On Tuesday, several Muslim social media users descended on the timeline of News18 journalist Amish Devgan to threaten him of severe consequences and issued death threats by reminding the journalist of the brutal murder of Kamlesh Tiwari.
News18 journalist Amish Devgan in a news debate had allegedly made objectionable remarks against Sufi saint of Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Moinuddin Chishti, who is popularly known as Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz.
I urge Indian Muslims to file FIR against this anchor for his defaming remark on great Muslim sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti رح#ArrestAmishDevganpic.twitter.com/5iklOjln96
In the news debate, Devgan was seen referring to Chishti as an invader who had tortured and forcefully converted the Hindus of India. Devgan later apologised saying that he had mistakenly named Chishti in place of Allauddin Khilji.
Incidentally, Amish Devgan also took to Twitter on Tuesday to apologise for his remarks on social media. He said, “In one of my debates, I inadvertently referred to ‘Khilji’ as Chishti. I sincerely apologise for this grave error and the anguish it may have caused to followers of the Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, whom I revere. I have in the past sought blessings at his dargah. I regret this error.”
Devgan stated that he had pronounced ‘Chishti’ in place of Khilji and it was an inadvertent error.
Amish Devgan on Twitter
Islamists threaten Amish Devgan
Following his remarks, Islamists attacked the journalist and abused him for making such remarks against the Sufi saint. Various social media users targeted the journalist and reminded him of the death of Kamlesh Tiwari, who was brutally murdered by some radical Islamists in October 2019 over his 4-year old remarks on Prophet Mohammad’s sexuality.
Islamists were seen using the threat of Kamlesh Tiwari’s brutal murder on Amish Devgan, insinuating that he will also meet a similar end.
Islamists on Twitter asked Amish Devgan to apologise for his remarks or be ready to be killed like Kamlesh Tiwari. One user named Zuned Qureshi was seen stating that Kamlesh Tiwari was ‘killed like a dog’ because he had insulted Prophet Mohammad. “If you do not apologise on your TV show you better be prepared for a similar end,” he wrote.
A user named Mohammad Daud Ashraf said that Devgan had indulged in a similar incident as Kamlesh Tiwari, however, the journalist apologised after being aware of the death of Tiwari.
Complaint registered against Amish Devgan
Following the incident, a police complaint has also been registered against News18 journalist Amish Devgan for insulting Moinuddin Chishti on his show which was aired on 16 June.
Multiple complaints have been filed against Devgan. Another user named Zameer Ansari has stated that he has filed a complaint against Devgan with the Mumbai police.
Controversial Islamic organisation Raza Academy, which is known for its involvement in the Azad Maidan riots, has also filed a complaint against Amish Devgan under section 295A, 153A, 34,120B,505(2) and Disaster management act for making insulting remarks against Moinuddin Chisti.
In an attempt to discredit Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, assorted Twitter handles bearing allegiance to the Congress party, including official Twitter handles of the state Congress units and Congress functionaries, launched a well-coordinated social media campaign to trend #Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraaj on the micro-blogging website on Tuesday.
Irregularities in the recruitment process of 69,000 assistant teachers in Uttar Pradesh
The social media campaign launched by the Congress party was in regard to the recruitment process of 69,000 assistant teachers that was allegedly plagued with gross irregularities such as several candidates at two examination centres with the exact same marks, a topper who couldn’t name India’s President and a host of arrests for allegedly cheating.
While the UP CM had constituted a Special Task Force(STF) to probe the allegations of widespread rigging in the examinations of the for teacher posts in the state’s primary schools, it has not stopped the Congress party from accusing the Yogi Adityanath government of indulging in malpractices and corruption.
Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra termed the alleged scam as “UP’s Vyapam”, a reference to the medical recruitment scam in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier this month, Priyanka tweeted, “The scam in recruitment of 69,000 teachers is UP’s Vyapam scam. The facts about the matter reveal that the irregularities in the case are not common. Diary entries related to student names, monetary transactions, large-scale manipulation in examination centres etc. denote the involvement of a well-oiled racket in this scandal. The entire information also shows that the racket’s links are connected to many (higher) places.”
