ONE YEAR OF VACCINATION: 70 PC ADULTS HAVE 2 JABS

Seventy per cent of India’s adults have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 while 93 per cent received the first jab, said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya while launching a postage stamp on indigenously developed vaccine Covaxin to mark one year of the inoculation drive.

The drive was rolled out on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase.

Addressing the commemorative postage stamp release event through a video link, Mandaviya said it is a proud moment for Indians and the entire world is amazed by the country’s Covid inoculation drive.

“India has been able to achieve the milestone of administering over 156 crore doses despite such a huge population and diversity,” he said.

He also congratulated all scientists on the occasion. “Our prime minister encouraged scientists to carry out research and develop an indigenous Covid vaccine and held discussions with vaccine manufacturing companies and offered them support.

BJP’S HATE POLITICS VERY HARMFUL FOR COUNTRY: RAHUL GANDHI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the BJP’s politics of “hatred” is very harmful for the country and is also responsible for unemployment. “Domestic and foreign industries cannot run without peace in the society. Will defeat this growing hatred around you everyday with brotherhood. Are you with me? #NoHate,” Gandhi added.

The Congress leader had put out an online quiz on Saturday, asking people about the “biggest shortcoming” of the BJP government. The options he gave were “unemployment”, “tax extortion”, “price rise” and an “atmosphere of hatred”.

CENTRE REJECTS BENGAL TABLEAU FROM R-DAY PARADE, MAMATA WRITES TO MODI

Expressing shock over the Centre’s decision to exclude West Bengal’s tableau, which was set to highlight contributions of freedom fighters, from the upcoming Republic Day Parade in Delhi, Chief Minister Mamara Banerjee on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to reconsider the decision as people of the state would be “pained” by the move.

Banerjee also said that no reason was cited for the tableau’s rejection.

“I have been profoundly shocked and hurt by the decision of the Government of India to abruptly exclude the proposed tableau of the Government of West Bengal from the ensuing Republic Day Parade. It is even more baffling for us that the tableau was rejected without assigning any reasons or justifications,” Banerjee said in a two-page letter to Modi.

“I urge you to reconsider the decision and include the tableau of freedom fighters from West Bengal in the Republic Day parade on the 75th year of our Independence,” Banerjee added.

BORDER DISPUTE: STOP UNILATERAL CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, NEPAL TELLS INDIA

Nepal on Sunday asked India to stop “unilateral construction and expansion” of roads in its East of Kali River territory but stopped short of lodging a formal diplomatic protest.

This comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to expand the road across the Lipulekh area, which Nepal claims as its own. Addressing an election rally organised by the BJP at Haldwani in Uttarakhand on December 30, Modi had announced that his government is further widening the road built in Lipulekh in Uttarakhand.

Nepal’s minister for Information and Broadcasting and Cabinet spokesperson Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said territories, including Limpiadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani East of Kali River, are an integral part of Nepal and any construction or expansion of roads thereby India must be stopped. “Any dispute over border between Nepal and India must be settled through diplomatic channels on the basis of historic documents, maps and documents true to spirit of the bilateral relationship existing between the two countries,” Karki said.

Nepal’s response comes a day after India insisted that the ongoing construction fell in Indian territory but proposed that any dispute could be settled through dialogue in the spirit of bilateral friendship.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST /Jan 17

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Sunday 2,58,089

Active Cases 16,56,341 (+1,05,964)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 4,86,451 (235)

Total Vaccination: 157.20 Crores (+39,46,348)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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DJOKOVIC DEPORTED ON EVE OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN, FLIES TO DUBAI

The No. 1 men’s tennis player and defending Australian Open champion won’t be appearing in this year’s Open, which begins today. Novak Djokovic, whose visa to enter Australia was twice cancelled over an 11-day stretch, lost his appeal to the Federal Court on Sunday. He complied by flying to Dubai.

Djokovic faced long odds in attempting to persuade a three-judge panel that Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision to cancel the visa on grounds of “health and good order” was unlawful.

Both the judges and government attorneys emphasized that under applicable law, Hawke wasn’t bound by the evidentiary record. He can also rely on his common sense and expertise on matters involving public concern. This was a crucial point since it meant that even if evidence for his decision seemed deficient, Hawke, acting within his official capacity as a minister, is accorded deference.

