Focus

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) September is observed as 'Heart Month' every year. During this month a lot of activities are organised to sensitise people about heart health and the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle in the fight against cardiac diseases.

However, as the awareness activities get over, most people fail to keep up the momentum and lean back to their routine inactive lifestyle. At the conclusion of World Heart Month, cardiologists have unanimously highlighted the importance of an active lifestyle and activities like stair climbing for indicative assessment and maintaining heart health.

#heart2heartchallengeIndia is an initiative that urges people to climb stairs in one minute for heart health. Maintaining momentum in such initiatives can play a pivotal role in adopting active lifestyle habits at a mass level for better heart health.

"Heart attack and stroke account for 85 per cent of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)-related mortality. One of the leading behavioural risk factors is physical inactivity and lack of exercise. Hence, climbing stairs is one of the many forms of exercise that has been scientifically proven to be beneficial for one's heart. The stair climbing test is an easy way to check one's heart health at no cost. The 'Heart2Heart' campaign is an initiative that needs to be propagated in India to prevent future cardiac problems," said Jamshed J. Dalal, Director, Centre for Cardiac Sciences, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Mumbai.

Ajay Mahajan, Professor and Head of Cardiology at KEM hospital, Mumbai, said, "The overall mortality of heart attacks is 13 per cent and it is higher in women than the men. Compounding problems are the fact that sudden cardiac death occurs for 10 per cent in age groups less than 40 years. This leads to a loss of productivity and has a profound socio-economic impact. A large-scale primary prevention initiative dealing with lifestyle changes of regular exercise, consumption of a balanced and healthy diet and tobacco cessation is required. Training of personnel in resuscitation is also needed. To spread awareness, the 'Heart2Heart' campaign 'Healthy Heart' challenge is the need of the hour."

P.K. Hazra, Cardiologist, Head of the Department, AMRI hospitals, Kolkata, said, "People in India are genetically predisposed to develop coronary heart diseases. But the lack of awareness and access to preventive care often leads to late diagnosis and poor outcomes among the patients. Understanding the risk factors and seeking preventive and timely care to manage heart disease calls for raising awareness among the masses. It is very important to understand that the role of exercise (get-moving) plays a pivotal role in debunking the onset of heart diseases. Any form of exercise is beneficial for heart health like climbing stairs, walking to the bus-stop, cycling, according to studies."

C.N. Manjunath, Cardiologist, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bangalore, said, "The mission of the European Society of Cardiology was to devise a method that is both simple and free of cost for determining the health of an individual's heart. People who can climb four flights of stairs in one minute have a significantly reduced risk of having abnormal cardiac function. The findings add legitimacy to the concept of using the stair test as a quick and easy method for individuals to evaluate the state of their cardiovascular health. It has the potential to assist in preventing CVDs, which are major causes of mortality in India. However, if a person is getting chest pain or a burning sensation while climbing stairs, it could be an early sign of blockage of the artery."

A. George Koshy, Cardiologist, Tiruvananthapuram, said, "India has one of the highest burdens of CVDs worldwide as every fourth death has been occurring due to it. Hypertensive cardiovascular disease can lead to heart failure, heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths. People with uncontrolled blood pressure, blood sugar, high blood cholesterol and unhealthy lifestyles like smoking, junk food and lack of physical exercise are at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and consequent disabilities at a young age. In this direction, the 'Heart2Heart' campaign of climbing stairs to check heart health is a much-needed stimulus toward spreading awareness around heart health, and reducing the incidence of heart diseases."

The conclusion of Heart Month should be seen as the beginning of a new year that sees maximum people adopting healthy heart habits.

#heart2heartchallengeindia can be a torch bearer that has motivated thousands of people to take the challenge of climbing six-steps in a minute and adopt stair climbing in their routine lives.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched 5G services in the country, saying it was a "historic day for 21st century India" and added that the technology will revolutionise the country's telecom sector.

