Kashmiri Photojournalist

Guilty of Holding a Lens to Society

Did the little ones feel deep sorrow and loss, or, was it a sense of pride and joy, as the audience gave them a standing ovation as a tribute to their father, Danish Siddiqui, ace news photographer, who died so young, ‘on duty’, clicking pictures till the last moment of his life? Or, did they feel a synthesis of mixed emotions, as their father’s memories loomed inside their pure hearts?

So why did they allow the little ones, Yunus, 6, and his sister, Sarah, 4, to visit New York recently to collect the Pulitzer Award, when, without any explanation whatsoever, they denied another young and brilliant photographer, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, from going to America to receive the award, despite a legitimate visa? Is it because she is a Kashmiri?

The ruling dispensation in Delhi, the nation-state, the civil society and the media should have rejoiced this great achievement of journalism whereby four Indian journalists and their sensitive and brave photography was honoured and showcased for the entire world to see! Though the death of Danish kept stalking the collective inner-self, is the sense of fulfillment and pride at this achievement by young photo journalists not another form of love for the nation? So, should we not feel proud simply because Danish is a Muslim from Delhi, and Sanna is a Kashmiri Muslim from the Valley?

Indeed, the silence on the death of Danish within certain quarters in Delhi and India, despite mourning across the world media, has been stunningly shocking. So, even in death, should all humanity be suspended?

Those who compulsively celebrate sectarian schizophrenia driven by xenophobia and hate politics are doomed to be eternally ghettoized, hate-driven and frustrated, despite the pseudo self-glorification of fake greatness, and the pumping of chests every time India defeats Pakistan in a T-20 game. If this is not a clear case of warped nationalism, then, what is? How can we obsessively suppress this proud moment and suppress it, when we actually want to do just the opposite – to clap and applaud this journalistic achievement?

And, how can a nation achieve anything worthwhile if it is all branded in polarizing categories as a Pavlovian reaction, and, thereby, quickly measured in terms of religion, caste, identity, ideology? Should we then turn mum, if a Hindi litterateur, who has got the Booker first time for Hindi literature, happens to be also deeply secular, cares strongly about injustice, and is ready to speak out about young, brilliant Muslim scholars rotting meaninglessly in jail under draconian laws? Is it wrong to be secular and feel strongly about injustice in contemporary India?

Or, is the religion of a sportsperson more important or her great talent on the ground? Or, if a tribal athlete from the remote interiors of indigenous India, breaks all hitherto records – should we hold our joy because she/he had earlier spoken about tribal rights?

“It is so unjust and unfair,” said Sanna. “I am heartbroken.”

“I am actually trying to understand why this has happened to me. I am looking for the reasons. Since I think they have nothing against me, I tried to reach out to officials since I was last barred (in July), but I got no response,” Sanna, 27, told The Telegraph. “I think the right to travel is the basic right of any individual, why deny me the same? I was like so much looking forward to receive it. It is really very traumatic… It is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement for me. My family and I were so excited about it, but, sadly, I am not allowed to collect the award.”

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She was part of a Reuters team that won this year’s Pulitzer Prize in Feature Photography. In a bizarre move, she was not allowed by the immigration authorities in Delhi from flying to New York to receive the award, despite a valid US visa and ticket. In July, earlier this year, she had to face another heart-break – again for reasons not known to her. She was not allowed to travel to Paris for a photo show and book launch, even while she was one of the proud winners of the Serendipity Arles Grant, 2020.

If this does not sound and look like a witch-hunt, then, what is it? Reminds me of the media under all forms of dictatatorships,  as in Russia now and Soviet Russia in the past, China, under a totalitarian regime, camouflaged as a communist party, Iran, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, among similar dispensations. It also reminds of the hounding of liberals, dissenters, Leftists, in a democracy – the McCarthy-driven witch-hunt in America during the Cold War, whereby no one was spared, from celebrity playwright Arthur Miller to Charlie Chaplin, among others. 

