HEALTH MINISTRY ON LATEST COVID SURGE

The health ministry yesterday said that a sharp surge in Covid-19 cases continued to be noted in India, with the weekly positivity rate touching almost 16% mark in the last one week.

“The pandemic situation shows that the third surge is now spreading in almost all parts of the country. It is also clear that the deaths are low. Vaccination has acted as a shield…the mortality is significantly low…However, the overall positivity of 16% is quite high. There are some states with 50% percent positivity (Goa)….the virus is spreading rapidly. Vaccination and masking have to be adopted. We cannot lower the guard,” Dr V K Paul, head of India’s Covid-19 task force, said.

The ministry specifically flagged that six states continue to remain areas of concern due to an increase in the weekly positivity rate in the week ending January 20 as compared to the weekly positive rate reported in the week ending January 13: Maharashtra (20.35% vs 22.12%); Karnataka (6.78% vs 15.12%); Tamil Nadu (10.70% vs 20.50%); Kerala (12.28% vs 32.34%); Delhi (21.70% vs 30.53%) and Uttar Pradesh (3.32% vs 6.33%). “These are the states with whom we are in continuous contact and we are reviewing the situation. We have sent central teams to these states, who have visited various districts. The health administration of the states have been briefed,” Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.

“On April 30, there were 3.86 lakh new cases reported every day during the second surge, there were around 3,000 deaths. During the period of April 1 to April 30, only 2% in the country were vaccinated. On January 20, there are 3.17 lakh new cases and 380 deaths. At present, 72% have been completely vaccinated. Two aspects emerge from this comparison: compared to the second surge, the number of deaths proportional to the active cases is significantly low; second….there is an impact of vaccination. In the fully vaccinated, the disease is mild or moderate. That’s why it is important that those who haven’t been vaccinated should get it,” Bhushan said.

Bhushan also emphasised that the symptoms have been milder during the current surge. “Around 99% adults have fever, with or without rigors (shivering), cough, and irritation in the throat. And, usually by fifth day, the symptoms are resolving. There are muscular weakness and tiredness.”

MERIT DOESN'T MEAN EXAM PERFORMANCE: SC UPHOLDS OBC QUOTA IN NEET

Merit cannot be reduced to narrow definitions of performance in an open competitive examination which only provides formal equality of opportunity, the Supreme Court said on Thursday as it upheld 27 per cent OBC reservation in All India Quota seats in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses.

Justifying allowing quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) on existing quota for current academic year, the bench said, 'We are still in the midst of the pandemic and any delay in the recruitment of doctors would impact the ability to manage the pandemic. Hence, it is necessary to avoid any further delays in the admission process and allow counselling to begin immediately.'

'High scores in an examination are not a proxy for merit. Merit should be socially contextualised and re-conceptualised as an instrument that advances social goods like equality that we as a society value. In such a context, reservation is not at odds with merit but furthers its distributive consequences,' the bench said.

Justice Chandrachud, who penned down a 106-page verdict, said that the exclusionary standard of merit serves to denigrate the dignity of those who face barriers in their advancement which are not of their own making.

AMAR JAWAN JYOTI TO BE MERGED WITH WAR MEMORIAL FLAME

The eternal flame of Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, which has not been extinguished for 50 years, will be put off today, as it will be merged with the flame at the National War Memorial.

Official sources said that earlier, there was no war memorial to pay homage to all military personnel who had laid down their lives for the country in various wars and conflicts, which is why the flame was at India Gate. Now that there is a dedicated museum, the flame will be merged with the one at the National War Memorial. The National War Memorial was inaugurated in February 2019.

After the National War Memorial was set up, political and military leaders would lay wreaths at the new site, and not at India Gate. Sources said that it was felt that merging the two flames will allow it to be in one place now.

The flame of Amar Jawan Jyoti was established to pay tributes to the soldiers who had died in the 1971 war. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on Republic Day 1972.

The National War Memorial, built over a 40-acre area close to India Gate, has names of over 26,000 Indian soldiers who have died in the wars and conflicts of independent India.

