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Fri, 17 September 2021
Delhi has only 8-day Covid vaccine stock left
Timeline Refresh
23:39 Delhi has only 8-day Covid vaccine stock left
The stock of coronavirus vaccine in the national capital will last for another eight days, according to a bulletin issued by the Delhi government on Friday.
As on Friday morning, 1,87,440 doses of Covaxin and 12,02,280 jabs of Covishield were left in stock, it said.
In all, the Delhi government has received 1,53,14,150 vaccine doses till date, of which, 34,28,360 doses were of Covaxin and the remaining were Covishield, it said.
The city has administered 1,56,26,888 vaccine doses, including those given at private facilities, of which, 1,10,04,212 were first doses and 46,22,676 second jabs.
On Thursday, 1,36,083 vaccine doses were administered. Of these, 77,807 were first doses and 58,276 were second ones, the bulletin said.
Delhi's current vaccination capacity is 2,21,883 doses per day, it added.
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23:28 IIT Varanasi student dies by suicide in Nagpur
A third-year student of the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi died by suicide at his home in Nagpur, police said on Friday.
The deceased was identified as Pushpak Sambhe (21), a resident of Wanadongri area of Nagpur city.
He and his parents had visited their village on Wednesday and Pushpak alone returned next morning to attend online classes, said a police official.
He apparently hanged himself on Thursday afternoon.
The death came to light when his mother asked a neighbour to check on him as he was not responding to phone calls, the official said.
A case of accidental death was registered at MIDC police station and further probe was on, he added.
23:08 Chardham yatra to begin Sep 18 with pilgrim limit
The Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand will begin on Saturday after its prolonged suspension due to COVID-19.
A day after the Uttarakhand High Court vacated its stay on Chardham Yatra, the state government on Friday issued a detailed SOP to start the yatra from Saturday with strict adherence to COVID-19 norms.
Imposing a daily limit on the number of pilgrims visiting the Himalayan temples, the SOP put a cap of 1,000 pilgrims daily on Badrinath, 800 on Kedarnath, 600 on Gangotri and 400 on Yamunotri.
Showing a document certifying administration of both doses of the anti- Covid vaccine at least 15 days back or a negative RT/PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT/RAT Covid test report not older than 72 hours will be compulsory for every pilgrim visiting the shrines, it said.
Pilgrims from inside the state will not be required to register on the Smart City portal but it will be compulsory for those coming from outside.
The Uttarakhand High Court vacated its stay on Chardham Yatra on Thursday in view of the decline in positive cases of the pandemic.
The state government was also under pressure to start the yatra as the livelihoods of lakhs of people are linked with the annual pilgrimage.
The yatra remained suspended for months due to the pandemic in 2020 and opened in the month of June with a total of 3,21,609 devotees visiting temples during the entire season amid the Covid-induced restrictions.
Meanwhile, chief secretary SS Sandhu visited Kedarnath on Friday and directed officials to make adequate arrangements for a safe pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrine.
Sandhu, who also reviewed the progress of the reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri, directed the officials to expedite work without compromising on quality.
He advised them to set a weekly target and examine whether they had achieved it at the end of the week in order to speed up the pace of work.
22:44 Covid 3rd wave scare: Tirupati Navratri to be without devotees
The Navaratri Brahmotsavam of Lord Venkateswara hill temple, scheduled to begin on October 7 at Tirumala, will be conducted without the participation of devotees, due to the anticipated third wave of COVID-19, said a top functionary of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) that governs the hill temple.
Speaking to reporters, TTD Board Chairman Y V Subba Reddy said that like last year's festival, this year's Navaratri Bhrahmostavm also would be observed inside the temple without the congregation of the devotees and celestial processions in view of the health safety of devotees and TTD staff.
The decision was taken in adherence to new Covid guidelines issued by the Central and state Governments in view of the possibility of coronavirus third-wave that is likely to hit in October, he added.
However, the ceiling on the entry of devotees for darshan of Lord Venkateswara would continue as usual during Brahmotsavam too, Reddy said. In between 15,000 to 20,000 would be allowed to the shrine until the pandemic situation comes to normalcy, Reddy added.
Meanwhile, a TTD release said that a US-based devotee, Poosala Viswanath working with Facebook has made an offering of Rs one crore to Lord Venkateswara temple with a request to TTD to utilize the fund for TTD-run charitable institutions.
On behalf of the devotee, his father P Anjaneyulu, a retired TTD official here, handed over the Demand Draft for the amount to TTD Executive Officer K S Jawahar Reddy today, the release added.
22:18 Cops unearth Rs 42 cr heroin near Indo-Pak border
Punjab Police on Friday recovered 8.5 kg of heroin from near the Indo-Pak Border in Fazilka district, officials said.
The operation was supported by the Border Security Force as it was carried out in the area under the control of the BSF, police said in a statement here.
The recovery of the consignment with a value over Rs 42 crore in the international market, was made on the disclosures of Jasvir Singh alias Gaggu, a resident of village Mahalam in Fazilka, who was arrested earlier in the day.
Punjab Police under drive against drugs has managed to recover over 232 kg heroin in the last 100 days, the statement said.
After inputs from Counter Intelligence Wing about some people, who reside near the Indo-Pak border, indulging in smuggling of arms, explosives and drugs from Pakistan to India via the international border, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ferozepur, Rajpal Singh registered the FIR against Jasvir Singh on secret information and launched a hunt to nab him.
Police managed to arrest Jasvir on Friday.
He told police that he, along with his associates, arranged one consignment of heroin from Pakistan, which was concealed 15 metres away from the border fence.
Police team along with BSF conducted combing operations around the location disclosed by Jasvir and recovered the heroin consignment in eight packets.
22:06 Mohan Bhagwat calls for expansion of RSS
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday called upon workers for the expansion of the organisation before the centenary year of the Sangh.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was formed in 1925.
