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PM Modi biopic becomes first film to hit theatres after lockdown restrictions open

PM Modi biopic becomes first film to hit theatres after lockdown restrictions open

Vivek Oberoi-starrer PM Narendra Modi, a biopic on the prime minister was re-released  in  theatres on October 15, while following all  the COVID-19-induced restrictions on cinema halls and multiplexes are lifted.

The poster for the movie  reads, “The first movie to release in theatres post lockdown, #BeginAgain.”
In the movie, which was first released on May 24 last year, Oberoi plays the titular role of PM Modi, essaying as many as nine different looks.

This is a first for the Saathiya actor who has played a real-life character.
The movie also stars Boman Irani, Manoj Joshi, Prashant Narayanan, Barkha Bisht, Rajendra Gupta and Zarina Wahab.
Produced by Sandip Singh, Anand Pandit and Suresh Oberoi, the biopic showcases PM Modi’s political journey.

Source: TOI

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Soulful Peaceful Blissful singer’s voice will remain entrenched in hearts of zillion fans forever | SPB

Soulful Peaceful Blissful singer’s voice will remain entrenched in hearts of zillion fans forever | SPB

By Music Critic

It’s hard to imagine that one of the finest playback singers India has ever produced – S.P. Balasubrahmanyam (SPB) is no more.

A gifted singer loved by zillions of fans spread across the globe who had officially sung 40,000 odd numbers in various languages will remain a feat hard to beat in the years to come.

A versatile musician, playback singer, actor, dubbing artist and film producer who worked predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi films, SPB’s amazing talent and popularity will remain a hard act for others to match or overtake in the years to come.

SPB’s amazing voice in each of those thousand plus numbers sung in 16 Indian languages, created a vibe built solely not only in technique and skill but in an inherent natural ability to tell a story with the gifted charm of a singer, lover and actor – par excellence – all rolled into one.

In SPB’s own immortal words, “I am a good actor because probably I can emote very well physically and my ability to emote with voice is only an extension of that,” is perhaps the reason for the talented singer’s immense success and popularity.

SPB who started his remarkable career in the 1960s spanning 50 odd years thrilled generations of fans with an amazingly gifted voice that refused to bear any sign of age, fatigue or overuse.

With practically no formal training, the versatile singer awe-struck both seasoned musicians and fans alike with his unmatched ability to sing in different styles and languages with the enviable mastery of musical acumen and maturity.

Popular Bollywood megastar Salman Khan’s fans will have to grudgingly admit that the reason for the actor’s initial rise to fame was largely due to SPB singing ‘playback’ for all the melodious numbers that has made Salmanbhai the heart-throb he is today.

A devoted and dedicated musician for whom cricket was admittedly his greatest passion after music, SPB’s Soulful Peaceful Blissful voice will remain ‘not out’ in the years to come.


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IPL 2020: The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League starts from tomorrow (Match Schedules in Qatar Time)

IPL 2020: The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 starts from tomorrow, 19th Sep 2020 and final scheduled to play on 10th November 2020.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking on Mumbai Indians (MI) on the first match of IPL 2020 season on 19th Sep @ 5:00 pm Qatar time. Get complete schedule of IPL 2020 with fixtures, match date and timings on QatarIndians.com

All the night matches will start at 5.00 pm Qatar time (7.30 pm IST) and afternoon matches will start at 1.00 pm Qatar time (3.30 pm IST).

When will the IPL 2020 starts?

It is scheduled to start on 19th of September 2020 and will be be played until 10th November 2020.

What will be the final of IPL 2020 played?

Final is scheduled to play on 10th November 2020.

What time matches begins every day?

There are 2 timings planned. Afternoon matches starts at 3:30 pm IST (1 pm Qatar time) and Evening / Night matches will start from 7:30 pm IST (5 pm Qatar time)

In which channel IPL 2020 will be broadcasted?

It will be broadcasted on Star Sports Network

Which all players ruled out of the IPL 2020 tournament so far?

  • Suresh Raina | CSK
  • Harbhajan Singh | CSK
  • Lasith Malinga | MI | Will be replaced by James Pattinson
  • Kane Richardson | RCB | Will be replaced by Adam Zampa
  • Chris Woakes | DC | Will be replaced by Anrich Nortje

National Education Policy 2020 | All you need to know about the changes in the Indian education system

National Education Policy 2020 | All you need to know about the changes in the Indian education system

The Union Cabinet given a approval on 29th of July to National Education Policy 2020. It has also approved the change of Union HRD Ministry’s name to ‘Ministry of Education‘.

