India News
Johnson & Johnson seeks permission to conduct vaccine trials for 12-17 aged children in India
The US pharma giant Johnson &Johnson has moved an application in India seeking permission to conduct clinical trials of its single-dose Covid-19 vaccine on children in the 12-17 age group.
The pharmaceutical company has said that it had submitted its application on Tuesday. In a brief statement, it has been said that Covid-19 vaccine clinical trials must continue to move forward in this population to ultimately achieve herd immunity. It added that the company remains deeply committed to the critical work needed to make our Covid-19 vaccine equitably accessible for age groups.
Earlier, Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose Covid-19 vaccine had applied for emergency use authorization for its shot in India. It was approved the same day by the Drugs Controller General of India. For supplies, it has collaborated with Hyderabad-based Biological E. Limited.
Studies have shown that the single-dose Johnson &Johnson vaccine has 85 percent efficacy against severe cases, and 65 percent efficacy against preventing moderate to severe illness due to Covid.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has earlier said Covid vaccines for children would be available very soon. He told about two other trials being conducted by Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila, which are already underway, and that these results are due next month.
In July, the Serum Institute of India was also recommended by the Indian drug regulator’s SEC, to conduct clinical trials of Covovax on children aged between 2 and 17.
Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences Chief Dr. Randeep Guleria had earlier said that the vaccines for children could be made available by next month. The vaccinations for children would be a big boost for breaking the chain of transmission, he had said.
Amid the fears of the anticipated third wave of Covid-19, which is predicted to affect the children most, has led to clinical trials focussing on vaccine safety and efficacy for children. The concerns have amplified after the schools and colleges have re-opened across the country.
India News
PM Modi to lay foundation stone of International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi on September 23: PMO
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on September 23 to lay the foundation stone of an International Cricket Stadium.
The Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on September 23 to lay the foundation stone of an International Cricket Stadium around 1:30 pm.
India News
India suspends visa services in Canada as diplomatic crisis worsens
The incidents took place three days after the Canadian prime minister accused India of being involved in the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In the midst of a diplomatic dispute between the two nations over allegations linking Indian government officials to the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June, India has banned visa services for Canadian citizens until further notice.
The notice issued by centre reads, with effect from September 21, 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended until further notice, according to a notice posted on the website of BLS International, an online visa application centre in India that also offers visa consultancy services.
The incidents took place three days after the Canadian prime minister accused India of being involved in the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In his Monday speech to Parliament, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that Indian spies were responsible for Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death by gunshot.
The Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, was killed, according to Trudeau, and there are reasons for national security agencies in his country to suspect that agents of the Indian government were responsible.
According to Trudeau, Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential association between Government of India agents and the murder of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India responded to Canada’s charges by calling them absurd and motivated.
The two nations then each removed a senior official; India expelled a top Canadian diplomat on Tuesday for interference in internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities while Ottawa ordered a senior Research and Analysis Wing officer to leave the country.
To discuss relations between India and Canada, PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met on Wednesday in the new Parliament building.
The Canadian Prime Minister’s and Foreign Minister’s statements in their Parliament were both rejected, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
India News
Parliament Special Session: PM Modi says Women’s Reservation Bill marks golden moment in parliamentary journey, thanks all MPs for passage of bill in Lok Sabha
He also stated that this bill marked a golden moment in the parliamentary journey of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed his gratitude to all the Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha for the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
He also stated that this bill marked a golden moment in the parliamentary journey of India.
PM Modi said the decision which was taken on September 20, was a golden moment in India’s parliamentary journey. He said that all the MPs of the House deserve that golden moment. After the Women’s Reservation Bill passed in Rajya Sabha today, the transformation in women’s power and the trust that is going to be formed will be unimaginable and unprecedented power that will take the country to new heights, PM Modi added.
Today in the Rajya Sabha, BJP President JP Nadda hailed PM Modi for the Women’s Reservation Bill. He presented his statement in support of the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill. The Women’s Reservation Bill, also named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed uninterrupted in the Lok Sabha on September 20, he said. He also hopes that the bill will pass in the Rajya Sabha too, said BJP President JP Nadda.
The BJP MP Nadda said women always had an important role in the Indian culture. People have always seen them as Shakti, a Devi (goddess) who guided society. He said the Bhartiya Janta Party is not interested in taking political advantage, but the main objective is to empower women, the BJP President added.
The Women’s Reservation Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha during the Special Session with near unanimous support with 454 MPs voting in favour. The Bill has been tabled in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Opposition Congress also voted in favour of the Bill though it sought the immediate implementation of the law instead of waiting for delimitation and a new Census.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MPs Asaduddin Owaisi and Imtiaz Jaleel were the two members who voted against the bill in the Lok Sabha.