It is to be seen if Djokovic’s absence will impact fan and media interest in the Open. And also if  Djokovic will run into similar problems in other Grand Slam tournaments held this year.

A deportation order also usually includes a three-year ban on returning to Australia.

In Serbia, President Aleksandar Vucic said the hearing was "a farce with a lot of lies." "They think that they humiliated Djokovic with this 10-day harassment, and they actually humiliated themselves. If you said that the one who was not vaccinated has no right to enter, Novak would not come or would be vaccinated," Vucic told reporters.

PAK UNDER TERROR SCRUTINY AGAIN AFTER HOSTAGE DRAMA IN US TO FREE PRISONER

Pakistan is again under scrutiny for its global terrorism footprint after an FBI team shot dead a man who took hostages in a Texas synagogue on Saturday demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani-American neuroscientist serving a 86-year sentence on terrorism-related charges. Islamabad has repeatedly demanded Washington free Siddiqui, a cause celebre in Pakistan and its extremist circles.

The latest episode in US-Pakistan terrorism wrangles began on Saturday morning when a man took four Jewish hostages in a synagogue in Colleyville in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, demanding authorities free his “sister” Aafia Siddiqui, who is incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center 22 miles away in Carswell. During a 12-hour stand-off, a lawyer for Aafia Siddiqu’s family told the media that the perpetrator was not Siddiqui’s brother and “she does not want any violence per petrated against any human being, especially in her name”. The hostage taker claimed to be armed with bombs.

Late in the evening, an FBI hostage rescue team stormed the synagogue after two of the hostages broke free and fled. Grainy video footage on social media showed two hostages bolting from the synagogue door, chased by the perpetrator, who quickly withdraws inside after spotting armed SWAT teams outside. Local media said an explosion and gun shots were heard, and shortly thereafter authorities announced all hostages were free and safe and the hostage taker was dead.

Authorities on Sunday identified the hostage taker as a 44-year-old British national named Malik Faisal Akram. He was shot and killed after the last of the hostages got out at around 9pm (local time) on Saturday. In a statement, the FBI said there was no indication that anyone else was involved, but it didn’t provide a possible motive.

Islamabad has long sought the release of Aafia Siddiqui, whose initiation into extremist circles while she pursued a masters and PhD in Boston, her peregrinations to and from Pakistan, her ties to al-Qaida, and her subsequent capture and conviction, constitutes one of the more murky chapters in the US war on terror. She is regarded as a “daughter of the nation” by sections of the Pakistan establishment who have campaigned for her release from jail.

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CAMPAIGNING IN UP, CHHATTISGARH CM BOOKED FOR FLOUTING COVID NORMS

The Uttar Pradesh police lodged an FIR against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday for allegedly flouting COVID-19 norms while campaigning for a Congress candidate in Noida for the assembly polls.

Baghel along with some supporters was in Noida for a door-to-door campaign in support of Congress' Pankhuri Pathak when the alleged violations took place.

The case, lodged under the Epidemic Diseases Act, names 'others' also as accused besides the senior Congress leader from Chhattisgarh.

HARYANA’S NEW LAW ON PVT SECTOR RESERVATIONS KICKS IN

As the law in Haryana that provides 75 per cent reservation in private sector to job seekers from the state came into effect, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Sunday said it will open new avenues of employment for thousands of youth.

The Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020, applies to jobs offering a maximum gross monthly salary or wages of Rs 30,000 and it came into effect on Saturday.

It is a “historic day” for the youth of Haryana, Chautala said in Sirsa.

He said the labour department has also created a dedicated portal where companies in the state will have to reflect the number of vacancies and this will be constantly monitored by the government. Violation of any provision under this Act will be a punishable offence, he cautioned.

Notably, providing 75 per cent reservation in private sector jobs was a key poll promise of Chautala’s Jannyak Janta Party (JJP). In the 2019 Haryana Assembly polls, the BJP, which fell short of simple majority, formed the government in alliance with the JJP.

