First Covishield vaccine consignment from Pune reaches Delhi

Serum's plant, where fire broke out, was upcoming facility for vaccine production: Pune CP

Pune Commissioner of Police Amitabh Gupta said that the Serum Institue of India's Manjri plant, where fire broke out, was an underconstruction facility for the production of Covishield vaccine. Preparation to begin the production at a later stage was ongoing, he added. Gupta further said that the main production was not going on there. The fire will douse in an hour, he added. "Fire broke out at Manjri plant. Production wasn't done there but preparation was on to begin it at a later stage. Fire fighting op is on, building has been vacated but we're re-checking. Fire will be doused in an hr. No problem at vaccine plant/storage," he said. In the latest development in the massive fire at Pune's Serum Institute of India, the vaccines and the vaccine manufacturing plant are safe. The incident of fire at the Serum Institute of India took place at Manjri Plant.

Watch: Fire at SII Pune’s facility, smoke billows; fire tenders rushed

Fire broke out at Manjri facility of Pune’s Serum Institute of India on Thursday. Pune’s Mayor Murlidhar Mohol said that a call was received at 2.50pm. Reportedly, ten fire tenders were rushed to the spot along with at least two extra tankers. As per reports, fire was reported from the fifth floor of the recently constructed building. Smoke was seen coming out of the building. Serum Institute of India is manufacturing coronavirus vaccine Covishield. Watch the full video for more details.

Covid update: PM Modi may get jab in 2nd phase; 5 killed in Serum Institute fire

From India’s vaccination drive to fire at Serum Institute, here are the top updates on the pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to get vaccinated in the second phase of the inoculation drive, as per reports. Reportedly, chief ministers above 50 will also get vaccine doses. Meanwhile, five people were killed in fire at Pune’s Serum Institute of India. PM Modi expressed anguish over the loss of life. The fire was reported from an under-construction building at SII’s facility. Also, health minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that some people are spreading misinformation about vaccines. Calling it unfortunate, Harsh Vardhan said it has developed vaccine hesitancy. Watch the full video for more updates on the pandemic.

Serum Institute fire: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar visits incident site

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on January 21 visited Serum Institute of India (SII), in Pune, where massive fire claimed five lives. After visiting the institute, he said, "Contractor's men were working on that floor (where the fire broke out) and when the fire brigade officials went there, they found five completely burnt bodies. 2 of them were from UP, 2 from Pune and 1 is from Bihar." "Fire brigade has done good work. As per my info, CM will also visit the site tomorrow. The place where COVID vaccine is manufactured was not affected. I was informed that preparation was going on at this building (site of fire) to make Rotavirus vaccine," he added. Fire had broken out at Manjri Plant of SII today afternoon and claimed five lives.

Serum Institute fire: 5 killed, 6 rescued; PM Modi expresses anguish

Cyrus S Poonawalla, chairman and MD of Serum Institute of India, on Thursday said the vaccine major will offer compensation of Rs 25 lakh in addition to the mandated amount to families of persons who died in a fire at the company's premises in Pune. Five men died after a fire broke out in a five-storeyed under-construction building at the firm's Manjari premises in Pune on Thursday. All were construction workers whose bodies were recovered by fire brigade personnel from the fifth floor, police said, adding nine others were evacuated from the spot. President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday expressed grief over the demise of five people who lost their lives in the fire incident at Serum Institute of India (SII), in Pune. "The loss of lives in a fire accident at the Serum Institute of India in Pune is distressing. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery of the injured," President Kovind tweeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths caused by the fire incident. "Anguished by the loss of lives due to an unfortunate fire at Serum Institute of India. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest," PM Modi tweeted. Watch the full video for more details.

Self-reliance in Defence a strategic necessity: Army Chief

The Indian Army Chief MM Naravane attended '25 years of Army Industry - Partnership' in Delhi on January 21. "2020 was a unique year with twin challenges of the COVID pandemic and the belligerence on the northern borders. The events of the past year have brought to the fore the vulnerability of global supply chains, underscoring the need for self-reliance. Today self-reliance in Defence has become a strategic necessity. It is imperative for us to invest in building long term indigenous capabilities for application across the entire spectrum of conflict," said the Army Chief. He also said, "Considering the quick pace of Defence modernisation being undertaken by our adversaries, we are lagging behind slightly. Continuous and heavy dependence of Indian armed forces on equipment of foreign origin needs to be addressed through indigenous capability development."

‘NCC plays a vital role as India’s second line of defence’: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government has identified more than 1,100 schools for National Cadet Corps (NCC) training in the border and coastal areas of India. Singh was speaking at the annual National Cadet Corps rally at NCC Parade Ground in Delhi on January 21. "Our Prime Minister has decided to expand the National Cadet Corps. There should be training of cadets at the border and coastal areas. We have identified more than 1,100 schools to begin NCC training. The participation of girls cadets in NCC has also increased from 28 per to 33 per cent. We are moving towards women's empowerment through NCC," he said. “The cadets played a tremendous role in the second line of defence. I have seen how cadets have helped armed forces during rescue operations,” he added. Watch the full video for more.