69000 शिक्षक भर्ती घोटाला उप्र का व्यापम घोटाला है। इस मामले में गड़बड़ी के तथ्य सामान्य नहीं हैं। डायरियों में स्टूडेंट्स के नाम, पैसे का लेनदेन, परीक्षा केंद्रों में बड़ी हेरफेर, इन गड़बड़ियों में रैकेट का शामिल होना – ये सब दर्शाता है कि इसके तार काफी जगहों पर जुड़े हैं। 1/2
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) June 8, 2020
The Supreme Court had on 9 June stayed the recruitment of 37,339 of the 69,000 vacancies but permitted the government to fill up the remaining 31,661 seats. Later on June 13, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad court lifted the stay on the appointed of 69,000 assistant teachers in Uttar Pradesh, provided the state government reserved 37,339 jobs for Siksha Mitras, who are currently holding temporary jobs, in compliance with the June 9 order of the apex court and till the top court passes a final verdict.
The High Court’s partial lifting of the interim stay did not sit well with the Congress party who upped the ante to corner the Yogi Adityanath government which is currently engrossed in tackling the coronavirus spread in the state. Various Congress functionaries, official Congress Twitter handles of different groups and state units and Congress supporters on Twitter started tweeting with #Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraaj to sully the integrity of the Yogi Adityanath government and project it as an administration steeped in corruption.
The UP Congress’s Twitter account listed down a host of alleged scam that the Yogi government had presided over in Uttar Pradesh. A graphical image shared by the UP Congress mentions recruitment of 69,000 teachers, PDS scam, PWD scam, School shoes and socks scam, DHFL scam, Homeguard scam and Panchayati Raj scam to allege that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is neck-deep in corruption. The tweet was shared with the hashtag #Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraaj.
Tweeting with the hashtag #Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraaj, the official Twitter handle of Chhattisgarh Congress unit raised questions over the transfer of IPS Prayagraj who was instrumental in exposing the large-scale rigging in the recruitment process of 69,000 teachers in Uttar Pradesh. The INC Chhattisgarh Twitter account also shared an infographic depicting the IPS officer and Yogi Adityanath which read, “Yogi has just one job-to dismiss the honest and safeguard the corrupt”.
Yogi government promised jobs to the youth but when it comes down to giving them employment, the IPS who blew the whistle on the scam on more than 69000 positions was transferred. All this in the land of Lord Rama!#Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraaj
Even Congress functionaries heeded to the propaganda campaign organised to besmirch the Yogi government. NSUI General Secretary Vishal Chaudhary took to Twitter to claim that the UP government promised the youth to provide employment but when one of the IPS officers blew the whistle on the faulty recruitment process of 69,000 teachers, he was transferred by the state government.
Yogi government promised jobs to the youth but when it comes down to giving them employment, the IPS who blew the whistle on the scam on more than 69000 positions was transferred. #Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraaj
Another Congress functionary Ashok Singh tweeted that the transfer of the IPS officer who brought to the light the teacher recruitment process reveals that the UP BJP government along with CM Yogi Adityanath are involved in the scam.
Yogi Adityanath has suspended the officer who had exposed the entire teacher recruitment scam, it shows that the UP BJP Govt and CM Yogi is involved in this scam. #Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraajpic.twitter.com/71ntiqeWDS
Jitendra Mall, the National Social Media Coordinator of the NSUI, shared an infographic with the hashtag #Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraaj and contended that it’s a norm under the BJP rule to threaten and subdue the whistleblowers with suspensions and transfers.
— Jitendra Mall Official (@JITENDRAMal_INC) June 16, 2020
The official Twitter account of NSUI Uttarakhand also partook in the social media campaign by sharing an infographic that read “Under the Yogi rule, the education department has become a hub of corruption” along with the hashtag #Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraaj.