FORMER UP MINISTER DARA SINGH CHAUHAN JOINS SAMAJWADI PARTY

Former Uttar Pradesh minister and OBC leader Dara Singh Chauhan joined the Samajwadi Party on Sunday, days after he resigned from the Yogi Adityanath Cabinet.

On Friday, former ministers Swami Prasad Maurya and Dharam Singh Saini, five BJP MLAs and one from the Apna Dal (Sonelal) joined the Samajwadi Party.

Apna Dal (Sonelal) is an ally of the BJP.

While joining the Samajwadi party, Chauhan trained his guns at the BJP, saying, “When the BJP formed government in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, it gave the slogan ‘sabka saath, sabka vikaas’... But, ‘vikaas’ (development) of a handful of people was done and the rest were left to their fate.” Terming the Samajwadi Party as his “old home”, he said, “We will change the politics of Uttar Pradesh, and make Akhilesh Yadav the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh once again.”

AAP PROMISES FREE POWER, RESUMPTION OF MINING IN GOA; SOPS FOR UP TOO

Ahead of the next month’s Goa Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday unveiled his party’s 13-point agenda for the state, which promises free electricity of up to 300 units, resumption of mining activities within six months of coming to power, jobs for all and allowance for the unemployed. After coming to power, the AAP will provide government jobs on the basis of merit, and give unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month to the youth until they get work,” he said.

The UP poll manifesto also seeks to provide free education, free water supply, uninterrupted power supply, free medical services to all, good roads and Rs 1,000 per month allowance to every woman above 18 years of age. It also promises resolution of farmers’ problems and the issues concerning land rights

BENGAL, MAHARSHTRA ALSO EXTEND INVITE TO TESLA

West Bengal on Sunday made a pitch for a piece of the electric vehicle revolution as one of its ministers sent an invite to Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk to “drop here” and set up his business in the state, days after the industrialist tweeted that he was trying to work through some challenges with the Centre.

Md Ghulam Rabbani, the Bengal minister for minority development and madrasa education, on Sunday invited the business magnate to the state, drawing sharp reaction from the BJP.

Mocking Rabbani, BJP’s IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya sought to remind him of the state’s past records. “You might think it is a joke. But it isn’t! West Bengal’s minister in charge for Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education has made an offer to Elon Musk to come invest in WB. His pitch will start with Mamata Banerjee’s record on post poll violence and end with Singur agitation?” Malviya tweeted.

A Maharashtra minister has also extended an invite to Tesla. State water resources minister Jayant Patil wrote to Elon Musk on Twitter on Sunday, inviting him to establish the company’s plant in Maharashtra.

4.6CR INDIANS SLID INTO EXTREME POVERTY, BILLIONAIRE COUNT ROSE IN ’20: UN

A new report on rising inequality highlights that while 4. 6 crore Indians are estimated to have fallen into extreme poverty in 2020, accounting for nearly half of the global ‘new poor’ according to the United Nations, the number of Indian billionaires grew from 102 to 143 during the pandemic period. The collective wealth of India’s 100 richest people hit a record high of Rs 57. 3 lakh crore ($775 billion) in 2021.

The analysis is part of the statement released by Oxfam India, based on the ‘Inequality Kills Report: The Davos India Supplement’, that is part of the global report to be released at the World Economic Forum’s virtual event ‘The Davos Agenda’ on Monday.

In India , the wealth of billionaires during the pandemic (from March, 2020 to November 30, 2021) increased from Rs 23. 1 lakh crore ($313 billion) to Rs 53. 2 lakh crore ($719 billion). In contrast, the report cites the Consumer Pyramid Household Survey data collated by CMIE for 2021 to point that it is estimated that 84% of households in the country suffered a decline in their income in a year marked by unprecedented loss of life and livelihoods.

PANDIT BIRJU MAHARAJ, LEGENDARY KATHAK DANCER, PASSES AWAY

Legendary Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj passed away late Sunday night. He was 83.

A recipient of the country's second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, he was fondly called Pandit-ji or Maharaj-ji by his disciples and legions of followers, and was one of India's best known artistes.

Birju Maharaj was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, which includes his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj.

