“Use to Beat” World Heart Day 2020

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September 29, 2020

Smarter Living 2021 event by Chinese tech giant Xiaomi will be launched in India today virtually.

The prime focus of this event will be on revealing new range of devices which focus on lifestyle and health.

The event will be live streamed on Xiaomi’s official YouTube channel, Twitter handle, Instagram account and Facebook page from 12 pm.

There are a couple of devices which are expected to launch in the event. The official site of Xiaomi is teasing the arrival of a smartwatch, a fitness band and a smart speaker.

Mi Band 5

Mi Band 5 will be launched in India. In June, the band was launched in China. It has a bigger 1.1-inch AMOLED display compared to its predecessor. It will come with 11 sport modes and offers Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) Activity Index. There are noticeable improvements in the sleep monitoring accuracy feature.

Mi Watch Revolve

Mi Watch Revolve which is a rebranded version of Mi Watch Colour will also hit the market soon enough. The watch is expected to have a 1.39-inch AMOLED display. Its features include heart rate monitor, VO2 max (maximal oxygen uptake) monitoring, 10 sports modes and offer 5ATM water resistance.

One big claim from Xiaomi made at its China launch is that its 420 mAh go on for up to 14 days on a single charge. As per the leak, it is expected to be priced at Rs 10,999 and the sale price can be a thousand lesser.

Mi Smart Speaker

There are also rumours that Mi India will launch a new smart speaker as well. Not much is known about the upcoming speaker, but it is considered similar to Google Assistant/Amazon Aleca digital voice assistants.

We will have to wait for Xiaomi’s Smarter Living 2021 virtual event which will be live-streamed on the company’s social media handles including Twitter, Youtube.

Covid-19 update: India reports 70,589 new cases

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September 29, 2020

India’s Covid-19 tally crosses 61-lakh mark with a spike of 70,589 new cases and 776 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The case reported in last 24-hour are India’s lowest in the month of September. For the past 2 weeks, more than 75,000 cases have been reported in the country every day.

Covid-19 case tally stands at 61,45,292 including 9,47,576 active cases, 51,01,398 cured/discharged/migrated & 96,318 deaths: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in its covid-19 update.

A total of 7,31,10,041 samples tested up to 28th September, for Covid-19. Of these, 11,42,811 samples were tested yesterday: ICMR

India witnessed its biggest jump in covid-19 cases on September 17 when it registere 97,894 cases in a single day. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have emerged as the main hotspots for Covid-19 cases across the country.

India has witnessed close to 100% increase in recoveries in the past month. More than 82% of total cases (exceeding 50L) recovered and discharged. Active cases (lower than 10L) a small proportion (less than 1/5th) of total cases: Health Ministry.

Here’re some more updated related to coronavirus pandemic across the world:

*Coronavirus pandemic is expected to stoke the slowest growth in more than 50 years in East Asia & the Pacific as well as China, World Bank said in an economic update on Monday.

*Indore allows reopening of religious places with Covid-19 guidelines.

*President Donald Trump has said that US will distribute 150 million rapid covid-19 tests.

*Global death toll has crossed 1 million mark.

*UN chief Antonio Guterres called the 1 million global death related to coronavirus “an agonizing milestone”.

*According to a report by New York Times, the coronavirus has killed more then 1 million people worldwide which is more than influezna, malaria, cholera and measles combined.

Covid-19 vaccine update

*China’s Shenzen Kangtai got approval for clinical trial of covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine’s animal trials have shown positive results.

*Russia has sent the first batch of its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to Belarus for clinical trials. Volunteers in Belarus will get vaccine from October 1.

*Panama’s Health Ministry will spend $1.9 million next month to support Covax vaccine program launched by WHO.

*The coronavirus vaccine being developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca has now resumed clinical trials.

Google Doodle remembers India’s iconic actress, dancer Zohra Sehgal

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September 29, 2020

Zohra Sehgal has been a fine artist and veteran icon of the Bollywood industry. Today Google dedicated a doodle to Sehgal who has been an inspiration to millions and has had one of the most vivid careers as an Indian actress and stage artist.

The special doodle, that showed the legendary actress in a classical dance posture, was designed by artist Parvati Pillai.

