Delhi recorded the highest single-day spike of 2,024 fresh COVID-19 cases on Sunday, taking the tally to over 1.73 lakh, while the death toll mounted to 4,426 with 22 fresh fatalities, authorities said.

This is the highest single-day spike in the national capital in the last nearly 50 days, as fresh cases were reported in excess of 2,000 from July 7 to July 10. It stood at 2,008 on July 7 and 2,089 on July 10.

According to Delhi government's health bulletin, 22 fresh fatalities were recorded in the last 24 hours.

A total of 20,437 tests - 6,881 RTPCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat tests and 13,556 rapid antigen tests - were conducted in the last 24 hours, it said.

A total of 15,69,096 tests have been conducted till date while the number of tests per million population stands at 82,584. 

The positivity rate in the national capital stands at 9.90 per cent while the recovery rate at 89.23 per cent, the bulletin said.

Sunday's tally surpassed Saturday's tally when 1,954 fresh COVID-19 cases were recorded. The total cases in the city on Saturday stood at 1,71,366 and the death toll rose to 4,404.

The total number of COVID-19 cases stood at 1,73,390, out of which 1,54,171 patients have either recovered, migrated out or been discharged. The number of active cases stands at 14,793, up from 14,040 the previous day, it said.

A total of 1,249 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours, the bulletin stated.

The number of containment zones stands at 820, up from 803 the previous day.

Out of 14,145 beds, 4,030 are occupied.

A total of 4,154 beds of Covid Care Centres are occupied by people under quarantine, including travellers who came by the Vande Bharat Mission and bubble flights. 

Fresh cases and active cases have shown an increase in the last several days, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announcing on Wednesday that COVID-19 tests in Delhi will be doubled to 40,000 per day within a week as there has been a marginal increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the city.

Delhi has seen a fluctuation in the number of coronavirus cases since the beginning of this month. -- PTI

India and Russia on Sunday were announced as joint winners of the FIDE Chess Olympiad as Nihal Sarin and Divya Deshmukh lost connection to their games in the second round and had to forfeit.

In a first, the olympiad was conducted online.

Originally, Russia was declared as the winners, but India filed an appeal and after investigation, both India and Russia were announced as joint winners.

This was the first time that India reached the finals of the FIDE Chess Olympiad.

India's best finish at the Olympiad had come in 2014 when the contingent returned with a bronze medal.

The first round of the final between India and Russia finished as 3-3 draw after all six games finished in six draws.

Russia started the match against India as favourites after having their average rating of 12 players (2519) higher than India (2419).

The second round witnessed high drama as two Indian players -- Sarin and Deshmukh -- lost connection to their games and had to forfeit, following which India filed an official appeal for a consequent investigation.

FIDE President A. Dvorkovich sat out the appeal, as he represented Russia.

IO M.Khodarkovsky (USA) and IA Sava Stoisavljevic (Serbia) were tasked with issuing a verdict. 

It was declared that both India and Russia will be joint winners of the competition. -- ANI

India's COVID-19 recoveries have sprinted past 27 lakh, taking the recovery rate to 76.61 per cent, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.79 per cent, the health ministry said on Sunday.

 

It also highlighted that active cases of the infection comprise only 21.60 per cent of the total caseload.

With more patients recovering and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation, the country's total coronavirus recoveries have reached 27,13,933, the ministry said, adding that it has been possible because of effective implementation of the Centre's policy of "testing aggressively, tracking comprehensively through timely surveillance of close contacts and treating effectively through a widening medical care infrastructure across the country".

With a total of 64,935 patients having recovered in a span of 24 hours, India's recovery rate amongst the COVID-19 patients has improved to 76.61 per cent and is demonstrating continuous progress, the ministry underlined.

The recovery rate was 7.69 per cent on April 5. It improved to 26.59 per cent on May 3 and 47.76 per cent on May 31. It was recorded at 60.77 per cent on July 5.

The number of patients recovering is on a steady rise over the past several months and as on date exceeds the active cases by 3.55 times, the ministry said.

India has posted nearly 19.5 lakh (19,48,631) recoveries more than 7,65,302 active cases.

The record high recoveries have ensured that 7,65,302 active cases of coronavirus, which is the "actual caseload of the country and the same comprises only 21.60 per cent of the total positive cases," the ministry underscored.

This has aided the fast widening gap between the number of patients recovered and the active cases, it said. -- PTI

Several Bollywood producers, actors along with the Multiplex Association of India on Sunday urged the Centre to open the cinema halls, which have remained shut amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

 

The country went into lockdown from March 25 to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

The government started unlocking in phase-wise manner from June with opening up of domestic travel, offices, markets, shopping complexes, etc in non-containment zones

Amid rising COVID-19 cases in the country, under the government's Unlock 4 guidelines, cinema chains have not been given permission to operate.

