Over 15,900 Indians brought back from Ukraine

Over 2,100 Indians citizens have been brought back on Sunday by 11 special civilian flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. With this, more than 15,900 Indians have been brought back since the special flights began on 22nd February. Civil Aviation Ministry said the number of Indians airlifted by 66 special civilian flights has gone up to 13,852. Till date, the Indian Air Force has flown 10 sorties to bring back 2,056 passengers, while taking 26 tonnes of relief load to these countries, as part of Operation Ganga. Among the special civilian flights , 9 landed in New Delhi while 2 reached Mumbai. There were 6 flights from Budapest, 2 from Bucharest, 2 from  Rzeszow, and one from Kosice. On Monday, eight special flights are expected to operate from Budapest, Suceava and Bucharest, bringing in more than 1500 Indians back home.

-Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has said, it is the growing influence of India that we have brought thousands of students back to our homeland from Ukraine. Addressing the students, faculty and alumni after inaugurating Golden Jubilee celebration of Symbiosis University in Pune on Sunday, the Prime Minister said that big countries of the world are finding it difficult to do so. The Prime minister underlined the confidence of New India and mentioned that India is among the largest economies of the world and maintains the third largest startup ecosystem of the world. “Missions like Startup India, Stand Up India, Make in India and Aatmnirbhar Bharat are representing the aspirations. Today's India is innovating, improving, and influencing the whole world. The Prime Minister also noted the motto of the institute ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam’ and said that in the form of students from various countries, this modern institution is representing India’s ancient tradition. He said knowledge should spread far and wide, knowledge should become a medium to connect the whole world as one family, this has been our culture. I am glad that this tradition is still alive in our country.

-Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal has received the cargo vessel MV Lalbahadur Shastri which carried food-grains from Patna to Pandu Port, Guwahati via Bangladesh. Speaking on this landmark moment, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, said, “ The feat marks the beginning of a new age of inland water transport in Assam. This is going to provide the business community a viable, economic and ecological alternative. The seamless cargo transportation is a journey of unfulfilled desires and aspirations of the people of Assam. The motor vessel was flagged off from Patna’s Inland Water Terminal Gaighat on February 5. Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the motor vessel. The ship has travelled 2,350 kilometers across West Bengal and Bangladesh for one month. The ship is carrying 200 metric tons of rice belonging to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

-The polling for Panchayat and Municipal Elections concluded in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Polling started on Sunday at 7 AM. During early hours women and senior citizens queued up for polling at various centres in Port Blair. Voting speeds up as time goes by.  So far, the polling has been peaceful. The polling ended post 5 PM. At a few polling stations, voters were accommodated with slips to cast their vote even after 5 PM. The rural areas across the islands received higher polling percentage as compared to municipal area.  As per the data received, till 3 PM the polling percentage for Port Blair Municipal Council, PBMC is 37.63% while for Gram Panchayats the voting percentage is 53.89%. The latest figures are awaited. Ballot Paper was used for panchayat elections while voters cast their vote by pressing a button on EVM for Port Blair Municipal Council Election.There are a total of 2,97,940 registered voters for Gram Panchayats and Port Blair Municipal Corporation, PBMC. 800 polling stations have been set up for conducting local body elections in A&N Islands.  

-J&K Police have busted a terror module of proscribed Jaish--e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit in Awantipora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district and arrested four terrorist associates. Police said that during preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the arrested terrorist associates were involved in providing shelter, logistic support and transportation of arms and ammunition to the terrorists. Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law in the concerned Police Station and initiated the necessary investigations.