Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the New National Education Policy focuses on development of better individuals and from better individuals to a better country. He said, this policy gives priority to our youth’s understanding, their decisions and beliefs. Addressing the valedictory function of the Second National Youth Parliament Festival today through video conferencing, Mr Modi said, the new National Education Policy is a step towards nation-building and the Government is building an eco-system which will give better opportunities to the youth.
 
Speaking about Swami Vivekananda, Mr Modi said, Swami Ji always stressed equally on physical and mental strength and spoke about muscles of iron and nerves of steel. He said, inspired from the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, government is specially focusing on the mental and physical fitness of Indian youth.
 
The Prime Minister said, it was Swami ji who said that the fearless, frank, clean-hearted, courageous and aspirational youth is the foundation on which the future of the nation is built. He believed so much on youth and on the youth power.
 
Mr Modi said, time passed, the country became independent, but we still see Swamiji’s influence today. What Swami ji spoke about spirituality, nationalism and nation building, his thoughts about serving people and serving the world flow within people with the same intensity.
 
The Prime Minister said, Swami Vivekananda has given us another precious gift and it is a gift to build individuals, to build institutions. He said, people come under the influence of Swami ji and build institutions. He said, people then come out from these institutions, follow Swami ji’s path and add new people too.
 
The Prime Minister said, our freedom fighters were influenced by Swami Vivekananda and his works have always been effective in instilling nationalism in the youth.
 
Mr Modi said, earlier there was a perception in the country that if a young man turned to politics, people used to say that the child is getting spoiled. He said, people believed that everything can change but politics cannot. The Prime Minister said, but today honest people are also getting a chance in politics. Honesty and performance is becoming the first mandatory condition of today’s politics.
 
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju also addressed on the occasion.
 
Three national winners of the Festival also expressed their views during the event.

51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has announced a line-up of programmes that will be showcased on the OTT platform.  The festival will be held in Goa from 16th to 24th January. Taking into account the Corona pandemic, IFFI is holding its first ever hybrid film festival.
 
This year, IFFI will organize a few of its events on the OTT platform for its audience. It includes Retrospective films like Live Flesh, Bad Education and Volver of Spanish Filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar and the Square and Force Majeure of Swedish Film Director Ruben Östlund. Besides, the festival will have Master classes and In-conversation Sessions at OTT Platform.
 
Bangladesh will be this edition’s Country in Focus. The Country in Focus is a special segment that recognizes the cinematic excellence and contributions of the country. This section at the 51st IFFI will showcase four films – Jibondhuli by Tanvir Mokammel, Meghmallar by Zahidur Rahim Anjan, Under Construction by Rubaiyat Hossain and Sincerely Yours, Dhaka by 11 individual directors, including Nuhash Humayun, Syed Ahmed Shawki, Rahat Rahman Joy, MD Robiul Alam, and Golam Kibria Farooki, Mir Mukarram Hossain, Tanvir Ahsan, Mahmudul Islam, Abdullah Al Noor, Krishnendu Chattopadhyay and Syed Saleh Ahmed Sobhan.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification to facilitate the issuance of International Driving Permit (IDP) for Indian citizens whose IDP has expired while they are abroad. There was no mechanism for its renewal while citizens were abroad and their IDP expired.
 
After this amendment, Indian citizens can apply for renewal through Indian Embassies and Missions abroad, from where these applications will move to the VAHAN portal in India, to be considered by the concerned Road Transport Officers (RTOs).
 
The International Driving Permit will be couriered to the citizen at his or her address abroad by the respective RTOs. The Ministry said that the notification also removes the conditions of a Medical Certificate and a valid visa at the time of making the request for the IDP in India. The idea is that a citizen who has a valid driving licence should not have a requirement for another medical certificate.
 
Further, there are countries where the Visa is issued on arrival or Visa is issued at the last moment and in such cases, VISA is not available when applying for the IDP in India before travel.  Therefore, IDP application can now be made without VISA.

The aerial ground survey for Delhi – Varanasi High Speed Rail Corridor began from Greater Noida yesterday. Railway Ministry said, a helicopter fitted with state of art Aerial LiDAR and imagery sensors took the first flight and captured the data related to ground survey. The Ministry said, LiDAR technology provides all the ground details and data in 3 to 4 months wherein this process normally takes 10 to 12 months.
 
