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[Nasheman news] Panaji  Botanists here have recommended reviving an ancient Indian alchemy technique by using earthworm feces for bio-mining of gold, which their research paper claims is present in the soil in the state’s mining belt.

In their research paper published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews, botanists at Goa University, Nandakumar Kamat and Sujata Dabolkar, say that earth-feeding worms, can be tapped in an eco-friendly way for sustainable bio-mining in Goa.

“Basically just like age-old artisanal alluvial gold mining from auriferous (containing gold) river sands we see the possibility of artisanal extraction of metallic secondary gold by intelligent, systematic and ecofriendly use of vermicasts (earthworm fecal matter) by rearing local geophagous earthworms with a feedstock blend of organic matter and auriferous soil,” the research paper states.

“This is like reinventing India’s lost alchemic heritage because anyone with some patience can rear earthworms and extract small quantities of metallic gold easily,” it adds.

The report also states, that gold availability in parts per million (PPM) is higher in Goa’s now non-utilised iron and manganese mining belt, compared to other areas in the coastal state.

“It was found that vermicast samples from mining areas contained gold ranging from 0.76 to 1.77 ppm whereas in case of non-mining areas the gold value ranged from 0.66 to 1.03 ppm,” the report states, adding that Goa lies in the northwest part of the Western Dharwad Craton which is known for its rich metallic deposits.

Explaining their research, Kamat and Dabolkar say they collected vermicasts from mining and non-mining areas, which were later dried, sieved and powdered. When the dust was put through a series of laboratory tests, they detected vermiform gold.

The research paper also suggests a roadmap for eco-friendly biomining of gold using earthworms.

“The first step is establishing a facility of rearing earthworms which can feed on auriferous soils which acts as the raw material,” the paper states.

The earthworms, the botanists say, should then be added to auriferous (which has been analysed for gold) soil and material to feed earthworms, which move through the soil and build an organomineral structure (vermicasts) with specific physical, chemical and microbiological properties.

“Further the vermicasts can be treated by powdering, sieving, magnetic separation, gravity separation/flotation techniques and finally auriferous (gold) material is recovered and purified,” the report states.

[Nasheman news] Srinagar A gunfight took place on Tuesday between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Tral town, police said.

Upon receiving information about the militants, the security forces started a search operation in Mir Mohalla on Monday evening.

“As the operation continued on Tuesday morning, the militants fired at the security forces triggering the gunfight,” the police added

Authorities have suspended mobile Internet services in the town.

[Nasheman news] New Delhi Observing that India is facing state-sponsored terrorism, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on Tuesday warned about terrorists being trained to carry out attacks even via sea route.

Addressing the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue, Admiral Lanba without taking names hit out at Pakistan for abetting terrorists, who carried out the February 14 Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 40 CRPF troopers. 

“India, however, faces a far more serious version of terrorism — state-sponsored terrorism. You have all witnessed the horrific scale of the extremist attack in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir just three weeks ago,” he said.

“This violence was perpetrated by extremists aided and abetted by a state, which seeks to destabilise India. We also have reports of terrorists being trained to carry out attacks with varying modus operandi, including through the medium of the sea,” said Lanba. 

“We have seen how quickly terrorist groups evolve across the globe and this particular ‘brand’ of terror may well become a global problem in the near future. 

“The Indian security establishment is continuously working to address this menace. It is imperative that the global community acts to contain and eliminate terrorism, in all its forms,” he added. 

[Nasheman news] Srinagar Two militants were killed on Tuesday in a gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police said.

Their bodies have been recovered from the Mir Mohalla area in Tral region. “We have also recovered two AK-47 rifles. A combing operation is underway,” a police officer said.

The house the militants took shelter in was completely destroyed in the gun battle that had started on Monday evening.

Mobile Internet services in the town was suspended.

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[Nasheman news] New Delhi It was back in 2017 when Hollywood star Chris Pratt said “Whoa… wow” after watching a special Hindi promotional clip of his movie “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” that featured Bappi Lahiri’s foot-tapping song “Jhoom jhoom jhoom baba”.

The Indian veteran singer-composer says he is in talks with Marvel Studios for one of their upcoming movies.

Over the years, some of the Indian elements have managed to find their way in Marvel superhero films. Remember Robert Downey Jr.’s character Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) attending an Indian wedding in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” or the Indian slum scenes in “The Avengers”?

If things work out, then one of Bappi Lahiri’s songs will feature in a Marvel film.

“I am currently in talks with Marvel Studios. They had used my song ‘Jhoom jhoom jhoom baba’. Chris Pratt, the hero of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2’, had really liked the song. So maybe a song (by me) will be used in their next film. I will go to Hollywood in April,” Bappi told IANS in a telephonic interview.

While he is yet to sign on the dotted line for the Marvel association, his other international collaborations with rapper Snoop Dogg and singer Akon are complete.

Acting has also been keeping him busy. He recently made a cameo in Sony Entertainment Television’s show “Ladies Special”.

“I have acted in so many films, including ‘Kalakaar’. I had done ‘Indian Idol’, but this (‘Ladies Special’) is the first time that I worked on a TV show. It’s today’s story about women travelling by a train and making friends during their journey,” he said.

