News Flash (19th January 2021): Top 10 Stories Of The Day

1. Maharashtra Health Department gives nod to reopen schools from Jan 27 in the state

On Monday, the School Education department rolled out a circular allowing schools across the state to reopen for Classes V to VIII from 27th January. The circular mentioned about the state Health department agreeing to reopen the schools. As reported by the Indian Express, “The instructions of Central and state government regarding Covid-19 should be followed,” the circular stated. It also mentioned, “the zilla parishads, municipal councils, and corporations should take precautions to ensure that schools and classes are reopened safely.”

2. Government asks WhatsApp to withdraw its new privacy policy

As per the reports, the union government has written to WhatsApp asking it to withdraw the recent changes it made to the privacy policy. In a letter that was addressed to WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart, the government mentioned that the proposed changes have given rise to concerns regarding the implications for the choice and autonomy of Indian citizens.”

3. Bhutan to receive free COVID-19 vaccines from India: PM Lotay Tshering

The Bhutanese newspaper informed that Bhutan’s PM Lotay Tshering has confirmed India’s decision to provide the country COVID-19 vaccines for free. The PM said, “We’ve told GOI [Government of India] that we plan to vaccinate the whole eligible population in one go and they said they understand.” India is most likely to provide the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from Bhutan.

4. Mamata Banerjee says, BJP more dangerous than Maoists

On Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that was BJP more dangerous than the Maoists, and accused the party of making fake promises to the people of the state just to win the votes for the upcoming elections. The CM said, “BJP is more dangerous than the Maoists,” while she was addressing a rally in Purulia district, a hotbed of Left-wing extremism.

5. India creates history, wins series against Australia in test series

India’s victory against Australia has taken the Indians by a storm of excitement and joy. The Indian team won the fourth and final test of the series with three wickets, embracing the win by 2-1. This historic win has attracted appreciation from every Indian. India’s PM Narendra Modi too congratulated the team for it’s excellent performance. 

6. 40 chimneys in South Mumbai  emitting toxic fumes demolished by BMC

40 chimneys belonging to the smelting and gold polishing units located in South Mumbai have been demolished by the BMC.  They were emitting fumes, since December 2020. “Even if we demolish chimneys…workers continue their work inside the rooms, inhaling toxic fumes…leading to further health problems,” an official from the BMC said. “At many places, there has been stiff resistance to our demolition staff,” the official further added.

7. Rahul Gandhi says, “New farm laws designed to destroy agriculture sector”

On Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the new farm laws were passed to destroy the Indian agriculture sector. He also went on to say that gradually a tragedy is unfolding in the country and India is now “being owned by a limited small group of people who I term as crony capitalists”. “We’re seeing the last bastion which was protected from monopoly being overrun,” Rahul added.

8. Union Minister, Amit Shah expected to launch Ayushman healthcare scheme on Jan 23

India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah is soon going to launch the Ayushman healthcare scheme for the central paramilitary force personnel located in Assam in the coming week, an official source informed the media. The source further informed that the minister will be handing over the first Ayushman health cards to the chiefs, a sub-officer, and a jawan belonging to each of the central armed police forces (CAPFs) which includes the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB apart from the NSG and the Assam Rifles as they operate under the command of his ministry. 

9. Lakshadweep Islands reports first Covid-19 positive case after a year of pandemic outbreak

Lakshadweep Islands reported its first Covid-19 case on Monday, after a year of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the country. The infected man belongs to the India Reserve Batallion. He had left for Kavaratti on January 3 by ship from Kochi and tested positive on Monday, official sources said. However, the source clarified that the infected man is not a resident of the islands.

10. Centre declares Netaji Bose’s birth anniversary to be now celebrated as ‘Parakram Diwas’

23rd January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra has been declared as the  ‘Parakram Diwas’ by the Indian Government and will be celebrated every year. “The occasion will be celebrated to inspire people…to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as Netaji did, and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervour,” a statement from the government said.