Addressing RSS workers of Chittorgarh region in Udaipur, he also enquired about the coronavirus situation in their area and services rendered by the Sangh, a statement said.
Bhagwat called upon the need for the expansion of the organisation at rapid pace before the centenary year of the Sangh and urged the workers to devote full time to it, the statement said.
Bhagwat asked the workers to approach Hindu families through "shakha", daily meeting.
21:36 Only 5% jobless in UP now versus 17% in 2016: Yogi
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday claimed that the unemployment rate in the state was more than 17 per cent in the year 2016 which has now come down to four to five per cent.
He was addressing a function after distributing toolkits to trained beneficiaries under the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana and loans under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana here.
"For the last one-and-a-half years, the whole world has been hit by COVID-19 pandemic. A lockdown had to be imposed and more than 40 lakh migrant workers and labourers returned to the state during the lockdown.
"During this period, traditional artisans, craftsmen and entrepreneurs developed a system, which along with making them self-reliant, also gave impetus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concept of making a self-reliant India," Adityanath said.
He said the state's population is 24 crore and the unemployment rate in UP is far lower as compared to other states of the country.
In the year 2016, the unemployment rate in the state was more than 17 per cent, but today it has come down to only four to five per cent, the CM added.
According to a statement released by the state government on Friday, 21,000 beneficiaries received toolkits and 11,000 beneficiaries were disbursed loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
Adityanath said this year, on the occasion of Deepotsav, the target is to light 7.5 lakh diyas in Ayodhya and these lamps are being manufactured in Ayodhya itself.
He further added that on October 6, Modi will complete 20 years of public service as chief minister and prime minister.
Modi has given a new direction to the country with his leadership ability. His public services are being commemorated by the Uttar Pradesh government from September 17 to October 7, in the form of Vikas Utsav, the priest-turned-politician announced.
21:23 The Wire gets IPI's Free Media Pioneer Award
Indian news portal The Wire has received the 2021 Free Media Pioneer Award instituted by the Vienna-based International Press Institute.
The Wire's founding editor Siddharth Varadarajan and national affairs editor Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty received the award at a ceremony held in the Austrian capital of Vienna on Thursday.
"The annual Free Media Pioneer Award was established by the International Press Institute (IPI) in 1996 to recognise media organisations that are innovating for better journalism and news access, or fighting for a better press freedom environment in their country or region. My organisation, International Media Support (IMS) is proud to jointly present the award since 2015," Gulnara Akhundova of the IMS said
She said she was "extremely grateful and proud to be here to announce that non-profit news site The Wire, a leader in India's digital news revolution and a tireless defender of independent, high-quality journalism, is the recipient of the 2021 Free Media Pioneer Award."
Vardarajan, after receiving the award, said, "Without a free, vibrant, independent media, citizens lose the ability to gain information about what's happening in society. They lose the ability to ask questions of those who are in authority."
"They lose the ability to hold the power accountable. And in every country of the world when the media comes under pressure, make no mistake the real target for this pressure are the people whose rights have been suppressed," he said.
20:50 SC grants bail to artist Chintan Upadhyay
The Supreme Court Friday on granted bail to artist Chintan Upadhyay, arrested in connection with the murder of his artist wife and her lawyer in 2015, noting that the petitioner has been in custody for nearly six years.
A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai noted that "the petitioner has been in custody for nearly six years. The trial is in progress and 28 witnesses have been examined and 12 witnesses are yet to be examined.
"Having scrutinised the record and after hearing the counsel for the parties, we are of the opinion that the petitioner is entitled for bail having been incarcerated for nearly six years," the bench said.
The top court released Upadhyay on bail subject to the condition that he shall reside in any place other than Mumbai and shall visit Mumbai only for the purpose of attending the Court.
"The petitioner shall not make any attempt to influence the witnesses. The petitioner shall surrender the passport in the trial court within a period of one week from today.
"The petitioner shall provide the place of his residence to the trial court within a period of one week from today. The petitioner shall report to the local police station at the place of his residence on the first date of every month," the bench said.
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19:51 Indo-Nepal joint military exercise begins from Monday
The 15th edition of "Surya Kiran", a joint training exercise between the armies of India and Nepal, will start at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand on Monday with a focus on counterinsurgency operations, the defence ministry said Friday.
The last edition was conducted in Salijhandi in Rupendehi district of Nepal between 3-16 December, 2019.
During this year's exercise, an infantry battalion from the Indian Army and an equivalent strength from the Nepali Army would be sharing their experiences gained during various counterinsurgency operations conducted over a prolonged period in their respective countries, the ministry's statement mentioned.
As part of the exercise, both the armies would familiarise themselves with each other's weapons, equipment, tactics, techniques and procedures of operating in a counterinsurgency environment in mountainous terrain, it noted.
Also, there would be a series of expert academic discussions on various subjects such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, high altitude warfare and jungle warfare, it mentioned.
"The joint military training would culminate with a gruelling 48 hours exercise to validate the performance of both the armies in counter-insurgency in mountainous terrain," it stated.
The exercise is part of an initiative to develop inter-operability and sharing expertise between the two nations, it mentioned.
This exercise will go a long way in improving bilateral relations and also will be a major step towards further strengthening the traditional friendship between the two nations, it noted.
19:39 India denies e-visas to UK, Canadian nationals
In what appears to be a reciprocal treatment for citizens of Canada and the United Kingdom, the Indian government has withdrawn the e-visa facility for them, according to sources.
A senior ministry of home affairs (MHA) official confirmed that post-Covid, UK and Canada have posed a lot of restrictions over the entry of Indian nationals in their country and many of the times, travellers have to face inconvenience despite several requests were made to the concerned embassies to take up and matter and resolve it.
"The e-visa facility to UK and Canada citizens have been withdrawn from the first week of August this year. Now, they have to apply for a regular sticker visa at the Indian embassy. Tourist visa is already suspended and people visiting India under other categories of visa now have to apply for regular sticker visas," said the official.
