Amid the coronavirus pandemic, a video showing a leak in a tanker is being shared on social media to claim that oxygen is being wasted in Congress-ruled states to discredit the Central government in front of the world.  However, we found that the viral video dates back to 2020 and ammonia gas had leaked out of the tanker in Rajasthan’s Jaipur.  A local reporter told us that since the height of the tanker was more than the underpass it was passing through, the tanker’s valve hit the roof and the leak took place.  CLAIM The claim along with the video reads: “कांग्रेस शासित राज्यों में ऑक्सीजन इस तरह बर्बाद की जा रही है, विश्व मे सिर्फ केंद्र सरकार ओर भारत को बदनाम करने के लिए ।” (Translated: Oxygen is being wasted in Congress-ruled states in this way, only to discredit the Central government and India. ) Several social media users shared the video on Facebook and Twitter with a similar claim, with some mentioning that it’s from Jaipur in Rajasthan.  The archived posts can be viewed here, here and here.  The Quint received a query on the claim being made in the video on its WhatsApp tipline as well.  WHAT WE FOUND OUT We divided the video into multiple keyframes using InVid and reverse-searched them on Yandex that led us to a YouTube video uploaded in July 2020, which carried the viral visuals.  VISUALS SHOW AMMONIA GAS LEAKING OUT OF THE TANKER We then searched on YouTube with relevant keywords and came across a video uploaded by Rajasthan Patrika on 24 July 2020.  The bulletin carried the viral visuals and mentioned that the incident took place in Jaipur’s Shivdaspura area.  Another report by Patrika mentioned that the tanker was filled with ammonia gas and had started leaking.  Dainik Bhaskar had also covered the incident and mentioned that, the tanker was getting out of an underpass when its valve bumped into the roof of the underpass and the gas started leaking.  Fire brigade and police had reached the spot and the situation was reportedly brought under control after continued efforts for an hour.  Further, a local reporter, corroborating with the aforementioned details, told The Quint’s WebQoof team that the viral video is an old one and showed ammonia gas coming out of the tanker.  “Since the height of the tanker was more than that of the underpass, the tanker’s walve hit the underpass and hence the gas started leaking out of the tanker,” the reporter added.  Evidently, an old video showing ammonia gas leaking out of a tanker in Rajasthan was used to falsely claim that oxygen is being wasted in the state.


Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) offer food to farmers who have gathered at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana). #FarmersProtest https://t.co/a1mk9U8IDo

The joint forum of 30 farmers unions have rejected Centre’s offer of early talks in a unanimous decision and said they were against any precondition to talks to resolve a deadlock over the three farm laws passed recently by the Parliament.  The Central government had offered to advance the talks if the farmer groups protesting against the farm laws at Delhi’s borders agreed to move to a designated venue at Burari in the national capital.  President of Sidhupur faction of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Jagjit Singh Dalewal, said that the forum’s decision was taken in the meeting held at Singhu border.  He stressed that farmers will talk to the Centre only if there is no pre-condition. “Venue for holding a protest is no longer our demand.  Our supporters are on road at various places leading to Delhi and the indefinite dharna has begun.  It has been resolved that talks with the Centre are possible only if they sent an invitation without any pre-condition.  We will send a written reply to the Union minister and home secretary detailing reasons for rejection of the conditioned offer,” said Dalewal, leader of a key constituent of the joint forum of farmers.  He denied there was an invitation from the Centre for talks on December 1. The meeting at Singhu border was called in light of a late Saturday missive sent by Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla to all the 32 farmer unions protesting for the last two days.  It stated that a high-powered group of ministers was ready to hold talks with a delegation of farmers.  The message further stated that the authorities would were willing to advance the talks if the protesting farmers moved to the earmarked protest site in Burari in Delhi. The next round of talks was otherwise originally scheduled to take place on December 3. Also Read: Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi backs farm laws, reaches out to agri community A section of farmers had expressed a strong reservation against holding protests at Burari as it is associated with the Nirankari sect.  A farmer leader said that the unions had no plans to vacate the roads leading to Delhi, and the blockades on Bahadurgarh and Chandigarh highways may continue till Sunday night. Meanwhile, the Ughrahan faction of the BKU, one of the most active in Punjab, is yet to take a clear stand on the matter.  “Our union leaders will soon hold talks with the joint forum before taking a decision,” Ughrahan said. Earlier today, Ughrahan had stated that the group wanted to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar. A large gathering of Ughrahan faction is stationed on the outskirts of Delhi near Bahadurgarh in Haryana’s Jhajjar district.  “As of now, a caravan of our activists is stationed at the Delhi border.  We could not move to enter the national capital due to the huge rush of farmers heading to Delhi for protests,” he said. Also Read: ‘An insult that farmers treated as terrorists’: Sanjay RautGeneral secretary of Dakonda faction of the BKU, Jagmohan Singh, said all 32 farmer unions of Punjab are united and any further course of protests would be decided with unanimity.


Uttarakhand: Mussoorie in Dehradun district gets covered in a blanket of snow following snowfall. https://t.co/Xmf42TQKBW

Fresh snowfall in Kashmir on Saturday brought back cold wave- like conditions in the valley where the day temperature for the past week was several degrees higher than normal for this time of the year, officials said. Fresh snowfall was reported from most parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the officials said.  Macchil and Z-Gali areas in remote Kupwara district recorded snow between one foot to 18 inches, while places like Gulmarg, Baramulla and Sonamarg recorded up to seven inches of snow, they said. Srinagar has been witnessing rainfall since Friday night, followed by sleet and brief snowfall on Saturday. The precipitation has brought down the day temperature by several degrees.  While the maximum temperature on Friday was 15 degrees Celsius, the minimum temperature was 3. 8 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature over the past week has been six to seven degrees above normal for this time of the year. The weatherman has forecast improvement in weather from Sunday evening.


