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In Punjab paddy fields, harvesting underway, fewer farm fires so far | India News

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Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, bordering Himachal Pradesh, has missed its zero stubble burning target this year.

But the number of instances of crop residue burning to clear the fields after the paddy harvest has been lower than usual — at least so far this year.

The situation in Hoshiarpur mirrors what’s happening in the rest of the state — while farm fires between September 15 and November 5 are lower than previous years, several interventions are yet to show their full impact. Plus, with the harvest season still underway, the full brunt of farm fires might still be felt.

“We had a target, but we have missed it,” said Lovely, Assistant Agriculture Engineer (Implements) from the Agriculture Department. Hoshiarpur was one of six districts where the Punjab government targeted zero stubble burning this year, the others being Malerkotla, Pathankot, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar and SBS Nagar.

While Malerkotla has not been listed as a separate district in crop residue burning bulletins of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), the other districts have missed their zero burning target, though Pathankot has just three instances.

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Between September 15 and November 5, Hoshiarpur had a fire count of 79 — significantly lower than 231 in 2022; 243 in 2021; and 359 in 2020.

Lovely pointed to factors that have helped: “With cattle rearing, straw finds other uses, including as fodder and bedding. Residue management machinery has increased over the past few years, and in the past two to three years, the use of balers has picked up. Meetings have been held with farm unions.”

Kuldev, with an acre of farmland in Hoshiarpur’s Mehmowal village, where a baler was turning the straw into neat rectangular bales, agreed that these have helped, but only as long as the straw is then picked up for use.

Lovely pointed out that the cost associated with a baler and the novelty of alternative uses to the straw means its use hasn’t picked up as much as may be necessary to bring residue burning down further. “While 45 balers were sanctioned here this year, only 26 were bought. Demand is important. There is a biomass power plant in Garhshankar which is buying the straw. Two units in Himachal Pradesh have also been buying it to use as fuel. Making pellets of the straw for use in brick kilns and industries… all of this is a new concept and will take a while to pick up,” he said.

The state had also aimed for a reduction of a little over 5,000 hectares in paddy cultivation in Hoshiarpur by diversifying to other crops. Lovely, and a submission made by the Punjab Pollution Control Board to the National Green Tribunal in October, said that crop diversification is proving difficult considering the “steadily increasing” MSP of paddy over the past three years.

Hoshiarpur has around 79,000 hectares under paddy cultivation, in addition to 26,500 hectares under sugarcane, and the total paddy straw generation here is 5.12 lakh tonnes.

This is well below the 2,38,690 hectares under paddy cultivation in Sangrur, where the total straw generation is 15.24 lakh tonnes.\

Five days after the bales were made from the straw on his 10-acre paddy field, Dilbag Singh, 48, in Sangrur’s Kheri village, was waiting for them to be picked up. “The potato crop needs to be sown. Labour is waiting, along with a tractor loaded with material to sow the crop. They (those meant to purchase the bales) said they would take the bales away to a factory, but they never returned and we haven’t been able to contact the person who operated the baler. Do we set the bales on fire now?” Singh said.

Till November 5, Sangrur had recorded 2,698 instances of burning, the highest for any district in the state, according to the IARI bulletin. This is still less than the 4,676 such instances recorded till November 5 last year, and 7,496 over the same period in 2020. In 2021, there were marginally higher instances – 2,762.

Two brothers with around 13 acres of land in Sangrur’s Kanoi village, who had set their field on fire after the harvest and did not wish to be named, said that a super-seeder, which helps plough the residue back into the soil, prepare the field for the next crop and sow the seeds, requires a 65-horsepower tractor, which they don’t have. “It is expensive. A (cooperative) society in the village has two machines (super-seeders), but we can’t wait (for our turn). With the baler, we are hearing that nobody is taking the bales away. But there are changes, and in the past few years, the number of machines has been increasing,” one of them said.

Punjab has around 1,17,672 machines this year, more than 90,422 last year.

In addition to zero burning in six districts, the state government targeted a 50% reduction in the remaining 17 districts to bring what was last year’s count of 49,922 down to 24,202 this year.

After remaining above the 1,000-mark for seven days in a row, on Sunday, the fire count in Punjab hit the highest for a single day so far – 3,230, IARI data shows. From September 15 to November 5, Punjab recorded 17,403 instances of crop residue burning this year, down from 29,400 over the same period last year, 28,937 in 2021, and 53,107 in 2020.

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The theme of bales not being collected runs across the state – in Patiala’s Kheri Gandian village, Jaspal Singh set the straw on fire on six acres of land after a company from Sangrur never showed up.

Said Punjab PCB chairman Adarsh Pal Vig: “Technically, in-situ management is the best, since the nutrients are returned to the soil. But in ex-situ, there is profit, and some kind of business model is developing. Overall, there has been an effort, which is why there is a decrease (in burning) now.”

V K Sehgal, Principal Scientist, IARI, said, “The use of balers picked up in 2020 or 2021… Ex-situ measures are picking up, but the problem is we still have such a huge amount of residue that at the end of the day, we have to think about in-situ options also.”

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Circle to Search: Share part of your screen!

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According to recent reports, Circle to Search, a feature introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January 2024, might soon undergo an upgrade. Initially allowing users to copy text from selected areas, it’s now rumored to include the capability to capture and share screenshots of specific screen sections.

This enhanced functionality, observed in the latest version of Circle to Search, enables users to not only copy text but also capture and share screen images. A video shared by a tipster on X showcased this update, revealing new options of Copy and Share upon selecting an area. Even adjustments to the selected region don’t remove these options, ensuring a seamless experience. Users can either copy the image to the clipboard for further editing or share it directly through various apps.

