Joymala Bagchi from Kolkata

The first joint rally of the Left-Congress-Indian Secular Front (ISF) at Brigade parade ground in Kolkata on Sunday witnessed the attendance of lakhs of people.

However, the stalemate between Congress and Furfura Sharif's ISF continued at the rally.

ISF chief Abbas Siddiqui applauded the Left Front for accepting his party's demand for crucial 30 seats including Nandigram.

He also made it clear that the ISF will support the Left front.

Addressing the public at the rally, Siddiqui said, "The Left accepted our demand regarding seat-sharing and thus we should be together. Everybody is in trouble under Mamata Raj. Bharatiya Janata Party and its proxy team Trinamool Congress should understand the importance of common people. Bengal's people should remember that there is nothing to fear as administrative power is with Election Commission."

Indirectly referring to Congress, Siddiqui said, "Our door is open, if anybody wants to come, they can."

Siddiqui's remark comes in the backdrop of the disagreement over seat-sharing between Congress and ISF ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls.

Asked about the issue of ISF in the alliance, Congress West Bengal in-charge Jitin Prasada told ANI, "We are working on it."

"As you can see the response is tremendous and very soon our candidates will be on the ground. It is a twin challenge of BJP and TMC which will be crushed by the momentum," he said.

Top leaders from Congress and Left Parties have been present at the rally.

Left Front Chairman Biman Bose welcomed all leaders saying ISF, Congress, and the Left parties are together.

"From today onwards, three parties will be together and would fight against BJP and TMC," he said.

Addressing the public, senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, "The election will not be a fight between TMC and BJP but between them and us (the joint alliance). We have to fight for secularism."

Hitting out at the Centre for the fuel price hike and unemployment, Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury said, "A stadium has been built in his name and here the youth is suffering."

He further called for togetherness saying, "Together Bengal have to saved and India in later days."

D Raja, general secretary of the Communist Party of India said, "This rally is huge. This is a demonstration by the people of Bengal. This rally is to save the country and defeat BJP and TMC. People of Bengal always play a historic role in shaping the political scenario of India."

The elections for the 294 Assembly seats in West Bengal will begin on March 27.

The state is going to witness eight-phase Assembly polls this year.West Bengal is likely to witness a triangular contest this time with TMC, Congress-Left alliance, and BJP in the fray. -- ANI

IMAGE: Supporters during Left-Congress and Indian Secular Front (ISF) joint rally, ahead of West Bengal assembly polls, in Kolkata, Sunday. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI Photo

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday apologised to people here for not speaking in Tamil which is one of the 'oldest and sweetest' languages of India.

"I am sad that I cannot talk to you in Tamil that is one of the oldest and sweetest languages of India, I seek your forgiveness," said Shah while addressing a Vijay Sankalp Rally in Villupuram of the poll-bound Tamil Nadu.

He further stated, "Earlier, all announcements at railway stations in Tamil Nadu used to be in English. Now, the announcements are made in Tamil. Prime Minister Narendra Modihas made this change."

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also said that he regrets not being able to learn the language.

Addressing 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that in the run-up to the programme, one listener Aparna Reddy asked him if there was something he missed out on during these long years as chief minister and prime minister.

"I thought about the question and felt that -- it is a regret of sorts that I could not learn the world's oldest language Tamil. It is a beautiful language and popular across the world. Many people told me about the qualities of Tamil literature and the depths of Tamil poetry," the prime minister said.

Tamil Nadu assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 6 and the counting of votes will be done on May 2.

The term of the fifteenth legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu is ending on May 2, 2021.

As many as 6,28,23,749 electors will choose candidates for the sixteenth legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu. -- ANI

Amid the ongoing protest against the new farm laws, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday asked the farmers to keep their tractors ready stating that they may have to reach the national capital anytime.

"This is my appeal to farmers that they should continue to work in their fields and also keep their tractors ready with their tanks full of oil as they may have to come to Delhi anytime," he told reporters in Shamli.

He alleged that the Centre formulated the new farm laws without the consent of the farmers and demanded the government to take back the laws.