So what was the crime of Danish, Sanaa, and their photo journalists’ team also comprising Adnan Abidi and Amit Dave? They documented the mass tragedy during Covid in India, especially the thousands of deaths and mass cremations during the deadly Delta wave, including in Delhi, when the entire medical infrastructure had collapsed, there were no oxygen cylinders, beds or medicine, people were gasping for death and dying here, there, everywhere, public parks and streets were turned into cremation grounds in some places, many relatives disowned their own – both, living and dead, and the current regime in Delhi, especially its top-heavy leadership, all but disappeared from the devastating scene! 

Danish had also covered the heart-rending long march of the thousands of emaciated, hungry and thirsty migrant workers, walking on the highways under a scorching sun, left to their fate, yet again by the central government, after the prime minister had announced a sudden and draconian lockdown at 8 pm on March 24, 2020.

Significantly, Danish had won the Pulitzer in 2018 for documenting the tragedy of Rohingya refugees who were subjected to genocide by the Burmese army, backed then by Aung San Suu Kyi. He was also out there covering the ‘invasion’ of Taliban at the Son Boldak crossing in July 2021in Afghanistan, when he was killed.

The US has said that it is closely tracking the developments on Sanaa not being allowed to travel. US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, “We are committed to supporting Press freedom. And, as the secretary has noted, a shared commitment to democratic values, including the respect for the independence of the press, is a bedrock of the US-India relationship.”

It is reported that she is on a no-fly list along with other journalists in Kashmir. Anyway, journalists in the Valley have been going through a horrible time since the army clampdown and abrogation of Article 370. According to the Human Rights Watch earlier, “at least 35 journalists throughout Kashmir have experienced police questioning, raids, threats, physical abuse, limitations of freedom of movement, or concocted criminal charges for their reporting,” since August 2019.  According to Reporters Without Borders’ 2022 Press Freedom Index, among 180 countries, India ranks 150.

Meanwhile, when movie theatres were reopened in Srinagar after years recently, this reporter called up a veteran journalist in Kashmir. “Tell us your memories about the film culture in Kashmir earlier? Did you see films of Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Guru Dutta, Waheeda Rehman, Dev Anand? Did you see Pakeezah, Bobby and Sholay when you were young, first day, first show?”

He said he has vivid memories of watching movies in Srinagar those days. However, he said that he is ready to go down the memory lane only on one condition – that his photograph and name will not appear with the interview. “Please understand,” he said. “At this age, I don’t want to go to the police station.”

Germany Against China Taiwan

Germany Hardens Its Stand Against China, Taiwan

Germany is re-evaluating its relationship with China after the outcome of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) – tough stand on Taiwan, industrial espionage, human rights violations in Xinjiang, and unfair competition.

This move has irked China which has out-rightly rejected Germany’s charges, urging later to view its ties with Beijing objectively, reported Voices Against Autocracy.
Moreover, at the 20th National Congress in China, the last few sensible leaders in CCP have been removed and Xi Jinping tightened his authoritarian rule and surrounded himself with only “yes men”, pushing Germany to re-calibrate its relations with China.

While efforts are on to prepare Germany’s first China strategy document next year, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that violence must be banned from international relations while commenting on the Taiwan question, reported Voices Against Autocracy.

The three-way coalition government that took office in December, is due to publish Germany’s first China strategy document next year. Out of three, the Greens and Free Democrats, are more hawkish than Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), who want to avoid triggering a US-style Cold war with China.

His remarks on Taiwan have to be seen in the context of the fact that China is Germany’s most important trading partner. If Berlin takes a clear stand against Chinese efforts to retake Taiwan, this could risk serious conflict, above all in economic terms.

However, the German leadership has decided to reduce its trade dependence on China. Currently, it is dependent on Chinese raw materials, batteries and semiconductors, reported Voices Against Autocracy.

This could be one of the reasons why the Chancellor might approve the Chinese take-over of the German chip manufacturing firm Elmos. The semiconductor production of Dortmund-based Elmos is being taken over by Sweden’s Silex, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China’s Sai Microelectronics.

The said approval is being granted despite strong advice against the same by the German intelligence agency and warnings from the EU, besides warning from six of his own federal ministries, including Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, reported Voices Against Autocracy.

