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Sikkim floods: IAF says ,176 civilians including 16 foreign nationals evacuated

editor October 11, 2023

GANGTOK: According to an IAF spokesperson, the Indian Air Force evacuated 176 people from the flood-affected state on Tuesday, including 16 foreign nationals. 9400 kg of relief supplies were also air-landed in the state by the IAF, according to an official. According to IAF sources, the Indian Air Force has positioned its Mi-17 V5, CH-47 Chinooks, and Cheetah helicopters to help with relief efforts in flood-affected Sikkim by evacuating people stuck in isolated locations and delivering supplies to cut-off areas. The recent flash floods that damaged footbridges, roads, and other infrastructure severely disrupted Sikkim's daily life.A total of 523 tourists were left stranded in the Lachen village amid the disaster in the northeastern state of Sikkim after the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in South Lhonak Lake wreaked havoc across the Teesta basin in Sikkim and North Bengal, an official said on Tuesday. Out of these, two tourists suffered injuries. "Lachen's circumstance is a terrible one. Two persons were hurt, but everyone else is okay.We are unable to travel because of the road's disconnectivity.As directed by the state and federal governments, the majority of the tourists and their loved ones have been airlifted with the assistance of the army, said Samdup Lepcha, MLA for the Lachen (Mangan) seat. [caption id="attachment_3842" align="alignnone" width="288"] Sikkim floods: IAF says ,176 civilians including 16 foreign nationals evacuated[/caption]

Breaking News header International National Political

PM Modi speaks to Israeli PM on Hamas attacks : ‘India stands with Israel’

editor October 11, 2023

NEW DELHI:In the midst of the present Israel-Hamas conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday received a call from his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu. PM Modi declared that India "condemns terrorism in all its forms" following the call. PM Modi thanked Netanyahu for his call and for giving him a "update on the ongoing situation" in a post on X (previously Twitter). "In this trying hour, the people of India stand firmly with Israel. India vehemently and categorically rejects terrorism in all of its manifestations, the message stated. Israel's Foreign Ministry published a "Thank you" tweet on X in response to PM Modi's support. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi expressed his "deep shock" upon hearing of "terrorist attacks" in Israel.India, he continued, "stands in solidarity with Israel at this trying hour." More than 1,600 people have died in the battle that erupted on October 7 as a result of Hamas' extraordinary and unexpected onslaught on Israel. In Israel, there have been at least 900 fatalities and 2,600 injuries. In the meantime, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that Israeli bombings have resulted in 704 fatalities, including 143 children and 105 women, and over 4,000 injuries. Israel claimed to have "restored full control" over the border and secured effective control of the southern region. Netanyahu claimed earlier in the day that Israel did not start the war. "We were against this war. Although his nation "didn't start this war, it will finish it," he added, "it was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way." [caption id="attachment_3836" align="alignnone" width="300"] PM Modi speaks to Israeli PM on Hamas attacks : 'India stands with Israel'[/caption]

Business header International National

India and Italy strengthen defence ties with bilateral talks and agreements

editor October 10, 2023

NEW DELHI: India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, engaged in talks with his Italian counterpart Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, in Rome during the first leg of his official visit to Italy and France. These discussions laid…

Breaking News header International National

Choppers evacuate stranded tourists from North Sikkim for 2nd day

editor October 10, 2023

GANGTOK: Armed troops continued to evacuate visitors from Lachen and Lachung in North Sikkim on Tuesday as the weather remained clear for a second day, according to officials. Choppers transported about 95 trapped individuals from Lachung and Lachen. The first group from Lachung consisted of two Lachung village residents and 17 tourists. In the morning, the choppers made two sorties to the region. People from Lachung were transported to Pakyong Airport, which is close to Gangtok. Three helicopter sorties were used to remove the first group of 76 stranded individuals from Lachen, including two children.They were taken to the Ringhim Helipad in Mangan. Hem Kumar Chettri, the District Magistrate of Mangan, reported that the IAF has dispatched three helicopters, with two of them heading to Lachen and one to Lachung. According to Chettri, the district administration's top concern at the moment is the evacuation of visitors and sick people. According to officials, more airlifts of stranded tourists from Lachung and Lachen towns in the worst-affected Mangan area will be conducted by the choppers. To assist the tourists in getting to Siliguri and Gangtok, they said that the state government had set up SNT buses. After the cloudburst in Lhonak lake created flash floods in the Teesta river, which devastated Chungthang valley and flooded the river basin area in four districts downstream on October 4, around 3,000 visitors from various parts of the nation became stuck in North Sikkim cities. Lachen and Lachung were evacuated of more than 360 tourists on Monday. The DM stated that as of right now, more than 700 individuals had been safely transported from flood-affected areas, including tourists, locals, and labourers who were trapped in places like Chungthang where a Bailey Bridge was created for emergency evacuation. The DM added that teams for rescue and recovery have already arrived and are operating on the ground in the impacted areas.According to him, BSNL phone lines in Lachung have been repaired, and by this evening, phone connectivity will also be restored in Lachen and Chungthang. He claimed that by this evening, power would also be restored to Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung. In North Sikkim, the floods severely destroyed the road system and the communications network, leaving some 3,000 tourists trapped for five days. [caption id="attachment_3811" align="alignnone" width="289"] Choppers evacuate stranded tourists from North Sikkim for 2nd day[/caption]