The ground survey is a crucial activity for any linear infrastructure project as the survey provides accurate details of areas around the alignment. This technique uses a combination of Laser data, GPS data, flight parameters and actual photographs to give accurate survey data.

The country’s COVID-19 recovery rate has reached 96.43 per cent as more than 16 thousand COVID patients recovered during the last 24 hours. The total number of recoveries has gone up to over one crore 92 thousand.
 
Health Ministry said, the actual caseload currently comprises only 2.13 per cent of the total positive cases. Presently, the total number of active cases in the country is around two lakh 22 thousand.
 
During the past 24 hours, 16 thousand 311 new cases were reported taking the total number of positive cases in the country to over one crore four lakh 66 thousand. The Ministry said, currently, India’s Case Fatality Rate is at 1.44 per cent, which is one of the lowest globally. During the last 24 hours, 161 deaths were reported taking the toll to one lakh 51 thousand 160.
 
According to Indian Council of Medical Research, more than six lakh 59 thousand tests were conducted during the last 24 hours. The total number of samples tested so far has crossed 18 crore 17 lakh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the Chief Ministers of all states today evening through video conferencing. During the interaction, the COVID-19 situation and the vaccination rollout will be discussed.

Emergency Use Authorisation or Accelerated Approval has been granted by the National Regulator, Drugs Controller General of India for two vaccines Covishield and Covaxin which have established safety and immunogenicity. On Saturday, the Prime Minister chaired a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 status in the country.

The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine will provide priority to the healthcare workers and the frontline workers who are estimated to be around 3 crore followed by those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities numbering around 27 crore. The Co-WIN Vaccine Delivery Management System will provide real time information of vaccine stocks, their storage temperature and individualized tracking of beneficiaries of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The platform will assist the program managers across all levels through automated session allocation for pre-registered beneficiaries, their verification and for generating a digital certificate upon successful completion of the vaccine schedule. More than 79 lakh beneficiaries have already been registered on the platform.

More than 61,000 programme managers, 2 lakh vaccinators and 3.7 lakh other vaccination team members have been trained so far as part of trainings at States, Districts and Block levels. Three phases of dry runs have been conducted across the country.

Diplomatic Adviser to the President of France Emmanuel Bonne today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed wide-ranging bilateral and global issues. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, he had a productive meeting with Mr Bonne. Mr Modi expressed joy at the progress in India-France Strategic Partnership, a force for global good in the post-COVID world. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction on the progress both countries have made on key aspects of the India-France Strategic Partnership, including counter-terrorism, cyber-security, defence and strategic cooperation.

Mr. Bonne also briefed the Prime Minister on India-France cooperation on various regional and global issues, including maritime and multilateral cooperation.

The Prime Minister fondly recalled his recent exchanges with President Macron and conveyed his best wishes for his health. He also reiterated his invitation to President Macron to visit India as soon as conditions permit.

India and France held their Annual Strategic Dialogue yesterday in New Delhi. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval led the Indian delegation while the French delegation was led by Mr Bonne. The two sides held discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues.

The cumulative COVID-19 testing in the country has crossed the 18 crore mark today and the country’s COVID-19 recovery rate has reached 96.41 per cent. During the last 24 hours, more than nine lakh 16 thousand samples were tested and more than 19 thousand patients have recovered.

The Health Ministry said, during the last 24 hours,  The total number of recoveries has gone up to over one crore 56 thousand. The actual caseload currently comprises only 2.15 per cent of the total positive cases. Presently, the total number of active cases in the country is around two lakh 24 thousand.

During the past 24 hours, 18 thousand 222 new cases were reported taking the total number of positive cases in the country to over one crore four lakh. The Ministry said, currently, India’s Case Fatality Rate is 1.45 per cent, which is one of the lowest globally. During the last 24 hours, 228 deaths were reported taking the toll to one lakh 50 thousand 798.

In Cricket, Australia were 39 for 2 in the third test at Sydney, a short while ago.  Earlier India, which resumed its first innings from the overnight score of 96 for 2, were dismissed for 244 on the third day today.

