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Monday, September 30, 2019

Mahatma Gandhi (Oct 02,1869 - Jan 30,1948)150th Birth Anniversary Wed Oct 02,2019

Mahatma Gandhi 150th Birth Anniversary 2019

 Every year on 2 October, the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi is observed with prayer services and tributes across the nation.

This year, India will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi.

Born on 2 October, 1869, Gandhi incorporated a non-violent resistance, taking the forefront of India's freedom struggle movement against the colonial British rule. Raised in a Hindu family in coastal Gujarat's Porbandar, Gandhi's (popularly known as Bapu) relentless work to ensure India's Independence from British colonialism

fueled the UN General Assembly’s decision on 15 June, 2007, to adopt a resolution to celebrate 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence.

The event marking the birth anniversary of the Father of The Nation includes several activities – prayer meetings, commemorative ceremonies observed in schools and colleges in different cities, government and socio-political institutions.

International Day of Older Persons - October 01

Today is International Day of Older Persons. 
 
The day is observed on 1st October every year to reaffirm the commitment to promoting the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by older persons. 

The objective of the United Nations International Day for Older Persons is to recognise the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives. 
 
The theme this year is, 'Celebrating Older Human Rights champions'. 

According to the United Nations, almost 700 million people are now over the age of 60, and by 2050, 2 billion people, over 20 per cent of the world's population, will be 60 or older. 

The increase in the number of older people will be the greatest and the most rapid in the developing world, with Asia as the region with the largest number of older persons, and Africa facing the largest proportionate growth.

With this in mind, enhanced attention to the particular needs and challenges faced by older people is clearly required. 


2019-20 Third Quarter Oct - Dec'19 - Interest Rates of Various Small Savings Schemes

The Narendra Modi led NDA Govment has kept interest rates of post office small savings schemes, including that of Public Provident Fund (PPF), Sukanya Samriddhi Account, NSC and Senior Citizen Savings Scheme unchanged for the October to December 2019 quarter.

The interest rate on small savings schemes including PPF are revised on a quarterly basis.

So PPF and National Savings Certificates or NSC will continue to fetch 7.9% interest rate annually for the October to December 2019 quarter.

Sukanya Samriddhi Account and Senior Citizen Savings Scheme continue to offer higher rates than other small savings schemes.

The girl child savings scheme Sukanya Samriddhi Account will continue to fetch 8.4% (compounded annually.

The five-year Senior Citizens Savings Scheme will also continue to offer a interest rate of 8.6%.

"On the basis of the decision of the government, interest rates for small savings schemes are notified on quarterly basis since 1 April 2016. Accordingly, the rates of interest of various small savings schemes for the third quarter of the financial year 2019-20 starting from 1 October 2019 and ending on 31 December 2019 shall remain unchanged from those notified for the second quarter (1st July 2019 to 30 September 2019) of financial year 2019-20," the finance ministry said in a statement.

Another small savings scheme Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) will continue to offer interest rate of 7.6% (compounded annually) with maturity of 113 months. Or, in other others, investments will double in 113 months.

The five-year Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (MIS), where interest is paid out monthly, will continue to offer 7.6%.

Post office term deposits of 1-3 years continue to offer interest rate of 6.9% while the five-year at 7.7%. Post office 5-year recurring deposits will fetch 7.2%.
 

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Initial Public Offer(IPO)Monday Sep 30,2019


The initial public offer (IPO) of state-owned Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will open for subscription on Monday, September 30,2019

The offer is a part of the government's divestment programme for the current financial year 2019-20 and shares will be offered to employees and retail investors at a discount to the final price.

The issue will close on October03,2019

The book running lead managers to the issue are IDBI Capital Markets & Securities, SBI Capital Markets and YES Securities (India)

Company profile



IRCTC is a central public sector enterprise (CPSEs) wholly-owned by the Government of India and under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways.

It is the only entity authorised by Indian Railways to provide catering services to railways, online railway tickets and packaged drinking water at railway stations and trains around the country.

The website of the company, irctc.co.in, is among the most frequented website with about 25 to 28 million transactions per month. It has also diversified into other businesses, including non-railway catering and services such as e-catering, executive lounges and budget hotels, which are in line with its objective to build a "one-stop solution" for customers.

Currently, IRCTC operates four business segments - internet ticketing, catering, packaged drinking water under the "Rail Neer" brand, and travel and tourism.

