INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2023 1 A W e e k l y N e w s p a p e r Fe a t u r i n g N e w s & Tr e n d s f r o m t h e I n d i a n S u b - C o n t i n e n t P u b l i s h e d f r o m t h e U S C a p i t a l Website: www.indiathisweek.online Vol. 31 No:6 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • February 10, 2023 Massive Earthquake ravage Turkey and Syria: Death toll Crosses 11300, expected to rise, Rescue operations underway in government-controlled areas of Syria, Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghobash said, CNN reported citing Syrian state media. The total number of injured people in Syria has reached 5,008, which includes 2,258 in government-controlled areas and 2,750 in the rebelheld parts.Aid agencies and emergency workers have said that the death toll is likely to rise further with many people still trapped under the rubble and freezing weather conditions hampering rescue efforts, as per the news report. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Ankara [Turkey], February 8 (ANI): The death toll from the earthquakes that jolted Turkey and Syria has risen to at least 11,376, CNN reported citing authorities. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that at least 8,574 people have died and nearly 50,000 others have been injured in Turkey. He made the remarks during his visit to disaster areas near the epicentre of Monday’s earthquake.The total number of deaths has now reached 2802 in Syria. As many as 1,540 deaths have been reported in rebel-held regions in the northwest, CNN reported citing White Helmets.Meanwhile, 1,262 people have died TURKEY EARTHQUAKE SEE PAGE 17 IAF aircraft with emergency relief assistance including life-saving drugs departs for earthquake-hit Syria Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 8 (ANI): Indian Air Force C130J-Hercules aircraft with medical equipment departed from Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad to Syria. The flight carrying 6.5 tons of emergency relief assistance consisting of life-saving medicines and emergency medical items took off for Syria on Tuesday night. India is extending its support to Syria through the ongoing crisis after the earthquake jolted the country on Monday. Earlier on Monday, people were seen loading medical equipment in Indian Airforce’s C130J-Hercules plane. Speaking to ANI, Rajesh Nayar, PSU under the Ministry of Health (HLL Life Care), said, “Medicines, Remember: life-saving drugs and other equipment are being sent to Syria for the people affected by the devastating earthquakes. The medicines, life-saving drugs and other equipment are being sent in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Health.” He further said, “The medicines used in an emergency that are given to patients in the this kind of situation have been listed. The medicines have been arranged as per the list given by the ministry. Speaking to ANI, Rajesh Nayar said, “Medical equipments needed for the injured people when they are admitted to the emergency are being sent. Around 6.5 tons of medicines and equipment are being “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows..” JESUS CHRIST dispatched.” He stated that the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs in Syria will hand over the medicines and equipments to their counterparts. IAF plane carrying Indian Army officials, medical specialists including surgeons takes off for earthquake-hit Turkey Indian Air Force’s Globemaster C-17 with 100 Indian Army officials along with medical equipment took off for Turkey from Hindon Airbase, Ghaziabad on Monday. India is extending its support to Turkey through the ongoing crisis after the earthquake that jolted the country on Monday. Speaking to ANI, Commanding Officer said, “We are taking a level II medical facility to Turkey to treat earthquake victims. A total of 100 Army officials are leaving from here. Medical specialists including surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, critical care specialists, preventive medical specialist, dental officers along with the paramedical staff are present with us.” Earlier on Monday, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army), in a tweet stated, “The members of #IndianArmy Humanitarian Assistance Team are committed & determined to execute their task and assist the affected people of earthquake hit #Turkiye. The team is well equipped and geared up to provide the relief and medical assistance.” The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet stated, “India dispatches an @adgpi field hospital to Turkiye to establish a 30 bedded medical facility. Its first component has left on @IAF_MCC C17 with a 45-member medical team, including critical care specialists & surgeons. Also has an X-ray machine, ventilators, OT and other equipment.” Earlier on Monday, India’s Air Force plane carrying the first batch of disaster relief material and rescue team to support search and rescue efforts in Turkey reached Adana in the earthquake-hit country. Several other countries have also come forward to assist Turkey after earthquakes shattered lives in the country. Turkish Embassy in New Delhi tweeted “First batch of earthquake relief material along with NDRF’s special search & rescue teams and trained dog squads just arrived in Turkiye. Thank you, India for your support and solidarity.”
