New Delhi:  Former captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Tuesday termed the FIFA’s decision to ban Indian football “very harsh” but in it also saw an opportunity to get the country’s sport in order.

India was suspended by world governing body FIFA for “undue influence from third parties”, the development jeopardising the country’s prospects of hosting the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled from October 11-30.

“Very unfortunate that FIFA has banned Indian football and at the same time I feel it’s a very harsh decision of FIFA to ban Indian football,” Bhutia, one of the sport’s icons in the country, said.

“But at the same time time I feel it’s a great opportunity for us to get our system right. It’s very important that all the stakeholders — the federation, the state associations, to come together and get the system right and everybody work for the betterment of Indian football,” the Sikkimese sniper added.

FIFA said the suspension was effective immediately and that the transgression constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes.

This is the first time the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been banned by FIFA in its 85 year history.

The AIFF ran into trouble after former president Praful Patel stayed in office beyond his term with the Supreme Court ruling it invalid and ousting him from the post. The SC had placed the AIFF under a Committee of Administrators (CoA).

A team of FIFA-AFC had visited the country from June 21 to 23 after which the world body had set strict deadlines to approve the new constitution by July 31 and hold elections by Sept 15.

Former India star Shabbir Ali called it extremely unfortunate and a massive setback for Indian football.

“Whatever has happened is extremely unfortunate and it is a setback for Indian football. That said, I am hopeful that the suspension will be lifted sooner than later once the elections are held, which FIFA has categorically mentioned as well,” he said.

“The U-17 Women’s World Cup should be held in India and I am optimistic that things will fall in place and India won’t be robbed off the showpiece event,” added the Dhyan Chand Awardee, who was one of India’s best players in the 1970s and 80s.

The FIFA though has not closed all options for India as it said it is in talks with the sports ministry and hopeful of a positive outcome regarding the women’s age group showpiece event.

Former player Mehtab Hossain blamed those running football in the country for the setback.

“Both the former officials and the CoA should be blamed squarely for this fiasco. When FIFA instructed the officials to conduct an election as soon as possible and put the house in order, what were we waiting for? We took our own sweet time and now we have to pay the ultimate price,” Mehtab said.

“Neither the former bosses nor anyone from the CoA will suffer now. It’s the players, fans who will be dealt with a severe blow. It’s a huge blow for Indian football,” he added.

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The pollution caused by them increases the risk of COVID-19 patients. The air pollution in India as the winter sets in has been a matter of concern especially in the national capital and its surrounding areas.

Mumbai BMC issued a circular advising not to use firecrackers during Diwali as govt decided to ban it .although you can fire full Jhadi and Anardana  during pooja time in restricted personal area but other firecrackers will not be allowed .

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on November 5 decided to ban firecrackers in the national capital after reviewing the COVID-19 situation. The Delhi CM said, “Coronavirus cases have increased due to the festival season and pollution. It was decided to ban crackers in Delhi and ramp up medical infrastructure, among other measures.”

He appealed people to shun firecrackers for the safety of their kids and family. He said, “we will celebrate Diwali together and won’t burst firecrackers in any condition. There will be a wonderful atmosphere and good vibes as two crore people will perform Laxmi Pujan. It will lead to well being in each household.”

Maharashtra government issued guidelines for the citizens to keep in mind while celebrating Diwali. The government cautioned against bursting crackers citing ecological concerns as it damages the environment and adds to the air pollution and noise pollution.

The Karnataka government also decided to ban the use of firecrackers during Diwali this year, saying it may badly impact the health of those who have already been infected with Covid-19. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said, “We have taken a decision to ban firecrackers in the state, in wake of Covid pandemic. The order regarding the ban will be issued soon.”

On Thursday, state health minister Dr K Sudhakar held a meeting with the state’s Covid-19 expert committee and technical advisory committee. The committee had deliberated on the pros and cons of bursting firecrackers and had recommended a ban. “As the smoke can badly impact the health of those who have already been infected by Covid-19 and even those who have not, we will place the committee’s report before the Chief Minister and he will take a final decision within a day or two,” he had said.

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Cabinet Secretary took a review meeting of concerned officials from various Ministries/Departments,. During the meeting, he emphasized on the implementation of Social Distancing measures as detailed by guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. He stated that social distancing would have a major impact in limiting the spread of the disease. He also reviewed preparedness of various states for quarantine facilities, hospital management and awareness campaigns.

In order to ensure effective and seamless coordination between the Centre and the States, 30 nodal officers of the level of Joint Secretary and above have been drawn from various Ministries to liaison, coordinate and help the States with respect to anything that is required from the Government of India. They will be deputed to the States, and shall work in close coordination with the State authorities for coordinating the preparedness and response measures. An orientation meeting of all the officers is being held tomorrow.

Secretary (HFW) has also written to the Secretaries of all Ministries/Departments, Govt. of India today requesting them to implement the various guidelines/advisories that have been issued and are applicable to them and the organizations under them.

In continuation of the travel advisory issued on 11th March, 2020 and 16th March, 2020, the following additional advisory is issued today:

i. Travel of passengers from Afghanistan, Philippines, Malaysia to India is prohibited with immediate effect. No flight shall take off from these countries to India after 1500 hours Indian Standard Time (IST). The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure.

ii. This instruction is a temporary measure and shall be in force till 31st March 2020 and will be reviewed subsequently.

BJP MP Suresh Prabhu has kept himself under isolation at his residence for the next 14 days as a precautionary measure even after testing negative. He returned from Saudi Arabia, where he had gone to attend the Second Sherpas’ Meeting on 10 March.

On Tuesday, Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan went into self-quarantine, but was later tested negative.

