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Vadhavan Port: PM Modi to lay foundation stone for India’s largest deep water port; read the significance, details of the over ₹76,000 crore project

OpIndia Staff
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Vadhavan Port: PM Modi to lay foundation stone for India’s largest deep water port; read the significance, details of the over ₹76,000 crore project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the ground-breaking ceremony of ₹ 76,200 crore Vadhavan port on 30th August. The union cabinet approved the construction of this largest all-weather port in the country in June. It is situated around 130 km north of Mumbai, close to Dahanu on Maharashtra’s west coast. With a 20-metre natural draft, it can accommodate the biggest ships on the earth and will serve as a crucial commercial route connecting Europe, West Asia and India. An official from the Modi administration stated that it will rank among the top ten ports worldwide.

The Vadhavan Port Project Limited, a special purpose organization established by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) with respective shareholdings of 74% and 26% is developing the project. The partnership represents a significant milestone in India’s port development plan.

The first phase is scheduled for completion by 2029 and the second and final phase is anticipated to be finished by 2039. Unmesh Wagh, the chairperson of JNPA, informed that there are big plans to link the port to the road and rail network. The project will be connected to the Delhi – Mumbai Expressway via a link expressway and will form a major part of the proposed India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). It will be connected by a 32-kilometre road to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway and a 22-kilometre route to the Mumbai-Vadodara Highway. A 12-kilometre railway line will also tie it to the designated railway freight route. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways also posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) offering details about the ambitious venture with captivating graphics.

A total of 17,471 hectares are estimated to be covered by the port, of which 16,906 hectares are inside its boundaries. It is expected that the Vadhavan Port will relieve some of the strain on the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, which is India’s largest port for handling containers at the moment. Sustainable practices are being used in the construction of Vadhvan Port, with an emphasis on reducing environmental effects and upholding strict ecological requirements.

The port will feature nine 1,000-meter-long container terminals, four multifunctional berths, comprising a coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a berth for roll-on, roll-off, or Ro-Ro ships and a berth for the Coast Guard. 1,448 hectares will be reclaimed from the sea to build the 20-metre draft needed to host large vessels. A total of 298 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of cargo handling capacity, including about 23.2 million Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container handling capacity is intended to be created. The port will serve the industrial hinterlands of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, the National Capital Region, Maharashtra, and other central and north Indian states.

AECOM India prepared the Feasibility Report for the port, and a joint venture of AECOM India and Pentacle prepared the Detailed Project Report. Enkay Enviro Services is the Environmental Consultant for the project.

Why is the port significant?

Ports will be essential to India’s transition to become a developed country with the third-largest economy by the year 2047. The country needs its biggest port Vadhavan more than ever as India’s port industry is growing to accommodate more vessels. The port intends to become a premier maritime entry point that will support big cargo ships, deeper drafts, and larger container ships, all of which will increase commerce and economic growth in the nation. The port will have state-of-the-art port management systems, effective cargo handling facilities and deep berths. It will strengthen India’s standing as a hub for international trade and improve its marine connectivity.

Proposed design of the port (screengrab from video by ministry)

“The world-class maritime terminal facilities will promote public-private partnerships (PPP) and leverage efficiencies and modern technologies to create state-of-the-art terminals capable of handling mainline mega vessels plying on international shipping lines between the Far East, Europe, West Asia, Africa and the Americas. Vadhavan Port, on completion, will be one of the top 10 ports in the world,” the union cabinet stated in June.

“As the starting point of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the mega port in Vadhavan will serve as a doorway for India’s trade with Europe and the Gulf region. It will also serve as a cost-efficient gateway for India’s trade with Central Asia and Russia via the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC),” Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa informed in July. Due to its capacity to accommodate large ships and its vicinity to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Northern, and Central India, Vadhavan will have a competitive advantage over other ports. Direct access to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) will lower the transit time and cost of rail cargo to the port. Furthermore, the port’s capacity to dock large ships will save logistical expenses.

