India
India braces for third Covid wave
With Omicron cases rising by the day, India is on the cusp of a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Public health experts who have sounded out the stark warning ahead of Christmas and New Year's eve celebrations believe that this should also serve as a wake-up call to neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh.
In the US, the rapidly spreading Omicron strain has already displaced the previously dominant Delta variant of the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Europe too, as many as 38 countries have reported Omicron cases. Not to mention that the World Health Organization has already warned that the "variant of concern" -- first detected in South Africa -- could have severe consequences in several countries.
"A gradual surge in Omicron cases indicates that it's on its way to becoming the primary strain of Covid soon. We anticipate a mass outbreak in some states in February. Tightening the enforcement machinery to ensure that people follow all Covid-safety protocols is the need of the hour," Delhi-based expert Dr Disha Rau told UNB.
India has had 3,47,58,481 Covid infections and 4,78,325 deaths since the pandemic began last year. And the country's Omicron tally stands at 213, with the worst hit being Delhi and the western state of Maharashtra.
Read:India suffers double blow as black fungus declared epidemic amid COVID-19 surge
Alarmed by the rising Omicron cases, India's federal government on Wednesday warned states that "the variant is three times more transmissible than the Delta" and directed them to take appropriate action to rein in its spread, including activation of a "war room" and focussing on worst-affected districts.
Soon after the directive was issued, state after state announced curbs to prevent any mass outbreak of the Omicron strain. While the Indian capital banned all Christmas and New Year gatherings, the neighbouring state of Haryana made it clear that unvaccinated people won't be allowed to enter public places like malls, restaurants, banks and offices from January 1.
"All district magistrates shall conduct an intensive survey of the entire area falling under their jurisdiction and identify those pockets, colonies, markets and crowded places that have the potential of becoming superspreaders of coronavirus and its Omicron variant," the Delhi government said in its order.
Read:Covid-19: Why ‘world’s pharmacy’ India is short on shots
Another northern Indian state, Punjab, told all government employees that they won't get their salary unless they upload their vaccination certificate on the official portal. On the other hand, the southern state of Karnataka made it mandatory for all international travellers to undergo quarantine for a week post-arrival, followed by an RT-PCR test on the eight day.
"State-wise measures are okay, but people must follow social-distancing norms and wear masks to prevent any community spread of Omicron. Unvaccinated people face a higher risk of contracting Omicron. They should avoid crowded places and get the shots at the earliest," said MK Singh, a retired professor of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
Earlier this month, India's civil aviation regulator backtracked on its decision to resume regular international flights from December 15. The government put curbs on all flights in March last year in the wake of the Covid-induced lockdown. However, it allowed domestic flights from May 2020, and the entry of all foreigners except tourists from October that year.
Both semis of Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tuesday
Both the semifinals of the 6th edition Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy Hockey’ 2021 will be held on Tuesday at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium here. Joint champions Pakistan will take on Korea in the first semifinal at 3:30 pm while other joint champions India will play relatively weaker Japan in other semis at 6 pm. Japan never beat India in their last 17 meetings and conceded a huge 0-9 goals defeat against India in their last match in the ongoing Champions Trophy while Korea drew 3-3 with Pakistan in their last match.
READ: Asian Champions Trophy: Pakistan beat Bangladesh to book last SF slot
India finished top in the five-team fray to reach the semifinal in style with unbeaten record securing 10 points from all the four league basis matches with three wins and a draw. On the way to the semifinal, India crushed hosts Bangladesh 9-0, beat Pakistan 3-1 and Japan by 5-0 goals after playing 2-2 draw with Korea in their opening match. Pakistan managed a semifinal berth as they finished 3rd in the five team fray securing five points from four matches with one win and two draws. Pakistan beat Bangladesh 6-2, drew 3-3 with Korea, played goalless with Japan and lost to their arch-rivals India 1-3.
READ: Asian Champions Trophy Hockey: Pakistan play 3-3 draw with Korea Korea was placed 2nd to reach the semifinal of the five-team meet securing six points from four matches with one win and three draws after beating Bangladesh by 3-2 goals and played 2-2 draw with India, 3-3 draw with Japan and 3-3 draw with Pakistan.
UAE commits $100b for investment and infrastructure creation in India
India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, discussed the opportunities with industry leaders to expand their global footprint by leveraging business platforms and infrastructure offered by the UAE, reports Gulf News.
Dubai’s DP World presented the market expansion opportunities it offers to Indian businesses and exporters, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a press release.
The firm is setting up India Mart Traders Market, a dedicated market for Indian businesses which would enable traders and manufacturers to trade with the UAE local market and regional market. The potential offered by Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), one of the world’s leading free trade zones, was also presented to the Indian industry, according to the release.
Read: Indian man beaten to death inside historic Sikh temple
Speaking about the immediate UAE opportunity presented by DP World and the Government of UAE, Goyal said “We are looking for this to become a $10 billion opportunity for India also showcase Brand India on the global stage.”
