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With 24,010 fresh cases of covid-19, India’s tally rises to 99,56,557

By
Shivani Negi
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With 24,010 fresh infections of covid-19, India’s overall tally on Thursday reached 99,56,557. In the last 24-hour, the country saw 355 more virus related death, taking total fatality toll to 1,44451, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

More than 94,89,740 recoveries have been reported in the country since the onset of the pandemic.

The active cases reported in the country are 3,22,366. Meanwhile, 33, 291 more people recovered from the virus on Wednesday, the ministry said in its update.

As of now, the recovery rate stands at 95.21 per cent while the fatality rate dipped down to 1.45.

A total of 15,78,05,240 samples have been tested for Covid-19 till now. Of these, 11,58,960 samples were tested on Wednesday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Here’re some more updates:

*Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state with 18,80,893 cases since the inception of the pandemic.

* Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh continue to report high surge in daily covid-19 cases.

*An Alaskan health worker had a serious allergic reaction after getting Pfizer Inc and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine, but is now stable, public health authorities said on Wednesday.

*India has kick started preparation for vaccination drive in the national capital. More than 3,500 healthworkers are currently being trained for the vaccination process. Out of these 1,800 healthcare workers will be deployed at 609 coldchain points across the city.

*According to a reuters report, more than 2,500 people are dying daily in the US due to the pandemic.

*Twitter has said that it will begin removing misinformation about Covid-19 vaccinations from its site. False claims such as virus is not real, masks doesn’t help in protection against the virus and effect of vaccine is a hoax will be removed from the social media platform.

*Germany to roll out its vaccination drive from December 27, Health Minister Jens Spahn announced Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the overall number of global covid-19 cases has surpassed  74 million mark and the deaths toll mounted to 1.64 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University’s latest update.




Jamiat Ulama to legally challenge decision to convert madrasas into regular schools

By
Jyoti B
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Soon after Assam government decided to convert all state-run madrasas and Sanskrit tols (schools) into general institutes in an attempt to make education “secular”, Jamiat Ulama is set legally challenge Assam government’s same.

The decision was taken at a four-hour meeting held at the Garigaon madrasa on Tuesday after education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that the word “madrasa” will be removed from government-run madrasas along with theological courses from April 1, 2021. 

The state government will table a bill to this effect during the winter session of the Assembly from December 28.

Hafiz Bashir Ahmed Qasimi, general secretary of the state Jamiat, told The Telegraph that they will challenge the government’s decision if it brings in an ordinance or a new act.

“At the same time we will also request the government to modernise madrasa education instead of shutting them down,” Qasimi said.

The Assam unit of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is an influential organisation of scholars playing a key role in the social and political life of the Muslims as well as the country.

There are 198 high Madrasas in Assam which are run under the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA), and 542 other Madrasas which are run under the State Madrasa Board.

Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said, Madrasasinstitutions will be renamed by removing the word Madrasas in order to avoid any confusion in higher studies courses regarding the status of the institution.

Madrasas education was introduced in Assam education curriculum in 1934 and the State Madrasa Board was also created then.

UP Sunni Waqf Board may lay Foundation of Ayodhya mosque on Republic Day

By
Jyoti B
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The foundation of the Ayodhya mosque complex will be laid on January 26 next year — the 71st Republic Day— at Dhannipur village, 20km off the existing Ram Janmabhoomi complex.

The mosque is coming up over five acre land given to the UP Sunni Waqf Board as per the directives of the Supreme Court in its November 2019 judgment.

The board will hold a press conference on December 19 to share its plan pertaining to the mosque.

“No day could be better than January 26, the day on which our constitution came into existence. If all goes as per plan, we may lay the foundation of the mosque and other establishments, on Republic Day,” said Athar Hussain, spokesperson for Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation.

According to the report, the structure of the new mosque will be bigger than the Babri Masjid, but the design is unlikely to be identical to the mosque in the Ram Janmabhoomi premises. 

The blueprint of the structure will be unveiled during the December 19 press conference.