UN SHOULD RECOGNISE PHOBIA AGAINST HINDUS, BUDDHISTS, SIKHS: INDIA

Speaking at the International Counter Terrorism Conference by Global Counter Terrorism Council on January 18, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations T S Tirumurti said, “In the past two years, several Member States, driven by their political, religious and other motivations, have been trying to label terrorism into categories such as racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism, violent nationalism, right wing extremism, etc.”

Referring to “emerging threats”, he said it is “essentially a move to categorise terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, based on the motivations behind such acts”.

Calling it a “dangerous” tendency, Tirumurti said this “goes against some of the accepted principles agreed to by all UN Member States in the recently adopted Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which clearly states that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be condemned and there cannot be any justification for any act of terrorism, whatsoever”.

Such actions, he said, “will take us back to the pre 9/11 era of labeling terrorists” as “my terrorists” and “your terrorists” and will “erase the collective gains we have made over the last two decades”.

On religious phobias, Tirumurti said the UN has “highlighted some of them over the years, namely, those based on Islamophobia, Christianophobia and antisemitism – the three Abrahamic religions”, which are also mentioned in the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. He said “new phobias, hatred or bias against other major religions of the world need to also be fully recognised”.

The emergence of contemporary forms of religiophobia, he said, “especially anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist and anti-Sikh phobias is a matter of serious concern and needs attention of the UN and all Member States to address this threat”. Only then “can we bring greater balance into our discussion on such topics”, he said.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST /Jan 21

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Thursday 3,47,254        

Active Cases 20,18,825 (+94,774)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 4,88,396 (394)

Total Vaccination: 160.43 Crores (+70,49,779)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

BIDEN SEEMS RESIGNED TO INVASION OF UKRAINE, WARNS RUSSIA OF SANCTIONS

In remarks that startled diplomatic and geopolitical circles, US President Joe Biden on Wednesday seemed to acknowledge the inevitability of Russia invading Ukraine, while suggesting that Moscow could get away with a minor incursion if Nato allies are divided.

“I think what you’re going to see is that Russia will be held accountable if it invades. And it depends on what it does. It’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion and then we end up having a fight about what to do and not do, et cetera,” he said, appearing to suggest that only a full blown military invasion will result in punitive western response. “Militarily, they have overwhelming superiority, and on — as it relates to Ukraine. But they’ll pay a stiff price — immediately, near term, medium term, and long term — if they do. ”

These comments from Biden so surprised journalists that follow-up questions centered on whether he was giving Russia a green light for a minor incursion. “Good question. It did sound (like) that, didn’t it. . . ” Biden said, while asserting Russian forces crossing the border and killing Ukrainian fighters “changes everything”, suggesting Moscow could get away with actions short of that.

BORIS JOHNSON LIFTS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, SCRAPS FACE MASK RULES, VACCINE PASS

The UK government has announced that restrictions reimposed in England last month to fight the surge in Omicron coronavirus cases would be lifted, citing data that showed infections had peaked.

Guidance advising people to work from home was lifted immediately, while from the middle of next week they will no longer have to wear masks in any setting or use a so-called COVID-19 pass to enter venues such as nightclubs.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is fighting for his political future amid a scandal over his staff partying during past lockdowns, told MPs the country's "extraordinary booster campaign" had made the change possible.

"Our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally," he added, while cautioning "the pandemic is not over".

"I encourage everyone across the country to continue with all the cautious behaviours that we know help to keep each everybody safe," Johnson said.

Some have claimed relaxing the rules is driven by the embattled leader wanting to please critics angry at the revelations that he and his staff broke COVID-19 lockdown rules by holding numerous parties at Downing Street.

THE REST

=========

ASSAM, MEGHALAYA CMS MEET SHAH, BRIEF HIM ON BORDER PACT

A day after agreeing to resolve the decades-old border disputes, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma on Thursday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him about the outcome of their discussions and how to settle the issue amicably.