Layout plan of the plan (Source: Project’s DPR) 

“Given India’s aspiration to emerge as a manufacturing alternative to China, the factory of the world, building mega ports like Vadhavan to support manufacturing resurgence is a foregone conclusion,” expressed Manish R Sharma, sector leader, infrastructure, PricewaterhouseCoopers. Leaders in the industry believe that the Vadhavan port will spur greater growth. Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority M Angamuthu conveyed, “The Vadhavan port will act as an impetus to Indian maritime industry. It will help us in benchmarking our port too.”

Boosting India’s economy

Vadhavan Port will have substantial regional and national economic effects. The port project will likely create a large number of jobs, including thousands during the construction phase alone. Once it is functioning, the port will need a sizable workforce to fill various positions, including administrative and dock workers. The port will indirectly add jobs by promoting expansion in other sectors like transportation, warehousing, and logistics. It is expected to create 12 lakh job opportunities.

India’s import and export capacities will be improved by the port’s capacity to handle larger ships, which could lead to an increase in the volume of international trade with the nation. Larger ships are more effective at transporting cargo, which might save Indian companies money on shipping. The region’s industrial development is likely to be accelerated by the port. Industrial clusters could grow in the port’s environs, especially in industries with high import or export dependency.

Detailed layout (Source: Feasibility Report of the port)

More foreign direct investment might move to the area and the nation as a whole as a result of the enhanced trade and infrastructure. The port’s contemporary amenities may increase India’s appeal to foreign shipping firms and increase trade with the country’s coastlines. Vadhavan is a big port that will contribute significantly to government coffers by charging a variety of fees and levies.

Opposition to the port

Locals, meanwhile, have resisted the port’s construction ever since an Australian corporation originally suggested it in 1997. It was pushed by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance I government, but according to Gautam Chatterjee, the former director general of Maharashtra’s shipping ministry, it had to be shelved when several environmental concerns were raised by activists and locals.

Protestors at Vadrai Beach, Palghar, line up to spell a phrase meaning “Stop the Vadhavan Port” in October 2022. (Source: Hindustan Times)

The Vadhavan Bandar Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti (VBVSS) was formed by the local peasants and fishermen to oppose the project on the grounds that it would be bad for the environment and their means of subsistence. They cited the declaration of Dahanu as an ecologically fragile area and the prohibition on the establishment of environmentally harmful industries by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

“There will be immense damage to the fishing industry, farming and environment. The port will be located 6.5 km in the sea. They will reclaim 4,000 acres of land. It will affect water currents, the rains and the breeding of fish. To protect the port, they will also construct a breakwater. Our fishing will be destroyed,” argued VBVSS leader Narayan Patil.

“We are going offshore, not cutting trees. We will, in fact, plant trees in the area,” Unmesh Wagh pointed out in response to the objections. The port is essential to achieving the goal of the national government, he proceeded, which is for India to become a developed nation by 2047. “JNPA and the Mundhra port will saturate in the next three years, and we require a big port for export-import trade. It is coming at the right time and the right place,” he maintained.

Inauguration of other important projects

The Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for around Rs 1,560 crore of 218 fisheries projects. More than five lakh new jobs in the fishing industry are expected as a result of the initiatives. At an estimated expense of Rs 360 crore, he will also introduce the National Roll Out of Vessel Communication and Support system. ISRO is developing a vessel communication and support system that will provide two-way contact with fishermen at sea.

He will also launch further projects, such as the construction of integrated aquaparks and fishing harbours. These initiatives will be carried out in several states. He will establish the groundwork for significant initiatives involving the infrastructure of the fishing industry, such as the construction of fish markets, fish landing centres, and the development, modernization, and upgrading of fishing harbours.

‘Moraes is the dictator of Brazil, Lula is his lapdog’: Elon Musk fumes after Brazil govt freezes Starlink accounts. Read what happened

Shraddha Pandey
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‘Moraes is the dictator of Brazil, Lula is his lapdog’: Elon Musk fumes after Brazil govt freezes Starlink accounts. Read what happened

On the 29th of August, Elon Musk, the owner of X Corp, SpaceX and Tesla, slammed Brazil’s top court judge for freezing the bank accounts of the Starlink internet company. In a series of X posts, Musk referred to Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes as “an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge” and an “outright criminal of the worst kind” who is a “tyrant”.