IPO details

The issue comprises an offer for sale of 2,01,60,000 shares (representing 12.50 percent of total paid-up equity) of the face value Rs 10 each by the President of India.
Out of the total issue size, 1,60,000 equity shares are reserved for eligible employees. The company has offered a discount of Rs 10 per Equity Share on the Offer Price for the retail category and to eligible employees.
The minimum bid lot is 40 equity shares and in multiples of 40 equity shares thereafter.

IPO price band and size

The company aims to raise Rs 635.04 crore at Rs 315 per share, the lower end of price band and Rs 645.12 crore at Rs 320 per share, the higher end of the price band.

Objects of Issue

The objects of the offer are to carry out the disinvestment of 2,01,60,000 equity shares by the selling shareholder constituting 12.60 percent of company’s paid-up equity share capital and to achieve the benefits of listing the equity shares on the stock exchanges.
The company will not receive any proceeds from the offer and all proceeds shall go to the selling shareholder, the Government of India.

Competitive Strengths

  • IRCTC is the only entity authorized by Indian Railways to offer railway tickets online through the website irctc.co.in and mobile application, 'Rail Connect'.

  • As a CPSE under the Ministry of Railways, it is the only entity authorised to manage the catering services on board trains and major static units at railway stations under the Catering Policy 2017.

  • It is a comprehensive tourism and hospitality service provider in India.

  • It is the only entity authorised by the Ministry of Railways to manufacture and distribute packaged drinking water at all railway stations and trains, subject to availability of Rail Neer.

  • It has a robust operating system and internal controls that has enabled it to deliver quality products and services to customers across different segments of operation.

  • It has a diversified board and senior management team with significant experience.

Business Strategies

  • Diversifying and offering new services to the passengers of Indian Railways and others.

  • To strengthen and enhance the services provided by Indian Railways, and tap opportunities presented by digital payments in the Indian economy which are growing at a significant pace.

  • To continue capturing new opportunities arising from the Catering Policy 2017, such as providing catering services on trains having pantry car service.

  • To leverage the significant number of visitors on the website, it intends to continuously develop online offerings with enhanced product design capabilities and other value-added services in order to offer customers a personalised experience.

  • Strengthen operational efficiencies.

Shareholding

Currently (pre-issue), promoter, the President of India holds 100 percent of the equity shares of company, out of which 15,99,99,944 equity shares are held by the President of India and an aggregate of 56 equity shares are held by VK Yadav, Purnendu Sekhar Mishra, Vijay Kumar, Vishwesh Chaube, Sushant Kumar Mishra, Sunil Mathur and Anurag as the nominees of the President of India.
After the public offer, the promoters will hold 87.40 percent of the post-offer paid-up equity share capital of the company.

Financials



The internet ticketing segment contributed 12.35 percent to its total FY19 revenue against 13.63 percent in the previous year and catering business 55 percent to total revenue against 48.70 percent.
Meanwhile, packaged drinking water under the 'Rail Neer' brand's contribution to revenue stood at 9.28 percent against 11.13 percent in the year-ago period and travel and tourism 23.38 percent against 26.54 percent.
Total revenue from its four segments at Rs 1,899.4 crore grew by 25 percent compared to FY18

SBI new service charges from today: From ATM withdrawal to minimum balance to cash deposits Tuesday Oct 02,2019



State Bank of India (SBI) will revise service charges with effect from Tuesday October 01,2019.

SBI allows certain amount of cash deposits and withdrawals to its customers, exceeding which, the bank charges penalty.

Similarly, SBI customers are supposed to maintain an average monthly balance (AMB), depending upon the specific branch. The bank has categorised branches into three categories—metro, semi-urban and rural branches.

1) Non-maintenance of average monthly balance (AMB)

Country's largest lender State Bank of India has categorised accounts into three categories, metro and urban centre branches, semi-urban centre branches and rural centre branches. Depending upon the category of branches, SBI allows AMB and failing to maintain the amount, the bank charges a certain amount of fine. Under the revised rule, if someone does not maintain 3,000 as AMB in metro and urban centre branches, and falls short by 50 per cent, the individual will be charged 10 plus GST. If the account holder falls short by more than 50-75 per cent, it will invite a fine of 12 plus GST. If the account holder falls short by more than 75 percent, it will invite a fine of 15 plus GST.

Metro & Urban Centre branches
AMB of 3000
Shortfall <=50% 10 +GST
Shortfall >50 –75% 12 +GST
Shortfall > 75% 15 +GST
In semi-urban branches, SBI account holder needs to maintain an average monthly balance of 2,000.