A six-year-old photo showing Muslim scholars engrossed in reading while a copy of Atharvaveda - one of the four Vedas - lies in foreground is being shared on social media with a caption falsely claiming that Muslims are 'rewriting' Hindu scriptures.   BOOM found that the photograph is from Al Mahadul Aali Al Islami seminary in Hyderabad, Telangana.  We contacted the deputy director of the seminary who rubbished the viral claims and said that this was a part of religious studies at the seminary.  Also read No, A Maulvi Did Not Preside Over Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's Wedding The viral post shares a picture of, what seems like, a library.  Men wearing skull caps can be seen reading or writing.   A Hindi caption with the post translates to 'Pay attention, what is happening in our country.  The adulteration of our religious texts is going on in full swing.  After 20 years, coming generations will read these adulterated Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads wherein it would be written that character building is a useless thing.  Brahmacharya is a useless topic.  There is no such thing as religion and unrighteousness.  Policies of Charvaka are extremely beneficial, there is nothing as ethics.  You will get all misinformation in pure Sanskrit.  It will be done in the same as Macaulay and Max Mueller contaminated our Manusmriti etc'.     (Hindi: देखो और ध्यान दो और क्या हो रहा है हमारे देश में हमारे धर्म ग्रंथों में मिलावट करने का कार्य जोरों से चल रहा है,,,,आने वाली 20 साल बाद हमारी अगली पीढ़ियां ये #मिलावटी वेद ,पुराण , उपनिषद पढ़ेंगे। ,,,जिसमें लिखा होगा चरित्र निर्माण बेकार की बात है | ब्रह्मचर्य एकदम फालतू जैसा टॉपिक है । धर्म और अधर्म जैसी कोई चीज नहीं । चार्वाक जैसी नीतियां अत्यंत लाभकारी है ,,,संस्कार जैसी कोई चीज नहीं होती । आदि आदि फालतू बातें मिलेंगी ,,,,यह सब बाकायदा अच्छी और सुद्रढ संस्कृत में मिलेंगी | बिल्कुल उसी प्रकार जिस प्रकार मैकाले और मैक्स मूलर ने हमारी मनुस्मृति आदि को मिलावट करके दूषित किया) The viral posts can be checked below and their archived versions are available here, here and here.  The post is also viral on Twitter with the same narrative.  देखो और ध्यान दो और क्या हो रहा है हमारे देश में 🤔🤨हमारे धर्म ग्रंथों में मिलावट करने का कार्य जोरों से चल रहा है 🙄आने वाली 20 साल बाद हमारी अगली पीढ़ियां ये #मिलावटी वेद ,पुराण , उपनिषद पढ़ेंगेऔर बोलेंगे की👇धर्म और अधर्म जैसी कोई चीज नहीं#हिन्दू_विरोधी_गतिविधियाँ pic. twitter. com/7lX2nN1FEB  देखो और ध्यान दो और क्या हो रहा है हमारे देश में 🤔🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨हमारे धर्म ग्रंथों में मिलावट करने का कार्य जोरों से चल रहा है,,,, 🙄🙄🙄आने वाली 20 साल बाद हमारी अगली पीढ़ियां ये #मिलावटी वेद ,पुराण , उपनिषद पढ़ेंगे। ,,, जिसमें लिखा होगा चरित्र निर्माण बेकार की बात है🦹 pic. twitter. com/ZJk8zxfC7C Also read 2013 Video Of Unclaimed Bodies At Osmania Hospital Given COVID-19 Spin BOOM ran a reverse image search on the viral picture and found an old article titled 'Best of both worlds' published by The Hindu in 2014 carrying the same photograph.   A caption with the picture shared in the article reads 'Students at Al Mahadul Aali Al Islami studying the Vedas to understand the common attributes in Islam and Hinduism.  This seminary has more than 1000 books on other religions at Hyderabad.  PHOTO: G_RAMAKRISHNA'.  The article published on April 2, 2014 mentioned that the seminary is located in Hyderabad, Telangana.  According to the report, the seminary was going to impart Islamic as well as modern education to its students from the upcoming academic year.   BOOM also contacted the deputy director of the Hyderabad-based seminary, Osman Abedeen, who rubbished the viral claims.  "The photograph was captured some six years ago and the scholars are reading in a library.  I do not remember clearly, but the viral claims are absolutely baseless and nonsense," Abedeen told BOOM.  "We have a department 'Studies of Religion' under which we study religions in India - Christianity, and Judaism.  It is the research methodology to consume information from the first source and not from second or third sources.  For instance, misunderstanding among the communities has been created because people did not read the religious text as they are.  Either they did not read or misinterpreted the texts.  This method is wrong.  The right method is to read from the first source.  We are the first of a kind institute in India where we have Vedas, Upanishadas, Bhagwat Gita, Guru Granth Saheb, and Bible.  We encourage our scholars and students to read original books to understand religion," Abedeen explained.  "We also had a teacher of Sanskrit,"  he said and added, "Vedas are not new, who can change Vedas?  It is evident that a library is called complete when you have all the sources of a subject.  We have nearly 1,500 books written by original writers," he said.  BOOM also contacted journalist JS Ifthekhar who had written the article.  Ifthekhar said that the photo was taken in the seminary's library which had books from many religions including Hinduism and Sikhism.  "It's kind of a course in comparative religious studies," Ifthekhar told BOOM.  Also read Swarajya, News Track Live Mistake Karsevak Azam Khan For SP Leader


