The Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur has made special arrangements to protect the park's animals from the cold by installing heaters in enclosures, as well as changes in their diet, as per senior wildlife doctor Dr. Arvind Mathur, ANI reported. Mathur said that heaters have been installed and curtains have been placed on the outside of wildlife enclosures to prevent cold air from entering. Additionally, changes have been made to the wildlife's diet. Speaking to ANI, the senior wildlife doctor of Nahargarh Biological Park, said, "Some medicines are also being given to animals as a precaution in this winter season so that their body temperature remains maintained and dehydration does not occur." He added," The food of reptile species such as crocodiles, tortoises and gharials has been reduced because in winter the metabolism of this wildlife reduces the ability to digest. All the wildlife will be released outside one by one during the day so that they can get the heat of the sun." The tigers, lions, panthers, and buffaloes in the park are being provided with chicken meat as part of their diet. Additionally, two boiled eggs have been included, and the quantity of chicken has been increased. Bears are being given honey, hot milk, jaggery, and dates, with the amount of honey also being increased. For vegetarian wildlife, the quantity of pulses has been raised, and carrots and jaggery have been added to their diet, said Mathur, ANI cited. "As the winter is coming, the forest department is providing wildlife with vitamins, minerals and medicines to help them stay healthy. These include immune boosters and anti-stress treatments. This will ensure that, even if the temperature in Jaipur drops sharply, the animals' health will not be affected. The department has made all necessary arrangements to protect the wildlife," Mathur said. Delhi: Zoo tackles city's winter pollution with water sprinklers and special diet for animals Earlier, Delhi Zoo has been tackling winter pollution with water sprinklers and special diet for animals to ensure that wild animals are not adversely affected, ANI reported. The Director of the National Zoological Park, Dr. Sanjeet Kumar, recently highlighted the challenges faced by zoo management during winter. Speaking to ANI, Dr. Kumar said, "As soon as the winter season begins, the zoo management faces two challenges. First, the pollution levels rise after Diwali, and second, the onset of winter... The area around the zoo is very green, and local pollution is minimal as no diesel or petrol vehicles are allowed inside. However, water sprinklers are used to mitigate the effects of pollution." He added, "We prioritise winter management to ensure the wild animals remain unaffected by the cold. A special vehicle sprays fine droplets of water to reduce pollution levels. The animals are provided with a winter diet enriched with fats, and heaters have been installed to keep them warm." (With ANI inputs)
02 January,2025 12:48 PM IST | Jaipur | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch a number of significant development projects, including 1,675 flats for the residents of JJ clusters and two urban redevelopment projects in Delhi on Friday, reported news agency PTI. PM Modi will visit the newly-constructed flats for the dwellers of Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters as part of slum rehabilitation project at Swabhiman Apartments in Delhi's Ashok Vihar and hand over keys to the eligible beneficiaries, stated the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in an official statement. PMO stated that the development is in line with the prime minister’s "housing for all" initiative. The project aims to provide the residents of JJ clusters in Delhi with a better and healthier living environment equipped with proper amenities and facilities. For every Rs 25 lakh spent on construction of a flat by the Central government, the eligible beneficiaries pay less than seven per cent of the total amount, comprising Rs 1.42 lakh as a nominal contribution and Rs 30,000 for five years of maintenance, stated PTI. The development push from the BJP-led government at the Centre comes ahead of the assembly polls in Delhi expected to be held in February. The BJP has been locked in a bitter political confrontation with the Aam Aadmi Party, in power in the city since 2013, and the BJP is making all out efforts to end its reign. PM Modi will also inaugurate two urban redevelopment projects on Friday, the World Trade Centre (WTC) at Nauroji Nagar and the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) type-II quarters at Sarojini Nagar. PMO stated that the World Trade Centre has transformed the area by replacing over 600 dilapidated quarters with state-of-the-art commercial towers, offering around 34 lakh square feet of premium commercial space with advanced amenities. The project incorporates green building practices with provisions such as a zero-discharge concept, solar energy generation and rainwater harvesting systems, stated PTI. The GPRA type-II quarters include 28 towers that house over 2,500 residential units, offering modern amenities and efficient use of space. PTI stated that the project's design incorporates rainwater harvesting systems, sewage and water treatment plants, and solar-powered waste compactors encouraging eco-conscious living. PM Modi will also inaugurate the CBSE's integrated office complex at Dwarka built at around Rs 300 crore. The complex includes offices, auditorium, advanced data center and comprehensive water management system among others. The ecofriendly building has been constructed to high environmental standards and was designed as per Platinum Rating standards of the Indian Green Building Council, stated PTI. Among other initiatives, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of three new projects worth over Rs 600 crore in the Delhi University. It includes an academic block in the Eastern Campus at Surajmal Vihar in East Delhi, an academic block in the Western Campus at Dwarka and Veer Savarkar College at Roshanpura, Najafgarh, having state-of-the-art facilities for education, PMO stated. (With inputs from PTI)
