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One in four people globally may not get Covid vaccines until 2022, say researchers

UK
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): With hopes that vaccines can bring an end to a pandemic, researches today suggested that nearly one in four people may not be able to get coronavirus vaccines until at least 2022 as rich countries with less than 15 per cent of the global population have reserved 51 per cent of the doses of the most promising vaccines.

As a result, low and middle-income countries – home to more than 85 per cent of the world’s population – would have to share the remainder, said researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the United States.

The researchers stated, an effective response to the pandemic requires high-income countries to share in an equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines across the world.

“The uncertainty over global access to Covid-19 vaccines traces not only to ongoing clinical testing, but also from the failure of governments and vaccine manufacturers to be more transparent and accountable over these arrangements,” they added.

As of November 15, high-income nations had pre-ordered nearly 7.5 billion doses of vaccines from 13 manufacturers, they further said.

This included Japan, Australia and Canada who collectively have more than 1bn doses but accounted for less than 1 per cent of current Covid-19 cases.

Even if leading manufacturers’ vaccines reach their projected maximum production capacity, nearly 25 per cent of the world’s population may not get the vaccines for another year or more, according to the research paper.

-CHK

PM lights Swarnim Vijay Mashaal; pays homage at National War Memorial

PM Modi lights up 'Swarnim Vijay Mashaal' at the National War Memorial

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lighted up ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ at the eternal flame of the National War Memorial on the 50th-anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

PM Modi also laid wreath and paid homage to the heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for the country. He was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the venue.

Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat along with Indian Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Indian Air Force Chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria were also present during the event.

Four torches were lit this morning that will be carried to the cities and villages of the 1971 war heroes who had received the gallantry awards — Param Vir Chakra and MahaVir Chakra.

On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, Rajnath Singh also unveiled the logo for ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’.

Earlier in the day, the Defence Minister extended his wishes on Twitter to the countrymen on the occasion, a historic day that made Bangladesh an independent country.

“Today, on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, I salute the valour and bravery of the Indian Army. I remember the bravery of the brave soldiers who wrote a new saga of bravery in the 1971 war. Their sacrifice is a source of inspiration for all Indians. Nation will always revere them,” Singh tweeted in Hindi.

Vijay Diwas is celebrated in India on December 16 to commemorate its victory over Pakistan during the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

On this day in 1971, the then Chief of the Pakistani Forces General Niazi – along with 93,000 of his soldiers – surrendered to Indian forces.

As the day marks the anniversary of the victory, the country will celebrate ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ through several events across the nation, and it will continue for a year.

-RJV

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

Covid-19 cases

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India crossed 99 lakh-mark and currently stands at 99,32,548 after 26,382 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll stands at 1,44,096 after 387 new fatalities were reported during the same period.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases increased to 18,86,807 followed by Karnataka with 9,03,425 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 8,76,336 cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 4,842

Andhra Pradesh- 8,76,336

Arunachal Pradesh- 16,553

Assam- 2,14,945

Bihar- 2,43,281

Chandigarh- 18,776

Chhattisgarh- 2,60,240

Dadra and Nagar Haveli– 3,359

Delhi- 6,10,447

Gujarat- 2,29,913

Goa- 49,566

Haryana– 2,54,207

Himachal Pradesh- 50,196

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,16,600

Jharkhand- 1,11,931

Karnataka- 9,03,425

Kerala- 6,77,255

Ladakh- 9,217

Madhya Pradesh- 2,25,709

Maharashtra- 18,86,807

Manipur- 27,292

Meghalaya- 13,007

Mizoram- 4,080

Nagaland- 11,761

Odisha- 3,24,389

Puducherry- 37,550

Punjab- 1,61,053

Rajasthan- 2,93,584

Sikkim- 5,365

Tamil Nadu- 8,01,161

Telangana- 2,79,135

Tripura- 33,081

Uttarakhand- 83,502

Uttar Pradesh- 5,68,064

West Bengal – 5,25,918

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 61

Andhra Pradesh- 7,064

Arunachal Pradesh- 55

Assam- 1,004

Bihar- 1,329

Chandigarh- 304

Chhattisgarh- 3,135

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 10,115

Goa- 710

Gujarat- 4,193

Haryana- 2,751

Himachal Pradesh- 836

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,812

Jharkhand- 1,001

Karnataka- 11,965

Kerala- 2,680

Ladakh- 123

Madhya Pradesh- 3,425

Maharashtra- 48,339

Manipur- 327

Meghalaya- 131

Mizoram- 7

Nagaland- 69

Odisha- 1,815

Puducherry- 620

Punjab- 5,117

Rajasthan- 2,568

Sikkim- 119

Tamil Nadu- 11,919

Telangana- 1,502

Tripura- 378

Uttar Pradesh- 8,103

Uttarakhand- 1,372

West Bengal- 9,145

However, a total of 94,56,449 people have been cured and discharged. The total active cases stands at 3,32,002 in the country.

