Vaccine tour: PM Modi arrives at Zydus Biotech Park near Ahmedabad to review COVID vaccine progress

Farmers are smarter than PM, govt cannot fool them: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the farm laws row said that it is not an assault on farmers but on the middle class and every youngster of the country, who is not able to get a job. Gandhi further said that farmers are smarter than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and government can neither tire them out nor fool them. "The rice, wheat you (middle class) buy comes at the rate you purchase because of APMC and the agricultural system. This is not an assault on farmers but on the middle class and on every single youngster in the country, who is not able to get a job. Realise that your independence is being taken away. The government in its arrogance believes that they can tire out the farmers and fool them, you can neither tire them nor fool them. Farmers are smarter than the Prime Minister. There is only one solution, government will have to take back the farm laws, there is no other solution," said Rahul Gandhi during a press conference on January 19.

Not afraid of PM Modi, I have clean character: Rahul Gandhi

"I am not afraid of Narendra Modi, I have a clean character, they can't touch me but they can shoot me. I am a nationalist," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a press conference on January 19. Gandhi further claimed that he has a clean character and all farmers know what he does. When asked about the committee formed by the Supreme Court, Rahul Gandhi said, "I won't comment on Supreme Court and India can see the reality of the Supreme Court."

‘If India does not give China a clear message...’: Rahul Gandhi warns govt

Rahul Gandhi warned the Modi government over China’s aggression in Ladakh and said that the government needs have a decisive strategy to counter the threat. ‘Unlike India, China has a very clear strategic vision. They want to shape the world. India does not have a strategic vision. China has tested India once before in Doklam and now in Ladakh. If China is not given a clear message, then China will not remain quiet, they will take advantage of it,’ Rahul Gandhi said. He said that he was raising the red-flag for the government. Rahul Gandhi also added that the government cannot sort this issue through event management and accused the Modi government of failing to protect India. Watch the full video for all the details.

Work underway over 1000 kms of metro network in 27 cities: PM Modi

During his address in the foundation stone laying ceremony of Ahmedabad and Surat metro rail projects, PM Modi said that the best example to see the work difference between previous governments and current government is the expansion of metro rail network across country. He further said that there was a time when there was no modern thinking regarding metro network and no metro policy. "Best example to see difference between approaches of previous governments' work and work of current government is the expansion of metro rail network across country. Before 2014, only 225 kms of metro line became operational in 10-12 yrs. In last 6 yrs, over 450 kms of metro network became operational. Work is underway on over 1000 kms of metro network in 27 cities across the nation, as of now. There was a time when there was no modern thinking in nation, regarding metro network. There was no metro policy. As a result, there were different kinds of metro in different cities."

Ahmedabad, Surat receiving important gifts: PM Modi on metro rail projects

PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project Phase-II and Surat Metro Rail Project on January 18. PM Modi said that both cities are receiving very important gifts as metro will further strengthen the connectivity in two major business centres of the country. "Ahmedabad and Surat are receiving very important gifts today. Metro will further strengthen the connectivity in two major business centres of the country, which are Ahmedabad and Surat. Today work of infrastructure worth Rs. 17, 000 crore is getting started. This shows that even in this time of pandemic, country's efforts towards development of new infrastructure is continuously increasing," said PM Narendra Modi.

‘3,81,305 beneficiaries received Covid vaccine, 580 adverse events’: Health Ministry

Union Health Ministry informed that a total of 3,81,305 beneficiaries have so far been vaccinated for Covid-19 and 580 adverse events following immunisation were reported in the country till 5 PM on January 18. Addressing a press briefing, Manohar Agnani, Additional Secretary in the ministry of health, said 1,48,266 beneficiaries were vaccinated across 25 states and union territories till 5 pm on Monday. “A total of 3,81,305 beneficiaries have so far been vaccinated (till 5 pm on Monday) till today through 7,704 sessions, as per the provisional reports,” the ministry said. Agnani said a cumulative 580 adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) and seven hospitalisations have so far been reported in the country since the nationwide Covid inoculation drive began on January 16. Watch the full video for more.