India eyes GCC markets
Industry representatives welcomed the initiative and offered their ideas and suggestions to leverage its potential. Goyal added that the goal is to become number one trading partner of UAE. The Minister said “UAE is a gateway to Gulf Cooperation Council and all of Africa”
The Minister thanked the exporters for participating in the deliberations to create a roadmap for expanding Indian exports not only to UAE but also using UAE as a springboard, to expand exports to GCC and other markets in Africa and elsewhere.
The Union Minister shared the highly favourable outcomes which can be expected from the India-UAE Free Trade Agreement, which is in the advanced stages of negotiation and finalisation. “There is a lot of good news coming up, across several sectors, as we negotiate and finalise the FTA with the UAE.”
UAE-India Free Trade Agreement
The Minister shared three examples reflecting India-UAE friendship. “For the first time ever, UAE allotted land for India to set up a temple. This is remarkable as UAE is celebrating 50th year of its formation and India is celebrating its 75th year of Independence. Secondly, UAE has committed $100 billion for investment and infrastructure creation in India. And thirdly, the UAE-India FTA will be India’s fastest negotiated FTA and the fastest-negotiated Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) ever between two nations, which also gives the maximum opportunity to India.”
Read: India successfully testfires new generation, nuclear-capable Agni Prime missile
Addressing the exporters and industry, Group Chairman & CEO DP World, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, spoke about the UAE market and the opportunities available there for Indian products. “The Jebel Ali Economic Zone has hundreds of warehouses suitable for any trader who would like to see and feel the market. The time is right for India to seize the opportunity in the world market. There is a huge shortage everywhere, which India can fill.”
DP World official, Abdulla Al Hashmi presented to the industry the potential offered by the twin projects India Mart Traders Market and Jebel Ali Free Zone. Speaking on the occasion he said, “We want to support Made in India products to be exported to the world.”
Indian man beaten to death inside historic Sikh temple
A man was beaten to death in the northern Indian city of Amritsar after he allegedly attempted to commit a sacrilegious act inside the historic Golden Temple, one of Sikhs' most revered shrines.
The incident occurred during the daily evening prayer on Saturday, media reported, after the man jumped over a railing inside the inner sanctum and attempted to grab a sword that was kept near the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book.
READ: India successfully testfires new generation, nuclear-capable Agni Prime missile
TV footage showed people inside the temple rushing to stop him.
Police told New Delhi Television that the man was killed after the incident and that they were checking CCTV footage to glean more information.
“The man, about 20 to 25 years of age, had a yellow cloth tied on his head and jumped the fence ... the people inside held him and escorted him out to the corridor where there was a violent altercation and he died,” Parminder Singh Bandal, deputy commissioner of Amritsar police, told the channel.
The chief minister of Punjab state, where Amritsar is located, strongly condemned the incident, calling it the most “unfortunate and heinous act to attempt sacrilege,” his office tweeted late on Saturday.
India successfully testfires new generation, nuclear-capable Agni Prime missile
India on Saturday successfully testfired its new generation, nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface intercontinental ballistic missile Agni Prime, developed with the intent of being able to hit bordering cities in China.
The long-range Agni variant missile, developed by the state-owned Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), was launched from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of the eastern Indian state of Odisha.
"Telemetry, radar, electro-optical stations and downrange ships positioned along eastern coast tracked and monitored missile trajectory and parameters. Missile followed textbook trajectory, meeting all mission objectives with high level of accuracy,” a government statement said.
Read: India successfully test-fires air-launched version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile
The missile, which uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine, is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 2,000 km.
The Agni group of missiles forms the bedrock of India's nuclear deterrent. Agni V, for instance, has a range of nearly 5,000 km and is capable of hitting Beijing.
India Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO for the successful flight test and "expressed his happiness for the excellent performance of the system", according to the statement.
An unbreakable bond forged with blood, sacrifice in 1971: Kovind
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said they will remain closely connected with their Bangladeshi friends to jointly achieve development and prosperity, and to meet the aspirations of the people of the two countries.
"India values your extraordinary goodwill and friendship and I'm confident that the bond forged by blood and sacrifice in 1971 will continue to bind our nations together in future," he said.
The Indian President made the remarks while addressing a reception accorded to the Indian community and friends of India before wrapping up his three-day "historic" state visit to Bangladesh.
Read: Indian President wraps up his 3-day Bangladesh visit
President Kovind, who was deeply touched by the warmth and affection of the people of Bangladesh, said Bangladesh has a special place in the hearts of Indians.
"Ours is a uniquely close relationship based on age-old ties of kinship, shared language and culture. Our ties have been nurtured by the sagacious leadership of the two countries," he said.
While paying homage to Bangabandhu at his home in 32 Dhanmondi, President Kovind said he was reminded of the declaration of independence that Bangabandhu had issued in Dhaka on 26 March 1971, the atrocities and genocide faced by the people of Bangladesh and the armed struggle of the Mukti Bahini against the brutal Pakistani occupation forces.
