PRIME MINISTER TO OPEN NEW-LOOK CENTRAL VISTA AVENUE TODAY

Walkways, benches, more lights and spruced-up lawns —all spread over 2 kilometres and 700 acres. This, in essence, is the revamped Central Vista Avenue in the heart of the national capital, which is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

The new-look stretch covers lawns on either side of Rajpath — now renamed as Kartavya Path — from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, covering around 101 acres. They have been replanted with different species of grass appropriate to location. Storm water drains have been included to prevent water-logging.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Wednesday approved the proposal to rename Rajpath as ‘Kartavya Path’, in a special meeting of its council.

The canals along both sides of Rajpath have been fitted with aerators, and walls have been reinforced to prevent seepage. A total of 16 bridges, eight over each of the two canals, have been laid out in textured lakha red granite. The railings of the bridges are made of red sandstone with carved jaalis. The canals also have two parallel granite pathways, covering 16.5 km.

There are underpasses, too, to facilitate pedestrian crossing. Two of these underpasses have been set up at the Janpath crossing, and the other two at the C-Hexagon crossing — all with ramps for the differently abled.

The revamped space also includes eight new amenity blocks with new signages. The amenity blocks have 64 female toilets, 32 male toilets and 10 accessible toilets for the differently abled, and drinking water facilities. These blocks are below ground level to maintain the character of the space.

The original Jamun trees along the entire stretch have been preserved, and a total of 140 new trees planted.

The newly built bridges and improved lighting along the stretch have made the space more accessible for public use. A portion of the area beyond the canals has been set aside for parking, with bays for 1,117 cars and 35 buses, and designated areas for app-based taxis and auto rickshaws.

Power cables and stormwater pipes have all been moved underground, and modular bleachers have been proposed for the Republic Day parade.

The Prime Minister will also unveil a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose beneath the canopy next to India Gate.

According to officials, the sanctioned cost for the Central Vista Avenue project is Rs 608 crore.

SHEIKH HASINA MEETS MODI: FIRMING UP INDIA BANGLADESH FRIENDSHIP

Bring the number of deaths along the border to zero; finalise defence projects under Line of Credit; start talks for a comprehensive trade pact in 2022; conclude the Teesta water-sharing treaty soon; ensure uninterrupted supply of essential goods to Dhaka; build railway links in Bangladesh; allow coastal radars along the neighbouring country’s coast.

These are the key takeaways from Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders during her visit to India over the last two days.

On Wednesday, Hasina said the bilateral relationship is a role model for neighbourhood diplomacy worldwide. “Having forged a strong partnership over the last 50 years, both countries are working on an increasingly wide range of sectoral collaboration,” she said at a function to award the Mujib Scholarship to direct descendants of Indian soldiers and officers killed or critically wounded during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. “I want our friendship to last forever,” she said.

On Wednesday, a day after the bilateral meeting between Modi and Hasina in New Delhi, the two countries also released a joint statement.

MODI BACKS TIES WITH RUSSIA

Despite the continuing western pressure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spelt out India’s keenness to expand trade, connectivity and investments with Russia.

From the beginning, we have emphasised the need to adopt diplomacy and dialogue. In this regard, we welcome the recent consensus on the safe export of cereals and fertilisers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Eastern Economic Forum

“India is keen to strengthen its partnership with Russia on Arctic subjects. There is immense scope for cooperation in the field of energy. Along with energy, India has also made significant investments in the Russian Far East in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diamonds,” said the Prime Minister while speaking virtually at the 7th Eastern Economic Forum being held in Vladivostok which was also attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia, he said, could become an important partner for the Indian steel industry through the supply of coking coal.

India has already offered Russia a $1 billion line of credit for developing infrastructure in the Far East.

“We can also have good cooperation in the mobility of talent. Indian talent has contributed to the development of many resource-rich regions of the world. I believe that the talent and professionalism of Indians can bring about rapid development in the Russian Far East,” suggested the PM. In fact, if the Ukraine conflict had not intervened, India was poised to send 2,000 skilled workers in April to work in Russian shipyards and for timber logging operations.

