INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2022 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. 30 No: 42 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • October 21, 2022 Congress President Poll: Kharge sweeps votes; “Revival of party begins today,” says Tharoor New Delhi [India], October 19 (ANI): Veteran politician Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday swept the party’s presidential polls paving the way for him to become the first nonGandhi chief of Congress party in over two decades. Chairman of the party’s Central Election Committee (CEC) Madhusudan Mistry today declared Mallikarjun Kharge as the elected President of the party. “The total counted votes were 9,385, of which Mallikarjun Kharge received 7,897 votes and Shashi Tharoor received 1,072 votes. 416 were invalid votes. As per Article 18 (D) of the Constitution of Indian National, I hereby declare Mallikarjun Kharge as the elected President of Congress,” said Mistry. Kharge’s opponent conceded defeat and went to the New Delhi residence of the Congress Presidentelect to congratulate him on his victory. Tharoor said he believed “the revival of the party begins today”. “It is a great honor and a huge responsibility to be President of the INC and I wish Kharge ji all success in the task,” the MP from Thiruvananthapuram tweeted. Before the results were announced, party leader Rahul Gandhi during a press conference apparently jumped the gun and referred CONGRESS PRESIDENT SEE PAGE 8 PM Modi kickstarts distribution of PMJAY-MA Yojana Ayushman cards in Gujarat New Delhi [India], October 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi kickstarted the distribution of PMJAY-MA Yojana Ayushman cards in Gujarat via video conferencing on Monday. PM Modi also interacted with the beneficiaries virtually. As many as 50 lakh Ayushman cards have been printed in Gujarat and will be delivered soon to families. The health scheme was launched by PM Modi on September 4, 2012, for BPL families. Under the scheme, the government met hospitalization and surgical procedures up to Rs 2 lakhs. According to the government, around 46 lakh poor and lower-middle-class people have been given treatment worth more than Rs 8,000 crore till date, more than 600 transplantations are done of different organs, around 50,000 people have been benefited with joint replacements/orthopedic treatments, more than 7 lakh have taken treatment for cancer, around 3.50 lakh have availed care for heart diseases, more than 30 lakh have undergone various surgeries. Special camps for generating awareness and enrolment in the PMJAY- MA scheme were carried out at around 2,500 places and around 5 lakh Ayushman cards were issued in 50 days during this campaign. Efforts of Gujarat to protect poor people from costly medical care through PMJAY-MA-MAV schemes have been recognized by various agencies. The Mukhyamantri Amrutum (MA) Yojana was one of its kind health scheme launched by Narendra Modi on 4th September 2012. It was a holistic health insurance scheme for BPL families and covered the entire cycle of a medical contingency, from diagnostic tests to posthospitalization care. Under the scheme, the Government met the hospitalization and surgical procedures up to Rs 2 lakh. In addition, the scheme also includes a provision for transport allowance. In a time when the rest of the nation was struggling to embrace the PPP model effectively, Gujarat implemented the PPP model in the health sector aiming to bring about a positive difference in the lives of the poor. The scheme was expanded in 2014 to cover families with an annual income of Rs 4 lakhs and the Mukhya Mantri Amrutam Vatsalya (MAV) scheme was announced. More than 46 lakh beneficiaries from Gujarat have benefitted from MA Yojana.As a result, more than Rs 8,000 crore have been saved by the poor patients. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, around 7500 health and wellness centres and 600 Deendayal Aushadhalaya were set up in Gujarat. The government of India’s PMJAY was integrated with MA and MAV Yojana by the Government of Gujarat in 2019. Ayushman cards are being given to the beneficiaries of PMJAYMA as per National Health Authority guidelines. (ANI)
October 21, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Anti-rabies vaccine samples from Kerala passed quality test: Sources New Delhi [India], October 18 (ANI): Rabies immunoglobulin serum samples and anti-rabies vaccine samples from Kerala have passed the quality test, informed official sources. Kerala State requested for quality test of anti-rabies quality vaccines after deaths were reported despite being administered vaccine and serum, added the sources. A three-member team investigating the matter has also mentioned in the report that deaths due to rabies have increased two times in the state as compared to the previous year. “Supportive evidence on media reports such as issues in Anti- rabies vaccine efficacy/potency and circulation of rabies virus variants escaping protection provided by the vaccine could not be found,” concluded the committee in the report. “There has been a delay in seeking time and appropriate animal bite management in the cases examined which might be attributed to not recognising the importance of timely and full rabies, post-exposure, prophylaxis, intensive