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TRP scam: Republic TV CEO to face 14 day judicial custody

By
Shivani Negi
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Vikas Khanchandani, CEO of Republic TV, who was arrested in the TRP manipulation scam on December 13, has now been sent to judicial custody for 14 days after a magistrate court order.

According to an Indian Express report, Khanchandani’s role in the scam came into light during the interrogation of the channel’s distribution head, Ghanshyam Singh. Reportedly, Khanchandani was a part of the WhatsApp group which discussed details related to the TRP manipulation process.

Khanchandanim, who is the 13th person to be arrested in the alleged TRP scam case, has been sent to Taloja jail. He has also applied for a bail plea which will be heard on Wednesday.

“Among the grounds seeking bail, we have cited that his arrest is a gross misuse of power and abuse of process of law. He is neither named in the FIR nor the chargesheet,” hsi counsel Niteen Pradhan said.

Notably, when Khanchandani was arrested, his anticipatory bail plea was pending before the sessions court. Reacting to which, Additional Sessions Judge DE Kothalikar said that the court was disappointed in police’s action of arresting the Republic TV executive a day before his plea for anticipatory bail was scheduled for hearing.

The fake TRP scam was identified in October when the Broadcast Audience Research Council filed a complaint through Hansa Research Group – one of BARC’s vendors on engagement with people’s meters. Three channels including Republic TV, Box Cinema and Fakt Marathi were accused of tampering with the television rating that are monitored by BARC.

On a related note, Mumbai Police on Monday recorded the statements of six cable operators as part of their investigation into the matter. “We have asked them to appear before investigators on Wednesday and to bring certain documents,” an officer said.

Good News: First glass bridge of Bihar is ready in Rajgir, will start by 2021

By
Neha Kumari
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Bihar’s first glass bridge at Rajgir, an international tourist destination in Nalanda district of Bihar.

The second glass bridge of the country and the first glass bridge in Bihar have been ready in Rajgir of Nalanda district of Bihar. In the new year it will be opened to the general public. Construction of Nature Safari Park is also being done along with Zoo Safari Park at Glass Bridge.

It seems to spread the natural beauty of Rajgir of Bihar. People of Bihar can come and enjoy nature by visiting here. To visit the Zoo Safari Park here, this bridge seems very beautiful around which a variety of animals are seen, as well as the Central Zoo Authority has also recognized this, under which it is common in 2021 It will be opened to the public and then all the elderly and children will be able to come here and enjoy nature.

In this Zoo Safari Park, on the lines of state-of-the-art China, a glass bridge is being built at the Zoo Safari Park in Rajgir, Bihar, whose work is almost completed, on top of which you will feel thrilled walking along with the state-of-the-art ropeway Construction is also being done which will be opened to the general public very soon.

This glass bridge is built on the lines of a 120 meter high glass bridge in Hangzhou province of China. The bridge is being decorated with Venuban.

While walking on this bridge, you will be able to easily see the earth beneath your steps.

Moderna’s covid-19 vaccine safe and effective: FDA

By
Shivani Negi
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Covid-19 vaccine developed by US based Moderna might be the second candidate to get emergency use authorisation. According to US regulators, Moderna’s vaccine is safe and highly effective. Therefore, the Food and Drugs Administration is considering to grant the vaccine emergency approval in US, the sources familiar with the topic said.

The FDA said its analysis “supported a favorable safety profile, with no specific safety concerns identified that would preclude issuance of an emergency use authorization.”

According to the report by FDA, Moderna’s vaccine begins immunisation process just about 10 days after the first of two shot. It follows the same two-day regime followed by Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine which received emergency approval last week.

The FDA report said: “The two-dose vaccination regimen was highly effective in preventing PCR-confirmed Covid-19 occurring at least 14 days after receipt of the second dose.”

The US rolled out vaccination drive on Monday and approval of a second vaccine in the country where the virus has killed more than 300,000 people would only raise hope among people.

According to a Financial Times report, Moderna’s vaccine can also be the first of its kinds to show results among asymptomatic patients.

Moderna had released its analysis last month wherein its vaccine candidate was proved to be at least 94.1 per cent effective in a trial of about 30,000 participants. However, the efficacy rate was lower among the people aged above 65 at 86.4 per cent.

