Author: Samikhsya Bureau

(UNI) Trying to make some plain speaking, BJP leader and former Union Minister Subramanian Swamy has said that the recent defeat in three Hindi-heartland states will help the party emerge out of the ‘complacency’ and restart working for the all important win in 2019.
“I think that the Congress has won a battle and as a consequence will lose the war. Defeat of BJP in the recent Assembly elections has woken up the complacent in our party,” BJP leader tweeted.
He also wrote: “With defeat staring in our face, there is new determination to win the 2019
Lok Sabha election”.
The BJP’s election defeat in three crucial states of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh has left the party’s poll strategists concerned.
In some quarters the concern was all the more as closer scrutiny of figures suggest the saffron party’s vote share dropped in constituencies where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath campaigned.
However, some internal analysts say the ‘weakening’ of party in the three states only show that party’s dependence on ‘Modi factor’ is going to increase.

(UNI) Observing the national consumer day today, with a theme of “timely disposal of consumer complaints” the consumers and merchant organizations are looking forward for the impending law that is expected to revolutionarise the consumer rights in India.
Considered to be a milestone enactment, giving a lot more power to the consumers, the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 21 and is awaiting the nod of the Rajya Sabha, to become an Act.
The new Act will replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which has been into near-oblivion for want of adequate tools that could protect the rights of the consumers in the changed market conditions.
The new law is expected to give more and sharper teeth for the consumers and consumer protection rights institutions.
The constitution of a Central Consumers Protection Authority, in lines with the consumer-friendly and highly acclaimed US Federal Trade Commission, is expected to be a game changer in consumer rights protection. That apart, inclusion of e-commerce, easing the formalities through e-filing and video-hearing and provisions against false or misleading advertisements would also go a long way in reinforcing the consumer right movement in India.

(UNI) The Central Government has decided to make all power meters smart prepaid in three years from April 1, 2019.
“This step is likely to bring revolution in power sector by way of reduction in AT&C losses, better health of DISCOMs, incentivisation of energy conservation, ease of bill payments and doing away with the paper bills,” stated the official release.
Move towards smart meters is a pro poor step as consumers need not pay the whole month’s bill in one go, instead they can pay as per their requirements. Manufacturing of smart prepaid meters will also generate skilled employment for the youth.
The State Governments had earlier signed the Power for All document and had agreed to supply 24*7 power supply to their consumers. Thus the distribution licensee shall provide 24*7 power to their consumers by 1st April, 2019 or earlier. However the appropriate Commission in exceptional circumstances for the reasons to be recorded in writing may grant extension in this time period.

Marking the first national security space mission for the United States, SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral on Sunday carrying a US military navigation satellite.

The rocket carries around $500 million GPS satellite built by Lockheed Martin Corp, as reported by AOL news.

The successful launch is a significant victory for SpaceX, which has spent years trying to break into the lucrative market for military space launches dominated by Lockheed and Boeing Co.

(UNI) The death toll of a terrorist attack against a government office in Kabul rose to 43 with an Afghan Public Health Ministry official said on Tuesday.

The siege lasted for about eight hours, leaving 43 dead and over 30 injured, Xinhua reported.

The attack occurred on Monday afternoon when a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the targeted office, which provides service to family members of soldiers and ordinary people who lost their lives during the war or terrorist attacks.

The attack started with a car bomb explosion at 3:20 p.m. local time (1050 GMT) near the Ministry of Public Works and the National Authority for People with Disabilities and Martyrs’ Families in Kabul’s PD16 – near Makroyan-e-Kohna colony.

(UNI) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the playing XI for the Melbourne Test against Australia, where they have inducted Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

Rohit Sharma missed the Perth Test due to an injury, but was declared fit for the third Test, while ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has failed to recover from an abdominal strain.

Having won the first Test at Adelaide, the Indian team lost the second Test by a hefty margin of 146 runs. With the loss, the Indian team selection came under the scanner. More so, the Indian openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul had to face the heat as yet again both of them failed to score runs for India.

However, the Indian team drafted Mayank Agarwal and Hardik Pandya into the squad for the rest of the series.

