Category: India News

Rajini To Remain In Films

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 29 December 2020
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In an anti-climax to his much expected political plunge, actor Rajinikanth on Tuesday announced his decision to back out citing his health condition.

In a three page letter posted on his Twitter handle, Rajinikanth said despite severe precautions taken at the shooting of “Annatthe” movie four persons tested positive for coronavirus.

The actor said while he tested negative for coronavirus, his blood pressure fluctuated and hence was hospitalised in Hyderabad.

Rajinikanth said the doctors had advised him that fluctuating blood pressure will affect his transplanted kidney.

He said the movie shooting got postponed resulting in the loss of crores of rupees and jobs for many.

“All because of my health condition. I am looking at this as a warning given to me by the God,” Rajinikanth said.

The actor also said it is not possible to bring out an uprising amongst the people campaigning via social media after floating a party.

“I have to address public meetings, meet lakhs of people,” he said.

According to him, even in a group of 120 persons (movie shooting team) he was in hospital for three days owing to some people testing positive for coronavirus. And now there is a new virus mutant.

Rajinikanth said as he is taking immunosuppressants, anti-coronavirus vaccine may not be effective and if his health gets affected his fellow political passengers might face various problems.

“Hence with much regret I am saying that I am not in a position to start political party and enter politics. Only I know the pain when I announce this,” Rajinikanth said.

The actor said without entering politics he will serve the people.

In view of his post-transplant status, labile hypertension and age, the doctors have advised him complete bed rest for one week with regular monitoring of blood pressure. He was also advised to undertake minimal physical activity and to avoid stress.

He has also been counselled to avoid any activity that increases the risk of contracting Covid-19, the hospital added.

Earlier, the hospital in the medical bulletin released revealed that there was nothing alarming in the test reports of Rajinikanth.

A couple of people on the film sets had tested positive for Covid-19. Rajinikanth was tested on December 22 for Covid but was negative. Since then, he had isolated himself and was being monitored closely.

Rajinikanth turned 70 on December 12.

On December 14, a picture was posted by Sun Pictures that showed Rajinikanth at the shoot of Annaatthe. He was seen sitting on a chair with his mask on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSP4jxngRw0

Annaatthe is a Tamil action film written and directed by Siva, and produced by Kalanithi Maran under the banner Sun Pictures. The film stars Rajinikanth with Meena, Khushbu, Keerthy Suresh, Nayanthara, Prakash Raj and Jackie Shroff.

The musical score for the film is being composed by D. Imman. Vetri is in charge of cinematography while the film is being edited by Ruben.

on May 2020, Sun Pictures announced that Annaatthe is scheduled to release on Pongal. However, the film was subsequently postponed owing to delays following the Covid outbreak.

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India Reports First Cases Of Mutant Virus Strain

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 29 December 2020
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The samples of six UK returnees in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune have been found to be positive with the new variant genome, the central government said on Tuesday, adding that they have been kept in a single-room-isolation in designated healthcare facilities.

The British government had recently announced that the newly identified strain of the virus found in their population is up to 70 per cent more transmissible. This had prompted the Indian authorities to suspend flights to and from the UK till December 31.

Pursuant to this, the government found that about 33,000 passengers had disembarked at various Indian airports from the UK from November 25 to December 23 midnight. All these passengers were tracked and subjected by the states and UTs to the RT-PCR tests. So far only 114 have been found positive. These positive samples were then sent to 10 labs.

“A total of six samples of six UK returnee persons have been found to be positive with the new UK variant genome. Three in NIMHANS, Bengaluru, two in CCMB, Hyderabad and one in NIV, Pune. All these persons have been kept in single room isolation in designated Healthcare facilities by the respective state governments. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine,” the health ministry said.

Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on. The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the states for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to the INSACOG labs, the ministry added.

It is important to note that the presence of the new UK Variant has already been reported by Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore.

Few days back, the Indian government had taken cognizance of the reports of mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus reported from the UK and put in place a proactive and preventive strategy to detect and contain the mutant variant. It included temporary suspension of all flights coming from the UK with effect from the midnight of December 23 till 31.

Testing of all UK returnee air passengers through RT-PCR test was made mandatory. The samples of all UK returnees found positive in RT-PCR test to be genome sequenced by a consortium of ten government labs.

The strategy also included a meeting of the National Task Force (NTF) on Covid-19 on December 26 to consider and recommend Testing, Treatment, Surveillance and Containment Strategy. Standard Operating Protocol for states and UTs to tackle the mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2 were also issued on December 22.