Earlier this year, the U.S. government signed deals with Moderna and Pfizer to acquire 200 million doses in the first quarter of 2021.

Pfizer’s vaccine was expected to be prized at $25, however, the Trump administration recently announced that everyone in the US will be getting free shots of covid-19 vaccine.

However, in a recently concluded survey, it was shown that around 21 per cent of young adults have said that they don’t trust vaccine and will likely not administer one even for free.

After struggling years proving citizenship Cichar man dies at the age of 104

By
Jyoti B
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A 104-year-old man from southern Assam’s Cachar district, who was detained in 2018 after being declared a foreigner from Bangladesh, died on Sunday, his family has said.

After the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) was passed in Parliament in December 2019, the family was hopeful that Chandradhar Das would finally get his Indian citizenship. His only wish was that, he wanted to die as an Indian.

Until his last breath, Chandradhar Das was hopeful that his woes would end with the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), daughter Nyuti Das said.

Das’s lawyer Soumen Chowdhury told India Today TV that, the Foreigners’ Tribunal had declared Chandradhar Das a foreigner and it was an ex-parte order after Chandradhar Das failed to appear before the Tribunal.

“Das was unhealthy and he had various old-age problems, could barely walk while he was in jail. When his health condition started deteriorating, we had filed a bail petition before the court and the court granted his bail petition on humanitarian grounds,” Souman Chowdhury said.

Later, he was released on bail and was living with his family at his residence.

LGBTQ groups celebrates Buttigieg pick for Transportation secretary

By
Jyoti B
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President-elect Joe Biden nominated his former rival Pete Buttigieg as secretary of transportation on Tuesday and intends to choose former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm as his energy secretary.

Should Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., be confirmed to the post, he would be the first openly gay Cabinet secretary to be confirmed by the Senate. Rick Grenell, who served as the acting director of national intelligence from February to May, was the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet secretary.

“Let’s celebrate this step toward greater LGBTQ visibility and continue to strive for more representation of our diverse community at all levels of the administration,” tweeted the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s leading LGBTQ advocacy group. 

Biden also plans to tap Gina McCarthy, a former Environmental Protection Agency chief, for the powerful new position of domestic climate chief to run his ambitious climate plans across the federal government.

Buttigieg released a statement on social media shortly after the official announcement:

“This is a moment of tremendous opportunity—to create jobs, meet the climate challenge, and enhance equity for all. I’m honored that the President-elect has asked me to serve our nation as Secretary of Transportation.”

Granholm’s selection as energy secretary was widely reported on Tuesday and confirmed to the Associated Press by four people familiar with the plans, although Granholm has yet to comment publicly.

Granholm served two terms as Michigan’s governor and defeated the husband of the US education secretary, Betsy DeVos, to win her second term. In November, she penned an op-ed for the Detroit News calling for Michigan’s auto industry to invest in a low-carbon economy, stating that “the time for a low-carbon recovery is now”.

Covid-19 update: 26,382 fresh cases push India’s tally to 99,32,547

By
Shivani Negi
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With 26,382 new covid-19 infections reported in last 24-hour, India’s total tally has reached 99,32,547 on Wednesday. Meanwhile, 387 deaths in the past 24 hours took India’s death toll to 1,44,096, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

As on date, 94,56,449 people have recovered from the deadly virus with over 33,813 more people recuperating in the last 24 hours. Currently, there are 3,32,002 active cases in the country which is 8,000 low than yesterday. The recovery rate stands at 95.21 per cent while the fatality rate is 1.45 as per cent.

A total of 15,66,46,280 samples have been tested for Covid-19 till now. Of these, 10,85,625 samples were tested on Tuesday, said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana account for 72 per cent of total caseload.

Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state in the country with 18,86,807 cases till date.

Here’re some more updates related to covid-19 pandemic:

*Uttarakhand health secretary Amit Negi tests positive for Covid-19: ANI

*Panama on Tuesday approved the emergency use of Pfizer’s covid-19 vaccine and the first shot of the vaccine is expected to reach the country in the first quarter of next year.

*Costa Rica also granted the emergency authorization to Pfizer’s Vaccine on Tuesday.