Breaking News header International National

Pak Presenter Zainab Abbas leaves India amid social media controversy

editor October 10, 2023

NEW DELHI: Presenter Zainab Abbas, a Pakistani, left India on Monday. She was a member of the ICC digital team covering the ODI World Cup. This choice was made in response to a reaction on social media regarding her purported anti-Indian posts in the past. However, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Zainab left the nation for private reasons. In order to cover Pakistan's three World Cup games in Hyderabad, Zainab Abbas travelled there from India. The 35-year-old presenter was notably present on October 6 during Pakistan's World Cup debut versus the Netherlands at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Posts from Zainab Abbas' unverified X account, which was once her Twitter account, went viral, sparking the controversy surrounding her. Soon after she revealed that she will be covering the ICC big event in India, these posts began to attract notice. Although there have been discussions and…

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Dr Jitendra Singh addresses ‘India-Sweden Innovation Day’ meet, promises deeper collaboration

editor October 9, 2023

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, addressed the 10th "India-Sweden Innovation Day" meeting today. He pledged deeper cooperation between the two nations and called for strengthening India-Sweden bilateral cooperation to effectively address pressing global challenges while remaining steadfast in the pursuit of immediate goals on the path to a more prosperous future. Dr. Jitendra Singh, who spoke on behalf of the Indian government, said that businesses on both sides should be encouraged to collaborate in research and exchange human resources.Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that nine Swedish companies visited India this year as part of the India-Sweden Innovations Accelerator programme in order to expand their export and investment opportunities in the area of green technology and strengthen ties between Sweden and India in this field. The Minister mentioned that in 2023, both nations would mark the fifth anniversary of the Sweden-India Joint Declaration on Innovation Partnership for a Sustainable Future as well as the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. The 10th India Sweden Innovation Day's theme is "Innovation for a Better World," according to him, and it is a momentous occasion.Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed that the goal of this historic occasion is to realise a net-zero future by leveraging our individual areas of expertise and driving ecologically sustainable growth. Dr. Jitendra Singh said that in May 2022, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji reaffirmed their commitment to encouraging cooperative research and innovation across a variety of fields, including polar and space research. The relationship, according to the minister, spans a number of industries, including energy, clean technology, new materials, space, the circular and bio-based economy, health and life sciences, and transportation and eMobility.In accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, he also said that the India-Sweden Innovation Partnership builds links between institutions, R&D-intensive industries, and creative entrepreneurs. Dr. Jitendra Singh reported that the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has announced the INDIA-SWEDEN Collaborative Industrial Research & Development call in association with the Swedish Government Agency for Innovation Systems (VINNOVA). According to him, this effort is a crucial component of the larger Sweden-India Innovation Partnership, which seeks to increase competitiveness and find creative solutions to urgent global problems like climate change and sustainable development.Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out that the joint call for proposals between Sweden and India in the area of the circular economy was first made public last year. Three large projects in all were supported through this call, which was co-funded by nine Indian and nine Swedish funding organisations for the Joint Programme. On March 13, 2023, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was formally approved, creating a cooperation between the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), the Department of Science and Technology, and the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).This partnership aims to promote knowledge exchange and the advancement of research while strengthening collaboration and research ties between academic institutions in Sweden and India through the organisation of seminars, workshops, and conferences. Dr. Jitendra Singh also thanked Andreas Carlson, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of Sweden, for participating in the 10th annual India Sweden Innovation Day. Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that India is ready to strengthen the bilateral partnership, particularly in the area of science and technology, as well as to support our innovation ecosystem. The Minister went on to say that the success of our bilateral diplomatic relations has been a result of our shared values and dedication to fair trade and globalisation.I am really happy to observe that the area of India and Sweden's bilateral relationship that is growing the fastest is innovation cooperation, he continued. Swedish ambassador to India Tanmaya Lal, Robin Sukhia, president of the Sweden-India Business Council, and Sanjoo Malhotra, CEO of India Unlimited also spoke at the event in addition to Hon. Jan Thesleff, the ambassador of India to Sweden. [caption id="attachment_3776" align="alignnone" width="300"] Dr Jitendra Singh addresses 'India-Sweden Innovation Day' meet, promises deeper collaboration[/caption]