Besides, a raft of Congress functionaries and Congress supporters on Twitter posted a flurry of tweets in this regard along with a wide range of infographics, presumably in an attempt to trend the hashtag #Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraaj.
Truth about the social media campaign
While the Congress leaders and functionaries would have us believe that the social media campaign on Twitter exposing the alleged corruption of the Yogi government was entirely organic and spontaneous, the document accessed by OpIndia reveals that the social media campaign was a well-coordinated attempt by the Congress IT cell to malign the perception of Yogi Adityanath and his government on social media.
Services of a Digital marketing organisation–Kunsh Digital were availed by the Congress IT cell.
Email sent out to Congress IT cell to organise an inorganic social media campaign on Twitter
The above email instructing the Congress functionaries and IT cell members to launch a social media campaign on Twitter was sent by a Digital Marketing firm – Kunsh Digital, meaning that the social media campaign to besmirch the Yogi Adityanath government was professionally managed and the Congress IT cell must have presumably hired the agency for carrying out the vilification campaign against the Uttar Pradesh CM.
According to the email, specific instructions were issued by the Congress’ propaganda machinery to the IT cell warriors and party functionaries to tweet with the hashtag #Yogi_Ka_Ghotalaraaj along with the directive of using images attached in the email in the given time-slot. A list of sample statements targeting Yogi government on corruption was also provided to the online army of trolls which could be used by them in the tweets against the UP government. The members of the IT cell were issued particular instructions to retweet the tweets put out by the UP Congress and the INC Chhattisgarh Twitter account.
List of tweets provided by the Congress IT cell to its online army
Drawing on from the list of samples and template tweets that could be used to target the Yogi Adityanath government, the online army summoned by the Congress IT cell followed the orders issued to them and unleashed its inorganic social media campaign against the Yogi Adityanath government.
List of tweets provided by the Congress IT cell to its online army
The infographic images which were used by various Congress functionaries and the Congress IT cell army in their tweets were also attached in the mail with directives to be used in the tweets smearing the UP CM as venal.
Ever since Yogi Adityanath has assumed the mantle of Uttar Pradesh, he has been lauded for restoring law and order in a state that was conspicuously absent following Samajwadi party’s previous tenure in the state. Besides, Yogi government has also come forth as an administration averse to the depraved practices of corruption and graft. In addition, Yogi’s exceptional handling of the coronavirus crisis in a humongous state such as Uttar Pradesh speaks to the extraordinary leadership that he has displayed in the times of adversity.
The desperation of Congress IT cell to coordinate a social media campaign to cast the Yogi Adityanath as a corrupt chief minister speaks volumes about the unimpeachable integrity of the UP Government perceived by an average social media user. The deliberate attempt by the Congress IT cell to drag the Yogi Adityanath and his government through the mud prove that the charges of corruption against the UP government were so flimsy that the IT cell had to rely on the loyalty and obligation of its paid army rather than banking on the scandalous allegations for them to trend on Twitter organically.
In a massive development, India has joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI or Gee-Pay) as a founding member.
Informing about the event, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted, “Delighted to announce that India has joined the Global Partnership or #GPAI today as a founding member. This multi-stakeholder international partnership will promote responsible and human-centric development and use of AI.”
Delighted to announce that India has joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence or #GPAI today as a founding member. This multi-stakeholder international partnership will promote responsible and human centric development and use of AI. #ResponsibleAIpic.twitter.com/VdjwN3XUaQ
The Indian Government stated, “By joining GPAI as a founding member, India will actively participate in the global development of Artificial Intelligence, leveraging its experience around the use of digital technologies for inclusive growth.”
The statement further added, “In collaboration with partners and international organizations, GPAI will bring together leading experts from industry, civil society, governments, and academia to collaborate to promote responsible evolution of AI and will also evolve methodologies to show how AI can be leveraged to better respond to present global crisis around COVID-19.”
The initiative is aimed at guiding responsible development, and usage of Artificial intelligence, grounded in Human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth supporting research and AI-related priorities.
