Month: December 2020

By Sahil Pandey

As the ongoing farmers’ protest entered the 23rd day at the Singhu and Tikri borders of the national capital, a group of volunteers launched a newsletter named ‘Trolley Times’ on Friday.

The bi-weekly newsletter Trolley Times aims at providing information to farmers, the latest developments in talks with the government and other such reports are easily accessible to the agitating farmers.

It is a brainchild of writer Surmeet Maavi who has a journalism background. “I have been part of the protest and I wanted to write about the experience. This is an attempt to do the same. I wanted to build communication and avoid any confusion. For example, there was a confusion regarding the meeting between farmers and government,” Surmeet Maavi told ANI here.

Talking about the inception of the name Trolley Times Maavi said, “When we talk about farmers then the image that comes to mind is usually of tractor and trolley. So when we thought of this name.”

A curator of the newsletter, Jassi Sangha who is a filmmaker by profession also talked about the initiative and said, “Sometimes there is a communication problem between the farmers and the leaders. We needed a medium which can send the message as it is. What has been said on the stage should reach the protesting farmers as it is.”

The newsletter is printed in Punjabi and Hindi and is aimed to be bi-weekly. Maavi called Trolley Times as a bridge between protesting farmers and the leaders.

The newsletter has a QR code as well which can be scanned and read digitally. (ANI)

By Priyanka Sharma

With the COVID-19 vaccination just around the corner, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday said that vaccination for COVID-19 will be voluntary.

The Health Ministry said that it is advisable to receive the complete schedule of COVID-19 vaccine for protecting oneself against this disease and also to limit the spread of this disease to close contacts including family members, friends, relatives and co-workers.

The Ministry further informed that two doses of vaccine, 28 days apart, need to be taken by an individual to complete the vaccination schedule.

For the mass vaccination as per the potential availability of vaccines, the Centre has selected the priority groups who will be vaccinated on priority as they are at higher risk.

“The first group includes healthcare and frontline workers. The second group to receive COVID 19 vaccine will be persons over 50 years of age and persons under 50 years with comorbid conditions,” stated a health ministry document on FAQ related to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Responding to a question whether an infected person could get the vaccine, the health ministry noted that infected individuals should defer vaccination for 14 days after symptom resolution.

The Centre said that the eligible beneficiaries will be informed through their registered mobile number regarding the health facility where the vaccination will be provided and the scheduled time for it.

The registration of the beneficiary is mandatory for vaccination for COVID-19. “For the verification document for vaccination, a photo ID is a must for both registration and verification of beneficiary at session site to ensure that the intended person is vaccinated,” noted the government document.

Recently ANI had reported that Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan informed there were nine COVID-19 vaccine candidates in different phases of development in India, of which three are in pre-clinical phase whereas six are under clinical trials.

“Some of them may get licensed in the coming weeks but we cannot foretell at this moment of time because licensing is the domain of the national regulator DCGI,” stated Bhushan adding that people still have to maintain Covid precautionary measures even when the vaccines will be available as recommended by scientists around the world.

The first vaccine is Covishield being manufactured on the Chimpanzee Adenovirus platform and is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune. The collaborative company is Astrazeneca. The regulator had allowed the phase 2 and 3 clubbed clinical trials of the vaccine to them and they have applied for emergency use authorisation,” he said.

The second vaccine is Covaxin which is on an inactivated virus platform. This is being developed by Bharat Biotech International Ltd, Hyderabad. Their collaborator is the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This is in phase 3 trials. They have also applied for emergency use authorisation.”

The third vaccine candidate is ZyCoV-D which is based on the DNA platform. It is being manufactured by Cadila Healthcare Ltd, Ahmedabad. Their collaborator is the Department of Biotechnology. It is in phase 3 of trials, he informed.

The fourth vaccine candidate is the Russian vaccine (Sputnik V) which is based on the human adenovirus platform. It is being manufactured by Dr Reddy’s Lab in Hyderabad. Their collaborator is Gamaleya National Centre, Russia and the vaccine is in the phase 3 trial.

The fifth vaccine candidate is NVX-CoV2373 which is based on the protein sub-unit platform. It is being developed by the Serum Institute of India, Pune. Their collaborator is Novavax. The phase 3 trial of this vaccine is under consideration in India.

The sixth vaccine candidate is a recombinant protein antigen-based vaccine. It is being manufactured by Biological E Ltd, Hyderabad. Their collaborator is MIT, USA. Its phase I and II human clinical trials have started. The seventh vaccine candidate is HGCO 19 which is an mRNA-based vaccine. It is being manufactured by Genova, Pune. Their collaborator is HDT, USA. The pre-clinical animal studies are over for this vaccine. Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials will start for this vaccine in the near future.