*Brazil, one of the five worst effected countries by the pandemic, saw 1,000 virus-related deaths on Tuesday. The country’s total death tally has now mounted over 182,799.

*Chinese mainland reported no case of covid-19 infection on Tuesday.

*The World Health Organization(WHO) on Tuesday said said that it is holding talks with Pfizer and Moderna about possibility of supplying their high-tech coronavirus vaccines to poor income countries.

*As promised during polls, Bihar cabinet on Tuesday announced free covid-19 vaccines to all residents.

*Senior health officials on Tuesday said that India has made significant process on the coronavirus front considering the recent downward trend in cases even in winters which was expected to be a vulnerable phase for covid-19.

*The government on Tuesday released the guidelines for covid-19 vaccine drive in the country, raising hopes that a vaccine against the novel virus is around the corner.

Shiv Sena leader Uddhav says he hasn’t given up on Hindutva

By
Neha Kumari
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has once again castigated the Shiv Sena’s old ally Bharatiya Janata Party on the issue of Hindutva. Announcing a separate fund for the preservation of ancient temples in the state, Uddhav Thackeray said- ‘We did not leave Hindutva and will not leave’. Uddhav Thackeray said- ‘A separate fund will be kept for the preservation of temples in the state. Efforts will be made to save the culture of Maharashtra. This will also make you understand that we have not left Hinduism.

Recently, there was a battle between Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and CM Uddhav Thackeray for the opening of religious places in Maharashtra. Now this governor had questioned Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s Hindutva and asked him to open religious places. The Governor had said, ‘From June 1, you had announced to resume the mission, but even after four months, places of worship could not be opened. It is ironic that on one side the government has opened bars and restaurants, but on the other hand, the site of Goddesses and Gods has not been opened. You are a strong advocate of Hindutva. You publicly expressed your devotion for Lord Rama. Have you suddenly made yourself secular? Which word do you hate? ‘

Thackeray said that “Maharashtra set up Kovid Hospital in 17 days, it is a big thing”. The Center told us, before that the hospital started building. The task force of the doctors was started. Before the lockdown was announced, they started shutting down everything. ”

Regarding Maratha reservation, the Chief Minister said that “no one will be given reservation by taking out anyone’s reservation and justice will be done to all societies.” Whoever is trying to create a quarrel in the society will not succeed … I am saying this as the Chief Minister with responsibility.

India Post Payment Bank launches digital payment app ‘Dak Pay’

By
Neha Kumari
-

India Post has made important payment app facility to the customers. India Post Payment Bank, in association with the Department of Posts has launched the digital payment app Dak Pay. Through this app, customers will get access to banking and digital transactions. This payment app has been linked to UPI. Which means that customers will be able to do digital transactions through Google Pay, just like Google Pay, Phone Pay and other payment apps. Let us know some special things about postage.

Through postal pay, customers can do domestic money transfer (DMT), scan QR codes and make digital transactions through UPI. Through this payment app, users will be able to take advantage of banking services from home. Through this app, users will also get services of postal products online.

Postpay will provide digital finance and banking services provided through the postal network of Indian Post and IPPB across the country. Postpay will help in many types of services ie sending money, QR code for scan service and payment in digital way at shops. Apart from this, it will also provide interoperable banking services to customers with any bank in the country.

At the launch of this app, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad praised the efforts of India Post Payments Bank. He said that even in the time of Corona epidemic crisis, by providing AePS financial services to the people at home, they have financially empowered those who were far away from the banking system. Jay Venkataramu, MD & CEO of India Post Payments Bank said that ‘DakPay is a landmark achievement. Our objective is every customer is important, every transaction is important and every deposit is valuable.

Bihar – Corona vaccine will be given for free, Job promise, Know other cabinet decisions

By
Neha Kumari
-

On Tuesday, 15 important decisions were approved in the cabinet meeting of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. In this meeting, the work plan of the next five-year program of Nitish government was approved. In this meeting, the NDA’s election promises were also fulfilled. In the meeting, several decisions were taken, including free corona vaccine, education and employment of youth, incentive amount of Rs 50,000 to graduation pass girl students, free treatment of children born with a hole in the heart.