"You formulate laws without asking us, and then ask us to point out the shortcomings. When the entire laws are black then they should be taken back. They (Centre) want to lock grains inside a locker, want to do business on hunger in the country, then that will not happen," the farmer leader said.

"It is necessary to hold mahapanchayats across the country because this is the problem of the entire nation. Dharna will also continue alongside these panchayats. As of now, we have planned programs till March 24. We will travel across the country," Tikait said.

He also asserted that the 'dharna' will continue as the government has not agreed with the farmers' demands.

On February 24, addressing a Kisan mahapanchayat in Rajasthan's Sikar, Tikait had threatened the central government and said that if the three laws are not repealed, the farmers will 'gherao' the Parliament on 40 lakh tractors.

Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws - Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.    -- ANI

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who hails from a village in Jammu and Kashmir and served three years as chief minister, drew parallels between himself and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that he has not forgotten his roots and proudly calls himself a 'chaiwala' as well as he does not hide his true self.

Speaking at a public event in Jammu, Ghulam Nabi said, "I like a lot of things about many leaders. I am from the village and feel proud... Even our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) hails from the village and used to sell tea. We are political rivals but I appreciate that he does not hide his true self."

"I have travelled the whole world. I have stayed in 5-star and 7-star hotels. But the scent of the people who belong to my village is unmatched," the Congress leader said after he was felicitated with the 'Sher-e-Gurjar award' by Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust.

Earlier this month, Azad, who served as Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Rajya Sabha, retired from the House.

An emotional Prime Minister Modi bid adieu to him by recalling his long association with the senior leader.

"The person who will replace Ghulam Nabi ji (as Leader of Opposition) will have difficulty matching his work because he was not only concerned about his party but also about the country and the House," PM Modi had said.

On Saturday, the groups of 23 dissenting leaders of Congress, including Azad, who has been calling for leadership and organisational change in the Congress, had said the party 'getting weaker' and are raising their voice for the betterment of the party.

Senior Congress leaders Kapil Sibal and Anand Sharma were also present. -- ANI

Indian Space Research Organisation has lined up 14 missions for launch in 2021, including the space agency's first unmanned mission later this year, its Chairman K Sivan said in Sriharikota on Sunday.

He was addressing scientists at the Mission Control Centre here after the successful launch of Amazona-1 of Brazil and 18 other satellites.

"Definitely our hands are full. We are going to have something like 14 missions this year. Seven launch vehicle missions and six satellite missions, as well as our first unmanned mission by the end of the year. That is our target and the scientists are working on that," he said.

ISRO plans to take up two unmanned space missions before the Gaganyaan-manned space mission.

The Gaganyaan mission envisages sending three Indians to space by 2022.

The four test pilots selected for the mission are currently undergoing training in Russia.

Sivan expressed hope that his team would rise to the occasion as usual and meet all the targets set by the ISRO.

Before concluding his speech, the Chairman also referred to the new normal that has been in place at ISRO centres in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I would request all of you, still we have not come out of the COVID-19 pandemic...the new normal introduced at ISRO centres definitely is working following all the quality norms without violating the safety and security of my employees", he said.

Strict COVID-19 guidelines were in place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, including a ban on entry of media personnel and closure of the rocket launch viewing gallery.

The launch was telecast live on Doordarshan and was available in the ISRO website, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.    -- PTI

Rathod made the announcement after submitting his resignation to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who is also the president of his Shiv Sena party.

"There has been a lot of dirty politics over the issue of the woman's death," Rathod told reporters, adding he has quit the ministry so that the truth can come out.

Rathod, who holds the forest portfolio, was facing allegations of complicity in the death of Puja Chavan, 23, a resident of Beed district, who was found dead in Pune on February 8, apparently after falling off from the building in which she lived.

Talking to reporters after meeting the chief minister at his official residence Varsha, Rathod said he had resigned to facilitate a free and fair probe.

"Attempts were made to tarnish my image and destroy my reputation I had built after 30 years of socialwork. I was saying that let the probe happen before taking any decision. But the opposition threatened to disrupt the budget session," Rathod said.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis said the resignation of the minister wasn't enough and demanded that a first information report should be filed against him.