The project, which has been finalised by the chief architect of the trust, will also have space for over 2000 people to hold namaz in the premises. The trust will also unveil the layout of facilities such as a multispeciality hospital, community kitchen and a library on December 19.

The designs of the structure will be in accordance with the historic significance of the place.

Air India Announces 50% concession for senior citizens

By
Jyoti B
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State-owned carrier Air India announces a special scheme for senior citizens of the country, offering a 50% concession on the base fare.The scheme is only applicable to domestic flights and flyers above the age of 60 are only eligible to apply for the scheme.

As per the official website of Air India, the airline career has put up a criterion in which only the matching people would be allowed to avail of the offer. 

The tickets should be booked for “a Senior citizen of Indian Nationality, permanently residing in India and should have attained the age of 60 years on the date of commencement of journey”.

However, the offer is being given only on select booking classes in the Economy cabin. Moreover, the total amount of a flight ticket is not just the base fare.

According to the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a potential airfare will also include the airline fuel charge, common user terminal fee, passenger service fees, airport and/ or user development fees taxes, and any other applicable convenience charges.

To get benefit of the offer, the eligible citizens needs to produce a valid Photo ID with date of birth written on it. Apart from this, they also need to produce voter’s ID card, passport, driving license, or the senior citizens’ ID card issued by Air India.

“In case the relevant ID/documents are not presented at the time of check-in or at the boarding gate, the basic fare will be forfeited and the tickets will become non-refundable,” the website mentions.

Passengers need to purchase the ticket three days before departure. No discount will be applicable for any children travelling along. However, there is a discount available for one infant (below two years of age).

Smith set to play the first Test against India in the mega-series

By
Harshit
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Star batsman Steve Smith landed for net practice on Wednesday. Smith, the world’s number one Test batsman, left the practice session on Tuesday and went to the dressing room. Captain Tim Paine said on Wednesday that this was his precautionary step. He is ready to take the field against India in the day-night Test starting on Thursday.

Tim Paine said, ‘His (Smith) preparation is very good. A day’s rest can be considered good for them. He has returned to training. Actually, his waist was twisted while picking up the ball.

Before the four-Test series, the Australian team is troubled by the injuries of its players. Opener David Warner has been ruled out of the opening Test due to injury. Young batsman Will Pukowski suffered a head injury.

Captain Penn said that young all-rounder Cameron Green is fine now. He suffered a minor injury in the practice match last week. That is, this 21-year-old all-rounder running in form is ready to make his Test debut in Adelaide.

India vs Australia: No Rahul, No Pant, No Jadeja in Indian playing XI

By
Harshit
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Team India has announced the playing eleven for the first match of the four-match Test series against Australia. The players whom Team India will field to face the Australian challenge in the Adelaide Test starting on Thursday, were disclosed a day before.

In the Pink Test of the series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Wriddhiman Saha has been given the responsibility of wicketkeeping. Prithvi Shaw has been included as the opener, while KL Rahul is out.

Adelaide Test: Playing XI –

Virat Kohli (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Riddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mo. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Apart from spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, three bowlers have been included. Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Jaspreet Bumrah will be the fast bowlers. India has preferred Prithvi Shaw as Mayank Agarwal’s opening partner over Shubman Gill in good form.

Prithvi is in poor form and his technique is also being questioned, but captain Virat Kohli made it clear in the press conference before the match that Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are not part of his strategy yet.

With this, veteran Wriddhiman Saha has been given priority over Rishabh Pant in the selection of wicketkeeper. Pant scored a century in the practice match played with pink ball. Saha played a combative half-century, which was preferred by the team management.

TMC Leader Suvendu Adhikari Resigns from Bengal Assembly 

By
Jyoti B
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Trinamool Congress leader Suvendu Adhikari resigned from the membership of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Wednesday amid indications that he would join the BJP during Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state on December 19-20.

Adhikari, MLA from Nandigram, submitted his handwritten resignation to Speaker of the Assembly Biman Banerjee.

