Author: Samikhsya Bureau

The government on Thursday blamed erstwhile Congress-led UPA regime for turning the national Air Carrier to a loss making unit for not utlilising the routes efficiently and said a Revival Plan has been prepared to take it out from the crisis.

Responding to a question from Trinamool Congress lawmaker Dinesh Trivedi, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said: “Our efforts have brought in change, and there is impressive turnaround of Air India”.

He told the Lok Sabha that the government has prepared a Revival Plan of Air India which focusses on building a competitive and profitable airline group.

He said the Revival Plan focusses on a comprehensive financial package and that also includes transferring non-core debt.

“The efforts also include higher levels of operational efficiency by strengthening management and implementing best practice business processes,” he said.

Asking supplementary questions, Mr Trivedi said when it comes to ‘monetisation of assets’, the government ought to take care of the ‘routes’ and how these were handed over to other operators.

“Air India is one of the best airlines in the world. One of the reasons why Air India has gone into debt is because you have not clearly utilised your routes efficiently and the routes were given to somebody else,” he said, adding things actually started before the NDA government took over.

“My question is, are you having relook at monetising the routes of Air India? Are you going to have a relook at the routes of Air India? ” the Trinamool MP remarked.

Responding to him, Mr Sinha said the previous government is to be blamed for the same.

Mr Sinha also said there has been increase in travel capacity by 28 per cent.

The number of planes too have gone up from 96 to 118, the Minister said(UNI)

(UNI) Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited (SMIPL), a subsidiary of two-wheeler manufacturer, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, on Thursday launched the 2019 edition of the Hayabusa,
one of the most iconic motorcycle in India.
Suzuki Hayabusa will be available across all Suzuki Big Bike dealerships for Rs 13,74,364 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The legendary Hayabusa enjoys wide base of loyalists and enthusiasts globally and is known for its high speed and sportiness.
The 2019 edition of Suzuki Hayabusa will be offered in two new colour schemes– Metallic Oort Gray and Glass Sparkle Black– with updated graphics, and an added pair of side reflectors for Indian conditions.
Commenting on the launch of 2019 Suzuki Hayabusa, Mr Satoshi Uchida, Managing Director, SMIPL said, ”For 20 years, Suzuki Hayabusa has been one of the most loved sportsbike among the enthusiasts for almost two decades and has received an excellent response in India. It is our constant endeavour to offer great
products, and we are pleased to launch the 2019 edition of Hayabusa in two new colour schemes appealing to a larger fan base and enthusiasts in India.”
Suzuki Hayabusa is powered with 1340cm3 four stroke fuel injected liquid-cooled DOHC engine to deliver a broad wave of torque for effortless acceleration. The advanced aerodynamics add to superb wind protection both for normal and completely tucked-in seating.

 Lybrate, India’s first and largest online doctor consultation platform, has launched GoodMD, an exclusive social networking platform for doctors, where they can de-stress in the midst of their busy and tiresome lives, as also voice their opinions on multitude of issues related to healthcare, including regulatory and administrative, without the inhibition of being judged.
GoodMD, which is a lot more than just a community of doctors, was launched realising the lack of a relevant online space for healthcare practitioners where they can exchange opinions with fellow doctors and bust their stress.
Given the burnout level of doctors getting high, GoodMD is a gateway for them to relax and express themselves freely. The platform provides an outlet to their pent-up thoughts, find solidarity from peers to what and how they feel, share their clinical expertise with fellow colleagues, check out what their peer group has posted and
stay updated on pharma, patient care, business-related and other developments in the healthcare industry via Medshorts, which keeps them posted about healthcare-related news in just 360-characters.
GoodMD is a first-of-its-kind professional-cum-personal social networking platform for doctors which is only meant for them. Guided by the approach of inclusiveness, the platform aims to bring together doctors from across specialties, including AYUSH, and multiple backgrounds to help them forge a healthy professional bond.
On the platform, doctors are passionately talking about subjects that do not otherwise create a credible discourse on other social networking platforms, where their presence is also scattered.

(UNI) The BJP is trying to usurp power through backdoors but the JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka is stable and the hopes of the saffron party will remain a pipe-dream, Congress leader Siddaramaiah said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at the airport here on his way to Bagalkot district, he said the cabinet expansion and allocation of portfolios among the new Congress ministers will be carried out without any hitch and rejected reports that dissidence was rife among the party leaders denied Cabinet berths and new ministers who demanded plum portfolios.

