News Flash (25th January 2021): Top 10 Stories Of The Day

1. Government of UP to provide free coaching for competitive exams from 16th February

On the occasion of Uttar Pradesh’s foundation, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath announced a free coaching facility for students. The initiative titled Abhyudaya will be made available to those preparing for competitive exams. The coaching will begin from 16th February, on Basant Panchami. The chief minister said, “Guidance will be given for various examinations be it NEET, IIT-JEE, NDA, CDS or UPS.” 

2. Digital voter ID card to be launched by the Election Commission today

On the occasion of National Voters’ Day, the Election Commission of India announced the launch of the electronic version of the voter identity card. India’s Law Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad will conduct the e-EPIC program and distribute the Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) to five new voters. You can download the new digital voter ID card on a mobile or computer.

3. Tata most likely to partner with Moderna to launch COVID-19 vaccine in India

Initial discussions between the Tata Group’s healthcare venture and America’s Moderna have begun. The Economic Times reported that it is most likely that the two companies might join hands to launch its COVID-19 vaccine in India. For the purpose of conducting trials, Tata Medical & Diagnostics could collaborate with India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

4. The new gallantry awards website to enable citizens to pay tribute to bravehearts online

The ministry of defence, on Monday, launched a revamped web portal for the purpose of honoring India’s gallantry award winners. With a list of nearly 4,300 awardees put on the website, users have an option to pay tribute to the bravehearts online. In addition to this, the website also holds information on gallantry awards and the names of the awardees post independence.

5. Bill Gates receives his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine; says, “I feel great”

Billionaire and Microsoft Co-founder, Bill Gates, has taken his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Gates tweeted, “One of the benefits of being 65 is that I’m eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. I got my first dose, and I feel great.” He further added, “Thank you to all of the scientists, trial participants, regulators, and frontline healthcare workers.”

6. Makers announce: Uri: The Surgical Strike to re-release in theatres on 26th January

‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ starring actor Vicky Kaushal, is going to be re-released in theatres for the fans and audience on January 26, 2021, theRepublic Day of India. This announcement was made by the makers of the film, on Twitter. The announcement read, “This #RepublicDay, let’s keep our Josh high as we salute our brave soldiers. Watch #UriTheSurgicalStrike…in cinemas near you”. The location where the film will be re-released was also shared. 

7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to interact with 32 Bal Puraskar awardees

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be interacting with 32 children via video conferencing, who have been awarded the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2021’. The award has been presented to the children from 32 districts of 21 states and union territories for their outstanding accomplishments in the field of sports, art, and culture. The President of India too, has congratulated the awardees.

8. Former BARC CEO confesses, “Arnab paid me $12,000 for 2 holidays & ₹40L to manipulate TRPs”

Partho Dasgupta, the former BARC CEO has confessed in a handwritten statement of receiving  $12,000 from Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami for two family holidays, to the Mumbai Police. He also said that he was given ₹40 lakh between 2017 and 2019, for manipulating the channel’s ratings. “Even before launching Republic TV he’d talk to me about plans for the launch,” BARC CEO said.

9. Planes carrying, ‘Worst President Ever’, ‘Pathetic Loser’ signs fly over Trump’s home

Two planes were seen flying over former US President Donald Trump’s new home in Florida that carrying signs that read ‘Worst President Ever’ and ‘Trump You Pathetic Loser Go Back To Moscow’. As reported by the media, officials have no information about this stunt.

10. CEC says, “EC to soon commence mock trials for remote voting facility”

Sunil Arora, the Chief Election Commissioner informed that the mock trials for conducting remote voting for electors would soon begin. For this purpose, the Election Commission has partnered with IIT-Madras to develop a technology. “After system establishes a voter’s identity, a blockchain-enabled personalized e-ballot paper will be generated,”  Sandeep Saxena, a former Senior Deputy Election Commissioner informed.