The eighth vaccine candidate is an inactivated rabies vector platform. It is being manufactured by Bharat Biotech International Ltd, Hyderabad. Their collaborator is Thomas Jefferson University, USA. It is in the advanced pre-clinical trial stage.

Vesiculo Vax platform manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma in collaboration with Aurovaccine (USA) is in the pre-development stage. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday requested political parties with “folded hands” to keep all the credit for their “old election manifestos” which had reportedly promised agriculture sector reforms and urged them to stop misguiding the farmers over the new farm laws.

“I request all political parties with folded hands, please keep all the credit. I am giving credit to all your old election manifestos. I just want ease in the life of farmers, I want their progress and want modernity in agriculture,” said PM Modi while addressing farmers at the ‘Kisan Kalyan’ event in Raisen through video conferencing.

“Political parties should stop misguiding farmers. It’s been six to seven months since farm laws were implemented. But now suddenly, games are being played to plough one’s own political land through a web of lies,” he added.

The Prime Minister further said, those who have started this movement in the name of farmers, when they had a chance to run the government or become part of the government, what they did back then, the country needs to remember.

“Swaminathan Commission report is the biggest proof of how ruthless these people can be. These people sat on Swaminathan Commission report recommendations for 8 long years…They ensured that their govt doesn’t have to spend much on farmers, so they kept the report under wraps,” said PM Modi.

“Today, I want to bring their deeds in front of countrymen and farmers,” PM Modi said.

“I assure every farmer of the country that like MSP was given earlier, it will continue to be given, MSP will not be ended. Those who could not give MSP to farmers, they are misleading farmers over MSP,” he added.

In the new farm laws, Centre has only stated that whether the farmer sells his produce in the market or outside, it will be his will, PM Modi stated.

“The previous government had purchased about 1700 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from farmers in its five years. Our government has purchased 3000 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from farmers in its five years at MSP,” he said.

“Another lie related to agricultural reforms is being spread about the APMC i.e. our mandis. What have we done in law? We have given the freedom to farmers in law, given them a new option,” said PM Modi.

Not a single market has been closed after the new laws, the Prime Minister asserted.

“Then why is this lie being spread? The truth is that our government is spending more than 500 crore rupees on modernising APMC, computerisation of them. Then where did this thing about the closure of APMC come from?” asked PM Modi.

“Another big lie about new agricultural reforms is about the farming agreement. Is there anything new in the farming agreement in the country? No. The farming agreement has been in operation in our country for years,” he added.

The Prime Minister assured that there is no reason for mistrust in the recent agricultural reforms we have done, there is no room for lies.

PM Narendra Modi’s statement comes at the time when farmers have been protesting on different borders of the national capital since November 26 against 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)

Zurich Airport International and Uttar Pradesh government have finalised the nomenclature of the greenfield airport at Jewar as Noida International Airport.

The name and logo were finalised in the presence of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath. The brand logo is a symbol that shows a Sarus Crane – the state bird of Uttar Pradesh – in flight.

Christoph Schnellmann, Chief Executive Officer, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created to develop the airport, said, “We are pleased to finalise Noida International Airport as the official brand name for the upcoming airport at Jewar. The logo is the true reflection of building India’s leading airport which is an amalgamation of efficiency, technology and sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure, while keeping a symbol of Uttar Pradesh at the core.”

“We would like to thank the Government of Uttar Pradesh for their support in the process, as this will help us build the brand identity and recall value of the airport across customers and stakeholders,” he added.

In November last year, Zurich Airport International AG (ZAIA) won the contract to build and operate the airport in Greater Noida for a period of 40 years, which includes a construction period of four years in the first phase.

ZAIA received the security clearance from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to develop the Noida International Airport at Jewar in May this year.

Last week, a consortium of Nordic, Grimshaw, Haptic and STUP has been selected as the architect team to design the airport. (ANI)

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Silbhadra Datta has resigned from the party.

In a letter dated December 17, to party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Datta wrote, “With due regards to you I am tendering my resignation as a member of All India Trinamool Congress as well as from all others positions held by me in the party and its associate organizations with immediate effect.”

“I am thankful for all the opportunities that has been afforded to me and I will always value my time spent as a member of the party. Thus I request you to accept my resignation and oblige,” the letter from North 24 Parganas, Barrackpore MLA read.

Meanwhile, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has called a party meeting on Friday.

Every Friday, the Chairperson meets leaders in batches, according to top TMC sources.

It is noteworthy that, rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Suvendu Adhikari formally tendered his resignation to party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday. He has also resigned from the state Legislative Assembly. There is also speculation that he might join the BJP.