The BJP has accused Rathod of having links with the woman after his purported photographs,audio and video clips with her went viral on social media.   -- PTI

The Army has cancelled an examination for pan-India recruitment of general duty personnel after paper was found to have been leaked, officials said on Sunday.

They further said at least three persons have been arrested in Pune so far.

"The Indian Army has zero tolerance towards corrupt practices in the recruitment process for selection of suitable candidates," an official said.

Based on a proactive joint operation with local police at Pune, a case of possible leakage of question paper prepared for Common Entrance Examination for Recruitment of Soldiers (General Duty) was reported last night, the official added.

While further investigations are underway, it was decided to cancel the examination to ensure continuous transparency in the recruitment process. -- PTI

Ahead of the Kumbh mela in Haridwar, the Uttarakhand government has issued standard operating procedures making it mandatory for devotees to produce a negative report of RT-PCR test conducted not earlier than 72 hours of arrival and warning of penal action against violators of COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Based on the guidelines issuedby the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the SOP also makes it compulsory for devotees to bring a medical fitness certificate and an e-pass or e-permit issued to them after registering on the Kumbh Mela web portal, Chief Secretary Om Prakash said.

The Kumbh Mela is likely to begin on April 1 and will go on only for 28 days.

The duration of Kumbh is being shortened to prevent spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The devotees may carry their test reports, fitnesscertificate and e-passes on their mobile phones or in hard copies for verification as and when required, Prakash said.

All state governments have been requested to widely publicise the SOP so that there is no confusion about it among the devotees, he said.

The state health department has been asked to ensure that healthcare personnel and other frontline workers to be deployed on Kumbh duty are administered the COVID vaccine doses on priority,the official said.

Officials have also been asked to promote COVID appropriate behaviour like maintaining a distance of 6 feet between two persons in public places, wearing of masks and frequent hand sanitisation,the chief secretary said.

International travellers coming for Kumbh will also have to observe the SOP besides following the travel advisory available on the website of MoHFW for international arrivals.

Any violation of the SOP will attract penal action against the defaulters, he said.

The SOP is to be adhered to at all facilities in the Kumbh Mela area including parking lots, ghats, railwaystations, bus stands, hotels, guest houses, ashrams and dharmashalas during the entire duration of the event, he said.  -- PTI

In view of the spike in COVID-19 cases in Pune, the Pune district administration on Sunday extended the night curfew and shutdown of schools till March 14.

The essential services are exempted from the curfew.

"COVID-19 restrictions imposed in the Pune city till February 28 have been extended to 14 March," said Murlidhar Mohol Mayor Pune.

"As per the new order issued today, schools, colleges and private coaching classes in the city have to remain closed till March 14," Mohol said.

"No public movement except essential services will be allowed between 11 pm and 6 am," he added.

In Pune, the total number of cases are 4,06,453, total recoveries are 3,87,527.

The active cases in Pune till Saturday are 9,860 while the death toll is at 9,235.

The State Health Department informed on Saturday that Maharashtra reported 8,623 new COVID-19 cases, 3,648 recoveries, and 51 deaths in the last 24 hours.

The COVID-19 death toll reached 1,56,938 on Saturday with additional 113 deaths.

Earlier Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had directed senior officials to take strict action against people or organisations who flout COVID-19 guidelines.

The chief minister directed the municipalities in the state to spray disinfectant at public places regularly.   -- ANI

Pakistan may allow cotton import from India through land route as prospects of gradual restoration of bilateral trade ties have brightened after the new ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control, according to a media report on Sunday.

Citing sources in the Ministry of Commerce, The Express Tribune reported that Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood may take a decision on whether to import cotton and yarn from India next week.

They said that the issue of cotton shortfall has already been brought to the notice of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who also holds the portfolio of the commerce minister.

Once a principled decision is taken, a formal order will be presented before the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet, the sources told the daily.

The sources said that in-house deliberations have already begun but the final decision would be taken only after seeking the approval of the prime minister.

I cannot say yes or no at this stage and would be in a better position to respond on Monday, Dawood told the daily, responding to a question on whether Pakistan was considering allowing cotton import from India.

The trade ties between both the countries can help minimise cost of production in Pakistan and ensure sustained food supplies, the daily said.