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IOC and Reliance Foundation sign agreement to advance Olympic values education across India

editor October 9, 2023

Mumbai, 9th October 2023: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the Olympic Museum has aligned with Reliance Foundation to build on the success of the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) in India and signed a…

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“Tanzania is biggest, closest partner of India in Africa”: PM Modi

editor October 9, 2023

NEW DELHI: While speaking at the Exchange session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that Tanzania is India's largest and closest ally in all of Africa and that today is a momentous day for relations between the two countries. "Today marks a turning point in India and Tanzania's relationship. We are attempting to turn our long-standing friendship into a Strategic Partnership today, he remarked. PM Modi noted that Tanzania and India are significant trading and investment partners, adding that "both sides are working on an agreement to increase trade in local currencies." In addition, PM Modi noted that "Tanzania is the biggest and closest partner of India in the entire Africa." On Monday, PM Modi and Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of Tanzania, attended the MoU exchanging programme at Hyderabad House in Delhi. The Indian Navy and the Tanzanian Shipping Agency exchanged technical agreements regarding their cooperation in sharing white shipping information, the National Sports Council of Tanzania and the Sports Authority of India exchanged MoUs regarding their cooperation in the field of sports, and India and Tanzania also exchanged agreements regarding their cultural exchange programme for the years 2023 to 2027.Additionally, there was a discussion regarding the establishment of an industrial park in Tanzania between the Tanzania Investment Centre and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, which is a division of the Ministry of Port, Shipping, and Waterways of India. Finally, an MoU exchange about cooperation in the maritime industry was place between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Marine Services Corporation Limited. India has significantly aided Tanzania in developing its capacities and skills. "ICT centres, vocational schools, defence training, and scholarships from ITEC and ICCR. By collaborating in key areas including agriculture, health, water supply, and education, we have attempted to improve Tanzanians' quality of life. President Narendra Modi saidRegarding the defence industry, PM Modi mentioned that a five-year framework has been agreed upon by Tanzania and India. "Through this, new dimensions will be added in areas like military training, maritime cooperation, capacity building, and defence industry," he stated. He also expressed his happiness that Tanzania had chosen to join the Global Biofuels Alliance, which had been established at the G20 Summit by India. "I am glad that Tanzania has decided to join the Global Biofuels Alliance launched by India at the G20 Summit," he stated. In the presence of US President Joe Biden, Presidents Luiz Inacio of Brazil, Alberto Fernandez of Argentina, and Giorgia Meloni of Italy, PM Modi established the Global Biofuels Alliance during the G20 Summit.Everyone agrees that the greatest security threat to humanity is terrorism, including India and Tanzania. "In this regard, we have also decided to increase mutual cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism," said Prime Minister Modi. "The most important thing that binds our relationships is our strong and oldest people-to-people ties," said Prime Minister Modi. The establishment of the IIT Madras centre in Zanzibar, according to PM Modi, is a significant turning point in our relationship. On July 4, in the presence of Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of an IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar was signed by the Ministry of Education (MoE), the central government, IIT Madras, and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) of Zanzibar, Tanzania. "Technology is the biggest pillar for the path of development between India and Tanzania," PM Modi stated. The Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi met Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was in India at President Droupadi Murmu's invitation, on Sunday at the Delhi airport.Earlier today, President Hassan received a formal welcome on the Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt and took part in the wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat. The day before, President Samia Suluhu Hassan praised the outstanding relations between the two nations and noted that her visit will open up new doors for Tanzania's and India's political and economic development.