Hollywood's A-listers brought their A-game to the Oscars red carpet. See the big fashion moments that have everyone talking. https://t.co/xTGZdWE3Vp https://t.co/rAvPBmzNJI

These partners attended the awards show side-by-side!  Hollywood's cutest partners slay the red carpet together at the 2019 OscarsSome of Hollywood's cutest couples walked the red carpet together at Sunday's 2019 Academy Awards. Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez also rolled up on the red carpet together -- with J. Lo donning a stunning, metallic, high-necked gown as A-Rod posed beside her in a white jacket with black slacks. Kelly Ripa and husband Mark Consuelos were all smiles as they arrived together at the Dolby Theatre. Adam Driver, who is up for best supporting actress for his role in "BlacKkKlansman," brought his longtime girlfriend Joanne Tucker to the event. Mahershala Ali and his wife Amatus Sami-Karim arrived and walked the red carpet together. Actor Billy Porter brought along husband Adam Smith. Bradley Cooper, who is up for three Oscars tonight, and his girlfriend Irina Shayk posed on the red carpet together. Amy Adams, who is up for best supporting actress for her role in "Vice," posed for the cameras with husband Darren Le Gallo by her side. Best actress nominee Melissa McCarthy and her husband, Ben Falcone, made quite an entrance. Longtime Hollywood power couple Sam Rockwell and Leslie Bibb also showed up together, beaming side-by-side on the red carpet. Willem Dafoe brought along his wife, Giada Colagrande. Jason Momoa attended the awards show with his wife by his side this year. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


BJP government should be formed not just for political 'poribartan' (political change), but 'asol poribartan' (real change) in Bengal. Lotus will bring that 'asol poribartan' that youth aims for: PM Narendra Modi in Hooghly, West Bengal https://t.co/5on8mdU981

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will build a Bengal where religion and ability will be respected, and where everyone can experience development. "BJP will work for a Sonar Bangla that will strengthen the history and culture of Bengal.  We will build a Bengal where religion and ability will be respected.  We will build a Bengal where everyone is developed," PM Modi said in his address. The Prime Minister was addressing a public meeting in West Bengal's Hoogly.  He also inaugurated several railway projects in the state.  PM Modi said that the formation of a BJP government in West Bengal isn't merely for a change in power, but for 'Ashol Poriborton'. "Our youth is living with the hope of this 'Ashol Poriborton' (real transformation), and thus, we need to form the BJP government in Bengal," PM Modi said.  Accusing chief minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government of siphoning funds provided for cyclone relief, PM Modi said, "The Central government has provided ₹1,700 crore for relief work after Amphan to the TMC government in Bengal.  The state government has only spent ₹609 crore.  The leftover ₹1,100 crore has been siphoned off by TMC. "He also accused the chief minister of stalling the availability of free healthcare treatment. "Lakhs of needy people in Bengal have not been able to receive free treatment worth ₹5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat.  This is the kind of hurdle Mamata Ji's government has formed between the people of Bengal and development," the PM said.  Taking a swipe at Mamata-led government, "People who talk about maa-maati-manush have become a wall in front of the development of Bengal.  The money deposited by the central government for farmers and the poor goes directly into these people's bank account.  Hailing Bengali leaders who participated in India's freedom struggle, PM said, "This entire region including Chandannagar is a major part of India's independence struggle, its culture and its science.  Maharshi Aurobindo, Motilal Roy, Rashbehari Bose, Bipin Bihari Ganguly, Kanailal Dutta and several more are associated with this land. "Plugging the development plank, PM said, "Better infrastructure, agriculture, industry, tourism - employment opportunities need a lot right reforms.  Infrastructure associated with connectivity is the priority of our govt.  In the last few years, we've focused on highway, waterway, airway and e-way. "PM Modi is in Bengal where he will inaugurate the extension of Metro Railway from Noapara to Dakshineswar, and flag off the first service on this stretch.  This 4. 1 km extension has been constructed at a cost of ₹464 crore, fully funded by the central government.  It will decongest road traffic and improve urban mobility.  This extension will ease out access to the two world-famous Kali temples at Kalighat and Dakshineswar, for lakhs of tourists and devotees. The two newly built stations namely Baranagar and Dakshineswar have modern passenger amenities and are also aesthetically designed and decorated with murals, photographs, sculptures and idols. Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate the third line between Kalaikunda and Jhargram over a stretch of 30 km of the 132 km long Kharagpur-Adityapur Third Line Project of South Eastern Railway, which was sanctioned with an estimated cost of ₹1,312 crore. He will dedicate to the nation the doubling of Azimganj to Khargraghat Road section, which is a part of the Howrah-Bandel-Azimganj section of Eastern Railway, which has been laid at a project cost of about ₹240 crore.


An image represents a schematic for a 'COVID 5G Chip.'