Over the last few weeks, the UK has faced a rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in South East England, leading to enhanced epidemiological and virological investigations. Analysis of viral genome sequence data identified that a large proportion of cases belonged to a new single phylogenetic cluster.

The new variant is defined by multiple spike protein mutations as well as mutations in the other genomic regions. Preliminary analysis in the UK suggests that this variant is significantly more transmissible than previously circulating variants, with an estimated potential to increase the reproductive number (R) by 0.4 or greater with an estimated increased transmissibility of up to 70 per cent.

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Sports Ministry Allows Events To Host 50% Spectators

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 28 December 2020
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A maximum of 50 per cent of the total capacity of a stadium can now be filled with spectators during outdoor sports events, the Sports ministry on Sunday said in its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for resumption of sports competitions in the country.

The ministry said that the spectator management will be done in accordance to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines issued on November 25.

The Home Ministry had put a cap of 200 people in case the event is taking place in a closed space. It also allowed for state governments to reduce the according to their own assesments.

The SOP also calls for a “Covid task force” to be constituted for competitions by the respective organising committee. Apart from being responsible for the overall implementation of the SOP, the task force closely regulate and monitor “travel of athletes and ASP (Athlete Support Personnel)”.

Organising committees are to designate a Covid response team that athletes and their support staff can contact if they experience symptoms suggestive of coronavirus.

Athletes are also to avoid physiotherapy or massages “unless absolutely necessary” and ensure physical distancing and wear masks at all times except when it becomes necessary on the field of play.

The ministry also said that thermal screening is to be done at the entrance of the competition area and athletes and support staff living in “containment zones shall not be allowed entry in the main competition arena/field of play, warm-up area”.

Organisers are also to assess if it is to be mandatory for athletes and support staff to undergo RT-PCR tests within 72 hours of the event.

“In such cases. only those having a negative RT-PCR report shall be allowed to participate in the event. For this, organising committee may also make suitable linkages with ICMR approved laboratories for Covid-19 testing of athletes and ASPs who report wuthout a Covid test report,” said the ministry in the SOP.

The guidelines also advised support staff whose physical presence is not required to work from home through “tele-work/video conferencing”.

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PICS: Heartwarming Moments From Farmers’ Protest

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Post date 28 December 2020
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Pics Credits @Pallav Paliwal/ Asianliteinternational

India Farmers shout slogans as they take part in a protest against the newly passed farm bills at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi.(Credits@Pallav Paliwal)

A protester sleeping on a green rug on an empty road during the demonstration. Farmer still protest at Delhi – Uttar Pradesh border in New Delhi.(Credits@Pallav Paliwal)

Farmers play volleyball during the ongoing protest against the new farm laws at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi, India.(Credits@Pallav Paliwal)

IFarmers play volleyball during the ongoing protest against the new farm laws at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi, India.(Credits@Pallav Paliwal)

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India Daily Digital – December 28, 2020 – Modi to Modernise New Delhi

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Post date 28 December 2020
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Modi to Modernise New Delhi; Army Chief Visits S. Korea to Boost Military Ties; US Stops China From Installing Own Dalai Lama; Political crisis: China, Nepal marathon talks begin – all in Asian Lite Daily – please click here to read.

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India Inc Expects 2021 To Be A Good Year: Survey

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 28 December 2020
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A major outcome of COVID-19 is the likely shift in global supply chains away from China to other economies. Nearly 70 per cent of the survey participants said that India could benefit from this move and they expected a fair share of manufacturing to shift from China to India in the near future…reports Asian Lite News

The opening up of the economy and implementation of a broad set of measures under the Atmanirbhar Bharat package have led to a continuous improvement over time in the performance of businesses, with India Inc expecting even better results in 2021, a joint survey conducted by FICCI and Dhruva Advisors showed on Monday.

According to the survey, the prospect of a vaccine for COVID-19 early next year has improved the confidence level of businesses, with almost 74 per cent of the survey participants saying that they foresee a significant positive impact on their business once the vaccine is made available.

The survey conducted in December 2020 showed that COVID-19 induced travel restrictions have limited the ability of companies to undertake business operations efficiently and 74 per cent of the survey participants validated this. To overcome this challenge and maintain business operations, companies have leveraged digital tools of communication.

Growth chart. (File Photo: IANS)

Given the benefits of use of technology, 64 per cent of the surveyed companies said that moving forward, they will use a mix of travel and virtual meetings even after the situation becomes normal.