After Nitish Kumar’s cabinet meeting, it has become clear that the corona vaccine will be given to the common people in Bihar for free. Now its notification will be issued by the concerned department soon.

Here are the important 10 big decisions –

  1. Corona vaccines will be available in Bihar for free.
  2. 20 lakh jobs will be created in the next 5 years.
  3. Centers will be formed to increase training quality in ITIs and polytechnic institutions.
  4. Special emphasis will be laid on skill development and entrepreneurship.
  5. Technical education will be linked to Hindi language.
  6. The youth will get a grant of up to five lakhs to join the business.
  7. 50 percent subsidy will be available on the grant.
  8. Unmarried women will be given financial assistance of Rs 25000 for inter-pass and Rs 50000 for passing graduation.
  9. In all cities, multi-storey buildings will be built for elderly people.
  10. There will be free treatment for children born with a hole in the heart.

At the same time, the issue of employment was very important in Bihar elections. The RJD-led grand alliance raised it prominently in the elections. Tejashwi Yadav had announced to sign the decision of 10 lakh jobs in the first cabinet meeting. However, he suffered a defeat. Meanwhile, CM Nitish Kumar has taken an important decision in the second cabinet meeting on the issue of employment. In which it has announced to provide employment to 20 lakh people during the next 5 years. The youth will also get a grant of 5 lakhs for employment.

Emphasis on skill development-
At least one mega skill center will be opened in every district. A tool room and training center will be set up in each division. To give special emphasis on skill development and entrepreneurship, a separate department of skill development and entrepreneurship will be formed.

Vijay Diwas: India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 Indo-Pak war

By
Jyoti B
-

India on December 16, celebrates Vijay Diwas to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 Indo-Pak War, and pays tribute to the real heroes of India and bangladesh who sacrificed their lives in the line of dutt and those who took part in the Liberation War.  

The ‘liberation war’ in the then East Pakistan was initiated after Pakistan ill-treated its Bengali speaking population and undermined elections results in the region. The then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had expressed India’s full support for the liberation war in Bangladesh.

What happened in 1971?

* Prior to 1971, Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan, which was called ‘East Pakistan’.

* Reports have claimed that people of ‘East Pakistan’ were beaten, exploited, raped and murdered by the Pakistani Army.

* India supported Bangladesh against Pakistan’s oppression in ‘East Pakistan’.

* There was huge discontent against the military ruler of Pakistan, General Ayub Khan, in ‘East Pakistan’.

* On December 3, 1971, the government of India ordered the Indian Army to declare war against Pakistan to save people of ‘East Pakistan’.

* This war was fought under the leadership of Field Marshal Manekshaw. More than 1400 soldiers of India were martyred during this war.

* On 16 December 1971, about 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered before the Indian Army in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lit up the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ at the National War Memorial in Delhi to mark the 50th anniversary of India’s victory in the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Prime Minister Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the venue. The Prime Minister, Chief of Defence Staff and Tri-Service Chiefs also laid a wreath and paid homage to the fallen soldiers.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the logo for ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Four Victory Mashaals were lit from the Eternal Flame of National War Memorial. These Mashaals will be carried to various parts of the country including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra Awardees of 1971 War.


India vs Australia: Rahane says India will miss pace of Ishant Sharma

By
Harshit
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Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Tuesday admitted that his team will miss pace bowler Ishant Sharma, but did not answer questions about team composition in the day-night Test against Australia starting on Thursday.

Rahane said – Our bowler can take 20 wickets, but Ishant will miss Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Tuesday admitted that his team will miss fast bowler Ishant Sharma, but questions are being raised about team combination in the day-night Test against Australia starting on Thursday.

Rahane did not respond to the team combination for the day-night Test. The team will be decided on the eve of the match, the first Test of the series against Australia from December 17. Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Tuesday admitted that his team would miss pace bowler Ishant Sharma, but did not answer questions about team composition in the day-night Test against Australia starting on Thursday.

After captain Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave after the first Test, Rahane’s captaincy in the remaining three Tests is almost certain. He also spoke on the challenge faced by bowlers with increased speed of pink ball.

Rahane said in a virtual press conference, ‘We have a strong attack, but we will miss Ishant. He is the senior most fast bowler. ”Ishant was injured in the rib during the IPL.

