Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has conducted the second edition of Defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands 2019 (DANX-19), a large scale joint services exercise from 14 Oct to 18 Oct 19.  Spanning over a period of five days, components of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard carried out mobilisation and field manoeuvres to validate defensive plans of Headquarters ANC towards pursuance of the Command’s responsibility, namely ensuring territorial integrity of the A&N Islands.

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has urged civil servants to improve the delivery of people-centric programs like Swachh Bharat, Per drop more crop and Skill India so that the fruits of development reach the most deserving.

On the basis of the result of written part of CAPF (ACs) Examination, 2019 held by the UPSC on 18th August, 2019, the candidates with the under-mentioned Roll Numbers have qualified for Physical Standards Test (PST)/ Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) and Medical Standards Tests (MST).

On 16.10.2019, the Income Tax Department conducted search action under the Income-tax Act, 1961 in the case of a conglomerate of trusts and companies that run year-round “wellness courses” and training programmes in philosophy, spirituality, etc at various sprawling residential campuses in Varadaiahpalem in Andhra Pradesh (AP), and also in Chennai and Bengaluru.

The Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that we have been able to fulfil the vision of Homi Bhabha.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik said that NCC is the torchbearer of the Armed Forces while chairing the 51st Central Advisory Committee (CAC) of the National Cadet Corps (NCC, which met here today.

Election Commission of India has appointed Sh Vivek Dube (IPS AP 1981 Retd) as Special Observer for the ensuing Bye Elections to the State Legislative Assemblies of Sikkim 2019 in general and specifically for 10 Poklok -Kamrang Assembly Constituency in Sikkim.

The Minister of State for Home, Shri G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the 20th All India Conference of Directors of Fingerprint Bureaus, being organised by NCRB, here today. The conference was attended among others by Director, NCRB, Shri Ram Phal Pawar, Joint Secretary (Women Safety) MHA Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava and senior police officers from central police organisations/ States/UTs.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today hailed the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana  as a unique and successful health insurance scheme launched by  Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2018.

Campaigning for assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana has entered the last phase as only two days are left to woo the voters.

Pakistan continues to be on the Grey List of the international terror financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force.

Election Commission today removed the Police Observer in Nashik for not performing the task of observation satisfactorily.

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and the state government to transfer Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC) Coordinator Prateek Hajela to Madhya Pradesh for the maximum period.

In Jammu and Kashmir, a special mobilization drive shall be undertaken by the government for enrolment of eligible traders, shopkeepers and self-employed persons under Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-LVMY) in the state.

Turkey has agreed to a ceasefire in northern Syria to let Kurdish-led forces withdraw.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, told the Supreme Court today, that 15 accused, including Chidambaram, his son Karti and some companies have been charge-sheeted in the case.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for CBI told the bench headed by Justice R Banumathi, opposing Chidambaram's bail plea, that the country needs to go for a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. The Solicitor General informed the court that the offence of forgery has also been made out in the probe in the case against Chidambaram. He said that further probe on in the case and responses on Letters Rogatory (LRs) sent to Singapore and Mauritius are awaited.

The Solicitor General stated that the presence of Chidambaram was enough to intimidate witnesses and so he should not be given bail at least till material witnesses are examined.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Chidambaram, countered Mehta's submissions. He said the CBI's apprehensions that Chidambaram may tamper with the evidence or influence the witnesses were false and baseless.

Born on January 10, 1946, in Faridpur district, he completed his graduation from the Government College of Fine Arts and Crafts in Kolkata in 1969.

An icon of modern art in Bangladesh, Kalidas was awarded Shilpakala Padak in 2016 and the Ekushey Padak in 2018 by the Government of Bangladesh for his contribution to fine arts.

Solo exhibitions of his works were held in Dhaka and many countries, including the US, India, Japan, Iran, and Hong Kong. Apart from painting he was also known for his installation work in which he used diverse materials like wood, pottery, brass, utensils and others.

Kalidas was prolific in using new mediums and style for his art work while maintaining his signature style. He called his work alluvial art meaning the art of the delta land which gave expression to the precarious nature of the alluvial land and its people, their struggles and hopes.

Karmakar also experimented with performance art which combined artist's body as an object of art along with his paintings.
 

The decision has been taken following the success of the pilot project started by the Ministry for admission of girl children in Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram two years ago. 

Rajnath Singh has directed concerned authorities to ensure availability of necessary infrastructure and sufficient female staff in Sainik schools for smooth implementation of the directive. The decision is in line with the objective of the government towards greater inclusiveness, gender equality, enabling greater participation of women in Armed Forces and strengthening the motto of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'.

