India continues to add new leaflets to the chronicles of its world’s largest and fastest COVID-19 Vaccination drive. The country has achieved the landmark of administering over 10 crore vaccine doses in a record time of 85 days surpassing the vaccination rate of all other countries in the world including that of the USA and China. With administration of over 35 lakh doses in the last 24 hours, the nation today stands at a cumulative figure of administering nearly 10 crore 16 lakh COVID-19 Vaccine doses. The numbers are set to soar higher with the pan-India special vaccination drive kick-starting from today in the form of ‘Teeka Utsav’.

The nation commenced the largest vaccination drive in the world on 16th January this year with vaccination of healthcare workers. Vaccination of front line workers began from 2nd February whereas from 1st of March vaccination of everyone aged above 60 years and above 45 years with specified co-morbidities was undertaken. Widening the scope of Vaccination, from 1st of this month, under the current phase everyone above the age of 45 is being vaccinated.  The Health Ministry has informed that in a short span of time nearly 7 crore people above 45 years have already been administered the first shot of the COVID-19 Vaccine whereas in the same age group over 24 lakh people have been fully vaccinated after receiving their second dose of vaccination as well.

The Health Ministry has informed that the COVID-19 recovery rate in the country today witnessed a slight decline and stood at 90.44 per cent. It said, in the last 24 hours, over 90 thousand people were discharged after recovery. Till now, over 1 crore 20 lakh people have recovered from the COVID-19 infection in the country.

In the last 24 hours, 1 lakh 52 thousand 879 new cases were reported. Ten States including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala have shown a steep rise in the daily new cases. Over 80 per cent of the new cases are reported from these 10 states.The number of active cases in the country today stands at the figure of around 11 lakh 8 thousand, comprising around 8.29 per cent of the total reported cases. The Health Ministry informed that 839 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours due to COVID-19 taking the cumulative toll to 1 lakh 69 thousand 275.

With a special focus on the 5-point principle of  ‘Test, Track, Treat, Isolate & Vaccinate’, the number of cumulative COVID-19 testing reported by Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR has surpassed the figure of 25 crore 66 lakh. The apex medical research body has informed that in the past 24 hours alone more than 14 lakh 12 thousand samples were tested in the country.

As of today, two thousand 450 laboratories are engaged in the work of testing COVID samples across the country which include one thousand 230 government and one thousand 220 private labs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to everyone to follow four fold principle as the nation kick-starts four day special vaccination drive, Teeka Utsav today. Emphasising on the need to follow both personal and social hygiene, Mr. Modi urged citizens to imbibe these four principles which include ‘Each One, Vaccinate One’ , ‘Each One , Treat One’ , ‘Each One, Save One’ , and people led creation of Micro Containment Zones.

The Prime Minister said the ‘Teeka Utsav’ is the beginning of the second big war against Corona Pandemic. He also urged citizens to ensure zero wastage of COVID vaccines and asked those eligible to be vaccinated to get their jabs. Mr. Modi said during this time we have to move towards optimum utilization of the country’s vaccination capacity. He added that this will also in a way increase our vaccination capacity. The Prime Minister asserted that the Nation’s success in the fight against the pandemic will be determined by the fact that people don’t step outside their houses without pressing needs.

Entrusting women with the job of getting every eligible beneficiary in the house to get vaccinated, Mr. Modi stressed that our success will be determined by how we wear masks and follow other covid appropriate behaviours. He expressed confidence that with public participation in these four days, at the individual level, at the level of society and at the level of administration, the country will be able to achieve a major breakthrough in its Corona oriented fight.

The four day long special vaccination drive, Teeka Utsav,  has started from today all over the country. The vaccine drive which began on the Birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotiba Phule  will culminate on 14th April on the occasion of birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

Union Territory of Puducherry is geared up for the Covid 19 Vaccination drive to prevent the spike of the Corona virus disease in recent days.

Gujarat is celebrating the four day special vaccination drive in the state from today. More than 89 lakh persons have been vaccinated in the state till now. According to the state health department, 2 lakh 87 thousand 217 persons were vaccinated in the state yesterday. AIR Ahmedabad correspondent reports that the state has launched a special vaccination drive against the Covid-19 to cover the maximum number of people.

Along with the nationwide campaign,  an immunization drive is being conducted  from today  in Madhya Pradesh. During this 4-day festival, all 51 districts have been targeted for vaccination against corona.

Along with the rest of the nation, Teeka Utsav commenced today in Sikkim. In Gangtok, vaccines are being administered at the urban primary health centre and Paljor Stadium. On the occasion, chief minister PS Tamang received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at STNM Hospital near Gangtok.