Semi-Urban Centre branches
AMB of 2000
Shortfall <=50% 7.50 +GST
Shortfall >50 –75% 10 + GST
Shortfall > 75% 12+GST
And, in rural branches, the average monthly balance is 1,000.

Rural Centre branches
AMB of 1000
Shortfall <=50% 5 +GST
Shortfall >50 –75% Rs7.50 +GST

2) Free monthly cash withdrawal from SBI branches
Average Monthly Balance (AMB) in Savings Bank
Upto 25,000: 2 plus GST
Above 25,000 upto 50,000: 10 plus GST
Above 50,000 upto 1,00,000: 15 plus GST
Above 1,00,000: Unlimited transaction

3) NEFT and RTGS charges

While Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) transactions through digital means are free, fees is imposed at branches.

NEFT transaction at branches

For NEFT transactions upto 10,000, SBI charges 2 plus GST from its customers.
NEFT transactions above 10,000 and upto 1 lakh will be charged 4 plus GST. Above 1 lakh and upto 2 lakh transactions, SBI charges 12 plus GST and for above 2 lakh transactions, the bank charges 20 plus GST
Upto 10,000 - 2 + GST
Above 10,000 and upto 1 lakh - 4 + GST
Above 1 lakh and upto 2 lakh - 12 + GST
Above 2 lakh - 20 + GST

RTGS transaction at branches

For RTGS transfer between 2 lakh to 5 lakh, a customer must pay 20 plus GST. RTGS transfer above 5 lakh will be charged 40 plus GST.
 
2 lakh to 5 lakh 20 +GST

Above 5 lakh 40 +GST

4) Cash deposit transactions

SBI allows 3 free cash deposit transactions in a month. Beyond these 3 transactions in a month (excluding alternate channel transactions), the bank will charge 50 plus GST per transaction

5) Cash withdrawals

An SBI account holder maintaining average monthly balance up to 25,000 will be allowed two free cash withdrawals at bank branches. An SBI account holder with average monthly balance above 25,000 and up to 50,000 will get 10 free cash withdrawals. Above 50,000 and up to 1,00,000 in their account will be allowed 15 free cash withdrawals at bank branches. If the average monthly balance in your account is above 1,00,000, the account holder can do unlimited number of free cash withdrawals.
Up to 25,000 - 2
Above 25,000 up to 50,000 - 10
Above 50,000 and up to 1,00,000 - 15
Above 1,00,000 - Unlimited
Charges for transactions beyond the free limit ( per transaction) 50 + GST

2019 Haryana Assembly Election - BJP releases its first list of 78 candidates out of the 90 seats Monday Sep 30,2019


Olympic medallist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, woman wrestler Babita Phogat and former Indian hockey captain Sandeep Singh were among 78 candidates named by BJP for Haryana assembly elections to be held across on October 212019



 While Dutt will contest from Baroda, Phogat will fight polls from Dadri and Singh from Pehowa. In the same list, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has been picked to fight elections from Karnal once again. Khattar had won from Karnal seat in 2014


Banks to remain closed for 11 days in Oct 2019

Banks will remain closed for 11 days this month with Dussehra and Diwali and national events between October 2 and October 29,2019

You should also keep in mind holidays declared by the central government are applicable to all public and private sector banks. However, the dates may differ from one bank to another and from one state to another.

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notification, October holiday list is inclusive of the second and fourth Saturdays, Sundays and they are exclusive of the public holidays in different states.

Also, please visit your respective banks for the complete list of holidays in October 2019

Here’s the full list of bank holidays in October 2019

  1. October 2: Gandhi Jayanti
  2. October 6: Sunday
  3. October 7: Navami
  4. October 8: Dussehra
  5. October 12: Second Saturday
  6. October 13: Sunday
  7. October 20: Sunday
  8. October 26: Fourth Saturday
  9. October 27: Diwali
  10. October 28: Govardhan Puja
  11. October 29: Bhai Dooj

2019 Bigg Boss -13th season of the Hindi Version begins Sunday Sep 29,2019


The 13th season of the popular reality show Bigg Boss premiered on television on Sunday night.

The show host Salman Khan made a smashing appearance at the event and also introduced all the 13 contestants.

Unlike the previous two seasons, this season will not house any commoner and will be an only-celeb show.