New National Education Policy 2020 has major reforms in higher education with an increased focus on non-academic skills. Here’s are the highlights of India’s New National Education Policy 2020:

School Education:

  • The 10+2 board structure of school education is replaced by 5+3+3+4 system to age groups of 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively
  • Up to 5 preschool, 6 to 8 Mid School, 8 to 11 High School , 12 onward Graduation (Three years of preschool, instead of two years)
  • Vocational education (e.g. Carpentry) to start from Class 6 (VI), and “with internships”, rather than Class 8 (VIII)
  • Less focus on ‘board exams’ – Immensely stressful board exams of 10th and 12th grades will be revamped.
  • Changing the focus to test core competencies of students. All students will be allowed to take Board Exams on up to two occasions during any given school year, one main examination and one for improvement, if desired.
  • Special importance to regional languages and mother tongue. New policy states that, where ever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be the home language/ mother-tongue/ local language/ regional language.
  • A student’s progress card will contain her self-evaluation, feedback from peers and the teacher’s assessment instead of only the teacher’s assessment
  • To bring in more focus on student practical and application knowledge, it proposes school students to have at least 10 bag-less days in a year to educate vocational skills of their choice to students

Higher Education:

  • All graduation course will have major and minor. E.g. An science graduate student can have Chemistry as Major and History or Music as minor
  • Students dropping out in the middle of a programme can rejoin the course later and resume from where they had left off
  • A Higher Education Commission of India will be set up as a single, overarching body for the whole of higher education, excluding medical, dental and legal education. UGC and AICTE will be merged.
  • One rule and grading system to all types of universities which includes government, private, Open, Deemed, Vocational
  • No more MPhil courses. MA and MSc courses will last just one year for those with four-year graduate degrees, and two years for those with three-year degrees
  • For any graduation course if student complete only one year he will get a basic certificate, if he complete two years then he will get Diploma certificate and if he complete full course then he will get degree certificate
    Credit system for graduation for each year student will get some credits which he can utilize if he takes break in course and come back again to complete course
  • 100 top-ranked foreign universities will be allowed to set up campuses in India.

Others:

  • To take care of digital and online education at Schools and higher education level in India a new unit will be formed.
  • New Teacher Training board will be setup for all kinds of teachers in country
  • As colleges/universities move towards becoming multidisciplinary, they will also aim to house outstanding education departments that offer B.Ed., M.Ed., & Ph.D. degrees in #education.
  • New Basic learning program will be created by government for parents to teach children upto 3 years in home and for pre school (3 to 6)

Source: HRDMinistry


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International flights to and from India will continue to remain suspended till 15 July

International flights to and from India will continue to remain suspended till 15 July 2020 | DGCA

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that, International commercial passenger flights schedules to and from India shall remain suspended till 15th of July 2020. Also, added that this restriction does not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA. However, on selected routes international scheduled flights may be allowed on case to case basis by the competent authority. Circular from DGCA specified that this restriction will not apply to international cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the aviation regulator.

India earlier suspended all passenger flights on 25th of March and since then all International flights has been suspended. From 6th of May 2020, India began the Vande Bharat Mission to bring back the stranded Indians through scheduled repatriation flights.

It was on March 25 when India suspended all commercial passenger International flights as a nationwide lockdown came into force amid the coronavirus crisis. There has been no decision on the reopening of the international flight services since. However, domestic flights were allowed from May 25. India began the Vande Bharat Mission May 6 onwards to help stranded people reach their destinations through international repatriation flights.

As of today (26 June) 47 flights has been take off from Doha under Vande Bharat Mission with 8175 passenger plus 223 infants.

“The competent authority has decided that scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India shall remain suspended till 2359 hours IST of 15th July 2020. This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA. However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis,” the official note read.



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Travelling out of Doha with a return booking? – You cannot depart without your 14-day confirmed quarantine hotel booking

QID holders who wanted to return back to Qatar during Phase Three, beginning 1st August 2020 | All you need to know

SWADES Skill Card: Skill mapping of overseas returning citizens by Government of India

Download Ehteraz App:

EHTERAZ App on Google Play (For Android Users) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moi.covid19&hl=en
EHTERAZ App on Apple App Store (For iOS users)

NRIs stranded in India urge Centre – “Don’t fly empty planes”

NRIs stranded in India urge Centre  – “Don’t fly empty planes” | US and Gulf expats want to return back to their second home.

George Julius Williams | Consulting Editor

Stranded non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the country working/residing in US and Middle Eastern countries have urged the Centre to help them get back to countries of their residency, citing the threat of losing their jobs and livelihoods due to the delay among other reasons.