The elections for the Legislative Assembly will take place in 2021. (ANI)

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kabirul Islam resigned from the post of general secretary of the party’s minority cell on Friday.

In a letter to President of West Bengal Trinamool Congress Minority Cell Haji Sk Nurul Islam, Kabirul Islam wrote, “I do hereby tender my resignation from my office as ‘general secretary’ West Bengal Trinamool Congress minority cell. Steps may be taken for immediate acceptance.”

Earlier in the day, TMC MLA Silbhadra Datta resigned from the party.

In a letter dated December 17, to party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Datta wrote, “With due regards to you I am tendering my resignation as a member of All India Trinamool Congress as well as from all others positions held by me in the party and its associate organisations with immediate effect.”

“I am thankful for all the opportunities that has been afforded to me and I will always value my time spent as a member of the party. Thus I request you to accept my resignation and oblige,” the letter from North 24 Parganas, Barrackpore MLA read.

The elections for the State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to take place in 2021. (ANI)

Commemorating what would have been a golden jubilee anniversary of her late husband and great actor Rishi Kapoor in Indian cinema, actor Neetu Kapoor on Friday, penned a note remembering the star.

The ‘Kabhi Kabhie’ star took to Instagram to share a special post featuring a collage of his transformation pictures from a teen to a legend.

The debut film of Rishi Kapoor, ‘Mera Naam Joker’, along with his career marked 50 years in the horizon of Indian cinema on Friday. Recalling the same, wife Neetu wrote, “Mera naam joker released on 18th Dec. 1970 .. today would have been his 50 years in the Indian film industry #rishikapoor,” using a two heart symbol and cherry blossom emoticons.

Daughter Ridhima Kapoor along with celebrity followers including filmmaker Karan Johar started showering love in the comments section, within a few minutes of being posted.

Ridhima left red heart comments, whereas Karan wrote, “My absolute favourite actor of all times.”

Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully on April 30 after a two-year-long battle with leukaemia, his family said in a statement. In September 2019, the veteran actor returned to Mumbai after staying in New York for almost a year for cancer treatment.

He was last seen in the 2019 film ‘The Body’ alongside Emraan Hashmi and Sobhita Dhulipala. Often branded as Bollywood’s first chocolate boy, he touched heights of stardom in the film industry with iconic roles in blockbuster hits like ‘Bobby’, ‘Chandni’, ‘Karz’ and many others. (ANI)

Actor Sonakshi Sinha on Friday treated her fans to an adorable picture as she showers love on her furry friend. The actor proved that she is a true pet lover as she channelled her love for her four-legged friend.

The ‘Dabangg’ star posted to Instagram, an endearing picture which features the actor and her pet dog caught in a moment of affection. In the picture, Sinha is seen holding the face of her pet and adorably looking at him.

In the snap, captured, the ‘Lootera’ star is seen sporting an ethnic look in a navy blue and white printed dress. The actor looked gorgeous donning a black bindi.

With the lovable post that garnered more than one lakh likes on the photo-sharing platform, Sinha wrote, “Unconditional #Gabru” using a red heart emoticon with the picture. Sinha also tagged her elder brother Kussh Sinha, who captured the adorable moment.

The actor has been quite active on social media and has been updating fans on her activities by sharing pictures and videos.

Earlier, Sonakshi Sinha shared her version of the ‘Monday Blues’ with an alluring picture (ANI)

India will produce about 300 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in 2021, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev said.

“In India, we have agreements with four large manufacturers. … India will produce about 300 million doses or more of the vaccine for us next year,” he said, in an interview to Rossiya 24 TV channel, quoted by Tass News Agency.

Tass further reported that Dmitriev noted, out of 110 production sites that negotiated production of Sputnik V, RDIF chose 10 that meet its requirements.

“The Russian Sputnik V will be actively produced in the world and we see that this is built on a safe platform based on the human adenovirus,” Dmitriev added.

The Russian embassy in India on Friday, quoting the RDIF CEO, said that Russia is testing the first samples of its Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 that were produced in India.

Sputnik V, the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine, is over 95 per cent effective, said Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

Taking to Twitter, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) cited Putin saying that some health specialists have claimed that the vaccine’s protection level reaches up to 96-97 per cent.

The world COVID-19 caseload is nearing 75 million cases, as per the latest updates by Johns Hopkins University.

The COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) reported that the world tally stands at 74,952,221 and 1,662,127 fatalities due to the virus, as of 9:56 am IST.

About 42,318,910 patients — who tested positive for COVID-19 worldwide — have recovered from the disease, according to the dashboard further reporting that India continues to maintain pole position when it comes to most recoveries in the world with as many as 9,520,827 recoveries reported in the country. (ANI)