The Ministry will grant the allowance to all CRPF personnel upto the level of Commandant, irrespective of place of deployment.

The allowance is given to jawans and non-gazetted officers of the force for their daily meals and is included in their monthly salaries.

The ministry's order came after a Delhi High Court judgment in response to a petition in which it issued directions to CRPF to grant RMA to all its personnel up to the rank of Commandant, irrespective of the place of posting.
 

Officials attending the ongoing plenary of FATF in Paris said, as per indications, Pakistan will be isolated by all members for not doing enough.

The key outcomes of the meeting on global action against money laundering and terrorist financing, and decisions on Pakistan, Iran and other countries will be announced today.

Financial Action Task Force plenary meeting underway in Paris

The apex court directed the account holders to approach the high court for concerned relief. 

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta informed the court that the government is concerned about this and is taking necessary steps. 

Around 10.5 crore cash has been reportedly missing from the bank's record.

Talking to media during her visit to the United States, the Minister said that the negotiations are going on with intensity and fee issues on which there could be differences, are being sorted out.

Nirmala Sitharaman also asserted India remains among the fastest growing economies of the world and efforts are being made to make it grow faster.
 

The truce was announced by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence after talks in Ankara with Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan, and was swiftly hailed by President Donald Trump, who said it would save "millions of lives".

Nine days into Turkey's invasion of northern Syria, Ankara agreed to pause military operations for 120 hours while the United States facilitates the withdrawal of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces from a 20-mile safe zone along the border.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said, once the Kurdish fighters, which Turkey views as terrorists, are removed from the area, Ankara will implement a permanent cease-fire.

Almost immediately after Pence spoke, Turkish Foreign Minister pushed back on how Pence framed the agreement, telling reporters it was a "pause" in Turkey's operations but "not a cease-fire because a cease-fire takes place between two legitimate parties" and the operation was aimed at removing "terrorist elements" from the region.
 

The concerns surrounding 'poor air quality' increase dramatically as winters set-in in National Capital and its surrounding areas.

People woke up to poor air quality on Thursday morning.

The Central Pollution Control Board, reported that the air quality index was 293 around 9 am which is in the poor category.

In certain pockets the AQI was much worse. 391 recorded in Connaught Place, the heart of the capital. Falling in the very poor category and almost in the severe category. Many Green areas of the national capital also recorded poor air quality. At around 5 in the evening
 

POOR AQI IN NATIONAL CAPITAL

*Delhi University - 309
*Chandni Chowk - 314
*Lodhi Road- 302
*IIT Delhi - 303
*Indira Gandhi International Airport - 240
*ITO - 288
*Mandir Marg - 254
*Punjabi Bagh - 284

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kishan Reddy said that more steps need to be taken to reduce air pollution in the capital. He was speaking at an event in Delhi.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday that Private vehicles carrying school children in uniform will be exempted from the odd-even scheme. The scheme will be effective from November 4 to November 15, and is being implemented in view of the severe air pollution in the national capital.Two-wheelers will be exempt under the scheme.

Violation of the rules will attract a penalty of Rs. 4,000, double of the earlier fine of Rs 2,000. Private CNG vehicles will also have to follow the scheme, including all non-goods vehicles coming to Delhi from other states.

It is a matter of concern that the health of people living in and around the capital is adversely impacted because of the poor air quality. Children and the elderly are the worst affected.

The road starting from Kapurthala connecting Goindwal Sahib and terminating near Taran Taran in Punjab has been declared as new National Highway. 

The naming would be effective from next month. The decision has been taken to mark the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev. 
 

The much-anticipated Kartarpur Corridor project for Indian pilgrims to visit the revered Sikh shrine across the border in Pakistan is finally set to be inaugurated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate the Indian side of the Kartarpur corridor on November 8.

The construction work is expected to be completed by October 31. The 4.2 km-long corridor is to be opened on the occasion of the 550th Prakash Purb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev on November 9.

According to the Home ministry, pilgrims can apply online from 20 October to visit the historic Gurdwara through a website that was launched recently.

Work on the corridor began on the 4th of June and 80 percent construction was completed in a record time of 5 months.

Locals in the area and pilgrims are extremely enthusiastic about the opening of the corridor next month.

People here credit Prime Minister Modi and laud him for taking the initiative to make the pilgrimage to the revered shrine possible.

