Indian Naval Warship INS Satpura arrived at San Diego Harbour North American Continent on Saturday as part of a commemorative deployment undertaken by the Indian Navy’s ships across six continents, three oceans, and six different time zones, as per a press release. The visit of INS Satpura to San Diego is historic as this is the first time an Indian Naval Warship has reached the west coast of North America.

The ship will hoist the Indian Tricolour in the presence of the Indian diaspora and distinguished local dignitaries in North American Continent on the historic 75th Independence Day at about 10,000 nautical miles away from her base port, added the press release. The ship will also conduct a 75-lap “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Run” at San Diego US Navy Base on August 15, 2022.

As the water was released from the Hirakud dam after heavy rain, about a hundred houses in the vicinity in Odisha’s Sambalpur were submerged. The District Magistrate of Sambalpur said that several relief centres were also started amid the flood-like situation.

“Incessant downpour and opening of 34 gates of Hirakud dam have led to a flood-like situation in Sambalpur. Over 100 houses were submerged. Relief centres opened,” said DM Ananya Das, Sambalpur. The authorities had released excess floodwater from the reservoir as it rose due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas.

The authorities had opened the 34 sluice gates by 9 am on Sunday as the water level of the dam stood at 616.60 ft against the full reservoir level of 630 ft. The inflow of the water into the dam was 5,79,680 cusecs while the outflow was 5,60,614 cusecs.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rainfall at a few places over Chhattisgarh and Odisha during the next 24 hours.

“Isolated very heavy rainfall likely over …Odisha on 18th August,” it said in another tweet.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched India’s first saline water lantern, which uses seawater to power LED lamps.

According to the Ministry of Earth Science, Singh unveiled the first-of-its-kind lantern named “Roshni” during a visit to SAGAR ANVESHIKA, a Coastal Research Vessel, operated and used by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai for coastal research.

The Minister said that saline water lantern will bring “Ease of Living” to the poor and needy, particularly the fishing community living along the 7500 Kilometres long coastal line of India.

Singh said that saline water lantern will also boost and supplement Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s UJALA scheme launched in 2015 for the distribution of LED bulbs across the country.

He said that Roshini lamps along with Power Ministry’s schemes like Solar Study lamps will be driving a vibrant renewable energy programme aimed at achieving energy security, energy access, and reducing the carbon footprints of the national economy. Singh also pointed out that this technology can also be used in hinterlands, where seawater is not available, as any saline water or normal water mixed with the common salt can be used to power the lantern, which is not only cost-effective but very easy to operate.

Appreciating India’s response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, President Droupadi Murmu, in her maiden address to the nation, said that India’s achievements in combating the pandemic have been better than those of many developed countries.

“The world has seen a new India rising in recent years, more so after the outbreak of Covid-19. Our response to the pandemic has been appreciated everywhere. We launched the biggest vaccination drive in human history with vaccines manufactured in the country itself. Last month we crossed the 200-crore mark in cumulative vaccine coverage. In combating the pandemic, our achievements have been better than those of many developed countries. For this feat, we are grateful to our scientists, doctors, nurses, paramedics and the staff associated with vaccination,” said President Murmu in her address to the nation.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, market experts, and industrialists Gautam Adani and Ratan Tata paid tributes to veteran stock market investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala on Sunday. Market experts also mourned the demise of the 62-year-old ace investor and said that his strong belief in the country›s growth story and «unshakeable» confidence in markets made him one of a kind. Jhunjhunwala passed away on Sunday morning in Mumbai. His net worth was US$ 5.8 billion (about Rs 46,000 crore), according to Forbes.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called Jhunjhunwala a bold risk taker and remembered her conversations with the late stock investor. «Jhunjhunwala is no more. Investor, bold risk taker, masterly understanding of the stock market, clear in communication- a leader in his own right. Fondly remember several conversations we had. He had strong belief in India’s strength and capabilities. Condolences,» she said. Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, «He was a symbol of India›s entrepreneurial spirit. I believe the things he had achieved and established will be a source of inspiration for thousands of youth.»

Adani tweeted, «Extremely saddened by the untimely passing away of the most legendary investor that India has had. Jhunjhunwala inspired an entire generation to believe in our equity markets with his brilliant views. We will miss him. India will miss him but we will never forget him. RIP.»

Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group, said, «Jhunjhunwala, who sadly passed away this morning, will always be remembered for his acute understanding of the stock exchanges of India. He will also be remembered for his jovial personality, his kindness, and his foresightedness. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family which has to share the burden of this great loss.» Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath tweeted, «There will never again be someone like you, RIP.»

On Independence Day, 1,082 police personnel from CAPFs and state forces have been awarded various categories of service medals, including for gallant action, as per an official statement on Sunday.

The decorations include 347 police medals for gallantry (PMG), 87 President’s police medals for distinguished service, and 648 police medals for meritorious service.

Out of the 347 gallantry awards, 204 personnel are being awarded for their gallant action in Jammu and Kashmir, 80 for displaying bravery in Left Wing Extremism or Naxal violence-affected areas, and 14 personnel for showing bravery in North-East Region, the Union home ministry said.

The maximum gallantry medals at 109 have been received by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) followed by 108 to the J&K Police, 19 to the Border Security Force (BSF) and six each to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Among the state police forces, 42 gallantry medals have been given to Maharashtra, 15 to Chhattisgarh among other forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).