There have been speculations about the next political move of Adhikari amid rumours that he may join the BJP.

Adhikari had been at odds with the TMC leadership for a while and had distanced himself from party activities.

The TMC did make efforts to placate the senior leader. However, with Adhikari not willing to budge from his stand, the TMC leadership had given up on the rapproachment efforts and called it a “closed chapter”.

According to a top BJP leader, Adhikari is scheduled to visit Delhi Thursday and likely to join the BJP there, following which he is expected to address a mass meeting in West Midnapore district in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 

“He may also join in the public meeting that will be addressed by Amit Shahji on 19 December in the district,” the top BJP leader said. “The district also comes under his (Adhikari’s) area of operation and we are expecting a huge gathering there. We are still working with him on the schedule.” 

Adhikari had helped Mamata Banerjee in her anti- land acquisition movemnent against the Left Front government in Nandigram in 2009 that catapulted her to power in 2011.

After the efforts of rapprochement failed, Adhikari, without naming anyone, has criticised the TMC leadership on a range of issues.

Kangana Ranaut accuses Diljit of misleading farmers; his befitting reply is trending

By
Shivani Negi
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Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday launched an attack at Diljit Dosanjh and Priyanka Chopra yet again for their support to farmers protesting at the Singhu border. Taking to Twitter, Kangana said that the protests led by farmers against the new farm bills has cost the nation Rs 70,000 crore, while adding that their actions have played an important role in these serious consequences.

“Cost of farmers protests so far 70,000 crores, because of dharna economic slowdown in neighbouring industries and small factories, might lead to riots, @diljitdosanjh and @priyankachopra you understand our actions have serious consequences please tell me who will pay for this?,” she asked on Twitter.

Replying to Kangana Ranaut on Twitter, Diljit Dosanjh gave a befitting reply and tweeted, “Suneya C.. Poonch Sidhi Ni Ho Sakdi.. Confirm Ho Geya Bai..”

Earlier, too, Kangana had accused Diljit and Priyanka of misleading the farmers and said that they do all this for their petty gains.

“Problem is not just them but each and every individual who supports them and opposes #FarmersBill_2020 they are all aware how important this bill is for farmers still they provoke innocent farmers to incite violence, hatred and Bharat Band for their petty gains.”

“People like @diljitdosanjh and @priyankachopra will be hailed by the left media for misleading and encouraging farmers protests, pro Islamists and anti India film industry and brands will flood them with offers and English/living in colonial hangover media houses will felicitate them with awards, the problem is whole system is designed to make anti nationals flourish and grow and we are too less in numbers against a corrupt system, but I am sure magic will happen in every fight of GOOD versus EVIL, evil has been much stronger, JAI SHRI RAM,” she had added.

Diljit joined farmers’ protest at the Singhu border earlier this month and also provided an economic help of Rs 1 crore to facilitate their stay at the border. On the other hand, Priyanka had tweeted that farmers’ hopes need to be met.

Australian series important for India to qualify to the finals of World Test Champion

By
Harshit
-

The competition between the teams has been tightened to reach the final of the World Test Championship. In such a situation, Team India will have to do well in the series against Australia and then England in order to strengthen their claim.

India is at the third place in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings with 114 ratings points, while Australia is at the top with 116.46 points. New Zealand has 116.37 points and is very close to Australia. He has come very close to reaching the final of the ICC World Test Championship to be held in 2021 after winning by an innings margin in both the Test matches against the West Indies.

If New Zealand beats Pakistan 2–0 in a two-Test series starting on December 26, it would have scored 420 points in five series. With this, India will need 5 wins or 4 wins and three draws in 8 Tests.

Farmers Protest: Sikh priest shoots himself at Singhu border

By
Jyoti B
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Amid the nationwide protest against the Farms Boll 2020, a priest from Haryana’s Karnal died by suicide near the Singhu border in Delhi on Wednesday.