Detailed profiles of all the Bigg Boss 13 contestants



1) Rashami Desai
Rashami shot to instant fame with her portrayal of Tapasya in popular TV show Uttaran. She also fell in love and later tied the knot with her co-star Nandish Sandhu.

Her personal life came into the limelight when she announced separation from her husband Nandish. Rashami is all the highest-paid season this year.

2) Sidharth Shukla
One of the most sought after actor in the TV industry, Sidharth Shukla has featured in popular shows like Babul Ka Aangann Chootey Na, Love U Zindagi, Balika Vadhu and Dil Se Dil Tak.




 He also played a part in Alia Bhatt-Varun Dhawan starrer Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania

3) Devoleena Bhattacharjee
Devoleena became a household name after she portrayed one of television's most loved characters, Gopi Bahu in hit show Saath Nibhaana Saathiya.



The actress who is quite different from her character on screen is amongst top contenders in the show

4) Daljeet Kaur 
TV actress Daljeet featured in popular shows like Kulvaddhu, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, Kaala Teeka and she won the dance reality show Nach Baliye 4 with her husband.



Her personal life made headlines when she accused her husband and co-star Shaleen Bhanot for domestic violence. The couple got divorced in 2015

5) Koena Mitra 
Actress Koena Mitra had a very short stint in Bollywood. She has featured in a couple of music videos such as Saki SakiIshq, Aaj Ki Raat, Akh Teri, Channo. Koena also starred in films like  Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena and Apna Sapna Money Money.



6) Shefali Bagga
For the first time, the audience will see a news reporter as a contestant.  Shefali is a popular new anchor with Tez.

She covers entertainment beat and it will interesting to see her deal with celebs on a daily basis.

7) Abu Malik 
Abu Malik is popular music composer Anu Malik's brother. Although he has been away from the limelight for years, his stint in movies like Bad Luck Govind, Kismat Bole Toh is remembered.


8) Shehnaaz Gill
Punjabi actress Shehnaaz Gill, who introduced herself as 'Punjab Ki Katrina Kaif', made her debut with film Kala Sha Kala in 2019.



She has featured in popular music videos such as ‘Yeah Baby’, Lakh Laahnta’

9) Mahira Sharma
Mahira Sharma is an actress but is popular as a Tik Tok star of late. She has featured in comedy shows like ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ and ‘Partners Trouble Ho Gayi Double’. She also played a pivotal role in Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Naagin 3’.



10)Asim Riaz
Asim Riaz is a model from Jammu and Kashmir. He hopes to gain fame through Bigg Boss


11)Arti Singh
TV actress Arti Singh is more popular for Bollywood connections than her roles. She is Govinda's niece and popular comedian Krushna Abhishek's sister. She was accompanied by Krushna to the show. The actress hopes to make it big through Bigg Boss.



12) Paras Chabbra
Bigg Boss would be Paras's second stint at a reality show. He first appeared in controversial show Spitsvilla

13) Sidharth Dey 
Although not a celebrity, Sidharth has always worked behind the curtains of some of the most popular shows and films. He is a script and lyrics writer and has been associated with many of Salman's projects in the past.

Tunisia presidential run-off vote set for October 13,2019


The second round of voting in Tunisia’s presidential election, pitting law professor Kais Saied against imprisoned media mogul Nabil Karoui, will be held on October 13, 2019 the head of the country’s electoral commission said Friday Sep 27,2019 

Saied and Karoui, both seen as outsider candidates, came out on top in the first round of voting  held on September 15. Saied claimed 18.40 percent of the vote and Karoui 15.58 percent.

Karoui is under investigation for alleged money-laundering and has been in pre-trial detention since August 23. His lawyers are seeking his release from jail before the run-off. Accused of tax evasion and money laundering, he says he’s the victim of a smear campaign.

Karoui remains eligible to run despite his imprisonment, as long as any conviction does not also specifically deprive him of his civil rights
The elections had originally been planned for 17 and 24 November, but were brought forward after the death of incumbent Beji Caid Essebsi


Tens of thousands rally in Moscow urging release of jailed opposition protesters Sunday Sep 29,2019

Thousands gathered in Moscow Sunday Sep 29,2019 for a demonstration demanding the release of opposition protesters prosecuted in recent months. 

Police estimated a turnout of 20,000 at the Sakharov Avenue in central Moscow about half an hour after the start of the protest, which was authorised.

The demonstrators chanted "let them go" and brandished placards demanding a halt to "repressions" of opposition protesters.

Several protesters who were charged but freed in recent weeks thanked the crowd for putting pressure on the authorities.

