Morning News – 16 Jan 2022

THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, government is taking concrete steps to strengthen start-up ecosystem in India; 16th January to be celebrated as National Start-Up day.
• India marks the first anniversary of launch of Nationwide Vaccination drive against COVID-19 today; Vaccination coverage approaching 157-crore mark.
• Ban on physical rallies and roadshows in five poll bound states extended till 22nd January.
• Home Minister Amit Shah says excessive use of chemical fertilisers will increase the risk of cancer by 50 per cent in next 15 years.
• In Under-19 Cricket World Cup, India beat South Africa by 45 runs in the group opener.
• And in India Open Badminton, Lakshya Sen to play men’s singles final against Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in New Delhi today.

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As the number COVID-19 cases is rising fast in several parts of the country, we appeal to our listeners to be vigilant and to get fully vaccinated and help others including children between 15 and 18 years get vaccinated.

With the new Omicron variant of corona virus causing concern, Please continue to follow the three simple steps to stay safe:-

• Wear a face mask.
• Maintain Do Gaz Ki Doori for social distancing.
• Focus on hand and face hygiene.

For any COVID-related information and guidance contact National helpline numbers — 011-23978046 and 1075. And now the news in detail:

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the Start-ups of the country through video conferencing yesterday. On the occasion, the Prime Minister announced 16th January to be celebrated as National Start-Up Day.  He said the country’s startups are the back-bone of New India.

Mr Modi said, the year 2022 has brought several possibilities for the Start up ecosystem in the country. He said, the golden era of India’s start-ups is starting now. He said, this decade is being called the ‘techade’ of India and the government is taking concrete steps to strengthen the innovation, entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystem across the country. Mr. Modi said, investment on research and development of future technology is the priority of the government. The Prime Minister said, our effort is to institutionalize innovation in the young minds since childhood to create interest for innovation.

Mr Modi said, India has improved its rank in Global Innovation Ranking by reaching the 46 position. He said, 42 unicorns have emerged in the country in the last year and India is rapidly moving to hit the century of unicorns.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged students, parents and teachers to register for this year’s Pariksha Pe Charcha. In a series of tweets Mr Modi said, Pariksha Pe Charcha is a fantastic learning experience and it provides an opportunity to connect with dynamic youth, understand their challenges and aspirations in a better way. He said, it also gives an opportunity to discover the emerging trends in the world of education.

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India today marks the first anniversary of the launch of Nationwide Vaccination Drive against Covid-19.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the world’s largest vaccine drive to combat the pandemic on this day last year. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister had said, never before in history, has this type of a large-scale vaccination campaign been undertaken.

Vaccination had begun with health workers on 16th January  last year. On 2nd February, it opened for frontline workers followed by 60-plus age group and those above 45-years with comorbidities from 1st March. Vaccination for all those above 18 years began from 1st May 2021.

The vaccination drive for children in the age-group of 15-18 years started from 3rd of this month. From 10th January this year, precautionary dose administration to healthcare and frontline workers and sixty plus individuals commenced.

Meanwhile, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage is approaching 157-crore landmark. Till yesterday, over 156 crore 63 lakh vaccine doses were administered. Health Ministry said, more than 57 lakh 29 thousand vaccine doses were administered yesterday. Over 42 lakh 69 thousand Precaution Doses for COVID vaccination have been administered so far.

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Gujarat has reported 9,177 new cases of Covid-19 infections in the last 24 hours. According to the state health department, the maximum 2,621 new cases were recorded in Ahmedabad, while Surat recorded 2,215 new cases. The state has 59,564 active cases at present. Meanwhile, 1 lakh 76 thousand 918 doses of vaccine were administered in Gujarat yesterday.

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The rise in daily Omicron cases in Telangana continues. Health authorities are reporting 1,963 positive cases. Out of this, 1075 were from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area. The health authorities have also reported two Covid-19 fatalities, taking the overall number of deaths in the state to 4 thousand 54.

Currently the state has over 22 thousand cases out of which 17 thousand cases are from GHMC.

Apart from Hyderabad, Covid-19 is also registering a significant increase in other urban centres of Telangana with authorities reporting 150 positive infections in Medchal-Malkajgiri district and 168 cases in Rangareddy district during the past 24 hours.

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The Election Commission has extended the ban on physical rallies and roadshows until the 22nd of this month in five poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. The Poll Body granted relaxation for political parties to the extent of indoor meetings of maximum of 300 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by State Disaster Management Authorities.

