PM Modi pays tribute to Rani Lakshmibai, Indira Gandhi on birth anniversary

Have inputs of 'unwanted elements' in crowd: Khattar on presence of 'Khalistan' in 'Delhi Chalo' protest

Indicating Khalistani angle in the farmers' protest against three new farm laws, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on November 28 claimed presence of some "unwanted elements" in the protest that has swept the national capital and surrounding regions. Khattar alleged that these "unwanted elements" in some videos could be heard saying "jab Indira Gandhi ko ye kar sakte hain, to Modi ko kyu nahi kar sakte" (When we could [assassinate] Indira Gandhi, then why not Modi). "We have inputs of some such unwanted elements in crowd. We have reports, will disclose once it's concrete. They raised such slogans. In videos they said 'jab Indira Gandhi ko ye kar sakte hain, to Modi ko kyu nahi kar sakte'," Khattar told media persons in Gurugram. Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, have started 'Delhi Chalo' protest against centre's three farm laws with many of them standing on border areas of the national capital. A protesting group was allowed by Delhi Police on November to settle at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari area.

Sonia Gandhi remembers Indira Gandhi on her 103rd birth anniversary

On November 19, former prime minister Indira Gandhi is being remembered on her 103rd birth anniversary. Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to her at Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum. Indira Gandhi was the first and only woman prime minister of India.

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.

Devotees take holy dip on occasion of 'Makar Sankranti'

Devotees performed rituals in West Bengal's Kolkata on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. They took holy dip in Hoogly River on January 14. On the other side, devotees also took holy dip in Ganga River on the occasion of Makar Sankranti today. People came in large numbers to perform the rituals in UP's Varanasi.

Icy winds, fog affect normal lives in parts of UP

The temperature has dipped in Uttar Pradesh. The foggy mornings and icy winds affected lives in Kanpur. Locals were seen using bonfire to keep themselves warm. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kanpur recorded minimum temperature at 5 degrees and maximum temperature at 20 degrees. The cold waves have also tightened its grip in Varanasi as well and normal lives got affected due to the cold weather. Locals were seen using bonfire to keep themselves warm here as well. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Varanasi recorded minimum temperature at 6 degrees and maximum temperature at 19 degrees.

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.