One of the theories attached to the COVID-19 pandemic, bizarre even by conspiracy-mongering standards, is that vaccine for the coronavirus disease would be used to secretly implant recipients with microchip tracking devices.  This theory intersected with equally unfounded conspiracy theories about 5G broadband cellular networks in December 2020, when social media users circulated a graphic identified as a “COVID 5G Chip Diagram”: However, as many sources quickly pointed out, this diagram was in fact nothing more than a schematic of a circuit for a BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone electric guitar pedal: [C]onspiracy theorists shared the schematic online, claiming it depicted the diagram for the supposed 5G chip.  It features a section labelled “5G frequency” – clearly the source of many a theorist’s eureka moment – as well as terms guitarists will find familiar: “MT-2 Gain”, “Footswitch” among the most recognizable.  Mario Fusco, a senior software engineer at Redhat, spotted the misinformation and took to Twitter to flag it.  Here in Italy people started to share this figure claiming that this is the diagram of the 5G chip that has been inserted in the covid vaccine.  In reality it is the electric circuit of a guitar pedal and I believe that putting it in the covid vaccine has been an excellent idea💡 pic. twitter. com/qXKnv7VVly — Mario Fusco 🇪🇺 (@mariofusco) December 28, 2020 The end product that incorporates the circuit shown in this schematic is unrelated to COVID-19, decidedly non-micro, and actually looks something like this:


A collage with a couple of images is being shared on social media claiming it as the pictures of Delhi-based businessman Navneet Kalra, posing with Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.  Recently, Delhi Police personnel have seized more than 500 oxygen concentrators in Navneet Kalra’s Khan Chacha, Town Hall, and Nege & Ju restaurants in Delhi.  In the wake of Navneet Kalra’s oxygen concentrator black marketing case, this photo collage is being shared on social media.   Let’s verify the claim made in the post. Claim: Photo of Delhi-based businessman Navneet Kalra posing with Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. Fact: The person posing with Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the photos is Chef Augusto Cabrera, a managing partner at Town Hall restaurant that is owned by businessman Navneet Kalra.  Recently, Delhi Police personnel have seized more than 500 oxygen concentrators in Navneet Kalra’s Khan Chacha, Town Hall, and Nege & Ju restaurants in Delhi.  Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE. On searching for this photo collage on Navneet Kalra’s social media handles, a similar photo was found posted on Navneet Kalra Facebook page, on 28 January 2019.  Tagging this photo collage to Augusto Cabrera, Navneet Kalra mentioned that the image was taken on 23 January 2015 at his Town Hall restaurant in Delhi. When we searched for the details of Augusto Cabrera on the Town Hall restaurant website, we found that Augusto Cabrera is a master chef turned entrepreneur who is working at Navneet Kalra owned Town Hall restaurant in Delhi.  On searching on the Augusto Cabrera Facebook profile, we found a few pictures of Augusto Cabrera.  These pictures confirm that the person posing with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi is Town Hall restaurant chef Augusto Cabrera. On comparing the photos of Delhi-based businessman Navneet Kalra and the person in the photo collage, it can be observed that the person posing with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi is not the Delhi oxygen black marketing case accused Navneet Kalra. To sum it up, the person posing with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in these photos is Town Hall restaurant master chef Augusto Cabrera, not the Delhi oxygen black-marketing accused Navneet Kalra.


Goya Foods, the New Jersey-based producer of many canned foods that have become staples in American homes, is facing calls for a boycott from prominent Latino voices after its CEO Robert Unanue lauded Pres. Trump. https://t.co/uVyM7cfBx6 https://t.co/QUfeEJoUMf

By Ray Sanchez, CNNUpdated 5:19 PM ET, Sat July 11, 2020  (CNN)Mexican-American cookbook author and food blogger Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack has been recommending Goya Foods products with her recipes for a decade.  After all, they're available in nearly every supermarket. Actions of @GoyaFoods speak louder than the #woke mob.  My people don't get influenced by those that don't know.  They've been helping our people when we needed it most https://t. co/lXYpUcu7uhCNN's David Goldman contributed to this report.


President-elect Joe Biden concludes his remarks in Wilmington, Delaware: "Spread the faith! God love you all. May God bless America. And may God protect our troops." https://t.co/eJ4LLajSB6 https://t.co/KkBeaHj9FJ

By Manu Raju and Ted Barrett, CNNUpdated 5:05 PM ET, Sun November 8, 2020  (CNN)President-elect Joe Biden's agenda in Washington may only go as far as Mitch McConnell lets him.


Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public meeting in Moga, Punjab: Hindustan main jo Narendra Modi ji ne garibi badhai hai, jin logon ko berozgaar kiya hai, hum Hindustan se garibi ko mita denge. https://t.co/Pk7rE08k5g

Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address a rally in Punjab’s Moga on Thursday to begin his party’s campaign for the Lok Sabha election due in April-May.  Though a political rally, Rahul will hand over debt waiver certificates to landless farmers and labourers.  He will address critical issues like unemployment, agrarian crisis and the achievements of Congress governments. Later in the day, the Congress president will address another rally in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Follow LIVE updates here:Congress thanks Himachal’s people for fighting for us, facing lathis: RahulOn one side there is anger and hatred, on the other side there is Congress.  You will be the winner.  Congress will take all the four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal.  Congress thanks you for fighting for our ideology and facing lathis, says Rahul Gandhi. Farmers pay insurance, but govt gave this money to the businessmen: RahulFarmers pay insurance, but govt gave this money to the businessmen.  Anil Ambani got all of J&K’s insurance.  Congress will give minimum income guarantee to all poor. Only poor stood in line at banks during demonetisation, says RahulOnly poor stood in line at banks, not rich people, during demonetisation.  Money went to banks and from banks, it went to these rich people’s pockets.  Unemployment is highest in 40 years.  Govt imposed GST at midnight.  Ask any small trader if GST helped them.  GST helped the rich businessmen.  We will change GST structure.  PM Modi promised special package to Himachal: RahulPM Modi promised special package to Himachal.  Congress has waived off farmers’ loans in MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.  Modi waived off 3. 5 lakh crore loans of businessmen, but why not that of farmers? PM Modi changed Rafale contract on his own, says Rahul Gandhi“Rafale was biggest defence contract in the world, PM Modi changed the contract on his own”, says Rahul Gandhi.  He adds that PM Modi changed the contract on his own and gave a contract of Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani.  ‘PM politicised the Pulwama attack even when Cong did not’Rahul Gandhi says, “We did not politicise the Pulwama attack in the days following the incident.  Opposition stood behind govt after Pulwama but its unfortunate that the Prime Minister politicised the issue. ”We’ll give martyr status to all securitymen who sacrifice their lives for country: Rahul GandhiI believe that any security personnel who has sacrificed his life for the country should be given the status of a martyr, irrespective of the force he belongs to.  We have decided to give the status of martyr to any security person who sacrifices his life for the country after we form government in 2019 elections. : Rahul GandhiThe poll bugle has been sounded, says senior Congress leader Anand SharmaSenior Congress leader Anand Sharma addressing the rally. . . . ”The poll bugle has been sounded, announcement of dates is just a formality. . . . The problems of the country have increased in the last five years.  The atmosphere in the country is such that it is diverting the attention of the people from the real issues. . . it is necessary for Congress to alert people.  We will not tolerate if our right to ask questions and our patriotism is questioned.  People of the country will not tolerate if Rahul Gandhi is asked to prove his patriotism. ” Congress will defeat BJP in all 4 seats: Himachal unit chiefHimachal Congress president Kuldeep Rathore says party workers will defeat the BJP in all four parliamentary seats of the state.  Modi’s visit prior to Rahul Gandhi disappointed people: Cong leader AgnihotriMukesh Agnihotri, Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition in Himachal Assembly says that the state government is scared of Rahul Gandhi’s visit.  “Modi ji visited Himachal before Rahul Gandhi but he disappointed the people of the state, “ says Agnihotri.  Enumerates the various ‘failures’ of the present BJP government. Rahul Gandhi reaches Kangra in HimachalCongress president arrives in Kangra, Himacahl Pradesh, where he will shortly address a rally.  This is his first visit to the state after becoming the party president.  Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma is accompanying him.  The state has four Lok Sabha seats.  It’s a fight of ideologies, says Rahul GandhiIt’s a fight of ideologies. . . . . on the one hand, there is Guru Nanak Dev ji’s ideology and on the other hand, it is the RSS ideology, of spreading hatred: Rahul Gandhi.  In 2019, Cong focus is on giving employment to youth: Rahul GandhiOur government in Punjab is focussing on farmers and small and medium traders, says Rahul Gandhi.  Congress will focus on giving employment to youth in 2019.  “The moment our government is formed in 2019, we will give guaranteed minimum income’ and the money will be transferred directly to bank accounts. ” He adds, we will eradicate poverty from the country.  GST has resulted only in losses: Rahul Gandhi. On GST, Rahul Gandhi says it was brought without any consultations, it has resulted only in losses. . . ”We will change GST once we are in power in 2019. ” He adds, what has PM Modi done in the last five years?  “He gave five airports to Adani a few days ago while there was atmosphere of war in the country.  “Rahul Gandhi dares PM to a TV debate“He should hold debate with me in front of TV cameras for 15 minutes. . . . everything will become clear. ”: Rahul Gandhi dares PM Modi.  Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi on Rafale dealRahul Gandhi says Narendra Modi changed the Rafale contract, PMO increased the price and put Rs 30,000 cr in Anil Ambani’s pocket.  “He should tell the country why he changed the Rafale contract. . . . . India did not get Rafale jets on time because PMO made parallel negotiations. ” Congress has waived off loans to farmers: Rahul GandhiNarendra Modi has waived off loans of the country’s biggest industrialists but he didn’t do the same for even one farmer.  We have written off loans of farmers in MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan: Rahul Gandhi.  “I had promised the same in my speeches and we did it,” says Rahul.  Rahul Gandhi begins his addressCongress president Rahul Gandhi begins addressing the rally in Moga.  The atmosphere of hatred in the country today, created by BJP, is an attack in a way on Guru Nanak Dev ji’ s teachings.  No doubt in saying Rahul Gandhi is our next PM: Punjab CMI have no doubt in saying that Rahul Gandhi will be our next prime minister, says Punjab CM Amarinder Singh. ‘Let us gift all 13 LS seats of Punjab to Rahul Gandhi’Asha Kuamri asks Congress party workers to prepare for the Lok Sabha elections and gift all 13 parliamentary seats of the state to Rahul Gandhi.  Rahul Gandhi is on mission to rid country of corruption: Asha KumariCongress’ Punjab Affairs Incharge Asha Kumari welcomes Rahul Gandhi to Punjab.  Under Rahul Gandhi’s guidance, CM Amarinder Singh is working to bring the state back to number one position in the country, she said.  “It’s a big thing that thousands of youth are getting jobs under the jobs fairs scheme.  Rahul Gandhi wants every corner of the country to develop, he is on a mission to rid the country of corruption. ”Punjab Cong chief Sunil Jakhar addresses rallyPunjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunil Jakhar addressing rally.  He says PM Modi has deliberately created tension on the borders to get mileage in Lok Sabha polls.  Rahul Gandhi arrives at rally venue in MogaCongress president Rahul Gandhi arrived at the venue of his rally in Punjab’s Moga.  Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Punjab Affairs Incharge Asha Kumari, PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar, Rajya Sabha member Partap Bajwa and all MLAs and MPs are on stage with Rahul Gandhi. Punjab CM tweets about Rahul Gandhi’s arrival in PujnabWelcome to Punjab!  Happy to recieve @INCIndia President @RahulGandhi at Sahnewal.  The optimism in the air is indescribable as both of us prepare to attend the 4th Phase of the #KarzaRahat Scheme in Moga today!  pic. twitter. com/KUndv2X0EERahul Gandhi meets Punjab CM Amarinder SinghCongress president Rahul Gandhi reached Punjab and met chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh ahead of his political rally in Moga.  Rahul Gandhi to address issues like unemployment, farm crisis in Moga rallyCongress President @RahulGandhi Rahul Gandhi will be addressing a public rally in Moga today where he will address critical issues like unemployment, agrarian crisis and the achievements of Congress governments.  pic. twitter. com/sRNFH8AgHr