The Commission has directed political parties to adhere to the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the broad guidelines of COVID. The Commission yesterday held separate virtual meetings with Health Ministry, Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries of poll bound states. Our correspondent reports that Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra along with Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey held a comprehensive review of present status and projected trends of the COVID pandemic.

“The Election Commission also discussed SDMA’s restrictions and state specific extant guidelines regulating the norms of gathering of persons during the period of pandemic. After considering the present situation, facts and circumstances as also the inputs received in these meetings, the Commission has directed that no road show, Pad-yatra, cycle, bike or vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till 22nd January, 2022. The Commission will subsequently review the situation and issue further instructions accordingly. No physical rally of Political parties or candidates including probable or any other group related to election shall be allowed till 22nd of this month.  ANUPAM MISHRA, AIR NEWS, DELHI.”

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In Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission has issued a notice to Samajwadi Party’s General Secretary for violation of the Model Code of Conduct and Covid-19 protocol during the virtual rally-cum-press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Lucknow on Friday.

“A large crowd had gathered in the event which was held to induct former ministers and MLAs of the BJP government in the state.The Election Commission has sought a response from the Samajwadi Party within 24 hours, failing which the Commission will take appropriate decision in the matter. Earlier, the Commission had suspended the SHO of Gautampalli police station on Friday for gross negligence in discharge of duties. An FIR against the Samajwadi Party has been registered at the Gautampalli police station in Lucknow for violating the Model Code of Conduct and Covid protocol. ADITYA SHUKLA, AIR NEWS, GORAKHPUR”.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the use of chemical fertilisers will increase cancer cases by 50 percent, in the next 15 years. In a virtual interaction with farmers of Gujarat, he appealed the farmers to adopt natural farming. Mr. Shah set a target to encourage 50 per cent of the farmers in his Lok Sabha constituency, Gandhinagar to give up chemical fertilisers and take up natural farming.

Interacting with farmers on Natural Farming from Gandhinagar, the Home Minister, said due to excess use of chemical fertilisers, the soil is slowly turning barren and poison is reaching underground sources of water. He said, the current situation is the result of lack of periodic review of agricultural practises which has continued since the Green Revolution. Mr Shah added, natural farming with the use of dung and urine of Indian cow breeds is the only way to restore the productivity of the soil.

More than one thousand farmers of Gandhinagar Loksabha constituency were virtually connected with this programme. Mr. Shah was on a two-day visit to Gujarat on the occasion of Makar Sankranti festival.

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The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will organize a conference on PM-Gati Shakti for the South Zone tomorrow to deliberate on its action plans and projects. The virtual event will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. The Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Puducherry, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways V.K. Singh, Ministers from various State Governments and UTs and others dignitaries will address the conference.

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The Centre has promulgated revised consolidated Guidelines and Standards for Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles on Friday. These guidelines are exhaustive and include provisions for individual owners of Electric Vehicles as well as Public Charging Stations.

In a significant step, Owners may charge their Electric Vehicles at their residence and offices using their existing electricity connections. The guidelines provide that any individual or entity is free to set up public charging stations without the requirement of a license.

An exhaustive list of compliance requirements for Public Charging Station have also been outlined.

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As our nation celebrates the seventy fifth year of Independence, a series of events is being organised by the Government as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. To commemorate the occasion as a Jan-Utsav, All India Radio News brings its listeners a special quiz on India’s freedom movement and its glorious history. The quiz is being conducted every Monday and Tuesday in the Morning News. The next question of Amrit Mahotsav Quiz will be shared with Listeners tomorrow.

And now, let’s listen to our special programme, ‘Azadi ka Safar’ highlighting the importance of the day during the freedom struggle.

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Best wishes to all consumers for Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Hallmark ensures purity of Gold. Always purchase Hallmarked Gold Jewellery. For any consumer related complaints, please contact National Consumer Helpline’s Toll free number- 14404. Issued in Public Interest by Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India. Jago Grahak Jago.

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In the US state of Texas, a male hostage was released unharmed from a synagogue in the town of Colleyville, Dallas this morning. At least four persons – including the rabbi – were taken hostage, during a religious service last night. Police deployed special weapons SWAT teams. The FBI officials are negotiating with hostage takers to secure the release of the remaining hostages. The hostage-taker is demanding the release of the Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, also known as Lady Al-Qaeda. She has been convicted for trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan. Siddiqui is currently being held at FMC Carswell, a federal prison in Fort Worth Texas. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Twitter that President Joe Biden has been briefed about the developing hostage situation.