-CHK

Coronavirus cases top 73.4 mn globally; London enters tier 3 restrictions

New Delhi (NVI): More than 73.4 million people around the world have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, while the death toll has crossed 16,35,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. Over 41.6 million patients have recovered from the deadly disease globally.

London has moved into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions in an effort to control rising infection rates, dealing another blow to hospitality venues before Christmas. The British capital’s move into “Tier 3” means theatres, pubs, restaurants will have to close, although takeaway food outlets can still operate.

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus infections in the US have crossed 16.7 million while the number of fatalities caused due to the deadly contagion have exceeded 3,03,000 in the country.

Brazil’s coronavirus cases have crossed the 69 lakh-mark and stands at 6,970,034 while the number of deaths have surged past 1,82,000 in the country.

Furthermore, Mexico’s health ministry on Tuesday reported 11,228 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 801 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 1,267,202 cases and 115,099 deaths.

New Zealand is expected to bounce back sooner from the impact of Covid-19 than previously thought, but large deficits and rising debt levels will have a lasting effect on the economy, the government said on Wednesday.

Mainland China reported 12 new Covid-19 cases on December 15, down from 17 cases a day earlier.

South Korea has reported 1,078 new coronavirus cases, bringing the national total to 45,442. The death toll has risen by 12, bringing the total to 612. The new case total is the highest since the start of the pandemic.

-CHK

Jharkhand schools reopen from today

Maharashtra
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The schools in Jharkhand have been permitted to reopen from today, after being closed for over 8 months amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The reopening of schools in the state is only for the students of classes 10 and 12, according to the Office of Banna Gupta, State Minister for Disaster Management Department.

The decision was taken in a review meeting of the Disaster Management Department which was chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

Meanwhile, the state government has also prescribed a set of guidelines which will be enforced to ensure safety of students and staff members on school campus. In addition, students will be required to follow hand hygiene and also social distancing norms to ensure that there is no overcrowding on campus.

As in-person classes are being resumed for class 10 and 12 students, online or virtual classes will be continue for students of other classes until further orders.

Apart from this, medical, nursing and dental colleges, and government training institutions in the state will also be allowed to reopen.

So far, Jharkhand has registered 1,11,931 confirmed coronavirus cases, while the death toll due to the virus stands at 1,001 in the state.

-RJV

India’s Covid tally reaches 99.3 lakh, death toll at 1.44 lakh

corona
(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India increased to 99,32,548 with a single-day rise of 26,382 new cases in the last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

The country’s death toll due to the virus rose to 1,44,096, with 387 patients succumbing to the infection since yesterday.

Currently, 94,56,449 patients have been cured an recovered all over the country, while the active cases remained below 3.35-lakh mark and stands at 3,32,002.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases increased to 18,86,807 followed by Karnataka with 9,03,425 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 8,76,336 cases.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 48,339 followed by 11,965 in Karnataka and 11,919 in Tamil Nadu.

The other worst affected states are Tamil Nadu (8,01,161), Kerala (6,77,255), Delhi (6,10,447) and Uttar Pradesh (5,68,064).

Meanwhile, the death toll in the national capital rose to 10,115, while 5,85,852 patients in Delhi have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, more than 15.66 crore samples tested for COVID-19 up to December 15. Out of these, 10,85,625 samples were tested yesterday.

Furthermore, Maharashtra government yesterday slashed the rates for RT-PCR, rapid antigen tests as well as for antibody tests further. Now, getting an RT-PCR test in a hospital or a laboratory will cost Rs 850 and at home Rs 980 in the state.

-RJV

DPIIT to come out with the first cut of genuine single-window by March-April: Goyal

New Delhi (NVI): The Centre is committed to introducing a single-window clearance mechanism for investors by mid-April next year, as part of the ease of doing business in the country, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said.