Breaking News header International National

Toll mounts to 34, IAF begins rescuing stranded tourists : Sikkim flash flood

editor October 9, 2023

GANGTOK: Officials reported on Monday that 34 dead, including those of 10 army jawans, had been pulled from the Teesta River's mud and debris as a result of the devastating flash flood that also left over 105 others remained unaccounted for. The first group of trapped tourists was airlifted from Lachen to Mangan in North Sikkim by the Indian Air Force, which has begun rescue and relief operations in the Himalayan state. In order to coordinate relief and rescue efforts with the armed forces, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang met with Chief Secretary VB Pathak, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, who has arrived in Gangtok.The Jalpaiguri district administration in neighbouring northern West Bengal stated that 40 bodies had also been pulled from downstream Teesta in addition to the 34 fatalities reported in Sikkim. Officials cautioned, however, that there might be some overlap in the death tolls given by the two states. With 22, including 10 soldiers, Pakyong district in Sikkim recorded the most fatalities, followed by Gangtok with six, Mangan with four, and Namchi with two. Six days after a cloudburst over Lhonak lake in Mangan district triggered an increase in the Teesta river, flooding many towns on the river basin spanning four districts in the Himalayan state, 105 people are still unaccounted for.According to a statement from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, 63 of the missing people are from Pakyong, 20 are from Gangtok, 16 are from Mangan, and six are from Namchi. Up to 3,432 kuccha and pucca homes have suffered damage. 5,327 persons in total have been saved and evacuated. The state's transportation network has been hampered by the total of 14 bridges that have either been washed out or submerged. 6,505 individuals who were made homeless as a result of the flash flood are being housed in 26 relief camps spread across four districts.There were 85,870 persons impacted by the flash flood. The ongoing relief and rescue efforts were discussed at a high-level meeting that CM Tamang called at his official house with Chief Secretary VB Pathak, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, and other officials. According to an official, the purpose of the conference was to ensure that trapped individuals were quickly rescued while coordinating efforts with the military. According to a defence official, the Indian Air Force has begun disaster relief and humanitarian aid operations in Sikkim and has flown a chopper to rescue the first group of stranded tourists from Lachen to Mangan. It also delivered vital supplies and emergency personnel to Lachen. Although the precise number of tourists saved in the first batch is not yet known, the MI-17 helicopter that was employed in the rescue mission has a capability to carry 25 to 30 passengers. "The IAF commenced its humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations from Air Force Station Bagdogra for the flood victims of Sikkim on the Air Force Day," said a defence official. Using Chinook and MI 17 V5 helicopters, the air force has begun delivering Garud commandos, communication equipment, fuel, medications, and search and rescue equipment to the state as of Sunday, he said. The official stated that the IAF is completely prepared to assist the victims of the catastrophic floods that left the small Himalayan state in shambles and that the Eastern Air Command is coordinating HADR operations. "The helicopters are kept ready to transport the stranded tourists and local residents to safer locations as soon as the weather conditions improve," stated a Defence Department official. On Monday, the Met Department issued a five-day rainfall forecast for Sikkim and sub-Himalayan West Bengal that included mild to moderate rain in various locations along with thunderstorms and lightning. The Jalpaiguri district administration in West Bengal has reported that 40 dead have been found so far from the Teesta River's downstream.According to officials, 10 bodies have been identified so far. The precise death toll will be known in the next days after compiling the information, according to officials, as victims are still being discovered in both states among the slush and debris left behind by Teesta. [caption id="attachment_3755" align="alignnone" width="300"] Toll mounts to 34, IAF begins rescuing stranded…

Breaking News header International National

IAF conducts disaster relief operations in Sikkim

editor October 9, 2023

KOLKATA: According to a defence spokesman on Monday, the Indian Air Force has begun providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief in Sikkim, which was severely damaged by a Teesta River flash flood. The flash flood that ravaged Sikkim has so far resulted in the recovery of 33 bodies, including those of nine army jawans, while the hunt for more than 105 persons who remain missing is ongoing, according to officials in the Himalayan state. According to the Jalpaiguri district administration in neighbouring northern West Bengal, 40 dead were pulled from the river below. Even though both governments were keeping each other up to date on their individual rescue efforts, officials cautioned that the numbers given by Sikkim and West Bengal may have some overlap. "The IAF commenced its humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations from Air Force Station Bagdogra for the flood victims of Sikkim on the Air Force Day," said a defence official. Using Chinook and MI 17 V5 helicopters, the air force has begun delivering Garud commandos, communication equipment, fuel, medications, and search and rescue equipment to the state as of Sunday, he said. The official stated that the IAF is completely prepared to assist the victims of the catastrophic floods that left the small Himalayan state in shambles and that the Eastern Air Command is coordinating HADR operations. "The helicopters are kept ready to transport the stranded tourists and local residents to safer locations as soon as the weather conditions improve," stated a Defence Department official. On Monday, the Met Department issued a five-day prediction for sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim that included mild to moderate rain in several locations along with thunderstorms and lightning. The Jalpaiguri district administration in West Bengal has reported that 40 dead have been found so far from the Teesta River's downstream. According to officials, 10 bodies have been identified so far. The precise death toll will be known in the next days after compiling the information, according to officials, as victims are still being discovered in both states among the slush and debris left behind by Teesta.A cloudburst early on Wednesday morning caused the flash flood, which has affected 60,870 individuals. According to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), 2,563 people have already been evacuated from various regions of the state, the majority of which have been shut off from the rest of the nation. [caption id="attachment_3752" align="alignnone" width="300"] IAF conducts disaster relief operations in Sikkim[/caption]

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