Earlier, the e-visa facility was denied to Chinese nationals following the Galwan Valley incident in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in violent clashes with China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel in June last year.
19:10 Orissa HC rejects Durga idol height curbs plea
The Orissa High Court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by a puja committee and others against the government's decision to restrict the maximum height of Durga idols to four feet in the state, observing that the matter cannot be singled out as an "essential" aspect of a tradition or practice without which the festival itself may not have significance.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice S Muralidhar said the petitioners were not able to convince the court that if the height of the idol is restricted to four feet, then "somehow the sanctity of the occasion, the devotion and fervour associated with the festival, and the religious sentiments of the people would be interfered with in a manner contrary to tradition".
The observations by the bench came on the petition filed by the Balubazar Puja Committee in Cuttack and three of its office bearers against the government's order.
It also said none of the other Durga Puja committees had found the restriction to be hurtful of public sentiment or interfering with their celebrations.
The Odisha government had on August 9 directed the puja organisers to ensure that the height of Durga idols would be less than four feet in light of the threat to health and safety of people due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Pitambar Acharya had argued there was no justification in the state government's restriction on the height of Durga idols as this had "no nexus to the danger posed by the pandemic".
The high court had on Thursday completed hearing on the petition and reserved its verdict.
"Durga Puja festival itself is a combination of several elements of celebration, and the idol is but one important component. In respect of these many elements, there has had to be some amount of restriction on the scale and size," the bench said.
It also said relaxing the restriction for just one Durga Puja committee would trigger similar demands all over, making it difficult for the government to strictly enforce the measures when the state is still in the grip of COVID-19.
The height of Durga idols "cannot be singled out as an essential aspect of a tradition or practice without which the festival itself may not have significance", the court said. "These may be matters of perception, but will have to be balanced against several countervailing interests and factors, which concern the health and safety of the public at large," it added.
18:39 Nifty, Sensex cool down after hitting new all-time highs
The 30-stock bellwether Sensex lost one-fifth per cent to close at 59,015.89.
The NSE Nifty, a broader index comprising 50 companies, too lost one-fourth of a per cent as traders took some profits off the table as the markets closed trading for the week.
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18:24 NIA arrested 168 in IS terror cases, 27 convicted
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Friday that it has so far arrested 168 people in 37 cases of terror attacks, conspiracy and funding which have been inspired by the Islamic State (IS) ideology in the country.
It said charge sheets have been filed in 31 of the cases, the most recent of which was registered in June, and that 27 accused have been convicted after trial.
"Investigation by the NIA has revealed that IS (Islamic State) is trying to spread its tentacles in India through continuous propaganda online. Gullible youths are targeted on open social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram," a spokesperson of the agency said.
The NIA said once a person shows interest he or she is then enticed to communicate with online handlers based abroad using encrypted social media platforms.
"Depending on the gullibility of the person, the handlers then use the person for uploading online content, translation of IS texts to local language, conspiracy, preparation of a module, collection of arms and ammunition, preparation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), terror funding and even attacks," the spokesperson said.
The NIA appealed to the public to bring into its notice any such activity on the internet.
17:57 Pune shops to shut for Ganesh immersion on Sep 19
In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Maharashtra government has decided to keep all the shops closed in Pune on September 19 on the occasion of Ganesh idols immersion, announced Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday.
Pawar also stated that restaurants and hotels will remain open and essential services will be exempted. "On 19 Sept, on the occasion of Ganesh Visarjan, we have decided to keep all shops shut in Pune city, Pune cantonment and rural areas. Restaurants and hotels will remain open, essential services will be exempted," Pawar told reporters at a press conference after attending the weekly COVID-19 review meeting.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with huge processions in Pune every year which leads to large gatherings. To avoid any such gatherings in view of COVID-19, this decision has been taken by the state government, despite present restrictions, guidelines in place across the state.
Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, is a ten-day festival that commenced on September 10. The immersion of the Ganesh idols takes place on the last day of the festival, which this year is on September 19. The Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is dedicated to the Lord of new beginnings, Lord Ganesha.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra reported 3,595 new COVID-19 cases, 3,240 recoveries and 45 deaths on Thursday, according to the state health bulletin. With this, the state's total tally of COVID-19 positive patients is now 65,11,525.
The state currently has 49,342 active cases. The total recoveries in Maharashtra have reached 63,20,310. The cumulative death toll in the state stands at 1,38,322.
While the recovery rate in the state stands at 97.06 per cent, the case fatality rate in Maharashtra is 2.12 per cent.
As many as 2,89,425 people are in-home quarantine in the state while 1,908 are in institutional quarantine.
16:52 Sensex ends 125 points lower
Equity benchmark Sensex ended 125 points lower on Friday after scaling a fresh record peak of 59,737 in early trade, as investors booked profits at higher levels.
After gyrating 866 points during the day, the 30-share BSE index settled 125.27 points or 0.21 per cent lower at 59,015.89.
Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty slipped 44.35 points or 0.25 per cent to 17,585.15. It touched a lifetime high of 17,792.95 intra-day.
Kotak Bank was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising over 5 per cent, followed by Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, Maruti, Axis Bank and Nestle India. On the other hand, Tata Steel, SBI, TCS and Reliance Industries were among the laggards. -- PTI
16:43 Modi another form of god, says union minister
Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party leader Pashupati Kumar Paras called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "another form of God" on the latter's birthday, and said he was the most successful head of government in India since independence.
"He is another form of God. Nobody has seen God but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in our midst who is seen as God and also decides the country's fate," Paras said, noting that the day coincided with Vishwakarma Puja.
"It is such an auspicious day. Our prime minister was also born on the same day. I think he is present among us as another form of God," he said, calling him "Bhagwan ke dusre roop" in Hindi.
Paras was speaking to reporters at an event his party organised to mark Modi's 71st birthday.