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India is ready to partner in all aspects of film Industry in Bangladesh including through capacity building support. High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami said this during the inaugural function of the 20th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) in Dhaka yesterday. Mr Doraiswami urged the Bangladeshi authorities to consider India’s standing request to permit commercial screening of Indian films in theatres in Bangladesh. The High Commissioner said, this will help develop film industries in both the countries from the artistic standpoint as well as through increased inflows of investment in the sector. Referring to the Bangladesh-India joint production of the film on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman being directed by Shyam Benegal, the High Commissioner said that it will be a production not just for each other but for the world. He congratulated the organisers for showcasing 34 Indian films during the festival. The film festival is showcasing 225 films from 70 countries. The Lebanese-German film ‘The Anger’ directed by Maria Ivanova was the inaugural movie of the festival.

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In Cricket, India Under-19 team beat South Africa by 45 runs in their ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup opening Group B one-dayer at Guyana. Put into bat first, India made 232 losing all wickets in 46.5 overs. Captain Yash Dhull played a brilliant knock of 82 runs. In reply, South Africa were bundled out by good Indian bowling at 187 runs. For India, Vicky Ostwal picked up five wickets while Raj Bawa took four. India are placed in Group B alongside South Africa, Ireland and Uganda. India have won the title a record four times and were the runner-ups last time around.

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Lakshya Sen stormed into the final of Men’s Singles event at the India Open Badminton tournament in New Delhi last night. Sen defeated Malaysia’s Ng Tze Yong in the semi-final yesterday. He will take on the world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore today.

In men’s doubles, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy  will also play the final today. They take on Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan from Indonesia today. The duo cruised to the final beating France duo of William Villeger and Fabien Delrue.

However, in women’s singles, it was curtains for two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and Aakarshi Kashyap after they lost their semifinal matches. Sindhu lost to sixth seeded Thai Supanida Katethong.

Haritha Manazhiyil Harinarayan and Ashna Roy also lost their women’s doubles semi final to Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard of Thailand.

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Take a look at the weather forecast for today.

The National Capital Delhi will have cold day. Minimum temperature was six degree Celsius while the maximum will be around 14 degrees.

Mumbai is expected to have mainly clear sky. Minimum temperature was 20 degree Celsius while maximum will be around 29 degrees.

Chennai will have generally cloudy sky with light rain. The temperature will vary between 24 and 31 degree Celsius.

Kolkata will have Fog or mist in the morning and mainly clear sky later. The city recorded minimum temperature of 13 degree Celsius and a maximum of around 23 degrees.

Visakhapatnam will have partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. The city observed minimum temperature of 21 degree Celsius and a maximum of around 28 degrees.

Bengaluru had fog or mist in the morning and partly cloudy sky later. The minimum temperature was 17 degree Celsius while the maximum will be around 30 degrees.

Hyderabad will have generally cloudy sky with light rain. The temperature will hover between 18 and 30 degree Celsius.

Guwahati, Shillong and Agartala will have fog or mist in the morning and mainly clear sky later.

Imphal and Aizawl will have generally cloudy sky with Light rain.

Gangtok will have partly cloudy sky becoming generally cloudy towards afternoon or evening or night.

Kohima and Itanagar will have clear sky.

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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:

• Ghazipur RDX haul linked to likely Republic Day terror plot, writes Hindustan Times.
• EC extends ban on rallies in five poll-bound states till January 22, reports The Hindu.
• Won’t allow unilateral change of status quo at boundary, reiterates Army Chief, making a statement on the sanctity of the LAC for the third time in four days, writes The Sunday Tribune.
• 24 hours before tweet, Kohli told team he was stepping down, headlines The Sunday Express.  ‘Everything has come to a halt…for me as Test Captain, it’s now’ the paper quotes him as saying. “Kohli ends innings as India’s most successful test skipper” headlines The Sunday Times.
• UK returns to India a 10th century stone idol of Goat Head Yogini, illegally removed from a temple in UP, reports The Sunday Statesman.
• Delhi shivers as the maximum temperature drops to season’s lowest of 14.8 degrees celsius, reports Hindustan Times.
• And finally, Sunday Pioneer reports the strange case of a man from Bokaro, who was paralysed and had lost his voice 4 years ago in an accident, claiming that he has regained his voice and movement after he got a Covishield vaccine shot.

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