Another major outcome of COVID-19 is the likely shift in global supply chains away from China to other economies. Nearly 70 per cent of the survey participants said that India could benefit from this move and they expected a fair share of manufacturing to shift from China to India in the near future.

To capitalise on the opportunities that could come India’s way, there is a need to strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat package, the government has introduced several measures to address the immediate pain points of the economy as well as steps to improve India’s manufacturing competitiveness. These measures have been well received by the industry, with 45 per cent of the companies rating the latest set of announcements made under Atmanirbhar Bharat package 3.0 as ‘good to excellent’.

The results of the December 2020 survey also indicate that there has been a further improvement in the performance of companies compared with the situation in August 2020.

With improvement seen in the economy, nearly 40 per cent of the surveyed companies are currently operating at a capacity utilisation level of over 70 per cent, compared with 30 per cent of the companies in August 2020, the FICCI-Dhruva survey said.

Other indicators of improving business performance in the December 2020 survey are related to order books and exports. Nearly 50 per cent of the companies have reported that they have seen an increase in their order books and about 40 per cent said that their exports have increased. In the August 2020 survey, the corresponding figures were 44 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

Even as visible signs of improvement in performance of businesses appear, the impact of COVID-19 still lingers. The survey results show that businesses continue to face challenges on account of weak demand (59 per cent), managing costs (54 per cent) and financial liquidity (48 per cent). Given this, the survey participants expect both government and the RBI to continue with their support measures even next year. There is a strong demand that the upcoming budget must prioritise growth-oriented measures, including a cut in direct tax rates.

Commenting on the survey results, Uday Shankar, President, FICCI, said: “The results of the survey are encouraging and highlight the ongoing industrial and economic recovery. This momentum needs to be built upon and now all eyes are on the upcoming budget. The government has been seeking growth-inducing ideas and we have shared several suggestions. The context of this budget is completely different due to an unprecedented social and economic challenge. We are sure that the government will take bold steps to respond to these challenges.”

Dinesh Kanabar, CEO, Dhruva Advisors LLP, said: “The survey results portray a continued improvement in the business environment in India, with weak demand and managing costs still remains India Inc’s key challenges. The vaccine news has infused optimism among businesses. Given the impact of the pandemic on the economy, the Union Budget 2021-22 is one of the most anticipated budgets.”

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PM inaugurates India’s first driverless train operations

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 28 December 2020
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated India’s first-ever driverless train operations on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line, along with the fully operational National Common Mobility Card service, and said that India will have the metro service in more than 25 cities by 2025, as against in 18 cities currently.

Indias first fully automated driverless train runs on the Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro during a trial for the media following its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (Photo:Pallav Paliwal)

Fully automated driverless train will run on the 37-kilometre long Magenta Line from Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden. It will eliminate the possibility of human error. After the start of driverless services on the Magenta Line, the Pink Line of the Delhi Metro is expected to have driverless operations by the mid of 2021.

“First metro in the country was started with the efforts of Atal Ji. When our government was formed in 2014, only five cities had metro services and today 18 cities have metro rail service. By 2025, we will take this service to more than 25 cities,” the Prime Minister said after virtually inaugurating the driverless metro.

Kevadia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo: IANS)

He further said that the country had a metro network of 248 kilometers when his government was formed in 2014, which has tripled today and will expand further to 700 kilometers by 2025. “In 2014, 17 lakh people used to travel by metro. Today, the footfall has increased by five times. This is the evidence of ease-of-living.”

He also inaugurated the National Common Mobility Card, which will be fully operationalised on the Airport Express Line to enable anyone carrying a RuPay-Debit Card issued from any part of the country to travel on the Airport Express Line using that card. This facility will become available on the entire Delhi Metro network by 2022.

“This shows that how India is fast moving towards smart system. Urbanisation should not be thought as a challenge but an opportunity, which can be used to have better infrastructure in country and increase ease-of-living,” he added.

Alluding to the erstwhile United Progressive Alliance government, he added, “That time, no one paid heed to the future’s requirement, work used to be done half-heartedly and there was delusion. Result was such that in various parts of the country, a huge gap came in the infrastructure demand and fulfillment.”

The Prime Minister said that his government was able to overcome these challenges despite having the same bureaucracy and people. “How did this change come about? We thought of urbanisation not as a challenge but an opportunity. Earlier, our country did not have any policy regarding metro. Politicians and governments used to make false promises. Our government made policy and implemented it.”

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Investment Into India Touches $22 Billion During Pandemic

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 27 December 2020
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The Covid-19 virus not only triggered a worldwide pandemic, but also opened the floodgates for investments in the country’s equity market.