IEC is required for all target audiences about do’s and don’ts for animal bite management,” the committee. “Knowledge gaps on wound washing with soap and water, antiseptic and not applying chillies, turmeric etc on wounds were found appropriate. Wound toiletry is the most critical step in prevention of rabies following an animal bite,” it said. “Use of Monoclonal Antibodies as an alternative to H R IG/ ERIG needs to be closely monitored and all the adverse events or failure should be reported under AEFI and Pharmacovigilance programmes, as the product is still not recommended in the national guidelines for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis,” it further said. “State of Kerala has recently been equipped with one laboratory on medical side (state public health laboratory, Trivandrum) to test human samples for rabies which NCDC has trained,” sources said. (ANI) PM Modi to join ‘griha pravesh’ event on Dhanteras, 4.5 lakh beneficiaries to get new houses in MP Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 17 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give a new gift to the state and 4.5 lakh people will get a new house on Dhanteras. Chouhan made the announcement during a discussion with the ministers before the cabinet meeting in Bhopal on Monday. He said that PM Modi would virtually join the ‘Grih Pravesh’ programme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Satna district on October 22. It will be the third big programme of PM Modi in the state within the last one month. Before this, PM Modi dedicated Shri Mahakal Lok in Ujjain on October 11. PM Modi had come to Madhya Pradesh to gift 8 cheetahs to the Kuno National Park on his birthday on September 17. The cheetahs had been brought from Namibia. The Prime Minister also interacted with the women of Self Help Groups in Sheopur district. Kochi (Kerala) [India], October 18 (ANI): The Kerala High Court will hear an appeal filed by the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham seeking a directive to the State Government to take a decision on the recommendation of the State Law Reforms Commission for the enactment of the Kerala eradication of inhuman evil practices, sorcery, and black magic bill, today. Kerala HC’s division bench comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar will be considering the plea. The petition contended that the central government at the national level or the state government at the state level might pass legislation on the model of the legislation passed in Maharashtra regarding the anti-superstition bill in 2013. The petitioner also sought that all the cases of disappearances that have occurred in the state in the last fifty years should be re-investigated by forming a special investigation team. The petition also submitted that it may also implement the Justice KT Thomas Commission report recommending the implementation of the AntiSuperstition Act. It further submitted that “Ban advertisements exploiting superstitions in media such as newspapers and social media. Prohibition of telefilms, serials and films on the theme of witchcraft and sorcery which are not intended for social good and have no artistic value. There may be an order to ban witchcraft and sorcery. Implement the existing Drugs and magic remedies objectionable advertisements act passed in 1954 in the country.” It also sought for a police search and closure of all existing witchcraft centres in Kerala. (ANI) Kerala HC to hear plea seeking law against black magic
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October 21, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Egyptian President urges to increase trade turnover with India: Jaishankar Cairo [Egypt], October 16 (ANI): Egyptian President Abdel Fattah ElSisi urged India to increase the turnover of trade and also said that the current revenue was not enough, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated. Addressing the India-Egypt Business Forum, Jaishankar said “I had the honor to call on the President. Our two colleagues spoke referring to a trade turnover of a certain point to billion dollars. Presidency Sisi told me he doesn’t think it’s enough. So, he urged us, saying, find ways of increasing it.” Jaishankar further said that one of the ways to expand in business is to focus on the impediments. “See what are the market access issues that we both faced? Look at the possibilities of investments which could either go which has production implications for third countries and other regions or even by-back prosperities,” Jaishankar said during the meeting. Talking about the wheat agreement that took place between India and Egypt, Jaishankar said, “This year, is the first year after a gap or perhaps the first year ever that Egypt has bought wheat from India. But unfortunately, for us, it turned out to be a difficult year weather-wise for agriculture, and therefore some value substantial initial supply was not something we could continue.” Jaishankar also said that there is a lesson that for Egypt sourcing from India is de-risking of food supply which was otherwise very, very dependent on very narrow geographies.” Jaishankar, who is on a twoday official trip to Egypt for his first bilateral visit, held discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah ElSisi today and highlighted India’s commitment to the success of COP27 under the Egyptian presidency. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar underscored that India values the participation of Egypt in the G20 during its chairship. He further underlined that India is fully committed to the success of COP27 under the Egyptian presidency. “Honoured to call on President Abdel Fattah ElSisi of Egypt,” Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit to Egypt, tweeted. Jaishankar conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Egyptian President and handed him a personal message. The EAM deeply appreciated President Sisi’s guidance in further developing various dimensions of the IndiaEgypt relationship. Minister Jaishankar briefed the President on his discussions with finance minister Sameh Shoukry. “As independentminded nations, India and Egypt contribute to global discourse. And promote the cause of peace, progress, and development,” Jaishankar added in his tweet. Jaishankar on Saturday said that he will talk to the Union Minister for Education, Skill and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan about collaborating with Egypt on premier higher educational institutes, like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). “I see world of possibilities...” Jaishankar on Indian companies coming to Egypt External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday reposed faith in Egypt’s credibility highlighting the fact that many well-known Indian companies were coming to invest in the country. Addressing the India-Egypt Business Forum, Jaishankar said, “Well-reputed Indian companies are coming out to a destination like Egypt, assessing the possibilities here favorably. I think this says a lot about our companies and your credibility as an investment destination. I see a world of possibilities here.” Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi urged India to increase the turnover of trade and also said that the current revenue was not enough. “I had the honour to call on the President (Abdel Fattah El-Sisi). Our two colleagues spoke referring to a trade turnover of 7.2 billion dollars. President Sisi told me he doesn’t think it’s enough. So, he urged us, saying, find ways of increasing it,” said EAM Jaishankar. Talking about the wheat agreement that took place between India and Egypt, Jaishankar said, “This year, is the first year after a gap or perhaps the first year ever that Egypt has bought wheat from India. But unfortunately, for us, it turned out to be a difficult year weather-wise for agriculture and therefore some substantial initial supply was not something we could continue.” Due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Egypt faced a shortage of wheat, which is imported from these two countries for 80 per cent of its needs. India was added to the list of accredited nations that can supply Egypt with wheat on April 14, 2022, ending a long-standing Non-Tariff Barrier. Egypt has contracted to buy 180,000 tonnes of wheat from India, a deal that is part of the country’s efforts to diversify its wheat supplies. In May that Egypt had agreed to buy 500,000 tonnes of wheat from India but that a contract had not been signed. India banned wheat exports in May because of lower domestic production, but made allowances for countries like Egypt with food security needs. “But there is a lesson that for Egypt sourcing from India is de-risking of food supply which was otherwise very, very dependent on very narrow geographies,” said Jaishankar in Cairo. He also highlighted climate change which is acting as the biggest disruptive factor and emphasized on increase in natural disasters in the Indian subcontinent and urged for sustainable solutions. “I spoke about climate change as a seriously disruptive factor. In the Indian subcontinent, we are seeing floods, heatwaves and cold on a scale which we haven’t experienced before... Sustainable solutions are not going to come only out of conferences,” said Jaishankar. Speaking about globalisation, he said that it has inherent risks which must be addressed by likeminded countries. “It’s very intense globalisation. A globalisation that carries huge opportunities but also has inherent risks which must be addressed by like-minded countries, comfortable countries, getting together and doing more with each other,” said Jaishankar. (ANI)
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October 21, 2022 Friday India, UK to create new Defence Industry Joint Working Group for greater cooperation New Delhi [India], October 18 (ANI): Defence industry organisations from India and the UK have come together to create a new Defence Industry Joint Working Group for more effective cooperation, the British High Commission said on Tuesday. In a statement, the High Commission said that the initiative is supported by the UK Government. The inaugural meeting of the UK-India Defence Industry Joint Working Group was held on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today. DefExpo will see representation from 20 UK defence companies. UK industry is already integrating Indian defence suppliers into their global supply chain, manufacturing defence equipment not just for India but for the world. “The Joint Working Group is part of an ongoing initiative between the two countries to strengthen the defence and security partnership through industrial collaboration. The UK recently issued its first Open General Export License (OGEL) in the Indo-Pacific region to India, shortening delivery times for defence procurement,” the British High Commission said. According to the statement, the Royal Air Force (RAF) recently conducted a subject matter expert exchange with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) during the visit of Eurofighter Typhoon, Voyager and A400 in New Delhi and also held jointflying exercises with the Indian Air Force (IAF). Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said: “A stronger UK-India defence relationship is an essential element of the British and Indian governments’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The British Government and industry presence at DefExpo is further proof of this, as is our support for co-creation of next generation capabilities that will be fully owned by India. The UK supports Prime Minister Modi’s ambitions of Make in India, Make for the World.” Mark Goldsack, Director, UK Defence and Security Exports, said: “This is another step in the growing defence relations between the two countries, who are working to establish a portfolio of collaborative projects to support the development of new technologies and capabilities as agreed under the 2030 Roadmap.” “The UK sees it is in its own interest that India becomes self-reliant in its defence needs. The UK is a world leader in critical defence technologies such as jet engine developments and electric propulsion technology. We are keen to share this expertise with India supported by our respective industries,” Goldsack added. (ANI) INDIA THIS WEEK Safe, secure world is shared responsibility: PM Modi at 90th Interpol meet New Delhi [India], October 18 (ANI): Addressing the 90th Interpol meeting in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that a safe and secure world is a shared responsibility, calling India a case study for the world in upholding diversity and democracy. “In upholding diversity and democracy, India is a case study for the world. Over the last 99 years, Interpol has connected police organizations globally in 195 countries. This is despite differences in the legal framework,” the Prime Minister said. PM Modi stated that Interpol is approaching a historic milestone as the organization will celebrate its 100 years in 2023. “The Interpol is approaching a historic milestone. In 2023, Interpol will celebrate its 100 years,” he said. “This is a call for universal cooperation to make the world a better place. India is one of the top contributors to the UN Peacekeeping Operations. From climate targets to COVID vaccines, India has shown the willingness to take the lead in any crisis,” PM Modi added further. He also emphasized how India is calling for enhanced global cooperation and added that global cooperation for local welfare is our call. The Prime Minister also talked about Police Forces and their contribution to social welfare during his address at the 90th Interpol meeting. “Police forces From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- October 21, 2022 Worth while Ella Wheeler Cox It is easy enough to be pleasant, When life flows like a song, But the man worth while is one who will smile, When everything goes dead wrong. For the test of the heart is trouble, And it always comes with the years, And the smile that is worth the praises of earth Is the smile that shines through tears `It is easy enought to be prudent, When nothing tempts you to stray, When withoutor within no voice of sin Is luring your soul away; But it’s only a negative virtue Until is is tried by fire, And the life that is worth the honor or earth Is the one that resists desire By the cynic, the sad, the fallen Who had no strength for the strife, That world’s highway is cumbered to-day; They make up the sum of life. But the virtue that conquers passion, And the sorrow that are worth the homage on earth For we find them but once in a while. across the world are furthering social welfare. They are the frontline responders during any crisis. I pay my respect to the police personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of the people,” he said. Earlier, the PMO statement read, “The Interpol General Assembly meeting is taking place in India after a gap of about 25 years – it was last held in 1997. India’s proposal to host the Interpol General Assembly in 2022 at New Delhi coinciding with celebrations for the 75th year of India’s independence was accepted by the General Assembly with an overwhelming majority,” The event provides an opportunity to showcase best practices in India’s law and order system to the entire world. 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 solely 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 either by mail to the above address or by e-mail 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 Manish 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 Visit: www.indiathisweek.online Advertisements ADV Solutions Inc. Tel: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 e-Mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Letters, Comments, Press Releases e-Mail: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com
FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2022 7 Coming Soon: The Grandview and Woodleigh Chase The Grandview SENIOR LIVING IN THE PERFEC T LOC ATION Conceptual Rendering Two New Senior Living Communities Erickson Senior Living®, a national leader in senior living, is proud to announce two brand-new communities coming soon! The Grandview in Bethesda offers sophisticated living just minutes from shopping and dining. Woodleigh Chase in Fairfax features resort-style amenities and services on a beautiful campus. Woodleigh Chase Sales Centers Now Open! Call 1-855-479-8095 or visit NewInSeniorLiving.com for your free brochure. Conceptual Rendering The Grandview is pending approval from the Maryland Department of Aging. New Deputy Chief of Mission Sripriya Ranganathan is welcomed by the Diaspora Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan joined as the new Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India, Washington DC in August. A career diplomat since 1994, she arrived in DC after serving as the ambassador of Korea for four years. She has previously served in numerous high profile diplomatic positions in countries such as Myanmar, Turkey and Hongkong. She has served in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Her other assignments include head of Bangladesh, Myanmar, the SAARC, and the Policy Planning Division, Director in the Disarmament & International Security Affairs Divisions, Under Secretary in the Administration and Europe West Divisions. The Indian Diaspora welcomed Ambassador Ranganathan. Anand Poojary, Mukund Santhanam, Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, Elisha Pulivarti, Mihir Jaiswal The Diaspora is organizing different events to welcome her further in upcoming days. The CEO of US India SME council Elisha Pulivarti spoke about the importance of SME and the partnership between India and the US in promoting small and medium enterprises. The owner of Woodlands hotel Anand Poojary also welcomed her. Ambassador Ranganathan is married Mr Mukund Santhanam and has one child. She speaks Tamil, Hindi, English and a little Turkish. She has a master’s degree in history from Delhi University. She makes an effort to promote women’s leadership and empowerment – issues which are very close to her heart. 474800 THE GRANDVIEW, Bethesda WOODLEIGH CHASE, Fair fax Dharmendra Pradhan to kickstart public consultation on National Credit framework tomorrow New Delhi [India], October 18 (ANI): Union Education and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will start the process of public consultation on the National Credit Framework from tomorrow. Pradhan chaired a high-level meeting with the committee preparing National Credit Framework for School Education, Higher Education and Skilling in Ministry. “The Minister has given his consent to start the process of public consultation on the National Credit Framework from tomorrow,” the Education Ministry said in a statement. School Education Secretary Anita Karwal, Higher Education Secretary Sanjay Murthy, NCVET Chairman Dr Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi and senior officials of the Education and Skill Development Ministry attended the meeting. The Government of India had approved the constitution of a High-Level Committee on November 18 in 2021 to develop a National Credit Accumulation and Transfer Framework for both vocational and general education. The Credit Framework would enable the integration of academic and vocational domains or components of learning and ensure flexibility and mobility between the two.
October 21, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Congress President Poll: Kharge sweeps votes; “Revival of party begins today,” says Tharoor CONGRESS PRESIDENT FROM PAGE 1 to Kharge as the party president. “I can’t comment on Congress President’s role, that’s for Mr. Kharge (party’s Presidential candidate) to comment on. The President will decide what my role is... and where I will be deployed ask Kharge ji, Sonia ji,” said the Congress MP in Kurnool amid the Andhra Pradesh leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra. Meanwhile, other leaders of the party congratulated Kharge on his victory. Party leader Jairam Ramesh said that Kharge’s victory is a triumph for the forces who place ideological commitment over personal glory. “Mallikarjun Kharge has completed 50 years in electoral politics. He has distinguished himself as a legislator and Minister in the state and at the Centre. He is a shining symbol of social empowerment inspired by Nehru, Ambedkar, Indira Gandhi, and Devaraj Urs,” Ramesh said in a tweet. He further said that Kharge has always avoided flamboyance and has been the quintessential organization man working in a self-effacing manner to advance the collective interests of the Congress party. He has the good wishes of all Congressmen and Congresswomen, he added. Rajasthan Cong leader Sachin Pilot greeted Kharge and said that he has faith that the latter’s experience will benefit the party “Mallikarjun Kharge won with a huge majority; a win of democracy. I congratulated him. I’ve faith his experience will benefit the party...9000 elected people elected the President, this was never done before by any party. Opposition must be nervous today,” said Pilot. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said that Kharge has won with eight times more votes than Tharoor. “Mallikarjun Kharge wins the Congress presidential elections with 7897 votes, Shashi Tharoor got about 1000 votes. Kharge has won with 8 times more votes,” said Tiwari. For the first time in 24 years, the party has got a chief who does not belong to the Nehru-Gandhi family. The new president will take place of Sonia Gandhi who has been serving as interim president after Rahul Gandhi stepped down from the post following the party’s debacle in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Congress sources also said the elected president will take charge after Diwali in the presence of senior leaders in a program at the Congress headquarters. Meanwhile, ahead of the declaration of results for the party’s top post, the Shashi Tharoor camp approached the party’s election authority alleging that it suspected “extremely serious irregularities” in Uttar Pradesh on the day of the polling and demanded that all votes from the state be deemed invalid. In a letter to Congress Central Authority Chairman Madhusudan Mistry, Salman Soz the election agent to Tharoor wrote about “disturbing facts” including “reports of minor violations” guidelines in a few states including Uttar Pradesh during the polling on Monday. The ex-Member of Parliament (MP) Salman Anees Soz in his letter underlined that they had no evidence that Mallikarjun Kharge was aware of how his supporters were engaging in electoral malpractice in Uttar Pradesh. Incidentally, Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates. “Congress presented example of democracy when...”: Kharge after winning party’s presidential poll Mallikarjun Kharge, who was elected new Congress president on Wednesday, said that the party has presented an “example of strengthening the country’s democracy by conducting organisational elections” at a time when “democracy is in danger” in the country. Kharge said Congress has “continuously strengthened democracy” in the 75-year history of the country and protected the Constitution. “Now when democracy is in danger and Constitution is being attacked, and every institution is being broken, Congress has presented an example of strengthening the country’s democracy by conducting organisational elections at the national level. I thank everyone connected with the election,” he said. He also congratulated Tharoor and said that they discussed methods to take the party forward. Tharoor had visited Kharge’s residence to congratulate him on his victory. “I want to congratulate my partner Shashi Tharoor as well. We were contesting the election as representatives. He met me and we discussed how to take the party forward,” Kharge said. The Congress president-elect expressed his gratitude to outgoing party chief Sonia Gandhi and said that she made “personal sacrifices” for a number of years to serve the party. He also hailed her leadership stating that the Congress-led coalition came to power at the Centre twice while she was party chief. “I want to thank Sonia Gandhi on behalf of all party workers. She has made personal sacrifices and served the party for 25 years with hard sweat and blood. Under her leadership, we formed our government at the Centre twice. Her tenure (as party president) will be remembered in history,” he said. Kharge appealed to people to join former party president Rahul Gandhi in Bharat Jodo Yatra. “The biggest problem in the country is inflation and unemployment, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening and hatred is being spread by the government. Rahul Gandhi has undertaken the 3,570 km-long yatra to create a mass movement against these problems. The entire country is connecting with his struggle. I appeal to the people of the country to join the Bharat Jodo Yatra with Rahul Gandhi for the country’s welfare,” he said. “We all have to work like workers of the party, nobody is big or small in the party. We have to unitedly fight against the fascist forces that are attacking the democratic institutions under the garb of communalism,” Kharge added. Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, who was present at the press conference, said that Kharge will take charge on October 26. Earlier today, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on reached Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence and congratulated him on being elected as the new party president. Rahul Gandhi also extended wishes to Kharge and said that the post he has been elected to “represents a democratic vision of India”. Gandhi said that Kharge’s vast experience will serve the party well. “Congratulations to Mallikarjun Khargeji on being elected as the President of @INCIndia. The Congress President represents a democratic vision of India. His vast experience and ideological commitment will serve the party well as he takes on this historic responsibility,” Gandhi tweeted. Chairman of Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) Madhusudan Mistry declared that Kharge has been elected the new president of the party. “May he have a fruitful tenure ahead”: PM Modi extends best wishes to Kharge Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his best wishes to former union minister Mallikarjun Kharge on his election as Congress chief and wished him a fruitful tenure. “My best wishes to Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji for his new responsibility as President of @INCIndia. May he have a fruitful tenure ahead,” PM Modi said in a tweet.