New Delhi, Feb 17 (ANI): Health Ministry Joint Secretary Mandeep Kumar Bhandari during a press conference on February 17 informed that 91,86,756 beneficiaries have been vaccinated in the country till February 17. He also informed that 68.5% of total eligible healthcare workers have been given vaccine shots. Mandeep Bhandari said, "Total vaccination carried out is 91,86,756 doses till 6pm on February 17. Vaccination of healthcare workers in total is 65,21,785 doses. Of which, 1st dose given to 61,79,669 beneficiaries, constituting 68.5% of total eligible healthcare workers. The second dose has been administered to 3,82,116 beneficiaries. 26,64,972 frontline workers have been vaccinated so far."
Chamoli (Uttarakhand), Feb 17 (ANI): A team of ITBP reached the exact location where a lake is formed in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district. They carried out the recce and are now developing helipad in the vicinity. Base camp has been established at Murenda. ITBP team was accompanied by DRDO officials. The team is opening ways for smooth discharge of lake water.
New Delhi, Feb 17 (ANI): Delhi Police Special Cell arrested Maninder Singh in connection with 26th January Red Fort violence from Pitampura on February 17. 2 swords were recovered from his house in Swaroop Nagar. The 30-year-old has been alleged of inciting violence at Red Fort during farmers' tractor rally.
Chamoli (Uttarakhand), Feb 17 (ANI): The search, relief and rescue operation is still underway at Tapovan tunnel in Joshimath of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on February 17. Several bodies are yet to be found. The region was hit by a flash flood on February 07 after a glacier burst. Speaking to ANI, the Deputy Commandant of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Aditya Pratap Singh said, "A large numbers of stray dogs were found roaming near Gaurikund Village which is a natural indication that the bodies have started decomposing over there." "We will now work on nature indications as well. There is possibility that we can find some bodies there too. We are sending a search team to check the situation, he added.
Budgam (JandK), Feb 17 (ANI): The visiting foreign envoys arrived at Magam block in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district on February 17. They were briefed on Panchayati Raj and grievance redressal through Back to Villages and Block, thus elaborating how the administration reaches the doorstep of people. The delegation also interacted with the locals in Budgam. French envoy Emmanuel Lenain and Italian envoy Vincenzo de Luca interacted with the locals in Magam block of Budgam. A batch of foreign envoys from 24 nations is visiting the union territory.
Srinagar (JandK), Feb 17 (ANI): A batch of foreign envoys arrived in Srinagar on February 17. They have come for a two-day visit to the union territory of JandK to assess the on-ground situation. This is the third such visit since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Envoys from 24 nations- Chile, Brazil, Cuba, Bolivia, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, EU, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Bangladesh, Malawi, Eritrea, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Malaysia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan- are part of the delegation visiting JandK. Foreign envoys will assess the development work and the security situation in the union territory. The delegation will also travel to Srinagar and Jammu during their two-day visit. Their visit comes in the wake of District Development Council (DDC) and Block Development Council (BDC) elections and the revival of mainstream politics.
New Delhi, Feb 17 (ANI): Arunachal Pradesh Congress MLA Ninong Ering said that People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China is still living in huts it built from Tawang till Anjaw after they moved back in 1959, when Dalai Lama came to Tawang. "In 1959, when Dalai Lama came to Tawang, PLA made deep incursion into India but had to move back due to inhospitable conditions. They're still holding the place they moved back to and have built huts from Tawang till Anjaw," said Ninong Ering. Criticising the central government over its North east policy, Ering said, "Centre doesn't give much importance to North-East. We don't have much representation in govt. Rameshwar Teli is just making some food parks, Kiren Rijiju looking after AYUSH. Want to tell PM that give our people important portfolios."
New Delhi, Feb 17 (ANI): According to the Health Ministry, total of 89,99,230 beneficiaries have been vaccinated in India for COVID-19 so far. India reported 11,610 new COVID-19 cases and 11,833 discharges on Feb 17. With new infections, the COVID tally of the country stood at 1,09,37,320 which includes 1,36,549 active cases. 1,06,44,85 patients have been discharged across the country. With 100 deaths in the last 24 hours, the death toll rose to 1,55,913.
Puducherry, Feb 17 (ANI): President of India removed Kiran Bedi as the Puducherry Lieutenant Governor, reacting to it, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said the move came as a victory for the people of the Union Territory. He added that Bedi was being removed because of his and his party's pressure on Government of India and so they took the decision. "She hampered the growth in here by her attitude of blocking welfare schemes," he added.