They say they could be put on empty Air India flights engaged in the world’s biggest evacuation named ‘Operation Vande Bharat’.

Some of them say they are separated from their minor children, who are now in dire straits as more than two months have passed. Some others stuck in India are facing innumerable problems and have no idea when they can join their ailing kin.

According to The Hindustan Times NRIs told them that they are more than 4,000 in numbers and have approached many without results. Around 2000 of these are from the Middle-Eastern countries, around 1000 from Europe and approximately 800 from the US. They have created WhatsApp and Telegram groups to stay in touch with each other and air their grievances.

“I came here for my mother’s cancer operation. I have a one- and- a-half-year breastfeeding child left with my husband in Qatar and I knocked on many doors to help me get back. My husband’s job is also in danger now,” said another woman from Kochi who did not wish to be named.

At least 50 per cent of the stranded NRIs had come to see their ailing relatives and they want the government to hear their woes before it’s too late.

Another woman came to Kolkotta to attend her father’s funeral service after leaving her two minor kids with her husband. “Initially I thought it will be there for a few weeks. But there is no sign of any resumption of flights. I am really worried,” she said.

Minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan said the government was aware of their plight. “Many such cases came to our attention. We don’t have any problem in sending them back but the host country will have to allow flight services. Most of these countries have suspended international flights and are allowing only special ones. Once they begin service, they can go on the first flight. If their visas expire, we will help them in getting extension,” he said adding they will have to wait for some more time.

The government specified rules allow Indian nationals with at least a one-year-long visa to book flights for foreign destinations being serviced by Operation Vande Bharat Mission. It also allows Green Card and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders to travel. In case of deaths and medical emergencies, Indian nationals holding six months visa can also be allowed to travel provided the conditions imposed for entry of people by the destination countries are met.

On the other hand, NRIs residing/working in the US but stranded in India are stressed about President Donald Trump’s uncertainty surrounding the revised rules for H1-B visas. “Lots of NRIs are stuck in India away from families, on the verge of losing jobs, visa expirations, with a financial crisis about to take over us. If we can’t go back to the US our life will be mere chaos. Please help us,” Aravind Bijjala told Republic World.com

In a petition on Change.org, called ‘Start International Flights in India’, the NRIs have expressed their distress asking the government to resume outbound flights, so that they can fly out of India to their respective destinations. Most of them argue that outbound flights do not pose a health concern. The petition has received over 8000 signatures to date.

The current H-1B visa rules require certain professionals, along with their family members, to leave the United States within 60 days of job loss. Since the NRIs stranded here cannot report to work, many have been threatened to be laid-off, something that could result in them losing everything that they have worked for over decades.

“Most of us are on work visas. Our stay in the US is directly tied to our employment. If say someone gets laid off or terminated while they are in India, they won’t be able to return. Which means they can’t go back to their families, their homes…Nothing at all,” said Shashank Ashtikar, a Silicon Valley techie who is stranded in India.

Being the worst-hit country during the pandemic the US faces a major recession and life does not seem brighter for the NRIs even in a post-pandemic world. In this situation, it is extremely imperative for them to make it back on time and hold on to whatever is left for them back in the states, to safeguard themselves from being laid off.

Along with repeated attempts of reaching out to the Centre and the MEA, the NRIs have also started an online petition to try and gain more attention to their problem. “I am a daughter who has lost her mother and a mother who can’t be with her minor kids.” This was the first thing that Poorva Dixit Talathi said while describing what she was going through. During the days India has been under lockdown, Poorva has not only lost her mother but has also had no time to grieve.

“I travelled to Mumbai on an emergency to take care of my ailing Mother. My kids aged 5yrs and 3 yrs stayed back with my husband in California. Unfortunately, my mom lost her battle to life on March 24. By then everything was under lockdown in India. Performing her rituals was a huge battle in itself. Younger one barely understands why mom is not coming back,” said Poorva. “I have already lost my mom and being away from my kids is killing me daily. Haven’t been able to grieve for my mother’s demise as I am busy finding ways to go back to the US,” she added.

Rashmi, another NRI stranded in India revealed that she flew in to the country to perform her mother’s last rites, leaving back home her 8-year-old son who is autistic. “I came to India because my mom passed away suddenly. I am stuck here now and I need to go back home to my family and especially my 8-year-old autistic son who really needs me.”

The NRIs have only one request from the Government– to start outbound flights. If not, send them back on the empty flights being sent to evacuate Indian citizens from the US.