Elon Musk also lambasted President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva calling him Moraes’s “lapdop”.

This comes following Brazil Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes’s order freezing Starlink’s finances and barred the company from undertaking financial operations in Brazil.

Notably, X’s Global Government Affairs team issued a statement on the 30th of August stating that they anticipate an order from Judge Moraes to shut down X in Brazil, “simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents.”

It further alleged that Moraes threatened X that their legal representative would be imprisoned adding that her bank accounts have been frozen even as she has resigned. X Corp also accused Judge Moraes of violating Brazilian laws with his conduct in the matter.

“When we attempted to defend ourselves in court, Judge de Moraes threatened our Brazilian legal representative with imprisonment. Even after she resigned, he froze all of her bank accounts. Our challenges against his manifestly illegal actions were either dismissed or ignored. Judge de Moraes’ colleagues on the Supreme Court are either unwilling or unable to stand up to him. We are absolutely not insisting that other countries have the same free speech laws as the United States. The fundamental issue at stake here is that Judge de Moraes demands we break Brazil’s own laws. We simply won’t do that,” X Corp’s Global Government Affairs team said.

Moreover, “X Corp’s Global Government Affairs team announced that they will “publish all of Judge de Moraes’ illegal demands and all related court filings in the interest of transparency.”

On Wednesday, Judge Moraes had threatened to bar X from operating in the country unless the corporation appoints a legal representative. The Supreme Court gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Elon Musk-owned social media platform to name a legal representative for Brazil. Notably, Brazilian law necessitates all internet businesses to have a legal representative in the country who is authorised to receive judicial orders and respond legally.

Expressing his discontent over the ‘ultimatum’, Elon Musk posted an AI-generated image of a man behind bars resembling Judge de Moraes and wrote, “One day, Alexandre, this picture of you in prison will be real. Mark my words.”

Why did the Brazilian judge order the freezing of the accounts of Elon Musk’s companies?

Judge Alexandre de Moraes has ordered “the freezing of all financial assets” of Musk’s companies in Brazil which include SpaceX-owned Starlink, in order “to guarantee the payment of fines” imposed by the court on X. SpaceX brainchild Starlink, however, has deemed this order saying that holding Starlink responsible for fines “unconstitutionally” imposed on X is illegal. Moreover, Starlink alleged that this ruling was given in secret without allowing Starlink legal due process guaranteed by the Brazilian constitution.

“Earlier this week we received an order from Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice @alexandre de Moraes that freezes Starlink’s finances and prevents Starlink from conducting financial transactions in that country. This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied—unconstitutionally—against X,” the company said. “It was issued in secret and without affording Starlink any of the due process of law guaranteed by the Constitution of Brazil. We intend to address the matter legally,” Starlink said on X.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk said that Starlink and X Corp are two different companies with different sets of shareholders and he owns 40% of Starlink, thus, it is illegal for Judge de Moraes to “punish” other shareholders.

“SpaceX and X are two completely different companies with different shareholders. I own about 40% of SpaceX, so this absolutely illegal action by the dictator @alexandre improperly punishes other shareholders and the people of Brazil,” Musk said.

In another X post, Musk highlighted the importance of Starlink in Brazil and said that many remote schools and hospitals rely on Starlink. He also announced that SpaceX will provide free internet until this matter is resolved since the company cannot receive payments.

“Many remote schools and hospitals depend on SpaceX’s Starlink! SpaceX will provide Internet service to users in Brazil for free until this matter is resolved, as we cannot receive payment, but don’t want to cut anyone off,” Musk posted.

For the unversed, Starlink is a satellite internet service that delivers internet access to remote areas around the world. It has now been authorised for commercial use in 105 countries, including Brazil.