Lavishing praise on him, the Bihar leader said Modi is seen as the strongest and most successful prime minister since independence. He has made an image for himself in the world, Paras said.
Lauding Modi's efforts for social justice, he said the prime minister has been working for the poor and other deprived sections of society to bring them on par with others. Noting that he is always aware about various issues that are discussed in the Union Cabinet, Paras added Modi is "god-gifted". PTI
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16:26 Girl given curtain for wearing shorts at exam
A 19-year-old girl appearing for an examination in Assam was made to wrap a curtain around her legs by an invigilator who chafed at her wearing shorts, provoking outrage and allegations of gender bias, and prompting university authorities to order an inquiry.
The girl's family has, however, decided against taking the matter further in the interest of her mental well-being and academic future.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when the girl had gone from her hometown Biswanath Chariali to Tezpur to appear for the entrance examination of the Assam Agricultural University (AAU).
She had unhindered access to the venue but an invigilator inside the examination hall objected to her wearing short pants.
Her father Babul Tamuli told PTI on Friday that after the invigilator at Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (GIPS) told her that she will not be allowed to appear for the exam wearing shorts, she took up the matter with the authorities there and insisted no dress code was mentioned on the admit card. She also told them she had appeared in the NEET exams recently in shorts.
However, as they were unrelenting, the girl rushed to her father waiting outside the venue. Tamuli made a dash for the nearest market to buy a pair of trousers. But before he could return with trousers the authorities had provided the girl a curtain to wrap around her legs which she did and wrote her paper.
"My daughter was traumatised and spoke to a few local journalists about the humiliating incident and the issue became viral on social media. There are many who have condemned the incident but many have attacked my daughter for not following a dress code in an educational institution which has left her more mentally disturbed," Tamuli said.
16:08 3rd wave not imminent, SC allows Kerala to hold Class XI exams
The Supreme Court Friday allowed the Kerala government to hold physical exams for Class 11 amid the Covid-19 pandemic and expressed satisfaction over the steps being taken by it to ensure that no untoward situation is faced by students.
The top court said holistic approach has to be taken in the matter and the authorities concerned are conscious of their duties.
A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and C T Ravikumar dismissed an appeal filed by advocate Rasoolshan A, challenging the Kerala High Court order refusing to interfere with the state government's decision to hold offline exams.
The apex court said a detailed affidavit has been filed by the state and it is taking all measures related to the coronavirus protocol.
"We are convinced by the explanation offered by the state and trust authorities will take all precautions and necessary steps so that no untoward situation is faced by students who are of tender age and appearing for the proposed examination. Dismissed," it said.
The apex court said it had intervened on the earlier occasion as there was a possibility of a third wave of corona by September. "Third wave is not in offing immediately," it added.
15:52 Cong's birthday wishes for PM comes with a rider
The Congress on Friday wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 71st birthday but said the country is paying the price for his "failures" on several fronts and so the day is being observed as "unemployment day", "anti-farmer day" and "high prices day".
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended his wishes to the prime minister on Twitter. "Happy Birthday, Modi ji," he said. For the Indian Youth Congress and the NSUI, it was "national unemployment day".
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said birthdays of former prime ministers are celebrated as different days, with Jawaharlal Nehru's birthday as "Children's Day", Indira Gandhi's as "National Integration Day", Rajiv Gandhi's as "Sadbhavna Day" and Atal Bihari Vajpayee's as "Good Governance Day". "But Modi's birthday is being observed as "unemployment day", she added.
She said she prays that God gives the prime minister the wisdom to realise what he has led the country to.
"It is the prime minister's birthday and from this platform, we wish him a happy birthday. We pray for his well being, but we do believe that this day is being celebrated in many parts of the country as unemployment day, anti-farmer day, high prices day, crippled economy day, as winning over your crony capitalists friends day, as ED, IT, CBI raid day, and the corona mismanagement day," Shrinate told reporters.
"We do believe that in the last seven years, you have failed on several fronts and we hope and pray that God gives you the wisdom to realise that this is what you have led the country to. This is where, you have failed and today as a result, India is paying a heavy price for it," she also said.
She claimed India has the maximum number of unemployed people despite Modi's tall promises. She alleged that every month, jobs are being lost and asked, "where are those two crore annual jobs, one would want to ask? Why are 61 lakh government jobs lying vacant?"
15:43 Delhi: Fire breaks out in basement of CBI building
A fire broke out in the basement of the CBI building at the CGO complex in the Lodhi Road area on Friday.
While speaking to ANI, SK Dua, an officer of the fire service department, told ANI, "Due to a good ventilation system in the office, the fire is under control. There was a fire in the control panel room. The situation is under control."
Eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot. All officers and staff in the building have been evacuated safely. No casualties have been reported.
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15:32 NZ won't play series with Pak; Imran telephones Jacinda
The New Zealand cricket board has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board that they have been given a security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series.
The limited-overs series between Pakistan and New Zealand, which was to begin today in Rawalpindi, has been cancelled due to a "security alert"
The tour, comprising three ODIs and five T20Is, was supposed to start today, with the first ODI in Rawalpindi, but neither team left their hotel on the morning of the game, and spectators were not allowed to enter the stadium.
The PCB said that it along with the Govt of Pakistan has made foolproof security arrangements for all visiting teams.
"The Pakistan Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team.
"The security officials with the NZ team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Govt of Pakistan throughout their stay here.
"PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and around the world will be disappointed by this last minute withdrawal," the PCB tweeted.
15:05 UP polls: BJP to hold Panna Pramukh meet in Oct
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to increase and enhance the role of Panna Pramukhs in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections to make the party more electorally effective, sources informed on Friday.
To achieve this goal, the BJP is aiming to strengthen Panna Pramukhs in its 1.63 crore booths ahead of crucial Assembly polls by choosing Panna Pramukhs out of the voters they would communicate with at a particular booth.