"We have to keep demanding to respect our rights, because they have left us no choice but to protest in the streets," said opposition leader Lyubov Sobol.

2019 Austrian Legislative Election Sunday Sep 29,2019


Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's People's Party (ÖVP) won a clear victory in the snap election held on sunday Sep 29,2019

Kurz's party scored 37.1 percent in Sunday's vote — an increase of 5.7 percentage points compared with the 2017 poll.

The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) suffered a worse-than-expected loss, down almost 10 percentage points to around 16%, a sign that the party's reputation may have suffered after a corruption scandal earlier this year.

The center-left Social Democrats (SPÖ) plunged five percentage points to around 22%, the party's worst results since World War II.

The Greens gained 10.2 points to reach 14%, raising the prospect of a coalition between the ÖVP and the Greens.

The election is necessiated by the collapse in May'19 of Kurz's coalition with the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) after a video sting operation that forced Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of the FPO to step down.

Kurz, 33, has emerged largely unscathed from the scandal, even gaining voters from the FPO whose support has slipped to roughly one-fifth of the electorate from just over one-quarter in the last vote in 2017

About 6.4 million Austrians aged 16 and older were eligible to vote. The turnout was 75.5 percent.
What happens next?

The People's Party triumphed in eight of Austria's nine federal states, losing only Vienna to the Social Democrats.

Despite the People's Party's strong showing, it will not have a majority in parliament and Mr Kurz will need coalition partners.

The 33-year-old could choose to renew his alliance with the Freedom Party - the source of the scandal - but may want to look at other options.

A three-way pact with the Greens (which received 12.4% of the vote) and the liberal pro-business Neos party (7.4%) is considered far more likely than a grand coalition with the Social Democrats (21.5%).

Who is Sebastian Kurz?

The son of a secretary and a teacher, he became active in the People's Party at the age of 16.

As a law student in Vienna he was elected chairman of the party's youth wing. He quit his studies in 2011 to become a junior interior minister, rising to foreign minister in 2013 at the age of 27.

Two years later he presented a plan to improve the integration of immigrants. However, he was also full of praise for Hungary's populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and claimed credit for closing the Balkan migrant route in 2016.

Elected chairman in May 2017, he rebranded the party as the Turquoise Movement then served as chancellor from December 2017 to May 2019, when the Ibiza-gate brought down the coalition.


Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Launched In India








The Maruti Suzuki  S-Presso has been launched in India and prices start at ₹ 3.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)



Dubbed as a mini SUV, the S-Presso is based on Maruti Future S concept, which was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo.


The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, with its tall, upright stance, decent ground clearance and bold design does have SUV-like characteristics.



 The front end, especially, takes its design cues from the Vitara Brezza with a sleek, chrome laden grille and square-ish headlamps and a muscular bumper.

Viewed in profile, the S-Presso mini SUV has a tall stance and a boxy shape and does manage to stand out of the crowd in the hatchback space.

At the rear, the SPresso gets a big boot lid and square-like tail lamps.

Friday, September 27, 2019

2019 Right Livelihood Award( known as Sweden’s alternative Nobel Prize) - Sweden's Greta Thunberg named as one of four winners Wed Sep 25,2019


Swedish teenage Climate Activist Greta Thunberg was named on Wednesday Sep 25,2019 as one of four winners of the 2019 Right Livelihood Award, known as Sweden’s alternative Nobel Prize



Thunberg won the award “for inspiring and amplifying political demands for urgent climate action reflecting scientific facts,” the Right Livelihood Foundation said in a statement.

Thunberg, 16, denounced world leaders on Monday Sep 23,2019 for failing to tackle Climate Change in a Speech  at the start of a climate summit at the United Nations in New York.

Thunberg shares the award with Brazilian indigenous leader Davi Kopenawa of the Yanomami people, Chinese women’s rights lawyer Guo Jianmei and Western Sahara human rights defender Aminatou Haidar.

“With the 2019 Right Livelihood Award, we honour four practical visionaries whose leadership has empowered millions of people to defend their inalienable rights and to strive for a liveable future for all on planet Earth,” the foundation said in the statement.

The four laureates will receive a cash award of 1 million Swedish crowns ($103,000) each.
tags

World Tourism Day - September 27

 

World Tourism Day is celebrated every year by the United Nations World Tourism Organization since  September 27,1980

This date was chosen to be so because, on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted.