In Brazil, there are about 171.2 million active social media users in 2022. This is about 79.9 % of the addressable demographics. It has been found that between 2021 to 2022, the number of users has surged by 14.3%, as per Oosga.

Source: Oosga

What brought Judge Alexandre de Moraes and Elon Musk at loggerheads?

Incidentally, the whole dispute started in April this year, when a Supreme Court judge from Brazil Alexandre de Moraes started an investigation into the entrepreneur after Elon Musk stated that he would reinstate accounts on the social media site X that the judge had disabled.

Being a free speech absolutist, Elon Musk contested Justice Alexandre de Moraes’ decision to block specific accounts. Back then he said that X would abolish all restrictions because they were unconstitutional, and called for Moraes’ resignation. While earlier it was not revealed whose social media accounts were censored, it has not been found that these accounts include those of a Brazilian senator and a 16-year-old girl among others.

In April, Judge Moares had said that if X failed to comply with the decision to restrict particular accounts, the firm would be fined 100,000 reais ($19,740) every day. While the people were outraged over this, the leftist government in Brazil led by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva backed Moraes. Instead of paying the heavy fines, Musk decided to take up the matter legally.

As reported earlier, “Twitter Files” made several shocking revelations about how Judge Moraes and the Superior Electoral Court he supervises attempted to damage Brazilian democracy. Moraes had imprisoned people without trial for what they posted on social media. In addition, he called for the expulsion of users from social media platforms as well as removed individual posts without offering users an appeals process or even the ability to view the information provided against them.

Interestingly, the former President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro had in May 2022 awarded Elon Musk Defense Order of Merit medal after Starlink launch negotiations. Musk also enjoys massive support among Brazil’s right wing.

Judge Moraes and his many controversial decisions

In September 2022, Judge Alexandre de Moraes was accused of foul play by Jair Bolsonaro and his party supporters when he authorised the Federal Police to conduct search and seize operations at locations linked to 8 businessmen who supported Bolsonaro. It was reported by the Brazilian media that the operations were allowed after a news report shared alleged leaked WhatsApp chats of these businessmen advocating a coup if Lula da Silva emerges victorious in the elections. In a ruling that invited severe backlash, Moraes had summoned the 8 businessmen and allowed access to their private bank records, alongside ordering the blocking of their social media handles and freezing their assets. Moraes has also delivered rulings censoring news articles that appeared to be against President Lula.

It is interesting to recall that back in December 2023, the X account of Brazilian first lady Rosangela ‘Janja’ Lula da Silva was hacked and several derogatory comments against her were posted from the account. Days later, Janja had declared that she would file a lawsuit against Musk either in Brazil or in the US even as Elon Musk denied any role in the hacking of her X account. “It is not clear how someone guessing her email password is our responsibility,” Musk said back then.

Andhra Pradesh: Engineering college ‘student’ secretly records women in washrooms, accused of selling over 300 obscene videos. Here is what we know so far

OpIndia Staff
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Andhra Pradesh: Engineering college ‘student’ secretly records women in washrooms, accused of selling over 300 obscene videos. Here is what we know so far

On Thursday (29th August), protests broke out at the campus of SR Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh after a hidden camera was discovered inside the washroom of the girl’s hostel.

In visuals that have surfaced on social media, the female students at the hostel were heard chanting ‘We want justice’ and demanding strict action against the culprit.

According to reports, the accused was identified as Vijay Kumar, a final-year-student of the SR Gudlavalleru Engineering College. The police have seized his laptop and recovered over 300 obscene videos. Kumar has now been arrested.

It is suspected that the accused sold the videos to other students. Following an upheaval over the crime, Andhra Pradesh CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu ordered an inquiry into the case.

In a statement, TDP leader Nara Lokesh stated, “I asked the authorities for details about the protest of female students at Gudlavalleru Engineering College of Krishna District. I have ordered an inquiry into the allegations of hidden cameras.”

“Strict action will be taken against the culprits and those responsible if it is found that they have committed a mistake in the investigation. Managers should take early steps without ragging and harassment in colleges,” he emphasised.