India and Pakistan issued a joint statement on Thursday to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the LoC and other sectors after the hotline discussions by their Director Generals of Military Operations.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 2003, but it has hardly been followed in letter and spirit over the past several years.

Relations between the two neighbours have nose-dived after a series of terror attacks in India perpetrated by terror groups based in Pakistan.

Bilateral ties deteriorated further after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

The move angered Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad.

Pakistan also snapped all air and land links with India and suspended trade and railway services.

The paper reported that against the annual estimated consumption of minimum 12 million bales, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research expects only 7.7 million bales production this year.

However, cotton ginners have given the lowest production estimates of only 5.5 million bales for this year.

There is a minimum shortfall of six million bales and Pakistan has so far imported roughly 688,305 metric tonnes of cotton and yarn, costing $1.1 billion, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

There is still a gap of about 3.5 million bales that needs to be filled through imports.

Due to shortage of cotton and yarn, the users were compelled to import them from the United States, Brazil and Uzbekistan.

Imports from India would be far cheaper and would reach Pakistan within three to four days.

Importing yarn from other countries was not only expensive but would also take one to two months to reach Pakistan, the daily reported, quoting businessmen who deal in these commodities.

The delay in yarn import can pose risk to timely deliver the export orders, according to the paper.

However, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) is exerting pressure on the Pakistan government not to allow cotton and yarn import from India.

An industry insider told the daily that few millers have already hoarded the cotton and were now charging higher rates and import would dampen their short-term earnings.

In an appeal to Dawood, Aptma said that the import of yarn from India will directly impact cotton prices in Pakistan.

The cotton sowing season is currently starting in Pakistan and the predicted drop in cotton price owing to import of yarn from India is approximately 10-15 per cent, discouraging farmers not to sow cotton, according to the Aptma.

On Thursday, India said it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan and is committed to resolving all issues bilaterally in a peaceful manner.

Prime Minister Khan on Saturday welcomed the ceasefire agreement with India and said Islamabad remains ready to move forward to resolve 'all outstanding issues' through dialogue.   -- PTI

Lambasting the erstwhile Congress government in Puducherry, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday alleged V Narayansamy, who headed it, gave 'cut money' to the 'Gandhi family' from Rs 15,000 crore central funds.

Addressing an election rally of Bharatiya Janata Party in Karaikkal, an enclave of the union territory, Shah claimed the Congress government, which collapsed earlier this month after losing majority, indulged in 'petty politics' over central schemes meant for Puducherry.

He charged the former chief minister with focussing more on serving the 'Gandhi family' in Delhi and giving 'cut money'.

Hitting out at Narayanasamy for blaming the BJP for the fall of his government, Shah said many senior leaders were leaving the Congress 'because it is collapsing across the country due to dynasty politics'.

Shah also ridiculed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for saying there was no 'dedicated' fisheries ministry, and pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set it up two years ago.

He took a swipe at the Wayanad MP saying 'you were on vacation (then)'.  -- PTI

Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw on Sunday hit out at the government capping COVID-19 vaccine price at Rs 250 at private hospitals, saying vaccine companies 'feel betrayed' as it is too low to sustain.

Reacting to a report that the health ministry has fixed Rs 250 per shot at private hospitals and health centres, she tweeted, 'We r (sic) crushing instead of incentivising vaccine industry.'

She further said, 'Covid Vaccine Jab Capped At Rs 250 At Private Hospitals: Government - understand vaccine cos (sic) feel betrayed as price is too low to sustain.'

Mazumdar-Shaw asked, 'If WHO has agreed to USD 3 per dose, why beat them down to USD 2?'

The government's capping of the vaccine price at private hospitals comes at a time when India is preparing to vaccinate people aged above 60 years and those over 45 with co-morbidities from March 1.

The COVID-19 vaccine will be given free of cost at government hospitals, while people will need to pay for it at private facilities. It is understood that the Rs 250 ceiling per dose includes Rs 150 per dose of vaccine plus Rs 100 service charge.   -- PTI

Ten police teams have been constituted to probe Delhi's Adarsh Nagar case where a woman was stabbed to death by a chain snatcher while resisting the robbery, according to Deputy Commisisoner of Police Northwest Usha Rangnani on Sunday.