The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the role of tourism and to focus on the fact that travelling has a major social, cultural, political and economic effect on all of our lives

The theme was "Sustainable Tourism" in 2017

 

 In 2018, it was "Tourism and the Digital Transformation"

 

 The theme for 2019 is "Tourism and Jobs — A Better Future For All"

 


 

 

Countries with the Largest Jewish Population (2018)


Rank Country
Population
% of World Jewry
1
United States
6,925,475*
47.7%
2
Israel
6,744,000*
46.2%
3
France
453,000
3.1%
4
Canada
390,500
2.7%
5
U.K.
290,000
2.0%
6
Argentina
180,300
1.2%
7
Russia 
172,000
1.2%
8
Germany
116,000
0.8%
9
Australia
113,400
0.8%
10
Brazil
93,200
0.6%
11
South Africa
69,000
0.5%
12
Ukraine
50,000
0.3%
13
Hungary
47,400
0.3%
14
Mexico
40,000
0.3%
15
Netherlands
29,800
0.2%

 

Thursday, September 26, 2019

2019 India TB Report - Rise in notified Tuberculosis cases— breakup by state, age, gender



On Wednesday Sep 25,2019, the Centre released the India TB Report 2019, which showed a 16% increase in the number of cases in 2018 as compared to the previous year.

The report said 21.5 lakh TB cases were notified to the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in 2018

 India accounted for a quarter of the Global TB burden with an estimated 27 lakh new cases in the year.

Of the total notifications, 25% (5.4 lakh) cases were from the private sector; a 40% increase over last year.

 Among the notified, treatment was initiated for about 19.1 lakh cases (90%) across both public and private sectors.

The majority of the affected individuals (89%) were in the age group 15-69.


State by state

Uttar Pradesh, with 17% of the population of the country, reported 4.2 lakh cases, accounting for 20% of all notifications (187 cases/lakh population).

Between 2017 and 2018, Haryana saw a large increase in the number of cases, data from the report show (see table). Cases increased significantly in Rajasthan and UP, as well as Delhi.

On the other hand, Odisha witnessed a decline in the number of notified cases from over 67,000 in 2017 to 50,244 in 2018, or about 25%. Odisha was the only such state; the Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands too witnessed a drop.

The two UTs of Delhi and Chandigarh had the highest number of notified patients per lakh population, at 417 and 468, respectively. Their rates of notification are higher because people from many other parts of India get notified from these UTs, the report said.



TB & HIV

TB is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV, and HIV co-infection rates among incident TB patients is estimated to be 3% — 86,000 HIV-associated TB patients are emerging annually. The mortality in this group is very high, and 11,000 people with HIV die every year due to TB, the report said.

India is the third highest HIV-burden country in the world, with an adult prevalence of 0.22%. The report said people living with HIV are at 21 times higher risk of developing TB. Nearly 25% of all deaths among people living with HIV are estimated to be due to TB




Saudi Arabia to offer tourist visas


Saudi Arabia said on Friday Sep 27,2019  it will offer tourist visas for the first time, opening up the ultra-conservative kingdom to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil.

Kick-starting tourism is one of the centrepieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform programme to prepare the biggest Arab economy for a post-oil era.

The announcement comes just two weeks after devastating attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure -- blamed by Washington on Iran -- which roiled global energy markets.

“Opening Saudi Arabia to international tourists is a historic moment for our country,” tourism chief Ahmed al-Khateeb said in a statement.

“Visitors will be surprised... by the treasures we have to share -- five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a vibrant local culture and breathtaking natural beauty.”

Saudi Arabia will open applications for online tourist visas to citizens of 49 countries on Saturday Sep 28,2019

Mahatma Gandhi’s 80-year-old letter wishing Jews ‘era of peace’ unveiled by National Library of Israel(NLI)


A short handwritten letter by Mahatma Gandhi 80-years-ago on the same day the World War II broke out, wishing the “afflicted (Jewish) people” an “era of peace”, has been unveiled for the first time by the National Library of Israel(NLI)



Gandhi wrote the letter to Head of the Bombay Zionist Association (BZA) A E Shohet, who was trying to enlist support of Indian leaders in favour of the movement to establish a national home for the Jewish people.

Written on the occasion of Rosh Hashana (Jewish new year) on September 1, 1939, the letter also marked the beginning of the World War II when Germany invaded Poland, setting the stage for the despicable atrocities of the Holocaust.