The government led by Prime Minister Modi had taken the decision to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji with great fervour and it was in this context that it was decided to construct the Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province, located 4.5 km from the International Border and highly revered among Sikhs as it was the place where Guru Nanak spent 18 years of his life and is his final resting place.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public rally in Haryana's Gohana. Later in the evening, he will address a rally in Mumbai.

BJP President Amit Shah will be in Maharashtra today to address rallies in Aheri, Rajura, Vani, and Khaparkheda.

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi will be addressing a rally in Mahendragarh, Haryana.

BSP chief Mayawati will hold rallies in Sohna and Beri, in Haryana.

Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh will also be in Haryana for campaigning. He will be holding rallies in Beri and Prithla.

When the amendment to the Act comes into force, Kerala would become the first state in the country to provide maternity benefits in the private educational sector. A meeting of the state cabinet held on August 29 this year had decided to approach the Centre to approach the Centre to issue a notification in this regard.  

Employees covered under the law can avail 26 weeks’ maternity leave with salary. Moreover, an employer has to provide an amount of 1,000 rupees as a medical allowance.

Political campaigns have intensified and prominent leaders and workers are holding rallies, press conferences and public meetings to woo the voters. 

Campaigning will end on the evening of Oct 19. There are 288 assembly seats in the state and there’s a direct fight between BJP-Shiv Sena and Congress-NCP.

The Robot Restaurant opened at the Infocity DLF tower of Bhubaneswar claims to be the first restaurant in Eastern India where two indigenously developed robots, 'Champa' and 'Chameli' are engaged. 

Earlier Chennai and Bengaluru had introduced smart restraunts with robots machines imported from China. 

The Restaurant owner, Jeet Basha says that he was inspired by the services of robots in restaurants during his visit to the US and wanted to create the same in Bhubaneswar. 

The robots are developed at a Jaipur-based start up using SLAM technology, and It automatically navigates like humans, follows the routes and instructions. Not only this, after serving the food, the robots will also ask you for feedback in Odia that 'Are you happy', as the dialogue by CM of Odisha Naveen Pattnaik has gained popularity among masses.
 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 2-day international seminar on Thursday on the role and relevance of famous ruler of Gupta Dynasty, Skandagupta Vikramaditya at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey were also present on the occasion. 

A large number of historians, scholars and political thinkers from India and abroad are deliberating upon the issue during the seminar. 

Gupta period is called the golden period of indian history and Skandagupta Vikramaditya is known as the Saviour of India as he successfully fought the battle against the invading Hoons.

Addressing the gathering, the Home Minister said that history has been unfair to Chandragupta while adding that a lot of injustice has been done to him. 

Utttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also addressed the gathering.

Officials attending the ongoing plenary of FATF in Paris said, as per indications, Pakistan will be isolated by all members for not doing enough. 

The key outcomes of the meeting on global action against money laundering and terrorist financing, and decisions on Pakistan, Iran and other countries will be announced on Friday. 

According to FATF rules, there is one essential stage between 'Grey' and 'Black' lists, referred to as 'Dark Grey'. An official said, Dark Grey means issuance of a strong warning, so that the country concerned gets one last chance to improve.

If Pakistan continues with the 'grey list' or put in 'Dark Grey' list, it will be very difficult for the country to get financial aid from International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Union, making its financial condition more precarious.

Supreme Court reserved its judgement after 40 days of hearings in Ayodhya land title dispute. 

Court gave all parties time to conclude their arguments by 5 PM on Wednesday.

The final day of hearing saw high drama in court with Rajeev Dhavan representing Muslim parties tearing up a pictorial map provided by the All India Hindu Mahasabha purportedly showing the exact birthplace of Lord Ram.

That was preceded by an argument by the 2 lawyers to which the apex court judges took exception saying the court can't hear the matter in such an environment.

From the Hindu parties, Lawyer Sushil Jain argued for Nirmohi Akhara, Senior Advocate K Parasan represented 'Ram Lalla Virajman', C S Vaidyanathan, P Narasimha, P N Mishra represented Ram Janmbhhomi Punaruddhar Samiti, Hari Shankar Jain represented Hindu Mahasabha and Ranjit Kumar represented Gopal Singh Visharad.

The main arguments put forth by Hindu parties during the course of 40 days of hearings are: 

Mosque was constructed after demolishing temple.

The dispute structure was erected over 14 towers of Hindu temple that depicted Shiva, Hanuman, Lotus and Garud sitting with Lions.

A grand temple existed at the disputed site 2000 years ago.

The dispute structure was built on the foundations of the temple.