The two chief ministers on Wednesday had said Assam and Meghalaya Governments agreed to resolve the border disputes and came to a consensus on the villages and identified natural boundaries such as rivers and forests.

“I along with HCM Meghalaya Sri @SangmaConrad met Adarniya Griha Mantri Sri @AmitShah ji in New Delhi. We apprised HM on the outcomes of discussions held between Assam and Meghalaya governments to resolve the border disputes amicably. We’re grateful for his guidance,” Sarma tweeted after attending the hour-long meeting with Sangma.

Sangma also tweeted: “Called on Hon’ble HM, @AmitShah ji with HCM of Assam, @himantabiswa ji and apprised him on the reports of the regional committees. He expressed happiness on the initiative taken by both states in the matter. The MHA will examine the reports and we will meet HM again post January 26.”

CONGRESS APPROACHES EC OVER RAIDS ON CHANNI’S KIN

As the political war of words intensified over raids by the ED at the residence and offices of Bhupinder Singh Honey, the nephew of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, the Congress on Thursday approached the Election Commission seeking its intervention.

The Congress said that the “pattern of raids” on the family members of the Punjab CM, and the “unleashing of the maligning game”, with the ED being what it called an “active party”, violated a 2019 direction of the EC, the Model Code of Conduct and several laws.

“This is a brazen misuse of the official machinery and part of a larger pattern of malicious intimidation that is being done to directly influence the outcome in five election-bound states. The Commission must enforce what it commands… It is important that the Commission intervenes and exercises its power under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and address this issue by taking stern actions against ED officials conducting such illegal and malafide raids and the consequent game to malign and defame,” the Congress said in a petition to the EC.

GOA POLLS: BJP DENIES PANAJI TO PARRIKAR'S SON; AAP OFFERS HIM TICKET

The BJP released its first list of 34 candidates for the Goa assembly polls on Thursday, with Utpal Parrikar's name missing from it, as the party has preferred Atanasio Babush Monserrate over him from Panaji.

Utpal Parrikar, son of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar and a senior BJP leader, had expressed his desire to contest from Panaji, his father's seat, where the party has decided to field Monserrate

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, the party's poll in-charge for Goa Devendra Fadnavis said for the BJP, the Parrikar family is its own family.

"But from the seat that Utpal wanted to contest, we already have a sitting MLA and it would not be fair to drop him. However, we have given him the option of contesting from two other seats and the talks are progressing in that direction," Fadnavis said.

After Utpal failed to make it to the BJP's list of candidates for next month's Goa assembly polls, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday accused the saffron party of adopting a "use and throw policy even with the Parrikar family".  Kejriwal also invited Utpal Parrikar to join the AAP and contest the assembly election on its ticket.

ARMY ASKS PLA TO LOCATE AND RETURN MISSING BOY; NOT AWARE, SAYS CHINA

A day after a youth from Arunachal Pradesh was suspected to have been kidnapped by the China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Indian Army has asked it to locate the missing youth on its side and return him as per established protocol.

The Army contacted the PLA through an established mechanism informing it that Miram Taron, who was collecting herbs and hunting, has lost his way and cannot be found near the Line of Actual (LAC).

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry of China said on Thursday that it was not aware of the incident. Its spokesperson reportedly said, "The Chinese People's Liberation Army controls borders in accordance with the law and cracks down on illegal entry and exit activities."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi weighed in on the issue. "Why is pm silent? The Prime Minister’s silence is a statement... he doesn’t care," he said.

GOVT ISSUES NEW COVID GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN

Use of antivirals or monoclonal antibodies is not recommended for those less than 18 years of age, irrespective of severity of Covid infection, and if steroids are used, they should be tapered over 10 to 14 days, subject to clinical improvement, the government said on Thursday.

In the 'Revised Comprehensive Guidelines for Management of COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents (below 18 years)', the health ministry also said that masks are not recommended for children aged five years and below.