“The timing of the greeting reflects the extent to which Nazi persecution of Jews was of concern to global citizenry at the time. In hindsight, it also presents a chilling portent of the horrors to come,” said Zach Rothbart, incharge of communications at National Library of Israel (NLI)

Gandhi’s greetings came to light as part of a major initiative launched by the NLI, with support from the Leir Foundation, to review and describe millions of items in its archival collections, including personal papers, photographs and documents from many of the 20th century’s most prominent cultural figures.

The letter, for the first time, has been posted online by the NLI.

“Dear Shohet, You have my good wishes for your new year. How I wish the new year may mean an era of peace for your afflicted people. Yours sincerely, M K Gandhi,” the letter reads.

Shohet was an Indian Jew from the Baghdadi community in Bombay. He headed BZA and served as the editor of ‘The Jewish Advocate’

A firm believer in the Zionist cause, the Indian-Jewish community leader saw the movement as the only way to unify the diverse Jewish population of Bombay, which included the long-established wealthy Baghdadi Jewish community, the Bene Israel Indian Jewish community and the local European Jewish community

Perturbed by Gandhi’s perceived silence on the question of persecution of the German Jewry and the Indian National Congress’ neutral attitude on the matter, Shohet had been pursuing Indian leader to win him over on his side.

Gandhi, who often came under criticism for his reluctance to declare his views on the Arab-Jewish question in Palestine and the persecution of German Jews, in an article ‘The Jews’ published on November 26, 1938 in the ‘Harijan’ newspaper suggested “satyagraha” or non-violent resistance as his solution to both the problems.

He suggested that the Jews in Mandatory Palestine ought to “offer satyagraha in front of the Arabs and offer themselves to be shot or thrown into the Dead Sea without raising a little finger against them,” Rothbart quoted him as saying in a press release.

Regarding German Jewry, he implored resisting Nazism solely through non-confrontational means, the release said.

“My sympathies are all with the Jews... If there ever could be a justifiable war, in the name of and for humanity, war against Germany to prevent the wanton persecution of a whole race would be completely justified. But I do not believe in any war...,” Gandhi is quoted as saying.

The article in the Harijan was harshly criticised by leading intellectuals of the time including Martin Buber and Judah Magnes, who viewed Gandhi’s statements as unfavourable to Zionism and not satisfactory vis-a-vis the situation of the German Jewry.

Shohet in his response to the  Harijan article in ‘The Jewish Advocate’ pointed out that there was one fundamental difference between the Jews in Europe and the Harijans in India, the former had no home.

He also argued that Jews had practised non-violence for two millennia, and yet their persecution persisted.

The Jewish community in India is also said to have been disturbed by the attitude of the Indian National Congress leaders.

Shohet is said to have reached out to Hermann Kallenbach, a wealthy Jewish Zionist architect and carpenter who Gandhi referred to as his “soulmate”

A recently published book by Shimon Lev titled ‘Soulmates: The Story of Mahatma Gandhi and Hermann Kallenbach’ brings out the close association between the two friends

Kallenbach had funded the establishment of Tolstoy Farm, the South African prototype for the Gandhian ashram, where he and Gandhi lived together sharing a kitchen and seemingly endless conversations about the proper path and meaning of life

“Your portrait (the only one) stands on the mantelpiece in my room... even if I wanted to dismiss you from my thoughts, I could not do it,” Gandhi once wrote to Kallenbach as per the book

In March 1939, Kallenbach arranged for Shohet to interview Gandhi, which he did over the course of four days at Gandhi’s ashram in Wardha

According to a letter Shohet wrote to Eliahu Epstein (who later became known as Eliahu Elath and served as Israel’s first Ambassador to the United States), the “interview was discouraging because although Gandhi to a certain extent understood the idealism of the Jews’ wish to return to Palestine, he still saw the Palestine question from the Muslim point of view”

Kallenbach and Shohet never convinced Gandhi to become an active defender of European Jewry nor a Zionist, and he remained steadfast in his belief that non-violence and passivity could solve all problems





Google celebrates its 21st birthday with special doodle Friday Sep 27,2019


Google, the search engine giant, turns 21 on  Friday Sep 27,2019.

Hence, to mark Google's birthday, doodle celebrates its birthday with a special tribute - a throwback photo of a box computer with a Google browser on it.

The doodle also carries the date 27.9.98

TVS Scooty Pep+ Matte Edition Launched To Celebrate 25 Years Of The Scooter

The TVS Scooty Pep+ Matte Edition has been introduced in India to celebrate 25 years of the scooter brand.