Wearing a pink saree and smiling while dancing, the doodle embodies Segal’s nature. Without any further ado.

The full name of Zohra Segal was Sahibzadi Zohra Begum Mumtaz-Ullah Khan. She was born in Saharanpur, India on April 27, 1912.

She attended a prestigious ballet school in Dresden, Germany in her early 20s and later toured internationally with the Indian dance pioneer Uday Shankar.

After she returned to India, Years later in 1945, Segal joined the Indian People’s Theatre Association and took to acting.

Some of her famous films include Neecha Nagar (Lowly City), the film was awarded one of the highest honours at Cannes Film Festival in 1946.

It was on this day, her film Neecha Nagar was awarded one of the highest honours at the Cannes Film Festival in 1946.

It was the first-ever critical success of an Indian movie in the international waters making September 29.

A recipient of Padma Shri in 1998, the Kalidas Samman in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2010, Segal appeared in multiple British films, TV shows, and Hindi movies like Dil Se, Veer-Zaara, Cheeni Kum, Kal Ho Na Ho, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham in a career spanning over six decades.

“I grew up watching her as the evergreen granny and have been enthralled by her love for acting and dancing, especially in her twilight years. She taught me what it meant to be passionate about my work and to never be afraid of new challenges,” said Pillai.

“Zohra Sehgal lived her life to the fullest. In today’s challenging times, it is important to be optimistic and keep smiling!” Pillai added.

Zohra’s career has truly inspired women all across the globe to break free from the societal norms and do what the heart desires.

The lady managed to create a nice fan base for herself and continues to be remembered as the coolest grandmother any star could ask for on-screen.

Zohra passed away in the year 2014 after suffering a cardiac arrest. She lived a life of honour and her contributions to the Indian cinema and entertainment, in general, speak volumes of it.

Supreme Court to hear plea against ex-J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti’s detention

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September 29, 2020

A petition challenging the detention of former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir will be heard by The Supreme Court today. The plea was filed by Mufti’s daughter Iltija, Mehbooba Mufti was detained under the Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA).

A bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy will hear the plea filed by Mufti’s daughter. It will be after 7 months as it was last heard on February 26 when the top court had issued notice to the central government and union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. It was ordered that the case will be posted for further hearing on March 18 but it never listed after Covid-19 pandemic.

Iltija submitted the petition stating that the detention of Mufti was based on indefinite and defamatory ground bringing in the personal and political bias against her.

Iltija stated that the dossier, which was the basis for Mufti’s detention, was abound with vulgar descriptions about Mufti like “Daddy’s girl” and “Kota Rani”, the latter a medieval queen who rose to power through scheming and poisoning of opponents.

The detention order referred to opinions expressed by Mufti in the past as the basis for detention though there is not even the minutest suggestion that Mufti involved in any violent activity ever, the plea stated.

“The detention order is wholly based on the dossier which is slanderous, libelous and clearly demonstrative of the political and personal bias against the detenu (Mehbooba Mufti)”, the Habeas Corpus petition stated.

The term Habeas Corpus literally translates to “produce the body” and it is a plea seeking directions to be issued to the government to produce a detained person before the court and to release such person if the detention is found to be illegal.
Mufti has been under detention since August 5, 2019 when the Central government nullified Article 370 and placed the Kashmir valley in a state of lockdown. Her detention in 2019 was under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which empowers an executive magistrate to order a person to execute bonds “for keeping the peace”.

Assistant director of TV serial Balika Vadhu’s RV Gaur sells vegetables

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September 28, 2020

Popular TV show Balika Vadhu’s director Ram Vriksha Gaur is selling vegetables in Azamgarh district.

According to reports, Ram Vriksha had come to Azamgarh for the shooting of a film. That’s when the lockdown was announced and he couldn’t return. The project he was supposed to work on was also stopped and the producer said it would take another year or more to get back to work.

“I had come to Azamgarh for the recce of a film. We were here when the lockdown was announced and then it was not possible to return. The project we were working on was stopped and the producer said it would take another year or more to get back to work. I then decided to take on my father’s business and started selling vegetables on a handcart. I am familiar with the business and have no regrets,” he told reporters.