The official account of Multiplex Association of India tweeted -- under the hashtag "Support Movie Theatres"-- that the cinema industry is not only an inherent part of the country's culture, but also an integral part of the economy, "supporting millions of livelihoods."

"Most countries across the world have allowed cinemas to operate. We request the Government Of India to allow us to operate as well. We are committed to offering a safe and hygienic cinema experience. 

"If aviation, metro, malls, wellness and restaurants can be allowed to operate, the cinema industry too deserves a chance," the association wrote. 

MAI had last month submitted a set of SOPs to various Central ministries as well as Prime Minister's Office and Niti Aayog.

Producer Boney Kapoor, whose film Maidaan had to be stalled amid the pandemic, took to Twitter and wrote,"#SupportMovieTheatres #SaveCinemas." 

He was joined by colleagues from the industry, including actor Parvin Dabas, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota actor Abhimanyu Dassani and Shibasish Sarkar, Group Chief Executive Officer- Content, Digital and Gaming at Reliance Entertainment.

Dabas said cinema halls contribute majorly to the economy and it was important to reopen them. 

"We need to get the economy going. Movie halls are a big part of that, they are committed to giving a safe environment to the film goers. Let's open them before it's too late," he wrote. 

Abhimanyu, whose film Nikamma was scheduled to release this year, said efforts should be made to to open theatres. 

 

"Let's make it safe enough for the public. Please reopen theatres and bring that magic back to life," the actor tweeted. 

Reliance Entertainment's two upcoming releases, Sooryavanshi and 83, stand delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Sarkar said the pandemic has deeply affected those who worked at cinema halls. -- PTI

Hollywood star Chadwick Boseman was a powerful actor, tremendous talent and role model to generations, said his Marvel Cinematic Universe collaborators Russo Brothers, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, among others.

 

Boseman, who attained global stardom as T'Challa aka superhero Black Panther in the MCU films such as Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, died Friday of colon cancer at his residence in Los Angeles with his wife and family by his side. He was 43.

The actor fought a secret battle with the disease for four years, Boseman's family said in a statement posted on his official Twitter handle on Saturday.

Before Black Panther, Boseman made a name for himself by playing iconic black historical figures like baseball star Jackie Robinson in 42 (2013), singer-songwriter James Brown in Get on Up (2014) and the first African-American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in Marshall (2017). 

Iron Man star Downey Jr called Boseman a hero who "levelled the playing field" with his inspiring and deep performances while fighting for his life.

"That's heroism. I'll remember the good times, the laughter, and the way he changed the game..." he wrote on Instagram.

Boseman made history in 2018 by leading a virtually all-black cast with solo Marvel movie Black Panther. 

The Ryan Coogler-directed feature is considered a landmark film for the way it projects black identity. 

Boseman played T'Challa who takes on the mantle of Black Panther after his father, T'Chaka, the king of the fictional but powerful African country Wakanda, dies in a bomb blast.

Black Panther was a major hit for Disney-owned Marvel Studios, grossing over USD 1.3 billion in worldwide gross and becoming the first superhero film to be nominated for the best picture at Oscars. The film took home three trophies for original score, costume design and production design.

Johansson, who plays Black Widow in MCU, said Boseman's death is an "unimaginable loss".

"Chadwick was not only a deeply soulful and powerful actor, but he was such a kind, thoughtful, funny and gentle person. He brightened everyone's day every time he walked into our hair and makeup trailer or on set with his beautiful smile.

"My heart goes out to his wife and entire family for such an unimaginable loss. Our collective Marvel family is absolutely heartbroken," Johansson said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

Hannah Beachler, who won the best production design Oscar for Black Panther, remembered the actor as someone who always "uplifted" people and looked out for them.

"I'd see Chad everyday, he'd go out of his way to ask me, w/ a smile 'what magical place did you make for me today?' He was always uplifting us, he was our king for that year. When I'd see him at events he'd ask, 'They taken care of you Sis?' 

"He'd tell me to make sure to get what I was worth. He always looked out for us, always saw us. I'm praying for his family, and hope they find solace in knowing he's in the land of peace, he's home now. Rest In Peace young King, your light will forever shine on us!" Beachler tweeted.

Avengers: Endgame directors Anthony and Joseph Russo called Boseman "an elegant man with great integrity and tremendous talent". 

"He inspired an entire generation to stand up and be king. Honor him by emulating him - show kindness and love to others. Share your talents in ways that impact. Always strive to be a light in the darkness," they said via their shared Instagram account.

Tom Holland, the current star of the Spider-Man franchise, on Instagram said Boseman was "even more of a hero off screen than on".