February 10, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Indian-American Raja Krishnamoorthi appointed as Ranking Member on strategic competition between US and China Washington [US], February 2 (ANI): IndianAmerican Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on Wednesday (local time) was appointed to serve as Ranking Member on the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). “I’m grateful to Leader Jeffries for appointing me to serve as Ranking Member on the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. Thenewcommittee was formed in the 118th Congress for the specific purpose of investigating and developing policy to address the United States’ economic, technological, and security competition with the Chinese Communist Party. Krishnamoorthi further stated that China poses serious economic and security threats to the United States and to democracy and prosperity across the globe, illustrated by its threats against Taiwan’s democracy, its weaponization of TikTok, and its theft of hundreds of billions of dollars worth of American intellectual property. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in both parties on this committee to counteract the CCP’s escalating aggression and ensure that our nation is prepared to overcome the economic and security challenges that the CCP presents to our country,” said Krishnamoorthi. He also laid stress on anti-Asian hate and violence that are on the rise. “It’s essential that this committee focuses its vital work on protecting all Americans from the threat posed by the CCP, while avoiding dangerous rhetoric that fuels the types of xenophobia that have endangered members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” he added. Krishnamoorthi, who is also a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is the lead Democrat on the Averting the National Threat of Internet Surveillance, Oppressive Censorship and Influence, and Algorithmic Learning by the Chinese Communist Party Act ( A N T I SOCIAL CCP Act), which protects Americans by blocking and prohibiting all transactions from any social media company in, or under the influence of, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and several other foreign adversaries. n the 117th Congress, he led bipartisan legislation that was signed into law, called the Gathering and Reporting Assessments Yielding Zero Overlooked Nefarious Efforts (GRAY ZONE) Act, which requires the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to produce a National Intelligence Estimate on different aspects of gray zone activities – actions that fall between ordinary statecraft and open warfare – that the PRC employs. Krishnamoorthi was also the lead Democrat on the bipartisan Transparency for Malign Chinese Investments in Global Port Infrastructure Act, which requires the DNI to study and report to Congress information related to Chinese global investments in port infrastructure. (ANI)
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February 10, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Virginity test on female accused, in judicial or police custody, is unconstitutional: Delhi HC New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): The Delhi High court on Tuesday declared that the virginity test conducted on a female detainee, accused under investigation, or in custody, whether judicial or police, is unconstitutional and in violation of Article 21 of the Constitution which includes right to dignity. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma while passing the judgment stated that the necessary information regarding the unconstitutionality of virginity test is circulated to all investigating agencies/ stakeholders through the Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of NCT of Delhi. The Delhi Judicial Academy is directed to include the information regarding this issue, in its curriculum and in the workshops conducted for investigating officers, prosecutors and other stakeholders. Similarly, the Delhi Police Academy for Training shall also include the necessary information regarding this issue in its training curriculum. The Commissioner of Police, Delhi is also directed to ensure that the investigating officers are informed and sensitized in this regard, said Delhi’s High Court. The directions were passed by the Delhi High Court in a case pertaining to the virginity test conducted on Sister Sephy, accused in the Sister Abhaya Murder case of Kerala. The Investigation Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation in 2020 found Sister Sephy guilty of the murder of Sister Abhaya and sentenced her to life imprisonment. The Trial Court had relied on virginity test findings. The sentence is now under consideration before the Kerala High Court in appeal. According to the petitioner’s case, she was forcefully subjected to undergo the ‘Virginity Test’ by the Central Bureau of Investigation on November 25, 2008, against her consent. The said virginity test was conducted by the investigating agency under the pretext of an investigation to substantiate their case in relation to the death of the deceased, who was found dead in a well on March 27, 1992. The result of the said test was allegedly leaked to the media by the CBI and it is the case of the petitioner that the conduct of the CBI in subjecting the