India

Ranchi, Dec 15 (IANS) Jharkhand has commenced the procurement of paddy from farmers at Rs 2,400 per quintal, including a Rs 200 bonus above the Minimum Support Price (MSP). State Food Supply Minister Irfan Ansari said that the paddy produced in the state will not be allowed to go into neighboring West Bengal or other states.

Speaking at the inauguration of a paddy procurement center in Nizampura, Jamtara district on Sunday, Minister Ansari urged farmers to sell their harvest at government procurement centers only rather than through middlemen. "This year’s paddy crop will remain within Jharkhand to support the state's food security," he stated.

The government has set a procurement target of 60 lakh quintals this year, matching last year’s target. A total of 699 procurement centers have been set up across the state, with 112 centers starting operations on Sunday.

On the inaugural day, a quite a good number of farmers brought their harvest for sale.

Farmers will receive 50 per cent of the total amount for their paddy at the time of sale, with the remaining 50 per cent and the bonus to be paid after the paddy is processed by rice mills or delivered to district-level warehouses.

The Minister said farmers will receive Rs 2,400 per quintal for standard paddy and Rs 2,420 for grade-A paddy, inclusive of the Rs 200 per quintal bonus.

Over 2.33 lakh farmers have registered to sell paddy at government centers across the state. A cap of 200 quintals per farmer has been set to ensure equitable benefits for small and marginal farmers.

The state has reported a bumper crop this year, with an estimated production of 41.38 lakh tonnes of paddy cultivated across 15.48 lakh hectares. This marks a significant increase from 2023's production of 32.10 lakh tonnes.

Minister Ansari also announced plans to enhance the efficiency of Public Distribution System (PDS) and Large Area Multipurpose Societies (LAMPS) across the state to ensure better support for farmers.

--IANS

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Agartala, Dec 15 (IANS) A day before the 53rd anniversary of Vijay Diwas, the Assam Rifles on Sunday organised a Half Marathon in Agartala.

A defence spokesman said that over 600 participants from various walks of life came together to celebrate this momentous day, dedicated to honouring the valour and sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

The day is a testament to the courage and dedication of India’s soldiers, taking along the citizens towards the shared goal of unity and integrity, he said.

Tripura Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tinku Roy was the chief guest of the function organised in connection with the Half Marathon.

The minister lauded the efforts of Assam Rifles in organising such a significant event, emphasising the importance of patriotism as also encouraging fitness towards building a vibrant society.

Padma Shri awardee and ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar attending the event inspired all the participants, particularly the young athletes, who look up to her as a role model of perseverance and excellence.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from all strata, including youth, women, children, and senior citizens.

Post the run, various patriotic events were also organised to motivate and instil a sense of belongingness among the locals, the defence spokesman said.

The event culminated with the distribution of medals and certificates to the winners across all categories.

Vijay Diwas is commemorated on December 16 every year to honour the victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan in the 1971 war and to pay tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.

Following a 13-day battle, India secured a resounding triumph over Pakistan on December 16, 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh from the former East Pakistan.

On this significant day, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the head of Pakistan's armed forces, along with 93,000 soldiers, surrendered before the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh, marking the most substantial military surrender post World War II.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) J&K Lt Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha on Sunday felicitated the members of Langar Organisations and NGOs who participated in offering community kitchen and other services to pilgrims during Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2024.

At a felicitation ceremony held at the Resident Commissioner’s Office in New Delhi today, the L-G expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders for their selfless service and for making valuable contributions to devotees' well-being during the pilgrimage.

“All the individuals and organisations whom we recognise and honour today are real-life contributors to the traditions of selfless service,” he said.

He said the successful conduct of Yatra 2024 was a result of the collaborative efforts of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, various government departments and agencies, J&K Police, security forces, sewadars, voluntary organisations and civil society groups.

He also reiterated the commitment of the Shrine Board to provide quality facilities to the pilgrims to make their pilgrimage a memorable experience.

“Shri Amarnath Ji yatra is a symbol of our rich spiritual and cultural heritage. The aim of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and all those associated with Langar Seva work is to make the holy pilgrimage divine and hassle-free. It is the responsibility of all of us to put all our energy into this noble cause,” he said.

He also spoke on the infrastructural development including the widening of roads, and the upgradation of various facilities for the safe and smooth conduct of the yatra.

He observed that additional cloakrooms were made functional at Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave. As many as 122 Langars provided free-of-cost food and prasad to the yatris during Yatra 2024 along both the Yatra routes.

This included 47 Langars/NGOs along the Baltal axis, 14 in Sangam & Holy Cave area, 59 on the Pahalgam axis and two in Srinagar Yatri Niwas.