To ensure that voters come out and vote, the party has begun the training and shortlisting its Panna Pramukhs while exercise is expected to be over by end of this month.
It has decided to organise a three-day Panna Pramukh Sammelan in the second week of October. The Sammelan will be organised throughout Uttar Pradesh.
14:50 SAD farmers' protest: Mega traffic jams in Delhi
Massive traffic jams hit parts of the national capital, including Lutyens' Delhi and ITO, on Friday amid a protest march organised by members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) against the Centre's farm laws.
The Delhi Traffic Police alerted commuters about closure of specific roads and suggested diversions to avoid any inconvenience.
It said most of the calls regarding traffic jam came from New Delhi, Dhaula Kuan, ITO, Vikas Marg, Delhi Gate, Karol Bagh areas. ITO stretch is heavily choked by the vehicles. There was also traffic at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital roundabout.
Thirty-year-old advocate Rohit Tomar said it took him more than two hours to cover a distance of 12 kilometres.
"I left my home around 8.45 am for Patiala House court, but got stuck in traffic. The whole section of Vikas Marg from Laxmi Nagar to ITO was jammed. The vehicles were crawling on that particular section. The area of Geeta Colony was also jammed. I somehow managed to reached Patiala House around 11 am," Tomar said.
Many commuters took to Twitter to complain about the traffic. One of the commuters mentioned that there was heavy traffic from Laxmi Nagar to ITO and it took him one hour to cover a distance of four kilometres.
Taking to Twitter, the Delhi Traffic Police informed about closure of roads at Jharoda Kalan border and suggested commuters to refrain from using these routes in view of the farmers' movement.
"Gurdwara Rakabganj Road, RML Hospital, GPO, Ashoka Road, Baba Kharak Singh Marg will be full due to the farmers' movement. Please refrain from using these routes," the Delhi Traffic Police tweeted in Hindi.
"Jharoda Kalan border both the roads have been closed by barricading dye to the farmers movement, please refrain from using this route," another tweet mentioned.
13:53 42K Covid jabs/minute, 1 crore so far today!
India has administered over 1 crore Covid vaccinations till 1.30 pm today.
Aiming at 2 crore vaccinations as PM Modi turns 71, the government added a ticker to track Covid shots being given across the country.
"Celebrating the relentless efforts of India's vaccinators against COVID-19, we have added a ticker to show vaccinations happening in near real-time. We are currently clocking over 42,000 vaccinations/minute or 700/second," tweeted National Health Authority chief RS Sharma, sharing the new feature.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a mega 20-day public outreach from today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 71st birthday, which will continue till October 7.
The party has asked its workers across the country to facilitate COVID-19 vaccination drive on the birthday as part of its "Seva and Samarpan" campaign.
India highest-ever single day vaccination mark till now was on August 17, when more than 88.13 lakh doses were administered in a day.
13:41 BJP once praised Sonu Sood, now considers him tax evader: Sena
The Shiv Sena on Friday slammed the BJP over the Income Tax Department's action against actor Sonu Sood.
The party said although the BJP earlier praised him for his work during the lockdown, it now considers him a "tax evader" after the Delhi and Punjab governments tried to join hands with him in his social work.
In an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Sena said the action against Sood was a foul play, which would boomerang the BJP, and said that the party that claims to have the highest number of members in the world, should also have a large heart.
The I-T officials had descended on the premises linked to Sood in Mumbai and some other places on Wednesday in connection with an alleged tax evasion probe, official sources had said.
"Filing false cases against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ministers, pressuring the state governor to withhold 12 members for their nomination to the state Legislative Council and raiding actor like Sonu Sood were signs of a small and narrow mind. This is foul play and it is sure to boomerang one day" the Sena said.
During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sood came into limelight when he emerged as the 'messiah' of the poor migrant labourers, helping them return to their home states during the national lockdown and providing shelter and food to them, it added.
"The BJP then praised him and asked why the MVA government can't do what Sood has been doing. The BJP projected him as their own. But when Sood became the brand ambassador of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government's educational programme, the I-T raided him," the party alleged.
The ruling party in Maharashtra further said that BJP leaders had earlier remained present at all his programmes like setting up oxygen plants in 16 cities, his scholarship programmes. Even Maharashtra Governor B S Koshyari called him to Raj Bhavan and praised his efforts. But when Delhi and Punjab governments tried to join hands with him in his social work, the actor became a tax evader, the Sena added.
"It has become a norm to trouble people not linked to the BJP through investigating agencies," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. PTI
13:25 10 millionth sapling planted on Modi's birthday
A government big on numbers...Union Home Minister Amit Shah planted the 10 millionth sapling during CAPF's All India Plantation Drive, at CRPF Training Centre in Nanded.
"The country's internal security can't be strengthened without CRPF. The country is proud of CRPF," he said during the event.
13:21 YouTube pays Nitin Gadkari Rs 4 lakh a month
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in the news yesterday for his inspection tour of the upcoming Mumbai-Delhi Expressway gives away a peek at his earnings.
" In Covid time, I did two things -- I started cooking at home and giving lectures through video conference. I delivered many lectures online, which were uploaded on YouTube. Owing to huge viewership, YouTube now pays me Rs 4 lakhs per month," the minister, known for his plain-speak said.
Gadkari had also said yesterday that that politicians should not create impediments in development works and shared that he had once demolished his father-in-law's house without telling his wife.
"Many years ago, my father-in-law's house was demolished to make a road. I did not tell my wife before the demolition. That's how it should be. Leaders should not be impediments in progress," Gadkari had said.
Now, read: Why Gadkari Needs to be Heard
Anil Deshmukh
13:08 Deshmukh, minister got Rs 40 cr from DCPs: Waze
Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab and his then cabinet colleague Anil Deshmukh allegedly received Rs 40 crore from 10 DCPs in Mumbai to reverse the order of their transfer issued by the then city police commissioner Param Bir Singh, dismissed police officer Sachin Waze has claimed in his statement to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
This statement is part of charge sheet filed recently by the ED against Deshmukh's former personal secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde in connection with a money laundering case.