Recently, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched the national AI portal to bring together the best ideas and resources that can be used in various sectors and across industries.
Apart from India, countries like the US, UK, UE, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zeland, Republic of Korea, and Singapore have also joined the initiative. The secratariat of GPAI will take place in Headquarters of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.
Popular Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma has found herself in a lot of bother after ‘Patal Lok’ was released on Amazon Prime. She is the producer of the web series and numerous accusations have been made that the show casts the Sikh Community in poor light. And now, she has also received a legal notice over the matter.
A petition has been filed alleging that the web series is tarnishing the image of the Sikh community. The petitioner alleged that the word ‘casteist’ has been used in this web series which is insulting towards the whole community. Consequently, a notice has been issued to Anushka Sharma by the Punjab-Haryana High court regarding the third episode of the web series. The high court has scheduled the hearing of a petition filed against it on the 2nd of Juiy.
Lawyer Guradpinder Singh Dhillon filed the petition claiming that the web series deliberately maligned the image of the community. According to Dhillon, the third episode of the web series has hurt the sentiments of the community members.
The producer has been accused of defaming the Sikhs in its third episode. The web series has instances of how Sikhs oppress Dalits and backward castes. There are also objectionable scenes regarding the Sikh Community involving rapes.
Prior to this, the web series has been accused of hurting the sentiments of people of Nepal and North-East. BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar has also filed a complaint against it. Nandkishor Gurjar had accused that his photo was showed in an episode without his permission. Gurjar demanded that a case should be filed against Anushka Sharma under National Security Act, for causing a communal stir.
After the India Army released a statement stating that casualties have been suffered by both sides in “violent face-off” during the de-escalation process with China in Galwan Valley, Ladakh, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement said that the violent face-off in Eastern Ladakh took place because of China’s attempts to unilaterally change status quo.
Both sides suffered casualties in the stand-off. While India had earlier declared that 3 soldiers had attained martyrdom including one Commanding Officer of a Battalion, China had remained tight-lipped and tried to defend its side by shielding the number of casualties suffered.
Now, it is being confirmed that casualties on both sides were higher than speculated earlier.
While India is reported to have suffered 20 casualties, 43 Chinese soldiers have been deemed casualties in the stand-off, government sources confirmed to media agency ANI.
At least 20 Indian soldiers killed in the violent face-off with China in Galwan valley in Eastern Ladakh. Casualty numbers could rise: Government Sources pic.twitter.com/PxePv8zGz4
ANI reported that Indian intercepts reveal that Chinese side suffered 43 casualties including dead and seriously injured in a face-off in the Galwan valley.
Indian intercepts reveal that Chinese side suffered 43 casualties including dead and seriously injured in face-off in the Galwan valley: Sources confirm to ANI pic.twitter.com/xgUVYSpTzs
Sources have also indicated increase in Chinese chopper activity observed across the LAC to airlift casualties suffered by them during face-off with Indian troops in Galwan valley.
Increase in Chinese chopper activity observed across the LAC to airlift casualties suffered by them during face-off with Indian troops in Galwan valley: Sources to ANI https://t.co/uMExblXYxq
The statement by the Indian Army also confirms that after the stand-off, India and China troops have now disengaged.
Statement issued by MEA on the India China stand-off
“India and China have been discussing through military and diplomatic channels the de-escalation of the situation in the border area in Eastern Ladakh,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. He added that senior commanders had a meeting to on June 6 wherein they agreed on a process of de-escalation.
“India has always maintained that its activities are within the Indian side of LAC. While it was our expectation that this would unfold smoothly, the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley”, read the official statement by MEA.
Confirming that both sides suffered casualties, the statement read that on the late-evening and night of 15th June, 2020 a violent face-off happened which could be avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.
“Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the same of the Chinese side. We remain firmly convinced of the need for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue. At the same time, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” read the statement.
The police on Tuesday revealed that eleven of the accused in the horrifying lynching of Hindu sadhus in Palghar have been tested positive for Coronavirus.