It remains unknown whether students other than Vijay Kumar were involved in setting up the camera, recording the female students of the college and distributing the obscene videos.

The disturbing case is reminiscent of the infamous ‘Udupi bathroom case’ of 2023 when three students, namely, Shabanaz, Alfiya and Alimath Ul Safa secretly recorded their Hindu classmate using washroom and then deleted the video to destroy evidence.

Bangladeshi illegals running organ transplant racket in India: Delhi police files 7000-page charge sheet

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladeshi illegals running organ transplant racket in India: Delhi police files 7000-page charge sheet

On Thursday, 29th August the Delhi Police filed a 7000-page chargesheet in the case of organ transplantation racket with links to Bangladesh. The racket in question was busted by the Police in July this year. Notably, the Police have named three Bangladeshi individuals in the charge sheet identified as Rasel, Muhammad Sumon Miyan, and Mohammad Rokon alias Rahul Sarkar alias Bijay Mondal.

As per the reports, in July, the Delhi Police Crime Branch imprisoned seven people in connection with the case, including a 50-year-old lady doctor from Delhi and three Bangladeshi citizens. The police further have named ten people as accused in the 7,112-page charge sheet submitted last week in a local court.

According to authorities, Ijaya Rajakumari, a female doctor working as a kidney transplant surgeon at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in southeast Delhi, was involved in the transplant of about 15 persons from Bangladesh between 2021 and 2023.

According to the charge sheet document, Rajakumari allegedly performed these surgeries at Yathartha Hospital in Noida while working as a visiting consultant. One of the detainees also includes an assistant to doctor Vikram Singh. 

During their inquiry, police discovered 23 stamps, falsified papers for patients and kidney donors, and forged Aadhaar cards in the accused’s hands. An accused named Rasel, who arrived in India in 2019 and gave his kidney to a Bangladeshi patient, is the network’s central figure.

Rasel began to create his network following his surgery. According to the prosecuting officer, he would communicate with other stakeholders and contact prospective kidney donors from Bangladesh as well as patients here. Rasel, from the Kushtia district in Bangladesh, along with his accomplices Mohammed Sumon Miyan and Ifti, both from Bangladesh and Tripura-based Ratish Pal, enticed prospective donors from their home countries to Delhi. These donors would donate their kidneys for Rs 4-5 lakh, with recipients paying Rs 25-30 lakh.

According to the officer, one of his accomplices, Ifti, who is from Bangladesh, used to get the donors. 

Doctor Vijaya Kumari who stands suspended since the police busted the racket, was arrested by the Police on 9th July. During the arrest, the Delhi Police had stated that the mastermind of this racket was a Bangladeshi. “The mastermind of this racket was a Bangladeshi. Both the donor and the recipient were from Bangladesh. We have arrested a person named Rasel, who used to arrange patients and donors. The female doctor involved in the transplants has also been arrested,” Amit Goel, DCP Crime Branch was quoted as saying on 9th July.

Further investigation is underway.

Hypocrite Chinese media whines about INS Arighat and India strengthening its Navy, forgets expansionist China’s arsenal of nuclear submarines

OpIndia Staff
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Hypocrite Chinese media whines about INS Arighat and India strengthening its Navy, forgets expansionist China’s arsenal of nuclear submarines

China and its state-owned propaganda media outlet ‘Global Times’ is not leaving any stone unturned to demonise India for the commissioning of its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat.

The Chinese government, known for its expansionist policies and hostile attitude towards neighbours over territorial sovereignty, is virtue-signalling India over the ‘responsible use’ of its military arsenal.

In this regard, ‘Global Times’ published a malicious piece titled ‘India’s second nuclear missile submarine should be used responsibly: experts’

For the unversed, INS Arighat is India’s second nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles. The second Arihant-Class submarine is 112 meters long and is armed with K-15 missiles with a strike range of 750 km. It is built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project.

The construction of INS Arighat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research & development, utilisation of special materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship, said a statement issued by the Indian Defence Ministry.