Launching the service at the four-day India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2022 at Pragati Maidan in the national capital, Modi spoke about the benefits of 5G in India and how the service will help the country's technological revolution.

He also spoke about key pillars that will support the Digital India movement, including the need for affordable technology and a widespread network.

The Prime Minister stressed on manufacturing of smart phones in India and said how it will ensure a reduction in device costs.

"Till 2014 we used to import 100 per cent of our mobile phones. That's why we decided to become 'atmanirbhar' in this particular area. In India, we now have 200 mobile phone manufacturing units now," he said.

Modi also mentioned that India had 25 crore internet connections back in 2014, a number which has now increased to 85 crore.

More internet users are coming onboard from rural areas, he said, adding that 5G will play a key role in how users new and old will benefit from the internet and its possibilities.

"Many people used to make fun of my atmanirbhar Bharat, but we increased mobile phone manufacturing units in India. Eight years ago, there were only two mobile manufacturing units in India. Today, there are over 200 units. We are at number 2 in the world and are exporting our mobile phones to world," the Prime Minister noted.

Modi said that at the time of 2G, 3G, 4G, India was dependent on other natios for technology, but with 5G, the country has created a new history.

"With 5G, India is setting a global standard in telecom technology for the first time."

The Prime Minister went on to say that with the increase in digital connectivity, the country has witnessed a multiplier effect.

"We have taken digital from the elite to the grassroots in India, and this has led to innovation in the country."

Earlier, the Prime Minister virtually interacted with metro workers, who were present inside a tunnel, via 5G technology.

5G will be launched in select cities on Saturday and it will progressively cover the entire country over the next couple of years.

The cumulative economic impact of 5G on India is estimated to reach $450 billion by 2035.

The cumulative economic impact of 5G on India is estimated to reach $450 billion by 2035.

--IANS
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By Saiyed Moziz Imam Zaidi
New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) The Congress will witness a contest for the party president's post between Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor, both having filed their nominations on Friday. However, with senior leaders siding with Kharge and the Congress G-23 group too endorsing his candidature, it leaves fellow member Tharoor to fend for himself.


The G-23 leaders are the main proposers of Mallikarjun Kharge along with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for the Congress presidential poll. Digvijaya Singh who also collected the nomination papers for himself ended up becoming a proposer for Kharge. He is tipped to become the Leader of Opposition in the Upper House when Kharge vacates the position after being elected Congress president.

In the set of nominations, the names of the proposers include Anand Sharma, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Prithviraj Chavan, Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Mukul Wasnik and Manish Tewari, who were in the G-23. Others who signed the nomination papers include Ashok Gehlot, who opted out of the race on Thursday after meeting Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi.

Almost all the G-23 leaders were present at the Congress headquarters at the time of Kharge's filing of nomination, signalling an end to the stalemate since 2020 when the group wrote a letter demanding elections in the party. The group, however, has not come out in support of Shashi Tharoor who was part of it.

Gehlot, who was initially the frontrunner, opted out after Sunday's fiasco in Jaipur where MLAs loyal to him boycotted the CLP. Gehlot's supporters demanded that the issue of Chief Minister should be decided after October 19 but Congress state in-charge Ajay Maken wanted a one line resolution.

Ashok Gehlot opted out and said, "In this circumstances I don't want to contest and the issue of chief ministership will be decided by the party high command. Whether I remain the CM will be decided by Madam (Sonia Gandhi)... I am a loyal soldier of the Congress from Indiraji's time. I have expressed regret and sadness over whatever happened in Jaipur."

Earlier, while entering Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10 Janpath, Gehlot was seen carrying a set of papers. On one of the papers, it was written "Whatever has happened is sad and I am also hurt."

"I have always acted as a loyal soldier of the party. The incident that happened on the day of the legislature party meeting has left everyone shaken. It gave a message as if I wanted to continue as the Chief Minister, so I apologised to her," Gehlot said after the meeting.