Patrick Cummins took four wickets and Josh Hazlewood took two wickets and Cheteshwar Pujara scored one of the slowest half-centuries for India.  Australia has taken a first-innings lead of 94 runs and it would be an uphill task for India to make a comeback in this match. The hosts were all out for 338 in the first innings.

The four-match series is currently levelled at 1-1, and if India manages to win this Test, the side will retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy even if Australia goes on to win the last Test at Brisbane.

India today said that the United Nations proscribed entities and designated terrorists act as proxies for Pakistani establishment to fulfill its anti-India agenda. MEA Spokesman Anurag Srivastava today said, it is for the international community to hold Pakistan to account and ensure that it takes credible action against terror groups, terror infrastructure and individual terrorists.

On a query on Pakistan court’s 15-year jail sentence to LeT terrorist Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Mr Srivastava said, the timing of these actions clearly suggests the intention of conveying a sense of compliance ahead of the Asia Pacific Joint Group, APJG meeting and next Financial Action Task Force, FATF plenary meeting next month. He said, it has become routine for Pakistan to come up with such farcical actions prior to important meetings.

On a query on UNSC Taliban Sanctions Committee, the MEA Spokesman said, India began its two-year tenure at the UN Security Council as a non-Permanent Member on the first of this month. He said, during the tenure, India will be guided by a commitment to promote responsible and inclusive solutions to international peace and security, a new orientation for a reformed multilateral system and a world view anchored in our ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Mr Srivastava said, with regard to Afghanistan, India and Afghanistan as contiguous neighbours share a natural historical relationship and the strategic partnership and long-term commitment to the development of Afghanistan reflects this time-tested partnership. He said, India has invested heavily in peace and development in Afghanistan and it support all efforts to bring peace and stability there. The Spokesman said, India’s position on the peace process has also been articulated. He said, the peace process must be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled. Mr Srivastava said, as an an important stakeholder, India is looking forward to work towards a peaceful, prosperous, sovereign, democratic and united Afghanistan. 

On a question on Line of Actual Control, LAC, Mr Srivastava said, the latest round of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination, WMCC was held on 18th of last month December. He said, the two sides have agreed to hold the next round of Senior Commanders meeting and are in constant communication through diplomatic and military channels in this regard. The Spokesman said, in the meantime, both sides have maintained communication at the ground level to avoid any misunderstandings and misjudgments even as discussions continue for achieving complete disengagement in all friction areas in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements to restore peace and tranquility.

On another query on the issue of Indian sailors stranded in Chinese waters, Mr Srivastava said, Indian Embassy in Beijing is continuously following up the issue with relevant Chinese authorities. He said, Indian Ambassador has again personally taken up this issue with the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister and requested early approval for crew change for Indian crew members aboard two ships M V Jag-Anand and M V Anastasia. The Ministry is also in regular contact on this issue with the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. The Spokesman said, in view of China’s strict COVID-19 pandemic control and prevention measures as well as various travel restrictions in place, the Chinese authorities have outlined detailed steps to ensure the smooth movement of new crew to China to effect crew change. He said, these steps have to be complied by the concerned shipping companies. With regard to the request of exploring alternative modes of crew change at sea, The Spokesman said, this possibility has also been taken up by with Chinese authorities, who have indicated that the details for this option are being worked out. He said, we are awaiting these details from Chinese authorities. Mr Srivastava said, we will continue to remain in touch with various relevant Chinese authorities as well as shipping companies to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the crew are taken care of and that crew changes can be effected at the earliest.

On a query on Vaccine Cooperation, the Spokesman said, India has been at the forefront of the global response in this common fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, India sees international cooperation in this field, particularly with its neighbours, as its duty. Mr Srivastava said, in our neighbourhood, we have already provided medicines and other essential supplies. He said, we have held training sessions for experts from these countries on vaccine-related issues. 

On a query on H1B Visa, Mr Srivastava said, we have taken note of the recent proclamations of the US Government extending by three more months the current suspension of entry of certain immigrants and non-immigrants to the United States of America. He said, India is engaged with the U.S. Government for increased predictability in the visa regime and to minimize inconvenience to Indian nationals in the U.S. or those proposing to travel to the U.S. for bonafide reasons, including the movement of Indian professionals. The MEA Spokesman said, people-to-people relations are a vital part of the partnership between India and the U.S. He said, there is recognition in the U.S. of the fact that Indian skilled professionals have contributed to the growth of the U.S. economy and helped the U.S. retain its competitive edge and innovation advantage.

