorgarh, Karrauli, Bundi, Dholpur and Kota in Rajasthan, the commission added.
The CWC said the Narmada, Mahi and Sabarmati rivers in Gujarat, and west flowing rivers in Konkan and Goa are expected to rise due to the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next three days.
“The Kadana dam, Ukai dam, Panam dam, Madhuban dam, Sardar Sarovar dam and Dharoi dam in Gujarat are expected to get increased inflows. Close watch is to be maintained in the districts of Narmada, Bharuch, Mahisagar, Mehsana, Tapi, Valsad, Panchmahal, Ahmedabad, Banaskantha and Mehsana in Gujarat,” it said.
The MeT department said heavy to very heavy rainfall is also very likely at isolated places in Odisha, south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and Kerala, Mahe on Thursday and Friday.
On Thursday, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, the IMD said.
The forecast is same for Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalseema, Yanam, coastal Karnataka and Lakshadweep.
Strong winds with speeds reaching 45-55 kmph is very likely over southwest Arabian Sea on Thursday.
Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph over southeast Arabian Sea and along and off Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas, the IMD said.
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India-China standoff in east Ladakh: Beijing firm on changing LAC status, accessing Rezang La
Xi Jinping's smile is a conundrum: It could express the calmness of a situation or indicate an impending storm. A few hours after the Chinese president — with his usual calm smiling countenance — delivered a stern message at the two-day seventh Central Symposium on Tibet Work, in Beijing, on Saturday by emphasising "it is necessary to… extensively mobilise the masses [Tibetans] to participate in the struggle against separatism and form an impregnable wall for maintaining stability", the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) intruded into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) south of Pangong Lake.
In a statement issued on Monday, the army confirmed the PLA intrusion: "On the night of 29/30 August, PLA troops violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing stand-off in Eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo." Although army spokesperson Colonel Aman Anand said that the army thwarted "Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground", conflicting reports have been emanating regarding the nature of the incident.
The army neither elaborated the exact areas of intrusion by the PLAGF nor the way it repelled the Chinese troops. However, it appears from a closer reading of the situation that the PLA has occupied a mountain called Helmet Top and a nearby feature called 'Black Top'.
The Indian response was undoubtedly quick and swift, but the latest PLA aggression is a natural corollary to the intelligence failure regarding Chinese intentions following the aggressive posturing along the LAC in eastern Ladakh in April-end; the government's denial about PLA incursions in the following months with prime minister asserting not an inch of India's land had been occupied; and the disengagement talks with Beijing, which resulted in India losing further territory with the creation of buffer zones at the points of ingress.
China's main objective is to shift the LAC westwards and the Saturday night incursion is another attempt to achieve it after the May-June transgressions. The PLA has been continuously nibbling away at Indian territory along the LAC for years. The more China shifts the LAC to the west, the easier it becomes to target Leh.
Occupying the southern bank of Pangong Lake has a very strategic and military significance for China. The area provides access to Ladakh and the important mountain pass on the south-eastern approach to Chushul Valley, called Rezang La. The mountain pass, with an average height of 16,000 feet, was the site of the famous battle between 120 daredevils of Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon, led by Major Shaitan Singh, PVC, and thousands of PLA troops on 18 November, 1962.
The flatness of the southern bank of Pangong Tso, compared to the north, makes it all the more militarily important to both India and China. Beijing had already deployed more troops on the southern bank. Any further capture of land and deployment of PLA troops would prove to be extremely dangerous for India with China being able to target the strategically significant Darbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldi Road, and Chushul, which was the flashpoint of Chinese offensive in 1962.
The occupation of Fingers 4-8 — mountains jutting into the lake — in the northern bank by the PLA and the further occupation of Indian territory in the southern bank would give a tactical military advantage to Beijing, in case, of any large-scale confrontation with New Delhi.
Another Chinese objective in occupying Indian territory in the southern bank of the lake is a gap west of Spangur Lake, which is to the west of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Like the Fingers, there are broken mountains that jut to the south of this lake with a nearly two-kilometre-wide gap knows as Spangur Gap, which joins the Chushul plateau. The PLA had established a camp in Spangur area in 1959 and overcame four Indian posts in November 1962, according to the book India's Quest for Security: Defence Policies, 1947-1965, written by Lorne J Kavic.
