Strike impacts normal life in Kerala, West Bengal; banking operations hit

Don't need her certificate: Vijayvargiya on Mamata's 'BJP more dangerous than Naxalites' remark

BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya reacted on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement calling the party "more dangerous than Naxals". He said that BJP doesn't need CM Banerjee's certificate that it is dangerous or not. "People of the country have made Narendra Modi Prime Minister second time so we don't need Mamata Banerjee's certificate,' he said. He added that BJP will only choose those TMC leaders who are not indulged in anti-national activities.

Aditya Birla Group's Vice President joins BJP ahead of Bengal polls

Ranjan Banerjee, senior vice-president of Aditya Birla Group, joined the BJP in Kolkata on January 20. He joined the party in the presence of BJP's national vice president Mukul Roy. Meanwhile, Arindam Bhattacharya, a former Congress MLA who later switched to TMC joined BJP. He joined BJP in the presence of party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya in New Delhi. Speaking to ANI, Ranjan Banerjee said, "I thank BJP for giving me this opportunity to serve the people of the state. We need to bring industries here so that people can get employment." Bengal is going for polls in the mid of 2021.

Mamata Vs who in Nandigram?’: Suvendu Adhikari responds; guarantees BJP win

Days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that she would contest the upcoming state assembly election from Nandigram, now her former aide turned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has hit back. While Adhikari refused to confirm his candidature from Nandigram, he said that he would guarantee the victory of the candidate the BJP fields in Nandigram. ‘Mamata Banerjee has announced to contest from there, relying on 62,000 votes but I have 2.13 lakh people who chant 'Jai Shri Ram,’ Adhikari said. Meanwhile, in a fresh setback to the Trinamool Congress, Arindam Bhattacharya joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that he wants to join PM Modi’s mission of making an Atmanirbhar Bengal. Watch the full video for all the details.

Out of sheer love for bike, Kerala man crafts wooden replica

Bike lover from Kerala crafted replica of his favourite motorcycle. Hailing from the land of teak forests, Jithin used the wood to make a duplicate of Royal Enfield Bullet. He took a total of two years to craft the eye-catchy piece.

Will come out with flying colours: Kerala Congress chief after poll meeting with Rahul

Congress leaders from Kerala and Rahul Gandhi had a meeting on January 18 ahead of state Assembly elections in which they decided that no leader will be projected as a Chief Minister candidate in next polls. Speaking on the meeting, Kerala Congress president Mullappally Ramachandran said, "The upcoming Assembly election in Kerala was discussed during the meeting. We have taken a decision that we'll get united and go to the polls in a disciplined manner. Definitely, we will come out with flying colours. The question before us is how to win the elections. We are following the guidelines given by Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi."

‘Unrelated’: Centre clarifies on 3 out of 4 deaths post Covid-19 vaccination

Union Health Ministry commented on the deaths post the covid-19 vaccination. Additional secretary said that 3 out of 4 deaths were unrelated to vaccination. In total 7.86 lakh healthcare workers have received Covid-19 vaccine jabs till the evening of the fifth day of the nationwide immunisation drive, as per provisional report of the Union Health Ministry on Jan 20. "The cumulative number of healthcare workers vaccinated against Covid-19 has touched 7,868,42 (till 6 pm Wednesday) through 14,119 sessions, as per the provisional report," the ministry said. On the four deaths reported, one each from Uttar Pradesh and Telangana and two from Karnataka, the official said in case of the death from Moradabad in UP, post mortem confirmed cardio-pulmonary disease and is not related to vaccination. “About the death reported from Bellary in Karnataka, post mortem suggested myocardial infarction and it is not related to vaccination. The other death reported in Shivamoga is also a suspected case of myocardial infarction not related to immunization,” Union Health Ministry Manohar Agnani said. Watch the full video for more.

3 of 4 post-vaccination deaths unrelated, another's post-mortem underway: Govt

Union Health Ministry on January 20 informed that out of four deaths reported after COVID vaccination jab, three are not related to vaccination while post-mortem is underway for one. Additional Secretary of Union Health Ministry, Manohar Agnani said, "Four deaths have been reported from Uttar Pradesh (1), Karnataka (2) and Telangana (1). In Uttar Pradesh, post-mortem confirms cardiopulmonary disease and not related to vaccination. Post-mortem is suggestive of myocardial infarction in case of Karnataka's Bellary and it is also not related to vaccination. The case of Karnataka's Shivamogga is a suspected case of MI and is also not related to vaccination. While in the case of Telangana's Nirmal, post-mortem is undergoing." He also said, "A total of 7,86,842 beneficiaries have been vaccinated till 6 pm today as per the provisional reports. No case of severe/serious AEFI has been attributed to vaccination till date."

This trailblazing chef is exploring India's culinary map

Garima Arora is the first and only female Indian chef to earn a Michelin star for her restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand. Now she’s putting the spotlight back on India, starting with Telangana – the southern Indian state she was born in.

COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Kerala, Leh

Malappuram District received COVID-19 vaccines, ahead of pan-India vaccination drive. The first consignment of Covishield also arrived at Leh. So far, several states including Karnataka, New Delhi, Telangana, Bihar and Tamil Nadu have received the vaccine. First phase of COVID vaccination is scheduled to begin from Jan 16.

Chinese national among 3 arrested in instant loan apps fraud: Telangana Police

Three people including a Chinese national were arrested in connection with instant loan apps fraud case in Telangana, informed Rachakonda Commissioner of Police, Mahesh Bhagwat on January 13. "One Chinese national, an Indian citizen and one other arrested, in connection with online instant loan apps fraud case. Bank accounts with Rs 30 crore frozen, 105 mobile phones, laptops recovered," said CP Bhagwat.

Maximum number of electors at polling station reduced from 1500 to 1000 in Assam: Sunil Arora

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said that maximum number of electors at a polling station has been reduced from 1500 to 1000 in Assam. "In view of Covid social distancing norms, the Commission has specifically revisited some extant norms. As a result, the maximum number of electors at a polling station has been reduced from 1500 to 1000," he said.