Last month, Germany’s economy minister Robert Habeck stated that the government was working on a new trade policy with China to reduce dependence on China, promising “no more naivety” in trade dealings with Beijing.

Habeck said that China was a welcome trading partner, but Germany could not allow Beijing’s protectionism to distort competition and would not hold back criticism of human rights violations under threat of losing business. This was the first time the Minister has made clear that this tougher line was being translated into policy measures, reported Voices Against Autocracy.

The Green Party, which runs the ministry, has long advocated taking a harder line on China with Habeck announcing that Germany would adopt a tougher approach on trade.

Available reports from Berlin suggested that politicians and executives in Germany have broadly come to agree that the country needs to reduce its economic dependence on China, given their concerns about industrial espionage, unfair competition, or human rights violations – concerns that Beijing has strongly rejected as being unfounded, reported Voices Against Autocracy.

Besides taking measures economically, Germany has also raised its guard against China militarily. Germany sent a record 13 military aircraft to join Exercise Pitch Black 2022, a military drill involving the US, Australia, and 15 other countries, which is seen as a collective effort led by Washington in order to form an anti-China frontline and to pressure China over the Taiwan question, reported Voices Against Autocracy.

Moreover, Germany is increasingly joining other Western allies in flexing more muscle in the Indo-Pacific region, citing so-called growing alarm over Beijing’s territorial ambitions. (ANI)

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Tropical Storm Paeng in Philippines

Death Toll From Severe Tropical Storm Paeng Nears 100 In Philippines

The fatalities from severe tropical storm Paeng (Nalgae), which battered numerous parts of the Philippines over the weekend, have climbed to 98, the country’s disaster agency reported on Monday.

The death toll from Paeng has reached 98, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, reported Manila Times.
Of the figure, 58 were confirmed and 40 were verified. Meanwhile, 69 people were injured and 63 others were reported missing.

The storm affected 1,812,740 people or 575,728 families in 31,942 villages in 17 regions including Metro Manila, reported Manila Times.

The storm affected 1.8 million Filipinos, including more than 213,000 who sought refuge in evacuation centres.

Damage to infrastructure was estimated at P 757,841,175 in Mimaropa (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) in regions 5,6,7,10 and 11.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) placed damage to the agriculture sector at P 285.28 million, reported Manila Times.

The affected areas include Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City).

At least 113,408 hectares of agricultural areas were affected and production loss was placed at 11,761 metric tons.

The DA said 8,608 farmers and fishers were affected.

“Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops and fisheries. Damage has also been incurred in agricultural facilities,” it added.

Damage to fisheries, corn plantations and high-value crops reached P 14.13 million, P 4.19 million and P2 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, damage to agriculture facilities was at P 18.59 million.

The DA said rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds will be distributed to the affected farmers, while the Bureau Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will distribute fingerlings and assistance to the affected fisherfolk, reported Manila Times.

“Paeng” was estimated at 340 kilometres west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan while moving west-northwestward at 10 kilometres per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gustiness of up to 105 kph. (ANI)

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Delhi Air Quality Index

Delhi Air Quality Index 342,Very Poor Category

The air quality of the national capital remained ‘very poor’ as the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) calculated its quality index as 342 on Monday.

The Air Quality Index for the day has been marginally lower than the recorded AQI level of 350 on Sunday.
In the area near Delhi University, the AQI has been recorded as 372 under the ‘very poor category. Meanwhile, the SAFAR recorded it ‘very poor’ at 362 in the Lodhi Road area.

Meanwhile, the Pusa area was also under the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI level of 340.

The AQI at Mathura Road, IGI Airport Terminal 3, and IIT Delhi also felt ‘very poor quality of air with the levels at 358, 336, and 322.

Notably, the Air Quality level in Delhi was in the ‘very poor category on Sunday as well.

The air quality has been deteriorating in the national capital before Diwali, but it increased further as people burnt firecrackers here and because of the stubble burning in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan in the winter, its fumes and pollutants move across cities.

Stubble burning had turned worse across Punjab, giving no hope of improvement in Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) as the capital gasps for clean air.