In July 2020, Param Bir Singh had issued an order of transfer of 10 DCPs in Mumbai. Waze, in his statement claimed that Deshmukh, who was then the home minister, and Parab were not happy with the transfer order issued by Singh.
"Later I came to know that a sum of Rs 40 crore was collected from the police officers listed in the transfer order. Out of that Rs 20 crore each were given to Anil Deshmukh and Anil Parab," Waze claimed.
Besides the arrested duo - Palande and Shinde - the charge-sheet filed in the money laundering case also names Waze as an accused. However, neither Deshmukh, an NCP leader, nor his family members were named as accused in the charge sheet.
Palande and Shinde are currently in judicial custody in the case. Waze, an assistant police inspector in Mumbai, was arrested in March this year in connection with the explosives-SUV found parked near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's south Mumbai residence and the murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran.
The charge-sheet says that Palande and Shinde had played a key role in the money laundering case.
FM S Jaishankar at Dushanabe
12:57 SCO summit: Jaishankar meets Russian FM, Iranian prez
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held a "useful discussion" with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on contemporary issues, including Afghanistan and shared perspectives on global affairs with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, as he held separate informal meetings with the two leaders in Dushanabe.
Jaishankar met the two leaders in the Tajik capital here on the sidelines of a key summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on the situation in Afghanistan after its takeover by the Taliban last month.
"Always good to meet Russian FM Sergey Lavrov. A useful discussion on contemporary issues, including Afghanistan, before the commencement of the SCO Summit," Jaishankar tweeted after the informal meeting.
The two leaders had last met in Moscow in July. The two leaders also represented their countries at the SCO foreign ministers' meeting here in July. Jaishankar also exchanged courtesies and perspectives with Iranian President Raisi.
"An exchange of courtesies- and perspectives- with President Raisi of Iran before the start of the SCO Summit," Jaishankar tweeted. Jaishnakar had met President Raisi twice in July and August. He had represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of Raisi.
12:22 Respect territorial integrity of all: Modi to SCO
India is committed to increasing its connectivity with Central Asia. We believe that landlocked Central Asian countries can benefit immensely by connecting with India's vast market, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his virtual addresses to the SCO summit on Friday.
Any connectivity initiative cannot be one-way. To ensure mutual trust, connectivity projects should be consultative, transparent and participatory. There should be respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, Modi told the SCO summit.
This year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of SCO. I welcome Iran as a new member country of the SCO. I also welcome the three new dialogue partners -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar, Modi said in his opening remarks.
20th anniversary is the right time to think about the future of SCO. The biggest challenges in this area are related to peace, security and trust deficit, and theh root cause of these problems is increasing radicalisation. Recent developments in Afghanistan have made this challenge clear, Modi said.
12:18 Veteran actor Jane Powell passes away
Actor Jane Powell, best known for her musical movies, has passed away at the age of 92.
According to Fox News, Powell died of natural causes on Thursday.
Among her most well-known films in the 1940s and '50s were the MGM musicals Royal Wedding and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
In a career spanning over decades, Powell was featured alongside Hollywood's notable stars such as Pidgeon, Jose Iturbi, Xavier Cugat, Jeannette McDonald, Wallace Beery, Carmen Miranda and Elizabeth Taylor.
After learning about the demise of Powell, fans took to social media to pay their condolences.
'R.I.P. Jane Powell, one of the last remaining great stars from Hollywood's Golden Age,' a user tweeted.
'#RIP the radiant Jane Powell; so wonderful in everything, including 'Seven Brides' and in the 'Royal Wedding' song-and-tap-dance number "How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You When You Know I've Been a Liar All My Life?' another one wrote on Twitter.
Speaking of her personal life, Powell married five times including to figure skater Gearhardt 'Geary' Anthony Steffen.
She married her fifth and final husband, former child star Dickie Moore, in 1988. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2015.
She is survived by her children, Geary Anthony Steffen III, Suzanne Steffen and Lindsay Cavalli, as well as two granddaughters, Skye Cavalli and Tia Cavalli. -- ANI
11:31 Delhi borders sealed in view of Akali protest
With Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) threatening to hold a protest march in Delhi to observe 'black day' on completion of one year of three farm laws, the borders of the national capital have been sealed.
Earlier in the day, Delhi traffic police, in a tweet, informed that the Jharoda Kalan border has been closed by barricading both the roads due to the farmers' movement and suggested people to refrain from using that route.
'The traffic coming from Gurgaon to Sardar Patel Marg and the traffic coming from Narayan to Loop has also been diverted towards Ring Road Moti Bagh, the traffic will remain heavy,' it tweeted.
The road from Sardar Patel Marg to Dhaula Kuan has also been closed for traffic in view of the farmers' movement.General Secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra on Thursday had informed that their party will hold a protest march from Gurudwara Rakabganj to Parliament in Delhi and will demand repealing of the three farm laws.
In the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Delhi Police issued a notice to SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema stating that the protest march will not be allowed in the national capital.
SAD workers protesting at Shankar Road condemned this step of police and said it is against democracy to prohibit people from holding peaceful protests.
'The three farm laws are against the interests of farmers and will only benefit the capitalists. This government is run by corporates,' alleged a SAD worker.
'We have travelled a long distance from Punjab to participate in this protest. But the police is not even allowing us to visit the gurdwara. The way they pushed our people and carried them to cars is condemnable,' he added.
Meanwhile, Badal has reached Rakabganj gurdwara and the police have tightened security as the SAD workers gathered in large numbers outside the gurdwara to protest against three farm laws.