About 156 people were arrested in connection with the killing of the two Hindu sadhus who were waylaid by a manic mob of over 400-500 people in Palghar while they were on their journey to Surat and brutally lynched to death on suspicion of being kidnappers on April 16.
According to a police official in Palghar police station, all the accused have been arrested but kept in different police lock-ups as work is underway at the Palghar jail.
About 17 accused held at police lock-up in Wada were tested for the novel coronavirus recently and 11 of them had turned out to be positive for the virus while the reports of the remaining six are still awaited. Those tested positive for COVID-19 had been shifted to a local hospital and their contacts are being traced, said a police official.
Earlier, at least one accused in the case had tested positive for coronavirus. The disclosure was made by Dr Dinkar Gavit, Medical Superintendent of Palghar Rural Hospital. The 55-year-old accused in the Palghar lynching case, who was found to be Corona positive, was held in police custody at the Wada police station. At least 43 people he came in contact so far have been quarantined and tested for the infection. This includes 23 police personnel and 20 other accused.
Palghar Mob Lynching incident
On 16th April 2020, two Sadhus associated with the Juna Akhara, 70-year-old Kalpavrishka Giri Maharaj, and 35-year-old Sushil Giri Maharaj along with their driver 30-year-old Nilesh Telgadewere were on their way from Mumbai to Gujarat to give Samadhi to another Sadhu. At Gadakchinchale village, a wild and frenzied crowd of over more than 100 people attacked them. The villagers deemed them as thieves and started attacking them. The police claim that their team which had rushed to the spot to rescue the 70-year-old man also came under the attack of the violent mob.
But later videos emerged which completely debunked the claim of police, as it was seen that the sadhus were in the custody of the police, but the police personnel handed them over to the mob. The mob then proceeded to beat them to death in front of the policemen.
After the India Army released a statement stating that casualties have been suffered by both sides in “violent face-off” during the de-escalation process with China in Galwan Valley, Ladakh, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement said that the violent face-off in Eastern Ladakh took place because of China’s attempts to unilaterally change status quo.
MEA issues official statement on the violent face off in Eastern Ladakh
“India and China have been discussing through military and diplomatic channels the de-escalation of the situation in the border area in Eastern Ladakh,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. He added that senior commanders had a meeting to on June 6 wherein they agreed on a process of de-escalation.
“India has always maintained that its activities are within the Indian side of LAC. While it was our expectation that this would unfold smoothly, the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley”, read the official statement by MEA.
Confirming that both sides suffered casualties, the statement read that on the late-evening and night of 15th June, 2020 a violent face-off happened which could be avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.
India stands committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
“Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the same of the Chinese side. We remain firmly convinced of the need for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue. At the same time, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” read the statement.
Indian Army confirmed that three soldiers attained martyrdom in the standoff
The Indian Army had earlier released a statement saying that three Indian soldiers, including the Commanding Officer of a battalion had attained martyrdom at Galwan valley in a violent faceoff on Monday night. The official statement said that it took place during the de-escalation process underway in the Galwan valley.
India-China standoff at Ladakh: China unleashes its propaganda, blames Indian troops
Meanwhile, Beijing has unleashed its propaganda and accused Indian troops of crossing border and ‘attacking Chinese personnel’.
“The Indian Army on Monday seriously violated consensus of the two sides by illegally crossing the border twice and carrying out provocative attacks on Chinese soldiers, resulting in serious physical clashes,” said Chinese Foreign Minister according to Global Times.
“China has lodged solemn representations with the Indian side and urged it to strictly restrain its frontline troops from crossing the border or taking any unilateral action that may complicate the border situation,” claimed Foreign Minister.
Chinese troops deployment near Ladakh
The tension between India and China have escalated since reports emerged that China had deployed excessive troops and set up temporary tents across the Galwan river in Ladakh after a face-off near Pangong Tso on May 5-6.
It is also believed that Chinese troops have also taken up positions along the Pangong Tso Lake and are also carrying out aggressive patrols with motorboats to intimidate Indian forces in the region. Reportedly, the Chinese troops have damaged some temporary structures put up in the finger area near Pangong Tso Lake.