Those aged 6-11 years may wear it depending on the ability of the child to use a mask safely and appropriately under direct supervision of parents, it said.

Those aged 12 and above should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults, the ministry said.

The guidelines reiterate that steroids are indicated only in hospitalised severe and critically ill COVID-19 cases under strict supervision.

INHERITENCE: DAUGHTERS GET PREFERENCE OVER OTHER COLLATERAL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY

In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court on Thursday said the daughters of a male Hindu, dying intestate, would be entitled to inherit the self-acquired and other properties obtained in the partition by the father and get preference over other collateral members of the family.

The judgement, which came on an appeal against the Madras High Court verdict, dealt with the property rights of Hindu women and widows under the Hindu Succession Act.

“If a property of a male Hindu dying intestate (without a will) is a self-acquired property or obtained in the partition of a coparcenary or a family property, the same would devolve by inheritance and not by survivorship, and a daughter of such a male Hindu would be entitled to inherit such property in preference to other collaterals (such as sons/daughters of brothers of deceased father),” a bench of justices S Abdul Nazeer and Krishna Murari said.

Justice Murari, writing the 51-page judgment for the bench, also dealt with the question of whether such property will devolve on to the daughter upon the death of her father, who died without a will, by inheritance or shall devolve on to “father’s brother’s son by survivorship”.

FINES, NOT JAIL — HOW BIHAR PLANS TO DILUTE LIQUOR LAW AFTER CJI’S CRITICISM

Nudged by the judiciary for clogging courts with cases arising out of Bihar’s prohibition law, the Nitish Kumar government has proposeed to amend the state’s anti-liquor legislation to reduce the load on the legal system.

The changes suggested include imposing fines on first-time offenders, instead of sending them to jail.

Under the present law, brought into effect in 2016, first-time offenders can get bail from the police by paying Rs 50,000, but have to still face trial in court. Since most of the people fail to pay the fine, according to sources in the police and judiciary, they also end up going to jail and then applying for regular bail, either in the trial court or high court.

The current provisions under the prohibition law also calls for the seizure of vehicles from which liquor is recovered. This is also expected to be done away with.

The proposals are likely to be placed before the Bihar assembly in its forthcoming session in February.

INDICATORS

Sensex 59,465 (-634), Nifty 17,757 (-181), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 63,520

Nasdaq 14,154 (-186) Dow 34,715 (-313), S&P 4,483 (-50)

US$-Rs. 74.30 GBP-Rs. 101.21, Euro-Rs. 84.24, UAE Dhm-Rs.20.22, Can$-Rs. 59.48, Aus$- Rs. 53.78

GBP 0.73 /US$, Euro 0.88 /US$, Jap.Yen 114.22 /US$, Aus$ 1.38 /US$, Sing 1.34 /US$, Bang Taka 84.36 /US$, Can$ 1.24 /US$, Mal Ring 4.18 /US$,

Pak Re 175.67 /US$, Phil Peso 51.38 /US$, Russian Rouble 76.37 /US$, NZ$ 1.47 /US$, Thai Baht 32.86 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 28.10 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 39,862

Dollar Index 95.65 Brent Crude 86.47 BDI 1,474

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,841 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 4,960 / 4,760, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 68,800

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Almost all unhappiness in life comes from the tendency to blame someone else. - Brian Tracy

OFF TRACK

Joe finally decided to tie the knot with his long-time girlfriend. One evening, after their honeymoon, he was welding some stuff in the garage, just for fun. His new wife was standing there at the bench watching him.

After a long period of silence she finally spoke. "Honey, I've just been thinking, now that we're married, maybe it's time you quit spending all your time out here in the shop. You probably should just consider selling all this stuff along with your gun collection and that stupid vintage Harley.`

Joe got a horrified look on his face.

She said, "Darling, what's wrong?"

He replied, "There, for a minute, you were starting to sound like my ex-wife."

"Ex-wife!" she screamed, "YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU WERE MARRIED BEFORE!"

Joe replied, "I wasn't."