LIVE: India becoming a trusted partner in global supply chain, says PM Modi
Live news updates: "India was hardly counted in start-up ecosystem; it now ranks third in the world," PM Modi said
 "Modi, Narendra Modi")
PM Narendra Modi (Photo: ANI)
India’s vaccine think-tank the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) is likely to meet mid-week to review the data of coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines Covovax and Corbevax for the age group 5-12 years, according to sources in the know. This may pave the way for the inclusion of younger children in the national immunisation mission if the NTAGI finds the data satisfactory.
Heatwave abates from all parts of India: IMD's latest forecast
India becoming a trusted, reliable partner in global supply chain: PM Modi
Was hardly counted a startup ecosystem, India now ranks 3rd in world: PM Modi
Aurangabad cops file case against Raj Thackeray over speech; court issues him NBW in 2008 matter
In a related development, a court in western Maharashtra's Sangli district has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Raj Thackeray in connection with a 14-year-old case. Sending out a blunt message to the MNS president over his May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers from mosques, the ruling Shiv Sena said the state does not run on ultimatums and that the rule of law prevails here even as some MNS leaders warned they will hit the streets in case of further action against their leader.
The police in Aurangabad, located more than 350km from Mumbai in central Maharashtra, on Tuesday registered a case against Raj Thackeray, two days after he called for silencing loudspeakers atop mosques from May 4, an official said.
The 53-year-old politician was booked under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 116 (abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment if offence be not committed) and 117 (abetting commission of offence by the public or by more than 10 persons) of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act, the official told reporters. In the Aurangabad rally on May 1, the MNS chief had asked people to play the Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques from May 4 if loudspeakers there were not removed.
Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi to address tribals on May 10 in Dahod
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address the 'Adivasi Satyagrah Rally' on May 10 in tribal-dominated Dahod town of Gujarat, where elections are scheduled for later this year, a party functionary said on Tuesday.
Tribals are decisive in at least 40 of the 182 Assembly seats in the state, including 27 which are reserved for members of the Scheduled Tribe communities, said senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia while addressing a press conference here.
Giving details about Gandhi's visit, former state unit chief Bharatsinh Solanki said the purpose of the rally is to expose the ruling BJP, make tribals aware about their rights and tell them how the Congress will help them if voted to power.
"We had planned to organise this rally on May 1, but had to postpone it due to some unforeseen circumstances. Rahul Gandhi will address tribals on May 10 in Dahod town. At the rally, Congress will reiterate its resolve to fight for the rights of tribals, who are at the receiving end at present under BJP rule," Solanki told reporters.
The Congress leader accused the BJP of not implementing several pro-tribal Acts properly, such as MNREGA and Forest Rights Act, and also said the state government had displaced tribals from their land in the name of building highways and dams.
"The Congress will reinstate the rights of tribals given to them by the Constitution. Since we are confident of winning the Assembly polls, Rahulji will share Gujarat Congress' roadmap for the overall development of tribals during the rally," said Solanki.
Loudspeaker row: BJP playing with people's faith, will oppose move in Delhi, says AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday said it will oppose any move to remove loudspeakers from religious places in the national capital and accused the BJP of playing with people's faith.
AAP leader Atishi said loudspeakers are played during various religious occasions across the country and cited Ramlila as well as recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and 'Sunderkand paath' as examples.
"We will definitely oppose it," Atishi told reporters when asked if her party would oppose any move to remove loudspeakers from religious places in Delhi.
"Be it Ramlila or Sunderkand recitation, people's faith is attached to them. I want to ask what is their problem with the religious faith of people.
"Now you will tell us that we won't organise jagran, that we can't organise sunderkand paath (recitation), can't recite Hanuman chalisa," AAP leader Atishi said slamming BJP's Delhi unit president Adesh Gupta for seeking removal of loudspeakers from religious places in the capital.
Gupta had on Monday written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanding removal of loudspeakers from religious and other places as per the Supreme Court's order and on the lines of the action taken by other states in this connection.
This came hours after BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma made a similar request to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and commissioners of the three municipal corporations in the national capital.
Loudspeaker row: BJP playing with people's faith, will oppose move in Delhi, says AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday said it will oppose any move to remove loudspeakers from religious places in the national capital and accused the BJP of playing with people's faith.
AAP leader Atishi said loudspeakers are played during various religious occasions across the country and cited Ramlila as well as recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and 'Sunderkand paath' as examples.
"We will definitely oppose it," Atishi told reporters when asked if her party would oppose any move to remove loudspeakers from religious places in Delhi.
"Be it Ramlila or Sunderkand recitation, people's faith is attached to them. I want to ask what is their problem with the religious faith of people.
"Now you will tell us that we won't organise jagran, that we can't organise sunderkand paath (recitation), can't recite Hanuman chalisa," AAP leader Atishi said slamming BJP's Delhi unit president Adesh Gupta for seeking removal of loudspeakers from religious places in the capital.
Gupta had on Monday written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanding removal of loudspeakers from religious and other places as per the Supreme Court's order and on the lines of the action taken by other states in this connection.
This came hours after BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma made a similar request to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and commissioners of the three municipal corporations in the national capital.
803 of 1,144 Mumbai mosques obtain police nod to use loudspeakers
Amid the row triggered by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, 803 of the 1,144 mosques in Mumbai have obtained police permission to use loudspeakers, an official said on Tuesday.
This may the first time that more than 70 per cent of mosques in the metropolis have obtained permission to use loudspeakers to relay azaan, the call for prayer, the official added.
"There are 1,144 mosques in Mumbai that adhere to all legalities. Of these, 803 have obtained permission for loudspeaker use, while other applications are being processed. We have made it mandatory for them to follow all noise pollution norms, including Supreme Court and MPCB guidelines. The time given to them for usage is between 6am and 10pm," he informed.
"In what is a positive development, at least 72 per cent mosques in the metropolis are not using loudspeakers to relay azaan in the morning. Incidentally, Mumbai police had begun working on enforcing noise pollution norms over a month ago, much before this row erupted," he added.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has demanded that loudspeakers atop mosques be removed by May 4, failing which azaan would be drowned out by playing Hanuman Chalisa at a higher volume outside these places of worship.
TN CM appeals for donations to help Lankans, DMK pledges Rs 1 crore
Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday appealed to the people to donate to the Tamil Nadu government to buy essentials such as food and ship it to Sri Lanka to help its people, who are battling the impact of a battered economy.
Stalin, who is also the president of the ruling DMK announced a contribution of Rs 1 crore from his party to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund to support the island nation's people.
Top AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam had days ago said that he would contribute Rs 50 lakh in his personal capacity to help the Lankan people.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the Tamil Nadu government would soon be sending 40,000 tonnes of rice, 500 tons of milk powder and life saving drugs in the first phase to the neighbouring country. He recalled that the Centre has given its approval for the state's humanitarian initiative.
"This is the time to render whatever assistance that is possible to the beleaguered people," he said in his appeal and requested donations to help the Sri Lankan people.
Low-pressure area over South Andaman Sea in forecast
A low-pressure area is likely to be formed over the South Andaman Sea by the end of this week, the weather office said on Tuesday.
In its tropical weather outlook, the weather office said that a cyclonic circulation is likely to form over South Andaman Sea and its adjoining areas around May 4.
Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely over the region around May 6.
"Probability of cyclogenesis during next 120 hours high," the weather office said, even as it refrained from making any forecast on the path of the low-pressure system.
"It is likely to become more marked during subsequent 24 hours," it said.
In its warning for fishermen for May 4, it said squally wind is very likely to prevail over South Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal.
Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel
First Published: May 03 2022 | 7:41 AM IST