The face-offs, which started as a little skirmish initiated by the Chinese troops, later took a serious turn after the Chinese side brought in troops and heavy equipment from a military exercise.
Troops clashed in Eastern sector
The Galwan stand-off comes at the backdrop of a recent incident where troops of both India and China were involved in two face-offs in a span of a week in the Eastern Ladakh and near Naku La Pass in the Sikkim sector along the contentious border between the two countries.
In the first incident, the Chinese army personnel had clashed with Indian forces along the northern bank of the Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh on May 5. The face-off ended the next morning following dialogue between the two sides. A number of soldiers on both sides had sustained minor injuries
Just days before, in another incident, nearly 150 Indian and Chinese military personnel had engaged in a face-off near Naku La Pass in the Sikkim sector of the Sino-India border in which at least 10 soldiers sustained injuries.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the recovery rate in patients affected by Wuhan coronavirus in India has risen to 52.47%. The ministry said that the surge in the recovery rate is indicative of the fact that more than half of the positive cases have recovered in India.
As per the update by the ministry, Maharashtra is still the worst affected state by coronavirus with a total number of 1,10,744 cases across the state. On Monday, the state reported the highest jump in the coronavirus cases and 178 casualties. According to the Maharashtra health department, 5071 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours.
The death tally of Maharashtra has risen by 1,328 on June 16 after the officials released “reconciled” figures of the overall death figure in the state due to coronavirus. The total coronavirus-related fatalities in the state have touched 5510-mark. Mumbai also has seen a jump of 862 deaths of the total 1,328 reconciled deaths while the rest of the state has registered the remaining 466 deaths.
Tamil Nadu is emerging as the second most affected state by the contagion. Reportedly, the state announced a lockdown on Monday in its most affected districts from June 19 to 30. The state has reported 46504 cases with a surge of 1843 cases in the last 24 hours. National Capital has reported 42829 cases till so far with a surge of 1647 cases in the last 24 hours.
PM meets CMs to discuss the Coronavirus situation
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with the Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories. He stated India is one of the countries where the death rate is the lowest. He said that the country has started preparing to tackle the pandemic much before when coronavirus was not even a part of the global discussion. He stressed on steps taken by the government to gradually lift the lockdown and for a better economy.
It was Prime Minister’s sixth meet with the CMs to discuss the coronavirus situation and strategy. Reportedly, the meeting has been scheduled in two phases and the second meet will be held on Wednesday.
Interacting with chief ministers of 21 states and UTs, PM Narendra Modi today said that when India’s fight against COVID-19 will be analysed in future, the current time will be remembered for how we worked together and served as an example of cooperative federalism.
भविष्य में जब कभी भारत की कोरोना के खिलाफ लड़ाई का अध्ययन होगा, तो ये दौर इसलिए भी याद किया जाएगा कि कैसे इस दौरान हमने साथ मिलकर काम किया, Co-operative Federalism का सर्वोत्तम उदाहरण प्रस्तुत किया: प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodipic.twitter.com/pusZXwD3Od
Sixth meeting with CMs over the coronavirus pandemic
In his sixth round of meeting held with the chief ministers ever since the pandemic started, PM Modi told the CMs that their suggestions will help to chalk out future strategy. “Two weeks have passed since Unlock 1, our experience during this time could be beneficial for us in the future. Today I will get to know ground reality from you, your suggestions will help in chalking out future strategy,” said the Prime Minister stressing that India will serve as an example of cooperative federalism to the rest of the world.
India has achieved a recovery rate of more than 50 per cent: PM Modi
Stressing on how timely decisions have helped in containing coronavirus in the country, Modi said that Coronavirus related death of each and every Indian has been extremely unsettling but it is also true that India is one of the countries where there have been few deaths relatively due to COVID-19. India has registered one of the lowest mortality rates in the world and has achieved a recovery rate of more than 50 per cent.