Bharatiya Janata Party Karnataka state unit president Nalin Kumar Kateel on Sunday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 but was asyomptomatic.     

"I underwent COVID-19 test and the reports have come out as positive. Despite being asymptomatic, on the advice of the doctors, I'm getting hospitalised," Kateel, also a member of Lok Sabha from Dakshina Kannada constituency, tweeted.

     

Expressing confidence that with the blessings and good wishes from everyone he will recover and get back soon, the 53-year-old requested all those who had come in contact with him to be cautious.

     

Kateel, who recently completed one year in the party post, has been travelling across the state and holding meetings at several districts  strengthening the organisation.

  

Earlier several senior politicians in the state including Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, Congress state president D K Shivakumar had tested positive for coronavirus.

 

 While Yediyurappa and Siddaramaiah have been discharged, Shivakumar is undergoing treatment.   

Several ministers of the state government, also legislators have tested positive and are under medication. -- PTI

India is all set to launch the bidding process by next month for a Rs 55,000-crore mega project to build six conventional submarines for the Indian Navy to narrow the gap with China's growing naval prowess, government sources said on Sunday.

   

The submarines will be built in India under the much-talked-about strategic partnership model that allows domestic companies to join hands with leading foreign defence majors to produce high-end military platforms in the country and reduce import dependence.

 

The sources said the groundwork like specifications of the submarines and other critical requirements for issuance of the RFP (request for proposal) for the mega project, named as P-75 I, has been completed by separate teams of the defence ministry and the Indian Navy.

 

The RFP will be issued by October, they added.

 

The defence ministry has already shortlisted two Indian shipyards and five foreign defence majors for the project, being billed as one of biggest "Make in India" ventures.

 

The shortlisted Indian entities were L&T group and state-owned Mazagaon Docks Ltd (MDL) while the select foreign entities included ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany), Navantia (Spain) and Naval Group (France).

 

Initially, the defence ministry will issue RFPs to MDL and L&T and the two firms will have to submit their detailed bid after receiving the document. Subsequently, the L&T and MDL will have to select a foreign partner out of the five shortlisted entities, the sources said.

 

The Indian Navy plans to acquire 24 new submarines, including six nuclear attack submarines, to bolster its underwater fighting capability. It currently has 15 conventional submarines and two nuclear submarines.

 

The Navy has been focusing on significantly bolstering its overall capabilities in view of China's growing efforts to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean Region.

 

The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to the country's strategic interests.

 

According to global naval analysts, Chinese navy currently has over 50 submarines and about 350 ships. The total number of ships and submarines is projected to go past 500 in next 8-10 years. -- PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that the students wanted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue of NEET and JEE exams in his monthly radio programme, but he spoke on toys.

   

His remark came after Prime Minister Modi in his "Mann ki Baat" address said that the country has the talent and ability to become a hub for the toy industry and called upon startups and entrepreneurs to "team up for toys".

 

Using the hashtag "Mann_Ki_Nahi_Students_Ki_Baat", Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "JEE-NEET aspirants wanted the PM to do 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' but the PM did 'Khilone Pe Charcha'."

 

Rahul Gandhi and his Congress party have supported a demand by a section to postpone the NEET and JEE examinations, which are starting from September 1, in view of the COVID pandemic.

 

Six state governments through their ministers have also moved the Supreme Court with a review petition seeking postponement of these exams.

 

In yet another push to his 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' campaign to make India self-reliant, Prime Minister Modi on Sunday urged the startups to develop computer games in and based on India, citing the nation's rich heritage and traditions that can drive innovations in the toy and gaming industry.

 Modi touched on a number of issues in the radio broadcast as he lauded people for maintaining unprecedented restraint and simplicity in celebrating festivals during the COVID pandemic and praised farmers for an increase in the sowing area for crops. -- PTI 

With a record over 10.5 lakh tests conducted in a day for detection of COVID-19, the number of such tests performed in the country has crossed 4.14 crore, the Union health ministry said on Sunday.

The exponential jump in the testing capacity and the number of tests has resulted in an upsurge in Tests Per Million to 30,044 as on date, it highlighted.

With a record 10,55,027 tests conducted on Saturday, the country has further strengthened the national diagnostic capacity of testing more than 10 lakh samples for COVID-19 daily.

The total number of tests conducted in the country for detection of coronavirus currently stands at 4,14,61,636, the ministry said.

The Centre, keeping in view the evolving global context of COVID-19, conceptualised and implemented the continuum of care strategy of "test, track and treat" in close coordination with the states and Union territories, it said.

Pivoted on the strong pillar of aggressive testing, the positive cases are identified early, which enables and ensures that their contacts are efficiently tracked in a timely manner, the ministry stated.

