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Omicron scare: Here’s the list of countries at high risk and guidelines for passengers travelling from THESE nations

These are the countries where Omicron strain cases have been identified. The mutation was discovered for the first time in South Africa. Check the guidelines for passengers arriving from ‘at risk’ countries.

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Omicron variant

The Covid-19 virus, which is extremely infectious, does not seem to be going away anytime soon. After Alpha, Beta, Gama, and Delta, a new severe Covid-19 variant, Omicron has emerged. The first case of the Omicron variant is found in South Africa.

Because of the new Omicron coronavirus strain, the government is hesitant to resume foreign flights. It issued new guidelines on Sunday, identifying nearly a dozen countries as “at-risk” and eliminating the exemption for persons who have been vaccinated. The guidelines are designed to keep the Omicron variant from spreading.

What are the “at-risk” countries?

These are the countries where Omicron strain cases have been identified. The mutation was discovered for the first time in South Africa, and it has spread widely to several countries.

covid-19-vaccination

The countries assigned at-risk by the government are:

  1. Countries in Europe including the United Kingdom
  2. Brazil
  3. South Africa
  4. Bangladesh
  5. Israel
  6. Singapore
  7. Zimbabwe
  8. China
  9. Mauritius
  10. Botswana
  11. New Zealand
  12. Hong Kong

Omicron, which was first discovered in southern African countries, has now been discovered in various European countries, prompting travel bans and other restrictions in several parts of the world.

The variant is believed to be more contagious than previous variants, and experts are concerned that it would weaken the vaccinations’ ability to protect against Covid-19.

covid-19 vaccine

Guidelines for passengers arriving from ‘at risk’ countries

According to new rules released by the Health Ministry, passengers arriving in India from or travelling through at-risk countries would be subjected to an RT-PCR test and will be forced to wait for the outcomes before leaving the airport or boarding a connecting aircraft.

Travellers who test positive will be taken to a medical facility for isolation and will be required to stay there until they test negative if they are infected with the Omicron variant. If they are infected with any of the other variants, a doctor will decide whether or not they can be released, based on their condition.

Read Also: First image of Omicron variant is going viral: Here’s what all you need to know| FAQs answered

People who test negative after arriving from the countries listed will be confined to in-home quarantine and will be required to take another test on the eighth day. If they are positive, they must contact the Covid-19 helpline, according to the guidelines.

These passengers would also be required to disclose their travel history for the previous 14 days.

The government stated on November 26 that regular international commercial flights would resume on December 15 after a more than 20-month break. Currently, flights are being operated via bilateral bubble agreements with countries.

Entertainment

Panchayat Season 4: TVF and Prime Video confirm return of rural drama on show’s 5th anniversary

On the fifth anniversary of the series, TVF and Prime Video announced that Panchayat Season 4 will be released on July 2, 2025.

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Panchayat S4 release date

The beloved comedy-drama Panchayat has officially completed five years since its debut on April 3, 2020. To mark the occasion, the makers have announced that Panchayat Season 4 will premiere on July 2, 2025, much to the excitement of fans across the country.

The announcement was made via a special promotional video released by Prime Video, featuring lead actor Jitendra Kumar, actress Jia Manek of Saath Nibhaana Saathiya fame, and internet sensation Darshan Magdum.

Cast and creators return for Season 4

The upcoming season will once again see the return of its star cast, including Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Chandan Roy, Sanvikaa, Faisal Malik, Durgesh Kumar, Sunita Rajwar, and Pankaj Jha, alongside Jitendra Kumar.

Produced by The Viral Fever (TVF), the show continues to be created by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Chandan Kumar, with direction by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Akshat Vijaywargiya.

Journey of a cult favourite

Panchayat follows the life of an engineering graduate who takes up a job as a Panchayat secretary in the fictional rural village of Phulera, Uttar Pradesh. The show has received widespread acclaim for its grounded storytelling, relatable characters, and humorous take on rural administration and village life.

The announcement of Season 4 not only celebrates its legacy but also assures fans that the charm of Phulera will return in the coming months with new twists and stories.

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India News

BJP demands Sonia Gandhi’s apology over Waqf Bill remarks amid Parliament uproar

After the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, BJP demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi for calling the Bill unconstitutional. Congress plans to challenge the law in the Supreme Court.

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Sonia Gandhi

The political temperature in Parliament rose sharply after the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, with the BJP demanding an apology from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for her sharp criticism of the legislation. Mrs Gandhi called the Bill a brazen assault on the Constitution and accused the ruling BJP of pushing India toward permanent polarisation.

Her comments, made during a Congress Parliamentary Party meeting at Samvidhan Sadan, drew a swift backlash from the BJP, with MPs led by Nishikant Dubey demanding a formal apology. They accused her of undermining constitutional values and the Parliament’s authority. The protests led to the adjournment of Lok Sabha proceedings on Friday morning, as BJP members chanted slogans calling for her apology.

Sonia Gandhi alleges ‘bulldozing’ of legislation

Sonia Gandhi strongly criticized the passage of the Waqf Bill, claiming it was bulldozed through the Lok Sabha. She also targeted the Modi govt’s push for the One Nation, One Election initiative, calling it a direct subversion of India’s constitutional framework. “Whether it is education, civil rights and liberties, our federal structure, or the conduct of elections, the Modi government is dragging the country into an abyss,” she said.

She accused the government of promoting a surveillance state and claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi was rebranding initiatives started during the UPA era as his own. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were present during the meeting, where Mrs Gandhi urged Congress MPs to aggressively counter BJP narratives.

Waqf Bill passed after intense debate in both Houses

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha after a 12-hour debate. Amendments proposed by opposition members were rejected via voice vote. The final vote count stood at 288 in favour and 232 against. The Bill later cleared the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes supporting it and 95 opposing, amid claims from opposition parties that it is anti-Muslim and unconstitutional.

The government defended the Bill as a historic reform for the benefit of the minority community. The Congress has since announced that it will challenge the law in the Supreme Court, with Jairam Ramesh stating that the party would very soon contest the Bill’s constitutional validity.

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India News

Manoj Kumar dies at 87: Bollywood remembers Bharat Kumar with heartfelt tributes

Bollywood veterans including Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan remembered Manoj Kumar’s indelible contribution to patriotic cinema after the actor passed away at 87.

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Manoj Kumar death

Veteran actor Manoj Kumar, fondly known as Bharat Kumar for his patriotic films, passed away at the age of 87. The Indian film fraternity is grieving the loss of one of its most iconic figures, Manoj Kumar, who passed away at 87. Known for his memorable contributions to patriotic cinema, Manoj Kumar carved a unique space in Bollywood with his storytelling and powerful screen presence. His death has led to an outpouring of tributes from the Indian film industry.

Akshay Kumar, recalling Manoj Kumar’s influence on his career, said, “I grew up learning from him that there’s no emotion like love and pride for our country. Such a fine person, and one of the biggest assets of our fraternity. RIP Manoj Sir.”

Aamir Khan, also mourning the loss, noted how Manoj Kumar was more than just an actor. In his words, “He was an institution. His films were often based on important social themes which brought him really close to the common man.”

Remembered for his patriotic soul and cinematic vision

Tributes flooded social media, including from political figure and actor Khushbu Sundar, who wrote, “He will eternally be remembered as Mr. Bharat for reminding us about roti, kapada aur kisaan… our culture and our roots.”

Filmmaker Vivek described Kumar as “India’s first truly original and committed Indic filmmaker,” appreciating how he infused nationalism into cinema with grace and depth.

Director Madhur Bhandarkar, reminiscing their interactions, praised the legendary artist’s storytelling and song picturisation that “inspired national pride and will resonate for generations.”

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra highlighted Kumar’s unmatched skill in song visualization, sharing a tribute link to the classic “Ek Pyar Ka Naghma Hai” and stating, “Very few people knew the art of song picturisation better than him.”

A life steeped in cinema and nationhood

Born in 1937 as Harikrishnan Giri Goswami in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), Manoj Kumar’s family moved to Delhi during the Partition. He made his film debut with Fashion in 1957, but it was Kanchi Ki Gudiya that marked his breakthrough.

His patriotic filmography, including titles like Purab Aur Paschim, Kranti, and Roti, Kapada Aur Makaan, earned him the nickname ‘Bharat Kumar’. His works reflected deep nationalistic spirit, often portraying common man’s struggles with dignity and pride.

Manoj Kumar was the recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, a National Film Award, and seven Filmfare Awards — all testaments to his significant contributions to Indian cinema.

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