Increasing incidents of stubble burning in Punjab this year have become a matter of serious concern with the Union Environment Ministry pointing out that the AQI is likely to sharply deteriorate as only about 45-50 percent of sown area in the state had been harvested till October 24.

Sources in the Environment Ministry had told ANI that the contribution of stubble burning to the adverse air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region has been increasing sharply and is about 18-20 percent currently with the trend only likely to increase further.

As per the Standard Protocol developed by ISRO for Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), for the period September 15, 2022, to October 26, 2022, total paddy residue burning events reported in Punjab were 7,036 compared to 6,463 for the same period during the last year.

CAQM further stated that about 70 percent of farm fires during the current paddy harvesting season were reported only from six districts namely Amritsar, Firozpur, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Patiala, and Tarn Taran.

These districts account for 4,899 cases against a total of 7,036 incidents in Punjab. These traditional six hotspot districts also accounted for about 65 percent of the total burning incidents during the last year for the same period. Out of a total of 7,036 reported cases, 4,315 stubble-burning incidences were reported during the last six days alone i.e., about 61 percent.

As per the Standard ISRO Protocol, for the period of September 15 – October 28 this year, a total of 10,214 paddy residue burning events have been reported in Punjab compared to 7,648 for the same period during the last year, which is a significant increase of about 33.5 percent.

Out of the total 10,214 reported cases, 7,100 stubble-burning incidents were reported in the last 7 days alone which is about 69 percent, added the official.

While in Haryana, the total number of farm fire events reported for the period September 15, 2022, to October 26, 2022, is 1,495 compared to 2,010 for the same period last year. There is about a 26 percent reduction in paddy residue burning events in Haryana so far during the current year.

Meanwhile, Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas has intensified its efforts to ensure enforcement and compliance with its directions in view of deteriorating air quality in Delhi.

The Commission has issued closure directions to 45 coal-based industrial units in Rajasthan. Further, 32 coal-based units (9 in Haryana and 23 in UP) have been closed down permanently. 48 units (8 in Haryana and 40 in UP) have temporarily suspended their operations till these units are converted to approved fuels.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) sub-committee decided to implement Stage III of GRAP in the entire NCR in a move to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

“Under this, all construction work will be banned except for special projects like Central Vista and other projects of national need,” read the official press release from Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas.

While comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality parameters during the meeting, the Commission noted that due to unfavorable meteorological conditions with slower wind speed and sudden spike in farm fire incidents, it is considered necessary to implement Stage III of GRAP with immediate effect in the entire NCR. (ANI)

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Kohli post workout selfie

Absolute Invasion Of Privacy: Kohli On Hotel Room Leaked Video

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli on Monday expressed shock at the “appalling” video of his Perth hotel room that surfaced on social media and said he was disappointed by the “fanaticism and absolute invasion of privacy.”

“I understand that fans get very happy and excited seeing their favorite players and get excited to meet them and I’ve always appreciated that. But this video here is appalling and it’s made me feel very paranoid about my privacy. If I cannot have privacy in my own hotel room, then where can I really expect any personal space at all??” Virat posted on his Instagram account.

He also shared the video that has been circulated on Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms and said that he is “not okay with this kind of fanaticism”.

The video shared purportedly takes a tour of Virat’s room with shoes, suitcases, a visual of the room’s washroom, and some personal belongings.

At one point in the video that was titled ” King Kohli’s hotel room,” a man who is apparently filming the video opens the wardrobe where the viewer gets to see an iron box.

Virat said: “I’m NOT okay with this kind of fanaticism and absolute invasion of privacy. Please respect people’s privacy and not treat them as a commodity for entertainment.”

Fans and celebrities took to slam offenders and posted on Virat’s wall in the comments section to express their disgust.

Australian opener David Warner commented while tagging the hotel, “This is ridiculous, totally unacceptable. Was this @crownperth.”

“Whosoever is responsible for this blunder should be shameful, a man who is dedicated towards the country and giving his maximum amount of time amongst the crowd should at least have some peaceful time in his own hotel room. This type of fanaticism is sick and should not be appreciated anywhere,” commented a fan.