The sacred nature of the birthplace of Lord Ram is a matter of faith for crores of people. Prayers have been offered here for centuries.

Well before idols of Lord Ram appeared in the disputed structure, prayers were offered to the deity.

Placement of idols is not necessary in a temple.

Hindus don't worship God in a single form. A shila is worshipped at Kedarnath temple. Hills too are worshiped by Hindus.

As per Islamic principles, a structure forcibly built over a place of worship cannot be a mosque. 

For 70 years namaz was not offered at the disputed structure. Even earlier prayers were offered only on Friday.
  
-Ram Lall Virajman and Sri Ram Janmsthan have been recognised as 'legal entity'.

-and for Hindus the entire birthplace of Lord Ram is a matter of faith.
 
-Archaelogical evidence, religious texts, and write-ups by foreign tourists show that the disputed structure is the birthplace of Lord Ram....

-Constructing a mosque after demolishing Ram temple was a historical wrong that the apex court must correct.

- there are 50 - 60 mosques in Ayodhya alone and Muslims can offer namaz at them instead of the disputed structure.

But for Hindus the disputed structure is the birthplace of their Lord Ram and their place of worship can't be taken away from them.

Till 12 years after idols of Lord Ram appeared inside the disputed structure in 1949, the other side remained inactive.

Sunni Waqf Board moved court only in 1961 and hence it lost the right to file a law suit having moved court beyond the permissible time.

Lawyer arguing for Ram Lalla, Vaidyanthan said that Muslim witnesses have admitted that the place which Muslims call Babri Masjid is known among Hindus as the birthplace of Lord Ram and worship has been done at the spot for centuries by the Hindus.

On the other hand, the Muslim parties were respresented by senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan, Meenakshi Arora, Shekhar Nafde, Nizam Pasha and Zafaryab Jilani. They argued  for nearly 20 days.

Muslim parties argued that -

- Mosque was not constructed after bringing a temple down.

- ASI report also does not verify that mosque was built after demolishing a temple. Motoffs of peacock and lotus don't prove that a temple existed there.

-A picture of the disputed structure taken in 1950 shows Allah written in Arabic at 3 places of the structure.

- Appearance of idols of Ram Lalla were part of a pre-meditated conspiracy and not an Act of God.

--No objection to building a birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. Objection exists to claims of Hindu parties to central dome.

- Nirmohi Akhara does have the right to service but no title right.

Supreme Court was hearing appeals against the 2010 judgement of Allahabad HC by a 2:1 majority, ruling three-way division of 2.77 acres of disputed area between Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

On the 6th of August, the apex court commenced day-to-day hearing on the land dispute after mediation proceedings came a cropper.

In a major success for security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, three terrorists were gunned down by security forces in an encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation in south Kashmir district of Anantnag on Wednesday.

This is the first Cordon and Search Operation launched by security forces in Kashmir valley after post-paid mobile phones were restored on Monday noon after remaining suspended for 70 days. 

Sources said that on a tip-off about the presence of terrorists at Pazalpora, Bijbehara, about 3 km from Anantnag, troops of Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint search operation in the wee hours. 

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday embarked upon a two nation state visit to Philippines and Japan from October 17th to 23rd. 

Interestingly, India and Philippines will be celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations this year. 

The main focus of the Philippines visit will be on strengthening economic ties. 

The trade between the two nations has grown by 17% and currently stands at $2.3 billion, with India exporting goods worth $1.7 billion.

During the second leg of his visit, the President will visit Tokyo for the Enthronement Ceremony of the Emperor of Japan, Naruhito. During his visit, he will also meet the heads of states of other nations who will attend the ceremony.

Addressing Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, Finance Minister said "We have just entered the second half of 2019-20 and already implemented a series of reforms with more on the anvil before the close of year. The reforms were and will be guided by close scrutiny of growth evidence in the economy." 

On IMF's latest growth projection, Sitharaman said: "We continue to remain one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Our growth story is not hostage to performance in some quarters."

However, Sitharaman said economic growth has been affected by the winds of trade wars, protectionism and volatility in crude prices as well as crude supplies. "However, that hasn't deterred us from continuing on the path of structural reforms." 

The broader Nifty settled at 11,471, up 0.38%. Shares of Wipro rose 2% after the IT major reported a better-than-expected September-quarter earnings, driven by higher margins.

IT, pharma and energy stocks led gains on Wednesday. 

Bajaj Finance advanced 4% while ONGC and Yes Bank rose around 3% each. HDFC Bank, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra and TCS advanced between 1% and 2%.