Odisha: Visuals from Tarikund in Jagatsinghpur after #CycloneFani made landfall in the state yesterday. https://t.co/jbRGlBM8OT

Cyclone Fani, one of the strongest storms to batter the Indian subcontinent in decades, uprooted trees and triggered rains as it entered West Bengal post midnight on Saturday, hours after making landfall and causing havoc in Odisha on Friday.  No loss of life or any injury has been reported so far. Also Read | Cyclone Fani moves into Bengal; no major damage reported yetAccording to the Meteorological department, the extremely severe cyclonic storm relatively weakened after entering coastal Odisha and transformed into “very severe” as it approached Bengal. Follow updates here:Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik undertakes aerial survey of damage done by Fani“People in cyclone shelters will be provided cooked food for next 15 days.  Electricity and drinking water is being arranged on war footing so that they too are supplied to people soon.  Condition is bad.  PM spoke to me yesterday. Working very hard to restore communication too,” said chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik.  The chief minister undertook an aerial survey of the damage done by the cyclonic storm.  :ANIThree C-130J Super Hercules aircraft sent to Bhubaneswar for humanitarian aid, disaster reliefIndian Air Force sent 3 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to Bhubaneswar from Hindan Air Base for humanitarian aid and disaster relief.  The aircraft are carrying approximate 45 tonnes of relief material including medicines for the locations affected by Cyclone Fani.  :ANIVisuals from Tarikund after Cyclone Fani made landfall in OdishaVisuals from Odisha’s Tarikund in Jagatsinghpur after Cyclone Fani made landfall in the state yesterday.  :ANI Odisha: Visuals from Tarikund in Jagatsinghpur after #CycloneFani made landfall in the state yesterday.  pic. twitter. com/jbRGlBM8OTVice Admiral Karambir Singh visits INS Chilka naval base in Odisha to review situationNavy Chief-designate Vice Admiral Karambir Singh today visited INS Chilka naval base in Odisha to review the situation after Cyclone Fani.  :ANI Navy Chief-designate Vice Admiral Karambir Singh today visited INS Chilka naval base in Odisha to review the situation after the #CycloneFani.  pic. twitter. com/oEIQsaZKUNPM Modi calls up Bengal governor, seeks report on damaged caused by FaniPrime Minister Narendra Modi called up Bengal governor and sought a report on the damage done by Cyclone Fani. The Governor visited some affected areas. Trinamool is fuming.  :ANIIndian Coast Guards carry out relief operation in Odisha’s ParadipIn Odisha, Indian Coast Guard’s Disaster Relief Team and Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) carry out relief operations at Birdih village, near Paradip.  (Pic source:Indian Coast Guard) :ANI Odisha: Indian Coast Guard's Disaster Relief Team&Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force(ODRAF)carry out relief ops at Birdih village,near Paradip.  Several trees were uprooted in the region in the heavy rain&strong winds due to #CyclonicStormFANI y'day (pic source:Indian Coast Guard) pic. twitter. com/CgWPmllZuaUN lauds India’s preparation for Cyclone Fani: BJPThe United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has praised India for its efforts that resulted in minimising the possibility of a loss of life and conducting a well-targeted evacuation plan of millions of people.  :BJP The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has praised India for its efforts that resulted in minimising the possibility of a loss of life and conducting a well-targeted evacuation plan of millions of people.  #DeshKiPasandModi pic. twitter. com/1qGTolRzDQ‘Widespread rainfall across north eastern states expected on May 4’: IMD“MeT analysis and numerical model guidance suggests widespread rainfall activity across north eastern states on May 4.  Fairly widespread rainfall activity over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura is expected.  Widespread rainfall activity over Arunachal Pradesh on May 5 and reduction thereafter is expected.  :IMD IMD: MeT analysis&numerical model guidance suggests widespread rainfall activity across NE states on 4 May, fairly widespread rainfall activity over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, widespread rainfall activity over Arunachal on 5 May & reduction thereafter pic. twitter. com/aqELQr57vHAAI cancels over 80 flights in north east regionAirports Authority of India, North Eastern Regional Headquarters has cancelled 59 flights in Guwahati, 8 in Agartala, 2 in Dimapur, 2 in Lilabari, 4 in Dibrugarh and 6 in Imphal.  :ANI65 NDRF rescue and relief teams positioned in vulnerable states65 NDRF rescue and relief teams are pre-positioned in various parts of the vulnerable states.  In Odisha, 44 teams have been positioned.  West Bengal has 9 teams; Andhra Pradesh 3 teams; Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Meghalaya have 1 team each, and Jharkhand, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have 2 teams each.  Cyclone ‘Fani’ no more a threat to West Bengal: Met officialCyclone ‘Fani’, which ravaged most parts of Odisha and left 12 people dead, poses no threat to West Bengal anymore, as it weakens further before entering neighbouring Bangladesh, a senior official said on Saturday. As per forecast, there will be moderate to light rainfall, particularly in the districts adjacent to Bangladesh, but the weather condition in and around the city will normalise through the course of the day, Deputy Director General of the Regional Meteorological Centre here, Sanjib Bandyopadhyay told PTI. “There is absolutely no threat from this system (cyclone Fani) to West Bengal.  The very severe cyclonic storm had weakened into a severe cyclonic storm over Odisha coast before entering West Bengal,” he said. Air India announces additional flight for passengers stranded due to cyclone FaniAir India has announced an additional flight for passengers stranded due to cyclone Fani. The flights are Delhi-Bhuvneshwar at 1500hrs and Bhubaneswar-Delhi at 1745hrs. PM to visit Fani-hit Odisha on Monday“Day after tomorrow, on the 6th morning, I will be going to Odisha to take stock of the situation arising in the wake of Cyclone Fani,” tweeted PM Modi. Air India waives charges for carrying relief material for cyclone Fani victimsNational carrier Air India on Saturday waived charges for carrying relief materials to victims of cyclone ‘Fani’ on its flights from Delhi to Odisha. Cyclone Fani hit Odisha’s bordering state West Bengal by crossing Kharagpur.  It is expected to continue further in North-East direction with the wind speed of 90 km/hour, said India Meteorological Department. “If any (NGO/ Civil society/ SHG etc) wants to send relief materials to a cyclone-affected area of Orissa, Air India would ship it free of cost.  Concern NGO/ Civil Society/ SHG etc may contact Resident Commissioner office of Orissa at Delhi to send the relief materials to Cyclone affected area of Orissa free of cost by Air India,” the organisation stated in its press release. Air India to re commence operations at Kolkata airport at 09. 45 amAir India will be re commencing operations at Kolkata airport at 09. 45 am, said the airlines.  Kolkata airport resumed operations from 8am on Saturday after remaining closed for 17 hours.