“The DPIIT is making a genuine effort to provide single-window clearance on approvals amongst various ministries at the centre, compliance of various laws in India and also at the state and local levels,” Goyal said while sharing his perspective on the theme’ Future of manufacturing in India – becoming a competitive global hub’.

“We are trying to integrate this, and I do hope that by March or April in the coming year, you will see the first cut of a genuine single window that will ease your compliance burden and help you focus more on your business rather than government compliances,” Goyal said while addressing virtually ASSOCHAM Foundation Week 2020: “India’s resilience: Aatmanirbhar roadmap towards a US$5 trillion economy”, he said.

“Historically we have seen single windows, which when you open, further open ten doors behind them. I am putting in best of my efforts to truly make a genuine single window,” he said.

Goyal also talked about the Steering Committee on Advancement of Localisation and Exports and Employment (SCALE) which is being collectively spearheaded by all industry associations and trade bodies including ASSOCHAM that are working to identify sectors where India has the competitive advantage to become a global manufacturing leader.

“The 24 sectors being worked upon will contribute Rs 20 lakh crore annually additional contribution to manufacturing, and it will grow as it gains dynamism and momentum. At least 30 per cent of this amount, i.e. Rs 6 lakh crore will go straight into the pockets of people of India in terms of salaries, wages, employee costs, indirect costs on our services,” he said.

“As part of other benefits, we are also looking at three crore plus young boys and girls getting jobs, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities,” he said.

Goyal also said that Railways Ministry will soon finalise the policy for greater private sector engagement and ownership of entire railway lines.

He also said that the Government has liberalised the policy on freight in a very big way. “We have taken a number of steps due to which from August onwards we are continually growing in railway freight over last year. Currently, the railway freight in the COVID-19 year, is only four per cent down on year on year basis until yesterday. We hope that by February we will overtake last year’s performance on railway freight.”

Talking about ASSOCHAM senior vice-president, Vineet Agarwal’s recommendation to the Ministry regarding the shortage of containers affecting exports and highlighted the location where containers are lying and unless the railways moves it quickly and free of cost, it would be difficult to meet the needs of export businesses.

“I do hope by today evening as I have instructed my office to take a call by today evening as to which are the routes where containers are lying and if they can be moved free of charge for next 15 days, so that our dead asset can be put to active use and help us to get back to our earlier export levels,” said Goyal.

He also urged the industry to show the same sort of commitment and help the Government in realising the goal for a v-shaped recovery and help get the mojo back into manufacturing and economy back to pre-covid levels and grow rapidly thereafter.

“This is a Government that is yearning for your ideas and suggestions through sectoral, regional engagements. I assure you, our intention is pure, our effort will not be lacking,” he said.

The Minister also stated that while we have been hearing about the need for India to become a global manufacturing hub for at least last 20 years and about increasing the sector’s contribution to 25 per cent of India’s GDP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has actually brought out with greater clarity, an attempt in partnership with industry to work out how we can achieve that. “I must acknowledge the huge contribution that ASSOCHAM is doing in making this a reality.”

Terming 101 years of ASSOCHAM as a remarkable journey, he said “ASSOCHAM is a fountainhead of knowledge, you have really the capability to help the industry upscale, align the industry with international benchmarks, develop formidable competitive edge in Indian industry and compete globally. I would urge ASSOCHAM to play a mentorship role with guidance of its previous and current leadership.”

“You have contributed immensely in playing that catalytic role in shaping up trade, commerce and industrial environment in the country over 100 years of your existence. It is the spirit of partnership which is there within your organisation, which also shows while dealing with the Government and your sister associations,” he added.

-ARK

PM to light up ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ to mark 50th anniv of Indo-Pak war

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inaugural event of ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ programme tomorrow which celebrates 50 years of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

The inaugural ceremony will be held at National War Memorial, where PM Modi, Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and Tri-Service Chiefs will lay a wreath and pay homage to the fallen soldiers. Four Victory Mashaals (flames) will be lit.

The Marshals will be carried to various parts of the country, including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and Mahavir Chakra Awardees of 1971 War.

Soil from the villages of these awardees and from areas where major battles were fought in 1971 is being brought to the NWM, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Apart from that, various commemorative events will be conducted across India wherein war Veterans and Veer Naris will be felicitated and events like band displays, seminars, exhibitions, equipment displays, film festivals, conclave and adventure activities are planned, the Defence Ministry said.

MoS Defence Shripad Yesso Naik and other senior civil & military officials of the Ministry of Defence will also be present on the occasion.