The residents here alleged that several incidents of snatching have taken place in the area but still Delhi police have not intensified patrolling.

However, police said that patrolling is going on in the area and they are doing their best to combat these incidents.

A 25-year-old woman was stabbed to death by a snatcher for resisting a robbery bid in the Adarsh Nagar area of the national capital, Delhi Police said.

According to the police, the woman was stabbed to death in north-west Delhi's Adarsh Nagar while trying to resist a snatching bid.

She was coming home from a market and was holding her child when the incident occurred.

An FIR has been registered, but no arrest has been made till now.

Further investigation of the case is underway, the police said.

This is the second stabbing incident in the last two days.

A 17-year-old boy was admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre on Friday after being beaten up and stabbed by three boys in the Kalkaji area when he objected to them following his sister and passing indecent remarks.

Five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. -- ANI

Terming the world's oldest language Tamil, as beautiful and popular, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that he regrets not being able to learn the language.

Addressing 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that in the run-up to the programme, one listener Aparna Reddy asked him if there was something he missed out on during these long years as chief minister and prime minister.

"I thought about the question and felt that -- it is a regret of sorts that I could not learn the world's oldest language Tamil. It is a beautiful language and popular across the world. Many people told me about the qualities of Tamil literature and the depths of Tamil poetry," the prime minister said.

"India is the land of many such languages that are symbols of its culture and pride," he added.

He shared two video clips of a guided tour of the Statue of Unity Kevadia in Gujarat in Sanskrit and another of a cricket commentary at a match in Varanasi in Sanskrit.

He added that there are more than 15 guides in Kevadiya, who guide people in fluent Sanskrit about the monument.

"This is a cricket commentary being done in Sanskrit. In Varanasi, a cricket tournament is held among Sanskrit colleges. These colleges are - Shastharth College, Swami Vedanti Ved Vidyapeeth, Sri Brahma Veda Vidyalaya and International Chandramouli Charitable Trust. Commentary is also done in Sanskrit during the matches of this tournament. I just played for you a very small part of that commentary. Not only this, in this tournament, players and commentators are seen in the traditional attire," the prime minister added. -- ANI

Underlining the importance of collective responsibility towards water conservation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for a 100-day campaign to clean up all water bodies and prepare them for rain water harvesting before the monsoon season starts.

In his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast, Modi said water has been crucial for the development of humankind for centuries.

"We have to understand our collective responsibility towards water conservation," he said.

The prime minister also said that when people feel proud of indigenous products then Aatmanirbhar Bharat does not just remain an economic programme but becomes a national spirit.

Noting that monsoon will begin in many parts of the country by around May-June, the prime minister asked can there be a 100-day public campaign to clean up all nearby water bodies and prepare those for rain water conservation.

In this regard, the Union Jal Shakti Ministry is also launching 'Catch the rain' campaign and its main theme is 'catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls', he said.

"This is the best time to think about water conservation in the summer months ahead," Modi said.

He also said there is a need to make science more popular across the country and asserted that science cannot be limited to physics-chemistry and labs.

Modi called for expanding science with a mantra of 'lab to land'.

During the broadcast, the prime minister also rued not being able to make enough efforts to learn the world's oldest language, Tamil.

"In run up to Mann Ki Baat, I was asked if there was something I missed out on during these long years as chief minister and prime minister. I feel -- it is a regret of sorts that I could not make enough efforts to learn the world's oldest language Tamil. Tamil literature is beautiful," Modi said. -- PTI

Arunachal Pradesh became a coronavirus-free state on Sunday with the three active cases recovering from the disease, a senior health official said.

The total caseload in the northeastern state remained at 16,836, while the number of recoveries stood at 16,780, State Surveillance Officer Lobsang Jampa said.

No fresh COVID-19 case was reported in the past 24 hours, he said, A total of 56 people have so far died due to the contagion in the state.

Arunachal Pradesh's recovery rate and positivity rate are at 99.66 per cent and zero per cent, respectively, the official said.

Altogether, 4,05,647 samples have been tested, including 312 on Saturday, Jampa said.