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2022 9 Wearing masks, Covid-appropriate behaviour to continue in country: Official sources New Delhi [India], October 18 (ANI):Ameeting of Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya with the senior health officials regarding the emergence of Omicron’s new subvariants concluded with the decision to continue masks and COVID19-appropriate behaviour across the country, official sources told ANI. The team of scientists, doctors and senior officials has also recommended increasing surveillance and genome sequencing. According to the sources, Niti Aayog member VK Paul, the Chairperson of COVID-19 working group NTAGI NK Arora, NTAGI officials, NEGVAC officials and other senior health officials, as per the official sources. Earlier on Tuesday, Maharashtra recorded a 17.7 per cent rise in coronavirus cases compared to last week, according to a state health department bulletin. The state has reported new Covid cases including the XBB, a new sub-variant of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV2 virus, which has been detected in parts of India, including Kerala. Apart from this, Maharashtra has reported cases from other subvariants of OmicronBA.2.3.20 and BQ.1 variant, which was detected for the first time in India on Monday from the sample of a patient in Pune. XBB, a recombinant lineage between two Omicron sublineages BJ.1 and BA.2.75, is a fast-spreading variant, which was seen to have caused a spike across Singapore recently. As per the Maharashtra Health Department report, the XBB has a growth advantage over BA.2.75 and evasive immune properties. On October 17, India detected its first case of Omicron’s BQ.1 subvariant in a sample of a patient from Pune. The BQ.1 is a descendant of BA.5, which is behind the 60 per cent of COVID cases in the United States (US), as per reports. Some experts from the health department predicted a rise in the coming winter season, especially in a festive environment. In Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), BA.2.75 decreased to 76 per cent from 95 per cent. M a h a r a s h t r a ’s health department and experts have asked not to ignore flu-like symptoms and seek medical advice at the earliest. They have advised observing Covidappropriate behaviour in public places and getting vaccinated as per Government of India guidelines. Experts from the department suggest that people with comorbidities need to take extra precautions while visiting public places. People suffering from Influenzalike illnesses should avoid public contact as much as possible. The BF.7 is also reported in Gujarat which is confirmed by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre. BF.7 is known as ‘Omicron spawn’ that was first detected in China and now reached the United States, the UK, Australia, and Belgium. Meanwhile, the Kerala government on October 17 held a highlevel meeting under health minister Veena George. It said it is intensifying preventive measures in view of the new genetic variations of COVID-19 (XBB and XBB1) being reported from other parts of the world. “Necessary instructions have been given to all the districts. The new strain is more contagious than any other strain of Covid-19 so far. Hence the resistance is strengthened. About 1.8 per cent of those infected may require hospital treatment. There is no cause for concern at present. But everyone should be careful. Everyone should wear a mask properly for selfprotection. Masks must be worn by the elderly and those with co-morbidities. The minister requested that masks be worn at the airport and in closed places,” the Kerala health department said. While talking to ANI, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Health Expert and Member of Task Force, Covid in Kerala, India said, “These are immune escape variants. Ever since Omicron arrived in November 2021, it has been giving off branches which divide into smaller branches. Of these, BA.2 and BA.5 proved to be stronger than the rest.” “From BA.2 and BA.5, a series of sublineages kept appearing. Each of these had additional mutations which were concentrated on the RBD or receptor binding domain of the spike protein of the virus. This is the part that the virus uses to attach to the human cell,” he said. “With convergent evolution involving about 5 frequently found mutations, the virus is now able to escape the immune response to the earlier versions, either from natural infection or through vaccination. This is why they are called immune evasive variants .BA.5.1.7 and BF.7 are names given to downstream descendants of BA.5,” he further explained. Dr Rajeev also said that as the pandemic isn’t over, precautions still need to be taken, “What we must realise is that the pandemic is not over, and there will be periodic regional surges that especially coincide with festivals and group gatherings. Wearing masks indoors and preferring outdoor to indoor gatherings are safe options. The vulnerable individuals will need to be specially protected.” (ANI)
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