This is followed up with prompt isolation at home or a facility setting for the mild and moderate cases, and hospitalisation for the severe and critical patients, it said.

The World Health Organization, in its guidance note on 'Public Health Criteria to Adjust Public Health and Social Measures in the Context of COVID-19', has advised comprehensive surveillance for suspected coronavirus cases.

It has advised that a country needs 140 tests per 10 lakh people every day.

All the states and Union territories have crossed the advised number of tests. Several states have demonstrated a better performance by registering a positivity rate that is lower than the national average, the health ministry said.

The testing strategy also ensured a steady expansion of the laboratory network across the country. As many as 1,583 laboratories -- 1,003 in the government sector and 580 private ones -- are providing comprehensive COVID-19 testing facilities to people.

According to data shared by the ministry, India's daily tests per million stands at 545. Goa is conducting the highest tests per day per million at 1,584 followed by Andhra Pradesh at 1,391, Delhi at 950, Tamil Nadu 847, Assam 748, Karnataka, 740, Bihar 650 and Telangana 637.

India's COVID-19 positivity rate as on date is 8.57 per cent.  -- PTI

In a veiled attack on the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government over actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case, Union minister Raosaheb Danve on Sunday said some people had opposed the Central Bureua of Investigation probe to protect "someone" and they are now trying to drag the Bharatiya Janata Part in the matter.

Responding to a query on certain allegations levelled by state Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant, Danve said the BJP had no connection with the case.

"We had been demanding a CBI probe in Rajput case, as we wanted truth to come out. However, it seems those opposing such investigation knew that something is fishy in the case. They were trying to protect someone. The BJP has no connection with the case. Now, they are trying to drag the BJP to save themselves," he told reporters.

The Jalna MP also accused the state government of failing to check the COVID-19 pandemic.

He criticised the government for not allowing religious places to open even as saloons and wine shops are allowed to function.

Rajput (34) was found hanging in his flat in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14.

The Supreme Court last week upheld the transfer of an FIR, lodged by Rajput's father in Patna against actress Rhea Chakraborty and others for allegedly abetting his son's suicide and misappropriating his money, to the CBI. -- PTI 

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday said stopping Rahul Gandhi from taking over leadership of Congress will lead to "extinction" of the grand old party.

In his weekly column Rokhthok in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana, Raut also said Congress lacks a leader who can stand up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with full might.

Referring to the letter by 23 Congress leaders to Sonia Gandhi on having a "full time" leadership that is active in the field and "visible" in party offices, Raut wondered who is stopping these leaders from being active.

"Activeness to stop Rahul Gandhi will be instrumental in destroying the party and lead to its extinction," Raut said.

Having a non-Gandhi as Congress president is a good idea, but no one in those 23 has that capability, said Raut  whose party, along with Congress and NCP, is a constituent of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.

Referring to regional parties floated by former Congress leaders, Raut said, "The Congress still exists across India but with different masks. If these masks are thrown away, it can emerge as a prominent political party."

He said Congress veteran late V N Gadgil described the Congress as an old woman who will never die.

"Rahul Gandhi has to decide what to do with the old lady," Raut added.  -- PTI

Maharashtra minister Uday Samant on Sunday said that although the Centre's Unlock guidelines say that schools and colleges will remain shut till September 30, the University Grants Commission wants the final year exams to be conducted by that time.

Upholding the UGC decision to conduct final year examinations, the Supreme Court had on Friday said that these students can not be promoted without exams.

"How can examinations be held by September 30 if schools and colleges are closed. What exactly should the state governments and students do?" Samant asked in a tweet.

The higher and technical education minister said that the committee of vice chancellors, which met on Sunday, will submit its report to the state government on Monday.

The minister had on Saturday said that a six-member committee headed by Dr Suhas Pednekar, vice chancellor of Mumbai University, has been formed to give recommendations about how to conduct examinations.

The Union home ministry on Saturday issued Unlock 4 guidelines, as per which, schools, colleges and other educational and coaching institutions will remain closed for students till September 30, with some relaxations for students of classes 9 to 12. -- PTI 

Acting swiftly after the Galwan valley clash on June 15 in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Navy sailed out its frontline warship for deployment in the South China Sea much to the displeasure of the Chinese who raised objections over the move during the talks between the two sides.

The Chinese have been objecting to the presence of Indian Navy ships in the region where it has significantly expanded its presence since 2009 through artificial islands and military presence.

"Soon after the Galwan clash broke out in which 20 of our soldiers were killed, the Indian Navy deployed one of its frontline warship to the South China Sea where the People's Liberation Army's Navy objects to the presence of any other force claiming the majority of the waters as part of its territory," government sources told ANI.