“This is completely wrong. We have to respect the privacy of any human even if that person is our favourite player. We do love him but we should respect his private space too,” another fan commented.

“Omg …why would anyone do that and how did the hotel staff even allow this … really not civilized behaviour …,” added another fan.

Another fan commented, “What the hell! Give this guy some space at least. Come not done this is.”.

Notably, Virat is having a fine ICC T20 World Cup so far. The batter has scored 156 runs in three matches so far with two half-centuries, including his instant-classic match-winning 82* against Pakistan. He is the third-highest run scorer in the tournament so far.

He also completed 1,000 runs at ICC T20 World Cup events on Sunday, becoming only the second player to do so.

However, he did not have a great outing against South Africa as he could score only 12 runs and dropped a crucial catch of batter Aiden Markram.

He will be next seen in action against Bangladesh on November 2. (ANI)

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Morbi Collapse: Court Sends Oreva MD Jaysukh Patel To Judicial Custody

Gujarat Bridge Collapse: Death Toll Rises To 132

The death toll in the Morbi hanging bridge collapse incident increased to 132, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said on Monday.

The Gujarat Home Minister further informed that a criminal case has been registered in connection with the incident.
“An investigation has begun today under the leadership of Range IGP,” Sanghavi said. Everyone worked all through the night. The Navy, NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force), Air Force, and Army arrived at the spot quickly. More than 200 persons have worked the entire night for search and rescue operations,” Sanghavi said.

Teams including Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF, and Fire Brigade conducted a search operation throughout the night to find the Garkaw victims in Macchu river after the bridge collapsed, as per officials.

After the incident, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Minister of State for Home Affairs Harshbhai Sanghvi, Minister Brijeshbhai Merja, and Minister of State Shri Arvindbhai Raiyani reached the incident spot at midnight and personally observed the rescue operation and gave directions.

According to the details from the district administration, after the mishap, the system was immediately activated and rescue operations started with the help of locals.

Besides this, teams from other places also started arriving at the spot. Around 40 doctors from various health centers, Rajkot PDU Hospital, and Surendranagar Civil Hospital started emergency treatment of the injured at the Morbi Civil Hospital.

After the collapse of the bridge, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation boat and rescue materials including life jackets reached Morbi and started the rescue operation.

Emergency ambulances from Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh Metropolitan Municipality, and Morbi Municipality were running throughout the night to bring the injured to the hospital immediately. Several private ambulances were also involved in the rescue operation. Army team from Surendranagar joined with its three ambulances and equipment, informed the officials. (ANI)

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Chhath Puja Across Country

Devotees Throng Ghats To Celebrate Chhath Puja Across Country

After a hiatus of two years due to COVID-19, thousands of devotees on Sunday flocked to ghats and makeshift ponds across the country to seek the blessings of the Sun God as part of Chhath Puja.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur and Varanasi, a large number of women clad in sarees were seen standing knee-deep in water at ghats, worshipping the Sun God.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended Chhath Pooja celebrations at Gomti Ghat in Lucknow.

While in the national capital, a massive number of devotees thronged to ITO Ghat to offer prayers, and devotees took a holy dip in the water as part of the Chhath Puja at a pond in Vinod Nagar.

A huge crowd of devotees also gathered at the national capital’s Kalindi Kunj ghat to offer prayers on Chhath Puja.

The festive fervor gripped the ‘land of forest’ Jharkhand too, as devotees offered prayers at Hatania Talab in Ranchi.

Meanwhile, in Bihar, women were seen standing in the water, wearing long ‘sindoor’ with orange color on their faces, and offering fruits and sweets to the Sun God at JP Setu Ghat in Patna.

A huge crowd of devotees gathered to offer prayers at Juhu in Mumbai to mark Chhath Puja.

In West Bengal, devotees offered prayers to the setting sun at Takra Ghat in Kolkata. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered prayers on the occasion of Chhath Puja at Kolkata’s Dahi Ghat.

The Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar, which also happens to be the fourth day after Diwali.

Hyderabad also witnessed a large number of devotees celebrating the Chhath Puja at Tank Bund.

