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Wednesday,15-January-2025
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Dense fog in Delhi-NCR: 184 flights delayed, 26 trains running late

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New Delhi, Jan 15: A thick fog enveloped the national capital and surrounding areas early Wednesday morning, severely affecting visibility and causing widespread transportation disruptions. At least seven flights were cancelled, while 184 others were delayed. Additionally, 26 trains heading to Delhi were running late, with six train schedules altered due to the low visibility.

The thick fog caused visibility levels to plummet to near zero in several areas disrupting air, road, and rail traffic.

This comes a day after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert in the national capital, warning of dense to very dense fog.

Road traffic also slowed down as dense fog made commuting difficult across Delhi and other cities in the NCR.

In a statement around 7:30 a.m., Delhi Airport urged passengers to stay informed about their flight status. “Although landings and take-offs continue, flights that do not meet the CAT III (Category III Instrument Landing System) standards may experience delays. We advise passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates. We regret any inconvenience caused,” said Delhi Airport in repeated advisories.

Budget airlines IndiGo and SpiceJet also issued warnings to travellers, urging them to monitor their flight schedules due to the heavy fog affecting air travel.

The IMD predicted the minimum temperature for the day would dip to 9 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the maximum temperature was forecast to reach around 19 degrees. The weather department also warned of a generally overcast sky throughout the day.

The IMD has forecasted further fog during the evening and night, with cloudy skies expected throughout the day. There is also a chance of light rain later in the day or night, further complicating the weather conditions.

The average air quality in the national capital remains in the “poor” category.

Dense fog and cold wave have become recurring phenomena in northern India, further complicating the already difficult winter conditions. Residents are being advised to take extra precautions while travelling.

National News

Indian Army’s legacy built on ability to serve nation selflessly: Chief of Defence Staff

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New Delhi, Jan 15: On the occasion of the 77th Army Day on Wednesday, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, extended his greetings and best wishes to all ranks of the Indian Army and said that its legacy was built on the ability to serve the nation selflessly.

General Chauhan said, “New-age technologies and concepts such as automation powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data-Centric Architecture, Celerity Centric Warfare bolstered by Stealth and Hypersonic technologies, and Robotics driven by Autonomous Vehicles are transforming how future wars will be fought.”

Highlighting the changing dynamics of warfare and the growing use of technology, the CDS said that modern warfare is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in technology, and shifting geo-political dynamics.

Conflicts are increasingly expanding into new domains, including Cyber, Space and Cognitive arenas, he said.

In his message on the solemn occasion, the CDS said that Army Day is a celebration of the unwavering dedication, courage, indomitable spirit and professionalism that define the Indian Army, an institution that continues to stand as the bedrock of India’s security and unity.

Gen Chauhan said that the Indian Army’s legacy is built on its credible ability to adapt to challenges, uphold sovereignty and serve the nation selflessly.

“The relentless efforts of the personnel of the Indian Army in maintaining a high state of readiness, excelling in operational domains and ensuring safety and well-being of our citizens, under all circumstances are commendable,” he underscored.

Stressing that no wars in the future would be fought like the last one, and the raison d’être for any army is to win wars, Gen Anil Chauhan said that the Indian Army will need to adapt and equip technologically and continually upgrade its Tactics, Techniques and Procedures to remain ahead of the adversaries.

Empowering men with higher technical acumen with infusion of improved Information and Communications Technology is the need of the hour, he added.

The CDS in his message paid homage and expressed his gratitude to the bravehearts, who made the supreme sacrifice and laid down their lives in the line of duty.

He said, “As we mark this special day, every soldier must resolve to uphold the glorious traditions of the Indian Army, while embracing the challenges of the future with determination and pride. May the Army continue to bring greater success and glory to our motherland and contribute indefatigably towards nation building.”

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Bengal ‘expired’ saline death case: Autopsy report hints at multi-organ failure

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Kolkata, Jan 15: The initial post-mortem report of Mamoni Ruidas, the woman who died at a state-run medical college and hospital in West Midnapore district on January 10 after being allegedly administered with expired Ringer’s Lactate, has hinted towards multi-organ failure and septicemia being the preliminary reasons behind her death.

Sources aware of the development said the initial post-mortem report has also pointed out the existence of toxic body fluid within her body. This particular point has raised the question of whether besides saline the victim was also administered with oxytocin to keep the impact of the toxic body fluid under control.

Already two parallel probes are being conducted in the matter, the first by a committee formed by the state health department and the second by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police.

Last week five women had fallen sick at the said state-run medical college and hospital in West Midnapore district allegedly after being administered with expired Ringer’s lactate. One of the women died in the hospital. The other four women were then kept under treatment at the critical care unit and intensive care units of the same hospital.

Three of them had to be shifted to state-run S.S.K.M Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata following sharp deteriorations in their medical conditions.

The incident raised serious concerns, especially as the expired RL saline allegedly came from Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Limited, a company earlier banned by the Karnataka government and later by the West Bengal government.

Following this, the state health department directed the medical superintendents-cum-vice principals of all medical colleges and hospitals and all the chief medical officers of the districts “to ensure total stoppage of the existing stock of Compound Sodium Lactate Injection (RL) supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd in his/her jurisdiction.

Later, the state government also directed the removal of stocks of all medicines supplied by the said company from all healthcare entities in the state.

This incident has revived concerns over similar cases in the state’s healthcare system.

Notably, in a recent case of financial irregularities at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, its former principal, Sandip Ghosh, was accused of encouraging the use of expired and ineffective drugs on patients for personal financial gains.

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National News

Delhi election: Kejriwal to file nomination today

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New Delhi, Jan 15: AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will file his nomination for the Assembly election from the New Delhi constituency on Wednesday.

Kejriwal claimed that many “mothers and sisters” of the national capital would accompany him to the election office and bless him.

The former Delhi Chief Minister said that before filing the nomination, he would visit the Valmiki and Hanuman temples to seek divine blessings.

In a post on social media platform X, the AAP chief said: “Today will be filing nomination for the polls. Many mothers and sisters will be accompanying me to bless me. Will visit Hanuman and Valmiki temples to seek blessings before filing nominations.”

Kejriwal will file the nomination from the New Delhi Assembly constituency. The BJP has put up Parvesh Verma as its candidate from the constituency and Sandeep Dikshit is the Congress nominee.

Meanwhile, the Centre has given the go-ahead to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Kejriwal in a money laundering case.

The Union Home Ministry has granted permission to the ED to prosecute Kejriwal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the excise policy case.

In December, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena gave the nod to the agency to prosecute Kejriwal.

Kejriwal and AAP have been accused of receiving bribes from the ‘South Group’, a cartel which controlled the sale and distribution of liquor in the national capital and allegedly benefitted from the excise policy framed by the Delhi government for 2021-22.

Kejriwal, who is currently out on bail, has denied the charges against them and accused the BJP of misusing central agencies to “harass” political rivals.

The high-decibel electioneering saw AAP, BJP and Congress in a triangular contest accusing each other of corruption and cheating people.

Besides facing allegations of corruption in the excise policy case, Kejriwal has been drawing criticism for alleged lavish spending on his official residence when he was the Chief Minister of the national capital.

The Sheesh Mahal row is one of the major issues on which the political parties are gheraoing the AAP Convenor.

Election to the 70-member Assembly will be held on February 5 and the counting of votes on February 8.

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