Speaking of the continued efforts which need to be put in to protect oneself from the deadly pathogen, Modi said that to even thinking of stepping out without a mask or face cover is not right at present. ‘Do gaj ki doori’, washing hands and use of sanitisers is of utmost importance.
“We always have to keep in mind that the quicker we can stop the corona from growing, the faster our economy will open, our offices will open, markets will open, means of transport will open, and so will new employment opportunities”.
COVID-19 impact has not been that huge in India as in other parts of the world: PM Modi
In the past few weeks, several thousand Indians returned to India from abroad. 1000s of migrant workers reached their homes. Almost all modes of transport resumed operations, still, Covid-19 impact has not been that huge in India as in other parts of the world, said PM Modi at CM’s conference.
Stressing on the importance of taking the right decision at the right time, Modi said that because of the timely decisions and efforts made in the last few weeks, green shoots have begun to be visible in our economy, meaning that the efforts have started to bear the fruits.
“The economic activities in some areas have started showing green shoots since Unlock 1.0. Power consumption went up. Exports are jumping to normalcy.. This shows that things are improving,” he said, also pointing out that MSMEs will need guidance and support to kick start demand.
Talking about more opportunities in horticulture and agriculture sectors, PM Modi said, “The cluster-based strategy announced for the local product will also benefit every state. For this, it is important that we identify such products in every block, every district, by processing or marketing, we can introduce a better product in the market of the country and the world”, emphasising on the swift revival of the economic activities in the country.
लोकल प्रोडक्ट के लिए जिस क्लस्टर बेस्ड रणनीति की घोषणा की गई है, उसका भी लाभ हर राज्य को होगा।
इसके लिए ज़रूरी है कि हम हर ब्लॉक, हर जिले में ऐसे प्रोडक्ट्स की पहचान करें, जिनकी Processing या Marketing करके, एक बेहतर प्रोडक्ट हम देश और दुनिया के बाज़ार में उतार सकते हैं: पीएम
PM Modi is holding a two-day virtual meet to discuss the Covid-19 situation in the country. Today he interacted with chief ministers, Lt governors and administrators of 21 states and Union territories, which include Punjab, Kerala, Goa, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, the northeastern states and some UTs. The Prime Minister will interact with chief ministers of 15 states and the LG of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. These include states like Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
As the pandemic continues to sweep the worst-hit state-Maharashtra, the reconciliation figures by the state authorities of the deaths formerly discarded as non-coronavirus related have posed a grim picture about the spread of the contagion in the state.
The death tally of Maharashtra has risen by 1,328 on June 16 after the officials released “reconciled” figures of the overall death figure in the state due to coronavirus. The total coronavirus-related fatalities in the state have touched 5510-mark. Mumbai also has seen a jump of 862 deaths of the total 1,328 reconciled deaths while the rest of the state has registered the remaining 466 deaths.
#NewsAlert | Maharashtra: Huge surge in COVID death toll as death figures rise after reconciliation. Total death toll stands at 5,510 in the State. pic.twitter.com/8rd1xYi5fv
According to the reports, the reconciled death figures come amid a dispute over unreported COVID-19 deaths which were categorised under comorbidity instead of coronavirus. Several complaints were made in the last two months that the coronavirus-related deaths were described as “natural deaths” in the death certificates.
The former chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis has accused the state government of deliberately concealing the true number in a bid to understate the coronavirus-related death in the state.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi government admitted to the discrepancies in the reported number of COVID-19 deaths in the state, admitting that the about 1,328 COVID-19 deaths were earlier reported as non-COVID-19 deaths. “A total of 1,382 additional deaths will be added to the COVID-19 death toll of the state. These were deaths of COVID patients and were marked as non-COVID”, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta was quoted as saying.
According to the Epidemic Act, 1897, any patient who had died of coronavirus has to be reported under the COVID-19 casualty figures if he or she is found positive for coronavirus regardless of the cause of the death. The exceptions allowed are-accident, terminal illness, suicide or poisoning.