02 January,2025 12:29 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAs per the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) rankings from IQAir, Pakistan's Karachi and Lahore are listed among the most polluted cities in the world, based on data from a prominent global air quality monitoring service, ANI reported. Both the cities are battling severe air pollution, posing a significant threat to public health. Lahore, in particular, has been ranked as the most polluted city in the world, with an AQI of 354, which is considered "Hazardous" for residents. With a population of over 11 million, the city has long struggled with poor air quality, mainly due to vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and crop burning, ANI cited. Because of this, many locals have experienced worsened respiratory issues, such as asthma and other lung conditions, especially in the winter months when the smog is more intense. 18,86,586 people have become ill as a result of the smog in the last month, and 1,29,229 of them have sought medical treatment for respiratory conditions. Meanwhile, cardiothoracic disorders have been identified in 61,00,153 people. Similarly, smog-related respiratory issues, chest pain, and strokes have been reported in over 69,399 people every day, ANI reported. As per ANI, with an AQI of 164, the largest city in Pakistan, Karachi, is ranked 13th on the list and falls into the "Unhealthy" category, according to the report. High pollution levels endanger the environment and human health because of the city's crowded port, heavy traffic, and industrial regions. Despite continuous attempts to curb air pollution, the city's air quality continues to worsen, posing a threat to its residents, mainly those with existing health conditions. The Climate Action Centre (CAC), an environmental NGO, has previously linked the smog in Lahore and other cities in Punjab, as well as the recent haze in Karachi, to vehicle emissions, ANI cited. During a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, CAC Director Yasir Hussain on Tuesday explained that emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles are major contributors to pollution in these cities, responsible for 60 percent of the pollution in Karachi and 80 percent in Lahore. Meanwhile, the winter measles outbreak has sparked concerns among medical professionals. Children who are at risk, especially those who are malnourished, immunocompromised, or unvaccinated, can die from measles, which is characterised by symptoms like a runny nose, fever, cough, red eyes, and skin rashes, ANI reported. Doctors say that the highly contagious disease spreads swiftly from child to child. They highlighted that in order to prevent their children from this contagious disease, parents should make sure they receive the measles vaccination between the ages of nine months and one and a half years. (With ANI inputs)
02 January,2025 12:05 PM IST | Lahore | mid-day online correspondentThick fog continues to envelop Delhi and several major cities in India, as the cold wave stretches into 2025, affecting the national capital and other regions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility at Delhi's airports on Thursday was recorded at zero meters, with similar conditions reported in Gwalior, Agra, Amritsar, and Pathankot. A dense blanket of fog has significantly impacted visibility, causing disruptions in transport across the country, particularly in the northern and central regions. The IMD also reported the presence of fog and low clouds over northwest, central, east, and northeast India, with patches of fog extending to coastal Andhra Pradesh. With the ongoing cold wave, residents in various states continue to endure dropping temperatures and low visibility, leading to a challenging start to the New Year. In Delhi, the IMD has forecasted a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with the maximum temperature rising to 17 degrees Celsius. Despite the daytime temperature rise, the chill continues to affect the region, exacerbated by poor air quality. According to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 278, categorised as 'poor'. The AQI range, where 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 is 'satisfactory', 101-200 is 'moderate', 201-300 is 'poor', 301-400 is 'very poor', and 401-500 is 'severe', indicates significant pollution levels in the national capital. To protect the city's homeless population from the severe cold, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents for shelter, and additional night shelters have been made available in areas like AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover. Many residents were seen huddling around bonfires for warmth, while others sought refuge in night shelters as temperatures continued to plummet. The cold wave has also impacted flight operations in other parts of the country. In Srinagar, the region's snowfall has led to disruptions, prompting the airline carrier Indigo to issue a travel advisory. The airline urged passengers to stay informed about any changes to their flight schedules, as ongoing snowfall continues to affect air traffic. Delhi’s third consecutive day of cold conditions on Wednesday saw the maximum temperature reach 15 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 7.4 degrees Celsius. As per ANI, the extended cold spell is set to continue, with winter chill continuing to grip North India as we enter the new year. The dense fog, along with the chilling weather, serves as a reminder of the harsh conditions many parts of the country are experiencing at the start of 2025. (With inputs from ANI)
