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Covid-19 vaccine: Two-day dry run in Assam, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat begin today

The dry run will be undertaken as a mock drill, wherein there will be no vaccine involved in the process. The exercise is set to be the largest-ever mass immunisation programme in the history of the country. It will continue for two days, December 28 and December 29 in the chosen districts in each state.

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Covid-19 vaccine

The Centre began a two-day dry run for the coronavirus vaccine program on Monday in four states-Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Assam and Gujarat, day after the country recorded the lowest single-day rise in Covid-19 cases in six months. The exercise is set to be the largest-ever mass immunisation programme in the history of the country.

The dry run will be undertaken as a mock drill, wherein there will be no vaccine involved in the process. The exercise will focus on the management of possible adverse events after inoculation, feasibility of the planned operation involving real time monitoring through Co-WIN app, checks on cold storage and transport arrangements and deployment of team members, according to the Union Health Ministry.

The dry run program will continue for two days, December 28 and December 29 in the chosen districts in each state. During the program, all the four states will report their recorded observations to the central government. 

The  five sessions will be held at identified locations with 25 test pre-identified beneficiaries across the four states. Adverse Event Following Immunisation(AEFI) panels will be set up and to manage the adverse response in any of the beneficiaries. if any vaccine triggers, the treatment centres will be identified. In total, 2,360 training sessions have been held so far, and 7,000 officials which include medical officers and vaccinators have been trained to carry out the exercise.

In Andhra Pradesh, the dry run will be conducted in Krishna district. The exercise will provide insights into any gaps so that before the commencement of the actual vaccination drive, it could be addressed, said Health Commissioner Katamaneni Bhasker. After the dry run, a report will be prepared for the State Task Force to review the feedback and guide the actions, it will then be submitted to the Union Health Ministry, added the Commissioner.

Meanwhile, the Centre has planned to roll out a vaccination drive from January covering 30 crore people in the first phase of the inoculation programme, prioritising health workers, frontline workers and people aged above 50. 

Though the country has not approved any vaccine for emergency use, Covishield developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca in collaboration with Serum Institute of India is expected to be the frontrunner. Besides it, Bharat Biotech and Pfizer had also applied for the emergency use authorisation to the Drugs Comptroller General of India(DCGI).

Also Read: Nitish kumar steps down as JD(U) national president

So far, India has crossed over 1.01 crore coronavirus cases, the second highest in the world after the United States, with 1.47 lakh deaths.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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