In Rajasthan, amid the full blown controversy, the Congress has had to issue gag orders against making public statements. The Congress on Tuesday served show-cause notices to Rajasthan Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal, party chief whip Mahesh Joshi and RTDC chairman Dharmendra Rathore for holding a parallel meeting of party legislators in Jaipur.

The notice issued to Dhariwal said that he, being the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, has committed "grave indiscipline" by hosting a parallel MLAs meeting at his residence and thus "pressuring MLAs not to attend the official meeting".

"As Parliamentary Affairs Minister, hosting the unofficial meeting confused the Congress MLAs as to which one was convened officially," the notice reads.

The notice that has sought a response within 10 days also noted that Dhariwal's action (parallel meeting) came even when senior party leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Rajasthan in-charge Ajay Maken repeatedly clarified that they have come to speak to each MLA "individually and impartially" and report to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

Similarly, the notice addressed to Joshi stated that he, as Chief Whip, has conducted "grave indiscipline" by boycotting the official CLP (Congress Legislature Party) meeting and by participating in and convening a parallel meeting of the MLAs at the time when the officially appointed observers were waiting for the official meeting to start.

"As Chief Whip your presence at the unofficial and illegal meeting confused the MLAs as to which one was convened officially," added the notice.

In the show-cause notice to Rathore, he was accused of making all the logistical arrangements and was held responsible for being behind the entire planning of the unofficial meeting of the MLAs.

Maken has recommended disciplinary action against Dhariwal, Joshi and Rathore whom he blamed for holding the parallel meet.

Maken, in his report to the party president, has reported "grave indiscipline" on their part. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, sources said, has been exonerated in the report submitted to Sonia Gandhi.

The official meeting of the Congress Legislature Party was to be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Chief Minister's residence in Jaipur, but before that Gehlot's loyalists gathered at Dhariwal's residence. From there, they went to Speaker C.P. Joshi's residence and collectively submitted their resignations to him.

The other contender for the Chief Minister's post, Sachin Pilot on Thursday met Sonia Gandhi and said that everyone has to work together for the party to come back to power in 2023.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) The attrition rate in the IT-BPM sector in India is reaching gigantic proportions and up to 22 lakh IT professionals are likely to quit their jobs by 2025, a report has said.

The findings showed that 57 per cent of IT professionals would not consider returning to the IT services sector in the future.

The 'Talent Exodus Report' report by TeamLease Digital predicts up to 55 per cent growth in contract staffing attrition for FY 2023 as compared to 49 per cent in FY 2022

The report said there is a huge misconception with the sentiment in the candidate market, that a salary increase would improve performance and boost job satisfaction, and 20 lakh-22 lakh employees are expected to leave their jobs by 2025.

"The Indian IT sector has witnessed tremendous growth in the last decade. It has recorded 15.5 per cent growth, which is the fastest in more than a decade and touched $227 billion, creating additional 5.5 lakh jobs in FY22 alone," said Sunil Chemmankotil, Chief Executive Officer, TeamLease Digital.

However, with the global pandemic disrupting the IT hiring chain, "there is evidence of a reverse trend which indicates that retaining a business-critical talent has undergone a great change in the last two years", he added.

With the usual demand for salary hikes and other benefits, the main attraction for employees in their new jobs is 'Great Reflection' on the internal policies and external factors that "should be relooked at by employers as we are viewing great changes in the employees' feelings about work and life", Chemmankotil added.

While employees' needs and priorities have changed, such as the desire for flexibility, career growth, and employee value proposition, they are re-evaluating their careers based on these aspects and quitting their well-cushioned jobs in the mid-way.

The alarming figures reveal that the flexible structure has heightened the choice.

"Organisations' strategic hiring plans must contain goals towards their employees and their betterment. This ultimately translates into soul searching over whether an employee feels valued in his/her work or merely creates outcomes and value to benefit others," said the report.

