Month: January 2021

Leaving her fans in splits, Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif shared a hilarious clip to introduce a new hair trick on Saturday.

The ‘Bharat’ star definitely has the craziest trick to tie up her hair fast. Sharing a rib-ticking video on her Instagram, Kaif showed how she has been chilling with her friends on Saturday night.

In the clip, the 37-year-old star that is seen donning a grey tank top with blue denim shorts, ducks her head down, holds her hair, and clinks a rubber band while pulling her head back up. Kaif burst out laughing while realizing the state of her hair.

With the all smiles video that accumulated more than 3 million views in a few hours of being posted, the ‘Raajneeti’ star wrote, “The new chill Saturday nights #hairtricks as taught by @sairahkabir” using various emoticons.

The post from the star left netizens in splits making them drop heart and laughing out loud emoticons in the post’s comment section. (ANI)

Bollywood star Ananya Panday on Saturday treated fans to a breathtaking view of her exotic vacation in the Maldives.

The ‘Student Of The Year 2’ star took to Instagram and shared a mesmerising video taking a dip in swimming pool.

The video showcases a deep blue sea and clouded sky which then pans to Panday who is seen swimming in the pool, post which the star is seen cherishing the view of the heavenly view of the horizon covered in blue hues.

Captioning the clip, the ‘Pati, Patni Aur Who’ star said that this one is the last video from the Maldives.

She wrote in the caption,” I’m blue da ba dee da ba daa (sea wave emoticon) promise this is the last Maldives post hehe (along with a smiling and a tongue-out emoji.”

The clip also featured the song Blue by Eiffel 65.

With the post hitting the photo-sharing platform, it garnered more than 7 lakh likes.

Scores of the ‘Khaali Peeli’ actor’s fans chimed into the comments section as they adored the gorgeous location, and the view captured in the clip. (ANI)

By Naveen Kapoor

Calling upon the government to be “on its toes” in view of attempts by Pakistan trying to infiltrate the borders and its sending weapons in increased numbers through drones since the beginning of agitation by farmers, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday said that “a disturbed Punjab suits Pakistan’s policies”.

In an interview with ANI, the Chief Minister said he had been cautioning the Centre about the designs of Pakistan and it is also sending money and heroin.

He said Pakistan has sleeper cells which it can activate.

“The Government should be on its toes. I have been warning them for a long time that Pakistan is trying to infiltrate the borders. Their weapons are coming in. They have sleeper cells here that they can awaken anytime they want. A disturbed Punjab suits Pakistan’s policies,” he said.

He said that there has been an increase in weapons coming from Pakistan since October when the farmers began their agitation against the three farm laws.

The Chief Minister said he met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in November after the farmers’ agitation moved to Delhi borders to convey his concerns about Pakistan’s attempts to cause disturbance.

“I went during to see the Home Minister when everyone started making big news about farmers’ struggle to discuss the issue that has taken place. Since the farmers’ struggle started in October, the number of weaponry that is coming to Punjab (from Pakistan) has increased. It is drones that are bringing it in. That was what was concerning me because those drones that bring weapons are meant for something. They are not sent as a present here. We may capture 30 drones, but there are 20-30 that may get past us, to their objectives,” Amarinder Singh said.

The Chief Minister said Pakistan and China are going to collude and 20 per cent of Indian Army soldiers belong to area where there has been concern among farmers about farm laws and their morale can’t allow their morale to go down.

“I have a hostile country on my western border. On the north of us, we have China. These two countries are going to collude. About 20 per cent of the Indian army belongs to this area and we can’t allow their morale to go down. I think we should be very careful in our choice of putting out news which should not create a situation where the morale of our troops goes down.”

Asked if he blames Pakistan for the violence that took place on December 26 in Delhi during the tractor march by farmers against the three farm laws, the Chief Minister said it is for the investigation agencies to find out.

“I don’t blame anyone. It is for the investigation agencies to find out. What I’m mentioning is when this movement started, why has there been a spurt in the drone delivery? Why weapons, money, and heroine is coming in? That coincided with the movement and that has got me wondering,” he said.

He said the farmers from Punjab may have taken lead in agitation but the new farm laws were affecting farmers all over the country.