Meanwhile, State Immunisation Officer (SIO) Dimong Padung said 32,325 health and frontline workers have received vaccine shots in the state thus far.

The health department has been carrying out the inoculation drive four days a week - Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.   -- PTI

Jaish-ul-Hind has taken responsibility for placing the explosives-laden vehicle outside Mukesh Ambani's house 'Antilia' in Mumbai, several media reports claimed.

In a message on the Telegram app, Jaish-ul-Hind said the explosive-laden vehicle outside Mukesh Ambani's house was "only a trailer" and "a big picture is yet to come".

however, official confirmation from the Mumbai Police is awaited.

Jaish-ul-Hind has also demanded money through Bitcoin from the billionaire industrialist.

A few days back the same organization claimed responsibility for the blast outside Israel embassy in Delhi.

India's Polar rocket PSLV C-51 carrying Amazonia-1 of Brazil and 18 other satellites blasted off from this spaceport on Sunday, in the first mission of the year for ISRO.  

     

At the end of a nearly -26hour countdown, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C51 lifted off from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR), over 100 km from Chennai, at around 10.24 am.

    

Amazonia-1, the primary satellite, is expected to be injected into orbit about 18 minutes after lift-off while the18 co-passenger payloads, including one from Chennai-based Space Kidz India, also engraved with a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would be launched over the next two hours. -- PTI 

As many as 16,752 new COVID-19 cases and 113 deaths were reported in India during the last 24 hours, informed the Union health ministry on Sunday.

With this, the total coronavirus caseload in the country has gone up to 1,10,96,731, including 1,64,511 active cases and 1,07,75,169 discharges.

The COVID-19 death toll reached 1,57,051 on Saturday with additional 113 deaths.

As per the health ministry, a total of 1,43,01,266 people in the country have been vaccinated against the virus.

Claiming that political experts have started sensing another division in the Congress, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kavinder Gupta on Saturday said it would start from Jammu and Kashmir this time around.

 

He was apparently referring to the gathering of senior Congress leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kapil Sibal, Manish Tewari, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Raj Babbar and Anand Sharma, at a function here.

"Political mahapandits across the nation have started sensing another division in the Congress since the era of sycophancy towards the Nehru-Gandhi clan seems to be dying down. The latest developments in the Congress have indications of an intrinsic uprising, with voices of dissent resonating in the political circles, signalling another dent to this already tumbling political bloc," the former Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister said in a statement in Jammu.

Recalling similar instances in the late 1960s, when Morarji Desai left the Congress and later, N D Tiwari parted ways with the grand old party, the BJP leader said this time, it seems that Jammu and Kashmir will turn out to be the place of happening as far as further "degrading of this party, which is presently bereft of principles and ideology", is concerned.

He vociferously decried the "leftover" Congress leadership for misleading the people of the country on the rising fuel prices and the skyrocketing inflation. 

Blaming the Congress for its "blunders" in the last over 70 years that resulted in a slow growth rate and poverty, Gupta said since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over the reins of the country, there has been a drastic change as giving and taking bribes have become things of the past.

"The BJP government faced certain setbacks due to the misdoings of the Congress in the past," he said, adding, "Now things have been sorted out and the current status, despite the losses incurred due to COVID-19 in 2020, is not bad at all."

Gupta said people should not believe in the rumours spread by the Congress and its ilk with regard to petty issues as the Modi government is doing enough to ensure that the country gets its desired place in the world with its economy, health, employment, infrastructure, education, defence and culture getting the much-required boost, fulfilling the aspirations of its people. -- PTI

Underlining the Yamuna's acute water pollution, three prominent Hindu seers of the country on Saturday vowed not to take another bath on other shahi snan' days during the ongoing Vrindavan Kumbh near here unless the river water is clean.

            

The declaration to boycott the shahi snan in the river on three remaining auspicious days -- March 9, 13 and 25 -- and thereafter during subsequent Kumbh fairs was made by the chief of the Ayodhya-based Maha Nirvani Akhara, Mahant Dharm Das.

          

Mahant Dharam Das made the declaration in presence of the chiefs of two other Vaishnavi akharas -- Maha Nirmohi and Maha Digambar akharas.