As per the Hindu tradition, devotees, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, and UP, worship the Sun God to express gratitude and seek blessings.

Women devotees keep an arduous 36-hour-long fast ‘Nirjala Vrat’, and sing devotional and folk songs. ‘Arghya’ is offered to the Sun God while standing in knee-deep water at ghats or makeshift ponds. (ANI)

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Pak Political Turmoil Threat

Internal Threat Due To Pak Political Turmoil: ISI

Pakistan’s spy agency ISI unfolded many secrets for the first time in an explosive interview by ISI chief Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum along with Director General ISPR Lt Gen Babar Iftikhar.

Talking about former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s “Long March”, Gen Anjum said that there is no external threat to Pakistan, however, there is an internal threat due to this political turmoil. “When you do politics on the basis of hate and divide, this harms the country and the same was the reason for Pakistan’s dismemberment,” reported The Nation.
On PTI’s long march, he said every political party has the right to organize a march but within peaceful means and if there is any threat to the country then we would intervene.

Regarding their working relationship with Khan, they said both Army and ISI refused to do illegal and unconstitutional acts asked by him, which was why he (Imran) dubbed these state institutions as ‘Mir Jaffar’ and ‘Mir Sadiq’ and ‘neutrals’, reported The Nation.

Addressing a rare and unprecedented joint news conference at the ISPR headquarters, Rawalpindi, Director General ISI Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum said, “We could commit a mistake, however, we cannot be traitors or conspirators.”

“If the commander-in-chief is a traitor then why did you meet him in hiding? Meeting [him] is your right but it cannot be possible that you meet at night and call [him] a traitor in the day,” asked the DG ISI.

When asked by many journalists what prompted him to appear before the media, Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum said, “I have decided to appear before the media after the decision of the institution, and the institution was being targeted and maligned and our soldiers who are giving sacrifices for the motherland, baseless accusations against them are not acceptable”.

He further disclosed that last March the previous government in order to fail the no-confidence motion, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa was offered an unlimited extension, but he turned down the offer, reported The Nation.

DG ISPR said the appointment of the new Army Chief will take place on time in accordance with the constitutional requirements and in the due time frame.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Babar presented all evidence of Arshad Sharif’s departure from Peshawar airport including his tickets and other documents, and made it clear that he left under the pressure of Imran Khan, reported The Nation.

“A threat alert was issued by the KP government against Arshad Sharif, which the federal government or agencies never knew,” he said.

“There were reports that he (Arshad Sharif) did not want to leave the country but he kept being reminded that he was facing a threat to his life,” he said.

He termed the murder of Arshad Sharif as most unfortunate and said the slain journalist was an “icon of journalism in Pakistan”. He noted and eulogized the services of late Arshad Sharif in defence sector reporting and said that members of his family had served in the army, adding that he always felt the pain of martyred officers.

Talking more about the diplomatic cypher, Gen Babar Iftikhar said that Army Chief Gen Bajwa had discussed the matter with the then PM Imran Khan on March 11 and the army chief termed it “not a big thing”.

“However, it was surprising for us when on March 27 a piece of paper was waved before the nation and an attempt was made to build a narrative that was far from facts,” the DG ISPR said. (ANI)

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J-K: 3,000 Receive Appointment Letters From L-G Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday distributed government job appointment letters to 3,000 youths of Jammu and Kashmir as part of ‘Rozgar Mela’.

As a part of the Rozgar Mela, Jammu and Kashmir L-G provided government job appointment letters to 3,000 youths.
Taking to Twitter, LG Sinha wrote, “Grateful to Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi ji for addressing Jammu Kashmir Rozgar Mela & blessing 3,000 youths who have received appointment letters. Under the guidance of Hon’ble PM, J&K’s youth is scripting new history in different sectors and contributing to the national progress.”

“Good Governance is a commitment to serve people & work for prosperity and welfare of the poorest of the poor”, LG Sinha said.

“I am confident the new appointees will play the vital role of reinforcing our values in public service and serve the people with honesty, absolute integrity, and truthfulness”, he said.