While the US and the Middle Eastern countries are interested in allowing expats leave their country, NRIs who are stranded in India, continue to reach out for help urging the Center to let them go back to their second home in the planes that are flying out empty from Indian soil.

Source: The Hindustan Times | Republic World.com | Picture courtesy: Republic World.com



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List of repatriation flights to India from Doha for the ongoing Phase-2: 9th to 19th June 2020

SWADES Skill Card: Skill mapping of overseas returning citizens by Government of India

EHTERAZ app update allows registration with visa number for non-QID holders

Register on the Indian Embassy website for repatriation before it is closed | Embassy of India, Doha

Download Ehteraz App:

EHTERAZ App on Google Play (For Android Users) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moi.covid19&hl=en
EHTERAZ App on Apple App Store (For iOS users) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ehteraz/id1507150431

SWADES Skill Card: Skill mapping of overseas returning citizens by Government of India

SWADES Skill Card: Skill mapping of overseas returning citizens by Government of India

Government of India is conducting skill mapping of overseas returning citizens through SWADES Skill Card. Info will be shared with Private Indian Companies and Foreign companies to reach out directly for future employment opportunities. If this interests you, please fill your details at http://nsdcindia.org/swades

Indians returning on Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) flights and seeking jobs in India may register for SWADES Skill Card. Please fill in the details on http://nsdcindia.org/swades and register for SWADES Skill Card.

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is a Public Private Partnership mandated to involve the private sector in skilling 150 million Indians by 2022.

Register Now!

Source Credit: IndEmbDoha

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Download Ehteraz App:

EHTERAZ App on Google Play (For Android Users) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moi.covid19&hl=en
EHTERAZ App on Apple App Store (For iOS users) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ehteraz/id1507150431

Air India will shortly shift to direct ticketing to facilitate bookings abroad : Dr. S. Jaishankar – External affairs minister of India

Air India will shortly shift to direct ticketing to facilitate bookings abroad : Dr. S. Jaishankar – External affairs minister of India

Under the Vande Bharat Mission, Indian government has been bringing back Indians from abroad in phases. 173 flights and 3 ships has been involved so far covering 34 countries. So far under Vande Bharat Mission, 9 flights with 1520 passengers plus 45 infants has been repatriated from Qatar.

Dr. S. Jaishankar, external affairs minister of India had a detailed review meeting of Vande Bharat Mission on Tuesday. He held this review meeting with officials from all the agencies and ministries involved in the repatriation exercise.

The government plans to bring back 1,00,000 Indian nationals stranded in as many as 60 countries in the on-going second phase of the Vande Bharat Mission (VBM), said Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar. He also added that, Air India will shortly shift to direct ticketing to facilitate bookings abroad.

Dr. S. Jaishankar in a series of tweets on after concluding the review meeting with officials from MEA India, MoCA GoI, Air Iindia, MHA, DMA, Bureau of Immigration he said,

  • Focus of meeting was to ramp up the scale of Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) and enhance its efficiency.
  • Phase 2 of Vande Bharat Mission extended from 17 May to 13 June 2020. So far of 173 flights and 3 ships covering 34 countries. Target 100,000 passengers from 60 countries.
  • Preparations for 3rd phase – widening our footprint has commenced.
  • Increase in entry points and expanded feeder flights being planned.
  • Arrangements being made for amnesty beneficiaries in the Gulf.
  • Air India will shortly shift to direct ticketing to facilitate bookings abroad.
  • Center is working with state governments for more efficient use of cumulative quarantine capacity.

Under the Vande Bharat Mission, Indian Nationals abroad having “compelling reasons” are being brought back to India which includes elderly people, students, pregnant women and nationals who are facing the prospect of deportation.

Source: @DrSJaishankar


Covid-19 helpline numbers of Indian Embassy Doha55647502 and 55667569 | Queries will be answered only by WhatsApp / SMS. Do not to communicate on these numbers for repatriation and consular service related queries.


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Download Ehteraz App:

EHTERAZ App on Google Play (For Android Users) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moi.covid19&hl=en
EHTERAZ App on Apple App Store (For iOS users) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ehteraz/id1507150431

Lockdown 4.0 till May 31 : Air Travel and Metro Services suspension continues | Schools, Cinemas, Hotels Remains Shut

Lockdown 4.0 till May 31 : Air Travel and Metro Services suspension continues | Schools, Cinemas, Hotels Remains Shut

India is all set to enter Lockdown 4.0 from tomorrow (18th May) as the novel Corona virus COVID-19 total confirmed cases crossed 90000 with death close to 3000 as on date. The centre has announced the next phase (Lockdown 4.0) of lockdown for 2 more weeks starting from tomorrow (Starts from May 18 and continues till 31st May 2020).