The party leadership under political in-charge K C Venugopal held a two-day parleys over cabinet expansion but allocation of portfolios, which is expected to be announced this evening, still remained a tricky issue for the party leadership.

Having kick-started the year 2018 on a very confident note – winning elections in Christians stronghold and predominantly tribal states of Nagaland, Tripura and to an extent in Meghalaya – it would not be erroneous to observe as the calendar year drew to a close – that minor nervousness is apparent in the BJP as the party braces for all important 2019 battle. The recent polls in five Indian states only prove a point that the ‘Modi Magic’ of 2014 is certainly on wane

New Delhi, Dec 26 (UNI) Just ahead of the upcoming cricket season, the second edition of ‘Royal Challenge Sports Drink Bold League’ is back with its unique platform for cricket lovers, that promises to be bigger, better and bolder.
In a series of short, humorous films, ‘Royal Challenge Sports Drink’ has brand ambassador and RCB
skipper Virat Kohli challenging cricketers across the nation to play against his team.
Taking a dig at armchair cricketers and self-proclaimed gully cricket legends, he asks them to show their A-game ‘Ab Khel Ke Dikha’.
The league, which made its successful debut in February this year in 10 cities, is now expanding to
host teams in over 30 cities and towns to battle it out and win a chance to be pitted against none other than the Royal Challengers Bangalore team.

With an ever increasing threat  of climate change waking up all across the globe, the most powerful nation US keep refusing it as a reality.That raises the level of disappointment all over. Even Robert Reich, the former secretary of labour opined that world faces two threats as climate change and wage stagnation that keeps widening the in-equality as never before.

Baba Ramdev, Yoga guru who has a BJP leaning has said that in the difficult situation for the BJP when the other parties seem joining hands, it is difficult to say as ‘ who will be be the next prime minister’.Several questions stare on the face of the BJP from the opponents need to be answered by the BJP.

As per the parliamentary Standing Committee recommendations the minimum wagwe for all the sectors will be made compulsory, either organised or not.It has to be enforced strongly, as per reports. Any non adherence will invite penalty of Rs. 10 lakh and no worker can be forced to work more than 8 hours under any circumstances. the minimum wage shall be revised every five years.

(UNI) Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President, Dinesh Gundu Rao challenged the BJP leader’s claim of bringing down the 6-month-old JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka within next 24 hours.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Rao took strong objection to BJP leader Umesh Katti’s claim that more than 15 Congress MLAs, who were denied Cabinet berth, are in touch with the BJP and the coalition government will be pulled down within 24-hours.
Challenging the BJP leader’s claim, Mr Rao said that “The BJP leaders are making a false propaganda with frustration. Will Mr Katti quit politics if his claim of bringing down the government proved false”.

Innovative product maker ZAAP on Wednesday launched waterproof bluetooth speakers – Hydra Xtreme.

“Hydra Xtreme is a next-generation Bluetooth speaker developed and designed by ZAAP USA for the Indian market. The rubberized Bluetooth speaker is a premium rugged device which provides ultimate impact resistance while promising the users a sporty look due to its exterior,” a statement here said.

Resistant to water, shock, dust and snow, Hydra Xtreme comes with a compass and carabineer clip for those adventure junkies who wish to carry the Bluetooth speaker anywhere and everywhere including trekking and camping.(UNI)

(UNI) Social media platform Helo on Wednesday unveils the top three most popular trending topics that have engaged users nationwide.
According to Helo, this year’s festive Diwali season was the biggest trending topic of 2018, as the platform garnered over 600 million views, with users exchanging wishes and engaging with posts by Indian celebrities. During the Diwali season, the app also received over 300,000 posts, with various vernacular hashtags including #मेरा घर जगमग, #ధనత్రయోదశి శుభాకాంక్షలు, #லக்ஷ்மி பூஜை, #ദീപാവലി, #ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಪೂಜೆ, #ਦਿਵਾਲੀ ਦੀ ਰੰਗੋਲੀ, #দীপাবলির আলোর প্রদীপ, #મારી દિવાળીની રંગોળી and #पहिला पाडवा.
“The second most popular trending topic among Helo users was the launch of the film 2.0. The release of this biggest Indian science fiction film of the year last November garnered over 220 million views on the platform. This trending topic sparked discussions around the film as well as on the topics of science and technology, resulting in various posts and memes,” stated the statement.
“To cap off an amazing year, users can get a chance to vote for the most popular entertainer on Helo through the “Helo Best of 2018” campaign. Starting Dec 25, Helo users can cast their votes here. The final results, which will be available in Hindi，Tamil，Telugu，Punjabi，Bengali，Gujarati and Marathi, will be unveiled on December 31,” said Shyamanga Barooah, Head of Content Operations, Helo.
Helo is available in India in 14 vernacular languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and more.
The app enables one to make new friends, share jokes, tweets, memes, WhatsApp status updates, wishes, quotes, shayari and stay informed with the latest trending news and views of the day.

