Christmas, PM Modi, COVID-19, Air Pollution, Snow time, Agriculture, loans, farm law, farmers protest

24 December 2020

• Delhi's air quality remains severe for 3rd consecutive day

  National capital's air quality remained in the severe category for the third consecutive day on Thursday as calm winds and low ventilation halted the dispersion of accumulated pollutants. Delhi's air quality index stood at 425 micrograms per cubic meter in severe category at noon. On Wednesday, the air quality index was 433 micrograms per cubic meter and 418 micrograms per cubic meter the previous day.
  
  According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 28 out of 36 pollution monitoring stations in Delhi showed severe air quality index reading. Nehru Nagar, Anand Vihar, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and R.K. Puram areas of the national capital have the most noxious air, inching towards emergency levels.

• Rs 255 cr assets of companies fraudulently availing agri loans attached

  The Enforcement Directorate has attached properties worth Rs 255 crore in a case connected to fraudulent availing of agricultural loans in the name of poor farmers. The agency provisionally attached assets worth Rs 255 crore of Gangakhed Sugar Energy Ltd (GSEL), Yogeswari Hatcheries, and Gangakhed Solar Power Ltd under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in an agricultural bank loan fraud case.
  
  The attached assets include a sugar plant and machinery worth Rs 247 crore at Gangakhed in Maharastra's Parbhani district, and land worth Rs 5 crore of GSEL, Yogeswari Hatcheries, Gangakhed Power Solar Ltd situated at Parbhani, Beed, and Dhule districts, respectively.

• Snow time on Christmas in J&K, Ladakh

  Night temperatures improved marginally in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Thursday as a cold wave continued unabated over the two union territories ahead of Christmas when the MET forecast light snow or even rain at various places.
  
  "A partial cloud cover helped to raise the night temperatures. A short spell of rain/snow is likely to occur in the two union territories on Christmas tomorrow," an official of the MET department said. The 40-day long 'Chillai Kalan' that started on December 21 will continue till January 31.

• Christmas gifts, there's one for everyone

  Christmas brings joy, lifting the spirits with cheer and hope. With a tough year coming to a close there's plenty to celebrate. Church services often include a carol service. Some Christians start Christmas Day with a midnight service, called Midnight Mass. Christians often celebrate Christmas by giving and receiving presents and cards. This reminds them of the gift of Jesus, beginning his earthly life.

  Christmas is celebrated on 25 December. It is a holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who, according to the Christian religion, is the son of God. The name is a joining of “Christ” and “mass” which means the holy mass (supper, celebration or festival) of Christ.

• Vice President greets the nation on the eve of Christmas

  The Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu has greeted the nation on the eve of Christmas today. “I convey my warm greetings and best wishes to all our fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Christmas. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. The festival reaffirms our faith in the values of compassion and forgiveness taught by Lord Jesus for the enlightenment of humanity.

  Christmas is a joyous occasion for family and friends to come together and celebrate the festival in a grand way. But due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic this year, we must be content with a modest celebration. Let us together pray for the health and well-being of people in the entire world. May this festival bring peace, harmony, health and happiness in our lives.”

• 'We're working for the person on the ground,' BKU leader Ugrahan at Tikri border

  Since late November, a small gaushala near the Tikri border has been serving as a base for Joginder Ugrahan, the president of Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan). Visitors keep coming in to meet this 75-year-old former soldier in the Indian Army who hit the headlines after his union members publicly asked for the release of activists including Varavara Rao, Umar Khalid and others.
  
  Over sips of freshly boiled milk, the utterly fit Ugrahan, flanked by his aides, roars, "I just don't understand the big deal made out by the mainstream media over our demand to quash cases against poets, intellectuals, writers and student leaders booked under UAPA. They are the ones who have always guided and educated us. 

• Govt treating farmers unfairly: Priyanka

  Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday slammed the government on the farmers' protests. She said the government has been treating the farmers "unfairly" and a solution could be found only if the government is ready to listen to the demands of the farmers.
  
  She also said that any dissent against this government is classified as having elements of terror. The Delhi Police detained several Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra after they tried to march towards the Rashtrapati Bhawan while opposing the three farm laws armed with the signatures of over two crore people.