Talking about his journey to Mumbai, Ram Vriksha said, “I went to Mumbai in 2002 with the help of my friend and writer Shahnawaz Khan. I worked in the light department and then in the production department of TV serials. I became an assistant director in the production of many serials first, then worked as the episode director and unit director for ‘Balika Vadhu’.”

Ram Vriksha has worked as an assistant director with directors of films of Yashpal Sharma, Milind Gunaji, Rajpal Yadav, Randeep Hooda, Sunil Shetty.

He was all set to start work on a Bhojpuri film and then a Hindi film when the pandemic set in.

“I have my own house in Mumbai and I am confident that I will return one day. Till then, I am here doing what I can,” he ended.

Indian Army is preparing for winter and has deployed T-90 and T-72 destroyer tanks

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September 28, 2020

Highlights:

Indian Army is preparing for winter deployment in Ladakh
It is the largest logistic operation since independence.
From October to January, the temperature is much below zero.
Relations between India and China have been tense since April-May.

The Indian Army is preparing for winter deployment in Ladakh amidst efforts to reduce tension on the Line of Actual Control .

In its largest military logistics operation in the decades after independence, the Indian Army provided tanks, heavy weapons, ammunition, fuel, food, and the essentials needed to cope with the dreadful winter of about four months in high altitude areas in eastern Ladakh. Has supplied things. An army officer says that this is the largest logistic operation so far which has been implemented after independence in Ladakh.

India has imported winter clothes and gear from some countries in Europe and they have already been supplied to the troops in East Ladakh. Nearly all aircraft and helicopters of the Indian Air Force, including the C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster, have been used to transport thousands of tons of food, fuel and other equipment to the area.

The situation created after the Galvan Valley skirmish is getting worse day by day. China is continuously increasing the number of soldiers on the border. In view of this, India has deployed T-90 and T-72 destroyer tanks in Ladakh to defeat every move of China.

Rajnath Singh approvers procurement of arms and military equipment

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September 28, 2020

The defence ministry on Monday (Sept 28) approved the procurement of arms and military equipment worth Rs 2,290 crore, including around 72,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles from the United States, officials said.

The Rajnath Singh-led Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC) cleared the Rs 780 crore acquisition of the assault rifles from US firm SiG Sauer.

The 13-lakh strong Army has already inducted 72,400 SiG Sauer rifles, which are 7.62×51 mm calibre guns with an effective “kill” range of 500-metre, under a Rs 647 crore fast-track procurement (FTP) deal inked in February last year.

The ministry said that the procurement will be made from the domestic industry as well as foreign vendors.

Under the buy Indian (IDDM) category, the DAC approved procurement of Static HF Tans-receiver sets and Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) at a cost of around Rs 1,510 crore.

The HF radio sets will be procured at an approximate cost of Rs 540 crore, which will enable seamless communication between field units of Army and Air Force. The Smart Anti Airfield Weapon will cost around Rs 970 crore, which will add to the firepower of Navy and Air Force.

The government has accorded priority to the modernisation of the armed forces and the infantry modernisation has been initiated as part of the larger process to further enhance the combat capability of the Army.

In October 2017, the Indian Army began the process to acquire around seven lakh rifles, 44,000 light machine guns (LMGs) and nearly 44,600 carbines.

The military equipment is being procured at a time Indian Army is locked in a bitter border row with China in eastern Ladakh.

India and Denmark holds bilateral summit

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September 28, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Monday participated in a virtual bilateral summit and agreed to extend cooperation to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

PM Modi spoke about joining forces to build a more diversified supply-chain across the world, hinting that dependency one ‘one single-source’ could prove to be risky.

“I would like to express my sympathy to all those who suffered from COVID-19 in Denmark. I would also laud your leadership that helped the country in tiding over the pandemic,” PM stated.

Indian PM said, “The events of the past few months have made it clear that for like-minded countries like us, who share a rules-based, transparent, humanitarian and democratic value-system need to work together.”

On the COVID-19 crisis, he called for collaboration in the like-minded country and said India will leverage its pharma advantage for the benefit of the world.

Denmark’s PM Mette Frederiksen said, “the summit is a milestone for our bilateral relations, on an important and forward-looking agreement on the green strategic partnership”.

India and Denmark have also agreed on 2nd India Nordic countries summit. The first such summit took place in 2018 in Stockholm. This is the 4th virtual meet of Indian PM due to the pandemic. He has already met the leaders of Australia, EU and Sri Lanka.

In Denmark, around 25 Indian companies are operating in IT, renewable energy and engineering sectors.

Nearly 5,000 Indian professionals are working in major Danish companies, while 20 Indian IT companies are operating in Denmark for decades, according to official data procured by news agency PTI.

Denmark has been an important development partner, contributing to India’s ‘White Revolution’ and growth of wind energy, the news agency said.

Bilateral trade between the countries has also grown by 30.49 per cent between 2016 and 2019 as the trade volume rose from USD 2.82 billion to USD 3.68 billion, PTI said.

Bihar Assembly Election 2020- Parties have stepped up in the preparations

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September 28, 2020

Assembly elections are to be held in Bihar in October-November. Now political parties have stepped up in the preparations for the assembly election. Tej Pratap Yadav, former health minister of the state is going to contest from Hasanpur assembly seat. On the other side of politics, JDU is about to field his wife Aishwarya Rai against Tej Pratap on this seat.

Major political parties are continuously involved in their strategies. In such a situation, where is the Chief Minister of Bihar and JDU National President Nitish Kumar staying behind. He has taken many big decisions in view of his performance in the upcoming election.

The biggest change was seen when party leader and minister in the state government, Ashok Chaudhary, was given the responsibility of the state executive chairman. Not only this, JDU President Nitish Kumar has formed a team of 6 leaders in the wake of Bihar elections, which will further strengthen the strategic preparation of the party.

The name of the building construction minister Ashok Chaudhary is the most important in the state government made by Nitish Kumar for the Bihar election. He has been given the command of the acting state president of JDU. It is believed that he will strengthen the party’s virtual campaign in the Corona era.

Farm Bill- Punjab Youth Congress set Tractor on fire near India Gate

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September 28, 2020

A tractor was set on fire near India Gate, Delhi during farm bill protests. But later police have removed the tractor and the fire has been put out by the fire department.

Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind nod to the three bills passed in parliament. And after his assent last Sunday it have triggered protester mainly of Punjab and Haryana.

While, Several Congress and JDS workers were detained on Monday amid bandh, to protest against the amendments and land reforms acts made by the B S Yediyurappa government.

As President gave nod to three contentious farm bills, oppositions staged wise spread protests in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Tamil Nadu.

The three bills which have led to huge demonstrations are The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020.

Although Union Minister of Prakash Javadekar, Information and Broadcasting came down harsh on the Congress and he said the protester as ‘drama’. “Congress stands exposed and is misleading the farmers. They are doing drama in the name of farmers and politics on it,” he said.

Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara welcome their first child

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September 28, 2020

Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix and his fiancée, actress Rooney Mara have welcomed a baby boy. The couple have named their child River after Joaquin’s late brother who died in 1993 at the age of 23 due to drug overdose.

According to US Weekly, Russian filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky announced the news at the 2020 Zurich Film Festival on Sunday. He was answering why Jaoquin couldn’t attend the screening of Gunda.

“He just got a baby, by the way, his name was … a beautiful son called River, so he cannot promote it now,” he said.

https://twitter.com/Paula_FlorV/status/1310309923528626176

The news of Jaoquin and Mara expecting their first child was first confirmed in May.

“Rooney is about six months along. Joaquin is great and has been accompanying her to appointments,” US weekly had quoted a source.

The couple met on the sets of Mary Magdalene in 2016. They later started dating. The couple confirmed their relationship official by their red carpet appearances at several award shows.

Jaoquin and Rooney got engaged last year in July.

Swar Kokila, Lata Mangeshkar turns 91 today, Know her evergreen songs

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September 28, 2020

Today on September 28, Lata Mangeshkar turns 91st on her birthday. The previous generation as well today’s has enjoyed Lata’s voice and is very fond of her voice.

Lata Mangeshkar was born in the Marathi family of Indore to Pandit Deendayal Mangeshkar. Her father was a theater artist and singer too. So music was inherited from her father to Lata.