“Whether we talk about the International North-South Corridor, the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor or the Northern Sea Route, connectivity will play an important role in the development of our relations in future,” he observed.

The PM’s unequivocal call to continue and strengthen economic ties with Moscow comes amidst continuing efforts by the US and the European Union to wean India away from Russian oil.

RAHUL ATTACKS BJP AT LAUNCH OF BHARAT JODO YATRA

Stating that India is not the “imposition of one idea” on its people, but it is the history, language and culture of every single person, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ Wednesday at the confluence of the three seas at Kanyakumari.

Addressing supporters who had come from states including Telangana, Assam, Rajasthan and from within Tamil Nadu, he said embedded within the flag was “our identity, not only our identity as a nation, not only our identity as states but our identity as every single Indian person”.

“Today every single institution is under attack from the RSS and BJP. They think that this flag is their personal property. They think they can single-handedly determine the future of the people of this country, the future of the states of this country,” he said.

“They think they can frighten the opposition using the ED [Enforcement Directorate], the CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation], the Income tax. Problem is they do not understand Indian people… Doesn’t matter how many hours of interrogation they do, not a single leader of the opposition is going to be scared of the BJP.”

“A handful of large businesses control the entire country today. Ports, airports, coal, power, telecom and every single industry is controlled by a handful of businessmen. The Prime Minister would not last one day without their support. They control the media and they ensure that the Prime Minister is on the television screen 24 hours a day. And in exchange, the Prime Minister carries out policies that are in their interest,” he said.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST / Sep 7

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Tuesday 5,368

Active Cases 48,014 (-1,742)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 5,28,057 (16)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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PUTIN THREATENS TO HALT SUPPLY AS EU PLANS TO CAP RUSSIA GAS PRICE

The European Union proposed a price cap on Russian gas on Wednesday hours after President Vladimir Putin threatened to halt all supplies if they took such a step, raising the risk of rationing in some of the world’s richest countries this winter.

The escalating standoff threatens to send sky-high European gas prices higher still, adding to already eyewatering bills EU govts are paying to stop their energy providers collapsing and prevent cash-strapped customers freezing in the cold months ahead.

Europe has accused Russia of weaponising energy supplies in retaliation for Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over Ukraine invasion. Russia blames those sanctions for causing the gas supply problems, which it puts down to pipeline faults.

EU energy ministers are due to hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss how to tackle the energy crisis. “We will propose a price cap on Russian gas. We must cut Russia’s revenues which Putin uses to finance this atrocious war in Ukraine,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. The Commission will also put forward other measures including a mandatory cut in electricity use during peak hours, and a cap on revenues of energy generated from other sources.

Putin also said on Wednesday that “almost all” the Ukrainian grain shipped under a UN backed deal to ease a global food crisis was reaching rich European nations and accused the West of deceiving developing countries. “Almost all the grain exported from Ukraine is sent not to the poorest developing countries, but to EU countries,” he said.

IMRAN: WON’T LET SHARIF, ZARDARI PICK ARMY CHIEF

The appointment of Pakistan’s next army chief after Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa retires in November turned into another potential minefield in the country’s politics after former PM Imran Khan declared he wouldn’t allow his predecessor Nawaz Sharif and ex-president Asif Ali Zardari to pick someone of their choice, come what may. Addressing a rally in Peshawar on Tuesday, Imran defended his previous stance on the issue. Last Sunday, he had accused the Sharif-Zardari duo of trying to bring in an army chief of their liking in a bid to protect their “looted wealth”.

The remark plunged him into a controversy: The army’s media wing issued a statement saying it was aghast at the defamatory statement. Avoiding any response to the army’s retort, Imran blamed his rivals for twisting his statements to pit his party against the military and the judiciary.