The immediate deployment of the Indian Navy warship in the South China Sea had a desired effect on the Chinese Navy and security establishment as they complained to the Indian side about the Indian warship's presence there during the diplomatic level talks with the Indian side, the sources said.

During the deployment in the South China Sea where the American Navy had also deployed its destroyers and frigates, the Indian warship was continuously maintaining contact with their American counterparts over secure communication systems, the sources informed.

As part of the routine drills, the Indian warship was being constantly updated about the status of the movement of military vessels of other countries there, they said adding that the entire mission was carried out in a very hush-hush manner to avoid any public glare on navy's activities.

Around the same time, the Indian Navy had deployed its frontline vessels along the Malacca Straits near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the route from where the Chinese Navy enters the Indian Ocean Region to keep a check on any activity of the Chinese Navy. 

A number of Chinese vessels also pass through the Malacca Straits while returning with oil or taking merchant shipments towards other continents.

The sources said the Indian Navy is fully capable of checking any misadventure by the adversaries on either the eastern or the western front and the mission-based deployments have helped it to control the emerging situations effectively in and around the Indian Ocean Region. -- ANI

An intense lockdown was observed on Sunday across Tamil Nadu as part of efforts to fight COVID-19 and only healthcare services and milk supply continued as usual.

Effective since last month on all Sundays, the complete lockdown saw closure of fuel pumps, markets and outlets selling essential commodities.

People stayed indoors and roads were largely deserted and police set up checkposts at important intersections across Tamil Nadu to check against violations.

Policemen could be seen warning those who ventured out on streets without any valid reason in several regions.

Amma Canteens and healthcare services -- hospitals, pharmacies and labs -- functioned and sanitary workers continued their routine clean up work.

Personnel of civic bodies conducted door-to-door surveys to detect people with flu like symptoms in addition to fever camps. -- PTI 

Asserting that there was no urgency to have an elected Congress president, senior leader Salman Khurshid on Sunday said he "can't see the heavens falling" for the need of a party chief as Sonia Gandhi was still at the helm and should be the one to decide on the leadership issue.

Khurshid, a former Union minister and among the leaders considered close to the Gandhi family, told PTI in an interview that he would not have signed the letter even if he was approached by the group that wrote to Gandhi seeking urgent organisational overhaul, including an active and full-time leadership.

On Ghulam Nabi Azad, the most vocal among the 23 letter writers, seeking organisational elections to ensure that the Congress does not remain out of power for decades, Khurshid said the senior leader from Jammu and Kashmir had been part of the top echelons of the party for years when there has been no such elections and still the party prospered.

He said probably Azad wanted a change now in what the party has been doing over the years and expressed confidence that the leadership will give a thought to what he is saying as he is a senior leader 

Khurshid said the leaders who have written to Sonia Gandhi always had access to her and could have approached her rather than writing to her.

"It is very clear that the important persons in this letter do belong to the top echelons of our party and therefore Mrs Gandhi has indicated that it was best that they could have discussed it within the confines of the party," he said.

Khurshid's remarks assume significance as they come days after the 'group of 23' wrote to Gandhi calling for far-reaching reforms within the party such as having a "full time, active and visible" leadership, devolution of powers to state units and revamping the Congress Working Committee in line with the party constitution.

Asked about the suggestions made in the letter, Khurshid said the discussion seems to be about electing a leader and the Congress president has indicated that it can be done at an appropriate time when physically it is possible.

"For people like me, we already have leaders, we have a leader in Mrs Sonia Gandhi, we have a leader in Rahul Gandhi. So for me there is no sense of urgency about electing leaders. Electing a president, yes that will happen when it happens, I can't see the heavens falling down. What is the sense of urgency that is being expressed, is not clear to me," he said.

"We don't have a part-time president, we have a full-time president but the full-time president is an interim president and no ordinary person as an interim president as she is the longest serving president. We must just trust and leave it to the longest serving president to take steps when she thinks it is appropriate," the Congress leader said.

On whether it would have been better to go to the president for articulating concerns than writing a letter, Khurshid said the leaders had done that for the last 20 years and he did not know what was different now or had changed that they felt the need to write a letter. -- PTI

The first phase of the Census and the exercise to update the National Population Register, scheduled for this year but deferred due to the coronavirus outbreak, may be delayed by a year as there is no sign of slowdown of the pandemic.

 

The Indian census is one of the largest administrative and statistical exercises in the world, with the involvement of more than 30 lakh officials who would visit each household across the length and breadth of the country.

 

"Census is not an essential exercise for now. Even if it is delayed by a year, there would be no harm," a senior official said.