“I think they (the Centre) did not understand the psyche of the Punjabis and Farmers. This is not a Punjabi movement. We may have taken a lead. We always seem to take a lead in various things, but it covers the farmer of our country. There are 70 per cent farmers in country. You think it is not affecting a farmer sitting in Kerala in Andhra Pradesh and in Tamil Nadu. He may not be here, but his heart is in Delhi,” he said. (ANI)

The Economic Survey 2020-21 tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on Friday said the country’s economy after being gradually unlocked since June 2020 has experienced a V-shaped recovery.

“Despite the hard-hitting economic shock created by the global pandemic, India is witnessing a V-shaped recovery with a stable macroeconomic situation aided by a stable currency, comfortable current account, burgeoning forex reserves and encouraging signs in the manufacturing sector output,” the survey noted.

The survey said the V-shaped economic recovery is due to mega vaccination drive, robust recovery in the services sector, and robust growth in consumption and investment.

Country’s Chief Economic Advisor Dr K Subramanian has likened India’s economic recovery to the Indian cricket team’s recent victory against Australia.

“The cover also captures the V-shaped recovery that has happened in the economy. In fact, it mirrors V-shape performance that the Indian cricket team delivered in Australia well after being short out for 36 in an hour, they went on to win the series. The resilience of the Indian economy is mirroring the resilience of Indian cricket team as well,” he said.

It stated that with the economy brought to a standstill for two complete months, the inevitable effect was a 23.9 per cent contraction in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as compared to the previous year’s quarter. This contraction was consistent with the stringency of the lockdown.

However, “While there was a 23.9 per cent contraction in GDP in quarter 1 (Q1), the recovery has been a V-shaped one as seen in the 7.5 per cent decline in Q2 and the recovery across all key economic indicators,” said the survey.

To capture the lagged impact of stringency on economic indicators, the survey used a three-month moving average of stringency index, which shows that the month-on-month change in the three-month moving average of the stringency index has a positive relationship with the growth in each of the economic indicators.

“Thus, the initial stringent lockdown has supported a V-shaped recovery across all the economic indicators,” it noted.

According to the survey, the evidence from the experience of Spanish flu establishes that cities that intervened with lockdowns earlier and more aggressively experience stronger recovery in economic front in the long run and learning from this experience, India implemented an early and stringent lockdown from late March to May to curb the pace of the spread of COVID-19.

“Given the enormous uncertainty that policymakers faced when making the lockdown decisions, such precise expectations during the lockdown is indeed extremely far-fetched. Therefore, the evidence that has been documented indeed shows convincingly that the stringent lockdown saved lives and supported a V-shaped recovery across all the economic indicators,” it noted.

The survey also forecasted that India’s real GDP will record a growth of 11 per cent in 2021-22 and nominal GDP by 15.4 per cent — the highest since independence. (ANI)

A tense situation prevailed at Singhu border after scuffles broke out on Friday between protesting farmers and a group of people claiming to be locals who were demanding that the area be vacated.

Stone-pelting incidents were also reported from the area after which the police had to resort to lathicharge and fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Police barricades were also reportedly broken.

Some people, claiming to be locals, were seen raising slogans against farmers and asked them to vacate the protest site.

The people who were protesting against the farmers demanding the site to be vacated raised slogans like –”Khalistan Murdabad”, “Tirange ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” (India will not tolerate the insult of flag). They were also holding placards with the same slogans.

The police and the security forces deployed at the protest site asked them to maintain peace. However, people continued to raise slogans.

Security has been heightened at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border).

This comes three days after the violence that broke out during the farmers’ tractor rally on the occasion of Republic Day. On January 26, protestors broke barricades to enter Delhi and indulged in vandalism across several parts of the national capital during their tractor rally organised to protest against the Centre’s three new farm laws.

Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain and Raghav Chadha, vice chairman of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) visited at Singhu border and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia visited Ghazipur border (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh) where farmers are protesting against farm laws.

“We are here to inspect the arrangement of water and toilets done by us. Police stopped movement of water tankers so that they can’t reach here. Police personnel are not allowing movement of water tankers, we are being told that they have been ordered by higher authorities to do so. There is no direction from any authority, it is BJP’s order. We will not let anyone die of hunger and thirst,” Jain said while speaking to media.