On the sidelines of the Rozgar Mela event today the Lt Governor said in ‘Azadi ka Amrit Kaal Khand’, our youth power will work with full dedication for the bright future of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Today youth of J&K UT are working in different sectors with the single-minded pursuit of excellence through determination and hard work. Such commitment is the foundation of a vibrant society, which keeps the wheel of peace, progress, and prosperity moving,” the Lt Governor observed.

The exams that were canceled will be held soon and the process of handing over 700 appointment letters in different government departments will also be completed in the coming days, the Lt Governor further said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the Jammu & Kashmir Rozgar Mela via video message today.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister marked today as an important day for the bright youth of Jammu & Kashmir. He congratulated all 3,000 youths that received appointment letters to work in the government in 20 different places in Jammu & Kashmir. He informed that these youths will get opportunities to serve in various departments like PWD, Health Department, Food and Civil Supplies Department, Animal Husbandry, Jal Shakti, and Education-Culture.

The Prime Minister further highlighted that preparations are in full swing to hand out more than 700 appointment letters in other departments in the coming days.

Throwing light on the significance of this decade of the 21st century in the history of Jammu & Kashmir, the Prime Minister said, “Now is the time to leave the old challenges behind, and take full advantage of the new possibilities. I am happy that the youth of Jammu & Kashmir are coming forward in large numbers for the development of their region and the people.”

Modi underlined that it is our youth who will write a new story of development in Jammu & Kashmir thereby making the organization of Rozgar Mela in the Union Territory, very special.

Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor SMC; Aftab Malik, DDC Chairperson Srinagar; Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, HODs, other senior officers and youth were present on the occasion. (ANI)

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Morbi Collapse: Court Sends Oreva MD Jaysukh Patel To Judicial Custody

35 Die As Cable Bridge Collapses In Gujarat’s Morbi

As many as 35 people have lost their lives so far after a cable bridge collapsed on the Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi on Sunday, state Minister Brijesh Merja said, who is present at the incident spot.

“We are really saddened by the tragedy that happened at Morbi today. PM Modi directly called me and asked about the situation and CM Bhupendra Patel is also taking the stock of the situation. It is sad that people who have been shifted to the hospital, of them have died. Morbi’s people stand together with the injured and the local leaders are working to help the people here. The deceased figure has been 35 till now,” Merja said.
The bridge collapsed at around 6.30 pm following which the officials and ambulance were rushed to the spot to conduct the rescue operations.

State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi informed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been instructed to reach the spot.

“It’s a sad and unfortunate incident. Around 6:30 pm, the bridge in Morbi carrying 150 people collapsed. In just 15 mins, fire brigade, collector, district SP, doctors, and ambulance reached the spot… I’ll be reaching the spot too. The official death toll in the matter is seven,” Sanghavi said while speaking to the reporters here.

The Minister informed that most of the people have been rescued.

“We have been able to rescue most of the people there… we are receiving all kinds of help from the Centre. NDRF and other agencies have been instructed to reach the spot. Most people injured due to the collapse have been admitted to the hospital,” he said.

Meanwhile, NDRF DG Atul Karwal said that three teams have already been dispatched to assist in the rescue operations.

“Three NDRF teams have already been dispatched–two from Gandhinagar & one from Baroda–to assist in the rescue operation following an accident in Gujarat’s Morbi city in which several people fell into Machchhu river after a suspension bridge collapsed,” Karwal said.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that he is cancelling all his events today and leaving for Morbi where the incident took place.

“I am leaving for Morbi by cancelling all my upcoming events today. Direct monitoring of the situation and necessary coordination will be achieved by reaching the site in person,” he tweeted.

Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office said that PM Modi has asked for close monitoring of the situation and delivery of all possible help to the affected persons.

“PM @narendramodi spoke to Gujarat CM @Bhupendrapbjp and other officials regarding the mishap in Morbi. He has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected,” the PMO tweeted.

Chief Minister Bhupender Patel said instructions have been given to the officials to arrange immediate treatment for the injured.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragedy of the suspension bridge collapse in Morbi. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing by the system. The system has been instructed to arrange immediate treatment for the injured. I am in constant contact with the district administration in this regard,” the Chief Minister said. (ANI)

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