India
COVID-19: India's 50 pc adults fully vaccinated, Centre targets 100 pc 1st dose coverage by December 31
The government of India targets 100 per cent COVID-19 adult vaccination under the 'Har Ghar Dastak' program by December 31 as India achieved 50 per cent fully vaccinated adult population landmark on Sunday, reports ANI.
"Congratulations India. It is a moment of great pride as over 50 per cent of the eligible population is now fully vaccinated. We will win the battle against COVID-19 together." tweeted Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
Read:From buyer of military goods, India wants to become Russia’s ‘development & production’ partner
The states/Union Territories with more than 50 per cent of the adult population fully vaccinated are Andaman Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Tripura.
D. Randeep, IAS, Commissioner, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, said, "We are probably at 3rd place in the country now in 2nd dose coverage. We hope to reach 75 per cent at least by end of this month. 95 per cent would take around 45-60 days.
"Coverage would actually be more than 64 per cent as many have taken the 2nd dose but under a different number or have forgotten to inform the vaccinator to punch as 2nd dose in the CoWIN app. Last-mile coverage through the door to door outreach. On lines of micro plan done for MR vaccination drive," he added.
Last week the Union Health Minister and health officials conducted a meeting with states and UTs regarding the "Har Ghar Dastak" campaign and set the targets of 100 per cent first COVID-19 vaccine dose till December 31.
With the administration of 1,04,18,707 vaccine doses in the span of the last 24 hours, the total COVID-19 vaccine doses given in the country has exceeded 127.61 crores.
Read: Indian Army kills 13 civilians in botched anti-insurgency operation
India's COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched on January 16, 2021. Initially, the vaccination was opened for Health Care Workers (HCWs) only.
From February 2, front line workers were made eligible for vaccination.
The vaccination drive was expanded from March 1 to include persons above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with associated specified 20 comorbidities. It was further expanded to all people above 45 years of age from April 1. From May 1 all persons above 18 years of age were made eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.
From buyer of military goods, India wants to become Russia’s ‘development & production’ partner
India is looking at altering the buyer-seller bilateral defence relationship with Russia to that of joint production, but without the recurring issue of royalty, ThePrint has learnt.
India and Russia meet for their maiden 2+2 Dialogue Monday.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said that while India has diversified its sourcing of military hardware from predominantly Russia to other countries, including the US, France and Israel, in the last few years, Moscow will continue to be a partner.
Russia witnessed a 53 per cent fall in arms exports to India even as Delhi’s imports from Paris increased, data from the last five years have shown.
Read: Indian Army kills 13 civilians in botched anti-insurgency operation
India and Russia are looking at signing a defence logistics exchange pact later in the day when Russian President Vladimir Putin comes calling, besides signing a deal for indigenous manufacture and supply of spare parts used in Russian equipment in service with India.
The sources said that another important development during Putin’s visit will be the inking of an agreement to start production of AK 203 rifles in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district, as reported by ThePrint earlier.
There could also be a ceremonial handing over of the S-400 Triumf air defence systems to India, sources said.
The initial deliveries of the first squadron of the S-400 missile defence system have already started and is set to be completed by the middle this month.
Focus of 2+2 Dialogue
Talking about the 2+2 dialogue, to be attended by both defence ministers and foreign ministers of the two countries, the sources said that Russia’s increasing relationship with China and the Afghanistan situation would be on the agenda.
Asked about maintaining a fine balance between Russia and the US, the sources said that India’s relations with one country cannot be at the cost of another.
They said that Russia remains an old friend whose contribution remains unmatched.
The sources also said that the strategic partnership between India and Russia will also be discussed, as India looks at leasing a fourth nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) besides the Chakra III, a deal for which was signed in 2019, as reported by ThePrint.
Joint development, joint production
Talking about the overall agenda, especially in the context of defence, the sources said that India is looking at moving beyond the buyer-seller relationship.
“The road ahead is about joint development and joint production. We want Russian companies to come and set up shops here, not just for India but also for the world. This will be economically viable for Russia because this means that production capacity increases,” a source said.
Read: India gave 200 emergency e-visas to Afghan citizens, says Rajya Sabha
Another source explained that while the focus is on joint production, it would be under Transfer of Technology (ToT) and not through royalty.