All in all, not only did the overall capitalisation of India’s domestic market increased, the country’s key indices emerged among the best performing emerging markets (EMs).

Initially, the lockdown induced crash led to attractive valuations along with a global flood of liquidity and near zero interest rates in foreign markets. As a result, return on investment from several asset classes except equities vaporised.

Investors jumped from one assets class to the other, till the time even the US dollar became unviable due to the massive stimulus package. Accordingly, the funnelling of such funds into the emerging markets led to a net investment of over $22 billion into India’s market till now in CY2020.

Besides foreign funds, the domestic lockdown, the biggest in the world, flooded the stock markets with over 60 lakh new retail investors.

Additionally, a considerable number enrolled through various schemes via the MF segment. Market watchers contend that these newbie investors saw the value in stocks beyond the pandemic induced slowdown and became the real beneficiaries of the up move.

Till now in 2020, Indian markets witnessed FPI inflows of $22,281 million, which is 55 per cent higher than the flows in the entire 2019 in USD terms.

However, the domestic MF houses pulled out over Rs 33,000 crore till November 2020.

“Valuations are at 2SD (standard deviation) over the 10 year average, hence there is some caution on this front. However as long as interest rates continue to be zero or near zero across the globe, P/E ratios could keep expanding to levels not seen in the past,” said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities.

In terms of purchase, FPIs initially preferred large cap stocks till October. Later on, they enlarged their purchases to include the mid and small cap segments.

Sectorally, IT, pharma, banks, FMCG, metals, realty and oil & gas stocks were bought the most by FPIs in this year.

Apart from very high FPI inflows in 2020, large number of new investor registrations due to the Covid-19 pandemic has also contributed to the uprun in the market.

“The huge stimulus rolled out by central banks across the developed world to tackle the pandemic in 2020 has certainly led to abundant liquidity. While it was expected that EMs would see strong FPI flows in 2020, the fact remains that only few emerging economies have seen such flows and India is one such country, especially given the slew of reforms undertaken in 2020,” said LKP Securities’ Head of Research, S. Ranganathan.

“Having said that, it cannot be denied that lakhs of young first time equity investors have opened DEMAT accounts during 2020 and have invested into direct equities which is also a reflection of financialisation of savings,” Ranganathan added.

According to Gaurav Garg, Head of Research at CapitalVia Global Research: “Moving forward, FPIs may continue to concentrate in the Indian market for another 1-2 quarters.

“The factors like low Covid-19 case count, expected vaccine in the first half of 2021, fear of valuations may go even higher and economic return to the growth trajectory are expected to potentially fuel more development in the emerging markets such as India.”

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‘We are not convinced by your ‘Mann ki Baat’

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Post date 27 December 2020
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While Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing the people of the country on Sunday through his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the protesting farmers opposed it by beating ‘thalis’ (plates) and clapping their hands.

Haryana farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni appealed to the Prime Minister to listen to the “Mann ki Baat” of farmers and voices of other people as well. Gurnam Singh is the Haryana state President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and is one of the prominent leaders leading the farmer agitation.

Opposing the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme by beating a ‘thali’ at the Makdoli toll plaza in the Rohtak district of Haryana, Chaduni while addressing Modi said, “We are not convinced by your ‘Mann ki Baat’ address. You speak your mind but do not listen to other people’s voices.”

The farmer agitation entered its 32nd day on Sunday. Since November 26, the protesting farmers have been camping at the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders with the adjoining national capital. The protesting farmers are marching on the streets in protest against the three farm laws implemented by the central government, saying that these laws are not in the interest of the farmers, while the Centre has said opposition parties are misleading the farmers.

Several rounds of negotiations have been held to resolve the ongoing deadlock between the farmers and the central government but both sides have failed to reach a final consensus over the issue. The next round of talks between the two sides is set for December 29.

Farmers from Punjab and Haryana continued to protest against the new agricultural laws for the 15th consecutive day at Delhi-Haryana’s Singhu Border

On the request of the government, a letter was sent on Saturday by the leaders of 40 farmer organisations protesting under the banner of the ‘Samyukta Kisan Morcha’ citing the date and time of the next round of talks, with four major demands for the talks.

These demands by the farmer leaders include: the procedures to be followed to repeal the three central farm laws; the procedure and provisions for legal guarantee for procurement on profitable Minimum Support Price (MSP) as suggested by the National Farmers Commission for all farmers and agricultural commodities; amendments to the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020, which are necessary to exclude farmers from the penal provisions of the Ordinance; and necessary changes in the draft of Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020, to protect the interests of farmers.