 

The official said no final decision has been taken on when the first phase of the Census 2021 and NPR update would take place, but it is almost certain that it would not be held in 2020 due to the rising cases of the coronavirus.

 

The house-listing phase of the Census and the exercise to update NPR were scheduled to be carried out across the country from April 1 to September 30, 2020, but were postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

"As the entire exercise needs the involvement of lakhs of officials and visit to each family, we can't undermine the health risk involved in it," the official said.

 

With a record single-day spike of 78,761 cases, the total coronavirus cases in India rose to 35,42,733, while the death toll climbed to 63,498 as on Sunday.

 

According to the earlier schedule, the census would have its reference date as March 1, 2021, and in the snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, it would be October 1, 2020.

 

"The COVID-19 threat is still looming large. The census and NPR are not in the priority list of the government as of now," another official said.

 

In March, when the coronavirus-induced lockdown was announced, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India was all set for the first phase of the census and updation of the NPR that was scheduled to begin from April 1.

 

Even though some state governments opposed the NPR update, all offered full support to the census exercise.

 

The census is the largest single source of a variety of statistical information on people of India which helps the State to chalk out various policies.

 

With a history of more than 130 years, this reliable, time tested exercise has been bringing out a veritable wealth of statistics every 10 years, including on the rich diversity of the people, and has become one of the tools to understand and study India.

 The objective of the NPR is to create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. The database would contain demographic as well as biometric particulars.

 

The NPR is a register of the usual residents of the country. It is prepared at the local (village and sub-town), subdistrict, district, state and national levels under provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.

 

The data for NPR was last collected in 2010 along with the house listing phase of the Census 2011. -- PTI

Former President Pranab Mukherjee continues to be in deep coma but is haemodynamically stable, the hospital treating him said on Sunday.

 

Doctors attending to 84-year-old Mukherjee said he is on ventilator support and is being treated for lung infection.

Doctors say a patient is haemodynamically stable when his blood circulation parameters, like blood pressure, heart and pulse rate, are stable and normal.

Mukherjee was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi on August 10 and was operated upon the same day for removal of a clot in the brain. He had also tested positive for COVID-19 during his admission.

He later developed a lung infection and had a renal dysfunction, they added.

"Shri Pranab Mukherjee is being treated for lung infection. He continues to be in a deep coma and on ventilator support.  He remains haemodynamically stable," the hospital said in a statement.

Mukherjee was the 13th President of India from 2012-2017. -- PTI 

Three more persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of journalist Ratan Singh in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia, a senior police official said on Sunday.

   

Six people were arrested earlier in the case on August 25, police said.

 

"A joint team of police, Special Operations Group and surveillance on Saturday arrested Uday Narayan Singh, Anil Singh and Tejbahadur Singh," Superintendent of Police Devendra Nath said on Sunday.

 

The three were carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 each on information leading to their arrest, the SP said.

 

A stick and two axes used in the crime have been recovered, he said.

The SP said a local court had issued a non-bailable warrant against the three accused.

 

Ratan Singh (45), who worked with a Hindi news channel, was shot dead on August 24 night in the Phephana police station area of the district.

 

A day later, a police officer was suspended while six people were arrested in connection with the murder.

 

Ballia's Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sanjay Yadav had earlier said that on the complaint of the journalist's father, six people -- Sushil Singh, Dinesh Singh, Arvind Singh, Suneel Singh, Vir Bahadur Singh and Vinay Singh --have been arrested. He added that Phephana police station in-charge Shashi Mauli Pandey was suspended.

 

He said the complaint was lodged against 10 people.

 

According to the ASP, the journalist's father, Vinod Singh, alleged that Sonu Singh of their village had called his son to his house around 8 pm where the accused were waiting with lathis and a revolver and they killed him.

 

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar had stated on August 24 night that Ratan Singh had a property dispute with his neighbour and after a fight between the two, he was shot dead. -- PTI

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar's building has been sealed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation as a precautionary measure amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

 

The 90-year-old singer resides in Prabhukunj building at Peddar Road in south Mumbai.

The Mangeshkar family, in a statement, said the building was sealed as it houses many senior citizens. 

"We have been inundated by calls all evening enquiring whether Prabhukunj is sealed. The building society and the BMC have sealed it from the onset of the epidemic as we have senior citizens at home and in the building and it is mandatory to take these precautions. 

"Even our usual festive Ganesha celebrations was a simple familial one this time to co-operate and support social distancing," the statement read. 

There were reports that some residents of the building had tested positive for COVID-19 but the family asked well-wishers to not indulge in any speculations.  

"Please do not react to any hearsay on the health of our family members especially. We, as a building society in unison, are taking utmost caution, care and co-operating to ensure the well being and safety of all the senior citizens especially and all the other residing members as well. 