(UNI) Renowned golfer Jyotinder Singh Randhawa alias Jyoti Singh Randhawa, along with one of his accomplice, has been arrested by Uttar Pradesh forest official in a poaching case in Katerniaghat forest in Bahriach district on Wednesday.

Forest official said here that the golfer and national-level shooter Mahesh Virajdar have been arrested in poaching case in Motipur Range of Katerniaghat.

A vehicle, a weapon and other equipment along with wildlife articles have been seized.

Interrogation and further legal action is being taken by the DFO (Divisional Forest Office), Katerniaghat and his team, official said.

(UNI) The coldwave further paralyzed normal life in the state as water pipe disrupted in many places in the state with plunging down Mercury below freezing point.
Keylong, headquarter of Lahaul Spiti district shivered at minus 11.1 degrees and two degrees below yesterday.
There are report that water pipes freeze with dipping down mercury in high reaches and tribals town. Formation of thick ice sheet on road made the road slippery causing road accident in the wee hours.
Kalpa in Kinnaur minimum temperature recorded at minus four degrees, two degrees below y’day.
Tourist resort Manali recorded minus 3.4 degrees, Seobagh in Kullu minus two degrees, Sundernagar in Mandi minus 1.4 degrees and Bhuntar in Kullu minus one degrees respectively. 

(UNI) Alleging that a senior police officer was indulging in electoral politics, chairman of Peoples Conference (PC) Sajjad Gani Lone on Wednesday said people of the Jammu and Kashmir deserves to choose their leaders without these Machiavellian tactics.
However, Mr Lone, who was minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government in the state from laters quota expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor SatyaPal Malik and advisor K Vijay Kumar will take note and give everybody an even play field.
Without naming the officer (Additional Director General of Police ), Mr Lone, who has announced that PC will contest all Legislative Assembly (LA) seats without any coalition with any party, including BJP, said are their no lessons to be learnt from rigged elections in the past.
Taking to micro-blogging site twitter the PC chairman alleged that “ IPS officer of the rank of ADGP indulging in electoral politics. summoned Some SPs, DSPs deliberating how to script a wave for his fav leader. Will name him soon. But hope @PMOIndia @jandkgovernor @KVijayKumarIPS take note give us an even play field. Is that too much to ask”. 

Celebrating its Foundation day, the president of the BJD and chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched a massive attack on the centre with nine major questions on which the latter has allegedly failed miserably. Prominent among them were neglect of the sectors like railway, Highway, auction of coal mines, lacking in Agriculture and the Ujwala yojna that the BJD chief cited as major failures.

(UNI) Nearly 4,000 workers, half of them women, have rendered jobless for indefinite period after the management of two tea estates in north Bengal declared shut down of work following
owner-employee disputes, official sources said on Wednesday.
The two tea gardens are Mujnai tea estate in Jalpaiguri and Changmari tea estate in Alipurduar district.
The management of Changmari tea garden put up notice for shut down of work for indefinite period citing labour trouble at the gardens. The garden has been witnessing unrest among the labourers after the management wanted a weekly holiday on Monday instead of Sunday, which the workers did not agree. Following the dispute, the management alleged that one of its official was beaten up by the workers early this week and hence the shut down of work apprehending fresh trouble.
However, the workers denied this and alleged that the management wanted to force ” whimsical rule” on them. The shut down of the garden was to give a lesson to the poor workers, according a to a union leader.
Mujnai tea estate also locked up its main gate after putting up a notice declaring stoppage of work for indefinite period, which the workers staged protest demonstration in front of the gate.
Reinforcement was deployed in front of gate at both the closed tea estates apprehending trouble.