Ranchi (Jharkhand), Feb 16 (ANI): Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Rahul Gandhi's remark of 'hum do, humare do' during Parliament session, suggested him to get married to a Dalit girl and inspire the youth. Athawale said, "'Hum do, Humare do' slogan was used earlier for family planning. If he wants to promote this, he must get married. He must marry a Dalit girl and fulfill Mahatama Gandhi's dream of eliminating casteism. It can be used to inspire youth."
Moscow (Russia), Feb 16 (ANI): Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation DB Venkatesh Varma on Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla's visit to Moscow said that his visit is intended to further deepen our corporation in all sectors. He further added that India-Russia relations are rock solid and its strategic partnership is diverse. "Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla to visit Moscow for a two-day visit on 17th and 18th February to discuss this year's agenda for bilateral relations with Russian counterparts, including bilateral summit when Pres Vladimir Putin visits India. We will also expand our corporation including to build on Prime Minister Modi's visit. There is lot of excitement in Moscow about how India and Russia corporate with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the phase of vaccines. It is a very active and busy programme for the foreign secretary," said DB Venkatesh Varma.
New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the country and informed about the role India is playing in creating awareness about health. With regards to COVID-19, PM Modi said that India is playing a central role in global vaccination. PM Modi said, "Our vision for wellness is as much global as it is domestic. The world is looking at health and wellness very seriously especially after COVID19. And India has much to offer in this regard. Our Yoga and Ayurveda will contribute to a healthy planet."
Sidhi (Madhya Pradesh), Feb 16 (ANI): At least 42 bodies have been recovered so far after a bus carrying around 54 passengers fell into a canal in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi. The driver lost control over the vehicle. 7 people have been rescued, search operation is underway for rest of the passengers. Commissioner of Rewa, Rajesh Kumar Jain said, "We have recovered 42 dead bodies so far. They are sent for post mortem. The rescue operation is underway. The search is being conducted till the stop dam for the missing people. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained." Bus was going from Sidhi to Satna when the incident occurred.
New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul on February 16 informed 24 countries have been sent COVID19 vaccine from the Indian soil so far. "24 countries have been sent COVID19 vaccines from India so far," he said while addressing a press conference in national capital.
Godhra (Gujarat), Feb 16 (ANI): The prime accused in 2002 Godhra train burning case arrested after 19 years. SP of Panchmahal, Dr Leena Patil said, "We have arrested the prime accused in 2002 Godhra train burning case after 19 years. He was working at different construction sites in Delhi." 59 'karsevaks' returning from Ayodhya, were killed in a fire inside the Sabarmati Express train in the incident that happened on February 27, 2002 near the Godhra railway station in Gujarat.
New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): While addressing a press conference in Delhi, Secretary of Union Health Ministry, Rajesh Bhushan on February 16 informed so far 87,40,595 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the country. He further said, "The number of vaccine doses administered- 87,40,595. Active cases less than 1.40 lakh. Cumulative positivity rate is 5.27%."
Mumbai, Feb 16 (ANI): At a time when the number of COVID19 cases is on a decline across the country, the spike in Maharashtra's capital (Mumbai) is a matter of concern for the authorities. Speaking on the increasing coronavirus cases in the city, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said, "It's a matter of concern. Most people travelling in trains don't wear masks. People must take precautions else we'd head towards another lockdown. Whether lockdown will be implemented again, is in the hands of people." Around 4,000 cases of COVID were reported in the Maharashtra on Sunday (Feb 14).
New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): On 6-year completion of AAP government, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed the people of the national capital and said, "A year ago people gave me chance to serve again. Despite it being a difficult year, we worked together to tackle COVID-19. We also helped farmers find alternative (Pusa Institute's Bio Decomposer Technique) to stubble burning to curb pollution. We also provided electricity 24*7 in Delhi. I will remain on service of people of Delhi like this."
Leh, Feb 16 (ANI): Indian and Chinese troops and tanks disengaging from the banks of Pangong Lake area in Eastern Ladakh where they had been deployed opposite each other for almost ten months now. The two countries have been engaged in a stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since April-May last year. While China began amassing massive military strength along the LAC, India responded with a befitting build-up.
New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): While speaking to media in the national capital on February 16, Commissioner of Police of Delhi, SN Shrivastava spoke on Disha Ravi's arrest. CP Shrivastava said, "As far as Disha's arrest is concerned, it was done as per the procedures. Law doesn't differentiate between a 22-year-old and a 50-year-old person. She was produced before a court which sent her to 5-day police custody." "It is false when people say that there were lapses in the arrest," he added.