Sources said that India has always paid Moscow royalty for all India-Russia products manufactured domestically, including the BrahMos supersonic missiles.
This also meant that in future, when India sells BrahMos to a third country, a large share of the revenue will go as royalty to Russia.
The sources said that the AK 203 deal also had royalty incorporated in it, but both sides have now decided on a ToT fee, which has brought down the cost of each rifle.
‘Will continue working with Hasina’, reassures Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he will work with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina to further expand and deepen ties between the two countries.
"I look forward to continuing working with PM Sheikh Hasina to further expand and deepen our ties," he tweeted on Monday as the two countries celebrate ‘Maitri Diwas’ (Friendship Day).
Read: Maitree Week highlighting Indo-Bangla friendship observed in Dhaka
Just 10 days before the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, India had recognised Bangladesh on December 6, 1971.
India was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic ties with independent Bangladesh.
“Today India and Bangladesh commemorate Maitri Diwas. We jointly recall and celebrate the foundations of our 50 years of friendship," Modi said.
During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in March this year, it was decided to commemorate the 6th December as "Maitri Diwas".
Maitri Diwas has been commemorated in 18 countries around the world apart from Bangladesh and India.
Read: Bangladesh, India to celebrate ‘Maitree Diwas’ in 18 countries Dec 6
The countries are Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.
The Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) is organising a special event in New Delhi this afternoon. It will see participation from both countries.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will send a video message for the event.
Indian Army kills 13 civilians in botched anti-insurgency operation
Thirteen civilians and a soldier were killed in the northeastern state of Nagaland after Indian security forces ambushed a truck carrying locals, in a botched counter-insurgency operation.
The tragic incident occurred in the remote village of Oting near the Myanmar border in Mon district of Nagaland Saturday evening, prompting the Indian government to order a high-level probe Sunday.
Read:India reports first two Covid cases of Omicron variant
Highly placed sources told UNB that acting on a tip-off about the possible movement of insurgents through the village, the Indian Army opened fire on the truck carrying local daily wagers, killing eight people.
"Five more villagers were killed an hour later after the Indian Army jawans opened fire to control an angry mob that torched several vehicles in protest against the ambush. A soldier also died," the sources said.
In a statement on Sunday, the Indian Army described the botched operation as a case of "mistaken identity".
"Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon District, Nagaland. The incident and its aftermath is deeply regretted," it said.
Read: India defers resumption of international flights
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah also tweeted to say that a special investigation team (SIT) will probe the deaths.
"Anguished over an unfortunate incident in Nagaland's Oting, Mon. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. A high-level SIT constituted by the State govt will thoroughly probe this incident to ensure justice to the bereaved families," he wrote.
However, India's main opposition Congress was quick to condemn the killings. "What exactly is the home ministry doing when neither civilians nor security personnel are safe in our own land?" Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
Bangladesh, India embassies in Tokyo to jointly celebrate 50 yrs of friendship
The Embassies of Bangladesh and India in Tokyo will jointly celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh-India Friendship.
Maitri Diwas or Friendship Day will be celebrated in a befitting manner on Monday.
Read:Thailand eyes FTA; shipping routes with Bangladesh
All the preparations and formalities have been completed to make the event a success, said a media release.
Japanese Members of Parliament, high-ranking government officials, along with captains of industry and friends from cultural world, media and social organizations from Japan will participate in the event.
India gave 200 emergency e-visas to Afghan citizens, says Rajya Sabha
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, India has granted 200 emergency e-visas to that country’s citizens, the government told Parliament on Wednesday, reported The Indian Express.
“In view of the prevailing situation in Afghanistan, the Government of India has started an ‘e-Emergency X-Misc visa’ for a period of 6 months for Afghan nationals. …As on 24.11.2021, 200 e-Emergency X-Misc visas have been issued,” Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
“Further, Stay visa is granted to Afghan nationals staying in India keeping in view present situation in that country. Presently, 4,557 Afghan nationals are staying in India on Stay Visa after extension of their visas,” he added.
The Stay Visa/ Residential Permit is granted for a year at a time by authorities on a case-to-case basis after Home Ministry approval.
The ministry had been asked questions related to Afghan refugees living in India.