02 January,2025 09:33 AM IST | New DelhiA crime branch team of the Gurugram Police arrested a notorious criminal and his two companions after a gunfight on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, police said. The suspects have been identified as Arif (28), Arif alias Mandal (27), a resident of Palwal and Rashid alias Yusuf alias Kake (33), a resident of Nuh. According to the police, Rashid was involved in 49 cases, including gang-related activities, murder, attempt to murder, robbery, attack on police team and ATM thefts. Meanwhile, two cases of attempt to murder and cow smuggling have been registered against Arif alias Mandal and one case of cow smuggling has been registered against accused Arif, the police said. Police said on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, crime branch teams of Farrukhnagar and Sohna received information regarding cow theft in a canter vehicle from village Ullawas in the Sector-65 area of Gurugram. During the search, the police teams saw the canter near the Medwas village in which two cows were loaded. When the police team signalled the canter driver to stop the vehicle, the canter driver increased the speed of the vehicle and tried to escape. "The police teams chased the canter and surrounded it near village Medwas, after which the accused got down from the canter and opened fire on the police party in which one bullet hit the window of the police vehicle. The police team asked the accused not to fire and also warned them by firing in the air, but the warning of the police did not affect them. Then the police teams fired bullets in response to protect themselves, and one bullet hit the legs of the two accused," Varun Dahiya, ACP (crime) said. Later, the trio accused was apprehended by the police team from the spot, and the two injured were admitted to the hospital for further treatment. In connection with the incident, a case was registered against the three accused under the relevant sections at the Sector-65 Police Station. "During the encounter, a total of 10 rounds were fired, out of which four were fired by the accused and six by the police. The police team recovered the canter used by the accused to commit the crime, one country-made pistol, one pistol, one live cartridge, 10 empty shell cartridges, one cow and one calve," Dahiya said. The canter used by the accused to commit the crime was stolen from Bilaspur police station, Gurugram area, on December 24, and the cow and calf recovered were stolen from a dairy in Ullawas village, the police said. "Rashid, along with his accomplices, had committed the cow smuggling incident in 2009 in Gurugram. In this incident, a police personnel of the Gurugram Police was martyred. Rashid and Arif are undergoing treatment. After being discharged from the hospital, the accused will be arrested as per the rules in the above case and will be thoroughly interrogated," Dahiya added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
02 January,2025 08:26 AM IST | Gurugram | IANSIndia on Wednesday declared 2025 as the year of defence reforms with an aim to facilitate rolling out integrated theatre commands to bolster synergy among the three services and transform the military into a technologically-advanced combat-ready force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said the reforms would lay the foundation for “unprecedented” advancements in defence preparedness and ensure India's security and sovereignty amid challenges of the 21st century. The defence ministry's aim on theatre commands assumes significance as it virtually indicated the plan to unveil the reform measure in 2025. As per the theaterisation plan, each of the theatre commands will have units of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and all of them will work as a single entity looking after security challenges in a specified geographical territory. At present, the Army, Navy and the Air Force have separate commands. The decision on observing 2025 as a year of reforms and the broad objectives under it were finalised at a high-level meeting chaired by Singh. “Year of reforms' will be a momentous step in modernisation journey of the armed forces,” Singh said. The ministry said the focus in 2025 will also be on new domains such as cyber and space, emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, hypersonic and robotics. Two warships, one submarine soon New Delhi: The Indian Navy will commission two indigenously constructed frontline warships and a diesel-electric submarine on January 15 that is expected to significantly enhance the force’s overall combat prowess. The warships and submarine will be commissioned at a ceremony at the naval dockyard in Mumbai. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