Farmers have been protesting at the different borders of the national capital 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. (ANI)

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Friday alleged that BJP leaders and workers masqueraded as farmers and indulged in vandalism in the national capital on January 26 to malign their image.

“Two BJP MLAs came along with 400 people to malign the image of farmers on January 26. They tried to target Sikh people and show them as anti-national. We do not trust the UP government after this,” said Tikait on Friday while addressing media.

He also criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for cutting off the electricity and water supply at the border.

The farmer leader addressed the media in front of the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia. The AAP leader assured the protesting farmers that they will not face any problems related to water and toilets as has been arranged by the Delhi government.

Tikait also said that farmers will not vacate the Ghazipur border. “We will talk to the Government of India about our issues. I urge the people to remain peaceful. Our talks with the government are going on,” he added.

The Ghaziabad District Administration had ordered anti-farm law protestors at the Ghazipur border to vacate the area by late Thursday evening. The administration said if protestors do not act as per order then they will be forcefully evacuated.

Earlier, Delhi Police had issued a notice to Tikait asking him to explain why legal action should not be taken against him for breaching the agreement with police regarding the tractor rally on January 26. (ANI)

As many as 58 Taliban terrorists have been killed in recent operations by the Afghanistan forces in two provinces, said the country’s Defence Ministry on Friday.

In southern Kandahar province, 52 terrorists were killed and 16 others wounded as the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) conducted cleanup operations in Dand, Arghandab and Panjwayi districts on Thursday, Xinhua reported citing the ministry’s statement.

The security forces also defused 19 improvised bombs and destroyed three terrorists’ bunkers, three vehicles, five motorcycles, and a handful of weapons and ammunition during the raids, according to the statement.

In the western Farah province, six Taliban terrorists in a car were killed, three others wounded and their vehicle caught fire after the Afghan Air Force targeted the vehicle in the Shewan locality of Bala Buluk district on Thursday evening, the statement added.

Taliban terrorists fighting the government forces have not responded to the reports so far.

In addition, at least six civilians and four Afghan soldiers were killed in 16 security incidents across Afghanistan on Thursday, according to an independent war monitoring group.

Some 12 soldiers were also wounded in the incidents on Thursday, the Reduction in Violence (RiV) group tweeted Friday. (ANI)

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said that 16 opposition political parties will be boycotting President Ram Nath Kovind’s address that will be delivered on Friday, the first day of the budget session of Parliament. The parties have demanded an impartial investigation into incidents of violence in Delhi during tractor rally and the Central government’s role in the events.

“We are issuing a statement from 16 political parties that we are boycotting President’s Address that is scheduled to be delivered at Parliament tomorrow. The major reason behind this decision is that the Farm Laws were passed forcibly in House, without Opposition,” Azad told ANI here.

The budget session of Parliament will begin on January 29 with an address by President Ram Nath Kovind. The Union Budget will be presented on February 1.

Leaders of the opposition parties have issued a joint statement demanding an impartial investigation into incidents of violence in Delhi during tractor rally and Centres role in the events.

“India’s farmers have been collectively fighting against the three farm laws arbitrarily imposed by the BJP Government that threaten the future of Indian agriculture which sustains over 60 per cent of India’s population and the livelihood of crores of farmers, sharecroppers and farm labour. Lakhs of farmers have been agitating at the gates of the national capital of Delhi braving biting cold and heavy rain for the last 64 days for their rights and justice. Over 155 farmers have lost their lives. The government remains unmoved and has responded with water cannons, tear gas and lathi charges,” the statement reads.

“Every effort has been made to discredit a legitimate mass movement through a government-sponsored disinformation campaign. The protest and the agitation have been largely peaceful. Unfortunately, there were few acts of violence on January 26 , 2021, in the National Capital of Delhi which was condemned universally and unequivocally. We also express our sadness over the injuries sustained by Delhi Police personnel while handling the difficult situation. But, we believe that an impartial investigation will reveal the Central Government’s nefarious role in orchestrating those events,” the statement added.

The statement said that the three farm Laws, are an assault on the rights of the States and violate the federal spirit of the Constitution.