“I have witnessed the plight of the farmers, who are on the streets, struggling for their rights. I am hurt to see that the government is not giving them justice. It is a crime. It is a sin to oppress and it is a sin to suffer,” Baba Ram Singh’s suicide note said.

“Nobody did anything against the oppression and for the rights of the farmers. Many even expressed their wrath by returning awards and honours given to them,” it said.

“This servant commits self-immolation against the government oppression [and] in favour of the farmers. It [The act] is the voice against the oppression and the voice in favour of the farmers,” the suicide note written in Punjabi said.

The deceased, Sant Baba Ram Singh, was a religious preacher with followers in Haryana and Punjab. He was a former office bearer in many Sikh organisations, including Haryana SGPC.

Confirming the news, Akali Dal chief tweeted, “Anguished to hear that Sant Baba Ram Singh ji Nanaksar Singhra wale shot himself at Singhu border in Kisan Dharna, looking at farmers’ suffering. Sant ji’s sacrifice won’t be allowed to go in vain.”

Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also appealed to the Central government not to let the situation deteriorate any further and repeal the three agriculture laws.

The 65-year-old, a resident of Singhra village in Nissing area of Haryana’s Karnal district, recently joined the farmers’ protest.

More than 20 of the protesters have died, the farmers’ representatives said yesterday. A farmer leader from Maharashtra, Rishipal, said one farmer has died every day on an average since the protest started.

Thousand of farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, are protesting at several border points of Delhi demanding scrapping of Centre’s three new farm laws. Today was 21 days of protest.

Kohli backs Rahane as captain in the later half of series

By
Harshit
-

Indian captain Virat Kohli supported Ajinkya Rahane, saying that when he goes on paternity leave after the first Test against Australia, this vice-captain will carry out the responsibility of leading the team brilliantly. Kohli said that the relationship between him and Rahane has been of ‘trust and mutual respect’.

Kohli will return home after the day-night match starting on Thursday for the birth of his first child, leaving Rahane to play the responsibility of captaining the team in the remaining three Tests.

Asked what kind of performance Rahane would perform in his absence, he said, “At first we have a very good understanding and respect each other for so many years.” We have played a lot of partnerships, batting together, which is based on trust and understanding on each other what needs to be done for the team. ‘

India vs Australia: Virat and Company ready for Australian challenge

By
Harshit
-

Indian captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday described himself as a ‘new India representative’ who is always ready to face new challenges with full expectations.

Kohli made this reference in the context of Greg Chappell’s comment, in which the former Australian captain said that he was ‘the most Australian (mentally minded player) among non-Australian cricketers’.

On the eve of the first Test match against Australia, Kohli was asked about his aggressive cricketing and combativeness, which was mentioned by Chappell, formerly Indian coach. Chappell has a similar mindset among the cricketers of his country. Kohli said, ‘I have always been saying that this is my own style.

The way my personality and character is, I am representing the new India, I see it this way. ‘ He said, ‘In my mind it is not a matter of Australian mentality or such comparison. It is associated with advancing the Indian cricket team and from the first day my personality has been like this.

Top commander of Indian army said – trust evaporated from China after Galwan incident

By
Neha Kumari
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India celebrated victory of 1971 war with Pakistan as Vijay Diwas today. On the occasion of Victory Day, the top military commander has targeted China. Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan, General Officer in Command, Eastern Command, said at the War Memorial, “The trust that China can exert after the conflict in the Galwan Valley is over. There was no major infiltration attempt or face-off in the Eastern Command area before the conflict in Ladakh. But after the violence in Galwan, the trust between us and China on LAC has dried up, the wind has gone. Chauhan said that now it will take time to stabilize again.

Anil Chauhan said, ‘I would like to say that since the confrontation in Ladakh there has been no major intrusion or confrontation in the Eastern Command area. The Galwan incident has worked to reduce mutual trust between us and the Chinese Army on LAC and it will take time to stabilize.

Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan said that the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army had made some precautionary deployments during the Ladakh crisis, which is now being cut due to cold. However, Chauhan also stressed that the Indian Army is ready to defeat any challenge during the winter.