petitioner to a virginity test forcefully against her free will and selective leakage of the test by the investigating agency to the electronic and print media even before submitting the result before the concerned Court amounts to a violation of petitioner’s fundamental rights. (ANI) According to aid organisations and rescuers, the number of fatalities is expected to rise further as many people are still buried beneath the rubble. The Turkey-Syria earthquake death toll currently stands at 9,487, CNN reported citing officials as rescue operations continue in the disaster-hit countries. India dispatched its fourth batch of aid, including 54 members of the medical team from the Indian Army as part of the country’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief on Tuesday. Recently, over 6 tonnes of emergency relief assistance reached Syria and was received at the Damascus airport by Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment Moutaz Douaji. It included 3 truckloads of protective gear, emergency use medicines, ECG machines, and other medical items, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement. In the wake of an earthquake that struck Northwest Syria on February 6, 2022, causing massive destruction and loss of lives, India had dispatched 6 tonnes of emergency relief assistance through a special aircraft of the Indian Airforce to Syria. India, over the years, has been extending humanitarian, technical, and developmental assistance to Syria through bilateral and multilateral channels. Consignments of food and medicines have been supplied to Syria from time to time, including during the pandemic. Two Artificial Limb Fitment Camps (Jaipur Foot) have been organized in Syria in December 2020 and recently in OctoberNovember 2022, the MEA release read. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], February 7 (ANI/ TPS): Israel Aerospace Industries will sign a series of Memorandums of Understanding with Indian defense contractors at an Indian defense exhibition next week. The Aero India 2023 show, India‘s largest defense exhibition, begins on Sunday at the Yelahanka Airforce Base in Bengaluru (Bangalore) in southern India. The biannual event brings together leading figures in the aviation industry with the business, defence, and government sectors to strike deals and explore areas of cooperation among the pavilions where businesses showcase their products. The IAI will display a number of its aerial drones, a mini communications satellite, a supersonic, long-range airground assault rocket, and an electronic warfare system designed to detect and disrupt ground and airborne threats among other items. Israeli defense exports to India are reportedly USD 1.5 billionUSD 2 billion annually. The IAI has provided the Indian Armed Forces with air and missile defense systems, satellites, radars, unmanned aerial systems, and training platforms. The IAI is also working with Indian authorities to develop and produce military technologies for use in the air, land, and sea. “We are very excited to be back in India for Aero India, which brings together some of our leading partners in the defense sector,” said IAI President and CEO Boaz Levy in a statement “We have been working closely with the Indian defense industry for more than 30 years and we look forward to further collaboration following the exhibition. We look forward to meeting our friends and partners while exhibiting our cutting-edge technologies to the Indian, Asian, and global markets during this distinguished exhibition.” (ANI/TPS) NDRF reaches Turkey’s Gaziantep, starts search and rescue operation Gaziantep [Turkey], February 8 (ANI): India’s National Defence Response Force team reached Turkey‘s Gaziantep and started the search and rescue operation after two deadly earthquakes hit the country. In a video, Indian rescue teams seeing at the epicenter of the earthquake in Turkey engaged in relief operations. On Monday, a 7.8 magnitude tremor struck Turkey at 04:17 local time (01:17 GMT) at a depth of 17.9km near the city of Gaziantep. Within 9 hours, a second earthquake of magnitude 7.6 jolted the Kahramanmaras’s Elbistan district. Meanwhile, the toll from Momday’s deadly earthquake soared to more than 9,000 and the injury count was at 52,000, the Anadolou news agency reported on Wednesday, adding that more than 100,000 rescuers were digging through the rubble across 10 provinces of Turkey to look for survivors. There have been several precedents in the recenT past of India mobilising emergency relief and assistance to countries struck by natural disasters. And, responding to Turkey‘s desperate call for assistance, New Delhi has dispatched four medical assistants to the country. Further, six aircraft from India took off for Turkey and Syria with humanitarian aid and a field hospital. “ U n d e r #OperationDost, India is sending search and rescue teams, a field hospital, materials, medicines, and equipment to Turkiye and Syria. This is an ongoing operation and we would be posting updates,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted on Wednesday. Israel, India to expand defense ties at Aero India 2023
