India expands mango export footprint to newer countries

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has stressed on the need for behavioural change saying that COVID Appropriate Behavior must be strictly followed even after vaccination. He also called for removing vaccine hesitancy among sections of people and underlined the need for concerted efforts to counter fake news and dispel myths on issues relating to COVID-19. Highlighting the importance of COVID vaccine, Naidu emphasized that every Indian has a social responsibility to get vaccinated and encourage others to immunize themselves. He said, national vaccination drive should become a peoples’ movement and it should be led by the youth. Releasing the book ‘Kotha (Corona) Kathalu’, an anthology of 80 short stories on COVID-19 in Telugu by eminent authors from across the world, Naidu also paid rich tributes to the legendary singer late S.P. Balasubramaniam.

-In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Three terrorists were killed by a joint team of security forces in a gunfight that broke out between terrorists and security forces at Kwarigam village in Ranipora area of South Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday afternoon. Police said that one of the terrorists killed in the said operation has been identified as Arif Hajam. He was associated with the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and was involved in the killing of Army Havaldar, Manzoor Beigh of 162 Territorial Army on 6th of Jun 2019 while he was on leave.

-India has expanded its footprint of mango exports to newer countries this season, despite logistical challenges posed by COVID19 pandemic. In a major initiative which would boost mango export potential from the eastern region especially to middle east countries, a consignment of Geographical Identification certified Fazil mango variety sourced from Malda district of West Bengal was exported to Bahrain. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, APEDA has been initiating measures to boost mango exports from the non-traditional regions and states. It has been conducting virtual buyer-seller meets and festivals to promote mango exports. This shipment to Bahrain comes a few days after APEDA organized a mango promotion programme at Doha, Qatar. Nine varieties of mangoes including GI certified from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh were displayed at the stores of importer Family Food Centre at the promotion programme.

-The BJP has criticised the Ashok Gehlot led Rajasthan government of being failed to control the rising crime cases in the State. Addressing media in New Delhi, BJP Spokesperson Rajyavardhan Rathore said, as per the crime report of 2019-20, unfortunately Rajashtan has topped the list in the country in the crime graph. He alleged that State has registered the highest number of crime cases against women and in 2020, there was also a 50 per cent rise in crimes against women. Rathore alleged that the State government has abdicated its responsibility towards people and its only goal is to remain in power.

-Jal Jeevan Mission has provided tap water supply to more than 97 lakh households in 61 Japanese Encephalitis – Acute Encephalitis Syndrome affected districts. Jal Shakti Ministry said, the tap water has been supplied to these priority districts in a short span of 22 months.The Mission has significantly strengthened the preventive measures to reduce spread of Japanese Encephalitis by providing clean tap water supply to economically poor households in the affected districts of Assam, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. On 15th August, 2019, when Jal Jeevan Mission was announced, only eight lakh households in 61 Japanese Encephalitis affected districts across the five States had tap water supply. The Ministry said, after implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, now more than one crore household have assured tap water supply in these affected districts. More than 462 Crore rupees have been allocated to these States as Japanese Encephalitis – Acute Encephalitis Syndrome component for 2021-22.
Japanese Encephalitis mostly affects children and young adults which can lead to morbidity and mortality. These infections particularly affect malnourished children of poor economic backgrounds.