0830 HRS

Morning News 03.01.2021

THE HEADLINES,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls upon students to discover new and innovative solutions to make
local products global.
Expert committee recommends Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Serum Institute of India's Covishield for
emergency use in the country.
Nationwide dry run for Covid 19 vaccination conducted successfully.
Prime Minister Modi rated most popular leader in the world.
Denmark's Oscar nominee 'Another Round' to be opening movie at 51st International Film Festival of
India in Goa.
And, Himachal government launches operation to evacuate 500 tourists stranded in Manali due to
heavy snowfall.
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As the nation fights the COVID-19 pandemic, we begin with a message of precaution to stay safe and protected by
following these three simple steps --
· Wear a face mask.
· Maintain Do Gaz Ki Doori for social distancing.
· Focus on hand and face hygiene.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon students to discover new and innovative solutions to make local
products global. Addressing the students and faculty of IIM Sambalpur, Odisha, he said, IIMs can work as a bridge
between local products and international collaboration for Atmanirbhar Bharat. Mr Modi said, the vast talent pool of
the IIMs both within and outside the country can help realise the goals of globalising brand India.

Mr Modi said, today's startups are the multinational companies of tomorrow.

Prime Minister yesterday laid the foundation stone of the permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur, via video
conferencing.

Prime Minister said that the real task of the management is not just to manage the institutions but also to improve
the lives of the people. Mr Modi said, those who are left behind in the race of development must also be included in
the journey towards growth.
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In yet another matter of pride for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been rated as the most popular head of
state by an American research firm. According to research firm, Morning Consult, over 75 per cent people approved
Mr Modi, while 20 per cent disapproved, putting his net approval rating at 55 per cent. This is higher than any other
world leader. The survey was conducted by the American firm in 13 countries including the US, Japan and Brazil.
Home Minister Amit Shah has hailed the Prime Minister for the global praise he is receiving in the backdrop of the
Covid-19 fight that Mr Modi led in India. Mr Shah said, entire world is praising Mr Modi for the way he is handling
COVID-19 global pandemic, taking care of Indians and helping the world community in such challenging times.
BJP President JP Nadda said, the latest rating is a testimony of the Prime Minister’s able leadership and hard work
and is a thing of pride for all citizens of the country.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar also congratulated the Prime Minister and said that it is a
matter of pride for the country.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister has shared a poem written by him, along with a video. The poem is titled “Abhi toh Suraj
Uga Hai (The Sun has just Risen)”. Let's listen to the poem:
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the inaugural address at the National Metrology Conclave tomorrow
through video conferencing. He will also dedicate National Atomic Timescale and Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya to the
nation and lay the foundation stone of the National Environmental Standards Laboratory. Union Minister Dr. Harsh
Vardhan will also be present on the occasion.
The National Atomic Timescale generates Indian Standard Time with an accuracy of 2.8 nanosecond. Bhartiya
Nirdeshak Dravya is supporting testing and calibration of laboratories for quality assurance, at par with international
standards. The National Environmental Standards Laboratory will aid self-reliance in the certification of ambient air
and industrial emission monitoring equipment.
National Metrology Conclave 2021 is being organised by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National
Physical Laboratory, CSIR-NPL New Delhi which is entering into its 75th year of inception. The theme of the
conclave is Metrology for the Inclusive Growth of the Nation.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mannathu Padmanabhan on his birth anniversary yesterday. In a tweet,
Mr Modi said that generations to come will be grateful to Mannathu Padmanabhan for his pioneering contribution
towards community service, social justice and cultural regeneration. His was a life fully devoted to the betterment of
others.
Home Minister Amit Shah has also remembered iconic social reformer Bharatha Kesari Mannathu Padmanabhan on
his Jayanti, stating that he fought for social equality and revived the old concept of village societies. His pioneering
role in India's freedom struggle and welfare of the downtrodden will continue to guide us.
Mannathu Padmanabhan, a social reformer and freedom figher lived from January 2, 1878 - February 25, 1970. On
October 31, 1914, he founded the Nair Service Society (NSS). He received the Padma Bhushan award in 1966.
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The Subject Expert Committee of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has made
recommendations for the consideration and final decision of the Drugs Controller General of India on use of Covid-
19 vaccine. It has recommended to grant of permission for restricted emergency use of vaccine, subject to multiple
regulatory conditionalities, to Serum Institute of India, Pune. The company has collaborated with Oxford University
and pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca for making the vaccine Covishield.
The Subject Expert Committee of CDSCO has recommended to grant permission for restricted use in emergency
situation in public interest as an abundant precaution, in clinical trial mode, specially in the context ofinfection by
mutant strains, to Bharat Biotech International Limited, Hyderabad. Covaxin, is the first made-in-India vaccine
developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of
Virology.
The DCGI will take the final call on approving of the vaccine. It is scheduled to brief the media today at 11 am.
The Subject Expert Committee of CDSCO has recommended to grant permission for conduct of Phase-III Clinical
Trial Protocol to Cadila Healthcare Limited, Ahmedabad.
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Gujarat government is gearing up for Covid vaccination in the state. More from our Ahmedabad correspondent:

"Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Nitin Patel has said that state administration is fully equipped to start the
vaccination at any time. He said that Gujarat will get the stock of Covid19 vaccine within three four days
from the center. He said that the list of first phase beneficiaries are ready and the cost of vaccination will be
borne by the state government. Mr. Patel said that in the first phase, health workers, front line corona
warriors, the people above the age of 50 years and the people below the age of 50 years with comorbidity
will get the Covid19 vaccine. Meanwhile, four cases of highly contagious mutant strain of Covid19 reported
in Gujarat. All four patients returned from the United Kingdom have been admitted to the SVP Hospital of
Ahmedabad after confirmation from National Institute of Virology NIV Pune. Yogesh Pandya, AIR News,
Ahmedabad."
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In Maharashtra, the dry run for Covid vaccination was successfully conducted in four districts of Pune, Nagpur,
Jalna and Nandurbar. Dry run of vaccination was conducted at three places in each district of Maharashtra. More
from our Mumbai correspondent:
"Mock vaccination of 25 beneficiaries were done after which their information was verified on the Covin app.
Crowd management, personal interaction with the beneficiaries, helping the health worker, telling the
beneficiaries to wait for 30 minutes after vaccination etc. were practiced under the supervision of three to
four senior govt. officials. Hand washing arrangements and sanitizers were made available while conducting
the sessions. The rules of wearing masks and maintaining proper social distance were enforced.
Medications for the treatment of side effects of the vaccine were also placed at all sessions. Devapriyo
Bhattacharjee, AIR News, Mumbai."
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India continues to scale several peaks in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As the country readies for the
COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been pro-actively involved in the preparations
for this roll-out over the past couple of months to ensure that the preparations for roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine are
on track, in close collaboration with the States, UTs and other stakeholders. In a massive nation-wide exercise
yesterday, a end-to-end mock drill on the vaccine administration was conducted yesterday in all States and UTs at
286 session sites spread across 125 districts. Each District conducted the dry run at three sites or more which
included a public health facility District Hospital or Medical College, Private Health Facility and rural or urban
outreach sites. All the State and District officials were trained on the Operational Guidelines and for conducting the
dry-run. This dry run was aimed at testing the laid out mechanisms for COVID-19 vaccination roll-out in the health
system and to assess operational feasibility of using Co-WIN application in field environment for planning,
implementation and reporting at the block, district and state level.
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In Uttar Pradesh, preparations for Covid 19 vaccination are in full swing. A dry run of vaccination was conducted in
6 districts yesterday. Meanwhile, the recovery rate has improved to 96.6 percent in the state. More from our
Lucknow correspondent:

"Expressing satisfaction over the 96.6 percent recovery rate of Covid19 in state, Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath has instructed to keep the system of prevention and treatment of Covid-19 completely intact.
In wake of the new strain of Corona, he instructed to be extra vigilant. He said that even a little
carelessness in this regard could cause a big damage. Meanwhile the number of Covid-19 cases detected
per day have come below 1,000. During the last 24 hours more than 1,190 patients got cured. Presently
there are only 13 thousand 316 active cases in state. Chief Minister has yesterday announced that vaccine
for corona virus will be available to the people of state around the festival of makar Sankranti. He also said
that the dry run of the vaccination will be held across the state on January 5th. MS Yadav, AIR News,
Lucknow".
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Madhya Pradesh continues to report more recoveries than positive cases. So far more than two lakh 30 thousand
patients have recovered from covid infection in the state. Around 26 thousand tests were carried out in the state
yesterday, out of which 731 new positive cases were reported. More from our Bhopal correspondent:

"According to health bulletin of state department, 855 patients recovered yesterday. The number of new
cases remained below 10 in 33 districts of the state. Maximum covid positive case continues to register at
Indore, followed by Bhopal. Rewa district reports 27 new positive cases. With 9 patients succumbing to the
infection, the death toll rose to 3 thousand 627. Meanwhile Vaccine rehearsal undertaken on 75 persons
adhering to protocol on Saturday. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has congratulated all concerned on
the successful completion of the Dry Run. Chief Minister has said that we are moving at a fast pace towards
complete control over Corona pandemic under the able leadership of our Prime Minister. Pooja P. Vardhan,
AIR News Bhopal."
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India has crossed yet another significant milestone in its fight against COVID, as the active caseload in the country
yesterday further decreased to 2.43 per cent. With continuous decline in the number of active corona cases, the
active cases in the country witnessed a decline of nearly 4 thousand cases in the past 24 hours to stand at around 2
lakh 50 thousand.
The national cumulative recovery rate has also further improved to 96.12 per cent with the recovery of over 99 lakh
people so far. Over 22 thousand 900 people recovered in the last 24 hours. In the same period, number of new daily
cases remained below 20 thousand with nearly 19 thousand fresh cases having been reported. 224 case fatalities
were reported in the same time period.
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The News Services Division brings glimpses of "The Year that was" in our Special Series Year Ender-2020. COVID-
19 pandemic has been the biggest story of the year and India has seen the fight back against the COVID-19
pandemic under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A report from our correspondent on the
initiatives taken by the government for promoting the Fit India and Khelo India movement in the country:

"Fit India and Khelo India have become a national movement today which carried the people of the country
on a path of fitness and wellness. These initiatives have provided a unique platform for building a necessary
ecosystem for making a healthier India. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the people to make
fitness their lifestyle by adopting the mantra ‘fitness Ki Dose, Adha Ganta Roz’.
It is said that fitness not only changes your body, it changes your mind, your attitude and your mood. With
these objectives, Fit India movement was launched in 2019 and within a year, this has turned into a people’s
movement. Fit India and Khelo India initiatives have created awareness and enthusiasm about health and
fitness across the country. These initiatives have proved their relevance during the Covid-19 period when
people adopted a healthy lifestyle and strongly fought against the coronavirus. Bhupendra Singh, AIR News,
Delhi."
Talking to AIR News, Kargil War Veteran and India’s first blade runner, Major DP Singh said that fitness should be
an integral part of everyone’s life.
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51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will open on 16th January, with the Indian premiere of the movie
‘Another Round’ by Thomas Vinterberg. The movie starring Cannes Best Actor Award winner Mads Mikkelsen is
among a star-studded line up of movies being showcased at IFFI. The movie is also Denmark’s official entry to the
Oscars.
The festival will also witness the World Premier of ‘Mehrunisa’. The film by Sandeep Kumar will premier mid-fest.
The festival will close on 24th January with the India Premier of the historical drama ‘Wife of a Spy’ by Kiyoshi
Kurosawa. 51st IFFI is being organised from 16th to 24th January in Goa.
This edition is being organised in a hybrid mode for the first time and will comprise of both online and in-person
experience. The festival will be loaded with a line-up of famous movies with a total of 224 films from across the
globe. This includes 21 non-feature films and 26 feature films under the Indian Panorama section. Media
registration for the festival has opened recently and is available till 10th January.
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Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat visited forward air bases in Arunachal Pradesh yesterday and interacted
with soldiers of the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Special Frontier Force deployed there. He also visited
forward most air maintained posts in Dibang Valley and Lohit sector of Arunachal Pradesh. General Rawat has
completed one year as Chief of Defence Staff. Complimenting the soldiers for the innovative measures adopted to
maintain effective surveillance and enhanced operational readiness, he said that only Indian soldiers could remain
vigilant under such challenging situations and they are ever willing to go well beyond the call of duty to safeguard
the borders. Gen Rawat said, nothing can deter the Indian armed forces on remaining steadfast in their call for duty.
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Former Union Minister Buta Singh passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi yesterday.
He was 86. The senior leader was in a coma since October last year after he suffered a brain hemorrhage. Mr Singh
was elected to the Lok Sabha eight-times. He served as Union Home Minister, Minister for Agriculture,
Parliamentary Affairs, Civil Supplies, Housing, Shipping, Transport and Sports. He also served as the Governor of
Bihar and Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. President, Vice President and Prime
Minister have expressed grief on his demise.
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Himachal government has launched rescue operation to evacuate more than 500 tourists, who have been stranded
at the road between South Portal of Atal Tunnel and Solang Nalla in Manali following heavy rainfall. Manali SDM
Raman Gharsangi said that efforts are being made to restore vehicular traffic and rescue stranded people. He said,
rescue teams reached Dhundi around 8 pm. More than 20 rescue vehicles with rescue teams have been pressed
into service to provide facilities to stranded people. Taxis and one 48 seater bus have also been moved to Kulang
so that evacuated persons could be shifted, he said.
Meanwhile, Met Department issued warning for heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh. Shimla Met office has forecast
rainfall in plains and low hills, and rain and snowfall in mid and high hills till Tuesday.
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India has started export of Moringa powder in view of its rising global demand. Two tonnes of organic certified
Moringa powder were sent to the United States in December 2020. In India, Moringa also known as Drumsticks or
Sahjan has been used for centuries due to its medicinal properties and health benefits in various forms. More on the
plant from our correspondent:

"The Moringa is a fast-growing softwood tree indigenous to sub-Himalayan tracts of Northern India. It even
grows in conditions of prolonged drought and is a reliable source of nutrition. Several researches conclude
that Moringa seeds are a promising resource for food and non-food applications. The leaves are rich in
protein, minerals, Beta-carotene and antioxidant compounds, and are used not only for human and animal
nutrition but also in traditional medicine. Folk medicine uses raw or crushed Moringa seeds as a decoction
for treating stomach pain, ulcers, poor vision, joint pain and for aiding digestion. It is rich in antioxidants,
which reduces damage associated with aging and cancer. It can also be used to produce biodiesel fuel so
that it does not compete with human food crops. Given its myriad benefits, it is no wonder that the Moringa
is fast gaining global recognition as a Super Crop. This is Anubha Rohatgi."
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More than 300 tourists have been rescued from Dhundhi and south portal of Atal Tunnel in Manali, Himachal
Pradesh. Lahaul and Kullu police carried out rescue operation.
Rescue operation was launched to evacuate more than 500 tourists stranded at the road between South Portal of
Atal Tunnel and Solang Nalla in Manali following heavy rainfall.
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UN nuclear watchdog - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has revealed that Iran plans to enrich uranium to
up to 20 percent purity at Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. It would take Iran's nuclear enrichment program to pre-
2015 levels, when it entered the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the P51 countries. Iran was
prohibited enrichment at the Fordo facility until 2031. It also committed to converting the underground facility into a
nuclear, physics and technology centre.
The move is the latest in a series of announcements by Iran to the IAEA that it plans to further breach the deal. The
move is being seen in retaliation for Washington’s withdrawal from the agreement and the reimposition of US
sanctions against Tehran.
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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who also heads the country’s cricket board - BCCI, is stable after he
underwent angioplasty in Kolkata following chest pain. Ganguly, was rushed to Hospital after he complained of
chest discomfort while exercising on a tread mill at his home gym. The tests showed he had suffered a mild heart
attack and the popular former cricketer had blockages in three coronary arteries.
One of India’s most successful captains, Ganguly, who hails from the state of West Bengal, took over as the BCCI
president in 2019.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, weatherman has predicted moderate snowfall across Kashmir division and heavy snowfall
in higher reaches of Jammu division from tomorrow. Met department has said that the night temperature will rise in
the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in the coming days. Director, Meteorological Department,
Sonum Lotus has said that there is possibility of moderate snowfall across Kashmir division on Monday and
Tuesday. He added that the higher reaches especially in Pir Panchal and Chenab Valley would experience heavy
snowfall during the period. He said that in Jammu, the wet spell would begin from today and would persist till
January 5. The Director further said that present foggy mornings will also come to an end from today morning in
Jammu region. He also appealed people not to venture out in hilly areas during the period to avoid any untoward
incident. Besides, he said that the Jammu-Srinagar national highway may also be closed after fresh snowfall and
those scheduled to travel to and from Srinagar should confirm the situation of the road before travelling.
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Now, let us take a look at the weather forecast for today.
The National capital will have generally cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle. The temperature will vary between nine
and 19 degree Celsius.

