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We have 16% global population but only 4% fresh water available: Vice President

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Rajya Sabha chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said that the conservation of water and preservation of our water resources is of the utmost importance for our country given the fact that we have 16 per cent of the global population, but only four percent of the world’s available fresh water.

He said that this year’s UN theme for ‘World Water Day’ is ‘Groundwater, making the Invisible Visible’ that focuses on groundwater, which exists as an invisible resource, but has a profound impact visible everywhere.

“Sustenance of life on our planet, to a large extent, depends on the groundwater. Groundwater supplies a large proportion of the water we use for drinking, sanitation, food production and industrial processes and is equally significant for the healthy functioning of ecosystems,” Naidu said.

He added that with the ever growing population, urbanisation and industrialisation, the demand for water has increased manifold and the groundwater resources have been put under severe stress.

The dual challenge regarding our groundwater resources is faced due to its exploitation and pollution due to industrial effluents, mining activities and agricultural runoff.

As people’s representatives, the Rajya Sabha chairman said that it was incumbent upon the people to serve as flag bearers in their efforts to conserve water resources.

He urged the people to adopt sustainable water management practices both in personal and public life and sensitise one and all in inculcating water conservation techniques like rain water harvesting, afforestation, adoption of water efficient agriculture, preservation of wetlands and recharging of aquifers.

Referring to the ancient texts such as Rig Veda Samhita that exhorts us to treat water as a divine gift of nature, Naidu also said: “Plants and waters are treasures for generations. Atharva Veda Samhita also enjoins us to refrain from water pollution and the waters are to be freed from defilement.

“In tune to our ancient wisdom, I hope the entire House will join me in supporting the conservation of water resources, especially groundwater resources, and ensuring judicious use of water so that while fulfilling our present needs, enough is left for our future generations.”

Crime

Horrific video! Man lifts his wife & jumps on Kolkata metro track on seeing train’s arrival, here’s what happened next

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In a horrific incident in West Bengal, a couple was seen trying to die by suicide on metro tracks. A man at the Noapara station platform of the Kolkata metro, on seeing the train’s arrival, hugged and lifted his wife and jumped in front of the transport with her.

Couple jumps before metro rail trying to die by suicide

In the video, we can see a couple casually walking on the metro platform and no sooner taking a drastic decision to end their lives. As the metro coach entered the premises, the man rushed towards his wife and jumped to the tracks with her. The duo was seen coming under the moving train, however, were rescued by the metro staff there.

Rescued by staff

The incident reportedly took place at 6.34 pm on Saturday, leading to a service disruption on the Kolkata Metro’s North-South Line. Within an hour of the suicide attempt, the services resumed in the entire stretch – from Kavi Subhas to Dakshineswar.

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International News

Oil prices rise as Saudi Arabia announces output cuts

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Oil-producing countries have agreed to continued cuts in production in a bid to shore up flagging prices, the media reported on Monday.

Saudi Arabia said it would make cuts of a million barrels per day (bpd) in July and OPEC+ said targets would drop by a further 1.4 million bpd from 2024, reports.

OPEC+ accounts for around 40 per cent of the world’s crude oil and its decisions can have a major impact on oil prices.

In Asia trade on Monday, Brent crude oil rose by as much as 2.4 per cent before settling at around $77 a barrel.

The seven hour-long meeting on Sunday of the oil-rich nations, led by Russia, came against a backdrop of falling energy prices.

Total production cuts, which OPEC+ has undertaken since October 2022, reached 3.66 million bpd, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, the reported.

OPEC+, a formulation which refers to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, had already agreed to cut production by two million bpd, about 2 per cent of global demand.

“The result of the discussions was the extension of the deal until the end of 2024,” Novak said.

In April, it also agreed a surprise voluntary cut of 1.6 million bpd which took effect in May, a move that briefly saw an increase in prices but failed to bring about a lasting recovery.

On Sunday, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the cut of one million bpd could be extended beyond July if needed, the BBC reported.

“This is a Saudi lollipop,” he said, in what is seen as a bid to stabilise the market.

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Crime

Three men attack Punjab minister’s pilot vehicle after parking dispute

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Three drunk men allegedly pelted bricks at the pilot vehicle of Punjab Minister Balkar Singh in Jalandhar city after a parking dispute on Monday.

The accused allegedly chased and intercepted the minister’s official vehicle accompanying the police pilot. They then attacked the pilot vehicle with bricks near Guru Ravi Dass Dham. At that time the minister and his wife were on their way home, the police said.

The accused were arrested. Their luxury car was also impounded. The incident happened at around 1 a.m.

The assailants were reportedly in an inebriated condition. The cause of the attack was arguments over the parking of the vehicle outside an eatery, a police official said.

“They have been booked under Sections 153 and 186 of the IPC,” Police Commissioner Kuldeep Chahal told the media.

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