When IANS asked farmer leader Darshanpal whether the next round of talks would be held on these four core conditions, he said these are not the conditions but the agenda of the talks which he has proposed only on the request of the central government.

The agitating farmer organisations are seeking a repeal of the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Production and Facilitation) Act, 2020; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020; implemented in September by the central government.

Indian Farmers beat utensils during a protest against the central government’s recent agricultural reforms as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on the monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, in Ghazipur in New Delhi, India on December 27, 2020 (photo:pallav paliwal/Asianlite)

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Modi Stresses On ‘Zero effect, zero defect’ Policy

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Post date 27 December 2020
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi

After being ‘vocal for local’ to make India ‘Aatmanirbhar’ (self-reliant), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday gave a clarion call to adopt “zero effect, zero defect” policy while manufacturing Made-in-India products and ensure that these produces are “world class”…reports India Daily News.

Speaking on his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Prime Minister said “the people of India have taken many steps forward and are getting vocal for local. Our manufacturers are also thinking about making top quality products. This will boost the efforts towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.

The Prime Minister said that while focusing on Made-in-India products the manufacturers should not compromise with the quality of materials produced by them.

“This is the right time to work with ‘zero effect, zero defect’ policy.”

Speaking on the last ‘Mann Ki Baat’ episode of this year, Modi said this is the opportune moment to work with the ethos of ‘zero effect, zero defect’. “I urge manufacturers and industry leaders of the country that the people have taken a firm and bold step forward and vocal for local is reverberating in each and every household.”

“In such a scenario, it is time to ensure that our products meet global standards. Whatever is the global best, we should make it in India and prove it. For that, our entrepreneur friends have to come forward. Start-ups too have to come forth,” Modi said.

Kevadia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo: IANS)

He also suggested to focus on items used by us in our daily lives and ensure that these items should be manufactured in India and support vocal for local call to make the country ‘Aatmanirbhar’.

“We make new resolutions every new year. On this new year’s eve, we should take a resolution to use only Made-in-India products,” said the Prime Minister.

Modi also remembered Guru Gobind Singh and his family’s supreme sacrifices, saying “I bow to the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, Mata Gujari, Guru Gobind Singh ji and the four ‘Sahibzade’.”

He also expressed happiness about rise in the number of leopards. “In India, between 2014 and 2018, the number of leopards has risen by more than 60 per cent. In 2014, the number of leopards in the country was about 7,900, whereas in 2019 it increased to 12,852.”

“Among the states with the maximum population of leopards, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra are at the top. This is a big achievement. Leopards across the world have been facing dangers, their habitat has faced loss in the world,” said Modi, adding “in such circumstances, the continued growth of the population of leopards in India has shown a way to the entire world”.

Sharing a heart-touching example in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Modi mentioned the efforts of one Gayatri in the region who along with her father arranged a wheelchair for a suffering dog, and those who helped many animals, stressing “come, let us encourage such acts of care with a sense of service to others”.

“In Delhi NCR and other cities of the country in the chilling cold many people are doing a lot for the care of shelter-less animals. They arrange for food, water, sweaters and even beds for those animals. Some people arrange food for hundreds of such animals everyday. Such efforts should be commended.”

Addressing Indian youth, Modi said “I feel delighted and assured. Delighted and assured because the youth of my country have the ‘Can Do’ approach and the ‘Will Do’ spirit in them. No challenge is too big for them. Nothing is out of reach for them.”

Noting that saffron is identified with Kashmir for centuries and it is produced in Pulwama, Budgam and Kishtwar regions of the Union territory, the Prime Minister said “Kashmiri saffron has been given Geographical Indication (GI) tag this year. Through the GI tag, we want to make Kashmiri saffron a globally popular brand.”

The next time you want to buy ‘Kesar’ (saffron), do try Kashmiri saffron, Modi said.

Going back in history, the Prime Minister mentioned how Abul Fazl, a prominent member of Akbar’s court, described the saffron after his visit to Kashmir for the first time.

Saffron( wikipedia)

Modi said that Kashmiri saffron is globally famous as a spice which has a variety of medicinal properties. “It is very fragrant, its colour is thick. Kashmiri saffron represents the cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir. Kashmiri saffron is very unique when it comes to its quality. It is also different from saffron in other countries. Kashmiri saffron has been distinguished by its GI tag.”

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