India News
3 lakh healthcare workers to get Covid-19 vaccine on January 16
The much-awaited Covid vaccination drive is set to begin in India on January 16. According to official sources, 3 lakh health workers will be administered the vaccine on the first day of the drive at 2,934 sites across the country.
The much-awaited Covid vaccination drive is set to begin in India on January 16. According to official sources, 3 lakh health workers will be administered the vaccine on the first day of the drive at 2,934 sites across the country. The health ministry has urged the states to not organise unreasonable number of vaccinations per day at each site. the states have also been asked to increase the number of vaccination sites in order to smooth out the process going forward. The Centre has also asked the states to make arrangements to deal with any side-effects following the vaccination.
The government has also hinted that vaccine recipients will have the choice to choose between the two approved vaccines – Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. The health ministry has also said that getting vaccinated will be voluntary. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had said on Tuesday that more than one vaccine is being administered by many countries. However, recipients do not have the option to choose the vaccine.
Vaccination drive is set to kick off in India on Saturday with a virtual launch by prime minister Narendra Modi. The PM will also launch Co-WIN app during the launch. Three crore healthcare and frontline workers will be vaccinated in the first phase of vaccination drive followed by 27 crore people over the age of 50 and those under 50 with co-morbidities.
Also Read: Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin ideal for children, says Chairman Dr Krishna Ella
Earlier, the prime minister directed to state authorities to dispel rumours doing rounds regarding the safety and efficacy of the two approved vaccines. The prime minister said all efforts were made by the scientists and medical experts to ensure an effective vaccine is administered to countrymen. The PM said the cost for the first phase of vaccination drive will be borne by the Centre. The prime minister also urged the citizens to keep taking precautions even after the onset of vaccination drive.
India News
Anantnag: 8 labourers injured in load carrier vehicle explosion at Larkipora, investigation underway
Kashmir Zone Police asserted that an explosion occurred in the cement mix settling vibration machine, adjacent portable generator and tin can of oil being carried at Larkipora, Anantnag.
In a tragic incident, eight people were injured in an explosion in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday. The blast took place in the early morning near a local market, causing panic among the residents.
The police officials affirmed that the blast occurred in a load carrier vehicle carrying a concrete vibration machine, a portable generator and a can of oil. However, the officials ruled out any terror angle.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Kashmir Zone Police asserted that an explosion occurred in the cement mix settling vibration machine, adjacent portable generator and tin can of oil being carried at Larkipora, Anantnag.
The police added that eight labourers sustained burn injuries and they are undergoing treatment at Government Medical College and Association hospital in Anantnag. According to the police official no terrorist angle was observed and investigations are being carried out.
Earlier on 13 September 2023, an encounter took place between Indian security forces and militants in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The week-long encounter in the Gadol forest concluded on 19 September. During the encounter, 4 security forces personnel Colonel Manpreet Singh, commanding officer, 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Ashish Dhonchak and deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhatwere lost their lives
As far as reports are concerned, the encounter commenced when a joint operation was undertaken by Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the early hours of September 13, 2023, following inputs about a militant hideout. However, the militants appeared to have expected the action and opened fire on the security forces.
The operation involved the deployment of drone surveillance and the initiation of a search operation that was aimed at capturing the militants involved. The militant group, The Resistance Front has claimed responsibility for the encounter. The militant group evolved following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
India News
BJP MP Maneka Gandhi says ISKCON group biggest cheat, sells cows to butchers, temple authority responds
Cow and bull protection and care have been at the forefront of ISKCON’s efforts, not just in India but across the globe. Contrary to the allegations, the cows and bulls are not sold to butchers but are raised for their lifespan, the ISKCON temple spokesperson said.
Bhartiya Janta Party MP Maneka Gandhi made controversial remarks against the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple. Maneka Gandhi said ISKCON is the biggest cheat in the country, it sells cows from its cowsheds to butchers.
After her scathing attack on the religious body, the temple authority refuted all the allegations made by the BJP MP and issued a letter stating unsubstantiated and false claims.
The national spokesperson of the ISKCON temple Yudhistir Govinda Das took to X, formerly Twitter and said response to the unsubstantiated and false statements of Maneka Gandhi.
Cow and bull protection and care have been at the forefront of ISKCON’s efforts, not just in India but across the globe. Contrary to the allegations, the cows and bulls are not sold to butchers but are raised for their lifespan, the ISKCON temple spokesperson said.
Gandhi has also served as union minister and she is an animal rights activist. Gandhi has been quite vocal over the issues related to animal welfare.
A video of her, which is viral now, says ISKCON is the biggest cheat and it maintains cowsheds. The temple body also takes benefits and vast lands from the government.
In the video, Gandhi also talked about her visit to Anantpur Gaushala in Andhra Pradesh and claimed she could not find any cow that does not give milk or calves there. She further said that no dry cow (a cow which has not been milked for some time) was there in the entire dairy and not a single calf was there. She claimed it meant all were sold.
ISKCON is selling all its cows to the butchers. No one else does this as much as they do. And they go on and sing ‘Hare Ram Hare Krishna’ on the roads, she said. Then they say their entire life is dependent on milk. Probably, no one has sold as many cattle to the butchers as they did, the BJP MP Gandhi alleges in a video.
ISKCON has pioneered cow protection in many parts of the world where beef is a staple diet, according to an ISKCON statement. Gandhi is a well-known animal rights activist and well-wisher of ISKCON hence we are surprised by these statements, the statement issued by ISKCON’s body reads.
India News
Bank holidays in October 2023: Banks will remain closed for 16 days, check details
On October 24, a maximum number of banks will also remain non-functional because of the Dussehra holiday.
In October 2023, banks in various states of the country will witness 18 days of holidays, including Sundays and second and fourth Saturdays. It is to be noted that bank holidays will vary from state to state. The Reserve Bank of India regulates the functions of banks and decides their schedules and holidays for the entire year.
As per the Reserve Bank of India guidelines, both public sector banks and private sector banks do not work on Sundays and on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The banks also remain closed on public holidays, including regional holidays which are decided by the state governments.
In the month of October, banks across the country will remain closed on national holidays like Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. Reportedly, on October 24, a maximum number of banks will also remain non-functional because of the Dussehra holiday. Bank customers are advised to plan the bank-related works accordingly to avoid any last minute hassle. According to reports, internet banking services and ATMs will remain operational throughout the country on all days.
Here are the list of bank holidays in October:
2 October 2023: Gandhi Jayanti (national holiday)
8 October 2023: Sunday
12 October 2023: Naraka Chaturdashi (in multiple states)
15 October 2023: Sunday
18 October 2023: Kati Bihu (Assam)
19 October 2023: Samvatsari Festival (Gujarat)
21 October 2023: Durga Puja (Assam, Manipur, Tripura, West Bengal)
22 October 2023: Durga Puja (in multiple states)
23 October 2023: Maha Navami / Ayudha Puja (Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal)
24 October 2023: Dussehra / Vijayadashami (all states, except Andhra Pradesh, Manipur)
25 October 2023: Durga Puja / Accession Day (Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir)
27 October 2023: Durga Puja / Dasain (Sikkim)
28 October 2023: Lakshmi Puja (West Bengal)
29 October 2023: Sunday
31 October 2023: Sardar Vallabbhai Patel birth anniversary (Gujarat)