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He said “strong but necessary” restrictions would not apply to the UK where 460 cases of the illness have been confirmed. “Europe saw more cases because governments failed to stop travel from China, where the COVID-19 epidemic began,” Mr Trump said in his address to the nation.

The move comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday called the coronavirus outbreak – which has spread to over 100 countries – a “pandemic”, issuing a grim warning that the global spread and severity of the illness was due to “alarming levels of inaction”.

Europe has faced a mounting number of cases — including a slew of new countries clocking first deaths — prompting governments to roll out increasingly tough measures to slow the rapid spread of the virus.

Hours before his official address, Mr Trump, in a series of tweets, said that “US is making a policy to prevent, detect, treat and create a vaccine against coronavirus to save lives in America and the world.”

America is the Greatest Country in the world. We have the best scientists, doctors, nurses and health care professionals. They are amazing people who do phenomenal things every day….,” he wrote in another post.
Trump asked the media to view this as a time of unity and strength and said the country must beat the “enemy of the World, the Coronavirus as quickly and safely as possible”.

The Washington on Wednesday declared a state of emergency over coronavirus. The mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, made the announcement as the US capital confirmed 10 cases of the infection

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The announcement came on the state-run Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday, quoting an unnamed Interior Ministry official announcing the ban.

It gave no time frame for how long the suspension will stand.

Last week, Saudi Arabia closed off the holiest sites in Islam to foreign pilgrims over the coronavirus. That disrupted travel for thousands of Muslims already headed to the kingdom and potentially affecting plans later this year for millions more ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan and the annual hajj.

Meanwhile Religious authorities are advising people how to pray or mark holy days without risking spreading COVID-19 further. The virus, which originated in China, has so far infected more than 93,000 people globally and killed more than 3,000.

Last week, Saudi Arabia said it was preventing foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba, the building at the centre of the Great Mosque. It also said travel was suspended to Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.

This year’s Hajj, which usually brings about three million people to Mecca, is expected to take place from July 28 to August 2. Authorities have not yet announced any restrictive measures; more than 60,000 people have applied to participate in this year’s event already.

The kingdom has two reported cases of coronavirus.

Iran is also struggling to contain the virus, with a rising number of cases and deaths each day. As of Wednesday evening, those totalled 2,922 and 92, respectively.

Friday prayers in all provincial capitals have been halted.

“This disease is a widespread one,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told his cabinet, according to a transcript. “It encompasses almost all of our provinces and is, in a sense, a global disease that many countries in the world have become infected with, and we must work together to tackle this problem as quickly as possible.”

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The Directorate of Higher Education has issued a new circular, which calls for a blanket ban on the use of mobile phones inside the campus of universities and colleges across the state.

In view of the circular, students studying in various universities and colleges across the state will not be able to bring or use mobile phones inside the campus. Colleges will have facility to deposit phones. 

The Directorate observed that many of students and teachers were spending their valuable time on mobile phones during the colleges hours.

It may be noted that state’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had sometimes back banned the use of mobile phones during his official meetings, including cabinet meetings.

The Chief Minister had issued the order asking all ministers to focus on issues that are discussed in the cabinet meetings.The order was issued to prevent the ministers from getting distracted by their mobile phones.

Earlier also he Uttar Pradesh government banned unauthorised persons from carrying mobile phones inside Vidhan Bhawan, which houses the state legislature complex, and all offices affiliated to the state secretariat.

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Electronic-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that produce aerosol by heating a solution containing nicotine, which is the addictive substance in combustible cigarettes. These include all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Heat Not Burn Products, e-Hookah and the like devices. These novel products come with attractive appearances and multiple flavours and their use has increased exponentially and has acquired epidemic proportions in developed countries, especially among youth and children.

Implementation:

Upon promulgation of the Ordinance, any production, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale (including online sale), distribution or advertisement (including online advertisement) of e-cigarettes shall be a cognizable offence punishable with an imprisonment of up to one year or fine up to Rs. 1 lakh or both for the first offence; and imprisonment of up to three years and fine up to Rs. 5 lakh for a later offence. Storage of electronic-cigarettes shall also be punishable with an imprisonment up to 6 months or fine up to Rs 50,000 or both.  

The owners of existing stocks of e-cigarettes on the date of commencement of the Ordinance will have to suomoto declare and deposit these stocks with the nearest police station. The Sub-Inspector of Police has been designated as the Authorized Officer to take action under the Ordinance. The Central or State Governments may also appoint any other equivalent officer(s) as Authorized Officer for enforcement of the provisions of the Ordinance.

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“Pakistan has cancelled the notam (notice to airmen) for its airspace with effect from 0038 IST, consequential notams by India also cancelled. Airlines likely to resume normal routes through Pakistan airspace,” a government official said in New Delhi.

Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul was the first airline to use the reopened route hours after the official announcement by Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority. The development comes as a relief to passengers who had to travel longer hours as well as pay exorbitant airfares as flights took a detour to avoid Pakistan.

The Civil Aviation Authority issued a notice to airmen  stating that “with immediate effect Pakistan airspace is open for all type of civil traffic on published ATS (air traffic service) routes”

Pakistan had fully closed its airspace on February 26 after the Indian Air Force (IAF) struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Balakot in retaliation to the Pulwama attack on February 14. Since then, the neighbouring country had only opened two routes, both of them passing through the southern region, of the total 11.

the IAF had announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on the Indian airspace post the Balakot strike had been removed. However, it did not benefit most of the commercial airliners and they were waiting for Pakistan to fully open its airspace.

the AIR INDIA  had lost ₹491 crore till July 2 due to the closure of the Pakistan airspace. Private airlines SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir lost ₹30.73 crore, ₹25.1 crore and ₹2.1 crore, respectively, according to the data presented by Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in the Rajya Sabha on July 3.

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