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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on Monday. Both Ministers briefly discussed a range of bilateral, regional security and defence cooperation issues. They reviewed the recent bilateral events such as the INDUS-X Summit held in New Delhi last month and the bilateral Tri-Service exercise Tiger Triumph.
The US Secretary of Defence appreciated the important role being played by the Indian Navy in conducting anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean Region. The two Ministers discussed ways and means to implement the India-US Defence Cooperation Roadmap which was concluded last year. Other defence-industrial cooperation issues such as repair of US naval ships in Indian shipyards were also briefly discussed.
President Droupadi Murmu has asked Civil Services officers to make use of the latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, blockchain and big data analytics for an efficient and smart administration.
She said, convergence of new ideas and new technologies with rich and varied experiences can bring such impactful changes that one cannot even imagine. President Murmu was addressing the State civil services officers at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. The officers are attending the 125th Induction Training Programme at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, LBSNAA, Musoorie.
President Murmu said that officers should always keep in mind sustainability and inclusiveness when they undertake any developmental work. She said, with the world facing the threats of global warming and climate change, it is essential that they take innovative measures to adopt eco-friendly practices and promote sustainability.
The Supreme Court directed the State Bank of India to make a complete disclosure of all details related to electoral bonds by Thursday. The apex court said the details to be disclosed include the unique bond numbers that would reveal the link between the buyers and the recipient political parties. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud directed the SBI chairman to file an affidavit before it by 5 PM on 21st of March indicating that bank has disclosed all details.
Amid widespread speculation regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s potential candidacy in the southern state of Tamil Nadu or the Kanyakumari seat, in addition to his declared candidacy in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, sources indicate that he intends to contest from only one seat.
The possibility of contesting from any southern state has been dismissed, as the BJP is hesitant to experiment at this juncture, according to a source.
This decision has subdued the enthusiasm within the party, as there were hopes of increasing its vote share in the upcoming general elections and enhancing the party’s presence in the south.
Furthermore, the caste dynamics in the southern state do not align favorably with the party, and any risk at this stage could undermine the leadership.
Smoking and alcohol consumption have long been associated with various health risks, but their detrimental effects on eye health are often underestimated. Smoking and regular alcohol affects not only your overall well-being but also impacts your eyes says , Dr Ankit Deokar, Consultant-Cornea, Sankara Eye Centre, Indore.
Following are some of the impacts of regular smoking and alcohol consumption on eye health and the potential risks associated with them:
· Smoking and its effect on Vision:
#Increased Risk of Cataracts: Smoking is a well-established risk factor for the development of cataracts. The harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke contribute to the clouding of the eye’s natural lens.
#Macular Degeneration: Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss among older adults. AMD affects the central part of the retina, leading to a loss of central vision.
Smoking and Diabetic Retinopathy: Engaging in smoking elevates the likelihood of experiencing diverse complications related to diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy. It also increases the likelihood of vision-threatening complications.
Dr. Anand Kalaskar – General Physician, Apollo Clinic, Nigdi, Pune says: Smoking and alcohol consumption can have significant adverse effects on eye health, impacting various aspects of vision and increasing the risk of developing serious eye conditions.
· Alcohol consumption & Glaucoma:
Excessive alcohol consumption can have detrimental effects on the eyes. Alcohol can disrupt the delicate balance of fluid pressure within the eyes, leading to fluctuations that may increase the risk of developing conditions such as glaucoma.
· Alcohol consumption & Nutritional Deficiencies:
Chronic alcohol abuse can also contribute to nutritional deficiencies that affect eye health, such as a deficiency in vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy vision.
· Alcohol and eye trauma:
Alcohol consumption can impair judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of eye injuries from accidents or falls. This can result in trauma to the eyes, ranging from minor injuries like corneal abrasions to more severe conditions such as retinal detachment.
Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol consumption are essential steps towards maintaining optimal eye health. Regular eye check-ups and a healthy lifestyle contribute to preventing vision-related issues associated with these harmful habits. It is crucial for individuals to be aware of the potential consequences and to adopt a Additionally, regular eye check-ups and a healthy lifestyle, including a well-balanced diet, can contribute to maintaining optimal eye health throughout life. As with any health-related matter, individuals are advised to consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice and guidance based on their specific circumstances, concludes Dr Ankit.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured sufficient drinking water for Bengaluru city till the end of June. He was addressing media persons in the city on Monday after a meeting with the officials. He informed that Krishnarajasagara Dam has 11.02 TMC water storage and Kabini dam has 9.02 TMC storage that, he added, will be sufficient to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru. He also informed that 775 MLD of additional water will be available to Bengaluru after the completion of Cauvery Phase 5 project soon. Mr. Siddaramaiah said that out of 14000 Government borewells 6900 have dried up and orders are issued to drill new borewells at 313 places and revive 1200 inactive bores. He said instructions are issued to utilise private water tankers and Milk federation tankers to supply water in the city. Additional helplines will be opened to receive distress calls. The 14 major lakes in the city will be filled up with treated water to recharge the bore wells. An Expert committee is formed to oversee the water distribution arrangements.
NDA allies in Bihar have finalized their seat sharing agreement for the Lok Sabha polls. Under the alliance, out of total 40 seats, BJP will fight on 17 Lok Sabha seats, JD (U) on 16 and Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) will contest on five seats. Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s led Hindustani Avami Morcha and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha will contest on one seat each in the state. The announcement in this regard was made by BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde in New Delhi on Monday. On the occasion, Bihar BJP President Samrat Choudhary, JD (U) leader Sanjay Jha, LJP (R) Raju Tiwari and others were present.
In Uttar Pradesh, Rampur MP/MLA court has sentenced former minister Azam Khan to 7 years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 8 lakh in the Dungarpur case. 4 people including Azam Khan have been sentenced and fined. Also, 3 accused have been acquitted in this case. Apart from Azam Khan, the remaining three accused, former CO Aale Hasan Khan, former Municipality Chairman Azhar Ahmed Khan and Barkat Ali Contractor, have been given maximum punishment of 5 years and a fine of Rs 2 lakh has been imposed on them.
This case was filed in the year 2019. Senior prosecution officer Amarnath Tiwari said that Azam Khan has been sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh under section 452 of the IPC for assault by breaking into the house. Apart from this, a fine of Rs 3 lakh was also imposed under other sections. All sentences will run concurrently. Judge Vijay Kumar’s MP MLA court had convicted Azam Khan on March 16th. Azam Khan appeared in the case through video conferencing from Sitapur jail.
Election Commission of India has asked state government of West Bengal to transfer Mr. Rajeev Kumar (IPS), DGP & IGP to a post not related to election. Commission has asked the state government to nominate a senior officer next to Rajeev Kumar to be appointed as ad hoc DGP of police.
Meanwhile, Commission has also ordered to send by 5 pm on Monday, a panel of three eligible officers among whom next DGP &IGP of West Bengal police can be recruited. West Bengal will go to poll on 19th April under the first phase of Lok Sabha election 2024. The lok sabha election will be held in all the seven phases in the state.
A bilateral tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise named Tiger Triumph – 24 between India and the US has begun on the Eastern Seaboard in India. It will continue till 31st of this month. Defence Ministry said, the exercise is aimed at developing interoperability for conducting HADR operations and refine Standard Operating Procedures to enable rapid and smooth coordination between forces of both countries. Indian Navy Ships with integral helicopters and landing crafts, Indian Army personnel and vehicles along with the Rapid Action Medical Team will participate in the exercise. The US will be represented by US Navy Ships with embarked troops of the US Marine Corps and US Army.