Ram temple foundation laid, but jungle raj reigns in UP: Sena

11-ft long python rescued by forest dept in UP's Aligarh

A 11-foot long python weighing around 25 kg was rescued by the Forest Department with the help of JCB in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh on January 15. Scores of people witnessed the rescue operation. The python was later released into the wilderness.

Massive fire breaks out at cloth showroom in UP's Amroha

A massive fire broke out at cloth showroom in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha on Jan 15. Locals are on a war footing to douse the flames. No injuries have been reported yet. Reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained. More details are awaited.

President Kovind donates over Rs 5 lakh for Ram Mandir construction

On Jan 15, President Ram Nath Kovind made the first contribution towards the construction of Ram Mandir, which is to be built in UP's Ayodhya. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) working president, Alok Kumar said, "He is the first citizen of the country so we went to him to initiate this drive. He donated a sum of Rs 5,01,000." Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also made the contribution for construction of Ram Mandir. He handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to a leader of Vishva Hindu Parishad. He said, "I am grateful to be part of such mission." Ram Mandir is to be built at the site of Ram Janmabhoomi in UP's Ayodhya.

Makar Sankranti 2021: CM Yogi offers prayers at Gorakhnath temple

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at the Gorakhnath temple on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. He offered prayers in the wee hours of January 14. Several devotees also gathered at the temple to celebrate the Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in North India on January 14. The same festival is celebrated as Pongal in South India whereas people in Northeast celebrate it as Bihu festival. The festival is dedicated to sun god.

AAP MLA Somnath Bharti arrested after ink attack in UP, sent to judicial custody

AAP MLA Somnath Bharti was arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli on Monday. He was arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks against CM Yogi Adityanath. This came shortly after a man threw ink at the AAP leader as he was leaving a guest house. The events were slammed by AAP, which alleged that Bharti was first attacked and then framed. Bharti had reached Rae Bareli on Sunday night to inspect its state-run primary schools. He was stopped by the police when he was leaving the guest house on Monday morning. The MLA from Delhi's Malviya Nagar has been sent to 14-day judicial custody by a court in Sultanpur.

3rd phase of COVID-19 vaccine dry run begins in UP

The third phase of COVID-19 vaccine dry run began in Uttar Pradesh on Janaury 11. The beneficiaries reached to health centres in Lucknow. The objective of dry run is to gear up the country for roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited a health care centre to review the dry run. Additional Chief Secretary (Health) of UP, Amit Mohan Prasad said, "The dry run is happening at wide level in the state. We are covering 1500 centres and are running 3000 sessions today. The dry run is happening so that everyone be it health care workers or police officials get aware of their role in the vaccination drive." Beneficiaries also reached to health centres in Varanasi to participate in dry run drive. The COVID-19 vaccination drive will start from Jan 16 in the country.

Bhopal Congress workers on fund collection drive for Ram temple construction

The Congress workers in Bhopal launched a campaign to collect funds for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Party workers distributed pamphlets and asked individual to contribute directly to bank account of the temple trust. Government of India setup an independent trust named 'Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra' for the construction of Ram Temple. Congress leader PC Sharma said, "We urge people to send contributions directly to bank account of the temple trust and not give it to any individual."

Ayodhya's old age home urges for financial support

An old age home in Ayodhya, which is house of 45 women, is facing lack of helpers due to less funding. Women from different parts of the country, facing numerous kinds of family issue reside here. Every woman has a story and suffering of its own. At the old age home, women are provided with food and medicines. They keep themselves busy through various activities including singing. Their happiness after living in the old age home is clearly evident. With only 3 caretakers, the old age home is facing lack of helpers as the funding is very poor. They urged the government for not increasing their budget to run the shelter but to also increase the deposited amount in the bank accounts of these old women.

Watch: Harsh Vardhan, Delhi CM, others hail India's Covid vaccination drive

India's Covid-19 vaccination drive was launched by PM Modi on January 16, Saturday. Reactions from politicos across the country started pouring in soon after the launch. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that the vaccine will work as 'sanjeevani' in the fight against Covid-19. Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat praised the vaccine drive. Leaders of various states and UTs also hailed the Covid vaccination drive. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urged people not to pay heed to rumours over vaccine. Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh and Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio expressed satisfaction and hope over the drive. Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray said it was a 'moment of hope and honour'. Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering also congratulated PM Modi and the people of the country for the 'landmark' launch.

Moving car catches fire on Eastern Expressway in Thane

A moving car caught fire on Eastern Expressway. The tragedy occurred in Anand Nagar area of Maharashtra's Thane. Fire has been doused off. No casualties have been reported.