Brazil begins COVID vaccinations amid delay of ingredient imports

Lagging immunisation drive further hampered by wait on active ingredients from abroad to finish doses for distribution.

COVID-19 vaccination drive begins in India

The mega COVID-19 vaccination drive began in India on January 16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the drive and around 100 healthcare workers will get vaccinated at each session site on the inaugural day. Manish Kumar, a sanitation worker, became the first person to receive COVID-19 vaccine jab at AIIMS. In the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination drive, healthcare workers will receive the vaccine. The beneficiaries reached to their respective health centres. Two COVID vaccines have been approved in India- Pune-based SII's 'Covishield' and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's 'Covaxin'.

COVID vaccine reaches length and breadth of country

As India is set to start the vaccination program against COVID-19 on January 16, millions of doses of Covishield vaccine, manufactured by Pune's Serum Institute of India, have reached the length and breadth of the country. Himachal Pradesh has received 93,000 shots on Thursday evening as part of the first consignment which was dispatched from SII's Pune facility. The hilly state has more than 800 active cases of COVID-19. Kerala, which is struggling to keep rising cases under control also received the first batch of the vaccine in Mallapuram. The southern state has more than 65,000 active cases of coronavirus, the highest in the country. Ladakh also got 11,500 doses of the Covishield vaccine as part of the first phase of the vaccination program. BJP MP Jamyang Namgyal and state Health Department Director Dr Phuntsog Angchuk received the vaccine at Leh airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the vaccination program at 10:30 AM on January 16 with 3 crore health and frontline workers being listed to get the shots in the first phase.

Covid vaccine: How many Indians got jab on Day 1? Govt reveals

At least 1,65,714 healthcare beneficiaries received COVID-19 jab on Saturday across India, marking it as a historic and biggest COVID-19 vaccination drive launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. About 16,755 total vaccinators involved across India during the COVID vaccination drive. There was no post adverse event reported after the vaccination was administered to the people. "Total vaccinators involved across India were 16,755. Total beneficiaries vaccinated across India--1,65,714. COVID19 vaccination drive was successful on Day 1. No case of post-vaccination hospitalisation reported so far," said Manohar Agnani, Additional Secretary of Union Health Ministry. "The Serum Institute of India (SII) produced COVISHIELD was supplied to all States and Union Territories (UT). Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN was supplied to 12 States. Total 3,351 sessions were held across the country with both the vaccines, said Health Ministry on COVID19 vaccine roll-out," he added. Watch the full video for more details.

First feeling, side-effects, doubts: Vaccinated doctors share experience

On Day 1 of India's Covid-19 vaccination, two doctors who took the shots shared their experience. Dr Atul Peters and Anil Dhar of Max hospital were given Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and SII-made Covishield jabs respectively. Both didn't experience any side-effects and said that doubts regarding the inoculants are unfounded. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee of Apollo hospital, who is set to receive a shot soon, also weighed in on the controversy regarding Covaxin and its third phase trials. Watch the full video for more.

Hyderabad-based non-profit organisation provides free education to tribal children

Once a child labour, Santosh, who is currently running his own NGO in Hyderabad, provides free primary education to the tribal children. People Helping Children was set up in 2019 and aims towards providing solution to the problems faced by the underprivileged children. Education and nutritious food are the two top priorities of the NGO. With branches in 6 states, NGO runs with the support of around 50 members and over 1000 volunteers. Founder of People Helping Children, Santosh said, "I lost my childhood, I worked as a child labourer, so I don't want anyone to lose their childhood, this is the main reason, why I started this NGO." The goal of this NGO is that every child gets primary education in the country.

Vaccines approved only after testing: G Kishan Reddy confident of efficacy

Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy inaugurated vaccination drive at Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad on January 16. On the rumours around the efficacy of the vaccine, G Kishan Reddy said that medicines tested in other countries are considered good but when our scientists toil and develop made in India medicines, people view it like that. He further assured that vaccines have been approved only after testing."I request people to not say such things. Medicines tested in other countries are considered good but when our scientists toil and develop made in India medicines, people view it like that. I request not to discuss things like this. Vaccines have been approved only after testing. I say this confidently that the vaccines will benefit everyone," said MoS Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy.