THE HEADLINES :-
DGCA grounds A320 family aircraft in the country pending urgent safety updates after Airbus cites potential solar radiation risk; Multiple airlines face flight disruptions; Six thousand aircraft affected worldwide.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairing 60th All India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police at Raipur in Chhattisgarh.
Government convenes all-party meeting tomorrow ahead of Winter Session of Parliament beginning on Monday.
India sends 27 tonnes of relief material and over 80 NDRF personnel to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu in the wake of destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah; Death toll in neighbouring nation reaches 123.
IMD issues red alert for heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Ditwah approaches.
In Hockey, Indian Men’s team defeats Canada 14-3 in Malaysia to enter finals of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament.
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an immediate suspension of all flights operated by the Airbus A320 family in the country until mandatory safety modifications are completed. The directive covers the A318, A319, A320, and A321 aircraft, requiring operators to ground them until prescribed checks and repairs are carried out.
The move follows a global directive from Airbus, which has ordered urgent repairs on thousands of A320-family aircraft around the world after a potential solar radiation risk was discovered that could affect critical flight control data. Around six thousand aircraft across the globe are likely to be impacted. The software update to fix the issue is expected to take two to three days, causing flight disruptions for multiple airlines worldwide, including in India. We have a report:
“Indian airlines operator, IndiGo and the Air India together use more than 350 aircraft in this category. The aircraft in the country will need to be grounded briefly to install the software fix, a process that is expected to cause operational disruptions. Meanwhile, Air India has issued a statement that its engineers are working round-the-clock to complete the software and hardware realignment on A320 family aircraft worldwide. It said, some flights may be slightly delayed or rescheduled. The company has also requested passengers to check the latest flight status on its website or connect with their contact centre at 011-69329333, 011-69329999 before heading to the airport. With UK BISWAS report, Akshit Vedyan for Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing the 60th All India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police at Raipur in Chhattisgarh today.The Prime Minister will participate in several sessions scheduled at the conference tomorrow as well.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the three-day conference yesterday at the Indian Institute of Management in the state’s capital. Our correspondent has the details:
“This year, the theme of the conference is Viksit Bharat: Security Dimensions. The deliberations are focusing on key national security issues, including Left-Wing Extremism, counter-terrorism, disaster management, women’s safety, and the use of forensic science and artificial intelligence in policing.In the inauguration session the Union home minister Amit Shah said that the conference has been shaped as a portal of solutions to internal security, laying broad principles for strategizing and policy making. Mr. Shah said that the mettle of our police forces is evident in the success India has achieved in the last 11 years in its operations against radicalisation, extremism, insurgency and narcotics. The conference is being attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Union Minister of State for Home, Directors General of Police from various States and Union Territories, as well as heads of Central Police Organisations. Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani News, Raipur.”
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized the importance of keeping the youth motivated, given the rapid pace of India’s development. He made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of the 100th Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, today. More from our correspondent:
“The Defence Minister said that to make India a developed nation, we must ensure that every section of society participates equally in this journey of development. He said that by the year 2047, when the goal of a developed India will be realised, many women in the country will have reached the position of Cabinet Secretary. He said that this shows India’s women power is fully prepared to contribute to the nation’s development journey and that there is no position they cannot achieve when given the opportunity. The Defence Minister said that at a time when humanity is facing many moral challenges, we need civil servants who not only say they want to bring change, but also make continuous efforts to achieve it. Sakshi Singh, Akashvani News, Dehradun.”
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The Government has convened an all-party meeting tomorrow ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament beginning on Monday. During the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will hold talks with the floor leaders of political parties of both the Houses in Parliament. The government will seek cooperation from all political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the session.
In a social media post, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the Opposition Parties to fully participate and contribute in the proceedings of both the Houses and help create a vibrant parliamentary system. The Winter Session which is set to commence from Monday, will continue till 19th December.
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The Election Commission has issued a point by point rebuttal to all apprehensions of ruling Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state and termed the allegations made by party as baseless. A 10-member delegation of the party led by Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien met the Election Commission in New Delhi over the issue yesterday.
The Commission asked the delegation to submit claims and objections after the 9th of December when the draft list is shared with them. The Commission said, till then, the party should not interfere with the independent functioning of poll panel personnel on deputation for Election related works.
In the ongoing SIR exercise in the state, approximately 15 lakh 53 thousand dead voters’ names have been identified. Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal Manoj Kumar Agarwal will chair a virtual review meeting on SIR today with the District Election Officers of the State.
Amidst the ongoing process, reports of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants leaving India through the borders of West Bengal has also came to light.
Meanwhile, the BJP today hit out at Trinamool Congress over its objections to the SIR, accusing the party of trying to protect illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators.