"By God's grace and the wishes of so many, the family is safe," the statement read. 

On Saturday, coronavirus case tally in Maharashtra rose to 7,64,281 with record 16,867 new cases. -- PTI 

Reacting sharply to Pakistan hailing the recent Gupkar Declaration in which six political parties of Jammu and Kashmir vowed to fight collectively against the abrogation of Article 370, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday asserted that "we are not anyone's puppets".

 

"Pakistan has always abused mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir but now suddenly they like us", the former chief minister said when asked about Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's statement that the declaration issued by the NC, the PDP, the Congress and three other parties was "not an ordinary occurrence but an important development".

 

"Let me make it clear that we are not anyone's puppets, neither New Delhi's nor of anyone across the border. We are answerable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and will work for them," he said.

 

In response to a question on cross-border terrorism, Abdullah said, "I would urge Pakistan to stop sending armed men into Kashmir. We want an end to the bloodshed in our state. All political parties in Jammu and Kashmir are committed to fight for our rights peacefully, including for what was unconstitutionally snatched away from us on August 5 last year".

 

At the same time, the NC leader urged both India and Pakistan to resume their dialogue "for everyone's greater good".

 

"Our people are being killed on both sides of the Line of Control every time there are ceasefire violations. For God's sake bring a halt to that", he said.

In a declaration issued on August 22, six prominent mainstream political parties came together for restoration of Article 370 and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir after describing as "unconstitutional" steps approved by Parliament last year to end the erstwhile state's special status and slice it into two union territories.

 

The joint statement is known as "Gupkar Declaration-2", being second declaration on Article 370 issued after meetings held at the Gupkar Road residence of Abdullah which clearly asks the Centre that "there can be nothing about us without us", an indication that the Centre has to take into confidence the people before implementing any constitutional change. -- PTI 

The Chinese army has launched two sets of military drills in waters off the country's east coast as tensions continue to rise in the South China Sea amid United States military presence in the region.

Shanghai-based military expert Ni Lexiong was quoted as saying by South China Morning Post that the drills in the Bohai and Yellow seas had the practical purpose of simulating both wartime attack and defence, should there be a conflict to unify Taiwan by force.

"Different scenarios, with a strong enemy or a weak enemy, need to be practised in drills," Ni said.

Terming the recent drills as "routine training", Diao Daming, an associate professor at Renmin University's National Academy of Development and Strategy, told state broadcaster China Central Television that "the exercises were meant to boost public confidence and intimidate the US and Taiwan."

"Although these drills do not target any specific country, in the face of power that is challenging our sovereignty and security, such drills can make the enemy yield without use of arms," Diao said.

Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper and Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono on Saturday reiterated their commitment to maintain a 'rules-based order' in the East and South China Seas.

Esper hosted Kono in Guam, where they reaffirmed the strength of the US-Japan alliance and discussed ways to deepen and expand bilateral defence cooperation.

"Secretary Esper and Minister Kono exchanged views on their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The Secretary expressed serious concern regarding Beijing's decision to impose a national security law in Hong Kong, as well as coercive and destabilising actions vis-a-vis Taiwan," the official statement said.

"Both ministers restated their commitment to maintain a rules-based order in the East and South China Seas, and more broadly in the region and world," it stated.

The statement comes even as China continues to conduct military activities in the South China Sea region. -- ANI

A junior commissioned officer of the army was killed on Sunday in a firing incident along the Line of Control in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, defence sources said.

   

The firing from across the border started soon after the Army noticed some suspicious movement along the LoC in Nowshera sector, the sources said.

 

They said the Indian troops retaliated strongly and in the exchange of firing, a JCO was hit by a bullet and later succumbed to injuries.

 

The cross-border firing was going on when the last reports came in, the sources said, adding further details are awaited. -- PTI 

The Central Bureau of Investigation called actress Rhea Chakraborty for the third consecutive day on Sunday for questioning in the case of death of her boyfriend and filmstar Sushant Singh Rajput, a police official said.

The 28-year-old actress is accused of abetting Rajput's suicide.

Her brother Showik Chakraborty was also called by the CBI for the fourth day in a row for questioning in the case, the official said.

Rhea Chakraborty and her brother reached the DRDO guest house at Kalina in Santacruz, where the probe team is stationed, around 10.30 am, he said.

A Mumbai Police vehicle escorted the car in which the two arrived at the guest house, he said.

Rajput's manager Samual Miranda and domestic help Keshav also reached the guest house in the morning.

Earlier, Rhea Chakraborty was questioned for nearly 10 hours on Friday and allowed to return home under police escort as a large number of media personnel were present outside her building. 

She was quizzed for around seven hours on Saturday.

Her brother is being questioned by the CBI since Thursday.