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2023 5 US, India sign implementation deal to streamline process of funding projects between two nations Wa s h i n g t o n [US], February 2 (ANI): The United States National Science Foundation (NSF) and India signed an implementation arrangement that streamlines the funding process of research projects between the two nations and also deepens connectivity across innovation ecosystems. Taking to Twitter, National Science Foundation said, “At the @WhiteHouse yesterday, @NSF signed the U.S.-India implementation arrangement to streamline the process of funding projects between our two nations, deepening connectivity across innovation ecosystems to facilitate the creation of new technologies.” I n d i a ‘ s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, joined NSF officials, on Tuesday, in the signing ceremony at the White House as part of the U.S.- India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies dialogue. “Deepening bilateral cooperation in S&T Delighted to sign the Implementation Arrangement between Dept of Science & Tech @IndiaDST and National Science Foundation @NSF, along with my good friend Panch @DrPanch and in the presence of NSAs Ajit Doval and @JakeSullivan46,” the Indian envoy said in a tweet. “Across the US. and India, industry and academia are fueling new discoveries and technological developments. Through international collaboration and the sharing of ideas, resources and best practices between like-minded partners, it has been demonstrated that great things can be accomplished. The opportunities under this arrangement are broad and can nimbly adjust to strategic priorities and researcher interests in computer science and engineering, geosciences, math and physical sciences, engineering, and emerging technologies,” according to the press statement released by NSF. “ T h r o u g h the creation of these opportunities, we are emphasizing to the science and technology communities and the world that our governments are serious about breaking down barriers and facilitating collaboration,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “We look forward to this implementation arrangement, which will open up new vistas for strategic collaborations at speed and scale and leverage the strong scientific and cultural connections between the U.S. and India,” he added. In the past five years, NSF has invested over USD 146 million Now in Ashburn, VA ❖ Accounting and Bookkeeping Service ❖ Audit, Review, Compilation and Attestation Service ❖ Tax Service ❖ IRS Service ❖ Web Hosting ❖ Business Consultancy ❖ Dedicated Service with Smiling Faces ❖ Experienced and Reliable Staff Year Round ❖ Rely on 24 Years of Experience Balagan Arumugaswamy, CPA, LL.M Tel: (301) 931-1040, (301) 931-1042 (301) 595-4331; (703) 723-4488; (703) 723-4458 Fax: (703) 723-1140; (301) 595-4332 E Mail: balagancpa@msn.com Website: www.balaganfinancials.com in collaborative research activities with scientists, engineers and educators across India. These partnerships have supported new economic opportunities and discoveries that are transforming and leading innovation that will benefit the world. Last August, NSF announced 35 awards connecting researchers from universities across the US with scientists and engineers at several of India‘s Technology Innovation Hubs. Through these joint US–India research projects, principal investigators from both nations are bringing their expertise together to accelerate the development of new technologies, tools and systems for mutual societal and economic benefit, according to the statement. “The signing of the new implementation arrangement is a significant step. It will bring our scientific agencies and institutions closer and open new windows for joint research in strategic and technical areas, which would positively impact the prosperity of our peoples,” said Ambassador Sandhu. (ANI) Tax Season is around the corner, are you ready ? Balagan Business & Tax Services Main Office: 12100 Franklin Street Beltsville, MD 20705 Branch Offices: 44335 Premier Plaza Suite#100, Ashburn, VA 20147
February 10, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Turkey appreciates India for sending Christian Laborer search, rescue teams beaten to death in Pakistan’s Punjab New Delhi [India], February 7 (ANI): Appreciating India’s help in the form of search and rescue teams that landed in the morning after two devastating earthquakes struck Turkey in 24 hours, Turkey‘s Ambassador to India Firat Sunel, on Tuesday, said that the second plane will land in the country before evening. While addressing the press conference, Sunel said, “India is among the countries that send teams for search and rescue operations. And as you all know very well, India is among these foreign search and rescue teams. Early yesterday, just a few later than the first earthquake, Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) held a coordination meeting upon the instruction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” “Later, I also participated in the meeting with the Minister of External Affairs with NDRF members. And yesterday India sent a plane, a C-17 carrier to Turkey, carrying more than 50 search and rescue members, and experts, including research and rescue dogs and some equipment. This plane arrived early in the morning. And the rescue team in Turkey has already started the operation. Also early, this morning back in Turkey it is still in the air but we are also expecting to land before