India’s Playing XI for the 3rd Test: Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

(UNI) Internet of Things (IoT) market has the potential to reach two billion connections and unlock revenues of 11.1 billion dollars by 2022, an ASSOCHAM-EY joint report said.

About five new mobile connections per second are estimated to join the power of Internet in India by 2022, the report estimated.

The National Digital Communication Policy (NDCP) 2018 is a progressive policy that embeds broadband in the fabric of India’s digital economy and gives a roadmap for a digital future.

According to an ASSOCHAM-EY report — Propelling India to a trillion dollar digital economy — outlines immediate interventions and medium to long-term endeavours required to implement the vision and strategy of this transformative policy which has the potential to unlock a trillion dollar digital economy by 2022 and lead the Fourth Industrial revolution in India.

While potential is huge, India, however, currently lags behind the US, China and Korea in connectivity via optical fibre, stated the study. A meagre 25 per cent of telecom towers in India carry optical fiber whereas the share in the US, China and Korea is about 65-80 per cent.

Former prime minister of Pakisthan, NawazShariff on Monday was sentenced for 7 years imprionment by an Accountabilityh courtA in Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, while acquitted him in the the Flagship Investments reference. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader was taken into custody after the verdict and will be transported to Adiala Jail. He was also fined Rs 1.5 billion in the Al-Azizia reference.

(UNI) With yoga gaining popularity in China as a healthy lifestyle choice, the China-India Yoga College in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, has decided to expand its training facilities beyond the the city.
A total of 50 branches will be set up in the future to boost yoga education and teacher training, according to
Nearly 100 yoga teaching and training centers will also be built to provide teacher training courses, yoga workshops and non-profit courses, said Chen Luyan, dean of the China-India Yoga College.
The China-India Yoga College, founded in June 2015 as part of a China-India cultural exchange programme, opened its first branch on Saturday at Yunnan University in the city of Lijiang as part of its nationwide partnership with universities in cultivating high-level yoga professionals, reports Xinhua.
The College recruits undergraduates and postgraduates at Yunnan Minzu University.

(UNI) Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee chief Dr Ajay Kumar today said that there was no confusion regarding Mahagathbandhan in the state however who would be the leader of the alliance is a decision which can not be taken alone by the Congress party as all the other allies including JVM(P), RJD and the Left Front will have make an unanimous choice over that.

Addressing a press conference at the JPCC headquarters here, he said there is no confusion over who would be contesting the 10 to 11 Lok Sabha seats and almost 70 seats of the Vidhan Sabha however there is a little confusion over 2 to 3 Lok Sabha seats and another 10 of the assembly over which talks would be held soon and the matter would be sorted out.

(UNI) In order to prevent misuse of social media and spreading of fake news, the Union Electronics and IT Ministry has prepared a draft of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2018 to replace the rules notified in 2011 and consultation process is underway.

The consultation process was initiated with Inter-Ministerial consultations and thereafter with other stakeholders, including major social media platforms, messaging services platforms like Facebook, Google, Twitter, Yahoo, WhatsApp and other associations like IAMAI, COAI and ISPAI representing intermediaries, the Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The timeline of submission of comments is January 15, 2019, the statement said..

A research has revealed that Oneplus has come out to be the most preferred Android premium smartphone taking 21% of Apple customers shifting to Oneplus and additionally 90% of Oneplus buyers have revealed that their preferred choice is Oneplus as it offers better specifications. Which leaves Oneplus as becoming the brand with the second highest brand loyalty .

Delhi high court has ordered the immediate release of the Congress leader Sushil Sharma who was alleged to have killed his wife by burning inside a ‘tandoor’ hearth in 1995. The court has expressed anger why he was not released even after 20 years despite the apex court had found no evidence of chopping the wife’s body after the alleged murder.

Naseeruddin Shah’s alleged ill-conceived comparison over of value of the life of  a cow with policemen and his fear factor of self-safety tempted one leader of Uttar Pradesh Navanirman Samiti  , Amit Jani has booked one air ticket for Shah to Pakisthan for August 14 next so that ‘ India can be less one traitor ‘ .