          

"In the next 'shahi snan', we would take the holy dip in the Yamuna, only if the water is clean," Mahant Dharm Das said, with the chiefs of two other prominent akharas nodding in agreement.

          

The Mathura district administration had promised to arrange for clean water in the river at its Devraha Ghat during the Vrindaban Kumbh by discharging additional water from the Ganga but nothing appears to have been done, he said.

          

Mahant Dharam Das made the critical remark on the pollution in the Yamuna after taking a holy dip along with the two other seers at the Devraha Ghat of the river.

          

The three seers earlier led a procession of saints to the river bank for 'shahi snan' during which they were showered with flower petals all along the route of the procession, said Nagendra Pratap, a government official deputed to supervise arrangements for the Vrindavan Kumbh fair.

   

The three other shahi snan days of March 9, 13 and 25 coincide with ekadashi (month's 11th days), amawasya (moonless day) and another pious day as per the Hindu calendar, said Pratap. -- PTI 

Voting began on Sunday morning for the bypolls to five municipal wards in Delhi, results of which are likely to have an impact on the 2022 civic elections.

 

Polling began at 7:30 am amid tight security arrangements.

The main contenders are the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, the BJP and the Congress. All of them have expressed confidence that they will emerge victorious in the bypolls, which are being held amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the State Election Commission of Delhi, around 2.42 lakh people are eligible to cast their votes in two wards under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and three wards under the East Delhi Municipal Corporation.

These municipal wards are Rohini-C, Shalimar Bagh (North), Trilokpuri, Kalyanpuri and Chauan Banger.

While Shalimar Bagh (North) is reserved for women, Trilokpuri and Kalyanpuri are reserved for the SC category, according to the poll body.

The bypolls are being seen as the semifinal before the elections to all 272 MCD wards in early 2022.

The results for the bypolls will be announced on March 3, officials said, adding that there are 327 polling stations and 26 candidates in the fray.

Officials said COVID-19 patients can vote during the last hour of polling as per government guidelines.

Of Delhi's 272 wards, North Delhi Municipal Corporation and South Delhi Municipal Corporation have 104 each and East Delhi Municipal Corporation has 64.

The BJP has been controlling all three corporations since 2012, when the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Delhi was trifurcated into North, South and East corporations.

The main candidates in the Kalyanpuri ward bye-elections are Dhirendra from the AAP, Siyaram Kanojia from the BJP and Dharampal Maurya from the Congress.

Vijay Kumar from the AAP, Om Prakash Gugarwal from the BJP and Bal Kishan from the Congress are contesting from Trilokpuri ward.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has shared that he has a "medical condition" for which he needs to undergo a surgery.

 

It is unclear if the medical procedure is complete.

In a one-line, cryptic message on his personal blog, the 78-year-old actor gave an update to his fans and followers.

"medical condition .. surgery .. can't write (sic)" Amitabh Bachchan wrote on Saturday.

The actor recently shared the details about the projects his family members -- wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan -- were currently working on.

Amitabh Bachchan had also said he would soon start shooting for filmmaker Vikas Bahl's next.

The screen icon was last seen in Shoojit Sircar's "Gulabo Sitabo", which had a digital premiere last year in the wake of the coronavirus-induced shutdown.

One of the busiest stars in the Hindi film industry, Amitabh Bachchan was recently shooting for "MayDay", directed by and starring Ajay Devgan. 

The veteran actor, who regularly keeps in touch with his followers whom he calls his 'extended family' via social media, was also one of the first Indian film personalities to be diagnosed with coronavirus last year.

Amitabh Bachchan, along with Abhishek Bachchan, 45, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 47, had tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2020. His granddaughter, Aaradhya (nine) too had contracted the virus. 

They were admitted to a private hospital here for treatment and were discharged later. 

Amitabh Bachchan will next be seen in sports-drama Jhund, directed by Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, which debuts in theatres on June 18. 

His other release for the year, Chehre, will open theatrically on April 30. -- PTI 

The United States Food and Drug Administration has authorised a single-dose Johnson and Johnson anti-coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, giving the nation its third jab against the deadly disease.

 

President Joe Biden described the approval as an encouraging development in efforts to end the COVID-19 crisis and said this is exciting news for all US citizens.