Also read: Thousands of Afghans seek temporary US entry, few approved
“India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol thereon. All foreign nationals (including Asylum seekers) are governed by the provisions contained in the Foreigners Act, 1946, The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and The Citizenship Act, 1955 and rules and orders made there under. The data of foreign nationals who enter into the country without valid travel documents in a surreptitious and clandestine manner, claiming to be refugees or asylum seekers is not maintained centrally,” the minister said.
In the wake of a humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, with thousands scrambling to leave the country after the takeover, India had in August introduced an emergency e-visa category for Afghan nationals to “fast-track” their applications. These visas are valid for six months and granted only after security clearance, sources said.
In a statement issued then, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had said that after a review of provisions “in view of the current situation in Afghanistan”, a “new category of electronic visa called e-Emergency X-Misc Visa” has been started for Afghan nationals.
“India already provides X-Miscellaneous (X-Misc) category visas to foreigners whose purpose of entry does not match any prescribed category. In the case of Afghanistan, the e-visa facility was not extended to nationals of that country until then. However, since our mission is now shut in Afghanistan, people were allowed to get online visas,” an MHA official said.
The MHA policy document on X-Misc visa states that they “may be granted only with single entry and for the specific duration taking into account the purpose of visit”.
Also read: US spl envoy discusses Afghanistan with top Indian officials
“If the visa is granted for a period of stay exceeding 180 days, the foreigner will have to register himself/ herself with the FRRO/ FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival. This visa will be non-extendable and non-convertible to any other type of visa,” it states.
India has in the past granted long-duration visas to Afghan nationals facing persecution in their country, including a large number that fled after the first Taliban takeover and during the two decades of conflict that followed.
In these cases, the Stay Visa/ Residential Permit is granted for a year at a time by authorities on a case-to-case basis after MHA approval. These permits are location-specific with movement of beneficiaries restricted to the state/UT where they are permitted to stay. Any relaxation in this norm requires prior permission.
These visas are not granted to economic immigrants, and are subject to police reporting every year at the place where the Afghan national is allowed to stay.
Notably, Afghanistan falls under the Prior Reference Category (PRC) of countries for grant of visa, which means Afghan nationals have to be cleared by MHA for any visit. Others in this category include nationals of Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistani origin and stateless persons.
Ex-boyfriends Salman & Ranbir 'not invited' to Katrina's wedding
Two of Bollywood's biggest superstars -- Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor -- have not been invited to the fairy-tale wedding of actors Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, UNB has learnt.
UNB was, in fact, the first media outlet in Bangladesh to report about the December destination wedding of Bollywood's highest-paid actress Katrina and heartthrob Vicky at a fortress-resort in the princely state of Rajasthan, some 300 kms from the Indian capital.
Read:December destination wedding on the cards for Katrina Kaif & Vicky Kaushal?
Strangely, Salman, Bollywood's poster boy of masculinity who once dated Katrina and now enjoys a friendly relationship with her, is not on the wedding guests' list. "We haven't got any invite for the wedding," Salman's sister Arpita has reportedly said.
Salman and Katrina have worked together in several blockbuster films -- 'Partner', 'Ek Tha Tiger', 'Tiger Zinda Hai', 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya', and 'Bharat' to name a few. In fact, it was Salman who helped Katrina gain a re-entry into Bollywood with 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya'.
After mutually ending her love affair with Salman, Katrina dated Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir -- the son of late star Rishi Kapoor and Neetu -- for some six years before parting ways. The two had even purchased an upscale apartment in Mumbai.
Ranbir, who is currently in a live-in relationship with actress Alia Bhatt, Katrina's best friend, has also not been invited to the wedding at Six Senses Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, sources said.
"Moreover, 38-year-old Katrina and 33-year-old Vicky have given the wedding photo and video rights to a leading international magazine, and hence barred all guests from carrying their mobile phones to the venue," the sources said.
Basically a model, the Hong Kong-born actress began her Bollywood career with 'Boom', an action film, in 2003 that flopped. Two years later, she earned commercial success -- thanks to the romantic comedy 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya', produced by Salman's brother.
Read:How scandals shaped Bollywood over the years
What followed was a series of box-office hits -- 'Namastey London' in 2007, 'New York' in 2009, 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' in 2009, 'Raajneeti' in 2010, 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' in 2011, 'Ek Tha Tiger' in 2012, 'Dhoom 3' in 2013 and 'Bang Bang!' in 2014.