Social organisations were also engaged in providing free fodder service at Pahalgam and Poshpathri, operationalisation of free of-cost battery car service on the Baltal route and distribution of the safety helmets to yatris in Yatra stretches vulnerable to shooting stones, he said.

He said the disaster preparedness and decongestion of Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave area were successfully undertaken prior to the commencement of Yatra 2024.

For the safety and convenience of pilgrims and langar sewadars, it was ensured that langars were set up only in demarcated safer zones at Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave and langar sewadars were allowed in the yatra area with valid RFID cards only, he added.

He also emphasised that all langar organisations and voluntary organisations should strive to provide high-quality service to the pilgrims.

--IANS

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Agartala, Dec 15 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday once again demonstrated his humanitarian commitment towards the welfare of people by going beyond the call of duty.

The Chief Minister while returning to Agartala from a government function in Udaipur under southern Tripura’s Gomati District, came across a distressing sight at Gokulnagar on the National Highway 8 in Sepahijala District where an injured person was lying helpless after a road mishap.

Demonstrating exemplary compassion and leadership, Saha immediately stopped his convoy, got down from his car and then personally sought assistance from the local residents.

“On the direction of the Chief Minister, the middle-aged injured person was immediately shifted to the nearest government hospital in Bishalgarh using a vehicle of the (CM’s) convoy,” a police official said.

Considering the critical importance of timely medical intervention, Saha personally contacted the attending doctors at the Bishalgarh hospital over the phone, requesting them to provide the best possible medical treatment.

In a heartfelt gesture, he conveyed his wishes for the injured person's speedy recovery.

He also expressed his gratitude to the local residents for their prompt action and willingness to help the injured person during the crisis.

The injured person’s two-wheeler earlier collided with a car and he was lying in the road seeking help before the Chief Minister’s convoy reached the spot.

“I wish a speedy recovery for the injured person and thank the local neighbours for coming forward to assist him. Besides, I urge all people to drive more cautiously,” Saha, a dental surgeon turned politician, said in a Facebook post.

In Udaipur, 64 km south of Agartala, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stones of seven projects and virtually inaugurated the newly constructed two-storied building of Gamaria High School in Maharani.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) Collaboration between Centre and state, innovation, and public-private partnerships are key to achieving the 2047 goals of a Viksit Bharat, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Sunday.

He said this while chairing the monthly Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Secretaries of all the Science Ministries and Departments of the Government in the national capital.

Singh called for aligning all the government departments as well as the Centre and State efforts with a "whole of Government" and "whole of Science" approach to transform India into "Viksit Bharat" by 2047.

He called for cooperative federalism in science and stressed the need to integrate all the stakeholders to create a sustainable and progressive ecosystem.

The meeting served as a key platform for evaluating ongoing programmes and discussing future strategies to strengthen India’s scientific ecosystem.

Singh also emphasised the vital role of State Scientific Councils in fostering innovation, advancing regional development, and contributing to national goals.

“State Scientific Councils must rise to the occasion and play their part in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. By working together, we can harness the full potential of our scientific resources to transform India into a developed nation by 2047,” the minister added.

He urged states to act as catalysts for cultivating a scientific temperament, promoting grassroots innovation, and leveraging local expertise to address unique challenges.

The Union Minister also highlighted the importance of market capitalisation for innovations emerging from India’s scientific agencies.

“Scientific innovation must not remain confined to laboratories. It should translate into impactful, market-ready solutions that empower industries and improve lives,” he stated.

“By effectively marketing technologies, India could establish itself as a global leader in innovation and technology-led solutions,” Singh added.

He also advocated for frameworks that enable public-private collaboration to fast-track the commercialisation of lab-scale breakthroughs.

The Union minister stressed that such partnerships are essential for bridging the gap between research and real-world applications, ensuring that innovations are accessible, scalable, and impactful.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) As one nation, one election is once again in the news, BJP leader and former Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Sunday that simultaneous polls are the need of the hour.

Speaking to IANS, he said, “During the tenure of PM Narendra Modi, many important constitutional reforms have taken place in the last 10 years. And I believe that these reforms were pending for decades. This is the result of strong thinking. And that is why one nation, one election is the need of the hour.”

“…And this reform will strengthen our constitutional values and dignity. On the other hand, it will be very helpful for people to understand the election system in a simple and very smooth manner. Because on and off Assembly elections are being held somewhere, Lok Sabha elections are being held somewhere, Panchayat elections or local body polls are being held somewhere, and the country remains trapped in the elections. That's why it is important,” the BJP leader added.