Farmers have been protesting since November 26 last year 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.Farmer leaders and the Centre have held several rounds of talks but the impasse remains. -- ANI
11:16 IAF chief urges central air command to ensure physical, cyber security
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Thursday addressed the top brass of the Central Air Command and urged them to ensure robust physical and cyber security of airbases and assets.
In his address to the commanders, the air chief emphasised the need for critical analysis to enhance operational preparedness, focus on maintenance practices and ensure robust physical and cyber security, the IAF said in a release.
He directed the commanders to ensure that the readiness of all platforms, weapon systems and assets are kept at the highest level.
The air chief appreciated the role of Central Air Command in the recent flood relief efforts and aid to civil administration.
Urging the commanders to continue their efforts in ensuring a safe operational flying environment, the Air Chief Marshal stressed the need to augment the combat capability of the Indian Air Force through innovation, self-reliance and indigenisation.
10:52 GST meet on petroleum products today
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the 45th GST Council meeting at Lucknow on Friday.
This is the first time in 20 months that the GST council will be doing any physical meeting. After December 18, 2019, all the GST Council meeting was done in virtual mode.
The key agenda of the meeting is how to bring diesel, petrol and other petroleum products in the ambit of GST.
The meeting will also be attended by MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary.
"Finance Minister @nsitharaman will chair the 45th GST Council meeting at 11 AM in Lucknow tomorrow. The meeting will be attended by MOS @mppchaudhary besides Finance Ministers of states and UTs and senior officers from Union government and states," the Union Finance Minister tweeted.
In the previous meeting held on June 12 tax rates on various Covid-19 drugs and essentials were reduced till September 30
10:49 An Afghan pilot looks back
Col Rahman Rahmani, a former Afghan pilot, tweets, "I can't look at my uniforms anymore. I just looked at them. It made me cry. The more time passes, the more it hurt! Perhaps I was busy these day. Now I can reflect and really think what happened!"
10:32 Pakistans entanglement in Afghanistan
A month after the dramatic fall of the old order in Kabul, what is evident in Pakistan is a mix of sentiment ranging from quiet satisfaction to heady triumphalism.
Three factors underwrite these views. Foremost is the sense of achievement that a long and risky strategy to instal a 'friendly' government in Kabul has paid off.
Second is the sense of vindication that the policy of the United States of America -- long disliked in Pakistan and one that unites State and street views like almost nothing else -- has been exposed with regard to competence and credibility.
Thirdly and finally is the gratification at the erasure of the Indian presence in Afghanistan which had long caused as much psychological envy as strategic discomfort.
Read former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, TCA Raghavan's column here.
10:09 Another woman smashes the glass ceiling
Shefali Juneja has been elected as the Chairperson of the International Civil Aviation Organization Aviation Security Committee. India has assumed this responsibility after a gap of 12 years. Juneja is the first woman to lead this strategic committee.
10:03 Sensex rallies over 400 points to new peak
Equity benchmark Sensex rallied over 400 points to scale a fresh peak of 59,550.88 in early trade on Friday, tracking gains in index majors Bajaj Finance, HDFC twins and ICICI Bank amid sustained foreign fund inflows.
The broader NSE Nifty too surged more than 100 points to reach its new peak of 17,747.80 in the opening session.
The 30-share Sensex was trading 418.53 points or 0.71 per cent higher at 59,559.69. Similarly, Nifty advanced 113.15 points or 0.64 per cent to 17,742.65 in initial deals.
ITC was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising nearly 3 per cent, followed by Bajaj Finance, Titan, Bajaj Finserv and Bharti Airtel. On the other hand, Tata Steel, NTPC, IndusInd Bank and PowerGrid were among the laggards.
09:47 Centre has underreported Covid deaths during 2nd wave: Cong
The Congress Party on Thursday alleged that the Union government has underreported deaths due to COVID-19 infection during the second wave.
On the basis of a report published in a periodical, Congress alleged that ICMR manipulated the data and underreported COVID-related deaths during the period.
Congress' senior spokesperson Ajay Maken on Thursday claimed senior scientists, who worked with the ICMR, and other organisations were coming forward to point out serious irregularities in "COVID management".
The Congress leader alleged that these scientists have claimed political interference and fudging of data at ICMR.
Citing the periodical, Maken alleged that the government's figures of 4,43,497 COVID related deaths in a country were wrong. "The number of actual deaths is around 43 lakh or maybe as high as 68 lakh," he alleged.
"Now more scientists, who have worked with the Indian Council of Medical Research, are coming forward with startling facts of political interference and arrogance. This is not only against science and democracy but also caused millions of preventable deaths," he claimed. -- ANI
09:19 14 injured as flyover collapses in Mumbai
A portion of an under-construction flyover connecting the Bandra Kurla Complex main road and Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road collapsed around 4:30 am.
"13 people have sustained minor injuries and have been shifted to a hospital. There is no life loss and no person is missing. The condition of all the injured persons is stable," the DCP (Zone 8) Manjunath Singe said.
09:10 Biocon Biologics to offer 15% stake to SII
Biocon Biologics Limited (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd. and Serum Institute Life Sciences Private Limited (SILS) announced a strategic alliance on Thursday and BBL said it will offer around 15 per cent stake to SILS at a post-money valuation of about USD 4.9 billion.
Serum Institute Life Sciences Private Limited is a subsidiary of Serum Institute of India (SII).
As per the official release, under the terms of the agreement, BBL will offer approximately 15 per cent stake to SILS, at a post-money valuation of USD 4.9 billion, for which it will get committed access to 100 million doses of vaccines per annum for 15 years, primarily from SILS's upcoming vaccine facility in Pune with commercialization rights of the SILS vaccine portfolio, including COVID-19 vaccines, for global markets.
08:42 As PM turns 71, Centre eyes record vax drive
The BJP is set to launch a mega 20-day public outreach from today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 71. The celebrations will continue till October 7 to also commemorate his 20 years in public life, including as Gujarat chief minister.