-ARK

Farmers’ protest causing loss of up to Rs 3,500 crore daily: ASSOCHAM

Indian economy

New Delhi (NVI): Urging the Central Government and the farmer unions to resolve the impasse the recently passes farm laws, the ASSOCHAM today said that the ongoing protests are dealing a big blow to the interconnected economies of the region, including Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

ASSOCHAM said that though the economies of these states are predominantly based on agriculture and horticulture, several industries like food processing, cotton textiles, automobile, farm machinery, IT have become their lifeline.

Besides, vibrant services sectors including tourism, trading, transport and hospitality, have added to the strength of the regions, known for their enterprising farmers, entrepreneurs and innovators, ASSOCHAM said.

“The size of the combined economies of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K is about Rs 18 lakh crore. With the ongoing farmers’ agitation and blockade of roads, toll plazas and railways, the economic activities have come to a halt. Industries such as textiles, auto components, bicycles, sports goods which cater significantly to the export markets would not be able to fulfil their orders, ahead of Christmas, harming our goodwill amongst the global buyers,” ASSOCHAM President, Dr Niranjan Hiranandani said.

A daily loss of Rs 3,000-3500 crore is resulting in the economies of the region from the value chain and transport disruption because of the protests, according to ASSOCHAM rough estimates.

Deepak Sood, Secretary-General, ASSOCHAM said the supply chain disruptions are also taking a toll in the retail prices of fruits and vegetables all across the country as the region is a major producer of these items. “Industries, farmers and also the consumers are paying a heavy price for the serious disruption in the supply chain. Ironically, these disruptions have come about when the economy had started unlocking from the Covid-19 impact,” he said.

Sood said that while the government is engaged with the farmers for allaying their concerns over the new Agri reforms laws,” we would like to assure our farmers that the core of the industry, business and trade – big or small is rural India where over 50 per cent of our population resides. The industry has a big stake in the welfare of the farmers who can rest assured that any economic proposition from the Agri sector would have a bias only in favour of farmers”.

Recovering from the harsh Covid-19 blow, the Indian economy needs to double down on growth which is possible only with a conducive environment for industrial activities, investment including the Foreign Direct Investment. ”The Government’s commitment to spend a big budget on roads and highways along with rural infrastructure cannot be implemented with the ongoing protests”.

The region had been amongst the favoured destinations of foreign investments in automobile, information technology, textiles and food processing. ”It is incumbent upon all of us to resolve whatever differences are there as regards reforms in the crucial agriculture sector. Reforms would ultimately help people of the region in terms of increased employment and prosperity, as more investment flows into the sector which needs a technology and innovation push”.

-ARK

Every political party including BJP responsible for present mess in Kashmir: Bukhari

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar (NVI):  Newly floated Jammu Kashmir Apni Party chief and former minister, Syed Altaf Bukhari today claimed that every political party is responsible for the present mess and chaos in Kashmir.

“NC, PDP, Congress and BJP are equally responsible for the current state of affairs of Jammu and Kashmir.’ No one is without blemish. Everyone is responsible,” Bukhari said.

“We had been told scenario will change after the abrogation of special status in Jammu and Kashmir, but we witnessed nothing important in times of development and other things,” he said.

J&K Apni Party held a political rally in Kashmir capital Srinagar today. Hundreds of party workers from different parts of Kashmir visited at Sher-i-Kashmir Municipal Park. To facilitate the political rally and keeping the security concerns into view, authorities had blocked the Polo-view road.

Several party leaders addressed the workers. Party President Altaf Bukari claimed that everyone has deceived the people of Kashmir.

While talking about the Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), Bukhari, “reality will soon dawn upon people about this Alliance,” he said.

Bukhari, the former PDP Minister who is known for his proximity with former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that he was ‘worth’ a minister. “Tell me didn’t I improve the condition of roads while being a minister. I macadamised roads across Srinagar city and worked for people. If I have done wrong or looted something, a commission should be formed against me. Not only against me but against all politicians who have committed wrong,” he said.

He said the massive participation of people in the ongoing District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir has shown it clearly that the polls and Kashmir issue are two separate things.

“This election has proved that the narrative set by these political parties (NC, Congress and PDP) that anyone who votes will be against the Kashmir issue. People have identified (displayed) that there is no connection with the movement and elections. And this is the biggest take away from this election and a win for the JKAP,” said Bukhari.

He said that the people have realized that polls and the political issue of Kashmir are two different things.

-ARK

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