(UNI) In the season of alliance making and serious efforts being launched to set up a front of regional parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik on Monday shared stage for the release of a commemorative coin and a postage stamp in the memory of Paika Rebellion at a function in IIT Bhubaneswar.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the 1817 Rebellion led by Buxi Jagabandhu of Khorda district against the Britishers.

This also came a day after BJD supremo Naveen Pataik held a crucial meeting with TRS chief and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.

The TRS chief is toying with the idea of a federal front which would keep ‘equi distance’ from both the Congress and and the BJP.

In his speech, Prime Minister did not attack BJD regime in the eastern India state bur rather said: “Centre is fully committed for all round development of Odisha”.

“From infrastructures uplift of the state and people’s development, multiple steps are being taken by the centre. I want to assure you that this work will continue unabated. We want Odisha to emerge as a vital engine for the growth and development of New India,” he said.

“Iske liye hum sabhi ko saath milkar agey barna hae, agey badenge (To achieve this, we all have to work together. And We will work together),” Prime Minister said.

(UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday dedicated the much awaited Bhawan-Bhairon Ghati ropeway to Vaishno Devi pilgrims by e-inaugurating it here at the Raj Bhawan.
The Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati Passenger Ropeway project has been completed in a span of four years at the cost of 85 Crore.
The Governor said that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is providing all facilities to the pilgrims visiting to Vaishno Devi and this ropeway project is also a part of it.
“I am happy that all the security drills were taken care of and rescue operation is important,” he said and hoped that the facility will surely give further boost to the pilgrimage and benefit the pilgrims.
The ropeway cabins have a capacity of 45 passenger and completes the distance (3.5 kms) in 3 minutes.
The ticket will cost Rs100 per per passenger while the ticketing system has been introduced on the pattern of Delhi Metro stations.
Meanwhile an insurance cover of Rs 5 Lakh per passenger has also been kept for the passengers availing the facility.

(UNI) A show featuring the biggest stars of Hindi film industry in conversation with MasterChef Shipra Khanna will be aired on 9XM and 9X Jalwa from December 21.

Titled ‘9XM Startruck’, the show will feature the biggest stars of Hindi film industry in conversation with Master Chef Shipra Khanna.

The first episode of the show features the Badshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan who will share some never-heard-before stories of his life centred around food with the show host.

9XM Startruck- the Shah Rukh Khan episode will be aired at 11 am on December 21on 9XM and at 12 noon on 9X Jalwa.

9XM Startruck will take the stars on a food journey with the stars talking about their favourite food and memories around it.

The show will also test the food quotient of the stars with interesting fun and games. MasterChef and show host Shipra Khanna will step inside her supercool foodtruck to serve-up some amazing delicacies with her unique twist.

Speaking about the show Amar Tidke, Chief Programming Officer 9X Media said “We at 9XM have always broken away from the clutter through our innovative content. Our research and the feedback we receive from our viewers through our engagements across the social platforms reveal that besides clubbing/partying, the youth bond over food in a big way. They are either meeting their friends at night clubs or making plans around a delicious eat-out. Hence we thought of combining food with Bollywood and creating this scrumptious show.”

(UNI) Yo Yo Honey Singh just released his comeback song ‘Makhna’ and the Indie pop singer has broken yet other records with it.

The song has become the fastest to reach 19 million views on YouTube.

With a touch of reggaeton beats from the Latin origin, the song is so peppy and electric chartbuster that it didn’t take much time to reach five lakh likes.

The song ‘Makhna’ has already crossed 19 million views and is still on the top trendings of Youtube. As there was immense anticipation among fans across the nation for the comeback song by the nation’s favourite Yo Yo Honey Singh.

The musician took to his social media and posted, “#Makhna has taken over !!! #1 on Trending in India.

#1 in the world Charts.Trending in 13 Countries.Fastest 2 Million Views.Fastest 500k Likes on Video.Fastest 1 crore views.’

The song instantly lifts your mood, forcing you to hit the dance floor.

Since the team wanted to get a carnival look to the video, they decided to shoot in a Latin country like Puerto Rico or Colombia. However, they finally selected Cuba.

Directed by Spanish Director Daniel Duran, ‘Makhna’ took seven months of creative planning before the shoot.