The party has asked its workers across the country to facilitate Covid-19 vaccination drive on the birthday as part of its "Seva and Samarpan" campaign.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called for a major push to the vaccination drive on Friday, saying it would be the perfect gift for Modi on his birthday.
"Let's do #VaccineSeva and give him (PM Modi) birthday gift by getting vaccinated those who have not taken the dose so far," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said yesterday while urging those who have not taken the dose so far to get themselves inoculated.
Over 14 crore ration bags printed with Modi's pictures will also be distributed among the needy during the exercise.
As part of the campaign, the BJP workers will carry out a large-scale cleanliness drive on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and people will be encouraged to use Khadi and local products.
08:36 Modi turns 71; president, ministers extend wishes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 71 on Friday as President Ram Nath Kovind and other dignitaries and politicians greeted him with BJP leaders hailing his leadership.
Wishing him a long and healthy life, President Kovind said may he continue to serve the nation with his spirit of relentless service.
Home Minister Amit Shah lauded Modi, saying he not only gave the country the idea to think ahead of time and fulfil its resolve with hardwork but also made it a reality.
"In Modi, the country has got a strong and decisive leader who gave a dignified life to those who were deprived of their rights for decades," he said.
Modi brought them in the mainstream of development, Shah added. The prime minister has shown the world what people-loving leadership is like, he said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Modi has written many new chapters in development and good governance in his tenure so far and wished that he fulfil his dream of making India a strong, prosperous and proud country.
Members of the Taliban in Kabul. Photograph: Reuters
08:27 IMF suspends its engagement with Afghanistan
The International Monetary Fund has said its engagement with Afghanistan will remain suspended until there is clarity within the international community on the recognition of the government led by the Taliban.
The IMF said it was deeply concerned with economic conditions in Afghanistan, urging the international community to take urgent steps to stall a 'looming humanitarian crisis' in the country.
Our engagement with Afghanistan has been suspended until there is clarity within the international community on the recognition of the government, IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice told reporters at a news conference in Washington, DC, on Thursday.
We're guided by the international community in terms of the recognition of the government in Afghanistan and we don't have that. So, the IMF programme there has been put on hold; and, again, as we said, last month, the country cannot access IMF resources, SDRs, and so on, at this point, he said.
The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan on August 15, ousting the previous elected leadership which was backed by the West.
The interim Cabinet announced by the Taliban consists of high-profile members of the insurgent group.
Several world leaders have announced they would see whether the Taliban fulfils its promises to the international community on issues like an inclusive Afghan government and human rights before giving their regime diplomatic recognition.
Afghanistan was already facing chronic poverty and drought but the situation has deteriorated since the Taliban seized power last month with the disruption of aid, the departure of tens of thousands of people including government and aid workers, and the collapse of much economic activity.
Foreign donors have suspended aid to Afghanistan, saying disbursements are contingent on the behaviour of the new Taliban-led government, which has not been recognised by any country.
Ordinary bank transfers to individuals in Afghanistan have also been blocked.
That has left ordinary Afghans reeling from rocketing inflation, rising poverty, cash shortages, a plummeting currency, and rising unemployment.
Rice, however, said the IMF stands ready to work with the international community to advocate for urgent actions to stall a looming humanitarian crisis.
The IMF is deeply concerned with the difficult economic situation in Afghanistan and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. We have said the immediate focus should indeed be on that humanitarian situation, aid to help the Afghanistan people; and allowing the flow of remittances and small-scale transfers; and providing assistance to countries hosting Afghan refugees, he said.
The IMF's warning comes after United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said earlier that Afghanistan faces a humanitarian catastrophe and a complete collapse of basic services under Taliban rule.
Guterres told an international aid conference this week that Afghans were facing 'perhaps their most perilous hour'.
Donors at the conference pledged more than $1.1 billion to help Afghanistan.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has said that even before the Taliban took over last month, more than 18 million Afghans, or about half the population, required humanitarian aid.
Over 3.5 million Afghans were already displaced in a country that is battling drought and the COVID-19 pandemic. -- PTI
BJP workers sit beside a vaccine shaped cake on eve of PM's b'day
00:16 BJP eying major push to vaccination on PM's b'day
The Bharatiya Janata Party is set to launch a mega 20-day public outreach from Friday on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 71st birthday and it will continue till October 7 to also commemorate his 20 years in public life, including as Gujarat chief minister.
The party has asked its workers across the country to facilitate COVID-19 vaccination drive on the birthday as part of its "Seva and Samarpan" campaign.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called for a major push to the vaccination drive on Friday, saying it would be the perfect gift for Modi on his birthday.
"Tomorrow is the birthday of our beloved prime minister, lets do #VaccineSeva by helping all unvaccinated people including their loved ones, family members and all sections of the society by getting them vaccinated. This would be a birthday gift for the prime minister," he said in a tweet in Hindi on Thursday.
Since Modi became prime minister in 2014, the BJP has been celebrating his birthday as 'Seva Diwas' (Service Day) and organises welfare activities across the country for a week but this time it has been extended to 20 days as he is completing his two decades holding public office.
BJP president J P Nadda has issued a set of instructions to party workers for organising health and blood donation camps and distributing rations to poor as part of the campaign.
Over 14 crore ration bags printed with Modi's pictures will also be distributed among the needy during the exercise.
As part of the campaign, the BJP workers will carry out a large-scale cleanliness drive on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and people will be encouraged to use Khadi and local products.
On this occasion, the party has said that five crore postcards will be sent from the BJP booth workers to Modi across the country highlighting that they are committing themselves to public service.
The party has also asked workers to publicise the auction of gifts received by Modi.
The LJP faction headed by Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras will also celebrate Modi's birthday by distributing food among the poor and planting saplings in the national capital.
The party will observe the day as "Seva Sankalp Diwas", its spokesperson Shravan Kumar said. -- PTI
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