Imran said those who were labelling him as anti-army had themselves targeted Pakistan’s institutions, including the military, in the past. Referring to the so-called “Dawn Leaks” on national security, he said the Sharif and his brother, PM Shehbaz Sharif, had sent a message to India that Pakistan’s army was supporting terrorism while they had no role in it. Likewise, the ousted PM said, Zardari through Hussian Haqqani, the then Pakistani ambassador in Washington, had asked the US to save his govt from the army. “Should we allow such crooks (Sharif, Zardari) to make such important appointments? No we will never. ”

THE REST

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EFFORTS TO UNITE OPPOSITION ARE IN NATIONAL INTEREST: NITISH KUMAR

Raising the pitch for unity against the BJP, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said it was necessary for the Opposition parties to join forces ahead of the 2024 general election to effectively counter the prevailing “one-sided” situation.

A united front against the BJP, Nitish said, was in the “national interest”, appearing to blunt suggestions that his ongoing efforts are driven by personal ambitions alone.

Speaking to the media after wrapping up his three-day Delhi visit, Nitish played down suggestions about his possible lead role in the event of a joint alliance against the BJP taking shape.

“I am not looking for any role for myself. For me, bringing parties together is paramount. If Opposition parties align, the situation that will be created will determine the future course of action. But I can tell you, it will be in the national interest,” Nitish told reporters after meeting NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.

DELHI GOVT COMPLETELY BANS FIRECRACKERS TILL JANUARY 1

There will be a blanket ban on the production, sale and use of all types of firecrackers in the national capital, including on Diwali, till January 1, 2023, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday. Rai said the ban extends to online sale of firecrackers.

"Production, storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers are being completely banned so that people's lives can be saved," he tweeted.

The minister said an action plan will be drawn up with the Delhi Police, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and revenue department to ensure strict enforcement of the ban.

BJP leader Kapil Mishra said the Arvind Kejriwal govt has failed to curb air pollution in Delhi and is now "showing off" by banning firecrackers. "It has been proved in scientific reports and the court that firecrackers are not the source of pollution. When the Kejriwal govt has failed to stop pollution in Delhi, why show off by banning firecrackers?" he tweeted in Hindi.

MONETISING RAILWAY LAND: CABINET CLEARS LONG TERM LEASE NORMS

The govt has made it simpler and cheaper for various entities to set up a range of infrastructure on Railway land on long-term lease. These including cargo-related enterprises, public utilities, renewable energy projects and even school and hospitals.

Railway land can now be used to set up solar plants, sewage and water treatment facilities at Re 1 per square meter per annum for 35 years and hospitals through PPP and schools with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan for Re 1 per square meter per annum for up to 60 years.

The Union Cabinet Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the new land lease policy of Railways, which owns around 4.84 lakh hectares in India of which 0.62 lakh hectare is vacant. This includes land that runs parallel to tracks.

Setting up of cargo terminals and cargo-related activities on Railway land will attract a rate of 1.5 per cent of current market value of land per annum with a 6 per cent annual increment accounting for inflation, for up to 35 years.

BHARAT BIOTECH’S NASAL VACCINE COULD BE A GAME-CHANGER

iNCOVACC, the country’s first intra-nasal vaccine for primary inoculation has been developed by scientists at the Washington University and manufactured by the Hyderabad-based company, Bharat Biotech, This vaccine uses a harmless version of chimpanzee adenovirus to deliver the spike protein to the lining of the nose.

The nasal vaccines targets the immune cells in the thin mucous membranes that line cavities in the nose. The body’s defence mechanism, therefore, gets to work immediately after the coronavirus enters the body and stops the pathogen from using the respiratory tract to cause infection. That is why this vaccine can prevent mild cases of Covid and break the line of transmission of the disease.

The nasal vaccine has other advantages. A squirt in the nose is much easier to administer than conventional shots — in fact, trained healthcare workers are not required to deliver this needle-free vaccine. The vials can be stored easily at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and Bharat Biotech claims that it can scale up production at short notice.

FOUR NEW iPHONE 14s, BUT APPLE WATCH ULTRA STEALS THE SHOW

Despite the four new iPhones it has to showcase, Apple opened its first physical event in two years with a 30-minute segment on the Apple Watch, and with good reason. The Apple Watch Ultra was clearly the most innovative product on show, pushing the limits on what a wearable can achieve but also pushing the most popular watch into the world into what was its last frontier: the top-end segment aimed at endurance users and athletes.