Moreover, the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, officially known as the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, will not be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday as the Revised Business List of the Lower House for the day does not mention the Bill.

Naqvi also reacted to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray’s remarks urging BJP and Congress to stop using historical figures like Veer Savarkar and Jawaharlal Nehru for political gains.

He told IANS, “In fact, he should give this suggestion to his comrades (allies) because both Nehru and Savarkar played important roles in the development of the nation. No one can deny it.”

“…But the Congress party has been speaking ill about Savarkar since the beginning. And we all know that we should show respect to Nehru ji and Savarkar ji,” Naqvi said.

Earlier, Aaditya Thackeray had said, "The Congress and BJP should stop blaming Jawaharlal Nehru or Vinayak Damodar Savarkar for their politics and instead, focus on the future."

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 15 (IANS) A temple modelled after Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir will be constructed in the U.S. by the Swami Satyananda Saraswati Foundation in Pearland, Houston, for the global Hindu community.

As part of the Kerala Hindus of North America conference, the foundation aims to perform a Balalaya Pratishta ceremony at a powerful, divine location on November 23, 2025.

The process of submitting the key components of the temple to local authorities has already begun. The first phase of construction is expected to be completed by November 24, 2026.

This phase will include a large ashram, Hanuman Pratishta modelled after the Ayodhya Temple, and other deity installations along with family temple concepts.

By November 24, 2027, the formation of a global financial institution will take place to promote Sanatan Dharma and strengthen Hindus worldwide.

Additionally, the establishment of the Sanatan Hindu University will be completed, aimed at integrating Vedic knowledge with modern sciences.

The coordinator of the project Ranjith Pillai said that this initiative aims to officially link the new temple with their family temples.

The new temple will be located facing the famous Sri Meenakshi Temple.

Spanning five acres, the temple aims to symbolise world peace.

A unique opportunity has been created to bring a handful of soil from family temples or other local deities’ temples in Kerala and integrate it into the new temple land.

The official announcement of the temple construction was made during a ceremony with prayers led by the Atukal Thantri Vasudev Bhattathiri.

Prominent figures such as former Union Ministers Rajeev Chandrasekhar and V. Muraleedharan, former Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan, SNDP Yogam Vice President Tushar Vellapally, Ayyappa Sevasangham President M. Sangeeth Kumar, Swami Krishnanandagiri from Mumbai’s Ramagiri Ashram, and Kerala Hindus of North America President Nisha Pillai attended the event.

The organisers in a statement said that devotees from Kerala’s family temples and local deity temples have a rare opportunity to bring a handful of soil and integrate it with the new temple land.

The coordinator of the project Ranjith Pillai said that this initiative aims to officially link the new temple with their family temples.

The project acknowledges the deep spiritual connection between families and the deities they have traditionally served.

The organisers said that by adhering to the ceremonial traditions of these family deities, spiritual protection is ensured.

Through collecting divine soil from family temples worldwide, the project seeks to manifest the eternal bond of tradition, Ranjith Pillai said.

This temple will serve as a comprehensive initiative that connects Hindu homes spiritually with Ayodhya.

The new Temple, set to become a symbol of world peace, will fulfil the spiritual needs of the American Hindu community while serving as an example of cultural unity and involvement.

The primary goal of the foundation is to create a world filled with prosperity and peace by combining spiritual strength, financial stability, and Vedic wisdom.

The project aims to promote spiritual unity, protect cultural heritage, and empower the global Hindu community.

Foundation officials also noted that many people have expressed support for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

--IANS

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Ranchi, Dec 15 (IANS) Madhusudan Rai, also known as Madhu Rai, a real estate businessman, was shot dead in broad daylight by criminals in the Namkum area of Ranchi on Sunday.

The brazen attack, carried out in the middle of the road, created panic across the city.

According to reports, Rai had left his home in Rajaulatu Unidih, under the Namkum police station, on a scooter. He was attacked near Kawali, where the assailants shot him and fired 12 bullets after he collapsed on the road. The criminals fled the scene without any resistance.

Rai succumbed to his injuries on the spot. Upon receiving the news, his family members and local residents gathered at the site and blocked the road in protest. Police later managed to clear the blockade after lengthy discussions and sent the body to RIMS for postmortem.

Several senior police officials arrived at the scene to assess the situation. The case is under investigation, but the motive for the murder remains unclear. Authorities suspect the attack took place due to business rivalry or personal enmity, as Rai had a history of disputes.

Notably, Rai had been the target of previous attacks. Around 15 years ago, his wife was killed in a firing incident in Rajaulatu during a land dispute. He was also shot and injured in 2016.