It has the distinction of having the indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured & integrated by the Indian scientists, industry and Naval personnel.

Chinese propaganda outlet wants India to not ‘flex muscles’

A rattled ‘Global Times’ thus cited experts from its home country to lecture India on refraining from using its military tech to ‘flex muscles.’

“Chinese experts said that India should wield this power responsibly and contribute to peace and stability, rather than use it to flex muscles,” it brazened out.

The Chinese propaganda news outlet cited an anonymous Beijing-based military expert to claim that India should use its nuclear deterrence force responsibly.

“As long as they exist, nuclear weapons should be used in safeguarding peace and stability, not muscle flexing or nuclear blackmailing, the expert said,” wrote Global Times.

Interestingly, China has 6 Jin-class ballistic missile submarines that are equipped with advanced JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). The United States has previously raised alarms over its capability to target the North American nation.

JL-3 reportedly has a range of more than 10,000 km and can deliver multiple nuclear warheads. Virtue-signalling from Chinese state actors is thus rich, given that the Communist-ruled nation is at loggerheads with countries in the South China Sea and the Indian subcontinent.

Expansionist China lectures India on responsible behaviour

China claims large parts of Laos and Cambodia on historical precedent that dates back to the 13th and 14th Century.  On certain occasions, it has also claimed the entirety of South Korea and North Korea on historical precedent.

China also claims all of Mongolia and Taiwan as well, although the two countries do not consider themselves part of China at all. There are several other countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan who ceded territory to China to resolve their border dispute.

Among the major countries to cede territory was Russia. Even after that, border disputes of China with these countries continue.

The prominent countries with whom China is involved in severe disputes apart from India are Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Japan. 

China has claimed parts of Nepal for itself on the basis of the Sino-Nepalese War in the late 18th Century. China insists that parts of Nepal belong to Tibet and hence, a part of China. 

Despite such a deplorable track record of using its military might to intimidate its neighbours, the Chinese government is using its media propaganda arm to virtue-signal India on acting responsibly.

Israel agrees for ‘humanitarian pause’, allows UN organisations to hold polio vaccination campaign for children in Gaza

ANI
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Israel agrees for ‘humanitarian pause’, allows UN organisations to hold polio vaccination campaign for children in Gaza

 The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that an agreement had been reached with Israel to allow a mass polio vaccination campaign. The initiative will be made possible through humanitarian pauses beginning on September 1.

Notably, Dr Rik Peeperkorn, head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) office for the West Bank and Gaza had announced that the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza would start on September 1.

The UN agencies UNRWA, UNICEF, and WHO plan to vaccinate more than 6,40,000 children in Gaza in two rounds.

Sharing a post on X handle, the United Nations News Service, said, “UN health agency, WHO, alongside partners to start polio vaccination campaign on September 1, says Dr Rik Peeperkorn. Campaign to be conducted in two rounds; vital that it reaches at least 90 per cent coverage in both rounds.”

In another post, the UN News Service said that discussions have been held with Israeli authorities to secure humanitarian pauses of three days’ duration. “We have had discussions with Israeli authorities and we have agreed to humanitarian pauses… for three days,” the post on X said.

The post added, “I am not going to say this is the ideal way forward. But this is a workable way forward… We have to stop [polio] transmission in Gaza and outside Gaza. Of course, all parties will have to stick to this. We have to make sure that every day, we can do this campaign in this humanitarian pause… It is an ambitious target of 90 per cent, but the teams here are ready for it, we are ready to go”

Notably, the poliovirus was detected in July 2024 in environmental samples from Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. Worryingly, three children presenting with suspected acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), a common symptom of polio, have since been reported in the Gaza Strip.

Polio is a highly contagious virus that is usually caught by ingesting contaminated water or food. Severe cases can lead to paralysis, respiratory problems and death. Many countries have eradicated polio, but the virus festers in situations of poor sanitation and sewage control. 