The next round of talks between the Centre and farmer leaders will be held on 15th of this month. Briefing media after the eighth round of talks with representatives of farmers’ unions, Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, discussion on the farm laws was taken up, but no decision could be made. He said, the government urged that if farmer unions give an option other than repealing, it will consider it, but no option could be presented, so the meeting was concluded.

The Minister said, those supporting the protest are of the view that the laws be repealed and there are many others who support the laws. He said, the government is continuously talking to the unions who want these laws to be repealed and it will also give appointment to those supporting the laws, when they request the government.

In the United States, the President-elect Joe Biden has appointed two Indian-Americans to the National Security Council of the White House. Biden has named Indian-American Sumona Guha as senior director for South Asia and Tarun Chhabra as senior director for Technology and National Security.

Sumona Guha is currently serving as senior vice president at Albright Stonebridge Group. She was co-chair of the South Asia foreign policy working group during the Biden-Harris campaign. During the Obama-Biden administration, she was special advisor for national security affairs to the then Vice President Biden. She is a graduate of Johns Hopkins and Georgetown University.

Tarun Chhabra, who has been appointed senior director for Technology and National Security, is a senior fellow at the Centre for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University. Chhabra had also served on the National Security Council staff as director for Strategic Planning and director for Human Rights and National Security Issues during the Obama-Biden Administration. Chhabra is an alumnus of Stanford University, Oxford University and Harvard Law School.

Biden has also named Shanthi Kalathil as Coordinator for Democracy and Human Rights in his National Security Council. She is currently senior director of the International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for Democracy.

India has said that the United Nations proscribed entities and designated terrorists act as proxies for Pakistani establishment to fulfill its anti-India agenda. MEA Spokesman Anurag Srivastava  said, it is for the international community to hold Pakistan to account and ensure that it takes credible action against terror groups, terror infrastructure and individual terrorists.

On a query on Pakistan court’s 15-year jail sentence to LeT terrorist Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Mr Srivastava said, the timing of these actions clearly suggests the intention of conveying a sense of compliance ahead of the Asia Pacific Joint Group (APJG) meeting and next Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meeting next month. He said, it has become routine for Pakistan to come up with such farcical actions prior to important meetings.

On a query on UNSC Taliban Sanctions Committee, the MEA Spokesman said, India began its two-year tenure at the UN Security Council as a non-Permanent Member on the first of this month. He said, during the tenure, India will be guided by a commitment to promote responsible and inclusive solutions to international peace and security, a new orientation for a reformed multilateral system and a world view anchored in our ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued guidelines to airlines and other aircraft operators for transportation of Covid-19 vaccines.

“All scheduled operators who have been currently authorized to carry dangerous goods may carry COVID19 vaccine packed in dry ice, meeting the regulatory requirements,” DGCA said in a circular.

“Non-scheduled operators, including aircraft engaged in general aviation, that are required to participate in the carriage of COVID 19 vaccines packed in dry ice shall seek specific approval before commencing such operations,” it added.

Covid-19 vaccination in India is expected to start in the next few days, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said yesterday, adding that the union government has requested the stakeholders in the process to help in its smooth rollout.

The DGCA circular said that while dry ice with temperature varying from -8C to -70C is affordable for transportation of vaccine, it added that all operators engaged in vaccine transportation would need to establish the maximum quantity of dry ice that can be loaded in cargo holds or passenger cabins if passenger aircraft is deployed for vaccine transportation.

The circular added that operators will need to prepare and ‘Dos and Don’ts’ guidance for handling of vaccines and such packages would be handled only by trained personnel.

India’s drugs regulator Drugs Controller General of India has approved AstraZeneca and Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute in India under the Covishield brand and the indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country.

As per DGCA directives, authorised airlines can carry vaccine in dry ice in passenger cabin or cargo cabin. Passengers won’t be allowed on board if vaccines are being transported in the passenger cabin.