BJP upbeat over Rajasthan local bodies election results, says West Bengal next

BJP reduced TMC to half in 2019, will wipe them out in 2021: Dilip Ghosh

Speaking to ANI in Siliguri on January 19, West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Dilip Ghosh spoke on Suvendu Adhikari's remark. Ghosh said, "Who knows Nandigram better than Suvendu? It is in his hands. If he has said it, he might do it as well." "Violent politics will continue under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule. They have tactics to stop BJP but it weakened with time. We will bring in a change in West Bengal. As development is inching closer, they are getting uneasy and doing this. We reduced TMC to half in '2019 and will wipe them out in 2021," he added. On January 18, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said, "She (WB CM Mamata Banerjee) goes to Nandigram only during elections. Can she tell what has she done for the people of Nandigram? Whoever would contest against her, she would lose by 50,000 votes. If I fail to make her lose, I will leave politics."

Watch: Stone pelting during BJP rally in Kolkata ahead of Bengal polls

Violence erupted in Kolkata during an election rally on January 18. A BJP worker was allegedly injured when stones were pelted at the rally. The stone pelters allegedly carried TMC party flags. In response, BJP workers also allegedly indulged in violence. Two-wheelers at the roadside were allegedly vandalized and stones were also pelted at buildings and shops in the area. The BJP roadshow was led by Dilip Ghosh and Suvendu Adhikari. “BJP is absolutely ready to give a befitting reply to TMC in West Bengal. We are ready to defeat Mamata Banerjee no matter where she contests elections from. Senior BJP leaders made her enter Nandigram but today we have an opportunity to oust her,” said Ghosh. Watch the full video for more.

BJP ready to oust Mamata Banerjee from Bengal: Dilip Ghosh

After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that she will contest the upcoming assembly elections from Nandigram constituency, president of West Bengal BJP, Dilip Ghosh, on January 18 said that his party will defeat her irrespective of where she contest from. Dilip Ghosh said, "BJP is absolutely ready to give a befitting reply to TMC in West Bengal. We are ready to defeat Mamata Banerjee no matter where she contest elections from. Senior BJP leaders made her enter Nandigram but today the opportunity has come to get her out of there." BJP held rally in Kolkata today ahead of West Bengal Assembly elections later this year.

Surat hit-run case: PM announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for kin of deceased

Death toll mounted to 15 in Surat's hit and run case on January 19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deepest condolences on the truck accident tragedy. He also announced to give ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF (Prime Minister's National Relief Fund) to next of the kin of the deceased. And Rs 50,000 each would be given to those injured. Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 Lakhs each to the next of the kin of those who lost their lives in the accident in Surat. The labourers were sleeping on the pavement of the Palod village, when the truck driver lost his control and drove it over the sleeping workers. All the deceased hailed from Rajasthan. 13 people died on spot.

15 workers killed in Surat after being run over by truck; PM expresses grief

Fifteen migrant labourers from Rajasthan sleeping by the roadside died after a truck ran over them on Jan 18 in Gujarat's Surat district. The incident took place near Kosamba village, around 60 km from Surat. “The truck was on its way to Mandvi from Kim. The driver lost control of the vehicle after it hit sugarcane hanging out of the tractor trolley coming from the opposite direction,” said a police official. Twelve died on the spot while three of the eight injured died in a nearby hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that ex-gratia of Rs two lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of each person killed in the accident and Rs 50,000 would be given to each injured. Watch the full video for more.

13 people killed after being run over by truck in Surat's Kosamba

13 people died after they were run over by a truck in Surat's Kosamba on January 18. The labourers were sleeping on the pavement of the Palod village, when the truck driver lost his control and drove it over the sleeping workers. All the deceased hailed from Rajasthan. 13 people died on spot, while the remaining six were admitted in a nearby hospital.

'Greatest series ever won by India': Gambhir on Aus triumph

Former Indian cricketer and BJP MP from East Delhi, Gautam Gambhir, on January 19 lauded the performance of Indian Cricket Team. He said, "This is the greatest series ever to be won by the Indian cricket team ever, I don't think so it has been any bigger than this," he said. Gambhir hailed the performance of young players who proved their mettle in the absence of key players who were injured.

'Mafi nahi, inhe bhare chowk par juton se marna hoga': Ram Kadam on 'Tandav' team's apology

BJP leader and MLA Ram Kadam lashed out at Amazon and the team of 'Tandav' after the team apologized over the controversy. He said that apology will not work, "They should be beaten with shoes on a crowded chowk. He added that he will not sit quiet until team of 'Tandav' goes behind the bars. Recently, the cast and crew of 'Tandav' unconditionally apologized for unintentionally hurting people's sentiments.

Prakash Parv 2021: Preparations underway at Takhat Sri Harimandir ji Patna Sahib

Ahead of 354th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, preparations are underway at Takhat Sri Harimandir ji Patna Sahib also known as Harimandir Sahib in Bihar. The celebration is also called as Guru Gobind Singh Parkash Utsav or Prakash Parv. The auspicious day of Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti will be celebrated on January 20.

Cold wave conditions prevail in parts of North India

Dense fog enveloped Aligarh city of Uttar Pradesh on January 18. It led to low visibility at various locations. Similar situation of fog was observed in Bihar's Muzaffarpur today. A thick blanket of dense fog also engulfed Punjab's Ludhiana. Locals were seen keeping themselves warm near the bonfire amid chilly winter season. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 8 degrees celsius, as per India Meteorological Department (IMD).

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.

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'.