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Finally, PM Modi declares free Covid-19 vaccination from June 21 for 18 and above

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that the Centre will take full control of the Covid-19 vaccination drive from June 21, International Yoga Day. He said vaccines will be given free of cost to state governments which can then pass it on to citizens at health centres.

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4 years ago

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Narendra modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that vaccines will be given free of cost to state governments which can then pass it on to citizens 18 years of age and above at health centres. For those who wish to access the vaccine in private hospitals, the government set a price ceiling and a margin ceiling, Modi said.

Addressing the nation in a televised speech at 5 pm on Monday, instead of the 8pm speech, PM Modi said the Centre will take full control of the Covid-19 vaccination drive from June 21, International Yoga Day. He said this was because states were finding it difficult to manage.

The Centre had inoculated people above the age of 45 with free vaccines initially but from May 1, it had allowed state governments to vaccinate the 18-44 age group at a charge. Right from day 1, most states had been calling on Modi to buy vaccines for all eligible citizens across the country, instead of the differential pricing mechanism that had been introduced where the Centre would buy at the least price and the states would get it at a higher mark-up.

Also, state governments like Punjab and Maharashtra had tried to buy vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna but were told the companies will talk only to the Central government. Along with the news of free vaccination, the PM also announced he extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana under which 80 crore poor were getting daily rations free of cost till Diwali this year.

The reason for the course correction is hinting at the situation in Uttar Pradesh. Given the state of the vaccination programme in the key state, which will go to the polls in 2022 and sends the highest number of Lok Sabha MPs, the scheme’s lacklustre performance here will add to the anti-incumbency. It also points to the BJP’s tried and tested method of promising Modi governance and choosing a CM candidate, which in 2017 was Yogi Adityanath, who was chosen after the polls.

It must be remembered that a two-man team of RSS veterans had been to UP to gather inputs on the situation in the state. They had come back with glowing reports from the state but such is politics.

The other thing to note is that the Supreme Court is examining the entire vaccination process including the decisions taken so far. Just last week, a bench of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud,  Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice S. Ravindra Bhat had told the Centre that its policy was irrational and arbitrary. It had asked the government to provide complete data on vaccine choices, vaccine procurement and the price difference. The Apex Court had also wanted to know what had happened to the much-vaunted, much-publicised and budgeted Rs 35,000 crore.

PM Modi’s speech came on a day when India witnessed 1,00,636 fresh  Covid-19 cases with 2,427 deaths in the last 4 hours. Only 15.87 lakh samples were tested on Sunday, compared to an average of more than 20 lakh in the last week.

PM Modi said the Covid-19 is the biggest epidemic to struck in the last century, the country has fought bravely and successfully overcome its impact.

Modi began the speech with saying the coronavirus outbreak was the biggest pandemic in the last 100 years. To combat which the government came up with new health infrastructure in the past few months.

Similarly, India has never felt the need for oxygen this much, he said. While condoling the deaths of those who died in the second wave’s worst weeks of April and May, Modi said India has overcome oxygen shortage very fast. He noted that despite vaccination, covid-appropriate behaviour is the only way to fight against Covid.

To save the world, Modi claimed, the country came up with two vaccines, while Covishield was developed in the University of Oxford, UK and was mass-produced in India by the Serum Institute. If the vaccine was not made in India, what would have happened, he said.

Though the PM made some untenable claims on vaccines taking decades to reach the corners of the country, before the coronavirus, it is to be remembered that polio and other diseases were inoculated at birth and none of them were vaccines against pandemics like in this case.

Read Also: AIIMS Delhi to begin screening children aged 2-18 years for Covaxin trials from today

PM Modi also spoke of more vaccines waiting to get clearances to enter the country and spoke of a nasal spray that would kill the virus.

The final nail in today’s announcement tied in with the BJP announcement of free Covid vaccines in Bihar during the campaign for the 2020 Assembly election. Seems Bihar will finally get its free vaccines after this deft somersault, which is good news for all Indians, poor or rich or middle-class.

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India and Russia vow to walk together against terrorism, reaffirm strategic partnership

PM Modi and President Putin reaffirm India-Russia unity against terrorism, deepen energy and trade cooperation, and discuss peace efforts amid the Ukraine conflict.

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3 hours ago

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December 5, 2025

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday underlined that India and Russia “walk together in the fight against terrorism,” reinforcing a decades-old strategic partnership that remains steady amid global geopolitical churn. The leaders issued the joint statement following talks at Hyderabad House in Delhi, where they also announced steps to boost trade, economic cooperation, and energy collaboration.

India-Russia stand firm on counter-terror cooperation

PM Modi described President Putin as a “dear friend” and highlighted Moscow’s consistent support to India on counter-terror efforts. Russia had earlier strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, allegedly linked to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, and reiterated solidarity with India’s fight against terrorism in all forms.

The joint remarks emphasized that the bilateral friendship, rooted in trust and mutual respect, has remained resilient for decades despite global challenges.

Focus on energy, trade and use of national currencies

A key highlight of the engagement was Russia reaffirming “uninterrupted shipments” of fuel to India. PM Modi expressed gratitude for Russia’s commitment, noting energy cooperation as a crucial pillar of the relationship. While he did not specifically mention oil purchases, given ongoing Western pressure, he emphasised cooperation in civil nuclear and clean energy.

The two countries also discussed expanding economic ties, including a possible free trade agreement. President Putin said bilateral trade was being targeted to reach USD 100 billion, and acknowledged progress toward using national currencies for payments — a remark expected to draw global attention.

Putin shares peace plan insights on Ukraine conflict

Putin briefed the Prime Minister on Russia’s perspective for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Ukraine war and appreciated India’s continued role as a “champion of peace.” PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent position on dialogue and diplomacy.

Agreements across jobs, health, shipping and minerals

Officials exchanged multiple agreements covering employment mobility, health, shipping, chemicals and cooperation in critical minerals — further broadening the strategic footprint of the partnership.

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India News

RBI cuts repo rate to 5.25%, paving the way for cheaper loans

The RBI has cut the repo rate to 5.25%, aiming to support growth as inflation softens. The central bank also raised GDP projections and announced liquidity-boosting measures.

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8 hours ago

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December 5, 2025

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Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the key repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% on Thursday, signalling relief for borrowers as banks are expected to offer lower EMIs on home and vehicle loans. Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced the move after the conclusion of the three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

RBI prioritises growth as inflation eases

Malhotra said the decision was unanimous, with the central bank choosing to focus on supporting economic momentum despite concerns over a weak rupee. The repo rate was earlier cut in June from 6% to 5.5% amid easing inflation trends.

The RBI now projects Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation at 2% for FY2025-26, significantly softer than earlier estimates. For the first quarter of FY2026-27, inflation is expected at 3.9%, lower than the previous projection. The governor noted that rising precious metal prices may contribute to the headline CPI, but overall risks to inflation remain balanced.

GDP outlook strengthened

In a strong upward revision, the central bank increased the GDP forecast for the current financial year to 7.3%, previously estimated at 6.8%. Growth for the October–December quarter has also been revised to 6.7%.

The last quarter registered a six-quarter high expansion of 8.2%, reflecting resilient demand and steady credit flow.

“The growth-inflation balance continues to offer policy space,” Malhotra said, reiterating that the RBI’s stance remains neutral.

Other key decisions

Alongside the repo rate cut, the RBI announced adjustments to key policy corridors:

  • Standing Deposit Facility (SDF): 5%
  • Marginal Standing Facility (MSF): 5.5%

To improve liquidity and strengthen monetary transmission, the RBI will conduct forex swaps and purchase ₹1 lakh crore worth of government bonds through Open Market Operations (OMO).

RBI reviews a challenging year

Reflecting on 2025, Malhotra said the year delivered strong growth and moderate inflation even as global trade and geopolitical uncertainties persisted. He added that bank credit and retail lending remained healthy, providing support to the economy.

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IndiGo flight chaos deepens as over 500 services cancelled, passengers stranded for hours

Over 500 IndiGo flights were cancelled nationwide, leaving passengers stranded without food, clarity or their luggage as airports struggled to manage the disruption.

Published

9 hours ago

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December 5, 2025

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IndiGo flight

India’s largest airline continued to face massive operational breakdowns, triggering frustration among travellers at major airports across the country. From piles of unattended suitcases to passengers waiting over 12 hours without food or clarity, the disruption stretched into its fourth consecutive day.

Long delays, no communication leave passengers anguished

Several travellers at Delhi airport described the situation as “mental torture”, as thousands of unclaimed suitcases lay scattered across the terminal. Many slept on the floor, while others expressed anger over the lack of communication from airline staff.

One flier said he had been waiting for over 12 hours without any explanation: “Every time they say one-hour or two-hour delays. We were going to a wedding but don’t even have our luggage.”

A passenger in Hyderabad recounted a similar ordeal, saying the flight was delayed indefinitely with no food, water, or updates from the airline. At the airport, some travellers blocked an Air India flight in protest over the lack of arrangements.

Goa and Chennai airports also witnessed tense moments. Videos from Goa showed fliers shouting at IndiGo staff as police attempted to calm the situation. At Chennai, CISF denied entry to IndiGo passengers due to heavy congestion.

Major metro airports impacted; cascading cancellations nationwide

Flight cancellations and delays were reported across multiple airports:

  • Over 200 flights were cancelled in Delhi
  • More than 100 each in Mumbai and Bengaluru
  • Around 90 in Hyderabad
  • Dozens more in Pune, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai and Bhopal

Pune airport stated that parking bay congestion worsened the situation, as several IndiGo aircraft remained grounded due to lack of crew. Other airlines continued operations without disruption.

Airport authorities said they had mobilised additional manpower for crowd control and passenger support.

IndiGo admits planning lapses, says more cancellations expected

The airline acknowledged a “misjudgment” in assessing crew requirements under revised night-duty norms, which it said created planning gaps. Winter weather and airport congestion further aggravated the crisis.

IndiGo informed the aviation ministry and DGCA that some regulatory changes—such as the shift in night-duty timings and a cap on night landings—have been rolled back temporarily to stabilise operations.

The airline warned that cancellations may continue for another two to three days, and from December 8, schedules will be trimmed to prevent further disruption.

In a message to employees, CEO Pieter Elbers said restoring punctuality would not be an “easy target”.

Airline issues apology amid nationwide frustration

In a late-night statement, IndiGo apologised to customers and industry partners, acknowledging the widespread inconvenience caused by the disruptions. The airline said all teams were working with authorities to bring operations back to normal.

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