Previously, the visual lookup feature solely facilitated text copying. While Android devices offer a three-finger swipe-down gesture for quick screenshots, it captures the entire screen, necessitating subsequent cropping. This new functionality streamlines the process, allowing users to select and share specific screen sections in just two steps.

Interestingly, Google recently addressed concerns about accidental activations of Circle to Search in a podcast featuring its developers. They acknowledged the issue and assured users of an impending fix. This indicates ongoing efforts to refine the feature for a smoother user experience.

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Discounted OnePlus Nord CE 3 price in India: Check it out!

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The OnePlus Nord CE 3 has recently undergone another price reduction in India, marking a significant update for potential buyers. Initially introduced to the Indian market in June 2023, this smartphone received its first price adjustment in November of the same year. The base variant, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, was notably listed at a price Rs. 2,000 lower than its launch price, signaling OnePlus’s commitment to providing competitive pricing to its customers.

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and ships with the Android 13-based operating system. It boasts a triple rear camera setup, enhancing its photography capabilities, and supports SuperVOOC charging, ensuring rapid replenishment of its battery. The inclusion of these features positions the Nord CE 3 as a compelling option for smartphone enthusiasts seeking a balance between performance, affordability, and innovation.

The recent unveiling of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 in India marks the continuation of OnePlus’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to its users. Serving as the successor to the Nord CE 3, the Nord CE 4 is expected to build upon the strengths of its predecessor while introducing new enhancements and features to further elevate the user experience.

When considering the revised pricing of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, it’s evident that OnePlus aims to make its devices more accessible to a wider audience. The reduction in price, particularly on platforms like Amazon and the OnePlus India website, presents an opportunity for consumers to acquire a high-quality smartphone at a more affordable rate.

Let’s delve deeper into the specifications and features of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 to understand its capabilities and appeal to potential buyers.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Price in India (Revised)

The base variant of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, was initially launched in India at Rs. 26,999. Following its first price cut in November, the price was reduced to Rs. 24,999. Now, the same variant is available on Amazon at Rs. 22,990, representing a Rs. 2,009 reduction from its previous price. Furthermore, customers can benefit from an additional flat Rs. 2,000 instant discount on ICICI and HDFC Bank cards, bringing the effective price down to Rs. 20,990.

On the OnePlus India website, the 8GB + 128GB variant is priced at Rs. 22,999, marking a Rs. 2,000 decrease from the November price of Rs. 24,999. It is worth noting that this discount is exclusively applicable to the 128GB model, as the higher-end 256GB variant is currently listed as out of stock.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Specifications and Features

Display:

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 boasts a 6.7-inch full-HD+ fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,412 pixels. With a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, users can enjoy smooth and fluid visuals, enhancing their overall viewing experience.

Processor and Performance:

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G SoC, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 delivers robust performance and efficient multitasking capabilities. With up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage, users can seamlessly navigate between apps and store their multimedia content with ease.

Operating System:

The smartphone ships with Android 13-based OxygenOS 13.1, providing users with a clean and intuitive user interface coupled with a plethora of customization options. OxygenOS is known for its smooth performance and timely software updates, ensuring that users stay up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.

Camera:

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 features a versatile camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS) support. Accompanying this primary sensor is an 8-megapixel sensor with an ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2-megapixel macro shooter, allowing users to capture a wide range of subjects with stunning detail and clarity. On the front, the device houses a 16-megapixel sensor for high-quality selfies and video calls.

Battery and Charging:

Equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers ample battery life to power through a full day of usage. Additionally, the device supports 80W wired SuperVOOC charging, enabling users to quickly replenish the battery and minimize downtime.

Connectivity:

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 supports a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and USB Type-C. Whether it’s streaming multimedia content, browsing the web, or staying connected with friends and family, users can rely on the Nord CE 3 to deliver seamless connectivity and performance.

Security:

For enhanced security, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 features an in-display fingerprint sensor, allowing users to conveniently unlock their device with a simple touch. This biometric authentication method adds an extra layer of protection to safeguard sensitive data and personal information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers a compelling combination of performance, affordability, and innovation, making it an attractive choice for smartphone enthusiasts in India. With its recent price reduction and competitive specifications, the Nord CE 3 presents a compelling value proposition for consumers seeking a high-quality smartphone experience without breaking the bank. As OnePlus continues to innovate and introduce new features with each iteration, the Nord CE 3 stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional devices tailored to the needs of its users.

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Namma Yatri launches cab service in Bengaluru

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In its largest market, Bengaluru, ride-hailing company Namma Yatri has expanded its services to include cab-hailing, marking a significant shift from its previous focus on auto rickshaws. Namma Yatri, known for pioneering a daily subscription model as opposed to the commission-based model utilized by competitors like Ola and Uber, had initially concentrated on auto rickshaws in Bengaluru. However, it now features a distinct section on its app dedicated to booking cabs in the city. Additionally, Namma Yatri already provides cab rides in Kochi and Kolkata.

The decision to venture into cab services follows Namma Yatri’s separation from its former parent company, Justpay, and comes on the heels of a reported expansion plan announced on April 1st. The move also aligns with the broader trend observed in the industry, as both Ola and Uber have recently introduced subscription-based plans for auto-rickshaw drivers on their platforms. This strategic shift towards subscription-based models, akin to Namma Yatri’s approach, as well as that of Rapido, highlights a growing preference within the industry for alternative pricing structures beyond traditional booking fees or commissions.

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