02 January,2025 08:21 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesAccusing the BJP of planning to demolish Hindu temples and a Buddhist religious place in the city, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday said the AAP has on the other hand promised to provide Rs 18,000 monthly honorarium to the priests and granthis. No immediate reaction was available from the BJP and Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's office on the chief minister's allegations. Atishi on Tuesday wrote to the lieutenant governor and claimed that a 'Religious Committee' under him in its meeting on November 22 ordered for demolition of six religious structures, including Hindu temples and a Buddhist worship place, in different parts of the city. The LG's office rebutted the chief minister's charge, accusing her of indulging in “cheap politics” and claimed that no place of worship was being demolished as no file in this regard was received by it. Atishi termed the LG's office rebuttal as “complete lie” and showed a copy of the meeting. “The file of the Committee's order was sent to the BJP-led Centre's representative LG. The LG has given approval to the decision,” she claimed. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
02 January,2025 08:21 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesCash and jewellery worth Rs 30 lakh were looted from a businessman's house here, police said on Wednesday. Circle officer Sweta Singh said six teams along with a surveillance team have been deputed to work out the burglary. The robbers broke the lock of the main gate of the house of Sushil Dewan, the owner of Mangalam Saree Showroom in Mathura. They looted cash from the locker and stole ornaments, officials said. Police said the incident took place when the entire family had gone to Govardhan to attend a bhandara organised by traders association on Tuesday.CCTV footage shows that two burglars came there with a car, opened the lock of the house as well as the locker and decamped with cash and jewellery worth Rs 30 lakh, they added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
02 January,2025 08:20 AM IST | Mathura | PTIOnly 57 per cent schools in India have functional computers while 53 per cent have Internet access, according to the Union education ministry's Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data. The UDISE Plus is a data aggregation platform maintained by the education ministry to collate school education data from around India. While over 90 per cent of schools are equipped with basic amenities such as electricity and gender-specific toilets, advanced facilities like functional desktop, Internet access, and ramps with handrails remain limited. Only 57.2 per cent of schools have functional computers, 53.9 per cent have Internet, and 52.3 per cent are equipped with ramps, the report noted, underscoring significant gaps in accessibility and technological readiness. The enrolment landscape has also seen changes, with the total number of students declining 37 lakh to 24.8 crore in 2023-24. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) revealed disparities across educational levels. While the preparatory level boasts a GER of 96.5 per cent, the foundational level is at a mere 41.5 per cent. Middle and secondary levels fare worse at 89.5 per cent and 66.5 per cent, respectively. Dropout rates also rose sharply at higher education levels, from 5.2 per cent in middle school to 10.9 per cent at the secondary stage. "Despite efforts under National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, infrastructure gaps hinder our progress toward universal education. Optimising resources is key to meeting the ambitious targets for 2030," an education ministry official said. NEP, 2020, prioritises inclusion and equity, and the UDISE Plus data offers a snapshot of representation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
01 January,2025 11:21 PM IST | New Delhi | PTISecurity forces launched a search operation along the International Border (IB) following suspected movement in RS Pura Sector of Jammu district on Wednesday, sources said. The troops also fired a few rounds during the operation, they said. Meanwhile, a drone was found in Akhnoor sector. The search operation was launched near the IB in RS Pura Sector after inputs were received about suspicious movement in the area. Border Security Force (BSF) troops fired a few rounds during the operation, the sources said. In another incident, a suspicious drone was found in Ghakrhal village in Akhnoor sector, they added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
01 January,2025 11:09 PM IST | Jammu | PTIA woman died allegedly after being pushed from the roof of her house here, police said. Her husband and in-laws have been arrested. According to a complaint filed by the woman’s brother Taresh Vijayaran, on December 30, he got information that his sister Ritu fell from the roof of her in-law’s house in sector 5 area and died, they said. "Last Monday, my sister called me and she was crying. She told me that her husband Rohit, mother-in-law Kanta and father-in-law Rajbir were beating her,” Vijayaran said. Later, he got information that Ritu jumped from the terrace and died, the police said. “My sister Ritu was pushed from the fourth floor, due to which she died,” the brother claimed. Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at sector 5 police station on Tuesday and the body was handed over to the family after a post-mortem Rohit and his father were arrested on Tuesday while his mother was nabbed today, the police said. "We have taken Rohit on one-day police remand while his parents were sent to judicial custody after being produced in a city court. The further probe is underway,” a spokesperson of Gurugram police said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 January,2025 10:59 PM IST | Gurugram | PTIADVERTISEMENT