The Teeka Utsav has brought  a new sense of confidence and enthusiasm among Mumbaikars which began today. People are visiting the vaccination centres in Mumbai as well as other parts of Maharashtra. Due to the adequate supply of vaccines to Maharashtra, the state has become the first state to administer One crore doses to the beneficiaries.

In Bihar, a large number of people above the age of  45 years  are approaching vaccination centres across the state for Covid-19 vaccine. The state government has said four lakh people will be vaccinated each day during ongoing Teeka Utsav. Chief Minister Nitsh Kumar has appealed to people to come forward for vaccination to contain corona pandemic.Mr Kumar said additional arrangements have been made for mass vaccination. Two  lakh 52 thousand 835 people took the vaccine during the past 24 hour in the state. Over 46 lakh 83 thousand 143 people have so far been vaccinated in the State. The State government has demanded 30 lakh dose from the centre.

Union Minister of State for health and  family welfare Ashwani Kumar Choubey called for upgradation of RT-PCR machines in the state as per the guidelines of Indian Council of Medical Research. The minister said all states have been requested to conduct more than 75 percent  Covid tests through RT-PCR method.

Central Council Member of Indian Dental association, Dr. Sudarshan Ranpise urged all eligible citizens to get vaccinated. He also made a request not to believe in rumours and follow covid protocols.

In Chhattisgarh, cases of corona infection are increasing steadily.

More than 10 thousand six hundred new Covid positive patients have been identified in the state yesterday. With this, the total number of corona infected cases in Chhattisgarh has crossed the four lakh mark.

Yesterday 72 people died due to COVID. At present, 68,125 people are being treated in various hospitals or in home isolation in the state. In view of the current situation of corona infection, the total lockdown is being imposed in Raipur district from this evening.
 
In Raipur district of Chhattisgarh, the total lockdown will be imposed from 6 pm today. This lockdown will continue till the morning of April 19. During these 10 days, except for petrol pumps, medicine shops and LPG agencies, no other business establishment will be allowed to open. Government and private offices as well as banks will also remain closed during the lockdown. The borders of the district will be sealed for ten days. In view of the lockdown in Raipur district, people are rushing to the markets to buy essential commodities. To ensure the availability of essential goods to the people and also to prevent black marketing, the Raipur district administration has formed nine teams.
 
These teams are conducting surprise inspections in the shops. In view of increasing Corona infection, total lockdown will also be imposed in Rajnandgaon and Bemetara district of the state from tomorrow. Earlier, in the Durg district, the lockdown has already been imposed from April 6.
 
Meanwhile, the vaccination campaign in Chhattisgarh is also continuing vigorously. Till now more than thirty five lakh people have been vaccinated in the state. 

India has administered over nine crore 43 lakh Covid-19 vaccine doses in the country so far. Union Health Ministry said that more than 36 lakh 91 thousand beneficiaries have been inoculated with Covid-19 Vaccine doses in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile a total number of one lakh 31 thousand 968 new cases have been reported in the country in the past 24 hours taking the cumulative positive cases to over one crore 30 lakh. The Health Ministry said, 780 deaths have also been reported during the last 24 hour taking the toll to over one lakh 67 thousand across the country.

Ten States including Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan have shown a rise in the COVID daily new cases. Over 83 per cent of the new cases are reported from these 10 states. 

Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases of over 56 thousand followed by Chhattisgarh with 10 thousand 652 cases.

The country’s COVID-19 recovery rate is at 91.22 per cent with the recovery of more than 61 thousand patients in the last 24 hours. The Ministry said that more than one crore 19 lakh patients have already recovered from this disease. Presently, the total number of active cases in the country is over nine lakh 79 thousand which comprises of  7.50 per cent of the total positive cases.

The Indian Council of Medical Research said that various laboratories have conducted more than 13 lakh 64 thousand tests of coronavirus samples during the last 24 hours and more than 25 crore 40 lakh tests have been done in the country so far.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harshvardhan has expressed concern over the rising cases of Covid-19 in the country. He said, the casual approach and laxity of the people towards Covid-19 has resulted in a sudden spike of fresh cases.
 
While chairing the 24th Group of Minister meeting on COVID-19 today, Dr Harsh Vardhan assured that all the facilities required to tackle rising cases are maintained well. He informed that over 15 thousand dedicated health care facilities are functional in the country and there are over 18 lakh beds for Covid patients.
 
On the vaccination front, the Minister said, India is inoculating at a faster rate so far and over nine crore 43 lakh doses of vaccines have been administered. He said, in last week, over 43 lakh doses were given to various priority groups in a single day which is the highest in the world. He said, six crore 45 lakh doses of vaccines have been exported to 84 countries by India so far.