“If not repealed, these Laws will effectively dismantle the National Food Security that rests upon – MSP government procurement and Public Distribution System ( PDS ). The farm bills were brought without any consultations with States and Farmer Unions and lacked national consensus, Parliamentary scrutiny was bypassed and the Laws were pushed through muzzling the Opposition, in brazen violation of Parliamentary rules, Practices and conventions. The very constitutional validity of these Laws remains in question. The Prime Minister and the BJP Government remain arrogant, adamant and undemocratic in their response. Shocked by this insensitivity of the government, we reaffirm the collective demand for the repeal of the Anti Farmer Laws and in solidarity with the Indian Farmers, have decided to boycott the President’s address to both the Houses of Parliament,” the statement added. (ANI)

Delhi Police Special Cell has lodged an FIR under sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and sections of IPC dealing with sedition to investigate the violence at Red Fort in Delhi on January 26.

“The Kisan Andolan turned violent on January 26, 2021, leading to damage of public property in several parts of the national capital. Public property worth several crores of rupees were damaged by violent mobs and 394 police personnel sustained injuries while performing their lawful duty,” said Delhi Police Special Cell.

A preliminary assessment suggests there was a pre-conceived and a well-coordinated plan to break the agreement reached between Delhi Police and the leaders of farmers organisations, to indulge in a violent confrontation with the security forces, to breach the sanctity of iconic and historical structures/monuments and to create an international embarrassment for the government on the occasion of the Republic Day, according to the Police.

The Special Cell is investigating the conspiracy and criminal designs behind these unfortunate events that occurred on Republic Day.

“A criminal case has been registered and is being investigated under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sections of IPC dealing with sedition. The role and conduct of organisations and individuals based in India, as well as those out of the country, is being probed. The investigation is in progress and further details will be communicated in due course,” said Delhi Police Special Cell.

Protestors broke barricades to enter Delhi and indulged in vandalism across several parts of the national capital during their tractor rally organised to protest against the Centre’s three new farm laws.

According to the Delhi Police, 33 FIRs have been registered so far in connection with the violent incidents that occurred during the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day. (ANI)

As many as 25,07,556 beneficiaries have been vaccinated for COVID-19 till 2 pm on Thursday across the country, Union Health Ministry informed on Thursday.

In the press briefing, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan informed that there is an increase in COVID-19 vaccination sessions per day.

“On January 16 when vaccination session started, 3,374 sessions were organised which has increased to 7,764 sessions on January 26. By January 16, over two lakh beneficiaries were vaccinated, but today, the number of beneficiaries has crossed 25 lakhs,” he said.

He said India was the fastest to reach the first 1 million vaccinations.

‘We achieved this within 6 days, US did this in 10 days, Spain in 12 days, Israel in 14 days, UK in 18 days, Italy in 19 days, Germany in 20 days and UAE in 27 days,” Bhushan stated.

The Health Secretary also expressed ‘deep appriciation for’ states and Union Territories like — Lakshadweep (83 per cent heathcare workers vaccinated), Odisha (more than 50 per cent beneficiaries vaccinated), and Haryana (59 per cent beneficiaries vaccinated) anong others for covering a large number of beneficiaries in a short time.

He also said states and Uinon Terratories like Jharkhand (14 per cent healthcare workers vaccinated), Delhi and Tamil Nadu (more than 15 per cent healthcare workers vaccinated), Uttarakhand, (17 per cent healthcare workers vaccinated) , among other states need to impove their vaccination drive.

The Union Health Secretary further informed that there are 1,75,000 active cases in the country currently.

“Number of active cases are declining, there are 1,75,000 active cases in the country as of now – a steady and declining trend is being exhibited. Two states still have 40,000 or more active cases – Kerala with 72,000 active cases and Maharashtra with 44,000 active cases,” he stated.

According to the Union Health Secretary there is a declining trend in daily deaths due to Coronavirus, and after eight months, India is reporting less than 125 deaths per day. “India reported 123 deaths in the last 24 hours”, he added.

Bhushan also informed that after the meeting of Technical Advisory Committee and Health Minister, it was decided that full day schools will reopen for students of cClasses 9 to 12 from February 1.

“Attendance will not be compulsory and classes in both online and offline modes will be available. Classes of students of Class 6 to 8 will continue as they are happening now,” he added. (ANI)