Rahane, however, expressed confidence that fast bowlers led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami would do well in the absence of Ishant. He said, ‘Umesh, Saini, Siraj, Bumrah and Shami are all good bowlers and have experience. They know how to bowl here. ‘

He said, ‘This is the new series, which will start with the pink ball. It is important to achieve rhythm. I believe our bowlers can take 20 wickets.

High Court restrains Nurses’ Strike In AIIMS, Issues Notice

By
Jyoti B
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The Delhi High Court on Tuesday restrained the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Nurses’ Union from continuing their indefinite strike, reported Bar and Bench. The order was passed by the single-judge Bench of Justice Navin Chawla on a petition by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

The AIIMS Nurses Union went on an indefinite strike on Monday, 14 December, afternoon, citing a list of demands that also include one related to the 6th Central Pay Commission, news agency ANI reported.

Dr Randeep Guleria, the Director of AIIMS, made an emotional request to the Nurses’ Union, which declared the strike, to “not go on strike and come back and work and help us get through the pandemic.”

“It’s unfortunate the union has gone on a strike now, only a few months from when a vaccine will provide the solution.” he said, adding, “The nurses’ union had put in 23 demands. Almost all the demands have been met by the AIIMS administration and the government.”

The Union wrote a letter to the AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria demanding redressal of their grievances.

Director released a video message saying he was proud of the work being done by the healthcare workers in the time of pandemic urging them to rejoin duties. “The nurses’ union had put in 23 demands. Almost all the demands have been met by the AIIMS administration and the government,” Guleria said.

Interns and final year students from B.Sc Nursing & M.Sc Nursing students are being considered to be deployed in duty. While OPD services will function, some curtailments can be there as per availability of resident doctors and faculty by respective departments.

After Warner, Smith suffers injury ahead of first Test match against India

By
Harshit
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The Australian team is struggling with fitness problems ahead of the four-Test series against India. Top batsman Steve Smith did not participate in the crucial practice session on Tuesday due to a swelling in his waist.

Smith spent about 10 minutes warm-up with his fellow players, which included some stretching exercises. After that he did not participate in the football season and went straight to the dressing room. His waist was twisted while picking up the ball.

Team physio David Beakley also accompanied him to the dressing room. The day-night test starts from Thursday. Smith is not expected to return to practice until Wednesday.

According to Australian media, a spokesman for the team said that there was no doubt about Smith’s availability. The Australian camp did not make the matter that much, but Smith did not return to practice again.

Smith had a brilliant performance in the limited overs series and scored a century in two ODIs.

Sreesanth to make his comeback in Syed Mustaq Ali T2O tournament

By
Harshit
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Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth has come close to returning to competitive cricket after a long time. He has been included in the list of 26 players from Kerala for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament. Sreesanth was banned by the Cricket Board of India (BCCI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for match-fixing.

In addition to this 37-year-old player in Kerala’s list of probabilities released on Tuesday, there are experienced players like Sanju Samson, Sachin Baby, Jalaj Saxena, Robin Uthappa and Basil Thampi.

Sreesanth’s ban ended in September this year. According to sources, he will participate in the team camp to be held from December 20 to 30. Earlier, he was selected for a team in the T20 series organized by Kerala Cricket Association. He last represented the Indian team in 2011. He was part of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ODI World Cup in 2011.

Colgate Visible White appoints Kiara Advani as its new brand ambassador

By
Shivani Negi
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Colgate, one of the most prominent hair care brands, has roped in Kiara Advani as the brand ambassador for its product Colgate Visible White.

The actress was also the face of the brand’s recently released TVC campaign. With the massive success of her films, Kiara has definitely garnered a significant fan following and by choosing Advani as the brand ambassador, Colgate aims to appeal to the masses.

With this association, the brand aims to enhance reach of its product by promoting Colgate Visible White from rural to urban areas with their 360 degree campaign.

Advani said, “Colgate is synonymous with oral care in India being the earliest leading brands of toothpastes. The brand is very close to my heart as I have early memories of Colgate just like every individual of this country. A flawless smile is everyone’s desire and to be associated with a brand whose ideology matches with mine makes me innately proud and happy.”

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