evening,” he added. On Monday morning, a massive earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale hits 26 km E of Nurdagi in Turkey, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Terming India as “Dost” (friend) Sunel said that New Delhi’s help is a huge moral support for the country. He recalled the Covid period when Turkey sent two carriers loaded with medical assistance to India and said that the same thing is being repeated as New Delhi is also providing From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- February 10, 2023 Thanks be to God Janie Alford I do not thank Thee , Lord, That I have bread to eat while others starve; While empty hands solicit Heaven; Nor for a body strong While other bodies flatten beds of pain. No, not for these do I give thanks! But I am grateful, Lord, Because my meager loaf I may divide; For that my busy hands May move to meet another’s need; Because my doubled strength I may expend to steady one who faints. Yes for all these do I give thanks! For heart to share, desire to bear And will to lift, Flamed into one by deathless Love– Thanks be to God for this! Unspeakable His Gift! help to Ankara. T u r k e y ‘ s Ambassador also recalled the proverb, “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” Giving the details about the damages and casualties caused by the earthquake, Sunel said, “Earthquake of the magnitude of 7.7 hits Turkey, just after a couple of hours another earthquake with magnitude 7.6 shakes Turkey... So almost 14 million people from 10 provinces were affected in southeastern Turkey, it’s a big disaster. According to the sources, they say it is even one of the most devastating earthquakes in the history of western Asia. The death toll reached 3,432 (in Turkey) and 21,103 were injured, almost 6,000 buildings collapsed, and 3 airports were damaged.” “So far, we haven’t received any requests from Indians for rescue after the earthquake in Turkey. The Indian mission in Ankara may have received some requests,” he said. (ANI) INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352, Bryans Road, MD 20616 Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Views expressed in this paper are those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor by the information provided below. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George Saju Mathew Isaac George Asst. Editors: Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti Business Coordinators Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel India Office Manesh Krishna Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George CALL US • 301-445-0200 • 301-917-4800 e-Mails: Advertisements: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Press Releases: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com Web: www.indiathisweek.online L a h o r e [Pakistan], February 7 (ANI): A Christian labourer identified as Emanuel Masih was beaten to death by Mohd. Waseem, a land owner on allegation of stealing oranges from his field. The incident occurred on Monday in the Khanewal area of Punjab province. Waseem and four men approached Masih and accused him of stealing the fruits from his field, and started beating him which ultimately led to the death of Masih. The eyewitnesses said that the deceased man belonging to the minority community was the family’s only breadwinner Remember: and was survived by one wife and six children. The people of minority communities in Pakistan, especially Christians and Hindus, are being treated with animosity. They are being persecuted and killed on petty issues. S h o w i n g their concern over the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, the UN experts recently said they were concerned by the continued persecution and acts of violence perpetrated by State and non-state actors in Pakistan, fuelled by claims of apostasy and blasphemy, often targeting religious or belief minorities. (ANI) “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ” JESUS CHRIST
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February 10, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK India stands forever for humanity: Jaishankar One Indian missing, 10 stranded in on supporting Turkey despite differences Turkey’s remote area but safe: MEA New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): Following the principle of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’, India under ‘Operation Dost’ sent medical assistance and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team which displays that New Delhi stands “forever for humanity” despite the differences, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday. “Every day we see ups and down in geopolitical situations but India has stable relations with countries. As per our policy of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’ – India stands forever for humanity,” EAM Jaishankar told ANI when asked regarding the support provided to Turkey despite differences. India has provided ample assistance to countries struck by natural disasters and dispatched four medical assistants to Turkey. “In geopolitical situations, ups and downs happen every day, however, India’s relations with the countries have been stable in difficult times,” Jaishankar said A total of six planes were sent to Turkey and Syria with humanitarian aid and