In the summer of May this year, the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army have been face to face on the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. On June 15, the confrontation between the two countries turned violent. 20 soldiers of the Indian Army were killed in the conflict in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh.

In the encounter with the PLA, 20 more soldiers lost their lives on the LAC along with Colonel Santosh Babu, Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Regiment of the Indian Army. This was the first time since 1975 that India had to lose troops on the Line of Actual Control with China.

For Uniform Grounds for Divorce, SC Sends Notice to Centre

By
Neha Kumari
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The Supreme Court has asked the Central Government to issue a notice and file an answer while hearing a plea seeking uniform law for every citizen across the country to decide divorce and alimony. However, the Supreme Court said that caution has to be taken in this case as the matter is related to personal law.

The Supreme Court said that how can we interfere in Personal Law. We are issuing notice with precaution. When the case was heard in front of a bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, the court said that you want Personal law to be abolished? You are not saying that, but whatever is said in this case is really like that.

The petition said that despite having clear provisions in the constitution, the central government has failed to give alimony without gender, religious discrimination to all citizens.

Chief Justice SA Bobde, presiding over the 3-judge bench, told Pinky Anand, the senior counsel appearing for the petitioner, “You are demanding removal of personal law in a way”. Pinky Anand said that only those fundamental in the petition The issue of violation of rights has been raised, which the Constitution has given to every citizen. We are talking about the right to life with respect to not being discriminated against on the basis of gender and religion and on this, the Chief Justice said, “You Say, but this demand has a far-reaching effect. “

The court indicated the demand for divorce to send a law commission for consideration. Till then, senior advocate Meenakshi Arora started arguing for the second case listed in the same petition. She told the court that there are different arrangements in the country on what allowance will be given to the woman during the marital dispute and after the divorce. A Muslim woman only survives 3 months of Iddat (time during divorce process). After the divorce, only Mehr gets the amount, which is decided by both the families at the time of marriage. This is a violation of the rights of not only the woman but also her children.

The petition has demanded the Supreme Court to direct the Central Government to take steps to remove the discrepancies in the divorce laws. The petition said that the apex court should issue directions to the central government to make equal laws for all citizens, without prejudice on the issue of divorce on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. It has also been demanded that the court declare that the partisan grounds of divorce violate Articles 14, 15, 21. In such a situation, guidelines should be issued for all citizens on the same grounds of divorce.

Arjun Rampal seeks time till 21 December to appear before NCB in drug case

By
Shivani Negi
-

Bollywood Actor Arjun Rampal was asked to appear before the anti-drug agency, Narcotics Control Bureau(NCB), on 16th December 2020, i.e today, but the actor has asked for time till 21st December to appear before the agency. The actor is summoned in the case related to Bollywood drug case which has been under investigation for quite some time now.


As per ANI tweet, “Mumbai: Actor Arjun Rampal seeks time till 21st December, to appear before Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) NCB had summoned the actor today in a drug-related case probe.”


NCB had conducted a raid at the residence of Arjun Rampal on 9th November and collected some electronic gadgets.


On the same day, they had questioned Rampal’s girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades for six hours in the same case.

The NCB has also arrested Paul Bartel, a friend of Arjun Rampal, in the case. On 13th November, Arjun was questioned by the NCB.


Well, the actor had come under the raider of NCB when his girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades’ brother Agisilaos Demetriades was arrested by the agency in October this year after they raided a resort in Lonavala, where they found drugs.

On Tuesday, the special Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court granted him bail on a guaranty of Rs 50,000. They also asked him to submit his passport and not to leave the city without informing the Narcotics Control Bureau.


However, he had guarded bail in the matter in October, but he was not released as the NCB had filed an FIR against him in another drug matter.


Not only Arjun Rampal was questioned by NCB related to a drug case, but they also investigated many Bollywood stars, including A-listers like Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and more.

The drug case came into light during the investigation of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case.

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