In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, seven terrorists among terror outfit Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind chief were gunned down by security forces in two different encounters in south Kashmir since last evening.
 
In the first encounter, five terrorists were killed in Shopian encounter that started yesterday afternoon, after a joint team of J&K Police and security forces launched a search operation on the basis of specific input about the presence of terrorists in the town.
 
Meanwhile, in another encounter , two  terrorists among terror outfit Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind Chief Imtiyaz Shah have been killed at Nowbugh Tral in Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district this morning.
 
Search operations at both the encounters sites are going on till last reports came in.  Further details are awaited.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that Government is committed to enhance the growth of the Eastern parts of the country that has been neglected for far too long.

Speaking at the book launch ceremony of Hindi Version of the  ‘Odisha Itihaas’ written by Dr Harekrushna Mahtab in New Delhi today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that the Centre has a focussed approach for growth in all areas which need immediate attention. Highlighting the special projects for the North Eastern states and Eastern Region, Mr. Modi said the government has initiated several key projects for development of Infrastructure and Industries in the region. He said the Centre is committed towards the Blue Revolution for the betterment of fishermen in the country living along the coastal lines. Mr. Modi said, Odisha has flourished with a wide network of national highways, coastal ways, oil and gas pipelines.

The Prime Minister stressed the need for much wider study of History. He said history should not only be a lesson of the past but should also mirror the future. Mr Modi said, the country is keeping this in focus while celebrating Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav and enlivening the history of the freedom struggle. He lamented the fact that many important events and stories of the freedom struggle could not come before the country in proper form. The Prime Minister said in the Indian tradition, history is not limited to kings and palaces. He said, History evolved with people over thousands of years. Mr Modi said, it is foreign thought process that has turned the stories of dynasties and palaces into history. 

Giving example of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the Prime Minister, most of the description in it is of the common people and in our lives, common person is the focus point.   

The Prime Minister emphasized that with struggles like Paika Rebellion, Ganjam Revolt to Sambalpur Struggle, land of Odisha always gave new energy to the fire of revolt against the British rule. He said, Surendra Sai of Sambalpur Andolan is a source of inspiration for all of us. The Prime Minister remembered the immense contribution of leaders like Pandit Gopabandhu, Acharya Harihar and Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab. He paid tribute to the contribution of Ramadevi, Malti Devi, Kokila Devi and Rani Bhagyawati.

The Prime Minister also noted the contribution of the tribal community who always troubled the British with their patriotism and valour. He also remembered the great tribal leader of the Quit India Movement Laxman Nayak. The Prime Minister said that history of Odisha represents the historical strength of entire India. This strength, reflected in the history is connected with the present and future possibilities and work as a guide for us. 

Mr Modi said, it is important that diverse and comprehensive history of Odisha should reach people of the country. He made a call for making the Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav a truly People’s movement and expressed that this campaign will lead to the flow of similar energy as was witnessed during the independence struggle.

Dwelling upon the development of the state, the Prime Minister said that for business and industry, the first requirement is infrastructure. He informed that thousands of kilometres of national highways, coastal highways are being constructed in Odisha which will lead to connectivity of the parts of the state. Mr Modi said, hundreds of kilometre long rail lines have also been laid in the states in the last 6-7 years. He said, thousands of crores have been invested to realize the vast possibilities in oil sector and steel sector in the state. Similarly, efforts are on to improve the lives of the fishermen of Odisha through blue revolution.

The Prime Minister also talked about the efforts being undertaken in the skill sector. He said, for the benefit of the youth of the state, foundations have been laid for institutes like IIT Bhubaneshwar, IISER Berhampur, Indian Institute of Skills, IIT Sambalpur in the state.

Speaking about former Odisha Chief Minister and author of the book ‘Odisha Itihaas’, Dr Mahtab, the Prime Minister said that he was not only a notable figure in the Indian Independence Movement but was also a political personality who contributed a lot in the making of modern Odisha. He noted that during the Emergency, Dr Mahtab went to jail opposing the party under which he became Chief Minister. He said, Dr Mahtab went to prison for both independence and for saving the country’s democracy.

The book, available in Odia and English so far, has been translated into Hindi by Shankarlal Purohit.Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Member of Parliament Lok Sabha, Bhartruhari Mahtab were present on the occasion. 

President  Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Justice N V Ramana as the 48th Chief Justice of India, accepting the recommendation made by the outgoing  CJI SA Bobde. Justice Ramana will have a term till August 26th next year.

Before his elevation to the Supreme Court on February 17th, 2014, Justice Ramana was the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. He was born in an agricultural family in Andhra Pradesh.

