Sourav Ganguly remains haemodynamically stable
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly is haemodynamically stable after testing positive for COVID-19, informed Woodlands Hospital MD & CEO Dr. Rupali Basu. The MD further informed that the former cricketer's oxygen saturation was maintained at 99 percent on room air. Ganguly had been admitted to the hospital late evening on December 26,2021 when he tested positive for COVID.
PM Modi to release 10th installment under PM-KISAN scheme on January
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 10th installment of financial benefit under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme on January 1, 2022. The Prime Minister will transfer an amount worth Rs 20,000 crore through video conferencing to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families. The fund will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
Assam Rifles veteran who escorted 14th Dalai Lama on his arrival in India passes away
Chandra Das, the Assam Rifles veteran, who had received and escorted the 14th Dalai Lama on his arrival in India in 1959 passed away on December 28, 2021. He was 83. Dalai Lama had fled Tibet in 1959 at the age of 22 and crossed the border on March 30, 1959 with the help of the CIA's Special Activities Division. He had arrived at Tezpur in Assam. He was escorted into India by a seven-member Assam Rifles team, which comprised 23-year-old Naren Chandra Das.
Congress to get new President in September 2022?
According to Congress Central Election Authority President Madhusudan Mistry, the Congress party will gets its new national president by the end of September 2022. The Congress is currently being led by interim President Sonia Gandhi, who took over after Rahul Gandhi resigned from the post in July 2019 after the party's massive defeat in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.
Vaccines still effective against Omicron: WHO Chief Scientist
According to WHO Chief Scientist Dr.Soumya Swaminathan, vaccines are still proving to be effective against Omicron as even though the number of Covid cases are rising sharply across the globe, the severity of the disease has not risen. The WHO scientist said that the T cell immunity is holding up better against the Omicron Coviod variant. She urged all those who have not yet received their vaccine to get vaccinated at the earliest.
Jhansi Railway Station in UP renamed as Veerangana Laxmibai Railway Station
The Government of Uttar Pradesh has renamed the Jhansi Railway Station as ‘Veerangana Laxmibai Railway Station’. Jhansi station new name has been decided after Rani Laxmibai. The Chief Minister of UP Yogi Adityanath made the announcement regarding the new name of Jhansi station on December 29, 2021, via a tweet.
The Uttar Pradesh Government also issued a notification and the Railways has also started preparations to implement the change in the name of Jhansi Railway Station. The notification informing about Jhansi station new name also stated that the name has been changed after a ‘no-objection certificate’ issued by the Home Affairs Ministry in a letter dated November 24, 2021.
Ross Taylor announces retirement from international cricket
New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor announced his retirement from international cricket on December 30, 2021. The cricketer announced that his last series would be New Zealand's two-match home Test series against Bangladesh and six ODIs against Australia and Netherlands. New Zealand is scheduled to tour Australia for three ODIs in late January then will play Netherlands at home.
Indian Army sets up New Quantum Computing Lab, artificial intelligence centre in MP’s Mhow
The Indian Army has set up a quantum computing laboratory and a centre for artificial intelligence at a military engineering institute in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. MM Naravane, the Chief of Army Staff General had also visited the facility during his recent visit to MP’s Mhow.
The Defence Ministry of India announced that the Indian Army with support from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) established the Quantum Lab at Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow in MP.
Egypt becomes new member of BRICS NDB
India on December 29, 2021, welcomed Egypt as the new member of BRICS New Development Bank. With this, Egypt has now become a fourth new member to be admitted to BRICS NDB. The BRICS group includes five major emerging countries around the world- Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa and the multilateral bank BRICS NDB was established by these rising economies to finance the sustainable development projects.
The news of Egypt being a new member of BRICS NDB was announced by the Spokesperson of External Affairs Minister, Arindam Bagchi who also said that the membership expansion will enable the bank to position itself as a significant development institution.
ICC World Test Championship Points Table 2021-2023
India won its first test match against South Africa at Centurion by 113 runs on December 30, 2021, claiming a 1-0 lead in the three match series. With this, India's total points have gone up to 54 and percentage of points to 64.28 in the World Test Championship Points Table 2021-2023.
India is however still ranked fourth on the World Test Championship Points Table behind Pakistan, as it has lesser percentage of points. Australia is ranked at the top of the ICC WTC Points Table with 36 points after thrashing England by an innings in the third Ashes test, claiming the Ashes series 3-0. Sri Lanka is ranked second on the ICC WTC Points Table with 24 points, while Pakistan is ranked third with 36 points.
Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir gets its first gas insulated substation
The Power Development Department of Jammu & Kashmir has commissioned the first Gas-Insulated Substation in the Lassipora area of Pulwama to give a boost to electricity supply. It is the first Gas-Insulated Substation of J&K Transmission Corporation Limited which has been commissioned in the Union Territory recently and has started working. The people in the area have also lauded the step taken by the Jammu & Kashmir administration as it will further solve the long-pending demand for power supply during the winter season in the Kashmir valley. The facility will particularly be beneficial for children as they are required to take online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inquiry report on CDS Chopper Crash likely to be submitted on December 31
The tri-services inquiry team which was formed to probe the Chopper crash of December 8, 2021, is expected to submit its inquiry report to the Government on December 31, 2021. The crash led to the deaths of CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 12 others. The probe team on the crash is headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh and also includes two Brigadier rank officers from the Indian Army and Indian Navy. Reportedly, the initial investigations suggested that the accident was sudden. The detailed report has been prepared on the ground by the officials and through the thorough analysis of the data that was received from the Black box. The assistance of the original equipment manufacturers was also sought for the probe in which India lost its first Chief of Defence Staff.