The Scooty Pep+ matte edition is priced at ₹ 44,764 (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is at a premium of ₹ 1500 over the standard version.



For the extra money that you spend, the matte edition offers two new colours - Coral matte and Aqua matte - along with a new 3D emblem, fresh graphics and a textured seat for a refreshing look.

2019 Afghanistan's Presidential Election Saturday Sep 28,2019

People of Afghanistan will head to the polls on Saturday to pick their next president, even as the threat of violence and concerns over electoral fraud could lead many to stay home.
 INTERACTIVE: AFGHANISTAN ELECTION 2018
The vote, the fourth since the Taliban's removal from power by a United States-led coalition in 2001, comes as heavy fighting between the armed group and government forces has led to a spike in the number of civilians killed.

The Taliban has already threatened to target election rallies and polling stations, while in recent weeks the US-backed Afghan forces have stepped up air and ground attacks, raising fears of further casualties.  

Presidential Candidates

16 candidates are running in Saturday's election, seeking to secure a five-year term.

The president is both the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the Afghan armed forces. The president also appoints the cabinet, which is approved by the lower house of parliament.

The National Assembly consists of Wolesi Jirga (House of the People), the 249-seat lower house, and Meshrano Jirga (House of Elders), the 102-seat upper house.

Wolesi Jirga, the most powerful of the houses, is responsible for passing and amending legislation. Meshrano Jirga has an advisory role.

A presidential candidate must secure 50 percent of the vote to win outright. If, as expected, that threshold is not crossed, a runoff will be held between the top two contenders - most likely on November 23.

Top 6 Presidential Candidates

Afghanistan election
 
Ashraf Ghani

 The incumbent president is seeking a second term, running under the slogan of "Dawlat Saaz" or State Builder.
The ethnic Pashtun politician has picked Amrullah Saleh, a former spy chief who is ethnic Tajik, the second-largest ethnic group in the country, as one of his two running mates. The other one is Sarwar Danish, who is an ethnic Hazara and one of Afghanistan's two vice presidents.

Abdullah Abdullah

 Afghanistan's chief executive officer, a post created after the 2014 presidential election, has emerged as Ghani's strongest challenger. He campaigns motto is Stability and Integration.
Abdullah's first running mate is Enayatullah Babur Farahmand, an ethnic Uzbek and an ally of Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum. His second running mate is Asadullah Sadati, a Hazara who is backed by a faction of the Hazara-dominated Hezb-e Wahdat party.

Ahmad Wali Massoud

 The younger brother of former anti-Soviet and anti-Taliban commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, Wali Massoud is ethnic Tajik and has served as the Afghan ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Massoud has chosen Farida Momand, a Pashtun who was a higher education minister, and Latif Nazari, a Hazara, as his running mates. 

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar

 A controversial former commander accused of war crimes, Hekmatyar registered his candidacy with Fazl ul-Hadi Wazi and Hafiz ul-Rahman Naqi - both ethnic Tajiks and members of his political party Hezb-i-Islami - as his running mates.
Nicknamed the "butcher of Kabul", Hekmatyar is believed to be responsible for the killing of thousands of civilians in Kabul during the Afghan civil war in the 1990s.
In 2016, Hekmatyar was pardoned by the Afghan government as part of a peace deal with Hezb-i-Islami. He returned to Kabul in May 2017 after spending two decades in hiding. 

Abdul Latif Pedram

 An ethnic Tajik, Pedram is a member of parliament who campaigned for women's rights and federalism.
He is the leader of the National Congress Party of Afghanistan. His running mates are Ehsanullah Haidari, a Hazara, and Mohammed Sadeq Wardak, a Pashtun.

Rahmatullah Nabil

 The two-time head of Afghanistan's spy agency, the National Directorate of Security, is a staunch opponent of the Taliban and a critic of of Ghani's administration. He is an ethnic Pashtun from Maidan Wardak. 
His running mates are Murad Ali Murad, a Hazara former deputy interior minister, and Massouda Jalal, an ethnic Tajik and former minister of women's affairs.

The other candidates are

  1.  Nur-ul-Haq Ulumi
  2. Nurullah Jalili
  3. Shaida Abdali
  4. Faramarz Tamana
  5. Mohammad Shahab Hakimi
  6.  Hakim Tursan
  7. Mohammad Ibrahim Alekozai
  8. Ghulam Faruq Nejrabi
  9. Nur Rahman Liwal, 
  10. Enayatullah Hafiz.