In the show, he acted as a musician providing a platform to new talent.

“In real life also, I have always encouraged new singers. I had introduced many singers, including Usha Uthup and Alisha Chinai. So, my character is the way how I am in real life,” said the “Yaar bina chain kahan re” hitmaker, who likes to work in different film industries such as Bengali and Telugu.

The artiste with about a 50-year-long career has even been a film director. After helming a documentary called “We are One”, he is set to direct a musical.

“This year, I am directing a movie titled ‘Ek Adhura Sangeet’,” said Bappi.

What about a film on his life?

“Yes, a lot of people are approaching me to make a film on my life but I haven’t finalised anything. The biopic should start by this year,” he said.

“Actor Ranveer Singh could proabably play my younger version…you know the 1970s, 80′ and 90s time,” he added.

[Nasheman news] New Delhi The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party on Monday questioned the BJP and its President Amit Shah for “milking air strikes for politics” and for not trusting the Army.

Responding to Shah’s claim on Sunday that more than 250 terrorists were killed in the February 26 air strike in Balakot in Pakistan, the two parties said the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) claims don’t fall in line with the statement made by the Army.

In a tweet, National spokesperson of Congress Manish Tewari said: “AVM RGK Kapoor said “it would be premature to say that what is the number of casualties that we have been able to inflict on those camps and what is the number of deaths,” BUT @AmitShah says over 250 Terrorists killed in airstrike. Is this not milking Air Strikes for Politics????

AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal also questioned Shah’s claim and said Shah is saying that the Army is lying, 250 were dead.

“The Army cannot lie, the BJP is lying. The whole country is with the Army but the BJP is against the Army,” Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

“Is Army lying as per Amit Shah? The Army had clearly said that it cannot be said if anyone died or not, (in the air strike). Are BJP and Shah terming Army as liars for their electoral benefit? The nation believes in the Army, does Shah and the BJP don’t believe in the Army?” he questioned in another tweet.

Nasheman News : To take stock of the operational preparedness of forces, Army chief General Bipin Rawat visited forward areas on the border in the Jammu region on Sunday.

Defence ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said: “The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, visited various army forward locations of Samba and Ratnuchak in the Jammu region to review the operational deployment and preparedness. 

“The Army Chief was briefed about the situation and preparedness by Lieutenant General J.S. Nain, General Officer Commanding Rising Star Corps. The Army Chief also interacted with the troops at forward locations. 

“He expressed complete confidence in the Indian Army’s capabilities to thwart any nefarious designs of enemies and handle any situation. The Chief also praised the high moral and preparedness of the troops.”

[Nasheman news] Chennai The DMK and VCK on Monday inked an electoral pact by which the latter will contest from two seats in Tamil Nadu in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The two parties reached the agreement after talks.

Speaking to the media, VCK leader Thirumavalavan said the two constituencies will be decided later.

According to Thirumavalavan, the DMK-led alliance will win all the 40 Lok Sabha seats — 39 in Tamil Nadu and the lone Puducherry seat.

He said the party would decide on whether to contest under its own symbol or under DMK’s Rising Sun symbol.

The DMK has signed electoral alliance pacts with Congress (nine seats in Tamil Nadu and the lone Puducherry seat), IUML and KDMK (one seat each).

The DMK is also holding talks with the two communist parties, MDMK and others like DMDK.

The DMDK founded by A. Vijayakant has called a meeting of its party senior officials on Tuesday probably to decide on whom to align with.

[Nasheman news] Hyderabad Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become only the fourth Indian batsman to complete 13,000 runs in List A cricket. Dhoni has amassed 13,054 runs in 412 List A matches at an average of 50.79.

The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman has joined an elite club, comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid.

Dhoni achieved the milestone during the first One-Day International (ODI) against Australia when he scored a gritty half-century to power India to a six-wicket victory.

Former England star Graham Gooch is at the top of the list with 22,211 runs in List A cricket.

Apart from this, Dhoni’s unbeaten 141-run partnership with Kedar Jadhav is the second highest fifth-wicket stand by India against Australia at home. This was also the second best partnership for any wicket at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here. 

The highest stand was put up by Shaun Marsh and Shane Watson of Australia when they produced a 145-run opening partnership in 2009.

[Nasheman news] Dubai The International Cricket Council (ICC), here on Saturday evening, turned down the BCCI’s request for isolation of Pakistan from the global cricket community.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had in a letter to the ICC, following the Pulwama terror attack, demanded that the international cricket community sever cricketing ties with nations from where “terrorism emnates”.

However, the ICC board at its meeting refused to accept the BCCI request.

“The ICC has made it clear that this request cannot be implemented, as of now. The ICC did concede to our demands on security at the World Cup, but refused to accept this demand of ours,” a BCCI official said.

Several former cricketers, like Sourav Ganguly and Harbhajan Singh and former officials like Rajiv Shukla, had demanded that India should boycott the June 16 World Cup match against Pakistan and persuade the international cricket community to isolate Pakistan.

The BCCI has, however, not taken any decision to boycott the match yet, saying it will follow the government instructions on the matter.