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In Karnataka, amid intense tussle over leadership, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today held a meeting in Bengaluru. In a joint press conference after the meeting, Mr. Siddaramaiah said, they were together during the Assembly elections and continue to be together. The responses came amidst the speculation about change of Chief Ministership after completion of two and half years. There were reports that the followers of DK Shivakumar are demanding the change of Chief Minister. The Chief Minister added that both of them will work according to the Congress high command instructions and there is no differences between them.
Speaking on this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also said, they do not have any differences and they will work together.
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India has extended its emergency assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu after Cyclone Ditwah left a trail of widespread destruction across the Island Nation. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said, a total of 27 tonnes of relief material have been delivered to Colombo by air and sea so far. In a social media post, the Minister said, more relief material is on the way to support affected communities in Cyclone Ditwah affected areas. He said two Urban Search and Rescue Teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Personnel have also been sent.
Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, the death toll due to Cyclone Ditwah has risen to 123 and more than three lakh seventy thousand people affected across multiple districts. More from our correspondent:
“Rescue in Sri Lanka has been strongly bolstered with the arrival of Indian aid at a time when the island is facing one of the worst natural disasters since floods in May 2017. The experienced NDRF personnel and the Indian helicopters further boost the response efforts in saving lives. Authorities have said the death toll has risen to 123 so far while adding that many rivers are at danger levels. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India has sent two aircrafts full of relief material of 21 tonnes which will add to the rescue efforts in the island. Authorities have urged the public to cooperate in ensuring evacuation in affected areas. AHMED MUYEEN FAROOQI/AKASHVANI NEWS/COLOMBO“
After causing destruction in neighbouring nation, Cyclone Ditwah is now approaching north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south South Andhra Pradesh coasts. In view of this, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in these areas. The weather agency has said, the cyclone is expected to reach north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh by early tomorrow morning.
The system is currently positioned over the Southwest Bay of Bengal is moving with a speed of 8 kilometer per hour. The Met Department has advised fishermen not to venture into the coastal areas of Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the south Andhra Pradesh coasts till Monday.
The approaching cyclone has disrupted air and rail services in Tamil Nadu. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Thiru Ramachandran held a video conference with district collectors to assess the situation. Speaking to the media in Chennai, the Minister confirmed that no lives have been lost so far. More from our correspondent:
“Heavy rains continue to lash some areas of Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and delta districts. Widespread heavy rains due to cyclone Ditwah has been recorded in some areas all through Coastal TamilNadu. According to the forecast, a red alert has been issued to Chennai, Chengalpet, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram today. NDRF teams have been deployed in several areas at Nagapattinam and nearby areas. According to the latest information, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Puducherry and Karaikal are likely to receive heavy rains till tomorrow morning. Weather experts say that more than rain, gusty winds are likely to create more impact. People living in low lying areas have been shifted to safer places where food and stay is ensured by the district administration. Toll free numbers have been announced for emergency assistance. Joy,Akashvani News,Chennai.”
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In Indonesia, the death toll due to tsunami, earthquake and severe flooding in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra has risen to 248, while more than 100 people remain missing. Rescue workers struggled today to reach various devastated regions, due to damaged roads and disrupted communication lines. Rescue operations are also being hindered by collapsed bridges and a shortage of heavy equipment.
According to the National Disaster Management Agency, continuous monsoon rains over the past week caused rivers to overflow in North Sumatra, triggering flash floods that swept through mountainside villages and submerged thousands of homes and buildings.
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In Hockey, Indian Men’s team defeated Canada 14-3 at Ipoh in Malaysia today to storm into the final of 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament. Rajinder Singh opened the scoring twice, Jugraj Singh was unstoppable with four goals of his own, and Amit Rohidas, Dilpreet Singh, Selvam Karthi, Sanjay, and Abhishek all added to the onslaught. Having won the tournament five times, India are the second-most successful team in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and are making their first appearance in the tournament since 2019, when they finished as runners-up.
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In Badminton, Indian shuttlers Unnati Hooda and Kidambi Srikanth have stormed into the semifinals of singles’ events of the Syed Modi International Tournament in Lucknow. In the women’s singles, Unnati Hooda will meet fourth seed Neslihan Arin of Turkey today. However, 16-year-old Tanvi lost to fifth seed Hina Akechi of Japan in the semifinal today. In Men’s singles, Mithun Manjunath has set up an all-Indian semifinal clash with Kidambi Srikanth.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- DGCA grounds A320 family aircraft in the country pending urgent safety updates after Airbus cites potential solar radiation risk; Multiple airlines face flight disruptions; Six thousand aircraft affected worldwide.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairing 60th All India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police at Raipur in Chhattisgarh.
- Government convenes all-party meeting tomorrow ahead of Winter Session of Parliament beginning on Monday.
- India sends 27 tonnes of relief material and over 80 NDRF personnel to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu in the wake of destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah; Death toll in neighbouring nation reaches 123.
- IMD issues red alert for heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Ditwah approaches.
- In Hockey, Indian Men’s team defeats Canada 14-3 in Malaysia to enter finals of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament.
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