In Bengal, a political battle over cyclone relief erupts, again

(reports @joydeepht

https://t.co/HYBul80kZG https://t.co/OTbvGSrwXK

On May 28, two days after Cyclone Yaas inflicted heavy damage in the coastal districts and Sunderban delta of West Bengal, chief minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee, while taking stock of the situation in South 24 Parganas, warned district officials to ensure that there were no complaints in relief operations. “Last time, we had given enough (relief).  But because of one or two incidents, we had to face a lot of ignominy.  It should not happen this time,” the CM said at a post-cyclone review meeting at Sagar.  Banerjee appeared to referring to the allegations of massive corruption and nepotism that her party had to face in the aftermath of cyclone Amphan, which had ravaged the state in May 2020. With three coastal districts and more than 100 islands in the Sunderban delta, the state is prone to cyclones that originate over the Bay of Bengal.  West Bengal has been hit by at least four such cyclones in the recent past – Aila (2009), Bulbul (2019), Amphan (2020) and Yaas (2021). Every time a cyclone devastates the coastal districts and the Sunderbans, thousands of crore are pumped in by both the Central and the state government.  Allegations of corruption, mismanagement and nepotism surface soon after, as if they have become synonymous.  And while the current focus is on the Central-state battle over the recall of the chief secretary, at the root of it lies a recurring tension between the ruling and the Opposition party over issues of allocation of relief, the state of embankments, and central funds. Also Watch | Cyclone Yaas: How Odisha evacuated 700,000 people in less than 24 hours“The more the devastation, the larger is the fund that is pumped in for relief and reconstruction and the more serious are the allegations of corruption.  It happened when Aila had struck in May 2009 during Left Front regime.  It happened even a decade later when Amphan hit in May 2020 during Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime.  Nothing has changed,” said Subhash Acharya, former joint director of the Sunderban Development Board. The allocation of relief Soon after the relief operations started in the aftermath of cyclone Amphan in May 2020, complaints poured in that the compensation never reached the actual victims.  Clashes broke out in cyclone-hit villages, as it surfaced that local TMC leaders were benefited the most.  In some areas, women were at the forefront of the protests. “I didn’t get a single penny as relief even though my hut was completely damaged.  Neither did many others like me in the village.  But there are some people who received money even though they didn’t suffer any loss.  They were close to the ruling party,” said Madhusudan Mondol, a villager of Satjelia. With less than a year left for the crucial assembly elections of 2021, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) grabbed the opportunity and turned it into a major poll issue.  Words like “Chal chor” (paddy thief) and “Tirpal chor” (tarpaulin thief) were coined to attack the TMC on allegations of corruption during the relief operations. The TMC dismissed the allegations.  But it clearly has had an impact, for the party does not want to confront the same perception again. “The CM has directed us to ensure there is no shortage of relief materials – water, food, medicines and tarpauline.  There is no harm if someone gets two tarpauline instead of one.  But there shouldn’t be any complaint this time,” said a district magistrate. Also Read | Need to revisit growth path amid climate crisisBut the BJP is not convinced that there has been any change.  “BJP workers and supporters are not being allowed to enter rescue shelters.  They aren’t getting any relief, which are being provided by the state government.  We are organising relief materials from the party for them.  In some areas, our workers and leader are being attacked when they are going to provide relief,” said Dilip Ghosh, BJP’s state president. Politics of embankment Preliminary assessments carried out by district officials within 48 hours after cyclone Yaas revealed that embankments were damaged in at least 134 places.  This irked the CM because officials pointed out many of the embankments which were breached this time were repaired barely a year ago after cyclone Amphan had hit the state. “I can’t allow government money to go down the drain every year.  Embankments made out of mud are being damaged every year and the money is going into some people’s pockets,” she said, while directing the finance department to check which embankments were repaired after Amphan and how many were damaged this time. At least 160 km of river embankments and four kilometres of sea dykes were damaged by cyclone Amphan which had hit Bengal on May 20.  After the cyclone, Banerjee had said that she would write a letter to the NITI Ayog to send an expert team and find some permanent solution.  