On Saturday, the CBI also questioned Rajput's flatmate Siddharth Pithani, cook Neeraj Singh and accountant Rajat Mewati at the guest house.

Rajput (34) was found hanging in his flat in suburban Bandra on June 14.

Rhea Chakraborty had been earlier questioned by the Mumbai Police in the case. 

The Enforcement Directorate has also quizzed her in a related money laundering case.

The Supreme Court last week upheld the transfer of an FIR, lodged by Rajput's father in Patna against the actress and others for allegedly abetting his son's suicide and misappropriating his money, to the CBI. -- PTI

Pushing India to become a global hub of making toys, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the National Education Policy 2020 focuses on toys too.

Adddrssing the nation in his monthly radio programme, 'Mann ki Baat', the PM said, "I thought about children during COVID-19 lockdown and discussed ways to make India a global hub in making toys."

"We have given focus on toys in the National Education Policy too. Learning while playing, making toys etc has been made a part of curriculum," Modi said.

In a push for self-reliance, the PM said that India's share in the Rs 7 lakh crore worth global toy industry is very small and urged startups in the country to team up for making toys and go vocal for local.

The Yamuna was flowing close to the warning mark in Delhi on Sunday morning, but the water level is receding gradually, officials said.

"The water level was recorded at 203.98 metres at the Old Railway Bridge at 9 am. It was 204.14 metres at 7 pm on Saturday and 204.41 metres at 5 pm on Friday," an official of the irrigation and floodcontrol department said.

The warning level is 204.50 metres, and the danger mark is 205.33 metres.

Water was being released into the Yamuna at the rate of 4,353 cusec at 8 am from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana's Yamunanagar district.

The flow rate was 11,445 cusec at 11 am on Saturday, the maximum in the last 24 hours. The flow rate has remained between 4,000 cusec and 15,000 cusec over the last two days, which is not very high, he said.

One cusec is equivalent to 28.32 litre per second.

The water discharged from the barrage which provides drinking water to Delhi normally takes two-three days to reach the capital.

The water level rose on Friday due to rains in Delhi and neighbouring areas, he said.

The East Delhi district administration has deployed 24 boats, each with two divers, to monitor the situation.

More boats and teams of divers are on standby.

Normally, the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage is 352 cusec, but the discharge is increased after heavy rainfall in catchment areas.

Last year, the flow rate had peaked to 8.28 lakh cusec on August 18-19, and the water level of the Yamunahad hit the 206.60 metre-mark, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 metres.

The Delhi government had to launch evacuation and relief operations after the overflowing river submerged many low-lying areas.

In 1978, the river had swelled to the all-time record water level of 207.49 metres. In 2013, it had risen to 207.32 metres.  -- PTI

India's COVID-19 case tally crosses 35 lakh mark with a spike of 78,761 new cases and 948 deaths in the last 24 hours.

COVID-19 case tally in the country stands at 35,42,734 including 7,65,302 active cases, 27,13,934 cured/discharged/migrated and 63,498 deaths, says the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Meanwhile, the total number of samples tested up to August 29 is 4,14,61,636 including 10,55,027 samples tested yesterday, says the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).   -- ANI

Three terrorists and an assistant sub-inspector of Jammu and Kashmir Police were killed in a gunfight on the outskirts of Srinagar on Sunday, police said.

Terrorists fired on a joint 'naka' of police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Pantha Chowk area late on Saturday night, a police official said.

He said the joint parties of the forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation there.

During the searches in the area, the militants again fired on the search party of the forces, who retaliated, leading to an encounter, the official said.

A tight cordon was maintained throughout the night and the firing resumed this morning, he said. He said three militants were killed in the gunfight.

An assistant sub-inspector of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Babu Ram, was also killed in the operation, the official added.

The operation is going on and further details were awaited, he said.  -- PTI

The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra has submitted the layout of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and other documents related to it, to Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) for approval.

Dr Anil Mishra, member of the Trust on Saturday handed over the documents to Neeraj Shukla, vice chairman and secretary of the ADA.

'The trustee of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth area, Dr Anil Mishra, handed over the layout and other necessary documents of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi temple to the Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Ayodhya Development Authority for approval so that the construction work can start after the approval of the map,' Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra said in a tweet.

The Trust on August 20 had said that the construction of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir has 'begun' and the engineers are now testing the soil at the site.

According to Trust, the shrine will be built by adhering to the country's ancient and traditional construction techniques. It will also be built to sustain earthquakes, storms and other natural calamities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ayodhya on August 5 to attend the 'Bhoomi pujan' at Ram Janmbhoomi site.

In February this year, Prime Minister Modi announced the constitution of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, to oversee the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. -- ANI