Katrina's other highest-grossing Bollywood films are 'Tiger Zinda Hai' in 2017 and 'Bharat' 2019, co-starring Salman. Her latest action flick 'Sooryavanshi', co-starring Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgan, hit the silver screens a couple of weeks back.
Born to the action director Sham Kaushal and his wife Veena, Vicky ventured into Bollywoodas an assistant to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in the crime drama 'Gangs of Wasseypur' in 2012. However, Vicky shot to limelight in 2018 with supporting roles in 'Raazi' and 'Sanju'.
A year later, his lead role as a military officer in critically acclaimed action film 'Uri: The Surgical Strike', got him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
Agarwal takes India to 111-3 at tea on Day 1 vs. New Zealand
Mayank Agarwal scored a half century to drag India to 111-3 at tea on day one of the second test against New Zealand on Friday.
Agarwal reached 52 not out after Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli fell for ducks.
Ajaz Patel took 3-30 in 15 overs to leave India railing at 80-3 at one stage.
Read: West Indies leading Sri Lanka despite Mendis’ 6 wickets
Agarwal scored a brisk half-century once play began after the morning session was washed out due to a wet outfield. He faced 121 balls, and hit six fours as well as two sixes. It was his best knock since March 2020, when he had scored 58 against the Black Caps in Wellington.
Shreyas Iyer was unbeaten on 7 runs.
Agarwal and Shubman Gill (44) put on a solid opening stand and added 80 runs in 27.3 overs.
Gill was the first to go, edging Patel to slip. The left-arm spinner then triggered a mini-collapse.
Read:Dhaka Test: Tigers set to take on Pakistan Saturday, hope to draw the series
Pujara was bowled while charging the spinner after just five deliveries. Kohli, returning to the side after resting during the Kanpur test, lasted four deliveries. He was out lbw to Patel as India lost three wickets in the space of 16 balls.
Test cricket returned to the Wankhede Stadium after a gap of five years when India last played against England in 2016.
Youth ODI: Nabil’s ton helps Young Tigers beat India by 113 runs
A brilliant century by Prantik Nawrose Nabil helped touring Young Tigers to beat hosts Indian B team by 113 runs in the Indian three-team Under-19 Cricket Series held in Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Bangladesh boys batted first after winning the toss and piled up a huge total of 305 runs for 6 in stipulated 50 overs.
Read: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh, Pakistan teams return from Chattogram
Nabil scored a ton making 101 runs off 108 balls hitting 14 boundaries, SM Meherob made a half century scoring an unbeaten 70 runs off 48 balls while Iftakhar Hossain contributed 75=ball 57 runs for the Young Tigers.
Koushal Tambe grabbed two wickets for 43 runs while Gautam took one for 19.
In reply, Indian B team were all out for 192 in 45.3 overs with Koushal Tambe making 42, Fiaz 27 and Gosai 27 runs.
Ariful Islam made major damage in Indian innings claiming four wickets 22 runs while Naimur Rahman Nayan took two wickets for 34 runs.
India defers resumption of international flights
Amid a global scare over the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, India on Wednesday backtracked on its decision to resume international flights from December 15.
India's civil aviation regulator said that the decision was taken to limit any possible spread of the Omicron variant in the country and an effective date of resumption of scheduled international passenger flights "shall be notified in due course".
Fortunately, not a single case of Omicron variant of coronavirus has been detected in India so far.
Read: India announces new travel rules amid Omicron scare
"In view of the merging global scenario... the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all stakeholders and an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said.
The regulator's latest move comes barely five days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked officials to review the Civil Aviation Ministry's decision to resumption regular international flights from December 15 over Omicron scare.
After a long Covid-induced hiatus, the Civil Aviation Ministry last Friday said that it would allow regular international passenger flights from December 15.
Read: India to resume regular international flights from Dec 15
"The matter of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services, to and from India, has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Health, and it has been decided... may be resumed from December 15," as per the Ministry's order.
The Indian government put curbs on all domestic and international flights in March last year in the wake of the Covid-induced lockdown. Though it allowed domestic flights from May 2020, restrictions prevailed on international flights till it allowed the entry of all foreigners except tourists in October that year.