Mumbai will have partly cloudy sky. Temperature will vary between 23 and 32 degree Celsius.

Chennai is expected to have generally cloudy sky with light rain. The temperature will hover between 24 and 28
degree Celsius.

Kolkata witnessed fog in the morning and will have mainly clear sky later. The city observed a minimum
temperature of 14 degree Celsius while the maximum temperature could reach 26 degrees.

Srinagar is likely to experience rain or snow. Temperature will hover between zero degree Celsius and six degrees.

In Jammu, the minimum temperature was seven degree Celsius while the maximum will be around 15 degrees. The
city will likely have generally cloudy sky with light rain.
Leh will have generally cloudy sky. The minimum temperature was minus 16 degree Celsius while the maximum is
expected to be minus three degrees.

Gilgit will have partly cloudy sky. The temperature will hover between minus six degrees to eight degree Celsius.

Muzafarrabad will have generally cloudy sky with light rain. The temperature will move between two to 14 degree
Celsius.

Chandigarh will have generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. The temperature is
likely to hover between six and 17 degree Celsius.

In Hyderabad, the minimum temperature was 17 degree Celsius while the maximum will be 27 degrees. The city
witnessed fog in the morning and is expected to have partly cloudy sky later.

Ahmedabad will partly cloudy sky. The minimum temperature was 16 degree Celsius while maximum will be 28
degrees.

And, in Guwahati witnessed fog in the early morning. The minimum temperature was 10 degree Celsius while
maximum will be 25 degrees.
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NEWSPAPER HEADLINES.
The dry run of the Covid-19 Vaccine for a massive inoculation drive is the story that dominates headlines in
most of the dailies this morning. "India conducts covid vaccination drill" leads the Statesman. "Expert panel
gives nod to Covaxin for restricted use" writes Hindustan Times.
In some positive news the Pioneer informs that "Delhi's daily Covid count lowest in over seven months".
The Sunday Express quotes Prime Minister Narendra Modi as saying "Time to build MNCs, spread India
influence in world". While the Business Line quoting him writes "Innovation, integrity, inclusion will help build
'Atmanirbhar Bharat'".
"US Congress slams China's LAC hostility" reports Sunday Times.
"Mumbai attack mastermind Lakhvi arrested in Pakistan" leads the Sunday Tribune.
The Asian Age reports that "Sourav Ganguly has angioplasty after a mild heart attack".
And finally, The Hindu under the caption "Thanking the saviours" carries a photograph of a helicopter
showering flower petal on doctors and healthcare personnel of ESI Hospital in Coimbatore. The flower Tribute
was a part of the "Coimbatore Vizha" celebrations.
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