a field hospital. “We have sent four planes with humanitarian aid and field hospitals to Turkey. The sixth plane is ready to move to Turkey with humanitarian aid,” Jaishankar told ANI. “One plane has landed in Syria with humanitarian aid,” he added. Meanwhile, Turkey’s envoy to India Firat Sunel hailed New Delhi’s assistance in the form of search and rescue teams that landed in Turkey in 24 hours. While addressing the press conference, Sunel said, “India is among the countries that send teams for search and rescue operations. And as you all know very well, India is among these foreign search and rescue teams. Early yesterday, just a few later than the first earthquake, the Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) held a coordination meeting upon the instruction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” “Later, I also participated in the meeting with the Minister of External Affairs with NDRF members. And yesterday India sent a plane, a C-17 carrier to Turkey, carrying more than 50 search and rescue members, and experts, including research and rescue dogs and some equipment. This plane arrived early in the morning. And the rescue team in Turkey has already started the operation. Also early, this morning back in Turkey it is still in the air but we are also expecting to land before evening,” he added. New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): Ten Indians are struck in remote parts of Turkey after the country was hit by two “biggest natural disaster” earthquakes, but they are safe while one citizen is missing, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma said. “There are 10 individuals who are stuck in some remote parts of the affected area but they are safe. We have one Indian national missing, who was on a business visit to Turkey‘s Malatya. And he has not been traced for the last two days. We are in touch with his family and the company in Bengaluru,” Verma said during the special briefing on ‘Operation Dost. He also said that the mission, which was set up in Ankara, had received 75 per cent of calls asking for more information and assistance. While addressing the presser, Verma gave more details about the Indian community residing in Turkey. There are 3,000 Indian nationals in Turkey, about 1,850 residing in and around Istanbul about 250 in Ankara, and the rest of the others are residing across New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala on Tuesday told Lok Sabha that India is the highest milk producer in the world contributing twenty-four per cent of global milk production in the year 202122. “According to production data of Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), India is the highest milk producer in the world contributing twentyfour per cent of global milk production in the year 202122,” the minister said in a written reply in Lok Sabha. He further said that the milk production of India has registered a fiftyone per cent increase during the last eight years- during the year 2014-15 and 2021- 22 and increased to twentytwo crore tonne in the year 2021-22. The minister also said that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying runs various schemes to benefit farmer members, including financially weaker farmers in the dairy sector. Further, the National Programme for Dairy Development aims at enhancing the quality of milk, milk products and increasing the share of organised procurement, processing, value addition and marketing. NPDD was launched in February 2014 by merging three existing schemes- Intensive Dairy Development Programme, Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality and Clean Milk Production and Assistance to Cooperatives. In July 2021, NPDD has been restructured with the aim of enhancing the quality of milk and milk products and increasing the share of organised procurement, processing, value addition and marketing; for implementation from 202122 to 2025-26. “National Livestock Mission, SubMission on Feed and Fodder Development is a separate scheme aiming to increase the availability of fodder and feed,” Rupala told the Lower House. Rupala also said that the department is implementing various schemes to supplement the efforts of states and union territories for the promotion and development of animal husbandry and dairying sector across the country which include, the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), Supporting Dairy Cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organizations engaged in dairy activities (SDCFPO), National Livestock Mission (NLM), Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LH and DCP) (wherein erstwhile Livestock Health and Disease Control Scheme and National Animal Disease Control Programme were merged with effect from 2021-22) and Livestock Census and Integrated Sample Survey (LC and ISS). Due to the implementation of these By Ashoke Raj the country. “The Indian community in Turkey is in fatal danger... Three Indians approached us and have moved to a safer habitation and are doing all right,” Secretary (West) said. He further informed that as on February 6, an earthquake struck the southern part of Turkey and Syria and multiple reports kept escalating the magnitude of the tragedy and affecting 10 provinces but 7 of them are in severe condition and about 435 aftershocks occurred. He said