Flash floods in Jammu; "Mary Kom" film tax-exempt in 3 states; INS Sumitra to be commissioned

Flash floods claim lives, cause devastation in Jammu

A BSF officer was among eight persons killed in land and mud avalanches due to sudden surges in Jhelum river, activated by overwhelming rain in Jammu district today, while no less than 23 towns have been overflowing with rainwater in the locale, prompting the administration to sound the alarm. In excess of 100 individuals were additionally evacuated from surge hit areas.
"Six people are reported to have died, including a BSF officer in Jammu region in landslides and flash floods today. Over 100 people have been rescued from floods," Divisional Commissioner, Jammu district, Shant Manu said. In Reasi locale, five individuals including three youngsters lost their lives in the far-flung Momankot locality within Reasi region, the Divisional Commissioner said.
Giving further information of the ruining of a defence bunker in Poonch, Rakesh Sharma, Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontier, said that because of substantial downpours, an avalanche was activated in Mandi Mandir zone along Line Of Control in Poonch, and rubble fell on the shelter in which a BSF Inspector was trapped, alongside a few troops.
The Inspector couldn't leave the shelter and was covered, Sharma said, confirming that his body was later extracted while a few jawans got away with some minor wounds. The officer was Inspector Mohammad Rashid of 154 Battalion of BSF. SSP, Poonch, Shamsher Hussain said that two more individuals are possibly dead in flood surges in Mandi area of Poonch.
In excess of 120 structures have been hit in the district in the previous two days, although full reports will only become available once there is normalcy in the flood-hit areas. In excess of 23 towns have likewise been overwhelmed, incoming reports said.
Over twelve Disaster Management and salvage groups have started working in Jammu district and water level is continuously being watched closely by control rooms.

"Mary Kom" biopic free from tax in Assam after Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh

The Assam government on Wednesday reported exception of entertainment tax on "Mary Kom", a Bollywood film on the World champion lady boxer from Manipur. "As the movie revolves around boxer Mary Kom, the pride of the northeast and the country as a whole, we have decided to exempt it from entertainment tax," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said. In showcasing the life of the Olympic bronze award victor and five-time World boxing champion, the film is booked for starting its shows on September 5.
Assam is the third state to have made the film tax-free, after Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
Actress Priyanka Chopra on Wednesday met President Pranab Mukherjee and his wife at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. "Always incredible to be at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. A big thank you to the ever gracious Pranabda and Suvrama for having me at their home," the 32-year-old performer posted on her Twitter page Wednesday, before getting on a flight to Toronto.
The film is slated to have its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival today. Helmed by Omung Kumar, "Mary Kom" stars Priyanka Chopra in the titular role.

INS Sumitra will join the Indian Navy today

"The latest generation warship built by the state-owned Goa Shipyard Limited will join the Eastern Naval Command fleet at Chennai for nation's maritime surveillance and coastal security," a GSL press release said. "Significantly, all the equipment planned on the warship has been tried and fully operational. It is ready for its intentional role in war and peace. Further, ship has been built at fixed cost in scheduled time with no pending liabilities by the PSU shipyard," the GSL said.
Fortifying the Indian Navy's waterfront reconnaissance abilities, Admiral Robin Dhowan will commission its biggest seaward watch vessel, INS Sumitra, on Thursday in Chennai. Upon commission, the INS Sumitra will become the Indian Navy's biggest vessel to patrol the offshore boundaries of the nation.
The boat is fitted with most complex weapons, guns, heavy bore SRGM, Russian AK630 firearms, flak launcher system Kavach, and digital defence/offence system Sanket, among many other systems. The vessel can help meet Indian Navy's prerequisite for undertaking sea observation and surface fighting operations with a specific end goal to counteract penetration and transgression of sea power, and is suitable for checking ocean-bound paths of commerce, oil rig defence and other national interests.
GSL boss Rear Admiral Shekhar Mital (Retd) said INS Sumitra would total the shipyard's delivery record to 203 boats. The first 3 vessels of the 105 meter class of NOPV - INS Saryu, Sunayna and Sumedha have already been commissioned into the Indian Navy by GSL.