Currently, the government has no option to reclaim the territory lost to China in May and June; it has suffered a serious setback in the perception war it waged through the media. The PLA had never agreed to withdraw from Pangong Tso and Depsang Plains despite repeated government claims of mutually agreeable points and consensus reached at the commander-level talks — the Saturday night Chinese intrusion into the southern bank of the lake clearly proves it.
The only option left for India is to occupy the strategic heights on its side of the LAC before China attempts further transgressions. Before the Ladakh crisis jolted the government, the Army had been merely patrolling the LAC for years. Now, New Delhi needs a comprehensive joint strategy between all the wings of the armed forces, in case, of a massive confrontation with China, and occupation of strategic areas from where the PLA could attempt incursions.
The Chinese Western Theatre Command, which oversees the Tibet Military Command, has been battle-ready for years with the sole aim of countering India. Around 200,000 PLA troops in TAR are completely acclimatised to the freezing temperatures and have sufficient food and water to last them during a war with India. The PLAGF and the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) have been conducting drills in synergy in TAR for the last several years. According to Chinese military experts, the drills show how the PLA has synergised the PLAGF and the PLAAF and can rush in troops from other Commands during war.
Another challenge for India are the PLA Strategic Support Force (PLASSF) and PLA Rocket Force (PLARF). The PLASSF, the cyber, space and electromagnetic warfare branch, was established by Xi during the first wave of military reforms in 2015. India lacks such an integrated force than can paralyse our banks, government institutes, power and communication grids, military command-and-control centres and destroy Indian satellites.
The PLARF is considered the most lethal missile force in the world. According to United States Indo-Pacific Command’s former Commander Admiral Harry Harris, China has the largest and the most diverse arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles.
Any large-scale military confrontation with China will be India's mistake, home as it is to the third-largest number of COVID-19 cases and the largest daily spike in new infections in the world, and a ravaged economy. India's only option for the moment is to hold onto its areas along the LAC.
As Xi once said, "We do not want to introduce trouble, but we are not afraid to get involved in trouble." India should aim to not let China introduce trouble because it cannot afford to get involved in trouble.
Views expressed are personal
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Kanpur ambush: Last absconding Vikas Dubey aide arrested; accused carried Rs 50,000 reward
Kanpur: Another accused of the Kanpur ambush during which eight policemen were killed by the henchmen of slain gangster Vikas Dubey was arrested on Monday, police said.
Ravindra Kumar alias Ramu Bajpai was carrying a cash reward of Rs 50,000 on his arrest. He was held at Baba Kuaan crossing in the Chaubepur police station area.
A rifle allegedly used in the ambush in Kanpur’s Bikru village on the night of 2 July and live cartridges were recovered from him, Superintendent of Police (rural) Brajesh Srivastava said.
Ramu was named in the FIR along with 20 other accused persons, including Dubey who was gunned down in a police encounter on 10 July while being taken to Kanpur from Ujjain. The dreaded gangster was allegedly caught by security guards at the Mahakal Temple, the SP said.
A case has been registered against Bajpai under various sections of the IPC and the Arms Act. "The intensive interrogation is being made to ascertain his role in the Bikru ambush," the SP said, adding that efforts are on to explore information about the arms and ammunition used in the crime.
Earlier, Dubey's aides Daya Shankar Agnihotri, Shyamu Bajpai, Jahan Yadav, Shashikant Pandit, Monu, Shivam Dubey, Guddan Trivedi, Gopal Saini, Hiru Dubey, Bal Govind, Shiv Tiwari, Vishnupal Yadav, Ram Singh, and Bawwa Shukla were arrested either by the UP STF or Kanpur Police or surrendered before the court.
Six prime accused - Vikas Dubey, Prabhat Mishra, Amar Dubey, Baua Dubey, Prem Kumar Pandey and Atul Dubey - were gunned down in separate encounters since 3 July.
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