that in Turkey, 8,574 people were killed and 49,133 were injured and 6,444 buildings collapsed while in Syria, the death toll climbed to 1,262 and 2,285 sustained injuries. While giving the details about the medical assistance that India is providing to Turkey and Syria, National Disaster Response Force DG Atul Karwal said that under ‘Operation Dost,’ the first team landed at Adana airport and the second was diverted to Urfa because Adana was crowded. Both of them are being converged at Nurdagi which is in Gaziantep Province, one of the worst affected areas. “The third team’s requirement was sent to us. It was under preparation in Varanasi and was airlifted and brought to Delhi today. I met them at Hindon Airport. In the next few hours, they would depart with 51 rescuers, a canine complement and 4 vehicles,” Karwal said. “We have more teams in reserve because we don’t know how many more teams will be required. The damage is extensive across a very large area and we are prepared to render whatever help any additional teams that India can provide to Turkey in this time of crisis,” he added. (ANI) schemes by the department, Milk Production in the country has increased from 146.31 Million Tonnes in 2014-15 to 221.1, the minister claimed. “Million Tonnes in 2021-22 i.e. by 6.38 per cent per annum during the last 8 years. The value of the output of milk is more than Rs. 9.32 lakh crore during 2021-22 which is higher than the agriculture produces and even more than the combined value of paddy and wheat. Egg production in the country has increased from 78.48 billion in 2014-15 to 129.53 billion in 2021-22. Egg production in the country is growing at the rate of 8 per cent per annum,” Rupala added. (ANI) India ranks first, contributes 24 pc of global milk production: Centre to Lower House
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2023 9 India-Russia ties “under stress”, US good at “advertising” says Russian Ambassador to India New Delhi [India], February 6 (ANI): Russia on Monday said that ties between New Delhi and Moscow are under stress because of the ongoing geopolitical shifts which accelerated last year in Europe due to crossing of red lines. In a forum discussion in Delhi, Russian envoy Denis Alipov said that although the ties between India and Russia are not so comprehensive as of now, the relations between the two countries have always been friendly, equal, trusted and robust. Taking a sharp dig at the United States, the Russian Ambassador to India said that Russian technology is quite advanced and that Moscow doesn’t mix technology transfer with politics, unlike the US which is rather good at “advertising.” “Sometimes it’s amusing to read about the US posting about its defense cooperation with India as it offers something exclusive. Nothing near the level of advanced technology transfer we do offer. What the US is good at though is advertising including the poor performance of Russian weapons in Ukraine,” Alipov said while speaking on Russia-India defence cooperation, adding that the level of defence cooperation between the two nations is unprecedented. Notably, the Centre for Global India Insights (CGII) hosted a forum discussion ‘Next Steps in India-Russia Strategic Partnership: Old Friends, New Horizons’ in New Delhi today in order to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1993 Treaty of India-Russia Friendship Treaty. “Our relations have always been friendly, equal, trusted and robust. Maybe not so comprehensive as we want them to be, but still very much diversified, mutually beneficial and supportive... respecting each other’s interests and meeting core aspirations of our nations,” the Russian Ambassador said during the address. Speaking further, he said that Russia supports India in mission Gaganyaan. The ‘Gaganyaan‘ programme, is notably India’s maiden human space mission which is scheduled to take place in 2023. During his address at the forum, the Russian envoy highlighted the treaty of 1993 and stated how it became a building block of current extensive bilateral legal framework between India and Russia. “We have formed a very rich bilateral architecture, maintain active contacts with various levels, the annual summits. There are intergovernmental commissions and inter-parliamentary commissions,” Alipov said. He further underscored how economic cooperation was able to achieve impressive results in 2022 as mutual trade broke a record of USD 30 billion between the two countries. Space, scientific and technological cooperation continue to remain a priority of India and Russia. The two nations continue to see cooperation in the fields of quantum and biotechnology, artificial intelligence, fundamental and applied physics and medical science as well. Moreover, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will be taking part in the G2O Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi from March 1-2, Russian news agency TASS reported citing Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. The G20 presidency of India, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be inclusive, ambitious, definite, and actionoriented. This year, the G20 presidency is being held by India, and the annual G20 summit is slated to take place in the national capital in September. (ANI)
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