China and Japan agreed to launch military hotline
China and Japan have agreed to establish a military hotline in 2022. It will be done to put in place a system that can defuse the potential crisis over the disputed islands and Taiwan strait. The Defence Ministry of Japan informed that the two governments have agreed to set up the link by the end of 2022. On the other hand, the Defence Ministry of China stated that there has been a need for strengthening liaison and communication between the defence ministries of both Japan and China.
Omicron spreading in community in Delhi
The Health Minister of Delhi Satyendar Jain has informed that people with no travel history have been found to be infected with the new variant Omicron, which means that it is gradually spreading in the community. He also said that the new COVID variant Omicron was found in 46 percent of 115 samples sequenced in Delhi so far.
Alia Bhatt is PETA India Person of the Year 2021
PETA India has named Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt as its 2021 Person of the Year to celebrate her work to support an animal-friendly fashion industry and for her advocacy for dogs and cats in need.
Alia Bhatt has been actively involved in launching animal welfare activities. She had launched her vegan kidswear line Ed-a-Mamma last year, which won the 2021 PETA India fashion award for helping nurture children's love for animals and nature.
Corbevax Vaccine: Biological E gets approval to conduct phase 3 trials of its Covid vaccine as booster dose
The Drug Controller General of India has given its approval to Hyderabad-based pharma company Biological E to conduct phase 3 trials of ‘Corbevax’, its COVID-19 vaccine, as a booster dose. The Subject Expert Committee (SEC), after detailed deliberation, recommended granting permission to conduct phase 3 clinical trials of Corbevax.
Hyderabad-based Biological E has become the second company after Bharat Biotech to conduct clinical trials for a booster dose. The company, on the basis of the approvals, has also been generating the data in a systematic manner to study booster dose.
Delhi Metro, Delhi buses to operate at 50 percent capacity
In view of the latest restrictions imposed by the Delhi government to curb the spread of Covid-19, the Delhi Metro will operate at 50 percent seating capacity and no standing passengers will be allowed.
The public buses in Delhi will also run at 50 percent seating capacity to avoid crowding inside the bus and ensure physical distancing and adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
Earthquake of 4.3 magnitude hits Andaman & Nicobar Islands
An earthquake of 4.3 magnitude occurred 165km SSE of Portblair in Andaman & Nicobar Islands at 5.30 am today, December 29, 2021, according to the National Centre of Seismology.
Yesterday, an earthquake of the same magnitude was recorded 76km SSE of Fayzabad in Afghanistan.
PM Modi to inaugurate projects worth over Rs 17,500 crore in Uttarakhand on December 30th
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 23 projects worth over Rs 17,500 crore in Uttarakhand's Haldwani on December 30, 2021. Among the 23 projects, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for 17 projects worth at least Rs 14,100 crore covering various sectors including irrigation, health infrastructure, housing, drinking and sanitation and housing. The Prime Minister will then inaugurate 6 projects worth over Rs 3400 crore that include road widening projects, hydropower project in Pithoragarh and projects to improve the sewage situation in Nainital.
Rishabh Pant becomes fastest Indian to reach 100 Test dismissals, breaks Dhoni's record
Rishabh Pant became the fastest Indian wicketkeeper on December 28, 2021 to reach 100 dismissals in Test cricket, breaking former skipper and wicketkeeper Dhoni's record. Pant achieved the feat during India's ongoing first test against South Africa at Centurion.
Haryana Cabinet Expansion- BJP's Kamal Gupta, JJP's Devender Singh Babli inducted into state cabinet
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inducted two Ministers on December 28, 2021 as a part of Haryana Cabinet expansion. The two Ministers include BJP's Kamal Gupta and JJP's Devender Singh Babli. This is the second cabinet expansion of the current Haryana government. The first cabinet expansion had taken place on November 14.
Jharkhand brings massive cut in Petro Prices for two-wheelers
The Chief Minister of Jharkhand announced on December 29, 2021, that his government in the state will give a major concession of Rs. 25 per liter on the petrol and diesel prices on two-wheelers. He added that because of the increasing prices, poor and middle-class families are being affected as the prices of petrol and diesel are touching the sky. The changes in the prices of petrol and diesel in Jharkhand will be implemented from January 26, 2022. The latest announcement by the Chief Minister of Jharkhand was made as the Soren government completed its 2 years in the state today.
Afghan women protests against Taliban
Several dozen Afghan women have been protesting against the new directives of the Taliban implemented in the country. The new directions put limitations on the movement of Afghan women. As per the new directive, Afghan women who have been traveling long distances by road must be accompanied by a male relative. The women must also wear a hijab to cover their heads and faces. The new directive has also banned playing music in vehicles. The women have been protesting as the Islamic Emirates are trying to keep them away from society by imposing limitations on them. The protestors have also been calling for their rights to Education, social freedom, and employment.
United States to invite Taiwan for largest naval exercise
The United States will be inviting Taiwan to participate in the 2022 Rim of the Pacific Exercise amid the rising escalations with China. It is the world’s largest naval exercise. As per the NDAA signed by President Biden, the invitation will supplement US efforts of supporting the self-governed democratic island in the face of aggressive behaviour by China. The Navy of the United States has not yet disclosed the other specific invitees to the naval exercise. It could take a variety of forms from ships to aircraft or a handful of observers.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath visits various districts, dedicates projects
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath visited a number of districts on December 29, 2021, including Gorakhpur. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several projects. From Lucknow, Chief Minister moved to Farrukhabad where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 174 development projects that are worth Rs. 196 crores. CM Yogi Adityanath visited Amroha and also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects. Chief Minister is again scheduled to visit Gorakhpur on December 30 to launch various programmes for the people. The state will go to the assembly polls early in 2022.