Dinanath started teaching music to Lata since she was only five years old innocent girl. Her sisters Asha, Usha and Meena also used to practice with her. Lata first acted in a play at age of five. She started her career acting but now she became the sensation in music industry because oh her melodious voice.

She recorded her first song in 1942. That time she was only 13 year old.
Lata sang for Marathi movie but was later dropped from the album. Lata is fondly call as Nightingale or Swar Kokila simply.

Her last recorded song was in 2015, in an Indo-Pak gay love story. Although filmmaker’s are trying their best to have at least one song sung by Nightingale these days as Swar Kokila barely steps into studio – which she calls her “temple”.

Film magazines like Stardust had a name for it – the “Mangeshkar monopoly.”

LATA MANGESHKAR EVERGREEN SONGS-

Lag Ja Gale Ke Phir
Undoubtedly there is no one who have not listened to Lag Ja Gale song and not get lost in her soothing voice?

Aap Ki Nazro Ne Samjha
It is one of the most beautiful songs in Lata’s voice. This is from the film Anpadh.

Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna
Based on RK Narayan’s novel of the, movie’s blockbuster was the song ‘Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna.

Tujhe Dekha toh yeh jana
This song is undoubtedly unforgettable one, Sung by duo Kumar Sanu and Lata Mangeshkar, ‘Tujhe Dekha toh yeh jana’ became an instant hit, when DDLJ released.

Mera Saaya Saath Hoga
The haunting melody ‘Mera Saaya Saath Hoga’ is one of the most popular songs, even to this day, not to mention this movie is a must-watch.

Lata Mangeshkar Award

Filmfare Awards (1958, 1962, 1965, 1969, 1993 and 1994)
National Awards (1972, 1975 and 1990)
Maharashtra Government Award (1966 and 1967)
Awarded Padma Bhushan in 1969.
In 1989, he was given the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award’, the highest honor of the film world.
In 1993, was awarded the Filmfare’s ‘Life Time Achievement Award’.
In 1996, Screen was awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
He was awarded the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Award’ in 1997.
In 1999, Padmavibhushan, N.T.R. And Zee Cine’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
IAI in 2000 F. (IIFA) ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
In 2001, Stardust was awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, Nur Jahan Award, Maharashtra Bhushan Award.
In 2001, the Government of India honored you with the country’s highest award “Bharat Ratna”, honoring your achievements.

Unlock 5.0: relaxation expected in several sectors

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September 28, 2020

Global Covid-19 cases topped 33 million as infections in India reached the 6 million mark. The official death toll from Covid-19 neared one million, though experts say the real tally may be almost double that. As many as 9.96 lakh have succumbed to the infection across the globe.

With the fourth stage of lockdown drawing to an end, the Union Home Ministry will soon be announcing a slew of relaxations for October. Earlier, in a key development, the MHA had allowed metro trains to resume services.

The ministry had also said that more curbs would be eased in the coming days and activities would slowly be permitted in areas outside the containment zones.

In the recent meeting with chief ministers of the seven worst-affected states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the CMs that steps must be taken to implement the idea of “micro-containment” zones. The prime minister also advised the chief ministers of these states, which included Delhi too, to refrain from imposing lockdowns and curfews for one or two days a week.

Following are the sectors on which guidelines are expected during the Unlock 5.0 phase:

Tourism

In the past two months, some tourist sites have been allowed to open, with some restrictions. For instance, in July, the Taj Mahal was allowed to open, with restrictions such as social distancing and a limit of 5,000 visitors at a time.

Cinema halls

As of now, the home ministry has only allowed open-air theatres to resume operations. However, on Saturday, the West Bengal government said that it will allow cinema halls to reopen and also allow music and dance performances from 1 October.

Academic activities

As part of the Unlock 4.0 guidelines, schools were allowed to partially reopen for students from Classes 9 to 12 from 21 September. However, the schools were allowed to remain open for students only on a voluntary basis to enable them to take guidance from their teachers.

Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh government has made a big announcement to unlock state capital Raipur from tonight.

The administration has no intention of furthering the one-week lockdown. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Minister-in-charge Ravindra Chaubey with the district administration on Monday. Along with this, the administration has also released a new guideline.

From Tuesday, all shops in the capital will be open till eight o’clock at night.

Happy Birthday to Rockstar Ranbir Kapoor

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