Prime minister Narendra Modi said, false narratives are being built; be it about farm laws, CAA or labour laws. Addressing  BJP’s 41st foundation day today, Mr Modi said, it is a conspiracy to create political instability.  Prime minister highlighted that sometimes they say citizenship will be snatched, sometimes it’s farmers’ land, but they are all blatant lies.

He called upon BJP workers to go to people and make people aware.  Mr Modi said, BJP not only represents national interest but is also a party of regional aspirations. Saying the party’s mantra has been ‘Vyakti Se Bada Dal Aur Dal Se Bada Desh’, Prime minister reiterated, this tradition continues to this day.

Mr Modi said the party fulfilled Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s vision of one India by scrapping Article 370 and gave Kashmir the constitutional right. He criticised the opposition for their remark that if BJP wins polls, it’s called poll wining machine, but if others win, there is appreciation.  

Mr Modi said, people who say BJP is a poll-winning machine, do not understand India’s Constitution and democracy’s maturity. He said the truth is that BJP is not poll winning machine, but a movement that connects with people.

Delhi government has imposed night curfew in the national capital from 10 PM to 5 AM with immediate effect till 30th April. The decision was taken in the wake of increase in COVID 19 cases. There will be no restrictions on traffic movement during night curfew. People can get vaccinated but need to have an e-pass. Owners of ration, general, fruits, vegetables and medical stores will be allowed on e-pass. Print and electronic media personnel will also be allowed to move on e-pass.

Private doctors, nurses and paramedical staff will remain exempted from night curfew. Passengers going to airports, railway stations and bus stations will be exempted if a valid ticket is produced. Pregnant women and patients going for treatment have also been exempted.

Buses, metros, autos and taxis will be allowed to ferry only those people who are exempt from night curfew. There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement and transportation of essential and non-essential goods. No separate permission or e-pass will be required for such movements.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged the centre to open up vaccination for everyone above 18 years of age. In a letter written to the Prime Minister today, the IMA has also appealed that the government should make vaccination certificate mandatory for entry into public places and large gatherings.

Highlighting the gradual rise in number of new COVID cases, the Association termed it painful that in spite of extraordinary efforts of the Government the new cases in the apparent second wave is turning alarming.

IMA added that since vaccination against COVID stands as a single evidence-based resource to restrict the cases, the drive should be amplified multifold in order to pave way for herd immunity.

The Association said that the government should include private sector family clinics in the vaccination drive to widen it’s ambit and constitute district level vaccine task force in every district to monitor effective vaccination of every beneficiary.

A special campaign for Covid-19 appropriate behaviour will be launched today. It will emphasise on 100 per cent mask usage, personal hygiene and sanitation at public places, workplaces and health facilities. The special campaign will be organised till 14th of this month.

At a high-level meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasized that awareness of the community and its involvement is paramount for sustainable COVID-19 management. In a presentation made during the meeting, it was highlighted that there is an alarming rate of growth of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the country.

AIR correspondent reports that some of the main reasons for the rapid rise in COVID cases can be attributed to the severe decline in compliance of Covid-appropriate behaviour, primarily in terms of use of masks and maintaining ‘2 Gaj ki Doori’.

Therefore, government is launching this special campaign to emphasise the need for covid-appropriate behaviour in the coming days. For sustainable COVID-19 management, awareness and involvement of the community are paramount. There is a need to continue public participation and public movement for COVID-19 management.

The five-fold strategy of Testing, Tracing, Treatment, Covid-appropriate behaviour and Vaccination would be effective in curbing the spread of the Pandemic.

Polling for the single-phase elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry along with the Lok Sabha by-polls for Kanniyakumari seat in Tamil Nadu and Malappuram seat in Kerala, is progressing smoothly.  Polling is also being held in Assam and West Bengal for the Third Phase of Assembly Elections.

The people were seen standing in long queues in front of the Polling Stations right from the beginning. All the necessary facilities and security arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair polling during this phase.

The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is being used along with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at every Polling Station, with a view to enhance the transparency and credibility of the election process. The polling will be conducted till 6.00 P.M.

In Assam,  33.18% polling has been reported till 11 am. Over 79 lakh voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the third and final phase of polls. State BJP President Ranjeet Kumar Dass, senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma are among those who voted so far. Voting is on following all Covid 19 protocols. Special arrangement for senior citizens including wheelchairs has been made in polling stations.

Kerala records 28.38 percent voter turnout till 11 am. 30.96 percent male voters, 25.95 percent female voters and 5.53 percent transgender voters cast their ballots till now. Entire state is witnessing heavy turnout in the initial hours of polls.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Cheif Minister Oommen Chandy, BJP State President K. Surendran and Metroman E. Sreedharan are among the prominent leaders cast their votes in the morning itself. All the leaders expressed confidence in winning the elections. Voting is peacefully underway in all the constituencies. Long queues are seen outside the polling stations.