New age firms ramping up their workforce was the chief cause of attrition in the IT services sector in 2021.

Nearly 50 per cent of respondents believe that 'lack of better compensation and benefits' is the greatest reason for talent exodus, whereas 25 per cent believe lack of career growth to be the reason

"IT companies are experiencing dysfunctional turnover where the best employees of companies are voluntarily leaving at higher rates," the report mentioned.

--IANS
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By Sanu K. George
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 30 (IANS) Will Thiruvananthapuram Congress Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor, known for his proficiency in English language, emerge as a "dark horse" or seen as a "black sheep" after the dust on the Congress presidential polls settles.



Preliminary indications are that he has already sprang a huge surprise with 15 top Congress supporting his candidature to the top party post.

Tharoor, who completed a hat trick of wins from the prestigious Lok Sabha seat here has never been the darling of the Congress leaders ever, especially in the state capital, as his impressive track record, outside of the political arena, has unnevered several, say critics.

Hence, his decision of contesting for the party president's post was greeted with scorn by many Congress leaders here. The normally silent veteran 81-year-old former Defence Minister A.K.Antony said Tharoor never said anything to him about his candidature.

Contrary to the general perception that he will find it hard to get anyone to sign his nomination papers, he found supporters in 15 of his leaders.

Tharoor sprang a huge surprise and reportedly his supporters are from all sections of the faction-ridden party in Kerala, including seasoned veterans and Youth Congress leaders.

On Monday, Tharoor made an emergency visit to Palakkad and briefly met Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the Bharat Jodo yatra. It was during his visit he managed to swell his support base.

Incidentally, from Kerala 328 Congress leaders are in the list of voters.

With Antony expressing his displeasure and AICC general secretary (Organisation) K.C.Venugopal also not having any regards for Tharoor, the general impression was he will bite the dust and end up in an embarrassing position, but with 15 frontline leaders signing, things appear to have turned in his favour.

A media critic on condition of anonymity said this is perhaps the first time in several years there has been a challenge to the diktats of the Gandhi family.

"None should forget it was none other than Antony who led a faction out from the Congress party after differences of opinion surfaced with Indira Gandhi in the late seventies and joined hands with the CPI-M here. Now the same Antony is opposing someone who showed the guts to announce his candidature and this is politics," said the critic.

Friday is the last day for filing of nominations and all eyes are on Tharoor, who has managed to cross a major hurdle, much against the wishes of Antony and Venugopal.

--IANS
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Chamarajanagar (Karnataka), Sep 30 (IANS) Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi entered Karnataka on Friday amid a warm welcome by Siddaramaiah and his supporters, who in the process violated forest rules.

Siddaramaiah and his supporters had gathered in the Tiger Reserve Forest near Kekkanahalli at the Karnataka border. The forest department had denied permission for the padayatra in the reserve forest and had given permission to travel by car only.

But Siddaramaiah stopped his vehicle and welcomed Rahul Gandhi in the Tiger Reserve Forest along with former ministers and senior Congress leaders Mahadevappa, K.J. George and others.

Rahul Gandhi will participate in a convention organised at Gundlupet town before the launch of the 21-day Bharat Jodo Yatra through Karnataka. The party has arranged lunch for 30,000 party workers in the Veeranapura village.

Rahul Gandhi will walk for four kilometers after the convention on the National Highway before halting for lunch. He will interact with Adivasis and families of victims who died due to lack of oxygen in Chamarajanagar district hospital during Covid-19 pandemic.

The padayatra will resume at 4 p.m. near Bendakalli Gate, and at 7 p.m. the first day's yatra will end at Begur village.

--IANS
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By Brij Khandelwal
Agra, Sep 30 (IANS) With the second spell of monsoon rains last week, the dry and polluted Yamuna river is again in full flow, adding visual delight to tourists' experience at the rain-washed Taj Mahal and the Etmauddaula.