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which works with one dose instead of two, got approval on Saturday, days after emergency use authorisation (EUA) was given to two-dose shots from Pfizer and Moderna in December last year.

"Today, after a rigorous, open, and objective scientific review process, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorisation for a third safe and effective vaccine to help us defeat the COVID-19 pandemic - the Janssen COVID-19 (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine," Biden said.

 

The EUA allows the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the US for use in individuals of 18 years of age or older. Unlike the other two approved vaccines, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is administered as a single dose.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines requires two shots within two weeks.

"The authorisation of this (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine expands the availability of vaccines, the best medical prevention method for COVID-19, to help us in the fight against this pandemic, which has claimed over half a million lives in the US," Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said.

The FDA said the totality of available data provides clear evidence that the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be effective in preventing the infection.

Data also shows that the vaccine's known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks, supporting the company's request for the vaccine's use in people of 18 years of age and older, it said.

"We know that more people that get vaccinated, the faster we will overcome the virus, get back to our friends and loved ones, and get our economy back on track," President Biden said, adding that the country is moving in the right direction.

He said at the same time, this fight is far from over.

 

"Though we celebrate today's news, I urge all Americans -- keep washing your hands, stay socially distanced, and keep wearing masks. As I have said many times, things are still likely to get worse again as new variants spread, and the current improvement could reverse. My administration will not make the mistake of taking this threat lightly, or just assuming the best: that's why we need the American Rescue Plan to keep this fight going in the months ahead," Biden said.

 

There is light at the end of the tunnel, but people cannot let their guard down now or assume that victory is inevitable, the president said.

 

"We must continue to remain vigilant, act fast and aggressively, and look out for one another -- that is how we are going to reach that light together," Biden said.

 

Congressman Frank Pallone, who is the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said notably, this new vaccine is easier to store and transport than other COVID-19 vaccines and only requires one shot to protect patients.

 

"This will greatly improve our ability to protect millions of people against COVID-19 in communities across the country and is a giant step towards crushing the virus," he said.

 

The authorisation of Johnson and Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine brings the country another step closer to the light at the end of the tunnel, Pallone said.

 

Congressman Michael C Burgess, who is also a senior doctor, said that this is truly a remarkable achievement to see. -- PTI

Chief scientist of the World Health Organisation Soumya Swaminathan on Saturday said there should be more COVID-19 tests as there was heterogeneity (on testing methods) among the states.

   

"Testing is really an important issue. At the beginning, WHO found that many countries did not have diagnostics and those which had it was not enough. In fact we found out that diagnostics was lower than it should be," she

said while addressing a session at 'Shaastra' organised in Chennai at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras.

    

Stating that WHO has set a benchmark for how much diagnostics in testing was enough, she said if the positivity rate (of a disease) was five per cent or more, it means you should be testing more.

   

"There is a lot of heterogeneity in response to testing between state to state and some states have done higher than the others," she said.

   

"Tamil Nadu has done well in terms of testing and the Health Department had set up fever clinics in Chennai, when the cases were going up. So, the strategy needs to be decentralised," she said.

 

Swaminathan said it was not only the Health Department that needs to cope up but also all other departments which have to play a role in providing additional food and service when people lost their jobs, when families were in distress due to the pandemic.

   

"We now understand the disease (COVID-19) better understand epidemiology and it is super-spreader. We know that only 15-16 people who are infected are responsible for the remaining 85 people. We need to be able to identify those situations where these kinds of super-spreaderscan happen," she said.

  

"I think that (testing for COVID-19) will continue through 2021 as well," she remarked.

   

Swaminathan said some low-income countries have done better than the high-income countries as community health workers in (the low-income countries) came to the rescue when COVID-19 outbreak happened by means of visiting houses, checking of new infections.  

"In low-income countries, the whole workforce for contact tracing, visiting houses, engaging community health workers are the ones who actually came to the rescue but whereas in the developed world, where the medical system is well advanced, public health system was neglected. Over the years that aspect collapsed," she said. 

  

She said these are the lessons to be learned whether the country was rich or poor and a country can learn from what went right and what did not go well so that the country can make those corrections. -- PTI