Voting began at 7am in the morning and it will continue till 7 pm in  131 constituencies and  it will end at 6 pm in nine naxal affected constituencies. Over 2.74 crore voters will cast their votes in 40,771 polling booths across the State. 957 candidates are contesting the assembly polls and six in the Loksabha bypoll.

Elections are being conducted in strict adherence to Covid-19 and green protocols. Covid patients and quarantined voters will be permitted in the final hour of polling. Elaborate security arrangements are in place all over the state. Webcasting and CCTV facility is being provided in most of the polling booths to prevent bogus and double voting.

In Tamilnadu, the present status of polling is 9.23 Percentage. polling goes on smoothly in the single-phase assembly elections in all the 234 assembly constituencies. People unmindful of the hot summer have come in large numbers and are participating in the festival of democracy.

Along with the Assembly election, voters of Kanyakumari have to additionally exercise their franchise for the bye poll in the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency.

The political fate of 3998 candidates will be decided today by a total of six crore 28 lakh sixty nine thousand 955 voters spread across  37 districts in the State.

In addition, actor-politician Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and the newly-forged alliance between TTV Dhinakaran’s Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) and Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) are also trying to make big inroads into the state politics. AIR correspondent reports that

The massive democratic exercise in the State takes place today amidst rising summer temperatures and increasing Covid cases. The Assembly elections are held amidst Covid 19 regulations in place. face masks have been made mandatory for all the voters.

All polling booths have been equipped with minimum basic facilities to make the voters exercise their franchise without any hassle. Shamianas have been put up to protect voters from the heat, Safe drinking water, special arrangements for persons with disabilities have also been ensured in polling stations.  Poll booths have been given face masks, PPE Kits, hand sanitisers, hand gloves for health safety purposes.

Provision to dispose of used gloves have also been kept in the polling booth. As today is a paid holiday, voters are expected to come in large numbers to exercise their franchise. The election Commission with the message that no one should be left out has also made arrangements to operate over ten thousand buses for the benefit of the voters.

Election Commission has also made an arrangement with UBER to transport the elderly free of cost to cast their vote in Chennai Coimbatore and Tiruchy. Covid positive people can vote from 6 pm to 7 pm today exclusively.. According to political experts, this election expects decisive participation of a larger number of voters as the State faces a multi-cornered contest in many constituencies.

In Puducherry, 324 candidates including 35 women are vying for 30 seats. Over 10.04 lakh voters including 5.31 lakh women and 116 Third Gender persons will decide the fate of these candidates. Total 1,559 Polling Stations have been set up for this purpose. Naam Tamilar Katchi has fielded 28 candidates and DMDK has 26, AMMK-25, MNM-22, DMK-13 Congress-14 while NR Congress has given tickets to 16, BSP-11 and BJP has put up nine candidates in the fray.

In West Bengal, 14.62% polling has been recorded in the first two hours. Barring a few stray incidents, polling is going on peacefully in 31 assembly constituencies across three districts, Hooghly, Howrah and South 24 Parganas. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling. 618 companies of central forces have been deployed along with more than 11 thousand state police for the three districts.

In South 24 Parganas, booth number 102 of Satgachia assembly seat has been made as a model from where webcasting will be done for international audiences.

In Uluberia Uttar constituency, a sector officer has been suspended by the ECI as he allegedly took four EVMs outside. Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain has asked for a report regarding the incident.  

Kerala records 37.23 percent voter turnout till noon.  39.75 percent male voters,  34.86 percent female voters and  8.99 percent transgender voters cast their ballots till now. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and BJP State President K. Surendran are among the prominent leaders cast their vote, earlier this day.

All the leaders expressed confidence of their fronts winning the elections. Voting is peacefully underway in all the constituencies. Long queues were seen outside the polling stations and a heavy turnout is expected in the state. Covid protocol has been strictly adhered across the state. Covid patients and quarantined voters will be permitted in the final hour of polling

Voting began at 7am in the morning and it will continue till 7 pm in  131 constituencies and it will end at 6 pm in nine Naxal affected constituencies. Over 2.74 crore voters will cast their votes in 40,771 polling booths across the State. 957 candidates are contesting the assembly polls and six in the Loksabha bypoll.

Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth 3 crore rupees of TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh, Satabdi Roy and Debjani Mukherjee in the Saradha chit fund money laundering case. It said a provisional order for attachment of the movable and immovable properties has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.