"Yamuna's lost glory has been restored. The river has sprung back to life drawing thousands of cheering people to its banks," said Devashish Bhattacharya of the River Connect Campaign.

Will there be a flood? How long this beautiful scene with the river flowing full to the brim will continue to inspire and fascinate us? These are the questions everyone is asking.

The rain washed Taj Mahal against a clear, blue skyline dazzles, as tourists, express awe and wonder. The Yamuna at the rear of the Taj Mahal has transformed the ambience as the lush green vegetation around the Mehtaab Bagh all the way to the Agra Fort and beyond is a delight to watch.

The controversial Taj Corridor is now a sprawling green buffer between the Taj and the Fort, both world heritage monuments. The picturesque skyline against a full flowing Yamuna is an experience that tourists shall never forget.

Pandit Jugal Kishor Kishore of the Sri Mathuradheesh temple along the river bank said, "From a sickly sewage canal, the Yamuna river stands as a vibrant and attractive water body which is the lifeline of the city. Heaps of garbage that had accumulated along the banks have disappeared. The banks are now cleaner and greener, thanks to the monsoon rains. The chirping birds are back and people stop by for a while to enjoy the spectacle of the Yamuna in its pristine glory."

It is worth recalling that the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal because of the Yamuna river, but in the past few decades, due to lack of fresh water and pollution by industries, the river has lost its charm and ancient glory. For most part of the year the Yamuna remains dry and polluted as upstream barrages from Hathini Kund to Wazirabad, Okhla and Gokul hold back all the water. The downstream cities suffer as a result.

Environmentalist Devashish Bhattacharya says there is an urgent need to ensure a minimum flow of water round the year so that the river remains alive and sustains the precious aqua life.

Over 500 years ago, it was the grandeur of the Yamuna that had attracted the founder of the Mughal dynasty to open shops in Agra. In later years, his descendants built some of the magnificent monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Etmaduddaula along its banks.

While the younger folk have generally stayed away from the stinking river which holds no charm for them, people of the older generations do occasionally venture out to conduct ritualistic pujas and baths. Unfortunately the dozen-odd ghats along the riverfront, which once was the centre of a thriving commercial activity and river culture, have disappeared without a trace, reducing the 20 km-long riverfront to a vast wasteland, Bhattacharya adds.

"We all know that all great civilizations in the world developed along river banks. The rivers have been sustaining life in its various manifestations and glory. The importance of rivers in India can be understood by one simple fact that almost all rivers are worshipped as goddesses," green activist Padmini Iyer said.

Yamuna, the consort of Sri Krishna has played a significant role in shaping the history of India right from the days of the Mahabharat till today. An interesting fact about Yamuna is that it has a richer history and a valuable contribution to enriching culture, art, architecture and commerce, compared to river Ganga.

Starting in Uttarkashi district in the Himalayas from Yamunotri glacier, it enters Dehradun, flows close to Jagdhari and Yamuna Nagar in Himachal, separates Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, enters Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, touches Kurukshetra, Karnal,Sonipat, and the famous battleground of Panipat.

The epic Mahabharata was written on its bank, Saint Parasher and Satyawati gave birth to Ved Vyas, Raja Bharat and the father of Bhisma Shantanu organised great Yagnas, and for thousands of years great saints and thinkers lived in ashrams along the Yamuna banks.

Leaving Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the river enters Delhi which for 2,000 years has been the seat of power and politics. The Mughals and later the British built dozens of monuments and forts. The river once again enters Haryana and three of its big industrial clusters, Ballabhgarh, Faridabad and Palwal depend on its water.

Once it enters Uttar Pradesh, the river's profile changes as a whole mythology is woven around the Yamuna. Sri Krishna lore would be incomplete without the river. From Vrindavan to Bateshwar in Agra district, it is Sri Krishna and Radha and their leelas that sustain literature, culture, faith and philosophy.

Vallabhacharya, the blind bard of Braj Bhasha Soor Das, the mediaval Bhakti movement and the Meera tradition blossomed along the Yamuna banks. As the river leaves Mathura it enters the famous Renuka Dham. Renuka was the mother of lord Parshu Ram. A little distance away the river suddenly takes an eastern turn as it enters Agra, the capital of the Mughals. The river is now joined by half a dozen other smaller rivers like Parvati, Khari, Utangan, Gambhir. Beyond Agra rivers Betwa and Chambal merge into Yamuna which eventually joins Ganga in Prayagraj.

No other river in the world has a richer history, culture or religious significance and as the sister of Yamraj, the god of death, its star status in Indian mythological tradition is permanently etched.

Yamuna finds mention in Rig Veda, the founder of the Mughal dynasty Babar was lyrical about the quality of Yamuna water confirmed by medieval historians and foreign travellers. Both Abul Fazal and Lahauri have written extensively about the Yamuna water.

It was the Yamuna water that compelled Shah Jahan to build his dream monument the Taj Mahal along its bank. Pandit Jagannath, wrote the famous Ganga Lahri. But in praise of Yamuna he wrote the Amrit Lahri, such was the quality of its water.

But what of today? How do we describe Yamuna today? A sewage canal, a drain, a big gutter, a civilisational sink? From the life giving Amrit to death dispensing poison, has been the cruel tale of this river which even in its dying stages is sustaining the life of millions of people.

--IANS
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Bhubaneswar, Sep 29 (IANS) BJP national President Jagat Prakash Nadda said on Thursday that the saffron party is fighting family-based parties in various parts of the country, including in Odisha.

Addressing booth-level workers at the Janata Maidan here, Nadda said BJP is the biggest political party in the world with a strength of 18 crore.

"There is no party in the world with such strength. We are an ideology-based national party. For us, it is always nation first, but keeping in mind the regional aspirations," he said.

"This is a cadre-based party with a mass following. After the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, we formed government in Bihar, Assam and Puducherry for the first time... So, we are a national party with government in maximum states," Nadda said.

"Today we are fighting against the Indian National Congress, but the party no longer remains national nor Indian as it has become a party of brother and sister," he said.

"We are also fighting against dynasty-based parties. Abdullahs and Muftis in Jammu & Kashmir, Chautalas in Haryana, Badals in Punjab, Akhilesh in UP, Yadav in Bihar, and Soren in Jharkhanda. In Odisha it is one man party... We are fighting parties run by families," he added.

"Dynasty politics is also prevalent in Odisha with the presence of Biju Patnaik's party. BJP is the only party that is not family-based and is driven by ideology," said the BJP chief.

Nadda also informed the party workers about the steps taken by the Narendra Modi government for providing safe drinking water, power supply, pucca houses, toilets etc. for the people of Odisha.

Institutions like AIIMS, IIM, NISER and many medical colleges have been set up by the Modi government in Odisha, he said.

"The first tribal President of India, Droupadi Murmu, is from Odisha and more than 15 persons from the state have been conferred with Padma awards. This was never the case during the UPA rule and shows PM Modi's immense love for the state," he added.

Taking a dig at the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in Odisha, Nadda said, "This government puts lebels on Central schemes. The PM Awas Yojana is being branded as Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana. While 50 crore people have been included under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, 60 lakh people in Odisha are deprived of it."

The Centre has allocated Rs 15,490 crore to Odisha under MGNREGA but fake bills are being made here, he said.

"Similarly, crores of rupees are being spent under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Yet tribal women in Odisha are going to ponds and wells to fetch drinking water. It shows that the Naveen Patnaik-led government is riddled with corruption," the BJP chief said.

Claiming that protectors have become perpetrators of crime in Odisha, Nadda said, "The state of governance in Odisha can be gauged from the fact that three ministers are accused of murder."

Nadda added that even the 'Ratna Bhandar' of Lord Jagannath is not safe in Odisha.

"Ratna Bhandar's key was missing and later a duplicate key was found. Uproot this type of duplicate government and bring BJP to power in Odisha," he said.

"The BJD has been ruling Odisha for 20 years, yet it has failed to ensure ambulance service for pregnant women in the remote areas," the BJP leader claimed.

It's time to uproot this government and bring a double-engine 'sarkar' for development, Nadda told the party workers.

The BJP President is on a two-day visit to the state. This is Nadda's first visit to Odisha after being appointed as BJP chief.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS) Despite the Indian government's heightened scrutiny of Chinese tech firms, the Chinese smartphone brands are expected to solidify their foothold in the country owing to booming sales in the 5G era, state-run Global Times has reported, citing industry experts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to officially announce the 5G launch on October 1 and there will be a new wave of sales in the domestic market, dominated by Chinese manufacturers.

"India's 5G network upgrade will mean a range of opportunities for Chinese mobile phone firms, which have two-thirds of the market, leading to an expected sale of 20 million 5G phones before the year end," the report mentioned.

That is equivalent to an additional month of sales for the Chinese phone makers, said Yang Shucheng, secretary general of the India China Mobile Phone Enterprise Association.

According to the report, Chinese smartphones have shown resilience in the market, despite heightened scrutiny of Chinese technology companies by the Indian regulators, "which have caused disruptions and concern among the Chinese businesses".

"But Chinese smartphone brands' popularity among the ordinary Indian consumers provides a firm foundation".

Shipments of smartphones in India reached 36.4 million in the second quarter, with Chinese brands accounting for about 70 per cent, according to data released by Canalys.

"This shows that Indian consumers put importance on phone quality, while not political factors," said Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University.

"Many Chinese mobile phones are already equipped with 5G functions, and with the launch of 5G service in India, they will be favoured by the Indian consumers," Feng was quoted as saying.

Earlier reports mentioned that troubled China-based smartphone brands in India are now planning to set up manufacturing plants in countries like Egypt, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.

The report, citing a Chinese executive based in India, claimed that companies will evaluate bilateral ties, market potential, preferential policies and labour costs to set up manufacturing plants elsewhere.

--IANS
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Bhopal, Sep 29 (IANS) Ever since the poll schedule for the post of Congress president was announced, there has been an unending buzz that two leaders from Madhya Pradesh may file nominations -- Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh and state Congress chief Kamal Nath.

Kamal Nath said that he was not in the race of the Congress' top post as he wants to focus on the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, which is just 14 months away.

Digvijaya Singh on Thursday reached the party headquarters in New Delhi from Kerala where he was participating in Bharat Jodi Yatra with Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders, and collected the nomination form. With this fresh twist in the race of the Congress chief, he made it clear that he wants to be a contestant.

He has also got the support from the Congress unit of Madhya Pradesh and a delegation of party's MLAs would reach the national capital to extend their support to Singh.

Digvijaya's brother Laxman Singh, who had once joined the BJP and returned to the Congress in 2013, said, "Our parents have always taught us about struggle. Me and my brother, Digvijaya Singh, are not the ones who would step back. We will fight."

Meanwhile, leader of opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly -- Dr. Govind Singh, who is considered close to Digvijaya Singh, claimed that Kamal Nath had asked him to reach Delhi with party's MLAs. "Nearly two dozen MLAs, including Dr. Govind Singh would reach Delhi by late night or early Friday morning," sources told IANS.

"Why Digvijaya Singh would be the best candidate for AICC head, it has three reasons -- First, he is a good orator with a decades of experience of both administration and the organisation, second, he belongs to the Hindi-speaking belt where the party's condition is completely deteriorated, and third reason is that the Congress head should be a person who can take on PM Modi and, therefore Digvijaya Singh would be the best candidate for the party's to post," said a Congress leader on condition of anonymity.

--IANS
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