ANUSHKA PENS EMOTIONAL NOTE FOR VIRAT KOHLI

Actor-producer Anushka Sharma on Sunday penned a heartfelt note for her cricketer husband Virat Kohli and said she was extremely proud of the legacy he leaves behind as the Test captain of the Indian cricket team.

The actor, who tied the knot with Kohli in 2017, wrote how she saw the cricketer grow leaps and bounds ever since he took on the Test captaincy.

"I remember the day in 2014 when you told me that you have been made the captain as MS had decided to retire from test cricket. I remember MS, you and I having a chat later that day and him joking about how quickly your beard will start turning grey. We all had a good laugh about it. Since that day, I've seen more than just your beard turning grey. "I've seen growth. Immense growth. Around you and within you. And yes, I am very proud of your growth as the captain of the Indian National Cricket team and what achievements the team had under your leadership. But I'm more proud of the growth you achieved within you," she wrote.

Sharma recalled how in 2014, the couple was "young and naive", who believed just good intentions, positive drive and motives can take one ahead in life. The actor said while these qualities are instrumental, they come with their own challenges.

"A lot of these challenges that you faced were not always on the field. But then, this is life right? It tests you in places where you least expect it to but where you need it the most. And my love, I am so proud of you for not letting anything come in the way of your good intentions," she wrote.

AUSTRALIA WIN 5TH TEST IN 3 DAYS, TAKE SERIES 4-0

Showing their sheer dominance, fast bowlers helped Australia thrash England by 146 runs in the fifth and final Test on Day 3, to clinch the 2021/22 Ashes series 4-0 and to retain the urn, here on Sunday.

Despite Mark Wood`s lion-hearted efforts to keep his side in the contest with his career-best 6 for 39 to bowl Australia out in their second innings for 155 and set England a realistic chase of 271, visitors folded from 0-68 a ball prior to tea to 124 all out just 22.4 overs later.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins won his maiden Test series 4-0.

And Cummins showed why he is a brilliant team man even after the game was over. After receiving the trophy, the Aussies started celebrating by opening the champagne and Usman Khawaja had to leave the stage due to his religious beliefs. In Islam, alcohol is not consumed and should not even be touched. That is why Khawaja opted out of the group for some time. Cummins saw this and asked his teammates to quit celebrating with spraying of the alcohol and called Khawaja back to the stage.

Scores: Australia 303 & 155; England 188 & 124

LAKSHYA SEN BEATS WORLD CHAMPION TO CLAIM INDIA OPEN TITLE

As he claimed the India Open Super 500 at IG Stadium on Sunday, Lakshya Sen simultaneously beat Singaporean Loh Kean Yew and the tempting instinct to match the world champion’s showboating.

For a pair of men in their early 20s, both equipped with an exuberant attack, the impulse to get into a ‘who’s faster, who’s hitting harder’ contest could have dragged the Almora man into peril at crucial junctures. But Sen displayed maturity and control, putting to shade the world champion who was crowned only last month. On his debut at the Delhi event, Sen, himself a bronze medallist in the world championships, became the first opponent to hand Kean Yew a defeat on the circuit, with a 24-22, 21-17 victory.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2022 TOP-10 SEEDS

Men:

1. Novak Djokovic – withdrew before tournament; 2. Daniil Medvedev; 3. Alexander Zverev; 4. Stefanos Tsitsipas; 5. Andrey Rublev; 6. Rafael Nadal; 7. Matteo Berrettini; 8. Casper Ruud; 9. Felix Auger-Aliassime; 10. Hubert Hurkacz

Women: 1. Ashleigh Barty; 2. Aryna Sabalenka; 3. Garbine Muguruza; 4. Barbora Krejcikova; 5. Maria Sakkari; 6. Anett Kontaveit; 7. Iga Swiatek; 8. Paula Badosa; 9. Ons Jabeur; 10. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher. - Thomas Huxley

OFF TRACK

A farmer was driving along the road with a load of manure.

A little boy playing in front of his house, saw him and called, "What've you got in your truck?"

"Manure," the farmer replied.

"What are you going to do with it?" asked the boy/ "Put it on strawberries," answered the farmer.

"You ought to live here," the boy advised him. "We put cream on ours."