The Apple Watch Ultra is very different from earlier watches and takes everything to the extreme from durability, connectivity and battery life which can extend up to 60 hours. The watch features a dual-frequency GPS which gets accurate locations even in dense urban environments. There is a dedicated activity button on the left that lets you literally bookmark locations or events.

Apple has made the iPhone segment a little bit less complicated. Now, there are just two sizes to choose from — 6.1 inch and 6.7 inches. The larger size, earlier exclusive to the Pro range, is now available without the Pro branding as a Plus model. So while the size and battery become common across the two sets, the processor, display, camera and UI become the differentiating factor in the Pro phones.

Both the phones have the older A15 Bionic processor. In a bold move, Apple will stop offering SIM phones in the US and will move fully towards eSIMs in what could be a huge signal for the industry as a whole. It is also allowing users in US and Canada to latch on to the satellite in case of emergency situations by sending quick distress messages even without a network.

ASIA CUP: PAKISTAN EDGE AFGHANISTAN TO BOOK FINAL BERTH

Right-arm pacer Naseem Shah struck two telling sixes in the final over as Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by one wicket in a tense Asia Cup Super 4 match to throw India out of the tournament in Sharjah on Wednesday.

Afghanistan were firmly in control of the match till the last over. Chasing the winning score of 131, Pakistan needed 11 in the last over, with just one wicket in hand. That’s when Naseem hit Fazalhaq Farooqi for two consecutive sixes to send both Afghanistan and India out of reckoning for a final berth.

With two wins from as many games, both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have sealed their places in the final of the tournament to be held on Sunday.

India and Afghanistan will lock horns in their final Super 4 match today, while Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka on Friday – both these matches have been rendered inconsequential.

US OPEN: SINGLES QUARTER FINALS RESULTS

Men's Singles

N. Kyrgios [23] vs K. Khachanov [27] (Khachanov won 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7, 6-4)

M. Berrettini [13] vs C. Ruud [5] (Rudd won 6-1, 6-4, 7-6)

J. Sinner [11] vs C. Alcaraz [3] (Match in progress)

A. Rublev [9] vs F. Tiafoe [22] (Tiafoe won 7-6, 7-6, 6-4)

Women's Singles

I. Swiatek [1] vs J. Pegula [8] (Swiatek won 6-3, 7-6)

K. Pliskova [22] vs A. Sabalenka [6] (Sabalenka won 6-1, 7-6)

C. Gauff [12] vs C. Garcia [17] (Garcia won 6-3, 6-4)

O. Jabeur [5] vs A. Tomljanovic (Jabeur won 6-4, 7-6)

INDICATORS

Sensex 59,029 (-168), Nifty 17,624 (-31), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 62,799

Nasdaq 11,792 (+247) Dow 31,581 (+436), S&P 3,980 (+72)

(US$-Rs. 79.72 GBP-Rs. 91.55, Euro-Rs. 79.17, UAE Dhm-Rs.21.70, Can$-Rs. 60.55, Aus$- Rs. 53.65

GBP 0.87 /US$, Euro 1.00 /US$, Jap.Yen 144.07 /US$, Aus$ 1.48 /US$, Sing 1.40 /US$, Bang Taka 93.35 /US$, Can$ 1.31 /US$, Mal Ring 4.49 /US$,

Pak Re 223.20 /US$, Phil Peso 57.11 /US$, Russian Rouble 61.16 /US$, NZ$ 1.65 /US$, Thai Baht 36.59 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 36.68 /US$)

Bitcoin - USD 19,271

Dollar Index 109.76 Brent Crude 88.90 BDI 1,133

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,717 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 5,062 / 4,640, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 58,000

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. - Winston Churchil

OFF TRACK

A man had an Enfield Bullet 350cc...he was not able to talk to his girlfriend while riding on it because of the Bullet sound.

He got fed up and sold his Bullet and bought a 100cc bike.

He got married to the same girl and one year later, he again bought an Enfield Bullet 500cc.