SAFF U-19 Women’s: India beat Bhutan; Nepal crush Sri Lanka 6-0
India took a joint lead in the five-nation SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship’21 with an all-win run beating Bhutan by 3-0 goals in their 2nd match at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Wednesday evening.
In the day’s other match, Nepal crushed Sri Lanka by 6-0 goals, also in their 2nd match at the same venue in the afternoon.
Read:Independence Cup Football: Police book first-ever semifinal berth at Sheikh Russel KC’s expense
After the day’s match, India dominated the meet securing full six points from straight two matches while Bangladesh and Nepal followed the leader also with uneaten run securing four points each from two matches.
Earlier, Bangladesh played goalless draw with Nepal and they outplayed Bhutan 6-0, while India beat Sri Lanka 5-0.
In the day’s first match, Rashimi struck twice in the 5th and 85th minutes, while Sabita, Menuka Rajana and Saloni scored one each in the 6th, 43rd, 48th and 53rd minutes respectively for the Himalayan nation.
Read:National Football: Rangamati, Bagerhat districts win matches
In the next match, India will play hosts Bangladesh at 3 pm on Friday while Nepal will encounter Bhutan at 7 pm on the same day.
Bangladesh India’s development partner, Kovind tells Hasina
Terming Bangabandhu an ideal of pluralism and democracy, visiting Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday said Bangladesh is a development partner of his country.
“Our partnership is comprehensive and vibrant,” President Kovind said when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met him at his palace of residence at Hotel Sonargaon here.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
The Indian President said he is happy to be in Bangladesh as it marks three great occasions -- Bangabandhu Birth Centenary, Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence and 50 Years of Indo-Bangla Diplomatic Relations.
Read:Dhaka, Delhi eye more achievements through joint efforts with solid stability
Talking about the pandemic, the Indian President said Covid-19 is an “unseen power” that destroyed everything.
He said Bangladesh was the first country to receive Covid-19 vaccine from India and thanked Bangladesh for sending medicines to India to tackle the virus.
The Indian President hoped that Bangladesh will emerge as a more prosperous and developed country under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s support to India in different international forums, Kovind said the Bangabandhu-Bapuji joint digital exhibition was remarkable.
“And Bangabandhu Chair has been established in Delhi University,” he said, adding that India is focusing on connectivity between the two countries.
The Indian President thanked Sheikh Hasina for sending a very good gift of mangoes to Indian leaders.
Dhaka, Delhi eye more achievements through joint efforts with solid stability
Bangladesh and India want to achieve more through mutual cooperation and discussions giving the people of the two countries more benefits in the next 50 years with solid stability in the entire region.
“Good relations between Bangladesh and India are an example for other countries. In the next 50 years, we hope to reach our higher development goals by mutually helping each other,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters after his meeting with visiting Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday.
During his meeting with the Indian President, Momen discussed bilateral issues and both sides reiterated their wish to further consolidate the existing friendly ties between the two countries.
Read:Gifts from President: What Kovind brings for Hasina!
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were also present at the meeting with Kovind.
Momen apprised him of the excellent progress in bilateral cooperation and of future joint projects, including in the area of connectivity.
While talking to reporters, the state minister said the continued cooperation between the two countries established peace and stability in the region and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveyed to the Indian President that this cooperation will go a long way.
He said the two countries resolved many issues while pending issues will be resolved through discussions.
Shahriar said the prime minister conveyed to the Indian President that Bangladesh does not treat anybody as a minority rather everyone enjoys equal rights in the country.
9 die in India bus accident
At least nine people were killed and as many missing after a passenger bus crashed into the side railing of a bridge and plunged into a rivulet in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, officials said.
The accident occurred in the state's West Godavari district, close to 900 kms from Andhra capital Amaravati, when the government bus with 47 people on board, including a driver and a conductor, was on its way to Jangareddygudem from Aswaraopet.
Read:Sole survivor of Indian military chief's chopper crash dies
"The bus hit the bridge railing and fell into the rivulet. We have so far recovered nine bodies, including five female passengers," district police chief Rahul Dev Sharma told the local media. "Some 22 passengers have been rescued so far. Efforts are on to fish out the bus."
Andhra Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan expressed "anguish and profound grief" over the tragic bus accident and instructed the officials concerned to provide immediate medical help to all the injured.
"A probe has been ordered to ascertain if the driver was speeding," the police official said.
This is the second major road accident in the state in the past 10 months. In March this year, eight people were killed and six others injured in a head-on collision between a van and a lorry in Nellore district.
Read: India orders tri-services probe into military chief's chopper crash
Road accidents are very common in India, with one taking place every four minutes. These accidents are often blamed on poor condition of roads, rash driving and scant regard for traffic laws.
The Indian government's implementation of stricter traffic laws in recent years have failed to rein in accidents, which claim over 100,000 lives every year.