Nothing moved however. Way back in May 2009, when cyclone Aila had hit the Sunderbans, out of the total girdle of 3,122 km, embankments maintained by the state irrigation department of around 778 km got washed away or severely damaged.  The then Manmohan Singh government pumped in more than ₹5,000 crore for repairing the embankments based on a report prepared by an expert committee formed by the government.  But only around 20% - 25% work could be done.  A substantial portion of the money went back to the Centre as embankments were not repaired for various land related problems. “A vicious cycle exists in the Sunderbans which involves local politicians, engineers and contractors.  They thrive on the funds that come in for the regular repair of the embankments.  This has been going on for decades, else why would the villagers of Sunderbans suffer from the same problem year after year? ” said a former official of the state irrigation department. Tussle over central funds The third recurring layer of controversy — besides the allocation of relief material and the state of embankments — is the tussle between the state and the centre over funds after a cyclone hits. This time, even before the cyclone could hit, Banerjee raised her pitch alleging that the Centre was depriving the state by allocating lesser funds to fight cyclone Yaas compared to what was being allocated for Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. “They (BJP-led centre) have announced an advance fund of ₹600 crore each to Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and a little more than ₹400 crore for West Bengal.  I have questioned why Bengal was being deprived,” she said.  After the cyclone, Banerjee handed over a report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming that ₹20,000 crore would need to be spent to repair the damage and carry out reconstruction. Also Read | Mamata targets Modi over ‘vendetta politics’“I have submitted the report.  We requested him to do what he thinks would be suitable,” she said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, conducted aerial survey of cyclone Yaas impacted areas in West Bengal and Odisha and later announced an immediate financial assistance of ₹1,000 crore. Can Yaas be different? This time, however, the TMC, which returned to power for the third consecutive time, despite facing massive allegations of corruption, is treading with caution.  This is more so, because the Calcutta high court has already ordered an audit into allegations of corruption in relief materials after cyclone Amphan based on a PIL. Earlier this week, Banerjee pressed on finding some long term and permanent solution with concrete embankments and planting mangrove on the embankments. “Without proper study, no one can say for sure which is a permanent solution.  While in some areas concrete embankments may have worked, it may not stand the river’s force and storm surge in other areas where the soil characteristics and slope many be different.  There, natural structures strengthened by local mangrove species or geo-textile may be suitable,” said Tuhin Ghosh, director of School of Oceanographic Studies at Jadavpur University. After facing a severe backlash allegedly because of local panchayat leaders over corruption and nepotism in relief distribution, this time, the CM has announced that the relief work would be done directly by the government, instead of local panchayats, and benefits would be directly transferred to the bank accounts of affected persons after proper enquiry. “We need to undertake a proper survey before starting the reconstruction and relief work.  For this, we would start a project ‘Duaare Tran’ (relief at doorsteps).  Camps would be held in villages between June 3 and June 18 where people can deposit drop their application detailing the damage to houses and croplands.  Enquiry would be done between June 19 and June 30.  The money will reach the affected persons directly between July 1 and July 8,” she added. The BJP, which won 77 of the 292 seats in the recently polls, said it would prefer to wait and watch how relief reaches the actual victims in a corruption-free manner. “The TMC, in a bid to make the three-tier panchayat system Opposition-free, has totally destroyed the system.  BJP workers are not being allowed to enter relief camps.  We apprehend whether they would be able to reach the camps of Duaare Tran when they are set up.  These are all announcements made by the chief minister.  Let us see how this works out,” said Samik Bhattacharya, BJP spokesperson in the state.


Officials in Puerto Rico began distributing much-needed disaster aid that went unused for years while residents suffered in the wake of Hurricane Maria and a series of crippling earthquakes. https://t.co/Ud5xkeb4te

By Amir Vera and Rafael Romo, CNNUpdated 8:33 PM ET, Mon January 20, 2020  (CNN)Puerto Ricans poured into the streets of San Juan on Monday calling for the resignation of Gov.  Wanda Vázquez. CNN's Christina Maxouris contributed to this report.