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines for Lockdown 4.0 with list of things which are allowed and remains prohibited during this lockdown phase. It has announced several relaxations outside the containment zone to ease the economic situation.

Find here the complete list of activities which will remain prohibited and activities which are allowed in Lockdown 4.0

The following activities shall continue to remain prohibited throughout the country:

Curfew after 7 pm: Except for essential activities, movement of individuals between 7 pm to 7 am (12 hours) strictly prohibited. Local authorities shall issue orders, in the entire area of their jurisdiction, under appropriate provisions of law, such as prohibitory orders [Curfew] under Section 144 of CrPC, and ensure strict compliance.

Air Travel: All domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for domestic medical services, domestic air ambulance and for security purposes or purposes as permitted by MHA. However, evacuation of foreign nationals from India and return of stranded Indian nationals from abroad will continue to be allowed.

Metro Rail: All Metro rail services remains suspended until May 31

Educational Institutions: Schools, Colleges, Training Institues, Coching Institutions will continue to remain closed.

Hotels, Restaurants and Hospitality Services: Hotels and Restaurants closed until 31 May with few exceptions. Kitchen to prepare food at restaurants for home delivery, canteens at bus and railway stations, airports, Stranded persons and for quarantine facilities; Permitted which are meant for Government and healthcare employees

Shops and Markets: Shops and Markets continue to operate with limited hours ensuring social distancing with not more than 5 persons at one time. Respective State and Union territories authorities to decide on the regulations.

Malls, Cinemas and other facilities: Shopping Malls, Cinemas, Gyms, Parks, Bars, Halls and similar places not permitted. Stadiums and Sports complexes are permitted to open while spectators will not be allowed.

Gatherings: Any means of gatherings which includes social, political, religious, sports, cultural and any other large gatherings continue to be prohibited until 31 May 2020.

Places of worship: All religious places and places of worship remains closed.

Red, Green, Orange, Containment and Buffer Zones:

  • States and Union Territories will decide the classification of Zones in their respective areas after considering guidelines shared by Government of India (GoI) and Ministry of Health & parameters laid out by the Health Ministry.
  • States and Union Territories will decide the zones, it can be a district or a municipality or even smaller administrative units.
  • Further, States/ UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain other activities in the various zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary.

The following activities will be permitted except in Containment Zones:

Passenger Vehicles and Buses: Inter-State movement of passenger vehicles and buses are permitted with mutual consent of the respective states and union territories involved.

Online shopping and e-commerce websites are now allowed to operate in all zones, except containment zones.

Containment Zones: In the Containment Zones, only essential activities shall be allowed. There shall be strict perimeter control to ensure that there is no movement of people in or out of these zones expect for emergencies as per ministry guidelines.

Protection to Vulnerable Persons: Children below 10 years, Pregnant Women, Male and Female above 65 years, Persons with co-morbidities shall stay at home unless it is for essential and health purpose.

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Indian Railways “gradually” restart train operations from May 12 | Booking only on IRCTC website

Indian Railways “gradually” restart train operations from May 12 | Booking only on IRCTC website

The Indian Railways has shut the train services since the beginning of the lock-down which began on 25th of March 2020. The Indian Railways has announced on 10th May that it will “gradually” restart the train operations from May 12. The railways ministry announced that the operations will start with 15 pairs of trains initially.

These special trains will run between New Delhi Railway Station to Ahmedabad, Agartala, Bengaluru, Bilaspur, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Dibrugarh, Howrah, Jammu Tawi, Madgaon, Mumbai Central, Patna, Ranchi, Secunderabad and Thiruvananthapuram.

Thereafter, Indian Railways shall start more special services on new routes, based on the available coaches after reserving 20,000 coaches for Covid-19 care centres and adequate number of coaches being reserved to enable operation of up to 300 trains everyday as Shramik Special for stranded migrants.

  • The reservations starts from today (Monday) 4 pm and tickets can only be booked online through irctc website
  • No tickets will be sold at the counters
  • Platform tickets will also not be sold at the counters
  • Passenger who booked tickets on irctc website will be allowed inside the railway stations with valid confirmed tickets
  • No Non-AC coaches. All coaches are AC
  • Ticket fares will be equivalent of Rajdhani AC Class fare.
  • It is mandatory to wear masks without which entry is not permitted.
  • Passengers has to undergo medical screening and passengers who are asymptomatic will only be allowed to enter the railway stations and to board their trains

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