Rationalists in Mangaluru to celebrate solar eclipse to dispel myths
Mangaluru (PTI): Seeking to dispel myths associated with solar eclipse, members of the ‘Aid Without Religion’ trust and Dakshina Kannada Rationalists' Association will organize a celebration of solar eclipse here on Tuesday.
The program will be held at the MCC swimming pool compound here during the eclipse period.
The program is aimed to allay the fears and misconceptions about solar eclipses that exposure to sunlight during eclipse could cause skin disease and physical harm.
The members will also watch the eclipse through specially procured glasses and also consume food during the time.
“A meeting in the open will be organized and the members will have food during the time of the eclipse,” Prof Narendra Nayak, president of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA), said in a statement on Sunday.
“We will have an open-air meeting at 5.30 pm, swimming between 4.45 pm and 5.15 pm, and watch the eclipse and consume food in the open air under the eclipsed sun,” he said.
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