In another incident, the body of a woman Chandravati Devi, a resident of Murkunda Kumhartoli in Jharkhand’s Gumla district, was recovered on Sunday from a forest near her village, three days after she went missing.

Chandravati Devi’s son, Sunil Mahato, had filed a missing person report at the local police station on December 12, suspecting her kidnapping.

The family has alleged that Chandravati was murdered by villagers who suspected her of practicing witchcraft. On Saturday, her family discovered broken bangles and a bundle of firewood in the forest, which they reported to the police. Acting on this information, the police intensified their search, leading to the recovery of her body.

The victim’s family claims that Chandravati had been harassed for months by certain villagers who accused her of being a witch.

Despite filing a complaint about these threats at the Gumla police station, no action was reportedly taken.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Dec 15 (IANS) In an intelligence-led operation, Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell of Amritsar has busted an inter-state illegal gun trade backed by US-based handlers with the arrest of its two members and recovered 10 country-made pistols along with 20 magazines and ammunition from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

Those arrested have been identified as Satnam Singh and Manjit Singh, both residents of Batala.

DGP Yadav said preliminary investigations have revealed that primarily, accused Satnam was in touch with his US-based handler, Sunny Masih alias Gulli, who is wanted in multiple cases of heroin smuggling.

For his convenience, accused Satnam also involved his relative Manjit in drug peddling and transportation of illegal weapons, he said.

Yadav said investigations have also revealed that the accused were procuring illegal weapons from Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand to further supply them to Punjab-based gangsters.

The DGP said investigations are going on to establish linkages to unearth the entire network of this module.

Assistant Inspector General Sukhminder Singh Mann said they have received a tip-off that Sunny Masih is running an inter-state weapons smuggling module in the state with the help of his associates.

In pursuit of the input, the police launched an operation and arrested two members of this module after recovering a weapon consignment from their possession, he said.

During questioning, the arrested accused Satnam revealed that Sunny Masih used to pay him courier charges on a delivery basis. The accused also revealed that around one month ago, he smuggled four weapons from Madhya Pradesh to Punjab for which he was paid Rs 10,000 and for the current delivery, Sunny had promised him to pay Rs 20,000.

He said the accused Satnam Singh has a criminal history with at least three cases under the NDPS Act registered against him. He was released on bail on July 30.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) The world can expect another pandemic any day, due to virus spillover from animals, said Mario C.B. Raviglione, former Director of the Global Tuberculosis (TB) Programme at the World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday.

Speaking exclusively to IANS, Raviglione said that a highly interconnected world is the perfect way for the spread of another pandemic, like COVID-19.

“Everyone is expecting another pandemic. This may happen any day because we live in a very interconnected world,” said Raviglione, Full Professor of Global Health at the University of Milan, Italy.

“Italy was the first country that was hit in the Western world by Covid. And that is obviously linked to the rapid transportation means that we have nowadays. So in an interconnected world, in a global village, apart from some countries, they are trying their best to rebuild barriers. We know that they exist, unfortunately.

The Professor noted that some countries are trying their best to rebuild barriers by means of conflicts, but we all are “interconnected”.

“It is such that, any, particularly respiratory type of disease, viruses, as we have seen, can spread very, very quickly,” he said.

He explained that the majority of newly emerging diseases are viral, and they are emerging mostly from the animal world. That means they are zoonosis, like Covid.

In the recent past, the world has seen COVID-19, Ebola, chikungunya, West Nile fever, the most recent mPox, and H5N1 influenza -- all related to the animal kingdom in one way or another.

Despite the emerging threats, the preparedness by countries is extremely low, and this will have several implications, Raviglione lamented.

“You need to invest. And governments are not particularly keen to invest in something for preparation, for preparedness. They like to invest more because it's more visible. If I have a disease, then I'm going to massively mobilise resources to treat the disease. But it will then be too late to prevent it. So, the issue of preparedness is fundamental,” the expert said.

He suggested preparedness hubs to counter and detect new threats in the early phase, citing the example of the Covid pandemic, where world countries were not prepared, and how vaccine inequality led to the loss of so many lives, particularly in the low-income countries.

“Preparedness implies that you need to have the support of laboratories, the support of pharma and biochemical, or the biochemical sector to rapidly develop the test, not just in Europe or in North America, but also in India, also in other countries,” Raviglione said.

He urged that the BRICS countries should have this kind of mechanism in place in such a way that if there is a need for a vaccine, then certain conditions can be applied regardless of the patent.

(Rachel V Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in)

--IANS

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