(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Goa: 7-year-old boy mauled to death by pitbull dog in Anjuna

OpIndia Staff
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Goa: 7-year-old boy mauled to death by pitbull dog in Anjuna

In a tragic incident in Goa, a 7-year-old boy named Prabhas Kalangutkar was mauled to death by a pitbull dog. The incident unfolded in Anjuna on Thursday (30th August), wherein a pitbull attacked the minor boy when he accompanied his mother to the house where she worked as a housemaid.

Suraj Gawas, PI of Anjuna, stated that an offence is now being registered in the matter. The victim was taken to the GMC for treatment after the attack, however, the boy succumbed to his injuries. 

The deceased boy’s father, Premanand Kalangutkar, described the pitbull attacking his son, tearing at his face and crushing his throat. He added that the same pitbull had earlier attacked another child, who fortunately survived. 

Reports say that although the owner of the pitbull had warned the deceased boy’s mother about its aggressive nature, she left the dog free and unattended.

Speaking about the incident, animal husbandry minister Nilkant Halarnkar stated that the state government has banned some violent dog breeds. However, some people have got relief from the court. He stated that several Goa residents had sought the high court. “I will speak to the chief minister to ban certain ferocious breeds of dogs and bring some guidelines on how to manage them,” Halarnkar said.

RG Kar Hospital rape-murder case in Kolkata: North Bengal Medical College doctors protest, demand justice for victim

ANI
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RG Kar Hospital rape-murder case in Kolkata: North Bengal Medical College doctors protest, demand justice for victim

Doctors at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri held a protest on Thursday regarding the rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata, demanding justice for the victim.

A protesting doctor said that the protest has been ongoing for 20 days, and will continue until justice is achieved.

“We are on the 20th day of our protest demonstration here. We are seeing that CBI has made no considerable progress till now… We want to make it very clear that this strike will go on till justice is achieved,” he told ANI.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday reached the Police Morgue of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata for further investigation of the woman doctor rape and murder case.

Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded a second round of polygraph tests on former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) principal Sandip Ghosh as part of their investigation into the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the institution.

The test was conducted by a team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). CBI officials had also conducted a polygraph test on the arrested accused, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the incident.

On Wednesday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) suspended the membership of former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Dr Sandip Ghosh amid a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor.

On August 25, the anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted searches at multiple locations connected to Sandip Ghosh and his relatives in West Bengal’s Kolkata.

On August 24, the CBI filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dr Sandip Ghosh based on directives from the Calcutta High Court. The investigation was initiated after a single bench of the High Court ordered the CBI to probe the alleged corruption at the medical college.

The Calcutta High Court has granted the CBI three weeks to submit a progress report on the investigation, which is to be presented on September 17.

Earlier in the month, the Supreme Court ordered the security of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while hearing the suo motu case concerning the incident.

Earlier, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) formed a disciplinary committee at the headquarters that took cognisance of the grievances of the victim’s parents and different doctor’s associations which led to his suspension, said IMA President Dr RV Ashokan on Thursday.

He further noted that the Bengal branch of IMA and other associations of doctors had written that Dr Ghosh had brought disrepute to the whole profession which led to the suspension of his membership.

IMA National President Dr RV Asokan said, “Indian Medical Association (IMA) headquarters has suspended the membership of Dr Sandip Ghosh, former Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and the vice president of Calcutta IMA branch. A disciplinary committee was formed in the IMA Headquarters which took into cognisance the grievances as expressed by the parents of the victim where they were not able to meet the Head of the institution and were also appalled by the information given to them that their daughter had committed suicide.”

The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

INS Arighaat: Second Arihant class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine commissioned into Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam

OpIndia Staff
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INS Arighaat: Second Arihant class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine commissioned into Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam

The second Arihant-Class submarine ‘INS Arighaat’ was commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29, 2024 at Visakhapatnam. This is the country’s second nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads.

The almost 112-metre-long submarine, armed with K-15 missiles that have a strike range of 750 km, was commissioned at a classified ship-building yard in Visakhapatnam in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top Indian Navy officials.

INS Arighat will join its predecessor, INS Arihant, which became fully operational in 2018, to enhance the country’s ‘nuclear triad’—the capability to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea. The Arihant class submarines are powered by 83 MW pressurized light-water reactors. While conventional diesel-electric submarines need to surface frequently for air and refuelling, nuclear-powered submarines can remain underwater for a long period of time.

The 6,000 tonnes INS Arighat is an upgraded version of INS Arihant, and it can travel at a maximum speed of up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged and 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) on a surface level. Even though it is of the same size as its predecessor, it can carry more weapons. It has four launch tubes and can carry twelve K-15 SLBMs with a range of about 750 kilometres, or up to four nuclear-armed K-4 SLBMs with a range of over 3,500 kilometres.

The Arihant class submarines are built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, under which five such vessels are being planned. The third vessel, named INS Aridhaman, will be a larger 7,000-tonne vessel, capable of carrying K-4 missiles with a range of 3500 km.

The construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research & development, utilisation of special materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship, said a statement issued by the defence ministry. It has the distinction of having the indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured & integrated by the Indian scientists, industry and Naval personnel.

The technological advancements undertaken indigenously on this submarine make it significantly more advanced than its predecessor Arihant. The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will enhance India’s capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests.

In his address at the launch ceremony, defence minister Rajnath Singh exuded confidence that ‘Arighaat’ will further strengthen India’s nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance & peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the security of the country. He described it as an achievement for the nation and a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government’s unwavering resolve to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.

Rajnath Singh commended the Indian Navy, DRDO & the Industry for their hard work and synergy in achieving this capability. He termed this self-reliance as the foundation of self-power. He appreciated the fact that the country’s industrial sector, especially MSMEs, have received a huge boost through this project, and more employment opportunities have been created.

Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s political will which put India at par with a nuclear weapon state, the Raksha Mantri said, “Today, India is surging ahead to become a developed country. It is essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defence, especially in today’s geopolitical scenario. Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military. Our government is working on mission mode to ensure that our soldiers possess top-quality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil”.

Senior politician comparing rape to riding a bicycle: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut calls out Pro-Khalistan leader Simranjit Singh Mann over his heinous comments

OpIndia Staff
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Senior politician comparing rape to riding a bicycle: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut calls out Pro-Khalistan leader Simranjit Singh Mann over his heinous comments

Pro-Khalistan politician and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) leader Simranjit Singh Mann recently instigated a major controversy after attacking actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut with a derogatory personal remark after she stated that rapes took place during farmers’ protest.

“I don’t want to say this but Kangana Ranaut has a lot of experience with rape and you can ask her how rape happens so that it can be explained to people. The same way people learn riding a bicycle, they have the experience of riding a bicycle. She has a similar experience of rape,” Simranjit Singh Mann claimed during an interview on 29th August.

Mandi Lok Sabha MP Kangana Ranaut took to social media to slam the former MP Mann for his objectionable statement and trivializing the sensitive matter of rape.

“It seems this country will never stop trivialising rape, today this senior politician compared getting raped to riding a bicycle no wonder rapes and violence against women for fun are so deeply rooted in the psyche of this patriarchal nation that it is casually used to tease or mock a woman even if she is a high profile filmmaker or politician,” Kangana Ranaut posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader added, “I am getting rape threats also that Kangana knows how rape happens. It is like a rape threat but he cannot suppress my voice like this.”

Notably, during one of the promotion events for her upcoming movie, Emergency, Kangana Ranaut lauded the Union government for its actions during the farmer protest. “What happened in Bangladesh, it could have easily happened here too. bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place,” Kangana said while referring to criminal incidents that were widely reported during the first farmers’ protest.

Afterwards, Kangana Ranaut began receiving numerous threats for both her upcoming film Emergency and speaking out against the agitation. Some so-called “influencers” threatened to harm her physically or file a defamation lawsuit, while others implied she would suffer a destiny akin to that of Indira Gandhi.

Meanwhile, Simranjit Singh Mann’s remarks provoked strong outrage, and the Punjab State Women Commission took cognisance of them.

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